🌱 Refund Instructions For Utility Fees + 50-Year-Old Time Capsule

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

But first, your local weather:

• Friday: Areas of low clouds; chilly. High: 40 Low: 24.
• Saturday: Clouds and sun. High: 48 Low: 30.

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Here are the top three stories today in Billings:

1. The City of Billings will be rebating over $50 million collected illegally as utility fees to its residents in a future utility bill reduction. The city settled a lawsuit filed against it in early 2018 over the illegal fees and will be paying a total of $3.6 million in the settlement. The $3.6 million will be paid by taxpayers, and those eligible for the rebate will be notified by postcard from a court administrator. (Subscription: Billings Gazette)
2. Students, staff, and alumni at Billings Senior High School traveled back in time on Wednesday by digging out a time capsule from 1973. The capsule contained magazines, memorabilia, and an old phone book, and was opened by a graduate of the school who had remembered its existence. The school is now exchanging its time capsule for a new one that will be opened in 2073. (Q2 News)
3. Construction work is underway on Sixth Street West and Underpass Avenue in Billings as part of a road reconstruction project, which includes the reconstruction of both intersections on the north and south side of the underpass, new pedestrian crossings, turning lanes, and improved stormwater facilities. The project will also fix the infamous potholes on the underpass road and preserve the mural. The construction work is likely to continue into the fall, causing traffic to slow down for some time. (Q2 News)

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Today and tomorrow in Billings:

Friday, April 21

• Earth Day Cleanup At A&E Design (3:00 PM)
• Empower Hour At Pura Vida Studio (5:30 PM)

Saturday, April 22

• Record Store Day At Cameron Records (12:00 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)
• Are you looking to fill your social calendar this weekend? Check out the list of events happening in and around Billings this weekend at the link! (Visit Billings)
• REMINDER: Tomorrow (Apr. 22), the City of Billings will host the Drug Enforcement Administration's National "Take Back Day" at the Billings Police Department at 10 a.m. (City of Billings Government)

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You're all caught up for today! See you all soon for 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.