Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Which Helena neighborhoods saw the most police calls on December 21?

Happening soon: Christmas Eve worship on the Helena Patch calendar

Patch AM Team's profile picture
Patch AM Team, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
Tuesday December 23rd Patch AM
Tuesday December 23rd Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Good morning Helena! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️

Before we get to what's happening, a big thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Helena PatchAM possible. Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

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

In today's newsletter:

  • Which Helena neighborhoods saw the most police calls on December 21?
  • Why Helena prosecutors want a sitting state senator suspended now
  • What changes with Helena’s new state Corrections chief?

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 magnet say to the other magnet? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Tuesday: Considerable cloudiness, with a high of 41 and low of 30 degrees.
  • Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, temps: high: 47, low: 34.
  • Thursday: Rain and drizzle in the a.m., with a high of 46 and low of 31 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Juveniles fighting, runaway reported: Here are Helena police incidents from Dec. 21 (helenair.com) — Helena police handled 69 calls for service on December 21, including shoplifting cases, family disturbances, and two runaway juvenile reports—one child still listed as missing. Officers also responded to a juvenile fight on North Montana and several welfare, traffic, and suspicious-activity calls across town.
   

2. Misconduct Charges Filed Against State Senator Ellsworth (hilinetoday.com) — From Helena, state prosecutors have charged Montana Sen. Jason Ellsworth with official misconduct tied to a $171,000 state contract, and they’re asking a court to suspend him from office. The case, investigated by state criminal investigators after an auditor’s referral, could ultimately cost Ellsworth his seat if a judge orders forfeiture.
   

3. Gianforte appoints new Montana Dept. of Corrections director (nbcmontana.com) — From Helena, Gov. Greg Gianforte has named Eric Strauss the new director of the Montana Department of Corrections, with Strauss set to take over Jan. 6. The move follows the nomination of current director Brian Gootkin to serve as U.S. Marshal for the District of Montana, shifting key public safety leadership that’s headquartered in the capital.
   

4. Two Montana non-profits receive 'Chrome For Kids' funding (krtv.com) — In Helena, the state Motor Vehicle Division just awarded Chrome for Kids Wish Fund checks to two nonprofits that help seriously ill children. Funded by optional $20 donations on motorcycle registrations, the program is sending new support to Cancer Support Community Montana and the Montana Hope Project to make more kids’ wishes possible.
   

5. Can the Montana State Hospital regain federal standing without electronic health records? (montanafreepress.org) — Montana’s lawmakers are pressing health officials on whether the Montana State Hospital in Warm Springs can regain crucial federal certification in 2026 while still relying on paper medical records. The discussion comes as state regulators also revoke the license of a former Helena cancer doctor and weigh other statewide education and ethics issues, all with implications for care and accountability across Montana.
   

📸 Around Helena

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Helena

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

📣 Helena Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • I found a kid’s red dirt bike today out in the north valley.
    Pm me if you think you know who it belongs to. (Nextdoor North Helena)
  • Lighthouse and Dr.
    Nancy Mayer shone a beacon of love, light, and consolation within my heart and in the hearts of three of my good friends who were with me in my home… (Nextdoor Mountain View Meadows)
  • Burger King posted a job opening for Team Member in Helena. Apply here.
  • Sportsman's Warehouse posted a job opening for Janitor - Full Time 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 find you very attractive!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Helena