by Michael J. Marino
The City of Billings allocated the first $200,000 in local marijuana taxes to the YWCA Women’s Shelter, according to Finance Director Andy Zoeller. read more
Feb102023
Feb102023
CHINESE SPY BALLOON
Timeline of Events, From Sighting to Shoot Down
(Chase Doak photo)
by Michael J. Marino
The President of the United States was aware of the Chinese spy balloon for several days prior to Billings media spotting it traversing the sky in Montana. The Associated Press (AP) reports the White House did not notify the public about the balloon because they feared it “would sabotage Secretary of State Anthony Blinken’s planned diplomatic trip to China.”
Wednesday, 2/1
*The secrecy around the balloon was lifted when, “on Wednesday, Feb. 1, Billings Gazette photographer Larry Mayer, responding to vague reports that the airspace around Billings had been closed, photographed an odd glowing orb high in the sky,” the newspaper reported.
*Mayer reportedly tried to get in contact with several different officials at the local, state, and federal levels but these attempts went nowhere. So, he told one official on Thursday, “I’m publishing this in half an hour,” and a short time later that day, the U.S. Department of Defense issued a “Statement on the High-Altitude Surveillance Balloon.” read more
Feb72023
Crisp Column Highlights MT SB 99 Missteps
Dear Editor,
Progressive columnist David Crisp’s latest column criticized Montana Senate Bill 99, requiring parental notification by school districts 48 hours before “providing human sexuality instruction.” He ridicules the parents who are concerned about what a freshly minted, purple-haired, 23-year-old teacher might want to tell their children about sexual identity. read more
Feb62023
Learn Science, not Political Science
Dear Editor,
I grew up on a cattle ranch and farm in the Salinas Valley of California. For my tenth birthday my maternal grandmother who lived over 250 miles north of us presented me with a pony named Primo for the occasion. My maternal grandfather was a jeweler and really not a rancher. Apparently, my grandmother got Primo at a bargain price. read more
Feb32023
Cult of Trump Does not Represent My Republican Values
Dear Editor,
Although I am a conservative, or at least I used to think I was before my Republican Party became the Cult of Trump, I suppose the former newsman in me prevails in welcoming the relatively recent addition of the David Crisp columns in the Yellowstone County News. read more
Feb32023
“Right to Know” Webinar on Feb. 9
by Evelyn Pyburn
It’s true. Many Montanans do not fully realize the extent to which, as citizens, they have a right to access public documents and attend public meetings. Montana citizens have “a right to know” almost everything state and local governmental entities do and to have full access to public documents. read more
Feb32023
Obituary: Bonita Mae Gebhardt
Bonita Mae Gebhardt (Allison) received her angel wings January 24, 2023 in her home on “The Farm” in Helena, MT. She was 76 years old. She fought hard against the relentless Alzheimer’s Disease to earn those wings. Bless her heart.
Bonita was born in Fort Benton, Montana, on July 20, 1946. She was the baby of the family with three older brothers born to Jesse and Mildred Allison. Being the baby and the only girl, she and her mother shared a special bond that is still unbroken.
Bonita moved to Billings, MT after high school where she met her husband, Delvin Gebhardt. After a short courtship, they got married “the second they had to” on August 2, 1969. That fateful night when he asked her to dance turned into 53 years of caring, commitment, and love. She was so very grateful for the love and dedication from “Mister” to make each of her last years count. Their son, Kelvin (Roberta), was born November 5, 1970 and their daughter, Angela (Craig Yonce), on June 28, 1974. She poured herself into her role as wife and mom attending to every detail and always adding a little something extra to make others feel loved. read more
Feb32023
Obituary: Marlene Frances Skinnell
Marlene Skinnell
Gone to be with the angels, Marlene Frances (Green) Skinnell died in Seattle, WA, 1/29/2023. She came into this world with brilliant red hair in Billings, MT, on 6/18/1947, born to Katharine Montana (Leatherman) and Emerson Pierce Green. She lived on Pryor Creek with her parents, brother and sister through 1st grade, then in Billings.
Single handed Marlene earned an RN degree and worked in Seattle hospitals before she retired. She lived quietly and sweetly, a friend and helper to all. Marlene was diagnosed six months ago with brain cancer.
Survivors include her devoted husband Keith, children Tina Marie (Hust) McDunnah (Billlings), her beloved granddaughter, Katharine Rose McDunnah, son, Timothy Hust (Karen and Brianna Collins) of Bridger, brother Ronnie Lee Green (Judy), Denver, sister Donna (Green) McKamy (R.W), Laurel, cousins, nieces and nephews.
A memory gathering will be held in Billings in the summer. Memorials may be made to your organization of choice.
Feb32023
Transgender Healthcare Bill Draws Over 100 Speakers to Helena
by Michael J. Marino
Members of the Senate Judiciary Committee heard over five hours of testimony on Jan. 27 regarding Senate Bill 99, a bill sponsored by Sen. John Fuller (R-Kalispell), which would restrict Montana children from receiving gender affirming medical care. A total of 137 people came either to support or oppose the bill, dubbed by the sponsor the “Youth Health Protection Act.”
Representative for the City of Bozeman, S.K. Rossi, provides opponent testimony regarding SB 99, a bill that, if enacted, would prohibit youth access to gender transition services in Montana. (Courtesy photo)
Feb12023
Mayor Cole Climbing Social Ladder
Dear Editor,
Dave Salys, I agree with you, Sir, on two points: that we need more cops to patrol our streets, and that the cell phone law doesn’t work. read more
Jan302023
Tester in Perspective
Dear Editor,
Today Senator Tester responded to my recent inquiry about DC statehood stating, “I believe it is wrong that thousands of active-duty service members and veterans don’t have real representation in Congress.” I believe it is important to put Senator Tester’s response in perspective. read more
Jan282023
Crisp Falling of the Left Edge
Dear Editor,
I guess our favorite editor had to hire a liberal to write an opinion column so the YCN wouldn’t look biased. This Crisp fella with the funny hat is so far left, he is at risk of falling off the edge of the earth. It was amusing how sick he got after his full series of stroke pokes and boosters just as Dr. Kerns had been preaching all this time. read more
Jan272023
Obituary: Barbara Ann Graf
Barbara Ann Graf
Our beloved mother, Barbara Ann Graf, 84, of Billings, passed peacefully into the presence of her Lord and Savior on Jan. 7, 2023 while residing at The Springs at Butte. Mom was born in the spring of 1938 in Billings, the second of three daughters of Arnold Henry Graf and Evelyn Lewis Graf. She attended Billings schools, graduating from Billings High School in 1956 and Eastern Montana University in 1963 and 1988 with a Bachelor of Science in Education and Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling respectively. Mom was credentialed as a National Certified Counselor, Licensed Professional Counselor in Montana, and Certified Rehabilitation Counselor.
Mom’s child-rearing days took her from Billings to Big Piney, WY; Pocatello, ID; Great Falls, MT; Kalispell, MT, and even Newhall, CA before eventually moving back to her hometown of Billings. Throughout her lifetime, mom participated in many service-oriented activities, including doing volunteer work for the Montana Council on Problem Gambling, American Red Cross, and prison ministry. read more
Jan272023
Obituary: Leland Bernard Blee
Leland Bernard Blee
On December 30, 2022, Leland Bernard Blee passed away from an accident in his home in Roundup, Montana, at the age of 79. He was born to Carroll and Elsie (Lindell) Blee on February 14, 1943.
In June of 1961 he graduated from Senior High School in Billings, after which he attended Eastern Montana College for one year in Liberal Arts.
He served in the National Guard from 1964 to 1970 and resided in Montana, California and Florida.
His love was working on and driving dragsters.
Cremation has taken place and no services are planned at this time.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Richard and niece Aiyana.
He is survived by his brother Ralph (Helen), nieces: Stacey, Brenda and Renee (Darryl), nephew Brian; sister-in-law Juanita: nephews Kris (Ellen) and Kirk (Catherine) and many cousins and good friends Andy Gugler and Chuck Haynes.
Jan262023
Billings Legend, Ziggy, Passes at Age 89
by Evelyn Pyburn
Former Yellowstone County Commissioner and lifelong Billings businessman, James A. “Ziggy” Ziegler, died on Jan. 19 at age 89, following a battle with cancer.
Mention the name “Ziggy” in Billings and everyone knows who you are talking about – Ziggy left an enduring impression on the whole community.
He and his wife, Stella, were noted as restaurateurs and bakers. Ziggy died on their anniversary. Their most famed enterprise was Stella’s Kitchen and Bakery, which after 41 years they sold in 2019.
The Zieglers came to Billings in 1977 after purchasing the KOA campground. They had previously owned a KOA campground in Santa Margarite.
Ziggy was elected in 1990 as Yellowstone County commissioner and served for 12 years. Prior to that in 1986 he had been elected Yellowstone County Auditor.
The Zieglers started the Great Harvest Bakery in 1978, and later purchased the former Spaghetti Depot and Dinner Theatre, which became an Italian restaurant, they named Stella’s Place. In 1991 they decided to close the restaurant and focus on the bakery. In 1993 they left Great Harvest and founded Stella’s Kitchen & Bakery, which has become a fixture in Billings. read more
Jan262023
Flawed Minutes Dominate Heights Water District Meeting
by Evelyn Pyburn
The issue of paying an attorney who was not engaged by the board at a public meeting was again a primary topic of concern at the monthly meeting of the Heights County Water Board last Wednesday. read more
Jan262023
Does Rural Montana ReallyHave a Voice?
Dear Editor,
The picture on the cover of the YCN tells a story. There are twenty-five people in the Yellowstone County delegation. How many people represent the counties of Carter, Fallon, Wibaux, McCone, Garfield and Prairie counties? I have my doubts there are twenty altogether. Do the rural people really have a voice in our state?
Lauris Byxbe
Pompey’s Pillar
Jan262023
Naarah Hastings Selected as New Representative for District 50
by Evelyn Pyburn
Naarah N. Hastings was sworn in by Judge Ashley Harada. (Courtesy photo)
Small business owner, Naarah Hastings, was selected by Yellowstone County Commissioners on Tuesday to represent House District 50 in the Montana Legislature, replacing Mallerie Stromwold (R) who resigned the position a couple of weeks ago.
The commissioners interviewed Hastings and two other candidates recommended to them by the Yellowstone County Republican Central Committee on Monday. The committee received ten applications for the position. They interviewed the applicants and then forwarded the names of their nominations of Hastings, Anthony Nicastro and Denis Pitman, to the commissioners.
Commissioner Mark Morse was not present for the commissioners’ weekly meeting when they voted, but he left a proxy in support of Hastings. Commissioner Don Jones first nominated Anthony Nicastro, a Billings attorney, but with no second, John Ostlund nominated Hastings, who then received all three commissioners’ votes. read more
Jan262023
Obituary: Robert George Wittman
Robert George Wittman
Robert George Wittman, 71, of Billings, Montana, passed away peacefully in his home, January 9, 2023. He was born November 9,h 1951, to Harold and Lillian Wittman in Billings, Montana. He grew up on the family farm in Worden, Montana, graduating from Huntley Project High School. He was actively involved in FFA and shop projects where he was known for his mechanical skills and abilities. He attended DeVry School of Technology in Phoenix Arizona, where he studied electronics and computer sciences, graduating 2nd in his class. After graduation he was employed by Sun Electronics.
He then moved back to Billings where he continued to work in the electronics field and helped on the family farm. Robert worked at Pierce Packing as the maintenance supervisor until the plant closed. He then worked for Phoenix Industries Trucking. Robert started his own Electronic Technical Company called Double E Systems and continued until retirement. read more
Jan252023
HB 35 = Elimination of City / County Appointees in Three Districts
Dear Editor,
Larry Brewster, Representative for Heights HD 44 introduced HB 35 to eliminate the city and/or county appointees in three districts: the County Water and Sewer District of Billings Heights (CWDBH), Big Sky Water and Sewer District and Evergreen Water and Sewer District. Of the 800+ districts in the state of Montana, the CWDBH is the only district that does not produce water and does not have sewer. read more
