Dec62016

Huntley Stroll offers additional family fun

Events & More! • Features • Local • Huntley Project • Yellowstone County
Little Buckaroos Childcare Center decorated cart for the Huntley Christmas Stroll Golf Cart Pa-Looza.

Little Buckaroos Childcare Center decorated cart for the Huntley Christmas Stroll Golf Cart Pa-Looza.

Huntley Christmas Stroll Details

Don’t forget about the 17th Annual Huntley Christmas Stroll coming up on Sat. Dec. 17th in Huntley. This year’s event is sure to surpass last year’s event in that visitors have a lot to look forward to. Passports can be filled out during the day from 10am-5pm and then all visitors, businesses and strollers will meet at the Pryor Creek Golf Clubhouse at 5:30pm for caroling, drawings and then the Golf Cart Pa-Looza!

The Pryor Creek Clubhouse is a new dimension this year in that the whole building has been reserved for visitors, strollers and then community gathering starting at 5:30pm. With both upstairs and downstairs available, the Golf Cart Pa-Looza will also take place at the Clubhouse and grounds. No matter the weather conditions, there will be a warm place to be inside as well as outside this year.

Andrea Drinkwalter and Rebecca Meredith driving their Gloss Studio Golf Cart at the Pryor Creek Clubhouse at the 1st Annual Golf Cart Pa-Looza. Photo by Jonathan McNiven-Yellowstone County News.

Andrea Drinkwalter and Rebecca Meredith driving their Gloss Studio Golf Cart at the Pryor Creek Clubhouse at the 1st Annual Golf Cart Pa-Looza. Photo by Jonathan McNiven-Yellowstone County News.

Events during the day from 10am-5pm include filling out your passport (can be picked up from any participating business or cut out of the Yellowstone County News), free yummy food and treats, gingerbread house contest, Craft fair and vender booths, Free wagon rides and Santa’s visit. Wrapping up the day’s events at the Pryor Creek Golf Course Clubhouse starting at 5:30pm, prize drawings at 6pm and finally the Golf Cart Pa-Looza and Parade at the Golf Course Clubhouse.
The following are the details for each event during the day:

Huntley Bucks and Passport Eligibility
15 local businesses will be participating in the Huntley Passport this year. Either cut the passport out of the Yellowstone County News or pick up one at a local participating business. Take your passport and visit the participating businesses to receive your stamped passport. Once your

Pete Robison driving the R&R Trading Golf Cart while wife Becky Robison, middle, and Darlene Burnette, left enjoy the ride at Pryor Creek Golf Clubhouse.

Pete Robison driving the R&R Trading Golf Cart while wife Becky Robison, middle, and Darlene Burnette, left enjoy the ride at Pryor Creek Golf Clubhouse.

passport is filled out and completed, take it to the Pryor Creek Golf Clubhouse to be eligible to win read more

Dec42016

Shepherd, Huntley Project face shifting Class B football conferences

Local • Huntley Project • Shepherd • Sports

HUNTLEY — Class B football across Montana will look a lot different next fall.

Last week, the Montana High School Association approved a realignment that removes 11 schools from Class B. Libby and Ronan will move up to Class A. Choteau, Forsyth, Joliet, Lame Deer, Lodge Grass, Rocky Boy, St. Ignatius, St. Labre and Troy move down to Class C to play 8-man football — although those schools will be in Class B for all other sports.

Activities directors at both Shepherd and Huntley Project schools expressed concern about some of the changes, which could increase travel time and expense. Huntley and Shepherd will go into the East division with Baker, Colstrip, Poplar, Roundup and Wolf Point. Conferences have not been set in those divisions.

“I think by and large they have the best interests” of Class B and Class C schools in mind, said Jeff Armstong, Shepherd’s athletic and activity director. Baker is already a long trip, and adding Poplar and Wolf Point will stretch the district’s

travel budget, he said, and complicate the district’s route busing system, since the Department of Transportation limits the number of hours a bus driver can put in during a 24-hour period.

“It adds up,” he said, “It adds to our overall costs,” to go to Wolf Point or Poplar, and there isn’t room in the district budget for an overnight stay in either town.

At first glance, Shepherd and Huntley lose rival opponent Forsyth, since no Class C schools field 11-man teams.

But for schools with dwindling enrollment, moving to Class C is a good fit, Armstrong said.

“When you field 13-14 kids,” he said. “You can not play 11-man football.”

Custer/Hysham will remain in Class C 6-man. State 6-man champion Hot Springs and Box Elder will move up to 8-man,

Changing Class B divisions read more

Dec22016

County commissioners approve TEDD proposal

Top Stories • Yellowstone County • Lockwood
This image shows the boundaries of the Lockwood Targeted Economic Development District, or TEDD, approved by the Yellowstone County Commission. (Image courtesy of Sanderson Stuart)

This image shows the boundaries of the Lockwood Targeted Economic Development District, or TEDD, approved by the Yellowstone County Commission. Click on image to enlarge.  (Image courtesy of Sanderson Stuart)

Published originally in the print edition of the Yellowstone County News.  

LOCKWOOD — A proposed Targeted Economic Development District (TEDD) in Lockwood was finally approved just before Thanksgiving, by Yellowstone County Commissioners, following two years of research, study and planning. The TEDD — a tax increment financing district — will help finance infrastructure for an industrial park proposed by Big Sky Economic Development (BSED).

“I think the commissioners made a decision that is a big step in the right direction,” said Steve Arveschoug, BSED executive director. The whole goal is to help the community and land developers ready an industrial space that will advance economic development, he said.

The TEDD, however, is just one tool.

“We will look at other grants and tools to capitalize on the development of that area, consistent with the comprehensive development plan,” Arveschoug said.

The TEDD steering committee that has helped direct the process, so far, will be meeting this month with Deputy County Attorney Dan Schwarz, who will answer any legal questions the group may have.

The next step in the process, said Arveschoug, will be to ask the County Commissioners to appoint the advisory board provided for in the TEDD, which will help plan and direct “the process moving forward.” The final step in the process is to send the documentation to the Department of Revenue, which will set the tax base year as 2016 and start calculating the increment.

“We have to assume there will not be a lot of increment” for a few years to start any project, but they will be looking at other potential revenues and grants to serve as a catalyst, said Arveschoug.

While the TEDD is aimed at providing some of the financing that will be needed to develop an industrial park, for many of those from Lockwood who testified in support of the TEDD, the benefits they see are for planned growth, as well as an opportunity for Lockwood to read more

Nov242016

Holiday events span two weekends downtown

Top Stories • Yellowstone County

BILLINGS — Several events will celebrate the holiday season in downtown Billings.

On Friday, Nov. 25, the Downtown Billings Alliance (DBA) presents “A Parade of Trees,” the 32nd annual Holiday Parade.

The parade will be preceded by Santa’s Dash for Cash, a fun run that will follow the traditional city parade route. Saturday, Nov. 26 is Small Business Saturday, a nationwide campaign to share in the shopping tradition of Black Friday with a “shop local” focus for the community. The Christmas Stroll and the Holiday ArtWalk will take place from 5-9 p.m. on the following Friday, Dec. 2.

Friday’s Holiday Parade will begin at 7 p.m. at N North 27th Street & 3rd Avenue North. Santa’s Dash for Cash will begin 15 minutes prior to the parade and participants crossing the finish line under Skypoint at Broadway and 2nd Avenue North will receive holiday prizes. Santa’s float will be the grand finale of the parade and teddy bears sponsored by Darwin George will be distributed to children in the crowd. On Small Business Saturday, the DBA will announce read more

Nov232016

Shrinking revenues may prompt Lockwood mill levy request

Top Stories • Lockwood

by Evelyn Pyburn- Originally published in the Yellowstone County News on 11/18/16.

LOCKWOOD — The Lockwood School Board of Trustees is facing the prospect of asking for a mill levy increase for next year’s budget.

Because of continued enrollment declines, Lockwood School faces a $75,000 budget shortfall for next year, reported School Clerk Laurie Noonkester during the board’s meeting last week.

The shortfall involves being short by $75,000 of covering the same size budget as this year. It does not consider any increases in the budget, including “moving just one step” in the teachers’ pay grid, which adds $69,000 to the budget – and not including an increase in pay for the para professionals and administration.

The highest increase in revenue the district can have with a vote of the electorate is $288,000. The district will most likely need all that, according to Noonkester, who said that without the voter approved levy, “the cuts would be dramatic and painful.”

Other additional budget increases expected for next year include:

The school pays $1.5 million for health insurance and is expecting a 5 to 10 percent increase in premiums – an increase of $75,000. And, that does not include any increases in coverage such as the addition of family members.

Based upon current taxable value numbers, such a proposed mill levy increase would increase taxes on a $100,000 by $16.17 and on a $200,000 home, $32.35. The overall total tax for the school district on a $100,000 home would be $89.50.

Some positive changes that might mitigate some of the cost would be an increase in the taxable property value for the district, which usually runs at about 3 percent.

And, enrollment could still increase, which would increase the school’s ANB revenues (Annual Number Belonging) from the state. And, what the Legislature might do that could help the situation is still unknown.

Lockwood’s levy is currently at about the same level as two years ago, said Superintendent Tobin Novasio.

Lockwood has not requested a general mill levy increase for seven or eight years.

“We have cut down to such a low level it is hard to adjust,” said Novasio. There may be reduced read more

Nov232016

Big subdivision on the map north of Highway 312

Yellowstone County • Billings • Billings-Heights

by Evelyn Pyburn-originally published in the Yellowstone County News print edition on 11/18/16.

BILLINGS — Plans for a major subdivision received final approval from Yellowstone County Commissioners on Tuesday.

Bar 11 Subdivision engulfs 206 acres in an area about one mile north of Highway 312, north of the Billings Heights and west of Bitterroot Drive. It will create 162 lots for single-family residences in phased development. The lots range in size from a half-acre to four acres.

The subdivision, being developed by Jerry read more

Nov232016

KTCR – Cat Country 102.9 Flakesgiving Help

Top Stories • Billings
Students from Huntley Project Schools volunteered at the annual KCTR Flakesgiving prep on Friday at MetraPark. Students from wrestling, special education and FCCLA groups were on hand to help prepare meal boxes that will feed an estimated 10,000 people. Each box contains a 10-15 pound turkey, 10 pounds of potatoes, celery, onions, corn, stuffing, gravy mix, rolls and boxes of macaroni and cheese. (Photo courtesy of Scot Eenhulis)

Students from Huntley Project Schools volunteered at the annual KCTR Flakesgiving prep on Friday at MetraPark. Students from wrestling, special education and FCCLA groups were on hand to help prepare meal boxes that will feed an estimated 10,000 people. Each box contains a 10-15 pound turkey, 10 pounds of potatoes, celery, onions, corn, stuffing, gravy mix, rolls and boxes of macaroni and cheese. (Photo courtesy of Scot Eenhulis)

Nov222016

Lockwood Water, sewer district wraps up second phase of sewer project

Top Stories • Lockwood

by Evelyn Pyburn-Originally published in the print edition of the Yellowstone County News on 11/18/16.  

LOCKWOOD — At last week’s Lockwood Water and Sewer District (LWSD) board meeting, the board issued a “final completion” determination to COP Construction for the Phase II Sewer project. A one-year warranty period is now in place.

LWSD made final payment to COP Construction for the Construction of Sewer Project Phase II. The project, like the first phase, was completed under the construction budget. The amount the district anticipated having to borrow to build the sewer was $6.5 million but because of savings the district had to borrow only $6 million, according to Mike Ariztia, LWSD manager.

“We didn’t have to tap into $500,000 in funding we had lined up,” he said.

Jill Cook of Morrison Maierle reported that engineering costs also came in $50,000 under budget. In addition the district was able to take advantage of the construction process to install water lines, which could be done at substantial savings by taking advantage of open lines and construction crews in the field for the sewer.

The water district put in new water lines to the tune of $1,363,000.

During the meeting the board got an update regarding the rate study that is being conducted for the sewer district. They urged the company conducting the study, Raftelis Financial Consultants, to “fast track” that portion of it that will deal with the charges the district will ask of ExxonMobil, to use the system. They are in the process of ironing out the details of an agreement that ExxonMobil is seeking to use the Lockwood sewer system to transport up to 2 million gallons of waste a day to the Billings treatment plant.

It was also suggested that perhaps the pending rate study could be used as incentive to encourage residents in Lockwood to hook up to the system sooner rather than later, when connection fees will undoubtedly be higher once changed after the study is completed.

Ariztia said that 55 properties in Phase II have connected to the read more

Nov202016

HP volleyball dynasty continues to bring home state hardware

Sports
The Huntley Project Lady Red Devils placed second at the state volleyball tournament at Montana State University-Bozeman. Pictured in the back row (l to r): Ashton Albrecht, coach Billie Schaff, coach Sarah Reynolds, Josie Peterson, Alana Graves, Mollee Krum, Kamille Reynolds, Heidi Cranford, coach Iona Stookey, coach Chris Geck. Front row (l to r): Loran Murphy, Hailey Poole, Kama Thom, Kenzie Seitz, Shae Swenson, Addy Hultgren and Maggie Taylor. (Jonathan McNiven photo)

The Huntley Project Lady Red Devils placed second at the state volleyball tournament at Montana State University-Bozeman. Pictured in the back row (l to r): Ashton Albrecht, coach Billie Schaff, coach Sarah Reynolds, Josie Peterson, Alana Graves, Mollee Krum, Kamille Reynolds, Heidi Cranford, coach Iona Stookey, coach Chris Geck. Front row (l to r): Loran Murphy, Hailey Poole, Kama Thom, Kenzie Seitz, Shae Swenson, Addy Hultgren and Maggie Taylor. (Jonathan McNiven photo)

by Jonathan McNiven-Originally published in the print edition 11/18/16 of the Yellowstone County News.

BOZEMAN — The Huntley Project Lady Devils continued the long-standing tradition to bring home another state trophy at the State Class B Volleyball Tournament in Bozeman last Saturday, Nov. 12, at Brick Breeden Fieldhouse.

Saturday’s second place finish marked a long day of playing volleyball for the Lady Devils as they played through the loser-out bracket after losing to the Red Lodge Lady Rams in Friday’s undefeated semi-final game.

Saturday’s third place game win against Thompson Falls allowed the Lady Devils to replay the Red Lodge Lady Rams. HP handed Thompson Falls their third place finish in four sets, 19-25, 7-25, 25-23 and 15-25. Setter Heidi Cranford completed 43 of 50 total team assists along with Kenzie Seitz digging up the ball 17 times against Thompson Falls in preparing HP for a rematch with Red Lodge in the championship game.

Saturday’s championship games were sure to require additional energy and endurance as the Lady Devils beat Red Lodge in the first championship game 25-21, 26-24, 16-25, and 25-12. Hailey Poole, Kenzie Seitz and Shae Swenson all contributed ace serves in the game, while Ashton Albrecht contributed 17 kills in the game. Alana Graves led the team in blocks with 26. Setter Heidi Cranford completed 46 of the team’s 53 assists, which led to the final championship game due to double elimination rules in the tournament.

Huntley Project fell short in read more

Nov192016

MT GOP Chairman update – Guest Column

Politics

Originally published in the print edition of Yellowstone County News on 11/18/16.  

The dust is now settling on one of the most successful elections for the Montana Republican Party in modern times. I want to report what we accomplished, who we all want to thank for their contributions of time and treasure, and what our plans are for the future.

Statewide — federal

Montana Republicans were successful in 6 of the 7 statewide races on the ballot. Donald Trump beat Hillary Clinton by nearly 100,000 votes in Montana, and Congressman Zinke beat Denise Juneau by 16 percentage points. I am happy that Nancy Pelosi burned $500,000 in her wasted effort to help Juneau, revealing the lack of appeal of the Democrat message in Montana.  This was a huge strategic mistake for Montana Democrats and with Trump’s election Juneau now has no backup plan.

 

Statewide— state

Montana Republicans were successful in winning four of the five races for the Land Board. Corey Stapleton was elected Secretary of State, where he will lead an effort to restore integrity to our election process, including eliminating the improper practice of strangers collecting voted ballots and adopt measures to insure that people are not voting in multiple states.

Tim Fox was re-elected as Attorney General, where he can continue to fight government overreach by the EPA and other agencies.

Matt Rosendale was elected Auditor, where he will be busy implementing whatever comes out of the new Congress and President to Repeal and Replace Obamacare. And finally, Elsie Arntzen was elected Superintendent of Public Instruction, where she will be returning control to our local school boards and parents. Our only loss was that of the governor’s race.

Greg Gianforte fought a hard and expensive race, but was unable to overcome millions of dollars in spending by the Democrats and their Dark Money allies. However, the fact that his race drew all the fire enabled us to elect all our other candidates by huge margins. We owe Greg and Susan a debt of gratitude. Thank them when you see them.

 

Public Service Commission

I want to first congratulate Tony O’Donnell for read more

Nov182016

Property tax notices arrive, due Dec. 15

Yellowstone County

Originally published in the weekly newspaper print edition of the Yellowstone County News.

BILLINGS — Property tax bills arrived in mailboxes across the county this week, with many taxpayers seeing adjustments to their tax bills after school districts recertified their mill levies.

County Treasurer Sherry Long said the first half of property tax payments are due Dec. 15. The second half is due May 31, 2017, she said.

She wanted to clarify that school district budgets did not read more

Nov112016

Meanderings 11-11-16

Meanderings

Jonathan McNiven

Well, Folks, what an election and upset that I did not even see coming until the evening before the election when I posted on my Facebook page. (See my Facebook posting on the eve of Election day to the right). And, in fact, I did not see really any HOPE until the evening before and I’ll explain why.

But first, I want to assure those who were supporting Clinton that I completely know what you are thinking and feeling as I went through the exact same feelings four years ago when I was on the Montana Mitt Romney campaign.  In fact, I was read more

Nov102016

Rural America awakens; Silent Majority speaks —Voters select President-elect Donald Trump

Politics • Top Stories • Yellowstone County

Originally published in the Yellowstone County News Print Edition.

Donald Trump speaks at a rally at MetraPark on May 25, 2016. The Republican nominee went on to win the general Presidential Election and the White House in Tuesday night’s historic and upset general election. (Jonathan McNiven photo) Click to enlarge image.

Donald Trump speaks at a rally at MetraPark on May 25, 2016. The Republican nominee went on to win the general Presidential Election and the White House in Tuesday night’s historic and upset general election. (Jonathan McNiven photo) Click to enlarge image.

HUNTLEY — Donald J. Trump easily won Montana’s three Electoral College votes on his way to the national presidential win.

National Republican Party officials said their candidate succeeded because he appealed to rural voters and the Silent Majority, who turned out in massive numbers to vote for the political outsider.
The Republican ticket of Trump and running mate Mike Pence won 260,460  votes in the Big Sky State, with Democrats Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine totaling 160,838 votes with about 80 percent of Montana votes counted by Wednesday morning.
In remarks on Wednesday, Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus congratulated President-elect Trump.
Priebus said Americans wanted a “bold new direction” and that Trump’s victory showed Americans wanted to “take the country back into their own hands.”
Republicans also won control of both House and Senate seats. Democrats were in control of the U.S. Congress when Barack Obama was elected president in 2008.
“Donald Trump’s candidacy inspired millions of Americans to join his quest to give a voice to those who have long felt silenced,” Priebus said.
U.S. Sen. Steve Daines said, “Congratulations to President-elect Donald Trump on winning Montana and the presidency. Now the hard work really begins as we bring our nation together and move our country forward for hardworking families.”
Incumbent Gov. Steve Bullock fended off a challenge by Greg Gianforte, a Bozeman Republican, in a race that went into Wednesday as vote counting continued. On Wednesday morning, Gianforte conceded the race to Bullock.

GOP candidates and fans watched returns from Tuesday's general election at Lone Wolf Energy in Billings. Billings residents Dave Malek, left, and retired U.S. Army veteran Dave Scott, right, pose with their Trump sign.

GOP candidates and fans watched returns from Tuesday’s general election at Lone Wolf Energy in Billings. Billings residents Dave Malek, left, and retired U.S. Army veteran Dave Scott, right, pose with their Trump sign.

In unofficial results from Yellowstone County, Gianforte narrowly edged Bullock with 32,692 votes to Bullocks 32,194 votes.
“I’d like to congratulate Gov. Bullock,” Gianforte said Wednesday morning. “While this is an incredibly close race, the voters of Montana appear to have spoken.”
Gianforte thanked his campaign volunteers and supporters and congratulated Republican candidates Tim Fox, Corey Stapleton, Matt Rosendale, and Elsie Arntzen.
“I knew taking on an incumbent read more

Nov62016

NorthWestern tax settlement delays county tax bills

Top Stories • Yellowstone County

by Evelyn Pyburn-Originally published in the print edition of Yellowstone County News.

YELLOWSTONE COUNTY — Property tax bills will be a little late in November as several county school districts apply for recertification as a consequence of a tax dispute settlement between the Montana Department of Revenue and NorthWestern Energy.

The office of Yellowstone County Treasurer Sherry Long is in the process of adjusting tax bills, as some school districts readjust their mill levies to reflect the decline in the state’s assessment of the taxable value of NorthWestern Energy’s property in the county. Long said that the goal is to have the tax bills mailed no later than Nov. 15. Taxpayers are required to pay taxes within 30 days of that date.

Long said that the adjustment is making but a slight difference in the levies – varying from the addition of .30 mills to 1.83 mills. Not all school districts are recertifying.

Schools which recertified their elementary and high school levies include – Custer (0.92 mill increase), Broadview (1.83), Huntley Project (0.88), Lockwood (0.66), Pioneer (0.40), Shepherd (0.91), Independent (0.53), Molt (0.94), Morin (1.25), Laurel (0.45 mills) and Billings (1.32).

Elementary schools which send their high school students to SD2 will experience read more

Nov22016

YCN dispenser missing from Worden

Huntley Project

Newspaper Dispenser -2The Yellowstone County News is looking for a newspaper dispenser that was stolen from Valley Farmer’s Supply in Worden between the dates of 10/20/16-10/25/16. The Yellowstone County News and Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office is currently looking into video from inside and outside of the store.

If anyone has any information about the missing newspaper dispenser, please contact the Yellowstone County News office at 406-348-2650 and/or the Yellowstone County Sheriff’s office at 406-657-8200.

One can reference the case # 16-727414.

Oct242016

Main Street: Boosting business on state’s busiest road

Top Stories • Yellowstone County

by Judy Killen-Originally published in the print edition of the Yellowstone County News Newspaper.

The former Reiters Marina site is being transformed into a Town Pump. (Jonathan McNiven photo)

The former Reiters Marina site is being transformed into a Town Pump. (Jonathan McNiven photo)

BILLINGS — A wave of construction is transforming Main Street in the Billings Heights.

New projects include an Altana Federal Credit Union near Wendy’s at 1280 Main Street and a new Hardee’s at 548 Main Street in the neighborhood of Albertsons and ProBuild.

Also coming on line is a new Town Pump in the 400 block of Main Street and Splish Splash, a large car wash near MetraPark.

Statistics generated by the Montana Department of Transportation show that Main Street through the Heights is Montana’s busiest road. Traffic is projected to increase over the next few years with construction of the Billings Bypass, a connector from Lockwood and Interstate 90 to the Heights.

Crews move dirt to prepare to install underground water tanks at the site of the new Splish Splash Car Wash. MetraPark is visible just to the south.

Crews move dirt to prepare to install underground water tanks at the site of the new Splish Splash Car Wash. MetraPark is visible just to the south.

The Hardee’s will be the third restaurant in Billings, with one downtown on North 27th Street and one at 24th and Central Avenue. The St. Louis-based franchise will open at the site of the former Acme Auto.

John Grevey of Radix Construction told the Yellowstone County News that the project broke ground with demolition of existing buildings on Sept. 12 and framing may begin in three weeks, weather permitting and the restaurant may be completed as early as January.

The Town Pump is going up at the site of the former Reiter’s Marina at 450 Main Street. Demolition continues at that site with the new gas station, convenience store and casino scheduled for completion in summer of 2017.

The new Hardee’s on Main Street will be the third in Billings. (Jonathan McNiven Photo)

The new Hardee’s on Main Street will be the third in Billings. (Jonathan McNiven Photo)

Tom Moritz, foreman at Hoffman’s R and M Services of Butte, said his crews are doing the demolition and dirt work at the site.

Approaching colder weather could impact all the construction projects, since it would hamper concrete and asphalt paving.

The Splish Splash Car Wash promises a quick, friendly car wash with a brushless, touchless system. The car wash is under construction on land just north of MetraPark.

Oct222016

Leiser fundraiser brings in $84,000

Events & More! • Shepherd

Originally published in the print edition of Yellowstone County News Newspaper-by Judy Killen

Kamrey Leiser, center, takes a turn on the dance floor with Macey McCann as Kirk Brumfield and Joe Link play with the Bucky Beaver Ground Grippers on Sunday. Also dancing are Hailey Mathews and Bailey Hofmann. (Judy Killen photo)

Kamrey Leiser, center, takes a turn on the dance floor with Macey McCann as Kirk Brumfield and Joe Link play with the Bucky Beaver Ground Grippers on Sunday. Also dancing are Hailey Mathews and Bailey Hofmann. (Judy Killen photo)

SHEPHERD — The “Lift up the Leisers” fundraiser at the Vermilion Ranch raised almost $84,000 to help the Leiser family with medical costs and help their 10-year-old daughter, Kamrey, recover from serious injuries she suffered in a June rockslide.

Organizer Becky Anderson said live and silent auctions at the event generated close to $60,000, as people bid on everything from Disneyland, Napa Valley and Mexico trips to paintings, a motorcycle and even a pan of enchiladas.

“It was awesome,” she said of Sunday’s event. “It was so much fun.”

Becky’s dad, Roger Jacobs, was the auctioneer. Becky said Roger has done other benefit auctions but this was the easiest one because people were so willing to give.

Jacobs even sold leftover pans of salads, which Babe Goggins purchased to donate to shelters in Billings.

She estimated that 500 people attended the event, buying $10 admission tickets, $5 raffle tickets, “Kam Tough” bracelets and stuffing cash in donation jars.

The Leiser family, who spoke to the audience before the live auction began, expressed gratitude and thanks.

“We just want to thank anybody that had anything to do with this,” said an emotional Brian Leiser, Kamrey’s father.

Kamrey enjoyed the evening, posing for photos with Republican gubernatorial candidate Greg Gianforte and dancing with friends as Bucky Beaver Ground Grippers played “You Are My Sunshine.”

Gianforte said he attended the event with his wife, Susan, because he wanted to help the Leiser family and the community that is standing behind Kamrey.

He asked her how she feels now, and she replied, “95 percent.”

“It’s been overwhelming and awesome,” Anderson said of people

Kamrey Leiser enjoyed a chat with Greg Gianforte and his wife Susan, who bought a painting at the live auction. (Judy Killen photo)

Kamrey Leiser enjoyed a chat with Greg Gianforte and his wife Susan, who bought a painting at the live auction. (Judy Killen photo)

who donated items, helped clean the barns, the Shepherd High School students who helped deliver food, run games and help guests. “Far more than ever we could have dreamt.”

Kamrey Leiser enjoyed a chat with Greg Gianforte and his wife Susan, who bought a painting at the live auction. (Judy Killen photo)
Kamrey Leiser enjoyed a chat with Greg Gianforte and his wife Susan, who bought a painting at the live auction. (Judy Killen photo)
The $84,000 “far surpassed” their goal when they first started planning “Lift up the Leisers,” Anderson said.

Kamrey Leiser suffered severe injuries in a June 11 rockslide while hiking with her family south of Big Timber.

She was hospitalized in Billings and later transferred to Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City.

Finally, in late August, after 42 days in pediatric ICU and 24 days on the pediatric unit, Kamrey was able to return home in time to start fifth grade at Shepherd Elementary with her friends. Kamrey has had to relearn how to eat, talk and walk. She continues with speech, occupational and physical therapies. Doctors expect Kamrey’s recovery to take approximately one year.

Oct162016

Lockwood, School District 2 wrangle over upcoming high school legislation

Features • Top Stories • Billings • Lockwood

Originally published in the print edition of Yellowstone County News on 10/14/16 – by Evelyn Pyburn

LOCKWOOD — The trustees from Lockwood School Billings School District 2 held a joint meeting Monday evening at Lockwood Middle School, to determine whether the two districts can iron out their differences in regard to passing legislation that will lift the moratorium on new high school districts in Montana.

During the last state legislative session, a bill (SB 107) that would have done that, went down to a narrow defeat. Lockwood and East Helena are collaborating on re-introducing the legislation. Hellgate in Missoula was part of the effort two years ago, but will not be this time.

Montana has had a law against the creation of new school districts for decades. In recent years, burgeoning communities like Lockwood have come to the point of believing their children would be better served in schools closer to their own communities. During the legislative debate on the issue, the larger school districts – such as School District 2 – who serve the students of the satellite communities, came out strongly in opposition to the legislation.

The point of the meeting on Monday was to determine what would need to change in the legislation to eliminate SD2’s opposition to the bill, explained Lockwood Board Chairman Tim Sather.

SD2 Superintendent said that even if the legislation were more acceptable to the Billings board, it would probably just not oppose it and take a neutral stance, rather than actually support it.

“We don’t necessarily need your support,” said Lockwood Superintendent Tobin Novasio; eliminating the opposition would be enough. A suggestion was made that SD2 representatives be invited to help write the legislation. Novasio explained that Lockwood currently is partnering with East Helena representatives in drafting a bill, but they would very much like input from SD2. read more

Oct162016

Former rivals, now teammates, prepare for LDS missions

Local • Huntley Project • Shepherd
Huntley Project High School graduate Emma Cranford and Shepherd High School graduate Hyrum Hanson meet in the middle on the Yellowstone River Bridge at Huntley. Both student athletes and 2016 graduates, they are preparing for LDS Church missions. (Jonathan McNiven photo)

Huntley Project High School graduate Emma Cranford and Shepherd High School graduate Hyrum Hanson meet in the middle on the Yellowstone River Bridge at Huntley. Both student athletes and 2016 graduates, they are preparing for LDS Church missions. (Jonathan McNiven photo)

Originally published in the print edition of the Yellowstone County News-by Judy Killen

HUNTLEY — A few months ago, they competed for rival high schools and cheered on the Mustangs and Red Devils.

Now, recent graduates Hyrum Hanson of Shepherd and Emma Cranford of Worden are preparing to represent the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on missions far from home.

Hyrum was called to his mission with only 44 days to prepare. After a church farewell on Oct.16, he departs for mission training on Oct. 18 before his eventual arrival in Bokolod, an urbanized area on an island in the Philippines.

Emma has longer to prepare; she leaves Dec. 27 for training for her mission to Ecuador.  Cranford will be gone for 18 months as Hanson will be gone for 2 years.  

Both had to receive a series of immunizations, but Emma said she’s already traveled internationally with Huntley Project School groups and so she needed only boosters.

Hyrum, a Shepherd graduate, spent his summer working construction but was wrapping up at his job last week.

Emma and Hyrum both think their missions will prepare them well for the rest of their life, while requiring them to tackle the unknown — both expect culture shock, but are excited to meet the people and learn the customs of their new countries. read more

Oct142016

First of Honors/Sports pages in published in YCN

Sports

hphonorpages12ycn10142016The first of many Honor/Sports pages have been published in the Yellowstone County News print edition in the 10/14/16 edition.  The first of the pages are published before the teams, entities or groups attend either tournaments, festivals or conventions through out the school year.  These special pages are published in the Yellowstone County News for the schools of Shepherd, Huntley Project and Custer.

The different groups that are featured through-out the year include Cross Country, Football, Volleyball, Cheerleaders, Speech & Debate, Wrestling, Girls Basketball, Boys Basketball, Media, BPA, FCCLA, FFA, Band & Choir (Music), Track & Field, Golf and Softball.

The first group to go to tournaments this year are the read more