New Year’s: Easement Issues, Madoff Losses, Strange Behavior

By Dan Testa, 12-31-08

Gooood afternoon and Happy New Years Eve!

On the Beacon today, our top story looks at a court decision that means many Flathead County homeowners who cross state land to access their land may be doing so illegally. The Montana Meth Project is dismissing a recent report questioning its effectiveness. The Montana Supreme Court is removing a Libby judge following allegations of sexual misconduct. The eight and final body of a snowmobiler buried in an avalanche in the Canadian Flathead has been recovered. Business columnist Mark Riffey has advice for business owners on making lists of what worked and what didn't work in 2008, and how to create a better 2009. The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence is suing the Bush administration to stop a new regulation that would allow concealed firearms in some national parks. According to the state auditor's office, 33 Montana investors lost some $18 million in Bernard Madoff's $50 billion Ponzi scheme. And the Bush administration has approved a plan that would allow more than 18,000 natural gas wells to be drilled in southeastern Montana over the next 20 years.

And finally, check out this compilation of some of the oddest behaviors of the year reported upon by Reuters journalists. And have a great, SAFE celebration tonight. Talk to you next year. [End of article]