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Good morning. This week, we have some important voter information as ballots go out, along with links to coverage of the proposed jail expansion and an officer-involved shooting on Monday. Also, we preview possible action on a cost-cutting plan to sell off some undeveloped city park lots.
But first, a weather preview ☀️
It’s in like a lamb and out like a lion this time. Billings should stay warm on Friday with highs in the 80s, but drop down to a high of 62 Saturday and 39 Sunday, according to the National Weather Service. Rain is possible Saturday and likely Sunday.
Voters to weigh in on slew of federal, state and local races
Today, the Yellowstone County Elections Department will mail out 83,000 ballots for the Nov. 3 election.
Elections Administrator Dayna Causby said 85% of voters in the county vote by absentee ballot. Causby expects a higher turnout than in the June primary.
“But we don’t have a good pulse on what that number might be, and it always ebbs and flows with what’s happening in national media and what people feel most conflicted about” at election time, she said.
What’s on the ballot? A lot.
In addition to the initiatives, statewide and federal races that all Montana voters will consider, voters in Yellowstone County will cast ballots in contested races for sheriff, county commission, several state House and state Senate races and a bond and levy to expand the jail.
You can read more about the jail expansion measures here.
We’ll run a story next week featuring a handful of local races to watch.
And our Montana Free Press election guide is there for everything in between.
Please take note: The Yellowstone County Elections Department has moved to MetraPark, 502 Fourth Ave. N. Causby said people are still showing up at the courthouse, where the office used to be housed. She said MetraPark has plenty of free parking, which should make it easier to get in and out of than the crowded courthouse.
Causby encourages everyone to check their voter registration status and whether they are signed up for absentee ballots by going to https://voterportal.mt.gov/WhereToVote.aspx
You can reach the county elections office at (406)256-2740 or [email protected].
Snapshot 📸
ICYMI ↩️
A multidisciplinary group of leaders is on a mission to persuade voters to pass a $175 million bond and a $20 million levy to expand the crowded Yellowstone County Detention Facility. Built for 434 inmates, it hasn’t held fewer than 650 all year. Read the story here.
Billings police shot and killed a man at a South Side apartment complex Monday afternoon when authorities say the man pointed a handgun at them. The call began as an attempt to serve a restraining order on the man, Interim Police Chief Shawn Mayo said. Read the story here.
Public Notice 
City considers sale of Lampman Park
Monday, Oct. 12
5:30 p.m.
316 N. 26th St., fifth floor
City staff will recommend that the council agree to sell the six-acre, undeveloped Lampman Park at 3050 Monad Road to Cal Kunkel, the highest bidder, for $834,800. Staff will also recommend the council start the process of selling three other undeveloped city park lots: Beartooth Parcel, adjacent to Beartooth Elementary School; Career Center Park, just north of the Career Center; and Wilson Park at 411 Riverside Road. The proposals are part of a plan to cut costs and focus resources on developed city parks. Many residents have protested the sales.
About Town 🚶
Calling all bookworms: The Friends of the Library fall book sale takes place Friday and Saturday in the Community Room of the Billings Public Library, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This twice-annual sale supports the library foundation’s programming and literacy efforts throughout Billings. Books are organized by category and include children’s books, fiction and nonfiction.
Feeling spooky? Community theater Nova, at 2317 Montana Ave., will host its first showing of Agatha Christie’s fan-favorite, “And Then There Were None,” on Friday at 7:30 p.m. It’s the best-selling mystery of all time and was voted the World’s Favorite Christie in 2015. Tickets range from $12 to $22, depending on age, and are available online. The play will run for two weekends.
City-county public health department RiverStone Health will host a family flu shot clinic Wednesday, Oct. 14, from 4-6 p.m. in the Community Room of the Billings Public Library. No appointment necessary. Bring your insurance card if you are insured. The clinic helps the public health department practice distributing vaccines and other medicines widely during a public health emergency, event organizers wrote.
Game of the Week 🏆
MSU-B takes on Seattle Pacific in women’s soccer Saturday at noon at the Yellowjacket Soccer Field at City College, 3803 Central Ave. Admission is free for MSU-B students, staff and faculty with ID and for students in the 8th grade or younger. Tickets are available online only for $11.50.
