Jan182024

Thank you for continuing to educate the public (and the boards)

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor,

Thank you to Jonathan McNiven and reporters Evelyn Pyburn and Michael Marino for their coverage of local government including the city, county, school boards and water districts. Thank you for continuing to educate the public (and the boards) about the value of open public meetings. Jonathan’s meanderings make it clear that CWDBH is not the only board struggling with the concept and the law. Failing to follow open meeting laws makes it appear that there is something to hide.

Thank you to Michael Marino for detailed reporting on the City of Billings proposed change for storm water billing. Currently the charges are a “special assessment” on the annual property tax bill and are included in the Total Taxes due for the current year.

Public Works proposed a $178 million cost to upgrade the city’s storm water system. The city manager noted that Public Works plans to migrate from charging the storm fee as an assessment on property taxes to instead charge the fee on the utility bill effective July 1, 2024. At the January 2 work session, a non-binding public vote was supported by all council members except Roy Neese with three council members absent.

The shift to the utility bill will make it appear that “property taxes” have decreased for the city of Billings when not one dollar of spending has been reduced and large increases read more

Jan152024

Human trafficking, it’s happening right here in Montana

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor,

Human trafficking is not just a big city problem – it’s happening right here in Montana.

Which is why, during National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, I’m encouraging Montanans to learn the signs of human trafficking and report it if they see it.

Let’s call human trafficking what it is: modern-day slavery. Traffickers—often organized criminal enterprises—are profiting at the expense of adults and children who are forced to perform read more

Jan132024

Sir, you hit the nail right on the pointed head of David Crisp

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor,

Clint Kegel, Sir, you hit the nail right on the pointed head of David Crisp. You expose the lies he spits out and Crisp could care less about what YCN readers think, as he’s getting paid for his bile. Crisp, and all the phonies we have exposed, allow for YCN readers to see what their true colors are. A bouquet to Senor(s) McNiven and Marino of the YCN for allowing us to speak truthfully. Sadly, Sir, we don’t get paid for speaking the truth. What Crisp still has not explained to YCN readers is the reason he lost the “Outpost” bird cage liner. It has to be due to the same chunder he wraps in a respected newspaper such as the YCN. Amazing!

Jen J. Larson, “Ol’ Blue Tears of Joy.” We still have not been told your gender, so with due respect, Mam/Sir, I will read more

Jan132024

McNiven’s Meanderings: Public Meetings and the Law

Features • Politics

Well, Folks, I want to take this week and talk about public meetings and some misconceptions that are out there as well as set the record straight.

I’ve had to address some flat out lies about what can and can’t be done at public meetings as I’ve had to address some board presidents and board members with concerns and issues as well as the general public in regards to three different entities in the last two months. so I think it’s important to address some of those now.  

First, please know that any public meeting is open to the public and/or media and can be recorded by anyone. We typically record any meetings we attend, and boards are supposed to record their own meetings as well.

Second, please know that public meetings are for the transparency of the public and taxpayers to know what is being done at these entities and during meetings.

Third, please know that going into closed session in order to eliminate and remove our reporter from being in the room (in order to pull a power trip) is just wrong and illegal read more

Jan132024

WAKE UP BILLINGS! YOU WILL BE DRINKING THEIR POLLUTION!

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor,

WAKE UP BILLINGS!

When Laurel OKs the “heavy industrial” zoning change they are talking about, (for about 1000 acres along the Yellowstone River), to go along with NorthWestern’s illegal building of their methane plant, they, along with any other business that goes in there will take water from the river and dump waste back into the river. YOU WILL BE DRINKING THEIR read more

Jan112024

Signal Peak Energy Shafted? That is why ranchers and landowners joined NPRC, BMLA and others

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor,

Signal Peak Energy Shafted?

I am writing in response to the article claiming Bull Mountain landowners were somehow “shafting” the corrupt coal mining operation south of Roundup. To claim that Signal Peak is “getting shafted” is wildly inaccurate. Not only is the company being coddled by the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), but Signal Peak Energy (SPE) has received from inception a 50% proceeds tax subsidy amounting to millions of dollars annually. This sweetheart tax deal, imposed by the State Legislature over the objections of Musselshell County taxpayers, was supposed to expire after read more

Dec202023

Water Advisory for Huntley Water Users Has Been Lifted,

Top Stories • Huntley Project

The Boil Water Advisory issued for Huntley Water & Sewer District customers on Monday, Dec. 18, has been lifted as of Wednesday December 20, 2023.

A fiber optic company accidentally hit one of the district’s main distribution lines Monday morning, causing loss of pressure and the risk of contamination. This led officials to issue an advisory for residents to boil water before consuming it.

read more

Dec152023

Lives of Yellowstone County Special Edition

Features • Obituaries • Yellowstone County

Lives of Yellowstone County December 30, 2022 was the first time YCN published this special edition. Here is an image of the front page for example.

Yellowstone County News will be publishing a special edition of YCN called “Lives of Yellowstone County” and we’d like to include a little write up about your loved ones that passed away in the last year, Please send us a story/article about your loved one that is 500 words or less. You can include any little stories about your loved one, or some hobbies or a specific example of that loved one that exemplifies his character and personality. We just don’t want the exact obituary but a lot of the information from the obituary can be used.

 
Our deadline is Wednesday December 20 by 5pm so we can get it ready to be published in our last edition of the year newspaper. The cost is free to submit the article. Please include a different picture (if possible) than the one we already have from the obituary.
 
Please email your articles/stories to info@yellowstonecountynews.com and put “Lives of Yellowstone County” in the subject line.
 
We look forward to honoring those from Yellowstone County that have passed on this last year.
This will be our second edition of Lives of Yellowstone County.  
 
If you have any questions, please contact Jonathan McNiven at 406-672-5941.

Dec42023

Shepherd Residents Voice Concern Over Pacific Steel’s Proposed Repository/Landfill

Top Stories • Shepherd

A great deal of animosity was evident Thursday, November 21, from the Shepherd community at a public meeting regarding the idea of Pacific Steel & Recycling (PSR) building a repository to store scrap metal waste near the corner of U.S. Highway 87 North and Shepherd Acton Road.

PSR is planning to develop a roughly $2.5 million repository to support its Lockwood plant where cars, trucks and white goods are shredded and processed as scrap metal. The leftover material, called Auto Shredder Residue (ASR), is thought to contain minerals, rubber and plastics that will be valuable in the future, which is why the company wants to build a repository to store ASR for future use.

In October, Montana’s Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) posted PSR’s application to build the repository, which DEQ considers a “landfill” for permitting purposes, for public comment. A group formed called “Stop the Shepherd Landfill” to resist the project based on their view that ASR waste contains “hazardous, cancer-causing particles.”

The group includes Kit Charter Nelson, whose family farms in the area; Anellise Deters, who lives two miles from the proposed site on Shepherd Road; and Tricia Mae, who has had experience as a project manager for a wood waste landfill, and lives on Yeoman Road over three miles from the site.

At last Thursday’s meeting, held at the Shepherd High School gym, DEQ Solid Waste Supervisor, Fred Collins, gave a brief overview of the permitting process. Any entity wishing to build a landfill must first fill out a 272-page license application which often includes hundreds more pages of attachments and indexes. They must also draft an Environmental Assessment (EA).

Next, DEQ publishes the draft EA and application for public comment. “We review any substantive comments,” said Collins. “So, any comments that are dealing with the topics of interest as far as the groundwater concerns, wildlife, things like that.” He said staff does not review “non-substantive” comments like, “We don’t want it,” because “it doesn’t read more

Dec12023

DEQ Finds Signal Peak Complaint ‘Unsupported by Facts’

Top Stories

Montana’s Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) responded November 17 to a citizen complaint filed against Signal Peak Energy’s (SPE) Bull Mountain Mine last month, calling it “unsupported by the facts,” and chastising the complainants for their “repeated misuse of the citizen’s complaint process.”

On October 16, four groups — Earthjustice, Montana Environmental Information Center (MEIC), Northern Plains Resource Council (NPRC), and Western Environmental Law — filed the complaint with federal agencies. The complaint alleged SPE was “failing to comply with permit requirements to reclaim lands affected by… subsidence, including failures to protect topsoil and vegetation.” It included photos from November 2022 of subsidence cracks on land owned by Steve Charter, a member of NPRC. It also alleged DEQ had “failed to issue notices of violation or cessation orders when citizens and inspections have identified these violations.”

Charter further claimed cattle have “likely” been injured by subsidence cracks, and that ranchers “have reported cattle breaking legs or injuring themselves with the probable cause being subsidence cracks.”

The complaint demanded that, “the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) perform a federal inspection of this mine, or alternatively, require DEQ to grant the requested citizen inspections within ten days.” After that, the complaint said OSMRE should order Signal Peak to immediately cease operations.

In a response dated Nov. 17, DEQ Mining Bureau Chief Dan Walsh wrote, “DEQ strongly disagrees that any… inspection is required or that a cessation order is appropriate.”

Walsh continued, “DEQ finds Complainants’ allegations read more

Dec12023

Signal Peak Energy is getting Shafted!

Politics • Meanderings • Shepherd

Well, Folks, I wanted to take this week to talk about Signal Peak’s Mine and the visit of their facilities and property a couple weeks back, AND all the BS that is surrounding the lawsuits and groups that filed them. In addition, due to judges legislating from the bench (as they call it), Signal Peak can’t mine on federal lands now (when they were previously approved), but other mines can continue to mine while updating their EIS (Environmental Impact Study).  I’m told the lawsuits are the same lawsuits but the only difference is the judge.  I’m going to help you navigate and connect some of the dots here.     

Initially, Signal Peak Energy which is located just north of Shepherd and extends into Musselshell County, has come on our radar since we first received some information from Steve Charter about his claims and the problems he is having with Signal Peak Energy. 

He claims Signal Peak is devaluing his land, destroying his land and property for his cattle because of mining operations that are going on in that area. Furthermore, he and these groups claim that Signal Peak is taking over his land and not reclaiming it. We ran that story in our newspaper about his claims and Signal Peak’s short response in our October 20thedition of YCN.  Our reporter did another story follow up in our paper about the issues that are at hand which includes Charter’s claim that the read more

Dec12023

Obituary: Billy Gardner McIlvain

Obituaries
Bill Gardner McIlvain

Bill Gardner McIlvain

December 16, 1936 – November 10, 2023

Billy (Bill) Gardner McIlvain passed away at his home in Huntley, Montana, at the age of 86. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather, as well as a loyal friend.

He was born in Big Spring, Texas, in 1936 and grew up on the Wilkinson Ranch (Cross F), near Natural Dam Salt Lake, where his father worked as the ranch foreman. Alongside his father, Bill

worked cattle, rodeoed, and learned to manage the ranch. His elementary years were spent in a one-room schoolhouse, to which he sometimes rode the 4 ½ mile distance on Ole Paint, the pony.  During high school he was read more

Nov252023

Court Says Counties Must Collect 95 Mills in Taxes for State

Yellowstone County

Property taxpayers will be getting an addendum to their property tax bill, following last week’s Montana Supreme Court decision in favor of the State regarding the amount of mills it may levy in property taxes.

Almost all of the counties in Montana billed property owners less than the 95 mills the State claimed it had the authority to levy.

County commissioners claimed the State failed to levy its tax in compliance with the same cap that the state legislature imposed on local governments. But according to the Supreme Court that decree does not impact State government, “…that authority rests with the State alone.”

How Yellowstone County taxpayers will be notified of the additional tax charge is being ironed out by County Treasure Marci Shafer, in discussions with Yellowstone County Commissioners and Deputy County Attorney, Chief In-House Counsel Steve Williams. There are numerous legal issues about the billing to be addressed as well as how to minimize costs to the county for the mailing. Decisions are not likely to come until January.

Shafer pointed out that some taxpayers have already paid all their property taxes and read more

Nov162023

Has Anything Changed?

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor,

Having attended the recent BIRD meeting, my first few thoughts are these:

The problems and concerns of the North Park area are the same if not similar to the South Park neighborhood. Why? Several reasons (and hopefully solutions), but could it be School District #2?

Closing Garfield, North Park, Lincoln, Rimrock, Grand Avenue, Eastern (MSU-B-Lissa Field), Rocky, and Daylis Stadium – (next), what has our prominent employer done for our fair city?

Always asking for more money to build a bike path – or trail – so your kid can play football on a shared, dilapidated stadium on a cheeseburger donated field insults my read more

Nov152023

Winning Streak: Huntley Project Volleyball Takes 15th State Championship

Sports • Huntley Project

Cheers erupted from the bleachers Saturday, November 11 as Huntley Project’s (HP) Volleyball Team scored the 25th point of their fourth set against the Townsend Bull Dogs, earning them their 15th state title in a row under Head Coach Iona Stookey.

HP’s Lady Red Devils have dominated the Class B volleyball scene for the last 15 years. Townsend has been to state several times in recent history, and took third place last year, but they were still searching for their first title over the weekend. 

On Saturday, Harlie Murphy made 27 kills and two blocks for the Red Devils. Madison Akins and Sannah Windy Boy added two each, respectively. Delayne Lindeen led HP’s defense with 34 digs while Brynn Wandle came with 48 assists. Kirra Ban had two aces. 

The Red Devils were on track for a swift victory as they won the first two sets 25-18 and 25-23. But the Bull Dogs took the third read more

Nov152023

NOW Chief St. John Decides to Take the Crime Seriously?

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor,

Hello, Council. This message is mainly for the mayor since he is technically the city of Billings “kingpin”. All jokes aside, I recently read this article

https://www.ktvq.com/news/crime-watch/billings-police-chief-vows-to-take-hard-line-against-rising-gang-violence

And can’t help but get furious. Because NOW the Chief decides to take the crime seriously? NOW?!?! He’s had 40+ years with this department and as Chief this is what it has become…..all on his watch. This is entirely his fault and read more

Nov132023

Anderson McNiven Recognized for Reaching 300 Broadcasts

Sports • Billings-Heights • Huntley Project • Shepherd

The look on Anderson McNiven’s face last Thursday said it all as he was surprised by Shepherd’s and Huntley Project’s Volleyball Teams as well as his YCN Sports colleagues. He was recognized for his 300th game broadcast and supplied with a whole season’s worth of Cheetos and root beer — his favorite pre-game snack. (Michael Marino photo)

The look on 16-year-old Anderson McNiven’s face said it all last Thursday, Nov. 2 as he walked out of the Columbus High School gym and into a packed room of family, friends and fans, there to congratulate him on his 300th game broadcast. 

“I almost fainted,” he said regarding the moment he realized what was going on.

Anderson, a Huntley Project (HP) High School Junior student, started calling local sports tournaments as a seventh grader in 2019 with his dad, Jonathan McNiven. on www.YCNsports.com and 101.1 KFHW-FM. He’s put on broadcasts for state basketball games and at least three state volleyball championships, multiple district and divisional basketball tournaments as well as state playoff football games. He covers varsity games for HP, Shepherd, and Skyview High School districts regularly.

“Anderson spends a lot of time on the road and delivers great commentary due to his preparation, diligence and expertise,” wrote HP School District on social media. “Thank you to the Shepherd and Huntley Project Volleyball teams for helping to commemorate this special occasion.”

HP Activities Director, Tim Kaczmarek said, “Anderson does a great job. He knows our student athletes very well and this is portrayed through his broadcasting. He is on top of every read more

Nov112023

Obituary: Gene Hammatt 

Obituaries
Gene Hammatt 

Gene Hammatt 

Gene Hammatt, the loving son of his mom and dad, loved by his brother, worshipped by his children, and adored by his grandchildren and great grandchildren, left his mortal body on Oct 30, 2023.

Gene was blessed with many gifts and talents. He was one of those men who truly loved everything he did.  As a result, he never worked a day in his life.  He was a pipe fitter by trade and was a devoted member of the local union. He was an extremely gifted welder; he taught welding for the union.

He loved his tomato read more

Nov102023

Judge Sets New Dates for Water District Case Against County, Ellis

Top Stories • Billings-Heights

Following something of an impasse at a court hearing on October 23, District Court Judge Colette B. Davies said she would allow the County’s appointee to the County Water District Board, Pam Ellis, to file a counter suit against the Water District Board; the Judge has issued a schedule to allow Ellis to do so.  Yellowstone County, also a plaintiff in the case, has joined Ellis’ counter suit.

Pointing to the passage of recent legislation, HB-35, that changes state law regarding district boards and representation on a board, the Water District Board’s attorney, Susan Swimley, filed a request to the court to dismiss their case because the legislation renders the issue moot.

Given that the District filed to dismiss, the merits of the original lawsuit filed by the District could not be determined unless Ellis filed a counter-suit, explained the Judge.

The Water District filed suit against the county commissioners and Ellis, after the board voted to remove Ellis from the board; she was advised by an attorney that her removal was illegal, and she should read more