Worden Water Project Halted by USBR and HPID, Project Cuts Likely
The Worden/Ballantine Yellowstone County Water and Sewer District’s (WBYC) clean water project to connect new wells and replace aging infrastructure was halted by the US Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) on February 24, 2026, until WBYC, USBR, and the Huntley Project Irrigation District (HPID) could reach an agreement regarding liability concerns over HPID and USBR irrigation […]
Billings Reduces Building Permit Fees by 25%
The Billings City Council has approved a 25% reduction in permit fees, referring to the move as “a major step in the City’s commitment to supporting growth and affordability.” According to the City, it has been in extensive talks with local builders and developers over the last 18 months in order to identify opportunities for […]
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 […]
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 […]
Heights Water Board Launch Search for New General Manager
The County Water District Board in the Heights is in the process of searching for a new general manager, preparing for 2027 projects and with plans to attend the Montana Rural Water Conference. Board member Frank Ewalt reported on his committee’s research in finding assistance to recruit a new manager, given that Manager Bo Andersson […]
Shepherd Considers Moving Speed Limit Signs After Fatal Accident
At the end of the regular monthly meeting of the Shepherd School District Board of Trustees on February 18, 2026, trustees discussed the location of the newly placed radar enabled speed limit signs. Purchased by Shepherd Schools and installed last year by Yellowstone County Public Works, the radar enabled speed limit signs flank the school […]
Big Sky Speedway Prepares for Season Start, Announces New and Returning Events
High Limit Sprint Car Series, movie nights, and monster trucks will be coming to Big Sky Speedway this summer season, according to Big Sky Speedway Promoter Dru Brown. “We are already hard at work, creating a new schedule, trying to get big events in the (Billings) area and this year we definitely succeeded,” stated Brown. […]
New Property Tax Law May Pose Problems for Some Property Owners
Confused about the new property tax law in Montana? Perhaps, more than confused, bewildered? Maybe there are aspects of the law that don’t quite fit with your situation. Real estate broker, Bill Stene is alarmed because he believes there are unintended consequences of the law that will create windfalls for some, while penalizing others, most […]
19 Candidates File for 34 School Board Openings, Filing Deadline closes Monday, February 9th
Thirty-four School Board Trustee positions are up for election this year and only 19 individuals have filed to run, according to Yellowstone County Elections Office. Every school board has at least one opening, with the majority having two or more. The filing deadline for school district elections is Monday, February 9, 2026 by 5pm. Those […]