Feb122021

Mask Mandate Lifted by Governor Gianforte

Montana-Statewide • Top Stories

Wednesday, February 10, Governor Gianforte signed the highly anticipated SB-65. This Friday he will issue a directive ending the mask mandate. (Courtesy photo)

Wednesday afternoon, Governor Greg Gianforte held his first bill signing ceremony. He signed into law SB-65 which shields businesses, health care providers, nonprofit organizations, and places of worship from COVID-19 lawsuits. In signing the law, Gianforte moved forward as he had promised to do to lift the statewide mask mandate. He announced that as of Friday morning he will issue a directive that would end the mandate. There will probably remain local mandates in some areas of the state that will still require wearing masks.  Joining Gianforte in the ceremony were Senate President Mark Blasdel (SD-4), Speaker of the House Wylie Galt (HD-30); Senator Steve Fitzpatrick (SD-10), Chair of the Senate Business, Labor, and Economic Affairs Committee; and Representative Mark Noland (HD-10), Chair of the House Business and Labor Committee.

Feb122021

Worden Fire Department Pieces Things Together

Local

Following the termination of Joe Stratton and subsequent resignations of several other members of the Worden Volunteer Fire Department (WVFD), Philip Hackman has been named Interim EMS Director until a permanent replacement can be found for Andrew Zimmerman. Hackman has been with the WVFD for several years. read more

Feb52021

Governor Awaits Passage of SB65 to Lift Mask Mandate

Montana-Statewide • Top Stories

Newly sworn into office, Montana Governor Greg Gianforte removed his mask to pose for a picture in anticipation to sign legislation, that will help small businesses in Montana deal with Covid-19 concerns, open back up and get back to work. Part of the legislation Gov. Gianforte is supporting includes his pro-jobs budget, and roadmap to the Montana Comeback plan.
(Photo by Jonathan McNiven)

As the bill that would eliminate liability for businesses regarding contracting COVID-19, makes its way through the state legislature, Governor Greg Gianforte is waiting for it to land on his desk. He has promised that as soon as he can sign SB65 and know that vaccinations are being widely distributed in the state, he will lift the mask mandate. read more

Feb22021

Breaking: Worden Ambulance Services on Life Support After One is Terminated and Five Resign

Top Stories • Huntley Project

Worden ambulance and medical services will be much more limited than they have been in the past following Monday night’s board meeting. An EMT was terminated at the meeting by a vote of 3-3, with the president of the board casting the tie-breaking vote. Following his termination, five other emergency medical service providers resigned as a sign of solidarity. read more

Feb12021

Obituary: Cherri Jean Carney

Obituaries

Cherri Jean Carney, age 59, of Ballantine passed away on January 23, 2021 due to complications from cancer with her family by her side. A full obituary will follow, as well as a celebration of Cherri’s life at a later date. Condolences may be sent to John Carney, 2330 S. 26th Rd, Ballantine, MT 59006.

Jan292021

Sir/Ma’am, answer us

Opinion • Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor,

Jen J. Larson, Sir/Ma’am, you are a PROUD LIAR!  (I still don’t know your gender).  I qualify that by the fact that the GIM (godless imbecilic moron) that is illegally occupying the Oval Office just cut 11,000 jobs by killing the XL Pipeline.  Then there are the peripheral support jobs that may be twice that!  I’m sure you are PROUD of that, too!  And you also say you have respect for views of each side… LIAR again.  You laud your liberal votes, views, and opinions only, Sir/Ma’am.   read more

Jan292021

Billings Public Library to Reopen

Local • Billings

The Billings Public Library will once again be open to the public beginning on February 1, 2021. The hours of the library will be from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Visits will be limited to 30 minutes per patron. Seven computers will be available to the public for 30-minute sessions which cannot be renewed. Special programs will only be available online, and the archives, tech lab, study rooms, community room, genealogy room, and Yellowstone board room are not accessible to the public at this time. Furniture is also unavailable for patron use.  read more

Jan292021

Rockslide Closes Pictograph Cave State Park Indefinitely

Top Stories

Rock fall below the face of a sandstone cliff that collapsed recently at Pictograph Cave State Park east of Billings, damaging the access road and closing the park indefinitely. (Picture courtesy of Fish, Wildlife and Parks)

A rockslide last week has resulted in the closing of the Pictograph Cave State Park indefinitely, according to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. The face of a sandstone cliff overlooking the park collapsed, sending boulders over the roadway and a hiking trail. While no injuries were reported, and no buildings were damaged by the rock fall, the park will remain closed until the roadway can be repaired.
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Jan282021

Obituary: Joan Leslie (Austin) Branger

Obituaries

Joan Leslie (Austin) Branger

Joan Leslie (Austin) Branger went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on January 23rd, 2021. Although we feel it was short, Joan lived a full and fruitful life. She was born October 11th, 1953 in Billings, MT. She was raised by her father Les Austin with her four siblings Joyce, Judy, Jan and David.  As a child, Joan lived in several communities in Montana including Terry, Custer, Reed Point, Roundup, Harlowton and Billings. After graduating from Billings Senior High in 1971, she married John Bouchard and had three sons: Shawn, Ryan and Brad. John and Joan divorced after 23 years of marriage, then in 1994 she met her read more

Jan222021

Face Facts, Biden Won

Opinion • Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor,

I have always been an independent voter and have a basic respect for the views of each side of the spectrum. The extremes of either side are wing nuts. In the United States, we have our left-wing nuts and our right-wing nuts, and I try not to avoid the nuts. I am, however, remiss if I do not point out the inappropriate, and nutty flavored bias Yellowstone County News has held with respect to the 2020 presidential election. read more

Jan192021

Obituary: Glenda Helen Lahn

Obituaries

Glenda Helen Lahn

Glenda Helen Lahn passed away on Sunday, January 3, 2021, at the age of 81. She was born on June 8, 1939, in Napa, California, to Art and Pearl lzer. She shared a birthday with her dad. Her family later settled in Oregon. She went to grade school in Barton, Oregon, and high school in Estacada, Oregon. read more