🌱 60 Years Of East Helena Rodeo + MT Youth Baseball Championships

Hello all. It's me, Sean Peek, your host of the Helena Patch newsletter — here to explain all the most important things happening locally.

But first, your local weather:

• Monday: A t-storm around in the p.m. High: 85 Low: 60.
• Tuesday: Partly sunny and nice. High: 89 Low: 54.

Here are the top three stories in Helena today:

1. The 60th annual East Helena Rodeo kicked off this past weekend with enthusiastic crowds undeterred by the weather, filling the parking lots and packing the event. Cowboys, cowgirls, and fans gathered to commemorate six decades of NRA and in-county rodeo, cherishing the familiar venue before it relocates for the 61st edition. The thrilling event lineup included bareback riding, the saddle bronc, and the mutton-bustin' kids' contest. (KTVH)
2. The Montana Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken youth baseball state championships started on Thursday at Ryan Fields in Helena, featuring teams from around the state competing in various age groups. The winners of each division will advance to represent Montana in the Pacific Northwest regional tournament scheduled for later in July. A full tournament schedule can be found here. (Montana Sports)
3. Helena resident, 58-year-old Wayne Harris, has been identified as the individual who died at the causeway near Hauser Lake on Sunday, Jul. 2. According to Lewis & Clark County Sheriff and Coroner Leo Dutton, Harris and his girlfriend were test-driving a jet ski without life jackets when Harris made a sharp turn, causing his girlfriend to fall into the water. In an attempt to help her back onto the jet ski, Harris also fell in; while they tried to swim after the drifting jet ski, Harris submerged underwater and could not be saved despite rescue efforts. (KRTV)

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Today and tomorrow in and around Helena:

Monday, July 10

• AARP MT FitLot Workout Classes At Kennedy Park, East Helena (9:00 AM)
• Live Music: David Casey At Silver Star Steak Company (6:00 PM)

Tuesday, July 11

• Live Music: Gary Frigo At Silver Star Steak Company (6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Heads up, local house hunters! Five new properties have hit the Helena real estate market, including a rustic lake-view property on Sunset Ridge Drive. (Helena Patch)
• The next Helena Citizen Conservation Board Meeting will take place on Thursday, Jul. 13, from 4:30-6:00 p.m. Those interested can attend the meeting in person at the City-County Building or remotely via Zoom. (City of Helena)

Featured events:

• FREE WEBINAR | "Siena: Medieval Majesty" (July 11)
• Add your event

That's it for today. See you all soon for another update!

— Sean Peek

About me: Sean Peek is a writer and entrepreneur with a degree in English Literature from Weber State University. Over the years, he has worked as a copywriter, editor, SEO specialist, and marketing director for various digital media companies. He currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.