In Brief

Fox asks EPA to reconsider carbon rule

Attorney General Tim Fox asked the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reconsider the final carbon emission rule adopted in August. The final rule differs dramatically from the rule proposed in June, 2014, and an array of business and community leaders, unions, and public officials have expressed frustration over the changes. After the final rule was announced, Montana and 26 other states filed suit in federal court to overturn it. That litigation is moving forward and the petition for reconsideration is a separate action.

“It was disingenuous for the EPA to propose one rule and then adopt something far different, especially since the final rule is much more burdensome to the people of Montana,” Fox said. “The state invested time and resources into evaluating options under the proposed rule, and the adopted rule rendered that work all but useless.”

Christmas tree pick-up Jan. 5

The Libby Wrestling Club will be picking up Christmas trees by donation on Tuesday, Jan. 5. Please call 334-0741 to schedule your address.

Tax season opens Jan. 19

Following a review of the tax extenders legislation signed into law last week, the Internal Revenue Service announced today that the nation’s tax season will begin as scheduled on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2016.

The IRS will begin accepting individual electronic returns that day. The IRS expects to receive more than 150 million individual returns in 2016, with more than four out of five being prepared using tax return preparation software and e-filed. The IRS will begin processing paper tax returns at the same time. There is no advantage to people filing tax returns on paper in early January instead of waiting for e-file to begin.

“We look forward to opening the 2016 tax season on time,” IRS Commissioner John Koskinen said. “Our employees have been working hard throughout this year to make this happen. We also appreciate the help from the nation’s tax professionals and the software community, who are critical to helping taxpayers during the filing season.”

Scholarship applications open Jan. 1

Beginning Jan. 1, Montana students are invited to apply for $1,000 Circle of Success scholarships from nonprofit Student Assistance Foundation (SAF). To date, SAF has distributed $612,000 through the program.

The scholarships are distributed to second, third and fourth-year postsecondary students. In addition, 25 of the scholarships are designated for Graduation Matters Montana (GMM) school seniors and members of Superintendent Denise Juneau’s GMM Student Advisory Board.

“Affording postsecondary education continues to be a struggle for many Montana students, first year and continuing students alike,” SAF Vice President of Foundation Activities Kelly Cresswell said. “Circle of Success scholarships are one of the many ways SAF supports Montana students in their pursuit of education beyond high school.”

Applications for SAF’s Circle of Success and the SAF/GMM Circle of Success scholarships will be available at SmartAboutCollege.org beginning on Jan. 1. Click on the “Apply Now” button to link to the application. The application deadline is Tuesday, March 1.

Bison to stay year-round

Governor Steve Bullock today issued a decision to allow for the presence of bison year-round in Montana on the perimeter of Yellowstone National Park.

“An adaptive approach to bison management means we look at how we are doing things, assess our effectiveness, and adapt accordingly,” said Gov. Bullock. “This decision is a very modest expansion of the conditions under which bison may remain outside of the Park, in response to changing science and changing circumstances on the ground. While at the same time I am confident our livestock industry is protected. Further, I remain committed to continuing to pressure the Park Service to reduce the bison population in the Park, and keep those numbers to manageable levels. ”

Gov. Bullock’s decision allows bison around Yellowstone Park to be managed more like wildlife. Bison will be permitted to occupy suitable habitat in Montana outside of the park within manageable confines and subject to seasonal limits on numbers.

Future management will focus on resolving actual conflicts on the ground, allowing the state to manage its resources more efficiently, which may save taxpayer dollars. The plan could also increase hunting opportunities for licensed Montana hunters and tribes as the state manages the bison population.

Recall on boneless pork products

Bellisio Foods Inc., a Jackson, Ohio establishment, is recalling approximately 285,264 pounds of boneless pork rib shaped patty frozen entree products that may be adulterated with extraneous materials, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The Boston Market Boneless Pork Rib Shaped Patty with BBQ Sauce and Mashed Potatoes frozen entree items were produced on various dates between Sept. 09, 2015, and Dec. 14, 2015. The following products are subject to recall: 14-oz. boxed packages containing “Boston Market Home Style Meals Boneless Pork Rib Shaped Patty with BBQ Sauce and Mashed Potatoes” with Use By dates 09/09/2016; 09/22/2016; 10/08/2016; 10/30/2016; and 12/14/2016.

The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. 18297” on the end panel of the package. These items were shipped to retail locations nationwide.

The problem was discovered after the firm received consumer complaints of possible glass or hard plastic pieces being found in the frozen entree.

Infrastructure and carbon rule to headline Business Days

The 16th annual Business Days at the Capitol of the Montana Chamber of Commerce will feature panels of experts on two issues critical to the business community and Montana’s economy - infrastructure investment and compliance with the Environmental Protection Agency’s carbon emission rule.

“One of the benefits of Business Days is the opportunity to hear from policy experts on hot-button business issues,” emphasized Glenn Oppel, Government Relations Director for the Montana Chamber. “It’s important for business owners to better understand how issues such as infrastructure funding and federal environmental regulations will affect their prospects for the future.  That way, they can partner with the State Chamber to effectively communicate the business position to our congressional delegation and state lawmakers.”

Plum Creek donates to food banks

Plum Creek is presenting a total of $35,500 in checks to eight community food banks that serve northwest Montana: Bigfork Food Bank ($500); Columbia Falls Food Bank ($7,500); Flathead Valley Food Bank ($12,500); Libby Food Pantry ($2,500); North Valley Food Bank ($4,000); Northwest Montana Veterans Stand Down and Food Pantry ($4,000); Tobacco Valley Food Pantry ($2,500); and Westshore Community Assistance Program ($2,000).   

Plum Creek employees also participated in the community outreach, collecting food and donating more than 150 turkeys to the food banks.  

“It is a Plum Creek tradition to support local food banks in northwest Montana through donations and volunteerism, especially around the holidays,” said Tom Ray, vice president, Northwest Resources and Manufacturing, Plum Creek. “The food banks are a vital resource to those struggling to make ends meet and we are happy to support this critical mission. Our donations will help feed those in need and hopefully provide a happier holiday for members of our community.”

Cross-country ski conditions good

With 20 inches at the gate and 32 at the top of the ski course, the entire course is packed and tracks set for classic and skate skiing. After a warm day in town, it was 28 at 6 p.m. at the ski course  and 23 by 11 p.m., so the tracks should set up nicely. There is more snow in the forecast, so the plan is to spiff up South Flower on Christmas Eve morning. If time allows, the golf course will be groomed as well.