Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How a Helena bike shop is turning old wheels into holiday joy

Also, don't miss Live Music @ Safeway Helena — Dan Henry on the Helena Patch calendar

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Friday December 19th Patch AM
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Greetings Helena! Your go-to source for what's happening in town is here. Stay in the loop and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How a Helena bike shop is turning old wheels into holiday joy
  • How a Helena PSC pivot could impact your future power bill
  • Why is a former Senate president now charged in Helena court?

Also on today's calendar: Christmas Eve worship and 3 more events.

Find out what's happening in Helenafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did one astronaut stranded on the moon say to another? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Helenafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Friday: Windy with periods of rain, with a high of 49 and low of 30 degrees.
  • Saturday: Breezy and colder, temps: high: 38, low: 25.
  • Sunday: Mostly cloudy, with a high of 38 and low of 32 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Queen City Wheelhouse donates bikes for the holidays (krtv.com) — Helena’s Queen City Wheelhouse is refurbishing donated bikes and giving dozens to local kids this Christmas through its partnership with the Cathedral of St. Helena’s Giving Tree program. The volunteer-run shop works with city-county solid waste to rescue bikes year-round, supplying more than 200 annually to families and nonprofits across the community.
   

2. PSC Withdraws FERC Intervention and Opens State Investigation of NWE's Colstrip Transactions (rounduprecord.com) — In Helena today, Montana’s Public Service Commission withdrew its federal intervention over NorthWestern Energy’s proposed Colstrip purchase and will instead launch a state-level investigation. Commissioners say this keeps oversight in Helena while they scrutinize how the deal could affect power reliability and rates for Montana customers, including those in and around the capital.
   

3. Montana AG's office files official misconduct charge against former Senate President Ellsworth (kpax.com) — Helena residents should know that state prosecutors have filed an official misconduct charge in state district court here against former Senate President Jason Ellsworth, tied to a controversial 2024 legislative contract. The case, brought by the attorney general’s office, could lead to Ellsworth’s suspension from office while the court reviews whether he improperly handled state contracting rules.
   

4. Montana DOC details prison water crisis response, tech overhaul at budget hearing (nbcmontana.com) — State corrections leaders meeting in Helena outlined how they’re responding to the recent water system failure at Montana State Prison and accelerating long-planned infrastructure upgrades. They also detailed a major new offender management system, technology improvements, and revamped rehabilitation programs that could shape prison operations and reentry outcomes across Montana for years.
   

5. Case could affect grazing decisions across the West (kbhbradio.com) — From Helena, federal officials have taken direct control of a long-running dispute over American Prairie’s bison grazing permits in Phillips County, a case ranchers say could set precedent for public-lands grazing across the West. The Interior Secretary’s move pulls the appeals into his office for final review, potentially ending years of limbo that have worried Montana livestock producers and rural communities.
   

📸 Around Helena

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • This cute little guy blew into my yard.
    I’d be happy to get him back to his person. If you happen to be missing him - let me know. (Nextdoor Westside/Euclid Ave North)
  • Probably best to keep your pets indoors as much as possible.
    Fences blowing down, things falling and crashing. Don't let your pets outside unsupervised. Also be on the lookout for lost critters as I'm sure many… (Nextdoor Helena High Area)
  • ABM posted a job opening for Janitorial Cleaner in Helena. Apply here.
  • Ryder System Inc. posted a job opening for Rental Billing Coordinator II - Remote in Helena. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Helena here.

Ok Helena! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t think you know the gravity of this situation.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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