Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: What Helena kids learned about lithium-ion battery dangers this week

Coming up: Pumpkin Palooza on the Helena Patch calendar

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Thursday October 8th Patch AM
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Good morning Helena! 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. ☕️️

🎃 Hosting a Halloween event in Helena? Let Patch get the word out for you. Post it to the Patch calendar.

In today's newsletter:

  • What Helena kids learned about lithium-ion battery dangers this week
  • What Helena residents should know before DNRC's prescribed burns light up.
  • How Bishop Vetter helped revive the Diocese of Helena

Also on today's calendar: Helena Area Friends of Pets Fall Garage Sale and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What is clean when it is black and dirty when it is white? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: Very warm, with a high of 81 and low of 49 degrees.
  • Friday: Very warm, temps: high: 84, low: 46.
  • Saturday: Cooler; p.m. rain, breezy, with a high of 50 and low of 31 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Helena firefighters teach students fire safety as Fire Prevention Week highlights lithium-ion battery risks (ktvh.com) — Helena families are getting fresh fire-safety guidance as more than 400 local second-graders visit Fire Station One to practice escape plans and learn about lithium‑ion battery risks. Firefighters stress safe charging habits, spotting damaged batteries, and making sure even young kids know how to call 911, hoping students carry these lessons home across Helena's neighborhoods.
   

2. DNRC Prepares for Prescribed Burning Season (mt.gov) — From its Helena headquarters, DNRC is gearing up for months of prescribed burns on state and private lands, which means you may see or smell more smoke around Helena and across Montana. Officials stress these planned fires reduce wildfire risk and are carefully timed for weather and air quality. Residents can track smoke conditions and air quality online while burns are underway.
   

3. Prairie Roots, Mountain Faith: Bishop Austin Vetter's story (kfyrtv.com) — Helena Catholics are hearing more about their bishop's journey from a North Dakota farm kid to leading the Diocese of Helena since 2019. Bishop Austin Vetter reflects on his faith, early influences, and how his leadership has helped improve diocesan finances and boost church attendance in recent years.
   

4. Colleges are slashing tuition prices as students balk at soaring costs (foxbusiness.com) — Carroll College in Helena is planning a major tuition reset, cutting its listed price by 40% and eliminating undergraduate fees starting in fall 2027 to appear more affordable to families. The move follows similar cuts at other private colleges nationwide responding to skepticism about college costs and value. For Helena families, it could significantly change how attainable a Carroll education looks on paper.
   

5. VA Awards More Than $390,000 In Grants For Adaptive Sports Programs In Montana (va.gov) — Helena-based VA officials have announced more than $390,000 in grants for three Montana organizations that run adaptive sports programs for Veterans and service members. The funding will expand opportunities for activities like skiing, cycling, and wheelchair softball, aiming to boost independence, health, and social connection for Veterans across the state.
   

📸 Around Helena

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • This might be it for the season!
    Open Tues-Fri 9-6 this week. There's salsa on the stand today and cookies are Peanut Butter Cup and White Chocolate Strawberry. 421 Cactus Rd (Nextdoor North Helena)
  • Here's an interesting discussion on data centers:
    https://youtu.be/xwXM2pHj0g4?is=Y_uIGCAtSeoFAfch (Nextdoor Treasure State Acres)
  • State of Montana posted a job opening for Capitol Custodian – Evening Shift in Helena. Apply here.
  • CBRE Group, Inc. posted a job opening for Regional Maintenance Manager 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: "What is clean when it is black and dirty when it is white?" — A chalk board (Thank you Charlie H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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