Future of Great Falls RiverFest in question

GREAT FALLS (AP) -- Thousands of people enjoyed the Missouri River on Saturday as Great Falls held its annual RiverFest.

This was the fifth year for the event, which includes river activities, live music, food and other attractions. About 5,000 people attend the one-day event each year.

But the festival's future is in doubt. The city manager's proposed 2009 budget cuts $25,000 out of the city funding for RiverFest.

Patty Rearden is deputy parks and recreation director in Great Falls. She says the event gets some money from sponsors but the city is its major supporter. Rearden says the city subsidy makes it possible to hold RiverFest free of charge to the public.

A public hearing on the proposed City of Great Falls 2009 budget, including the RiverFest cut, is set for Tuesday.

City of Whitefish begins city-manager search

WHITEFISH (AP) -- Whitefish has hired a Seattle consulting firm to find a new city manager.

The current city manager, Gary Marks, has accepted a job as city administrator in Ketchum, Idaho. He works his last day in Whitefish on Aug. 5.

The city has hired Prothman Co. of Seattle to conduct the search for his successor.

Prothman helps local governments in the Pacific Northwest find qualified permanent and interim employees. Among its other current searches in Montana is the chief building official job for the city of Bozeman.

No jackpot winners, no major prizes won in Mont.

Here are the results of the Saturday night Montana Lottery drawings:

JACKPOTS WON: None

MAJOR PRIZES WON IN MONTANA: None

THE WINNING NUMBERS DRAWN:

Montana Cash: 02, 13, 17, 22, 26

Wild Card: 04, 08, 13, 17, 28. Wild Card King of Spades.

Hot Lotto: 06, 11, 24, 31, 39 Hot Ball 04. Hot Lotto Sizzler Three

Powerball: 02, 12, 20, 22, 50. Powerball 17 Power Play 02.