Happy Monday! It’s JoVonne here with your weekly Helena update.Montana is experiencing a drought, if you couldn’t tell by now. I traveled to eastern Montana this weekend, and the temps did not let up! But not even the computer-melting weather can keep me from my newsletter, rest assured.  In this edition, we have the latest on how the city penalizes folks who break city code and why you should avoid the local watering holes that have harmful algal blooms (they are very bad for both you and your furry friends). Plus: I got a chance to ride around on the Last Chance Tour Train, which I’m now convinced every Helenan should do at least once.  But first, a weather preview ☀️ The heat is not letting up this week. Daily highs for Monday are expected to hit the low 90s and stay pretty consistent throughout Tuesday, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Emma Harper. On Wednesday, Helenans can anticipate a high hovering in the mid 90s. Overnight lows remain in the low 60s. Make sure you stay hydrated, remain in cool areas when possible and limit your outdoor time at the hottest points throughout the day!  Helena History 📽️ Last Chance Tours offers an hour-long journey through the Capitol Complex, around St. Helena Cathedral, through downtown and into the mansion district. Credit: JoVonne Wagner / MTFP As some of you may know, I grew up in a pretty rural area on the Blackfeet reservation. I moved away for college and have now lived “off-rez” for about 11 years. Time flies, huh?  After I graduated from college, I was offered this job here in Helena with Montana Free Press. Besides the occasional middle school field trip to the state Capitol Building, I never spent much time here before making it my home. I’ve now been a Helena resident for almost three years. And I’m still learning a lot about the city’s culture, community and, of course, its history. As part of that continuous quest, this was the summer that I decided to do the obvious: riding the Last Chance Tour train for the first time.  And yes, I’m aware that this tour train is common for non-residents (A.K.A tourists), but hey, it’s never too late to learn, right? The ride this past Wednesday afternoon gave me some insight into why folks continue to visit Helena and stay here. Plus, I learned some pretty cool facts about the Queen City.   Top of the list: I learned that Helena should not have been our capital and only became so because a corrupt sheriff back in the day withheld ballots in a key vote to determine whether Helena or Anaconda should hold the state title. Additionally, I was aware to some degree that the city had a Chinese community during its history, but had no idea of its extent. There was a whole neighborhood near Reeder’s Alley filled with homes, gardens, restaurants, tea shops and other businesses. But after the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, that population began to dwindle. For Jacob McKissick, a summer tour train guide who is also a social studies teacher at Helena High, incorporating the forgotten history of the city is one of his main goals. Much of the common knowledge about Helena’s past residents risks being lost to time. “ I think we can do a better job at highlighting those stories,” McKissick said to me after the tour concluded. “And so I think of minority populations that existed here in Helena and having more of a platform for those stories to come out.” McKissick said he wants Helena’s history to be as enlightening for residents as it is for visitors, and maybe even more meaningful to learn. Train guide Jacob McKissick poses for a photo after an evening tour on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. Credit: JoVonne Wagner / MTFP “It’s easy living here to not really know how everything started,” McKissick said. “You hear about the Four Georgians, and you hear about the history that Helena has to offer, but a lot of people in the community don’t really know.”   The tour train’s season runs from May to September, and usually sells on average about 17,000 tickets in a year for the 501(c)3 nonprofit. Average ticket prices cost about $12 per adult, but the tour train offers a discount for schools, which take up the bulk of rides in May, according to Last Chance Tours manager Jamie Harris. That means the annual revenue in a year roughly generates less than $200,000. Locals might think they can catch the tour train any old time. But the tour organization has run into maintenance problems. It’s down a train, which needs a complete rebuild, costing between $100,000 to $200,000, according to its website.  Last Chance Tours has relied solely on one train this season, adding an evening tour to its three other daily time slots to help generate a bit more revenue.  “ It’s just such an icon in Helena,” Harris told me over a phone call interview. “ When you go on it, and you go downtown, you see all the people waving and how much community support we have. That’s partly due to it being around for so long and being such an important part of our community.”   So, my fellow Helenans, if you have an hour of free time and appreciate soaking in the downtown vibes while being pulled around by a Jeep outfitted to look like a train engine, I’d suggest giving the tour a try — even if you’ve been here awhile.  Among the other nuggets of Helena gold you might pick up, you can find out where the name “Last Chance Gulch” came from, how the city has odd ties back to New York City and Washington D.C., or what happened to the old brothel building (hint: it still lives among us).  McKissick said those are just some of the reasons why he tells his students that Helena is a fascinating place worth exploring.  “They often are looking to adventure out of Helena,” McKissick said. “I’ve traveled all over the world, I was a Peace Corps volunteer in Malawi, in Africa — I chose to come here. I love Helena.” Queen City Views 📸 Credit: Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest If you have never seen what a drained lake looks like, here you go! Earlier this year, officials with Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest announced that Park Lake, located about 20 miles south of Helena, would be closed for the remainder of the year.  The dam at the lake started leaking, causing the lake to be emptied and federal contractors to replace the dam to address the issue. The national forest’s Facebook page posted a photo of the lake’s “dewatering” last week and said that workers will soon begin removing the dam. Of course, if something broke, it’s time to fix it. But I’m personally saddened that we won’t have access this year to such a great spot for camping, fishing and paddleboarding. Where else are you going to cool off this summer? Drop me a line at [email protected]. Public Notice 🧐 🗓️ Lewis and Clark Public Health announced the presence of harmful algal blooms Friday, July 17.📍 Impacted areas include Lake Helena and its wildlife management area, Holter Lake and Black Sandy State Park at Hauser Lake.ℹ️ Not-so-fun-fact: the blooms are super toxic and can cause death to pets and livestock if ingested. Avoid, avoid, avoid if you want to dodge a bad tummy ache and rashes.  🔗 Find out more resources on the HAB here. City to nix criminal penalty for code violations  🗓️ The City Commission voted on the new ordinance during a meeting last Monday.ℹ️ The change prevents local law enforcement from issuing criminal misdemeanors for code violations. Instead, the city can fine individuals between $300 to $500. This change applies to titles one, three, five, six, seven, 11 and 13 of the city code.  🔗 Details about the ordinance can be found on the July 20 city meeting agenda packet.  Helena Happenings🚶 Arts Culture: As a zillenial, I’m pretty stoked to learn that Grandstreet Theatre is putting on Shrek: The Musical through Aug. 2. Who wouldn’t like to watch our favorite green ogre and donkey sidekick sing and dance as they save a princess?  Outdoor Events: Helena’s outdoor summer party scene is the gift that keeps on giving. The Lewis Clark Brewing Company is throwing a free block party Friday, July 31 at the brewery’s taproom. The party starts at 5 p.m. and will offer the usual brews for purchase along with live music from several bands, including Counting Coup, Emma The Ledge and Skyfoot.   Community Support: For those looking to lend a helping hand, the county’s Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors team will host an open house to recruit volunteers on Wednesday, Aug. 4, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the First Christian Church. The LOSS team is a part of the Lewis Clark Suicide Prevention Coalition and provides support and practical assistance to those grieving the death of a loved one. The post Discovering gold on the Last Chance Tour Train appeared first on Montana Free Press. ...read more read less