Aug252019

I support Roy

Letters to the Editor

As a Ward 2 resident, taxpayer, and voter, I am casting my vote for Roy Neese for City Council, Ward 2.  Roy’s credentials as a dedicated public servant have been well-documented over the past several months.

Roy was appointed by the City of Billings Mayor with the unanimous support of the City Council last November when he applied for the vacancy created as City Council Member Larry Brewster retired.  There were several qualified applicants, however, following a thorough vetting process, Roy met with each Council Member collectively to provide an overview of his background and experience.  His many years of volunteer work for the Billings Heights community speak volumes of his commitment and dedication.  

As the incumbent, his tireless read more

Aug232019

What’s next for YCN?

Features • Meanderings

Folks, there is so much going on that I don’t have much time to get it all to the masses so here’s my cliff notes version for now. I’ll opine later.  

First, Our Yellowstone DigIt Days was a HUGE success!!!  The trophy wife and I (Yes, Carl, that is for you) were really pleased with the turnout and the response the community, businesses and local families gave to this event. read more

Aug232019

Arrow Island asks County for action on Yellowstone erosion

Local

Residents of Arrow Island Subdivision, located near Shepherd, are anxious about the potential of being flooded out by the Yellowstone River should action not be taken to stop the erosion of the river bank. They do not believe there is any time to waste in constructing weirs and re-building the irrigation ditch that has already eroded away. The problem is the project is going to be quite costly. read more

Aug232019

Worden water safety concerns resurface

Huntley Project

More testing has been done by DEQ on the Worden and Ballantine water sources. This time it was to determine whether the irrigation collection drain water is being influenced by surface water. This type of testing is currently being done across Montana but due to the recent high nitrate level, testing this area was expedited because irrigation collection water is used as public water for the Worden / Ballantine area. read more

Aug232019

“We’re Digging It!” says industry professionals and local families from first annual DigIt Days

Top Stories

John Deere on display at DigIt Days 2019.

To pull off a “top notch” event in three months that includes heavy equipment that kids and adults can operate in a safe and fun manner actually occurred last weekend.  About 1,000 people attended the first ever DigIt Days in Lockwood even though the day started with cloudy skies and other events were occurring at the same time. A one-word text sent to the event organizer from an attendee was “Outstanding.” read more

Aug162019

Be wary of vultures in the wake of the storm

Local

In the wake of any major storm, like the recent hail storm that crushed the county, there is always bound to be a flood of storm-chasing contractors that come into town to repair hail damage to vehicles and homes. Unfortunately, although many of these businesses are reliable and help provide relief after all local outfits are booked solid, there are some that basically act as scam artists. read more

Aug162019

County ravaged by falling sky ice balls

Local • Top Stories

The storm clouds looked ominous Sunday evening as they quickly rolled into Yellowstone County, bringing with them a torrent of rain, winds up to 70 miles per hour, and crushing hail up to three inches in diameter in some areas. At first it seemed like the storm would skirt around the city and leave the area intact. Unfortunately, the winds changed, and the storm hurled towards the Billings metropolitan area at breakneck speed.

Hailstones, much larger than golf balls, hammered the area.

Corn stocks are broken and bent over, as shown here from Dan Vogel’s 900 acres of corn fields in Worden, from the severe hail storm that struck the area on Sunday afternoon. Vogel said the “feed value will be far inferior this year than normal” due to the severe and extreme hail damage. (Jonathan McNiven Photo)


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Aug132019

Obituary: Joe Neville

Obituaries

Joe Neville

Joe was born to Earl and Virginia (Davis) Neville in Roswell, New Mexico, on September 18, 1944. After an almost four year battle with the Big C, he passed away at his home on August 11, 2019 in Billings, Montana. read more

Aug92019

Ramblings’, Krayton Kerns, bids Farewell to YCN

Features

With regret and relief, I am closing this chapter of my life.  I published my first column on March 1st, 2006 and since then I have penned over 675 op-eds plus published three books.  Were the spirit to grab me, I have enough material to publish volumes IV and V, but those works may remain my unfinished symphony.  After great deliberation, I have decided between my veterinary practice, ranch duties, family responsibilities and the pressure of writing a weekly column, I have entirely too much on my plate.  It is time to sunset Ramblings of a Conservative Cow Doctor. read more

Aug92019

State asks Yellowstone County for contract, setting jail rates

Home • Yellowstone County

Sheriff Mike Linder is sending a letter to the state Department of Corrections (DOC) to inform them that the actual cost to Yellowstone County to house a prisoner is $77.22 a day – not the $69.31 that the Montana State Legislature set as a cap of what the state will pay. The real cost is actually higher than that, said Linder, but the state will not allow capital costs to be calculated into the per diem rate. read more