Connect with us

Montana

Montana Premium Processing receives grant to accelerate smokehouse construction

Published

on

Montana Premium Processing receives grant to accelerate smokehouse construction


HAVRE — Montana Premium Processing Co-Op in Havre is rapidly expanding. Founded in 2023, the co-op allows ranchers to process their livestock for retail without suffering a profit cut found with middlemen packing plants.

WATCH:

Montana Premium Processing receives grant to accelerate smokehouse construction

Advertisement

“MTTP was set up to where you join as a member. And that, membership gives you first rights to the hook space that’s available,” says Chief of Staff with the Montana farmer’s Union, Matt Rains. “Plus voting rights and the right to be on the board of directors. So, all the board of directors are members, and thus these individuals who drop off animals and have them harvested have a vested interest to make sure that MTPP runs smoothly.”

In 2024, its first full year, MTTP processed 398,918 pounds of protein, and is now on track for increased output thanks to a $50,000 Growth Through Agriculture Grant courtesy of the Montana Department of Agriculture.

The grant will be used toward accelerating the construction of an on-site smokehouse – think smoked sausages, salamis, hams and more.

The facility will be built at the rear of the building and measure 20×20 feet in space. It will also have its own cooler.

Advertisement

“We’ve had several hog producers and they’re desperate for it because there just aren’t very many smokehouse’s on the Hi-Line. There’s a few, but it’s very limited capacity,” says General Manager of MTPP, Bill Jones.

The co-op had originally planned to fund the smokehouse entirely themselves, which they expected would take up to three years.

This injection of $50,000 secured not only funding for the smokehouses’s construction, but also for the installation of its equipment.

“It’s going to shorten what we figured would be a two or three-year project down to literally probably under a year,” says Jones.

“It was definitely across the board, a guaranteed slam dunk win for the state,” adds Rains.

Advertisement

The added value of the smokehouse also includes the job sector, as MTPP anticipates a number of jobs will open as a result of the addition.

“We’ll add at least two, if not three employees immediately when we add the value added [smokehouse] room and then be able to add maybe another three beyond that,” says Jones.

He’s aiming to add between five and seven new staff.

Simultaneously, MTPP is constructing a new, larger cooler to drip their slaughter. The construction is funded by a USDA-backed loan from Bear Paw Development. The current drip cooler in use now, will become an aging cooler.

In total, the Growth Through Agriculture Grant program secured $915,360 for 25 agricultural businesses throughout Montana.

Advertisement





Source link

Montana

Montana Is Home To One Of The Most Overrated Ski Resorts

Published

on

Montana Is Home To One Of The Most Overrated Ski Resorts


There are a few things that I can’t do in live, and I own up to them.

One of those things is ski. Now, I realize that skiing is a popular past time here in Montana and we’re blessed to have several areas in Big Sky Country that cater to those who like to hit the slopes. From budget friendly to highly exclusive there is something for everyone.

Don’t get me wrong, the idea of doing it sounds thrilling, racing down the mountain on fresh powder, enjoying the view and all that comes with it. I think I would love it, if I could do it. However, I came across something that I found to be interesting. A popular Montana spot was named to be one of the most overrated ski resorts in the country.

What ski resort in Montana is overrated?

This is were things get a bit interesting. So much of what is best and what isn’t comes down to personal opinion. While there will be those who will disagree with what I’m going to reveal, keep in mind, this is not my opinion, it’s the opinion of the source.

Advertisement

According to Outdoor Lifestyle who put out a list of The Top 25 Most Overrated Ski Resorts in the West, when it comes to Montana, Whitefish makes the list.

Now, it should be noted that Whitefish is the only Montana location that is on the list, and Whitefish isn’t ranked near the top, it’s actually ranked 15th. The source, doesn’t give a whole lot of data in to how they came up with the ranking, so we are left to wonder why they picked who they picked.

What are your thoughts? Where do you enjoying skiing in Montana? Let us know by sending us a message to our app.

New to Skiing in Montana? Here’s 10 Important Things to Remember

Just getting into skiing in Montana? Congratulations, you’re in one of the best places for skiing in the entire country, but there are a few things you need to know before you go.

Gallery Credit: Jesse James

Advertisement

Every Montana Ski Area and Resort

Want to break away from your local mountain and shred somewhere new? Here are all of Montana’s ski areas and resorts.

Gallery Credit: Will Gordon





Source link

Continue Reading

Montana

Montana Lottery Powerball, Lucky For Life results for Feb. 16, 2026

Published

on


The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at Feb. 16, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from Feb. 16 drawing

16-18-19-56-58, Powerball: 06, Power Play: 3

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Advertisement

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Feb. 16 drawing

06-29-36-43-46, Lucky Ball: 17

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto America numbers from Feb. 16 drawing

01-07-18-36-40, Star Ball: 03, ASB: 02

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from Feb. 16 drawing

01-16-17-19, Bonus: 08

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

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.



Source link

Continue Reading

Montana

Montana governor launches sanctuary crackdown, probes capital city over ICE limits

Published

on

Montana governor launches sanctuary crackdown, probes capital city over ICE limits


NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

A western state’s governor and attorney general are launching an investigation into potential violations of a statewide ban on sanctuary cities and sanctuary-jurisdictional policies, pledging zero tolerance for failure to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.

Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte told Fox News Digital that he and Attorney General Austin Knudsen, both Republicans, will investigate the capital city of Helena under SB 200, which permits civil legal action and enforcement of fines against jurisdictions found in violation.

“In Montana, we don’t tolerate defiance and we support our law enforcement officers,” Gianforte told Fox News Digital.

Advertisement

DEM GOVERNOR IN DEEP-RED STATE CALLS FOR ICE PULLOUT, TRIGGERING CLASH OVER ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY

Montana Republican Governor Greg Gianforte speaks at the ceremony to honor the four airmen killed in a 1962 B-47 crash at 8,500 feet on Emigrant Peak, on July 24, 2021 in Emigrant, Montana. (William Campbell/Getty Images)

“While the attorney general’s initial investigation will focus on the city of Helena, we’re really sending a message to all local governments across the state: If you are found to be in violation of state law, there will be penalties.”

In response to Helena City Commissioners’ vote to prevent local coordination with federal immigration enforcement, Gianforte and Knudsen announced the decision will be investigated as a potential violation of the sanctuary city ban originally authored by state Rep. Kenneth Holmlund, R-Miles City.

Gianforte said he has “serious concerns” about the resolution’s compliance with state law and said that under the sanctuary city ban, no state or local agency may refuse to cooperate with DHS.

Advertisement

THIS IS HOW TRUMP CAN BREAK DEFIANT SANCTUARY CITIES

In a letter to Knudsen formally requesting his office’s cooperation, Gianforte laid out how “securing the border has been a top priority of President Donald J. Trump after the previous administration let nearly 11 million illegal immigrants enter freely into the United States under their watch.”

He referenced Trump’s mass deportation efforts and said that it is unfortunate to see “recent events” elsewhere in the U.S. that have put immigration agents in danger.

In that regard, he described a recent Helena City Council vote as ordering local officers not to get involved in actions to assist other agencies nor to detain or stop a person based on suspicion of immigration law or status infractions.

JD VANCE, ICE FLIP SCRIPT ON SANCTUARY CITY LEADERS AS ‘CHAOS’ ERUPTS ACROSS MN: ‘THIS IS DANGEROUS’

Advertisement

ICE agents, left; Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte and President Donald Trump, right. (John Moore/Getty Images; William Campbell/Getty Images)

“This resolution is clearly designed to obstruct federal law enforcement operations,” Gianforte said.

Knudsen told the Flathead Beacon that Helena appears to be “thumbing its nose to the Montana Legislature” and must understand it does not make state law.

“I encourage [the city] to retain counsel [and] get a lobbyist…” he said in part.

A spokeswoman for the city of Helena told Fox News Digital it had not received any formal communication on the matter from Gianforte, and added that “as a general practice, the City does not provide comment on pending or potential litigation matters.”

Advertisement

“[Helena’s] resolution was drafted with careful consideration of applicable local, state, and federal law, and the City believes the resolution is consistent with those legal requirements,” she said.

“The City remains committed to upholding all applicable federal and state laws.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Knudsen’s office signaled it is only officially looking at Helena, but local reports also pointed to concerns about Missoula — the state’s second-largest behind Billings.

A spokesperson for Missoula told the Montana Free Press it has never been and is not currently a sanctuary city, while adding that its police officers do not inquire about immigration status in public interactions.

Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading

Trending