Last Best News (https://montana-mint.com/lastbestnews/author/edkemmick/page/25/)
I don’t imagine that my obituary will say I was an avid outdoorsman. I’m more of a midsize-city slicker who occasionally ventures into the nearer reaches of the wilds for a day or three. This weekend is supposed to be one of those occasions. By the time people are reading this I should be on a Montana river somewhere, on a short hike just off the river or passing tall tales and a flask around a campfire. (more…) Continue Reading →
Thirty years after the community saved the old Fox Theater in downtown Billings, Larry Martin is convinced the community will rally again behind a dramatic overhaul of the Alberta Bair Theater, successor to the Fox. “At this point, it’s impossible to imagine downtown Billings without the Alberta Bair Theater, and I think the bulk of the community sees it that way,” Martin said. (more…) Continue Reading →
We reported a couple of weeks ago that the old Oasis Bar sign on Minnesota Avenue had been sold to a local, private collector. The sign came down today, witnessed by its new owner, Steve Henry, and the couple who sold him the sign, Pat and Angie Cormier, as well as a few passersby. We were too busy to do any kind of story today, but we did get some photos. If you do want more details, KTVQ evening anchor Jay Kohn was on hand and should have the whole story later today. Continue Reading →
In case you haven’t heard, the 99th annual Great American Hill Climb, billed as the world’s oldest motorcycle hill climb, and the one with the largest riders’ purse, gets underway Friday in Billings. Whether you’re a big fan of the event or have never seen it live, you’ll wanted to check out a “The Great American,” a 15-minute documentary on the climb made by Highway Goat Productions. One of the founders of the production company is Ryan Seitz, a graduate of Billings Senior High School. The documentary features lots of interviews, action scenes from last year’s hill climb, and archival footage tracing the history of the event—including a priceless black-and-white scene from the earliest days of the climb, showing a competitor on a big, heavy Harley-Davidson. And no helmet, of course. Continue Reading →
Users of South Park in Billings have been waiting a long time for their new “splash pad,” also known as a sprayground, where kids can cool off among a variety of fountains, jets and other water features. First, construction was delayed for an entire year after the two companies that initially bid on the project had their bids rejected because of problems both had in posting a performance bond. When the project went out for bids again, General Contractors Construction Co. of Billings, which put in a low bid of just over $1 million, was awarded the contract. (more…) Continue Reading →
Dr. Randall K. Gibb has been chosen as the new chief executive officer of Billings Clinic. Gibb, a gynecologic oncology surgeon who has been with Billings Clinic since 2006, was named interim CEO in November 2016, after the retirement of longtime CEO Dr. Nicholas Wolter. (more…) Continue Reading →
Montana has another online news site started by a former daily newspaper reporter. The Electric, dedicated to covering the city of Great Falls and Malmstrom Air Base, was launched in early May by Jenn Rowell, who was laid off by the Gannet-owned Great Falls Tribune last October. (more…) Continue Reading →
After six months on the job, it’s about time Montana Secretary of State Corey Stapleton started doing his job. Among the duties of the secretary of state, surely one of the most important is to ensure that Montana elections are conducted fairly and that votes are counted accurately. A good secretary of state would do everything in his power to accomplish those goals. (more…) Continue Reading →
The new owners of the Montana Avenue building that houses the Charitable Works Office of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul plan to start renovating the three-story structure as soon as St. Vincent moves out. Vicki Massie, volunteer coordinator for St. Vincent de Paul, which has been without a director since Ed Zabrocki resigned in January, said the charity office should be in its new building south of the railroad tracks by the end of July. Continue Reading →
The move of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul charity office and thrift store to a new building south of the railroad tracks began about three years. Ernie Dutton, who had done some volunteer work for St. Vincent de Paul, was coming out of a Rotary meeting at what is now the DoubleTree by Hilton and decided to walk across Montana Avenue to the charity office. (more…) Continue Reading →
