Jan182023
Dear Editor,
I’ve a fair question.
The entire nation witnessed a near tragedy on Monday night football with the event that took place with Damar Hamlin having his heart stop, being hauled off the field and seeing the affect it had on the players from both teams as well as the fans in the stands. Thank God, he now appears to be recovering very well. read more
Jan172023
Dear Editor,
Out of control. Whether you are a Republican or a Democrat, we have watched with complete disdain, disbelief and some degree of helplessness at how our elected representatives have spent us into debt beyond comprehension, 1.7 trillion just this week, with the nearly 31,000,000,000,000 in total debt and over 500 billion in interest annually, to be paid by you and future generations of taxpaying Americans. read more
Jan162023
Dear Editor,
I just picked up a copy of Yellowstone County News at the store, and I wanted to write in and let you know I love your publication! read more
Jan152023
Dear Editor,
Kudos for a job well done on the December 30 issue–Lives of Yellowstone County. You chose important people from a large area — both in space and time — and you chose well. I enjoyed reading the mini biographies of all these selfless people who made our community so much better. read more
Jan142023
Dear Editor,
Regarding David Crisp’s article of January 6th on “Letting the Government Burn”. read more
Jan132023
The Skyview Falcons putting in work on the offense against the Great Falls Bison during a game held Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023 at the Great Falls High Gym. (Courtesy photo)
by Michael J. Marino
It was a basketball game that kept everyone on the edge of their seats Saturday afternoon, Jan. 7, at Great Falls High School when the Skyview Falcons beat the Great Falls Bison with a score of 48-41. read more
Jan132023
Easing Access to Public Defenders
by Michael J. Marino
Testimony was given Monday, Jan. 9 to the House Judiciary Committee regarding House Bill (HB) 111, which would make it easier for people to get a public defender when involved in legal matters in state courts. In some cases, the financial eligibility forms would be cut out and the state would immediately assign a public defender. read more
Jan132023
Dear Editor,
The “Lives” edition of the YCN was great. I would like you to please send me 2 copies of the paper to me in Arizona.
Mary Knapp,
Arizona
Jan132023
With the new road from the bridge across the Yellowstone River to Main Street/ Hwy. 312 proposed to be named Trailhead Road, the above is an engineer’s rendering of its intersection with Main Street as the road merges into Hwy. 87. The drawing depicts possible development along the corridor based upon what citizens during public hearings have said they would like to see developed in the area. Trailhead Road is on the right and intersects with Main Street and Hwy. 312 which runs from the bottom to the top of the picture.
by Evelyn Pyburn
The new road that will connect the new Yellowstone River Bridge to Main Street and Hwy. 312 is proposed to be called Trailhead Road.
The news comes with a report of what the roads will look like and what is likely to be developed around them. Called the Billings Bypass Corridor Study, it was presented to and approved by, the Yellowstone County Commissioners on Tuesday. Included in the report was a second portion which focused on traffic safety called the Billings Community Transportation Plan. The two studies will now go to the Policy Coordinating Committee (PCC) on Jan. 17 for final approval, having been also presented to the Planning Board and the City Council. read more
Jan132023
Pictured here is 405 West Wicks Lane in the Billings Heights, which is one of the 54 properties recently purchased by Wedgewood Homes, a California-based real estate group. This two-story home will be completely remodeled by local construction company, W Thomas Construction of Lockwood, owned by Wade Thomas. (Michael Marino photo)
by Michael J. Marino
Wedgewood Homes, a real estate group based in Redondo Beach, California, recently bought 54 homes from HomeFront – formerly the Billings Housing Authority – in a single $13 million transaction. These include 51 single-family residences and three duplexes in various Billings neighborhoods, according to a press release from Sept. 2022.
“Of the 54 homes purchased,” wrote Wedgewood Publicist, Alicia Mistry, “20 homes were immediately put on the market as-is to provide purchase opportunities for buyers battling supply shortages.” Mistry said another 20 will be repaired and then sold. The release indicated Wedgewood would hire local contractors to perform the remodeling work. read more
Jan122023
Arvin Huck
Arvin Huck, transferred to heaven, while shoveling snow on New Year’s Eve Day. Arvin was 59 years young and was born number 7 out of 13 kids, to Louie and Rose Huck of Ballantine, Montana. He and his “womb-mate,” Ron, tipped the scales with a combined birth weight of 18.5 pounds. Arvin and his siblings have an incredibly close bond. Growing up their family raised their own livestock and harvested a huge family garden. Arvin joked that lots of family dinners consisted of “Chicken and corn, chicken and corn, chicken and corn.” Family reunions were always filled with stories, laughter, and endless enjoyment of one another.
Arvin and Beth were high school sweethearts and have been together for 42 years and married for 34 years. They moved to Nevada for Arvin’s job and made a wonderful life. You can see his love in the house he built for his wife and daughter and his green thumb in his yard and garden. read more
Jan72023
Dear Editor,
This is about David Crisp’s article on 12-16-22 about US Rep. Matt Rosendale. read more
Jan62023
Neil Danielson
Neil Danielson, 69, of Worden, Montana, passed away on December 28, 2022, with his family by his side. He was born on October 13, 1953, to Duane and Jean in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He graduated from Rapid City Stevens High School in 1972, where he wrestled and was ranked 4th in the state. After graduation, he moved to Billings, Montana, and became a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). He had two sons, Pat and Tim during this time from a previous marriage. He was a member of the IBEW for many years. Throughout his career, he worked for many electrical contractors, retiring from Reddi Electric in 2005.
He met the love of his life, Tammy, and started their lives together on Christmas Eve in 1987. They married on May 26, 1990, where he became a dad to Tammy’s son, Brandon. They lived in Ballantine and had their only daughter, Stephanie in 1993. Shortly after, they moved to Tammy’s family farm in Worden and built their forever home. read more
Jan62023
Sylvia Ann Campos Mason
Sylvia Ann Campos Mason, 73, of Corpus Christi, Texas, passed away on December 15, 2022. Sylvia was born on July 14, 1949 to Eloisa Saldaña Campos and Rosario Campos in Corpus Christi, Tx. Sylvia was a smart, witty, creative, and adventurous woman with a young heart. She enjoyed (crossword) puzzles, crocheting, painting, and riding shotgun on a Harley. Sylvia spent her latter years living in Ballantine, Montana, where she was a proud member of the Beartooth H.O.G. Chapter.
Sylvia was predeceased by her husband Louis Warren Mason who adored her with his all and shared their lives together for over forty years. She is survived by her four children, Louis Mason II, Melissa McAfee, Eloisa Peña, and Theresa Peña Sanchez. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Tiffany, Laura, Jessica, Michael, David, Sarah, Mariam, Mikah, Khloe, Kaiden, Maddox, her nine great-grandchildren and her snowbird, LeRoy. read more
Jan62023
Connie Ellingston Bone, 76 years old, of Billings, Montana, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on December 29th after a yearlong struggle with dementia. Connie was born on October 14, 1946, to Helen and Con Ellingston of Great Falls, Montana. Connie was an only child and was raised by two hard-working parents. She would often tell stories of them working side by side on their rental properties as Connie played in the dirt nearby. Connie was so proud of her upbringing in Great Falls and would always call it home. From a very young age, Connie wanted to be a school teacher. She started to pursue her college degree at the University of Great Falls for the first year and achieved her bachelors of science degree in education from Montana State University in Bozeman. She proudly worked in the Great Falls School district as a kindergarten and first grade teacher for a few years. She then married Gary Bone of Great Falls and they moved to Missoula, Montana, for Gary’s career. read more
Jan62023
Dear Editor,
For many years I have called myself a Bishop Sheen Catholic. read more
Jan62023
by Michael J. Marino
Elected officials from across the state gathered in Helena on Monday, Jan. 2 and were sworn in for the 2023 Regular Session of Montana Legislature. read more
Jan62023
by Michael J. Marino
The parties involved in a negligence lawsuit against Rimrock Park Apartments and BP Asset Management (BPAM) have agreed to engage in mediation “in light of the unique circumstances of this case,” according to recent court filings. read more
Dec302022
by Evelyn Pyburn
On Tuesday, District Court Judge Ashley Harada swore in newly elected and re-elected county officials during a ceremony in the County Commissioners’ office.
Republican Mark Morse was sworn in as County Commissioner, the only newly elected county official. The rest of the county officials were re-elected to new terms – in most cases unchallenged Republican candidates. read more
Dec202022
Dear Editor,
I saw a sign flash on a casino billboard “Hunger can happen to anyone.” Yes, it can, if you are a person of addictions.
