Government

MSU News Service MONTANA — If a person falls ill during the COVID-19 pandemic, many questions may need to be answered about their finances.  Montana State University Extension educators suggest creating a financial power of attorney to help protect a person’s assets if they are hospitalized. A financial power of attorney can ease the burden of making financial decisions for many reasons. For example, an elderly mother can sign a POA to designate her child to pay bills, write checks and pay for groceries or prescriptions on their behalf. According to Marsha Goetting, MSU Extension family economics specialist, and Wendy Wedum, Pondera County Extension agent, creati...

News from OPI MONTANA — The Office of Public Instruction announced grant award recipients under the Montana Comprehensive Literacy State Development Project. Polson and Ronan school districts are receiving MCLSD funding. Last year, Montana received a five-year, $50 million federal Striving Read...

News from the office of Senator Jon Tester  MONTANA – As businesses across Montana continue to cope with coronavirus fallout, U.S. Senator Jon Tester is pushing to cut red tape for a critical small business relief program.  Tester urged Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Small Busi...

News from the office the Governor MONTANA – Governor Steve Bullock today announced the creation of a loan deferment program to assist Montana businesses impacted by COVID-19. The Montana Loan Deferment Program will allow businesses and other entities to defer payments on existing loans for six ...

POLSON – The Polson Commission voted unanimously to accept the four finalists for city manager, chosen by consulting firm The Mercer Group, Inc. and the city’s commission-appointed City Manager Search committee, in a vote held via Zoom meeting.  City planner Kyle Roberts said Jim Mercer r...

News from the Office of Governor Steve Bullock MONTANA – Governor Steve Bullock announced $8.7 million in federal grants will be distributed to education entities across the state to ramp up remote learning opportunities, technology infrastructure and workforce training opportunities. “Ou...

News from DPHHS MONTANA – Many of the same meal programs that served families during COVID-19 school closures will continue throughout the summer months, and they just became easier for families to find thanks to the opening of a texting service. The Summer Food Service Program, a USDA program ...

News from LCCDC MONTANA —The Montana Business Adaptation Program will provide reimbursement for COVID-19 expenses related to keeping staff and customers safe – from the purchase of personal protective equipment to resources needed for staff to work remotely. Eligible small business must be M...

Valley Journal staff LAKE COUNTY – The 2020 Primary Election ballots were collected from the mail-in June 2 race with all precincts fully reported, although the results are not yet official.  Montana had a 54 percent turnout, and Lake County saw a 53 percent turnout with 10,206 total ballo...

News from the Office of the Governor  MONTANA – Governor Steve Bullock announced funding through the federal CARES Act will be used to boost in-state processing and storage capacity for local meat processors, to provide additional financial assistance for small businesses, and to reimburse lo...