Mar132020

Huntley Project’s Basketball Coach resigns after two successful seasons

Huntley Project

Huntley Project Head Coach, Randy Robinson directing players
at the Divisional Basketball tournament. photo -Lori Durst Ellis

Huntley Project’s boys’ basketball head coach Randy Robinson informed Athletic Director Tim Bastian of his resignation Monday morning after the Huntley Project basketball season ended last weekend.  In a call with the Yellowstone County News, Coach Randy Robinson said that he made the decision over the weekend and that it was for personal reasons as he’s been commuting two years back and forth from his home to Worden each year. “I’ve been burning the candle at both ends for two years.” He said. read more

Mar62020

One Year Later, Lockwood Lions’ Pride in Progress

Top Stories

Here, construction crews continue working on the outside of the new Lockwood high school on Wednesday morning March 4, 2020, almost one year since groundbreaking of the new school started. The construction office sits below. Equipment started digging in the ground one year ago on March 18, 2019 and the first concrete pour was on March 25, 2019. (Jonathan McNiven Photo)

It’s been almost exactly a year since construction began on the Lockwood High School.

It’s been a busy year with the project being tackled from numerous angles. On some days there were as many as 200 workers scattered across the Lockwood campus working inside and out on every aspect of the new school. Currently, with most construction restricted to interior work there is probably about 100 workers on site every day, said Lockwood School Superintendent Tobin Novasio, who finds it hard to believe that “it has only been a year.” read more

Mar62020

Shooting Victim’s Mother Asks for Help after Large Huntley Party

Local

A concerned mother is asking for the public’s help in locating the gunman from a large party that took place near the Pryor Creek Golf Course Saturday night that resulted in her 20-year-old daughter being shot.  Tammy Zwetzig, of Columbus, told the Yellowstone County News that they are asking for the public’s help in locating and “catch this guy” who discharged 10 rounds of a 9mm gun at the party at the location of RipRap Road. “Who takes a gun to a party?” she asked, “Especially with that many people?” read more

Feb282020

O’Donnell made Shepherd Schools’ Superintendent

Local • Shepherd

Drea O’Donnell has been selected to fill the Superintendent position at Shepherd Schools

Since the Shepherd School Board’s decision to terminate Superintendent Scott Carter in August, 2019, the school has been under the guidance of Interim Superintendent, Drea O’Donnell. She stepped into the midst of passing of two highly debated school bonds to finance upgrades and expansions to the school.  

After the Board of Trustees interviewed four candidates on February 17 and 18, the Shepherd School Board has announced they have offered a contract for the position of Superintendent of Shepherd Public Schools to Mrs. O’Donnell. 

O’Donnell was hired as a Shepherd Middle School Science Teacher in 2010 and worked in that capacity, until she acquired her administrative degree in May, 2017. She then began working for the school as Curriculum Director.

Since August, 2019   O’Donnell has continued her duties as Curriculum Director as well as filling in as Interim Superintendent. 

“I am very excited to move forward in being the new Superintendent for Shepherd Schools!  I am committed to the achievement of creating a mission and vision that is rooted in a strategic plan that will be carefully developed with all stakeholders,” says O’Donnell, who will continue to act as Curriculum Direction as well as Superintendent.  “Some of my goals while I am Superintendent address academic growth, design of a new space that has safety as a priority and to improve staff support and professional development to retain highly qualified teachers.”  “I also believe wholeheartedly in having true collaboration and communication to strengthen our relationship with the community.” 

Her contract as Superintendent of Shepherd School officially begins in July, 2020.

Feb212020

Pay and benefits should equal abilities and ambitions?

Opinion • Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor,

Lauris Byxbe inquired “what is the definition of great and for whom?”

This should help.  Our US Constitution guarantees each of us freedom.  Freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of opportunity, freedom to own property, freedom to succeed or fail, freedom to earn and spend our money as we see fit and also freedom from government meddling. read more

Feb212020

Local World War II heroes Medicine Crow and Steele honored at Veteran Clinic

Home

Montana U.S. Senators Jon Tester, and Steve Daines joined U.S. Representative Greg Gianforte and guests of honor at the renaming of the Billings Veteran Clinic. (courtesy photo.)

“It’s a good day,” began Crow Tribe Vice Chairman Carlson Goes Ahead in opening the ceremony on Tuesday that commemorated the renaming of the Billings Veteran Clinic at 1766 Majestic Street in honor of two World War II heroes.  read more

Feb212020

No more Grandstanding at MetraPark

Local

The MetraPark Grandstands. (Photo by Jonathan McNiven)

The Grandstands at Metra Park are most likely going to be torn down. The matter has been placed on next Monday’s discussion agenda by County Commissioners, after receiving estimates from CTA that rebuilding the grandstands would cost as much as $22 million. Commissioners are likely to issue a request for proposal (RFP), this coming week, to tear them down, explained John Ostlund. read more