Jun282018

Meanderings 6-29-18 – Zinke &Trump Jr. to Last Best News

Meanderings

Jonathan McNiven

Wow, folks, what a week! I can’t believe all that has happened since we went to press last week.  Since then, YCN landed an exclusive interview with Donald Trump Jr. on Friday, June 22, and I visited personally with United States Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke today, Wednesday, for a couple minutes after he was on the radio show Montana Talks with Aaron Flint. (I’ll talk about guest hosting the radio show later). 

First, know that your local newspaper is gaining traction, and we are trying to keep the local beat on stuff that is happening here. From Last Best News (local online publication) ceasing publication locally on July 1 to national figures like U.S. Interior Secretary Zinke stopping in Billings for a brief visit with the Yellowstone County Commissioners and Billings representatives, YCN is busy getting the news.

U.S. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke reading a past edition of the Yellowstone County News on Wednesday June 27, 2018 after talking on the radio with Aaron Flint from Montana Talks. (Jonathan McNiven photo)

We have so much that is going on that we need to be hiring another reporter, so if you’d like to get your feet wet and start contributing to your only weekly newspaper that covers Yellowstone County and Billings area news, give me a call. Heck, maybe I can get David Crisp (former owner/publisher of the Billings Outpost) to come write for YCN since the Last Best News went out of business. Or maybe Ed Kemmick will change his mind and write for us since he doesn’t have enough on his plate as well. Either way, I understand why some local publications have gone out of business with the changing times, business models, and employee payroll requirements out there. It’s not easy running a business and then making it successful is even harder. 

I had to take a selfie with the present company since Donald Trump Jr. was in Billings. From left to right, Jonathan McNiven, Matt Rosendale, Donald Trump Jr., Kimberly Gillfoyle (Fox News Contributor)

As for YCN, we have been blessed, and we continue to gain traction, supporters, advertisers and we are working hard to be your local weekly publication with local hard news and stories that affect this area as well as keep you informed on what is going on for local school districts and local news, etc. In fact, we have a lot to do still, but we’ll focus on the little successes we have each and every week. read more

Jun282018

Carl Wolf paid a rare compliment to my writings

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor:

In the June 22 edition of the YCN, Carl Wolf paid a rare compliment to my writings. Thank you, Carl, and Happy Birthday.

However, Carl then used his column to villainize myself, claiming that I feel Democrats are “monsters” and “deadly creatures,” “out to destroy our country” and “enemies and terrible to boot.” Which article written by me gives him even poetic license to tell people that such are my innermost thoughts?

I take special offense because read more

Jun282018

Trump Jr. headlines Montana Republican Party Convention in Billings with Exclusive Interview

Montana-Statewide • Top Stories • Yellowstone County • Billings

Donald Trump Jr. speaks at the Republican Convention Friday night. Listening are Rep. Greg Gianforte, R-Montana, left, U.S. Senate candidate Matt Rosendale, center and Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, right. (Jonathan McNiven photo)

Donald Trump Jr. speaks at the Republican Convention Friday night. Listening are Rep. Greg Gianforte, R-Montana, left, U.S. Senate candidate Matt Rosendale, center and Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, right. (Jonathan McNiven photo)

Originally published in the 6/29/18 print edition of Yellowstone County News .

BILLINGS — In an exclusive interview, Donald Trump Jr. offered Yellowstone County News one of only two interviews as he arrived in Billings to headline the Montana Republican Party Convention dinner Friday evening in high spirits to support Republicans on the ticket, including current State Auditor Matt Rosendale who is running for the U.S. Senate. 

President Donald J. Trump won over Montana voters in easy fashion in 2016, and Trump Jr., his son, is encouraged at the general election makeup this year. 

With security detail outside the hotel room, Don Jr. allowed few visitors in preparation for his headline speech to Montana Republicans.   

“Just because Donald Trump is not on the ticket, doesn’t mean that Trump is on the ticket,” said Trump Jr. to the Yellowstone County News and about 300 attendees Friday evening. All of his policies and all the great accomplishments are on the ticket. There is a lot at stake as Don Jr. rolled off the tip of his tongue many instances that Senator Tester is out of line and out of touch with Montana values and character. read more

Jun222018

Yellowstone County News Lands exclusive interview with Donald Trump Jr. and Matt Rosendale

Politics • Top Stories • Yellowstone County

Donald Trump Jr., left, Publisher Jonathan McNiven, middle, and State Auditor Matt Rosendale, right, meet in exclusive interview on Friday June 22 in Billings. (Yellowstone County News Photo)

With excitement brewing in the air at the Montana Republican Party Convention in Billings, Yellowstone County News announced that they have landed one of only two exclusive interviews that were given this weekend with Donald Trump Jr. being the keynote speaker at the convention’s dinner.  

Donald Trump Jr. arrived in Billings to speak to the statewide convention of Republicans and attendees to the annual dinner convention.   read more

Jun222018

Because she has a D after her name

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor:

I grew up on a cattle ranch in the Salinas Valley of California in the 1950s. When I was 40 years old, I enrolled in one of the larger law schools in Northern California. Many of my classmates were from some of the various University of California campuses, including the campus in Berkley, California.

Whenever I refer to a politician as a Marxist from Berkley, I do not do it to simply call that person a name. I am doing it to label them because of the political philosophy that they have shown me in what they have said and written. By the Berkley part, I am referring to the University of California campus that this person attended.

You can tell who the Marxist from Berkley is read more

Jun222018

McNiven Meanderings – Best Breaking News Story Award goes to our staff

Meanderings

Jonathan McNiven-Publisher/Owner of Yellowstone County News.

Well Folks, last week was the Montana Newspaper Association’s annual convention (In Billings this year).  This was the first time I’ve attended the annual convention since purchasing the Yellowstone County News, your hyper-local, weekly newspaper in the Yellowstone County area.

I learned so much in mingling with other newspaper owners, publishers and editors throughout the state that I have caught the YCN fever in taking YCN to the next level.  If you don’t believe me, wait until you see what we have in store for you, the reader, taxpayer and resident of Yellowstone County.

But before I do, I want to focus on a couple of things.

First, I’ve instructed my staff and reporters that we, as a newspaper team, need to make sure that we are informing all our readers why each story is important to you and why you, the reader should care. In fact, I’ve given the charge to make sure each story explains why the reader should care about the Yellowstone County News and make sure we are relevant to you the reader, so starting this week, I hope you see us honing in on that focus.  I think we already do this but we need to do it even better because I know we can.

Second, the Yellowstone County News won two awards last weekend at the MNA (Montana Newspaper Association) convention.  We won first place for Best Breaking News Story and read more

Jun222018

What my vote means to Colstrip:

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor:

What my vote means to Colstrip:

Should a Canadian company be allowed to buy out the part-owners of Colstrip units 3 & 4? The Public Service Commission voted on that question on June 12, and my answer was “no.” Some friends have asked me whether my vote was “against Colstrip.” Nothing could be further from the truth.

Avista Corporation is part owner of Colstrip units 3 & 4. They are being bought out by Hydro One Limited, a Canadian utility company. The Montana Public Service Commission must approve the sale because Avista serves customers in Montana.

After examining the unique facts and testimony in this case, I determined that in this specific instance, the public interest was best served by preserving jobs in the community of Colstrip for as long as possible.

Avista and Hydro One made agreements in other states to read more

Jun222018

Rates increase July 1 for Lockwood water, sewer service

Top Stories • Lockwood

Originally published in the Yellowstone County News 6/22/18 print edition.

LOCKWOOD — Most of the business of the Lockwood Water & Sewer District during its monthly meeting was about budgets.

The board approved a planning budget of $52,600. The planning budget projects anticipated activity associated with developing future phases of the sewer system.

The sewer budget of $1,677,965 was also approved, as was a $2,987,161 budget for the water division.

Expenditures still exceed read more

Jun222018

Ag research could make better beer, bread and pasta

Local • Huntley Project • Top Stories • Yellowstone County

Originally published in the 6/22/18 print and online edition of Yellowstone County News.

HUNTLEY — Want a beer? How about a sandwich on really good bread?

How about some sugar for your coffee or to bake a cake?

Plant research happening today at Montana State University’s Southern Agricultural Research Center at Huntley could affect all of those menu items.

Tuesday’s field day at SARC included tours of dozens of research test plots where the future of sugar beets, barley, wheat, lentils, peas and other crops is taking shape.

Dr. Kent McVay, a researcher at SARC, and Jamie Sherman, a plant pathologist assigned to the Bozeman campus, are in the midst of a multi-year study crossing a gene from a barley variety called Karl with a barley variety called Hockett, which has shown higher yields. The study is designed to measure how using fertilizer to increase yields affects protein levels.

In malt barley, lower protein levels are useful in the malting process, McVay said. The experiment is duplicated in Bozeman and at the Moccasin station, he said. The Moccasin trial had poor results last year because of drought, but may turn out better after this year’s wet spring, he said. read more

Jun202018

Huntley Project School Board accepts $790,000 settlement for faulty high school roof

Top Stories • Huntley Project

Early release of Yellowstone County News for 6/22/18 print edition.

WORDEN — The Huntley Project School Board voted unanimously Monday night to accept a $790,000 settlement in its lawsuit over the faulty high school roof.

The school board met in an executive session closed to the public for 47 minutes before voting 5-0 to accept the settlement. Four trustees attended in person, with Steve Erb and attorney Lawrence R. Martin participating by telephone.

Martin, of the Billings law firm Felt, Martin, Frazier and Weldon, specializes in read more

Jun182018

Obituary: Lydia Walters

Obituaries

Lydia Walters

Lydia was finally called home in the early morning hours of June 16, 2018, after living 105 years on this earth.  A kinder, gentler, unassuming person won’t be found. Even as her time was growing near, she never complained and was so appreciative of her caregivers.  Thank you to the Vista staff for making her last 5 ½ years with you so pleasant, and to Compassus Hospice for their help in her final days.

Mom was born on March 15, 1913, in Garden City, Kansas to Conrad and Mary Oblander, the youngest of five children.  Shortly thereafter the family moved to the Huntley Project area, where Lydia remained until moving to Billings in 2012.

She married Ed Walters on January 15, 1935, and they began their life together farming, milking cows, and raising read more

Jun182018

Obituary: Shirley F. (Blair) Ickes

Obituaries • Custer

Shirley F. (Bair) Ickes

passed away Friday, June 15, 2018. She was born October 28, 1923, in Sheridan, WY, to parents Viola (Picken) and Stark Bair. Shirley spent her early childhood in the Sarpy Basin. The family, including her younger sister, Marilyn, moved to Hardin where the girls completed their educations. After graduating from Hardin High School in 1941, Shirley moved to Seattle to work for Western Union as a part of the war effort.

Shirley and Ralph Cameron Ickes were married June 5, 1944, in Billings, Montana, just prior to Ralph’s overseas deployment with the US Army. Upon Ralph’s return from Japan, they moved to Clearmont, WY, where they built and operated a mechanic’s shop. This was where Shirley established her expertise at washing and mending LOADS of greasy coveralls!

They returned to Tullock Creek and the Big Horn, MT, area after several years to ranch and farm at read more

Jun162018

“Research is not a free thing”, “Come and see where your tax dollars are going”

Features • Yellowstone County • Huntley Project

Dr. Prashant Jha discusses kochi competition and control issues in sugar beet production. (Courtesy photos)

Originally published in the 6/15/18 print edition of Yellowstone County News.

HUNTLEY — Agricultural commodity prices are down. Profit margins are slim. And “research is not a free thing.”

But ag research is a key to keeping farming profitable as plant varieties and farming techniques evolve.

To help growers stay ahead, every other year, the Southern Agricultural Research Center at Huntley offers a field day to give anyone who wants to come a firsthand look at the projects underway at the 462-acre facility operated by Montana State University.

This year’s Field Day Tours are Tuesday. Everyone is welcome.

“I would hope people would want to come and see where your tax dollars are going,” said SARC superintendent Ken Kephart. “Enjoy the company of your friends and neighbors at the very least.”

Registration begins at 2:30 p.m. at SARC, which is 3.5 miles east of Huntley just off Highway 312.Tours are offered on both irrigated and dryland field trials. The first set of tours begins at 3 p.m. A free dinner of steak, burgers or brats is served by the Billings Chamber of Commerce Ag Committee from 5 to 6 p.m., followed by a second round of tours that begins at 6 p.m.

The same set of tours is offered before and after dinner. A complete schedule will be available at registration and people can choose to listen to either tour or both.

Kephart said he directs the research, but Tuesday’s speakers “have a better idea of where this is all fitting into the state.” read more

Jun122018

Obituary: Eva H. Swenson

Obituaries

Eva H. Swenson

Our dear Eva, 93, of Billings, passed away on June 10, 2018, at St. Vincent Healthcare.

Eva was born on Dec. 11, 1924, in Grano, North Dakota. She met the love of her life, Frank Swenson, and married him on Oct. 5, 1948, in McGregor, North Dakota. They moved to Billings in 1955 and to Shepherd in 1958, where they lived until Frank’s death in 2006. Eva and Frank founded and managed Shepherd Stainless, a custom stainless steel manufacturing company. Eva loved their farm and transformed their century old farmhouse in Shepherd to create a beautiful read more

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