Rocky Mountain College students were honored for their academic and civic accomplishments at the annual RMC Academic Awards Banquet, April 17.

Presented with the prestigious President’s Cup were Margaret (Maggie) Weber, of Kouts, Ind., and Harald Carlsson, of Karlstad, Sweden. This award is presented by RMC President Michael Mace to two graduating seniors, one male and one female, based on scholarship, leadership and contributions to the RMC and greater community. Faculty make the selection.

Winning the Dean’s Cup were Erica Wall, of Billings, and William Scott of Billings. This award, presented by RMC Academic Vice President and Provost Anthony Piltz, goes to the male and female seniors with the highest cumulative grade point average.

The Ossie Abrams Faculty Awards went to Scott Severance, RMC associate professor, business administration and economics, and James Smith, RMC professor, business. For this award, graduating seniors nominate the teachers who “go beyond the call.” The instructors receiving the highest number of nominations are selected to receive the award.

Departmental awards were presented to students who achieved academic success:

The Governor's Office has issued this proclamation: In tribute to all the Montana heroes and veterans of the First Special Service Force -“The Devil’s Brigade,” and in honor of the last Montana survivors of that elite group, Joe Glass and Mark Radcliffe, who died on April 1, 2012, I hereby order all flags flown in the State of Montana to be flown at half-staff on Tuesday, April 10th and Wednesday April 11, 2012.

MSU Billings News Services

Two champions for American Indian children and education, an advocate for special education, business leaders and a local legend in music and theater were honored last week as outstanding alumni for Montana State University Billings.

The 30th annual Outstanding Alumni Awards event was held March 30 at the Student Union Building. This year’s event recognized the accomplishments of eight people selected by the MSU Billings Alumni Association.

This year’s recipients were:

Continue reading: MSU Billings recognizes outstanding alumni

The Outpost has free tickets for Sunday's Journey tribute concert at Bones Brewing. If you are interested, call Joel at 248-1616 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Continue reading: Journey tribute tickets available

Editor’s Note: This poem by Pete Tolton was the winning entry in the finals of the third annual Billings Grand Slam, a poetry slam held last month at Venture Theatre. Mr. Tolton and Anna Paige were finalists in the competition.

No Sirens - By Pete Tolton

We fired up the chainsaw last month

Blades rotate fast enough

To make a slip and fall matter

Lost my partner in crime

Continue reading: Tolton finishes on top in poetry slam here

EDITOR’S NOTE: Former Billings Mayor Chuck Tooley is running in the Democratic primary for Public Service Commission. Here is his edited statement.

One of Billings’ most popular and effective mayors, Chuck Tooley, is also the best qualified candidate for the Montana Public Service Commission.

“My career in business and public service has prepared me for the collaborative and analytical work of the PSC,” Tooley said, announcing his candidacy. Tooley served 10 years as mayor of Billings and five years on the Billings City Council where duties included regulating city-owned utilities serving more than 30,000 customers.

“I’m the only candidate for PSC who has actually worked for a PSC-regulated utility (Mountain Bell) and I have first-hand experience with divestiture, de-regulation, and un-bundling of services.”

The Montana Public Service Commission (PSC) regulates monopolies that provide electricity, gas, telephone and other services. Tooley also cited his experience as a board member of the Montana Electric and Gas Alliance, which was created to establish publicly owned utility services.

Continue reading: Tooley in race for PSC

The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services has confirmed the first case of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) in a Montana resident in 2012. The individual is expected to make a full recovery. Information at this point suggests the individual acquired the disease while in another state. This case is one of 33 HPS cases reported in Montana since 1993. Montana typically sees 1 to 2 cases a year, making the state second only to New Mexico in the number of cases when adjusted for the state’s population. “Montanans should be aware of the precautions they can take to avoid Hantavirus and the rodents that can carry it,” said DPHHS director Anna Whiting Sorrell. “People may be at risk when they come into contact with small rodents and their waste.” Hantavirus cases often increase as the weather warms in the spring. As people begin to clean their garages and sheds, nesting material contaminated with dried saliva, urine, or droppings from infected deer mice is disturbed, becomes airborne, and inhaled. Infections may also occur when these materials are directly introduced into broken skin or into the eyes or mouth. Although rare, persons have also become infected after being bitten by rodents. According to DPHHS State Medical Officer Dr. Steven Helgerson, early symptoms of Hantavirus infection usually start with fever and muscle aches, and sometimes chills, headache, vomiting. Within a few days, symptoms progress to coughing and severe shortness of breath. The symptoms develop one to six weeks after exposure. “Early recognition and immediate medical care are key to surviving the illness,” Helgerson said. “If someone is exposed to rodents and experiences symptoms- especially severe shortness of breath, they need to seek treatment right away.” Be sure to tell your doctor that you have been around rodents. This will alert your physician to look closely for any rodent-carried disease, such as Hantavirus. The best way to prevent Hantavirus transmission is by controlling rodent populations in areas where one lives and works. When cleaning areas where rodents may nest, the following precautions should be followed: • Wear rubber or plastic gloves • Thoroughly spray/soak area with a disinfectant or mixture of bleach and water to reduce dry dusty conditions in the area being cleaned • Wipe or mop the area with a sponge or paper towel (throw away items after use) • Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water after removing gloves • Never sweep or vacuum in these areas as this can stir up dust and aerosolize the droppings More information on Hantavirus and its prevention can be found at www.dphhs.mt.gov or from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website at: http://www.cdc.gov/hantavirus/index.html.

State Sen. Lynda Moss has officially filed as a candidate for the Public Service Commission for District 2. Here is her edited statement:

“My work on the Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee prepared me for the rigorous work of the Public Service Commission. I sponsored bills for energy savings for communities and internet connections for rural communities and I spoke out against policies benefitting the industry at the expense of Montana consumers.

“I put the interests of our family farmers and ranchers ahead of large energy corporations by voting ‘no’ on the eminent domain bill which would allow the taking of private property by corporations. I will continue to give priority to the interests of Montanans in my work on the PSC.”

Sen. Moss, a Democrat, said her three top priorities as a commissioner are:

Continue reading: Moss running for PSC

HELENA – The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has signed an Administrative Order on Consent (AOC) with ExxonMobil Pipeline Co. for investigation and cleanup of this past summer’s Yellowstone River oil spill.

“This document legally binds ExxonMobil Pipeline to conduct pollution monitoring, continued remediation and reclamation, and payment of penalties and costs to the state,” said DEQ Director Richard Opper.

A total of $1,060,390 has been transferred to DEQ by ExxonMobil Pipeline. That total includes past state cleanup costs of $760,390 and a cash penalty of $300,000.

Additional penalty includes $1.3 million worth of DEQ-approved supplemental environmental projects to be completed by ExxonMobil.

In addition, the AOC requires ExxonMobil to pay future state costs.

Continue reading: DEQ issues oil spill order

By DEB COURSON SMITH - Big Sky Connection

Being a parent is a tough job. Being a teen parent can be even tougher, which is why Planned Parenthood of Montana (PPMT) started a new program in Billings called Teen Success. It’s designed to help teen-aged girls who are expecting, or already are mothers, to get on track emotionally, educationally and financially. 

Jill Baker, the director of education for PPMT, explains that the program offers a series of lessons on setting goals, maintaining family size, and early childhood development milestones. And, while young moms are learning, free child care is provided.

“We want to make sure that young people have all the skills and tools they need to achieve their goals, and complete their education, and really get a step up and be able to be a great parent.”

Baker says the program gives teens a second chance and an opportunity to connect with others experiencing the same struggles.

“Having a non-judgmental environment where they can talk openly about the issues that they’re facing, and get the information that they need. I just think that’s invaluable.”

Continue reading: Teen Success helps moms