Wednesday: Central School Museum, Otter Creek Bid, Retiring Lawmakers

By Dan Testa, 3-17-10

Good morning; on the Beacon today, the Museum at Central School is incorporating a series of “new-school,” interactive features in its display rooms – less clutter, more stylish presentations with high-quality panels and the arrival of the digital age. Glacier Bancorp, Inc. has announced the pricing of a $132 million common stock offering. A 67-year-old country musician from Montana, Louis Rogers, who spent four days in his car stuck on a remote mountain road said he wrote a goodbye letter and was preparing himself for death when he was rescued. Gov. Brian Schweitzer has ordered state and national flags to be flown at half-staff on Friday and Saturday in honor of a soldier from Hungry Horse who was killed in Afghanistan. And Mark Riffey recommends keeping your employees from playing Farmville.

The Missoulian talks to Chip Weber, the new Flathead National Forest Supervisor. Coal-mining giant Arch Coal Inc. on Tuesday offered to pay nearly $86 million for the right to develop state-owned coal in southeastern Montana’s Otter Creek Valley, setting up a vote this week on whether the bid will be accepted. Three well-known, veteran legislators — Reps. Ed Butcher, Bill Glaser and Mike Jopek — have decided to hang it up rather than run for re-election this year. The secretary of state says more election judges are needed to help deal with an anticipated shortage for the fall elections. [End of article]