Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: What Helena parents should know about PFAS found in school water

Spotted on the Helena calendar: Popular songs by Bob Jones

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Thursday August 20th Patch AM
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Morning Helena! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • What Helena parents should know about PFAS found in school water
  • How one 84-year-old helped shape Helena's summer soundtrack for decades
  • How Helena's air tanker base is speeding wildfire response across the West

Also on today's calendar: Popular songs by Bob Jones and 3 more events.

Today's riddle: Why do fish live in salt water? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: Sunny and very warm, with a high of 92 and low of 59 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Friday: Partly sunny and very warm, temps: high: 92, low: 60.
  • Saturday: A t-storm around in the p.m., with a high of 88 and low of 59 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Helena school officials say 'forever chemicals' detection will not delay start of school (kxlh.com) — Helena families are being told that recent detections of PFAS "forever chemicals" at Jim Darcy and Rossiter elementary schools will not delay the start of classes. Helena Public Schools and state environmental officials are testing school wells, using filtered bottle-filling stations, and preparing possible treatment systems while they await more detailed lab results.
   

2. State Capital Band honors Ron Sager for 57 years of service to Helena music (ktvh.com) — Helena's State Capital Band has honored longtime trumpeter and emcee Ron Sager for 57 years of service to the city's music scene. Now 84, Sager still performs in Memorial Park and previously taught band in Helena schools for nearly three decades, influencing generations of local musicians and community members.
   

3. Forest Service Reorganization May Speed Deployment Of Fightfighting Aircraft (aero-news.net) — Helena's air tanker base is playing a central role in rapidly deploying firefighting aircraft across the West, including sending three planes to Washington's Old Trails Fire within an hour. Local Forest Service officials highlight how quickly even the largest tankers can be refueled here, underscoring Helena's importance as one of Montana's few airports able to handle these massive aircraft.
   

4. Montana residents press regulators as Helena-area water woes and energy case drag on (thecooldown.com) — Residents in the North Star subdivision near Helena say they're still facing water shortages despite a 2025 regulatory settlement meant to fund system fixes. At the same time, critics are pressing state regulators over a long-delayed NorthWestern Energy rate case that could eventually affect power bills across Montana, including the Helena area.
   

5. Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission approves lower wolf quota for season (kpax.com) — Meeting in Helena, the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission has cut the statewide wolf harvest quota from 450 to 300 for the 2026–27 seasons, with detailed limits by region. Officials say new population models and public input shaped the decision, aiming to keep at least 450 wolves and 15 breeding pairs while still allowing hunting and trapping across Montana.
   

📸 Around Helena

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Lost cat in the area of Applegate, Cypress Rd and Oxford Drive.
    Last seen on Monday morning, Aug 17th. Black and solver tabby. No collar. Kind of shy so she most likely won't come to you. (Nextdoor North Valley)
  • Does anyone know what that siren is?
    It's been on for at least 45 min and does not move (Nextdoor Hillview Dr)
  • Touchmark Senior Living posted a job opening for Life Enrichment Coordinator in Helena. Apply here.
  • ServiceMaster Clean posted a job opening for Custodian 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: Pepper makes them sneeze (Thank you Karla H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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