May112017

City awards legal ad contract to Yellowstone County News

Top Stories • Billings

Billings- The City of Billings awarded Yellowstone County News in Monday night’s City Council meeting the legal advertising contract for the next contract period. In an extensive consent agenda and debate, discussion revolved around long standing tradition of where Billings’ legal advertising has gone for many years, whether the business was located within city limits or whether businesses and individuals will follow the change.

City of Billings staff had recommended that the City Council approve the agreement for legal advertising with Yellowstone County News for one year, with five, one-year options to renew by mutual agreement.

During executive action and debate, Council member Brent Cromley made the motion to award the Billings Times as the legal advertising contract publication of record while Council member Mike Yakawich seconded the motion. Council member Rich McFadden said that he would vote against the motion, as Yellowstone County News actually “had won the bid and came in read more

May112017

Garth Brooks adds fifth Billings concert, ticket go on sale today

Events & More! • Features • Montana-Statewide

BILLINGS — Garth Brooks will perform five concerts at MetraPark next month after selling almost 40,000 tickets in half an hour.

Brooks originally announced one show, for Saturday, June 10. When tickets sales began, four concerts were on sale. A fifth has since been added, at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, June 11.

He will be joined in concert by his wife, Trisha Yearwood.

Tickets for this show went on sale at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 11. If any tickets are available, they are sold only read more

May82017

Vice President Mike Pence to Visit Billings

Montana-Statewide • Politics • Top Stories
Vice President Mike Pence

Vice President Mike Pence

United States Vice President Mike Pence announced that he will be visiting Montana this week in support of Greg Gianforte’s Campaign run for US Representative. The campaign announced that the Vice President will be in Billings on May 12 at a free event to the public.  As the special election is getting closer and absentee ballots have been sent out, the final stretch of the special election is entering the two week remaining time frame to rally supporters in Billings and throughout the state of Montana for all three candidates running.

The Rob Quist campaign also announced read more

May82017

Broadview places third in high school Challenge Bowl

Yellowstone County

Originally published in the print 5/5/17 edition of Yellowstone County News.

BILLINGS — The Montana Chamber Foundation has announced the winners of its inaugural Montana High School Business “Challenge Bowl.”

A team from Broadview High School placed third.

The “Challenge Bowl” pitted the top teams from the fall and spring semester competitions against each other for a full day of business simulations. The results are based on the teams’ simulated stock price at the read more

May82017

Great American Bagel celebrates grand opening downtown

Billings

Great American Bagel Inc. owners Sherman Kirby, left, and John Smith celebrate a ribbon cutting ceremony at their new downtown location on Fourth avenue North in Billings on Monday. They were assisted by members of the Billings Chamber of Commerce. (Jonathan McNiven photo)

Originally published in 5/5/17 print edition of the Yellowstone County News

BILLINGS — Billings bagel lovers have a new breakfast and lunch source downtown with the grand opening of Great American Bagel Inc. on Fourth Avenue North.

Owner John L. Smith said the new location will augment the original Great American Bagel Inc. on South 24th Street West. The bagels will still be prepared at the 24th Street bakery, and then brought downtown every day.

Smith said he plans to install a read more

May82017

Libertarian Party Chair resigns, Party says candidate is legitimate

Montana-Statewide • Politics • Top Stories

Editors note: This article has been updated from its original to reflect party representatives stating that all paperwork is up to date and Mark Wicks is a legitimate candidate.  

Montana Libertarian Party Chairman Ron Vandevender has resigned.

He said vice chairman Elinor Swanson will take his place.
“For my own sake and my family’s sake, I need to back down,” Vandevender said Monday morning.
“I’m not giving up Libertarian ideals.” He’s been state party chairman since the October 2016 death of Mike Fellows in a car accident north of Missoula. He lives in Craig, where he intends to run for election in House District 80 in 2018.
“After all this time, it’s just kind of catching up with me,” Vandevender said. “It’s just a combination of things, a little too much physical strain.”

He cited health problems facing him, his wife and family members as factors in his decision to resign.
The Montana Libertarian Party launched a massive reorganization after Fellows’ death, Vandevender said, including organizing more local and county groups and making the state group, which had been loosely organized, more cohesive.
“We’ve never hid that fact,” Vandevender said. “We’re not the best organized.”
“In a short period of time it’s really been a major step forward,” he said. That new direction will not change, he said.
“I don’t think it will,” he said. “I don’t see why it should.
read more

May82017

County reaps $2 million savings on jail addition

Top Stories • Yellowstone County

Originally published in the Yellowstone County News 5/5/17 print edition.

BILLINGS — A report that the bids for the new jail came in $2 million under estimates had Yellowstone County Commissioners smiling last week. The project could hardly be turning out better, said Commissioner John Ostlund.

James Matteson, the county’s purchasing agent, seemed especially pleased to present a commitment of $11,363,675 in total costs from the construction manager, Swank Enterprises, to be approved by the read more

May72017

Huntley Project’s Mark Branger named to ACTE Region V Hall of Fame

Huntley Project

Mark Branger, right, and Pam Ferguson received the Region V Hall of Fame Award at the 2017 Region V ACTE conference in Rapid City, South Dakota. (Courtesy photo)

Published in the 5/5/17 edition of Yellowstone County News.  

WORDEN — Huntley Project Technology and CTE Director Mark Branger was one of three new members welcomed into the ACTE Region V Hall

of Fame during the opening session of the 2017 ACTE Region V Conference, held in Rapid City, South Dakota.

The ACTE Region V Hall of Fame was established four years ago and the honor

recognizes the contributions and distinguished accomplishments of those who have been identified with the work and purposes of Region V and the Association for Career and Technical Education. The Hall of Fame honors ACTE members who have made a significant impact on the field of career and technical education at the national, regional or state levels. read more

May62017

Three HP teachers headed to New York City Marathon

Huntley Project

JayDee Lindeen, left, Mara Beard and Tara Christman run in marathon in 2016. They, along with Ronda Jensen, are training and fundraising to run in the New York City Marathon in November. Their efforts will raise money for the Foundation for Prader-Willi Research. (Courtesy photo)

Originally published in the 5/5/17 print edition of Yellowstone County News. 

Eva Grace Jensen

HUNTLEY PROJECT — Three educators from the Huntley Project School District are teaming up to run the New York City Marathon in a few months to raise money for a foundation that helps people with a rare genetic disease.

JayDee Lindeen, Mara Beard and Tara Christman are hosting a spaghetti dinner and silent auction at the school on Thursday, May 11, the first step toward raising $20,000 by September.

The spaghetti dinner is from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on May 11 in the school commons. Tickets cost $7 for adults and $3 for children 10 and under. A family of four or more can eat for $25. Silent auction items will be on display. Also that night, the Huntley Project High School read more

May62017

Shepherd School Board: Shane, Shane, Shayne

Custer • Shepherd

Originally published in the print edition 5/5/17 of Yellowstone County News. 

SHEPHERD — Several new trustees will join the Shepherd School Board at its next meeting.

Shane Flowers received the most votes with 373, followed by Shane Rekdal with 294 votes. Both will take seats on the board vacated by Jamie Mertz and Russ Curry, who did not seek re-election.

Candidate Michael Gallagher received 245 votes.

In the high school-only district, Shayne read more

May52017

Steve Erb, Brooke Logan win HP School Board seats

Huntley Project

HUNTLEY PROJECT — Incumbent Steve Erb and challenger Brooke Logan bested a field of seven candidates for two seats on the Huntley Project School Board in Tuesday’s election.

In the School District 24 race, Erb received 588 votes. Logan received 438 votes. Voters could vote for up to two candidates of the seven in the race. read more

May52017

Republican lawmakers deliver on Republican values, Op Ed


Montana-Statewide • Politics

Originally published in the print 5/5/17 edition of Yellowstone County News. 

By: Senate and House Majority Leadership (Senate: President Scott Sales, Majority Leader Fred Thomas, Pro Tem Bob Keenan; House: Speaker Austin Knudsen, Majority Leader Ron Ehli, Pro Tem Greg Hertz)


As the 2017 legislative session has come to an end, we want to make sure that Montanans have a clear view of what’s happened the past few months in Helena. The mission of the Senate and House Republicans from Day One has been to help create more opportunities for all Montanans by making our state a better place to work, live and do business. Government should work in service to the people, not the other way around. In large part, this means fighting against policies that increase taxes, grow government and take from the citizens of Montana.

When the legislators arrived in January, we were faced with a read more

May52017

Annual catfish tournament reels in planned date May 12-13

Yellowstone County • Billings • Huntley Project

Randy Franco, Left, and Nicholas Fortier, Right, both of Billings , showing off hitter winnings catfish that were caught during the Yellowstone Challenge. (courtesy photo)

Originally published in the Yellowstone County News print edition.

HUNTLEY — An annual catfish tournament next weekend will bring about 60 two-person teams to fish the Yellowstone River.

The Yellowstone Challenge begins Friday, May 12, with a calcutta and social at 6 p.m. at Cowboys Bar on Nahmis Avenue. The fishing tournament begins at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 13. Anglers will weigh their fish at Cowboys at 7 p.m. Saturday.

According to tournament director Brady Flaten of Glasgow, president of the Montana Catfish Association, entries for the boat-only tournament are limited to 60 two-person teams.

Montana Cats field staff member Jason Flaten started the Yellowstone Challenge in the spring of 2007.

Randy Franco (Billings, MT), Left, and Nicholas Fortier (Billings, MT), Right, displaying their trophies when winning the Yellowstone Challenge.

The annual tournament is scheduled for the second weekend of May on the Yellowstone River with headquarters at Huntley. Anglers can fish for catfish from mouth of the Bighorn River near Bighorn, Montana to the Huntley Bridge. read more

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