Oct182018
Here is the #1 winner of the YCN Snap Shot image that was submitted to the Yellowstone County News contest.
Second Place won $50. You can view the 2nd and honorable mention images here.
Third place got honorable mention.
View the final round images here.
Oct182018
Dear Editor:
I-185 is being touted as a health measure. Raising the price of a pack of cigarettes by $2 will encourage more people to quit smoking and pay for Medicaid expansion, they say.
Hospitals are promoting I-185 for more than a health reason. It is guaranteed income for them and bypasses the discussion in the Legislature to put some side boards on Medicaid expansion.
It was projected that 40,000 people would read more
Oct172018
Dear Editor,
I am tired, ad nauseum, of political ads attempting to persuade me that their candidate espouses “Montana Values” or that in order to have “Montana Values” one needs to have been born in Montana. If political lynching and character assassination embody “Montana Vaues”, then leave me out of it, I want no part of it.
The clock is ticking towards high noon during the recent hearing for Judge Kavanaugh’s appointment to the Supreme Court, and just like in the movies, here comes Senator Feinstein and her last minute attack on Kavanaugh’s character. Spare me the facts, what we have here is an allegation… an allegation that is over 35 years old and impossible to substantiate. We get to let the clock keep ticking for several days in an attempt to derail the final vote. Out of the woodwork, like so many “wack-a-moles,” comes read more
Oct172018
Lucinda Propp
Lucinda (Naasz) Propp passed away on October 13, 2018, with family by her side. Lucinda was born in Napoleon, ND on June 4, 1928. Severe drought in the Dakotas forced the family to move and they settled inPompeys Pillar, MT in 1936, later purchasing a farm in 1942. After going to a high school dance with friends, Lucinda started dating the love of her life, Allen. They married in 1948 and had three sons: Greg, Tim, and Rod. Allen’s younger brother Skip lived with them for a number of years as a boy and was read more
Oct172018
Dear Editor:
Smoke, smoke that cigarette.
Does anyone realize that every Marlboro Man died of lung cancer and before they got the job they did not smoke? Well, for those who like continue smoking you would not mind paying $75-$100 a pack.
Just like any other sport, you want to play, you got to pay. Even your second hand smoke not only pollutes the air, but little children wind up inhaling that smoke. read more
Oct162018
Dear Editor:
I am writing in support of Janna Lind for House District 56. Janna earned my support from her dedication to educating our youth while engaging a diverse student body; that diversity mirrors our population. She graduated from high school in Hysham, attended RMC, and has built a home in Lockwood with her husband and son.
I knew Janna first as student at Rocky, and now as a colleague at Billings West High School. She has always been forthright, honest and direct in sharing her beliefs and opinions.
The Holocaust Museum invited Janna to training one summer and the two of us presented teaching Montana history at the National Council of Social Studies. Janna proudly showed a national audience our cultural heritage and innovative ways of teaching its lessons. This led to other presentations on balanced use of Montana resources. read more
Oct162018
Dear Editor:
I am truly disappointed that the well-known flying sergeant Troy Downing has not endorsed National Guard sergeant Tom Pardy, who is running for Yellowstone County judge. I have listened to Tom Pardy and his opponent Ms. Davies and decided Tom Pardy is the only one I could support for county judge.
As far as the other race is concerned, I am very concerned that Ms. Pierce, who has primarily been a prosecutor, is running for the other judge position. After having dealt with prosecutors in a number of states, I do not believe any attorney that has been a prosecutor most of their legal career would make the ideal trial read more
Oct162018
Originally published in the 10/12/18 print edition of Yellowstone County News.
LOCKWOOD — Sometime during the next two to three years the Lockwood Fire District Board must consider replacing its ladder fire truck, an expenditure that could reach almost a million dollars, said Lockwood Fire Chief John Staley during the October meeting of the board last Wednesday. The good news is that the district is in a good position financially to handle the replacement.
The current vehicle is 25 years old and has already had an engine replacement that cost $400,000. Its biggest problem now is a pump that frequently springs a leak. While repairs are still possible, they will become increasingly difficult as replacement parts are no longer being made and they must be acquired from used vehicles, a process that can be lengthy.
Frosty Erben, chairman of the fire board, said that he read more
Oct162018
On Wednesday October 17th at 6 PM, Yellowstone County Disaster & Emergency Services (DES) will conduct a county wide Emergency Siren Test. The siren system is to alert citizens of possible dangers such as, natural or man-made disasters, extreme changing weather conditions, chemical emergencies, or national emergencies. The 24 sirens will sound for 1 minute at all sites.
When the public hears the Emergency Siren System, please follow these directions: read more
Oct162018
Dear Editor,
I am thankful that we are past the incredibly hateful confirmation process of Brett Kavanaugh for Associate Justice of the Supreme Court and that the Senate ignored the false accusations and paid protesters by honoring the will of the American people and installed Justice Kavanaugh on the bench.
I am disappointed, but not surprised, that Sen. Jon Tester read more
Oct152018
Dear Editor:
We are fortunate to have such a well-qualified candidate in Don Jones running for County Commissioner. I served with Don on the Billings City Council and although we didn’t always agree, I was impressed with his experience and integrity. He came to council meetings well prepared and ready to represent his ward. Don brought a business background to the council, educating many of us on finances and the budget process.
When he decided to run for Montana Legislature, I campaigned for him and watched as he brought that same integrity and hard work to Helena. Don decided to forgo running for any additional terms in Helena when he went into the family business. His wife and sister-in-law assist in the day to day operations, with locations in Billings and Laurel.
When the commissioner position opened, I was one of many who read more
Oct142018
Dear Editor:
Jennifer Merecki has a vision for greater quality of life for Montanans. She is motivated by frustration shared by many citizens in Billings regarding broken promises of politicians on both sides of the aisle. After decades of seemingly systemic recurring economic crises, many Montanans are realizing that our democratic system is still not benefiting them. Unfortunately, many folks have developed apathy and disdain for a system which often appears driven by greed, fear, and delusion rather than listening, cooperation, and effort. Deception deepens the divide between a two party system that often appears to be concerned with winning rather than developing solutions for important issues. In light of confusion and deception, it’s understandable that folks feel powerless to affect change, or trust in a system that lacks transparency.
We need progress minded leadership to focus on solving problems that affect all Montanans, regardless of party affiliation. Jennifer’s willingness to think beyond partisan rhetoric makes her a true populist and a great choice to represent us.
I’ve known Jennifer for almost 10 years, having cooperated with her professionally and personally. One of the most distinguished traits she possesses is her capacity to listen to people and understand their perspective. I’ve seen her successfully address division and misunderstanding through genuine conversations, considering actual evidence, and recognizing shared values. read more
Oct142018
Dear Editor:
Everyone of those Democrat Senators that sat on the Kavanaugh hearings are what I would call despicable human beings.
Feinstein and Blumenthal were the worst in their nauseated and acrimonious statements. From my 50 years of watching and researching the actions of Congress and White House, I have come to the conclusion that all Democrats are this way and not one of them should receive a yes vote on Nov. 6.
They are not the typical Democrats and Liberals of 50 years ago and should be called Communists or MARXISTS because in my mind they act and think that way and they support the 10 planks of the Communist Manifesto. They would all be more at home in Albania, Poland, Georgia, or Israel. In Montana those running on the Democrat ticket are Sen. Tester and Mrs. Williams that fall in that category. Lou Dobbs stated yesterday that the Democrat Party has been corrupt for 20 years. He is being generous in my mind. There is lots of history to substantiate this and it goes clear back to FDR.
read more
Oct122018
Dear Editor:
I have used tobacco products and understand the increased medical costs. However, I-185 does not guarantee the money generated will go to medical costs, also, is suppose to reduce tobacco sales.
Let me get this straight: I-185 will tax tobacco, which will not cover the cost of current tobacco medical expense and will diminish due to low sales, yet the medical conditions continue a life time.
In the 1970s Montana crafted a new constitution with some of the strongest environmental and pollution, safety laws in the country at the time. I-186 may be unnecessary unless our law makers again lower the standards set in 1973. read more
Oct122018
BILLINGS — Registered voters can expect to receive absentee ballots in the next few days.
Bret Rutherford, Yellowstone County elections administrator, said county officials will mail 70,000 ballots on Friday.
That’s about 5,000 more than ever before, an increase he attributes to the 2017 Montana legislation that keeps voters on the absentee voter list until they ask to be removed.
Before that, voters had to renew their absentee ballot request to stay on the list.
Most voters in the Yellowstone County read more
Oct122018
Carl Wolf, The Outdoors Section
It was not only dark, but cold and a bit windy. People came anyhow. Sitting on a bench in the shadow of the Pompey’s Pillar museum, I wondered if they would come. Two young women, then an older couple, then some more folks. They were bundled up, but had binoculars at hand or hanging around their necks.
“Is this where the bird walk starts?” some asked. Yes, I told them, but we had to wait a few minutes more so others could find their way here to the base of the walkway to the top of the Monument. Meantime I told them there is a test to take. Handing out feathers from various birds, the group identified turkey, dove, pheasant, warbler and raven.
Slowly climbing the stairway with periodic pauses, birds began to fly by. Starlings, Canada geese, a sandhill crane, then a blue heron. Light was good enough now to see a small sparrow hawk overhead and a golden eagle that came almost close enough to touch. History, habitat, ecology, identification and just plain old enjoyment kept the group active while looking down on the Yellowstone River in the early light. Migrations were beginning and soon long flights of eagles, hawks, falcons, vultures and other birds would be winging by the cliffs on the far side of the river as the morning sun warmed the rocks. The rising warm air would generate heat flows that helped pelicans, accipiters, buteos and other large winged birds soar high, then slowly descend to pick up more rising heat so they could do it all over again, heading for warmer climates.
As the walk ended among stations set up for the FALL FESTIVAL, one could watch black powder shooting to gold panning and the many folks heading for the marathon. Eventually the pancakes, syrup, hot coffee and sausages warmed us up – especially the hot coffee! A walk around among the donkeys, horses, antelope and bison turned up a few small birds as well. Black-capped chickadees, robins, a small downy woodpecker and some LBB’s (Little Brown Birds). A young great horned owl that had been located next to the museum left for the nearby woods.
The FALL FESTIVAL is the first of its kind and this one turned out pretty good. The timing of year and clock was noted and some adjustments will be discussed, say Trudie Porter Biggers and Neal Gunnels for the Pompeys Pillar Historical Association. The group works with the BLM to help the public understand and enjoy the wonder of the area. It was interesting to lead a bird walk in the morning, then in the afternoon go goose hunting (this also was first day of the waterfowl season). Special and Prairie were on the job when the first Canada goose of the fall season was retrieved to hand (9.5 pounds, a mouthful for Prairie while Special just studied the art of retrieving). read more
Oct102018
The Yellowstone County News started the “YCN Snap Shot” photo contest to help encourage creativity and expertise with capturing moments and memories that last forever.
Click here to view pictures that made it to the final round!
Let us know what you think either here, by email or on Facebook!.
Oct102018
Originally published in the 10/5/18 print edition of Yellowstone County News.
LOCKWOOD — An update on what’s happening with the Lockwood TEDD includes changes in repaying a loan and a proposal to expand its boundaries. The Lockwood TEDD is a tax increment district that was created to help fund the development of an industrial park in Lockwood at the intersection of I-90 and Johnson Lane.
The Lockwood TEDD (Targeted Economic Development District) is asking Big Sky Economic Development (BSED) to accept a change in the terms of the loan BSED made to read more
Oct92018
Dear Editor:
People prefer work to welfare. Brazil and some countries in Africa where work is not available are fighting poverty and unemployment with “UBI,” Universal Basic Income. This is a program of cash transfers to the poor. These transfers result in people eating better, less domestic violence, and improved “mental health.”
However, in the U.S., joblessness is perhaps more debilitating than a low paying job. Suicide, divorce, and opiod use are all associated with non-employment. In a recent survey, only 7 percent read more
Oct92018
Originally published in the 10/5/18 print edition of Yellowstone County News.
BILLINGS — Because the ballot is two pages long for the general election on Nov. 6, it will take two days for the Election Office in Yellowstone County to count the ballots, reported County Elections Administrator Bret Rutherford to County Commissioners, last Thursday. Most of the results will be in at the end of Election Day, however, because the strategy is to count the first page of the ballot first, which has all of the candidate contests. Results for the initiatives won’t be known until the second day.
The dilemma is read more
