News

Stillwater Billings Clinic at capacity

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Recent surges of COVID-19 cases locally and across the state have Billings hospitals and the Stillwater Billings Clinic (SBC) in Columbus at capacity, with concerns about the rising trend of new cases

First Meadowlark COVID-19 related death, 36 active cases

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The first COVID-19 related death from the outbreak at the Caslen Meadowlark Assisted Living Facility in Columbus was reported today, Oct. 5.

OUTBREAK AT MEADOWLARK

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At least 10 residents and staff members of the Meadowlark Assisted Living facility in Columbus have tested positive for COVID-19.

Three residents are hospitalized — one in Stillwater County and two outside the county.

The announcement was first made at a Stillwater County Commission meeting Tuesday morning, which was followed by a press release from public health officials.

Positive cases were first confirmed at the facility on Wednesday, Sept. 23. Caslen Living Centers owns the Meadowlark facility.

Wildland fire season

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Wildland fire season kicked into gear last Friday with the LE Peterson blaze in the Park City area that drew crews from Columbus Fire Rescue, Park City, Molt, Laurel, Red Lodge, DNRC, BLM, USFS, two helicopters and one dozer. The fire burned a little more than 200 acres, said CFR Chief Rich Cowger. Later that day, crews scrambled east towards Reed Point to battle the Svenson Road Fire. Columbus Fire Rescue, Red Lodge and Sweet Grass crews provided assistance. On Saturday morning, a blown tire on I-90 near Pine Crest sparked a 1.5 acre fire.

 

Shelter-in-Place order given by governor

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Montana’s first COVID-19 death was announced Thursday night by Governor Steve Bullock, just hours after he imposed a shelter-in-place order for 1 million Montanans.

Social Distancing

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EDITOR'S NOTE: The COVID-19 pandemic is a rapidly evolving situation. The information that is printed in the SCN is accurate at the time of deadline. We will update information as often as possible.

The coronavirus — technically called Covid-19 — officially arrived in Montana Friday, March 13, with now four cases reported in Yellowstone, Gallatin, Silverbow and Lewis & Clark counties.

So far this week, seven more have been added, bringing to a total 11 positive tests.

Three deaths in two days

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Three Stillwater County residents died of COVID-19 complications over the course of just two days earlier this week.

An eye full of pie

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During the week of Nov. 16-20, students at the Absarokee High School held a food drive. The Student Council sponsored this event to collect food for the Absarokee Food Bank. In an attempt to increase participation, the Student Council came up with the idea to have a competition. A box was placed by each teacher’s classroom. Students and staff donated non-perishable food items into these boxes. The three teachers with the most food in their boxes got the “prize” of being hit in the face with banana cream pies.

Absarokee’s Snowflake Festival this Friday

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Friday is the night to get the holiday season into full swing with the Absarokee Snowflake Festival.

Nye outfitters seeking to block FS project

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A Nye hunting outfitter is suing the United States Forest Service (USFS) for construction of a new trail near its property, claiming that the organization misrepresented potential impacts on grizzly bears and the surrounding environment.