As of Wednesday, August 4, 2021, Montana reports 117,328 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 296 new cases reported since yesterday: 53 new cases in Yellowstone County, 38 new cases in Gallatin County, 37 new cases in Flathead County, 31 new cases in Missoula County, 29 new cases in Lewis & Clark County, 21 new cases in Cascade County, and more new cases in 29 more Montana counties. The number of active coronavirus cases in Montana is 1,695. Currently, 125 people are being treated in Montana hospitals for COVID-19. The most active cases are in Flathead, Yellowstone, Cascade, Missoula, Gallatin, and Lewis & Clark Counties. 1,718 people have died in Montana of COVID-19. Two more deaths have been reported in the last day. Nationwide, more than 614,000 Americans have died of COVID-19. There have been 35,300,000 cases of coronavirus in the US, and counting.

The lower end of Holter Reservoir from Log Gulch Campground to Holter Dam is closed to all public occupation and recreation due to firefighting aircraft accessing the reservoir as a source of water for fire suppression efforts. The closure would allow firefighting aircraft like super scooper airplanes and helicopters with water buckets to safely fill from the reservoir.

The Gallatin County Commission will ask voters in the November election to pass a $29 million bond issue for a new county courts building. The proposed single-story, 57,000-square-foot building will cost around $38 million, and would be built on the north side of the Law and Justice Center’s lot.

An Illinois woman visiting Yellowstone National Park who was bluff charged by a grizzly sow with cubs while dangerously close to the animals has been charged with two federal crimes for her actions. Samantha Dehring, 25, was charged with willfully remaining, approaching and photographing wildlife within 100 yards and one count of intentionally disturbing wildlife. Dehring faces penalties of up to a year in prison and up to $10,000 in fines.