Dec92022

GOP Hints at 38 Constitutional Amendment Proposals in 2023

Politics

by Michael J. Marino

After being selected President of the Montana State Senate, Sen. Jason Ellsworth (R-Hamilton) gave a speech in which he said, “We›re going to have an opportunity next session, because we›re going to have a supermajority, to potentially pass constitutional initiatives, and give those votes to the people.” A “supermajority” is whenever one party has two-thirds (2/3) control of both the House and Senate. To place a potential change to the state Constitution on the ballot, a two-thirds vote between both the House and Senate is required. read more

Dec92022

Dig It Days Donates $12,000

Top Stories

Accepting the $10,000 check for scholarships on behalf of the Montana Contractors’ Association Education Fund was John Hurd, Manager of the Billings RDO Equipment store, and Barry Houser, Helena, Marketing & Communications Director at Montana Contractors​’ Association. Presenting the check was Dig It Days Director, Jonathan McNiven, owner of Yellowstone County News, and Evelyn Pyburn, owner of Big Sky Business Journal, a Dig It Days volunteer.
Dig It Days is a production of Yellowstone Family, founded by Jonathan and Tana McNiven.

With considerable pride and satisfaction, Yellowstone Family, the non-profit organization of Yellowstone County News, was able to present a $10,000 check to Montana Contractors Association (MCA) Education Fund, to be used for scholarships for young people pursuing careers in the building industry. The MCA Education Fund is the educational arm of the Montana Contractors’ Association. read more

Dec42022

Have We Gone Too Far?

Opinion • Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor,

It was the fall of 1964 and in October I heard a speech by Ronald Reagan called “a time for choosing”. He said it was not about left or right, but about up or down. I had just turned 21 a few months earlier and had reached voting age, the speech was in support of Barry Goldwater for president. read more

Dec22022

Stromswold Elected Despite Resignation

Local

 by Arren Kimbel-Sannit

Montana Free Press

Stromswold

On Aug. 12, 21-year-old Billings Republican Rep. Mallerie Stromswold signed a letter withdrawing from her legislative race and forwarded it to the Yellowstone County Republican Central Committee, which, after a delay, mailed it to the Montana Secretary of State.

In theory, Stromswold would thus be removed from the ballot, and the county party would select a replacement to face the Democratic candidate, James Reavis, running to represent the central Billings district in November. In practice, the county party did get as far as selecting a new Republican candidate. But the person who beat Reavis in the general election was Mallerie Stromswold. read more

Dec22022

“Overrun by Roaches,” Rimrock Park Apartments Face Negligence Lawsuit

Top Stories

Roaches that became trapped partly beneath the Gorilla tape that Long’s son, Elijah, had placed over the exhaust fan in the bathroom ceiling that is located directly above the toilet seat. He reportedly did this “because so many roaches kept crawling out of that cover and some even dropping straight down out of there,” according to supporting documents provided by Long.
See YCN’s Instagram page @yellowstonecountynews for more photos related to this story.

by Michael J. Marino

A complaint filed earlier this year alleges the Rimrock Park Apartments off Burnstead Drive in Billings have been “severely neglected” since August 2019, when the buildings were sold to Rimrock Holdings LLC, and BP Asset Management (BPAM) took over the role of landlord. Failing plumbing, moldy ceilings and an “acute infestation of roaches” are among the issues many residents say have been neglected or totally ignored since day one of BPAM’s management of the premises. read more

Dec22022

Obituary: Henry A. McNeel

Obituaries

Henry A. McNeel

Henry A. McNeel was born on November 21, 1936, to John A. McNeel and Mary Lou Gilmore McNeel Manning in New Castle, CO. Hank passed away Novermber 15, 2022, just a week before his 86th birthday.

Hank was a weed scientist for the BLM and was passionate about weed control. He received numerous achievement and recognition awards for his work in controlling weeds. He served on the Yellowstone County Weed Board from 2006 to 2021. Before working for the BLM, he worked for the Forest Service, was County Agent in Rupert, Idaho, and worked for the U of I as head grounds keeper, all while continuing to farm.

Other interests included hunting, creating horseshoe art, working with diamond willow making canes and walking sticks and of course his work with rocks specifically agates , He was always interested in farming and growing weed free hay, of which he was very proud. read more

Nov192022

Obituary: Gerald Wayne Ferrell

Obituaries

Gerald Wayne Ferrell

Gerald ‘Jerry’ Wayne Ferrell, age 76, of Billings, MT, formerly of Petersburg, Virginia, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 9, 2022.

Jerry is preceded in death by his father, Adren Newton ‘Slim’ Ferrell, and mother, Marian Breeden Ferrell, his sister, Janice Ferrell Whitley, and her husband, Henry ‘Bubba’ Whitley, as well as his in laws, Earl, and Kay Fake.  Jerry is survived by his wife of 54 years, Carol Ferrell, daughter, Rebecca ‘Becky’ McAllister, son, Michael ‘Mickey’ Ferrell, daughter-in-law, Dawn Ferrell, granddaughter, Catalina ‘Lina’ Ferrell, and grandson, Jameson ‘Jamie’ Ferrell. Jerry is also survived by a niece, Sarah Whitley, her partner, Sarah Sunde, and their children, Bennett, Emerson, and Caroline as well as a brother-in-law, Steve Fake, and his children Brenda Fake, Brian Fake, and Pam Stevens.

Jerry grew up in his beloved town of Petersburg, Virginia.  He graduated high school from Petersburgh High School in 1964 and enlisted in the United States Air Force from 1966 to 1970 during the Vietnam War. While serving, Jerry was stationed at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls, Montana where he met the love of his life, Carol.  Not long after, Jerry and Carol were married at St. Pius the X on September 14, 1968, and honeymooned at the Yodeler Motel in Red Lodge, Montana.   read more

Nov192022

Obituary: Richard Edward Fick

Obituaries

Richard Edward Fick

Richard Edward Fick, 82, of Billings, MT, passed peacefully at home on

November 9, 2022. He was born March 11, 1940, in Stafford, Nebraska, to Edward and Alberta (Pond) Fick. He started first grade at age four in rural Nebraska. Looking for better opportunities, the family moved to Billings, Montana, in 1949 where they had family living and a new job at Saunders Lumber. Richard also started working at the lumberyard at age 14, counting inventory and unloading rail cars by hand. 

He attended Pine Hills, Lockwood, and Senior High Schools, graduating in 1957.

He attended Eastern Montana College and graduated with a Bachelor of Science

in Education in 1961. He then taught mostly 5th and 6th grades for 39 years. He taught at Taft, Orchard, Highland, and Sandstone Elementaries. He retired from teaching in June 2000. His love for teaching was unimaginable. He made a difference in so many children’s and families’ lives. He took his students fossil hunting in the back of his pickup in the Pryors, walked to PAYS to watch sales, outdoor ed at Riverfront Park, and many more adventures. He had posters of John Wayne, Native Americans, the U.S. Presidents, and, of course, an American flag hanging in his classroom. He wanted to teach and expose his students to as much history and real world experiences as possible. read more

Nov192022

History Made… Thrice!  Shepherd, Huntley Volleyball Clash at State Tournament

Sports • Top Stories

Rival volleyball teams Huntley Project and Shepherd along with fans gather together for a historic picture at Brick Breeden Field House in Bozeman as history was made in three different ways Saturday, November 12, 2022. Shepherd Lady Fillies and Huntley Project Lady Red Devils both advanced to the state tournament together for the first time in history. In addition, Shepherd and Huntley Project played each other in the championship game twice due to it being a true double elimination state tournament. Shepherd had never won a state volleyball trophy before and took home 2nd place for the first time ever in school history. Huntley Project won their 14th state title adding to the most title wins for head Coach Iona Stookey and the Huntley Project volleyball program. You can also read McNiven’s Meanderings column about the historic event. (Anderson McNiven Photo)

by Michael J. Marino

History was made as both Shepherd and Huntley Project’s volleyball teams advanced from the Divisional round to the State Class B Championship Tournaments held on Saturday, Nov. 12 at Brick Breeden Fieldhouse in Bozeman, Montana. read more

Nov192022

In his Suit Against County & OVG, Jarussi Asks to Void Contract

Local

by Evelyn Pyburn

Billings attorney, Gene Jarussi is persisting with his challenge against Yellowstone County regarding the RFP they issued for the private management of MetraPark, despite the County’s decision to discontinue the RFP (request for proposals) process. Jarussi has asked the Court for permission to file an amended complaint in which he additionally questions the process in which Yellowstone County entered into an entertainment booking contract with OVG in July 2021, and asks that that contract be declared invalid. read more

Nov132022

Shots Fired at Crisp Over COVID

Opinion • Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor,

Mae Woo, your commentary in YCN (10-28-22) is right on about David Crisp only reading the lies of the liberal lefties news.  What does Crisp know about medicine?  And for Crisp to disparage Dr. Kerns is akin to a garbage collector training a heart surgeon.  Dr. Kerns is a well-respected doctor and member of our community.  Dr. Kerns, I stand beside you and will continue to admire your work.   read more