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Hi Great Falls, hope you’re having a great weekend!

In today’s in-case-you-missed-it edition: Montana philanthropist’s $75M legacy, a major sustainable aviation fuel deal, and a St. Patrick’s Day parade + the top stories from this week & a sneak peek at next week.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Great Falls protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.

📰 Most-clicked stories this week

How hardship shaped his giving: Born during the Great Depression, Montana philanthropist Gene Thayer has helped raise over $75 million and supports the Great Falls Rescue Mission, and says he’ll keep giving while there’s need — read the full story.

Officials move to steady finances: Great Falls’ new parking rules are now in effect, raising on-street hourly rates to $1.50 and updating citation penalties as a short-term step to stabilize the city’s struggling program — get details on rates and fines.

New push for cleaner skies: Montana Renewables in Great Falls and World Energy announced a partnership to deliver more than 70 million gallons of Sustainable Aviation Fuel over three years, alongside MRL’s MaxSAF 150 expansion — learn what’s behind the partnership.

Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

All the crowd favorites:

• Watch documentary on trailblazing Montana women
• Play family-friendly bingo at Angel Room
• Book St. Patrick’s Day mini portraits
• Save on self-care during the CVS Epic Beauty Sale

🏆 Gold and silver are heating up

Together with our sponsor American Hartford Gold

Gold just posted its strongest run in decades… and the momentum is carrying into 2026. Silver has become one of the most talked-about assets as investors look for ways to stay ahead of market volatility.

While many are still sitting on the sidelines, others are quietly repositioning.

If you’re wondering whether you’re missing something, AHG has a free guide explaining what’s driving the renewed interest… and how investors are approaching precious metals right now.

It’s free and worth reading before the next move.

🫶 This week’s top finds

Treasure-hunting, minus the dust: Barn Auctions hosts frequent online auctions packed with local estate finds, vintage Montana oddities, coins, and the occasional “wait, I need that” collectible, plus easy local pickup when you win. A quick scroll this week might accidentally furnish a whole corner… or uncover your next favorite conversation piece.

Pasta night upgrade: When you want comfort that still feels special, Dante’s Creative Cuisine delivers… Baked Penne, Manicotti Fumagi, and Shrimp Linguine Pomodoro, all with an easy date-night vibe minus the fuss. It slides into the weeknight rotation, bringing cozy energy and big flavor without trying too hard.

Treasure-hunt your closet: Love a good find? Runway Fashion Exchange is a rotating trove of pre-loved denim, cozy layers, and those random statement pieces you didn’t know you needed. Let the racks surprise you with wallet-friendly, planet-friendly style… delightfully Great Falls and always changing.

Thinning hair? It only gets worse: A few months ago, I noticed my ponytail getting thinner. I tried the usual stuff (biotin, shampoo, etc.) but mostly just hoped it would fix itself… until I learned that active follicles can permanently go dormant if you don’t do something about it. The good news? You can get treatment that actually works with no office visits or trips to the pharmacy. Learn more about my favorite online options here.

📆 Sneak peek at next week

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

🎗 Teaching Kitchen Class: Cancer Survivorship @ Benefis Sletten Cancer Institute | Tuesday (3/10) at 1:00 PM – Whether you’re fresh out of treatment or years into survivorship, this multi-week cooking series helps you cook with confidence, with a registered dietitian in your corner. Think less Top Chef, more feel-better food. $70, six seats, financial help available; email [email protected] or call 406-455-5099.

🏺 Clay Making Workshop @ Brush Crazy Great Falls | Wednesday (3/11) at 2:00 PM – Whether you’re reliving Play-Doh glory or hunting garden gnomes, reserve a spot, claim a pound you’ll want to gain, and get hands-on. Make ornaments or wind chimes, we fire it, then you return to paint with acrylic for same-day pickup, or glaze for fancy finish.

🎤 Author Talk with Ken Robison @ Great Falls Public Library | Thursday (3/12) at 6:00 PM – Local historian Ken Robison is unearthing Great Falls’ juiciest footnotes in the Cordingley Room, debuting Hidden History of Great Falls, with Cassiopeia Books selling copies. Expect glacial lakes that moved rivers, copper that wired the world, and tales your grandparents edited for dinner.

🍀 St. Patrick’s Day Vendor Fair @ Times Square Great Falls | Saturday (3/14) at 12:30 PM – Dust off your shamrock displays and snag a spot at the St. Patrick’s Day Vendor Fair, where locals browse, you cash in, everyone pretends corned beef is a vegetable. Vendor fee is $25, and applications are at the main office across from the elevators.

☘ St. Patrick’s Day Parade @ Downtown Great Falls | Saturday (3/14) at 1:30 PM – Whether you’ve marched in it since the kids were in strollers, or you just show up for corned beef and people-watching, the St. Patrick’s Day parade still delivers. Think bagpipes, step dancers, politicians perfecting the parade wave, and a post-route pint, obviously.

🐦 Flock of Seagulls @ The Newberry | Saturday (3/14) at 6:30 PM – Think you still know every word to I Ran, even if your knees file a complaint after two songs? A Flock of Seagulls brings peak MTV synth-pop to The Newberry, all nostalgia, bigger hair, and zero irony. Grab tickets, relive your Aqua Net era.

🍀 St. Patrick’s Kid’s Day @ The Crafter’s Lounge | Sunday (3/15) at 11:00 AM – Let the kids go full leprechaun at this St. Patrick’s craft day, with several make-and-take projects and supplies included. It is 2 for $5, so bring a sibling or a neighbor’s kid, then bask in ten quiet minutes, a glitter storm, and fridge-worthy art.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🔥 Worth a peek

We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.

• Industry-leading home warranty protection ($150 off right now)
• This free tool helps connect you with the right financial advisor
• 62+? See how much tax-free cash your home could unlock → free calculator
• Got debt? You may be able to pay less than you owe
• Protect your pet from disaster with this pet insurance plan
• You can own physical gold and silver in your retirement account

📻 Great Falls report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 60°F – Low: 30°F – Precip: 12%

Areas of blowing dust after 7am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 60. West southwest wind 31 to 44 mph, with gusts as high as 63 mph. Later: A chance of rain before midnight, then a chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30. West northwest wind 13 to 33 mph, with gusts as high as 54 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

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Tomorrow – High: 45°F – Low: 22°F – Precip: 21%

A slight chance of snow. Mostly sunny, with a high near 45. West wind 10 to 26 mph, with gusts as high as 41 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 22. West southwest wind 8 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 37 mph.

Someone Googled you this week 👀

It may feel like an invasion of privacy, but unfortunately It’s the new normal. Whether you’re joining a committee, selling something locally, dating again, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up online.

Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are.

Thankfully, there’s a really easy way for you – or someone you care about – to clean up outdated results that no longer tell the real story. Learn more here.

Most popular house this week

This 5-bed, 3-bath ranch by award-winning Silver Stone Homes sits on a large lot with mountain views near Benefis Hospital and Great Falls Clinic. Highlights include a heated, finished 3-car garage with a 10-foot door, commercial-grade appliances, granite and quartz, vaulted and coffered ceilings, a custom primary suite, and a stamped concrete patio under a vaulted tongue and groove cover.

Take a peek inside →