Elmer was born to parents Clarence and Lydia Fox Kembel on June 16th, 1937. He grew up on his parents’ dairy farm. He attended grade school and then Lincoln Junior High. read more
Sep272019
Sep272019
YCN takes live game coverage on the road with local schools
Folks, we pulled off our first online radio broadcast (www.YCNSports.com) last weekend at the Huntley Project vs Colstrip football game. We got a good amount of feedback about our broadcast and being able to provide this online radio sports broadcast to the masses for local sports. We could not do it without the support of the listeners, fans, business and sponsors that see this as a valuable service to the masses in our local area. read more
Sep272019
MT Senators fight to win for clean water in rural Montana
It looks as though both of Montana’s U.S. Senators will succeed in their push to pass two bills through the Senate that have a direct impact on Montana communities. The Clean Water for Rural Communities Act (S.685) is the first of these two and was introduced by Sen. Steve Daines and Sen. Jon Tester. It impacts two Bureau of Reclamation rural water projects in Montana: the Musselshell-Judith Rural Water System and the Dry-Redwater Regional Water Authority System. read more
Sep272019
YVEC powers up with solar array
Here, a solar panel lies in front of the Yellowstone Valley Electric Coop’s (YVEC) headquarters facing the sun as solar rays are collected for energy cosumption. The field to the left of the headquarters will allow YVEC members to purchase a portion of the solar array to be applied to their monthly bill.
(Jonathan McNiven Photo)
Yellowstone Valley Electric Cooperative (YVEC) has announced a community solar project that could save area residents a bit of money! On their company website, YVEC says, “This solar project will provide YVEC members an opportunity to participate in a clean, renewable energy source without having to install or maintain the cooperatively owned solar panels.” This solar array will be built adjacent to the Co-op’s current headquarters in Huntley on about a half acre of land owned by the cooperative.
YVEC members are able to purchase the output of a solar panel for “approximately $600.” It should be pointed out that this $600 isn’t to purchase the roughly 3ft. by 4ft. solar panel itself, but its output. This means that the $600 is a one-time fee upfront and that if you purchase the output of a panel or multiple panels, you will not be responsible for the maintenance or any other cost of the panels in the future. YVEC will provide all maintenance, insurance, and ensure that all applicable codes, standards, and ensure that all applicable codes, standards, and regulatory requirements are met both at the time of installation and throughout the life of the solar array.
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Sep272019
Local elementary teacher held on charges of sexual assault on his students
Brent Skelton is currently being held on a $50,000 bond.
A fifth-grade teacher at Orchard Elementary in Billings was taken into custody on the evening of Sept.19th after being charged with two counts of felony sexual assault on two of his students, 11 and 12 years old respectively. Brent Skelton resigned from his job teaching fifth grade after he was placed on leave by school officials before he was arrested and booked at the Yellowstone County Detention Facility on $150,000 bond. read more
Sep232019
Obituary: Christie Kay Rollins
Christie Rollins
Christie Kay Rollins, age 64 passed Sept.19th, 2019 at her home outside Worden. She was born Jan. 15, 1955 in St. Maries, Id. to Marjean and Melvin Fredericks. She grew up in Idaho and Montana with her three sisters. read more
Sep222019
The Billings Bypass will not be called the Billings Bypass
Maybe it will be called the Lockwood-Heights Commerce Park Way. The Montana Department of Transportation will name the proposed section of highway that will connect Johnson Lane in Lockwood to the Heights near the junction of Highways 312 and 87, west of Main Street. But earlier this year a MDT spokesman said the agency tends not to like naming routes “bypass,” and they encouraged input from the community. read more
Sep222019
So happy to have Krayton back!
Dear Editor,
Thanks, Krayton, for coming back.
When you bailed on us, I felt like one of General Patton’s soldiers would have felt if the General had said during World War II, “I’m tired. I’m going home.” – the soldiers feeling, “Oh S…!” read more
Sep202019
The Montana International Film Fest features ‘Epic Yellowstone’
The Montana International Film Festival, or MINT, is returning for five days from September 19th—23rd across five venues in Downtown Billings before heading to the Historic Roman Theater in Red Lodge on the 27th and 28th. read more
Sep202019
Montana ban violates First Amendment
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in May that a Montana law banning any mention of ethics complaints before the commissioner has issued a ruling was in violation of the First Amendment. read more
Sep202019
Thank you Mayor Cole and City Council Members
Dear Editor,
I attended the city council meeting on Monday, September 09 for my interest in the Adaptive Performance Center (APC) being developed for Veterans by Karen Pearson and Mitch Crouse. This is a physical workout center specifically designed for military veterans only, set to open in the near future at 1420 Broadwater Avenue. Mayor Bill Cole and City Council members listened attentively, with what I perceived to be respectful and considerate especially for the needs of military veterans. The information presented by Pearson and Crouse was for an issue with the parking variance. That remedy was accepted by our Mayor and City Council members. read more
Sep202019
Tim Fox joins lawsuit against Google
Montana Attorney General Tim Fox has joined 47 other state Attorneys General in filing an anti-trust lawsuit against tech giant Google. The Attorneys General from Puerto Rico and DC have also joined every state except Alabama and California in this possibly precedent setting case, one of the first major anti-trust cases ever brought against a tech industry that is extremely hard to regulate under current anti-trust laws that were designed before the creation of the Internet as it is today. read more
Sep202019
YCN Sports unveiled
Well, folks, I’ve got big news to announce and unveil in this week’s paper regarding YCN Sports broadcasting. I’ll opine later in this Meanderings column. read more
Sep202019
Water donations flow into Worden
During these turbulent times for the Worden Ballantine Yellowstone County Water and Sewer District (WBYC), they have thankfully been receiving an outpouring of support from across Yellowstone County, including much needed pallets of water for the people of the Worden/Ballantine area. WBYC also encourages anyone with a well in the area to test it, and they are giving out well test kits provided by the Yellowstone County Extension Office. read more
Sep202019
City’s illegal taxation goes down the drain
A 35,000 member class action lawsuit against the City of Billings for allegedly imposing an illegal sales tax by way of what they have referred to as “franchise fees” on city water and sewer services and solid waste disposal is heating up. read more
Sep172019
Obituary: Ralph Newton Brennan
Ralph Newton Brennan
Ralph Newton Brennan ‘Newt’, 85, of Shepherd, Montana, passed away Friday September 13, 2019. He was born May 27, 1934 in Rapid City, SD to Robert and Ethel Brennan. He was the second child of four. He married Myrna Caulfield on August 22, 1959 and they began their life together.
Ralph spent the early part of his life cowboying in Montana and Wyoming and later became a ranch hand. He even joined the Navy at one point but was discharged when they found out he had a rod in his leg. He then went on to work as a Heat & Frost Insulator with the Local 82 where he would later retire.
Newt was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Myrna, two grandchildren, Feather and Zach; and his brother, Bob.
Newt is survived by his five children Pinky, Curt, Cindy, Linda, Shelly and their spouses; his two sisters Pat and Marge; as well as 13 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren who all loved their “Pa” very much.
A viewing will be held on Thursday, September 19 and a funeral service will be held at 1 PM, Friday, September 20, both at Smith Downtown Chapel, 925 S 27th St. In lieu of flowers the family would prefer any contributions be sent to Stillwater Hospice 3737 Grand Ave., Billings, MT 59102.
Pa, while we love you and will miss you, we understand that we all have to go on our one last ride. So may your horse be swift and the wind be to your back, until we meet again.
Sep132019
The ruling class is neither Republican or Democrat
Dear Editor,
After reading Krayton Kerns for years, I have had a revelation. His “ruling class” is neither Republican or Democrat. Both parties seem to be bought and paid for, they don’t represent we the people. We don’t have a republic; we have a monarchy of the rich by the rich for the rich. Wall Street, the Federal Reserve and the IMF control US. read more
Sep132019
City Council Primary results are in
The primary election results for the Billings City Council are officially in. With 18,148 ballots returned out of 47,062 that were sent out to Billings residents, turnout for this election was at 38%. read more
Sep132019
Shepherd School Celebrates
Some 850 Shepherd students and teachers gather in the high school gym to pose for a picture and to thank the Shepherd community for their support of the mill levy bond that passed the day before. Here, students make hand gestures in the form of a heart sign, while others celebrate with their hands high up in the air while encompassing the school mascot logo in the middle of the gym. A short video of the students shouting “Thank you Shepherd, We are Shepherd” will be posted on the Yellowstone County News website as well as the Shepherd Community website www.shepherdmontana.com. Where’s your kid, grandkid or friend? (Jonathan McNiven Photo)
The $11.9 million bond to see the Shepherd School reinvigorated officially passed on the night of the 10th, promising the much-needed funding to build on to the current campus and repair existing structures. read more
Sep102019
Obituary: Bettye June Brooks
Bettye June (Miz Bettye) Oldham Brooks, Billings, passed from this life on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019, at the age of 92 years old.
Bettye June Brooks
Bettye was born on July 10, 1927, to Vernon and Ruby Oldham in Petrolia, Texas. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Charles Raymond Brooks. read more
