May42017

Lockwood shoots down Billings high school levy, Lockwood mill levy fails,

Top Stories • Yellowstone County • Lockwood

Squeaker school elections shot down some mill levy requests and approved others throughout the county on May 2. Some are still undetermined.

Lockwood Superintendent Tobin Novasio said that he was “very disappointed” with their very close 13-vote loss. Lockwood voters, by a total of 891 votes to 878 votes, turned down an 11.1 mill increase request from Lockwood trustees that would have generated $268,080.

Independent School’s mill levy vote was locked in a tie at 470 to 470 at press time. An election canvass, recount and review of six or seven provisional ballots next week could tilt the results in either direction. Provisional ballots are ballots that were set aside because of some problem, such as not having been signed. Voters were given until the end of the day on Wednesday to go into the elections office and sign the ballots.

Lockwood District had 30 provisional ballots, the outcome of which has the potential of changing read more

May12017

Mustangs support John Barta in contract negotiations with City of Billings

Local • Billings • Top Stories

Dehler Park at Ninth Avenue North and 27th Street in Billings will be home to Mustangs baseball for the next decade under a contract approved by the Billings City Council on Monday. (Jonathan McNiven photo)

Originally published in print edition of Yellowstone County News. 

BILLINGS — After over a year of negotiating, the city of Billings and the Billings Mustangs have approved a lease for Dehler Park.

The lease extends until 2026.

The City Council approved the new lease on an 8-1 vote after a long Monday night session in the council chambers. Brent Cromley voted no; Larry Brewster and Angela Cimmono did not attend the meeting. Part of the discussion on the lease renewal centered around an addendum to the lease agreement that spelled out education and certification for the field’s groundskeeper, or turf manager. Mustangs owner Dave Heller asked the city to remove Exhibit B, saying it would require the Mustangs to find a new turf manager to replace John Barta, who is the club’s senior director of field maintenance and facilities.

Currently, Barta does not have the formal certifications that Exhibit B would have required.

Gary Roller, general manager for the Billings Mustangs, said Wednesday that the team’s support for Barta as an experienced and exemplary turf manager was only one of its concerns over Exhibit B, which refers to any current or future employees in that position.

Barta, a Shepherd High School teacher, has been diagnosed with terminal cancer and has announced his retirement from the school district.

“John is our turf manager and will be our turf manager until he decides not to be,” said Roller. One of the concerns with what has been titled Exhibit B was that it locked any present or future turf manager into certain required certifications and degrees.

“It would have been difficult to read more

Apr282017

Governor signs Lockwood high school bill

Top Stories • Yellowstone County • Lockwood

Gov. Steve Bullock, seated at right, signs Senate Bill 139 on Tuesday. Sen. Duane Ankney, R-Colstrip, the bill’s sponsor, is next to Bullock. Behind, from left, are Cealey Raymond with a baby, East Helena Superintendent Ron Whitmoyer, Phaedra Raymond with a baby, Karen Goldsberry, Scott Walter (East Helena School Board chairman), Rep. Sue Vinton, R-Lockwood, Dennis Parman, executive director of the Montana Rural Education Association, and Dan Rispens, principal at East Valley Middle School. (Jonathan McNiven photo)

Originally published in the print edition 4/21/17.  

Novasio: ‘It’s a big win for local control’

 

LOCKWOOD — After so many attempts, it’s a little hard for Tobin Novasio to believe that a new law will allow Lockwood residents to consider building a high school in their community.

“It’s a little overwhelming, to be honest,” Novasio said, but he’s heard quite a bit of positive feedback, especially in the later days of the session when it appeared that Senate Bill 139 would go through this time.

Gov. Steve Bullock signed the bill on Monday in Helena. The new law, sponsored by Sen. Duane Ankney, R-Colstrip and carried in the house by Rep. Sue Vinton, R-Lockwood, ends a moratorium on creating new high school districts and allows districts with more than 1,000 students to ask voters for approval to build a high school.

“It’s a big win for local control in Montana,” said Novasio on Wednesday. “We’re excited about it.”

He said Lockwood School representatives will now read more

Apr272017

Garth Brooks Coming to Billings, June 10th, 2017

Events & More! • Features • Top Stories • Yellowstone County

Garth Brooks announced that he is returning to Billings in the first time in 19 years set for June 10th, 2017 at 7:30pm.  His Electrifying return of America’s most powerful concert force will also feature his wife Trisha Yearwood for an evening of entertainment at Rimrock Auto Arena.  He was the 2016 CMA Entertainer of the Year and his world tour is now planning to visit Billings.

Tickets go on sale Friday, May 5th at 10:00 AM sharp.  All seats are sold best available with Ticket prices at $74.98 each but a limit of 8 tickets per each person will be available for purchase.

The ONLY way to buy tickets are at read more

Apr272017

McNiven’s Meanderings-Make lemonade out of lemons

Meanderings

Jonathan McNiven

So as the saying goes, “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get”, I feel like this week has been two steps forward and one step back.  However, I’m determined to make lemonade out of the lemons that were offered.  However, when I step back away from the trees, I can see the whole forest of trees and the whole picture.  As I do that, I’m glad for opportunities that are called “do-overs.”  Hopefully, I’ll have something better to report in the near future.  Success takes time so you will have to wait a little longer.

On another note, by the time you get to reading this, the read more

Apr262017

Three candidates in the mix for Billings mayor

Politics • Top Stories • Billings • Billings-Heights

Originally published in print edition of YCN on 4/21/17. 

BILLINGS — The upcoming race to select a new Billings mayor has already attracted three candidates.

The official filing period opens Thursday, April 20 for the mayoral campaign with final date to submit a filing to run by June 19th at 5pm. Current Billings Mayor Tom Hanel is barred from seeking re-election because of term limits. He has served two terms.

Candidates must live within the Billings city limits to be elected mayor or city councilor. City Administrator Tina Volek has announced she will retire later this year, so the city will also have a new administrator.

Jeff Essmann, longtime Billings small businessman and state legislator since 2005, announced last week that he read more

Apr262017

Exxonmobil expanding refinery in Lockwood

Yellowstone County • Lockwood

Originally published in the print edition on 4/21/17.

LOCKWOOD — Plans are in the works by ExxonMobil Billings Refinery to build two new buildings this summer, as well as to begin construction of a sewer line that will connect the facility to the Lockwood Sewer District’s main sewer line.

One of the new buildings will be an administrative office building and the other will be a state-of-the-art laboratory, according to Dan Carter, director of public and government affairs for ExxonMobil.

The buildings will be built in a vacant area to the west of the refinery, to be accessed off Klenck Street.

The administration building will be the main office building accommodating about 80 read more

Apr252017

Be counted: Census of Agriculture tallies US farms and ranches

Montana-Statewide • Yellowstone County • Custer • Huntley Project • Lockwood • Shepherd

Originally published in the print edition 4/21/17.  

WASHINGTON – America’s farmers and ranchers will soon have the opportunity to represent agriculture in their communities and industry by taking part in the 2017 Census of Agriculture. Conducted every five years by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), the census, to be mailed at the end of this year, is a complete count of all U.S. farms, ranches and those who operate them.

“The Census of Agriculture remains the only source of uniform, comprehensive, and impartial agriculture data for every county in the nation,” said NASS Administrator Hubert Hamer. “As such, census results are relied upon heavily by those who serve farmers and rural communities, including federal, state and local governments, agribusinesses, trade associations, extension educators, researchers, and farmers and ranchers themselves.”

The Census of Agriculture highlights land use and ownership, operator characteristics, production practices, income and expenditures, and other topics. The 2012 Census of Agriculture revealed read more

Apr222017

ASK THE JUDGE – by Judge Russell Fagg

Features • Billings

Originally published in the 4/14/17 print edition

What the heck are sanctuary cities?

I was recently asked about sanctuary cities — what they are and how they fit into America’s immigration policy and our criminal justice system? I thought it is an interesting topic worthy of an article.

The encyclopedia defines a sanctuary city as “cities in the United States that have policies designed to not persecute undocumented immigrants. These practices can be by law (de jure) or by habit (de facto).” Put another way, sanctuary cities do not enforce immigration laws. Sanctuary cites often do not allow their law enforcement personnel to inquire about immigration status. Furthermore, sanctuary cities will not inform immigration officers if an illegal immigrant has been convicted of breaking the law.

The most common situation that occurs in my courtroom is when an illegal immigrant (generally from Mexico) is charged read more

Apr222017

Robert Guenther resigns from Lockwood Fire Board

Local • Lockwood • Yellowstone County

Originally published in the Print edition on 4/14/17.

LOCKWOOD — The Lockwood Fire Board is looking for candidates to fill the position recently vacated by the resignation of Robert Guenther.

Applications may be acquired at the office of county commissioners at the Yellowstone County Courthouse.

A committee from the board will review the applications and make a recommendation to submit to Yellowstone County Commissioners, who will make the final decision as to the board replacement.

In discussing board membership at their April 5 meeting, it was noted that Frosty Erben has been reelected by acclamation to the board, because no other candidates filed for his term, which expired in March.

Board members also named a negotiation committee to meet with Lockwood firefighters on May 12 to negotiate a new contract.

Fire Chief John Staley announced that he had read more

Apr52017

SB 139 passes House on second reading, back in committee

Local • Lockwood • Politics • Yellowstone County

Rep. Sue Vinton, R-Lockwood, speaks in favor of Senate Bill 139 in the House on Monday. Vinton, who represents House District 56, is carrying the bill in the House. (Courtesy photo)

Originally published in the print edition of Yellowstone County News on 3/31/17 

HELENA — Lockwood and East Helena residents are still waiting to see whether they may consider building high schools as Senate Bill 139 advances through the Legislature.

The bill was concurred in the Montana House of Representatives on Monday on a 98-2 vote and re-referred to the House Appropriations Committee.

That committee had not scheduled any action on the bill as of presstime Wednesday. Sen. Duane Ankney, R-Colstrip, sponsored the bill, which is being carried in the House by Rep. Sue Vinton, R-Lockwood.

“I was thrilled by the support that this bill had upon second reading in the House!” said Vinton. ” A 98-2 vote is certainly indicative of the value of the good work that went into this bill by sponsor Sen. Ankney, stakeholders from East Helena, Helena and Lockwood and the groundwork that was set in motion last session by Sen. Taylor Brown.”

Vinton said a hearing in Appropriations will probably be scheduled next week.

“We all remain very hopeful that this will be the year that this bill will be passed and signed by Gov. Bullock,” she said.

The measure would allow elementary school districts with enrollment of at least 1,000 students to expand into high school districts. The communities of Lockwood and East Helena — and possibly the Hellgate community in the Missoula area — are the most likely districts for high school expansion.

No one opposed the bill through three readings in the Senate.

“Residents of each of the communities should be afforded an opportunity to decide for themselves,” Vinton said. Voters would be asked to approve building new high schools in each community.

Mar302017

Mark Wandle Announced as New Superintendent of HP School District

Top Stories • Yellowstone County • Huntley Project

Mark Wandle,

Worden, MT-Huntley Project’s High School Principal Mark Wandle has accepted the Superintendent position last night at the Huntley Project School Board meeting. He will be replacing retiring Superintendent Wes Coy, who announced he will be leaving at the end of the fiscal school year June 30, 2017. Mark Wandle has been the High School Principal at Huntley Project for the last 8 years. Interviews were conducted within the last week among 3 finalist Thom Peck, and Denise Chrest and the job was offered last night of which Wandle accepted immediately, according to sources familiar with the superintendent search committee.

Nine people applied to become the new superintendent of Huntley Project Schools of which the superintendent search committee met in haste the last couple read more

Mar162017

Breakfast Flakes return to the airwaves

Top Stories

Mark

Originally published in the print edition of Yellowstone County News.

BILLINGS — Cat Country’s morning crew returned back to work on Monday, March 13, 2017 after 3 weeks off the air since radio DJ Paul Mushaben was suspended after a blog post that he authored on the radio station’s blog that many said was racist.

Mushaben issued an apology upon his return this week.

“It suggested separation for Native American teams to play in their own tournament at separate facilities. I apologize and regret making those statements.”

Radio DJ Paul Mushaben, who returned to his job this week, speaks on air during the Breakfast Flakes’ morning show on Tuesday. (Jonathan McNiven photo)

Mushaben’s blog post not only received backlash from locals and Native Americans, it also sparked public and private conversations online and off about native schools and teams throughout the state who destroy property and facilities at tournaments.

Included in his apology statement, “My intent was to address the unruly behavior at these events and the disrespect of the facilities, and to convey that any team, and I mean any team, not willing to acknowledge and obey the rules should not be allowed to participate.”

The outspoken radio DJ also posted in his statement that he will “continue to Read full version of Yellowstone County News online by subscribing here.

 

Mar142017

Tax abatement program helps jump-start business projects

Local • Billings • Top Stories • Yellowstone County

Originally published in the print edition of Yellowstone County News.

BILLINGS — It’s not without its critics.

The tax abatement program that Yellowstone County and the City of Billings use to incentivize business growth, expansion and recruitment is often viewed as a “free pass” for some businesses, but it is anything but that according to city and county officials.

“It’s an incentive to succeed,” described County Commissioner Denis Pitman.

The program has served Yellowstone County well, according to County Commissioner John Ostlund.

“Yellowstone County has more new business growth than anyone,” said Ostlund, who attributes much of that growth to the impact of the program, which has been used by the county as its primary economic development incentive for more years than anyone can remember.

It helps the county “throw out the welcome mat for business,” said Ostlund, proud of the county’s positive business attitude.

The fact that the tax incentive has always been granted to all qualifying applicants speaks clearly about the value that local public officials see in the program.

“It’s a tool to attract businesses and to incentivize projects that increase tax revenues,” explains Patrick Klugman, Community Development Project manager at Big Sky Economic Development (BSED), the agency that administers the program on behalf of the city and the county. The dollars that are saved by the businesses is not profit that is pocketed, explains Klugman.

“It is used to cover operational costs, to help hire new employees, or other costs of running the business,” he said.

In 2014, businesses applying for the tax incentive invested $772,753,926 in capital improvements in Yellowstone County, for which taxes were abated a total of $1,432,146, while they increased read more

Mar142017

Breakfast Flakes back on the air

Top Stories

Cat Country’s morning crew returned back to work on Monday March 13, 2017 after 4 weeks of being off the air since radio DJ Paul Mushaben was suspended after a blog post that was posted on the radio station’s blog that many said was racist.

Mushaben issued an apology upon his return this week.  He wrote, “It suggested separation for Native American teams to play in their own tournament at separate facilities. I apologize and regret making those statements.

He continued in his statement, “My intent was to address the unruly behavior at these events and the disrespect of the facilities and to convey that any team, and I mean any team, not willing to acknowledge and obey the rules should not be allowed to participate.”

The outspoken conservative radio DJ also posted in his statement that he will  “continue to pressure the MHSA to stop the unconscionable behavior and destruction of property at our schools and local venues during all high school events by any and all parties. Disrespect and lawlessness should be dealt with swiftly and with consequences for everyone.”

The return of the “Breakfast Flakes” on air garnered more than 1,000 comments on Co-host Mark Wilson’s Facebook page
Again, I apologize to all who were offended and hurt by this. I also want to thank all of our Cat Country family for your loyal support.

 

 

I would like to apologize to those who were offended by my recent blog post. It suggested separation for Native American teams to play in their own tournament at separate facilities. I apologize and regret making those statements.

My intent was to address the unruly behavior at these events and the disrespect of the facilities and to convey that any team, and I mean any team, not willing to acknowledge and obey the rules should not be allowed to participate.

Read More: Paul Mushaben Issues Apology Upon Return | http://catcountry1029.com/paul-mushaben-issues-apology-upon-return/?trackback=tsmclip

Mar122017

Rimrock Productions is MetraPark’s first $1 million promoter

Top Stories • Yellowstone County • Billings

MetraPark manager Bill Dutcher presents a symbolic check to the Hedin family of Rimrock Promotions, reflecting the milestone of being the first non-ticketed event to generate over a million dollars in rental payments for MetraPark. Rimrock Productions presents the home improvement show twice yearly. Pictured are Beau Hedin, Bill Dutcher, Rhonda Hedin, Mark Hedin and Devon Hedin. (Evelyn Pyburn photo)

Originally published in the print edition of Yellowstone County News.

BILLINGS — As business at MetraPark continues to grow, milestones are being reached and surpassed.

This past week, as one of the venue’s top event promoters, Rimrock Promotions, made their rent payment for the Spring Home Improvement Show, they reached a total of $1 million in rent payments to MetraPark – the first non-ticketed event at MetraPark to ever reach that level.

It was also noted by Ray Massie, MetraPark’s marketing director, during the meeting last week of the MetraPark Advisory Board, that the prospects are high that MetraPark will for the first time exceed selling more than a million tickets for ticketed events this year – another milestone.

About Rimrock Promotions, Massie said they are “the biggest single promoter in the history of read more

Mar102017

THE OUTDOORS-by Carl Wolf (NMP)

Features • Local • Custer • Huntley Project • Shepherd

Carl Wolf, The Outdoors Section

Magic bullet for the outdoors? The U.S. Army looking for a biodegradable bullet to cut down on current rounds that can corrode and pollute soil and water. Stipulation is new ammo contain seeds that produce food for animals without any ill effects. Army already has embedded seeds into biodegradable material that flowers months later.

Some 46.7 million people participated in bird watching (birding) in our nation recently. It looks like next to pets, we spend a lot of time and money on critters, including wild ones. My memory recalls a time when as a tall person I would stand at the back of a birdwatching group trying to see and hear the leader explain how to identify a bird. At home in my frustration I complained to wife Jeanette who simply said, “why don’t you just be an expert?” I did that and next time out as “the expert” in front of the group I would point out a bird and ask folks to call out what they saw.

As information was uttered from under everyone’s upheld binoculars, I would quickly and secretly consult my bird field guide and soon had the bird identified. With a confident voice the identity of the bird was stated, and I was now considered an read more

Mar102017

Lockwood Sidewalk bids come in under estimate

Top Stories • Yellowstone County • Lockwood

LOCKWOOD — The rest of the sidewalk along Highway 87 in Lockwood, up to Old Hardin Road, will soon be completed.

The Lockwood Pedestrian Safety Committee awarded the bid to CMG for $98,340, which is under the engineer’s estimated cost of about $112,000.

Woody Woods, who serves on the committee, said they were pleased that they received six bids, all of which were close to the estimated cost – a reversal of the high bids they received in building the first part of the sidewalk. The earlier bids were so high over the cost estimate that they postponed doing about 500 feet of the sidewalk until this year.

Construction will begin as soon read more

Mar102017

Rob Quist, Greg Gianforte chosen for U.S. House race

Montana-Statewide • Politics • Top Stories

Republican nominee Greg Gianforte addresses attendees on Monday Mar. 6th in Helena. (Brad Molnar photo)

Democrat nominee Rob Quist addresses attendees on Sunday March 5th in Helena. (Brad Molnar photo)

HELENA — Republicans and Democrats meeting in nominating conventions in Helena have selected their candidates to replace Ryan Zinke in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Democrat Rob Quist of Creston and Republican Greg Gianforte of Bozeman will appear on the ballot in the May 25 special election. Both are political newcomers who have not held a statewide elected office. Libertarians are scheduled to select a candidate this weekend.

In the final round of voting on Sunday, Quist defeated state Sen. Amanda Curtis of Butte.

Gianforte won sufficient votes in the first round of voting on Monday. Ken Miller of Laurel came read more

Mar92017

Huntley Project superintendent vacancy draws 9 applicants

Top Stories • Huntley Project

WORDEN — Nine people have applied to become the new superintendent of Huntley Project Schools.

A superintendent search committee was to meet Wednesday night to begin the screening process and form a timeline to select a replacement for Wes Coy, whose retirement is effective June 30.

Committee members are Clint Johannes, school board vice chairman; junior high principal Frank Hollowell; teacher Chris Geck; elementary secretary Karen Simpson; activities clerk Marlene Krum; and two community members, Shane Lile and Jim Samson.