In brief
Airport board meeting Jan. 21
The Lincoln County Airport board meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Jan. 21 in the pilots’ lounge at the Libby Airport.
Blackbeard the Pirate auditions
Auditions for roles in the Troy Fine Arts Council and Missoula Children’s Theatre production of Blackbeard the Pirate will be held Monday, Feb. 1, from 3:45 p.m. until 5:45 p.m. at the Troy High School auditorium.
Among the roles to be cast are Blackbeard and his crew of pirates, sailors, crabs, crocodiles, mermaids, seaweed creatures, parrots and beach bums. Auditions are open to Troy students in grades K through 12.
For more information contact Tyann Hermes at 293-1304.
Women’s ice fishing class in Kalispell Feb. 4
The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ Becoming an Outdoors-Woman program is sponsoring an ice fishing class on Feb. 4 and 6.
With modern gear, ice fishing is fun, safe and comfortable. This class is for beginning or intermediate female anglers who want to learn the basics or improve their fishing skills. Participants must attend the evening class on Feb. 4 at the FWP Region 1 office in Kalispell. Fishing on the ice will take place Saturday morning, Feb. 6, at a location near Kalispell. Participants do not need a fishing license as this class has been issued a license exemption. The class fee is $10 and all ice fishing equipment and supplies will be provided if needed.
For more information and to register call Liz Lodman 406-444-9940.
Local students earn spots on MSU honor rolls
Several local students earned recognization on the Dean’s and President’s honor rolls at Montana State University.
President’s Honor Roll: Joseph Emery (Libby), Michaela Curry (Troy)
Dean’s Honor Roll - Libby: Louis Cielak, Isaak Jones, Adam Neisess, Tesha Olson, Kirawen Rose, Elizabeth Vinson, Elly Webster.
Dean’s Honor Roll - Troy: Ryan Demmendaal, Cassidy Hand, Jeremy Helmrick, Jacob McAbee.
Assembly today at KVCS
Kootenai Valley Christian School will be holding a Great American Leaders Assembly today at 9:30 a.m. Classes from Pre-K through Grade 8 will give presentations on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and other notable U.S. leaders.
Free archery class Jan. 23
Libby Archery Club will be holding a free basic archery class. The two hour class will cover the basics of shooting a bow.
Bows will be provided at the class, but students are welcome to bring their own if they have one. This is a great class to take if you want to learn how to shoot a bow or improve your skills. Open to all ages and free. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
The class will be held Saturday, Jan. 23, from noon until 2 p.m. at Lincoln Lanes bowling alley in the archery range. For additional information contact Teri at 293-2900.
Water forecast at 106 percent
The Libby Water Supply Forecast for the month of January is 6,249 KAF or 106 percent of average for the April to August inflow volume based on the 1981 to 2010 period of record. This forecast sets the end of month target for January to a lake elevation of 2,411 feet.
Gas prices continue to fall
Average retail gasoline prices in Montana have fallen 2.0 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $1.96 per gallon yesterday, according to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 615 gas outlets in Montana. This compares with the national average that has fallen 1.8 cents per gallon in the last week to $1.97 per gallon, according to gasoline price website GasBuddy.com.
Including the change in gas prices in Montana during the past week, prices yesterday were 7.2 cents per gallon lower than the same day one year ago and are 22.3 cents per gallon lower than a month ago. The national average has decreased 3.8 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 15.6 cents per gallon lower than this day one year ago.
Governor touts state’s fiscal strength
Governor Steve Bullock highlighted Montana’s significant track record in creating jobs and maintaining fiscal responsibility as the Montana Chamber of Commerce met in Helena for its annual Business Days at the Capitol.
“There is a lot to be excited about right now, from a government that lives within its means, businesses that are constantly innovating and leading the nation, to a growing, highly-skilled workforce that can compete in the global market,” Bullock told the Chamber during his keynote address Wednesday.
Bullock noted that wages are increasing across the state, businesses are growing, and Montana’s four percent unemployment rate is well below the national average.
“Montana has been consistently ranked among the top 10 in the nation for innovation and entrepreneurship, business and tax climate, and income growth,” Bullock said, adding that Montana ranks first in the nation for entrepreneurial activity.
Bullock also touted the Montana Legislature’s bipartisan work in passing a balanced budget that includes a rainy day fund and responsible investments that support economic growth. He also noted that state spending for the last fiscal year came in $32 million under budget.
But Bullock vowed that he has more work to do, saying that he’s fighting for jobs for veterans, affordable health care, retirement benefits, public education, equal pay for equal work, and improved education “which benefits us all.” Bullock also stressed the importance of strengthening Montana’s outdoor heritage and public lands, which sustain tens of thousands of Montana jobs and generate billions of dollars for Montana’s economy every year.