Deer Lodge News Network

12/15/2025

BREAKING: Dylan Cook, who spent several years growing up in Deer Lodge playing little guy football, then playing for Butte High and the Montana Grizzlies, will start tonight for the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football vs the Miami Dolphins 🐬.

12/14/2025

🧸✨️-Les Schwab Spreads Holiday Cheer with $3,000 Toy Donation to Montana Counties-✨️ 🎀

Deer Lodge, MT — Les Schwab Tires is spreading joy this holiday season with a generous donation of $3,000 worth of toys to benefit children across Powell County, Deer Lodge County, and Silver Bow County. In a heartwarming effort to ensure every child experiences the magic of the holidays, the donation aims to support the annual Toys for Tots campaign.

Today at 2:30 PM, key figures involved in the distribution effort will gather to coordinate the allocation of toys. Mike Lawson, the Toys for Tots coordinator for Butte, Dave Fencheck, and Rick Cole who oversee the campaign in Anaconda, Jeff and Farrah of Deer Lodge will join forces with the coordinator for Granite County to ensure the toys reach families in need in meet in Deer Lodge.

The meeting, set to take place at the Deer Lodge store, will strategize on the best ways to distribute the toys effectively across the counties. The collaboration between Les Schwab and Toys for Tots highlights the community spirit and dedication to uplifting the lives of children during the festive season.

This initiative by Les Schwab not only exemplifies their commitment to the community but also emphasizes the true spirit of giving. By working closely with local coordinators, they ensure that the gifts bring smiles to countless children and families, making this holiday season a memorable one for all.

For more information about how you can support the Toys for Tots campaign in your area, visit the official website or reach out to local coordinators.

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This heartening gesture reinforces the importance of community involvement and the lasting impact of coming together to support those in need during the holiday season.

12/12/2025

Good morning Deer Lodge!
Current temp: 41° ☔️
Expect highs in the 40s amd lows in the 30s.

This weather broadcast is sponsored by "The Santa Claus" at the Cutler Bros Theater!

Merry Christmas, Deer Lodge! Stay dry.🎄✨️

12/11/2025

A great story about former Deer Lodge native Dylan Cook who now is getting reps as a professional football player for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1D7bTM12Ph/?mibextid=wwXIfrt t

The Pittsburgh Steelers (7−6) suddenly find themselves in first place in the AFC North, but their postseason hopes now hinge on an unlikely figure: undrafted, fourth-string left tackle Dylan Cook.

Injuries to Broderick Jones (IR/neck), Calvin Anderson (knee, out for Week 15), and the likely absence of Andrus Peat (concussion protocol) force Cook into his first career start on Monday Night Football against the Miami Dolphins.

The stakes are enormous for the rookie:

Cook's primary task is protecting 42-year-old QB Aaron Rodgers' blind side. Rodgers cannot afford the hits that derail the entire offensive rhythm.

In his 13 NFL snaps against the Ravens in Week 14, Cook allowed zero sacks and committed zero penalties, helping turn a stressful situation into a scoring drive.

With the Steelers currently holding the No. 4 seed in the AFC, every game is a "playoff game," and a loss could drop them out of the division lead.

Cook's unexpected opportunity against the Dolphins' ranked pass rush is the biggest test of his young career. If he can maintain his composure and production for four quarters, he could become the unlikely hero who saves the Steelers' season.

Would you like to search for the status of Andrus Peat for the Monday Night Football game against the Dolphins?

12/11/2025

💨Reporting from the Circle H Growers weather station in town, winds are gusting at 30-35+ mph.

12/10/2025

Thank you Principal Chrisman & the Deer Lodge Volunteer Fire Department for your swift response!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17TzS3yUQD/

12/06/2025

Deer Lodge Light Parade 2025

12/05/2025

Good morning Deer Lodge!
Current temp: 28°

Snow likely this afternoon with a high of 37° ❄️ 🌨☃️

This weather broadcast is sponsored by "The Santa Claus" opening tonight at the Cutler Bros. Theatre

Enjoy the Christmas stroll tonight and be safe Deer Lodge! 🎄✨️❄️

12/05/2025

Winter weather advisory ❄️

11/30/2025

🐻 DEER LODGE NEWS NETWORK — COMMUNITY UPDATE

You may have seen recent reporting from Lee Newspapers/Bozeman Chronicle discussing grizzly concerns at the Powell County Landfill. We spoke directly with our local landfill representative, Rob Kersh to clarify what’s really happening.

👉 First, the facts:
There is NO current grizzly bear problem at the Deer Lodge landfill.

"Carcass disposal does occur seasonally — two ranching groups bring in cattle carcasses during calving season to keep predators off ranch properties. This means the potential for wildlife attraction is there, but no conflicts have happened." states, Kersh.

👉 So why the new fence?
Despite being called a “grizzly fence,” it’s actually a wildlife exclusion fence designed to keep out deer, elk, bears, mountain lions, and other animals. Sunrise Fencing of Gold Creek installed about 2.5 miles of 8-foot electric fencing from August to mid-November.

👉 Planning began long before this article.
Back in 2024, a working group formed including the landfill staff, Deer Lodge County Landfill Board, FWP bear specialist Brad Balis, and People & Carnivores. They spent over a year planning a fence that would prevent future wildlife conflicts — not respond to current ones.

From the grant application itself:

There has been no history of bear conflicts at the site.

But because the landfill serves multiple counties and handles carcass disposal, the concern is “not if, but when.”

The fencing secures the landfill for the long term as it continues expanding services, including a livestock carcass composting site serving four counties.

👉 Bottom line:
Deer Lodge acted proactively. The new fence is about safety, prevention, and responsible management — keeping wildlife wild and our community protected.

We’ll continue to supply updates as more information becomes available. Stay safe, Deer Lodge. 🐾💛

— Deer Lodge News Network

11/29/2025

DEER LODGE — Odors lure omnivorous grizzlies from miles away. The smells would likely gag a human if he or she was close enough to the source to actually detect them.

Yet the Powell County Landfill provides a cornucopia of olfactory delights for grizzlies. Carrion calls. Garbage teeming with ice fishing bait.

The landfill’s location off Boulder Road is a short roam from the City of Deer Lodge.

Brad Balis, a bear specialist for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, noticed this juxtaposition and paired this observation with a growing number of grizzly bear sightings in Powell County.

He could imagine the potential scenario and it worried him.

Read more at link in bio.

Story: Duncan Adams Lee Newspapers
Photo: Lee Newspapers

11/25/2025

Local improv comedy team "Das Froot" returns this Wednesday night with their annual Thanksgiving Show "Turkey Trot".

The action takes place at Cutler Bros. Theatre at 8 PM, tickets are $10 at the door.

What are you doing the night before Thanksgiving? Wanna see the funniest annual Thanksgiving show in history? Well "Turkey Trot" returns this Wednesday at 8 PM, the annual improv comedy show that keeps you laughing all the way through grandma's green bean casserole.

Time: November 26th, 8:00 PM
Location: Cutler Bros. Theatre
Tickets: $10 at the door