March 28 Community Roundup

Governor Steve Bullock's stay at home order related to slowing the spread of COVID-19, lasting from March 28 through April 10, expanded on his March 20 order to close certain establishments and to enforce social distancing.

Most businesses in the Upper Blackfoot that were open under the original order fall into the essential business category, but there are some exceptions and most that remain open are required to enforce social distancing requirements.

The latest COVID-19 related business closures, restrictions and updates are included in italics below.

Businesses not listed are, to the best of our knowledge, still open and operating. As always, if we missed anyone, have included inaccurate information or if there are updates we missed, please let us know by a calling 362-4131, emailing us at [email protected] or contacting us via Facebook messenger.

We 're doing our best to keep the information updated on our website. blackfootvalleydisatch.com, and are including any changes as we get more information.

Food service and bars

• The Bootlegger Inn is closed for the duration of the county health department closure.

• Bushwackers is closed for the duration and are no longer serving take out or delivery meals.

• Chopz In Mountain Co-op is open for take-out. Call 362-3093.

• The Copper Queen in Helmville is open for drive through (yes, they added a drive through), takeout and delivery from 4-8 p.m. Call 406-793-9612.

• Coyote Coffee was not affected by the Governor's stay-at-home order and is still open every day, but they have limited their ours of operation to help limit the potential spread of COVID-19. They will now be open from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

• Heritage House has closed their coffee shop and has postponed all their classes, as well as their World Down Syndrome Day Ice Cream social until further notice, out of respect for those with compromised immune systems. Vallers are still roasting coffee and can deliver. Call 362 4444. The Vallers ask anyone who is sick or in need of assistance to contact them at [email protected] if there is anything they can do to help.

• Lambkins Bar is closed, but Lambkins Restaurant is serving take-out breakfast from 6:30 a.m. to noon. Call 362-4271.

• Lincoln Log Hotel bar and restaurant is closed.

• The Lincoln Pit Stop is open from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. for to-go meals from their regular menu and daily specials. They are now providing curbside service only and asking customers to pay cash or by card over the phone, as they are no longer allowing customers into the building for the time being. Call 362-4848.

• The Lincoln Senior Center is closed to the public until further notice. Diane will continue providing meals for the existing Meals on Wheels customers.

• The Montanan began providing take out March 25. Their take-out hours are Thursday through Sunday from 4-8 p.m. Call ahead to order at 362-4244.

• Mountain View Co-op is still open and providing gas as well as breakfast and lunch items - except for hot dogs and sausages - through the convenience store. They have also had to temporarily prohibit the use of personal mugs and cups for coffee and fountain refills. As a gas station, convenience store and a purveyor of food, they are considered an essential business. They began closing early, at 8 p.m., beginning March 25.

• Ovando's Stray Bullet is taking orders of take and bake casseroles, including spaghetti casserole, lasagna, chicken enchiladas, tater tot casserole or special requests. Casseroles serve eight and cost $30 each. Call Colleen at 793-4030 or her cell 210-6693

• Trixis Antler Saloon is closed for dining in, but take-out is available from noon to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Full menu available online at Trixisovando.com. Call 793-5611 in advance. If no one answers during business hours call 793-5049.

• The Wheel Inn is open for delivery and takeout meals and drinks from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. Their delivery area covers Seven-Up to Lone Point and four miles upon Stemple. Customers can come in to pick up meals, or they can provide curbside service. In addition to their normal menu, they have new items available during the restriction. Call 362-9261.

• Wild Jacks Casino is closed.

• The Wilderness Bar and Scapegoat Eatery will be closed until the restrictions are lifted.

Lodging

• Hotels and Motels are considered essential under the Governors stay-at-home order, there for the Sportsman Motel, Three Bears, Lincoln Logs Hotel and Leepers all remain open.

• The Blue Sky Motel has opted to close until further notice, due to the owners concerns for their health.

• The Blackfoot commercial company and Ovando Inn has stopped accepting guests due to an influx of people from other areas trying to get away from COVID-19.

Retail Businesses

• The Blackfoot Commercial Company in Ovando has cut back their hours. they're open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, but said the porch is always available to sit/stand and cuss and discuss the problems of the world. Call 793-555 for more information.

• The Blackfoot Angler is closed until further notice.

• D&D Foodtown remains open, but asks that patrons observe the six-foot social distancing requirements to the best of their ability in accordance with the guidance from the governor.

• The D&D Variety store is closed until further notice.

• Grizzly Hardware is considered and essential businesss and will remain open with its regular hours. Social distancing requirements will need to be observed by customers.

• Hi Country Trading Post is closed until further notice. If you're local or passing through you can call 362-4203 to order items - limited to those available on their website - and they will have it ready for pick up.

• On the Rocks Liquor Store will remain open regular hours.

• Rusty Relics is closed until further notice.

• Teresa G's is closed until further notice.

Services

• Citizens Alliance Bank will have limited by-appointment-only access to the lobby beginning March 19. Drive up services will continue as usual.  Customers can access accounts online at www.citizensalliancebank.com or by using the Citizens Alliance Bank Mobile App, which allow for mobile check deposits, bill payments, money transfers between accounts and external transfers, transaction information and balance information.

• Hairitage House Salon has closed under the governor's order.

• Lincoln Library, including the community room, is closed to the public until April 13. Under the stay at home order, the library is considered non-essential, so they have suspended curbside pick ups. Many services are still available, however, including access to ebooks, movies, music, and more from home. Emergency cards are still available for digital items. Branch manager Kate Radford will be working from home and responding to e-mails and phone calls. 362-4300

• Lincoln Solid Waste transfer site remains open and weekly trash collection should continue.

• Lil' Lynx Daycare is closed until further notice.

• The Lincoln Telephone Company office will be open, subject to change, but they are encouraging customers to make payments on line or to use their drive-up window as much as possible. Manager Aaron Daniel said until everything blows over blow over, Linctel will not be adding late fees. Internet issues can be handled through tech support, which can be reached through their regular office number or by calling 368-5505.

• The Mountain View Propane office is closed to walk-in traffic until further notice. Payments can be made over the phone by credit card by using one of the drop boxes, located in the convenience store or outside the office. Call 362-4245 if anything is needed.

• The Lincoln Ranger District office is closed to the public, but still staffed. If you need to talk to anyone there, call 362-7000 to make an appointment.

• Parker Medical Center remains open, but all patients will be screened via telephone and/or at the front door before entering for their appointments. Patients are asked to reschedule wellness exams or other appointments that can be delayed. Patients who have fever, cough, shortness of breath and wish to be seen should call ahead at 362-4603 so staff can coordinate the steps they will need to take. Patients who need to pick up prescriptions are also asked to call ahead.

• The Powerhouse Fitness Center is closed in accordance with the county closure order.

• Red Mountain Yoga and Massage is closed until further notice.

• Total Tax will continue to be open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays until April 15. They will be available   other days by appointment. With the extended tax-filing deadline they will be open every Wednesday until July 15, and other days by appointment. Call 362-4451. 

Churches

• The Blackfoot Community Bible Church will not be holding services until the restrictions have been lifted.  Those interested in taking part in online service are encouraged to take part in the Lolo Community Church's FB Live program Sunday at 10:45 a.m. at https://www.facebook.com/Lolo-Community-Church-128712677142175/. 

• The Blackfoot Valley Bible Church is not meeting as a group "until the 'all-clear' is sounded," but continue to meet one-on-one, in small groups and over the phone. Pastor Art hopes to have a live-stream service available by next week.  362-4714

• Community Bible Church of Lincoln. Has suspended services and all Bible studies. Pastor Dave Carroll will be live streaming on Facebook beginning Sunday, March 29 at 11 a.m. visit http://www.facebookcom/davecarroll. Look for CBCL Sermon and that Sunday's date. For more information call 406-459-8935.

• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has suspended all meetings worldwide. Members continue to worship at home using online resources. 

• The Lincoln Baptist Church is complying with the health department order, but is urging church members to stay connected in any way they can. Pastor Marshall Visger will be providing short sermons via their Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/lincolnmtbaptistchurch/.Pastor Marshall recommends keeping gatherings to 10 or fewer people.

• St. Judes and St. Thomas Catholic Churches, in Lincoln and Helmville respectively, suspended services Tuesday, March 17 in keeping with the Diocese of Helena. The Rev. Jeff Fleming said he is trying to keep in touch with parishioners through e-mails, phone calls and other means and is encouraging everyone to watch out and care for one another. 406-529-3186.

Attractions

• Blackfoot Pathways: Sculpture in the Wild is still open and a great place to get outdoors for some fresh air. Remember, if you meet anyone else there, practice your social distancing according to the established guidelines and keep groups to 10 or fewer.