Update: Commissioners vs Jarussi Case
Billings Attorney Gene Jarussi’s case against Yellowstone County regarding the privatization of management of Metra Park is awaiting a decision by Judge Rod Souza of the 13th District Court of Yellowstone County as to whether the case will be dismissed. Oak View Group (OVG), a private management company, was also named as a defendant in […]
City of Billings Studies Traffic Problems on Elmo Drive
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.
Local Doctors Demand Correction to Voter Info Pamphlet
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.”
Defendants Respond to Water District Suit
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.
Temporary Marijuana
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 […]
Dorothy Lane Wants Bigger Jail, Officials Say Think Twice
by Michael J. Marino Mayor Bill Cole announced at the Sept. 19 Billings City Council session that Robert Morris, one of the alleged “problematic neighbors” of Dorothy Lane, was arrested early last week and released on bail a short time later. This was part of his conversation with county attorney Scott Twito, in which Twito […]
Heights Water District Chlorination Plant Completed
by Evelyn Pyburn The Heights Water District’s new chlorination plant will be completed by the end of the week, announced District Manager Peyton Brookshire, and staff will begin training on how to operate it.
County Gets Summons in Heights Water District Case
Since its last board meeting, notice of a lawsuit filed by the Heights County Water District Board against Board Member Pam Ellis and Yellowstone County has been served to both Ellis and the County.
County Agrees to Preserve 2020 Ballots; A Look at the Zuckbucks Funding Controversy
Concerned about an approaching deadline that would allow the county to destroy ballots from the 2020 Election, a group of citizens asked Yellowstone County Commissioners to store the ballots beyond that deadline in order to allow the group time to go through a process that would allow them to essentially do their own audit of […]
Water District Considers New Treatment Plant, Call Police Again in Attempt to Remove Member
The Heights County Water District board set a new budget for 2022-23 that includes a feasibility study to build a water treatment plant; they named Tom Zurbuchen as a new board member; voted an eight percent wage increase for staff; and again called upon police to try to remove a board member. Even though, after […]