2019 is unveiling to be a year of continued growth, according to the state’s premier economist, Pat Barkey of the Bureau of Business and Economic Research (UM), in a mid-year update of Montana’s economy, last week. “It’s a good news … read more
As the county weighs proposals for the new budget for FY2019-20, one of the pending considerations is whether to construct a new booking area for the Yellowstone County Detention Center. read more
To increase salaries of elected county officials by two percent is a pending motion before the Yellowstone County Elected Officials Compensation Committee, which held its first meeting last Tuesday. They will meet again on June 25 to make a final … read more
The first element of the new Lockwood High School that observers will see rise from the earth will be the walls of the auditorium. That will happen the third week in May, according to Joe Clark of Langlas Construction. Clark … read more
What local government might run a mill levy request of the voters and when? That seemed to be one of the top concerns of local government officials during a luncheon discussion last week at the Lincoln Center among a broad … read more
Higher sewer rates will go into effect on July 1 for the Lockwood Water and Sewer District, including higher system development fees for Phase 2 Sub-district, the implementation of which were originally postponed to encourage residents to connect to the … read more
It took a sharp-eyed citizen to catch an almost $80,000 error in the City of Billings finances. An outside review of a citizen’s complaint confirmed the error, and concludes there is no evidence that it is the result of deceit … read more
The diverging diamond interchange proposed as part of the Billings Bypass at Johnson Lane and Interstate 90 in Lockwood will be built two to three years earlier than originally planned. read more
The legislation upon which hopes of funding One Big Sky District were pinned failed to pass through committee to the floor of the Senate last week. SB 340, which would enable 406 Impacts Districts, tied in the Senate Taxation Committee, … read more
For 45 years the mystery of who killed Clifford and Linda Bernhardt, both just 24 years old, has haunted their families and citizens of Billings, but none more so than law enforcement officers, who never gave up trying to solve … read more
The next step in the development of the Lockwood TEDD (Targeted Economic Development District) is to identify what projects should first be pursued in the development of the district. read more
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 … read more
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 … read more
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 … read more
by Evelyn Pyburn Public meetings were held, this week, to give the public a peek at preliminary designs for the Airport Road and Main Street intersection in Billings. The Montana Department of Transportation is seeking public feedback regarding their plans … read more
by Evelyn Pyburn Public discussion has swirled with questions following the acceptance by the Billings City Council of a 400-page master plan for One Big Sky District, last week. It passed in a 7-3 vote with Brent Cromley, Frank Ewalt … read more
by Evelyn Pyburn The City of Billings is in the process of developing a secondary source of water to serve the westend of the city with the development of an $84 million reservoir and treatment plant at Shiloh Road and … read more
by Evelyn Pyburn During mid-year budget review on Tuesday, Director of Finance Kevan Bryan asked county commissioners to reflect on that question before the mid-summer’s fiscal year budget hearings. The key to successfully managing the county’s budget, said Bryan, is … read more
by Evelyn Pyburn BILLINGS – During their regular board meeting on Tuesday, Yellowstone County Commissioners voted unanimously to make clear that they stand opposed to the concept of local option taxes. Commissioner John Ostlund made the motion saying that he … read more
Originally published in the 9/21/18 print edition of Yellowstone County News. “You didn’t build that.” When President Obama said this, I found it breathtaking in its unexpected revelation of what the progressive movement is all about. It was probably the … read more
