News

County establishes Small Business grant at $220,000

Article Image Alt Text

Stillwater County Commissioners rolled out a small business grant this week designed to support local businesses hit hard by the pandemic.

County Business

The Stillwater County Commissioners addressed the following business at its regularly held Tuesday meeting:

Jail Roster

Article Image Alt Text

As of Wednesday, Jan. 13, 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:

Law Enforcement Blotter

Article Image Alt Text

The Columbus Police Department, Stillwater County Sheriff’s Office, Montana Highway Patrol and the state livestock inspector responded to 146 calls for service during the seven days listed below. The following is a representation of some of those calls:​

Death count hits 10, active cases at 33

Article Image Alt Text

Two more Stillwater County residents have died of COVID-19 related causes, bringing the total count to 10.

New year, new governor, new approach

Article Image Alt Text

Gov. Greg Gianforte will rescind the state’s mask and other COVID-19 mandates, but it won’t happen immediately.

At a press conference held Tuesday, the newly sworn-in governor announced such action would take place after two criteria are met:

1. An altered Phase 1B of vaccination distribution that now includes people ages 70 and older, and people ages 16 to 69 that have specific underlying medical conditions.

2. The drafting of legislation that would protect businesses, schools and churches that follow COVID-19 guidelines from lawsuits.

Giving a little love to the Absarokee Area Merchants Association for its support of long-standing events

ABSAROKEE — This past May, the Absarokee Community Foundation (ACF) awarded 13 local non-profit organizations grants for projects highlighting various goals of helping to better the Absarokee community. The ACF board, which supports the community annually through this process, distributed $23,500 to these deserving organizations.

Commission awaits COVID-19 restrictions, Riveland officially takes seat, public reminded of posting

Article Image Alt Text

The Stillwater County Commission provided no public health update at Tuesday morning’s regularly held agenda meeting, saying it was awaiting news from Gov. Greg Gianforte regarding any possible changes to current COVID-19 mandates.

The word came later Tuesday afternoon in Gianforte’s first press conference. See the front page for more.

GATES AND COUNTY ROADS

Columbus awarded $30,000 state grant for a parks and sidewalk master plan

Article Image Alt Text

The city of Columbus has been awarded $30,000 through the Montana Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for a “Parks and Sidewalk Master Plan.”

The funds are mainly for a planning document and a “scope of timeline” as to what areas are in need of sidewalk replacement, explained City Clerk Kisha Miller.

CDBG is a state grant program that was established nationally by Congress as part of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. It is geared for towns, cities and counties with populations under 50,000.

Jail Roster

As of Wednesday, Jan. 6, 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:

•NAME: Grant Russell, 23

INCARC. DATE: Oct. 1, 2019

CHARGE(S): Conspiracy, theft by common scheme

BAIL: $50,000

•NAME: Harlan Hinkle, 24

INCARC. DATE: Jan. 8, 2020