In brief
Spelling Bee set for Feb. 23
The Lincoln County Spelling Bee will be held at 1 p.m. Feb. 23 at the K.W. Maki Theater in Libby. Contestants at the county spelling bee will be selected by school spelling bees. The contest is open to students of grade five through grade eight. The winner of the Lincoln County Spelling Bee will represent the county at the state spelling bee in Billings, March 19, 2016.
For more information contact the Lincoln County Superintendent of Schools at 283-2401.
Gas prices continue to fall
Average retail gasoline prices in Montana have fallen 2.3 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $1.80 per gallon yesterday, according to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 615 gas outlets in Montana. This compares with the national average that has fallen 2.5 cents per gallon in the last week to $1.80 per gallon, according to gasoline price website GasBuddy.com.
Including the change in gas prices in Montana during the past week, prices yesterday were 10.6 cents per gallon lower than the same day one year ago and are 17.6 cents per gallon lower than a month ago. The national average has decreased 19.8 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 25.3 cents per gallon lower than this day one year ago.
IRS promoting Earned Income Tax Credit
The Internal Revenue Service joins partners across the country in promoting the Earned Income Tax Credit on EITC Awareness Day, Friday, Jan. 29, 2016. This is the 10th anniversary of the EITC Awareness Day campaign, a nationwide effort to alert millions of low and moderate-income workers who may be missing out on this significant tax credit.
Millions of taxpayers who earned $53,267 or less last year may qualify for EITC for the first time in 2016, making awareness critical. Local officials and community organizations nationwide are holding events on EITC Awareness Day highlighting this key benefit.
“One-third of the population eligible for EITC changes each year as their personal circumstances change,” said IRS Commissioner John Koskinen. “We want workers who may qualify for EITC for the first time to have all the information they need to get the EITC and get it right. This is an important credit for hard-working Americans, and one of the government’s best tools to fight poverty.”
Last year, more than 27.5 million eligible workers and families received almost $66.7 billion in EITC; with an average EITC amount of more than $2,400.
For Montana, approximately 78,000 eligible workers and families received $165 million in EITC; with an average EITC amount of $2,124.
Montana Public Service Commission files suit against Mountain Water
The Montana Public Service Commission moved Friday to file a complaint in Montana District Court to levy fines against Mountain Water Co., and their new parent company Liberty Utilities, for the unauthorized sale and transfer of the Missoula water system.
Following a work session Friday afternoon that included discussion of comments submitted by parties involved in the sale proceeding before the PSC, the Commission voted 5-0 to take legal action against Mountain Water and Liberty Utilities. The Commission cited its authority under Montana law, and a previous PSC order as justification for the legal action.
Additionally, the Commission opened a proceeding to consider changes to Mountain Water’s rates based on changes in ownership, which could likely lead to a rate reduction for Mountain Water customers.
Society of American Foresters meeting set for Feb. 18
The Libby Chapter of the Society of American Foresters will hold its monthly meeting Thursday, Feb. 18, at 5:30 p.m. in the Fjord Room at the Venture Inn in Libby.
Following a social hour and dinner, the group will host a presentation from members of the Kootenai Forest Stakeholders Coalition on a recent collaborative agreement comprised of timber harvest guidelines, motorized/non-motorized access and wilderness protections.
The meeting is open to the public with the presentation set to begin at 7 p.m. For additional information contact Russ Gautreaux at 293-3108 or Ed Levert at 293-2847.
Keever receives lifetime achievement award from BLM
Kenny Keever received the Barb Mullin Lifetime Achievement Award at the Montana Weed Control Association conference recently. Keever is the invasive plant specialist for the Bureau of Land Management’s Havre Field Office and Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument.
“Kenny is always willing to spend his personal time and resources to support invasive plant management, and represent the model envisioned for the Barb Mullin Achievement Award for communication and coordination in invasive plant management” explained Celestine Duncan of Weed Management Services. “He is respected by private land managers, and county, state and federal partners for his weed management efforts, expertise, and willingness to tackle new projects.”