Lack of members at meeting postpones Task Force election
The Heights Community Development Task Force voted Tuesday evening to postpone officer elections until next month's meeting on April 24. Members cited a lack of voting members for the delay. Task Force bylaws state that at least nine voting members m...
2.8K - Mar. 30, 2007; scored 239.0
Residents challenged to get more involved
Well, the phrase "so much to do, so little time" has come true in this chapter of my life. I have been serving as chairman of the Billings Heights Community Development Task Force for the past two years, and, as a community, we have done so much to m...
2.4K - Mar. 23, 2007; scored 479.0
Letter: Task force chairman understands VFW
It is hard to fathom how many people take their lives for granted when there are so many people in this town who have given so much of themselves to help this country. The Veterans of Foreign Wars has been helping this country and the returning veter...
1.4K - Mar. 8, 2007; scored 119.0
City engineers answer some Aronson extension concerns
City engineering staff took suggestions for landscaping along the Aronson Avenue extension at the Heights Community Development Task Force meeting Tuesday night. Project manager Travis Harris was on hand to discuss development plans with Heights resi...
3.9K - Mar. 2, 2007; scored 189.0
From schools to roads, Heights has good news
Please bear with me and my excitement about all that is happening in the Heights! During the last task force meeting, we got the official news that, if the school mill levy passes on May 8, we would be reopening Beartooth School. It has been the visi...
3.5K - Feb. 23, 2007; scored 479.0
Possibility of reopening Beartooth Elementary detailed
"We are moving forward with plans to open Beartooth School," Kathy Olson told the Heights Community Development Task force on Tuesday. Olson, School District 2's director of elementary education, outlined the proposed reopening of the elementary scho...
7.8K - Jan. 26, 2007; scored 277.0
New year brings call for involvement
The New Year brings many people setting goals and priorities for the next 12 months. At our first Billings Heights Community Development Task Force meeting of the new year, I would like you to come and share with us the goals and needs of Heights res...
3.2K - Jan. 19, 2007; scored 479.0
Husband, wife to knock heads in demo derby
Justin and Heather Quinlan believe in keeping the adventure in their marriage. The Miles City couple will renew their favorite hobby - crashing their cars into one another - tonight at MetraPark Arena. The Quinlans will be part of the Demolition Derb...
3.1K - Jan. 6, 2007; scored 119.0
Letter: Higher energy prices affect Montanans acutely
All Montanans should be concerned about higher taxes on energy. Politicians love to raise these taxes because they're built into the price so consumers will blame the oil companies or the station owners. In reality, it is consumers who bear much of t...
1.3K - Dec. 10, 2006; scored 119.0
Push on for inner belt loop project
Plans to promote construction of the inner belt loop road project were laid out at the Heights Task Force meeting on Tuesday by Kim Gillan, speaking for the Alternate Route Committee. The inner belt loop would act as an alternate route to the Heights...
3.7K - Dec. 1, 2006; scored 277.0
Our neighborhood: Task force reviews roads, other issues
With the holidays upon us, we will not have a speaker for the November Heights Task Force Meeting. Instead we will give all of the committees some extra time to report on items concerning Heights residents. I also would like to take some time during ...
1.8K - Nov. 24, 2006; scored 119.0
Transportation director urges comment on road plans
Public involvement in making road project decisions is key, said Jim Lynch, Montana Department of Transportation director on Tuesday. Lynch was the guest speaker at this month's Heights Community Development Task Force meeting. About 35 people attend...
4.9K - Oct. 27, 2006; scored 310.0
Local and Area Deaths
BILLINGS William Hauck, 77 Bess M. Kasman, 85 Robert Lambrecht, 77 Lorraine Rita Bosinski Russell, 85 STATE AND AREA DEATHS: Big Timber: Annette Thompson, 81 Bozeman: Virginia Feller, 95 Butte: Jack Pearce, 82; Wayne Miller, 84 Chinook: Audrey Taylor...
1.0K - Oct. 26, 2006; scored 119.0
Our neighborhood: Candidate forum set
As chair of the Billings Heights Community Development Task Force, I would like to invite you to an evening of grass-roots politics. The task force is holding an open-house/forum for people to meet those seeking political office to represent us in go...
1.5K - Oct. 20, 2006; scored 119.0
In the neighborhood: DOT director to talk to task force about traffic concerns
The alternate-routes committee of the Billings Heights Task Force has made it a priority to find ways to address the traffic issues of the Heights. Thanks to Kim Gillan, this month we will have Jim Lynch, the director of the Montana Department of Tra...
2.4K - Sep. 22, 2006; scored 479.0
School District 2 looks to boost planning, credibility
Changes in School District 2's planning process and its credibility with voters was among the item discussed at the Heights Task Force meeting this week. School Board Chairman Malcolm Goodrich said the district's "biggest credibility problem" he has ...
3.7K - Aug. 25, 2006; scored 239.0
In the neighborhood: School trustee speaks at task-force meeting
It seems like just yesterday we were cutting the ribbon on the spray park at Castle Rock, and now our children are heading back to school. With that in mind, I have asked MaryJo Fox, our Heights school board representative, to attend the Heights Comm...
2.5K - Aug. 18, 2006; scored 479.0
It's no fish story: Store got bigger, quickly
When people tell Denis Pitman, owner of Coral Connection, that this is the slow season for fish and aquariums, he finds it a bit humorous. "My employees are panicked to see what the busy season will look like," Pitman said, laughing. The saltwater fi...
3.6K - Aug. 6, 2006; scored 510.0
California teen makes the jump to big bikes
Petey Krunich wants to ride as much bike as he's legally allowed. The Hayward, Calif., native recently turned 16, which is the legal age to ride the "big bikes" at the Great American Championship Hillclimb. Krunich will do just that today in the 0-70...
2.9K - Jul. 30, 2006; scored 119.0
Utah rider one of the best at racing uphill
Jon Smith is coming off a big win at the Widowmaker Hillclimb in Utah, and he's ready for the next challenge in the Western States Professionals Hillclimb Series (WSPHS) - the Great American Hillclimb this weekend in the South Hills of Billings. "The...
3.4K - Jul. 29, 2006; scored 189.0
More road projects on the map
Just as road projects begin to go into the last leg of the summer construction season, the city has agreed to start work on more. City Public Works Director Dave Mumford was the speaker at Heights Task Force on Tuesday and gave members an overview of...
9.2K - Jul. 28, 2006; scored 277.0
Task force to hear roadwork update
Mumford visited the task force a few months ago and asked to return for an update. He will be checking in on comments for all the road construction, said Denis Pitman, the task-force chairman. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the library at Ca...
0.6K - Jul. 21, 2006; scored 189.0
Have You Heard?: Heights casino on track near old Kmart site
The foundation should be poured and backfilled and the plumbing finished on the Little Nevada Casino going in by the former Kmart in Billings Heights. "Our target opening date is around Oct. 5, give or take a week," Mark Wass says. "You can never put...
5.4K - Jul. 9, 2006; scored 119.0
Kasey Brown leading Street Stock parade
Though he has only three years of racing experience, Kasey Brown feels like he has found his true calling. The 20-year-old Brown, a full-time student at the MSU-Billings College of Technology, is currently the points leader in the Street Stock class ...
2.6K - Jul. 8, 2006; scored 189.0
In our neighborhood: Summertime brings changes in Heights
With the busy days of summer, the Heights Neighborhood Task Force will be holding a brief meeting this month so that we can check in with all of our committees and bring up any issues that we need to address at this time. It was great to see the wa-t...
1.5K - Jun. 23, 2006; scored 479.0
Heights kids, parents cool off during Castle Rock Park spray park grand opening
The spray ground at Castle Rock Park opened last Saturday with kids and the mayor clipping a ribbon then dashing into the water. Mayor Ron Tussing was soaked but grinning as he and about a dozen kids bounded across the red, white and blue concrete su...
3.9K - Jun. 9, 2006; scored 189.0
Spray park opening scheduled for Saturday
Kids and families can enjoy the new Castle Rock spray pool this weekend. A grand opening will be held at 10 tomorrow morning for the spray park. The Builders Club of Castle Rock Middle School, a Heights Kiwanis affiliate, raised money to buy trees an...
1.1K - Jun. 2, 2006; scored 119.0
Grand opening for spray park set June 3
The official grand opening is at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 3. Kids and families are invited to come and play that day. Denis Pitman, chairman of the Heights Task Force, said anyone who would like to is invited to bring a donation of grass seed. The ...
1.0K - May. 26, 2006; scored 189.0
Chamber's changes explained to task force
About 15 members of the Heights Task Force heard about the revamped Billings Chamber of Commerce during this week's meeting. Shelley Pierce, the chamber's director of membership development, was the task force's guest speaker. The chamber has gone th...
4.3K - May. 26, 2006; scored 239.0
Panel asks for Cobb Field tax measure
Somewhat reluctantly, the Park Board voted Wednesday to recommend that the Billings City Council place a baseball stadium bond issue with a 14 million price tag on the November ballot. The Parks, Recreation and Cemetery Board shaved 1 million off t...
3.7K - May. 25, 2006; scored 189.0
Task force lets public learn about many projects
It is hard to believe that, in a few weeks, children will be enjoying the new spray pad at Castle Rock Park. Everything seems on schedule, and the water should be flying soon after school gets out! Thanks again to everyone who has made this project b...
2.6K - May. 19, 2006; scored 479.0
Public-works official wants quicker action on beltloop
The city public-works director told Heights Task Force members on Tuesday that he would like to see the inner beltloop project moved up. The beltloop would link Wicks Lane to Zimmerman Trail. Dave Mumford said that, as more subdivisions come into the...
7.4K - Apr. 28, 2006; scored 310.0
Our neighborhood: Get update on Heights road work
Spring is in the air, and it can only mean one thing ... ROAD CONSTRUCTION! With that exciting prospect, I have once again invited Dave Mumford, director of the Billings Public Works Department to let the Heights Community Development Task Force know...
2.5K - Apr. 21, 2006; scored 479.0
Group reviews planned improvements
Patience. It's a quality that is often tested when driving Main Street during high traffic times. It also is a quality that is going to be required of anyone waiting for Heights traffic woes to be alleviated up new road projects. "The money is there,...
4.7K - Mar. 31, 2006; scored 277.0
Our Neighborhood: Task force looking for officer candidates
This month at the Billings Heights Community Develop-ment Task Force, we will be nominating people to serve as officers for the next year. Serving on the task force is a rewarding experience, and I would like to thank those who have been very helpful...
2.4K - Mar. 24, 2006; scored 479.0
Your sports
Sunday, March 19, 2006 Soccer MSU-Billings camp The Montana State-Billings Striker/Keeper Camp, scheduled for today, has been cancelled due to weather. A refund will not be issued, however, everyone who was registered for the camp will receive a 20...
21.1K - Mar. 19, 2006; scored 119.0
Coral Connection brings hint of exotic into lives
Walking into the Coral Connection is like diving into exotic waters without getting wet. Visitors get to see wriggling eels, charming sea horses and fish so colorful and ethereal-looking that it seems as if they popped off the screen of "Finding Nemo...
5.3K - Mar. 10, 2006; scored 480.0
Task force wants action on bypass
The Heights Task Force is hoping to turn up the pressure on a north bypass. The task force's Alternatives-Routes Committee plans to write a letter to Department of Transportation Director Jim Lynch asking for an update on the project that would conne...
5.9K - Mar. 3, 2006; scored 310.0
Ceremonial groundbreaking held for Heights spray park
The groundbreaking ceremony for the new spray ground at Castle Rock Park was met with enthusiasm from its future users. With a leap and a fist punched in the air, 6-year-old Hannah Parke said the new area is "Awesome!" "Are they gonna try to get the ...
1.9K - Mar. 3, 2006; scored 189.0
Have you heard?: Ocean fish make way to business in Heights
Billings Heights businessman Denis Pitman is launching a different venture: saltwater fish and aquariums at The Coral Connection. To get there, head up Main Street to 1106 Main, Suite 4, next to Village Rentals. In deciding to open the store, Pitman ...
7.3K - Feb. 26, 2006; scored 380.0
Ground breaking set for spray park
This month the Billings Heights Community Development Task Force will hold two events, both of them on this coming Tuesday. First, we will gather at 3 p.m. at the Castle Rock Park for a ground-breaking ceremony on the spay park. It is exciting to kno...
1.5K - Feb. 24, 2006; scored 479.0
Local and Area Deaths
Friday, February 24, 2006 BILLINGS Eleanor M. Caswell, 84 Lois Fettig, 83 Yvonne Groskinsky, 68 George Henry, 71 Gary John Saunders, 63 STATE AND AREA DEATHS Anaconda: Robert Brunell, 85; Martin Stepan, 92 Ashland: Hazel Hanson, 94 Bismarck, N.D.: Wa...
1.1K - Feb. 24, 2006; scored 119.0
Business Digest
Kathy Kelker, chairwoman of the Billings Public School Board, will be presenting the program "High School Vision 2006 -- What do the Kids Need?" at the Montana Association of Female Executives' regular meeting on Wednesday. The meeting and luncheon...
4.8K - Feb. 19, 2006; scored 119.0
Achievers
Sunday, February 19, 2006 Janell Berger has been promoted to store manager for the Wells Fargo store at 2235 Grant Road. Berger, who began her career with Wells Fargo in 2001 as a personal banker, manages a team of 25 financial services professional...
13.3K - Feb. 19, 2006; scored 119.0
Achievers
Sunday, February 12, 2006 Peg McKinney has joined Travel Caf 's staff of travel specialists. McKinney has 20 years of travel experience and was most recently employed by Chris Hall Travel. Her expertise includes corporate travel and leisure travel ...
14.5K - Feb. 12, 2006; scored 119.0
Rising crime calls prompt talk about reviving COP shop
The perennial topic of reinstituting a Heights COP Shop was discussed at Heights Task Force this week. The conversation branched off of a report by acting Chief of Police Rich St. John, who presented 2004 crime statistics during the meeting. During l...
6.5K - Jan. 27, 2006; scored 277.0
Voice of the reader
Thursday, January 5, 2006 Highland food drive gets great support Highland Elementary School organizes a food drive each year. This year was different in that Jane Leuthold, food drive chair, chose to give directly to Highland families. The drive was ...
3.4K - Jan. 5, 2006; scored 119.0
Denied Insurance: Foster parents lose child care license
A few days after a story in The Billings Gazette spotlighted Paula and Denis Pitman for their work with foster children, the Heights couple was forced to give up their child care license. The Pitmans gave up the license because they could not secure ...
5.8K - Jan. 5, 2006; scored 519.0
Local guide
Saturday, December 31, 2005 Food Bank hosting Twelfth Night event Billings Food Bank will host its annual Twelfth Night celebration that kicks off the season of revelry before Mardi Gras at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 6. The celebration at the Billings Depot incl...
3.9K - Dec. 31, 2005; scored 119.0
Direction of dreams: Foster family now cares for 6 children
When Santa Claus called the Pitman household last week, six sets of hands and ears took a turn with the telephone receiver. Each of the children living with Paula and Denis Pitman was eager to speak with Santa, but, for three of them, the conversati...
5.6K - Dec. 22, 2005; scored 414.0