Nov112017

Huntley Project Volleyball Wins Class B State Championship

Sports • Top Stories • Huntley Project

Huntley Project poses with their trophy after winning the state Class B tournament Saturday afternoon at the Brick Breeden Field House in Bozeman. (Jonathan McNiven photo)

#10 State Championship title in the history book!

WORDEN — The Huntley Project High School volleyball team capped a perfect, undefeated regular season with a perfect, undefeated post-season and won the state Class B title Saturday, Nov. 11, at Montana State University in Bozeman.

The Ladies defeated Florence-Carlton 25-17, 25-22, 25-20 for the title win.

It was the 10th state volleyball championship for the school.

It was a smooth run to the title for Huntley Project, which swept all its opponents. They defeated Joliet 25-8, 25-11, 25-14 in the undefeated semi-final round Friday night.

On Thursday, HP opened the tournament with a first-round win over Fairfield, 25-14, 25-10, 25-8. They won again Thursday evening, sweeping Jefferson 25-10, 25-16, 25-19.

Coach Iona Stookey said she was impressed with her team’s performances.

“I just thought we put together a great tournament, all three days,” she said.

The Lady Devils were runners-up last year, losing to Red Lodge in title play. Red Lodge did not qualify for the state tournament this year.

The HP team also won the district tournament, which HP hosted this year, and the Southern B divisional at Red Lodge.

Stookey has 769 career wins. The HP volleyball team has qualified for state 19 years in a row and has brought home 18 state trophies: 10 firsts, four for second place and four for third place. Stookey’s teams have played for the state Class B championship for eight years in a row.

The team will … Read the full story in the print edition or by subscribing here online.  

Nov72017

Safety mill levy wins overall vote, rural vs urban voters differ

Top Stories • Yellowstone County

YELLOWSTONE COUNTY — Voters in urban parts of Yellowstone County helped pass the safety mill levy in Tuesday’s election, while voters in rural areas mainly voted against the proposal. The mill levy passed by a margin of about 1,450 votes with 32,387 ballots cast.
Voters were asked to approve an additional 8-mill levy that would generate an estimated $2.752 annually to “support the county attorney’s office in its prosecution of violent crime,” according to the wording on the ballot. The measure is estimated to increase property taxes by read more

Nov72017

Lockwood High School vote with huge support

Top Stories • Lockwood

Lockwood residents and supporters gathered at Yellowstone Coffee and Canvas Tuesday evening as election results were released. Here, supporters gather to view the tv monitor while children celebrate in the expansion of a Lockwood School District from K-8 to a K-12 School District allowing Lockwood to now decide in a High School price tag and building model. (Jonathan McNiven Photo)

LOCKWOOD — A dozen or so Lockwood residents, campaign volunteers and school board members gathered at Yellowstone Coffee and Canvas to await election returns and to celebrate what turned out to be an overwhelming victory in the process to build a new high school.
Early returns made it clear that Lockwood voters, by a 2-1 margin, are giving the Lockwood School Board a green light to proceed with the process of designing and determining costs to build a new high school. With about 2,000 votes counted, 68.3 percent supported a measure which established boundaries for a proposed K-12 district.
“We are very read more

Nov72017

Election results, Cole Wins Mayorship vote for City of Billings

Politics • Top Stories

BILLINGS– Billings voters selected Bill Cole as their next mayor on Tuesday, as the former Chamber of Commerce board president easily defeated former state Rep. Jeff Essmann in the municipal general election.
In unofficial results reported Tuesday shortly after the polls closed at 8 p.m., Cole received 15,852 votes, or 63.43 percent of the ballots. Essmann received 8,968 votes, or 35.89 percent.
Voters also cast 170 write-in ballots in the mayor’s race.
Unofficial results showed countywide voter turnout was read more

Nov62017

Gov. Bullock calls special legislative session

Montana-Statewide • Politics • Top Stories

HELENA — Gov. Steve Bullock has convened a special session of the Montana Legislature to address a $227 million shortfall in the state budget.
Bullock announced on Monday that the special session will begin at noon Tuesday, Nov. 14 at the state Capitol, although hearings will begin on Monday.
Bullock said legislators must address the $227 million revenue shortfall through an equal combination of cuts, revenue increases, and transfers and other legislation based on realistic revenue projections.
“I have put forth a set of reasonable and thoughtful proposals to balance Montana’s budget for consideration by the Legislature,” said Bullock. “It’s time Montana leaders fulfill our responsibilities to the people we represent and balance our budget in a way that makes sense for Montana taxpayers, workers, and families.”
He said he expects the special session to be “quick and productive,” and he still hopes “a deal will be reached prior to the Legislature’s arrival back in Helena next week.”
Bullock has proposed to the Montana Legislature to address the $227 million revenue shortfall through an equal combination of cuts, revenue increases, and transfers and other legislation based on realistic revenue projections.
“I look forward to resolving our budget situation by the end of the month and then refocusing on growing Montana’s economy, creating more good-paying jobs, and investing in the health of our communities,” Bullock continued.
A revenue shortfall “created by overly optimistic revenue projections by the Legislature” combined with “the most expensive fire season in state history” led to the shortfall, Bullock said.
Bullock has proposed cutting spending in several areas, including suspending the state’s employer contribution to the state health plan and the judges’ retirement system, and increasing revenue by auctioning liquor licenses and temporarily increasing taxes for rental cars, hotels and campgrounds.
Montana Republican Party Chairwoman Debra Lamm said the budget shortfall can be traced back to the governor’s actions.
“The buck stops with Gov. Bullock: He mismanaged the state budget and spent beyond our means,” Lamm said. “We need to read more

Oct302017

Shepherd man killed in Saturday rollover on Highway 312

Top Stories • Shepherd

SHEPHERD — A Shepherd man was killed in a one-vehicle crash on Highway 312 near Vermilion Road on Saturday afternoon.
The Yellowstone County Coroner’s office has identified the man as Richard John Fuchs, 63, of Shepherd. He and an unidentified man were eastbound in an experimental or custom-type vehicle on Highway 312 when the vehicle veered off the road to the south, rolled several times and landed upside-down. The crash was reported at 2:22 p.m. Saturday.
Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Tim Kucerovy said the investigation into the crash is read more

Oct262017

Two suspects arrested, stolen car totaled, case linked to other local thefts & robberies

Top Stories • Yellowstone County • Huntley Project • Shepherd

Published early due to continued crime in the local area.  This story also published fully in the Yellowstone County News 10-27-17 print edition.

Bryce Adams

Bryce Adams

SHEPHERD — Two men are in jail after they allegedly broke into a Huntley area home, crashed their getaway car, ran from the scene and forced law enforcement officers to search for them in Shepherd.

Bryce Leconte Adams and Mark Alexander Stief, both 20 years old, were arrested late Monday afternoon after fleeing from sheriff’s deputies through Huntley to the Shepherd area, prompting a manhunt that lasted several hours.

Mark Stief

Mark Stief

After deputies and the Montana Highway Patrol went door to door, the men were arrested after someone called in a report of “a couple of suspicious people walking in the area,” said Sheriff Mike Linder.

They were charged Tuesday in Yellowstone County Justice Court. Adams is charged with felony bail jumping, burglary, theft and failure to appear. Bond is set at $35,000.

Stief is charged with burglary, theft and failure to appear. His bond is set at $41,000.

The men allegedly broke into a home on Bald Eagle Boulevard west of Huntley.

Two burglars, who rang the doorbell to see if anyone was home in broad daylight, were eventually captured due to a doorbell alert app called ring.com. This picture also captures the stolen car belonging to Duane Hanson of Huntley that was stolen on Oct. 6th. This picture linked the suspects to the car and other recent burglaries.

Homeowner Sarah Moyer said she was at work when she received an alert from a cell phone app that someone was ringing her doorbell. She started watching the security video.  (See video here) read more

Oct232017

Two suspects arrested after burglary and thefts

Local • Billings • Huntley Project • Lockwood • Shepherd • Top Stories • Yellowstone County

A suspect, that was just apprehended in Shepherd, is being transported to a vehicle after a days events of robberies, thefts and crash that started in Huntley and ended in Shepherd at Osness Rd and Frey Rd. Sheriff Mike Linder had not been able to identify the suspects at the time these pictures were released. (Jonathan McNiven photo)

UPDATE: Two names Mark Alexander Stief, 20,  and Bryce Leconte Adams, 20, were booked in the Yellowstone County Detention Facility Monday evening, according to records on the website. 

SHEPHERD — Two suspects were arrested Monday afternoon after allegedly breaking into a home in Huntley, fleeing the scene and crashing at Osness and Frey roads.
Sheriff Mike Linder said Monday that he was unable to identify the two men, who were arrested after someone called in a report of “a couple of suspicious people walking in the area.”
One of the men had a warrant seeking his arrest on another charge, Linder said.
He said he had few details as the arrests had just happened.
“They’re still out there with them read more

Oct202017

Billings mayoral candidates face off in last debate

Politics • Top Stories • Billings

Originally published in the 10/20/17 print edition of Yellowstone County News

BILLINGS — Billings mayoral candidates Bill Cole and Jeff Essmann squared off for a final debate before ballots went out by mail on Wednesday for the Nov. 7 election.

A quick and lively, back and forth conversation, during the one-hour debate that was sponsored by Yellowstone County News and KULR 8 Television, underscored that voters have two distinctive choices. The debate was on Tuesday evening at Petro Hall at MSU Billings.

Billings attorney Bill Cole offered a vision for a future dynamic Billings that, while requiring public investment now, could promise a prosperous and competitive community, which would draw young people. Cole believes Billings is in competition with other communities and needs amenities like parks, trails and a convention center to attract millennials, who will be needed to fill a projected 30,000 jobs over the next few years.

Former state Rep. Jeff Essmann, also an attorney and local businessman, seeks to complete city government promises of the past, while remaining fiscally restrained and respectful of impacts on taxpayers, which he says could offer just as much to future growth and community dynamics. Specifically, he identified projects such as the more rapid building of the read more

Oct192017

Lockwood begins rebuilding raw water plant

Lockwood

     – Originally published in the 10/20/2017 print edition of Yellowstone County News.

LOCKWOOD — The Lockwood Water and Sewer District launched a new project at its meeting last week, the rebuilding of the Raw Water Intake and Treatment Plant.

Having received only two bids to build the plant, the board awarded the bid to the lowest bidder, Western Municipal Construction, for $2,454,000. COP Construction made a bid of $3,256,300.

Morrison Maierle estimated the project would cost $2,495,030.

Jill Cook of Morrison Maierle said she believed the difference in bids was the result of the different approaches the … read full story by subscribing.

Oct172017

Obituary: Kurt Matthew Kautz, “Cubby”

Obituaries

Kurt Matthew Kautz, “Cubby”

Kurt Matthew Kautz, “Cubby” to those who knew and loved him, was unexpectedly taken from our lives on October 14, 2017.  A light in our lives has forever been dimmed as the loss of our Cubby has shattered our hearts.

Cubby was born on December 7, 1984 to Daniel and Susan Kautz of Huntley, Montana, joining his older siblings: Brent, Dustin, and Amanda.  To his parents, Cubby was the apple of their eye.  Cubby was a big, baby boy and had a heart of gold from the beginning.  His adolescence was spent playing with older brothers Brent and Dusty, and constantly being cared and tended to by sister Mandy.  The love his brothers and sister had for this sweet, baby boy was unparalleled.

Born and raised by a hard-working farm family, Kurt was taught early in life the lessons that only life on a farm can teach a young kid.  Never a child to complain, Kurt took on each task asked of him with his full might and made sure that the job was done and done right.  Whether the time late or early, the weather good or bad, or the task easy or hard, Kurt pulled his weight and completed the task.  These lessons Kurt learned at such a tender age helped mold the young man that Kurt became later in his life.

As a young child, Kurt’s competitive fire was stoked by the game of basketball.  Whether rain or shine, sleet or snow, hot or cold, for hours on end Kurt could be found on the family basketball court shooting hoops.  Kurt’s tenacity to be the best at each thing he did shone through in these moments and it was clear to Kurt’s family how determined he was to make his mark in this world.

As Kurt grew older, he began to excel in football, basketball, and track.  Whether it was throwing a touchdown, scoring a basket, or running on the relay, Kurt was a leader and a teammate that others looked up to.  Kurt developed lifelong friendships through his involvement in sports and to the date of his passing, he loved his friends and would want each of them to know how special they were to him.  Josh, you were always there for Kurt, no matter the circumstances, and Kurt loved you with all of his heart.

Kurt graduated from Huntley Project High School in 2003, making the decision to read more

Oct172017

Celebrate Kurt Kautz at service at HP High School

Huntley Project

Pre-released online due to time constraints

WORDEN — Huntley Project basketball coach Kurt Kautz will be remembered at
a celebration of his life on Friday at the high school where he returned a
decade after his graduation to help build a girls’ basketball program.
Huntley Project Red is the color of the day.
The ceremony begins at 11 a.m. in the school gym. Doors will open at 10.
Everyone is welcome. In lieu of flowers, Kautz’s family requests donations to Blankets and Bears or Citizens For Our Veterans.
Superintendent Mark Wandle, who helped the family with the arrangements,
said Kautz’s family requested that “those in attendance are asked to read more

Oct152017

Huntley Project Head Girls Basketball Coach passes in fatal accident

Top Stories • Huntley Project

Mark Wandle, Huntley Project School District Superintendent, released the following statement this morning regarding last nights accident.

This morning we heard the extremely sad news that Kurt Kautz, our head girls basketball coach, died last night in a vehicle accident. This is the only information we have officially received on the circumstances surrounding the event. I know all of us at Huntley Project are saddened by Kurt’s death and send our deepest condolences to his family and friends.

The district will have support services established and available for students and staff in the upcoming days.

read more

Oct132017

Crime wave leaves victims of thefts angry and frustrated

Local • Yellowstone County

Originally published in the print edition of Yellowstone County News.

HUNTLEY PROJECT — People whose businesses and homes have been broken into during a recent wave of burglaries are frustrated, anxious and angry about the thefts.

No one had been arrested by presstime Wednesday, as business owners who lost cash and merchandise and homeowners who lost dozens of different items turned to security footage looking for clues.

Meanwhile, Sheriff Mike Linder urged residents to be vigilant, looking for anything that semed out of place, and reminded people to lock up their vehicles and buildings (see related story.)

Many people turned to social media to discuss the crimes and attempt to determine who may have committed them.

Nikol Twitchell, who owns Bar T Restaurant and Saloon on Worden’s Main Street, said Wednesday that the thieves broke into her restaurant on Sunday night.

She said they “cut the camera lines and read more

Oct132017

Sen. Conrad Burns fondly recalled at memorial ceremony

Top Stories • Yellowstone County

Yellowstone County officials and guests on Wednesday unveiled a highway sign proclaiming Airport Road as the Sen. Conrad Burns Memorial Highway. (Jonathan McNiven photos)

Originally published in the 10/13/17 print publication.  by Evelyn Pyburn

BILLINGS — A Who’s Who of county residents, both past and present, filled the lobby of the MetraPark arena for the unveiling of the sign that will designate the Conrad Burns Memorial Highway and a commemorative rock with Burns’ brand on it, which has been placed at the Wall of Fame at MetraPark

.

Friends and associates of the late U.S. Senator walked down memory lane in recalling Burns anecdotes during the ceremony on Wednesday. They also underscored Burns’ achievements on behalf of the community while he served as a county commissioner and as a U.S. Senator.

“Being a county commissioner was the best read more

Oct62017

Yellowstone County News to co-sponsor last Billings mayoral debate

Events & More! • Politics • Top Stories • Yellowstone County • Billings

BILLINGS — Yellowstone County News will host and sponsor the final debate between the Billings candidates for mayor on Oct. 17. The candidate forum and debate, co-sponsored by KULR-8 Television, begins at 7 p.m. in Petro Theater at Montana State University Billings and lasts one hour.

The event is free and open to the public. It can be seen on KULR-8’s Facebook Live. Yellowstone County News will also share the Facebook Live feed as well from KULR-8’s feed.

KULR-8 NBC Television Bilings

The two candidates, Bill Cole and Jeff Essmann, will answer questions posed by Billings City Council candidates, selected individuals and audience members.

Jonathan McNiven, publisher of the Yellowstone County News, will read more

Oct32017

Obituary: George E. Walker

Obituaries

George E. Walker

George E. Walker, 73, of Billings, returned home peacefully to his Father in Heaven on Sept. 25, 2017, and was welcomed by his family and friends.

George was born on Sept. 27, 1944 in Wolf Point, to Harold Eugene Walker and Winnie Freseman Walker.

He graduated from Richey High School in 1962. After graduation, he attended North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton.

George served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Korea. He later worked on the construction of the Yellowtail dam and then the oil fields in Melstone MT until 1968.

George married Donna Rae Kesterson on Oct. 12, 1968, and was later sealed for all time and eternity in the LDS Idaho Falls temple on Nov. 14, 1970. They lived on a small farm outside of Ballantine for 38 years before moving to Billings for 15 years. George drove truck for Prince Inc 20 years. read more

Sep292017

Taxpayers save $1.7 million in county jail bond sale

Top Stories • Yellowstone County

Originally published in the 9/29/17 print edition of Yellowstone County News.

BILLINGS — Good news for county taxpayers!

The bond sale to finance the addition to the Yellowstone County Detention Facility (YCDF) was much better for county taxpayers than even best expectations.

On Tuesday, County Commissioners approved a $9.7 million general obligation bond sale at 2.24 percent interest over 20 years to Robert W. Baird & Co., Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Their bid was one of nine — far more bids than expected — and the rate of interest offered by Baird was considerably lower than the conservative 3.75 percent originally estimated by County Director of Finance Kevan Bryan, in preparing the bond proposal for consideration by voters.

But, even more, the rate was also lower than the most likely 2.75 percent rate that the county’s advisors, Springstead, said they should expect. Springstead, a public sector financial consulting firm, also said that the county should expect only four to six bidders. The stiff competition of nine bidders generated the lower interest rate.

“It was a surprise,” said Bryan, “They paid a premium to get this bond.”

The interest of so many firms wanting to get the loan results from the fact that Yellowstone County is such a good credit risk. Standard & Poor recently gave the county a AA+ rating, the highest possible and the highest of any government entity in the state, said Bryan. read more

Sep262017

New Veterans Park ready to host veterans’ fundraiser for Huntley Project area

Events & More!

The location of the new Huntley Project Veterans Park in Huntley along Nahmis Ave and the Yellowstone River. The Yellowstone Valley Electric Cooperative shop is also near the new park. (Jonathan McNiven photo)

Originally published in the Yellowstone County News 9/22/17 print edition.

HUNTLEY — It has a new name and a new home, but a Huntley group’s mission has not changed: Help local veterans, 100 percent.

In its fourth year, the Citizens for our Veterans fundraiser begins at 7 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 30 at its new home, Veterans Park in Huntley.

Citizens for Our Veterans, formerly known as Wounded Warriors, received use of the park along Nahmis Avenue in Huntley from the Huntley Project Irrigation District last spring. The parkland was deeded to the irrigation district by the Bureau of Reclamation.

Event organizer Tamy Lucas of Huntley said the group has been sprucing up the park, removing some old trees and getting ready to host the fundraiser. read more