Hearings Set on Jail Expansion Ballot Issues, March 31
Last week, Yellowstone County officials announced the measures that county voters will be asked to approve on the November ballot to build an addition to the Yellowstone County Detention Facility (YCDF), to alleviate overcrowding. The “ask” isn’t as much as earlier estimates suggested because the State has announced that they are going to expand the […]
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
The Responsibilities of Board Members are …
Dear Editor, The responsibility of board members in the County Water District of Billings Heights (CWDBH) is to work with the staff to provide clean, reliable water cost effectively. CWDBH contracted with Interstate Engineering to write two Preliminary Engineering Reports (PER) totaling $830,000. By comparison, the City of Laurel spent $54,000 and Lockwood $100,000. The […]
NWE Plans New Transmission Line to Meet Growth Needs
NorthWestern Energy has announced plans to build an additional 230 kV transmission line that will serve customers in Yellowstone County and the region that will provide “critical” additional electric transmission capacity. The 21-mile long line – expected to cost between $25 million and $30 million – will run from NorthWestern Energy’s existing Shorey Road substation […]
Worden Fire Considers EMT Solutions
With less than five emergency medical technicians (EMT) to respond to medical calls, Worden Volunteer Fire Department (WVFD) is considering proposals for third party EMT services for the Huntley Project area. On Thursday, February 6, WVFD held a special meeting to discuss potential proposals where Intermountain Healthcare could provide a 24/7 EMT service for the […]
MT Republicans Elect Next Leadership, Yellowstone County Dominates Senate Leadership
Montana House and Senate Republicans have elected their leadership for the 69th Legislative Session with Senator Matt Regier of Kalispell to serve as the next President of the Senate and Representative Brandon Ler of Savage to serve as the Speaker of the House. Others to serve in House leadership positions include
Election Department Asks for federal funds for More Workers
Because they are having trouble filling the positions needed on Election Day to monitor and process the voting process, Ginger Aldrich, who heads the Yellowstone County’s Election Department, has received approval of Yellowstone County Commissioners to request funding from the federal government. The county department is requesting $28,310 from Help America Vote Act (HAVA), which […]
Support the Crow Revenue Act and Bull Mtns Act
Dear Editor, Support the Crow Revenue Act and Bull Mtns Act I am writing in support of federal legislation introduced to ensure the continued operation of the Bull Mountains Underground Mine. Governor Gianforte and the State of Montana have done all they can to keep Montana’s mines operational; withstanding the failures of the federal judiciary […]