Walter Siewert
On Thursday, February 25, 2021, Walter Siewert, loving husband and father of two sons, Paul Edward and Steven, passed away at age 94. read more
Mar12021
Obituary: Walter Siewert
Feb262021
Lockwood Irrigation Election Fails, Again
Election Fails, Again
Once again the Lockwood Irrigation District’s bond election has failed. Despite 70 percent of the voters supporting the bond, the election failed to garner the required level of acreage represented to be considered a valid outcome. read more
Feb262021
Unmasked? Will Schools Stop Requiring Masks?
Two weeks ago, Governor Gianforte rescinded the statewide mask mandate, and since then, local schools have been working to figure out what their policies should be regarding masks for their students and staff. Balancing the needs of various groups with differing interests and wishes is something with which school boards are very familiar. read more
Feb252021
Obituary: Harry Moore
Harry Moore
Harry Moore was born July 26, 1933, and passed away February 18, 2021. He was born in Columbus and grew up in Fishtail. In November of 1956 he married Ann Collins. read more
Feb242021
New Athletic Director to Take Over at Shepherd Schools
Tina Downing
At the Shepherd School Board meeting on Wednesday, February 10, the Board voted to hire Tina Downing as the Athletic Director at Shepherd Schools in the 2021-2022 school year. read more
Feb192021
Meanderings: YCN Sports Athletic Director of the Year
Tim Bastian
Well, folks, it’s now been two years since working with local school athletic directors and others throughout the state since we launched our YCN Sports Broadcast in 2019. read more
Feb192021
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: Tax Reform Week at the Montana Legislature
This was “tax reform week” at the Montana Legislature. Many of Governor Gianforte’s Montana Comeback tax proposals had committee hearings this week with tremendous support. The House Taxation Committee heard two of these bills, and the Senate Taxation Committee took up another three. read more
Feb192021
“Biden” Blessings Arriving
Dear Editor,
The first of many “Biden” blessings has arrived. Gentleman Joe cancelled “fraccing” his first day in the saddle, limiting future domestic oil production, raising the price of crude oil — “Voila”, the price of gasoline in Billings is up 20 cents a gallon. Thanks, Joe.
Stuart Deans
Lockwood, MT
Feb192021
Commissioners Move to Purchase Miller Building
Purchase Miller Building
In order to secure their options, the Yellowstone County Commissioners are making an offer to purchase the Miller Building in downtown for future expansion of county departments. read more
Feb192021
Heights Community District Encounters Murky Waters
The Billings Heights Water District has quietly functioned through its 63 year history providing water to what is now a “city” of some 30,000 people, without much fanfare, but for a while now there have been growing rumbles about how the board has been managing its business. The situation has resulted in the introduction of legislation that is partially aimed at dealing with those concerns and the concerns have brought about a rare election of board members. read more
Feb162021
Obituary: Cherri Jean (Styren) Carney
Cherri Jean (Styren) Carney
Cherri left us far too early on January 23rd at the age of 59. She passed away due to complications with Acute Myeloid Leukemia, 3 months and 1 day after her initial diagnosis. Cherri did not suffer and went calmly while surrounded by her loved ones. While we had greater plans for her here on Earth and wished for more time, God works in funny ways and obviously had even better things for her in Heaven.
Cherri was born November 14th 1961 in Chester, MT to Gene and Mary (McDunn) Styren. At the age of three, Cherri’s family moved to Sunburst, MT where she spent her youth growing up in read more
Feb122021
FINANCIAL FOCUS: Put Tax-Smart Investing Moves to Work
We’re now well into what’s known as “Tax Season.” If your income in 2020 was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, your tax return will reflect it. However, if your earnings were fairly normal last year, you might look at your tax situation and wonder how you could improve it in 2022. One area to look at may be your investment-related taxes. read more
Feb122021
Fire Truck Overturns as Winter Returns to Montana
Fire truck overturns in Lockwood while responding to accident (Jonathan McNiven photo)
Following an exceptionally warm month of January, the first week of February brought winter back to Big Sky Country, and with it came slick roads. On Friday, February 5, 2021, at approximately 8:07 AM, the Billings Fire Department was responding to a two-vehicle accident on I-90 westbound near mile-marker 452. read more
Feb122021
Weekly Legislative Update from House Majority Leader, Vinton
HELENA- I am excited to report that two of the first bills to reach Governor Gianforte’s desk will open our state’s economy and strengthen the 2nd Amendment rights of Montanans. Senate Bill 65 to limit COVID-19 liability and House Bill 102 to allow permitless carry have passed both houses of the Legislature and are on their way to Governor Gianforte for his signature. read more
Feb122021
Mask Mandate Lifted by Governor Gianforte
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
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
Feb122021
Kudos to the Overlooked Workers
Dear Editor,
I’d like to give a “shout-out” to all the overlooked, non-essential workers in America. read more
Feb122021
Obituary: Nancy Kay Pollock
Nancy Kay Pollock
Nancy Kay Pollock, 59, of Billings gained her angel wings on Feb. 5, 2021. Nancy was born in Billings on Oct. 6, 1961, to Ronald and Violet (Krum) Balzer. read more
Feb52021
Week 4 Legislative Update from Rep. Barry Usher
from Representative Barry Usher
From the State Capitol: We’re one month into the legislative session. The highlight of the week was Governor Gianforte delivering his first State of the State address where he laid out his Montana Comeback Plan. read more
Feb52021
Envision: Cultural Center for MetraPark
With Metra Park officials seeking public input as to what the community would like to see emerge in the recently opened-up spaces at the facility, one of the dozens of citizens interviewed by the master planners has put forth a new idea which seems to have caught the imagination of many. read more
