State and county emergency services scrambling in anticipation of record flooding

With warm temperatures melting a heavy mountain snow pack and a forecast for heavy rain beginning Sunday, state and county emergency services are scrambling in anticipation of record flooding by Memorial Day, if not sooner. They are especially concerned about the impact on Huntley. The Yellowstone River and some of its tributaries are expected to […]
YELLOWSTONE COUNTY DECLARES LOCAL FLOODING EMERGENCY

UPDATED: This Emergency Flood declaration was just issued by Yellowstone County Disaster and Emergency Services spokesman Brad Shoemaker at 4:35pm on Thursday May 24, 2018. The National Weather Service has issued a forecast for the Yellowstone River and Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River which indicates MAJOR FLOODING beginning following a significant rainfall event on […]
Flood warnings, watches issued for Yellowstone County

Originally published in the 2/25/18 print edition of Yellowstone County News HUNTLEY — The Yellowstone River flowed over its banks at Huntley on Wednesday as officials in Laurel declared a flood emergency. The National Weather Service, meanwhile, issued a flood watch covering the Yellowstone River throughout Yellowstone County through the end of the week and […]
Flooding restricts fishing access sites to walk-in only
BILLINGS – High water in south central Montana’s major rivers has prompted Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks to restrict 11 fishing access sites to walk-in only. Sites that have restricted access along the Yellowstone River include Grey Bear west of Big Timber, Indian Fort at Reed Point, Buffalo Mirage near Park City, Duck Creek west […]
Billings group files class action lawsuit against City of Billings

BILLINGS — Six Billings residents have filed a class action lawsuit against the City of Billings, claiming officials are illegally collecting franchise fees on city utility bills. At issue is a practice used by City of Billings officials since 1993 that levies franchise fees as part of city utilities bills. “It’s an illegal tax,” said […]
Huntley community cleanup already a go for next year too

Originally published in the 5/4/18 print edition of Yellowstone County News. HUNTLEY — Saturday’s community cleanup was so successful that Ryan Roen is ready to give it another go. “I just really want to thank the people that came out,” Roen said. In the wake of the “First Annual Enuff is Enuff Let’s Clean It […]
GOP Senate hopefuls spar over spending at forum

Originally published in the 4/27/18 print edition of Yellowstone County News. BILLINGS — The conversation got a little bit contentious during the GOP US Senate Forum on Tuesday evening at the Elks Club in Billings, where the candidates weighed in on a wide range of issues from CSKT to the Veteran’s Administration, from tariffs to health […]
Over your head: Record snowfall totals over 8.8 feet for the year
BILLINGS — It’s official — it took more shoveling than usual to make it through winter. So far. The National Weather Service in Billings reported on Monday morning that official snowfall (year to date) had reached 103.6 inches, creeping past the old record of 103.5 inches. By the end of the day, falling flakes had […]
Senate candidates prepare for April 24 debate
The public is invited to meet the primary GOP U.S. Senate candidates at a forum on Tuesday, April 24, at the Elks Lodge in Billings. All of the GOP candidates Russell Fagg, Matt Rosendale, Troy Downing and Albert Olszewski are all vying for the opportunity to challenge the incumbent Democrat U.S. Senator Jon Tester. The […]
Billings Mayor breaks tie vote, City Council supports One Big Sky study
Originally published in the 4/13/18 print edition of the Yellowstone County news. BILLINGS — A supportive vote from Billings Mayor Bill Cole was necessary to break a council deadlock about whether the City of Billings would contribute a total of $500,000 to help finance a study for the future development of One Big Sky District, which […]