Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Who are the 17 hopefuls vying for Helena’s open commission seat?

Also check out 2026 Business Days at the Capitol on the Helena Patch calendar

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Good morning Helena! We're back again in your inbox, keeping you updated with what's happening in and around town. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Who are the 17 hopefuls vying for Helena’s open commission seat?
  • How Helena College’s newest nurses just marked a major milestone
  • Meet the two new Montana Guard officers who grew up in Helena

Also on today's calendar: 3rd Annual Breakfast with Santa and 5 more events.

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

Today's riddle: What did the boat dock say when it was arrested? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Saturday: Low clouds, with a high of 39 and low of 24 degrees.
  • Sunday: Partly sunny, temps: high: 46, low: 31.
  • Monday: Cloudy and mild, with a high of 52 and low of 43 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. 17 candidates apply to replace Dean on Helena City Commission (ktvh.com) — Helena residents will soon see a new face on the City Commission, as 17 local applicants have stepped forward to fill the seat Emily Dean will vacate when she becomes mayor on Jan. 1. Commissioners, including Dean, will interview candidates and choose an appointee who will serve through 2027, with the timeline for interviews and the final vote to be discussed at next Wednesday’s administrative meeting.
   

2. Nursing graduates earn their pins at Helena College (ktvh.com) — Newly minted registered nurses and LPNs were pinned Friday at Helena College, marking their transition into professional practice. Family, friends, and faculty celebrated the graduates’ hard work and sacrifices, and the college’s full fall graduation ceremony follows at 10 a.m. this Saturday, offering another chance to cheer on local students.
   

3. Montana National Guard welcomes new officers from MSU's Army ROTC program (kbzk.com) — Two Montana State University ROTC cadets from Helena, Tamara O’Leary and Ryan DuVall, have just been commissioned as new officers in the Montana Army National Guard after a ceremony in Bozeman. O’Leary, an accounting graduate, will serve as a logistics officer and says she’s eager to lead and support soldiers. Both officers will now begin their Guard careers while representing their Helena roots.
   

4. Investigator: ‘No reasonable cause' to believe state senator discriminated • Daily Montanan (dailymontanan.com) — Helena state senator Mary Ann Dunwell’s discrimination complaint against fellow senator Barry Usher has been dismissed by the Montana Human Rights Bureau, which said his actions were protected legislative activity. Dunwell, who represents Helena, argues her constituents were effectively shut out of the process and is weighing a possible district court case focused on Montanans’ constitutional right to participate in government. The dispute highlights ongoing tensions over public testimony and decorum at the Capitol.
   

5. Janssen Celebrates Life at 100 (powderriverexaminer.com) — A Coalwood woman who recently turned 100 was among a small group of Montana centenarians honored at a special recognition event in Helena this fall. Helen Janssen, a longtime teacher and community volunteer, reflected on growing up during the Great Depression, raising three children, and staying active in Broadus and Coalwood. She credits good health and a loving family for reaching triple digits.
   

📸 Around Helena

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Our newly adopted dog escaped our yard due to the wind today.
    Her name is Sassy and she is an 18 pound Cairn terrier mix. She is friendly, but still kind of shy. She does love treats. Please be on the lookout!… (Nextdoor Central)
  • LOST DOG ALERT!
    Have you seen this pet? Sassy was lost on December 11, 2025 and was last seen near Helena, MT If you have information on their location, please… (Nextdoor Central)
  • Advantage Solutions posted a job opening for Traveling Retail Reset Merchandiser - Overnight in Helena. Apply here.
  • Costco Wholesale Corporation posted a job opening for Bakery Wrapper / Sanitation 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 demand a jury of my piers.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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