Jan182021
Mary Hoehe
On February 9, 1922, Mary was born in Kent, Ohio. Mary graduated from Hardin High in 1940, and October 29, 1940 was joined in holy matrimony with Lloyd Hoehne. Within that blessed union two daughters were given, Carol Reiter of Billings, Montana and Joan Sutton (Marshall) of Sun City, Arizona. read more
Jan182021
Bonnie Ann Kautz Presley
After a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease, Bonnie Ann Kautz Presley died peacefully at TenderNest Assisted Living on January 14, 2021 in Billings, MT at the too young age of 71. read more
Jan152021
Dear Editor,
The far-left is engaged to influence local politics to the same degree as it does national politics. For this reason, we must not let ourselves be distracted by other issues such that we lose focus on local politics. It is immediately imperative that we focus our energies on the politics we can control, meaning our city, county, and state. read more
Jan152021
Montana businesses no longer have to operate within constrained hours and reduced capacity because of COVID-19, by order of Governor Greg Gianforte on Wednesday. The order eliminates the restraints imposed mid-November by former Governor Steve Bullock. Gianforte said the order becomes effective within 48 hours of Tuesday afternoon, and it follows the rescinding, last week, of local mandates by Yellowstone County Health Officer John Felton. read more
Jan152021
Yellowstone County and the City of Billings are exploring in earnest the possibility of consolidating local government offices in the Stillwater Building. read more
Jan152021
At the forefront of legislation being considered in the first week of the Montana State Legislature is a bill that will offer liability protections to businesses, health care providers, places of worship, and nonprofit organizations regarding meeting COVID-19 mandates. Senator Steve Fitzgerald has introduced SB 65 which attempts to provide some liability protections. read more
Jan122021
Wilhelm Ruff
Wilhelm (Bill) Richard Ruff, age 77, passed away peacefully in his home on January 4, 2021, surrounded by his loving family. read more
Jan112021
Judith Rae (Dougherty) Hammersmark was born January 21, 1942, in Baker City, Oregon. Judy was the second of two daughters born to Baker City mailman Elmer Dougherty and elementary school teacher Ethel (Ebell) Dougherty. Along with her older sister Lee Ann, they comprised the neighborhood duo known affectionately by all as the Dougherty girls. The Dougherty girls were infamous for their sweet smiles, intelligent banter and love of stray cats. Baker City was a very safe playground with grandparents, uncles and friends around every corner. Judy was known as a strong swimmer, allowing her to become a lifeguard at Radium Hot Springs, a job she remembered and treasured for years.
In 1963 Judy met and married the love of her life, Marvin Hammersmark. Together they loved and raised three kids. Marvin’s career with the Bureau of Land Management led them to live in Ely, Nevada; Lakeview, Oregon; and Rawlins, Wyoming, before retiring to a small farm outside Ballantine, Montana. Judy made lifelong friends wherever she went.
Jan82021
Many of us probably felt that 2020 lasted a very long time. But now that 2021 is upon us, we can make a fresh start – and one way to do that is to make some New Year’s resolutions. Of course, you can make these resolutions for all parts of your life – physical, emotional, intellectual – but have you ever considered some financial resolutions? read more
Jan72021
Local COVID health mandates have been rescinded by Yellowstone County Health Officer John Felton.
Felton announced the change in a press conference on Thursday, saying the change is effective immediately.
The rescinding of local orders does not affect those of the state, imposed in mid-November, which means the restrictions that former Governor Steve Bullock put into place requiring masks and for some businesses to operate at 50 percent capacity and to close at 10 pm, will remain in place for the time being.
In a press conference on Tuesday, Governor Gianforte said that changes under his new administration would not be made to state mandates until two things happen: vaccinations have been given to the most vulnerable in the state and a bill on his desk from the state legislature that provides protection from COVID-19 lawsuits for businesses, schools and non-profits.
In place of the mandates, Felton said read more
Jan12021
Despite the lack of press conferences announcing as much, the number of positive COVID cases has been declining in Montana since early November. The number of cases daily is back down to the level at which they hovered at the end of summer. read more
Jan12021
Dorothy Jean Redding Demaree
Dorothy Jean Redding Demaree, 88, died in Lovell, Wyoming, Christmas Day, December 25, 2020 of natural causes. Dorothy was born in Hardin, Montana August 29, 1932 to Coil Austin Redding and Florence Irene Hoffman of Sarpy, Montana, the 6th of 12 children. read more
Jan12021
Darwin D. Paffrath
Darwin D. Paffrath, 82, of Worden, MT, died December 22, 2020 from Covid 19 and other health ailments. Darwin was born August 25, 1938 in Clinton, MN to Ambrose and Ann Paffrath. read more
Jan12021
Douglas “Doug” Lynn Dunker
After a hard-fought battle against an aggressive cancer, Douglas “Doug” Lynn Dunker died on Dec. 24, 2020, at the age of 52. read more
Jan12021
James Ray Roan
James Ray Roan born May 5, 1934, has succumbed to his battle with cancer. Jim was many things, including a man of his word, and he passed away on Christmas morning after promising his family he would stay until Christmas. read more
Jan12021
Darwin D. Paffrath
Darwin D. Paffrath was born Aug. 25, 1938, and passed away of covid on Dec. 22, 2020, after a hard fight. read more
Dec252020
Jack J Alles
Jack J Alles, 89, formerly of Worden, MT, passed away on December 14, 2020. Jack was born June 5, 1931, in Forsyth, MT, to Emanuel and Margaret Alles. He grew up on a farm near Pompeys Pillar. He graduated from Huntley Project High School in 1950. He was active in football, basketball and FFA. read more
Dec182020
Manuel Martinez
The Billings Police Department is seeking any information which the public may have regarding the homicide of Manuel Martinez. Martinez was shot and killed on November 30, 2020, at approximately 8:20 PM near the intersection of 4thStreet West and Broadwater Avenue. Martinez was known to frequently attend the church near this location. read more
Dec182020
According to Colleen Moullett, the DEQ has granted the permit to Riverside Contracting to move forward with their plans for the Arrow Creek Gravel Pit in spite of concerns raised by landowners in the area. read more
Dec182020
After making a number of changes to Project Recode, the Billings City Council passed the new zoning regulations in First Reading by a wide margin on Monday evening. Next Monday, the City Council will take up Project Recode in Second Reading at which time more changes are possible. read more
