Blackfoot Valley Dispatch - The Blackfoot Valley's News Source Since 1980

HELENA, Mont. – Nov. 17, 2023 – Montana District Court Judge Donald W. Molloy ruled in favor of the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest on a legal challenge brought forward... — Updated 11/29/2023

The Montana Supreme Court Wednesday ruled against Montana county governments in a dispute over the Montana Department of Revenue's authority to order the full collection of the... — Updated 11/29/2023

HELENA – As Montanans prepare for Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping, Attorney General Austin Knudsen is issuing a reminder to be aware of common scams, which tend to... — Updated 11/29/2023 Full story

Montana's utility regulation commission has come under criticism recently for an agreement that lets the state's largest power company, NorthWestern Energy, implement a 28 percent... — Updated 11/15/2023 Full story

The U.S. Forest Service has shut down its wastewater treatment plant near Holland Lake and begun remediation efforts after testing confirmed that there was a leak in the system.... — Updated 10/25/2023

BOZEMAN – A Montana State University research team has published a study that may contribute to management and restoration strategies for whitebark pine, a species that is... — Updated 10/25/2023

As the only one of the three fenced graves with a name on it, Minnie Neal's final resting place has stood out from the others. With hand-cut diamond-shaped pickets and... — Updated 11/29/2023

Life gets busy for everyone. We all dream about getting away from it all for an hour, a day or perhaps even a week. My favorite is to go for a hike through one of Montana's... — Updated 11/29/2023

Arriving in Washington, D.C., Judge Sidney Edgerton consulted with President Lincoln and found him agreeable to the idea of a new territory in the Rockies. More important, Edgerton... — Updated 11/15/2023

This story was originally published Oct. 31, 2023 at High Country News. In a squat 1,100-square-foot building on the outskirts of Helena lies a pile of enormous tongues. They are... — Updated 11/6/2023

Each of the United States of America – except the original 13, Texas and California – was first organized as a territory before achieving admittance to the Union as a state.... — Updated 11/6/2023

HELENA – Wolf trapping and snaring in Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks administrative regions 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, and in Hill, Blaine, and Phillips counties won't start until... — Updated 11/29/2023

HELENA, Mont. – November 24, 2023 – It is the most wonderful time of the year on the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest!  Once again, our Forest Service offices and... — Updated 11/29/2023

Newly bound by a settlement between a wolf advocacy group and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, the seven-member Fish and Wildlife Commission charged with "wise management" of the... — Updated 10/25/2023 Full story

RESPECT ACCESS WHILE UTILIZING BLOCK MANAGEMENT AREAS Oct 23, 2023 8:31 AM MILES CITY – Although most hunters respect the land, property and wildlife they are hunting, a minority... — Updated 10/25/2023

MISSOULA –The 2023 Montana big game general hunting season opened Saturday, Oct. 21, and hunters in the west-central part of the state found warm fall weather and a few less... — Updated 10/25/2023

The Lincoln Community Hall is now recruiting for its Board of Directors to serve the Hall during the coming year.  The seven-member Board meets every other month beginning in... — Updated 11/15/2023

Lincoln grade school students hit the road on Halloween to make the rounds of downtown businesses in search of treats. the halloween walk gives kids a chance to trick or treat... — Updated 11/7/2023 Full story

In this month's off-year general election, there's one thing Idaho and Washington had in common - voter turnout was dismal. But there's more to the story: Idaho holds its elections... — Updated 11/29/2023

The most important global issue of the day is that of the middle east conflict. The barbaric evil of Hamas was in full display October 7th. The reports are undeniable; "The IDF... — Updated 11/15/2023 Full story

Wednesday, November 01, 2023 It would be a stretch to say that the US government came to a standstill after GOP members of the House unseated Kevin McCarthy as Speaker at the start... — Updated 11/6/2023

Recently opinion pieces and information sent to legislators regarding the counties decision to levy 77.9 mills instead of the State directed 95 mills has been circulating in both... — Updated 11/7/2023

By Rep. Bob Keenan, DPHHS Director Charlie Brereton, Sen. John Esp   No Montana community is untouched by the mental health crisis. Suicide. Addiction. Loneliness. The struggle to... — Updated 11/7/2023 Full story

Hunting season has arrived! As hunters flock to the hills in pursuit of Montana's treasured big game species, we want to take a moment to acknowledge the good work that was done in... — Updated 10/25/2023 Full story

Gene Frank "Joe" Youderian, 81, of Lincoln passed away on Nov. 9, 2023. He was born Sept. 2, 1942, to Gene and Martha Youderian in Great Falls Mont. prior to his family moving to... — Updated 11/29/2023 Full story

A talented self-taught chainsaw artist, free hand drawer, watercolor painter, and skilled woodworker was always learning new skills and forever blessing us with beautiful art for... — Updated 11/29/2023 Full story

Danny C. Wallace "Dan or WALLY" of Lincoln Mont. passed away in his home surrounded by his family on Nov. 9 2023.  He was 72 years old. His family and many friends are missing... — Updated 11/29/2023 Full story

Maurice Wayne "Rusty" VerHoeven, 85, born to Pete and Anne VerHoeven on Aug. 24, 1938, passed away on Oct. 31, 2023, at Benefis Hospital in Great Falls, Montana. He leaves behind a... — Updated 11/7/2023 Full story