Obituary: O.K. Forest

O.K. Forest

O.K. Forest, age 88, passed away on June 26, 2019 at Faith Lutheran Home in Wolf Point, MT. O.K. was born August 2, 1930 South of Poplar, MT to Bert and Edith (Westfall) Forest.  He served in the Korean War and was honorably discharged in 1953. On August 10, 1953 he married Jeanette Brenden. To this union they had three children; Deena, Mike and Kim.

Following his discharge, O.K. started his life long career with Glasgow Readi-Mix. After numerous huge jobs like the read more

Tech needs hit County budgets where it hurts

Technology costs will take their toll on budgets for Yellowstone County government in the coming fiscal year. Looking at expenditures for a wide range of technology needs, the total will reach between $750,000 and $900,000, projected Yellowstone County Director of Finance Kevan Bryan. read more

Serious seepage of Main Canal springs liability questions

Residents of Vuecrest Drive were surprised this past weekend to see

Donnes Construction dump truck is being loaded with dirt from test holes that are being dug to assess the water seepage from the canal in Billings to residents below.
(Jonathan McNiven Photo)

that their road had been transformed into a small river as a deluge sprung out of the hillside seeping out of the Main Canal, which brings water from Laurel all the way out to Shepherd, that sits atop the Rims overlooking the area. The Billings Bench Water Association shut down the canal to investigate on June 21st and investigated it for four days before issuing a statement on their Facebook page saying that the slope of the canal above Vuecrest is stable and water would be turned on by Monday, July 1st. While the canal itself should be safe for now, residents aren’t so sure about the slope itself. The seepage from the Main Canal has caused problems with the foundations of their homes, and with the ground under their homes shifting they are also worried about the hillside itself shifting. Regarding this, one resident said, “It’s a major safety concern to have citizens living in compromised structures. The safety concern for Billings residents is enormous if there ends up being a landslide and/or a flood from a ditch failure.” read more

Obituary: Wanda “Joyce” Joseph

Wanda “Joyce” Joseph

Wanda “Joyce” Joseph, 77, of Billing, MT went to be home with the Lord on June 24, 2019.  She was born November 30, 1941 in Cameron , Il to Frances (Mackey)and Delwyn Selph.

She started school in Sheridan, WY and graduated from Billings Senior High in 1960 and got her nursing degree from MSU-Bozeman.  

She married Alec Joseph on December 28, 1971.  That union produced her only daughter, Destiny.  That marriage eventually dissolved.

Wanda enjoyed a long career in read more

Obituary: Lois A. “Penny” Whitaker

Lois A. “Penny” Whitaker

Lois A. “Penny” Whitaker, 78, formerly of Havre, passed away on May 8, 2019, at her daughter’s home in Billings after an eight-month battle with cancer.

Penny was born in Halstad, MN on Feb. 12, 1941, to Fred and Olga H. Bennett. In 1956, she married Art Whitaker of Havre, who preceded her in death in 2012. They were married 36 years, and from their union they had six children, 11 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. 

Penny worked on the pediatrics floor at NMH and the Holiday House restaurant in Havre. In 1998 she relocated to Billings, MT, where she read more

Billings water canal shuts down, seepage being analyzed

Donnes Construction dump truck is being loaded with dirt from test holes that are being dug to assess the water seepage from the canal in Billings to residents below. On the left lies an empty water canal that affects farmers, ranchers and irrigators from Billings Heights to Shepherd.  (Jonathan McNiven Photo)

The Billings Bench Water Association announced on 6/21/19 that they have shut off the Main Canal that supplies water from Laurel, through Billings, and out to Shepherd. Many farmers, ranchers and irrigators will be affected by this shut down said Billings Bench Water Association President Gary Davis. He said, “We are read more

Custer reenactment plays out in battle Docu-Drama

Buff Peters, Karlee Jane (makeup & efferts), Pou Williamson (prod asst).
Bottom of pic: Mary Schaan (asst set photographer), Taylor Haxton (sound recording artist)

Every year, people flock to the Little Bighorn Battlefield to watch an amazing reenactment of the titular battle take place on the same ground. With cavalry soldiers performing as Custer’s 7th U.S. Cavalry Regiment as they are routed by the combined forces of the Lakota, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapaho led by Crazy Horse, Chief Gall, and Sitting Bull. This year, the battlefield is also the set for a docu-drama based on the famous battle. “Custer’s Strategy of Defeat”, written and directed by Chris Hoffert, will be a truly historical look into the events that occurred on June 25th, 1876 in Crow Agency. read more

Obituary: Thomas Nelson

 

Thomas Nelson

  Dad passed away with his family by his side June 7, 2019 at Avantara of Billings.  Thomas Nelson was born in Silesia, Montana on October 1, 1931 to Roy William and Edna Ruth Clements.

     A memorial service will be 1 pm Thursday, June 20 at read more