Apr82022

Massage Therapists File Federal Lawsuit Against City of Billings

Top Stories

A group of local massage therapists from Billings officially filed a federal case against the City on April 6 that challenges a city ordinance that “forces therapists to allow random, unannounced searches of their businesses and patient records,” according to a press release. The group said if a therapist asserts their right to a search warrant under the Fourth Amendment, then they risk criminal prosecution under current city codes. Theresa Vondra, Deborah Kimmet, and Donna Podolak, all part of the Business League for Massage Therapy & Bodywork (BLMTB), are leading plaintiffs in the case. read more

Apr82022

Buchanan Stirs The Political Pot, Enters Congressional Race as Independent 

Politics • Yellowstone County

Gary Buchanan has chosen to file as an
Independent in his bid for Congress.

It may have been something of a surprise for many to see Gary Buchanan file as an Independent to challenge Republican Matt Rosendale for his Congressional seat. While he had been mulling the idea over since December, Buchanan said that he didn’t make the decision until just days before filing deadline.

Buchanan is a noted Billings businessman, having been engaged as a financial advisor for over 40 years and owning his own business, Buchanan Capital, for the last 20 years. He has always been interested in politics and has been politically active over the years in many respects, but never before has he run for political office. While he considered himself a Democrat, he frequently worked with both political parties in various capacities. 

He filed as an Independent, he told Yellowstone County News, because “I have been discouraged by the parties. I don’t like party politics, and I think Montanans are tired of it.”

“Both parties have gone too far to the extreme fringe,” he said. As a consequence, he believes, both Republican and Democrat parties are losing membership.

He first thought about running for political office, at the urging of friends, in December, but he really didn’t make the decision until a few days before filing deadline. As an Independent, Buchanan has no primary challenger, but he does have to get 8,722 signatures from voters supporting his candidacy by May 31.

Other Republican candidates who have filed for the office, include incumbent Matt Rosendale, and James Boyette, Bozeman; Charles Walkingchild, Helena; and Kyle Austin, Billings. (Austin is owner of Pharma 406 in Billings.)

Democrats filing are Sky Williams, Penny Ronning (former Billings City Councilwoman) and Sen. Mark Sweeney, Philipsburg. read more

Apr42022

Obituary: Elizabeth Nafts Hinkle

Obituaries

Our sweet mother, grandmother, great and great, great grandmother, Elizabeth Nafts Hinkle, peacefully slipped into her angel wings on April 1, 2022. Elizabeth was born to Henry and Katie Wolf Nafts on March 5, 1922 in Toledo, Ohio. When she was 2 months old her parents and 5 siblings moved to the Huntley Project. Elizabeth went to the Osborne School north of the Experiment Station and then to Worden High School. read more

Apr12022

Local Student Broadcaster Invited to Co-Host Billings Outlaws’ 1st Game on Local ESPN Radio

Sports • Huntley Project

Billings Outlaws broadcaster David Sibley, left, talks with YCN Sports broadcaster Anderson McNiven, right, during the preseason opener for the Billings Outlaws debut back to the indoor turf Thursday, March 24, 2022. The professional indoor football team started back up after 12 years of inactivity. Anderson McNiven was invited by Dave Sibley to co-broadcast the first game of the season. You can listen to Anderson and Dave broadcast the Billings Outlaws games throughout the season on the local ESPN Radio station 910 AM and 105.5 FM as well as online at IFL.com
(Jonathan McNiven Photo)

The Billings Outlaws have been dormant since 2010, but now the indoor pro football team is back in the limelight, and so is one local up and coming broadcaster, Anderson McNiven. read more

Apr12022

Billings Schools on Borrowed Time to Use COVID Funding

Top Stories

School District 2 must use or lose its COVID relief funding by September of 2024, but the district’s Chief Financial Officer is confident that they have a solid plan to put the money to work in an efficient, mindful manner.

CFO Craig Van Nice stated that of the $50 million in funding that is being provided, there is already a plan in place to put $40 million to work. He describes the budget plan as being a “broad array” of investments and improvements.

The district plans to purchase all new curriculums for K-8 students, as well as expand the summer school program.

Van Nice also mentioned that they will be adding eleven additional interventionists to the staff at schools in the Magic City.

Apr12022

Obituary: Gaynell Russell

Obituaries

Gaynell Russell

Gaynell Russell, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend departed this life March 16, 2022, in Brunswick, Georgia, at the age of 80.

The youngest of four children, she was born Gaynell Phyllis Loughney on January 31, 1942, in Dearborn, Michigan, to Russell and Barbara (Burns) Loughney. The family returned to Red Lodge, Montana post WWII, where Gay was raised and attended school.

Gay was an adoring and devoted mom to her four children. A beautician by trade, she was a hardworking and talented hairdresser who loved to make people smile. She especially liked to make others feel welcome,, and often used her skills and creativity with hair styling to help do that.

She was a natural social butterfly. Gay was very personable, had the gift of gab and never met a stranger; she would do anything to help someone in need.  read more

Mar282022

Obituary: Mary Cummins

Obituaries

Mary CumminMary Eunice Cummins, 95, of Worden, passed from her earthly life early Saturday morning, March 26th, 2022.

Mary Eunice was born to Thomas D. and Mary Rader Sanborn in Helena, Mt., on December 6th, 1926. Mary Eunice had one sibling, her brother, Thomas G. Sanborn.

Mary Eunice moved around to several small Montana towns while growing up, as her father was a school teacher. When she was a junior in high school, her family moved to Worden where she graduated from Huntley Project High School.

Mary Eunice married Rudolph J. Cummins on November 11th, 1945, and they were the first couple to be married in the Worden Methodist Church. After Rudolph and Mary Eunice were married, they made their home in Worden,

To Rudolph and Mary Eunice were born five children: Ruth (Don) McKenzie of Worden, Bill (Joanne) Cummins of White Sulfur Springs, Pat (Dave) Beddes of Worden, Beverly (Geary) Bargas of Conrad and Leslie Cummins (deceased).

Mary Eunice was an active member in the Worden Methodist Church, and when the church closed, she started attending services in the United Methodist Church in Huntley. She was active in the choir in both of these churches. read more

Mar252022

Legislative Candidates File for Office

Politics

Filing deadline for political office in Montana was Monday, and hundreds of candidates have filed. Some have no contender in the primary on May 3, and some will have no contender in the general election on November 8, others will be challenged in both.

In the Yellowstone County area, the following candidates have filed for seats in the Senate:

SD 20 — Barry Usher, R, Billings; Geraldine Custer, R, Forsyth 

SD 22 — Terry Dennis, D, Billings; Daniel Zolnikov, R, Billings

SD 24 — Kathy Kelker, D, Billings; Elijah Tidswell, R, Billings SD 27– Dennis Lenz, R, Billings

In the Yellowstone County area, the following have filed for seats in the House of Representatives (* incumbent):

HD 39 — Gary Parry, R, Colstrip

HD 40 — Robert (Bob) T. Goffena, R, Roundup; John Nickelson, R, Roundup; Bruce Holland, R, Roundup; and Greg Oblander, R, Shepherd

HD 43 — *Kerri Seekin-Crowe, R, Billings

HD 44 — *Larry Brewster, R, Billings; Melissa Smith, D, Billings

HD 45 — *Kathie Zolnikov, R, Billings

HD 46 — * Bill Mercer, R, Billings; Tim Warburton, D, Billings

HD 47 — Thomas J. Madigan, R, Billings; Denise Baum, D, Billings

HD 48 — Jodee Etchart, R, Billings; Jennifer Merecki, D, Billings

HD 49 — *Emma Kerr-Carpenter, D, Billings; Jeff Wylie, R, Billings

HD 50 — James Reavis, D, Billings; Erin R. Tate, D, Billings; *Mallerie C. Stromswold  R, Billings

HD 51 — Carole Boener, D, Billings; Mike Yakawhich, R, Billings

HD 52 — Sherry Essmann, R, Billings; Rodney Garcia, R, Billings; Jenna Martin, D, Billings

HD 53 — Nelly Nicol, R, Billings

HD 54 — *Terry Moore, R, Billings

HD 55 — Lee Deming, R, Laurel; Colin Nygaard, R, Laurel

HD 56 — *Sue Vinton, R, Billings .

Mar252022

Governor Gianforte Comes to Town

Home • Huntley Project

Montana Governor Greg Gianforte is seen here driving a John Deere Tractor Wednesday provided by Leroy and Sydney Gabel in planting for the early beet season at the Gabel Farm in Huntley. Greg Gabel is in the tractor cab assisting the Governor.
(Jonathan McNiven Photo)

Montana Governor Greg Gianforte stopped in Billings and Huntley Wednesday to visit with local businesses while also promoting Agriculture week in Montana.  Gov. Gianforte said in a press release before traveling to Yellowstone County, “We’re recognizing the thousands of Montana farms and ranches that drive our state economy and feed our nation and the world.” read more

Mar252022

Huntley Project School Running Mill Levy

Huntley Project • Shepherd

Huntley Project School Board voted 5-0 this week to put a mill levy increase to the voters for approval on the upcoming election in May. It’s been 16 years since a successful Mill levy increase has been approved by the voters.  In 2015, voters did not support a mill levy increase of $150,000 and also declined to support a mill levy increase of $75,000 in 2016.  No mill levy increase has been requested from the school district since then.  School Superintendent Mark Wandle indicated the last couple years that the school district has been mindful of the taxpayer’s money even during Covid times, but the school district has chosen to ask the taxpayers to support this upcoming permanent general fund mill levy request at Monday night’s monthly school board meeting.   read more

Mar182022

Billings Gets $3 Million for New Buses

Home • Local • Billings • Yellowstone County

The City of Billings has recently purchased 17 new buses for its public transit system. Relying primarily on funding from grants the city spent $6.2 million for the new buses which have better gas mileage, are equipped with 360-degree cameras and WiFi, and will be less costly to maintain.

The City of Billings Metropolitan Transit System has announced that it will be receiving $3 million in funding through the Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Grant Program, through the US Department of Transportation (DOT). read more

Mar182022

We The People Pay the Price

Opinion • Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor,

On the World Front:  Let’s start with Trump vrs. Biden and Ukraine.  It’s my opinion that if had Trump been re-elected as President, Putin may very well NOT have invaded Ukraine.  BUT, also, the response of the US would have been very different and we very well have already seen the beginning of World War III.  On the other hand, considering the bungled mess and weak leadership of President Biden in Afghanistan, opened the door for Putin to invade – the opportunity was now or never!  The result we’re now seeing in Ukraine is horrendous.  read more

Mar152022

Obituary: Leo Matt Hertz

Obituaries

Leo Matt Hertz

Our beloved father Leo Matt Hertz, 80, entered into God’s Kingdom on March 9, 2022 after a long fight with cancer.

Leo was born to Jake and Margaret Hertz on December 9, 1941, in Bridger, MT, the youngest of six boys.  After graduating from Musselshell High School in 1961, Leo followed his five older brothers and enlisted in the United States Marine Corp. Like many in his generation, Leo was a veteran of the Vietnam War.

In 1965, Leo met the love of his life Judith Taurman, and they were married on October 28, 1966, in Hobson, MT. Leo and Judy went on to have 4 children, Wendy, Jake, Rosanne, and Sarah.

Leo was a loyal servant to God, first and foremost.  He loved sharing the love and warmth of our savior, Jesus Christ, with as many people as possible.  He was adamant that God’s love was for all and truly made it his life’s work.  He was a part of Set Free Ministries, a chaplain with Benefis Health Systems, a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Church. read more

Mar142022

Obituary: Ronald Shannon Victor 

Obituaries

Ronald Shannon Victor

Ronald Shannon Victor passed away suddenly February 25,  2022 while spending time with family in Billings, Montana. 

Ron was born on March 13, 1963 to Ronald Clifford Victor and Sandra Gail Youngblood in Salem, Oregon. He finished his school years in Newport Oregon, attending Newport High School. 

In his early adulthood, Ron’s hard work ethic led him all over the western coast. He often spoke of the wonderful times he spent in Ketchikan, Alaska working aboard the ocean vessel, The M/V Columbia. Working his way up the chain, Ron held placements on the ocean vessel as a cook, a steward, and a stores keeper. He was highly recognized as being an excellent crew member, and through letters of recommendation he is well documented as being highly talented, dependable, the backbone of the ship’s operation, “a real people person”, and a great asset to the Alaska Marine Highway System.  

Throughout his life, Ron was a big fan of the outdoors. He loved hunting, camping, mountain biking, and was a talented fisherman. He often told fishing stories of catching large steelheads in the many western ocean bound fresh waters early in his life, and enjoyed fishing the Yellowstone River for catfish in his later years. He had a knack for cleaning those catfish unlike anyone had ever seen! 

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