Feb42022
The Department of Justice released information on January 31, relating to Signal Peak’s failing to report injuries, and improperly disposing of mine waste. Signal Peak Energy, LLC (SPE) was sentenced to three years of probation and slapped with a $1 million-dollar criminal fine. read more
Jan282022
Dear Editor:
On Wednesday, January 19, there was a house fire in the Moon Valley area of the Alkali Creek neighborhood. KULR-8 reported a woman was trapped inside the home and Billings police officers helped her escape. Their story also said “emergency resources in the Heights were sparse and busy responding to other emergencies during this fire.” How much longer do the 30,000-plus Heights residents need to wait for the City to build a second fire station? read more
Jan282022
Signature gathering on a petition that would cap property taxes may continue.
The Montana Supreme Court refused last week to take up a lower court decision that halted signature gathering on a petition for an initiative that would cap the rate of property tax increases, saying it couldn’t hear the case any sooner than could the District Court. On Tuesday, the injunction against signature gathering was lifted by a lower court while the case advances based upon the merits raised by the Plaintiffs. read more
Jan282022
The Billings Police Dept. released information pertaining to a suspected double homicide in Billings that occurred on January 25th. At approximately 3:00 AM Billings Police Dept. was dispatched to the 300 block south of 37th St., to a motor vehicle accident. Upon arriving, and initial investigation, it was determined that there were two male occupants of the vehicle who were unresponsive and not breathing. read more
Jan282022
Pictured are Governor Greg Gianforte (L), Dennis Bear Don’t Walk, Member of the Crow Nation, Barry Usher, State Representative, Bryan Lockerby, Director of Crime Investigation, during a roundtable discussion about crime held in Billings last week.
With the next state legislative session looming on the horizon, one of the biggest issues before it will surely be the issue of crime, which is especially true for Yellowstone County and Billings where crime has been escalating at a faster pace than the rest of the state. read more
Jan212022
Helen Hoerner Geck passed away peacefully on January 9, 2022, surrounded by her family. Helen was born on the family farm in a stone house on March 25, 1938, to Valentine and Monica Hoerner, in Glen Ullin, ND. She attended a one-room schoolhouse until 8th grade and graduated from Glen Ullin High School.
Helen taught school, worked at the Bank of Glen Ullin, and lived on the family farm in North Dakota until she married Richard Geck on Sept 2, 1958. From this union two sons were born, Dan and Darrin. They traveled to many different locations with road construction and made many good friends along the way. In 1982, they moved to the family farm in Pompeys Pillar, MT. read more
Jan142022
Dear Editor:
Masks Reduce Infection Rates!
The article headlined “Data Shows: School Mask Mandates Make No Difference” in the Jan. 7 Yellowstone County News draws a conclusion that isn’t supported by the “data” it quotes. The numbers presented don’t answer the question of whether masks worn in schools help reduce the spread of COVID-19 virus.
This flawed argument fails to take into account the rates of mask compliance and COVID-19 testing within the schools. Without that information, the statistics on enrollment and case totals tell us nothing.
read more
Jan142022
The City of Billings has lost a case filed against it for charging illegal franchise fees for 26 years on utility services it provides city residents. Filed by six city ratepayers, the case has been on-going for over three years, after having been a contentious issue since the city imposed the fees in 1992. Both residents of the city and some public officials frequently challenged — to no avail — the fees before a city council which kept re-imposing the 4 percent charge on bills for water, sewer, garbage, etc., collecting an estimated $50 million over the years.
As soon as the Plaintiffs filed their suit in 2018, the City ceased collecting the fees. read more
Jan142022
Dennis Pitman
Mark Morse
2022 is an election year that will see a vacancy open for election of the Board of County Commissioners for District 2.
Incumbent County Commissioner Denis Pitman, who has announced that he will be filing for re-election, already has a Republican primary contender in Mark Morse, who is also vying for the position. Filing for election to local and state political offices in 2022 will open in Yellowstone County Thursday, January 13. read more
Jan142022
At the January 10th Board meeting it was noted that there is nothing more important to Huntley-Yellowstone Water & Sewer District (HYWSD) than providing access to pure, clean water. This basic community need is easy to take for granted, but the reality is that ensuring reliable access to safe water can be a complex, expensive undertaking. Aging infrastructure, new regulations, and escalating expenses can create a precarious budget balancing act. read more
Jan142022
In a letter to Montana RailLink (MRL)employees, Derek Ollmann, President of MRL, shared the news that MRL will be concluding their long-term lease with BNSF Railway. BNSF will be resuming operations and maintenance of MRL, which will provide long term sustainability, predictability and opportunity for employees and customers. read more
Jan72022
10/12/49-12/31/21
Gary Dale Foss was born October 12, 1949, in Sheridan, WY, and was raised at Decker, MT. He graduated from Sheridan High School in 1968. January 2, 1971, he married Phyllis Schuman and added George and Mollie Schuman and 4 brothers to his family. Gary and Phyllis had three children. He was a GREAT Dad but an even better Papa. His family meant everything to him.
He is survived by Phyllis, his wife of 51 years; children – Monica, Melanie (Jonathan) and Gary; eight grandchildren – Tanner (Lindsey), Trey, Tyler, Kyle, Mollie, Morgan, Gavin and Cayden; three great grandchildren; sister – Lola (Rick) Ellis; brothers (in-laws) – Don, George (Doris), Les (Shirley – his best buddy), and Gerald (Joann) Schuman.
Funeral services are Jan. 12th, 11:00 a.m., at Dahl Funeral Home in Billings, MT. Memorials can be made to RiverStone Hospice, American Cancer Society or donor’s choice.
Dec312021
With the end of his term next year, Scott Turner will be Yellowstone County’s last full-time elected auditor. In the future the position will be melded with that of the County Clerk and Recorder. County Commissioners voted at a public hearing on Tuesday to eliminate the full-time position and place those duties that are necessary by the office, to be performed by the Clerk and Recorder. Jeff Martin is the County’s Clerk and Recorder.
Dec312021
Dear Editor:
Fear. We have nothing to fear but the fear mongers themselves. We are being told how the Covid surge is as high as it was in its prime. The news is reporting how bad it is. Over the last several months we haven’t seen or heard of any long lines to get tested. It was almost like the testing sites disappeared. Now they are showing lines and lines of people waiting to get tested. If there were 100 people getting tested before and 3 had Covid, then when panic sets in and 100,000 people get tested and 3000 have tested positive, the news can tell us that the infected rate is 100 times bigger than it was. Yet it is still the same 3%. From what has been reported on this latest variant, the sky is falling. We are all going to die. We are told to follow the science. Well, from what I have been hearing, Omicron should be called Omicold. read more
Dec312021
The Billings Bypass bridge, pictured here on December 13th spanning the Yellowstone River, has been completed; more dirt work and construction is still needed before vehicles can travel on each side of it. Construction of the railroad overpass in Lockwood will be moved ahead of the Johnson Lane Diamond Interchange (at Interstate 90) in order to allow for more construction and an earlier time frame for traffic to start using it. Overall construction of the Billings Bypass is still on schedule.
(Drone Image by Jonathan McNiven)
Dec172021
Whether Yellowstone County voters want the production and sale of marijuana in Yellowstone County will be on the ballot this spring – May 4. read more
Dec172021
Construction has started in laying gravel for a new commercial truck driving and training business located at the intersection of Hwy 312/Main Street and the Roundup Road in Billings Heights. Here, gravel and dirt is being moved and placed on the East side of Roundup Road before it meets Main Street. The Billings Bypass, which will run along Mary street, will enter this intersection from the left in the next coming year or two. The truck driving business is temporary until the Billing Bypass road connects at this intersection. (Drone Image by Jonathan McNiven)
According to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration the minimum training requirements for entry level commercial motor vehicle operators will change as of February 7, 2022. This can be researched by looking up ELZT final rule. Anyone wanting to obtain a commercial driver’s license will be required to attend a federally recognized school in order to obtain their commercial license. That’s where 160 Driving Academy comes into play, located where Roundup Road meets Hwy. 312, by the Bull Mountain Grille. If you have been noticing some changes such as the moving of earth and placement of gravel, this is why. read more
Dec172021
Velva Celia Black
Velva Celia Black, 88, was called home to be with The Lord Sunday morning, Dec. 12, 2021, while residing at St. Johns Nursing Home in Billings, Montana.
She was born Velva Celia Reynolds October 2, 1933, in Livingston, Montana, the daughter of Valen C. and Nellie L. (Skillman) Reynolds.
She married Bennie Rhea Black on July 7, 1951, in Livingston, Montana. Velva and Bennie lived in Powell, Wyoming, where she maintained the family home. After the death of her husband, Velva moved back to Livingston, Montana, to be near her family, working at the hospital until she retired. read more
Dec102021
Four parents are immediately filing as candidates for the school board in Billings School District 2 with the opening of candidate filing on December 9. They are parents who realized at the beginning of school in the fall, that they had “turned their heads” for far too long when it came to paying attention to what happens in School District 2, said Shannon Johnson, who will be filing as a candidate for Zone 3 in the Heights. Deadline for filing for school district board positions is March 24. read more
Dec102021
Robert Thomas Spence
Robert Thomas Spence was born on July 15, 1987, to Thomas and Cynthia Spence in Afton, WY. During his lifetime he lived in Wyoming, Texas, Oklahoma, and Montana. He graduated in 2006 from Shepherd High School, Shepherd, MT. He received his Eagle Scout rank shortly before his 18th birthday. He married the love of his life and best friend, Sherri Lynn Marcum on November 24, 2012, and became a father to 7-year-old Chandler. He worked as a truck driver and loved to see the great country in which he was blessed to live. He drove truck until he was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia at the age of 32. After receiving a bone marrow transplant in 2020 he was pronounced cancer free. He had many health challenges in the next months but was getting stronger and enjoying life. read more
