KTMF-TV (Missoula, MT)

MISSOULA, Mont. – The Historical Museum of Fort Missoula held a special 4th at the Fort celebration. The museum partnered with the Rocky Mountain Museum of Military History to celebrate 250 years of independence. Fort Missoula hosted live music, wagon rides, all age games and crafts and scavenger hunts. Tours ran throughout the event, showing attendees the fort’s lookout, schoolhouse, Drummond depot, trolley barn, and locomotive.

DARBY, Mont. -- Fire crews made progress on containing the ignited fire south of Darby on July 3. The fire is 80% contained as of July 4. The fire started on private land and grew to an estimated 402 acres overnight. The fire is being managed by a Type 3 Incident Commander. Federal, local engines and several hand crews focused on hotspots and patrolled for spot fires along the perimeter. Plans are underway for the rural district to handle the incident as progress continues.

MISSOULA, Mont. – Missoula Parks and Recreation reminded residents that fireworks are not allowed in any Missoula city parks. Officials asked that this Fourth of July be celebrated safely. Residents can enjoy a city fireworks show following the Paddleheads game in Ogren Field and Allegiance field. This year is expected to be a bigger fireworks show for America’s 250th birthday. Fireworks are permitted on private land outside of city limits.

BOZEMAN, Mont. – Bozeman police responded to a vehicle versus motorcycle collision at 10:00 p.m. on July 3. On arrival, the police and bystanders attempted lifesaving efforts on the motorcyclist. The motorcyclist was tragically pronounced dead at the scene. The name of the motorcyclist will be released at a later date. The collision occurred on Frontage road and the westbound on-ramp to Interstate 90. Detectives from the Bozeman Police Department reported they are investigating the incident.

The city aptly known as 'Butte, America' has shown up for the nation's 250th birthday with its famous Fourth of July parade and fireworks show. BUTTE, Mont. -- It's no surprise that the city that they call 'Butte, America' is going all out for the USA's 250th birthday. The world-famous Butte Fourth of July parade remains as star-spangled as ever, as a celebration of both the nation as a whole and the people who make the Mining City worthy of the 'Butte, America' moniker.

Lolo, Mont. — Travelers’ Rest State Park is using America 250 and the park’s 25th birthday to help families connect with history in a hands-on way. At the park in Lolo, the focus was on bringing history off the page and into the community. Organizers paired national history with programs built to help families connect with the place around them. The park has told Montana’s story for decades. This year, it marked two milestones at once with America’s 250th anniversary and the park’s own 25th birthday.

MONTANA – The statewide initiative, “Two Lights Montana”, aimed to encourage Montanans to a year of learning, civic participation and community service for America’s 250th birthday. The initiative was inspired by Paul Revere’s ride and the two lights signal from the Old North Church in 1775. May 4 marked the first day of the initiative and organizers said it will extend into December, and aimed to uplift with learning, engagement and serving.

HELENA, Mont. – Every passenger that boards a flight leaving the Helena Regional Airport on the Fourth of July will receive a printed copy of the Declaration of Independence, Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen announced on Friday.

Winco Fireworks International recalled Unity 7 shot 200 gram aerial cake fireworks due to tip-over risk that can lead to serious injury. Over 85,000 units were recalled on July 2, a couple days before Independence day. The fireworks distributor urged consumers to stop use of the recalled fireworks immediately and return them for a full refund. The Unity 7 Shot product was sold in colors red, white and blue and weighed one-third of a pound. The fireworks measured 2.9 in by 2.9 in by 3.9 in.

Great Falls, Mont. — A free concert in downtown Great Falls is set to mark America’s 250th and give people another reason to stay downtown after the annual Fourth of July parade. NonStop Local spoke with sponsors and supporters of the Hootenanny, who said the event helped spotlight downtown and support local businesses. The concert also includes food trucks and other vendors.