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

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

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 experie... — Updated 10/25/2023

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. The... — Updated 10/25/2023

Prescribed burns near Lincoln, including about 70 acres at Baldy Pasture and roughy 100 acres near Ethel Gulch, sent up plumes of smoke over the weekend. The smoke could be seen... — Updated 10/10/2023

POTOMAC, Mont. - The Montana Department of Transportation would like to announce and invite the public to comment on a proposal to resurface about four miles of Montana Highway... — Updated 10/10/2023

POTOMAC and GREENOUGH, Mont.- The Montana Department of Transportation will complete mastic patching on Montana Highway 200, scheduled to begin on Thursday, October 12. Work is... — Updated 10/9/2023

Months of finger-pointing between state-level Republicans and local government leaders over who to blame for rising property taxes escalated last week as the lobbying organization... — Updated 9/20/2023

Helena, MT – Lewis and Clark County's Criminal Justice Coordinating Council releases their Five-Year Report to the Community; a summary of work led by the CJCC and implemented... — Updated 9/11/2023

State and local health officials are reporting increased West Nile virus (WNV) activity in several counties across the state this week, including the first three human cases for 202... — Updated 8/22/2023

HEART BUTTE, Mont., Aug. 8, 2023 - The Sidney Fire is estimated to be just under 50 acres and is burning approximately 21 miles southwest of Browning in Pondera County.  The Rocky... — Updated 8/9/2023

LINCOLN, Mont., August 4, 2023 - The Rogers Pass Fire, burning just southeast of Lincoln, Montana, is estimated to be 46 acres. The fire was first reported late in the afternoon on... — Updated 8/4/2023

HELENA-Warmer months mean wildfires can occur throughout the state and nation. Wildfire smoke from both in-state and out-of-state wildfires periodically impact Montana's air quality... — Updated 7/27/2023

State and local health officials are reporting the first West Nile Virus (WNV) detection of the year in mosquitoes sampled from Blaine County. No humans or horses have tested... — Updated 7/27/2023

As a heat wave brought temperatures as high as 102 degrees to parts of western Montana over the weekend, the state's summer fire season kicked off with two lightning-caused... — Updated 7/27/2023

Lewis and Clark County has the following Lincoln board opening: Lincoln Solid Waste District Board Citizens who serve on the Lincoln Solid Waste District Board need to own... — Updated 6/30/2023

Lewis and Clark County Special Districts Program coordinator Jessica Makus proposed an increase to the maintenance assessments for the Lincoln and Lambkins Rural Improvement... — Updated 6/28/2023

HELENA – Going fishing soon? Don't forget your camera. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks wants to feature your fun on the next fishing regulations booklet. Winners will see... — Updated 6/20/2023

MILLTOWN, Mont. - The Montana Department of Transportation, along with construction partner Knife River Inc., will resurface a portion of Montana Highway 200. The project area... — Updated 6/8/2023

Through June 20, the Bureau of Land Management is accepting comments on a public land proposal that the agency put conservation priorities - e.g., ecological health and the... — Updated 5/30/2023

Gov. Greg Gianforte's office announced Saturday that the Republican governor has signed into law Senate Bill 458, legislation that inserts binary, reproduction-based definitions... — Updated 5/30/2023

BOZEMAN - Rural-focused policymakers, funders and partners are invited to participate in a Reimagining Rural gathering on Tuesday, June 13, in Townsend.   Reimagining Rural is a... — Updated 5/30/2023

Gov. Greg Gianforte has vetoed a bill raising the wages paid Montana legislators, arguing the proposed increase - from about $16 to $24 an hour starting in 2025 on top of... — Updated 5/16/2023

Department of Public Health and Human Services officials are reporting a recent increase in the number of cases of chickenpox reported in school-aged children.  And, at least half... — Updated 5/16/2023