News you can use
News you can use
Sorted by date Results 678 - 702 of 1423
We are the voice for the elderly and it is our duty and responsibility to speak up on their behalf. If the sick, elderly and disabled were able to organize and raise their voices high enough, the Legislature just might think twice about taking money from them. The consequences of reducing Medicaid reimbursement rates and cutting wages for direct-care workers will dramatically impact nursing homes across Montana. It is already difficult to recruit workers in a rural community when restaurants and bars offer more competitive...
In the past, our state deptartment and the United Nations have made the bold declaration that Israel must give back Eastern Jerusalem and the West Bank. Absurd! Remember, in 1967 five countries came against Israel, Israel won the war and also added the West Bank. Remember the war we had with Mexico? We added Texas. Should we give Texas back to Mexico? Absurd! Israel is 70 percent Jewish. Other Israelis are Arabs who are secular, others are Christians, and peaceful Muslims. I have volunteered in Israel several times. I see...
In response to Dennis Kuntz’s Feb. 14, 2017, letter to the Havre Daily News: Thank you Senator Daines for representing me, Montana and United States’ values. This country is a free market republic. People came to America to be free from oppression and dictatorship; to be free to choose what was best for them and their families. This would only be possible if there was a choice. In Mr. Kuntz’s letter he stated the heart of rural Montana is their schools and that they are the lifeblood and cultural centers of rural areas...
Steve Daines was not elected to make Betsy DeVos’ life easier. He was elected to improve the lives of Montana’s children. He failed them with his vote for DeVos, a vote he made over the voice of Montanans protesting DeVos via phone, email, letter and visits to his offices. Now his constituents are asking Sen. Daines to meet with us and explain his stand on DeVos and his apparent willingness to blindly follow other Republicans. His response? Silence. Why won’t Daines speak with those he represents? We don’t know. And the only...
There have been many individuals, families, businesses, organizations and other groups in and around Havre and along the Hi-Line that have been very supportive of Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts, and in conjunction with the annual Scout Week, we would like to take this time to say “Thank you” on behalf of Boy Scout Troop 1438. Every Scout unit has a charter organization, and we would like to thank First Lutheran Church for being our charter organization and all that they do for us. Their support is imperative to our success. We...
Editor Twice in one day, Sen. Steve Daines has disgraced Montana. “School choice” does not help the budget of public schools in our cities and towns, and it offers nothing whatsoever for public education in our rural areas, where there will never be charter schools to offer “choice.” But Daines chose to back a major campaign contributor over the best interests of our citizens when he voted for Betsy DeVos. Later the same day, he played toady to authoritarian party powers, helping to silence open, honest debate, with the party...
Earlier this month, the United States Congress voted to permanently gut protections for clean water. The Stream Protection Rule would have provided valuable additional protections for landowners and water users like me. Agriculture depends on clean water — a precious commodity in places like the Bull Mountains. My thanks to Sen. Jon Tester for standing with water users. If only Sen. Daines would do the same. Steve Charter Shepherd...
As many of you already know we have an upcoming special election to choose Rep. Ryan Zinkes’ successor. This will be the first U.S. congressional race in the Trump era and Montana voters have a unique opportunity to have their voices heard nationally. Greg Gianforte and President Trump align on many of the same issues and both are out of touch with Montanans in a variety of ways. They even share the same billionaire hobby, buying elections. Knowing these things, I think it is safe to call the upcoming election a “Trump Ref...
As I look out my window at the cold and snowy winter scene that is currently blanketing Montana, I’m reminded there are homeless veterans in our state who are struggling to find a warm place to sleep and don’t have these idyllic visions of snow and blankets that I do. There is absolutely no excuse for veterans being homeless in our state. Zero. Zip. None. These are the folks who were on the front lines fighting for our freedoms and to keep roofs over our head. I can’t understand why Montana hasn’t built 10 assisted living...
Dear editor, Butte Rep. Jim Keane told a joint subcommittee Jan. 27 it should not just thank veterans for their service but it should “do something.” He wanted the members, and the Legislature, to pass an infrastructure bill that would fund, among other things, a veterans home in southwest Montana. There are approximately 100,000 veterans living in Montana. That’s approximately 10 percent of our citizens who have served our state and country with honor. I served nearly eight years in the U.S. Army as an enlisted soldi...
Getting big money out of politics is on the minds of many Americans these days. Eighty-five percent of Americans believe in some type of campaign finance reform. Which leads me to Greg Gianforte. Greg is influenced by Americans for Prosperity, a multibillion dollar organization funded by David and Charles Koch. Enriching Mr. Gianforte’s campaign with big money is simply encouraging other big money interests to entrench themselves even deeper into Montana’s electoral system. What’s sad is that Mr. Gianforte has already bowed...
Beware — on March 12, we must suffer through the time change again. With all the trivial things being debated these days, why hasn’t this serious matter ever been brought up? If you agree with me concerning this, then plaster the following message all over the social media. Abolish the time change. Institute one time year around in all 50 states. The time change deregulates the methodical system in both humans and animals. The time change does no substantial good at all, and its existence has been forced up on all of us for...
My name is Wil Oliver. I am the sales manager for Remote Power Systems of Stevensville, Montana. We have been serving Montana home and business owners with solar, wind, and other energy products for over 14 years. We are excited about legislation that will be introduced in 2017 that will enable private financing to help Montanans save money on utilities, create local jobs, grow businesses and invest in Main Street, Montana. We encounter many customers who would like to install a solar system, as well as newer windows or a mor...
Editor, Tolerance: sympathy or indulgence for beliefs or practices differing from or conflicting with one’s own. Webster’s definition. We hear endlessly today about tolerance, but too often that means tolerance according to one’s own definition. Is tolerance displayed when one’s principled (as opposed to bigoted) position is subjected to public shaming through a letter to the editor? Would anyone who actually knows Brian Barrows consider him as someone who hates — anyone — in any sense of the word? I agree that hate has no...
On Jan. 17, 2017, the Havre City Council voted to pass the “Proclamation of Support for the City and Citizens of Whitefish, Montana.” The proclamation, “denouncing hate, bigotry, and intolerance,” served to show Havre’s solidarity with nearly identical proclamations unanimously passed by the Whitefish City Council, the Lewistown City Commission, and the Great Falls City Commission. The proclamation was drafted as resistance against the Dec. 23, 2016, call by Andrew Anglin for an armed, anti-Semitic “March on Whitefish.” Angli...
The presidential election was fraught with heightened emotions, personal attacks and vitriol that reached new lows. Individuals and groups on both sides of the aisle fought tooth-and-nail for their candidate, at times losing sight of what actually matters. At the end of the day, we all want to ensure a safe and positive future for Americans. It is a new year, and time to move forward as one together, which is why it is important for Sen. Tester, and all those in the U.S. Senate, to work together to confirm Betsy Devos as the...
The nomination of Betsy DeVos as the next Secretary of Education will put a qualified reformer with nearly 30 years’ experience fighting for local control over educational decisions in charge of the future of American education. I strongly encourage Sen. Jon Tester to vote in favor of DeVos’ confirmation, which will be a clear signal to special interests that it’s no longer business as usual in Washington. DeVos has been on the front lines in the fight to make schools accountable. She helped to create the framework that...
This past holiday season, Hill County DUI Task Force and Hi-Line Tavern Association teamed up with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to remind all drivers that Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving and to always plan a sober ride before the holiday parties begin. The businesses in Havre really stepped up to promote a safe holiday season! There were eye-catching posters all over town, raising awareness to the issue and problem-solving programs. Gary & Leo’s Fresh Foods, liquor stores and even hotels handed out i...
With all of the recent issues in the local and national news regarding racial tensions that have made the papers over the past few months, I wanted to share a story of integrity. My grandson Terrell was in Herberger’s recently. On his way out he spotted what turned out to be $150 on the floor. He didn’t hesitate for a moment. He went to the clerk to turn the money in. As a senior in high school, not too far from completing his first step into adulthood, I’m proud of the way he used his judgment. With the holiday season upon...
A letter to Rep. Ryan Zinke Dear Congressman Ryan Zinke, I am a 60 year old Vietnam Era, U.S. Army Veteran. I believe that my oath to protect and defend the United States and our Constitution did not expire with my discharge in 1980. That is why I am writing you today. I visited your office in Helena a few weeks ago to express my concern over the hiring of Steve Bannon, of Breitbart News to be a chief advisor of our incoming president. Mr. Bannon panders to and supports the white supremacist, so called “alt-right”. In visitin...
There are many lenses to witness the magic of Christmas, but the most powerful ones focus on the Christ child. Jesus entered the world as a helpless infant, born into a soon-to-be-refugee family, who would live in the shadow of danger his entire life. Considering the trauma surrounding his youth, is it any wonder that Jesus spoke out for the child throughout his life? Of course, Jesus had an extraordinary mother, always nearby and ready to protect him … but there are children in Hill County who aren’t so lucky. Abused and...
Editor: American Red Cross of Montana gives thanks this holiday season to the people who bring help and hope to thousands of people across our state every year — our volunteers, our financial donors and those who donate precious blood. Here in Big Sky Country, Red Cross volunteers and donors provide relief to hundreds of families every year who lost their homes and all their belongings to a home fire or who had to evacuate in the face of wildfires; they helped us teach life-saving skills, from disaster preparedness to home f...
Editor, Sen. Steve Daines submitted a letter to President-elect Trump on Dec. 9 where he outlined actions that the incoming president should take to grow our national economy. After reviewing Sen. Daines’ recommendations, it is apparent that he continues to support antiquated modes of thinking that seem poised to help very few Montanans directly. His loyalties instead appear more in-line with corporate interests that seek to exploit state resources with actions that undermine access to and the quality of our outdoor r...
Editor, Have you heard of the IRMAA Premium? Most people haven’t but if you are a middle-income or even low-income person and withdraw a substantial amount from a retirement account or experience a one-time windfall income which brings your income for that year over $85,000 and are on Medicare, you will be subject to an IRMAA Premium over and above your current Medicare Premium. This could double your Medicare Premium deductible from your Social Security Benefits for an upcoming year. For example, the 2017 IRMAA Premium is b...
Editor, I live on our family ranch 12 miles south of Big Timber on the Boulder River. In 2008 the state of Montana leased the river bed, only 420 ft. north of our home for oil and gas development. Under current law, we would not have received any notification of any development that was about to occur. Thankfully, that could change. In a few days, Wednesday, Dec. 14. The Montana Board of Oil and Gas Conservation is slated to vote on a drilling the notification rule at their regular meeting that day. If approved, this rule...
