Chaco roving repairs bus stops in Bozeman during summer-long tour, Missoula Montana Airport opens new terminal, Great Falls business donates pickup truck to Habitat for Humanity...and more

Image by Lauren Kemp

Chaco roving repairs bus stops in Bozeman during summer-long tour 

Building a custom pair of sandals at the ReChaco Roving Repairs bus is simple, and two weeks ago, the bus drew a steady line of Chaco-lovers to the lot behind Treeline Coffee Roasters in Bozeman. Repairs take 30 minutes to an hour to perform, and customers could choose between classic Z Sandals or the Chillos Slides, as well as buckles, threads, and webbings. After customers selected their particulars, the designs were given to the factory production crew in the vintage bus, who quickly turns the designs into a product. The ReChaco Roving Repairs bus is traveling across the country for the summer. It began in Denver on June 1 and will end in Chicago on July 31. Repairs for most Z Sandals are free, and the team is also making custom dog collars on the tour. [Bozeman Daily Chronicle]

ZooMontana contributes to conservation research

In a new study published in the Journal of Science, researchers used data contributed by ZooMontana in collaboration with other zoos and aquariums to examine 52 species of turtles and tortoises. The data recorded by ZooMontana in the Species360 Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS) allowed researchers to discover that turtles and tortoises defy common evolutionary theories and may actually reduce the rate of aging in response to improvements in their environment. Research has shown that certain animal species may exhibit slower or cease to exhibit senescence (living organisms' pattern of weakening and deteriorating with age) when their living conditions are improved. Out of the 52 turtle and tortoise species studied, 75% showed extremely slow senescence, while 80% had slower senescence than humans. [Montanarightnow.com]

Missoula Montana Airport opens new terminal

Earlier this month, Missoula's new airport terminal fully opened as the first planes arrived at the new gates. Along with the new terminal, new technology has been adopted at the airport. Travelers can now leave their checked suitcases at the ticket counter, and new 3D scans allow them to leave liquids and electronics in carryons through security. The new terminal also features an outdoor patio, more charging outlets, and improved wifi. Next, the airport will enter phase two, where they will decommission the east terminal, add more gates, expand baggage claim, and improve the rental car center. [Montanarightnow.com]

MSU student who spent 45 days on simulated mars mission to speak to K-12 teachers

Montana State University Ph.D. candidate Madie Willis spent 45 days on a simulated NASA mission to Mars and will be the keynote speaker at MSU's STEM summer institute. She will provide information on the NASA project, and all K-12 educators (including homeschoolers) are invited to attend the event from July 25-27. The seminar will focus on STEM fields and include anatomy, Indian education, and earth science. [Newsbrreak]

Butte expects busy year as 'Yellowstone' filming gets started

At the Butte Civic Center, production commences on the latest installment of the Yellowstone television series. The town is trying to find ways to accommodate other local events during the exceedingly busy summer. Civic Center manager Bill Melvin shared, "All of the venues in town have been very helpful, and there has been a lot of teamwork with the Butte people so that we can keep our events and also have this production here in the community." The tv show plans to film its episodes based on 1923 in Uptown Butte as it fits the motif quite well. There could be up to 500 people coming to Butte to work on the show, and Melvin shared they are all welcomed as the positives outweigh the negatives, especially in Butte's local economy. [Newsbreak] 

'Teeming with life': Bison ranch partners with nonprofit and local, federal programs to conserve land

Matt Skoglund, originally from Chicago, debated buying land to start a bison ranch in southwest Montana, wondering if his suburban background would hinder the ranch's success. Skoglund and his wife, Sarah, found two parcels for sale in Sedan in 2018 that would allow them to keep bison, and they decided to purchase nearly 800 acres that would become the North Bridger Bison ranch. Presently, the ranch has 125 bison and a basis of customers who have meat delivered locally or shipped to them. The land also functions as a conservation easement with the Gallatin Valley Land Trust, a deal that was very impactful for the Skoglund family and the land trust. Skoglund shared that their land is "teeming with life," as the property boasts sage grouse, sharp-tailed grouse, waterfowl, raptors, songbirds, mule deer, moose, elk, black bears, bees, butterflies, and dragonflies. [Bozeman Daily Chronicle]

Butte veterans recognized with the 2021 Montana Governor's Veteran Commendation

Earlier this month, Butte veterans were recognized with the 2021 Montana Governor's Veteran Commendation. "Montana, and Butte, in particular, is home to a proud history of military service, and it was an honor to recognize three outstanding veterans who have made a positive impact in the community," shared Governor Greg Gianforte. Outstanding Montana veterans are recognized by the governor for their time in the United States Armed Forces and their positive impact on their community. In 2021, 31 veterans were awarded this recognition. [Montanarightnow.com] 

Great Falls business donates pickup truck to Habitat for Humanity

All donations to Habitat for Humanity are greatly appreciated; however, one plumbing company in Great Falls when above and beyond with their donation of a pickup truck. The red 2005 Chevy is just what the Great Falls Habitat for Humanity chapter needed. The chapter started asking around for a truck to ease operational efforts, and when Mike Waldenberg, the CEO of Central Plumbing, Heating, and Excavation in Great Falls, heard the need, he quickly decided to donate one of the company's trucks. "We are very community involved and mindful of our fellow mankind here in Great Falls and the region, and it was just a nice little thing we chose to do, and we hope that old truck gets them a long way down the road," shared Waldenberg. The money that would be spent on a truck can now be put toward helping families in need. [KRTV] 

Montana Ag Network: Grizzly Saddlery keeps tradition alive

Jeff Gollehon, an elite tradesman, practices a craft that has not changed in over 150 years. Victor Ario Saddlery, established in 1897, was an elite saddle company that merged into H bar O Saddlery in 1957 and eventually sold to Grizzly Saddlery in 1978. The equipment used to make the saddles is original, displaying over 150 years of tradition inside the shop in Great Falls. The store sells brand names but also takes pride in making customized saddles. Experts in this craft are few and far between, but with the influx of people moving to Montana, and their desire to become immersed in Montana traditions, more people are buying horses and learning to ride. Gollehon shared that is why they operate, to help people learn to ride every day. [KRTV]

Wakefest returned to Great Falls

Wakefest was the main attraction on the Missouri River along Lower River Road in Great Falls during early July. The event is a wakeboarding and wake surfing competition. Brittany Sykes, creative director for Launch Watersports, described the event: "We saw a great turnout last year and just thought it would be fun to just continue the tradition. We have this river in our backyard, so might as well take advantage of that!" This year, a portion of the proceeds were given to Eagle Mount of Great Falls, an organization they have partnered with in the past. Other events included an on-site corn hole tournament, local food and drink vendors, face painting, and more. [KRTV] 

Growing knowledge: Annual MSU agriculture field day series visits Bozeman

Nearly 70 people gathered under tent-covered trailers early morning on July 7 on a farm off of Huffine Lane in Bozeman to listen to presentations from MSU faculty about new research in the agricultural industry. During a portion of the morning, professors from the Winter Wheat Breeding Program spoke into a microphone on the Post Farm. The lecture was on different varieties of wheat and how they can adapt to changing weather and pests, along with what variables affect yield. The presentation was one part of the latest session hosted by the MSU College of Agriculture's annual series of Agricultural Research Center Field Days. The event is focused on research that is important to Montanans. [Newsbreak] 

Popular outdoor company opens new store in Bozeman

The popular online outdoor store Backcountry has opened a new location in downtown Bozeman in the old Gallatin Laundry Building. The ample space is full of various outdoor gear and supplies, including shoes, coolers, fishing equipment, and other items. The store also plans to supply ski and snowboard gear during winter. The store boasts the top brands on the market, and the owners were quickly able to remodel the new location in less than six months. This is the 7th physical location for Backcountry, and the company has a long history of success through its online store. [Bozeman kissfm]

Company Spotlights

GL Solutions is seeking employees with a drive to succeed at their new headquarters in Kalispell , Montana. Their company offers enterprise software to clients nationwide.  View additional information about GL Solutions at: www.glsolutions.com or on The Work Spot MT website.

The company is seeking four positions:

1) A Quality Assurance Specialist who has a logical mind, attention to detail, and a desire for a career in IT. The ideal candidate will be able to clearly convey your findings to clients and coworkers. 

2) An Application Developer who has problem solving and analytical abilities to develop an advanced software application framework. Software developers participate in all aspects of the software development lifecycle to build a highly scalable web application. The application development team completes challenging projects on time, through anticipating problems, building robust solutions and doing things right. 

3) An Account Manager to guide a portfolio of high value clients through complex and challenging software projects. Account managers perceive client needs and build engagement by delivering consultative solutions. This position leads the company's market position as a trusted partner to our clients. 

4) A Quality Assurance Manager who will coach 7 to 10 team members to execute consistently and improve continuously. Take pride in helping the company check the details and ensure the highest quality software for its clients. If you accept the challenge, expect opportunities to develop professional management, leadership and technical skills.