🌱 Long-Range Transportation Plan Update + Sodexo Chefs Challenge

Hello all. It's me, Lauren Kubiak, your host of the Patch newsletter. Come along for everything you need to know about what's happening around town.

But first, your local weather:

• Wednesday: Mostly cloudy and cold. High: 34 Low: 22.
• Thursday: Cold; afternoon snow showers. High: 34 Low: 23.

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 in Billings today:

1. The Billings-Yellowstone County Metropolitan Planning Organization is updating the Billings Urban Area Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) and seeks public input to identify ways to enhance the transportation system and make investments for the future. An in-person open house is scheduled for Apr. 5 at the Billings Public Library, while a virtual open house will be held on Apr. 6. The LRTP process will help provide transportation options for the community. (Subscription: Billings Gazette)
2. Fifteen elementary school students participated in the Sodexo Future Chefs National Challenge at Billings Senior High School where they showed off their cooking skills by creating their own dishes with their favorite fruit or vegetable incorporated into a side dish. The fourth and fifth graders were excited to have the opportunity to learn how to cook and compete in a fun-filled event. Although they were nervous at first, the competitors enjoyed making their own dishes and meeting new people, making the challenge a chance to learn about different cultures. (Q2 News)
3. Peter Lilly is walking from Florida to Washington – and made a recent stop in Billings – to raise money for cancer research, a cause close to his heart after his father's death from brain cancer nine years ago and his grandmother's recent death from the same disease. He has already raised over $20,000 and hopes to raise even more with this trek. Although the journey is tough, Lilly remains motivated to honor his loved ones and help others affected by cancer. (Q2 News)

From our sponsor:

Are you a Billings resident looking for an investment alternative to the stock market? Consider fine art. Masterworks is the award-winning platform helping 670,000+ people invest in works by the same world-renowned artists that are coveted by ultra-wealthy collectors and major museums alike (think Picasso, Basquiat, and Banksy.) Masterworks securitizes artworks by qualifying offerings with the SEC, allowing YOU to invest in shares of multi-million dollar paintings.

Contemporary art has outpaced the stock market by a whopping 131% over the last 26 years. All 11 of Masterworks’ sales have been profitable, the last 3 realizing 10.4%, 35%, and 13.9% net returns respectively.*

Best of all, as a trusted partner, Billings Patch readers can skip their waitlist to join.

See important Reg A disclosures: masterworks.com/cd

Today and tomorrow in Billings:

Wednesday, March 29

• Council Legislative Committee Meeting At City Hall Conference Room (4:00 PM)
• Wind Down Wednesday Social Event At Meadowlark Brewing (5:30 PM)

Thursday, March 30

• Arterial Drive At The Windmill (6:00 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)
• A local business and a nonprofit are working together to help a family facing the challenges of a terminal cancer diagnosis. Maylin Bell, a 5-year-old diagnosed with a rare and fast-growing brain tumor called diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, is receiving support from the city, which has provided donations and auction items to help the family. (KULR-TV)
• Shay Reiser, also known as the "Wander Woman," wanders the streets of Billings twice a month, feeding those in need and giving clothes, blankets, premade hygiene packs, and snacks to anyone who wants and needs them. The Wander Woman operates independently, and despite paying for a lot of these items out of pocket, she thinks love and empathy are the biggest lessons for anyone. (KULR-TV)

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