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7/14/2025
Health officials remain on high alert as tourism ramps up
Lewis and Clark County reported that no confirmed measles cases have resulted from an exposure to the community last month, although public health officials remain on high alert.
As of last Thursday, the county has not confirmed any positive cases of measles after an out-of-county resident exposed the public at five locations in Helena last month.
While the county is past the 21-day infectious period since the exposure, public health nurse supervisor Shelly Maag said medical providers remain vigilant.
“If someone developed symptoms at the end of the 21-day incubation period after exposure (cough, fever) and haven’t gone in yet to seek medical care/testing, as they become sicker and seek medical care, we could potentially get a positive case,” Maag wrote Montana Free Press in an email
In addition, Maag said that there are concerns about the spread of the virus during the summer, when tourism is high in both Helena and Montana.
“Our community continues to stay vigilant in assessing for measles,” Maag said. “There are cases right next door in nearby counties, and there continues to be new measles cases throughout the United States … One infectious visitor to our state, or one infectious person at an airport during travel, can potentially lead to a Lewis & Clark county resident getting very sick and contagious.”
Montana has seen two more positive measles cases in the past week, bringing the state total to 25, mainly in Gallatin County. Local doctors have remained watchful and continue to test individuals who show symptoms, have low immunity and were potentially exposed, Maag said
Public health officials continue to encourage residents to get vaccinated if they can’t find a record of their immunity status. The Lewis and Clark Public Health website posted an immunization record request form and a measles self-report form for residents to check their vaccination history.
The county also established a data portal that shows the number of confirmed measles cases in Montana and where those were reported.
Public Notice
The Intersection at 11th Avenue and North California Street will remain closed through Friday, July 18, as the city works to install ADA ramps, a crosswalk, curbs and gutters. Street parking and through traffic are prohibited during the construction. Area residents will have access, but temporary delays are expected.
5 Things to Know in Helena
Anchor Park incident: Last week, the Helena Police Department released a statement regarding a death that occurred on Sunday, July 6, in the Anchor Park tunnel with an officer present. While conducting a routine patrol in the area, an HPD officer encountered homeless individuals and asked them for identification. According to the release, the officer then informed one individual that he had warrants for his arrest from another jurisdiction. The individual, later identified as Joseph Brewer of Georgia, then brandished a gun and shot himself in front of the officer, according to the press release. Emergency services were called, but Brewer died at the scene. The HPD told MTFP that the Lewis and Clark County attorney’s office is expected to schedule a coroner’s inquest at a later date.
GSM director retires: Good Samaritan Ministries announced last Monday that executive director Theresa Ortega, who had held the position for more than a decade, will retire. Dan Bartleson was named the ministry’s acting director in April after Ortega was placed on administrative leave. Ortega’s retirement was effective as of June 17.
New windows for YWCA: During a meeting last week, the city commission approved allocating $150,000 of its Downtown Urban Renewal TIF funds to the YWCA Helena, 501 N. Park Ave., for renovation work on the historic building. The funds will specifically pay for the replacement of 60 windows.
Fire Station #1 bid award: The city commission approved a $325,649 bid for Helena Fire Station #1 improvements to Tri-County Mechanical & Electrical. Tri-County will work on upgrades throughout the fire station, 300 Neill Ave., which include the replacement of the building’s boilers, heater units and air systems.
Brown bags and bonds: The Helena Area Chamber of Commerce has begun hosting weekly public meetings about the upcoming multimillion-dollar school facility bond to inform the community about the maintenance needs for Kessler Elementary, Helena High and Capital High schools. The meetings are held every Tuesday at noon with a brown-bag lunch provided by the chamber. The next meeting will be at Capital High School, 100 Valley Dr., from noon to 1 p.m.
By The Numbers
The amount of money raised during an event hosted by Montana Book Company for the family of Christopher Martinez Marvan, the Helena man detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement earlier this month.
Montana Book Company co-owner Chelsie Rice told MTFP that, in response to Martinez Marvan’s arrest, they decided to hold a flash sale with all of the profits donated to his family.
“ I feel like everybody in our community who is interested in issues of justice and humanity takes the places where they think they can be most helpful,” Rice said. “… And what I can do as a business owner is leverage the power of my own community who is interested in participating and contributing.”
Attorneys for Martinez Marvan argued for his release in federal court last week. You can read MTFP’s coverage of the hearing here.
Might Be Fun
The Helena Symphony will hold its annual Symphony Under the Stars concert on Saturday, July 19, on the Carroll College lawn at 8:30 p.m. The event is free, and attendees can expect fireworks and music from the past 50 years across multiple genres that follow its theme, “ICONS.” Donations of canned goods to Helena Food Share will also be collected. Contact the Helena Symphony office at (406) 442-1860 for more information.
