Author Archives: Evelyn Pyburn

Just saying ….

It must be said.  People losing jobs — as many federal government employees are– is a difficult and very bad turn of events for the individuals involved — no matter who you are or for what entity you were working.  It is not a new kind of malady. OK, maybe it is for government, but it isn’t for the private sector.

For all the wringing of hands, crying and lamenting on media about the layoffs of thousands of government workers – not to mention law suits being filed declaring that their employer has no right to fire them – one has to be amazed at the incredible angst that so many are exhibiting. Where was that concern —  all those tears and media blitzes — during and after COVID when millions of people lost their jobs and even lost thriving businesses because of government coerced layoffs and the inhibition of people’s freedom to even leave their homes?

Government bureaucrats were actually the ones read more

NWE Plans New Transmission Line to Meet Growth Needs

NorthWestern Energy has announced plans to build an additional 230 kV transmission line that will serve customers in Yellowstone County and the region that will provide “critical” additional electric transmission capacity. The 21-mile long line – expected to cost between … read more

Six Candidates File for Heights Water District Board

Six candidates have filed to fill the three vacant seats on the Heights County Water District Board, which will be on the May 6 ballot. The candidates include Pam Ellis, Greg Erpenbach, Ming Cabrera, David Graves, Delbert “Butch” Baily and … read more

Heights Water District Wraps Up Year End Business

The County Water District Board in the Heights approved a number of resolutions at their December 18 meeting, including the employees’ retirement plan and final approval of the district’s Preliminary Engineering Report (PER). The meeting began, however, with a somewhat … read more

Joy Named to Replace Kerr-Carpenter in House District 46

On Tuesday, Densie Joy, a member of the Billings City Council, was selected by Yellowstone County Commissioners to fill the House District 46 position left vacant when the County Commissioners selected Emma Kerr-Carpenter to fill the Montana Senate seat vacated … read more

Court Strikes Down Beneficial Ownership Reporting Requirements

After months of being pelted with reminders that they must comply with reporting requirements of the Corporate Transparency Act and provide beneficial ownership information, businesses received an early holiday gift, as a Texas court has acted to block the Congressional … read more

Clerk Resigns at Lockwood to Accept SD2 Position

An award of appreciation was presented to Lockwood School Clerk and Business Manager Laurie Kvamme by board members at their meeting on Tuesday evening. Kvamme has resigned her position, after 17 years, to accept the position of Chief Financial Officer … read more

Election Department Asks for federal funds for More Workers

Because they are having trouble filling the positions needed on Election Day to monitor and process the voting process, Ginger Aldrich, who heads the Yellowstone County’s Election Department, has received approval of Yellowstone County Commissioners to request funding from the … read more

Engineers, Consolidation, Policies Top Heights Water District Agenda

The Board for the County Water District in the Heights dealt with numerous issues dealing with policies and operations at a business work session on September 4. The water district needs a plan to deal with the district- wide maintenance … read more

Risks of Fire to be Mitigated by Power Shut-offs Says NWE

As events in states like California and Hawaii have proven, nature often generates conditions that pose high risks of power lines igniting fires. NorthWestern Energy is in the process of developing strategies that will mitigate those risks, and last Monday, … read more