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04/06/2025
City works to redraft immigration resolution in cooperation with AG
The Helena city attorney is scheduled to update the commission on a new draft immigration resolution, following the commission’s recent vote to rescind its original policy in response to demands from the Montana attorney general.
During a city meeting scheduled for Monday, April 6, city attorney Rebecca Dockter is set to present a report regarding the city’s official response to Attorney General Austin Knudsen after the commission chose to scrap an immigration policy approved earlier this year.
The response, while stating that the city “strongly disagrees” that its resolution violated Montana’s sanctuary jurisdiction laws, also detailed the city’s recent actions to repeal its resolution and requested cooperation with the attorney general. Additionally, a new draft resolution is attached to the letter addressing the specific issues Knudsen identified as not in compliance with the law.
The new resolution, which can be found in the meeting’s agenda packet, adds a section stating that it supports the Helena Police Department and its cooperation with county, state and federal law enforcement partners. Other changes include additional language stating that the city supports transparent law enforcement operations, requiring officers to identify themselves, show badges and perform duties unmasked.
The resolution also clarifies that Helena is not a sanctuary city and does not intend to become one if the resolution is adopted, and that it does not restrict or prohibit compliance with lawful information sharing with federal immigration agencies.
“Nothing in the resolution or this section shall prohibit or restrict the exchange of any information for a lawful purpose including information regarding a persons’ citizenship or immigration status for a lawful purpose,” the resolution states.
The city welcomes the attorney general to propose revisions to the draft within 14 days, as stated in its letter.
City Commissioner Melinda Reed told Montana Free Press Friday that the draft resolution is similar to amendments she discussed at the special meeting in March, before the commission voted to rescind it. Reed was the only commissioner to oppose both the motion to rescind and redraft the resolution.
Reed added that she did not participate in composing the new document.
“I did not believe we needed to rescind,” Reed said. “I support our original resolution. I support the resolution being reintroduced and re-passed. I will always stand by this resolution.”
The city commission regular meeting will be held in the meeting chambers at the City-County Building beginning at 6 p.m.
Those afflicted in recent measles outbreak not immunized, health department says
Health officials in Lewis and Clark County said that one of the five recent measles cases identified in March was serious enough to require hospitalization, and that all of the five people confirmed to have the contagious disease were not immunized against the virus.
The Lewis and Clark County Public Health Department announced last month that the recent cases had led to other people being exposed to measles in the emergency department of St. Peter’s Health, and that county health officials were working to identify and contact people who may have been infected.
In response to a list of questions from Montana Free Press about the new group of measles cases, the county health department said Thursday that two of the March cases involved people ages 14 to 19. The three other cases involved individuals aged 20 to 35.
According to the state health department’s measles dashboard, three of those cases originated during the week of March 15. Another two were pegged to the week of March 22.
Measles symptoms typically appear between seven and 14 days after infection. The exposure at St. Peter’s Health occurred the following weekend, according to county health officials, between 11:20 p.m. on Sunday, March 29, and 3 a.m. on Monday, March 30.
The health department said it was first notified of the measles cases Monday, March 30. It issued its press release announcing the infections Tuesday, March 31.
— Mara Silvers
5 Things to Know in Helena
The Helena Police Department promoted Capt. Jayson Zander to assistant chief last week, according to a social media post. The promotion comes after former Assistant Police Chief Cory Bailey retired last October, the Helena IR reported. Zander has been with the HPD for 24 years and now serves under Helena Police Chief Brett Petty.
“This accomplishment reflects his dedication, professionalism, and strong leadership in service to our department and the Helena community,” the HPD Facebook post stated.
Lewis and Clark County and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks will host a public information meeting regarding the upcoming closure of the Missouri River Bridge. According to the FWP region 4 Facebook post, the meeting will be Wednesday, April 8, at the Volunteer Fire Department Gym in Craig at 6:30 p.m. FWP representatives will provide an update regarding fishing access and an overflow parking project. Contact the county road and bridge division at (406) 447-8031 for any additional information or questions before the meeting.
The Montana Division of Criminal Investigation is investigating the recent death of an inmate at the Lewis and Clark County Detention Center. County officials are treating the death as a potential suicide, and Cascade County Coroner Jesse Slaughter is assisting with the investigation, according to an IR article.
Last week, a train struck an unoccupied vehicle near North Benton Avenue and Oakwood Drive, according to a HPD press release. Officers responded to the area and determined that no one was injured and that the car was stolen and appeared to have stalled on the train tracks. HPD is working with railroad officials regarding the investigation.
Saturday, April 11, marks the start of Helena’s annual Week of the Young Child, featuring several events and programs focused on elementary and early childhood education. The Early Childhood Collaborative of the Greater Helena Area has activities planned beginning April 11. Helena Public School District will host family storytimes and game nights each day of the week beginning Monday, April 13, rotating among the elementary schools. For more information on planned events, visit the Early Childhood Collaborative and Helene Public School websites.
Public Notice
The city of Helena and Lewis and Clark County will host a public safety open house Saturday, April 11, at the 911 center, 3425 Skyway Dr., from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The open house will feature first responder exhibits, local food trucks and tours of the 911 center.
Eye on Helena
Might Be Fun
From April 10 to April 17, the Helena Business Improvement District, in partnership with downtown businesses, is hosting the city’s first restaurant week. Helena restaurants are featuring promotions and a chance to win a $100 gift card to a downtown business.
Participating businesses include Benny’s Bistro, Big Dipper Ice Cream, Brother’s Tapworks, Dear Potato, Evolve Nutrition, Gold Bar and Western, Gulch Distillers, Mt Ascension Gastropub, No Sweat Cafe, Nosh Cafe, Old Salt Outpost, Park Avenue Bakery, Silver Star Steakhouse, Taco Del Sol, Ten Mile Creek Brewery, The Bagel Company (downtown location), The Brewhouse, The Hawthorn, The Hopper and The Rathskeller.
For more information, visit the BID events website.
Take part in Local News Day!
For the last 10 months or so, I’ve been closely following Helena’s stance on immigration and how it’s being enforced. From the arrest of Christopher Martinez Marvan to local organizers advocating for change, and most recently, the city’s resolution that caught the attention of state officials, I’ve covered it all.
Now there is a chance to listen in on how other MTFP reporters and I have navigated how federal immigration policy is impacting Montana on a local level.
MTFP will be streaming live Thursday, April 9, at 6 p.m. as part of our celebration of the first-ever Local News Day, a national day focused on local news created by Montana Free Press founder John S. Adams. It’s a great opportunity to learn behind-the-scenes reporting decisions and ask us questions! RSVP and submit your questions in advance here.
