🌱 Billings City Hall For Sale + Firearm Regulations Revised + History

Hello again, friends! It's me, Lauren Kubiak, your host of the Billings Patch newsletter. Keep reading for everything you need to know about what's going on around town.

But first, your local weather:

• Wednesday: A t-storm around in the p.m.. High: 84 Low: 52.
• Thursday: Showers and a heavier t-storm. High: 75 Low: 58.

From our sponsor:

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Here are the top three stories in Billings today:

1. Billings City Hall, a historic property with architectural charm, is being put up for sale, but the process is complex and involves several requirements. The three-story building, covering 38,000 square feet, was constructed in the 1940s and renovated in the 1990s. It offers potential for various uses, and city officials are particularly interested in a buyer who can preserve the building's historical value while transforming it into a modern space, potentially with housing on the upper floors and retail on the ground level. (Q2 News)
2. Billings has revised its regulations on firearms, adapting to changes in state law. Previously, the possession of weapons, firearms, or destructive devices in city buildings was restricted to law enforcement officers only, but due to the new state law, this restriction is no longer legal. The updated ordinance, which goes into effect on Jun. 21, now permits the carrying of concealed firearms in certain areas of city buildings for individuals with a valid permit, while still prohibiting open carry and possession of unpermitted concealed firearms, except for law enforcement officers, in city buildings. (Billings Gazette)
3. In their efforts to preserve the history of Billings, two passionate history enthusiasts have turned to Facebook. Rebecca Heimbuck, a Billings native, created the page "Billings, Montana As She Was" with over 6,000 members, sharing her extensive collection of postcards showcasing the city's past. Chris Atkins, originally from the area but now living in Texas, moderates the page "Billings Montana History" and finds it fascinating to explore the memories and perspectives of people who grew up in Billings during different eras, offering a unique glimpse into the town's history. (Q2 News)

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Today and tomorrow in Billings:

Wednesday, May 31

• Yoga At Yellowstone Art Museum (10:30 AM)

Thursday, June 1

• Candidate School 2023 At Billings Chamber Of Commerce (8:00 AM)

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From my notebook:

• The family and friends bicycle race Tour de Fleur is scheduled for Saturday, Jun. 3. (Subscription: Billings Gazette)
• If you're in the market for a new home, you're in luck! Plenty of properties are available in and around Billings, including a 4,588-square-foot home at 2911 Stanford Drive, which is listed for $529,900. Click the link to see all the available listings. (Billings Patch)
• The Billings Police Department will hold a hiring process for lateral transfers on Jun. 15 and probationary police officers on Jul. 15. Applications will continue to be accepted until Jun. 12 (for lateral transfers) and Jul. 12 (for probationary police officers). Click here to apply. (Billings Police Department via Facebook)

Alrighty, you're all caught up for today! I'll be back in your inbox soon with a new update.

— Lauren Kubiak

About me: Lauren is an Editor for Lightning Media Partners. She graduated from Rowan University with a Bachelor’s in journalism. She was previously a full-time editor at an association management firm, editing peer-reviewed nursing journals, textbooks, and newsletters.