Jan102025

Heights Water District Wraps Up Year End Business

Billings-Heights

The County Water District Board in the Heights approved a number of resolutions at their December 18 meeting, including the employees’ retirement plan and final approval of the district’s Preliminary Engineering Report (PER).

The meeting began, however, with a somewhat contentious issue regarding a notice submitted to the board threatening a lawsuit regarding any effort to consolidate the district with the City of Billings.

The board disagreed about the necessity of reading aloud the notice that was dropped off at the office for board members. The notice was signed by two district citizens, Michael Macki and Butch Bailey. The board voted to include it in the public record but not to read it aloud. Board Member Ming Cabrera opposed the motion, insisting it was important to read it aloud.

The notice stated, “… I consulted an attorney; he wanted the following information from the Board Members that voted read more

Jan102025

Ensuring Privacy, Safety, and Dignity for Montana Women

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor,

Ensuring Privacy, Safety, and Dignity for Montana Women   

Women can do anything. They deserve respect. They earn admiration. But more than that, they expect that government will hear them… will listen to them… and will protect them in the spaces where they are most vulnerable.   That’s why I am introducing legislation, HB 121, so that in Montana, women and children are guaranteed a safe space when they read more

Jan102025

Between “MY” Lines:

Letters to the Editor

David Crisp’s constant bias against President-elect Donald Trump was once again demonstrated in this past week’s YCN edition. My take (I could be wrong?) is that his 100% fault finding is a result of “looking out for the American people”!

Our choice? Kamala Harris who dated her way to the top ticket or Trump!

     Mr. Crisp cites a podcast written by Anne Applebaum, and I quote, “is an attack on the very idea of journalism, the notion that people might make a living by gathering facts, seeking out opposing opinions and then publishing what they have learned”. I stress the word “LEARNED”. read more

Jan32025

Obituary: Scott Allen Peterson

Obituaries

Scott Allen Peterson, born October 13, 1957, in Billings, Montana, to Harold and Joan Peterson, passed away on December 19, 2024, at his home in Billings.

Scott grew up on his family’s farm in Bridger, Montana. He graduated from Bridger High School and attended Vo-Tech in Butte, Montana. Scott was a very talented woodworker creating shelves, cabinets and wooden chests. He was also a gifted artist, drawing silly characters and amazing landscapes. Scott found joy in tinkering with motorcycles and other vehicles, which became his true passion.
 
As a lifelong enthusiast, Scott found read more

Dec302024

Obituary: Thomas Euguene (Bud) Sherrodd

Obituaries

Bud Sherrodd

Our beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend passed away December 24th, 2024. Thomas Euguene (Bud) Sherrodd was born June 17th, 1941 in Billings, Montana to Cletus and Marjorie Sherrodd. He was raised on the family farm on Fly Creek and attended elementary school in Pompeys Pillar and Jr High and High School in Glendive and Worden, graduating in 1959 in Worden.

The oldest of three sons, Bud was a dedicated Roy Rogers and Gene Autry fan often emulating his read more

Dec272024

McNiven Meanderings: Lives of Yellowstone County

Features • Meanderings • Local • Top Stories • Yellowstone County

Lives of Yellowstone County 2024. Did you know them?

Did You Know Them?

Well, Folks, last week’s paper was our Christmas Edition as this week is our “Lives of Yellowstone County” special edition. This is our 3rd time we’ve done this special publication and paper honoring, remembering and reflecting on those who have passed away this last year 2024. We chose to start this special edition three years ago for a number of reasons.

First, it allows us as a community to honor and remember those who came before us and read about some of the things these individuals did during their lives to help, raise, support, create, educate, build, lead and represent.

Second, this special publication allows the opportunity to recognize names, individuals, families, generations, dynasties, industries, and our culture to reflect on how these individuals contributed to society in one way or another whether directly or collectively.

Third, the creation of the special edition allowed some of our readers, subscribers, community members, spouses, significant others, children and close loved ones to write about read more

Dec272024

Obituary: Henry (Butch) Alvin Greene, Jr.

Obituaries

Henry (Butch) Alvin Greene, Jr.

Henry (Butch) Alvin Greene, Jr.

November 3, 1948 – December 18, 2024

Henry Alvin Greene, Jr., 76, of Ballantine passed away on December 18, 2024, after a courageous battle with many illnesses. Henry, known to his family and friends as Butch, was born on November 3, 1948, in Gilroy, California, to Henry and Bonita Greene. At a young age the family moved to Montana where Butch attended Pioneer School in Billings.

In 1967, Butch enlisted in the US Army. As an infantryman, he was deployed to Vietnam. During his service he received two read more

Dec202024

Alleged Scammers Posing as Fundraising Partner for Huntley Project Schools

Top Stories • Yellowstone County • Huntley Project

Over the last week, multiple local companies have been approached by an individual claiming to be fundraising for the Huntley Project Football team according to Activities Director Tim Kaczmarek. Kaczmarek stated that the individual was offering promotional, marketing and sponsorship packages to the companies in order to secure funds for football t-shirts.

Shantel Oblander was one of the intended targets and quickly recognized it as a potential scam. According to Oblander the alleged scammer offered sponsorship packages of $300, $500, and $700. “I felt that it was likely a scam from the start because of the way they went about it. The school usually contacts sponsors in person or announces fundraisers on their official sites,” stated Oblander.  When asked about school fundraisers Activities Director Kaczmarek stated that the school is not engaged in any such fundraiser.

Yellowstone County News (YCN) was able to join a conference call between the sales representative and a local business they were targeting. The representative called from read more

Dec202024

Joy Named to Replace Kerr-Carpenter in House District 46

Top Stories • Yellowstone County

On Tuesday, Densie Joy, a member of the Billings City Council, was selected by Yellowstone County Commissioners to fill the House District 46 position left vacant when the County Commissioners selected Emma Kerr-Carpenter to fill the Montana Senate seat vacated with the resignation of read more

Dec202024

MetraPark Awards Contract, Purchases Tent

Top Stories • Yellowstone County

Yellowstone County has awarded the bid for the dirt work for the MetraPark Outdoor Events Arena to Knife River. The contract price is $374,944.25.

The county is investing $2.5 million to build an outdoor arena and grandstands which will provide about 3,000 seats. The arena will feature events like rodeo, motorsports and is expected to be able to do so at a cost savings.

Also, this week, MetraPark got a nod of read more

Dec172024

Potential Scam Alert: Scammers Posing as Fundraising Partner for Huntley Project Schools

Local • Huntley Project • Yellowstone County

Over the last week, two local companies have been approached by an individual claiming to be fundraising for the Huntley Project Football team according to Activities Director Tim Kaczmarek.  Kaczmarek stated that the individual was offering sponsorship packages to the companies in order to secure funds for football t-shirts. 

Shantel Oblander was one of the intended victims in this scheme and quickly recognized it as a potential scam.  According to Oblander the alleged scammer offered sponsorship packages of $300, $500, and $700.  When asked about school fundraisers Activities Director Kaczmarek stated that read more

Dec142024

Huntley Project Hires first-ever Head Baseball Coach

Sports • Huntley Project

At a special board meeting Huntley Project School District hired Kade Hickey as the head coach for their newly formed high school baseball program. Hickey, a 4th grade teacher at Huntley, will be coaching the first high school baseball team in HPSD history this next spring. Hickey joined the HPSD team last year after receiving his teaching degree from Montana State University of Billings. Hickey has been coaching for HPSD as an read more

Dec132024

Huntley Water Hires Engineer to Map System, Secretary/Treasurer to Step Down

Yellowstone County • Huntley Project

The Huntley-Yellowstone Water District has hired an engineer from the non-profit Midwest Assistance Program to map and enter Huntley’s water system into a geographical information system (GIS). The GIS data will allow operators to quickly and effectively locate valves and lines in the system during emergencies or when communicating with other utilities working around the water system. According to board members and the Engineer Lance Goodman, it may still be difficult to exactly locate read more

Dec132024

Court Strikes Down Beneficial Ownership Reporting Requirements

Montana-Statewide • Top Stories

After months of being pelted with reminders that they must comply with reporting requirements of the Corporate Transparency Act and provide beneficial ownership information, businesses received an early holiday gift, as a Texas court has acted to block the Congressional edict.

The Corporate Transparency Act was passed in 2021, creating the beneficial ownership information (BOI) mandate.

The US Treasury Department and business associations have been issuing warnings to businesses, including farmers, that failure to comply with the law by January 1, 2025 could result in fines of $10,000 or more and possible jail time — not that their warnings have been heeded by most businesses.

Only about a third of the about 32.6 million businesses that are subject to the new law have read more

Nov222024

Obituary: Donald Arthur Gervais

Obituaries

Donald Arthur Gervais

Donald Arthur Gervais passed away peacefully in his sleep at home on November 13, 2024, in Billings, Montana. Don was born in Lewistown on November 14, 1939, to Arthur and Agnes (Quickenden) Gervais joining an older brother, Clifford. As a child he was known as “Donnie” and grew up on the family ranch on Casino Creek and attended school in Lewistown, graduating from read more

Nov222024

MT Republicans Elect Next Leadership, Yellowstone County Dominates Senate Leadership

Montana-Statewide • Politics • Top Stories • Yellowstone County

(left to right) Senators Daniel Zolnikov, Dennis Lenz, Tom McGillvray, Matt Regier, Ken Bogner, Sue Vinton, and Barry Usher have all been selected to Senate leadership positions within the Republican majority. (courtesy photo)

Montana House and Senate Republicans have elected their leadership for the 69th Legislative Session with Senator Matt Regier of Kalispell to serve as the next President of the Senate and Representative Brandon Ler of Savage to serve as the Speaker of the House.

Others to serve in House leadership positions include read more

Nov222024

To the constituents of House District 54

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor,

To the constituents of House District 54.

State legislators have received their committee and seat assignments for the 2025 session. You probably know that most work done by a legislator is in their committees. Committees are the focus of their weeks during the session. Some committees meet every day, some meet three days a week and some two. Committees are topical, which means that the committee reviews bills that are related in topic. As you would expect, the Agriculture Committee reviews Ag bills, the Tax Committee reviews tax-related bills.

Legislators can request to be placed on certain committees, but it is read more

Nov222024

Huntley Project Wins Historic 16th State Volleyball Championship

Sports • Top Stories • Huntley Project

Under the leadership of Head Coach Iona Stookey, the Huntley Project Volleyball team has earned their fourth consecutive state championship title at the Brick Breeder Fieldhouse in Bozeman, MT. (Courtesy photo)

During their 25th straight season attending Montana’s State B Volleyball Tournament, Huntley Project managed to take home their 16th championship title in Head Coach Iona Stookey’s tenure. The team entered the tournament as something of an underdog according to Stookey, with the team placing third at divisionals. According to 2025 All-State Selected Setter Gracie Norman, the team buckled down and focused on doing their part.

During their match against Baker, who had defeated HP in five of read more

Nov162024

Woman Found Dead in Shepherd Residence, Likely Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Top Stories • Shepherd

On November 11, Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO), Shepherd Volunteer Fire Department (SVFD), and American Medical Response (AMR) responded to a sick or injured call at an address on Brookhaven Place in Shepherd where the person who had reported the incident had found a man and a woman unconscious.

Upon emergency respondents’ arrival, it was determined that a gas-powered generator had been running inside the residence with a deputy reporting a strong odor of combustion engine exhaust. According to Sheriff Mike Linder, the woman passed away at the scene, but the male is recovering as of last report. Sheriff Linder stated that the read more

Nov162024

Public Hearing Set for Heights Water District

Billings-Heights

The County Water District in Billings Heights will hold a public hearing to present the district’s Systemwide Preliminary Engineering Report and Environmental Review on Wednesday, November 20, at 5 pm. Engineers and board members will be available to take public comment and answer questions.

The district board will consider adopting the read more