Sep92022

SAME WATER, SAME SOURCE! Right?

Opinion • Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor:

What is with the ongoing soap opera drama regarding the Billings Heights Water District? I have questions. 

Why do we even continue to have a “Heights Water District?” The “Heights” is part of Billings, mostly, right?

Why are Heights’ residents okay with paying higher water rates than other Billings residents? It’s all the SAME WATER, from the SAME SOURCE! Right?

I might understand a possible need when much of Billings Heights was county, not city. That was a long time ago, however.

Billings residents served by BHWD pay the city, and then turn right around and pay BHWD, again, for staff, operations, insurance, benefit packages, and more.  Are a majority of city Heights’ residents really okay with this?  Are a majority of the Heights’ city residents really that complacent?

We live in the Heights and love it. We’ve terrific neighbors, shop locally when we can, and enjoy our lives here. Why do we continue to segregate Billings’ water service? 

BHWD is not here to save us money. They do not improve the value of the services already provided by the City of Billings, or improve our quality of life. 

BWHD costs us money, compared to other city water residents. What am I not understanding? 

Michael Myers 

Billings, MT

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Sep92022

Obituary: Marlyn Gloyne Orahood

Obituaries

Marlyn Gloyne Orahood

Marlyn Gloyne Orahood was born March 10, 1937, to Walter and Della (Emerson) Gloyne. She was the oldest of three children. Marlyn married Wesley Orahood March 28, 1958, after knowing him for five months and five days. Marlyn left to be with Wesley on Friday, August 19, 2022, 41 days after Wesley blazed the trail for their next chapter.

A memorial service will be held at Wilderness Funeral Home in Malta, MT, on Tuesday, August 30 at 1:00 p.m.

Marlyn was raised on the family ranch west of Harlem. She graduated from Harlem High School in 1955. In the fall of 1957 Marlyn’s teaching career began at the Prairie Union School in southern Phillips County. Marlyn taught school in Phillips County for 28 years, retiring in 1990.

Marlyn and Wesley had four children, Ludell, Lynne, Lori and Jim whom they raised at the ranch on Tallow Creek.

Marlyn and Wesley had many adventures along the way. In the early 1960’s as well as ranching, they also raced chariots and chuckwagons with her dad and brother John. In 1963 Marlyn won a relay race from Hinsdale to Saco. In 64 years of marriage, they missed very few country dances at First Creek Hall. During the 70’s they were regular participants in the Milk River Wagon Train.

Marlyn spent her summers and weekends haying, farming and ranching. Winters were spent teaching until 1990 when she moved to the ranch full time. In 2005 she and Wesley moved to Malta.

Marlyn is survived by her sister Karen Bryant; children Ludell (Bobby) Heaton, Lynne (Donny) Brewer, Lori Shipp, Jim (Kelly) Orahood; grandchildren, Paul (Laura) Heaton, JayDee (Nick) Lindeen, Drew (April) Brewer, Wyatt Shipp, Joe Shipp, Erika Hanson (Alex Frye), Della Shipp, Jessie Orahood, Frankie Orahood, Billie Orahood, Georgia Orahood and Derek Peigneux; great grandchildren, Wylee, Kabreena, Westen, Walt, Elyse, Grant, Chloe, Avery, Wesley, and Everett, and many nieces, nephews and other family members.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband Wesley, parents, Walter and Della, brother John, grandson Casey Brewer, son–in–law Wayne Shipp.

Reception to follow the service at the VFW in Malta.

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Sep92022

Obituary: Randy Lynn Wolfe

Obituaries

On August 28, 2022, Randy Lynn Wolfe left us for a better place after a short battle with cancer. Randy was born in Billings, MT, on August 27, 1952, to Michael & June Wolfe.

Randy held many titles over his lifetime, but his most important titles were husband, daddy, dad, grandpa, grumpa(you read that right), boppa, and great grandpa. His family was his most precious asset, and you knew it without a doubt. He was our protector, fixer and was great at sharing his wisdom without making you feel inadequate. He loved spending time with his family even though we probably drove him crazy now and then. He was also a very special and loved uncle; many of his nieces referred to him as their favorite uncle, and he treated many of them just like his own.

Randy was a generous soul who was instant friends with almost everyone he met. He enjoyed his daily coffee breaks with his brother and his many, many lifelong friends. He’d even buy you breakfast if you went along and were hungry. Randy had many friends that he loved very much, and many are like family to all of us.

Once leaving the US Army and college in Sheridan in the 1970s, Randy started his career as a contractor and eventually started a successful decades long excavation business with his brother, Rick. Randy was a hard worker and had several large jobs that included site work on the Libby Dam and Bel Fourche Dam. He was a jack–of–all–trades, and there wasn’t anything he couldn’t figure out how to do which left a pretty high bar for any potential spouses that his daughter had.

His hobbies included treasure hunting at auctions and yard sales with his wife, daughter and grandchildren for the last 25 years. He had a keen eye for finding valuable items and was also a great negotiator to get a fair price. You could bet if he grabbed it, there was something special about it.

Randy is survived by his daughter, Maicie Wolfe (Troy), grand-daughter Sam Eustace (Matthew), grandson Chandler, Worden, great grandson Rhory Muller all of Billings; as well as his three brothers, Ron (Kathy) Wolfe of Red Lodge, Richard Wolfe of Billings, Larry Wolfe (Linda) of Nevada and his dear friend “gal pal” Denise Fiscus of Billings.

He is preceded in death by his wife Sharron Wolfe, brother Clifford Wolfe, nephew Michael Rich, mother June Wolfe and Father Michael Wolfe.

Services will be held September 3rd at 1:00 PM at Smith Funeral Chapel Downtown, 925 South 27th Street, Billings, MT.

Interment will be held privately and will include one last drive around the farm in Huntley with Randy’s ashes as he did for his wife Sharron when she passed.

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Sep22022

Remember to Think before you speak

Opinion • Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor,

In today’s diverse world, we need to be less judgmental. I can safely say that it is, in fact, possible to change your thinking no matter where in your life you are. For example, a relative of mine once was very prejudiced many years ago, and it wasn’t until she held my niece’s newborn baby (who was biracial) that her opinion changed. When she felt the love and warmth of this child – just the same as any other child – she quickly realized that the racism of yesteryear was wrong, and we are all the same at our core. That was in 2001. read more

Sep22022

Water District Considers New Treatment Plant, Call Police Again in Attempt to Remove Member  

Local

Two city police officers were called to the Heights County Water District meeting by board members in an effort to remove Pam Ellis from their meeting, after county attorney department says the board has no authority to remove Ellis from the board. (Courtesy photo)

The Heights County Water District board set a new budget for 2022-23 that includes a feasibility study to build a water treatment plant; they named Tom Zurbuchen as a new board member; voted an eight percent wage increase for staff; and again called upon police to try to remove a board member.

Even though, after being informed last month by Yellowstone County Attorney Scott Twito that they did not have the authority to remove county-appointed board member, Pam Ellis, from the board, water district board members refused to recognize Ellis as part of the board last Wednesday evening.  read more

Sep22022

Reckless Driving Devolves Into Chase, Fiery Crash Near Huntley

Top Stories

by Michael J. Marino

Worden Fire, Lockwood Fire, and Shepherd Fire Departments responded to this wrecked vehicle on Interstate 94 Mile Marker 7 near aHuntley which was the result of a high speed chase Monday morning. A passenger was pulled from this car to safety before it exploded into fire. Additional firefighters responded to the grass fire that resulted to about 1 acre in size while other troopers and deputies searched the surrounding area for the driver who fled on foot. (Jonathan McNiven photo)

State troopers noticed a gray sedan-style vehicle going about 95 mph in the 55 mph construction zone of Interstate 90-East in Billings and attempted to initiate a traffic stop, according to Sgt. Jay Nelson of Montana Highway Patrol (MHP). The driver, however, did not stop and actually sped up as he approached the Lockwood exits. read more

Aug262022

Dig It Days 2022 A Kid Approved Resounding Success 

Top Stories

Kids and adults gather together for a quick drone picture on top of Sand Mountain Saturday afternoon, August 20, 2022 as Dig It Days was in full motion. Todd Texley with Aggregate Resources of Ballantine helped supply the 400 tons of sand pile for kids to dig in and find buried necklaces for prizes during the two-day event at MontanaFair. (Drone Image by Jonathan McNiven)

A long and steady line of exuberant kids with their parents or grandparents streamed into Dig It Days last Friday and Saturday afternoons – anxious to explore and operate the big machines used in construction. 

“We have been waiting for weeks for this,” said one mother as her three kids picked out orange t-shirts and bright yellow play safety helmets. Others ran straight from the entrance to pounce on the huge pile of sand known as Sand Mountain, unable to restrain their enthusiasm to “play in the dirt.” read more

Aug262022

Thank You for Dig It Days 2022!

Opinion • Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor,

I wanted to write and express my gratitude to Jonathan and the many other individuals and businesses that hosted Dig It Days 2022. We have a large family and are always on the lookout for fun, affordable, and local adventures to share with our kids. I honestly didn’t know what to expect when we arrived at Dig It Days this past Saturday, but it ended up being the highlight of our summer, especially for my sons!  read more

Aug122022

Coming this Fall: Skyview Sports & Weekly News on YCN Radio

Local

by Michael J. Marino

Staff members at Yellowstone County News (YCN) are preparing to launch several new features on their local radio station (101.1 FM KFHW – YCN Radio) according to publisher Jonathan McNiven. 

“We’re really excited about adding all of Skyview High School’s sporting events like football, volleyball and basketball, to our line-up of broadcasts,” McNiven stated.  read more

Aug122022

Obituary: Shirley Morehouse Branstetter

Opinion • Letters to the Editor

Shirley Morehouse Branstetter went to be with the Lord on July 23rd, at the age of 79. She was born at home in Worden, Montana, to Frank, Sr. and Katherine Morehouse. She was raised in Worden and attended Huntley Project Schools. After graduation, she moved to Billings to attend Eastern Montana College and worked at Newberrys as a cashier where she met the love of her life, Mark. They married two years later in 1965. They had three children: Michael, Teresa, and Kimberly. Shirley worked in food service and the medical fields until she had children. She then became a stay-at-home mom. After they were all in school, she became a lunch program director at Independent School. She worked there for 20 years and then retired to care for her husband until his death. 

Shirley loved her Lord and Savior and faithfully served Him all of her days. She loved worshipping the Lord with her church family and was a faithful prayer warrior.  Shirley loved cooking, canning, gardening, music, camping, sewing, reading, watching Lawrence Welk and old movies, and most of all spending time with her family. Known as Mom, Grammy, Mrs. B, and Ms. Shirley; if you knew her, you loved her, and knew you were loved by her!  read more

Aug122022

Obituary: Richard H. Espeland

Obituaries

Richard H. Espeland, 94, of Huntley, Montana, passed away on July 29, 2022. Richard was born in Grenora, ND, on July 14, 1928, to Emma and Selmer Espeland. He grew up with three brothers and three sisters on a small farm in Westby, MT.  His mother passed away when Richard was young, and he was raised by his loving step-mother, Mabel.  He graduated from Westby High School in 1946.  Richard served in the Marine Corps from 1952-1954 and went on to receive a Bachelor of Engineering from Montana State University c.1957 and a Masters of Engineering from the University of Colorado in 1977.

Richard married Berniece Sampson in 1955, and together they had four daughters Deniece, Rebecca, Judie, and Natha. Richard raised his four daughters by himself after Berniece died in 1972. He worked as an electrical engineer for the National Bureau of Standards in Boulder, Colorado, and retired in 1986.  In 1992 he moved back to Montana and settled in Huntley. read more