Billings
News Feed
Events
Local Businesses
Classifieds
Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: What legacy does retiring Billings Police Chief Rich St. John leave?

Also, don't miss Gannon Fremin & CCREV on the Billings Patch calendar

View original
Thursday October 1st Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Coffee in hand, Billings? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • What legacy does retiring Billings Police Chief Rich St. John leave?
  • What's planned for HarvestFest in downtown Billings this October?
  • See how Billings' private high schools rank across Montana

Also on today's calendar: Free Bra Fittings to Support Breast Cancer Awareness and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What do you call a belt that is made of watches? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
Today's Billings Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile - America's Best Mobile Network, according to Ookla Speedtest. Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data 1H 2026. We thank T-Mobile for their support in helping to keep communities like ours connected and for making today's Billings Patch AM possible.
Find a T-Mobile store near Billings.

Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: Not as warm with a shower, with a high of 67 and low of 44 degrees.
  • Friday: Very warm, temps: high: 83, low: 52.
  • Saturday: Sunny and not as warm, with a high of 72 and low of 44 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Retiring Billings Police Chief Rich St. John reflects on long career in law enforcement (ktvq.com) — Billings' longtime police chief Rich St. John is retiring after 45 years in law enforcement, closing out two decades leading Montana's largest police department. He reflects on stabilizing the department, expanding training and staffing, coaching at Billings Skyview, and the growing challenges of violent, heavily armed offenders as assistant chief Shawn Mayo steps in as interim chief.
   

2. Join downtown Billings for the 22nd annual HarvestFest (billingsgazette.com) — Downtown Billings will turn into a fall street festival on Saturday, Oct. 10, with HarvestFest bringing more than 160 vendors, kids' activities, and live entertainment under Skypoint. You can browse arts and crafts, vote on Cub Scouts' upcycled scarecrows, support downtown flower baskets at the Hi-Strikers game, and let kids enjoy free crafts and pumpkin painting while you explore.
   

3. Best private high schools in Montana (fairfieldsuntimes.com) — Families in Billings can compare several local private options in this new ranking of Montana high schools, which highlights Yellowstone Academy, Billings Christian Schools, and Billings Central Catholic High School with enrollment, grades served, and student–teacher ratios. The statewide list, based on Niche's 2027 data, offers a quick snapshot of how Billings schools stack up against peers across Montana.
   

4. How A Montana Tragedy Turned Into A Nation Wide Movement (montanastatenews.com) — A volunteer group called the Bar Fairies, now active in Billings, quietly rewards people who leave their cars overnight at bars by placing coffee gift cards on windshields to discourage drunk driving. Started after a fatal DUI crash in Columbia Falls, the effort has spread from Montana to cities nationwide and is seeking more local volunteers online.
   

5. Montana's ballot measure on political spending, explained (kpax.com) — A statewide initiative to sharply limit corporate and union political spending, I-194, is headed for Montana ballots and already faces court challenges backed by chambers of commerce in Billings and Kalispell. Supporters say it will boost transparency by restricting 'artificial persons,' while business groups warn it could silence many local companies without touching wealthy individual donors.
   

📸 Around Billings

Subscribe

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Billings

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

📣 Billings Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Are you missing a kitty?
    Trying to find the owner. Showed up 3 days ago and has not left. Text me at 406 670 0186, put "kitty" in the subject. Not taking to shelter as… (Nextdoor Meadowlark Park)
  • Just got a video call from someone named Marvin from publishers clearing House.
    Telling me I won two million dollars. He could see my face, but I couldn't see his. When I asked about not seeing him he hung up. So everyone be… (Nextdoor Previous Lockwood Fire)
  • Driveline posted a job opening for Flex Merchandiser in Billings. Apply here.
  • Olive Garden Italian Kitchen posted a job opening for Bartender in Billings. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Billings here.

Ok Billings! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: A waist of time. (Thank you Martin L. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what's happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook

Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Billings Patch

Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.

©2026 Patch Media. All Rights Reserved

Do Not Sell My Personal Information