COVID-19

Market shift

Published on Fri, 05/29/2020 - 4:00pm
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The COVID-19 pandemic has shocked industries around the country with state-mandated closures impacting local economies. But in Park County, where ranching is prevalent, local residents have found new ways to put food on the table while supply chains around the nation are impacted. 

Matt Pierson, a producer with Highland Livestock, said people have been working to locally source their meat, but availability has come into question.

Gardiner graduation is Sunday

Published on Fri, 05/29/2020 - 3:56pm

Gardiner School’s graduation will look a little different this year.

According to Gardiner School Board President Pat Baltzley, the class of 2020’s graduation, scheduled for 1 p.m. Sunday, will take place on the football field, with graduates socially distanced and immediate families sitting behind them.

With a graduating class of 20 seniors, Baltzley said, it was fairly easy to come up with a plan that adhered to state and federal guidelines, and that was approved by the Park County Health Department.

Library set to reopen on Monday

Published on Fri, 05/29/2020 - 3:55pm

The Livingston-Park County Public Library will reopen to the public Monday, the library announced in a Friday press release.

To start, hours will be limited to noon to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, the release said, and four computers will be open for public use, with a 30-minute limit.

Staff and patrons will be expected to maintain proper physical distancing, and visitors will be required to wear a face covering. Masks will not be provided.

Day cares adjust to challenges during time of pandemic

Published on Thu, 05/28/2020 - 4:33pm
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It takes a village to raise a child, and, in a time of pandemic, this village of Livingston has stepped up.

Livingston Public Schools closed March 16, releasing more than 1,300 students into the community, where family, friends and day care providers have since scrambled to ensure the children are cared for in the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Day care providers initially closed or reduced enrollment and hours.

Many parents were laid off, claimed unemployment and stayed home with their kids.

Park High is planning ‘reverse parade’ for its graduating seniors

Published on Thu, 05/28/2020 - 4:29pm
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Although Park High School’s graduation will be limited to five guests per graduate, the larger community will still have a chance to honor the grads with a “reverse parade” at 5:30 p.m. Friday.

Graduates will line up — socially distanced, of course — around the oval at Park High while residents drive through. The parade is being coordinated by Livingston Police.

Park High secretary Donna Fairchild said Thursday the parade is for community members who can’t attend graduation but still want to recognize the kids.

School board votes to open LINKS for Learning

Published on Thu, 05/28/2020 - 4:28pm

The Livingston Elementary School District Board voted 4-0 Wednesday at a special Zoom board meeting to allow LINKS  for Learning to open June 15.

Dan Vermillion, Carol Goosey and Dann Babcox were not present for the vote.

LINKS for Learning, an after-school and summer program for elementary school kids, will have reduced participation to start, Program Director Terri Hartly said.

Local educators on state task forces to guide reopening

Published on Wed, 05/27/2020 - 3:28pm

The Montana Office of Public Instruction has created two task forces to help guide schools reopening in the fall, and several local educators are involved.

The two task forces working on how to reopen schools are the Montana Learn 2020 Task Force and the Montana Flex 2020 Task Force. The groups are meeting in May and June to draft reopening guidance for schools in the fall, according to the state of Montana’s website.

80-year-old Yellowstone County woman dies of virus

Published on Tue, 05/26/2020 - 4:40pm

A Yellowstone County woman in her 80s has died of COVID-19, the county’s health department said Tuesday.

The woman died Monday at a Billings hospital, RiverStone Health announced. She is the 17th person in the state to die of the respiratory virus and the third in the county.

John Felton, the county’s health officer, extended sympathies to the woman’s family and friends. Her name has not been released.

REOPENING LANES

Published on Fri, 05/22/2020 - 3:53pm
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Following Gov. Steve Bullock’s announcement that Montana will be entering phase two of reopening during the coronavirus pandemic, area attractions are responding in different ways.

Bullock said Tuesday that pools, bowling alleys and other gathering places can open at 75 percent of capacity June 1, as long as social distancing can be maintained; and restaurants, bars, casinos and breweries can go from 50 percent capacity to 75 percent capacity.

To start phase two, the Chico Hot Springs Pool will be open to hotel guests only.

It’s official: No Roundup Rodeo this year

Published on Fri, 05/22/2020 - 3:51pm

The COVID-19 pandemic has claimed another long-running event in Livingston. 

The Livingston Roundup Association voted to cancel the 96th iteration of the Livingston Roundup Rodeo at a meeting Thursday night, according to a notice of cancellation from LRA President Bruce Becker.