Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Why some Helena gyms are dropping SilverSneakers—and where seniors can go

You won't want to miss Christmas Eve worship on the Helena Patch calendar

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Hello Helena! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Why some Helena gyms are dropping SilverSneakers—and where seniors can go
  • How a Helena-led $10M grant could transform early reading statewide
  • How Helena’s Chrome for Kids fund is turning wishes into reality

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: I used to work in a doughnut shop. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high of 47 and low of 36 degrees.
  • Thursday: Rain and drizzle in the a.m., temps: high: 46, low: 32.
  • Friday: An a.m. flurry, then breezy, with a high of 46 and low of 28 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. SilverSneakers plays a crucial role in senior health (ktvh.com) — Helena seniors who rely on SilverSneakers are adjusting as Capital City Health Club drops the program at year’s end, citing sustainability and insurance issues. Many are moving to Crossroads Sports and Fitness, which is welcoming new SilverSneakers members and emphasizing both the health and social benefits for older adults.
   

2. OPI Receives Almost 10 million in Grants (hilinetoday.com) — From Helena, state education leaders have secured nearly $10 million in federal funding to boost early reading support across Montana schools. Over the next five years, the grant will expand Science of Reading work and provide intensive virtual tutoring for first- through third-graders, with a special focus on rural, tribal, and other high‑needs communities.
   

3. Attorney General Knudsen, MVD award grants to nonprofits that help chronically ill children (dojmt.gov) — State officials in Helena have awarded $26,500 from the Chrome for Kids Wish Fund to two Montana nonprofits that support chronically and seriously ill children. The Montana Hope Project will use its share to grant two children’s wishes, while Cancer Support Community Montana will keep its family camp free so kids can connect with others facing similar challenges.
   

4. Montana adjusts hunting regulations to address key concerns (kulr8.com) — State wildlife officials meeting in Helena have approved new 2026–27 hunting regulations that cut about 2,500 nonresident deer licenses and sharply limit mule deer B tags to private land. The changes, driven by crowding and mule deer declines, will also reduce how many deer licenses residents can hold, while tweaking archery, bighorn sheep, black bear, and mountain lion seasons statewide.
   

5. 20 Years Smoke-Free: Why Montana's Clean Air Law Still Matters (eagle933.com) — Advocates, lawmakers, and health leaders recently gathered in Helena to mark 20 years of Montana’s Clean Indoor Air Act, which banned smoking in most indoor workplaces. They credit the law—and later updates covering vaping and marijuana—with sharply reducing smoking rates and lung cancer, while warning Helena-area residents that future legislatures could still weaken these protections.
   

📸 Around Helena

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Okay, my wife and I were talking, favorite Christmas movies??
    We watched Fatman last night (Mel Gibson 2020) And of course, there is always A Wonderful Life, and Die Hard... What are some of your favorites,… (Nextdoor Birdseye)
  • Hey everyone!!
    I am on the hunt for a kitten/cat as a Christmas gift for one of our daughters! We are also looking for information for adoption on adopting a older… (Nextdoor South Central)
  • Costco Wholesale Corporation posted a job opening for Stocker in Helena. Apply here.
  • Oracle posted a job opening for M&D Operations Planning Intern - OVIP 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 got tired of the hole business.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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