07/29/2024
“Great Falls This Week” is reported and written by Matt Hudson. Send your news and tips to mhudson@montanafreepress.org.
Calumet’s Montana Renewables project remains in court
The international engineering firm Burns and McDonnell claims Calumet owes more than $17 million on its contract to convert part of the Great Falls refinery to a biodiesel plant.
In court filings, Calumet argues that Burns and McDonnell overbilled and performed “subpar” and “defective” work on the massive project, which cost more than $230 million. Burns and McDonnell accused Calumet of public grandstanding.
It’s all part of a lawsuit filed in Cascade County District Court over the biodiesel conversion, which led to the creation of Montana Renewables as a spinoff organization from Calumet.
Photo Op
A red sun prepares to set over the Missouri River on July 22. Smoke attributed to Canadian wildfires pushed air quality in the Great Falls area into unhealthy territory during the first half of last week.
Calling all photographers: Submit a photo for Great Falls This Week to mhudson@montanafreepress.org.
3 Questions For
This summer, Heather Hoyer officially became superintendent of Great Falls Public Schools. Hoyer rose through the ranks from teacher to principal and then to district administration over nearly 30 years.
Can you summarize what this summer has been like for you at the start of your term as superintendent?
Starting with established relationships has been important to me. Tom Moore was a great mentor and spent time “showing me the ropes” before he left, so my background knowledge of this position is deeper than that of some new superintendents. When I don’t have the answers, I know who to call and lean on. I have a great team at every level who want what is best for the district, and they are always willing to step up and help.
How are staffing and curriculum shaping up at the CORE School at Morningside?
What is one other new development at GFPS that students, parents and residents should know about?
5 Things to Know in Great Falls
A water main break in northeast Great Falls prompted a precautionary water boil advisory and usage restrictions for some Skyline and Riverview neighborhoods. As of Friday, the boil advisory was set to expire on Tuesday, July 30, and the usage restriction was to expire on Friday. Water tests found no harmful contamination, per a city press release.
The Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine held a white-coat ceremony for the incoming Class of 2028 on Thursday. One student, 24-year-old Great Falls native Matthew Houlihan, congratulated the work of his classmates and hopes to help underserved populations. “I believe that service is the highest calling in life,” he told Montana Free Press.
A high temperature of 103 last week broke the record for July 24, according to the National Weather Service. Cut Bank, Havre and Helena also saw record triple-digit temperatures that day.
Mayor Cory Reeves took to Facebook on Wednesday to say that he disagreed with the Great Falls Housing Authority’s decision to remove screen doors. “…my initial thoughts are, I’m not impressed with this policy change,” he wrote in the post. Read MTFP’s coverage here.
The Montana State Fair is up and running at Montana Expopark. There’s too much happening to list here (rodeo, carnival, horse racing, food and music), but the hours of operation are noon to 11 p.m. on weekdays and noon to midnight on weekends. Weather forecasts predict highs in the 80s and 90s rather than 100s.
