Author Archives: Evelyn Pyburn

County reaps $2 million savings on jail addition

Originally published in the Yellowstone County News 5/5/17 print edition. BILLINGS — A report that the bids for the new jail came in $2 million under estimates had Yellowstone County Commissioners smiling last week. The project could hardly be turning … read more

Lockwood shoots down Billings high school levy, Lockwood mill levy fails,

Squeaker school elections shot down some mill levy requests and approved others throughout the county on May 2. Some are still undetermined. Lockwood Superintendent Tobin Novasio said that he was “very disappointed” with their very close 13-vote loss. Lockwood voters, … read more

Tax abatement program helps jump-start business projects

Originally published in the print edition of Yellowstone County News. BILLINGS — It’s not without its critics. The tax abatement program that Yellowstone County and the City of Billings use to incentivize business growth, expansion and recruitment is often viewed … read more

Rimrock Productions is MetraPark’s first $1 million promoter

Originally published in the print edition of Yellowstone County News. BILLINGS — As business at MetraPark continues to grow, milestones are being reached and surpassed. This past week, as one of the venue’s top event promoters, Rimrock Promotions, made their … read more

County commissioners approve TEDD proposal

Published originally in the print edition of the Yellowstone County News.   LOCKWOOD — A proposed Targeted Economic Development District (TEDD) in Lockwood was finally approved just before Thanksgiving, by Yellowstone County Commissioners, following two years of research, study and … read more

Billings Bypass, becoming a reality soon

BILLINGS — It is really going to happen. Longtime residents of the Billings area have heard about the Billings Bypass for so many years that many no longer believe reports that it is finally going to be built — but … read more

Proposed TEDD covers 570 acres in Lockwood area

Originally published in the Yellowstone County News print edition by Evelyn Pyburn.   LOCKWOOD — Boundaries for the proposed Targeted Economic Development District (TEDD) in Lockwood have been set and the process to create the special tax jurisdiction is nearing … read more

Yellowstone County budgets suffer as CHS appeal drags on

Originally published in the print edition of the Yellowstone County News on 5/6/16 BILLINGS — The CHS (Laurel refinery) protested tax case could take as long as another five years to be resolved. In fact, Montana’s Department of Revenue (DOR) … read more

Billings Flying Service wins zoning change from county commissioners

Originally published in the Yellowstone County News print edition of 4/1/16. BILLINGS — In a split vote, Yellowstone County Commissioners have approved a highly controversial zone change request – one that will allow a 50-year old family-owned helicopter business in Yellowstone … read more

Voters to be asked to OK county jail addition loan

Originally published in the weekly print edition of the Yellowstone County News. BILLINGS — Following department head discussions on Thursday, Yellowstone County Commissioners on Tuesday, approved placing a Resolution of Intent on the agenda next week calling for a public … read more

Lockwood sewer ready for new connections

by Evelyn Pyburn-originally published in the weekly Yellowstone County News print edition Some residents in Lockwood will be able to begin connecting to the Lockwood sewer. As part of the Lockwood Phase Two Sewer Project, a two-block area and the lines … read more

Jail funding may seek voter approval

Oringinally published in the weekly Yellowstone County New print edition.   BILLINGS — Yellowstone County may be asking voters on the primary ballot on June 7 permission to borrow the funding needed to build a 148-bed addition to the jail. The … read more