In brief

Quilting 101 in Troy Feb. 20

The Tender Lovin’ Quilters of Troy are hosting their annual Quilting 101 event at the Troy United Methodist Fellowship Hall Saturday, Feb. 20. The free event is intended to promote the art of quilting to members of the community.

Beginning at 9 a.m., a variety of short demonstrations will be given on numerous quilting-related subjects including speciality ruler usage, paper piercing, microwave potholders, 60-degree table runners, lumpless binding, button bouquets, hand stitches and more.

Door prizes will be awarded and the guild will have items available for purchase.

For more information call Donna at 295-4084.

Sanders qualifies for ballot spot

Montana volunteers for United States Senator Bernie Sanders have submitted a petition with enough signatures to qualify the candidate for the Montana Democratic Party presidential primary ballot. The primary is scheduled for June 7.

Financial aid deadlines approaching

The priority Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) filing dates for most Montana schools are swiftly approaching, so students hoping to receive federal aid for fall classes should get online today to complete and submit their FAFSAs.

“This date has a way of sneaking up on Montana families,” said Rhonda Safford, statewide coordinator of College Goal Montana. “Fortunately, Student Assistance Foundation is here to help.”

The priority FAFSA filing date at most Montana postsecondary schools is March 1, but those students who want to attend the University of Montana should submit their FAFSAs by Feb. 15 in order to optimize their aid opportunities.

Hunter Ed classes in Troy, Eureka

Spring Hunter Education classes have been scheduled for some communities in northwest Montana. All hunter education classes are free of charge. By state law, anyone born after Jan. 1, 1985, must have completed the Hunter Education Course to buy a hunting license in Montana. A student must be at least 10 years old to take the course.

Eureka: First night of class is March 7, from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. at the Eureka Middle School Library. Classes continue from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. on March 14, 15, 17, 21, 22 and 24. All classes are held at the Eureka Middle School. Field day is scheduled on Saturday, March 19, 8 a.m. to noon. Contact Ron Hvizdak, lead instructor, at 889-3791 for more information.

Troy: Classes will be held from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Troy High School on March 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22 and 23; the field course is held April 2 at the Troy Gun Range. Contact Jim Jones at 295-4520 for more information.

Tax exempt property owners need to reapply 

The Montana Department of Revenue reminds nonprofit organizations and other tax exempt property owners that March 1, 2016, is the deadline to reapply for property tax exemption. A new state law requires all owners of tax exempt real property “in exempt status before 2014” to submit an application. 

So far, the department has received applications for about 1,000 tax exempt properties out of an estimated 6,000 to 7,000 in Montana that may be affected. The reapplication requirement includes property owned by most nonprofit organizations, private schools and colleges, churches, parsonages, low income housing, veterans’ clubhouses, community service and fraternal organizations, cemeteries, and land leased from a railroad by a nonprofit organization.

Free outdoor photography class

Montana Wilderness Association is sponsoring a free course entitled “Black and White Winter Photography” with local artist Randy Beacham on Saturday, Feb. 27.

Participants will meet at 9 a.m. at the Yaak Mercantile in Yaak, Montana and will then head out to the field sites for discussions about forest composition and wildlife. Randy will then teach methods of utilizing light, accenting landscape contrasts and his personal techniques that will help the students improve their photography skills.

Rendezvous Run set for Apr. 30

Eureka Rendezvous Days, in conjunction with local Shape Up Montana groups, will be hosting the fourth annual Rendezvous Run 5K Fun Run/Walk on Saturday, April 30, at Indian Springs Ranch Golf Course in Eureka. All proceeds from the event will be used in support of the Eureka Running Club, which in turn supports the Eureka schools cross country and track teams. 

Entry forms can be picked up at Eureka Family Chiropractic, North County Medical, Eureka Health, Glacier Bank and Montana Market. Registration is also available online at www.secure.getmeregistered.com/rendezvousrun.

Heart healthy cooking class

A heart healthy cooking class is being offered at the Libby Seventh Day Adventist Christian School at 206 Airfield Road. The class will teach participants how to cook simple, healthful vegetarian meals.

The free classes will be held from 6 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. Feb. 22 and 29 and March 7 and 14.

For more information please call 293-4674.

Kootenai Valley Stargazers meeting

Come for chow and chatter prepared by Theresa Muniz at 6 p.m., Friday Feb. 19. The topic and discussion this month will be the awe and wonder of “NASA’s Unexplained Files,” prepared and presented by Kathy Nielsen.

No membership or fees required, simply fun and interest in the wonder of the heavens. Held at McGlasson’s home, 324 White Ave, Libby. Call 293-2552 for more info,

Bogus fuel credits hit IRS scam list

The Internal Revenue Service today warned that taxpayers should watch for improper claims for business credits, which is on the “Dirty Dozen” list of tax scams for the 2016 filing season.

“The IRS is committed to stopping the improper use of business credits and catching the promoters of erroneous claims,” said IRS Commissioner John Koskinen.

Compiled annually, the “Dirty Dozen” lists a variety of common scams that taxpayers may encounter any time but many of these schemes peak during filing season as people prepare their returns or hire people to help with their taxes.

Fuel Tax Credit Scams

Fraud involving the fuel tax credit is considered a frivolous tax claim and can result in a penalty of $5,000. Furthermore, illegal scams can lead to significant penalties and interest and possible criminal prosecution. IRS Criminal Investigation works closely with the Department of Justice (DOJ) to shutdown scams and prosecute the criminals behind them.

The fuel tax credit is generally limited to off-highway business use or use in farming.  Consequently, the credit is not available to most taxpayers. Still, the IRS routinely finds unscrupulous preparers who have enticed sizable groups of taxpayers to erroneously claim the credit to inflate their refunds.

The federal government taxes gasoline, diesel fuel, kerosene, alternative fuels and certain other types of fuel. Certain commercial uses of these fuels are nontaxable. Individuals and businesses that purchase fuel for one of those purposes can claim a tax credit by filing Form 4136, Credit for Federal Tax Paid on Fuels.

The tax is on fuels used to power vehicles and equipment on roads and highways. Taxes paid for fuel to power vehicles and equipment used off-road may qualify for the tax credit and may include farm equipment, certain boats, trains and airplanes.

Improper claims for the fuel tax credit generally come in two forms. An individual or business may make an erroneous claim on their otherwise legitimate tax return. Or an identity thief may claim the credit in a broader fraudulent scheme.

Record gas prices predicted for 2016

The cheapest gasoline prices in over twelve years are showing up in some lucky states in the heart of the nation, with previously unthinkable 99-cent gasoline becoming a strong possibility as wholesale gas prices plunge amidst growing supply.

GasBuddy reports that nine states in the nation are currently witnessing the lowest average gasoline prices since early 2004: Oklahoma ($1.37), Indiana ($1.45), Kansas ($1.46), Ohio ($1.47), Michigan ($1.49), Minnesota ($1.52), Wisconsin ($1.54), Illinois ($1.57) and North Dakota ($1.63) as oil refiners offer bargain basement prices to rid themselves of winter-spec gasoline ahead of a pending shift to cleaner burning fuel.