Local Tea Party members plan to rally at the Billings Internal Revenue Service office, 2900 Fourth Ave. N., at noon Tuesday, May 21. 

A news release said, "Tea Party groups from across the country are planning to protest IRS offices Tuesday as details of inapropriate targeting by the agency continue to emerge.

 "On behalf of Tea Party, Patriot groups, 9/12, liberty activists, and the American people, we are calling for anyone and everyone to protest the IRS' complete abuse of power on Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at noon local time. "

MSU News Service

BOZEMAN – Betsy Palmer, an associate professor of education at Montana State University, passed away Monday as a result of injuries sustained in a landslide while traveling in Nepal, university officials announced Monday.

Palmer was in Nepal leading a group of 16 students on a course offered through the University Honors Program at MSU. None of the students were injured in the landslide. The university is working with the U.S. Embassy, Senator Max Baucus' office and emergency transport services in Nepal to expedite the students' return to the United States.

Palmer and the students were on an extended trek to a remote village in the Arun River Valley in the Himalayas as part of  “Great Expeditions,” a University Honors Program course.

Continue reading: MSU professor dies on trip

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks game wardens are looking for information about an incident about a month ago when as many as 30 antelope were killed illegally southeast of Billings.

The state’s TIP-MONT program is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to a conviction in the case.

Game warden Nick Taylor said FWP received information that two males trespassed on private land west of Montana Highway 418 and south of Blue Creek. The two killed as many as 30 antelope in one field, then left them to waste. At least one perpetrator later drove into the field and removed some of the carcasses. Game wardens have retrieved several of the antelope carcasses.

Montana law makes it illegal to kill antelope without a license or out of season. It also is illegal to leave game animals to waste.

Taylor asked that anyone with information about the incident call him at (406) 247-2976 or (406) 697-3443. People also may call FWP’s 24-hour wildlife tip line at 1-800-TIP-MONT (800-847-6668). The TIP-MONT program is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to a conviction in the case.

Continue reading: Information sought on game kill

The RiverStone Health Clinic Board of Directors, which governs the activities of the federally qualified health center, is seeking applications for two Board members residing in either Yellowstone or Carbon Counties. RiverStone Health primary care clinics are located in Billings, Bridger, Joliet and Worden and residents of those communities are encouraged to apply.

RiverStone Health clinics are designated federally qualified health centers and as such, the Board of Directors must be representative of the communities they serve. In addition, the majority of board members must be users of health center services so patients of RiverStone Health clinics are especially encouraged to apply for board positions. Board members, in addition to governance of the health center, are also charged with governance of the RiverStone Health Dental Clinic and Health Care for the Homeless program.

Visit www.riverstonehealth.org or call Nancy Taylor, vice president of clinical operations at 247-3295 for information about the organization, the commitment required of RiverStone Health Clinic Board members, and the application / selection process.

Open burning is banned today (May 13) and Tuesday in Yellowstone County because of dry conditions along with near record temperatures and high winds, according to Duane Winslow, the county's emergency and general services director.

By WILBUR WOOD - For The Outpost

Last Tuesday’s annual Top Ten Track and Field meet was conducted in Laurel under a gray sky offering periodic sprinkles of rain flavored by a persistent cold breeze.

Nothing unusual about this, on the last day of April in Montana, and this weather did not seem to faze the 150 or more athletes competing in 17 running, jumping or throwing events.

Top Ten is my favorite high school meet of the year, although the excitement of the two-day state meets (on the last Friday and Saturday of May) can rival it. The local Top Ten sponsor, the Billings Roundtable, conducts this meet with brisk efficiency: Starting at 3:30 in the afternoon, it always is ending about four hours later.

My only critique is that, if you’re watching pole vault and high jump, there is no way to know the height of the bar that competitors are trying to propel themselves over. Why not follow what is done at most state meets I’ve attended and place a large sign that can be rotated to show spectators the height being contested?

Why not use the big electronic scoreboard at Laurel, across the field from the grandstand, to do more than list what competitors have done at the end of an event? Why not also use it to note current leaders in various events, particularly long jump, triple jump and the three throwing events? (But that may be asking too much.)

Continue reading: Small schools shine at Top Ten Meet

Rimrock Opera will be holding auditions for the summer festival by appointment.

The festival will be held June 15-23, ending with performances on Saturday, June 22, and Sunday, June 23. The festival will include musical theater and opera workshops as well as master classes.

Faculty for the festival will include two coaches from Dallas, Texas, James McQuillen and Jay Gardner, as well as voice teacher Kristee Haney and stage director Matthew Haney.

To audition, contact Matthew Haney at 1-816-872-5032.

Bring a resume, a headshot (if possible) and two contrasting pieces including an art song, arias or musical theater.

Continue reading: Rimrock Opera plans auditions

If you are going to watch the bull riding at the PBR Nile Invitational, the Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office reminds you to be safe on the road. Law enforcement officers will increase patrols on streets and highways this weekend.

“Rodeo is part of the Montana culture, and we want everyone to take pride in this tradition,” said Yellowstone County Sheriff Mike Linder. “However, we don’t want people to be bullheaded and get behind the wheel after some drinks.”

The extra patrols will focus on apprehension of impaired drivers. “It is critical to get impaired drivers off the road before they hurt someone,” said Sheriff Linder. He suggested lining up a sober drive if you plan on drinking.

While the extra patrols are focused on drinking and driving, officers will be watching for unsafe traffic behaviors, such as speeding or distracted driving.

The extra patrols are funded by the Montana Department of Transportation Selective Traffic Enforcement Program. More than thirty law enforcement agencies around the state participate in enhanced enforcement to address traffic safety. For more safety-related information please access the Montana Department of Transportation’s website www.plan2live.mt.gov.

Jefferson Lines Bus Co. has launched new routes connecting Billings and Missoula. Jefferson also has extended its Glendive run from Fargo, N.D., into Billings.

The routes will include daily service in either direction between the two cities, and will facilitate Jefferson Lines adding bus service to several other Montana communities, including Livingston, Bozeman, and Butte.

Jefferson Lines will continue to connect with existing intercity bus networks like Greyhound and Arrow Stage Lines.

Jefferson Lines is a family-owned company founded in 1919.

By AMY R. SISK - Community News Service - UM School of Journalism

HELENA – Thanks to a last-minute agreement, Republicans and Democrats have unanimously passed a two-year, $9 billion state budget out of the House.

“This is my fourth term – I’m done,” said Rep. Duane Ankney, R-Colstrip, in his closing remarks last week on House Bill 2. “What an honor to chair this appropriations committee that has done something for the state of Montana that is historic.”

House leadership had scheduled two full days for debate over HB 2. Lawmakers last week passed the budget out of the House, unamended, in less than an hour and a half.

“Even though I was in the minority, I felt I had a platform,” said Rep. Pat Noonan, D-Butte, who served on the subcommittee that reviewed health and human services spending.

He said both sides made compromises and applauded his colleagues’ efforts to fund early childhood education, services for people with disabilities, meal preparation for seniors and the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.

Continue reading: House passes budget, focuses on pay raises