Mar82019

Student perspective on Shepherd School Bond

Opinion • Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor,

I have been to the community meetings and read all the articles about the Shepherd School Bond. I have yet to express my opinion, but here goes. 

I have gone to Shepherd since kindergarten. I have sat in the kindergarten building and it wasn’t the best back then either. Since then, the kindergarten building has been condemned and our youngest students have been misplaced. 

I have sat in the library when the septic system isn’t working properly and stinks up the entire library building. read more

Mar22019

Shepherd Bond Levy begs questions

Opinion • Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor,

I’m trying to Understand the Shepherd School Bond. 

When I don’t understand something, I try to learn as much as I can about it. The Board of Trustee meetings I have attended have not included any discussion to reduce the nature and extent of the Bond.  The Committee of local folks and teacher meetings I have attended have focused on how to get the Bond passed quickly in the name of sports. read more

Mar12019

Old Hardin Road zoning denied

Local • Custer

by Evelyn Pyburn

In a 3-0 vote, Yellowstone County Commissioners denied a zone change application for property on Old Hardin Road, last Tuesday.  The rejection was in keeping with a recommendation for denial from the County Zoning Commission.

The request was to change the zoning of 9.5 acres at 3404 Old Hardin Road from Residential 9600 to Residential Manufactured Homes. Owner of the property was listed as Lockwood Group, LLC.

Several area residents spoke, during the public hearing, to oppose the change citing issues of traffic congestion, the potential for increased crime and the lack of a sewer system as reasons.  read more

Mar12019

Are you cold yet?–flooding up next

Local

by Elisa Schlosser

A temperate, mild winter providing minimal snow and roads safe for travel came to an abrupt end last week when deep snow began to fall and the temperatures fell even farther, well below zero. “It’s really coming down out there!” has faded into frustration with schools and roads closing across western Montana.  read more

Mar12019

Shepherd Meeting explored bond options

Shepherd

by Norma McNiven

Sponsored by the Shepherd Community Education Committee(SCEC), a public meeting was held on Feb. 20, 2019, at 6:30 p.m. at the Shepherd Community Center on Haynes Rd. to inform the public about the new school bond issue.  Conducted by Becky Anderson, the meeting was attended by about 40 members of the community.  Three architects from Collaborative Design Architects were in attendance to show their conception of what the proposed changes are and how they would affect the Shepherd schools. read more

Mar12019

Parents urged to vaccinate children

Local • Yellowstone County

by Elisa Schlosser

BILLINGS – In light of the measles outbreak in Washington State and an outbreak of mumps in Bozeman, RiverStone Health, Yellowstone County’s public health agency, is working with school districts to contact parents of children who are not immunized against measles and mumps.

RiverStone Health wants to ensure all students are vaccinated against these preventable diseases and that parents and guardians are aware of consequences a measles or mumps outbreak could have on their child’s attendance at school and at school events.   read more

Mar12019

The tip of the proverbial iceberg

Meanderings

Folks, I know I’m hammering away at the idea of looking at an iceberg.  If you can see just the tip of the iceberg in regards to where we are going as a newspaper, imagine what you can’t see? Imagine what is happening in the background in order to get to this point?  However, we are going to hold off on our announcement for one more week for a couple of reasons. 

First, we want to use our front page to announce our good exciting news but with all the local news going on this last week, we will hold off so we can focus on the important local news.  read more

Mar12019

One Big Sky Center Amendment Dead

Features • Local • Top Stories • Yellowstone County

by Evelyn Pyburn

The failure of the Billings City Council to approve an amendment to its agreement with Landmark has created a hiccup in plans for One Big Sky District (OBSD), but it’s not going to alter plans by the community “partnership” to continue to push for passage of legislation that would provide incentive for the development. read more

Mar12019

Carl Wolf is a treat!

Opinion • Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor,

Coming in from frigid sub-zero weather after helping with chores, brewing a fresh pot of coffee, and sitting down next to the kitchen window to read the YCN Feb. 15, 2019 issue, I so enjoyed the inspirational column “The Outdoors” written by Mr. Carl Wolf. His gifted choice of words describing a magnificent morning as he viewed his world warmed my toes and my heart.  read more

Feb252019

Obituary: Esther Fox

Obituaries

Esther Fox, 92, of Worden passed away on February 19, 2019, with her family by her side at the Riverstone Hospice House.

Esther was born on April 23, 1926, in Laurel  to Henry and Mollie (Thiel) Ostwalt. She married Alex “Shorty”  Fox on September 21, 1946.

They farmed in Laurel and moved to Worden in 1951 where they continued to farm. She helped on the farm and also raised their 3 children, Susie, Larry, and Tammy. Esther lived there until her time of death. read more

Feb232019

Lockwood Water & Sewer discussion postponed

Yellowstone County • Lockwood

by Evelyn Pyburn

The Lockwood Water and Sewer District Board postponed a planned discussion about reducing reserve treatment capacity for the Lockwood Sewer System, because only three board members were present at their meeting Wednesday evening. The decision is important enough that all the board members should be given a chance to weigh-in said Carl Peters, Nancy Belk and Stu Deans, the board members who were present. read more

Feb222019

Shepherd School Board moves on bond levy

Yellowstone County • Shepherd

by Norma McNiven

In their rather lengthy monthly meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2019, the Shepherd School Board moved forward in preparation for the May 7 bond election, rehired all three principals for next year, created a new position of  District Transportation Assistant and approved the person to fill the position, listened to and questioned Bridget Ekstrom from D.A. Davidson about taxes on the new and old bond issues, and aligned the contract of the curriculum director to match up with the date on the superintendent’s contract. read more