Judge Halts Signal Peak Mine Expansion in Bull Mountains
by Michael J. Marino U.S. Judge Donald Molloy ordered Signal Peak Energy (SPE) on Feb. 10 to cease mining activity at their Bull Mountains underground coal mine, in five sections of land leased from the federal government, until a new “Environmental Impact Statement” (EIS) is submitted – which could take up to 20 months.
Transparency Too Costly, Claim Local Governments
by Evelyn Pyburn In general, it could be concluded that county commissioners across the state do not like a piece of legislation that would require “government entities to record their public meeting in audio and video format.”
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 […]
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.
“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.
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.
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 […]
Huntley Project Coach Stookey Named Among ‘Most Elite’ Coaches in U.S.
by Michael J. Marino The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) selected Huntley Project Head Volleyball Coach, Iona Stookey, among 22 other coaches across the U.S. for the 2021-22 National Coach of the Year award on Jan. 16. Prior to this, Stookey had been named Volleyball Coach of the Year for the fall […]
Great Job on Lives of Yellowstone County
Dear Editor, Kudos for a job well done on the December 30 issue–Lives of Yellowstone County. You chose important people from a large area — both in space and time — and you chose well. I enjoyed reading the mini biographies of all these selfless people who made our community so much better.