Top Local Stories

Hot debris from train ignites fire

Published on Fri, 07/15/2016 - 3:13pm

Hot chunks of debris thrown from a train’s smoke stack ignited several fires along a 2-mile stretch of railroad track west of Livingston Thursday evening, causing emergency responders to scramble through roadblocks to put out the flames.

Park County Rural Fire District #1 Fire Chief Dann Babcox said a locomotive traveling on the tracks adjacent to U.S. Highway 10 West, near PrintingForLess, began shooting hot debris, starting at least 15 spot fires before the train came to a stop 2 miles later near O’Rea Creek. 

County reduces budget deficit by nearly $1 million

Published on Fri, 07/15/2016 - 3:10pm

Park County commissioners have approved a $16.5 million preliminary budget, reducing this year’s deficit by nearly $1 million when compared to last year.

Trying to adjust for increased expenses and unchanging guaranteed revenues such as mill levies, the County Commission has been discussing cutting budget areas to reduce stresses on federal payment in lieu of taxes revenue, as well as ensuring future reserves.  

Grizzly hunt rules, wolf hunting quotas established

Published on Thu, 07/14/2016 - 4:34pm

The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission agreed yesterday on a two-wolf hunting quota near Gardiner and also set grizzly bear hunting regulations in the event Yellowstone National Park-area grizzlies are removed from the Endangered Species List.

The wolf quota was two animals last year, but Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Wildlife Biologist Karen Loveless had suggested a higher quota for the upcoming hunting season. 

Shields Valley beehive owner shoots, kills bear

Published on Thu, 07/14/2016 - 4:32pm

 A Shields Valley bee producer on Wednesday shot and killed a black bear that had been raiding his hives.

 The bear was estimated to be between 2 and 3 years old, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Game Warden Drew Scott, who examined the animal, said Thursday. 

 The beehive owner shot the bear Wednesday morning and called FWP to report the shooting. 

 Scott said the owner indicated the bear had been a frequent visitor to the beehives. 

Wilsall resident sentenced after fatal collision in February

Published on Thu, 07/14/2016 - 3:08pm

A Wilsall resident pleaded guilty to a traffic offense in Justice Court Monday after a collision he was involved in led to the death of a fellow Park County resident.

Ryan Arthun, 25, was sentenced to 10 days in jail, deferred for one year, for careless driving involving death or serious bodily injury after his pickup truck collided with a northbound logging truck near mile marker 18 on U.S. Highway 89 North on Feb. 25. 

Al Vietz, 81, hands off torch at Big Sky State Games

Published on Thu, 07/14/2016 - 3:05pm
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Longtime Livingston resident Al Vietz is not who you would expect him to be. 

Quick to admit that he is “no spring chicken,” this 81-year-old is headed to Billings Friday to pass the torch for the opening ceremony of the Big Sky State Games as the Games’ 2015 Male Athlete of the Year. 

Vietz has been competing in running events in the Games since their inaugural year in 1986. 

“I get a lot of compliments and neighbors rooting me on,” Vietz said. 

MAIN STREET’S NEW COLORS: Thompson Building mural takes shape in downtown Livingston

Published on Thu, 07/14/2016 - 1:58pm
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The expansive north wall of downtown Livingston’s Thompson Building is starting to come alive with color. 

A new mural commemorating Livingston’s historic status as the original railroad gateway community to Yellowstone, the world’s first national park, is on track for dedication on the National Park Service Centennial on Aug. 25.

Swaths of brilliant green and ribbons of rich blue appeared on the wall from under the brushes of painters Rick Pittendorfer and his son Parsifal Pittendorfer, Wednesday afternoon. 

City holds spending down for upcoming budget year

Published on Wed, 07/13/2016 - 4:05pm

The city of Livingston’s upcoming fiscal year’s projected expenditures are 2.36 percent less than last year, but still addresses some staff pay raises and allow for purchasing new police and fire department vehicles. 

The Livingston City Commission met in a public work session Tuesday night to review the budget and address questions to the city’s chief finance officer, Jessie Hogg. The meeting was attended by a handful of city staff, but no members of the public were present. 

Culprit in Livingston house fire: onion rings

Published on Wed, 07/13/2016 - 3:29pm

Onion rings were the cause of a kitchen fire that caused minor damage to a home in the 100 block of Altair Drive Tuesday afternoon. 

Livingston Fire & Rescue Capt. Kevin Harrington said Wednesday the fire started with a youth cooking onion rings on the stove. Oil in the pan got hot and started to smoke and then flared up, Harrington said. 

The call came in a little after 3 p.m. Tuesday. 

17th annual Summerfest kicks off Friday as one-night event

Published on Wed, 07/13/2016 - 3:07pm
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Summerfest is coming back Friday for its 17th year, and while all the bands are bringing the energy, the city is trying to bring the event back to its roots.

The Livingston Summerfest has gone through some changes in recent years, even becoming a one-day event this year due to budgetary restrictions.

However Livingston Recreation Manager Maggie Tarr said it is still going to be the same great event — just shorter.