Hello Great Falls! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: WinCo’s new plans, a dragon puppet show, and community outreach pool night + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
New grocery plans unfold: WinCo Foods will open in Great Falls after a $24 million remodel of the Shopko building, with interior work and parking lot improvements. It will be Montana’s sixth WinCo -- see WinCo's new plans.
New services near Fairfield: Dahl House Aesthetics, a Great Falls med spa, expands to Fairfield inside Mission Beauty Co. Registered Nurse Alexa Kesler starts there today, offering peels, corrective treatments, skincare and hormone support -- meet the Fairfield expansion.
Investing in future leaders: The Montana 4-H Foundation awarded nearly $40,000 in scholarships to 45 students statewide, easing costs and boosting leadership, with recipients planning to give back as volunteers and club leaders -- see the scholarship winners.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
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02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Upgrade your backyard game: Because that wind-tough lawn and those beds won’t refresh themselves, Forde Nursery has the plants, local know-how, and landscape design help to make your Great Falls yard actually cooperate. Swing by for trees, shrubs, and ideas that survive our seasons, then let the pros sketch out something you’ll brag about.
Chase a new high score: Need a break from scrolling the same three apps? This week, drop in to Sidequest Arcade Bar for pinball, air hockey, racing cabs, and a full bar so you can sip while you mash buttons, aka self-care that actually involves winning.
Quick river reset: Whether you need a quick reset between errands or a low-key spot to wear out the kids, West Bank Park hits the trifecta: River's Edge Trail rolling by, a legit disc golf course, and easy kayak/canoe access, plus shaded picnic spots with Missouri River views. Simple, close, local serenity.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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Home insurance premiums jumped 12% last year alone: That's on top of years of increases that have outpaced inflation. Before you blindly renew with your current insurer, a free comparison tool matches your home with top-rated insurers so you can see quotes side by side, in about two minutes. Some homeowners find hundreds in savings, and if you don't find a better policy, you stay put knowing you checked. *See your options →
Buy one window treatment this summer, get the second 50% off: “My fourth order over 8 years. Product reliability, consistency to values & warranty kept me returning!” See what keeps customers coming back to 3 Day Blinds. Book your free consultation and enjoy summer savings on blinds, shades, and drapery. *Claim your summer savings →
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🐻 Bear Aware Workshop @ Bighorn Outdoor Specialists | Wednesday (6/24) at 5:30 PM – Griz country 101 from an FWP bear biologist, because the goal is to come home with stories, not bite marks. Get tips for hiking, camping, and backpacking. It is in the parking lot, so park on the street, bring the family, and a chair.
🏊 Community Outreach Pool Night @ Electric City Water Park | Wednesday (6/24) at 6:30 PM – It’s a free community pool night honoring the donors, sponsors, and families who keep this town kind. Expect splash time for the kids, easy conversation for the grown-ups, and a raffle table where generosity, bragging rights, and small prizes swim together, donations welcome.
🐉 Dragon Puppet Show by Markie Scholz @ Great Falls Public Library | Thursday (6/25) at 11:00 AM – Consider this your sanity saver: the library’s annual magical puppet show with Markie Scholz, the Dragon Puppet Lady, made for kids birth to 8, their families, and caregivers. Expect dragons, belly laughs, and the kind of hush only good puppetry and snacks can buy.
🎆 4th of July Kid's Day @ The Crafter's Lounge | Saturday (6/27) at 10:00 AM – Fourth of July Kid's Day means keeping the small humans busy while you actually finish a coffee. A craft free-for-all with several projects to pick from, all supplies included, and it is 2 for $5, which beats buying glitter you will vacuum until Halloween.
🏞 Play in the Park @ Library Park | Saturday (6/27) at 11:00 AM – Bring the crew to Library Park behind Library for modern lawn games, the finale of summer play for ages 5 to 12, families, and caregivers. Kids sprint, you supervise like a pro, and if the clouds open, we retreat to the Cordingley Room, basement edition.
🍀 St. Patrick's Kid's Day @ The Crafter's Lounge | Sunday (6/28) at 11:00 AM – Think of St. Patrick’s Kid’s Day as a low-stress craft spree for leprechauns-in-training, with several projects to choose from. It’s 2 for $5, supplies included, so they make the shamrocks, you keep your living room intact, and everyone claims creative genius.
🃏 Pokemon Community Trade Day @ Sealed Relics | Sunday (6/28) at 12:00 PM – Nothing beats haggling over shiny cardboard with people who actually get it. Sealed Relics is hosting a trade day for Great Falls trainers and collectors, with open trading, casual games, and plenty of table space. Bring binders, bulk, and your best poker face.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — The Great Falls report Weather forecastToday — High: 76°F — Low: 49°F — Precip: 2%
Partly sunny, with a high near 76. Northeast wind 0 to 9 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 49. East southeast wind 1 to 12 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 77°F — Low: 50°F — Precip: 52%
A slight chance of rain showers before noon, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between noon and 3pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 77. Southwest wind 1 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. Later: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. South southeast wind 2 to 6 mph. This house is wildCustom Whispering Ridge Home! Built in 2008, this 4-bedroom, 3-bath retreat pairs open field and mountain views with a bright open-concept layout. The granite kitchen shines with stainless steel appliances, a gas stove, and double ovens, while the primary suite adds a soaking tub and walk-in closet. A daylight basement, heated 3-car garage, patio, and fenced yard complete the package.
Take a peek inside → |
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