by Clarice Ryan

A meeting on biomass as an alternative energy source for power generation, will be held at Flathead Valley Community College, on Monday, March 15 starting at 6:45 pm.in the Arts and Technology Building auditorium.

Gary Callihan, an international specialist in energy systems, will be the keynote speaker. The program will also include a panel consisting of Chuck Roady, vice president of Stoltze Land and Lumber Company; retired forestry specialist Fred Hodgeboom, and Montana State Senator Verdell Jackson, member of the Natural Resources and Energy Committee.

Missoula County’s Open Lands Citizen Advisory Committee proudly announces The Good Neighbor Handbook: Information for Rural Landowners in Missoula County. This new publication is a compilation of resources, tips, technical information, and ideas for rural landowners in Missoula County, and free copies are currently available.

The handbook features photos of western Missoula County, including the Frenchtown area and Petty Creek, and prominently quotes Petty Creek resident Doug McCoy.

McCoy emphasizes the purpose of the book as he states, "I feel it is a privilege to live in the Petty Creek area. I try to repay this privilege by respecting the history, the people, the wildlife, and the open lands that are all part of these beautiful valleys and mountains."

Former St. Regis resident Charles W. “Clem” Moore, 47, was sentenced Monday to the Montana State Prison for 100 years, with 40 years suspended. He will not be eligible for parole for the first 25 years of the sentence.

Montana Fourth District Court Judge Ed McLean sentenced Moore on Monday March 8, 2010 at the Mineral County Court House in Superior.

On Monday, March 8, 2010, District Court Judge Ed McLean granted the Petition of Mineral County Sheriff Hugh Hopwood to forfeit a gun collection owned by former Mineral County resident Fred Dealaman and valued at about $10,000.

In July of 2009 Dealaman was found guilty in State District Court of Criminal Production or Manufacture of Dangerous Drugs. In May 2008 State and federal agents of the Missoula High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force, assisted by personnel from the Mineral County Sheriffs Department, executed a search warrant at 10 Hidden Meadow Lane near Lozeau and discovered a sophisticated marijuana growing operation involving 155 plants. Also discovered and seized was a cache of weapons including 14 rifles, a shotgun and 2 pistols.

Candidate Filing Deadline is Monday, March 15

HELENA – Secretary of State Linda McCulloch today reminded Montanans that there is only one week left to file to run for public office in 2010. The deadline for all candidates to file with the Secretary of State or county election office a declaration of nomination for placement on the primary ballot is Monday, March 15 at 5:00 p.m.

by Robbie Carpenter

If you think you or someone you know might have a gambling problem, the Montana Council on Problem Gambling may be able to help. As part of their mission as a non-profit agency they offer free group therapy counseling to address gambling addiction and its associated social and personal problems. They also offer, referral services, and education to compulsive gamblers, their families, and other concerned Montanans.

Hunter Education classes are set to begin the week of April 5 in Missoula. Interested students must register for the Missoula class on Thursday, March 25 at the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) office in Missoula, 3201 Spurgin Road. Students can stop by any time between 7 and 8:30 p.m. to register.

Classes are free of charge, and a parent or legal guardian must accompany all students under 18 to register. Enrollment is not limited for the Missoula spring classes.

Budget Woes

by Sen. Greg Hinkle

Last week the legislature had a one day class on the state budget. It was a real sobering eye opener for all of us. We gave up a day's pay out of the next session to attend. The taxpayers will not get stuck with the additional expense and that is a good thing. Remember when we left the session with a $282.6 million surplus? Well, that has vanished and then some. The revenues are not coming into the state for a variety of reasons. One factor is the unemployed workers. We are right at 8 percent unemployment statewide, but there are some interesting figures. The construction indusrty is running around 32 percent unemployed, transportation and utilities around 25 percent and the finance, insurance, real estate sector about 16 percent. Sanders and Mineral County rates are higher than the state average and the county is not forecasted to improve until sometime in 2012. Non-farm income has dropped 1.9 percent.

by Parris ja Young

How do you feel about corporations being considered human?