Semitool Laying Off 280 Worldwide
As the Flathead Grows, Hitchhiking Numbers Shrink
After November Decline, Holidays Provide Late Boost
Boom to Bust: Hall Reflects on Commission Term
Semitool Inc., the third largest employer in Flathead County, announced Thursday that it is laying off 280 people worldwide because of lagging customer orders.
Approximately 200 employees were laid off at the Kalispell and Libby plants, according to a Semitool press release, with a “scattering of service/sales people in Texas, California, Minnesota and the East Coast” also receiving pink slips. The few remaining layoffs came at plants in Asia and Europe.
About 40 percent of Semitool's Montana workforce cut since November
Semitool Laying Off 280 Worldwide
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221 temporarily out of work
Plum Creek Announces Sweeping Round of Layoffs; 145 Jobs Lost
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Lumber is stacked around the Plum Creek remanufacturing plant in Evergreen where employees were laid off last year - File photo by Lido Vizutti/Flathead Beacon |
Plum Creek Timber Company announced another round of layoffs Thursday, eliminating a total of 145 jobs and leaving an additional 221 employees temporarily out of work in Kalispell, Columbia Falls, Fortine and Pablo.
In a prepared statement, Plum Creek attributed the cutback to a continuing decline in demand for wood products. The company plans to reduce production at its four lumber sawmill facilities and its medium density fiberboard plant.
[read more]
In a prepared statement, Plum Creek attributed the cutback to a continuing decline in demand for wood products. The company plans to reduce production at its four lumber sawmill facilities and its medium density fiberboard plant.
Childrens product law is still an issue for resale / thrift shops
CPSC Issues Guidance for Thrift Stores and Resale Shops Re: CPSIA Lead Law
Earlier today, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a press release to clarify their intent regarding the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) as it relates to thrift stores, resale shops and the like.
For the most part, this takes a huge pile of pressure off of the thrift/resale industry - which was faced with ceasing the sale of children's products prior to issuance of these guidelines.
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For the most part, this takes a huge pile of pressure off of the thrift/resale industry - which was faced with ceasing the sale of children's products prior to issuance of these guidelines.
Many see a reduction in those trying to catch a ride along area highways
As the Flathead Grows, Hitchhiking Numbers Shrink
A group who took the train from Seattle boards the Snow Bus on Central Avenue in downtown Whitefish. Some attribute the Snow Bus to the downturn in hitchhiking - Lido Vizzutti/Flathead Beacon
Angey LaRoque spent much of her youth hitchhiking across the Flathead Valley from her home in Whitefish. Now she returns the favor as often as she can, picking up locals and travelers whenever there's space in her red Firebird.
"It seems like an easy way to help someone out," said LaRoque, who now lives in Olney, "especially if you're going that direction anyway."
[read more]
"It seems like an easy way to help someone out," said LaRoque, who now lives in Olney, "especially if you're going that direction anyway."
Sales Still Off From Last Year, According to local Merchants
After November Decline, Holidays Provide Late Boost
Christi Russell, left, checks out John Howe and Monique How at Imagination Station in downtown Whitefish. - Lido Vizzutti/Flathead Beacon
Like virtually every other economic indicator out there, the national retail sales figures emerging from the holiday season are bleak. Most major stores won’t report their December sales data until Jan. 8, but in the days following Christmas a steady stream of consumer research firms have released findings indicating sluggish holiday sales as the national recession, rising unemployment and stock market losses have taken their toll on holiday shoppers.
Retail research firm ShopperTrak released a preliminary report last week indicating consumer foot traffic for Christmas week dropped 4.7 percent from the same period in 2007. According to that same report, traffic for the entire holiday season dropped by 16 percent, and retail sales declined 2.3 percent.
[read more]
Retail research firm ShopperTrak released a preliminary report last week indicating consumer foot traffic for Christmas week dropped 4.7 percent from the same period in 2007. According to that same report, traffic for the entire holiday season dropped by 16 percent, and retail sales declined 2.3 percent.
Gary Hall: County will face struggles with budget
Boom to Bust: Hall Reflects on Commission Term
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Gary Hall photo by Lido Vizzutti/Flathead Beacon |
When Gary Hall was elected to the Flathead County commission six years ago, one of his biggest challenges was simply keeping up with the workload.
“I came on board as we were going through one of our biggest growth spurts, with thousands of subdivision lots and hundreds of subdivisions coming before the commission,” he said. “It was a straight vertical learning curve.”
Hall’s successor, former sheriff Jim Dupont will face a starkly different climate when he takes office this week. In the face of a declining local and national economy, growth has plummeted this past year and with it the county’s coffers.
[read more]
“I came on board as we were going through one of our biggest growth spurts, with thousands of subdivision lots and hundreds of subdivisions coming before the commission,” he said. “It was a straight vertical learning curve.”
Hall’s successor, former sheriff Jim Dupont will face a starkly different climate when he takes office this week. In the face of a declining local and national economy, growth has plummeted this past year and with it the county’s coffers.
Safety officials offer simple tips to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning
‘Silent Killer’ Increases During Winter Months
As winter storms continue to bring cold temperatures and prodigious snowfall to the Flathead Valley, area safety officials warn that residents may be turning on heaters and other appliances unaware that they could be filling their home with poisonous gas.
“The monitor is just in the wall and if it never goes off, or if you don’t have one, you don’t think about it,” Wendy Jacobson of the Flathead City- County Health Department said.
[read more]
“The monitor is just in the wall and if it never goes off, or if you don’t have one, you don’t think about it,” Wendy Jacobson of the Flathead City- County Health Department said.
Kalispell, Columbia Falls and Whitefish drawing up wish lists
Valley Cities Vie for Slice of Federal Stimulus Pie
U.S. 93 Bypass sign at the corner of U.S. Highway 93 and Reserve Street. - Lido Vizzutti/Flathead Beacon
When the federal government offers up $1 trillion, local officials take note.
Across Montana, city and county governments are positioning themselves to get a chunk of a massive economic stimulus plan proposed by President-elect Barack Obama, drawing up lists that detail the foremost infrastructure needs in their communities.
[read more]
Across Montana, city and county governments are positioning themselves to get a chunk of a massive economic stimulus plan proposed by President-elect Barack Obama, drawing up lists that detail the foremost infrastructure needs in their communities.
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