News in brief

Residents invited to weigh in on regional transportation planning

After the 2020 Census, the Gallatin Valley area hit a population milestone that meant it officially became a metropolitan area and is now required to have a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO).

The new Gallatin Valley MPO is a group of local partners working together to plan infrastructure related to roads, transit, biking, walking, and planning for future growth. The MPO members include the City of Belgrade, City of Bozeman, Gallatin County Government, Montana Department of Transportation and Streamline Bus.

“Now’s your chance to be part of that conversation,” reads a Saturday statement from the City of Belgrade.

Public feedback is being sought through a series of open houses to help shape how the local community stays connected as it grows. Open houses were held April 14 and 15, but another is planned for Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Home2 Suites, 110 Homestake Drive, in Four Corners.

Those who can’t attend can still make their voices heard by commenting at gvmpo.org/lrtp.

Public invited to Belgrade-area road projects open house

Members of the public are invited to attend a community meeting next Wednesday on road projects in and around Belgrade.

Officials with the city and the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) will be on hand to answer questions. The event will be held from 4 to 7 April 22 at the Belgrade Library and Community Center, 205 East Main St.

“The event will feature design information and present future construction plans for three MDT projects: Belgrade Intersection Improvements, Amsterdam Road Intersection Improvements, and Jackrabbit – Madison to Main – Belgrade Urban,” reads a statement from MDT on the event. “The City of Belgrade will also provide details on additional City-led signal and intersection projects.”

The open house will not include a formal presentation, and community members are welcome to stop by any time between 4 and 7 p.m. next Wednesday.

“Design drafts and early construction information will be available at the event,” reads the MDT statement. “Project experts will be on hand to answer questions and accept comments.”

For more information on projects that will be highlighted, visit https://tinyurl.com/eper4yjx.

Residents invited to clean-up day on Saturday

The city and community groups are inviting members of the public to help clean up their town this Saturday in commemoration of Earth Day.

The event will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 18, outside the Belgrade Community Library. “We will be there with the City of Belgrade Montana and Belgrade Chamber of Commerce to hand out trash bags and clean up Belgrade!” reads a statement from the Belgrade Community Coalition. “You can pick anywhere you want to tidy-up! Thanks for giving back and keeping out town beautiful!”

Onstad Family to share memories of old county jail

Gallatin History Museum will host an event this Saturday featuring members of the Onstad Family as they share memories, stories, and thoughts related to their work and life in the Gallatin County Jail, which is now the museum. The Onstad Family was the last sheriff’s family to reside at the jail.

“Refreshments and a museum open house will follow,” reads a statement from the museum.

The event will be held at 1:30 p.m. April 18.

“This presentation is part of our annual membership meeting and program,” reads the statement. “A short members-only meeting will be at 1P.M., with the presentation following at approximately 1:30. We hope to see you there!”

Three Forks music students do well in Helena

Three Forks Public Schools had 15 student musicians perform solos or in ensembles at a Montana High School Association music festival in Helena last weekend.

The following students earned a superior rating, qualifying them for the State Music Festival in Billings on May 1 and 2:

• Zaida Bertrand - Vocal Solo
• Teegan Gifford - Euphonium Solo
• Brooke Hatch - Flute Solo
• Brock Meeks - Trombone Solo
• Branna Moore - Euphonium Solo
• Alayna Paye - Flute Solo
• Amanda Wilcox - Tenor Saxophone Solo
• Zaida Bertrand and Amanda Wilcox - Vocal Duet