Feb222018

Lost Facebook Post?

Opinion

Dear Editor: 

Jonathan had a nice comment on Facebook that he thought he lost. In these economic times when it takes all family members working just to support insurance, banks and credit card companies, who has time to look after children? So many times the schools are a babysitter for children, the only people children know.

There are three things that might help get us back on track. Home schooling — parents teach your children what you want them to know by your example, not just words. Somewhere in an ancient book, it states, “Train up a read more

Feb222018

Winter tightens grip as snow and temperatures falls

Top Stories

Wes Prouse of Shepherd photographed a thermometer at his home this week. ‘This is for everyone bragging about your wind chill,’ he posted with the photo. ‘This is real temperatures.’ (Courtesy Photo)

HUNTLEY — The temperature keeps falling, and so does the snow.
Mix in some wind and it all adds up to a tough winter — closing schools, closing highways and making it tough for ranchers, livestock, wildlife and anyone who has to shovel.
By this week, February saw more snow than any year before.
By Feb. 18, 31.5 inches of snow had fallen at Logan International Airport in Billings. Meteorologist Aaron Gilstad at the National Weather Service office in Billings said that’s the most through that date, and the record for the entire month of February is 37 inches, recorded in 2014.
“So we’re on pace to surpass that fairly easily,” Gilstad said, if the current weather pattern continues through the end of the month.
That pattern is an upper level Pacific jet stream “impacted by a polar jet as well,” Gilstad said. “They ran into each other right over the top of us,” wringing out moisture combined with cold to dump snow across the region.
There’s a respite from the snow this week, he said, although cold will linger through the weekend.
“All this week we’re expecting it to be fairly dry and fairly cold,” he said.
Since October, he said, 76 inches of snow have fallen at the Billings airport. The previous record for that time period was 72.3 inches and the snowfall record through the end of February is 90.2 inches, recorded from October 2013 through February 2014.
“We’re well ahead of schedule,” Gilstad said, about 11 inches ahead of 2013.
Tuesday’s forecast called for bitter read more

Feb212018

Great memories from Huntley Project

Opinion

Dear Editor:

A letter to Jodi Jones, music teacher at Huntley Project Schools:

Jodi,

So many GREAT memories of this entire experience! You are a ROCK STAR in my world!! From the moment you said, “Yes, let’s do that” to our final farewell last night, you nailed it!!

So glad to meet your husband, Tom. What a rock he is! How cool it is for the two of you to spend such quality time together in such a quaint Montana town. I know the people there really appreciate the fact that you live in the community.

Pam (Roberts) the librarian is also a ROCK STAR in my world! Her willingness to let our students hang in her space all day was so very much appreciated. And the never-ending supply of fresh baked, warm from the oven cookies all day!! Mmmmmmmm. Fun to meet her husband as well — what a life he has lived and quite the legacy he has built! They are both truly a substantial part of the area history.

Darci (Davison) was really fun to hang out with — what a hoot of a colleague you get to work with!

Also glad I was able to meet and visit with Carolyn (I hope I am getting the name of your music sub correct . . .) What an absolute gem she is, but then I know you already know that!!

Managed to talk to principal Sam — he was so welcoming and helpful the entire time we were there.

I’m forgetting names, but thank Mark read more

Feb192018

Obituary: Gayle “Pete” Taylor, Jr.

Obituaries

Gayle “Pete” Taylor, Jr.

Gayle “Pete” Rowland Taylor Jr. joined his Lord and Savior Ash Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018, when the angels arrived to take him home.
Pete was born to Gayle Sr. and Mary (Otis) Taylor on March 25, 1943, in Terry, Montana. He graduated from Terry High School in 1961. Following graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Army and proudly served until 1963. On June 20, 1964, he married the love of his life, Annabelle Mae Kohones in Miles City, Montana.
During the years Pete spent working for Haughian Livestock, he and Annie were blessed with five children. In 1978 they moved their country family to the city of Billings where he worked for Rush Equipment and later Crown Parts as a machinist. His craftsmanship was known worldwide in the mining and oil production industry.
Pete retired in 2007. He enjoyed spending days in his shop (Pete’s Machine and Welding), servicing the community with his welding and read more

Feb162018

Are smart meters installed without consent?

Opinion

Dear Editor:

YVEC Installs Questionable AMI Smart Meters Without Informed Consent

Yellowstone Valley Electric Cooperative (YVEC) has installed new AMI (Advanced Metering Infrastructure) “smart” utility meters without our informed consent. AMI Smart Meters could be an invasion of privacy and also a cyber-security threat. They are associated with a host of health conditions, and catch on fire and explode more easily due to their design.

YVEC has operated under a veil of secrecy and deception concerning these meters. For example, the manager of YVEC adamantly claimed that they did not use any government funding to install these surveillance capable devices. However, legal discovery documents show that YVEC did take government funding to deploy the Smart Grid and Smart Meters.

Other false claims made by YVEC are that AMI Smart Meters radiate much lower than cell phones, thus making them “safe,” and that all utilities have smart meters, therefore, no big deal.

YVEC is the only utility in our area which has deployed two-way surveillance capable meters. The Montana Public Service Commission states that all other utilities, which come under their regulations, do NOT use Smart Meters. They use one-way meters which have lower risks and are not part of the Smart Grid.

Tests taken of AMI Smart meters show radiation readings 10-100 times HIGHER than read more

Feb162018

Voters should inquire as to Mr. Fagg’s stance

Opinion

Dear Editor:

Some people, when talking about politics, refer to themselves as progressives. Progressives believe that they have matured so much intellectually that they have progressed way beyond believing that man has any God-given natural rights or that individuals have been endowed with inalienable rights by their creator. Many progressives do not even believe in a creator.

Progressives state that any rights that we may enjoy can only be granted to us by the democratic process by a majority vote of politicians that have been elected by our fellow citizens. In states that are pro-life or pro-Second Amendment, progressives tend to hold these views. Progressive thinkers have been found in both major parties for over a hundred years. Theodore Roosevelt was a well-known progressive thinker.

Our founders crafted the Sixth Amendment so that our fellow citizens could protect us from government overreach. Progressives do not believe that our fellow citizens should have this right. Our fellow citizens engage in this protective activity by read more

Feb152018

Sheriff (ret.) David Clarke responds to Gazette controversy

Opinion • Politics • Top Stories

With lots of backlash for the Billings Gazette Editorial board’s article about Sheriff (ret.) David Clarke coming to Billings for the Yellowstone County Lincoln-Reagan Day Dinner in a couple weeks, Sheriff Clarke responded with his letter to the editor below.

In Response To The Gazette’s Editorial On My Upcoming Speech

As a conservative first, who happens to be black, I’m used to fierce debate with the left because I don’t fit in their political box. However, a recent editorial in Billings Gazette on my upcoming speech to the Yellowstone County GOP is not simply a criticism of my politics, it’s a direct personal attack against me and illustrates a greater hypocrisy.

This political hit-piece is typical of the liberal media’s hateful campaign against anyone that doesn’t pass their progressive litmus test. You can tell that these editors read the Democratic talking points. As an African-American conservative, I hear these same talking points everywhere I go.

The nameless, faceless cabal at the Gazette didn’t take aim at the merits of my political positions. Instead, they resorted to personalized attacks through name-calling, cherry picking incidents, misrepresenting facts, and even threatening me.

And since these journalists failed to properly research, they may not know just how seriously we take threatening the use of a gun against law enforcement. The war on cops has been fueled by left-leaning editorial boards and has inspired their followers to assault and kill police in attacks in Dallas, Baton Rouge, and New York City.

It’s clear that either the editorial board has a political agenda or they simply don’t know what they’re talking about. After all, they don’t even understand the legal definition of deadly force. Hypothetically, if a member of the editorial board kills me for simply punching one of them – absent from great bodily harm likely to cause death – it wouldn’t justify their use of deadly force against me. The unlawful use of a firearm to settle disputes is actually one of the main reasons for violence in urban areas and the leading cause of death for black males under the age of 25 – another fact regarding crime that this editorial board clearly doesn’t understand.

But one of the reasons this board doesn’t understand urban crime and especially black conservatives is probably because they … (read Sheriff Clarke’s full Rebuttal to the Gazette in this week’s Yellowstone County News paper.)

 

 

 

 

 

Feb142018

Obituary: Nellie ‘Esther’ Green

Obituaries

Nellie ‘Esther’ Green

Nellie Esther Green, wonderful wife to Bill, mother to Diane, Mike, Scott and Brad, went to rest with the Lord on Feb. 11, 2018, at the age of 96.

She was born to Nels and Emma Walen on July 30, 1921, at the family farm in Corinth, North Dakota. She attended school in Crosby, North Dakota, graduating at age 16.

Mom attended Business College in Fargo, North Dakota, where she was recruited by a business where she worked for nine years. She worked briefly in Great Falls, and then moved to Billings. She was the first stenographer for the Billings Conoco Refinery, and was one of the 49ers and the last survivor of read more

Feb132018

Obituary: Clarence Beddes

Obituaries

Clarence Beddes

On Feb. 10, 2018, Clarence passed away peacefully with his wife, Agnes, of 60 years by his side. He was born on Feb. 19, 1939, in Lovell, Wyoming, to Chester and Martha (Bender) Beddes. The family moved to Billings, MT in 1945. Clarence was followed by two brothers, Lawrence and David.
Clarence attended Billings schools at Taft, Garfield and Senior. He met his wife, Agnes, at the Big Boy Drive Inn. They were later married on Jan. 25, 1958. They were blessed with three read more

Feb122018

Brad, Carl, Krayton and Jennifer are all correct

Opinion

Dear Editor:  

Brad, Carl, Krayton and Jennifer are all correct in their take on U.S. citizens and society. President Trump is a true representative of U.S. leadership and citizens. He is a true capitalistic businessman; he believes in “healthy competition,” disable or disqualify your opponent. Capitalism creates monopolies; global monopolies have no anti trust laws.

We have the ruling class of the rich, by the rich, for the rich. Education, health care and nutrition for the elite, or those who can afford it. The rest of us are slaves or servants to the financial read more

Feb102018

Venomous language against a fellow journalist.

Opinion

Dear Editor:

I’m writing about an article in your Feb. 2 paper. Never have I read such venomous language against a fellow journalist. I have never read such a smear campaign before.

That thing between Jon and Carl was just friendly banter and he turned it into something ugly. Maybe this guy should stick to advertising.

Any more of this and I will read more

Feb102018

CPS not have enough foster parents

Opinion

Dear Editor:

Opinion letter in reference to Gazette article regarding Child and Protective Services.

The CPS is always crying that they do not have enough foster parents. Personally, I can see why.

Friends of mine were foster parents for several years when a rambling drunk called Helena out of revenge to report that my friends were abusive and neglectful in caring for the children in their care. Let me tell you that no child in their care was ever abused or neglected. They were loved and cherished by the people caring for them. They had a clean home, good meals, never missed a doctor’s appointment or dental appointment. Even though foster parents are given a clothing allowance every six months for $200, my friends spent much more on their clothing out of their own pockets as well as anything else the children needed.

Without warning, workers showed up one Sunday morning early and said they had received a complaint in Helena that the babies in our care were being abused and neglected. They proceeded illegally to talk with my friends’ grandchildren, for what reason they still do not read more

Feb92018

What kind of “Senator” is Jon Tester?

Opinion

Dear Editor:

What kind of “Senator” is Jon Tester? He’s supposed to represent Montana in the US Senate, and despite the fact that 61 percent of Montanans voted for Trump and change, Tester is fighting Trump and change every way he can. He’s obviously a “Democrat” first and a Montanan last.

But then again, most members of Congress seem to be Democrats or Republicans first and Americans last. Once voted into office, they and their families are guaranteed a lifetime income and premium medical care for life, so they should be willing to work together (“Across the Aisle,” as they say) to solve the problems we “Deplorables” are facing each day.

“Exercising Individual Responsibility” is what made read more

Feb82018

High school plan may shrink to suit Lockwood taxpayers

Top Stories • Yellowstone County • Lockwood

LOCKWOOD — Between dreams and reality there is usually a dousing of cold water, and that was what Lockwood School Board members met in the first round of numbers, dollars and cents, given to them by the architects of Collaborative Design on Friday.

In presenting preliminary plans that would include “everything you wanted,” and “everything generously” allowed for, designers presented numbers that were about 30 percent more than the board hopes a new high school will cost. At least, Superintendent Tobin Novasio said that is how much he believed the plans and proposed budget would have to be trimmed to meet what he believes voter acceptance might be.

Conversation then focused on what could be left out, pared down or modified to reduce costs, as board members serving on the building committee set about giving architects direction on how to refine the plans for a proposed high school.

The architects are more under the gun to complete plans and have a cost estimate than initially thought. Novasio announced that in setting the initial schedule for read more

Feb12018

Huntley Project High School drama team wins first state championship!

Sports • Top Stories • Huntley Project

The Huntley Project High School drama team won the state Class B drama tournament on Saturday. HP hosted the State B-C Tournament, which included 337 competitors from 47 schools. The photo includes students who competed in drama, speech and debate events. Top row, left to right: Coach Josh Morse, Coach Rachel Pekah, Coach Becky Nay. Fourth row, left to right: Molly Pazoff, Ann Killen, Mazati McCormick, Kip LePage, Adyn Kust, Taylor Sheldon, Kylan Mills-Low. Third row, left to right: Tanner Steorts, Tanner Geiss, Manager Dustin Erb, Lisa Hilbrig, Sierra Stevens, Shayla Arbogast, Manager Tamerah Lee, Holly Rogers. Second row, left to right: Rylee Nay, Reegan Tigner, Payton Tigner, Kasey Jones, Emily Ley, Bailey Chaffin, Kyle Schaff, Ashley Weigum. First row, left to right: Kati Darity, Andi Crane, Peyton Thornburgh, Tyler Schaff, James Flanagan, Colton Hawkins, Alli Combs, Becka Bolerjack. Not pictured: Audrey Hampton, Conner Morse, Maddy Gallegos and Alex Bauer. (photo courtesy of Billie Schaff)

Worden — Talk about a home court advantage. The Huntley Project High School drama team members used their school over the weekend to take them to their first State Class B championship.

Huntley Project Schools hosted the Class B-C state tournaments for speech and drama on Friday and Saturday. The event drew 337 competitors from 47 schools.

Three HP students were individual champions.

Senior Andi Crane won the Memorized Public Address category, performing a Ted Talk by Maysoon Zayid. In this performance, Crane impersonated Zayid, a comic and actress with cerebral palsy.

Tyler Schaff and Peyton Thornburgh won the Classical Duo category, performing a humorous skit by George S. Kauffman, “If Men Played Cards as Women Do.” Each performed the parts of two different characters gathering at one’s home for a card game.

The drama team had won the divisional tournament at Shepherd the week before. The speech team, runners-up at divisionals, placed fifth at state.

“I’m just extremely proud of them,” Coach Becky Nay told the Huntley Project student body at a school assembly Wednesday morning, when the trophies were presented. Members of the speech and drama team carried into the gym every trophy they received during the season, which started read more

Jan312018

School Choice Week rally brings crowd to courthouse lawn

Features • Local • Billings • Yellowstone County

Jeff Laszloffy, president of the Montana Family Foundation, speaks to about 300 people who gathered Friday on the lawn of the Yellowstone County Courthouse in downtown Billings for a School Choice rally. (Jonathan McNiven photo)

BILLINGS — A rally for School Choice Week drew hundreds of people to the courthouse lawn in downtown Billings on Friday.

Organizer Jake Penwell, state director of the Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE), said in an interview before the event that a goal of the rally was “to bring to light the idea of school choice” and to show community support for the idea of allowing students to succeed in educational settings that benefit them.

School Choice Week events occur nationally. Penwell said in Montana, the concept goes beyond “one size fits all” public school settings to home schools, private schools or combinations of educational approaches to reach students with different learning styles.

Penwell and Jeff Lazloffy spoke at Friday’s rally.

ACE offers a scholarship program designed to offer students from low- read more

Jan292018

Local conservative talk radio show now on air

Local • Billings • Montana-Statewide • Politics • Top Stories

Aaron Flint, who launched the morning talk radio show ‘Montana Talks’ this week, speaks to Russell Fagg, a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, in his studio on Tuesday morning. ‘Montana Talks’ can be heard Monday through Friday from 6 to 10 a.m. on 95.1 and 95.5 FM and 970 AM. (Judy Killen photo)

BILLINGS — A veteran broadcaster and political has launched a new Billings-based talk radio show, “Montana Talks.”

Aaron Flint hosts the morning talk radio show weekdays from 6 to 10.

“I think you can safely say it is a conservative talk show,” he said. It begins at 6 a.m. with commentary and news and weather every 10 minutes. By 8, he plans to have guests on for interviews and to field calls from listeners.

“I forgot how much fun it is,” Flint said, to “just start talking and taking phone calls.”

He likes his home in the Townsquare Media studios on the top floor of the Double Tree by Hilton on North 27th Street, overlooking downtown Billing with scenic views of the Beartooths, the Pryors, the Rims and other local landmarks.

He said he had worked with employees from the media company in the past and liked their approach, “with great ideas, (and) want to see more local content.”

Flint has plenty of both radio and political experience. He’s run a statewide radio show in Montana that grew from 10 signals to more than 20, and was editor of “The Flint Report,” a daily online news and commentary. He was communications director for Rep. Greg Gianforte, R-Montana, during his 2016 campaign for governor and served as director of Ryan Zinke’s congressional offices in Montana.

Flint, who has a degree in broadcast journalism from the University of Montana, has worked for Montana Public Radio, KTVQ television and Today show at NBC.

He recently returned from an Army National Guard deployment, his fourth overseas military assignment. He and his wife, Jessica, live in Billings with three young children. read more

Jan252018

10 applicants submit resumes to fill vacant seat for Billings City Council

Local • Billings • Top Stories

Mayor Bill Cole announced this morning that he received ten (10) applications to fill the Ward 4 City Council seat that was vacated by Mr. Ryan Sullivan. The applications and letters were submitted to the mayors office and announced this morning.

The candidates who submitted their names for consideration were Barbi McLaws, Daron Olson, David Fishbaugh, Gordon Olson, James (Mike) Boyett, Jason Smith, Oscar Heinrich Jr., Reg Gibbs, Rich Lammers, and Shirley McDermott.

The Mayor also announced that there will be an opportunity for the current City Councilmembers and the public to meet the applicants at 5:30 – 7:00 p.m., Wednesday January 31, 2018 at the Billings Public Library, Royal Johnson Community Room, 510 N. Broadway. The applicants will be asked to make a brief statement about their candidacy for the Council seat and will then be available to meet and interact informally with the Council members and public.

read more

Jan102018

Huntley Project and Shepherd Districts cancel school

Top Stories • Huntley Project • Shepherd

1-10-18 Huntley Project and Shepherd School Districts have canceled school due to road and weather conditions. Accor All Activities, practices and sports have also been canceled.  Be safe and travel safely if you do have to travel. 

This communication came by way of Scott Carter, Superintendent of Shepherd Public Schools and Mark Wandle, Superintendent of Huntley Project School District.