🌱 New Motor Vehicle Office Hours + Homeward Point Receives $2.2M

Hello and happy Friday. I'm back in your inbox this morning to walk you through the most important things happening in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Friday: An afternoon t-storm or two. High: 75 Low: 49.
• Saturday: A shower and thunderstorm. High: 69 Low: 49.

From our sponsor:

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Here are the top three stories today in Bozeman:

1. Due to staffing shortages, the Gallatin County Motor Vehicle Department offices in Bozeman and Belgrade will temporarily adjust their public office hours. Starting Jun. 14, the Bozeman office will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., while the Belgrade office will operate from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Despite the reduced public hours, staff will continue working after office closure to handle paperwork and catch up on tasks. (KBZK News)
2. The Homeward Point project, a new year-round homeless shelter in Bozeman, has received a significant boost with a $2.2 million grant approved by Gallatin County commissioners. The shelter is part of a larger $15 million initiative called Community Commons, which will serve as the main campus for the Human Resource Development Council (HRDC). While additional funding is required due to increased construction costs, HRDC plans to begin construction soon and address the financial gap later. The campus will not only include the shelter but also food programs, nutrition services, and offices for HRDC employees, providing a centralized location for comprehensive assistance to those experiencing homelessness. (NBC Montana)
3. The Bozeman Fire Department recently released its 2022 annual report, which emphasizes a consistent trend in response times, with last year's average being 8 minutes and 23 seconds. This figure shows a slight increase compared to 2021, where the average was 7 minutes and 58 seconds, and 2020, with 7 minutes and 47 seconds. The report also highlights the department's high workload, as fire units made nearly 54,000 runs in 2022, the highest in the past three years. To address response time concerns, Bozeman fire officials are considering the use of smaller vehicles and fire engines, particularly in the context of a growing and denser community. (NBC Montana)

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Today and tomorrow in Bozeman:

Friday, June 9

• Picnic And Live Music On The Lawn At Peace Of Christ Community Church (6:00 PM)

Saturday, June 10

• Bozeman Sports Card And Memorabilia Show At Best Western Plus Grantree (10:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• The Gallatin County Parks Department is organizing the third annual Fishing Derby at Kendeda Lake in the Gallatin County Regional Park to celebrate Father's Day. The event will take place on Jun. 10 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and is open to children aged 12 and under. While light refreshments and snacks will be provided, participants are advised to bring their own fishing rods and bait. (Three Forks Voice)
• Downtown Bozeman Art Walks kick off today, Jun. 10 and will continue on the second Friday of each month through September! These art walks offer a chance to explore over 30 businesses and galleries featuring artists' openings and receptions. Enjoy local artwork, complimentary refreshments, hors d'oeuvres, and live music while strolling Main Street downtown. (Downtown Bozeman)
• Nine recruits from the Bozeman Fire Academy completed their 10 weeks of intensive training with a two-day live fire exercise at the Central Valley Fire Training Facility. The recruits demonstrated their knowledge and skills by participating in various firefighting scenarios, including structure fires and simulated basement fires. The training emphasized teamwork and the relationships built among the recruits from Bozeman Fire, Big Sky Fire, and Central Valley Fire departments, preparing them for their upcoming probationary years. (KULR-TV)

You're officially in the loop for today. I'll see you around!

— 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.