News you can use
News you can use
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Montana, as all of us who live here know, is remarkable state, blessed with extraordinary natural resources. Glacier National Park is a jewel. Montana’s water network feeds the continent’s major river basins. And the state hosts the greatest diversity of mammals. But what tarnishes our public lands is the constant risk of walking into traps … both by hikers and their companion animals. This is far more than a nuisance. It’s an horrific encounter that’s potentially lethal to our pets. Hamilton-based veterinarian Dr. Alan Appl...
Every two years, we Montanans elect a judge to our Supreme Court. This is one of the most important votes we cast. It must be based on accurate information or we run the risk of electing the wrong person. As lawyers, who have represented Montanans for decades, allow us to share our thoughts. First, why is our vote important? Something like 90 percent of the judicial decisions affecting our lives are made by our Montana Supreme Court. Everything from access to our lands and waters to the safety of our families and communities...
Editor, At the time of writing this opinion, our next and last public hearing will be Nov. 1 at the City Hall chambers at 7 p.m. First thing, I, as the chairman of the Local Government Review Commission, want to state that it was over a year before I felt this recommendation we’ve proposed in unanimous decision was the appropriate change to offer you, the voters, along with the charter. In 1996, the last Havre Local Government Review Study Commission — Dorothy Gail Radar, chair, Robert W. Keeler and James P. O’Leary — studied...
In light of recent revelations regarding Donald Trump’s past, admitted sexual assaults on women, new and emerging allegations regarding the same, and Trump’s anti-democratic comments regarding his unwillingness to respect the outcome of the 2016 presidential elections, many Montanans are looking afresh for an alternative to supporting the Republican nominee for President. For many, they will hold their noses and vote for Hillary Clinton. But for any voter who prioritizes fiscal discipline, limited government, civil lib...
As fall set in and hunting season has gotten into full swing that old rivalry between man and beasts of the wild is getting into full swing. The polar wars Some disputes are expected, like from polar bears, which aren’t anywhere as cute and cuddly as a white teddy bear. NBCNews.com reported Sept. 13 that five meteorologists conducting research on a remote island high in the Russian Arctic had been trapped in their weather station for two weeks by a gang of polar bears. The m...
For the past 30 years, Montana has ranked in the top five states for suicides and currently has the highest suicide rate per capita. This is an ongoing and serious problem and we must all work together to stop the unacceptable losses we are experiencing. On any given day across this nation we lose an average of 20 Veterans to suicide. Montana is not immune to this painful reality but our state and nation have vowed to be better and are taking active steps to provide resources to those who have served this nation. Earlier...
As a 23-year U.S. military commander, I’ve always been mission-focused, and no mission is too big or too small to take on with everything I have. Whether it’s hunting terrorists in the Middle East, winterizing the house or fighting for Montana in Congress, I always take the same mission-critical approach as your representative in Congress. For the past 21 months, you’ve tasked me with the mission to strengthen Montana’s voice in Congress. It’s no secret that Montana priorities were being ignored. Before you sent me to Congre...
Editor, Elsie Arntzen and Greg Gianforte both want to divert tax dollars to fund private schools, limit access to public lands and sell those lands off to the highest bidder. That is wrong for Montana. Greg Gianforte dismisses Steve Bullock as a career politician. Governor Bullock is a career public servant who has worked to better the lives of all Montanans. He has funded public schools, kept public lands public, worked across party lines to expand Medicare to Montanans without health care and works tirelessly each day for...
Back in March, the first day I moved into my wee casita, a noise, like a 747 on the runway awaiting clearance for take-off, startled me into combat position. (It ain’t pretty.) Once my heart quit pounding in my ears, I realized the racket came from my refrigerator. Three days later I began accompanying the noise with pilot to control tower “conversation.” Another three days and the sound was background noise, like cars on the highway, ignored. Something is wrong. The fan r...
Our state cannot afford to ignore the very serious brain diseases and disorders and mental illnesses that affect tens of thousands of Montanans and their families. Montanans of all ages are impacted when our loved ones are dealing with devastating diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, PTSD and depression. We strongly encourage all Montana voters to support the Montanans for Research and Cures initiative (I-181), which will responsibly fund innovative research toward treatments and cures, giving hope to...
It’s crazy to me that we have to vote for medical marijuana again in Montana, but we do. So allow me to explain how we got here, what the proposed law actually does and why everyone should vote yes on I-182. In 2004, 62 precent of Montana voters approved Montana’s first medical marijuana program, providing access to medicine for thousands of patients with serious medical conditions. In 2001, the Republican Legislature pulled one of their favorite moves — they repealed and replaced the voter-mandated law with a new syste...
When I was the tender age of 28, I learned what I was supposed to be if I ever grew up. It was really a thing of beauty, the way it happened and all. I was staring at my laptop, in the middle of the day, unemployed and recovering from a failed relationship, when an ad to a writing program miraculously appeared on the screen. Then — suddenly! — an arch of bright light swopped over the screen and an invisible choir of angels sang a harmonious and epiphanous Ahh! I had seen the light. I was supposed to write. I spent the nex...
This election, Montana voters will be deciding the future of medical marijuana in Montana. This is quite literally a life and death issue, and I hope that my fellow Montanans will vote with compassion by casting their ballots with a yes on Initiative 182. This issue is personal for me. My wife, Peggy, has suffered from multiple sclerosis for 37 years. None of the medications prescribed to treat her excruciatingly painful leg spasms have worked. Tears come to her eyes when the spasms strike. Painful, sleepless nights occur sev...
The continued unfair and dishonest bashing of RightNow Technologies, as a way to try to undercut Greg Gianforte, needs to stop. This has created huge buzz in the technology and business communities. The bashing is being perceived as anti-business, and, in our view, it is damaging to the business climate in Montana. Democrats, the Bullock campaign, and much of the media are at fault. Gianforte’s successful business career and the creation of an outstanding tech company in Bozeman is an amazing story against all odds. It is p...
A famous line in poetry says “Good fences make good neighbors,” but Canada is proving instead that good websites make good neighbors. The country which has already given us the Canadian standoff of politeness (“Go ahead.” “Oh, no, you go.” “Thank you, but I insist you go.” “Thanks so much, but I couldn’t possibly. You go.” “No, please ...”), has just launched www.TellAmericaItsGreat.com. Reported by the New York Times as the brainchild of Toronto-based agency Gard...
Taxes. Most people don’t seem to like paying them. But, most people probably would miss what they would lose if they didn’t. A major part of governing wisely is looking at what services the government will provide and how to pay for those services. A few items on the November ballot in Hill County ask the voters to decide whether they want to pay for some county services. One is a request to continue a tax level that would drop unless the voters approve its continuation. The county took out a bond to build, across from the...
We tried a new restaurant, and it was extraordinary. I gave it four stars. One entire wall was a giant television screen — the football players on it were larger than life. It was as if you were on the field with them. Every second, I kept expecting one of them to lean over the table and say “Hey, if you’re not gonna eat that, can I have it?” Of course, I’m kidding. The sound was off. If all the 30 or 40 other 50-inch TVs hanging on the other walls had the sound on, how would people hear their cellphones ring? How would they...
Remember a time when autumn meant burning leaves instead of burning Samsung Note7 phones? It’s hard to believe, but on October 27 the animated TV classic “It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” celebrates its 50th anniversary. It was the third “Peanuts” special, following “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and the mostly forgotten “Charlie Brown’s All-Stars” (which, if it took as long as a typical Major League Baseball game, would be reaching the seventh inning stretch any day now). Of course the characters remain frozen in time...
I’ve lost my robe. I’m beside myself with anxiety. I didn’t realize it was gone. In fact, I have no idea exactly when I misplaced it. Surely, I couldn’t have thrown it away. I depend on that robe. It is a piece of me. My hermit robe. A “security blanket.” I wore it from the day I moved to Mazatlan. Protection in my desert of solitude. It circumscribed my hermitage, defined my retreat. Yesterday, Bonnie said, “Sondra. You look so different.” We met in March, when I bought my ca...
Some representatives of local Republican parties have raised some issues — that are valid — both about the setup of and the coverage of the political candidate forum the Havre Daily News sponsored Thursday and an article about the forum that ran in Friday’s edition. The first issue is that the forum was just that — a forum — not a debate. The article about what was presented in the time allotted to state Rep. Stephanie Hess, R-Havre, and Democrat Jacob Bachmeier of Havre called the event a debate in the first paragraph...
I know you are busy but I hope you will take time to read this. My first presidential campaign was in 1960. The candidate was John F. Kennedy. I went to rallies, walked door to door, talked to everyone I could because I believed in him, and he passionately supported the issues I cared about: nuclear disarmament, women’s rights and civil rights. I knew if Kennedy lost, these goals would not be achieved. For these past five decades, many in my generation have fought — tirelessly — for what we believe in. We have campaigned and...
Every election cycle, I’m reminded of the sad reality that politics are often void of truth. Just look at our own congressional race. Montanans have been barraged by a series of false attacks coming from Denise Juneau. It’s frustrating to see the truth become an afterthought. I’ve known Congressman Ryan Zinke for years. He is an honorable man, who speaks his mind and serves his constituents without prejudice or fear. I’ve come to appreciate his no-nonsense approach, because I know that whether we agree or not, when dealing...
In support of this year’s presidential candidates, I’ve stopped listening to them and have pursued a few hobbies instead. I’ve written about the yoga, and yes, it’s still reminding me that I have pursued a lifetime of poor fitness choices. The interesting thing about yoga is that it gives me enough physical exertion to burn off some agitation, but it also focuses on breathing, controlling your breathing, improving your breathing, using your breathing to improve your activit...
While the race for the White House dominates this fall’s news, new findings about Social Security should concern Montana workers who are paying into Social Security today. We have long known that Social Security is headed for a fiscal cliff unless our political leaders take action to make the program financially sound. But an analysis by AARP makes clear just how damaging the cuts would be for residents of Montana and all future retirees. Here is a glimpse of what a 25 percent cutback would mean to future retirees in our s...
The Hill County Public Cemetery District is asking the residents of Hill County to increase funding to maintain the nine cemeteries in the district by requesting a mill levy increase on the ballot in November. The Cemetery District currently cares for and maintains nine cemeteries located within Hill county. This includes all aspects of landscaping care for cemeteries as far away as Inverness to the west, Spring Coulee to the north, and Box Elder to the south. The district relies heavily upon tax dollars to maintain its...
