Dear Editor,
This bill is dangerous for Montanans. Sportsmen, Beware! Montana voters passed I-161 in 2010 to limit guaranteed outfitter tags. read more
Feb52021
Feb52021
Governor Awaits Passage of SB65 to Lift Mask Mandate
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
Feb32021
Floberg Real Estate Changes Ownership
Don Floberg established Floberg Realtors in 1959. Don, joined by his wife Marilyn, transitioned the successful Floberg Realtors Firm into Prudential Floberg Realtors. read more
Feb22021
Breaking: Worden Ambulance Services on Life Support After One is Terminated and Five Resign
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
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
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
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
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.
read more
Jan292021
City Posed to Restrict Massage Businesses in Hopes of Ending Human Trafficking
Will adding to regulations for businesses who offer massage services help curb illegal human trafficking and prostitution?
The Billings City Council is moving forward with a proposal to impose more regulations on businesses that provide massage therapy, including an additional business license. read more
Jan282021
Obituary: Joan Leslie (Austin) Branger
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
Jan272021
Obituary: George “Butch” Lee Harmon
Word has been received of the death of George “Butch” Lee Harmon, 77, of Lawton. Mr. Harmon passed away on Tuesday, January 19, 2021 in Lawton, OK. read more
Jan262021
Obituary: Leo Laurence Sherrodd
Leo Laurence Sherrodd, of Gillette, Wyoming, passed away on January 21, 2021, after months of failing health. He was 85 years old. His wife Charlotte was by his side. read more
Jan222021
Face Facts, Biden Won
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
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
Jan182021
Obituary: Mary Hoehe
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
Obituary: Bonnie Ann Kautz Presley
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
Far-Left and Influencing Local Politics
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
Governor Lifts Statewide Restrictions on Businesses
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
City and County Consider Co-Locating in Stillwater Building
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
Liability Protection Currently Top Legislative Priority
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
