Apr302023
by Michael Marino
The U.S. Attorney’s Office reports that ten persons arrested for alleged drug trafficking on two Indian Reservations and in three counties were arraigned in federal court April 21. Another individual was arraigned on April 20 for a related case, according to U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana, Jesse Laslovich. read more
Apr302023
by Evelyn Pyburn
Democratic Representative Zooey Zephyr, HD100, Missoula, has been barred from the House Floor, Gallery and anteroom, for the duration of the State Legislature for conduct that supported a mob attack on the House Floor last Monday. Action taken by the House of Representative on Wednesday afternoon will allow Zephyr to participate remotely in the continued business of the House with opportunity to make remarks and to vote. read more
Apr302023
by Evelyn Pyburn
The master plan that the MetraPark Advisory Board developed over a two year period, and then had to set aside amid a controversy about whether a private management company should be hired, is dead. read more
Apr212023
by Evelyn Pyburn
While part of a proposed campaign to improve the image of the County Water District in Billings Heights has been approved, adopting a more extensive campaign will be discussed at the district’s next board meeting in May. The County Water Board also discussed, at its monthly board meeting, how to respond to a recent notice from the City of Billings about a proposed increase in the price of water. read more
Apr212023
by Evelyn Pyburn
Amid rumors Wednesday morning about a major take-down of suspected drug dealers in the Yellowstone County area by federal agencies came a statement from U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich, for the District of Montana: read more
Apr212023
Family and friends organized a second protest Sat., April 15 to voice their frustration over what they see as a miscarriage of justice after 25-year-old Salimon Nava was shot and killed in Billings on March 20. Pictured here is Nava’s mother, Jesse Villarreal with her protest sign proclaiming, “Delay in justice is injustice.” (Michael Marino photo)
BILLINGS – Another protest was held Sat., April 15 at the Yellowstone County Courthouse following the shooting death of a 25-year-old Billings man, Salimon Franko Nava, last month.
On March 20 at around 3:02 AM, Billings Police Department (BPD) responded to a shooting in the 1300-block of Avenue F. On scene, officers found Salimon Nava dead from a gunshot wound and said “all parties involved [were] accounted for.” No arrests have been made as of news time.
Nava’s mother, Jesse Villarreal, told YCN she believes the woman who allegedly killed her son should be “arrested and sent to prison for murder.” Villarreal feels her son was the victim of an execution – not self-defense – by his girlfriend. read more
Apr182023
Dear Editor,
You know, I have recently tried to improve my attitude about people and then someone comes along and raises my blood pressure! I’m referring to an article in Yellowstone County News on 3-10-23. This opinion piece, and we all have an opinion, but I try not to force mine onto other people like this guy did, and it’s over the top. read more
Apr162023
Dear Editor,
In one of his frequent and sometimes ill-informed letters to YCN, MSgt. (Ret) Jose Bustos, Jr. lists me among the local fans of Joe Biden, and urges all of us on his list to “write to us YCN readers your justification for the adulation and the drooling you experience for Joe Biden.” read more
Apr152023
Dear Editor,
The article by Justin Choriki was very good! He has a real talent for “human interest” writing. He analyzed the scope of friendship in a very concise and interesting way [in his column “The Price of Friendship”].
He should keep on writing!
Donald Gearhart
Minneapolis, MN
Apr142023
Dear Editor,
$90,000 Face Lift.
Thank you, YCN, for bringing this info to the public’s attention, specific for the ratepayers of the county water district. Apparently, the water board feels it may be necessary to repair their public image. Really after two years of infighting, personal attacks on each other, three board members and one ratepayer bringing a legal action against the balance on the board, calling police to break up board brawl, really now… read more
Apr142023
Dear Editor,
THANK YOU, HPID!! Many thanks to Willy and Sky and the entire crew. In spite of the numerous big jobs they have and the lousy “spring” weather they have had so far this year, Willy followed through with a promise he made me last year and installed a new check gate for my system. The usual tedious and less-than-efficient job of irrigating my pasture should now see a tremendous improvement for this year. Once again, thanks to this outstanding organization.
Ray V.
Road 4, Huntley
Apr142023
Dorothy J. (Baum) Fisher
Dorothy J. (Baum) Fisher, 93, died peacefully at her home in Lakewood, Colorado, on January 24, 2023. She was born in Ballantine, Montana, on January 2, 1930, to Sam and Emma (Oblander) Baum. She spent most of her childhood on the family farm in Ballantine. Dorothy graduated from Huntley Project High School in 1947. She then went to Billings Business College and graduated in 1949.
After college Dorothy went to work for Mountain Bell in Billings where she worked in the payroll department. This is also where she met George Fisher whom she would marry in 1954 and remain married to until his death in November 2021. read more
Apr142023
by Michael J. Marino
NorthWestern Energy (NWE) says they plan to appeal a recent court decision which vacates the company’s air quality permit for the Yellowstone County Generating Station, a gas-powered energy plant, which was under construction near Laurel prior to the ruling. read more
Apr142023
by Michael J. Marino
From top-left to bottom-right, the 4 applicants to fill the District Court judge vacancy in Yellowstone County: Alexander Roth, Michelle Sullivan, Bradley Kneeland, Thomas Pardy.
As Judge Michael Moses announced his retirement from the bench, effective July 1, Governor Greg Gianforte is now seeking public comment regarding four applicants who might be appointed to take his place on the 13th Judicial District Court of Yellowstone County.
Montana law requires the Governor to solicit applications to fill a Judge’s position after receiving notice of a current Judge’s resignation from the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Next, the Governor must ask the public for comments on the applicants.
As of news time Wednesday, four lawyers have applied to fill the vacancy: Bradley Kneeland, Thomas Pardy, Alexander Roth, and Michelle Sullivan.
Bradley Kneeland has worked as a law clerk, a public defender, a deputy Billings City Attorney and most recently as a Standing Master in Yellowstone County. As a Standing Master, he mediates cases on behalf of other Judges in the 13th District. During his time as a prosecutor for the City of Billings, Kneeland mostly worked misdemeanor domestic violence cases. As a public defender he represented defendants in both misdemeanor and felony criminal cases. read more
Apr142023
Officers of the U.S. Navy and USS Billings LCS-15 begin the change of command ceremony aboard the ship at Naval Station Mayport in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Larry French)
by Michael J. Marino
The first combat ship of the United States Navy to ever be named after the Magic City, the USS Billings, held a change of command ceremony March 23, at the ship’s home base in Jacksonville, Florida. read more
Apr122023
Dear Editor,
April is Alcohol Responsibility Month. As the weather begins to get warmer, it’s a great time for Montana families to start conversations about alcohol at home to prevent underage drinking. read more
Apr112023
by Evelyn Pyburn
Sherry Long, Treasurer for Yellowstone County, has informed County Commissioners of her intention to retire. Long’s last day serving her third term in office will be July 31. read more
Apr102023
Dear Editor,
I am writing to vote for a return to common sense on the Billings Heights Water Board. read more
Apr72023
Dear Editor,
This letter is in response to your weekly correspondent Mr. David Crisp. read more
Apr72023
Martha Allison Cochrane
Writer, poet, teacher and artist, Martha Allison Cochrane (84), died Monday, March 13, 2023, with her daughters by her side. Martha was born in Dearborn, Michigan, May 25, 1938, to Archibald and Rosamond Cochrane. In 1944, the Cochrane family moved to Billings, where Martha along with her sisters Rae, Ros, Kathleen, and Jean were raised in a home full of music, dance, laughter, and drama.
After graduating from Billings High School, Martha moved to California to pursue her love of acting. She earned a BA in Drama from Pomona College, where she met and married James Tugend. Before parting ways, the couple lived in Laurel Canyon and had two daughters, Julie and Katherine. In 1970, Martha, the girls and their two rambunctious beagles moved to Pacific Grove. Here Martha brought dance and theater to inmates at Soledad Prison, while working at a natural foods bakery to put food on the table. read more
