When the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was signed into law in February, national and state officials promised a life raft of job creation to help soften the blow of the economic recession.
In Flathead County, an area plagued with high unemployment, the question is whether the stimulus is fulfilling that promise. According to the federal stimulus tracking Web site, 134.1 full-time jobs have been created or saved in Flathead County. But that number may be inaccurate, according to at least one stimulus fund recipient.
Federal government counts 134 jobs created or saved in the county
Is the Stimulus Helping Flathead Unemployment?
 |
Tara McMickle copies a number off of a posting on the job board at the Flathead Job Service in Kalispell last September. - File photo by Lido Vizzutti/Flathead Beacon |
Commentary: Business is Personal
For Businesses, Every Day is Election Day
 |
Your SD5 education tax dollars were well spent last week.
Remember the Beacon story that talked about Kalispell School District 5's failed levy?
Just in case you missed it, here's the reason why your tax dollars were well invested...
[read more]
Remember the Beacon story that talked about Kalispell School District 5's failed levy?
Just in case you missed it, here's the reason why your tax dollars were well invested...
Semitool
Applied Materials to Acquire Semitool for $364 Million
Boxes of wafers are seen stacked in a room where customer demos are completed at Semitool in Kalispell. - Lido Vizzutti/Flathead Beacon
SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Applied Materials Inc. said Tuesday it offered to buy Semitool Inc. for $364 million in cash, a move the company says will broaden its portfolio of chip manufacturing equipment.
Applied Materials CEO Mike Splinter said the acquisition will help the company tap the growing market for semiconductors that go into mobile gadgets including "smart" phones and notebook computers.
[read more]
Applied Materials CEO Mike Splinter said the acquisition will help the company tap the growing market for semiconductors that go into mobile gadgets including "smart" phones and notebook computers.
Prisoners will go to county jail after new 911 center opens
Columbia Falls Jail to Close in February
Anyone sentenced to jail in Columbia Falls will be immediately transferred to the Flathead County Jail, pictured above. - File photo by Lido Vizzutti/Flathead Beacon
The jail in Columbia Falls will close its doors when the new county 911 center begins operation this February, prompting the city to change its routine way of incarcerating prisoners.
To pay for its share of the 911 center, Columbia Falls used the funds that pay its local dispatchers, Police Chief David Perry said. Most of the Columbia Falls dispatchers will transfer to the new county facility, he said, but their absence means the jail will have to close.
[read more]
To pay for its share of the 911 center, Columbia Falls used the funds that pay its local dispatchers, Police Chief David Perry said. Most of the Columbia Falls dispatchers will transfer to the new county facility, he said, but their absence means the jail will have to close.
Commentary: Business is Personal
Tools of the (Future) Trade
|
Ever have one of those vendors that supplies something that is so amazing that you can't cure yourself of them?
I deal with one of those in the software side of my world. And of course, their customer service is nowhere near ideal. They rarely communicate with their clients. They do a few things that are downright rude.
And yet – the stuff I get from them is so productive for me, even though it pains me to deal with them, I still use it.
[read more]
I deal with one of those in the software side of my world. And of course, their customer service is nowhere near ideal. They rarely communicate with their clients. They do a few things that are downright rude.
And yet – the stuff I get from them is so productive for me, even though it pains me to deal with them, I still use it.
Timber company receives energy conservation rebate check
A Greener and More Efficient Plum Creek
The $9.5-million biofilter at Plum Creek's medium-density fiberboard plant in Columbia Falls was unveiled at the end of October last year. - File photo by Lido Vizzutti/Flathead Beacon
After so much dreariness for the Plum Creek Timber Co. over the past two years, it’s a welcome relief for company officials to announce a bit of good news: a fruitful partnership with the Flathead Electric Cooperative and the Bonneville Power Administration.
A year ago, Plum Creek implemented an energy-conservation system at its medium-density fiberboard plant in Columbia Falls to cut down on power costs and reduce the facility’s carbon footprint. The system is “essentially smart grid technology,” said Tom Ray, vice president of Montana operations.
[read more]
A year ago, Plum Creek implemented an energy-conservation system at its medium-density fiberboard plant in Columbia Falls to cut down on power costs and reduce the facility’s carbon footprint. The system is “essentially smart grid technology,” said Tom Ray, vice president of Montana operations.
Hunting Wolves
Wolf Hunt Closing West of Glacier Park
BILLINGS – State wildlife officials say they are shutting down wolf hunting along the North Fork of the Flathead River after the shooting of two wolves filled the area's season-long quota.
The area known as the North Fork Sub-unit, located just west of Glacier National Park, will close one half-hour after sunset on Tuesday.
[read more]
The area known as the North Fork Sub-unit, located just west of Glacier National Park, will close one half-hour after sunset on Tuesday.
Health care reform shines a light on hospice care
Giving Comfort When There is No Cure
Aaron Jordan, right, watches as case manager and registered nurse Donna Nelson, left, physically assesses hospice patient Cheryl Swan during a home visit. Nelson works with Frontier Home Health and Hospice, which provides hospice care throughout the valley. - Lido Vizzutti/Flathead
A couple weeks ago, Aaron Jordan lifted his long-time girlfriend, Cheryl Swan, in his arms and carried her to their second-floor bathroom in their Kalispell home.
Jordan stepped into the bathtub to help her into the water, getting his socks and pant legs wet. It didn’t bother him.
[read more]
Jordan stepped into the bathtub to help her into the water, getting his socks and pant legs wet. It didn’t bother him.
Read more Columbia Falls articles
Next Page
Next Page
