Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Could Helena patients lose in-network access to key mental health providers?

Also check out Babes In Canyon (ft. Anna Smyrk & Shelby Natasha) on the Helena Patch calendar

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Saturday August 29th Patch AM
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Hi there, Helena! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Could Helena patients lose in-network access to key mental health providers?
  • What Helena parents should know about PFAS found at Rossiter Elementary
  • Want a say in a trout-habitat project managed from Helena?

Also on today's calendar: 227 Days Celebration and 3 more events.

Today's riddle: What has a neck but no head? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Saturday: A couple of p.m. t-showers, with a high of 74 and low of 51 degrees.
  • Sunday: Breezy in the afternoon, temps: high: 68, low: 46.
  • Monday: Mostly sunny and pleasant, with a high of 77 and low of 50 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Providers Fight Downcoding Efforts by BCBS Entity (bhbusiness.com) — Helena psychiatrists at Big Sky Psychiatry and Big River Psychology say a new Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana billing process is downcoding many visits, forcing them to spend hours on appeals and threatening their ability to stay in-network. They and colleagues statewide have filed complaints with the state auditor in Helena, warning patients could face higher costs and fewer local mental health options.
   

2. Further tests find 'forever chemicals' in Rossiter Elementary School well in Helena (ktvh.com) — Helena Public Schools reports that state testing has confirmed PFAS "forever chemicals" in the Rossiter Elementary School well, after earlier detections at Rossiter and Jim Darcy. District officials say drinking water remains safe thanks to new filtration systems on fountains and bottle fillers, and they're working with Montana DEQ on long‑term solutions while awaiting final results for Jim Darcy.
   

3. Draft Environmental Checklist EA (mt.gov) — Helena residents are being asked to weigh in on a proposed Marsh Creek restoration project, with comments mailed or emailed to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks at a Helena address. The plan would reshape a degraded tributary west of Canyon Creek to reduce erosion, restore riparian habitat, and improve rainbow trout spawning, with construction targeted for late 2026.
   

4. Montana auditor revokes Kalispell bail bondsman's license after abuse allegations (nbcmontana.com) — State Auditor James Brown, working from Helena, has permanently revoked a Kalispell bail bondsman's insurance producer license after an investigation found serious abuses of authority involving clients and collateral. The case underscores the auditor's broader push from Helena to tighten oversight of Montana's bail bond industry and urges potential fraud victims statewide to contact the office for help.
   

5. Florida man stops in Belgrade on cross-county walk, Senator Tim Sheehy advocates for state rail line (bozemandailychronicle.com) — A regional rail summit in Helena this week featured U.S. Sen. Tim Sheehy backing a proposal to restore passenger rail across Montana, including a stop in Helena. Planners say the Big Sky North Coast Corridor could eventually carry hundreds of thousands of riders and offer a new alternative to driving or flying, while a separate feature follows a Florida man walking cross‑country through Belgrade.
   

📸 Around Helena

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Helena

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📣 Helena Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Saturday August 29
  • Montana Distillers Guild: Last Chance Spirits Festival →
    Best Western Premier Helena Great Northern Hotel, 835 Great Northern Blvd, Helena
    4:00 pm
    • Tuesday September 1
  • EVMS & EHHS Picture Day!
    EAST HELENA K-12 SCHOOL DISTRICT East Helena, MT 59635
    8:00 am
    • Wednesday September 2
  • Radley Picture Day!
    EAST HELENA K-12 SCHOOL DISTRICT East Helena, MT 59635
    8:00 am
    • Wednesday September 9
  • PPE Picture Day!
    EAST HELENA K-12 SCHOOL DISTRICT East Helena, MT 59635
    8:00 am
    • Thursday September 10
  • Eastgate Picture Day!
    EAST HELENA K-12 SCHOOL DISTRICT East Helena, MT 59635
    8:00 am
    • Saturday September 19
  • 🇦🇺 MAGIC HUNKS® AUSTRALIA TAKEOVER – HELENA, MT USA!!! 🔥 →
    Lakeside on Hauser, 5295 York Rd, Helena
    6:00 pm

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

  • FOUND DOG - GREEN MEADOW AREA
    Hello Helena! Found this handsome buddy roaming in the dark in my front yard. Had a golden retriever friend that did not stick around / come inside. … (Nextdoor Temple - Quartz - Empire)
  • The moon 234-236 am.
    Tap to see them closer. I thought they were pretty cool ! (Nextdoor Westside/Euclid Ave North)
  • Costco Wholesale Corporation posted a job opening for Forklift Driver in Helena. Apply here.
  • Easterseals-Goodwill Northern Rocky Mountain, Inc. posted a job opening for Production Associate in Helena. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Helena here.

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: A bottle (Thank you Netty W. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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