Yellowstone County

Bill Kennedy praised at last commissioner meeting

by Evelyn Pyburn-Originally published in the Yellowstone County News 7/29/16 print edition. BILLINGS — Tuesday’s regular County Commissioners’ meeting was the last for Commissioner Bill Kennedy, who is retiring to take a position as head of the MSU Billings Foundation. … read more

Massive canal search continues for missing girl

by Judy Killen-Originally published in the 7-15-16 Print edition of Yellowstone County News.   HUNTLEY — More than 100 trained responders turned out Wednesday in Huntley for an organized search of an 11-mile section of the irrigation canal from Huntley … 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

Donald Trump campaign releases date and time to visit Billings, MT

Presidential Candidate Donald Trump campaign has released the date and time for his visit to Billings, MT on Thursday May 26, 2016.  The campaign website released the information that the event will be held at the Rimrock Auto Arena.  For … read more

County Commissioner Bill Kennedy to step down to run MSUB Foundation

In a press conference today at Montana State University in Billings,  Yellowstone County Commissioner Bill Kennedy was named as the new President and CEO of the MSUB Foundation.  Kennedy will step down and retire from the Yellowstone County Commissioners position … read more

Special Primary Election Edition

The 2016 Montana primary election is peaking and all campaigns are or should be in full swing. The absentee ballots in Yellowstone County will be going out in the mail on Friday May 13th. Bret Rutherford, Yellowstone County Election Administrator, … 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

Shepherd School evacuated after Bomb Threat

by Jonathan McNiven- Yellowstone County News         Shepherd School District was evacuated Monday evening after a bomb threat was reported. Yellowstone county sheriff’s officers ordered that all remaining students and faculty in the school evacuate. Yellowstone County Sheriff’s deputies first … read more

Irrigation district workers find dead body in canal off Mailbox Road

SHEPHERD — Irrigation district workers on Tuesday found a decomposed body in an irrigation canal near Mailbox Road. Yellowstone County Sheriff Mike Linder said Wednesday that authorities were still trying to identify the body and were checking missing persons reports to … 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

Jury: Deputies not criminally liable in Simpson’s death

by Judy Killen-originally published in the weekly Yellowstone County News BILLINGS — Loren Simpson was driving a stolen SUV, had a near-lethal blood level of methamphetamines and a bottle of whiskey in his coat sleeve when he was shot and … read more

Pat Goggins remembered as business pioneer, generous friend

SHEPHERD — People across Yellowstone County this week remembered Pat Goggins as a shrewd businessman, livestock auction pioneer and friend who was always generous, especially to people who needed it most. Goggins, who owned PAYS and Billings Livestock auction companies … read more

Coroner’s inquest in Simpson case set for Feb. 2

BILLINGS — A coroner’s inquest into the shooting death of Loren Benjamin Simpson has been scheduled for Feb. 2. Two Yellowstone County sheriff’s deputies shot and killed Simpson, a 28-year-old Lockwood man, as he drove a stolen SUV toward them … read more

Proposed Lockwood roundabouts rile business owners

by Evelyn Pyburn-Originally published in the Yellowstone County News.  LOCKWOOD — Proposed designs for roundabouts at the Johnson Lane Interchange and how they could impact Lockwood’s truck traffic was the primary topic of discussion at the Lockwood Business Group (LBG) meeting … read more

Lockwood Fire Announces lower ISO rating which benefits homeowners

The Lockwood Fire Department received notification from the Insurance Services Office (ISO) that the Lockwood Fire Department classification has been reduced from a 5/9 class to a 4/4Y classification. ISO is the organization that determines the response preparedness and water … read more

Error leaves Pedestrian Safety District off Lockwood tax bills

LOCKWOOD — If Lockwood taxpayers closely examined their tax bills in November, they would have noticed that one tax was not included. Because it was new tax district, a snafu in the bookkeeping process resulted in the 10-mill levy for … read more