Has Anything Changed?

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

Winning Streak: Huntley Project Volleyball Takes 15th State Championship

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

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

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

Anderson McNiven Recognized for Reaching 300 Broadcasts

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

Obituary: Gene Hammatt 

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

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

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

Water District Plans to Delay Manager Search; Debate Bylaws and Recall Issue

Step by step the Heights County Water District Board went through the bylaws of the organization at a special work session last Wednesday. They also discussed finding a replacement for general manager, given the resignation of Peyton Brookshire, as well as getting another attorney to represent the board, having also received the resignation of Susan Swimley, Bozeman.

Proposed changes to the bylaws will be discussed at the regular board meeting on November 15, as well as at least one other public meeting where changes can be made. All board members were present for the work session except for Ming Cabrera.

Part of the discussion about bylaws included the wording in the section dealing with removing members from the board, which is the subject of the lawsuit in which the district is challenging Yellowstone County and Pam Ellis, the county’s appointee to the board, as to whether the board members had read more

Oops, Guess They Got That Wrong – FOR 2.5 YEARS! 

Dear Editor,

While reading the recent Oct 27th article in “Between the Lines”, I was struck by the ironies of his commentary on the current state of the media.  The writer was lamenting the decline of the print media linking it to the rise of the internet proclaiming it a “sinkhole of lies and misinformation”.  I was struck by M. Hirsh in Politico (a left leaning rag) who proclaimed it “10,000 weeds … where like-minded gather to get their information, much of it garbage”.  Recently, the left’s most prestigious rag, The New York Times (and EVERY other rag liberal media outlet including local print and news) that Israel had bombed a hospital in Gaza!  Within minutes, Israel showed the world the evidence that, in fact, Hamas bombed the hospital!  No truth (garbage?) to the story, no retraction, no apology and especially no equal amount of vitriol or condemnation directed to the actual perpetrator of this war crime/atrocity noted, printed or circulated!

So, who is filling the papers and airwaves with garbage and misinformation?  By far, the vast information is disseminated by an utterly corrupted liberal media; ABC, NBC, CBS, MSNBC, CNN, NYT, almost every newspaper globally.   Also, we found that our government has been participating in this misinformation.  The 3-year war against President Trump over Russia-gate was ultimately proven NOT true!  Elon Musk exposed that fact that almost every read more

Was the Billings City Council a Staged Event?

Dear Editor,

On July 10, in a City Council meeting, Councilman Mike Boyett made a motion to separate the two major items on the ballot for the $143 million funding request.   He “apparently” felt that voters should have the choice of either OR neither of 1) $57 million for Parks and Trails and 2) $86 million for the recreational center.  

His motion failed by a vote of 6 to 5 against the DIVISION of the two items on the ballot.
Ironically (???) there were citizens in attendance in the City Council meeting that night who spoke very rigorously AGAINST the division.   Three of those people were from Play It Forward Billings, with one of those being the plant manager of the PAR refinery who stated that PAR would withdraw its pledge of $2 million if the ballot was Indeed divided.  (By the way, “division” is actually a City Ordinance term.)

Ironically? Purposely?
Question — How did those three members of Play It Forward know to be at the City Council meeting THAT night to specifically argue against DIVISION of the ballot? Was this all a staged event?  Did they read more

Obituary: John Patrick Carney

John Patrick Carney

John Patrick Carney

John Patrick Carney, age 60, of Ballantine, Montana, passed away on October 19, 2020, from complications related to lung cancer. Cremation has taken place under the direction of Smith Funeral Chapel. A celebration of life will take place on May 25, 2024 at MetraPark. It is being held over Memorial Day Weekend as John viewed it as a special and significant time.

John was born on May 14, 1963, in Marengo, Iowa, to Janice (Starks) and Leonard Luverne Carney. He was raised in Parnell, Iowa. He graduated from Williamsburg High School in Williamsburg, Iowa, in 1981. He went on to serve in the United States Air Force in the Red Horse Squadron, where he would eventually be stationed in Great Falls, Montana, at Malmstrom Air Force Base. This was where his life read more

Re-elect Roy Neese

Dear Editor,

Reelect Roy Neese to Billings City Council Ward 2.

I have known Roy for many years and have been impressed with his commitment to the City of Billings. He has served as Chairman of the Heights Task Force for two terms and brought many issues from the Heights to council members. Roy has helped shape the future of Billings, supporting the completion of the inner belt loop to Zimmerman Trail as well as the first phase of construction for the outer belt loop.

As a former legislator, I heard from read more

Voting is a privilege & Responsibility

Dear Editor,

Voting is a privilege, with privilege comes responsibility. We have a year before a general election to prepare.  Voting is a process requiring study, and involvement.  Getting registered early is helpful; DMV and government class may help with registration; however, sometimes registrations are not turned in in a timely manner.  The election office needs a couple weeks to input your information.  The office will send you a card as to which precinct you are in.  Keep the card or remember the number.  Nothing worse than getting to the polls late in the afternoon and not being found in the register, the list of voters for that precinct. 

The voting process requires an ID.  One will be surprised as to how many people have the same read more

Thank You & Those Who are Praying

Dear Editor,

We have a dear friend from Wisconsin, John, who has lived in Jerusalem, Israel, for many years.  He shared in the form of prayer requests a little more about Israel’s war.  Also, this week, Tuesday, the Catholic Patriarch of Jerusalem, declared a day of prayer and fasting for Israel. These are indeed serious days!

Here is John’s letter in part:

“’For such a time as this…’ (from the Bible book of Esther), it would be good to pray into the following for Israel at this critical point in the war:

Renewal and hope in all devastated hearts which will produce faith in God.

That those who hope in the LORD would not lose their joy.

Pray that other enemies such as Iran’s Hizbullah from Lebanon or Syria would not enter the war with Hamas.  Assad and family have moved to their secret residence and last night 24 buses of Muslim women and children from Judaea and Samaria traveled to Jordan without their men. 

Pray that Judea and Samaria (Jordan calls it their West Bank) would be read more

Obituary: Darrell Eugene Chenoweth

Darrell Eugene Chenoweth, “Mr. Hotsy”, passed away peacefully on Oct. 21, 2023, in the family home.  Darrell was born May 6, 1948, in Worland, WY, to Loren and Eunice Chenoweth.  After high school Darrell served on the USS Daniel Boone submarine for five and a half years. While during his service in the Navy, he met his wife Bonnie, and they were married and sealed on May 9. 1970, in Cardston, Alberta, Canada.  Darrell and Bonnie started their Hotsy business in Rigby, ID, in 1974, continued on to Worland, WY, then to Billings MT, in read more

Your Vote Counts in These Local Elections

Dear Editor,

VOTERS GET TO DECIDE:

Ballots on the Parks, Trails and Recreation Center Bond are being mailed on Oct. 18 for a citywide ask of $143m.  There are various aspects of this proposal which have not been part of the public conversation.  I want to share basically an overview:

The priority of the City is public safety.  This ballot question changes that focus as now the City is moving towards a 20-year debt of over $200 million.  How will this multimillion-dollar bond address public safety needs? 

Timing is a major issue for taxpayers.  With increased property taxes, rent, and inflationary costs on everyday necessities, the proponents are asking you to pay more, and, read more

BLM is now the face of murdered babies … and Billings is watching!

Dear Editor,

Black Lives Matter (BLM) is now the face of baby decapitations, rape and all atrocities upon Israel.  BLM has condemned Israel and lies about Hamas.  Amber Palmer was one of the organizers of Billings’ Black Lives Matter on June 7, 2020, for the protests in downtown Billings.  Yes, it was peaceful, yet spurious/faux… but now BLM’s message is unpretentious support for devil-possessed Hamas.  Can you imagine that?  How cruel and insensitive can BLM be, when so many Israeli babies, toddlers, kids and grandparents are being horrendously disemboweled and burned alive by Hamas?  Americans included.

Cheered on by BLM!  Don’t believe me?  Watch Fox, Newsmax or Victory News for the truthful reporting on how BLM has come out in support of these satanic Muslim murderers.  KULR, KGHL and the Billings Gazette will NOT truthfully report anything that appears as truth and ACTUAL lack of action by your Cadaver In Chief, (the Dumocrats UI).  Yes, Biden is to blame for this attack on Israel, and Black Lives Matter supports these demonic crimes by Hamas.

I won’t ask the question “What is wrong with you BLM people?” I know what is wrong with you.  You subscribe to Satan’s ideology.  You have NO read more

Signal Peak CEO Responds to Environmental Groups’ Latest Complaint

Subsidence cracks located within 2 Lazy 2 Ranch, in the Bull Mountains near
Roundup pictured Nov. 4, 2022. (Boyd Charter drone image)

Conservation groups sent a citizen complaint last week to state and federal agencies alleging that Signal Peak Energy (SPE), which runs the Bull Mountain Coal Mine near Roundup, is not complying with parts of its mining permit. The complaint alleges SPE is causing “subsidence cracks,” which have damaged land in and around SPE’s permit area. It further alleges that SPE is “failing to comply with permit requirements to reclaim lands affected by this subsidence, including failures to protect topsoil and vegetation.”

“These treacherous cracks on my land are an inevitable part of underground mining, and they risk serious injury to people, cattle, wildlife, and even wildland firefighters, who were just here in read more

Huntley Project School Gets $13k Donation from Lions Club

Huntley Project Lions Club presented Huntley Project School District with a $13,000 donation at the school board meeting held Monday, October 16.

Board member Clint Johannes said last year, the Lions Club committed to a similar donation to help with costs associated with playground equipment, track repairs, softball diamond upgrades, and other high school sports-related expenses.

Superintendent Mark Wandle said on behalf of the entire read more

Obituary: Rollen J. Stookey

Rollen J. Stookey (RJ)

Rollen J. Stookey (RJ) passed away on Oct. 13, 2023, at the age of 91 in the Sheridan Rehab Center in Sheridan, WY, on his oldest son’s birthday.

He was born in Helena, OK, on Feb 12, 1932, to Rollen and Bertha Harris Stookey, the youngest of four children. He joined three sisters, Lorena Clayton, Dortha Dunkin, and Marilyn Hungerford to complete their family. He grew up and attended school in Helena, graduating in 1950. He went to college for one year and then enlisted in the US Army in 1952 and served for two years during the Korean War. He was a member of the American Legion in Custer and then in Hysham.

After being honorably discharged from the service, he became a doodlebugger for a seismograph crew out of Oklahoma. In 1956, the crew came to Montana, working around Roundup and Billings, and in May eventually landing in the country north of the river around Custer. That’s where he met his wife, Juliette, through her father, Julian Weinzetl. He and Julian were sitting at the bar when she came in. “Whoa! Who is she?” It was read more

Obituary: James “Jim” Chapel,

James “Jim” Chapel

James “Jim” Chapel, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather took his final ride into the sunset Wednesday evening, September 27, 2023.

Jim was born on September 7th, 1942, in Anaconda, Montana, when his mom Marie was visiting her sister. His father Eugene “Gene” Chapel and mother Marie Gale Chapel raised him and his brothers in the Gibson country of Sweetgrass County south of Shawmut, Montana. He attended a one-room grade school called Knob Hill through 8th grade and then attended high school in Big Timber, Montana. He spent his summers working dude ranches as a teenager. After graduating high school, he joined the Army Reserves and guided hunters in the winter.

On September 25, 1962, Jim married Freda Widaman of Livingston, Montana, in Saint Anthony, Idaho. Together they had one daughter and two sons. During that time, they lived in Melville, Montana; Big Timber, Montana; Billings, Montana, and the current home place in Ballantine, Montana.

Growing up on the family home place in read more