Snow in the Montana High Country This Weekend?

It looks like the "end of summer weather in the fall" pattern is coming to an end. National Weather Service meteorologist Alex Lukinbeal in Missoula says showers and thunderstorms will return to West Central and Southwest Montana this week, along with the potential for gusty winds.

Those winds are clearing and will clear some of the fire smoke that's been pouring into Montana from the big fires out in the Central Cascades.

There are also indications now that we could see snow down as low as 5500 to 6500 feet in the mountains along the Divide this coming weekend.

"There's going to be increasing confidence for colder weather system Friday into next weekend. Snow levels are going to be dropping anywhere between 5500 and 6500 feet. So if you have plans ahead of the backcountry, any recreation or hunting activities, keep a close eye on the forecast." -NWS Meteorologist Alex Lukinbeal

Gruesome discoveries in Western Montana

News of two gruesome discoveries in Western Montana. Friday, Lake County 9-1-1 got a call of a fisherman who had found human remains in an area southeast of Wildhorse Island. The bones and clothing were sent to the State Crime Lab for identification. Sheriff Don Bell says the remains were probably in the lake for "some time" and there will be a further search in the area this week. He's not speculating on the victim's identity.

———

The Missoula County Sheriff's Office says visitors to the I-90 rest area near Rock Creek spotted a male lying in the trees. Responding deputies found the man had died. Investigators have checked the scene and are waiting for an autopsy to return an identification while that investigation continues.

Billings animal shelter gets a temporary home

The Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter is back in operation after a move into a temporary warehouse space. The development comes as the shelter is continuing to recover from the incinerator malfunction earlier this month that sent meth-laced smoke through the shelter from a law enforcement operation disposing of illicit drugs.

Shelter leaders said yesterday that Lionheart Cannabis is providing the temporary space at 6400 South Frontage Road, allowing them to restore some services that have been on hold while the shelter is decontaminated.

READ MORE: Animal Shelter Overcome with Meth Smoke

Sentencing date set for Missoula murderer

A Missoula man convicted of killing his mother, on Mother's Day weekend, two years ago, is scheduled to return to court in January to learn his fate.

A Missoula County District Court jury returned "guilty" verdicts Friday on deliberate homicide and tampering with evidence charges against Otis Miles Miller for the murder in May 2023.  Prosecutors had charged Miller with killing his 68-year-old mother over frustration about his inheritance, later calling police to report he'd found her unconscious.

Miller is scheduled for sentencing on January 22nd. Missoula County Attorney Matt Jennings said previously that Miller could face up to life in prison, with or without parole.

Great Falls gets business buzz going

Great Falls economic development leaders say they're getting more "out of state inquiries" about the city and the AgriTech Park site. And they're welcoming additional leads.

Great Falls Development Alliance made headlines in June when it announced Ardent TAC Data Centers planned to invest more than a billion dollars to build a new data center adjacent to the park.

The Alliance says interest remains strong going into the fall, with potential tenants interested in the "shovel-ready" industrial sites and infrastructure. They are encouraging business leaders who know of firms looking at expansion to contact Christian Leinhauser through the "GrowGreatFalls" website and email.