the company founded to encourage writing by south Asian women From 2016 until her death, at the age of 64 after being diagnosed with cancer, Helena Bell was the artistic director of Kali Theatre, a company founded by Rita Wolf and Rukhsana Ahmad in 1991 to encourage writing by south Asian women and now based at the Albany theatre in Deptford Helena believed that all theatre should be political and she dedicated her life to unearthing stories from writers silenced by the mainstream which sought to “discover” new south Asian women playwrights and produce their work An open call-out saw writers submit their scripts four of which were chosen for a script-in-hand performance Any writer unsuccessful in getting through would receive extensive written feedback from the dramaturgs and directors involved in the programme in order to help them develop their craft – an unusual courtesy in the theatre industry She was also keen to counter the London-centric bias of British theatre and launched Discovery programmes in Oldham Jay Varsani and Suzanne Ahmet in Homing Birds Photograph: Robert Day/Kali TheatreHelena was also instrumental in the publication of a collection of play excerpts for Kali’s 30th anniversary 30 Monologues and Duologues for South Asian Actors I first met Helena in 2018 when she asked me to join the inaugural Discovery programme as a dramaturg after having seen my play Abi (a response to Abigail’s Party) I remarked that I felt bad about getting paid to sit in a room and have such engaging conversations but Helena flattened hierarchies and established a space where everyone’s voice – regardless of rank – was welcomed She had a knack for incubating new talent and provided a warm place for playwrights to thrive which she would launch into the room and loop others into Helena was born in Bristol to Jean Bell, who soon after Helena’s birth married Mervyn Uren. Helena went to Ashton Park school in the south of the city and, after graduating from Warwick University in 1982 with a degree in English literature, began training to be a teacher in Brighton There she was diverted on to her theatrical journey in 1988 co-founding Alarmist Theatre with Stephen Plaice and continuing as co-artistic director of the company until 1998 The Bedbug directed by Helena Bell (billed as Helena Uren) Illustration: Graham EvansIn 1990 Helena directed Stephen’s adaptation of Vladimir Mayakovsky’s play The Bedbug depicting a cryogenically frozen Russian hipster thawed 50 years later into a fictitious European superstate After its initial run at the Pavilion theatre it was one of the first productions to tour in glasnost Russia Feeding the cast and crew in Moscow was a feat so the company travelled to an international hotel where they could pay in dollars At dinner Helena encountered an American who said he had fallen foul of the local mafia Helena liked to recount how she came to the rescue and lent him her Russian fur hat by means of a disguise Back in Britain, she met and was mentored by the director Clare Venables who provided support in a male-dominated industry about the extraordinary life of the Dorset fossil hunter Mary Anning (and coincidentally also one of Helena’s ancestors) A co-production between Alarmist and Shaker Productions at the Hawth theatre subsequently transferred to the Lyric Hammersmith and was a Time Out Critic’s Choice she was chosen to be one of six directors on the Arts Council directors’ bursary a programme designed to train the next generation of British theatre makers Through this she formed close creative partnerships with the directors Rosamunde Hutt and Pat Trueman Helena once remarked that she loved to curate not only pieces of work, but people. She put artists in touch with each other, which led to lifelong friendships. She met her own partner, the writer Grant Watson, in 1997. Helena went on to direct Grant’s play The Lamellar Project an epic snapshot of a near future where food systems have collapsed and two scientists clash over how to fix it at the Arcola theatre in east London for the theatre and film company Pursued By a Bear where Helena worked for a decade until 2016 Although adopted as a baby by Mervyn, Helena grew up with the knowledge that she was of mixed heritage; her father had been a Punjabi Sikh student with whom her mother had had a brief relationship. Helena subsequently made a research trip to India and Pakistan for Ahmad’s play The Gatekeeper’s Wife, which was produced by Alarmist Theatre There she began the process of integrating the two continents from which she hailed The insights gained from her trip to the subcontinent would inform her work and eventually culminate in her taking up the role of artistic director at Kali Theatre born 31 January 1961; died 31 January 2025 Helena's "May Day" protest against the Trump administration condemned cuts to education veterans' benefits and the federal work force Around 150 people attended Saturday's "May Day" protest against the Trump administration in Helena Around 150 people protested funding cuts and mass deportations by the Trump administration at a Saturday "May Day" rally held on state capitol grounds in Helena The rally was organized with help of the Montana Federation of Public Employees Speakers and signs condemned cuts to the federal work force Attendees also demanded due process for undocumented migrants Saturday's protest was a finale to six other protests held across the state on "May Day," or May 1 The day is to celebrate labor unions and advocate for workers' rights Christine Compton is a reporter for the Helena Independent Record Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter Email notifications are only sent once a day Here are seven things you might not know about Mother's Day Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device Account processing issue - the email address may already exist Invalid password or account does not exist Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account HELENA — From natural disasters and historic structures like the Fire Tower to local businesses and historic figures like Big Dorothy Helena school district students brought Helena’s history to life at the Vigilante Day Parade and happy are just a few of the words parade goers use to describe the Montana heritage and history parade It is one of the longest-running parades in the United States and is an inspiration to audiences both young and old Everleigh Virag is a first grader and says “It is important because it celebrates the stuff that is downtown and maybe even stuff that isn’t here anymore." it fills him with pride because his team’s float won in 1961 “I am glad they still have the interest to do it because otherwise it dies and this parade was probably twice as long as ours was so it is really good to see them continuing it on.” The parade started in 1924 as a safer alternative to class rivalries and has been a tradition almost every year since The only years the parade did not happen were during World War II and the COVID-19 pandemic "You know we are sitting here by these buildings and you can see the history that is just part of it and it is being carried on," parade spectator Donna Ohs says Hundreds of people lined the downtown street as the tradition kicked off at high noon 104 student-made floats crafted by 953 students rolled down Last Chance Gulch The students were not the only ones engaging the crowds having been part of it is really neat to think back to the kids that started it to where the kids are now and they are still doing it.” This year’s Vigilante Day grand champion parade float goes to historic Wild West photographer Evelyn Cameron This float also won the most historically accurate award Below you can find all of the parade float awards: Traditional Games: Zemirah Across the Mountain Sky-Hi Drive-In Movie Theater: Milena Villalva Jack Dempsey in Helena (1942): Jameson Daly Last Chance During Gold Rush: Tyler Beaver (Watch to learn more about the history of the Vigilante Day Parade) Jennifer Roberts and daughter Libby went for a walk early Thursday afternoon They ambled down a dirt trail toward a bridge then eventually trekked back to where a small crowd had gathered for the opening of Prickly Pear Park in East Helena Jennifer and Libby Roberts go for a walk through Prickly Pear Park in East Helena on May 1 as Jennifer Roberts said she had been working for years for the Montana Environmental Trust Group on establishing the recreation area sometimes accompanied her mom to work since she was in kindergarten “It’s so beautiful and wonderful,” Jennifer said as she looked around the lush surroundings that now sit adjacent to a slag pile on the former ASARCO site And with the cut of a ribbon with giant scissors held by various people who had a role in bringing the park into fruition Prickly Pear Park officially opened to the public East Helena asked Prickly Pear Land Trust to help establish two parks on the former American Smelting and Refining Co PPLT has also established an 80-acre park along Prickly Pear Creek known as "The Grove." It features over 2 miles of broad processed 70,000 tons of lead bullion a year and provided a livelihood for thousands including arsenic and selenium in soils at the site caused groundwater plumes and levels above safe drinking water standards the EPA declared East Helena a Superfund cleanup site ASARCO placed about $96 million in a trust managed by METG This land has been remediated and restored though some of the slag pile remains as efforts continue to remove it The 240-acre park features Prickly Pear Creek and ”stunning views of the Elkhorn and Big Belt Mountains,” Prickly Pear Land Trust (PPLT) said in a news release and "stunning views of the Elkhorn and Big Belt Mountains." on Secondary Highway 518 just south of U.S It features 1.5 miles of creek surrounded by wetlands that provide habitat for 160 bird species But leave Fido at home as the park is closed to dogs year-round to protect wildlife habitat The new park was made possible by partnerships between Prickly Pear Land Trust and the Montana Department of Justice Natural Resource Damage Program “I am thrilled to be opening the park and returning the land to the people of East Helena after more than 100 years,” she said county and state officials were in attendance as well as people who had worked on the project a long time Among them was Mark Rhodes of Hydrometrics who Hollow said had worked on remediation efforts on the property for nearly 25 years “… just the fact of what it used to be to what it looks like now.” Rhodes said there was a big area of water and soil contamination to deal with East Helena Public Schools Superintendent Dan Rispens said it was a day a lot of people have been waiting for for a long time East Helena Schools Superintendent Dan Rispens Mary Hollow of Prickly Pear Land Trust and East Helena Mayor Kelly Harris cut the ribbon on May 1 “I am really excited for the community to experience this area,” he said adding it could be used by the schools for a lot of purposes He said East Helena is expecting growth in the new few years and the park would be a great place to recreate and enjoy the great outdoors Hollow said Thursday’s dedication made her choke up a little thinking of all the work and effort that went into the park site Libby Roberts was asked her opinion of the park the one she had recently hiked around with her mother Mary Hollow of Prickly Pear Land Trust speaks at the dedication of Prickly Pear Park in East Helena Editor Phil Drake can be reached at 406-231-9021 Nearly 100 student-made floats honoring historical moments in Helena rolled through downtown on Friday as water was sprayed into the crowd and community members gathered on the street Nearly 100 student-made floats honoring historical moments in Helena rolled through downtown Friday as water was sprayed into the crowd and community members gathered on the street The Vigilante Parade was touted as the longest-running high school parade in the country and celebrated its 101st showing The parade is produced by Helena Public Schools Students from Capital and Helena high schools laughed and put on shows for an audience of thousands of people The floats made their way through Last Chance Gulch and onto the Walking Mall while being cheered by attendees also known locally as the Vigilante Day Parade was started in May 1924 by Helena High Principal Albert J Roberts to put an end to escalating and increasingly dangerous class rivalry stunts The parade almost didn't stay along its traditional route after mention of possibly changing it came up in March Ultimately the route stayed the same after many community members voiced their concerns with the possible move Helena police said there were no issues at all at Friday's parade and that it went over smoothly There were 104 floats in Friday’s Vigilante Parade Roberts Cup with 48.99% of students participating Most Historically Accurate (Montana Historical Society) Jack Dempsey in Helena (1942): Jameson Daly Students march down the streets of downtown Helena on May 2 Students have some rowdy fun at the 101st Vigilante Parade in downtown Helena on May 2 A scene from the 101st Vigilante Parade in downtown Helena on May 2 A creative float from the 101st Vigilante Parade in downtown Helena on May 2 There was firefighting fun at the 101st Vigilante Parade in Helena on May 2 Buckets of laughter at the 101st Vigilante Parade in Helena on May 2 A scene from the 101st Vigilante Parade in Helena on May 2 Students cook up some fun at the 101st Vigilante Parade in downtown Helena on May 2 Sonny Tapia is a criminal justice and education reporter for the Helena Independent Record Nearly 100 student-made floats honoring historical moments in Helena rolled through downtown on Friday as water was sprayed into the crowd and… Helena Mayor Wilmot Collins delivers the beginning of the 2025 State of the City address The Helena mayor and city commissioners may be paid $275-$375 more starting next year the mayor is awarded $15,000 annual salary plus $2,400 in allowances Commissioners get a $11,000 salary and a $1,800 stipend the mayor would be given $15,375 and the commissioners $11,275 It matches a 2.5% cost of living adjustment The Helena City Commission holds a meeting on Dec in the commission chambers in the City-County Building the pay for mayors and commissioners/councilmembers varies wildly with Missoula’s mayor-equivalent making the most at $117,665 and Great Fall’s mayor making $5,616 Without Missoula and Bozeman’s data included the city calculated the average mayoral pay as around $9,650 and commissioner pay as $7,107 Helena's mayor and city commissioners may see a pay raise for 2026 City officials compared their current pay to similar positions across Montana The raise is meant to keep pay attractive and competitive for interested city candidates The proposal will go in front of commissioners on Monday's City Commission meeting The meeting is at City-County Building Room 330 and begins at 6 p.m Elections are open for Helena’s mayor and two of four city commissioner seats currently held by Melinda Reed and Andy Shirtliff Current City Commissioner Emily Dean is running for mayor with Mayor Wilmot Collins’ endorsement Helena City Commissioner Emily Dean speaks during a commission meeting on Dec Collins said early April he wouldn't run for a third term and looked forward to spending more time with his family Mayor Wilmot Collins speaks at a Helena City Commission meeting on Dec According to the Lewis and Clark County elections clerk She and Collins previously faced off in the 2021 polls Four others have also filed for the City Commission race: incumbent Melinda Reed Helena City Commissioner Melinda Reed speaks during a commission meeting in December 2023 in the City-County Building Interested candidates have until June 16 to file All seats of the Helena Citizen’s Council are also open for reelection Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter Mayor Wilmot Collins confirmed he wouldn't run for a third term City Commissioner Emily Dean has served on the commission since 2019 The meeting on April 30 will show the latest in a series of department budget presentations which go over major projects and ideas for fiscal… a Duke prepares for his grand wedding to the future Duchess Local law states a daughter must obey her father’s every command whose father insists that she give her hand in marriage to a man she does not love Hermia sets off with the one she truly loves into the neighboring Far Forest intending to marry him outside of their region’s jurisdiction She swears her dearest friend Helena to secrecy along the way Helena in turn galvanizes her own bruised heart As the menagerie of lovers trek deeper into the trees crossing paths with the woods’ enchanted inhabitants and an amateur acting troupe the Far Forest becomes center stage for pandemonium driven by infatuations both sincere and insincere… and the Forest dwellers do not take kindly to the presence of trespassers and defilers musical adaptation of William Shakespeare’s beloved play A Midsummer Night’s Dream paints the timeless tale in a fresh and The Impostors on a high-flying quest to change fate The Den Theatre and comedy club is pleased to host Helena & Hermia in The Enamored Odyssey presented by The Impostors Theatre Co and a lively bar scene are just a few of this neighborhood’s attractions Return to events calendar More info Sign up Get the guide Contact us © 2025 Choose Chicago. All rights reserved.Privacy policy | Your privacy choices | Terms of use | Sitemap Canyon Ferry: Rainbows are still being targeted and caught from shore between the Outhouse Shannon and Kim’s Marina while using leech pattern flies or small black or brown nymphs as well as spawn sacks or worms Boat anglers are finding success for rainbows throughout the reservoir as the fish are moving offshore. Try using rapalas or flashers to catch some large rainbows. The Silos area is producing walleyes and rainbows around Pond 3 and the river while using rapalas Hauser: Good numbers of rainbows are being caught below Canyon Ferry Dam while using nightcrawlers and marshmallows Trolling flashers or crankbaits out from Black Sandy and the York Bridge area is also producing some trout Walleye and a few perch are being caught in Lake Helena and anglers have been doing well while trolling bottom bouncers and crawler harnesses with perch-colored spinner blades or various crankbaits A few walleye are being caught from the Causeway Bridge during the late evening hours while using slip bobbers and leeches or floating jigs tipped with crawlers Holter: There are still a few rainbows being caught around the boat ramp areas the BLM boat ramp and Log Gulch have been popular spots and fly fishing with nymphs Trolling various flashers or crankbaits on the lower end of the reservoir has been very productive for trout anglers A few walleye are being caught around weed beds and points while vertical jigging with crawlers or leeches. Chris Hurley with nymphs and streamers doing the heavy lifting while spring flows and sunshine keep things interesting… The Montana Outdoor Radio Show is live Saturday Mornings from 6:06am to 8:00am Skip the flowers—take Mom fishing for free this Mother’s Day and reel in some memories instead The 100-fish limit was no match for Mack Days anglers on Flathead Lake as records tumbled and lines stayed tight in a crazy weekend of nonstop lake trout action… it can sometimes be less of a friendly forest reunion and more a heavyweight smackdown… lack of food likely caused the mortality event… Think you’re fly fishing like a pro with that bobber it might be time to ditch the training wheels and rediscover the real art of nymphing—no plastic balls required Think state records are only for monster fish slowly)—from midge hatches to streamer pulls and dry fly eats They say that if you built a bridge in a desert Fly tying can be an enjoyable yet potentially costly way to enhance your fly fishing experience by allowing you to create your own flies instead of buying them No worries — both hours of last week’s Montana Outdoor Radio Show are ready for […] Our team of Montana correspondents has been out on the water this week Captain and Don Jamison of Park Grove hooked a couple of trophy walleyes in the dredge cuts Friday The 2025 Walleye Egg Collection is in the Books Rigger and the Captain Take a Deep Dive Into What it all Means For Montana’s Walleye Fishermen & Women… Montana FWP wants your voice in shaping the future of mule deer—join a local workshop to weigh in on the new statewide management plan and help steer the herd in the right direction We have a sneak peek into the latest amazing Montana Outdoor Podcast episode… America’s public lands are opening wider than ever for hunters and anglers with new spots and big opportunities… Bass season just kicked off—and let’s just say the opening weekend didn’t disappoint at the Echo Lake Big Sky Bass Bash… Hell Creek Marina is your year-round launchpad for all things Fort Peck and brand-new pizzas—Rock Creek Marina is back and ready to make you feel like family… A once-golden creek is being reshaped—not for fortune this time From deep water surprises to shoreline hotspots this week brought a little bit of everything at Fort Peck Snagging a river dinosaur might sound crazy to some it’s just another paddlefish season… Armored in 30,000 quills and smelling like exotic cheese the porcupine is nature’s most misunderstood Your chance to shape the future of hunting on the Flathead Reservation—share your thoughts on the 2025-2026 draft regulations… A Canada goose was confirmed infected in Gallatin County on February 26 It’s time to get your goose jerky on Donald Trump Jr.’s hunting trip in Italy just went from a wild adventure to a legal quagmire after he allegedly poached a rare duck—now Oklahoma’s public lands just got a little less public for outsiders with a heart full of grit and a camo golf cart for cover Fox Haas reminded us all why legends never hang up their calls… The Sierra County Sheriff’s Office in California reports residents are under siege from wolves posting graphic photos of a bloodied stoop where an elk was brought down just yards from a residence There have been 18 wolf attacks confirmed in 28 days released in Colorado in January after being translocated from British Columbia has made significant movements across the state covering more than 1,230 miles since translocation — an extraordinary display of the species’ natural roaming behavior IMPORTANT: The season dates for hound hunting season in the printed version of the 2025 Black Bear Regulations were incorrectly listed in the printed regulations A peaceful day of ice fishing shattered in an instant… When you need Dramamine to go ice fishing…… Some anglers are stuck dreaming of frozen lakes while others are packing their gear and chasing the last ice—where do you stand one last thrilling ice fishing adventure delivers big trout and bigger lessons—before the season slips away As Montana’s late-season ice thins and conditions become unpredictable anglers are urged to stay cautious—no fish is worth the risk the fishing has been excellent across Helena area waters Time for Your Refresher Course on How to Catch HUGE Kokanee Salmon in Holter & Hauser Reservoirs From Kit & Trevor Johnson of Kit’s Tackle Outfitters… Think again—Kit and Trevor are back to spill the secrets before the season heats up this week’s Montana Outdoor Podcast dives deep into the surprising fish behind Fort Peck’s trophy giants—don’t miss “Double Bacon Cheeseburger with Fins.” What do deep-water monsters and a double bacon cheeseburger have in common Tune in to the Montana Outdoor Podcast to find out… That “special” new scent your dog is rocking here’s one way to get rid of that… Tired of playing keep-away with your dog while you’re at hunting camp Learn the secret to achieving total recall—no chasing required When it comes to filleting a northern pike Yellowstone National Park recorded its first officially documented fatal grizzly bear attack has filed a lawsuit against the Triangle C Ranch near Dubois This smart and friendly elk has serious footwork when it comes to soccer © 2025 Montana Outdoor Radio Show All Rights Reserved RSS Feed Facebook Page YouTube Channel SoundCloud NewsBreak Profile Privacy Policy A collection of the best images from the cameras of Independent Record photographers last week: hugs a victim he shot during a 2023 incident after he was sentenced in Lewis and Clark County District Court on April 29 All 14 members of Helena College's first-ever cosmetology cohort pose for photos after their pinning ceremony May 2 is flanked by his caucus at a news conference following the adjournment of the 2025 Montana Legislature on April 30 Newly appointed Carroll College President William Ruud speaks May 1 at the college during his announcement as new president veterans' benefits and the federal workforce Participants in a Greater Helena Gives event run on treadmills during a fundraising event at the Capital City Health Club on May 1 The Treadmill Challenge was organized by Cancer Support Community Montana Helena College celebrated graduating 63 seniors Saturday in Helena on May 3 Helena High's Addison Roush celebrates with Helena assistant coach Scott Todorovich after pre-qualifying for the state track meet at the Skor Dekam track meet Anderson Stevenson Wilke & Retz Funeral Home Assisting the Montana communities of Helena daughter of Brad Sauter and Katrina Taylor She received her education in Helena and was taking some online classes with the University of Idaho Brad Sauter and Katrina Hogue; her siblings Caleb Taylor and Calvin Hogue; she is also survived by grandparents Caitie was preceded in death by her Grandpa Timothy Taylor; Grandma Rhonda Taylor; Uncle Come join the family and friends at a social gathering celebrating the life of Caitie Sue Sauter She always made sure that the people she loved knew that they had a place in her heart Caitie was very artistic; she enjoyed drawing and writing She used it as an outlet to express the feelings she had in common with her older brother Caleb Taylor She cared deeply and her heart always told her to help anyone in need She would light up a room with her amazing She went out of her way to make sure everyone around her was happy and smiling View map Please visit the floral shop page for assistance in choosing a local florist Share your photos Read the thoughts and memories, then feel free to add your own. April 29, 2025 at 11:00 pm You had an old soul a beautiful smile and an heart of gold May 5, 2025 at 8:39 am Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" © 2025 · Anderson Stevenson Wilke & Retz Funeral Home · Website by Luci's Office HELENA — The Vigilante Day Parade hits Last Chance Gulch on Friday marking the 101st anniversary of the event Float themes range from historic fires and events in Montana history to athletic programs and local businesses "It is a super cool way to honor our Helena traditions," says Delaney Lynch who is working on the Carroll College Boxing float "It is one of the oldest parades in Montana Students from Helena's high schools form teams and then choose their float themes on a first-come The day before Vigilante is a dedicated work day for creativity and building the floats Students participating are excused from school and their teachers come to check on their progress throughout the day Tizer Lindgren is working on the Fire of 1872 float and says and it was super fun seeing a bunch of people you know and them laughing and waving These floats and more will make their way through downtown beginning at noon Friday We will live stream the parade right here on the KTVH Facebook page - A crash in a Polaris side-by-side took the life of a Helena woman late Saturday night according to a report from Montana Highway Patrol a 53-year-old Helena woman was driving a Polaris side-by-side with a 54-year-old passenger on Stemple Pass Road The driver reportedly lost control on a lefthand curve in the dirt road near Fool Hen Road The driver was not wearing a seatbelt and was thrown from the ATV and speed to all have been factors in the fatal crash – A fire broke out at Prickly Pear Elementary on Friday set by children not enrolled in East Helena Schools according to a release from East Helena School District 9 there are no recent results for popular commented articles Would you like to receive our daily news? Signup today Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: Greater Helena Gives held a launch party at the Union on April 30 Greater Helena Gives set a new record and raised more than $300,000 for local organizations and nonprofits in its 24-hour fundraiser hosted by the Helena Area Community Foundation breaking its previous record of $274,803 set in 2023 for 110 organizations Helena Area Community Foundation Executive Director Emily Frazier interviews Dawn Watching the community come together and support each other is the best part of Greater Helena Gives The organization hosted the event for 117 nonprofits which is also a record for the event now in its 11th year Their website says the money raised came from 1,332 donors so it was really affirming to see the community come out," Frazier said She added that it was good to see all the donations from community members in light of looming "threatened funding losses" to nonprofits and organizations so it's never too early to reach out," she said While the event officially runs for 24 hours the public is traditionally allowed to donate through the weekend the Lewis and Clark Humane Society had 223 donors and received $27,210 by Monday morning Helena Food Share and Grandstreet Theatre rounded off the top five "This is a huge deal for us because this campaign was all about raising the funds we need to feed the animals in our care for a year," Cassidy Cook Lewis and Clark Humane Society director of development and communications "Food costs have continued to rise since 2020 But thanks to the incredible generosity of our community we don't have to worry about how we're going to pay for that." She added how grateful the organization was for everyone who donated to the humane society A husky looks out of a kennel at the Lewis and Clark Humane Society on Feb after Heather Dawn Prody was charged with aggravated animal cruelty "That means full bellies for the cruelty case huskies and the kittens that will flood in during the busy summer months," Cook said "It means we can keep providing high-quality food and the nutritional care that helps these animals heal The Helena Area Community Foundation received $20,730 from 35 donors The Friendship Center received $16,186 from 65 donors Helena Food Share got $14,400 from 126 donors and Grandstreet Theatre received $12,587 from 100 donors Greater Helena Gives says on its website it is already looking forward to 2026 To view the donation numbers, visit the Greater Helena Gives website: https://www.greaterhelenagives.org/ HELENA — The East Helena Public School District says one of its students was threatened by an individual with a gun Thursday morning East Helena Superintendent Dan Rispens said a high school student informed staff about an altercation that reportedly occurred while they were on their way to school “An EHHS Student on his way to school this morning was accosted by a resident who brandished a gun and threatened the student,” wrote Rispens School administrators contacted the student’s parents and law enforcement to report the incident “Our SRO was involved in the investigation and the perpetrator has been apprehended by Sheriff’s deputies and is currently in custody,” noted Rispens Rispens said the individual was not associated with the school and the incident occurred outside school hours and off campus “I would like to thank our school administrators for taking swift action and our SRO’s for always being vigilant in keeping our kids safe,” said Rispens East Helena Superintendent Dan Rispens letter to parents about the situation we will update you when we have more information we share the passing of our beloved husband and ever-smiling eyes will be deeply missed by his devoted wife Browning; countless cousins who saw him as a ride-or-die companion; friends who became chosen family; and many cherished nieces and nephews Jared was the shining light of his parents’ lives We take comfort knowing he is now reunited with them along with his cherished grandparents and his beloved dogs finding peace and joy in the water they often shared he inherited a love of the mountains and four-wheeling—so much so that some say Jared was on a 4-wheeler not long after he learned to walk He had a deep love for the outdoors: camping He also loved time with friends and family (many of whom were both) and had a lifelong knack for tinkering with electronics—a passion sparked by early days playing with Legos Jared graduated from Helena High School and earned a Mechanical Engineering degree from Montana State University later adding a degree in Broadcast Engineering He found true purpose and joy in his work at Cherry Creek Radio in Helena where he made lasting friendships and truly loved what he did We are endlessly thankful that Jared found his perfect match in Delsey They shared a connection that felt destined—no one “got” Jared like Delsey they returned to Helena following Jared’s cancer diagnosis He fought his illness with incredible courage and grace far outlasting doctors’ expectations and never losing his sense of humor or warmth We will think of him often and always—with immense gratitude for the time we had and the love we shared A celebration of Jared’s life will be held on May 10, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave In honor of Jared’s favorite color—the same as his twinkling blue eyes—we invite you to wear that shade on the day please consider wearing blue in his memory memorials may be made to the Lewis & Clark Humane Society or honor Jared with a random act of anonymous generosity View map View map No photos have been submitted yet. Click here to share yours. May 1, 2025 at 9:37 am May 1, 2025 at 9:52 am he fought till the very end and did it all with a smile I am so fortunate to have spent more than half of my life knowing Jared – as a beloved family member Delsy and Jared were always sure to include us older cousins (Devon and I) on trips and adventures and made us feel like kids all over again and even that time Jared and I tried to make a “belly band” applause – just like Lady Gaga insisted we do and I’ll continue to do it with a smile on my face; because you showed us all that no matter what a smile and a bit of love is all it takes to persevere May 1, 2025 at 10:53 am Delsie so sorry for yourloss,you now have an Angel to watch over you May 1, 2025 at 1:59 pm May 1, 2025 at 4:58 pm Jared took over the Cherry Creek Media stations from me in Wenatchee I spent some time with him during the transition and found him to be very kind Our industry has lost a brother and a friend May 1, 2025 at 6:36 pm He will be greatly missed and he wad a great classmate and I am truly sorry for ur loss May 4, 2025 at 9:31 am I am glad to have known such a wonderful person We traded so many rotten jokes on the computer He was so damn brave with his battle against his cancer His love and devotion to Delsy was so rewarding and uplifting I hope all the wonderful and cherished memories outweigh these days of grief More info Read through the obituaries published in Independent Record of Helena died unexpectedly at his home April 10 Please visit www.aswfuneralhomecom to offer a condolen… 2024) will have their urns placed at the Montana Stat… Dominick was followed in birth by his best friend and identical twin brother and when they moved back to Montana they met their cousin and from that day forward they became known as “The Triplets” since Brailynn was born just 8 hours before Domnick and Christian “The Triplets” did just about everything together and there was always plenty of laughter between them One of Dominick’s many qualities was his extremely contagious smile and laughter Some of the things that made Dominick’s smile even bigger was playing sports Dominick was actively involved in wrestling As odds were stacked against him and Christian Their competitiveness made both of them strive to do their best and everything Dominick did was out of the goodness of his heart His heart was full of love for dirt biking “Do you think I need to bring my bowling ball,” which became a running joke within the family More inside jokes came from the fact that Dominick could be heard before you could see him due to the volume of his speakers Another running joke with wrestling was “Snickers” as Dominick was always found with a snicker bar and often had to run laps on the way to the wrestling meets to make weight Dominick would even laugh as he ran those laps and always had a new song to show you every time you saw him Dominick could spend endless hours doing many things but he spent most of his time with his family Family was the most important thing in Dominick’s life and it took all of Dominick’s family to raise not only him He had such a beautiful heart and smile that only grew the more you knew him One of the things he was most proud of was serving his country A goofy personality when the time was right but nonetheless an amazing leader and teacher to all His years of service and time spent in the military never went unnoticed Always a squared away soldier who put 100% into everything he did Dedicating 4 years of his life to the Army National Guard along with 9 months spent deployed overseas He was irreplaceable and will be missed by everyone that had the chance to meet him Dominick is survived by his parents Curt and Brittany Davis younger brother Gabe; Grandparents Papa (Mike) and Gramma (Virginia) DeMers Jeanette Smith; Aunts Brandy (Alex Rintamaki) Uncle Mike Davis (Pam) and Greg Nichols (April) Dominick is preceded in death by his Aunt Melissa Davis and his grade school best friend Caleb Allen April 28th at 10 AM at the South Hills Baptist Fellowship View map Share your photos April 23, 2025 at 6:26 pm Dominick was such a kind sweet and loving soul i was a grade ahead of him in east Helena school he has always been kind and so thoughtful to me throughout the years always reminding me to have a wonderful day its very heartbreaking to hear about his passing may he rest in peace my condolences to the family April 23, 2025 at 6:30 pm My heart is absolutely broken for you guys I love you all and will continue to pray for you ❤️ He would light up any room that he was in and always had a smile on his face April 23, 2025 at 6:31 pm I just keep thinking this is a bad dream and I know it’s only a million times worse for you all April 23, 2025 at 7:22 pm My thoughts and prayers are with all of you who are grieving I’ll always remember Dominick’s kind heart and that big hug he gave when he’d come by the high school to say “Hi” while working April 23, 2025 at 8:16 pm You are loved and missed so incredibly much by your family and plethora of friends April 23, 2025 at 8:18 pm My heart is absolutely broken for you and your family April 23, 2025 at 10:30 pm he was the most kind hearted person I’ve ever met & always a light in every room he entered he was always smiling and filling life with positivity Forever grateful to have crossed paths with him Sending all of the love and prayers to the family/friends April 23, 2025 at 10:46 pm Dominick and I knew each other for what I would say was a short time But it truly felt like we knew each other for a long time Was never a dull moment in the friendship we had My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.❤️ April 23, 2025 at 11:08 pm April 24, 2025 at 6:39 am hardworking young man when I had the honor of working with you and seeing you around school you deserved to share you light with the world for much longer I’m terribly sorry to hear that you have passed I know you are sharing your light with your loved ones and watching over them now you are loved and missed by everyone that had the chance to get to know you ♥️ April 24, 2025 at 6:54 am I am so happy that I got the privilege of being in your company after you got back from deployment I will never forget our long talks in the car and always getting paired up with eachother to complete tasks I am so happy I came to see you last month after you got promoted and had to move units You will and always have held such a soft part of my heart April 24, 2025 at 7:29 am April 24, 2025 at 9:43 am Dominik and I deployed together and he had the most amazing laugh His smile was beautiful and the joy he brought with him could never be forgotten He was brave and hard working and he will be missed April 24, 2025 at 10:35 am We’re so proud to get to say he is “our nephew” and our family Our hearts are broken and Dominick will always be missed he gave us the biggest and sweetest hugs as his brothers and sister always did also Our thoughts and prayers are with all who are grieving April 24, 2025 at 6:01 pm the world just became a much sadder place without our sweet Dominick in it Our family will forever miss his sweet smile and his Big hugs April 24, 2025 at 10:59 pm Dominick your Auntie B is so heartbroken 💔 Watching you,Christian,and Brailynn grow up together from day 1 has been an absolute blessing for me Having you 3 born on the same day truly made an unbreakable bond for the “triplets” and I loved every minute of it I pray you found peace and just know Christian will be taken care of and will always love you I love you so much buddy and miss you so so much 💙 April 25, 2025 at 7:58 am I remember Dominick as a youngster playing baseball withy grandsons and later as a wrestler April 25, 2025 at 8:48 am April 25, 2025 at 1:08 pm words can’t express how sorry we are for this loss April 25, 2025 at 2:48 pm April 25, 2025 at 3:51 pm Unfortunately I never knew Dominick very well even though I went to both middle and high school with him My heart aches for his family and close friends April 25, 2025 at 5:05 pm April 25, 2025 at 7:14 pm Dominick and I got to know each other briefly over the past four weeks He was joining our sales team as a very promising representative with a bright future He was highly intelligent and had a great personality It sorrows me to have to write this under these circumstances April 25, 2025 at 9:17 pm May Dominick’s memory be an eternal blessing April 26, 2025 at 4:26 am I am so very sorry for your loss😔My prayers and condolences with the family at this time.🙏 April 26, 2025 at 5:07 pm Dominick worked as a recruiting ADOS when I was first joining the guard He told me about his experiences in the 189th and how much he loves it He was a really great guy and I’m truly sorry for his family April 26, 2025 at 6:22 pm Dominick was my soldier on deployment he convinced me to shave my head bald with him Sending love thought and prayers to family and friends April 28, 2025 at 10:23 am and I am so blessed to have gotten to know him Dominick taught me so much about being a leader without even knowing it he always had his contagious smile on his face Always had the goofiest excuses for showing up a little late or stories about your time overseas My thoughts and prayers go out to his family I can’t put into words how much you are and will be missed April 28, 2025 at 12:21 pm Dominick is the most generous loving caring shining joyous mysterious polite laughing intelligent goofy forgiving understanding angryish ball of energy I’ve ever known He has a heart of gold and will always make you feel special His laugh was contagious and his smile lit the world There can never be a place that is dark when he is around April 28, 2025 at 2:11 pm My thoughts and condolences are with the family at this truly sad time April 29, 2025 at 1:46 pm He made you feel amazing and he could light up the room with just his smile April 30, 2025 at 8:44 am GREAT FALLS — The woman who died has been identified by the Lewis & Clark County Sheriff/Coroner's office as Tamara Lynn Gunlock One person died when an ATV crashed in Lewis & Clark County on Saturday It happened near the intersection of Stemple Pass Road and Fool Hen Road at about 11:35 p.m two people were driving the Polaris vehicle when they lost control while negotiating a left-hand curve in the road a 53-year old woman from Helena who was not wearing a seatbelt was thrown from the vehicle by the force of the crash and died at the scene The woman's name has not been released at this point a 54-year old man from Helena who was wearing a seatbelt impaired driving and speed are suspected as factors in the crash Report a typo HELENA — Helena College students moved their tassels from right to left symbolizing their transition from student to graduate at their commencement ceremonies on Friday and Saturday “I hope our graduates just really take a moment to recognize how proud they should be of themselves," said Dean of Helena College Between the ceremonies at Helena College’s airport and Donaldson campuses just over 100 students were recognized for their achievements in 18 different areas of study "There is a lot of hard work that goes into completing a college curriculum and that hard work has set them up for success in whatever the next step holds for them.” Many students take more than a degree with them Cosmetology graduate Jordan Atchison says that both the lessons and continued support from her classmates and instructors have helped lead her to the next chapter I hope you never stop learning and thank you for all of the work you put in here at Helena College,” Bauman says Helena hosted Glacier Saturday at Mihelish Fields The Bengals sweep the Wolpack in a doubleheader a weekly newsletter about sports in Helena The Helena softball team is closing in on a state tournament berth and starting pitcher Faith Howard is a big reason why. was in the circle for three complete-game victories this week including one-hit shutouts against Glacier and Flathead on Saturday the senior pitched 20 innings and allowed just one run on three hits Helena's Faith Howard pitches against Glacier Saturday at Mihelish Fields Howard has become a clear Gatorade Player of the Year candidate She has five one-hitters and two no-hitters in addition to six complete-game shutouts The Bengals are 10-1 in the Western AA with three games looming this week against Butte (Tuesday at home Thursday at Missoula Big Sky (5 p.m.) and Saturday's crosstown game against Capital If the Bengals win two of those three games 1 seed in the Western AA and Howard isn't the only reason Catcher Kamryn Klemp has been another driving force behind Helena's success with a .382 batting average (2nd on the team) to go along 21 hits five doubles and five home runs (all team highs) As far as the Capital Bruins are concerned they will take part in a one-game playoff for the state tournament next week The opponent and the location are still up in the air Capital is currently sixth in the Western AA so there is still a chance CHS could play its way into the top four The Bruins will host Big Sky on Tuesday (5 p.m.) in the home finale before road games against Butte (Thursday) and Helena High on Saturday at 1 p.m defeating Great Falls High 8-2 thanks to five RBI Ali Miller also added two hits and two RBI Calyse Hendrix was credited with the complete-game victory after allowing two runs on six hits Hendrix then threw a gem against CMR in a 2-0 victory that included 11 strikeouts and just six hits allowed That extended Capital's win streak to four It hit five on Saturday with an 11-10 victory over Flathead Hendrix got the win after going all seven innings Madi Emmert belted two triples and a double; Kate Drynan had three hits and an RBI 5-6) closed out the week with a 15-0 loss to Glacier The Vigilantes dropped a game against Butte Central on Tuesday EHHS also fell to Laurel 15-5 on Saturday but stormed past Hardin by the score of 15-0 on Friday Sara Dearing had a big day at the dish with a grand slam Keeley Hamilton who had a double with three RBI got the win on the mound after giving up zero runs on three hits in three innings Josie Jerome pitched in with a team-high three hits The Vigilantes haven't qualified for the state baseball tournament yet but the Vigilantes took a step in the right direction after two conference wins this week East Helena improved to 8-5 overall and 8-4 in the Central division Belgrade (10-1) and Dillon (8-2) are ahead of the Vigilantes with Lone Peak (5-5) and Butte (4-5) on the heels of EHHS East Helena's Killian Snarr throws the ball to a teammate during the Vigilantes 15-0 win over Townsend on May 3rd the Bulldogs built a 4-0 lead over the Vigilantes in Butte before East Helena stormed back scoring the last eight to win the game (8-4) A sac fly by Killian Snarr brought home the tying run in the fourth Kai Richey drew a walk to earn an RBI and bring home a run in the sixth Hunter Sutton also had a clutch RBI and finished with two hits and drove in two runs allowing three runs on 10 hits and striking out four The Vigilantes picked up another win on Saturday Dallas Fligge and Koda Korr boasted hits for Townsend which is 0-12 in its inaugural baseball season Mason Bauman is pictured delivering a pitch for the Townsend Bulldogs in their 15-0 loss to East Helena during their inaugural season of high school baseball Jefferson ran away with the most team points at the Western B/C Top 8 in Anaconda Mikael Richard won the 100-meter dash (11.44) and the 200 for the Panthers (23.18) Jefferson athletes also won the 800 (McKenon Boyd) 300 hurdles (Colten Thornock) and the shot put (Kaynen Martin) Kaelyn Sangray ran a 13:12.74 to win the 3,200 for Townsend London Ostby threw for a personal record (106-9) to win the girls discus Richard also won the 200 in a quadrangular later in the week Luke Oxarart won the shot put for the Panthers (48-02) in addition to second-place finishes in the javelin (164-09) and 100 (11.34) Peyton Stearns swept the 800 (2:33) and 1,600 (5:48) as the girls won the meet both Capital teams defeated CMR in dual competition 100-42 (boys) and 89-61 (girls) In the 110-meter hurdles Oliver Mow posted a PR (14.31) and the second-best time in the state this season to take first Merek Mihelish finished with a 15.15 to take second That's also the 10th-best time this season in Montana Helena High and Great Falls High went head-to-head in Great Falls Madi Todorovich won the triple jump and also set a new personal record (36' 8") Another notable achievement on Saturday came via the Helena High boys in the 800 as seven Bengals (in varsity and JV) broke the two-minute mark the qualifying time for the state track meet Dylan Hill led the way with a 1:53.23 (PR) followed by Henry Sundy (1:56) Elliot Stimpson posted a 1:58 to take third which was also a personal record for the senior Axel Kowalski (1:59.44) took fifth and also broke the 2-minute mark as did Chris Jenemann thanks to a personal-record time of 1:58.82 Hill currently has the third-best time in the state Both East Helena teams were in Havre for the Lions Invitational Havre won both meets but the Vigilantes took third in the boys competition with 100 points Slade Olson was the top individual performer winning the boys javelin with a season-best throw of 158' 4.5" In addition to crosstown softball on Saturday (1 p.m.), the Helena High and Capital tennis teams will square off on Tuesday with matches scheduled at 4 p.m. for Capital High School and Barney Park. Both teams split in dual action this past week against Missoula Sentinel and Hellgate. (full results here) The crosstown track meet is also set for Thursday at 3:30 p.m Helena Senators right fielder Connor Devine finished 1-for-4 with a double and three RBI in Game 1 of Saturday's nonconference doubleheader against the Kalispell Lakers at Kindrick Legion Field in Helena An errant throw from shortstop to third base on a bases-loaded force play allowed Kalispell’s two game-winning runs to score in a marathon 10-8 11-inning affair Saturday afternoon at Kindrick Legion Field The Lakers plated six fifth-inning runs in Game 2 carrying an 8-3 victory in a nonconference doubleheader sweep of the Helena Senators Saturday rapped out a combined 20 hits as Helena (3-6) committed a combined eight fielding errors to extend a now five-game losing streak Troyer reached third on a three-base E8 before scoring courtesy of Kalispell’s balk Tizer Lindgren and Tyler Kaiser enjoyed multi-hit Game 1 efforts Lindgren made a diving play behind the plate in the seventh then began an inning-ending double play with a back-pick of third base two frames later Kaiser completed a sterling diving play in center field in the sixth inning James DeMers and Walker DesRosier each tripled Cohen Sassano soaked up 3.2 innings in relief of starter Eli Peterson two runs (one earned) with a pair of strikeouts and walks Left fielder Finn Doran doubled off a Kalispell base-runner to end the seventh and preserve a tied game Sassano worked around a one-out single and E7 in the eighth was picked up by Lindgren’s aforementioned double play-starting effort in the ninth then got a 3-6-3 double play to escape the 10th in a tied game Kalispell’s Luke Nikunen doubled and scored twice in Game 1 Cale Brink finished 2-for-6 with a run scored and Bryce Buckmaster plated a couple runs with a second-inning two-bagger Kyler Croft worked six victorious innings of relief Kalispell’s Andre Cephers homered in Game 2 capping a six-run fifth-inning and his two-hit day Kaden Kahler finished 3-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored Eight different Lakers collected a base knock in Game 2 including Buckmaster who doubled in the fourth Buckmaster worked a clean seventh with a punch out solidifying eight unanswered Kalispell runs Helena scored all three of its Game 2 runs on sacrifice flies Peterson lifted a ball into center that plated DeMers in the first inning Following back-to-back game-opening singles the Senators managed just one additional hit but issued eight hits and six runs (five earned) across 4.1 Game 2 innings Helena returns home to face Missoula Wednesday night at 7:30 The Saints were held scoreless in their first-round matchup of the CCC softball tournament last Friday Kennedy Venner allowed three runs on six three hits in six innings of work She was also credited with three strikeouts Carroll was defeated by the University of British Columbia eliminating the Sains from the tournament and ending the season Helena's Dakota Lieberg crosses homeplate during Saturday's game against Glacier at Mihelish Fields Helena's Keira Campbell connects with a pitch from Glacier's Olivia Gibbons during Saturday's doubleheader at Mihelish Fields Helena's Haleigh Tavary hits a Glacier pitch to right field Saturday at Mihelish Fields Helena's Dakota Lieberg catches a Glacier infield pop fly for an out Saturday at Mihelish Field Helena Senators infielder Ryker Roman attempts a throw to first base from his knees during Game 1 of Saturday's nonconference doubleheader against the Kalispell Lakers at Kindrick Legion Field in Helena Helena Senators center fielder Tyler Kaiser finished 2-for-5 with a double and run scored during Game 1 of Saturday's nonconference doubleheader against the Kalispell Lakers at Kindrick Legion Field in Helena Helena Senators shortstop Walker DesRosier throws across the diamond to first base during Game 1 of Saturday's nonconference doubleheader against the Kalispell Lakers at Kindrick Legion Field in Helena Kalispell Lakers right-handed pitcher Kyler Croft tossed six innings of four-hit two-run (one earned) relief in Game 1 of Saturday's nonconference doubleheader sweep of the Helena Senators at Kindrick Legion Field in Helena Helena Senators first baseman James DeMers stretches to complete the put-out of Kalispell base-runner Bryce Buckmaster during Game 1 of Saturday's nonconference doubleheader against the Kalispell Lakers at Kindrick Legion Field in Helena Helena Senators catcher Tizer Lindgren attempts a throw to second base from behind the plate during Game 1 of Saturday's nonconference doubleheader against the Kalispell Lakers at Kindrick Legion Field in Helena Helena Senators first baseman James DeMers finished 1-for-6 with a run scored in Game 1 of Saturday's nonconference doubleheader against the Kalispell Lakers at Kindrick Legion Field in Helena The Helena Senators dropped both ends of a nonconference doubleheader to visiting Kalispell Saturday afternoon at Kindrick Legion Field in Helena East Helena's Hunter Sutton fields a ball in the Vigilantes 15-0 win over Townsend on Saturday in Helena East Helena's Liam Priebe runs the bases for the Vigilantes in a 15-0 win over Townsend on Saturday May 3rd East Helena players celebrate during the Vigilantes 15-0 rout of Townsend in high school baseball on Saturday May 3rd Hunter Sutton of East Helena is picture making a defensive play in the Vigilantes 15-0 win over Townsend on May 3rd Kai Richey of East Helena makes contact with the ball in the Vigilantes 15-0 win over Townsend on Saturday May 3rd Xavier Nunn is pictured on the bases in East Helena's 15-0 victory over Townsend in Helena on Saturday Xavier Nunn winds up to throw a pitch for the East Helena Vigilantes in their 15-0 win over Townsend Hunter McCartney of Townsend makes a catch for the Bulldogs defensively in their 15-0 loss to East Helena on Saturday "Our record board has Brady Armstrong on it a lot of times." the Capital boys track team shared a title in Butte Helena High is tied for first in the Western AA after notching a run-rule win over Capital Tuesday to improve to 6-1 in conference play The latest edition of the Last Chance Rundown looking backat the week that was in local Helena sports Helena Capital swept the first crosstown tennis dual of the season Madi Todorovich has been off the charts early in the 2025 season for the Helena High girls Less than two decades ago, the scars left by lead smelting company ASARCO covered what was once a wetland just across the highway from East Helena Industrial roads and bridges carried massive trucks that wove between containers Prickly Pear Land Trust director Mary Hollow calls that spot the “Grand Central Station” of the former smelter you would never know,” Hollow told MTPR in a phone interview It’s home to the meandering Prickly Pear Creek groves of aspen trees and rehabilitated habitat for sandhill cranes Hollow helped facilitate the restoration and creation of Prickly Pear Park Superfund cleanup of the site began about 15 years ago after ASARCO went bankrupt Hollow says the nearly $100-million settlement from that bankruptcy paid for the park in its entirety Hollow attributes the fast cleanup and restoration of the area to a team of stakeholders all “pulling in the same direction.” They are so excited to get out and check out the park,” Hollow said but more cleanup work remains on the former smelter site – a massive slag pile still sits along the highway Volunteer EAST HELENA — The former East Helena ASARCO site is open to the public and has a new name and new purpose - Prickly Pear Park "This is an incredible success story in a community that so deserves it," Mary Hollow the executive director for Prickly Pear Land Trust The land Prickly Pear Park sits on was remediated and restored after more than a century of lead smelting a ribbon was cut to recognize that for the first time since 1888 the public can now enjoy a piece of East Helena's industrious history "Outdoor activities are important to East Helenans and always have been and it makes me feel like we are on the right track," East Helena Mayor Kelly Harris says "We really are doing the right things here for our residents." The park features both a loop trail and out and back trail that has mountain views "This park is really a level up in terms of wildlife habitat Another amenity the park offers is around a mile and a half of trout fishing and other agencies like the Department of Environmental Quality and Environmental Protection Agency area residents and visitors now have a place that brings the community together in nature "People thrive and communities thrive when they have more neighborhood access and can spend more time outside Dogs are not allowed in the park to protect nesting aquatic birds that are now thriving From the park website: Questions or comments? Contact parks@pricklypearlt.org or 406-442-0490 Personalized news alerts with our mobile app Some of the best images from East Helena's 15-0 win over Townsend in high school baseball action on Saturday Photos from Billings Central High School at Laurel High School baseball at Thomson Park in Laurel on Saturday Scenes from a baseball game between East Helena High School and Belgrade High School in Helena on April 22 Billings Skyview Baseball at Pirtz Field in West Billings on Thursday Photos from the high school baseball game between Sentinel and Big Sky at Ogren-Allegiance Park in Missoula on Saturday Photos from the high school baseball game between Polson and Florence at Ogren-Allegiance Park in Missoula on Thursday We recognise you are attempting to access this website from a country belonging to the European Economic Area (EEA) including the EU which enforces the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and therefore cannot grant you access at this time e-mail us at sports@nonstoplocal.com or call us at 509-448-4656 Barbara “Barb” Kay Palmquist (Oulds) passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on May 2 and a deep appreciation for the world around her Barb graduated from Great Falls High School in 1962 with Honors and went on to pursue higher education by attending Montana State College on a blind date on New Year’s Eve set up by an Alpha Omega Pi sorority sister Jock and Barb were married in 1964 in Great Falls Barb stayed home raising their children until they were in elementary school She decided to return to college to fulfill her dream of being a teacher and earned her Bachelor of Arts in Education from Carroll College with Honors in 1979 Barb taught first and second grade at Warren School Barb completed her Master’s degree in Education from the University of Montana Barb enjoyed her teaching career and made lifelong friends teaching at Warren She retired in 2004 to spend more time with her grandchildren Jock introduced Barb to skiing and it was all downhill after that She skied because her family did and made sure she always looked good doing it She and Jock built a ski home at Bridger Bowl where her family & friends gathered year ’round bird watching and all the laughter and good food shared at the Cabin Barb found immense joy in traveling the world visiting family (especially her sister Pat in Florida) and loved making new friends along the way She especially enjoyed the pyramids in Egypt Barb enjoyed attending and cheering on the Montana State Bobcat’s football team and developed a love of golf with Jock and friends Barb was known as the person who held all her family together always remembering everyone’s birthdays and making sure every holiday was a celebration Barb was known for hosting family events and meals that brought loved ones together in warmth and celebration Their gatherings were filled with laughter She loved all her connections with many friends and up until her death she continued to make her weekly coffee gathering with her retired Warren Teachers group Barb is survived by her husband of 60 years John (Jock) Palmquist Jr.; their son Kurt Palmquist and daughter-in-law Denise Palmquist; their daughter Lora Cowee and son-in-law Jeff Cowee; grandchildren Erik Palmquist (and his wife Johanna Palmquist) and Aiden Cowee; sister in-law Anita Ahlers as well as many nieces and nephews who held a special place in Barb’s heart Audrey and Alfred Oulds; sisters Judy Kooser and Pat Coxey; sister-in-law Toni Jaraczeski; and brother-in-law Gary Jaraczeski May Barbara Kay Palmquist’s memory bring comfort to those who knew her and continue to inspire all who were touched by her smile and unwavering love for family and friends and the awe of discovering a new place in the world from 6:00 pm at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Retz Funeral Home with a private interment at Forestvale Cemetery later that afternoon View map View map No photos have been submitted yet. 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May 4, 2025 at 10:51 pm May 5, 2025 at 7:13 am 1/28Stanhope Elmore at Helena 6A Baseball PlayoffsDennis Victory.st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By AL.com ReportsStanhope Elmore bounced back from a crushing loss on Saturday to capture a 4-3 Game 3 victory at No 6 Helena on Monday to advance in the Alabama High School Athletic Association Class 6A baseball tournament The Mustangs had won Saturday’s opener 3-2 before falling 15-2 in Game 2 that forced the deciding game Stanhope Elmore will meet Spanish Fort in Round 3 Stanhope (25-14) scored a pair of runs in the top of the first fell behind 3-2 in the bottom of the fourth and pushed across 2 runs in the fifth for the final margin The Mustangs had 5 hits on the day – including No 2 hitter Hayden Anderson’s 2-run home run in the first inning Leadoff hitter Jackson Stallworth went 2-for-3 with Romney Henry and Mack Boswell contributing singles Wright threw 3 scoreless innings in relief of starter Stallworth Wright gave up 2 hits with 2 strikeouts and 2 walks striking out the side after Wright gave up a single and walk in the seventh Starter Trey Lampman took the loss for Helena (21-16) allowing 4 runs – 2 earned – on 5 hits with 3 strikeouts and a walk in 4.1 innings Brody Butler struck out 5 and did not allow a hit in the final 2.1 innings Samuel Odom and Nathan Jones also had an RBI apiece for the Huskies Braydon Kendrick and Jarret Scott also had hits for Helena Ty Marsh slapped a solo home run and Keaton Lance ripped a 2-out single to center field to drive in Braden Weathers to lift No 9 Homewood on the road to win Game 3 to advance to the third round of the playoffs on Monday Marsh and Lance had Hartselle’s only hits on the day Two of the three games were decided by a run with Hartselle winning Saturday’s opener 3-1 Hartselle (30-7) got its runs in the top of the fourth – Marsh’s homer – and what proved to be the game-winner in the fifth after falling behind 1-0 when the Patriots got a run on a no-out bases-loaded fielder’s choice by Cooper Mulllins Homewood’s Will Dobbins opened the inning with a single went to second on a wild pitch and took third on a single by George Brockwell Mullins hit a grounder to shortstop Easton Nelms Weathers went all the way to second to open the top of the fifth on a Homewood error Carter Lee’s groundout sent Weathers to third and he scored an out later on Lance’s single allowing an earned run on 4 hits with 6 strikeouts and a walk Starter Collin Crump was saddled with the loss for Homewood (30-9) allowing 2 runs – 1 earned – on 2 hits with 2 strikeouts and a walk in 4.2 innings Benjamin Roberts struck out 4 in 2.1 hitless innings in relief Coach Lee Hall’s Homewood squad was the first in school history to reach 30 wins 2 American Christian scored 5 runs in the third inning and 3 in the fourth and held off No 8 Russellville to advance to the quarterfinals The Patriots will play Scottsboro later in the week Caleb Hawkins homered and drove in 2 for Russellville (25-12-1) 7 Vinemont pounded out 15 runs on 17 hits to oust Phil Campbell in Game 3 of their second-round series The Eagles (26-10) will play Winfield in the quarterfinals Joshua Rhodes and Rylan McRae had 2 RBIs each Bentley Hill and Braxton Mayfield each homered for the Bobcats (21-14) 4 Decatur Heritage in Game 3 of the series to advance to the third round of the playoffs The Tigers won the first game on Saturday 8-5 and lost the second 7-3 to set up the winner-take-all contest at Red Bay Red Bay (24-7) scored a run in the bottom of the second 2 more in the third and 2 more in the fifth The Eagles got a run in the top of the fifth and finished with 4 hits to 8 for the winners Jeramiah Thorne earned the complete-game win allowing an unearned run in the top of the fifth Thorne struck out 6 and walked 2 in the 7-inning 4-hitter Landyn Lewey was 2-for-3 with a double and 2 RBIs for Red Bay Dallas Terrell was 2-for-3 with 2 runs scored Harley Strickland and Carson McGee all had an RBI Starter Landon Henry took the loss for DHCA (26-7) allowing 3 earned runs on 4 hits with a strikeout and 2 walks over 3 innings He allowed 2 earned runs and Rafer Jones recorded the final out Jones was 1-for-3 with an RBI for Decatur Heritage Brady Wilson and Dylan Germany also recorded singles in the loss Red Bay will meet Mars Hill Bible in the third round of the playoffs 1 Appalachian in Game 3 of their Class 1A baseball series Stidham finished 3-for-4 with a run scored Ross Hudson was 2-for-3 with an RBI and 3 runs scored Will Armstrong and Levi Parrish each had 2 hits Hackleburg (27-7) will meet South Lamar in the quarterfinals Demetrius Hardnett threw a no-hitter and struck out 14 in Game 1 and homered and drove in 3 runs in Game 2 as top-ranked Lakeside School swept past Coosa Valley at Patterson Field The Chiefs (51-5) will play either Hope Christian or Patrician in the finals next week Those two teams split their two games Monday Tyler-Mark Bullock had 2 RBIs for the Chiefs Luke McGowan also went 3-for-4 with 2 RBIs and a run scored scattering 6 hits and allowing 1 unearned run McArthur had 2 hits for Coosa Valley (17-22) Patrician rallied from an early 2-0 deficit in Game 2 of their Class A AISA semifinal series at Paterson Field to salvage a split and force Game 3 on Wednesday The Saints (16-17) trailed 2-0 after one inning before scoring twice in the second once in the third and two more times in the fourth Bryson Wheeler and Chapman each had 2 hits Wheeler got the win with 6.2 innings of two-hit relief He struck out 5 and walked just 2 and didn’t allow a run Trevor Ryals went the distance and took the loss for Hope Eli Bozeman pitched a 4-hit shutout for Hope Hope (24-8) scored the only run of the game on Kainen Bozeman’s RBI double in the fifth inning Wheeler was 1-for-1 with a pair of walks for Patrician Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, (updated 8/1/2024) and 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All rights reserved (About Us) The material on this site may not be reproduced except with the prior written permission of Advance Local Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site YouTube's privacy policy is available here and YouTube's terms of service is available here Ad Choices The USEA is saddened to share the passing of Helena "Lana" Allaire duPont Wright passed away peacefully at home on April 23 at the age of 85 Wright was a “First Lady” in the equestrian world She was an avid and extremely accomplished horsewoman growing up in a foxhunting family in Delaware After graduating from Oldfields School her life revolved around horses she set a record as the first female to ride in Olympic three-day eventing she was a member of the first United States pair driving team to win a gold medal at a World Driving Championship Among her many equestrian accolades, in 2012 she was inducted into the United States Eventing Association Hall of Fame and in 2015 was awarded the United States Equestrian Federation Lifetime Achievement Award The endurance challenge was one Wright was passionate about in both eventing and driving so it was a natural progression that her equestrian career continued to competing in endurance taking her to the Pan American Endurance Championship in Winnipeg Wright continued to enjoy foxhunting long after her competitive years Wright touched countless lives sharing her love of horses and property inspiring and encouraging young equestrians through the United States Pony Club She was never happier than when taking her daughter and grandchildren on a picnic trail ride on horseback at Fair Hill (Elkton Maryland) where she devoted hours designing and building combined driving and endurance riding courses for Fair Hill International Wright is survived by her daughter Lucy Dunne (Michael) of Reading She was predeceased by her parents Richard C contributions may be made payable to “Fair Hill International The USEA sends our deepest condolences to all of Wright's family and those in the equestrian community who are impacted by Wright's passing Amidst the unbridled enthusiasm of the USEA Intercollegiate teams competing in this weekend’s USEA Intercollegiate & Interscholastic Eventing Championships at Stable View (Aiken the Interscholastic Eventing League (IEL) riders have held their own with displays of teamwork and horsemanship all weekend long While all teams put their best foot forward The Iron Bridge Hounds Pony Club came into the weekend with one goal in mind—to win They achieved that goal by such a large margin that they were able to claim the title of champions before their last rider The University of Kentucky has claimed top honors at the 2025 USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Championship they not only secured the title of “School with the Largest Presence” once again but also rode away with their second national championship title the Kentucky Wildcats (made up of Callia Englund,Sarah Ertl and Emerson Padgett) dominated the championship finishing 11 points ahead of second place with a total score of 77.76 and Olive Dumais have been riding together for more than two years through their membership in the Iron Bridge Hounds Pony Club the teenagers have tackled Pony Club rallies the intimidating Pony Club tradition of Quiz they’re tackling one of their biggest obstacles yet—the USEA Interscholastic Eventing League (IEL) Championship this year’s return to the USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Championships wasn’t just about competition—it was about perseverance and the power of community After three years away from the national stage the Aggies were dedicated to making a comeback arriving in Aiken with a 12-person squad and eight competing riders (Hailey Alfaro Official Joint Therapy Treatment of the USEA Official Competition & Training Apparel of the USEA Three Montana Highway Patrol dispatchers were honored Tuesday at Fort Harrison for their dedication to service and their extensive calls to care for visitors and Montanans alike A 53-year-old Helena woman died Saturday when she lost control of her off-road vehicle at mile marker 6.5 at Stemple Pass and Fool Hen roads near Canyon Creek The Polaris was going south on Stemple Pass Road when the driver lost control negotiating a curve The vehicle came to rest on the passenger side She was identified Monday by Lewis and Clark County Sheriff/Coroner Leo Dutton as Tamara Gunlock She died from multiple blunt force injuries and her death was ruled an accident A 54-year-old man in the vehicle was not injured The MHP said it was not known if he was wearing a seat belt drugs and speed are suspected in the crash Phil Drake can be reached at 406-231-9021 or phil.drake@helenair.com Three Montana Highway Patrol dispatchers were honored Tuesday at Fort Harrison for their dedication to service and their extensive calls to ca… Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInST Helena Parish Jail facing multiple charges after allegedly taking cigarettes Goods was arrested in Livingston Parish and booked in to the Livingston Parish Detention Center as a fugitive from St Sheriff Chutz says this is an ongoing investigation and more charges are possible Click here to report a typo Click here to subscribe to our WAFB 9 News daily digest and breaking news alerts delivered straight to your email inbox the former East Helena ASARCO site is open to the public and has a new name and new purpose the park will be open from 6 am to 10 pm daily the Rathskeller in the historic Montana Club will open to the public roughly one year after the club's final call You may remember last April when the club hosted its farewell event, and a few weeks later, a new owner, Ajitpal Pannu "The best thing I've gotten out of this so far is how welcoming people have been," he said "How excited they are about the Rathskeller and the original Montana Club The Rathskeller in the basement of the building will be the first of Pannu's vision to be up and running for business and a stage are some of the changes you may notice Significant improvements have also been made to the electrical Pannu says the Rathskeller will be Helena-focused ceramic dishware from artists involved with Archie Bray and beers and cocktail ingredients from Montana breweries and distilleries they will have a unique experience," Pannu said "That's what we're striving towards: an experience of Rathskeller when they walk in the door." it will be open on everyday from 3:00 PM to 12:00 AM Pannu says the next part of the Montana Club they are looking to focus on is putting the finishing touches on the second floor which is already booking events and could open for exclusive members in July Helena Wurzel’s paintings and collages depict her two children, her husband, her parents, and their ordinary lives. In “Home Workout,” her son Max and daughter Maya (9 and 7) climb Wurzel like a jungle gym as she exercises Her art is “about being a woman in contemporary society and navigating all the stuff,” she said Wurzel paints during school hours. “I’m always on the clock,” she said. And she’s pulling it off: The artist is a finalist for the 2025 Bennett Prize awarded May 15 to a realist figurative painter who’s a woman “I’m trying to build a real world with connections between all the images,” she said Making a living: Wurzel taught high school and college art for years but gave that up in 2022 to devote herself to painting but if I have to go back and get a real job In March, collaborating with Life Drawing Boston, she started a semi-regular life painting drop-in evening She provides the snacks and painting supplies “It’s to create accessibility and to have some community bonding and get everyone talking to each other.” Studio: Paintings and collages make a treasure map of Wurzel’s life on the walls of her sunny workspace at Joy Street studios in Somerville She stores materials in old diaper boxes and uses a rolling palette table she built 20 years ago How she started: Wurzel has always been an artist she’d rush to finish whatever she was doing to have more time in the studio She got her master’s degree at Boston University in 2007 “It’s a school for people who love painting,” she said “Being an artist is not an easy thing to do outside of school,” she said What she makes: Her narrative figure paintings packed with patterns and buzzy colors reflect how family life is organized — and disorganized How she works: Wurzel’s compositional intricacy reflects that entropy and connective tissue I’ll start with a really bright color,” she said I’ll usually spend a couple days drawing to find my composition.” Advice for artists: “Stay true to yourself Because no one does this alone,” Wurzel said “I have a wonderful group of girlfriends who are artists There are so few people you can just call and be like I’m having a problem with my orange today.’” Cate McQuaid can be reached at catemcquaid@gmail.com. Follow her on Instagram @cate.mcquaid. Home Delivery Gift Subscriptions Log In Manage My Account Customer Service Delivery Issues Feedback News Tips Help & FAQs Staff List Advertise Newsletters View the ePaper Order Back Issues News in Education Search the Archives Privacy Policy Terms of Service Terms of Purchase Work at Boston Globe Media Internship Program Co-op Program Do Not Sell My Personal Information BILLINGS — Helena native and former Montana punter Brian Buschini has received an NFL rookie minicamp in from the New York Giants a graduate of Capital High School in Helena spent three years with the Grizzlies (2019-21) before transferring to the University of Nebraska prior to the 2022 season Buschini was recognized as the top punter in the FCS in 2021 #ProBigRed Mini Camp Invite 🏈@brian_buschini ➡️ @Giants pic.twitter.com/S6Wu4ecWnN Buschini was an honorable-mention All-Big Ten performer He handled all of the punting duties for Nebraska last season in addition to being the primary kickoff specialist the fifth-highest average in school history Buschini placed 16 of his 45 punts inside the opponent's 20-yard line Buschini averaged 45.8 yards on 75 career punts He had 30 punts of 50 yards or longer while placing 35 of his 75 punts inside the opponent’s 20-yard line Buschini also handled kickoffs for Montana He was named a first-team All-American in 2021 An official website of the United States government With over 2.8 million acres of public land spread across mountain ranges in Central Montana We've transitioned our public websites to a modern web platform to better serve the public Some old content has been archived during this process We appreciate your patience as we work to make it easier than ever to access information and explore your national forests - both online and on the ground Please send us an email if there is something you can't find: Contact Us The scenic Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest stretches 2.8-million acres through central and north-central Montana The Forest is comprised of island mountain ranges bisected by the Continental Divide and Missouri River and includes 6 ranger districts: Lincoln and Belt Creek - White Sulphur Springs and 2 Forest Supervisor's offices located in Helena and Great Falls to oversee forest management in 17 counties It is with great sadness that we announce that Robert Francis “Bob” McCabe passed away unexpectedly at his home on April 10 Our family is shocked and deeply saddened by his death the fourth of nine children of the late Marti and Jack McCabe Bob and his family moved to Los Angeles when he was less than a year old IL where Bob attended Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School Hastings Junior High School and Upper Arlington High School Bob was a 1975 graduate of UAHS and was looking forward to his 50th class reunion this summer Bob’s university education focused on substance abuse and addiction medicine He received his Associate degree in Chemical Dependency Counseling at Columbus State University He received his BS and MS in Social Work (LCSW) from Radford University in 2005 and 2006 respectively LCSW at Veterans Affairs Montana Health Care System Bob was well known for his advocacy for recovery-oriented principles in mental health care promoting looking beyond one’s diagnosis focusing one’s personal goals in life “What’s Strong with you!” He was instrumental in expanding training and job opportunities for Peer Support Specialists Bob was an inspiration to his patients and work colleagues He invited all to live the life of sobriety that he chose on November 22 November 22 became even more special because Benjamin was born on that date in the year 2000 Ben is studying Sociology and History at Carroll College and hopes to follow in his Dad’s footsteps at the VA Some of Bob’s happiest moments were on the golf course… any golf course Bob’s love of golf started early as a shoe-shine boy and caddy at Brookside Golf & Country Club in Columbus Bob stayed connected with his many friends through frequent golf trips to Columbus Being outdoors brought Bob peace and happiness He was an early riser who seldom skipped a day at the gym from roof repair (using a golf club) to fully remodeling a bathroom in his home His latest passion was restoring a 1972 Pontiac Grand Ville called “Big Blue” for Ben Bob was preceded in death by his baby brother The family will begin receiving friends at 10:15 AM A Celebration of Bob’s Life will be held at 11:00 AM A reception will be held immediately after the service at Muni’s at Bill Roberts Golf Course There will a second Celebration of Bob’s Life on Saturday at Rittenhouse Square Condominium Club House located at 1715 Rittenhouse Square; Columbus Ohio 43220 the family requests donations in Bob’s name to NAMI Montana (namimt.org) or Montana’s Peer Network (mtpeernetwork.org) View map Immediately following the Celebration of His Life View map View map Share your photos April 15, 2025 at 9:54 pm April 16, 2025 at 6:35 am He was always there for us vets no matter the distress April 16, 2025 at 10:25 am as a new employee not knowing anybody Bob was a welcome smiling face every time i saw him he invited me to play golf and do veteran events April 16, 2025 at 10:33 am he loved veterans more than most veterans he actually cared about the veterans he served in my ten year career i have never seen someone with has much heart and passion as Bob has He was always on my butt to attend AA meetings and keeping me in check your going to be missed and remembered forever April 16, 2025 at 12:08 pm To Bob’s Loved Ones: Bob was a wonderful man; a man with the highest of integrity and Bob truly cared I was blessed to know Bob and he will always be forever in my mind April 16, 2025 at 1:49 pm One of the best and strongest Veteran supporters I ever knew Bob never met a veteran he couldn’t support April 16, 2025 at 2:07 pm He was a gift from God to us and he provided us with a beautiful road map to honor him by continuing his quest for him but I am comforted by knowing Bob is with the angels now as I was always pretty sure he was one we will continue to honor your quest and your memory April 16, 2025 at 2:55 pm Thank you Bob for all the support and time you have spent with our Veterans in Montana We worked together in Helena and stayed in touch when I moved to Wyoming April 17, 2025 at 7:32 am Bob was one of the first VHA employees that I worked with who helped me He was great influence and a force for positive change and always finding ways to make a positive impact he made Montana a better place for Veterans Bob was my go to for most things related to my job he built the Montana Peer Support Specialists team up I hope you’re teaching God how to play golf and I am certain that you’re playing all day I will remember you for the rest of my days April 17, 2025 at 9:31 am When my veteran partner was having an issue with Alcohol abuse and nobody would help us on the outside Bob was the one who took my call and paved the way for my veteran to receive treatment He truly cared about veterans with addictions and was very helpful in getting us set up so that my Veteran could go to RTP in Helena We had just moved to MT too and did not know anyone in the system RIP… you touched so many people with your caring heart… April 18, 2025 at 8:44 am It was a pleasure getting to know you at the Veteran Support Network’s annual Heroes at Home BBQ & VSAP April 18, 2025 at 5:52 pm We in Arkansas suffered a loss when Bob moved to Montana but we knew he would do whatever was necessary to look after his son April 20, 2025 at 11:22 am Bob is teeing off for 18 holes in Augusta right now and we shared many interesting conversations across our shared fence No more picking up errant chip shots in my yard April 22, 2025 at 8:18 am I will miss our golf conversations and your golf tips April 22, 2025 at 11:11 pm Our hearts are so saddened with the loss of Bob he was a great man with such an impact in so many lives Of all of the things my Veteran is utilizing to walk through his PTSD his time in Bob’s group was the most helpful and most impactful April 23, 2025 at 4:03 pm Heaven has gained a beautiful soul-one who dedicated their life to caring for our Veterans and my thoughts and prayers are with your family during this difficult time April 25, 2025 at 7:59 am you were everyone’s friend and a true champion for veterans and civilians April 29, 2025 at 7:44 pm What a great example he set for the rest of us by helping struggling veterans who sacrificed their lives to keep our freedom His golf stories were so much fun to listen to I was so fortunate to have him as my friend May 2, 2025 at 6:00 am i was looking forward to talking at the reunion May 3, 2025 at 2:02 pm All us siblings are shocked at his untimely passing HELENA — The Lewis and Clark County Sheriff’s Office is investigating two deaths connected to a house fire northwest of Wolf Creek and south of Augusta dispatch received a call reporting two deceased men at a residence north of Highway 200 near L&C Road Lewis and Clark County Sheriff and Coroner Leo Dutton says the men were in their 60s and related His office is investigating the deaths as potential homicides “Detectives are still investigating and interviewing several persons We do not believe there is any threat to the public and this was an isolated incident,” said Dutton The bodies were taken to the State Crime Lab in Missoula for autopsies The medical examiner will determine the cause and manner of death The names of the men have not been released at this time and Dutton says the investigation is ongoing We will provide updates as they become available Editor's note: This article has been updated with additional information from Sheriff Dutton Sharon Patricia (Kelly) Lang passed away peacefully on April 6 Sharon grew up in Anaconda and was the eldest of eight siblings Sharon dedicated much of her life to serving others as a nurse working long hours while never missing her children’s sporting events she contracted through the VA traveling across Montana and her selfless spirit became legendary among those who knew her She had a remarkable way of making everyone feel welcome Sharon found joy in the simplicity of life She treasured her morning walks with friends where she was also a Eucharistic minister and lector Her faith and kindness were evident in every aspect of her life—most notably in her role as a phenomenal religious education teacher to many parish members including her beloved children and grandchildren Sharon was a proud graduate of Carroll College where she was deeply involved in athletics and alumni events It was there that she met the love of her life and husband creating a foundation for a lifetime of shared memories Sharon’s connections extended beyond Carroll as she became an active member of the Ladies’ League at Bill Roberts Golf Course enjoying many cherished rounds with lifelong friends Brunett Medal for Social Justice Award—a testament to her dedication and contributions to the community Sharon will always be remembered for her radiant smile her voice cheering on her children and grandkids at their sporting events and her unforgettable dance moves that brought joy to every room she entered Everyone would say Sharon could “cut a rug.” Her unwavering commitment to ensuring everyone’s needs were met earned her the endearing title of “Saint Sharon.” The Lang Household always had room for one more Sunday dinners were host to family and friends alike as Sharon cherished nothing more than the bonds she shared with loved ones The family is deeply grateful and offers a special thank you to Helen Lang and Katie Lockett for the tireless dedication and care they provided Sharon during her courageous eight-year battle with Alzheimer’s 2025 with her funeral Mass scheduled for 10 a.m A reception will immediately follow the Mass in Saint Mary’s social center the family welcomes donations to Helena Food Share or to an Alzheimer’s/Dementia Foundation of your choice View map View map No photos have been submitted yet. Click here to share yours. April 6, 2025 at 10:05 pm April 7, 2025 at 9:53 am I’m certain her and Noreen have a Bridge game going now! A life well lived managing the Lang Gang for sure April 7, 2025 at 12:31 pm April 7, 2025 at 12:32 pm So sorry to hear of beautiful Sharon’s passing over the years working with Hank at the Lottery I always enjoyed chatting it up with her at Lottery functions and running into her around town April 7, 2025 at 1:08 pm April 7, 2025 at 8:21 pm our thoughts and prayers are with you during this sad time April 7, 2025 at 9:35 pm April 8, 2025 at 2:03 pm I am so very sorry to read of Sharon’s passing She was very dear to me and always treated me so special because I was their babysitter from the time Jimmy was a newborn born until I turned 16 and went to work at Shodair and Christopher and Loretta were added to the family I loved babies and certainly got my dose from the Lang gang I later worked at the VA with Sharon and was so happy to see her She was always so appreciative of my care for her brood It makes me happy to,see all the grandkids and great grandkids she has Besides Hank I am sure each one was the light of her life RIP dear Sharon it was an honor to know you April 8, 2025 at 9:14 pm Sharon and I co-chaired the Governor’s Cup Spaghetti Feed for years I was always excited when that time of year came around Sharon was an excellent cook and taught me how to feed over 500 people She was our earthly saint- with her great smile I’m sorry that she ‘s left this earth but I’m sure she’s completely at home in heaven April 9, 2025 at 5:55 pm Your mom was such a dear friend of my mom’s and always welcomed me to your home when I was hanging out with Loretta April 10, 2025 at 11:25 am April 10, 2025 at 11:31 am April 10, 2025 at 6:57 pm I have memories of Sharon and Hank from the Bill Roberts Golf Course April 11, 2025 at 4:44 pm April 11, 2025 at 8:41 pm My deepest condolences to you and your family My mother and Sharon’s dad were brother and sister I had a long history with Sharon’s family They treated me and my sister beautifully I also attended Carroll College and enjoyed my time visiting with Sharon While attending Carroll my wife and I had our first- born child Sharon and Hank also had a first – born child We took care of Helen in the evenings and she took care of Jimmy during the day I always felt very supported by Sharon and all of the Kellys I will always have warm feelings about Sharon and am happy that she is now in the arms of our Lord and Savior April 11, 2025 at 9:40 pm April 13, 2025 at 7:22 am I have so many beautiful memories of special times with Sharon golfing together or at our monthly Bunco gatherings View map No photos have been submitted yet. Click here to share yours. March 17, 2025 at 2:54 pm March 18, 2025 at 6:36 am Our most sincere and heartfelt condolences to all of the Green ladies during this difficult time It’s so hard to lose such a great guy and a friend to all He touched so many lives and will live on in our hearts forever I especially won’t forget him and the way he would say “Campbell!” when i tended to go a little beyond annoying March 18, 2025 at 11:23 am I remember him as a father to my childhood friend who was nice and Larry remembers Mr March 18, 2025 at 5:21 pm Mr Green was my seventh grade science teacher March 19, 2025 at 7:44 am March 19, 2025 at 8:55 pm March 20, 2025 at 5:20 pm March 20, 2025 at 11:11 pm My thoughts go out to you and all your family Not only as an admired and respected educator March 21, 2025 at 7:53 am Loved seeing him driving with Charlie as his copilot🧡 March 22, 2025 at 8:19 pm And talked about his trucks he lost when ice fishing March 25, 2025 at 9:57 am As neighbors just a few blocks down Hauser we always looked forward to a quick chat with Fred on his daily walks and making the world a better place through small but his influence continues to stroll through our lives March 25, 2025 at 6:07 pm My time working at Capital Sports was enhanced greatly by Fred working there as well generally found the positive side of things (except for a few regular customers) and shared how much he loved his family and community His wisdom wasn’t ever delivered in an overt way but more subtly with just a hint of sarcasm He was a gift….I’m so sorry for your loss March 26, 2025 at 5:52 am Sorry to hear of my favorite Earth Science teacher’s passing Sending positive vibes to Jenny and family March 26, 2025 at 9:30 am A great teacher who had a significant role in influencing my decision to become a scientist March 26, 2025 at 9:03 pm Mr Green- a calm and caring teacher and it was always fun to be at the Green house- I was good friends with Jenny and it was always fun to spend time in their home- my condolences to all the Greens- Mr Green left a wonderful legacy as a teacher and touched many lives- take care March 31, 2025 at 11:29 am He taught many of us boys (now getting to be old men ourselves) riflery and gun safety in the basement at CRA Green on many of my runs on the Westside and he remembered me even after all the years out of school April 13, 2025 at 1:42 pm I am sure his daughters may disagree with that at various times in their lives but he and Ruth were one in a million beautiful souls and still are April 16, 2025 at 1:36 pm Green was singularly the most influential teacher I had as a student in Helena’s Public Schools critical thinking and subtle sense of humor were infectious even to the vast majority of fellow baboons in my 7th grade class If life is best measured by the adventures you take and the people you love then Daniel James O’Leary lived a life larger than most leaving behind a trail of unforgettable stories and the kind of legacy only the most generous spirits can leave close-knit home alongside his siblings and first friends; Michael where days were filled with outdoor adventures and family stories told around the dinner table and a good laugh took root early—and never let go Dan earned a degree in Engineering Science from Montana Tech in 1990 Perhaps Dan’s greatest accomplishment during this time was the birth of his daughter Dan’s career took him from Montana to Alabama where he continued his work as an engineer—first with CH2M Hill and together they created a partnership full of adventure Cindi was his balance—his “yes” to every wild idea hosting friends in their lovingly restored Helena Victorian or gathering around the table for a meal made from scratch Dan and Cindi made life beautiful and full His love for the outdoors was as endless as the Montana sky cycled hundreds of miles—including a 800-mile ride across Spain with Cindi —and ran four marathons finishing his final Marine Corps Marathon in D.C Dan believed life was meant to be experienced and a habit of pulling everyone into the fun Whether tinkering in the basement with the boiler Dan was the guy you called—and the guy who always showed up and he supported each of them through life’s highs and lows and Bette—his face lighting up whenever they were near Dan was the guy who would help you wire your light fixtures and then crack a beer and ask how your week was The Halloween parties at the O’Learys’ home became legendary—not just for the costumes but for the joy and inclusion Dan cultivated Dan was a man of deep Catholic faith and a member of the Cathedral of St He believed in the power of prayer and the importance of taking care of each other He was a man who reminded us—often with a that quick grin of his—that “The good Lord looks out for dumb Irishmen,” and he meant it because often it followed a situation where good Irish luck had prevailed Dan’s favorite expression was “Keep the faith” William whom he loved deeply and preceded him in death cousins and a village of people lucky enough to call him a friend In honor of this man who left us far too soon love your family and greet one another with a smile—because Dan always did The family will begin receiving friends at 4:00 p.m 2025 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home Burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery A reception will be held following the burial in the Brondel Center located in the lower level of the Cathedral View map View map View map Immediately following the Committal Rites Share your photos April 6, 2025 at 5:27 pm April 6, 2025 at 9:05 pm April 6, 2025 at 10:39 pm April 7, 2025 at 8:09 am when they worked together at CH2MHILL in Montgomery He invited me on backpacking trips and over the years our bond grew into a deep friendship So much so that he became the godfather of our sons He will be deeply missed and forever loved by our family April 7, 2025 at 9:02 am It must have been 20 years ago when we met Dan after he moved to Washington He had a way of drawing people together and making everyone feel at home April 7, 2025 at 10:49 am I’ve gotten to know Dan over the years as co-workers I considered Dan a friend even more than a co-worker Dan connected people and really cared about everyone that he talked to especially the random Friday afternoon calls My prayers go out to all of his family and friends April 7, 2025 at 10:53 am His professional knowledge and experience will be missed by many including me There are many stories he was going to finish “over a beer” one day I regret I’ll never hear those stories or meet any of the pageant of people in his life that he was sure that I would adore as much as he did We all have to say goodbye too soon with so much left unsaid April 7, 2025 at 11:11 am and worked on a hydraulic modeling project He taught me presenting skills and invited me to a canon ride with other friends I still remember how happy he was in his wedding and how impressive his bike skill was on the west point hill April 7, 2025 at 11:16 am I knew Dan several years ago when he was working in the Seattle area I was impressed by how detail oriented he was He could notice and bring up issues that everyone had missed which helped to resolve the issues at hand even though I didn’t know him for a very long time he invited me to kayaking with him and another colleague on Lake Washington for a few times and he invited me to his wedding He even invited me to Montana if I had a chance to go over there Dan IS a great person and he will be greatly missed have fun kayaking with Jesus Christ our Lord up in heaven We will see each other again and we can kayak together again April 7, 2025 at 11:17 am my friendship with Dan is one I truly cherish we have always been able to simply pick up again right where we left off Our common Catholic Faith encourages us that this earthly life is just a pause and what helps to lead us to eternal reward generosity of spirit and his deep love for Cindi are all examples to follow in seeking the best this life can offer O’Leary Family – I pray for your peace in this challenging time I’m grateful our paths are intertwined While Dan was always crafting a list of things to do next and working to make complex things more simple This is a time to lean into the Father and trust in Him April 7, 2025 at 12:13 pm Such a shock to hear of Dan’s passing My wife and I just visited with him and his mom as they were passing through Kellogg recently Every encounter with Dan was always full of laughs and reminiscing of the “good old days” Our friendship goes back to our time together as Montana Tech students where Dan was my roommate for a couple years as well as a fellow RA with my wife in the residence hall The shenanigans we either started or were a part of could fill volumes He was an enduring friend over the years and was always better at staying in touch than I was Dan enriched the lives of everyone he encountered We all know what a devoted family man and friend he was Such a loss for his family and our prayers are with you all April 7, 2025 at 1:15 pm for many years dating back to my early days at CH2M Hill 20 years ago Dan was always there for all of us at CH2M/Jacobs to help out with a soft-spoken manner April 7, 2025 at 1:38 pm I met Dan with the Storbo family when we were planning a hike from Stevens Pass to Canada years ago Dan participated in the logistics of and early stages of the walk and we kept in touch over the years after that We managed to get together for a canoe trip on the Missouri in Montana after the PCT and had an untidy prospect of meeting up with Cindy and him on this side of the pond April 7, 2025 at 1:53 pm My condolences to Dan’s family and friends for his sudden loss I appreciated his smile and easy going approach to working together over the years Dan had something about him that told you “everything will be okay” even as the task was driving off a cliff he taught me about the value in asking good questions and staying curious Dan will be missed but he has an important legacy that lives on April 7, 2025 at 1:54 pm Dan was a great friend and co-worker at CH2M and now at Jacobs Our first project together was more than 20 years ago in Kodiak Alaska and more recently on work down in Ketchikan We were recently in Ketchikan together to help the City solve some of their infrastructure problems Dan was certainly one of the “good guys” and always was a #1 contributor to our projects’ success and his “war stories” about the fun had on so many successful project April 7, 2025 at 4:10 pm April 7, 2025 at 5:28 pm April 7, 2025 at 6:53 pm April 7, 2025 at 7:15 pm Dan was a true friend with a great work ethic at CH2M-Jacobs and I hiked the toughest section of the WA Pacific Crest Trail together in 2006 (Boulder Pass Sharon and I made canoe trips down the Missouri River from Ft Benton to Judith Landing with numerous side trips: hiking we frequently talked of other adventures yet to do we have pictures and the memories to remind us of the good times we had together Dan’s mom and the rest of the family April 7, 2025 at 8:18 pm April 7, 2025 at 8:49 pm I first met Dan about 10 years ago working on a program in San Mateo Dan was so easy to talk to and was just an overall great guy and a lot of fun to be around My thoughts and prayers go out to Dan’s family April 7, 2025 at 10:42 pm April 8, 2025 at 5:13 am I’ve had been working with Dan remotely from India for almost a year now he was a great guy & he would always make the environment welcoming & friendly he was great at his work & would always appreciate other’s efforts as well April 8, 2025 at 5:36 am but we always had a few laughs and swapped a few stories back in the day when he lived in Western WA and had something fun going on………and was always upbeat and optimistic I could keep up with him…..but barely… April 8, 2025 at 8:57 am I just couldn’t believe what I was hearing when Kathy called the other night I don’t have the words to express my sorrow Dan was there for me when we lost Scott and I am here for you all if there is anything I can do We go back 40 plus years and I remember the smiles Can you all imagine the hijinks he and Scott are up to in heaven right now?!? one of the best I have ever known and he will be missed by all the Sargents My prayers and positive thoughts are with all the O’Learys in this sad sad time April 8, 2025 at 9:37 am Dan was an amazing man who I met teaching at HHS Adult Ed Welding He was a very kind sole and just a joy to see He was one of our biggest supporters for CTE world He will be missed by everyone who knew him April 8, 2025 at 10:32 am I got to know Dan through working at CH2M Hill and learned so much from him thoughtful person who I counted on for technical guidance and for leadership for our folks around the world April 8, 2025 at 12:59 pm I was fortunate enough to get to know Dan through work I realized that he had transitioned into a friend versus a work colleague in very little time While Dan’s technical abilities were significant they paled in comparison to his greatest skill – his willingness to give others his time I’m going to miss chatting with him about everything and anything (though rarely consistently about the actual topic at hand) April 8, 2025 at 2:08 pm “work family” and I pray that he may find peace April 8, 2025 at 2:25 pm Any time we caught up with him it seemed like we chatted yesterday We would stop by on our cross Montana trips to enjoy a wonderful evening of food and drink with Dan and Cindi They always made time for us and we had a good laugh (even the time they discovered our dog snuck away and ate all the cat food) Each time we would make plans for things to do in the future Each year we put it off for the next year because there always seemed to be more time April 8, 2025 at 2:34 pm My deepest condolences to Cindi and the rest of Dan’s family; I am praying for you all I had the pleasure of working with Dan for over 25 years and enjoying every minute of it Any day that I got to talk with him was made better by it He was always willing to commiserate with me but somehow those conversations took on an optimistic spin I can’t believe I have to work without him now but something tells me it never would have been April 8, 2025 at 4:50 pm I knew Dan from my first sewer modeling project after joined CH2M more than 15 years ago and we were like modeling buddy since then We never met in person after all those years with CH/Jacobs always there as I needed support or just a laugh He likes saying “try to stay out of trouble” “don’t work too hard and have a life” or “just grab a beer”…… I still have a reminder on my calendar to check back with him on his upcoming trip to Atlanta in mid of April and try to plan sth to catch up April 8, 2025 at 9:44 pm April 9, 2025 at 9:12 am We are so sorry and saddened by the lose of our friend Dan leaves behind many great memories of his kindness to others and desire to have fun April 9, 2025 at 9:59 am Dan and I worked together in Seattle area starting in 2001 I always enjoyed sharing plans and stories from river paddling trips we had each taken and most recently had communicated with him as I was looking at a float trip on the Missouri River with my family and for your positive outlook and care for those around you April 9, 2025 at 10:01 am On behalf of the Carroll College community I extend our deepest condolences to Kathleen O’Leary and the entire O’Leary family as you mourn the unexpected passing of your beloved brother guard your hearts and minds (Philippians 4:7) We entrust Daniel’s soul to the loving embrace of our Lord confident in His promise of eternal life through the Resurrection we find comfort in knowing that “Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted” (Matthew 5:4) May God’s grace sustain you in the days ahead and may the cherished memories of Daniel bring consolation amidst your grief Please know that you are surrounded by the prayers and support of the Carroll College family during this difficult time and the souls of all the faithful departed April 9, 2025 at 10:48 am When I joined CH2M Dan became my Colleague Cindi and Dan welcomed my Cindy and me into there home and lives Such a caring insightful warm and outgoing person we will never meet again Dan’s personal and professional conduct was of the highest caliber Through remote chats at work and around not enough camp fires April 9, 2025 at 10:51 am We worked together on several projects at Ch2mHill/Jacobs and I always appreciated how positive and solution oriented he was He was a mentor to so many of us at Jacobs and it was always a better day when I got to reconnect with Dan He was generous of his time in helping family friends and colleagues alike – a tremendous human being all around April 9, 2025 at 11:11 am Dan was an early mentor for me in my career and over the years we had continued to talk several times a year he was always cautious to balance business demands with personal goals and life perspective My deepest sympathy to all mourning his passing April 9, 2025 at 11:30 am Dan O’Leary was one of my favorite people to work with He and I met on a long term program in San Mateo years ago and we worked really closely together for about 7 or 8 years It is almost impossible to put to words how Dan was more than just someone I worked with; as many of our other colleagues have said he was someone who always remembered what you told him when you last spoke he was someone who always noticed small changes and was empathetic to their causes and it made him a wonderful person to have a friendship with Dan was also funny – so funny – we had long running inside jokes that always made each other laugh even when work was stressful or serious or urgent I messaged Dan last week even though we aren’t working on a project together I’m still not sure why I reached out and I blew off my next call to chat on the phone with him for 16 minutes and I’m just so grateful that I did so I got to tell him that I started skiing (he was thrilled) and finally had been dating a nice Irish man (he was also thrilled) “welcome to the good life” and it still makes me smile to think about how happy my minor life updates made him That’s how Dan always was; his life’s work was the relationships he cultivated and the celebrations of his friends and loved ones and always with a suggestion of more stories over beers Hoping one day I can cash in on all the beers we owe each other the tab running up on both sides over the years who he loved dearly and spoke of constantly with such love and esteem April 9, 2025 at 11:40 am What was meant to be a 2 min call would inevitably turn into a 15 minute BS session that made us both late for the next meeting or call Dan has always been part of my career at Ch2m/Jacobs The projects we worked on together are too many to count and his patience and suffering of my impatience were so appreciated So many late nights running modeling scenarios and side chatting about fishing The stories are many but here are a few classics: We were on a very important client call for a major program Dan and I are both joined remotely from our homes in Montana Every 20 seconds a freight train noise cuts in on his voice feed I am trying to figure out what the noise could possibly be Your mic may be jacked up.” “No Court The dog is under my desk and she is snoring.” From that moment and for a long time while Giselle was still running around her unmistakable snoring permeated many of our calls Our clients knew the O’Leary’s dog Giselle was actually added to many meeting attendees list as “O’Leary’s snoring bulldog” Shortly after Dan and Cindi moved back to Helena and after years of harping on him to get with the program and get a fly rod and a boat he agreed to join me and another colleague (Nate from AE2S in Great Falls) on a float trip down the Missouri by Craig Both Dan and Nate possessed the bare minimum set of skills and knowledge when it comes to fly fishing so I captained and pretended to be the guide for the day great fishing forecast and good times ahead tying on files and fixing their numerous bird nest casts After about an hour of watching futility in action O’Leary leaned back (in the front seat) and decided to enjoy the view with a fresh beer in hand since we were on the Missouri and there are never enough casts I dropped anchor and immediately dissented – “What the hell are you doing Dan get yer fly back on the water.” “Court give me your rod.” (snicker and classic O’Leary eyebrow raise hands me rod)… I took a few false casts from the rowing seat now you are making me feel bad.” I laughed for a good 2 minutes… “That’s what you get buddy!” Meanwhile This one isn’t working.” Not satisfied with a second mutineer I aggressively obtained Nate’s rod with some disparaging commentary flopped it out the other side from O’Leary’s failure and watched a nice brown surface and sip the fly The fish gods were having a comedy show that day There was no talking for at least 10 minutes after that And when I asked to see a rod for the rest of the day I was impolitely rebuffed by both with less than savory vernacular He set the bar unreachably high for being a son April 9, 2025 at 11:53 am April 9, 2025 at 1:03 pm My deepest condolences to Cindi and family I’m shocked and deeply saddened by the sudden loss of Dan I have vivid memories of Dan telling me about his loving family It feels like yesterday when he was so happy moving back to the state he grew up and an invitation for my husband and I to join them for some outdoor adventures A fulfilling life is one where we build strong relationships April 9, 2025 at 2:18 pm Dan was the kind of neighbor everyone hopes for but rarely lucks out with — always there with a helping hand you could count on Dan to be out on the porch and make you feel like part of something special and generous heart were the heart of our neighborhood Dan wasn’t just a good neighbor — he was a true friend who we enjoyed fun outdoor adventures with He was someone who showed up when you needed help and who made everyday life a little brighter for everyone around him His presence made our corner of the world a better place and his absence leaves a hole that can’t be filled April 10, 2025 at 5:36 am April 10, 2025 at 8:00 am April 10, 2025 at 9:35 am So many great memories early in my life in Helena with Dan and the O’leary’s I exchanged a few messages recently with Dan and sure wish I had the chance to reconnect in person Prayers to all the O’leary’s and I’m sorry not to celebrate his life with all of you this week April 10, 2025 at 9:47 am I only with worked with Dan for a short time he sheparded me through tasks that were not familiar to me and did so with patience I always looked forward to talking with him and left the conversation feeling comforted and well informed He was the type of person to think of others first often saying “this will be something we’ll get into your resume” “you can put your name on this” or “you nailed it He went out of his way to make others successful and make sure you had a laugh along the way Dan was a friend and exemplary mentor to young and old I’ll miss our rapport and the love and care he so effortlessly exuded April 10, 2025 at 10:31 am Dan was the kind of friend who showed us the true meaning of care and kindness always willing to sacrifice his own time to help others With his endless wit about his Irish heritage and his ever-ready offer to take us out for a beer April 10, 2025 at 10:45 am I got to know Dan through working at CH2M Hill/Jacobs for almost 13 years We talked about modeling and exchanged ideas through Team meetings frequently April 10, 2025 at 11:16 am There are few people in this world who embody charisma and genuine compassion the way Dan did every single day He had an incredible gift for making you feel like the most important person in the room and he was one of the most family-centered people I’ve ever known He adored his family and lived his faith with quiet strength and conviction I always admired Dan’s generosity—his willingness to show up for others I was lucky to share some unforgettable adventures with him and I especially cherished the simple moments—sitting with Dan and Cindy If we each strive to live a little more like Dan April 10, 2025 at 11:30 am Dan was certainly one of the greatest good souls I’ve ever known and I can’t believe he is gone so young I hadn’t caught up with Dan in a couple years and I regret that April 10, 2025 at 1:06 pm April 10, 2025 at 4:17 pm I am so grateful for his friendship and mentorship when I was a newly graduated and completely clueless engineer He was very welcoming and patient and made me feel immediately at ease I’m pretty sure he was the only one in the office wearing cowboy boots Dan was my cubicle neighbor for a few years He was always apologizing to me for being on the phone a lot but I never minded by sitting near him I learned a lot from him professionally but really he was just a lot of fun to be around I’m honored to have known him and been able to call him a friend My condolences to his beloved family and many friends April 10, 2025 at 6:17 pm So glad to have a couple beers with Dan three weeks ago he would always ask how my family was doing because of tragedy last year April 11, 2025 at 12:44 am Rest in Peace my Friend and thank you… thank you for be that person that brought everyone in the room together with laughter Thank you for making the world a better place Thank you for sharing your love for the outdoors your love for making friend and caring for everyone you ever met… with a cold beer. April 11, 2025 at 12:05 pm When Tony Shum sent me the link I was stunned and hoped it was some kind of hoax I echo all the kind words from everyone else April 11, 2025 at 2:33 pm Reading all the wonderful comments above recalls many fond memories and experiences shared with Dan One includes a winter paddle down the Snohomish River here in western Washington but was made warm and lively with fun discourse and adventure with Dan and friend (and colleague) Amy Buckets of water had to be removed from the canoe to avoid risking a capsize there was the obligatory beverage on a gravel bar And to this day I have never seen so many well-fed eagles roosting in a single tree April 11, 2025 at 9:33 pm He certainly lived a beautiful life full of love and adventure Cindi and family you are all in our thoughts and prayers April 18, 2025 at 9:36 pm My heartfelt condolences to his family and close friends I met Dan right after he graduated from MT Tech and got his first job with us in the State of MT air quality program helpful and fun to work with – such a quality person We met up a few more times over the next 35 years on his trips back to Helena Dan took the time to catch me up on his life the conversation flowed easily and naturally – like a good beer with a lifelong friend April 19, 2025 at 7:31 am I was so shocked and saddened to hear of Dan’s passing He was a loved part of our Emerald Lake community and I was lucky to have known him My sincere condolences to you and your family