Legislator Takes Advantage of ARPA Business Loans
Significant federal funds flowed into Montana—and all other states—during the COVID-19 pandemic under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), with much of the funding aimed at stabilizing businesses during forced closures and worker shortages. A recent deep dive into those programs exposed some surprising and disturbing information—information that demands broader public awareness. One of those programs was the Down Payment Assistance Loan […]
Lockwood Dedicates Q Staton Performng Arts Center
A gathering of students, friends and family renamed and dedicated the auditorium at the new Lockwood High School to “Q Staton Performing Arts Center” last Wednesday in memory of a most beloved teacher, Quentin David Staton, who died last August after a three-year battle with cancer. High School Principal Gwen Poole spoke to those who […]
Laurel City Council Fails to Pass Emergency Ordinance
The City Council in Laurel failed to pass an ordinance last week that would have put future annexations on hold until the City can explore future needs and to develop a plan for future growth. A special meeting was held to consider the proposed ordinance at which many citizens spoke – mostly in favor of […]
Police Chief Reports Billings Making Strides, In Fighting Crime, Still Challenges to Confront
In 2025 the City of Billings was safer than 2024, reported Chief Rich St. John, during a press conference last week, in which he presented the Billings Police Department’s Annual Report. But even though it’s safer, the Billings Police made 7,465 arrests, which was the highest in five years. Reports of property crime were down […]
Sen. Daines Withdraws from Reelection Bid
Last week, Montana’s US Senator Steve Daines, Republican, surprised everyone in political circles with the announcement, just minutes before filing closed, that he was withdrawing from his re-election bid. Almost in the same moment, Republican US Attorney, Kurt Alme, filed as a candidate. Sen. Daines’ withdrawal was a surprise because in serving his second term […]
Hearings Set on Jail Expansion Ballot Issues, March 31
Last week, Yellowstone County officials announced the measures that county voters will be asked to approve on the November ballot to build an addition to the Yellowstone County Detention Facility (YCDF), to alleviate overcrowding. The “ask” isn’t as much as earlier estimates suggested because the State has announced that they are going to expand the […]
Metra Plans to Stabilize Rocky Cliff Face
MetraPark is searching for a qualified rock stabilization contractor that can stabilize the cliff face that stands northeast of the MetraPark Arena, adjacent to the back entrance. Every once in a while a piece of the jagged sandstone breaks free and falls to the parking lot below. As it is, people and vehicles have access […]
Community Officials Mull Community Needs, Demands on Property Taxpayers
A meeting of City, County and School District officials, as well as many other community leaders, last Wednesday, was dominated by discussions of the future needs of the community and competing demands upon taxpayers, as the County pursues a levy and bond to expand the jail and School District 7 projects a mill levy request […]
Flint Joins Candidates Vying for US House After US Rep. Zinke Announces Not to Run
With Montana Republican US Rep. Ryan Zinke’s announcement early Monday morning that he will not seek re-election for Western District 1, due to health concerns, by day’s end two well-known Montana Republicans announced their candidacy for the Primary on June 2. And, then on Tuesday another announced. The candidate most well-known in Yellowstone County is […]
Intermountain, Worden Fire Department Sign Agreement for Ambulance Service
Last Friday, a gathering of officials and media gathered to mark the signing of an agreement between the Worden Fire Department and Intermountain Health that promises to improve the ambulance service to areas of eastern Yellowstone County. They hope to be operational by July 1. “We saw a need,” said Tom Matthews, who is Intermountain […]