🌱 MT Approves 3D-Printed Homes + New Brain Injury Support Group

Hey, friends! It's me, Lauren Kubiak, your host of the Billings Patch newsletter. Let's get this Friday started off right with a quick guide to everything you need to know about what's going on around town.

But first, your local weather:

• Friday: Mostly sunny. High: 45 Low: 17.
• Saturday: Mostly sunny. High: 46 Low: 24.

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. Contractor Tim Stark, based in Billings, has gained approval from the state to start building 3D-printed homes in Montana, which can cost around 30 percent less than traditional home builds and drastically cuts down the build time. Stark said he just needs to collect the printing machine from out of state before building can begin, which he expects will be early this summer. Stark also mentioned that he plans on building homes in Bozeman and Missoula, as well as in Billings. (Q2 News)
2. The Rehabilitation Hospital of Montana in Billings has introduced the city's first brain injury support group in a few years, offering hope and support to patients coping with traumatic brain injuries. The group, called "Billings Brain Injuries – Rewired," was founded by Kelsey Hansen, who suffered a skull fracture and multiple brain bleeds following a horse riding accident in 2012. Hansen and other patients receive specialist therapy, including speech, physical, and occupational therapy, to improve patient function and aid recovery. (Q2 News)
3. Darwin Dalton Sutherland, 29, a man who admitted to illegally possessing firearms after supplying two stolen guns to two women and later robbed a Billings liquor store and ditched the guns at an elementary school playground, was sentenced to 37 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Makayla Fetter and Taliah Ramirez were sentenced to 10 and seven years in prison respectively, for their convictions related to the armed robbery. The case was investigated by the FBI as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence in communities. (KULR-TV)

Today and tomorrow in Billings:

Friday, March 17

• St. Patrick's Day Specials At Meadowlark Brewing (11:30 AM)
• Empower Hour At Pura Vida Studio (7:30 PM)

Saturday, March 18

• St. Patrick's Day Parade & Celtic Fair At Skypoint (10:00 AM)

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)
• Nearly 120 vendors participated in the 31st annual Jobs Jamboree hosted on Wednesday, Mar. 15, attracting over 1,000 attendees inquiring about various job opportunities. Attendees were able to explore potential employment opportunities and receive advice from businesses regarding delivery driving, food work, and military careers. (KULR-TV)
• How absolutely adorable are these "beans" ZooMontana posted? Check out the zoo's newly announced wolverine kits and their transformation from newborns to now at the link! (ZooMontana via Facebook)

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Featured events:

• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Get Free Stuff And Great Perks Every Week (March 21)
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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 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.