🌱 Fatal Motorcycle Crash + New Superintendent $205K Contract Approved

Hello all. I'm here with your fresh copy of the Billings Patch newsletter, filled with all the local information you need to know right now.

But first, your local weather:

• Monday: A t-storm around in the p.m.. High: 88 Low: 56.
• Tuesday: Mostly cloudy. High: 82 Low: 56.

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. A fatal accident occurred in Billings on Saturday night involving two motorcycles, resulting in one person being killed and another critically injured. The accident took place at the intersection of 4th Avenue North and North 24th Street. One driver was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other was transported by ambulance in critical condition. The investigation is ongoing, and no additional information is currently available. (KULR-TV)
2. Jeff Schumacher, along with his close confidants, overcame numerous obstacles to establish the Lewis-Clark Valley independent college football program in Idaho nearly a decade ago. Now, Schumacher is working on building a similar program in Billings, with the goal of bringing a college football program to the city for the first time in decades. The program, tentatively named the "Billings University Buffaloes," is set to start playing in fall 2024, and Schumacher is eager to share the program's goals, including using football to help students earn degrees. (406mtsports.com)
3. Billings Public Schools trustees have approved a three-year contract for their new superintendent, Erwin Garcia, who will assume the position after the current superintendent steps down. Garcia, previously an area superintendent in the Houston Independent School District, will begin his tenure on Jul. 1. The board unanimously agreed on Garcia's employment contract, which includes an annual salary of $205,000 for the upcoming school year, with subsequent increases tied to raises for teachers and staff. (Subscription: Billings Gazette)

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Today and tomorrow in Billings:

Monday, May 22

• CASA Bingo Night At Big B Bingo & Casino (6:00 PM)

Tuesday, May 23

• Billings Job Fair (Virtual) Hosted By MilitaryX (11:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• Elysian School in west Billings will soon have a $4.1 million facility for track and field, football, soccer, and lacrosse, providing students with a high-quality sports field and track typically seen in high schools. The project includes a turf field, synthetic track, and lights, and it is expected to be completed by the end of the year. (Q2 News)
• New homes have been listed for sale in the Billings area! Get all the property details at the link. (Billings Patch)
• Are you looking to fill your social calendar this week? Check out the list of events happening in and around Billings this week at the link! (Billings 365)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today. I'll catch up with you bright and early soon with your next 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.