LOCAL NEWS IN BRIEF

NEW NORM: A FIREWORK-FREE INDEPENDENCE DAY CHOCK FULL OF EVENTS

EBS STAFF

For the third year in a row, there won’t be any professional fireworks in Big Sky’s horizon this Fourth of July.

Organizations like the Arts Council of Big Sky have decided to focus time and resources toward events including live music.

“We feel like our job is to put on the event, put on the music and have a great time in the park,” said Brian Hurlbut, executive director of the Arts Council, which organizes Music in the Mountains. “We’re not really in the business of putting on fireworks, I guess, anymore.”

Hurlbut looked into possible fireworks alternatives like coordinated drone shows. But with a price point of more than $75,000, a drone show didn’t seem feasible, especially when they had planned successful and safe Fourth of July events in the past.

The Tiny Band, DJ Jenn N Juice and DJ Take A Chance, will perform at 6 p.m. for the Music in the Mountains’ July Fourth event in Len Hill Park.

Furgeson Arrested For Town Center Stabbing

EBS STAFF

Deputies responded to a non-life threatening stabbing in Big Sky Town Center on June 22 shortly before 9 p.m., according to a release from the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office. A 33-year-old woman suffered knife wound to her abdomen and received medical care.

The 26-year-old Samantha Furgeson, who was wanted for questioning, was arrested on June 27 in Big Sky on assault with weapon charges. She appeared in front of a Gallatin County Justice Court judge on June 28, and her bail was set at $75,000.

According to a signed affidavit released by the Sheriff’s Office after the arrest, the stabbing resulted from a dispute over a dog.

Furgeson’s address is listed as “transient” between Big Sky and Bozeman, but she’s listed among the 2015 graduates of Lone Peak High School by Friends of Big Sky Education.

Bozeman Health Hires Interim Ceo To Permanent Role

EBS STAFF

On June 20th, 2023, Bozeman Health announced the appointment of their new CEO, Dr. Kathryn Bertany.

Bertany had been serving as the interim CEO since November 2022 and had previously held the position of president at the Bozeman Deaconess Regional Medical Center and Big Sky Medical Center. Bertany has 20 years of experience in patient care and administrative leadership, along with experience of 30 years practicing medicine.

Bertany’s qualifications were evaluated by board members and other notable global executives, according to a press release from Bozeman Health. The release emphasized that Bertany was unanimously voted for as deserving of the CEO position amongst a pool of other candidates.

Expressing her gratitude, Bertany stated in the press release: “I am incredibly honored to be chosen by the Board of Directors to lead Bozeman Health… I have been continuously inspired by the dedication of each and every employee to care for the patients and families that choose Bozeman Health for their care.”

MONTANA LAWMAKERS NOT INTIMIDATED BY THREATENING LETTERS, WHITE POWDER

DAILY MONTANAN STAFF

Republican leadership in the Montana State House of Representatives said Saturday legislators would not be intimidated by “vague and threatening letters” they received this week with an unknown white powder.

Reps. Rhonda Knudsen, R-Culbertson, and Neil Duram, R-Eureka, both received anonymous letters at their homes with local return addresses but post office markings from Kansas City, according to a news release. It said neither representative has experienced symptoms and other lawmakers have been warned.

Knudsen received the letter Thursday and opened it Friday, and Duram had a similar timeline, said a spokesperson.

The news release said inside the main envelopes were vague and threatening letters accompanied by a smaller envelope containing an unknown white powder. It said both representatives have reported that they feel fine and have not experienced any symptoms of a biological or chemical attack.

Both letters are now in the possession of local law enforcement, the news release said.

Montana Department Of Revenue Mails Out Property Appraisal Notices

DAILY MONTANAN STAFF

The Montana Department of Revenue is mailing property classification and appraisal notices to all owners of residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural land properties.

These notices are not tax bills.

They include the department’s determination of market or productivity value and the taxable value for your property that will be used by your county treasurer to determine the property taxes owed for tax year 2023 and 2024.

If property owners disagree with the department’s determination of value for their property, they may submit a “Request for Informal Classification and Appraisal Review” (called Form AB-26) within 30 days of the date on their notice. Owners can electronically submit the form, download it, and find more information on the informal review process at MTRevenue.gov