“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.
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 […]
Bypass Corridor Study Envisions Heights Future
by Evelyn Pyburn The new road that will connect the new Yellowstone River Bridge to Main Street and Hwy. 312 is proposed to be called Trailhead Road. The news comes with a report of what the roads will look like and what is likely to be developed around them. Called the Billings Bypass Corridor Study, […]
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 […]
Capt. Keith Kober Named as Deputy State Fire Marshall
by Evelyn Pyburn A 35-year veteran of the Lockwood Fire Department, Keith Kober, has been named as a Deputy State Fire Marshall. In assuming the new job, Kober will be retiring from his position as Captain at the Lockwood Fire Department sometime in January. Kober made the announcement at the Lockwood Fire Board meeting last Wednesday. […]
Citizens Speak Out on Importance of Election Processes
by Evelyn Pyburn Citizens who spoke to County Commissioners, many of whom were election judges or poll watchers, itemized a number of things they were concerned about when it comes to accurate and secure elections. From the integrity of machines, to a need to purge voter rolls, to failings in the chain of custody — […]