Jul42020

McNiven’s Meanderings: A Patriotic Salute

Features • Meanderings

Jonathan McNiven

Well, folks, time is flying and so are the flags. it will be Independence Day this weekend and a time to celebrate the 4th of July.  I’ve really been thinking a lot about our freedoms, our US Flag (and what it represents) and how blessed we, as a country, are to live here and be able to exercise our freedom of speech, freedom to assemble, freedom to petition our government along with many other freedoms while living in the best country in the world.  I also know that the freedom I enjoy today did not come without a cost by those who came before me. read more

Jun262020

“Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death”

Opinion • Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor,

In the course of human events, on July 4, 1776, 244 years ago, Americans set out to form a new government. In the process of instituting this new government the founders of our country placed restrictions on politicians and government. They declared that no authority or politician has the power to make laws restricting religion, speech, press, or assembly. read more

Jun192020

MontanaFair to procced without Rodeo, Supercross & Concerts

Montana-Statewide

Updates on the progress for planning for Montana Fair were announced at the end of last week by Manager Bill Dutcher. Fair organizers are attempting to produce the event in compliance with Health Department protocols for social distancing and hygiene practices that will minimize the risk of spreading COVID-19.

Dutcher stated that as the biggest annual event in Montana,MontanaFair has been adapting, changing, and working hard to provide an Open and Safe fair in 2020.  Physical distancing guidelines and capacity restrictions have required a lot of changes to this year’s event. 

Physical changes at MetraPark are having a large impact on the way MontanaFair can operate, he explained.  The impending removal of the Grandstands for safety reasons is the largest change.  The Grandstands removal process will be halted and the work area fenced for MontanaFair.

When the removal decision was made, MontanaFair planned to move all Grandstand based night show entertainment—rodeos and Supercross—into First Interstate Arena. The pandemic put those plans on hold as 4-H and FFA livestock needed additional physically distanced space for their program.  Putting animals in the arena removed any opportunity for these popular shows.

All major concerts, rodeo, and supercross are now officially canceled for 2020. Advance ValuPass ticket holders will have options to refund or roll over their tickets to another option beginning June 22.

MontanaFair is scheduled to begin August 7.

Jun192020

Shepherd School Getting Face Lift

Local

Built in 1911, the kindergarten building has served Shepherd School faithfully for generations, until two years ago when it was found to have a mold infestation. Since that discovery the building has not been able to be used, and had to be torn down. (Courtesy photo: Drea O’Donnell)

Shepherd School is being revamped via a large multiphase construction project that has been long overdue.  The project encompasses many renovations; however, one can expect to see some large changes and additions that will help both staff and students once they’re completed. read more

Jun192020

6th Avenue Underpass Upgrade Planned for 2022

Local

The design for the improvement planned in 2022 for the Underpass Avenue at 6th, Central and State Avenue in Billings, is complete. The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) announced that the newly-designed project incorporates new traffic signals, storm drain, lighting, improved pedestrian facilities, and upgraded signing to enhance these intersections, promote accessibility and improve safety.  read more

Jun122020

38,000 Bottles of Water Donated to Combat Water Contamination

Local

Over 38,000 bottles were donated on Monday to the community of Worden and Ballantine during their water contamination issue. Special thanks to Ted Tallon (blue plaid) and Kristi Dellos (back right) at Costco who transported a semi full of 20 pallets of water to the community on behalf of six businesses. Board member Joey Oltrogge (grey hoodie) is heading up the outreach with the help of district manager, Dan Krum (far left). The shipment had come just in time as the previous stores of bottled water had dropped to less than half of one pallet. “This will be such a huge help,” said Joey.
(Photo by Jonathan D. McNiven)

“We are currently distributing bottled water to over 350 homes,” said Worden-Ballantine Yellowstone County Water and Sewer District board member Joey Oltrogge. Joey, having recently taken over the volunteer distribution of water from board member Gary Fredericks, has been working hard to ensure that the families affected by the increased nitrate concentration in the drinking water will have access to clean water. read more

Jun122020

Search for Clean Water Continues

Local

The Worden-Ballantine Yellowstone County Water & Sewer District met on Monday evening to discuss a solution to the water contamination issue in the area.  Back in the summer of 2019, the main source of drinking water was discovered to be contaminated.  Unusually high levels of nitrates had rendered the water unsafe to consume, and boiling the water had the unwanted effect of raising the nitrate level even further. This forced roughly 350 families to purchase externally-sourced water for their daily cooking and drinking usage. This new expense was not expected or appreciated by the Worden and Ballantine residents, and those at the  read more