🌱 New YWCA Billings CEO + Man Sentenced To 100 Years For Child Abuse

Good morning, neighbors. It's me, Lauren Kubiak, your host of the Billings Patch newsletter — here to impart all the most important things happening in our community.

But first, your local weather:

• Friday: Mostly sunny. High: 87 Low: 62.
• Saturday: Mostly sunny. High: 90 Low: 64.

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Here are the top three stories today in Billings:

1. Erin Lambert has been named the permanent CEO of YWCA Billings, as announced by the nonprofit organization. Lambert had been serving as interim CEO since September 2022 following the departure of Merry Lee Olson. With 18 years of experience at YWCA Billings, Lambert's dedication to the organization's mission and her work in addressing domestic violence and human trafficking were factors in her appointment as CEO. (Q2 News)
2. Due to a gas line being struck by construction crews in the 1800 block of Siesta Lane on High Sierra Boulevard, residents in the area were advised to remain indoors and keep windows closed on Wednesday. The Billings Police Department has reported the incident, indicating that a private utility company accidentally hit a 50-pound gas line in the Heights area. Montana-Dakota Utilities was dispatched to address the situation, and repairs were estimated to take a few hours. (KULR-TV)
3. A Billings man named Asia Carl Soapes, aged 40, has been sentenced to 100 years in prison for multiple counts of child sex abuse. Soapes was found guilty of sexually assaulting two underage girls, with one survivor speaking up after initial charges were filed against him. The investigation by law enforcement agencies and Child and Family Services revealed that Soapes had molested and sexually assaulted one girl repeatedly over a four-year period, starting when she was 10 years old, and another woman reported that Soapes had raped her in 2009 when she was 17. (Subscription: Billings Gazette)

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Today and tomorrow in Billings:

Friday, June 30

• Fri-DIY Workshop At AR Workshop Billings (6:00 PM)

Saturday, July 1

• Beers For Queers Drag Bingo Night At The Loft Dance Club (6:00 PM)

In partnership with T-Mobile:

Father's Day has come and gone, but that doesn't mean we have to stop celebrating rad dads, past and present. Patch partnered with T-Mobile to shine a light on exceptional fathers in communities like Billings. Click here to meet 13 awesome dads and learn more about the legacies they're leaving behind.

From my notebook:

• Billings city leaders are exploring the concept of establishing Montana's first Family Justice Center in order to provide comprehensive support for domestic violence victims. Victims would be able to access various services conveniently in one building by co-locating government and community organizations, potentially improving their assistance experience. The idea is inspired by successful models implemented in 130 other cities across the country and aims to address the issue of underreported cases of domestic violence. (Q2 News)
• 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)
• Alysa Keller of Billings West has been named the Gatorade girls track and field athlete of the year for her exceptional performance! Keller secured the javelin title at the Class AA state meet, setting a new AA record and ranking 11th nationally among high school girls. Recognized for her athletic excellence, academic achievement, and character, Keller is also involved in community service and has earned a scholarship to Brigham Young University. (Montana Sports)

Alrighty, you're all good for today! I'll see you soon.

— 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.