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Happy weekend, Helena! In today’s edition: Wildfire movie night, a property valuation lawsuit, the High Ore mine’s comeback, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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🏆 Most popular this week
Curated by popular demand — here are this week’s most-clicked events, local spots, and stories.
Easy access, big sky views: Right here in Helena, the 61-acre Spring Meadow Lake State Park offers a paved loop, a 30-acre lake, and winter wildlife at a family-friendly spot many locals overlook — explore features and activities.
Legal challenge targets valuation practices: Montana property owners filed a class-action lawsuit alleging the Department of Revenue illegally inflated property values statewide. They seek reassessments, refunds, appeals, and an end to allegedly unlawful appraisal practices — see what the suit claims.
Help shape local decisions: The City of Helena is accepting applications for vacancies on boards and committees, with a deadline at 4 p.m. on Feb. 12. Several commissions have openings — see how and when to apply.
Regulators and riches collide: Near Boulder, the long-quiet High Ore mine is moving toward reopening as testing continues and the new owner plans to seek blasting permits, navigating Superfund rules amid soaring metal prices — see what’s planned for reopening.
Court venue decision shifts case: A judge dismissed Virginia City business owners’ petition, saying the contract fight belongs in Lewis and Clark District Court, shifting the dispute over state contracts to Lewis and Clark County — read the full story.
Store opening with community benefits: Dollar General will open a Montana City store by June, about 8,500 square feet, with up to 10 jobs. The company’s Literacy Foundation offers grants to schools and nonprofits within 15 miles of its stores, so Helena area programs could qualify. Get all the details.
Gold continues to hold strong: After its best year in decades, gold remains near historic highs as investors look for stability amid inflation and debt. GoldCo has a free guide that covers everything you need to know. They’re also offering up to 10% free gold & silver – check it out here.
One emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ but pet insurance helps. I sure wished I’d had it after a $10k last-minute surgery for my cat (her name is Miss Stache). I learned my lesson and 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.
What do people see when they search your name? Search results can surface past mistakes or outdated information that no longer reflects who you are. BetterReputation helps remove and clean up unwanted content so your online presence matches your real life today. Not worried about yourself? Doesn’t hurt to mention it to family or friends who might be.
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🔥 Worth a peek
We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we genuinely think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week:
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📆 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.
🏫 Rossiter Elementary Community Night @ MacKenzie River Pizza Co | Tuesday (2/17) at 11:00 AM – Grab a table at MacKenzie River in City National Arena, order your usual, and feel smug about it. Flash the Rossiter Elementary flyer or ticket, and 20% of your tab bounces back to the school. Pizza, burgers, salads, pasta, and painless philanthropy.
🌷 Delft inspired Flower Bricks @ Holter Museum of Art | Tuesday (2/17) at 6:00 PM – Trade doomscrolling for a hands-on prep session making a Delft-inspired flower brick with artist Rebecca Harvey, a classy 18th-century trick for small bouquets and cat shenanigan prevention. Adults, 14+ welcome. $142, members $124, register at https://holtermuseum.org/education/delft-inspired-flower-bricks/.
🐟 Fireside Chats: Montana’s Fascinating Fish @ Prickly Pear Land Trust | Tuesday (2/17) at 6:00 PM – Treat your inner angler to a deep dive into Montana’s finned locals. FWP educator Ryan Schmaltz spotlights the usual trout celebrities and rare oddballs using real fish mounts you can eyeball up close, no waders, no slime, and no tall tales.
🍿 Wildfire Movie Night @ The Myrna Loy | Thursday (2/19) at 5:00 PM – Head to the Myrna Loy for a free wildfire night, with a reception full of info, trivia, prizes, and kid-friendly shenanigans, then a big-screen screening of Always. Think community prep meets nostalgic date night, Helena-style, RSVP and feel smugly prepared.
💰 Helena High Booster Club Fundraiser @ Hammer & Stain | Thursday (2/19) at 6:00 PM – Grab a friend, your Bengal pride, and that Pinterest bravado for a low-key Helena High Booster Club fundraiser where you choose the project. Go full school spirit, lean into holiday décor, or keep it classic, and leave feeling handy, neighborly, and helpfully smug.
✂ Gleeful: 3 Yard Quilt Class @ Creative Stitches | Friday (2/20) at 10:30 AM – Make Gleeful, a 3-yard quilt, with Wendy Helmerick as your guide to Donna Robertson’s color and technique tips. Big Block book included, kits available, and class supplies are 15% off, or pull from your stash. It’s quilty therapy that ends in a brag-worthy top.
🥂 20th Anniversary Grown Ups Night @ The Painted Pot | Friday (2/20) at 5:30 PM – Whether you’ve been splattering glaze here since dial-up or you just want a grown-up night without glitter glue, this 20th anniversary shindig delivers catered dinner, relaxed, self-guided pottery painting, and 20% off pieces. Adults only, $20 plus your project, nostalgia included.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Helena report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 49°F – Low: 32°F – Precip: 21%
A slight chance of rain after 5pm. Mostly sunny. High near 49, with temperatures falling to around 46 in the afternoon. Southwest wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: A slight chance of rain before 11pm, then a chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. South southwest wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
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Tomorrow – High: 49°F – Low: 28°F – Precip: 40%
A chance of rain and snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 49. Southwest wind 2 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Later: A slight chance of rain and snow before 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 28. Southwest wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Most popular house this week
Set in Panoramic Meadows, this 3-bed, 3-bath Helena Valley home overlooks Lake Helena and mountains from nearly every window on a 2.01-acre parcel minutes from the Causeway. Features include stainless kitchen with gas range, spa-like primary suite, bonus room with non-conforming bedroom, a 5-car heated garage, 2023 Renewal by Andersen windows, fenced yard, Trimlight, and updated HVAC with central air.
Take a peek inside →
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