🌱 Water Reclamation Facility Fire + Fundraiser For Dogs

Hey, Billings. I'm here in your inbox today to get you up to speed on everything you need to know about what's going on around town. Because community news matters!

But first, today's weather:

Cold with clearing. High: 36 Low: 15.

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Here are the top 3 stories today in Billings:

1. Recent Montana State graduate and star of the Bobcats' rodeo team, Caleb Berquist, is recovering from a serious injury sustained last week. Berquist was riding his side-by-side at his ranch when it crashed and rolled over him. He lost feeling in his legs, and though he's regained some of it, still cannot feel below his knees. A GoFundMe account raised over $60,000 in less than a week to help pay for his surgeries. (KULR-TV)
2. A fire broke out this week at the Water Reclamation Facility in Billings. There were no reported injuries according to officials. The fire was contained to one room and staff are working with the Billings Fire Department to make sure that the building is safe before resuming operations. Wastewater services are not expected to be interrupted. Officials will continue to investigate the cause of the fire. (KULR-TV)
3. Jeremy Bakken and his wife Kristie, Billings residents, are fostering several dogs that Jeremy's co-worker found abandoned at a landfill in southern Montana. The couple was able to wrangle four of the seven dogs into their vehicle and brought them home to be fed and bathed. The dogs will eventually be up for adoption as the Bakkens already have three dogs and three cats of their own. In the meantime, they're taking donations to help pay for necessities for the found dogs. (Q2 News)

Today in Billings:

• Coffee And Conversation With Yellowstone County Democrats At Black Dog Coffee House (8:30 AM)

From my notebook:

• It is with an extremely heavy heart that ZooMontana informs its regular visitors of Harry the ball python's passing. Harry was the longest resident at ZooMontana, arriving in 1994 before the zoo had even opened its doors. (ZooMontana via Facebook)
• Are you looking for a fun and rewarding job? Come join the Yellow Valley Animal Shelter team! The team is currently hiring for various positions, both full-time with benefits and part-time. For full job descriptions and to apply, please visit the careers page. (Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter via Facebook)
• Only one more week to submit your photos for the Yellow Valley Animal Shelter's Pet Roulette fundraiser! If you donate $20 to the animals of YVAS, a staff member will draw your pet. To join in on the fun, simply follow this link and complete a submission form. Every dollar raised will be used to support and care for the animals of Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter. (Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter via Facebook)

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Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll be in your inbox soon with a new 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.