Montana State Parks (stateparks.mt.gov) and Lewis & Clark Caverns  State Park will host a weekend of free programs in the park’s  campground amphitheater July 17 and 18, at 8 p.m.

Friday, July 17, at 8 p.m. learn about “Exploration – The Broken  Astrolabe” with Lyndel Meikle. The first Europeans to explore parts of  Montana were not Lewis and Clark. If it weren’t for a broken astrolabe,  we might all be speaking French today. Join retired National Park Ranger  Lyndel Meikle to learn about the explorations of the Verendrye's and  form your own conclusions about the dubious veracity of claiming “first”  in history.

This is the ninth presentation in Lewis & Clark Caverns State  Park’s annual Friday Summer Speaker Series, which will continue each  Friday at 8 p.m. throughout the summer.

Lyndel Meikle spent 43 years in national parks—at Yosemite, Alcatraz,  Fort Point and Grant-Kohrs Ranch, but it was her assignment at the  Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Georgia which taught her the  importance of "probable cause," in historic research.

What: “Exploration – The Broken Astrolabe” with Lyndel Meikle

When: Friday, July 17, from 8 to 9 p.m.

Where: Campground Amphitheater

On Saturday, July 18, at 8 p.m. learn what it takes for plants and  animals—including humans—to survive and thrive in a desert environment  like the one around the park. This ranger talk will be held in the  campground amphitheater.

What: Ranger Talk: Desert Survival

When: Saturday, July 18, from 8 to 9 p.m.

Where: Campground Amphitheater

COVID-19: Visitors to these events must keep in mind  social distancing directives – stay six feet apart from all non-family  members, and if that isn’t feasible or possible, please wear a mask or  face covering. Additionally, if you’re feeling ill, please do not attend  this event. For more information on COVID-19 please visit the website:  covid19.mt.gov.

For more information about these or other events at Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park, call (406) 287-3541.

If you go: Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park, 25 Lewis & Clark Caverns Rd, Whitehall, MT

http://stateparks.mt.gov/lewis-and-clark-caverns/

• From the exit 274 on I-90, we are 13 miles south on Highway 287 and 5 miles west on MT 2.
• From the Cardwell exit 256 on I-90 we are 7 miles east along MT 2.

Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park features one of the most  decorative limestone caverns in the Northwest filled with spectacular  stalactites, stalagmites, columns, and helictites. The park also  features camping, trails to hike or bike, a state-of-the-art visitor  center, interpretive displays, a gift shop, food and beverage  concessions, amphitheater, and interpretive events presented during the  summer months.

Visit Montana State Parks (stateparks.mt.gov) and enjoy camping,  hiking, fishing, swimming, boating and more and discover some of the  greatest natural and cultural treasures on earth.

Contact:  Julia Smit (406) 287-3541

 On Dedember 9, 2019 Attorney General Tim Fox was elected president of  the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG). He has launched a podcast as part of his presidential initiative with the organization. 

Episodes of  The People’s Lawyer relate thematically to Fox’s NAAG presidential initiative, “Transformational Leadership and Civility.”  Through a series of interviews with nine other attorneys general, Fox explores the importance of collaboration among his colleagues and helps listeners better understand the role their offices play in state government.  The first episode features an interview of Fox by NAAG’s Chief Communications Officer, Allison Gilmore.

“Attorneys general continue to be great examples of the positive political dialogue our nation needs today, and will continue to need, in the months ahead,” Attorney General Tim Fox said.  “The challenge we all face is to act civilly with one another while continuing to collaborate in a bipartisan manner in order to improve the lives of Americans across the country.  Now is the time for public officials to commit to respectfully and thoughtfully working together on the many issues confronting our states and our nation,” Fox added. 

The bi-weekly podcast will also address topics such as the importance of public service, consumer protection, and human trafficking.  A total of ten episodes will run between 20 and 30 minutes in length; nine will take the form of a conversation between Fox and his guests.  The People’s Lawyer is available through Podbean, at https://thepeopleslawyer.podbean.com/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

as well as iTunes, Google, and Spotify.  Episodes will also be available on the Montana Department of Justice's website at https://dojmt.gov/

The organization was founded in 1907 to help attorneys general fulfill the responsibilities of their office and to assist in the delivery of high-quality legal services to the states and territorial jurisdictions.

     The Montana Playwrights Network (MPN) is looking for 3 actors, one man (age range: 40-50’s) and two women age range 18 - 20’s to audition for three one act plays as part of the “Bards of the Big Sky”, the featured production of the Gala Grand Opening for the new Helena Avenue Theatre. Auditions are scheduled for July 16 and 17 at 6:30 pm. Actor stipends are available. Provided the state has entered Phase III of the reopening during the Covid-19 Pandemic, performances for the show are projected either for August or September,2020. 

     To set an audition appointment, send an email to: hatcasting@gmail.com  Please contact us asap to set your appointment. Be prepared for cold readings and improvisation. Bring your resume.

The Helena Avenue Theatre (HAT), 1319 Helena Avenue is the new home for the Montana Playwrights Network (MPN), a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization incorporated in Montana. The Helena Avenue Theatre is available to individuals, businesses and organizations to present performances, recitals, and other special events.  

     MPN was formed to provide a forum focusing on story as expressed through a variety of formats including but not limited to playwriting, storytelling, poetry, history, non-fiction, essays, and memoirs. We’re looking to connect with writers, storytellers, teachers, performers, theatre companies, libraries, book clubs, and businesses that are interested in storytelling as a way to build communities across Montana.  

     Recently River’s Edge, the printer for the Independent-Observer, the Great Falls Tribune and several other local newspapers gave notice that they are going out of business. 

     Last year New Media Investment Group, a holding company that controls GateHouse Media, acquired Gannett, the owner of USA Today and all their holdings, including the Great Falls Tribune. In their press release, New Media Investment Group announced their intent to move to online publishing only. That was the death knell for River’s Edge.

     As a result, the I-O needed to find a new printer. Pat Lee, the I-O’s publisher, has made arrangements with the The Bozeman Daily Chronicle to do our printing. This requires a change in our deadline from Friday at 5 p.m. to Wednesday at 5 p.m. This change will take effect on June 24. We can’t make any exceptions, so we would appreciate it if everyone who wishes to submit articles, ads, legals, photos, classifieds, etc. will understand and abide by our new deadline.

"Recent calls by some misguided individuals to defund law enforcement agencies in the wake of the George Floyd tragedy are not only reckless overreactions to a serious situation, but are an insult to the thousands of good law enforcement officers across our country who put their lives on the line every day to protect public safety. I am dedicated to equal justice for all, and to ensuring that the Montana Law Enforcement Academy and our Police Safety Officer Standards and Training Council continue to uphold rigorous standards that protect the rights, lives, and property of all."

Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) construction projects will improve sidewalks in the northcentral Montana communities of Rudyard, Shelby, Valier, Conrad, and Fairfield this summer. The construction will focus on improving sidewalk intersection ramps in all the targeted communities. 

The work begins in Rudyard in early May. 

· Rudyard: 

o Reed Street (Main Street) from 1st Avenue to 5thAvenue 

· Shelby 

o US Highway 2 between Adams Avenue and 5th Avenue 

o Oilfield Avenue between 5th and 7thStreets 

o Downtown along US Highway 2 and Montana, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Avenues

· Valier  

o Montana Street from Teton to Railroad Avenue 

· Conrad 

o 4th Avenue Southwest from Sunset Boulevard to Main Street (US Highway 91) 

o Main Street (US Highway 91) from 7th Avenue Southwest to 2nd Avenue Northwest 

· Fairfield

o US Highway 89 from 3rd Avenue South to 4thAvenue North  

Most traffic impacts will be confined to the shoulders of the designated roadways. Drivers and pedestrians should use caution when near the work zones. Signs will be posted in all work areas directing pedestrians around the construction. 

These projects are part of the statewide strategy called the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan. The plan addresses mobility needs along state-owned roadways. It will improve access for disabled persons and the general public while increasing safety. 

For updates, questions, comments, or concerns:

• Call the toll-free construction information hotline (800) 514-1898. Please leave a message if there is no answer.

• To subscribe to community specific updates: 

o Rudyard

§ Text “RudyardADA” to 555888

§ Email rudyardada@kljeng.com 

o Shelby 

§ Text “ShelbyADA” to 555888 

§ Email shelbyada@kljeng.com 

o Valier

§ Text “ValierADA” to 555888

§ Email valierada@kljeng.com 

o Conrad 

§ Text “ConradADA” to 555888

§ Email conradada@kljeng.com 

o Fairfield 

§ Text “FairfieldADA” to 555888 

§ Email fairfieldada@kljeng.com 

In addition, questions can always be asked using the email addresses listed above. Information on all work for this project can be found on the MDT website at https://www.mdt.mt.gov/pubinvolve/centralMTada/.

When traveling during construction season, watch for the "cone zone" and for workers on the highway. Remember to manage your speed, space, and stress. These workers spend their days working a short distance from fast moving vehicles, and while they make every effort to work safely, they are counting on you to pay attention, slow down, and be careful as you pass through a work zone. The vision for Montana is Zero – Zero fatalities and Zero serious injuries on any public road in the state. Remember to buckle up every time you get into a vehicle and never drive impaired or allow an impaired person to drive. 

The Montana Department of Transportation together with its construction contracting partners continue to take the COVID-19 pandemic very seriously. Construction projects on Montana’s roads and bridges are considered an “essential” operation and will continue moving forward as scheduled in 2020. Construction workers will continue several measures to help keep employees, contractors and the public safe during the construction season. Some of the measures include following social distancing and good hygiene guidelines, and not reporting to work if showing symptoms of illness. For more information visit https://covid19.mt.gov/ 

1st Choice Realty Open, Call for appointment 278-9129

1st Liberty Federal Credit Union: Drive thru open  

Branding Iron Open : Bar 2 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.; Restaurant 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. Bowling Alley and pool tables closed

Brown-Fitchner & Assoc. Business by phone or email; Open Mon-thurs 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Fri 8-3

Coaches Corner: Take out, curbside pickup and delivery. Free masks; 4:30 – 8 PM

Conrad Building Center Open

Country Charm Open Mon-Fri 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sat 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. In-store shopping limited to one; curbside delivery

Elings Insurance Office open, appointment recommended  

Folklore: Take out, curbside pickup and delivery. Free masks, 7:30 AM – 2 PM

Gary & Leo’s IGA:  Open, also providing delivery for AT RISK residents, free masks

H & R Realty Open, Call for appointment  271-2080

Home Café: Restaurant seating, open 6 a.m. - 2 p.m. Social distance seating to be followed

Independence Bank, Lobby and Drive-thru open.

Java Hut: Delivery and drive thru only. Free masks; 6:30 AM – 1 PM

Main Drive-in  Mon - Sat 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Marias Greenhouse Open 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. 576-7297

Northern Front Guns and Ammo Open Tues. - Sat. 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Olsons’Drug and Village Drug: Both Open. Both will continue to offer home delivery 

Pet Paws Grooming and Supply Open 10 a.m. - 5 pm. Call for appointment 271-7394

Pondera County Insurance: ? Call for hours 271-2034

Senior Center Open for delivery and pick up only. Call 271-3911 to reserve a meal

Stockman Bank Lobbies open

Subway: Open for pickup and take out 10 AM – 8 PM

Sunset Dental Care Mon - Fre 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Super 8: Closed

The Keg: Open for pickup, takeout and delivery 11 AM – 8 PM

The Independent-Observer:: Lobby Open Hours 8 AM - 5 PM

Town Pump: Open 24 hours.

Windrift Hill Open Mon - Fri 8 a.m.  - 5:30 p.m., Sat 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.