Clinic Health Care Workers Concerned About Privacy Violations Under New Mandate for Weekly Testing
A missive that was sent out recently to the Billings Clinic leadership regarding the implementation of new mandates has caused a stir among clinic employees who believe the privacy of their health information has been violated by the process pursued. Zach Benoit, Billings Clinic’s Community Relations Coordinator, says that no one’s HIPPA rights have been […]
Metra Gets Request for First Cannabis Tradeshow
Now that its production and sale is legal in Yellowstone County and many other areas of the state, a marijuana trade show shouldn’t be a surprise. MetraPark officials made a point of making Yellowstone County Commissioners aware that Wesley Jenks, President of GC Production, LLC, on behalf of Xpocanna, Cannabis Conventions and Exhibitions, has contacted […]
Denis Pitman to Run as Write-in Candidate for County Commissioner
County Commissioner Denis Pitman isn’t ready to give up quite yet. Having lost his primary bid to be the Republican candidate on the November General Election ballot, incumbent county commissioner, Denis Pitman, is registering as a write-in candidate. Pitman said that he is registering so voters have an option, and so that the votes will […]
 County Budget Must Tiptoe Around Inflation Elephant
Last week in talking about the budget County Director of Finance Kevan Bryan spent significant time talking about “an 800-pound gorilla that we can do little to control” – inflation.
County Elected Officials Receive 4% Increase in Pay
The Base Salary for elected officials in Yellowstone County will be increased four percent, following the approval of County Commissioners on Tuesday at the recommendation made by the Yellowstone County Compensation Board. Base salary for county elected officials in FY 2022-23 will be $78,084.76.
Fire Restrictions Go into Effect on July 1
Yellowstone County will adopt fire restrictions that will go into effect on July 1, even though the county has received seven inches of rain since the beginning of May and the countryside has never looked so green. But all that green is the rapid growth of a lot of vegetation, which once it starts drying […]
Heights Water District Soap Opera Continues; Pam Ellis Voted off Board, County Attorney Calls Vote Illegal
Three members of the Heights County Water District Board unanimously voted Board Member Pam Ellis off the board with a vote of no-confidence, last Wednesday. Whether they have the authority to do so is a point of contention. Ellis was appointed to the board by Yellowstone County Commissioners and the County does not agree the […]
 500-Year Flood Rages along Yellowstone
The Yellowstone River drainage is experiencing a 500-year flood event. “We have never seen anything like this before,” said a Carbon County official. Notices flew out across Yellowstone County, late Tuesday, that the Yellowstone River was expected to crest at Billings at 15.1 feet by 7 pm. With local folks watching the water come at […]
Floods Rage at High Elevations; Flood Warning for Lower Yellowstone
As of 5 pm on Monday, June 13, the National Weather Service issued flood warnings for the Yellowstone and Stillwater Rivers. The warning follows two days of significant flooding of streams at higher elevations – flooding that is devastating the town of Red Lodge and has closed roads in numerous places including Yellowstone National Park, […]
Big Upset in Local Election Results
On Tuesday, 44,605 voters in Yellowstone County cast ballots in the county and state Primary Election with some surprising results. The biggest news in Yellowstone County was an upset in the County Commissioners’ race in which newcomer Mark Morse ousted incumbent Denis Pitman in the only Republican challenged primary in county government. Since Morse has […]