Aug132018

Forward Montana Foundation honors 25 Montanans

Top Stories • Huntley Project

HUNTLEY — Terry Bradley of Huntley is among 25 Montanans under the age of 25 who will be honored at Forward Montana Foundation’s Annual Williams’ Effect event in Helena on Sept. 15. For the last four years, Forward MT Foundation has annually recognized the determination, innovation and service of 25 leaders across the state who are creating positive change in their communities.

Their leadership is highlighted as a way of honoring the ripple effect that Pat and Carol Williams have had on young leaders in Montana during their years in public service.

The young Montanans being recognized represent a wide array of accolades, from the nation’s youngest legislator to a nonprofit founder who helps send girls to school in Nepal. Each honoree will receive a stipend to further their activism work.

Bradley cited work as a Migrant Education tutor and American Indian Council marketing read more

Aug132018

Actions speak louder than words

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor:

A few weeks ago I saw a political ad put on by Jon Testor which featured a number of veterans who support him for reelection. As someone who flew in combat in Vietnam, I understand that some veterans really believe Testor has been responsible for improving the V.A. In out of a hundred thousand veterans in this state, I believe that was  probably all the ones read more

Aug102018

Obituary: Marvin Hammersmark

Obituaries • Huntley Project

Marvin Hammersmark

Marvin Hammersmark was born Christmas Day, December 25, 1937 to Norwegian immigrants Mike Hammersmark and Margaret Stene Hammersmark. Marvin always said that having your birthday on Christmas meant getting gyped out of at least one present. Marvin grew up in Big Timber, Montana where he learned carpentry, mechanics, farming and most of all hard work from his mother and father.

Marvin earned his Bachelor degree in Natural Recourses from Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana. During this time Marvin was proud to serve in the National Guard. Marvin started his career with the Bureau of Land Management in 1963 in Baker City, Oregon. It was here that he met the love of his life and married Judith Dougherty in March 1964. Judy and Marvin spent 54 years together as best friends, partners and soul mates.

Marvin’s career allowed him to perform in various management positions with the BLM in the communities of Baker City, Oregon; Ely, Nevada; Lakeview, Oregon and Rawlins, Wyoming. In 1992 Marvin retired from the BLM and fulfilled a lifelong dream when he purchased a farm outside of Ballentine, Montana.

Marvin could build and fix anything. Marvin loved read more

Aug102018

People don’t ask an “unlikable” guy to lead them

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor:

The Birther Debate in the Montana Senate Race?

A few years ago, the “Birther” debate became a hot issue relative to where Barack Obama was born. Anyone who questioned that he was born on U.S. soil was vilified. Granted, the issue was over citizenship, but to the average Joe, it was about “is he one of us?”

Interestingly, the same ideology – with a different twist – has entered the Montana Senate race. State Auditor Matt Rosendale was not born here, can he be considered a true Montanan? Sadly, for many, this thinking has been glorified as sanctified Montana doctrine.

I have always detested the idea that “being a fourth-generation-Montanan” was a prerequisite read more

Aug62018

Obituary: Cynthia Eve Reifert Mahan

Obituaries

Cynthia Eve Reifert Mahan

Cynthia Eve Reifert Mahan, 60, of Ballantine, died Tuesday July 31, 2018 at St. Vincent Healthcare   in Billings.  Cindy was born in Muscatine, Iowa November 3, 1957 to Gerald and Ann (Kramer) Reifert.  She graduated from Muscatine High School and went on to complete a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Iowa.  Cindy was a medical social worker for twenty-two years at St. Vincent Hospital.  She married John Mahan at Faith United Church of Christ in Muscatine on December 30, 1990.  Cindy

touched the lives of many people and was well liked and respected by her co-workers.  She had a good sense of humor and enjoyed making folks smile and laugh.  Cindy was deeply involved in raising her children and their activities, as well as being a typical farm wife!  Left to cherish Cindy’s memory is her husband John; children Elizabeth, Caroline, Rebecca and Samuel; her mother Ann Reifert; three brothers, two sisters and many nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her father, Gerald Reifert Sr. , nephew David Sachs and a brother in-law Dennis Danker.   A memorial reception and meal will be at 5:30pm followed by Funeral Services at 7:00pm Monday August 6, 2018 at the First United Methodist Church in Huntley.

Aug62018

Dispute over bigger TEDD goes to county planning board

Local • Lockwood • Top Stories

LOCKWOOD — A request to expand the boundaries of the Lockwood TEDD (Targeted Economic Development District) will go before the Yellowstone County Board of Planning on Aug. 14. Their decision will be forwarded as a recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners, which will hold a hearing on the request at 9:30 am on Aug. 21.

The Lockwood School Board has made known their opposition to the proposal of 10 property owners adjacent to the TEDD, who are requesting that their properties be incorporated into the TEDD. In a letter circulated to numerous parties and media, the school board says that the action is being seen as a “bait and switch” after the board’s neutral stance in regard to the formation of the TEDD. They are concerned about read more

Aug62018

I-186 will hurt Montana taxpayers

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor,

There’s an old saying that, “If it can’t be grown or raised, it must be mined.” And in Montana—where mining is among our largest economic drivers and our state motto is Oro y Plata (gold and silver)—mining plays a critical role in sustaining communities and families across Montana.
I-186, the misleading initiative that claims to promote “responsible” mining, is backed by a coalition of out-of-state environmental groups, and if successful in November, would stop future mines.
The proponents of this initiative are misleading Montanans with vague rhetoric and inaccurate claims that our clean water is at risk. But with our existing strict environmental and permitting regulations, high bonding requirements that are administered by read more

Aug62018

Obituary: Betty Ann Rauchle Olson

Obituaries

Betty Ann Rauchle Olson

Betty Ann Rauchle Olson, 85, died on Sunday, August 5, 2018 at St John’s Chapel Court in Billings after a long fight with COPD and cancer.

Betty Ann was born in Forsyth, Montana, on May 6, 1933 to Emmanuel and Margaret Alles.

Mom graduated from Huntley Project HS in 1951 and married her first love, Richard Rauchle, on March 16, 1953. Her beloved Richard died of cancer in 1986. In 1995, as she helped Wally Olson through the loss of his wife, they fell in love and read more

Aug52018

Change comes at the ballot box

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor:

Drain the swamp

Two years ago, President Trump ran on a pledge to “drain the swamp,” to clear government of the corrupt lawmakers and lobbyists who have long plagued Washington. I’ve learned something about Senate District 22- Billings Heights incumbent Doug Kary.

He’s the epitome of that swamp. He’s been in elected office for 13 years and hasn’t done much except give himself and his cronies pay raises and catered to special interests. He violated the Montana Constitution when he left the 2016 session with an unbalanced budget.

Our state government should exhibit transparency, honesty, accountability and integrity. Mr. Kary’s record proves read more

Aug42018

President Trump and the future of this country

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor:

Note to Carl,

I must take issue again with your constant bashing of President Trump. You now also seem to join other liberal Democrats who consider Trump followers as stupid misinformed lemmings who don’t know what is good for ourselves or this country, but you elite Dems will set us straight for our own good!

The contempt is obvious when an FBI agent said recently in a text that “You could SMELL (capital letters were his) Trump followers at Walmart”! When you can’t argue opposing opinions or issues or policies with facts and truth, you resort to calling names and demonizing those you disagree with.

Now everyone is aware that Trump followers are “Nazis,” racists, bigots, homophobes and “liars,” etc. We have heard them all but they have lost their effect from overuse! We elected President Trump because he wasn’t a career politician and our only other choice was a career politician that WAS well known as a liar – recall Benghazi, thousands of emails, the corrupt Clinton Foundation, Whitewater and many other corrupt schemes. Yes, and as Secretary of State under Obama, Hillary sold 20 percent of U.S. uranium to the Russians! And Bill was paid $500,000 read more

Aug32018

Not poaching: Bull elk found dead near Shepherd hit by vehicle

Local • Shepherd • Top Stories

SHEPHERD — Calls to Montana’s anti-poaching hotline helped Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks game wardens solve the case of an elk killed and left next to CA north of Shepherd in July.

The elk, with only its head removed, was killed sometime during the weekend of July 20-22 and found near CA Road north of Shepherd early the next week. FWP issued a press release last week asking people for information that would lead game wardens to the guilty parties.

Game Warden Matt Ladd said several people called the state’s toll-free anti-poaching hot line – 1-800-TIP-MONT – with valuable information. Game wardens followed up on those leads.

Following their investigation, wardens concluded read more

Aug32018

The jury still has that power even today

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor:

I entered law school in 1983 when I was 40 years old and a number of years after I had received my medical degree. I chose to attend the University of the Pacific law school in Sacramento, California, because I knew I would have Anthony Kennedy, who was on the 9th Circuit Court of appeals, for one of my law professors. One of the first things I noticed was that the majority of my classmates were political science majors. I also learned that around 90 percent of my law school professors were also political science majors. The political science majors I associated with read more

Jul302018

Obituary: Leonard James (Lenny) Slaughter

Obituaries

Leonard James (Lenny) Slaughter ended his journey here peacefully on July 20 with step-daughter Rita, step-son-in-law Randy, Arwen, and special friend Terri by his side.  Lenny was born in Centropolis, Missouri on May 22, 1923.  He was a United States Navy veteran, a lifelong antique collector and seller, and he loved helping others.  In his last year going to church was the highlight of his week.  Lenny lived a large part of his life in Minneapolis, MN and Denver, CO, moving to Billings in 2017.

Lenny was preceded in death by his father Leonard H., mother Edna, brother Marvin, 1st wife Mary, and 2ndwife Wilma.  He is survived by special step- read more

Jul92018

Obituary: Judith Ann Carroll

Obituaries

Judith Ann Carroll

Judith Ann Carroll, Born January 23, 1943 passed peacefully from terminal cancer July 6th2018. Judy was born in Phillipsburg, Montana to her beloved parents Dorothy and Arthur Plath, and raised with her 4 siblings: Tom (Roseanne), Russ (Susan), Betsy (Bob), and Janet.

Her life was dedicated to her 3 children of whom she was most proud and reveled in their accomplishments.

Judy attended Eastern Montana College, receiving a master’s in Education, and taught in many schools before finally settling in at Shepherd Elementary where she is read more

Jul92018

Obituary: Clarine Bernice Graham Stovall

Obituaries

Clarine Bernice Graham Stovall

Clarine Bernice Graham Stovall passed away on July 4, 2018, at St. John’s Lutheran Home, where she resided for the last three years. Clarine just celebrated her 74thbirthday on June 22. She was born in Billings, to the delight of her parents George and Cora (Davis) Graham, and was the big sister to her two brothers, George and Steve. The family enjoyed life living in the Fishtail and Red Lodge areas. Dickie as she was nicknamed by her Grandpa spent entire summers with cousins, aunts, uncles, and Grandparents, in the Beartooth Mountains.  It was said the kids would go to the mountains outfitted with a new pair of boots and Levis, to return barefoot wearing cutoff shorts. The local game wardens knew the kids by name, and the moose had to tree them to reclaim the peaceful wilderness. Clarine would often claim she had the best childhood and parents one could imagine. Growing up wild in the Beartooth Mountains, with her cousins and brothers, was one of the highlights of her life.

Clarine attended high school in Red Lodge, where she met and married Bobby Stovall. Together they had three children, but were later read more

Jul22018

Obituary: Barbara Ann Muhs

Obituaries

Barbara Ann Muhs

Barbara Ann Muhs, 59, of Shepherd, passed away on Thursday, June 28, 2018 in the presence of family and friends from complications of cancer.

She was born November 8th 1958 in Billings.

A loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, gramma (nana), and friend to many. She loved spending time and adored all the grandchildren. She had three dogs that she loved, which kept her company.

She is survived by read more

Jul12018

Last call for Last Best News

Top Stories

One of Billings only online publications Last Best News announced that they will cease publication as of July 1, 2018. This was the story that ran on their website. (courtesy image Ed Kemmick from Last Best News)

Originally published in the 6/29/17 print edition of Yellowstone County News.

BILLINGS — Veteran reporter Ed Kemmick is retiring from reporting because he wants to write better.

It’s a paradox the veteran newspaperman wants to explore — if he has time, while he’s exploring Montana and the rest of the country, which is another reason he’s leaving Last Best News, the online newspaper he founded in 2014.

He’s hoping someone will either take on Last Best News or start a similar online venture, but he’s leaving with little regret.

For one thing, he wants to see his family, which includes grown children and grandchildren, more often. He wants to see more scenery. And he wants to play more music.

But he’s not leaving the news behind completely. He intends to write on a freelance basis, an area where he already has experience. read more

Jun302018

Abortion has been around since males found females

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor:

This is for the pro-life and pro-choice people. Abortion has been around since males found females. Roe vs. Wade just legalized abortion so medically trained people could perform them. The law does not say it is a right, moral or ethical, that is between the doctor, patient and the creator.

The real issue is, why is there a need for abortion? Our media over the last hundreds of years has made sex a form of entertainment, recreation, a selling point as in advertising, pleasure and/or gratification for either party. Males making conquests, one night stands, cheating spouses and acts of violence for power.

I would use the term Men or read more

Jun302018

Obituary: Joyce JoAnn Balzer Krieger

Obituaries

Joyce JoAnn Balzer Krieger

Joyce JoAnn Balzer Krieger, age 83 of Billings, passed away due to complications from heart surgery on June 25th, 2018. She was born in Huntley, MT, Yellowstone County on July 9th, 1934 to Jake and Elsie Balzer. On August 18th, 1951, she married the sweetheart of her dreams, Albert Joseph Krieger. They farmed in the Worden area for ten years and later moved to Billings.

Joyce was a lifetime member of Pilgrim Congregational Church and was passionate and active in read more

Jun292018

Doug Kary has proven himself untrustworthy and irresponsible

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor:

Billings Heights Senate District 22 incumbent Doug Kary has proven himself untrustworthy and irresponsible. He voted against affordable health care, he favors a statewide sales tax, he has voted against teacher’s pensions, public state employees and working class wages, while voting himself a pay increase. He voted against options for veterans, against our elderly and disabled. He voted against education. He voted to allow concealed weapons, without permits, in schools, by students and outsiders, as well as restaurants and other prohibited places. He broke Montana constitutional law by leaving session without a balanced budget, on the taxpayer’s dime, and did not offer any solutions to improve our situation.

He is anti-conservation and voted to promote big state government over local governments. He voted to reduce the penalty for sexual offenders. Voted against the option to lower your utility bills.

Sen. Kary wants to decrease read more