May52018

Russ Fagg is the best all-around candidate

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor:

Russ Fagg is the best all-around candidate to be Montana’s next U.S. Senator. I am pleased to endorse him. I have had the opportunity over the last several years to get to know Russ on much more than a superficial level. We have served together in leadership of the Billings “Walk to Emmaus” weekends. Russ possesses an amazing servant’s heart. In conversation, he listens intently to learn what the other person has to say. His personality, as well as his 22 years as a District Court judge and his years as a Republican legislator, enable him to calmly evaluate complex issues. His intellect and caring help him sort out the read more

May42018

Don Jones, the Right Choice for County Commissioner

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor:

Don Jones, the Right Choice for County Commissioner

I have served with Don Jones in the Montana Legislature since 2013, and while he will be missed in Helena, Yellowstone County has been given a great gift in his decision to run for County Commissioner.

As a member of the budget committee, and chairman of the Education Appropriation sub-committee, Don was a steadfast and consistent, hard-working colleague. He has a read more

May32018

Dr. Al Olszewski will best represent Montana!

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor:

Dr. Al Olszewski will best represent Montana! He has the longest history of service to the state (as a veteran, doctor and state legislator), is articulate and can clearly defend conservative interests, and has a good sense of humor. He is an effective leader, respectful, and incredibly likable!

Dr. Al does not have to bring the other candidates down as leverage to prove his worth, which is so refreshing. He also doesn’t have to drone on and on about his accomplishments or money or endorsements as the reasons why a person should vote for him.

He talks about read more

May32018

Huntley community cleanup already a go for next year too

Local • Huntley Project • Lockwood • Top Stories

Volunteers pick up trash along Interstate 94 just west of Huntley on Saturday during the first annual Enuff Is Enuff Let’s Clean It Up community cleanup. A bus from Huntley Project Schools waits in the background to deliver volunteers along the route. (Jonathan McNiven photos)

Originally published in the 5/4/18 print edition of Yellowstone County News.

HUNTLEY — Saturday’s community cleanup was so successful that Ryan Roen is ready to give it another go.

“I just really want to thank the people that came out,” Roen said.

In the wake of the “First Annual Enuff is Enuff Let’s Clean It Up,” Roen said he’s already planning for next year.

“We’re gonna keep that slogan,” he said. “We’re gonna do it again next year and grow this event.”

Saturday’s cleanup drew around 50 people, he said, most of whom boarded a Huntley Project Schools bus and were dropped off along Interstate 94 between Huntley and Lockwood.

Volunteers picking up trash along Interstate 94 on Saturday, April 28, 2018. (Jonathan McNiven Photo)

Other groups cleaned up Barkemeyer Park and at on-ramps adjacent to the interstate, and Roen said the results were phenomenal.

“We did what we could do,” he said. “We didn’t get it all.”

The trash filled almost 100 large, black garbage bags, which dotted Interstate 94 between Lockwood and Huntley over the weekend. Roen said the Montana Department of Transportation reported the trash read more

Apr282018

Tactual problems with Denis Pitman’s clarifying his vote

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor:

We find tactual problems with Denis Pitman’s clarifying his vote on a 96-unit development for 10.77 acres on Barrett Road in the Heights, which was in the 4/12/2018 agenda packet and reported in the Gazette on 4/18/2018 by Mike Ferguson.

While medium density is 6-10 units per acre, this proposal was 96 units on 10.77 acres.

He complains of the impact of the additional read more

Apr272018

GOP Senate hopefuls spar over spending at forum

Politics • Top Stories

MT US Senate Candidates begin forum at the Elks Lodge in Billings on Tuesday April 24th. From left to right, Troy Downing, Matt Rosendale, Russell Fagg, and Albert Olszewski. (Photo by Yellowstone County News)

Originally published in the 4/27/18 print edition of Yellowstone County News.

BILLINGS — The conversation got a little bit contentious during the GOP US Senate Forum on Tuesday evening at the Elks Club in Billings, where the candidates weighed in on a wide range of issues from CSKT to the Veteran’s Administration, from tariffs to health care. As might be expected, however, there was far more agreement among the candidates than disagreement.

The primary point they all wanted to make was who would most likely be able to defeat incumbent Democrat, U.S. Sen. Jon Tester. Having deep roots in the state was an emphasis of candidates Dr. Al Olszewski and Judge Russell Fagg, in contrast to relative newcomers, candidates Troy Downing and Matt Rosendale. Rosendale is a former Montana legislator and current State Auditor. Downing, who lives in Big Sky, is a businessman and veteran.

Downing claimed that the post should be filled by someone with combat experience, since Congress is charged with the responsibility of making decisions about going to war and those decisions should be made by someone who understands what that really means. Rosendale pointed to his record of reducing regulations and spending as qualifications to continue representing Montanans. He was the only state official to refuse a pay increase, during a budget shortfall. “That’s what a leader does,” he said.

With Fagg and Rosendale having been identified in recent polls as the frontrunners, Fagg initiated some sparing with Rosendale regarding a tour of the state by Rosendale, that has the appearance of being funded by public dollars.

“Why didn’t you do the tour last year or next year?” challenged Fagg. Rosendale rebutted that the tour is part of his job as State Auditor to connect investors with entrepreneurs. It is being funded not at taxpayers’ expense, but through the Investor’s Protection Fund, which “the industry provides with no tax dollars.”

“Sounds like a slush fund to me,” quipped Fagg, a former District Court judge and state legislator from Billings.

Fagg also challenged Rosendale about a 2014 statement he made in support of transferring federal lands to the state. Fagg said he has since “flip-flopped” on that position. Rosendale responded, “I listened to read more

Apr272018

McNiven’s Meanderings: Post debate reflections and current happenings

Politics • Meanderings

Well, folks, I sigh a sense of relief now that the MT GOP Senate Primary Debate/forum is over that Yellowstone County News co-sponsored last night at the Elks Club in Billings.

I learned a lot about each candidate and thought they all did a great job. If I counted correctly (and my common core math worked), we had about 120-130 people at the event along with radio listeners across the state on 24 stations (According to Jon Arneson) along with KULR-8 Television’s Facebook live stream along with our own Facebook live stream we shared.

It is definitely a lot of work to coordinate with tv, radio and a live audience. As that was my first time, I guess it went ok but there were personally some things I’d do differently next time to help prepare but that’s how you learn. Jump in head first!

I want to thank my staff at the Yellowstone County News who all understand my nervousness, focus, and being patient when they kinds of events happen. It affects all members of our team in one way or another in preparing, following up, covering, pictures, and then pulling off big events like this.

As a side note, YCN never even asked to be a sponsor of this Senate forum and event nor did we even pursue to be involved. However, I was just asked to be a moderator as some in the original committee said that Yellowstone County News sponsored the Billings Mayoral Debate last Fall and did a great job so they wanted us to be involved again. So, we got involved! And I’m glad that we did.

Also thank you to Judy Trenka (Big Tent Dinner) and Henry Kriegel (Montana’s for Tax Reform) for all their heavy lifting as well to prepare for the event. Thank you to Paul Patek as he was the timer and volunteers who also helped out at the event.

I’m also grateful for Evelyn Pyburn who is one of our YCN reporters who also put in many hours in getting questions together and planning together with me and the committee. As I’ve known Evelyn for many years as I also grew up with her kids in school, she is a great support to our newspaper and appreciate all that she does. Words can’t express enough her caliber and depth of knowledge she brings to her stories and understanding of complex situations.

I heard from a number of voters and attendees at the forum and I heard from three unsolicited but respected people that told me that Dr. Al Olszewski read more

Apr272018

Weekly Ramblings by Krayton Kerns: Plan B

Features

Krayton Kerns, Ramblings of a Conservative Cow Doctor. publishes a weekly column in the Yellowstone County News print edition.

Published in the 4/27/18 print edition of Yellowstone County News.

As a veterinarian, my day is predictably unpredictable, and Wednesday was a doozy. It began with Boots, a 5-year-old English Shepherd who earns his living in a feedlot. He was salivating profusely and could eat dog food but was unable to swallow water. Boots can get cranky, so we sedated him, looked down his throat, snapped skull X-rays before diagnosing him as suffering from a disorder where his immune system is attacking the muscles which close his jaw.

Most cases respond somewhat to steroids, but for those who do not, there is no Plan B, and this brings me to my next case.

Gary and his little dog, Yuma, popped in Tuesday morning for his Wednesday grooming appointment. He reappeared early Wednesday, but was confused why a haircut should take longer than read more

Apr272018

Please advise our family and others on how we are going to pay for the Lockwood High School

Letters to the Editor

‎Dear Editor:

So, concerning the new Lockwood High School, it seems that our personal tax bill will be $797 for the current Lockwood Grade School.

You say the $454 for SD2 High School tax bill will go down to $227. Yea!

And the new Lockwood High School tax bill will tack on at least an ADDITIONAL $600.

This does not include the Fire Rural Tax $666, Education Tax $432, County Tax, $447, County Road Tax $157, and the Safety Levy Tax $42, Medical Levy Tax $44, State County Refuse Tax $20, Big Sky Eco Dev Tax $13, and County Weed Tax $3.

The tax bill from this past year increased by read more

Apr262018

Obituary: Doris Kuykendall Peck Oblander

Obituaries

Doris Kuykendall Peck Oblander

Doris Kuykendall Peck Oblander born in Deadwood, SD, on Dec. 30, 1936, passed away on April 25, 2018, in Billings.

She was raised in the Black Hills of South Dakota, married and moved to Eastern Montana in 1956. She later moved to the Billings area in 1968. She worked in retail grocery stores the majority of her life. She started at Safeway and Buttreys in Miles City and Billings, and retired after working many years at Denny’s IGA in the Heights. She married Harold Oblander and farmed in the Ballantine area for 35 years.

After retirement, she worked with Harold and David on the farm, and spent a lot of time with her grandchildren and family. Doris enjoyed spending her time read more

Apr262018

Over your head: Record snowfall totals over 8.8 feet for the year

Top Stories • Yellowstone County • Billings

BILLINGS — It’s official — it took more shoveling than usual to make it through winter. So far.

The National Weather Service in Billings reported on Monday morning that official snowfall (year to date) had reached 103.6 inches, creeping past the old record of 103.5 inches. By the end of the day, falling flakes had pushed the total up to 106.1 inches. That’s 8.83 feet.

Any snow that falls from now through June 30 will be added to the current total, a National Weather Service spokesman said Wednesday. The “new year” for measuring snowfall begins July 1.

Total snowfall in the Huntley area read more

Apr262018

“Reasonable person” test for US Senate, I urge Dr. Al Olszwski.

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor:

In law we have the “reasonable person” test. Any reasonable person watching the political ads put on by Troy Downing would rightly assume that he had been both a helicopter and jet pilot in the United States Air Force. According to reliable sources, he was neither. Now he has a retired general supporting him who was convicted of lying to the FBI.

I urge all my fellow veterans and non-veterans to support read more

Apr232018

Are you giving Away Your Data?

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor:

Giving Away Your Data

Most data is obtained legally, with your consent. But many times you don’t recognize when you are providing your information. There are many steps you can take to help protect your privacy. Here are a few more that are driven by the upcoming election cycle:

Stop filling out political surveys you get in the mail or over the phone. No matter what they say or imply, those surveys are not directing the actions of any organization. Organizations have boards, or funders, or founders that determine organizational goals.

Stop taking read more

Apr222018

Senate candidates prepare for April 24 debate

Montana-Statewide • Politics • Top Stories • Yellowstone County

The public is invited to meet the primary GOP U.S. Senate candidates at a forum on Tuesday, April 24, at the Elks Lodge in Billings. All of the GOP candidates Russell Fagg, Matt Rosendale, Troy Downing and Albert Olszewski are all vying for the opportunity to challenge the incumbent Democrat U.S. Senator Jon Tester.
The event is being sponsored by Montanans for Tax Reform and the Yellowstone County News. It is free and open to the public and it will be broadcast by Northern News Network, Yellowstone County News/Facebook and KULR -8 TVFacebook live stream.
The 90 minute forum will begin promptly at 7 p.m. Doors will read more

Apr222018

It is not difficult to find words with meaning that are not profane.

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor:

I appreciated Krayton Kerns’ comments in his column last week regarding profanity. In his column, Krayton described both personal and national instances where profanity was used. This subject has been on my mind as well, having read of recent incidents of profane language by a current state legislator as well as a statewide candidate for public office. To our current public servants as well as to all candidates for public office I say, read more

Apr222018

Battle for the Bridge becomes huge cancer fundraiser

Huntley Project

Originally published in the 4/20/17 print edition of Yellowstone County News.

HUNTLEY PROJECT — You may recall the epic battles of history: The Thrilla in Manilla. The Rumble in the Jungle.

Coke vs. Pepsi.

Fasten your seatbelts for the Battle for the Bridge.

It’s Shepherd Public Schools (the challenger) vs. Huntley Project Schools and it all ends April 30.

The outcome of this battle is still in the balance, but both sides already know who the winner is: the American Cancer Society’s research funded by Relay For Life.

Each school has until April 30 to raise as much money as it can for Relay For Life, through the school version, called Relay Recess.

Shepherd students have experience at this cause, since they’ve participated in successful mini-relays on the last day of school for several years. In fact, the Shepherd event, in part a tribute to teacher John Barta, who died of cancer last year, is second only to the countywide annual Relay For Life event in terms of fundraising in Yellowstone County.

Frank Hollowell, principal at Huntley Project Junior High, told the HP School Board Monday night that the challenge has been read more

Apr212018

Fact-less right wing fear and hatemongering?

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor:

As a casual and occasional reader of this publication, I have been drawn to the Letter to The Editor column. I do so enjoy and find great humor in some of the fact-less right wing fear and hatemongering. I do have to admit, however, at times some of this right wing jabber has gotten under my skin.

Then I remind myself that’s not the Republican Party that I grew up with. Not saying I agreed with everything the Republican Party wanted to do. I knew when push came to shove, those Republicans would sit at the table and attempt to solve the problem. We didn’t always agree on how to get to the answer, but usually an answer could be found. I may not have always agreed with the answer, either, but the process worked. I know there are still some levelheaded Republicans.

It is a shame the far right of the Republican Party has screamed read more

Apr212018

Bucky Beaver Ground Grippers headline community cleanup

Events & More! • Community Calendar • Huntley Project • Lockwood • Shepherd

Originally published in the 4/20/17 print edition of Yellowstone County News.

HUNTLEY — Volunteers who join the Huntley community cleanup on Saturday, April 28 will be given lunch in Barkemeyer Park and enjoy a free concert by the Bucky Beaver Ground Grippers.

Ryan Roen, who is organizing the grassroots effort, was happy to report this week that the band is ready to play and that the Huntley Project School District will supply a school bus to bring volunteers from the park to the interstate to pick up trash.

Roen first announced his community cleanup plan last week. Yellowstone Valley Electric Cooperative will read more

Apr202018

McNiven Meanderings – Obituaries and the Billings Gazette

Obituaries • Meanderings

Jonathan McNiven

Well, folks, I’m writing to inform the masses and especially our valued, loyal readers and residents of Yellowstone County of our options for obituaries due to some of the comments, concerns and feedback we’ve gotten from funeral homes and the general consumers (You, the public) in regards to obituaries that are published in the Billings Gazette.

As the Billings Gazette has made changes over the last years and especially the last months, we have been asked to provide a solution to a need that keeps reappearing in conversations and public dialogue for obituaries.

I’ve had a number of people ask us about providing online obituaries due to the cost that the Gazette is charging, so we have evaluated our options for obituary submissions to our paper to better serve the public and masses so here are the reasons we’ve decided to make the added changes and options for the people.

First off, I understand that the Billings Gazette has to always evaluate their prices and options as we do, and they have to make business decisions from a business standpoint, so I understand that change as I am a business owner myself.

But first, here is a general obituary comparison to the Gazette and Yellowstone County News in price. We charge $35 for a general obituary that includes a picture. The Gazette charges $35 PER COLUMN INCH and an additional $10 for a picture.

Here are some of the recent changes the Gazette has recently made that affect funeral homes and you the consumer.

According to the Last Best News read more

Apr202018

Juries must follow the law when deciding criminal cases

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor:

In the Marbury V. Madison case, the U.S. Supreme Court proclaimed that it had the authority to invalidate a law passed by Congress and signed by the president.

Of course, this right is not found in the U.S. Constitution. That is why Thomas Jefferson spent all the rest of his life criticizing and predicting what would happen to this country because of the decision in this case. This case was decided in 1803 and Jefferson died on July 4, 1826. One of Jefferson’s predictions was that judges would become despots or little dictators.

It took a while for this to be true, but it became to fruition in about the middle part of the last century. That is when judges began telling juries in criminal trials that they must follow the law. When our founders crafted the Sixth Amendment, they intended that a jury could protect their fellow citizens by not enforcing an unfair or unjust law against them. Judges read more