🌱 Billings Woman Faces Felony Charges + Parks & Rec. Asking For $142M

Hello, friends. It's Wednesday in Billings and I'm back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening in town.

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Now, your local weather:

• Wednesday: An afternoon thundershower. High: 66 Low: 49.
• Thursday: Mostly sunny and delightful. High: 73 Low: 54.

From our sponsor:

Today’s Billings Patch newsletter is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. T-Mobile has invested billions to light up their best network ever, covering 99% of people in America with LTE, which helps to keep communities like ours informed and connected. We thank T-Mobile for their support and for making today’s Billings Patch newsletter possible.

Here are the top three stories today in Billings:

1. A neighborhood dispute near Ponderosa Elementary School in Billings escalated into violence when a woman, Jessica Schnetter, allegedly fired a weapon during the argument. The conflict began when Schnetter became annoyed that another woman, Roxanne Thompson, had parked her car in front of Schnetter's house instead of next to the home she was visiting. The situation escalated, leading to Schnetter damaging Thompson's car with decorative wood and eventually firing multiple shots near the area of Ponderosa Elementary School, resulting in her arrest on criminal endangerment charges. (Q2 News)
2. The Billings Parks and Recreation Department is proposing a $142 million bond to City Council, which, if approved, will be presented to voters in November. The bond aims to fund various projects, including the construction of a recreational center, improvements to parks and trails, and the rebuilding of facilities, such as the South Park Pool and community centers at Pioneer Park and Centennial Parks. The department believes that investing in these upgrades will enhance the community's quality of life, promote outdoor activities, and foster a sense of community among residents. (KULR-TV)
3. Montanans are facing food insecurity due to the increased costs of housing and childcare after the pandemic, as highlighted in the 2023 Montana Hunger Report. To address this issue, Elliott Oppenheim has transformed his horse pasture into a garden to provide fresh fruits and vegetables to those in need. Oppenheim plans to donate the produce to local food banks, shelters, and religious organizations, aiming to inspire others to utilize their land for similar charitable gardens. (Q2 News)

Today and tomorrow in Billings:

Wednesday, June 21

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

Thursday, June 22

• Emo Night At The Pub Station Taproom (8:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Join the Billings Symphony for the 51st annual Symphony in the Park at Pioneer Park on Jun. 25! The free, family-friendly concert will feature a diverse program, including music from popular productions like "Phantom of the Opera," "Avatar: The Way of Water," "The Little Mermaid," and "Spiderman." (Subscription: Laurel Outlook)
• New homes have been listed for sale in the Billings area! Get all the property details at the link. (Billings Patch)
• You can stay informed about the new City Hall construction progress by visiting here, where you'll find weekly updates featuring construction updates, artist renderings, floor plans, and a feedback form for sharing your thoughts and inquiries. The building is projected to be completed by August 2024, remaining on schedule. (City of Billings Government via Facebook)

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Wednesday off right. I'll be in your inbox soon with 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.