News

Absarokee Days are here

Absarokee Days is this weekend and promises to be better than ever, with great food, crafts, business vendors, competition and family fun.

Thankful river rescue victim does more than say thank you

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Michael Benko knew his leg was broken the second he looked at his foot “off to the side” and wedged between two rocks on the Yellowstone River.

The 78-year-old Pennsylvania man and his friend had started their float at the Bratten fishing access on June 29. In the early afternoon, near the Indian Fort Campground in Reed Point, things went awry.

The boat went under the water when the men rowed into a rock with a “v.” Benko’s leg got caught in that “v,” leaving him trapped in the river and trying to keep his head above water.

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.

LAW ENFORCEMENT BLOTTER

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The Columbus Police Department, Stillwater County Sheriff’s Office, Montana Highway Patrol and the state livestock inspector responded to 279 calls for service during the seven days listed below. The following is a representation of some of those calls:​

Jail Roster

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As of Wednesday, July 21, 2021, the following people were incarcerated at the Yellowstone County Detention Facility (YCDF) on Stillwater County criminal charges at a rate of $100 per day or at another jail: