Libby Asbestos
Appeals Court Upholds Pretrial Ruling in Libby Asbestos Case
HELENA – U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy didn't abuse his discretion when he required the government to produce a pretrial list of witnesses and evidentiary documents in its asbestos case against W.R. Grace & Co., a federal appeals court has ruled.
The case involves public exposure to asbestos in the Libby area, where Grace used to operate a vermiculite mine.
Farm Bill
Republicans Abandon Bush on New Farm Bill
WASHINGTON – Farm bills attract many critics. When it comes time to vote, however, it's hard to say no.
So it was on Wednesday when 100 Republicans abandoned President Bush as the House overwhelmingly passed the latest five-year farm bill, a $290 billion measure sent to the Senate with more than enough supporters to override his promised veto.
The timber gods are no more
Seeing Jesus in Spokane
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Early in April, I attended the 70th Intermountain Logging Conference in Spokane. This year, we heard the gospel from such public-sector big shots as Idaho Gov. Butch Otter, Idaho director of state lands George Bacon and Washington lands commissioner Doug Sutherland.
But a panel featuring three big private-sector wheels – Mike Covey, CEO of Potlatch; Tom Ray, Northwest Region manager for Plum Creek; and Matt Donegan, co-president of Forest Capital Partners (FCP) – caused my personal “Jesus Moment.”
Farm Bill
Farm Bill Full of Goodies for Both Rich and Poor
WASHINGTON – The House moved Wednesday toward passing a $290 billion farm bill that contains more subsidies for farmers as well as big increases in food stamps and other nutrition aid to help people with skyrocketing grocery prices.
Supporters hoped for enough votes to override a promised veto by President Bush.
Commentary: Business is Personal
Want a Good Night’s Sleep? Click Here
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This is the finale of my look at Flathead business websites, so let's look at places to sleep around the Flathead - or more accurately, let's look at their websites.
Again, we'll skip the franchise/national chains since they are all going to be operating whatever web site infrastructure their corporate parent gives them.
This week, the news is much better.
Kalispell intends to replace towers
Turbulence Ahead for Airport, KGEZ Standoff
Fuel line supervisor Paige Baller walks back to a fuel truck after refilling the tank of a Schweitzer 300 helicopter at Red Eagle Aviation in Kalispell. - Lido Vizzutti/Flathead Beacon
At its most recent meeting, the Kalispell City Council voted 6-3 to purchase a little more than a half acre of property on the south end of town at a cost of $332,000 to allow for the future expansion of the city airport. While the vote was relatively uncontroversial and the meeting sparsely attended, the land acquisition signaled that Kalispell is still moving full speed ahead with its plans to expand the city airport.
[read more]State Tax Chief Says
Montana Housing Prices Holding On
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BOZEMAN – Housing prices may be plummeting elsewhere, but a strong state economy means prices aren't dropping as much in Montana, Revenue Director Dan Bucks said.
"On the whole, Montana's economy, Bozeman's economy, are strong, and that helps weather the effects of national trends," Bucks said Monday, during a meeting with about 20 real estate agents and appraisers.
Official: No ‘Significant’ Changes
Conservation Group Probes Avalanche Prevention Plan
A Burlington Northern Santa Fe engine pulls cars from the Glacier National Park area under the North Fork Road overpass in Columbia Falls. - Lido Vizzutti/Flathead Beacon
A conservation group has filed a request for documents relating to the release of an upcoming decision by Glacier National Park regarding avalanche control on the railroad tracks that skirt the park’s southern border, out of concern that Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway executives may have influenced the decision after the public comment period had closed.
[read more]
