🌱 Patch AM: Want to stand ten feet from a great grey owl?

Hey there, Helena! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• Want to stand ten feet from a great grey owl?
• Which Helena veteran just received the Governor's prestigious commendation?
• How the new state employee healthcare deal could hit Helena wallets.

Also on today's calendar: Women's Healing & Connection Circle and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: Why should you never iron a 4-leaf colver? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Wednesday: Some sun, with a high of 69 and low of 43 degrees.
• Thursday: Plenty of sun, temps: high: 65, low: 44.
• Friday: Pleasant with some sun, with a high of 74 and low of 44 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Montana WILD Opens New Avian Walkway and Flight Barn in Helena (news-usa.today) — Helena's Montana WILD center has just completed a $1,065,000 expansion, adding a new Avian Walkway and flight barn that bring visitors within feet of owls, hawks, and other raptors. The project boosts both public education and the rehabilitation of injured birds, with thousands of local students and residents expected to use the upgraded facility each year.
   

• Gianforte honors final 2025 Montana Veteran Commendation Award recipients (ktvh.com) — Helena residents are directly involved as Gov. Greg Gianforte honored local veteran David Poole and others with the 2025 Montana Governor's Veteran Commendation, including a ceremony at the State Capitol. The award recognizes veterans' military service and ongoing community work, and nominations for the 2026 commendation are open through October 28, giving locals time to put forward deserving neighbors.
   

• Union, governor's office strike deal on state employee healthcare (montanafreepress.org) — State employees in Helena and across Montana will see higher deductibles, out-of-pocket maximums, and premiums starting in January, though a new deal between the governor's office and public employee unions softens earlier proposed hikes. Helena Rep. Luke Muszkiewicz says he's cautiously optimistic but plans to closely monitor the health fund as lawmakers consider additional state contributions in 2027.
   

📸 Around Helena

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Helena

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Thursday October 1
• HYP Cider Tasting with Headwaters Crafthouse →
  Headwaters Crafthouse, Helena
  6:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Friday October 2
• Helena Mental Health Community Lunch & Networking →
  The Sidecar, 317 Cruse Avenue, Helena
  11:30 am
• Painting with Kitties →
  The Painted Pot, 333 N Last Chance Gulch, Helena
  5:30 pm
• Montana Western, University of Women's Volleyball at Carroll →
  Helena MT
  6:00 pm
• Friday Night Clay →
  Omerta Arts, 800 Front St, Helena
  6:00 pm
• Jerry Seinfeld →
  Helena Civic Center, 340 Neill Ave, Helena
  7:00 pm
• All Request DJ, Music, Lights & Dance →
  Miller's Crossing Bar and Grill, 52 S Park Ave, Helena
  9:00 pm
Saturday October 3
• Saturday Honk & Wave Protest: 11th & Montana Ave →
  Corner of 11th & North Montana, 1150 11th Ave, Helena
  12:00 pm
Monday October 5
• Helena Village Collective →
  Community Room, 1280 Boulder Ave, Helena
  11:00 am
• Helena City Commission Meeting (Regular Meeting) →
  City County Building, Room 330, 316 N Park Ave, Helena
  6:00 pm
Saturday October 10
• Women's Healing & Connection Circle →
  82 Norris Rd, Helena
  11:00 am
Monday October 12
• Steak fry fundraiser →
  West Main Street, W Main St, East Helena
  5:30 pm

📣 Helena 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.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Love their chocolate mousse and earl gray cupcakes, bread pudding, cannoles, chicken salad sandwiches to name just a few things!
  I'm there a minimum of several times a month! (Nextdoor Westside/Euclid Ave North)
• They always have someone there to help me find something, get a key made, or help me figure out my project.
  They treat their customers with respect - much appreciated! (Nextdoor Westside/Euclid Ave North)

• Panda Express posted a job opening for Cook (P1-1384353-1) in Helena. Apply here.
• Sherwin-Williams posted a job opening for Bilingual Customer Service Specialist (Spanish) in Helena. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Helena here.

🗞 Nearby News

East Helena

• Best private high schools in Montana (fairfieldsuntimes.com)

Butte

• Dolly Parton's Imagination Library hands out one millionth book in Montana (fairfieldsuntimes.com)
• Remedial Work at Diggings East Begins (epa.gov)
• When Montana Studded Tires Are Legal On Roads (dave1077.com)

Manhattan

• When Does 'The Madison' Season 2 Premiere? Returning Stars Give Update (cadillacnews.com)

Ok Helena! 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: You don't want to press your luck! (Thank you Tee E. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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