Montana

Many searching for answers as southwest Montana sees highest property tax estimates in the state

Published

2 years ago

July 25, 2023

Many searching for answers as southwest Montana sees highest property tax estimates in the state

BOZEMAN — Throughout the past few weeks, MTN News has been covering property tax appraisal town halls hosted by the Montana Department of Revenue. Many homeowners have felt shocked when they opened their new property tax assessments recently.

“You expect to go up. You don’t expect it to go up that much,” says Gallatin County Resident Maureen Holt.

Holt was left speechless when she saw her property tax estimate. She says seeing that tax hike makes planning for the future a lot harder.

“Well, you think of going into retirement or something—or you plan and budget and going out, you think, okay, I have this much money to pay this,” says Holt.

Holt says she had questions which is why she decided to attend several of the town halls hosted by the Dept of Revenue across our area. Chad Elser, Region 4 Property Assessment Manager for the Department of Revenue says these town halls are a first for the department.

“I’ve been with the Department of Revenue for ten and a half years, and this is the first time in my tenure of the department that we’ve had these,” he says.

Elser says the reason for the assessment increases is because the department’s estimates are based on home values as of January 1, 2022.

“That’s made it taxes on our assessment notice and those are just estimate-based on last year’s mill levies,” says Elser.

According to the Montana Department of Revenue, the median house price went up 46 percent statewide.

Elser says our nine-county region saw some of the highest increases in the state. Park and Beaverhead counties saw an increase of 48 percent. Madison County increased 58 percent, and Gallatin County, 59 percent .

Topping our region and the state is Granite County at a 67 percent increase.

“We’ve seen anywhere from a 40 to a 67 percent increase in values from 2020,” says Elser.

Elser says because of these high numbers his office expects more appeals this time around than what they saw for the last appraisal cycle.

“We roughly saw about 2,500 informal appeals filed in Region Four. But I’m anticipating a higher rate,” says Elser.

Holt says that an appeal for her property tax assessment is likely her next step.

“We’re probably, we’re right now debating whether we’re going to protest, pay our taxes under protest,” says Holt.

The appeal deadline is coming up fast. Appeals must be turned in by the end of July.

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Montana

2025 Montana Football HOF: Lex Hilliard ran wild from Flathead to the NFL

Published

12 hours ago

June 1, 2025

Press Room

2025 Montana Football HOF: Lex Hilliard ran wild from Flathead to the NFL

BILLINGS — In the serene landscapes of Kalispell, young Lex Hilliard turned a bright green football field into his stomping grounds. Literally.

In his sophomore year at Flathead High School, the powerful running back started shattering records with electrifying runs totaling almost 1,400 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns that season.

He’d close high school with over 4,400 all-purpose yards and 44 touchdowns, records standing the test of time.

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2025 Montana Football HOF: UM’s Lex Hilliard running wild from Flathead to NFL

Then No. 38 delivered an instant impact for the Montana Grizzlies. He’d bust onto the scene running for nearly 600 yards. A year later, almost 1,000 while earning first-team All-Big Sky honors, and eventually in his Griz career a Walter Payton Award finalist. Comb through UM’s record books and you’ll find Hilliard’s name almost 40 times.

He’d leave as one of Montana’s toughest running backs. How about this recollection from former teammate Chase Reynolds?

“There was a point during a game where he had busted his thumb or something and he had a pin in it. During the game, the pin had stuck out through his thumb,” Reynolds said. “I remember them, with pliers, trying to get the pin out. I remember going, ‘Man this guy, he’s tough.’ I don’t care what you do in the weight room or on the field, he’s trying to get this pin pulled out of his thumb so he can go back in there and play.”

In 2008 a dream come true; Hilliard was taken in the sixth round of the NFL draft by the Miami Dolphins where he’d join former Griz kicker Dan Carpenter. A year later, Hilliard appeared in all 16 games. In fact, he and Carpenter accounted for every point the Dolphins scored in a 27-20 loss to Houston.

Lex spent 2012 with the Patriots and Jets, finishing his NFL career playing in 62 games, including 13 starts, and totaling 163 rushing yards, 233 receiving yards and four touchdowns. After fracturing his shoulder blade, he called it a career.

Lex Hilliard’s drive and toughness remain etched in hearts from Kalispell to the NFL, and now to the Montana Football Hall of Fame.

The hall of fame induction ceremony is June 28 at the Billings Hotel and Convention Center at 5 p.m. Tickets are $100 per person or $800 for a table of eight. Visit www.mtfootballhof.com for information.

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Montana

Crews battling wildfire outside of Plains

Published

1 day ago

June 1, 2025

Press Room

Crews battling wildfire outside of Plains

PLAINS — Crews responded to a wildfire in Sanders County at 5:20 p.m. Saturday.

The Plains-Paradise Rural Fire District was called out to Locust Lane off Montana Highway 28 northeast of Plains for reports of smoke in the area.

The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation also responded to the scene as well as Plains City Fire and Hot Springs Fire for mutual aid.

What is being called the Banana Lake Incident by the DNRC has burned three acres since being discovered on Saturday.

No further information is available at this time.

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Montana

Montana Lottery Mega Millions, Lucky For Life results for May 30, 2025

Published

2 days ago

May 31, 2025

Press Room

The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at May 30, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from May 30 drawing

02-28-37-38-58, Mega Ball: 13

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from May 30 drawing

13-17-30-35-48, Lucky Ball: 09

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from May 30 drawing

08-19-21-22, Bonus: 13

Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

When are the Montana Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 9 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
Lucky For Life: 8:38 p.m. MT daily.
Lotto America: 9 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Big Sky Bonus: 7:30 p.m. MT daily.
Powerball Double Play: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Montana Cash: 8 p.m. MT on Wednesday and Saturday.

Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.

Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.

Where can you buy lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Great Falls Tribune editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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