🌱 Patch AM: How new DNA sleuthing finally solved a 1978 Billings-area murder

Good morning Billings! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How new DNA sleuthing finally solved a 1978 Billings-area murder
• How a resilience expert challenged young leaders at Billings' summit

Also on today's calendar: Free Bra Fittings to Support Breast Cancer Awareness and 10 more events.

Today's riddle: Why did the girl pig break up with the boy pig? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Friday: Very warm, with a high of 84 and low of 52 degrees.
• Saturday: Sunny and not as warm, temps: high: 72, low: 47.
• Sunday: Mostly sunny and pleasant, with a high of 76 and low of 54 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• 'We can breathe now': Contreraz family finds closure after 47-year-old homicide is solved (bozemandailychronicle.com) — Yellowstone County authorities say they've finally identified the man responsible for the 1978 stabbing death of 16-year-old Corina Contreraz, whose body was found east of Billings. Using preserved evidence and groundbreaking DNA work from an old fingerprint card, investigators named Angelo James Stallsmith Sr., who died at Billings Deaconess Hospital in 1990. The Contreraz family says the long-awaited answer brings long-needed closure.
   

• Kate Gladdin brings a message of resilience and purpose to Billings (northernbroadcasting.com) — Young professionals from across Montana are gathering in downtown Billings for a two-day summit focused on leadership, careers, and entrepreneurship, headlined by resilience speaker Kate Gladdin. Drawing on the loss of her sister and mother, Gladdin urged attendees to honor their grief while still choosing purposeful action, sharing tools she developed to manage anxiety, advocate for safety reforms, and help others move forward after hardship.
   

📸 Around Billings

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Billings

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Thursday October 15
• Free Bra Fittings to Support Breast Cancer Awareness →
  Dillard's, 320 S 24th St W, Billings
  10:00 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Saturday October 3
• All Hallows Medieval Fantasy Faire →
  N. 19th St & 8th Ave N, Billings
• Penney Peak & Demijohn Flats Loop Hike →
  City Brew 24th and King, Billings
  1:00 am
• Yellowstone Valley Farmers Market →
  Billings MT
  8:00 am
• 27th Annual Libby Veterans Stand Down →
  Veterans Navigation Network, 7 North 31st Street, Billings
  9:00 am
• Adventure Mode: Saturday Live! →
  MetraPark Arena, 308 6th Ave. N., Billings
  10:00 am
• Crochet and Knitting Hour - String Theory →
  Billings Public Library, 510 North Broadway, Billings
  10:00 am
• All Hallows Medieval Fantasy Faire 2026 →
  North Park, Billings
  10:00 am
• Books and Babies: Musical →
  Billings Public Library, 510 North Broadway, Billings
  10:15 am
• Tales With Heart & Tails →
  530 South 24th Street West, Billings
  12:00 pm
• Sons of Serendip →
  Alberta Bair Theater, 2801 3rd Ave N, Billings
  5:30 pm
• Ryan Kabeary / Juan Chavis / Molly Ouellette →
  Kirks' Grocery, 2920 Minnesota Ave., Billings
  8:00 pm
Sunday October 4
• All hallows medieval 2026 →
  North Park, 6th Ave N, Billings
  10:00 am

📣 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

• After 75 years of having dogs and needing veterinary care, I would recommend Lockwood Vet to anyone.
  I have always received quality care for my dogs, at reasonable prices. (Nextdoor Centerview)
• We love Sophie's.
  The quality is consistently good as is the service. Easily our first choice for breakfast or lunch. Come hungry. (Nextdoor Granite Park)

• Albertsons Companies, Inc. posted a job opening for Night Crew Stocker in Billings. Apply here.
• Les Schwab Tire Centers posted a job opening for Shop Assistant- Billings South #916 in Billings. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Billings here.

🗞 Nearby News

Laurel

• Laurel's water intake clogged with debris; city races to find fix before winter (ktvq.com)
• Q2 AOW: Laurel's Royce Taylor eyeing Class A golf title at familiar Marias Valley (ktvq.com)
• Laurel girl recovering from e-scooter crash as city explores new safety rules for riders (ktvq.com)

Columbus

• Dog park proposal wins early nod from Columbus council (stillwatercountynews.com)
• Drone to survey Columbus Oct. 7 for city mapping update (stillwatercountynews.com)
• Lady Bulldogs win on the road (lovellchronicle.com)

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: "Why did the girl pig break up with the boy pig?" — Because he was such a boar! (Thank you Theresa H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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

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