Jun112018

Obituary: Alvin Ben Carlson

Obituaries

Alvin Ben Carlson

Ben passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 6, 2018, surrounded by the love of his family.

He was born in Billings on July 11,1942, to Eldon R. and Myrtle (Hendricks) Carlson. Ben graduated from Billings Senior High in 1960 and immediately enlisted in the U.S. Navy for three years of service.

In the summer of 1963, Ben met the love of his life, Daisy Mae Damjanovich. They were married in August of 1964. The two were blessed with three wonderful children: Linda, Laurie and Benny. He was a loyal, patient and loving family man.

Ben joined the family business, Star Service, Inc., in 1966. He dedicated 35 years to growing the mechanical contracting business, serving as master plumber and a second-generation owner. A man of integrity, fairness and humor, Ben is described as a true icon in the Montana plumbing industry.

Ben loved watching read more

Jun92018

American Concrete to install Old Hardin Road sidewalk

Yellowstone County • Lockwood

Originally published in the 6/8/17 print edition of Yellowstone County News.

LOCKWOOD — The Lockwood Pedestrian Safety District has awarded the project to build a sidewalk on Old Hardin Road to American Concrete, which had the lowest bid of $288,848.20, of five bids received for the project.

The project involves the construction of 4000 lineal feet of a six-foot wide concrete sidewalk, which includes installing a drain culvert, highway striping/signing and media modifications, and associated earthwork.

The county is also issuing, this week, a request for proposal for a carnival operator for MontanaFair, for a five-year period, beginning in 2019.

Deadline for proposals is July 16.

The proposals are for equipment for a fully operational carnival, including the latest and most popular midway rides, food and beverage concessions, ticket booths, generators, and a fully trained staff experienced in management, safety, public relations and promotions.

Thomas Carnival has provided carnival services at Montana Fair for almost 40 years, and they could very well continue to be the provider, but the county is required by law to periodically open up their contract to other bidders.

Also, in the realm of county contracts, County Commissioners last week awarded the contract to design the fourth floor of the courthouse for courtrooms and offices to CTA.

Jun92018

That is one of the main reasons I could never vote for Jon Tester.

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor:

In the past primary election I was a Dr. Al supporter. I am aware of the written endorsement that Matt Rosendale received from U.S. Senator Rand Paul. In 1964, the first year I could vote, I voted for Barry Goldwater. I have been a Libertarian-leaning type voter ever since. If Matt could get Sen. Paul to come out to Montana to show him support, I believe a lot of Libertarians would vote for him.

I flew in combat in Vietnam. I am aware of how many millions of dollars were siphoned away from Medicare and veteran health care just to convince politicians that they should vote for read more

Jun82018

Committee mulls 2 percent raise for county’s elected officials

Top Stories • Yellowstone County

Originally published in the 6/8/18 print edition of Yellowstone County News.

BILLINGS — County officials held the first of what is usually two meetings to determine salary increases for the county’s elected officials, on Tuesday. While no action was taken, the discussion of the Elected Officials’ Compensation Committee leaned toward increasing the base salary of elected officials by 2 percent.

The committee, headed by the County Attorney Scott Twito, is comprised of the county commissioners, the sheriff, clerk and recorder and two appointed citizen representatives. The committee makes recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners for their consideration.

A number of questions were raised about the impacts of salary increases, answers for which Finance Director Kevan Bryan was asked to provide, at the next meeting, which will be at 10:15 a.m. July 3. That meeting will be one of the first to be held in the county commissioners’ new offices in the Stillwater Building, across the street from the County Courthouse.

Of primary concern by the committee members is knowing the level of increase below which the sheriff’s deputies contract would be re-opened. The pay for deputies is tied to the sheriff’s pay raise, which is, of course, included in the committee’s recommendation.

County Commissioner Robyn Driscoll said she would support whatever was the lowest increase that would not trigger the opening of the union’s contract. Because of the uncertainty of what that is, she said she was reluctant to second a motion by Commissioner John Ostlund to increase the salaries by 2 percent. Commissioner Denis Pitman, upon being asked by citizen representative Oscar Heinrich, said that he agreed with Driscoll. (Billie Ruff, the other citizen representative, was absent.) read more

Jun72018

Billings business receives elite status for workplace safety

Local

Originally released online from Yellowstone County News.

BILLINGS – On June 7, the Montana Department of Labor and Industry will recognize Teton Steel of Montana for its commitment to safety with the prestigious Safety & Health Achievement Recognition (SHARP) award from the U.S. Department of Labor.

The Safety & Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) recognizes businesses with less than 250 employees on-site and less than 500 employees corporate-wide who have read more

Jun72018

City’s attorneys say franchise fee suit could benefit judges

Top Stories • Yellowstone County • Billings

EARLY RELEASE OF STORY-Originally published in the 6/8/18 print edition of Yellowstone County news.

BILLINGS — Attorneys for the City of Billings have responded to a class action suit over utility franchise fees by saying district judges may not be able to hear the case because of a conflict of interest — they may benefit as members of the class.

Doug James and Ariel Overstreet-Adkins of Moulton Bellingham PC, representing the city, claimed in documents called a “report to court” filed late last week that “it appears that all of the District Court judges located in Yellowstone County are members of the proposed class and the subclasses described in plaintiff’s complaint. Accordingly, all of the judges in Yellowstone County may have a potential conflict of interest with this case.” read more

Jun42018

Obituary: Cora Bernice Graham

Obituaries

Cora Bernice Graham

Cora Bernice Graham passed away at age 91 on May 25th, 2018; beautifully, gracefully and peacefully, which is exactly how she lived. Born September 16, 1926 in Sheridan, Wyoming to Frank and Virginia (Stott) Davis, the second of six children. Little Cora’s life was forever changed when the family moved to Red Lodge, Montana and at age 9 both her mother and newborn sister died shortly after birth. As was the custom during those times, the children were dispersed amongst families in the area who could take them in. Cora was her Daddy’s girl all her life and, as such, would go to great lengths to find her way to wherever her Daddy happened to be working.

Her fondest memories with her Daddy were staying on the Tuttle Ranch, where she was in charge of taking care of a flock of turkeys to earn her room and board.  Cora continued working for her keep with various families in the Red Lodge area until age fourteen, when she went to live with her best friend read more

Jun42018

Senator Tester has continually voted the liberal party line,

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor:

Russ Fagg, A Conservative Voice Representing Montanans.

Montana is in desperate need of a senator who will stand strongly to represent Montanans and Montana values. Senator Tester has continually voted the liberal party line, for gun control, for open borders and sanctuary cities, for ObamaCare, and most heinously, to send billions of dollars to Iran, the seat of terrorism.

Judge Fagg is the one candidate who has read more

Jun22018

That candidate is John Heenan.

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor:

The good news is that ALL of the Democrats who are in the Democratic primary for Congress are people who I respect and agree with on many issues such as social justice for all, women’s rights, public lands and LGBTQ rights. I will support ANY one of them in the general election against Congressman Greg Gianforte. Period.

With that said, I am endorsing the candidate who has taken action on what I believe to be the central political problem we face as a nation: the influence of corporate money on government. That candidate is read more

Jun22018

If you like Trump, you will love Troy Downing!

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, 

I am second generation in politics in Billings and have been involved 40-plus years, on both sides of the political aisle. In all the 40-plus years, I have never met or supported a candidate that connects ALL the dots like Troy Downing does.

If you like Trump, you will love Troy Downing!

Here are a few reasons why:

* He is not a career politician and not beholding to any special interests or pacs.

* He has built read more

Jun22018

Russ Fagg called me about a letter to the editor I wrote

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor:

Yesterday, May 24, 2018, Russ Fagg called me about a letter to the editor I wrote about him violating the code of judicial conduct. I actually told him I would not write any more letters to the editor about him.

After thinking about what he told me, I concluded I would have to reveal to the public what he told me. He told me that the Montana Judicial Code does not apply to him because he is no longer a judge. He explained to me that there is a longstanding tradition in Montana that read more

Jun12018

Obituary: Maurice U. Deverill

Obituaries

Maurice U. Deverill

Maurice U. Deverill, 89, passed away on Sunday, February 18, 2018. 

Maurice was born on September 20th, 1928 in Billings, MT to the late Rex and Mary Ann Deverill. He graduated from Billings Senior High in 1947.
He joined the Marine Corps on February 1, 1952 during the Korean War. He was seriously wounded in battle and was honorably discharged with the rank of sergeant on March 25, 1955. He was awarded the Korean Service Medal, United Nations Medal, National Defense Medal, Purple Heart Medal and Good Conduct Medal.
Maurice married Patricia Nelson on May 20, 1955 and had two sons.
Maurice worked for the Conoco refinery in the main lab and asphalt lab for many years and retired from there. During that time, he and Pat also opened and managed a western clothing shop for several years. He loved to golf with his sister Florence and brother Raymond and their buddies in the American Legion. He was a commander in the American Legion, member of the VFW and 4H leader for many years. Maurice was a board member for the Yellowstone Museum, Metra, Chase Hawks & Nile Rodeo and helped dedicate the Yellowstone National Cemetery in Laurel, MT.
He is survived by his wife Patricia of 62 years, two sons, Taun (Debbie Anne) of Gilbert, AZ and Zane-Kelly (Pat) of Phoenix, AZ., brother Duane (Debbie) of California and sister Nadine Peterson of St. Paul, Minnesota. Sister In Law Jocelyn Gardner of Colorado Springs, CO
He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Florence Whitfield of Great Falls, MT, sister Madeline Fish of Great Falls, MT, brother Dr. Raymond Gardner, O.D. of Colorado Springs, CO and brother Capt. James Proper of Denver, CO.
A military grave side service will take place on June 18, 2018 at the Yellowstone National Cemetery, 55 buffalo Trail Rd, Laurel, MT at Noon, followed by a luncheon at the VFW Post 6774, 637 Anchor Ave, Billings, MT 59105.
In lieu of flowers donations to the VFW Post 6774 can be made.
Cremation has taken place at the Heights Family Funeral Home and Crematory, 733 Wicks Lane, Billings, MT 59105.

Jun12018

The ad is garbage,

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor:
I write this with hesitation, as I try to avoid wading into the dirty waters of election politics, but I believe I must. It distresses me when cases prosecuted by my office, that the people of this great community have trusted me to handle, are manipulated and sensationalized for political gain. Several weeks ago, a political advertisement sponsored by Club For Growth began airing against former Billings Judge Russ Fagg. The ad sensationalizes the case State v. Matthew Green (DC 13-338). The ad concludes using the case to suggest that Judge Fagg was hard on crime victims and soft on crime.
Here are the relevant facts. In the Green case, the Defendant pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated assault and one count of assault on a minor. The aggravated assault was charged and read more

May242018

State and county emergency services scrambling in anticipation of record flooding

Top Stories • Yellowstone County

Yellowstone River flooding over the banks Thursday afternoon @ 6pm near Cowboys in Huntley. In front, an animal corral and fence is losing ground due to erosion as water levels increase approaching the Memorial day weekend. (Jonathan McNiven photo)

With warm temperatures melting a heavy mountain snow pack and a forecast for heavy rain beginning Sunday, state and county emergency services are scrambling in anticipation of record flooding by Memorial Day, if not sooner. They are especially concerned about the impact on Huntley.

The Yellowstone River and some of its tributaries are expected to exceed record levels of flooding, following storms that are forecasted to dump as much as two inches of rainfall along the Beartooth front and the Pryor Mountain foothills. Officials projected that some rivers, including the Yellowstone River at Billings could exceed record flooding by 1.5 feet or more, as the rainfall augments river levels that are already at normal flood stage. “It has our attention,” said Keith Meier, a meteorologist of the National Weather Service, Billings, indelivering the forecast on a phone speaker during a press conference Thursday afternoon.

“There’s going to be a lot of read more

May242018

YELLOWSTONE COUNTY DECLARES LOCAL FLOODING EMERGENCY

Top Stories

Yellowstone River flooding over the banks Thursday afternoon @ 6pm near Cowboys in Huntley. In front, an animal corral and fence is losing ground due to erosion as water levels increase approaching the Memorial day weekend. (Jonathan McNiven photo)

UPDATED: This Emergency Flood declaration was just issued by Yellowstone County Disaster and Emergency Services spokesman Brad Shoemaker at 4:35pm on Thursday May 24, 2018.

The National Weather Service has issued a forecast for the Yellowstone River and Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River which indicates MAJOR FLOODING beginning following a significant rainfall event on Sunday May 27th. The Yellowstone River is forecasted to rise nearly another 4’ from its current levels to 16.4’ by mid-next week. This would set a new record crest from the river, the current record crest is 15.0’ set in 1997. Impacts from this level of water may include widespread flooding, bank erosion, channel migration, road and bridge closures, power outages and impacts to services such as water and sewer systems. The Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River is forecasted to rise another 2.3’ from its current level to 10.8’ by mid-next week. This would set a new record crest read more

May242018

Flood warnings, watches issued for Yellowstone County

Top Stories • Billings • Huntley Project

On Wednesday morning, The Yellowstone River flowed over its banks, flooding low-lying areas at Cwoboy’s and forcing longhorn cattle to seek higher ground at the edge of the River. (Judy Killen photo)

Originally published in the 2/25/18 print edition of Yellowstone County News

HUNTLEY — The Yellowstone River flowed over its banks at Huntley on Wednesday as officials in Laurel declared a flood emergency.

The National Weather Service, meanwhile, issued a flood watch covering the Yellowstone River throughout Yellowstone County through the end of the week and a flood warning for the Clark’s Fork, which flows into the Yellowstone just southeast of Laurel. The flood watch, which indicates that flooding is possible, was based on continuing high elevation snowmelt and periods of continued rainfall.

A flood warning indicates that flooding is expected, likely along the Clark’s Fork of the Yellowstone near Belfry and Edgar.

On Wednesday morning, The Yellowstone River flowed over its banks, flooding low-lying areas at Cwoboy’s and forcing longhorn cattle to seek higher ground at the edge of the River. Flood levels are expected to increase throughout the holiday weekend as well as throughout next week. (Judy Killen photo)

Brad Shoemaker, director of emergency services in Yellowstone County, issued a press release in which Laurel officials cited heavy rain and continued spring runoff as basis for the flood emergency.

“The City of Laurel is working to minimize impacts to the water plant and associated critical infrastructure near the river,” the release said, including using sandbags or earthen berms to divert water. No impacts were noted to drinking water for Laurel residents.

The Yellowstone River was expected to reach flood stage at Billings, at 13.6 feet, Thursday evening or Friday morning, according to a National Weather Service bulletin issued Wednesday afternoon. Minor flooding could occur, forecasters noted, and bank erosion was likely with the high river flows.

May242018

Flooding restricts fishing access sites to walk-in only

Top Stories

BILLINGS – High water in south central Montana’s major rivers has prompted Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks to restrict 11 fishing access sites to walk-in only.

Sites that have restricted access along the Yellowstone River include Grey Bear west of Big Timber, Indian Fort at Reed Point, Buffalo Mirage near Park City, Duck Creek west of Billings, Gritty Stone and Voyagers’ Rest east of Shepherd, Bundy Bridge near Pompeys Pillar and Captain Clark southwest of Custer. Sites on the Musselshell River include Selkirk and Harlowton. Grant Marsh fishing access site on the Bighorn River also is restricted to walk-in only.

In all instances, high water from the rivers has flooded read more

May232018

Obituary: Nancy Francis Hofferber

Obituaries

Nancy Francis Hofferber

Nancy Francis Hofferber passed from this earth on May 21, 2018 after a brief battle with Leukemia.

Nancy was born August 27, 1938 to Wendell and Juanita Francis in Livingston, MT. She attended the Sedan School and graduated from Wilsall High School in 1956.  After attending college in Spokane and Seattle, WA, she held various positions with the government, and retired after 13 years with the US Marshal Service.

She was known as a steadfast read more

May172018

Has hunting and fishing become Montanans’ God?

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor:

Has hunting and fishing become Montanans’ God?

Recently, I was walking doors during a campaign for a friend. I encountered a guy who was concerned about the candidate’s views on hunting and fishing rights. It became obvious that he was a single-issue voter; he did not care about jobs, the size of government, taxes, ethical issues, etc. All he cared about was making sure his recreation was unrestricted.

This man’s priorities are not unusual – this mindset is all too read more

May172018

Can Dr. O win? Of course, he needs your vote not DC money!

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor:

I have had several opportunities to meet and hear the four Republican candidates running for U. S. Senate to replace Jon Tester.  I had been undecided until about three weeks ago.  I saw plusses in each candidate so I started looking for the flaws.  Washington money, Old Guard endorsements, lack of knowledge on a variety of issues, lack of “fire-in-the-belly”…and the final question, “Who Can Beat Tester?”, there is only one candidate who did not have those flaws:  Senator Al Olszewski, M.D.

Each time I hear Dr. Al, I am so impressed by his working knowledge of each issue; but more impressive, having been trained as an orthopedic surgeon, he has a step by step action plan.  He is a problem solver!

Dr. Al is a champion for read more