Dealing With Missoula Flooding Danger

Some frustration in Missoula County right now, as residents who own property near rivers and major streams come to grips with a series of new floodplain maps being developed at the direction of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Property owners are expressing fears about the changes forcing them to buy expensive flood insurance.

But Missoula County Floodplain Administrator Matt Heimel says staff is working to answer questions at a series of public open houses this month. And even once the maps are approved, there's still an appeal process.

"At some point in the next 6 to 9 months, FEMA will open a comment and appeal period, and that's where people can submit information to dispute the maps or comment on them." -Matt Heimel, Missoula Co Floodplain Administrator

Two more open houses are scheduled for this coming week, in Frenchtown at the Fire Hall on Monday evening. And at the Clinton School on Tuesday.

"People have had some really great questions and are very concerned about the maps, and I'm getting a lot of questions about flood insurance and the flood history around certain areas," Heimel explains. "So we're gathering a lot of feedback and a lot of questions in these couple of weeks, and then we'll be posting answers to a lot of these questions on Missoula County Voice for people to review."

Other Montana headlines-

Helena gives up

Citing fears of legal costs and financial impacts, Helena leaders have decided to back down in that fight with state officials over a recent resolution stipulating how the city would proceed in the face of federal immigration enforcement.

The city took the step in late January, after hearing concerns about federal immigration enforcement operations, and concerns from local police about being involved in those operations.

But Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen and Governor Gianforte went on the attack, saying the city's position was a violation of state law banning sanctuary cities in Montana.

City leaders went through a lengthy public meeting last night discussing the financial ramifications of the fight, with the Daily Montanan reporting the city commission voted 4-to-1 to rescind the directive.

At the same time, city leaders are expressing their frustration, with talk of making another run at the issue, with a differently worded resolution.

New development in Missoula shooting

A new report suggests those bail bondsmen involved in a fatal shooting in Missoula three weeks ago were operating with problematic authority when they attempted to apprehend a fugitive.

Prosecutors have charged two of the men in connection with the death of Joshua Wykle, who they say was shot through the door of his car as he attempted to drive away from the Town Pump on Reserve Street.

Now, the Montana Free Press is reporting that the Montana State Auditor's Office has been checking into the confrontation, discovering that two of the bondsmen didn't have state licenses, while the other two were operating on temporary permits.

The Free Press reports the two unlicensed agents had failed their tests numerous times. Additionally, the state was investigating the Billings company before the shooting for licensing problems. The state has suspended the licenses of the two men facing charges, as well as the Virginia-based company "Mr. Bail", ordering the firm to cease all operations in Montana.

READ MORE: Our Original Story on the Shooting

Unique memorial in Billings next month

One Montana city is taking the first step to honor those Montanans we lost and all the others deeply impacted by COVID-19 during the pandemic.

A ceremony is being scheduled for April 17th for the unveiling of a memorial plaque by the City of Billings remembering the 600 Yellowstone County residents who lost their lives in the pandemic, and the over 52-thousand people who were infected with the virus.

The plaque remembers the "healthcare workers who battled the disease at great costs to themselves and their families" and acknowledges the people who are still living with health complications.

     The marker also points out how the construction of the new City Hall was "built in a time of recovery", made possible with the reinvestment of COVID relief funds.