News

Drive-through tests start June 30

Drive-through COVID-19 testing will start June 30 in Columbus at the fairgrounds.

Quelling Future Fire

Article Image Alt Text

There is a saying in the wildland fire world that goes something like this — you can choose your own landscaping or you can let Mother Nature choose it for you. Just know that if you opt for the latter, you might not be pleased with the result.

Columbus Fire Chief Rich Cowger shared the saying this week when talking about the potential for a “very active” fire season.

A birthday parade for President Trump

Article Image Alt Text

Columbus joined with Bozeman, Kalispell and other communities around the state on Sunday, June 14, in honoring Flag Day and President Donald Trump’s Birthday.

Participants decorated their vehicles with flags and birthday wishes and paraded to a small but enthusiastic crowd.

The first place award of a Trump 2020 flag was awarded to Bill and Karen McDonald.

Second place was an American Flag awarded to Melissa and Matt Anderson.

Third place was a box of fireworks poppers and went to Sandi Kirch and her team.

2nd half 2019 Metal Mines Tax brings $1.5 million

Article Image Alt Text

2019’s second half Metal Mines License Tax paid to the county totaled $1,556,826.

Of that total, 40 percent goes directly into the Hard Rock Trust Fund. By law, that money can only be spent when employment drops and “meets certain trigger points,” said County Financial Officer Joe Morse.

In essence, the fund is Stillwater County’s financial help when the day comes that the Sibanye-Stillwater mine reduces or stops operations.

Morse said there is currently $14.310,709.34 in the Hard Rock Trust Fund.

City Business

Article Image Alt Text

The Columbus City Council handled the following business at its Tuesday night meeting:

COLUMBUS FIRE RESCUE (CFR)

Fairgrounds open for use, 4-H/FFA fair a go

Article Image Alt Text

The Stillwater County fairgrounds pavilion building will once again be open for county business use next week.

The first event will be a surplus auction on June 25. Stillwater County Commissioner Chairman Mark Crago said the facility is being reopened under Gov. Steve Bullock’s Phase 2 re-opening plan, which allows 75 percent capacity use. Crago said that amounts to approximately 140 people.

Jail Roster

Article Image Alt Text

As of Wednesday, June 17, 2020, 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: Dalton Hilliard, 23

INCARC. DATE: Oct. 1, 2019

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 243 calls for service during the seven days listed below. The following is a representation of some of those calls:​

MONDAY – JUNE 8

•A 911 medical emergency occurred at 9:19 p.m. involving a Rapelje resident whose knee gave out on her, making it impossible for her to stand up. Rapelje fire responded.

3rd COVID-19 case for Stillwater

Article Image Alt Text

Local community healthcare officials are reporting a third positive case of COVID-19 in Stillwater County.

The most recent positive is an adult family member of the juvenile from the second positive case.

Both the juvenile and adult relative are doing well and remain quarantined, said Stillwater Billings Clinic Community Health Nurse Natasha Sailer. The juvenile was diagnosed last weekend and determined to have contracted the virus out-of-state. The entire family has been in quarantine since the child’s diagnoses.

Ice-cream and mental health reminder in Absarokee on June 26

Article Image Alt Text

All school-aged children are invited to an ice-cream give-away June 26 near the Absarokee swimming pool in the name of good mental health.

Stillwater Billings Clinic staff will be on hand from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. to pass out the ice-cream sandwiches and popsicles for all school-aged kids, as well as information regarding mental health awareness/suicide prevention. Local healthcare workers are focusing on mental self-care and reminding the public that help is readily available in Stillwater County.