by Michael J. Marino
Billings Police Department (BPD) announced Feb. 23 the launch of a new program which they say “creates a partnership between the police department and the public,” called “Project Eyes on the Block.” read more
Mar32023
Mar32023
Officials Assure Murder is NOT ‘New Normal’ for Billings
by Michael J. Marino
Despite recent headlines, City of Billings officials contended at the Feb. 28 Heights Task Force (HTF) meeting that violence and murder do not represent any sort of “new normal” for the Magic City. read more
Mar22023
The Circus (show) must go on!
Dear Editor,
It was reported in last week’s Yellowstone County News of the debate whether or not the Heights Water Board could proceed conducting a meeting, having only three members of the Board present. The three concluded they did in fact represent a Quorum. read more
Mar22023
Don’t Blame Volunteers for Your Lack of Assistance
Dear Editor,
I’m responding to the article written in your paper dated February 10, 2023 about the Worden Volunteer Fire Department. read more
Mar22023
Bipartisan Support for Bill to Restrict Government Use of Facial Recognition
by Michael J. Marino
Strong support was heard from both Republicans and Democrats for Senate Bill 397, which would restrict government use of facial recognition technology. read more
Mar12023
Ukrainian Devastation Drove Me to Tears
Dear Editor,
Sixty Minutes first segment on television last night was regarding Ukraine, Putin as well as the people of Ukraine who refuse to leave. read more
Feb272023
Anti-Coal Groups are Claiming a VICTORY
Dear Editor,
Apparently, somebody won something last week, because MEIC and other anti-coal groups are claiming a VICTORY! read more
Feb262023
Kutting Krayton OFF
Dear Editor,
By now you should have at least a dozen complaints about cutting off a paragraph or three?? from Krayton Kerns letter. read more
Feb252023
Highway 89 – 1st Avenue North – Main Street ALL EYESORES
Dear Editor, 8
Insofar as to the upcoming Big Sky Balloon Festival and the International Air Show, I would have to say China has already stolen the spotlight! read more
Feb242023
Heights Water Board Debates Quorum Issue
by Evelyn Pyburn
With only three members present, last Wednesday, the Heights County Water District Board debated whether there were enough board members to establish a quorum and whether they could conduct business. read more
Feb242023
Judge Halts Signal Peak Mine Expansion in Bull Mountains
by Michael J. Marino
U.S. Judge Donald Molloy ordered Signal Peak Energy (SPE) on Feb. 10 to cease mining activity at their Bull Mountains underground coal mine, in five sections of land leased from the federal government, until a new “Environmental Impact Statement” (EIS) is submitted – which could take up to 20 months. read more
Feb242023
Taxation of Renewable Energy Production in Montana Proposed
by Michael J. Marino
Rep. Gary Parry (R-Colstrip) introduced House Bill 454, which would impose a tax on the production of renewable resource electricity in Montana, to the House Taxation Committee on Feb. 17. read more
Feb242023
Obituary: Eugene Henry Keil
Eugene Henry Keil
Eugene Henry Keil, a life-long farmer, passed away comfortably on his farm, the 12th of February 2023, surrounded by family.
Gene was born on February 25, 1936, to John and Elsie Keil in their home located in Worden, Montana, during a winter storm with temperatures reaching 25 degrees below zero. He graduated from Huntley Project High School in 1954 and continued to work on the family dairy farm. In his early 20’s, after growing corn for the dairy farm, his interest was sparked to grow other crops. On July 29, 1963, he married Deanna Kindsfater in Billings, Montana. Together, they purchased farmland in Worden, Montana, from Gene’s father where they raised their family.
Gene had always approached farming through a lens of innovation. He was instrumental in bringing a Coors receiving station to the Huntley Project area. He was a progressive farmer, primarily raising sugar beets for Western Sugar and Malt Barley for Coors. Over the years, he received many awards for being a top grower. In addition, he dedicated many years to both the Farmers Union Board and the Huntley Project Irrigation District. read more
Feb242023
Montana Constitution About to Have Holes Punched In IT
Dear Editor,
Sometimes the placing of reading material is intended to be overlooked on purpose. read more
Feb192023
Nice to Hear from Dave Rye
Dear Editor,
It is nice to hear from Dave Rye in the letters to the editor. Part of education is to learn to read, another part is to read anything and everything with an open mind. read more
Feb172023
Obituary: Gary D. Dorn
Gary D. Dorn
Gary D. Dorn, 68, passed away Jan. 22, 2023, at his Billings home of natural causes.
He was born August 25, 1954, in Hardin, MT, to Henry & Rosella Dorn. He graduated from Hardin High School, and the family then moved to the Worden area to farm and also worked in realty.
In later years, he married Pamela Sage. They raised three sons for several years – they later divorced.
Gary is survived by three step children: Lynn (Karen) Baisch, Cody Baisch and Shad Baisch; sisters Charlotte Schuman, Alice Sjostrom and Loretta Flack; one brother Larry (Georgia) Dorn; and two uncles John and George Dorn. read more
Feb172023
Obituary: Evelyn Eileen Oblander
Evelyn Eileen Oblander
The morning of Feb. 8, 2023, Evelyn Eileen Oblander entered her heavenly home at the age of 89. She passed away at her home in Billings from complications of a stroke suffered earlier this year. Evelyn was born to William and Molly (Knaub) Karst on July 12, 1933 in Billings, the second of three siblings. Evelyn grew up on the family farm near Ballantine and attended Huntley Project Schools.
On Dec. 12, 1953, Evelyn married Allan Oblander of Billings. Their marriage was blessed with two daughters, Diana and Brenda. Evelyn worked at Midland (First) Bank for many years, retiring as the head of the proofing department.
Evelyn was a member of Pilgrim Congregational Church and lived out her faith, being generous and caring to all she met. read more
Feb172023
Obituary: Allene June Reiter
Allene June Reiter
Allene June Reiter went to meet her Lord and Savior in Heaven on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023. She passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family. Allene was born on June 21, 1942, in Cody, Wyoming, to parents James Allen Peery and Dorothy Peery. She was joined by sister Reva “Jane” in 1943.
Her early years in life took place in Wyoming: from Cody to Laramie through first grade, then to Wheatland on a cattle ranch. She and Jane were raised by their father and his parents, and they moved to the Shepherd, Montana area in 1957. She attended Shepherd High School and graduated as valedictorian of her class in 1960.
Through the matchmaking skills of a “Reiter cousin” (Nancy Kirby) and Allene’s sister, Jane, Allene would meet her lifetime partner and farmer, William “Bill” Edward Reiter. They married on Oct. 14, 1960. They had three children: Timothy, Brenda and Jeanette “JJ.” Bill and Allene later chose to go their separate ways, but remarried on Nov. 21, 1987, this time with God at the helm of their marriage for the remainder of her life. read more
Feb162023
Huntley Project Wins Back-to-Back State Wrestling Titles
The Huntley Project Red Devils Wrestling Team as they celebrate their remarkable season, which ended with the team taking home back-to-back State Class B Championship trophies on Saturday, Feb. 11. (Courtesy photo)
by Michael J. Marino
Finishing with 201 total points, Huntley Project’s (HP) Boys’ Wrestling Team earned a back-to-back State Class B/C Championship title on Saturday, Feb. 11 to go with their championship title from last year. read more
Feb162023
Legislative Update Week 6
by Rep Katie Zolnikov
and Sen Jason Small
It’s no secret that Montana has been facing a housing crisis for some time now. That’s one of our top priorities at the legislature this session. We’ve already heard several bills that are designed to address the growing housing problem, and hopefully give us more tools to fight the problem. Whether it’s redefining minimum lot sizes or making it possible to subdivide your property for your children and parents, there are many bills on the way that are going to help get the situation under control. read more
