Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How Carroll College’s new Pell Promise could fully cover your tuition
Coming up on the Helena Patch calendar: Firearms Instructor
Cheers Helena! We're back, helping you stay up to date with what's happening. Let's take on the day together! ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- How Carroll College's new Pell Promise could fully cover your tuition
- What's next for the aging governor's house on Carson Street?
- Ready to tackle a 24-hour math challenge at Carroll College?
Also on today's calendar: Steak Fry fundraiser and 9 more events.
And lastly, we have a post from a neighbor, Kelly U.!
Today's riddle: What are the two favorite words for a shark to hear? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Sunday: Cloudy, with a high of 64 and low of 44 degrees.
- Monday: Pleasant with periods of sun, temps: high: 70, low: 42.
- Tuesday: Partly sunny and pleasant, with a high of 74 and low of 47 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Carroll expands Pell Promise nationally for 2027 (helenair.com) — Carroll College in Helena is expanding its Pell Promise so that, starting in fall 2027, qualifying Pell-eligible students from any state can have their full tuition covered after grants, loans, and aid. The college is also cutting its listed undergraduate tuition by 40% and dropping general fees, aiming to make costs clearer and access easier for local and out-of-state families. 
2. State to tear down former governor's residence (missoulacurrent.com) — A state advisory council has voted 8–1 to demolish the deteriorating former governor's residence at 2 N. Carson Street in Helena and convert the lot into state-owned greenspace. Helena Sen. Mary Ann Dunwell says high repair and maintenance costs drove the decision, while leftover funds from earlier appropriations will help pay for demolition and park work.
3. Seventh annual Montana Mathematical Modeling Challenge set for Oct. 17-18, 2026 (helenair.com) — Students in and around Helena can now register for the 24-hour Montana Mathematical Modeling Challenge, coming to Carroll College's campus October 17–18. Teams of three will tackle real-world, industry-inspired problems using math, statistics, computing, and any written or online resources they can find, but no outside help from other people.
4. Billings Central volleyball rallies in 4 sets to beat East Helena (montanasports.com) — East Helena volleyball fans saw their team take the first set at home in Helena before Billings Central stormed back to win the conference match 3–1. Despite a strong start and early second-set lead, the Vigilantes couldn't hold off Central's serving and defense, which carried the Rams to three straight set wins.
📸 Around Helena
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🗓 Upcoming Events in Helena
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Firearms Instructor →
Helena Police Department Gun Range, 3300 block of Airport road, Helena
8:00 am
Monday September 28
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- 2026 MACo Annual Conference - Commission →
Delta Colonial Hotel, 2300 Colonial Drive, Helena
8:00 am - Helena Village Collective →
Community Room, 1280 Boulder Ave, Helena
11:00 am - Steak Fry fundraiser →
West Main Street, W Main St, East Helena
5:30 pm - 2026 MACo Annual Conference - Commission →
Delta Colonial Hotel, 2300 Colonial Drive, Helena
8:00 am - Tacos & Tequila Tuesday →
The Rathskeller, 24 W 6th Ave Basement, Helena
3:00 pm - Clay Animal Bowls →
The Painted Pot, 333 N Last Chance Gulch, Helena
5:30 pm - Waking Giant Stitch & B*tch →
Real Food Store, 1096 Helena Ave, Helena
5:30 pm - Trivia at Miller's Crossing! →
Miller's Crossing Bar and Grill, 52 S Park Ave, Helena
7:00 pm - 2026 MACo Annual Conference - Commission →
Delta Colonial Hotel, 2300 Colonial Drive, Helena
8:00 am - 2026 Ignite Conference: Stories That Shape Us →
Montana Heritage Center, 225 Roberts Street, Helena
8:30 am - Steak fry fundraiser →
West Main Street, W Main St, East Helena
5:30 pm
Monday September 28
Tuesday September 29
Wednesday September 30
Monday October 12
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
- I love to hear stories about the olden days.
My great grandma use to tell me stories about when she was growing up. She often told the same stories and I still loved to listen to them. She was a… (Nextdoor North Valley Dave's) - The Helena Flying Tigers radio control airplanes club is having a scale model fly-in tomorrow (Saturday) at 0900.
The model field is adjacent to the equalizing reservoir on the York road. See you there! (Nextdoor Canyon Ferry)
- State of Montana posted a job opening for Payroll Supervisor in Helena. Apply here.
- Touchmark Senior Living posted a job opening for Server 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: "MAN OVERBOARD!" (Thank you M J. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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