🌱 Billings Safe Routes To School + Jobs Jamboree Today + Record Sales

Hi all. It's me, Lauren Kubiak, your host of the Patch newsletter. Here are all the most important things to know about what's happening locally.

But first, your local weather:

• Wednesday: A little afternoon snow. High: 37 Low: 21.
• Thursday: Partly sunny and cold. High: 34 Low: 19.

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Here are the top three stories in Billings today:

1. The Billings-Yellowstone County Metropolitan Planning Organization has launched a new interactive map and survey to encourage safer walking routes to school. The first phase identified hazards on pedestrian routes to Billings Public Schools’ 22 elementary schools, and phase two includes middle and private schools throughout Yellowstone County. Potential projects may include the development of additional infrastructure, such as crosswalks and sidewalks, and the implementation of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design to address activity in nearby neighborhoods. (Billings Gazette)
2. More than 100 employers from various industries will be at the 31st annual Jobs Jamboree at the MetraPark Pavilion in Billings today, Mar. 15. The free event will be open to the public from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., with early access for service members, veterans, and their families at 11 a.m. Attendees should dress professionally, bring a resume, and interview employers to find the best fit for their skills and experience. (KULR-TV)
3. Cameron Records in Billings has experienced a record number of sales each year since it opened in 2019, with between 10,000-15,000 records available in the store. Vinyl records have surpassed CD sales nationwide, and owner TJ Goodwin has seen exponential growth, driven not just by those who love records but young people who have never experienced the format. Customers have the option to play music on their phones, but many prefer the sound of vinyl records and the opportunity to sit back and relax while listening. (Q2 News)

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Today and tomorrow in Billings:

Wednesday, March 15

• Tours Today At Moss Mansion Museum (12:00 PM)
• Billings Council Legislative Committee Meeting At City Hall Conference Room (4:00 PM)

Thursday, March 16

• Billings Chamber of Commerce Legislative Videoconference At Montana State University Billings Liberal Arts Building, Room 208 (12:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• New homes have been listed for sale in the Billings area! Get all the property details at the link. (Billings Patch)
• Nine firefighters from the Billings Fire Department participated in and placed in the top firefighters in the Leukemia Stair Climb Event in Seattle. Billings firefighters completed the climb of 1,356 steps and 788 feet of altitude in under 18 minutes and 55 seconds. The event raised over $2 million, and some of the participants climbed with photos of leukemia patients and survivors in their helmets to honor them. (KULR-TV)
• The City of Billings is increasing its efforts to address nuisance properties, properties with multiple code violations such as trash buildup, abandoned vehicles, and boarded-up windows, which contribute to crime and declining property values. In 2022, the city issued 11 court orders to clean up properties, and Public Safety Mill Levy funds have been used to increase code enforcement. (KULR-TV)

That's it for today. See you all soon for another 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.