🌱 Danwalt Gardens Becomes Botanical Garden + Pay-As-You-Throw System

Welcome back, Billings. I'm here in your inbox this morning to tell you everything you need to know about what's going on in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Friday: Hazy, very warm and smoky. High: 80 Low: 54.
• Saturday: Mostly cloudy and very warm. High: 83 Low: 52.

Business owners and marketers in Billings: Do you want to build awareness with local customers? I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. Click here to learn more.

Here are the top three stories today in Billings:

1. Danwalt Gardens in Billings recently achieved the milestone of becoming an official botanical garden, attracting tourists and garden enthusiasts. The two-acre garden, initially a backyard turned event venue, offers a variety of plant species, educational opportunities, and a serene atmosphere. The owners, Clint Lunde and his wife, have worked towards this designation for several years to put Danwalt Gardens on the map as a must-visit destination. (Q2 News)
2. Billings city officials are considering implementing a "pay as you throw" system for trash collection, which would allow for the introduction of curbside recycling. The current system, where all residential customers pay the same fee for garbage pickup, is seen as inequitable, inefficient, and unsafe for workers. The proposed changes would involve replacing the extra pickup program with a monthly curbside recycling service, promoting waste reduction and environmental benefits while improving efficiency and safety for garbage collectors. (Subscription: Billings Gazette)
3. A Billings family experienced a distressing ordeal when their dog was stolen from their backyard and held for ransom in April. Despite encountering scammers who demanded money for the dog's return, the family eventually enlisted the help of the Billings Police Department, leading to the recovery of their pet. The incident reflects a growing trend of dognappings, with cases on the rise according to the American Kennel Club, prompting experts to advise pet owners to microchip their dogs and report such incidents to the appropriate authorities. (Q2 News)

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Today and tomorrow in Billings:

Friday, May 19

• Machine Head: Electric Happy Hour Live At Pub Station (7:00 PM)

Saturday, May 20

• Kane Brown Drunk or Dreaming Tour At MetraPark Arena (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Are you looking for a new family member with four paws? Check out the list of adoption-ready pets in the Billings area at the link! (Billings Patch)
• Sierra Trading Post, an off-price retailer, recently opened its doors at 2618 King Ave. W. in Billings, taking over the former location of Big Bear Sports Center. The building has also welcomed PetCo and HomeGoods as tenants, with room for two additional storefronts after undergoing extensive renovations following the closure of Big Bear in 2018. (Q2 News)
• Are you interested in working for the city? The Billings Police Department is now accepting applications for lateral transfers and probationary police officers through its online application process. (Billings Police Department via Facebook)

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Thanks for following along and staying informed! 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.