Local

Apr262024

Andersson Named GM for Water District; Board Fires Benefits Vendor

Evelyn PyburnTop Stories • Yellowstone County • Billings-Heights

The Heights County Water District Board (CWDB) has offered the position of General Manager to Allan “Bo” Andersson of Cambridge, New York. At their regular monthly meeting last Wednesday, the board voted unanimously to offer Andersson a contract.

CWDB President Doug Kary said that Andersson received the highest score in the board’s interviews and evaluations of candidates. The board is offering him $100,000 a year in their proposed contract.

Andersson is a retired business owner, who retired in 2021 as the president and chief executive officer of Flomatic Corp., following a 52-year career.

As the board dealt with other issues read more

Local Librarian Authors First of Series Children’s Books

After 10 years of sitting in rough draft form, “Abby, the Antelope” has come to life and her character is now available for parents, readers and lovers of children’s books. Loosely inspired by her baby sister Abby, Edie Vogel of … read more

April 26, 2024 Jonathan McNivenFeatures • Huntley ProjectAbby the Antelope • Author • Edie Vogel • Illustrator • Montana’s Captivating Characters • Sara Broesder

Shepherd AD Retracts her Resignation, Board supports AAU proposal for possible AAU Building Location.

After a more than a month of swirling questions over Athletic Director Tina Downing’s status of her resignation on March 12th (which was published in the March 15th edition of YCN), and Russ Hale pulling his application for High School … read more

April 26, 2024 Jonathan McNivenSports • Top Stories • ShepherdBryan Anderson • Carl Openshaw • Darcy Stracke • Drea O'Donnell • Josh Casares • Luke Knaff • Megan Logan • Rawley Butler • Scott Berens • Shepherd AAU • Shepherd School District • Tina Downing

Shepherd School Approves 6th Graders to Play Junior High Football

In a special board meeting this week, Shepherd’s Elementary Board members voted to allow 6th graders to join the junior high football program this fall. Josh Casares, the new Head Football Coach who was hired last week for the high … read more

April 25, 2024 Jonathan McNivenYellowstone County • ShepherdCarl Openshaw • Jeff Branson • Josh Casares • Julie Hinkle • Shane Flowers • Shane Rekdal • Shepherd School District • Superintendent Drea O’Donnell • Yellowstone Youth Football

Anderson Sewer Services Sells after 40 Years Under Original Owner

March 22 marked the first day that Matt and his wife Brittany Carter took over Anderson Sewer Services as the new owners. Matt and Brittany Carter purchased the well-known business based out of Shepherd from longtime read more

April 25, 2024 Jonathan McNivenTop Stories • ShepherdAnderson Sewer Services • Brittany Carter • Matt Carter • Stuart Anderson

Lockwood Board Names Don Christman New Superintendent

At a special meeting of the Lockwood School Board, following a day of tours, social gatherings and interviews, board members unanimously chose Don Christman as the new Superintendent of Lockwood Schools. Contending candidates were Leland Stocky, Ashland, and Don Christman, … read more

April 19, 2024 Jonathan McNivenLockwoodDon Christman • Josh Skidmore • Leland Stocky • Lockwood School Board • Sylvia Noble • Tobin Novasio

Ellis to Remain on County Water District Board Following Court Decision that Board Lacked Authority to Remove Her

Following a closed session of the County Water District board, last Wednesday, Board President Doug Kary announced that the board had unanimously agreed to accept a settlement offer from Pam Ellis and Yellowstone County. The County Water District accepted the … read more

April 19, 2024 Evelyn PyburnTop Stories • Billings-HeightsBrandon Hurst • David Graves • Doug Kary • Frank Ewalt • Heights Water District • Jeff Essmann • Judge Colette Davies • Laura Drager • Ming Cabrera • Pam Ellis • Yellowstone County

Lockwood Business Provides ‘Concrete on Demand’

Lockwood business, Rocky Mountain Compost (RMC), announced recently the purchase of a volumetric concrete mixing truck which they predict will make fresh concrete more available and less expensive in the Billings area. The “CemenTech,” as it’s called, can mix fresh … read more

April 12, 2024 Michael MarinoYellowstone County • LockwoodBillings • Bryce Glen • Cementech • Concrete on Demand • Lesie Glen • Lockwood • Montana • Rocky Mountain Compost • Rocky Mountain Compost - Concrete Division • volumetric concrete mixing truck • Yellowstone County

HP School to Move to 4-day School Week for 2024-2025 School Year

In a vote of four to one Tuesday morning in a special board meeting, the Huntley Project School Board voted to move towards a modified four-day school week starting in the 2024-2025 school year. With the recommendation from School Superintendent … read more

April 5, 2024 Jonathan McNivenTop Stories • Huntley ProjectBill Cook • Clint Johannes • Corrinne Hammond • Huntley Project School Board • Superintendent Mark Wandle • Tim Ley • Zeth Bann

UPDATE: Heights Water Board Rejects All Applications to Replace Drager on Board

A quorum of the Heights County Water District Board held a special meeting on Tuesday, March 26, with the intent of interviewing candidates who had applied to fill the position of Laura Drager, who resigned, on March 20, in order … read more

March 29, 2024 Evelyn PyburnTop Stories • Yellowstone County • Billings-HeightsDoug Kary • Frank Ewalt • Heights Water and Sewer District • Heights Water District • Laura Drager

Shepherd School Confirms Head Football Coach and Athletic Director Resignations

After posting a message on social media that read, “As of this morning, I have been let go as the football coach at Shepherd High school. I’ll post a video later today addressing what I know.” Assistant Coach Russ Hale’s … read more

March 15, 2024 Jonathan McNivenTop Stories • ShepherdAthletic Director • Drea O'Donnell • Russ Hale • Shepherd School District • Tina Downing

Skyview Girls Wins 1st Place with Undefeated Season

With a perfect regular season of 18-0, the lady Falcons of Skyview set their eyes on the prize of achieving the state Championship title Saturday at the University of Montana’s Dahlberg Arena in Missoula. For the First time in school … read more

March 14, 2024 Jonathan McNivenSports • Billings-HeightsBreanna Williams • Coach Randy Chase • Skyview Falcons • Skyview Girls Basketball • State Champions

Engineers Discuss Issues with County Water District

Three representatives from Interstate Engineering were guests at the Heights County Water Board work session, last Wednesday morning. In an over view of what the engineering company does for the water district a wide range of subjects were discussed, including … read more

March 14, 2024 Evelyn PyburnTop Stories • Billings-HeightsBrad Boehm • Doug Kary • Heights County Water • Lowell Cutshaw

Two Candidates Recommended for Lockwood Superintendent Position

The names of four applicants for the position of Superintendent at Lockwood School will be moved forward to the Board of Trustees at their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, March 12. The applicants are among nine applications that the District … read more

March 14, 2024 Evelyn PyburnLockwoodCory Shock • Debra Silk • Don Christman • Jamie Fandrich • Josh Skidmore • Leland Stocker • Lockwood Superintendent • Montana School Boards Association

Road Connection Completed

Knife River recently completed a section of the Billings Bypass that connects the Yellowstone River crossing with the railroad and Coulson Road overpass, according to Dowl, the lead project engineering company for the Billings Bypass. Construction on the Montana Department … read more

March 14, 2024 Evelyn PyburnYellowstone County • Billings-HeightsBillings Bypass

Huntley Project Irrigation Recovers from Cyberattack

Huntley Project Irrigation District (HPID) reported at their January 10 board meeting that they narrowly avoided a total loss of digital records after becoming the target of a ransomware virus. Ransomware is a type of malicious software that locks a … read more

January 19, 2024 Michael MarinoLocal • Huntley ProjectHuntley Project Irrigation District

Frozen in Time: Subzero Cold Cancels School, Sports, and More

Last week was marked by closures and disruptions caused by dangerously cold temperatures and copious amounts of snowfall impacting people in the Billings area and across the state. Normal temperatures for this time of year in Billings are around 36 … read more

January 18, 2024 Michael MarinoLocal • Top StoriesMontana Weather

Huntley Bulk Water Closes Indefinitely

Huntley Water & Sewer District announced Saturday, January 6 that their Bulk Water Depot, also known as the Huntley Coin-Op Water Station, was closed due to a leak in the underground line. District Secretary, Julie Frieling, said the location and … read more

January 13, 2024 Jonathan McNivenTop Stories • Huntley ProjectHuntley Water Depot Closes Indefinitely • Julie Frieling

Water Advisory for Huntley Water Users Has Been Lifted,

The Boil Water Advisory issued for Huntley Water & Sewer District customers on Monday, Dec. 18, has been lifted as of Wednesday December 20, 2023. A fiber optic company accidentally hit one of the district’s main distribution lines Monday morning, … read more

December 20, 2023 StaffTop Stories • Huntley ProjectHuntley Water District • Water Advistory

Shepherd Residents Voice Concern Over Pacific Steel’s Proposed Repository/Landfill

A great deal of animosity was evident Thursday, November 21, from the Shepherd community at a public meeting regarding the idea of Pacific Steel & Recycling (PSR) building a repository to store scrap metal waste near the corner of U.S. … read more

December 4, 2023 Michael MarinoTop Stories • ShepherdKirby Farner • Montana’s Department of Environmental Quality • Pacific Steel & Recycling • Shepherd High School