The Billings Gazette (Billings, MT) articles from November 2006

The Billings Gazette (Billings, MT) archives from November 2006

Low-profile cemetery levy stirs pride.
November 1, 2006... Byline: Tom Howard Nov. 1--Yellowstone County voters will decide on Nov. 7 whether to approve a permanent, countywide levy of up to 1 mill to help pay for a new veterans cemetery near Laurel. County Commissioner Bill Kennedy said the...

Blue Creek district considers options as growth continues.
November 1, 2006... Byline: Laura Tode Nov. 1--At Blue Creek Elementary, school starts at 8:15 a.m., but students aren't considered late until 8:25 because most mornings it takes at least 15 minutes for parents to drop off their children at the school. They...

'Sisters' delightfully screwy.
November 1, 2006... Byline: Jaci Webb Nov. 1--You'll walk away from Billings Studio Theatre's production of "The Sugar Bean Sisters" with a few new expressions and an odd appreciation for hillbillies. The fantasy-comedy features an alien landing, a case...

Crows return in force, leave big mess in Billings, Mont., business district.
November 2, 2006... Byline: Mike Stark Nov. 2--After nearly a no-show last year, hundreds of shiny black crows have returned to downtown Billings, perching in trees and on rooftops at night and leaving their calling cards on cars, sidewalks and streets. ...

Montana tax issues key in House race.
November 2, 2006... Byline: Jim Gransbery Nov. 2--Rep. Tom McGillvray, R-Billings, seeks a second term from House District 50 this year. His campaign for re-election, which began in March, is focused on three issues as voiced by his constituents: property...

Michigan executive new director of ABT.
November 2, 2006... Byline: Jaci Webb Nov. 2--William "Woody" Woods, a long-time executive with the Interlochen Center for the Arts in Michigan, has been named executive director of the Alberta Bair Theater. The 44-year-old Woods will assume the position...

City Council eyes resort-tax changes.
November 7, 2006... Byline: Tom Howard Nov. 7--If the City Council has its way during the 2007 Legislature, thousands of tourists who pass through Billings would end up paying a little extra for things that tourists usually buy: meals, T-shirts and maybe even...

Singer ready for national event.
November 7, 2006... Byline: Laura Tode Nov. 7--When Steve Wiser went to the Strawberry Festival in June, he was headed there for the same reason most people go to the downtown event. He wanted a slice of the giant, record-breaking strawberry shortcake. ...

Voters favor Cobb Field bond issue.
November 8, 2006... Byline: Ed Kemmick Nov. 8--Voters approved the Cobb Field bond issue in Billings by 2,447 votes, 21,710 to 19,263 in final, unofficial results released just before 7 a.m. this morning, a 52.99 percent to 47.01 margin. Billings voters...

Cobb Field planning kicks into high gear.
November 9, 2006... Byline: Ed Kemmick Nov. 9--Supporters of a new ballpark had a nice surprise waiting for them when they woke up Wednesday -- at least those who had managed to get to sleep. A bond issue of up to $12.5 million to replace Cobb Field was...

Pricey move saves old home.
November 9, 2006... Byline: Lance Benzel Nov. 9--A turn-of-the-century home's slow trip through downtown Billings on Wednesday was only the beginning of its journey, the home's new owner said. Jeff Lyon and his girlfriend, Sarah Nessan, plan to begin...

Laurel derailment blocks MRL line.
November 9, 2006... Nov. 9--Montana Rail Link's main line was blocked at Laurel on Wednesday after five cars of a westbound freight train derailed at the east end of the Laurel Yard at Mossmain. Lynda M. Frost, an MRL spokeswoman, said the railroad brought in...

Cervical cancer vaccine available.
November 10, 2006... Byline: Diane Cochran Nov. 10--A vaccine that helps protect against cervical cancer is available for girls and women in Billings. Gardasil, approved in June by the Food and Drug Administration, is the first vaccine on the market...

RMC's PA course marks 10 years.
November 10, 2006... Byline: Diane Cochran Nov. 10--Randy Holland knew it was a risk when he applied to the new physician assistant program at Rocky Mountain College. "Any time you get a new program with anything, you take a risk," said Holland, a member...

Ballpark name before council.
November 13, 2006... Byline: Tom Howard Nov. 13--Private donations totaling $2.11 million may have helped swing public sentiment in favor of a $12.5 million bond issue to build a new downtown baseball park. Fifty-four percent of Billings voters approved...

'Soop' of schools plans regular Q&A sessions.
November 14, 2006... Byline: Laura Tode Nov. 14--Billings School District 2 Superintendent Jack Copps had his morning coffee at 17th Street Station Monday and spent more than an hour answering questions and listening to community concerns. Sue Baker was...

Stadium likely to get name of donor.
November 14, 2006... Byline: Tom Howard Nov. 14--The new downtown Billings baseball stadium will likely be named after the Jon Dehler family, which recently agreed to contribute $1 million in exchange for naming rights. But the new home to the Billings...

Taxpayers shouldn't fund study.
November 14, 2006... Byline: Laura Tode Nov. 14--An educational adequacy study of School District 2 facilities is likely on hold until private donations can be found to fund it. The study is expected to cost around $130,000 and would evaluate buildings on...

Sign-ups begin anew for drug plan.
November 15, 2006... Byline: Diane Cochran Nov. 15--It's round two for the Medicare Part D prescription drug program, which got off to a rocky start 12 months ago and today begins open enrollment for its second year of benefits. Medicare beneficiaries have...

SD2 program swiftly enhances students' skills.
November 15, 2006... Byline: Laura Tode Nov. 15--In her classes at Castle Rock Middle School, 13-year-old Samantha Pouliot had a plan in case a teacher asked students to read aloud. She would sink in her seat, pretend to be distracted and hope she went...

Association selects president.
November 15, 2006... Nov. 15--Mary Schelle, a school board trustee from Lewistown, was named president of the Montana School Boards Association at the Montana Conference of Education Leadership held in Billings last month. Schelle has served on the school board...

Nickelback to perform in Billings.
November 15, 2006... Nov. 15--Canadian rock band Nickelback is headed back to Billings on Feb. 25 for a show at MetraPark Arena with Three Days Grace and Breaking Benjamin. Tickets, priced at $46.50, go on sale Saturday at 10 a.m. at the MetraPark Arena box...

Crossroads site appraised at $1.7M.
November 16, 2006... Byline: Laura Tode Nov. 16--The former Crossroads Alternative High School building and the 95,000-square-foot property where it stands are worth about $1.7 million, according to a recent appraisal. The appraisal brings Billings School...

Northern Cheyenne coal future 'delicate issue'.
November 16, 2006... Byline: Clair Johnson Nov. 16--With the passage of an initiative supporting coal development, the Northern Cheyenne Tribe plans to move forward, but cautiously. Tribal President Eugene Little Coyote said this week that coal...

Educator sees Indian program brought to life.
November 16, 2006... Byline: Laura Tode Nov. 16--Most policymakers will never have the chance to put their lofty ideas to practice. But that's not the case for Everall Fox, the Billings School District 2 director of Indian Education for All. Two years ago,...

Billings Food Bank envisions new headquarters.
November 16, 2006... Byline: Mary Pickett Nov. 16--The Billings Food Bank is growing. The community organization that helps feed the hungry plans to raze its dilapidated warehouse and offices and build a larger facility, its executive director, Sheryle...

Billings Gazette wins Lee's Enterprise of the Year.
November 16, 2006... Nov. 16--Billings Gazette Communications has been selected from among the 56 daily newspapers and more than 300 other publications of Lee Enterprises for 2006 Enterprise of the Year. The award, the company's highest honor, was announced...

43 learn business of schooling as Educators for a Day.
November 17, 2006... Byline: Laura Tode Nov. 17--At Central Heights Elementary, Bresnan Communications Vice President Sean O'Donnell had to be called down to the office. He was dawdling in the halls talking to students and Principal Karen Ziegler had to get...

Public Enemy to perform in Billings.
November 17, 2006... Nov. 17--Rappers Public Enemy will perform Dec. 19 at the Shrine Auditorium in Billings with X Clan and The Banned. Tickets are $27.50, and they go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. at the Shrine box office, Rimrock Mall convenience center and...

Workers begin dismantling air tower.
November 21, 2006... Nov. 21--Within a few days, the old air traffic control tower at Billings Logan International Airport will be history. Workers are taking down the tower and capping the opening in the main airport building in which it stood, according to...

Billings, Mont., school district trustees intend to seek levy increase.
November 21, 2006... Byline: Laura Tode Nov. 21--Individual Billings School District 2 trustees have hinted for months that they would be running a mill levy in May 2007, but together they made their intentions clear Monday night. Unless state funding is...

Holiday travel rush begins.
November 22, 2006... Nov. 22--Lines of travelers snaked through Billings Logan International Airport starting early this morning in what is traditionally one of the busiest travel days of the year. An estimated 5 million Americans will take to the skies during...

Hardy Construction gets College of Technology contract.
November 22, 2006... Byline: Mary Pickett Nov. 22--Hardy Construction of Billings will build the new Health Sciences and General Education Building at the College of Technology. Construction on the $9 million building at the College of Technology campus...

Beaudry named planning director.
November 22, 2006... Nov. 22--Candis S. Beaudry, who has served as interim planning and community services director for the city of Billings and Yellowstone County since January, has been named full director from a field of 25 candidates after a national search....

Part D signup deadline nearing.
November 24, 2006... Byline: Diane Cochran Nov. 24--It might not be at the top of the conversation list this holiday week, but some families will undoubtedly find themselves talking about the Medicare prescription drug program. Medicare beneficiaries have...

Bitter legacy of mining sparked coal tax legislation.
November 27, 2006... Byline: Lorna Thackeray Nov. 27--For 40 years, coal has alternately glittered and faded in Montana's economy. In 1967, before the big strip mines in Big Horn and Rosebud counties opened and while power plants at Colstrip were still on...

Council rejects condos plan.
November 28, 2006... Byline: Tom Howard Nov. 28--A proposed West End condominium complex touted both as affordable housing and an antidote to urban sprawl was rejected Monday by the City Council. The council heeded recommendations from the zoning...

Treatment facility subject of lawsuit.
November 28, 2006... Byline: Clair Johnson Nov. 28--Rimrock Foundation, which is trying to build a residential alcohol and drug treatment facility in the North Park neighborhood, has taken its fight with the city to federal court. The foundation recently...

Conoco's chief kicks off campaign for credibility.
November 29, 2006... Byline: Jan Falstad Nov. 29--In what sounded like a serious shift in policy, the head of ConocoPhillips Inc. told a Billings audience Tuesday night that his company and the industry have lost touch with consumers and the American public...

Air separation firm moving in.
November 29, 2006... Byline: Tom Howard Nov. 29--A company building a $20 million industrial plant in Lockwood plans to make money by separating air into its most useful components: nitrogen, oxygen and argon. All three of the gases to be manufactured by...

Sportsmen try to open road.
November 29, 2006... Byline: Tom Howard Nov. 29--Sportsmen have asked the county commissioners to reopen a stretch of Alexander Road to restore public access to a section of state land. But the commissioners said Tuesday that they're reluctant to do...

Cab company gets new look.
November 29, 2006... Byline: Lance Benzel Nov. 29--Bob and Sue Young of Billings knew they were in for a challenge when they sought to revive one of the oldest cab companies in the state. They just didn't realize their biggest problem would be a good one....

Conoco planning for tar sands oil.
November 30, 2006... Byline: Jan Falstad Nov. 30--ConocoPhillips is preparing to spend hundreds of millions of dollars in retrofitting its Billings refinery to handle the heavier, dirtier Canadian crude flowing from the oil sands of northern Alberta. The...

Problem with panels delays opening of parking garage.
November 30, 2006... Byline: Diane Cochran Nov. 30--Completion of a parking garage at St. Vincent Healthcare has been delayed by about six weeks after a series of concrete panels was fabricated incorrectly. The four-level parking structure next to the...