Billings Legend, Ziggy, Passes at Age 89
by Evelyn Pyburn Former Yellowstone County Commissioner and lifelong Billings businessman, James A. “Ziggy” Ziegler, died on Jan. 19 at age 89, following a battle with cancer. Mention the name “Ziggy” in Billings and everyone knows who you are talking about – Ziggy left an enduring impression on the whole community. He and his wife, […]
Flawed Minutes Dominate Heights Water District Meeting
by Evelyn Pyburn The issue of paying an attorney who was not engaged by the board at a public meeting was again a primary topic of concern at the monthly meeting of the Heights County Water Board last Wednesday.
Naarah Hastings Selected as New Representative for District 50
by Evelyn Pyburn Small business owner, Naarah Hastings, was selected by Yellowstone County Commissioners on Tuesday to represent House District 50 in the Montana Legislature, replacing Mallerie Stromwold (R) who resigned the position a couple of weeks ago. The commissioners interviewed Hastings and two other candidates recommended to them by the Yellowstone County Republican Central […]
NorthWestern Energy Acquires
Additional Colstrip Supply at “No Price” by Evelyn Pyburn NorthWestern Energy has acquired Avista’s share of Colstrip Units 3 & 4, with no purchase price. NorthWestern Energy and Avista announced the agreement, which NorthWestern Energy proclaimed will enable it to provide it’s Montana customers with needed on-demand power generation capacity and allow Avista to exit […]
County Officials Sworn into Office
by Evelyn Pyburn On Tuesday, District Court Judge Ashley Harada swore in newly elected and re-elected county officials during a ceremony in the County Commissioners’ office. Republican Mark Morse was sworn in as County Commissioner, the only newly elected county official. The rest of the county officials were re-elected to new terms – in most […]
Youth Services Center Faces Increase in Demand
by Evelyn Pyburn At a moment in time that the population of the Youth Services Center (YSC) in Yellowstone County is soaring, it is struggling to find the help that is needed to operate. Director of the Center for 27 years, Val Weber, told county commissioners last week, that the population numbers at the center […]
OVG Says Complaint About Contract Comes too Late
The company that has an agreement with the County to book entertainment events for MetraPark has filed a brief with the court to dismiss a request to amend the original suit which would allow a request to invalidate their 18-month-old contract.
Dig It Days Donates $12,000
With considerable pride and satisfaction, Yellowstone Family, the non-profit organization of Yellowstone County News, was able to present a $10,000 check to Montana Contractors Association (MCA) Education Fund, to be used for scholarships for young people pursuing careers in the building industry. The MCA Education Fund is the educational arm of the Montana Contractors’ Association.
Volunteers’ Election Issues on Agenda For Commissioners
by Evelyn Pyburn Be careful what you wish for. Many election officials across the state may well identify with that age-old adage following years of frustrations in not having enough volunteers to help with elections, only to find themselves, this year, overwhelmed with citizens volunteering to be election judges and poll watchers.
In his Suit Against County & OVG, Jarussi Asks to Void Contract
by Evelyn Pyburn Billings attorney, Gene Jarussi is persisting with his challenge against Yellowstone County regarding the RFP they issued for the private management of MetraPark, despite the County’s decision to discontinue the RFP (request for proposals) process. Jarussi has asked the Court for permission to file an amended complaint in which he additionally questions […]