🌱 Standoff Lasts 14 Hours + Long-Time Billings Principal Steps Down

Morning, everybody. It's me, Lauren Kubiak, your host of the Billings Patch newsletter — here to tell you everything you need to know about what's happening in our community.

But first, today's weather:

Cloudy and cooler. High: 42 Low: 23.

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Here are the top three stories in Billings today:

1. On Saturday night, a woman was locked in a standoff with police that lasted more than 14 hours. According to officials, the woman allegedly fired shots into her neighbor's home on Saturday morning. A SWAT team member was shot as he arrived on the scene but is in stable condition. Police were able to get the suspect to surrender without further incident. (Billings Gazette)
2. Billings Central Catholic High School's longest-serving principal, Shel Hanser, announced that he will be stepping down at the end of this school year. Hanser served as principal for over 20 years. His decision to step down is intended to help his family as he takes on a role with Hanser's Automotive's towing and environmental remediation services. (Billings Gazette)
3. Montana State was knocked out of the NCAA men's basketball tournament this week after facing off against Kansas State. The Bobcats were 14th-seed up against No. 3 seed Kansas State. Montana lost 77-65 on Friday in the Greensboro Coliseum in North Carolina. This was Montana State's second consecutive NCAA tournament appearance. (Montana Sports)

Today in Billings:

• Paint Night At Yellowstone Cellars & Winery (8:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Sweet Indian Ghost Hound mixes are available for adoption! Rio Rancho, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Deming, and Angel Fire are looking for furever homes. The adoption fee includes current vaccinations and fixing. Please text Ashley at 406-861-3342 for more information. (Help for Homeless Pets-Billings, MT via Facebook)
• Monday through mid-week, high temperatures in the area will trend cooler, with periods of light snow Monday night into Wednesday night. Be alert for slick spots during the nights and mornings! There could also be fog Monday morning, and the US National Weather Service reminds residents to use low-beam headlights to help with visibility. (US National Weather Service Billings Montana via Facebook)
• The Conoco gas station on Sixth Avenue North in downtown Billings has always been a one-stop shop for road trips. But it will soon be a thing of the past. That Conoco, located at 2701 Sixth Ave. N., closed on Saturday, Mar. 18, after years in business. The property owners have decided to sell the land, leading to the closure of the convenience store. (KTVQ)

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You're officially in the loop 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.