The Billings Gazette (Billings, MT) articles from October 2004

The Billings Gazette (Billings, MT) archives from October 2004

Rimrock Auto Group builds repair center in Billings, Mont.
October 2, 2004... Oct. 2--Gesturing to a long paint room capable of handling multiple cars and trucks at once, Steve Zabawa talks about how opening an auto repair center will boost business. After gobbling up four dealerships since coming to town in 1993,...

Billings Gazette, Mont., Jan Falstad column.
October 2, 2004... Byline: Jan Falstad Oct. 2--U.S. DEFICIT TERMED NO PROBLEM NOW: The National Journal has an interesting article on the United States deficit. This year, Congress and the President Bush are expected to run up a deficit of $521 billion...

Makeover complete, Billings, Mont., restaurant prepares to reopen.
October 2, 2004... Byline: Jaci Webb Oct. 2--It may look the same from the outside, a familiar landmark along Poly Drive, but there's no missing the massive makeover inside the Granary Restaurant, 1500 Poly Drive. The restaurant, rich in history and big...

Roadway Express honors 20-year driver for accident-free record.
October 2, 2004... Byline: Jim Gransbery Oct. 2--Kerry Loran has driven a million miles around Billings in the past 20 years. Without an accident. "It's eye contact, looking at the other guy," he explains with a laugh. "That's how you know what...

Billings, Mont., auto auction closes.
October 5, 2004... Byline: Jan Falstad Oct. 5--Dozens of cars, trucks and motorcycles drove in and out of Big Sky Auto Auction and the neighboring Interstate Collision Center Monday afternoon as laid-off workers picked up their last paychecks. Workers...

Couple renovates Livingston, Mont., landmark hotel.
October 9, 2004... Byline: Christene Meyers Oct. 9--LIVINGSTON, Mont. -- When Dan and Kathleen Kaul came upon the Murray Hotel in Livingston 14 years ago, they fell in love with the historic building. "It was built to stay," Kathleen said. "The high...

Georgia resident commutes to Billings, Mont., to teach aviation classes.
October 9, 2004... Byline: Mary Pickett Oct. 9--Most Montanans complain if their commute to work stretches more than a few minutes. Professional airline pilot Bryan Freeman travels more than 6 1/2 hours -- each way -- to work in Billings and doesn't mind...

Dillon, Mont., cowboy cuts costs by using work dogs.
October 12, 2004... Byline: Jim Gransbery Oct. 12--"These dogs are working dogs, headers and heelers," said Scott Allison, describing the canines he uses to replace cowboys and still get the cows where he wants them. While most cowdogs are willing to work...

Commissioner criticizes manager of Billings, Mont., entertainment venue.
October 12, 2004... Byline: Tom Howard Oct. 12--Commissioner Jim Reno says MetraPark manager Bob Wagoner needs to do a better job of negotiating with people who stage events at the county-owned entertainment complex. "I don't want our customers to say...

Laurel, Mont., school board starts bond process.
October 12, 2004... Byline: Becky Shay Oct. 12--LAUREL, Mont. -- With $14 million comes much responsibility and minutiae. Laurel school trustees on Monday started to address the legal details of using the bonds that voters authorized last week for a new...

Blood plasma center opens new offices in Billings, Mont.,.
October 17, 2004... Byline: Jan Falstad Oct. 17--Judi Brinton is excited and half exhausted as she gives a recent tour of the flashy new red steel-and-glass-facade home of United Blood Services at Grand Avenue and 1500 West. Last-minute details are...

Billings Gazette, Mont., Jan Falstad column.
October 17, 2004... Byline: Jan Falstad Oct. 17--PLASMA CENTER DRAWS DONORS: In addition to United Blood Services and the American Red Cross drawing blood in Billings, three years ago a for-profit plasma collection center called BioLife Plasma Services opened...

Bankruptcy to end Nov. 1 for utility NorthWestern Corp.
October 21, 2004... Byline: Jan Falstad Oct. 21--NorthWestern Corp. won final approval Wednesday to emerge from 13 months of bankruptcy on Nov. 1. Judge Charles Case II of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware gave verbal approval to the company' second...

Old fire station is born again as business center in Billings, Mont.
October 23, 2004... Byline: Jan Falstad Oct. 23--The transformation of the Old Maverick Fire Station at 201 S. 30th St. is complete, and the tenants are happy. For the 54 years that the 1911 two-story brick building was a fire station, the firemen and a...

Billings, Mont., coffee shop owners get barista training in Seattle.
October 23, 2004... Byline: Jan Falstad Oct. 23--Gone are the days of coffee being the bitter black stuff thickening in the bottom of an ancient pot plopped next to the greasy magazines in a gas station. Americans are catching up to the Europeans and...

Billings Gazette, Mont., Jan Falstad column.
October 24, 2004... Byline: Jan Falstad Oct. 24--DESPERADO OFFICE SPACE: Grandma's, a nightclub that once sported antiques, and then became the wild-and-wooly Desperados, is no more. Desperados was demolished last summer. In its place is coming a...