Nov42022
by Michael J. Marino
Metra Park General Manager, Tim Goodridge, sent a letter to Yellowstone County News responding to the allegations of mismanagement on October 28, calling the situation with Richard Todd’s event a “misunderstanding.” read more
Nov42022
Nadine Alice Stark
Nadine Alice Stark passed peacefully on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022, at The Springs at Grand Park in Billings, Montana.
Nadine was born on the farm at Hardin, MT, on November 30, 1936, to Elizabeth and Victor Stricker. Nadine’s siblings included Marvin and Nancy. Nadine received her education in Hardin where she graduated in 1955 and then attended Billings Business College preceding her employment at Security Bank. Nadine and her special friends and roommates, Shirley Margheim and Carol Benzel shared a lifetime of laughter and memories.
While attending a local dance, Nadine met the love of her life, John Ancil Stark, and they were married in Hardin, MT, on November 24, 1956, and they were blessed with four children in the next seven years. John and Nadine moved their family to Hardin in 1960 where they leased farm ground and raised kids, sugar beets, corn, cattle, sheep and horses, and a large garden. read more
Nov42022
Dear Editor,
Mike Yakawich: fidelity, sincerity, a caring individual. These are only a few of the qualities of Mike Yakawich, running for Montana House District 51. Few politicians have this distinction. None of these characteristics have been given to Mr. Y; he has earned them. read more
Oct282022
by Evelyn Pyburn
Yellowstone County Commissioners have named a new director of the Yellowstone County Elections Department – Katherine “Ginger” Aldrich of Helena. She will begin her new job on November 1. read more
Oct282022
Residents along Lake Elmo Drive in the Billings Heights have brought several safety concerns to the attention of city officials this year. For example, Lake Elmo and Wicks Lane (pictured here) is the only intersection along the three mile stretch of road that has a traffic light. (Michael Marino photo)
by Michael J. Marino
After receiving comments from concerned residents in the Heights, Billings Public Works Department began investigating traffic problems on Lake Elmo Drive earlier this summer. The department created a list of projects and recommendations to improve the road’s safety, detailing their plan in a news release on October 20. read more
Oct282022
Dear Editor,
I find myself in uncharted territory by writing a Letter to the Editor. However, the number of stirred emotions due to the proposed LR131 Referendum finds me here. With over 40 years of medical experience including Pediatric Nursing and Navy medical training, the reverberation of thought caused by the referendum itself and the stirring words of Lea Bossler and Dr. Tim Mitchell has unleashed a storm. read more
Oct282022
by Michael J. Marino
Inflation trends since 2000. (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor & Statistics)
Recent data revealed 4,215 new jobs were created in Yellowstone County between October 2021 and the present, making the county’s total number of jobs 86,478 as of last month, according to a press release from Montana’s Department of Labor & Industry (DLI). Yellowstone County currently ranks 22nd out of the 56 counties with an unemployment rate of 2.2%. Glacier County is currently trailing the rest of the state with a 5.4% rate of unemployment. The highest unemployment number, 7.4%, was reported in the Northern Cheyenne Reservation area. read more
Oct212022
by Evelyn Pyburn
Two issues on the General Election ballot, November 8, are asking for voter input. read more
Oct212022
by Michael J. Marino
MetraPark is accused by a number of local event promoters of discriminating against certain events and not upholding the terms of previously signed contracts. One such event holder, Richard Todd, founder of Dream Chasers Racing, decided to speak out about his experience with Metra in an interview on October 4. read more
Oct212022
Betty Witzel
Margaret (Betty) Elizabeth (Hertel) Witzel, 88, was welcomed into the arms of Jesus on Oct. 8, 2022.She was born on April 16, 1934, to Wilmer and Margaret (Bricker) Hertel in Lewistown, and raised in Moore. Betty grew up on a ranch that allowed her to experience life as a “tomboy,” carrying snakes in her pocket and engaging with livestock. Betty lost her mother as a teenager, which encouraged her loving, caring and mentoring relationships throughout her life. Betty graduated from Moore High School in 1951. She moved to Billings to attend Rocky Mountain College, as they created an educational course in Home Economics specifically for her. Betty graduated from RMC in 1955.
Betty met and married John “Jack” Witzel on June 2, 1957. They had four children and moved to the Huntley Project area in approximately 1967. Betty and Jack separated in 1982, later divorcing but remained very good friends until his death in 2021. read more
Oct212022
Catherine Johnson
Catherine Ann Johnson, 87 of Billings, died October 10, 2022. Her soul was still beautiful, but her body was tired. Her legacy of love was being a wife, mother and grandmother. Catherine was born on January 31, 1935, in Billings, Mt., to Elsie Slovarp and Earl McLorinan. read more
Oct212022
by Michael J. Marino
Controversy has ignited among many doctors across Montana after the Secretary of State’s (SOS) office sent out their traditional Voter Information Pamphlet earlier this month. Their trouble, specifically, is with some of the information relating to Legislative Referendum No. 131 (LR-131), or the “Born-Alive Infant Protection Act.” read more
Oct212022
Dear Editor,
Two topics are heavy on my mind this week: First, I’ve really enjoyed the columns by Justin Choriki – that man consistently has great things to say about topics that certainly are on people’s minds these days. I hope we get to see more of Choriki in the future! read more
Oct142022
Dear Editor,
From her birth at 25 weeks gestational age, our daughter’s life was a miracle. 100 days later, one big exception arose: Fetal Inflammatory Response Syndrome. It was a parting gift from my unexpected and severe pregnancy complications. We call some infants miracles because they live through adverse circumstances when so many others don’t. Maesyn Conley Cahoon was both the miracle and the unlucky in her short lifetime. read more
Oct142022
Better Learning Outcomes, Healthier Kids
by Michael J. Marino
As eight energetic boys run, play and holler as kids tend to do, Michael Devaney says, “I try to teach them you can be crazy and run around outside, but when we’re inside, it’s house rules.” read more
Oct142022
by Evelyn Pyburn
Both defendants of the suit filed by the County Water District of Billings Heights — the County Commissioners and Pam Ellis — have responded to the complaint and both essentially deny the basic charges made and continue their contention that Pam Ellis remains a member of the board. read more
Oct142022
by Evelyn Pyburn
Mark Morse running for County Commissioner is the only challenged Yellowstone County candidate in the coming election, on November 8. Candidates for all other open elected county offices are Republicans standing unchallenged by any Democrat contenders. And, even Morse is being challenged by another Republican who failed to defeat him in the Primary Election. Incumbent County Commissioner Denis Pitman is running a write-in campaign for the General Election. read more
Oct72022
Dear Editor,
Gun purchasers beware: the gun control movement has found a backdoor way to register your gun. Visa, Mastercard, and American Express categorize the purchases you make with their cards. Currently gun sales are listed under ‘Miscellaneous’. read more
Oct72022
by Evelyn Pyburn
Yellowstone County Commissioners have received six applications for the open position of County Elections Administrator, a vacancy created with the resignation of Bret Rutherford who has served in the position for over 16 years. Several of the applicants were from out of state. read more
Oct72022
Regulations Extended
by Evelyn Pyburn
The marijuana business in Yellowstone County is operating under temporary zoning regulations put into place prior to the election last spring in which voters gave approval to make legal the growing, production and sale of marijuana in the county. Last week, the county commissioners said that they would extend those regulations for another year while the City County Planning Department aids in writing new ones. read more
