Water Damage Restoration in Billings, MT

YELLOWSTONE COUNTY, Mont. – A new drive-thru ballot drop-off service has been introduced at the Yellowstone County Courthouse, providing a quick and efficient way for voters to submit their ballots. This service aims to ease the voting process by allowing residents to drop off their ballots without the hassle of parking or going inside the courthouse.

Ginger Aldrich explained the convenience of the new service. "We're at the Yellowstone County courthouse 217 N. 27th St. We are on Third Avenue so we've got a drive-through ballot box for the federal election so the people can drop off their ballot without having to pay parking and stop and run inside so we just wanna be able to have people get in and get out quick if they want to," she said.

Sherry Tizono, a county election judge, shared her positive experience with the new system. "Been wonderful I've really enjoyed it. The interaction with the voters being able to offer the convenience to the community where they can just drive through and drop their ballots people really really appreciate it," she said.

The volunteers at the drive-thru ballot drop-off service are dedicated to maintaining the integrity of the election process. James Klanke emphasized the security measures in place. "People drive-through or walk up they don't have to stand in line inside. We confirm that signed and dated. We capture the deposit on camera and with silver right in the box. The box goes inside the building at night so it's always secure. It's always in the hands of at least two people usually three at a time so everybody can make sure that their voting is safe," he said.

These volunteers are local residents who are committed to ensuring the security of the election. "I signed up to be on the voting board. I was very interested in being part of the election process and being able to help the community," Tizono said.

The community is encouraged to participate in the election process, and there is a call for more election judges. "It's our Yellowstone County residents who are securing our own elections. We are local residents are the ones who run our elections. We make sure that the sanctity of our ballots is preserved. It's our neighbors and our friends were doing that and at the elections office we want all our voters to know that we're always looking for more election judges," Aldrich says. "If they're interested, please come to our website and apply. We're always looking for more election judges. We want the residents of Yellowstone county to know that they're the ones who are running it. They're the ones we are making sure it's secure."

For more information on how to become an election judge, visit the Yellowstone County elections website.

BILLINGS — Local convenience stores are prepping for what they know will be a busy Friday morning, as the Montana Millionaire tickets become available at 5:30 a.m.

The statewide lottery has 500,000 tickets up for grabs this year with four million-dollar prizes and thousands of chances at smaller prizes.

Tickets are expected to sell out quickly. Last year, the 380,000 tickets sold out in about five hours.

One of the three million-dollar tickets was bought in the Billings Heights at Town and Country Supply on Hilltop Road. Store manager Tammi Pritchett said they're gearing up for what should be a busy morning.

"It's exciting," Pritchett said Thursday morning. "We have people lined up. I open the doors at 5:30 and people are just ecstatic to buy their winning tickets here."

Pritchett said it's usually crowded on any given year and now that her store is considered lucky, it'll likely be even more packed.

"When it gets to be between six or seven, then you get the lines going really good all the way to the back end of the store," Pritchett said. "We've had people come in and say, 'Hey, we're coming here this year.'"

Pritchett said she already planned on bringing in extra, experienced help to keep the customers moving through the line.

"We brought in a girl from last year that was here, and she knows how to run the lotto," Pritchett said. "So it should be fast and get done smoothly."

Town and Country Supply isn't the only Billings store that's seen some good fortune. McFiny's on 17th Street West has sold the winning ticket on two separate occasions.

McFiny's store clerk Tegan Almendinger said they're bracing for the crowd arriving as soon as they open their doors Friday morning.

"I'm looking forward to the rush because it'll make things a little more exciting," Almendinger said. "We're expecting a long line of people and for it to be very fast-paced."

And there's plenty to be excited about this year. On top of the four $1 million prizes, there's a $250,000 prize, as well as 2,300 prizes for $500 and 4,500 prizes for $100.

"I think it's good for the state of Montana to have something like that, so we can have our own lottery," Pritchett said.

Excitement aside, it's important to make sure you follow the rules if you plan to test your luck. You must be present when your ticket is printed. Last year, several stores got in trouble for printing the tickets ahead of time, in an attempt to beat the rush.

The owner of the McFiny's store said he's had customers come in the past few days looking to give him cash so they could reserve their tickets. That is also not allowed.

So, do your best to be patient, as stores are gearing up for their busiest day of the year.

"My plan is to just work as fast as I can while still doing it accurately," Almendinger said.

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Posted

The owners of craft brewery Uberbrew have closed their downtown Billings tap room and are consolidating with their West End sister brewery, By All Means.

The owners announced the closure of the spot at 2305 Montana Ave. on their Facebook page Monday.

Uberbrew beers have collected multiple national award at craft beer contests since the brewery opened in 2012. They will still be sold in cans and on tap at By All Means at 400 S. 24th St. W., which has operated under the same ownership for about five years.

The former Uberbrew spot is available for lease.

Read the full post below:

It’s been an honor to serve our downtown community with award-winning brews, and we’re sincerely grateful for the support you've shown us over the years. Driven by our passion for crafting the best beers possible, we opened By All Means Brewing nearly five years ago—a larger facility where we could continue brewing Überbrew favorites while also pushing new boundaries. Since then, By All Means has become the heart of our company—a hub of creativity, community, and production.

With this evolution, we’ve decided to close the Überbrew taproom, but the Überbrew beers you know and love will live on at By All Means, where they’ve been brewed for the past several years, with familiar faces ready to welcome you with a pint in hand.

We invite you to follow us at @byallmeansbrewing for the latest releases in our By All Means + Überbrew Series, and to hear exciting announcements coming soon!

Our beautiful space in downtown Billings is ready for the next visionary restaurateur. For leasing info, contact Nathan Matelich at 406.781.6889.

With gratitude and excitement, The Überbrew and By All Means Brewing Team

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Posted

BILLINGS – Becoming a business owner has always been in the back of Aunie DeWit’s mind. Now, that dream is a reality.

“I am excited to get open,” she said.

DeWit is preparing to open the doors to MT Cup, the ninth business in the growing Annafeld community in southwest Billings.

After months of construction, signs are up on the windows and doors, and the interior is ready to go. Gold tap handles, a western-themed mural, and bold brown leather chairs are all waiting for customers.

“I wanted to do a throwback to an old saloon tavern, but in a modern way,” she said.

The custom-built kitchen, complete with pizza ovens, will serve signature pizzas to those enjoying a drink.

Growing up on a farm in a small Montana town, DeWit often gets asked if the blonde cowgirl painted on the mural inside the bar is her. She laughs off the suggestion, explaining it’s part of the concept and design she spent months developing.

These special touches are all meant to delight her future customers.

“I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t a little nerve-wracking. There are always the ‘what ifs’ — but if you don’t try, you don’t know,” she said.

With a hand-picked staff, DeWit plans to open by the end of this week, following a few soft openings.

“We will have 24 taps, two of which will be wine, and a lot of non-alcoholic options as well,” she said. “And some great food — pizza and charcuterie boards.”

Annafeld, now home to 800 families, has seen a surge in construction in recent years.

“I think it’s really sweet to have somewhere you can make friends and bump into someone on every corner,” said resident Taylor Williams.

Williams captures the essence of the McCall Homes community — homes with big porches and ample parks designed to bring neighbors together.

“It’s very easy to walk over, especially in the summer, or bike over and have the peace of mind that you’re close enough to home to jet right back,” Williams said.

When asked about her long-term plans, DeWit returns to family.

“I have two children, and I’m kind of hoping they become heavily involved in it at some point,” she said. “Eventually, the plan is to hand it off to them.”

For now, she says her kids are eager to work in the taproom and help cultivate a community gathering spot for this up-and-coming neighborhood.

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