🌱 City Awarded EPA Funds For Clean Up + Jail Needs Assessment Update

Morning, Billings! It's me, Lauren Kubiak, your host of the Billings Patch newsletter. Here's all the local news you need to know right now.

But first, your local weather:

• Friday: Heavy rain and a thunderstorm. High: 66 Low: 53.
• Saturday: A stray afternoon t-shower. High: 72 Low: 56.

From our sponsor:

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Here are the top three stories in Billings today:

1. Montana communities are receiving federal funding through the Environmental Protection Agency to clean up and redevelop brownfield sites, which are properties with potential environmental contamination hindering their reuse. The funding, allocated from the bipartisan infrastructure bill, is being distributed across various Montana cities and counties, including Billings, to identify and remediate brownfields. Big Sky Economic Development received a $1 million Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund grant, providing funds for property assessments and low-interest loans to support the cleanup and repair of brownfield properties. (Q2 News)
2. Eduro Healthcare, a Utah-based company, has acquired two nursing homes in Billings and aims to enhance senior care facilities throughout Montana. Despite the challenges faced by the industry, Eduro CEO Christopher Thompson expresses the company's passion and commitment to making a positive impact on people's lives. While the company continues to expand, Thompson emphasizes the need for state lawmakers to address the issues leading to the closure of nursing homes, highlighting the importance of legislative support. (Q2 News)
3. The Yellowstone County commissioners responded to the City of Billings' request for a jail needs assessment, stating that it is premature and there are more viable alternatives to tackle overcrowding in the Yellowstone County Detention Facility. They emphasized that the county still has a substantial debt of approximately $7 million from the recent expansion of the facility. The commissioners acknowledged concerns raised by Sheriff Mike Linder about understaffing and highlighted the main problems caused by overcrowding, such as trial delays and the inability to transfer federal inmates to the Department of Corrections Facility in Deer Lodge. Despite valuing its collaborative relationship with the city, the county emphasized the need to prioritize financial management and explore more cost-effective solutions before considering jail expansion. (KULR-TV)

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Today and tomorrow in Billings:

Friday, June 2

• ArtWalk Billings At Sandstone Gallery (5:00 PM)

Saturday, June 3

• Spring Fest At Moss Mansion Museum (9:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• The Billings Police Department has been proactively addressing problem areas in bars by holding meetings with bar owners to identify issues and potential solutions or consequences. Lt. Matt Lennick mentioned successful meetings with establishments such as Carlin, Rowdy's (now Daisy Duke's), Shooters, and America's Wild West, where they discussed concerns like over-serving alcohol, serving minors, and enhancing security. These meetings have proven effective in reducing the number of calls for service and improving safety, as evidenced by notable decreases in calls to Shooters and America's Wild West after implementing changes based on the discussions. (Q2 News)
• The Pepsi Entertainment Series at MontanaFair has announced Carly Pearce as the performer for the second night show at the First Interstate Arena on Saturday, Aug. 12! Tickets are available for purchase starting today (Jun. 2) at 10 a.m. (MontanaFair via Facebook)
• ZooMontana officially announced the new names of its wolverine kits: Kovaa and Villi! The wolverine naming fundraiser raised $235 that will go toward continued care of the wolverine family at the zoo. (ZooMontana via Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Friday. 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.