Dear Editor,
The Gift That Keeps On Giving, we’ve all heard that phrase. Biden is the Gaffe That Keeps On Gaffing. read more
Feb152023
Feb142023
HB 191 is Very Good, HB 284 is Very Bad:
Dear Editor,
After eight years in the trenches at the PSC – battling not only entrenched utility interests but also “Republican” commissioners who frequently lost sight of free market principles and sound economics – I developed a pretty keen sense of good VS bad energy policy, recognizing the need to eliminate monopolies whenever possible, while regulating monopolies on a market incentive basis when you can’t. Too often the commission and the legislature didn’t ‘get it.’ read more
Feb132023
Taxes Should Decrease With Age
Dear Editor,
Just a few comments to get off my chest. I am one of the many retired taxpayers that is sick and tired of the tax-and-spend politicians! We are taxed to our grave and beyond. I feel taxes should decrease as you age. read more
Feb122023
Best Selling Author, Billings Native to Share Story at TEDX this Fall
by Michael J. Marino
In 2015, Adam Gunton was found unresponsive by Laurel police from an overdose; he was not breathing and had no pulse. He survived, but he said, “I continued to suffer in my addiction for two more years,” ending up homeless in Billings and banned from the Montana Rescue Mission shelter.
Fast forward to 2023 – Gunton now runs a seven-figure business called Recovered On Purpose (ROP) in which he helps other addicts find and sustain recovery, and he has published a #1 bestselling book, From Chains to Saved. His latest achievement – he’s been selected to speak at the upcoming TEDxBillings on October 7, 2023. read more
Feb122023
David Crisp and Krayton Kerns provide balance
Dear Editor,
Thank you for an informative paper and thank you for balanced opinions from David Crisp and Krayton Kerns. read more
Feb102023
Thanks for State Legislature News
Dear Editor,
Thank you for covering the state legislature news. I’ve always found it quite fascinating, some of the things politicians come up with, on citizens’ behalf. My only wish is that you could include more articles on the happenings in Helena, but I understand you have only a finite amount of space to work with.
Casey Mackey
Billings
Feb102023
Elections Set for May for Heights Water District, Others
by Evelyn Pyburn
The deadline for candidates to file for elections to special district boards in Yellowstone County was February 6. The mail-ballot election date is May 2, which is when school boards also elect new members and mill levies if they seek one. Candidates filing for school board positions have until February 24 to file. Prospective candidates should contact their local school district for more details. read more
Feb102023
YWCA First to Reap Benefits of Local Pot Tax
by Michael J. Marino
The City of Billings allocated the first $200,000 in local marijuana taxes to the YWCA Women’s Shelter, according to Finance Director Andy Zoeller. read more
Feb102023
CHINESE SPY BALLOON
Timeline of Events, From Sighting to Shoot Down
(Chase Doak photo)
by Michael J. Marino
The President of the United States was aware of the Chinese spy balloon for several days prior to Billings media spotting it traversing the sky in Montana. The Associated Press (AP) reports the White House did not notify the public about the balloon because they feared it “would sabotage Secretary of State Anthony Blinken’s planned diplomatic trip to China.”
Wednesday, 2/1
*The secrecy around the balloon was lifted when, “on Wednesday, Feb. 1, Billings Gazette photographer Larry Mayer, responding to vague reports that the airspace around Billings had been closed, photographed an odd glowing orb high in the sky,” the newspaper reported.
*Mayer reportedly tried to get in contact with several different officials at the local, state, and federal levels but these attempts went nowhere. So, he told one official on Thursday, “I’m publishing this in half an hour,” and a short time later that day, the U.S. Department of Defense issued a “Statement on the High-Altitude Surveillance Balloon.” read more
Feb72023
Crisp Column Highlights MT SB 99 Missteps
Dear Editor,
Progressive columnist David Crisp’s latest column criticized Montana Senate Bill 99, requiring parental notification by school districts 48 hours before “providing human sexuality instruction.” He ridicules the parents who are concerned about what a freshly minted, purple-haired, 23-year-old teacher might want to tell their children about sexual identity. read more
Feb62023
Learn Science, not Political Science
Dear Editor,
I grew up on a cattle ranch and farm in the Salinas Valley of California. For my tenth birthday my maternal grandmother who lived over 250 miles north of us presented me with a pony named Primo for the occasion. My maternal grandfather was a jeweler and really not a rancher. Apparently, my grandmother got Primo at a bargain price. read more
Feb32023
Cult of Trump Does not Represent My Republican Values
Dear Editor,
Although I am a conservative, or at least I used to think I was before my Republican Party became the Cult of Trump, I suppose the former newsman in me prevails in welcoming the relatively recent addition of the David Crisp columns in the Yellowstone County News. read more
Feb32023
“Right to Know” Webinar on Feb. 9
by Evelyn Pyburn
It’s true. Many Montanans do not fully realize the extent to which, as citizens, they have a right to access public documents and attend public meetings. Montana citizens have “a right to know” almost everything state and local governmental entities do and to have full access to public documents. read more
Feb32023
Obituary: Bonita Mae Gebhardt
Bonita Mae Gebhardt (Allison) received her angel wings January 24, 2023 in her home on “The Farm” in Helena, MT. She was 76 years old. She fought hard against the relentless Alzheimer’s Disease to earn those wings. Bless her heart.
Bonita was born in Fort Benton, Montana, on July 20, 1946. She was the baby of the family with three older brothers born to Jesse and Mildred Allison. Being the baby and the only girl, she and her mother shared a special bond that is still unbroken.
Bonita moved to Billings, MT after high school where she met her husband, Delvin Gebhardt. After a short courtship, they got married “the second they had to” on August 2, 1969. That fateful night when he asked her to dance turned into 53 years of caring, commitment, and love. She was so very grateful for the love and dedication from “Mister” to make each of her last years count. Their son, Kelvin (Roberta), was born November 5, 1970 and their daughter, Angela (Craig Yonce), on June 28, 1974. She poured herself into her role as wife and mom attending to every detail and always adding a little something extra to make others feel loved. read more
Feb32023
Obituary: Marlene Frances Skinnell
Marlene Skinnell
Gone to be with the angels, Marlene Frances (Green) Skinnell died in Seattle, WA, 1/29/2023. She came into this world with brilliant red hair in Billings, MT, on 6/18/1947, born to Katharine Montana (Leatherman) and Emerson Pierce Green. She lived on Pryor Creek with her parents, brother and sister through 1st grade, then in Billings.
Single handed Marlene earned an RN degree and worked in Seattle hospitals before she retired. She lived quietly and sweetly, a friend and helper to all. Marlene was diagnosed six months ago with brain cancer.
Survivors include her devoted husband Keith, children Tina Marie (Hust) McDunnah (Billlings), her beloved granddaughter, Katharine Rose McDunnah, son, Timothy Hust (Karen and Brianna Collins) of Bridger, brother Ronnie Lee Green (Judy), Denver, sister Donna (Green) McKamy (R.W), Laurel, cousins, nieces and nephews.
A memory gathering will be held in Billings in the summer. Memorials may be made to your organization of choice.
Feb32023
Transgender Healthcare Bill Draws Over 100 Speakers to Helena
by Michael J. Marino
Members of the Senate Judiciary Committee heard over five hours of testimony on Jan. 27 regarding Senate Bill 99, a bill sponsored by Sen. John Fuller (R-Kalispell), which would restrict Montana children from receiving gender affirming medical care. A total of 137 people came either to support or oppose the bill, dubbed by the sponsor the “Youth Health Protection Act.”
Representative for the City of Bozeman, S.K. Rossi, provides opponent testimony regarding SB 99, a bill that, if enacted, would prohibit youth access to gender transition services in Montana. (Courtesy photo)
Feb12023
Mayor Cole Climbing Social Ladder
Dear Editor,
Dave Salys, I agree with you, Sir, on two points: that we need more cops to patrol our streets, and that the cell phone law doesn’t work. read more
Jan302023
Tester in Perspective
Dear Editor,
Today Senator Tester responded to my recent inquiry about DC statehood stating, “I believe it is wrong that thousands of active-duty service members and veterans don’t have real representation in Congress.” I believe it is important to put Senator Tester’s response in perspective. read more
Jan282023
Crisp Falling of the Left Edge
Dear Editor,
I guess our favorite editor had to hire a liberal to write an opinion column so the YCN wouldn’t look biased. This Crisp fella with the funny hat is so far left, he is at risk of falling off the edge of the earth. It was amusing how sick he got after his full series of stroke pokes and boosters just as Dr. Kerns had been preaching all this time. read more
Jan272023
Obituary: Barbara Ann Graf
Barbara Ann Graf
Our beloved mother, Barbara Ann Graf, 84, of Billings, passed peacefully into the presence of her Lord and Savior on Jan. 7, 2023 while residing at The Springs at Butte. Mom was born in the spring of 1938 in Billings, the second of three daughters of Arnold Henry Graf and Evelyn Lewis Graf. She attended Billings schools, graduating from Billings High School in 1956 and Eastern Montana University in 1963 and 1988 with a Bachelor of Science in Education and Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling respectively. Mom was credentialed as a National Certified Counselor, Licensed Professional Counselor in Montana, and Certified Rehabilitation Counselor.
Mom’s child-rearing days took her from Billings to Big Piney, WY; Pocatello, ID; Great Falls, MT; Kalispell, MT, and even Newhall, CA before eventually moving back to her hometown of Billings. Throughout her lifetime, mom participated in many service-oriented activities, including doing volunteer work for the Montana Council on Problem Gambling, American Red Cross, and prison ministry. read more
