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  • Letter: Prayer breakfast

    Updated Feb 18, 2020

    Dear Editor: I watched the Prayer Breakfast and this is how I would have started it: “Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we also have forgiventhoise who trespass against us.’ The word of the lord is good enough for me/ Nancy Pelosi, I forgive you and will never bring the impeachment up again. So let us move forward and make this a nation God would be proud of and the world env...

  • Letter: The truth about the rich

    Updated Feb 18, 2020

    Democrats claim taxing the "rich" is the way to help the middle class and poor. That the rich get rich by taking wealth from others. Norm would have said "idiots"! Bill Gates and Paul Allen; worth Billions, created an operating system for computers enabling the average person computer operation. Millions use his product on phones, tablets, computers, etc. for personal and business use. Microsoft products and stock have created millions of jobs, businesses and many...

  • Bison EIS draws battle lines in Montana, and FWP is on the wrong side

    Chuck Denowh, Director, United Property owners of Montana|Updated Jan 21, 2020

    The Montana Department of Fish Wildlife and Parks is now formally recommending the introduction of free-roaming bison in Montana after the release of a long-awaited environmental impact statement. It's a move that dramatically intensifies conflict over wildlife management in Montana. And worse, it's a sobering message to the thousands of Montanans who provide habitat to wildlife. FWP has made clear it would rather advance the agenda of a radical, out-of-state environmental...

  • Hey Howdy Hey: Neighbors Helping Neighbors

    Jim Oly, Local columnist|Updated Jan 14, 2020

    Sending a little Hey Howdy Hey of thanks to all the wonderful folds who make the Neighbors Helping Neighbors Thrift Store what it is today. Coordinator Diane Ironi started this little store ten years ago in the Methodist Church garage. She wanted to be able to help people out and make money for the community. And all proceeds that are made do just that. Along with the help of her dedicated volunteer’s Becca O’Leary, Joyce Ferguson, Rosaire Hoffman, Ron Lydiard, Susie Ruff, Syl...

  • FWP supports bison restorations under strict provisions

    Martha Williams, Director, Montana FWP|Updated Jan 14, 2020

    Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has a rich history of working with the people of this state to restore elk, moose, mountain goats, bears, wolves, lions, bighorn sheep, pronghorn, and other wildlife species that had all but disappeared by the early half of the 20th century. One reason for these successes is the landowners who steward habitat and provide hunting access and the hunters who pay for wildlife management agree that Montana is a state defined by healthy and abundant...

  • Letter: Honesty in the Christmas season

    Updated Jan 1, 2020

    Seven days ago we celebrated the birth of Christ. Some 30 years later, Christ was crucified, which gave rise to the Christian religion. We also adopted the Ten Commandments as part of our religion that changed the course of the world for the better. We just observed one of the holiest days in our religion, So now I ask you, how many at this impeachment claim to be Christian and how many follow this commandment: Thou Shalt not bear false witness? Have a Happy New Year. Mike Dey Missoula...

  • Op/Ed: Why Trust Matters

    Lee Hamilton, Center on Representative Government|Updated Jan 1, 2020

    To me, it was a thunderclap. Years ago, when I was in Congress, we were in the midst of a tense, contentious debate. Members had gotten irritated, levying charges back and forth, and tempers were rising. It was starting to look like we might just go off the rails. Then one member stood up, asked for our attention, and said to us, "Let's remember: trust is the coin of the realm." His statement at that moment hit me broadside: If we were to have any hope of progress, we had to...

  • Letter: Follow up from Pepe LeDeau

    Updated Dec 17, 2019

    A little over a month ago, Dr. Carter at St. Patrick’s, spent three-and-a-half hours on my left lung surgery. It still hurts, but not as much as that next night in ICU. I had to cough up some mucus, if not, you get sick. The nurse sat with me for an hour, she kept saying it’ll come, it’s getting closer – even holding my hand at times. I couldn’t have done it without her. The pain was intense, but after that I knew it could be done. Had two nurses that night, watched the last game of the World Series with them. I find base...

  • Op/Ed: Passage of Recovering America's Wildlife Act is good for all Montanans

    Updated Dec 11, 2019

    Martha Williams MTFWP Rich Janssen CSKT Natural Resources Dept. Montanans from all walks of life have a deep connection to our state’s fish and wildlife. Those of us lucky enough to live here and visitors from all over the world enjoy unmatched hunting, fishing, and wildlife watching opportunities. Fish and wildlife don’t see government borders, and the state of Montana shares authority to manage wildlife with Montana’s tribal nations. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks works in partnership with tribal agencies like the Natur...

  • Commentary: We Make Progress When Citizens Tackle Small Stuff

    Lee Hamilton, Indiana University Center on Representative Government|Updated Dec 10, 2019

    One of the not-so-small gifts of living in a representative democracy is that you can’t accomplish things alone. Whether you’re trying to get a stop sign put up on a dangerous corner or to change US policy on greenhouse gas emissions, you have to reach out to others. And learning how to persuade, motivate, and involve them — learning the skills of active citizenship, in other words — makes this a stronger, more resilient country. So I want to make a case for building and usi...

  • Letter: Read more, listen more

    Updated Dec 4, 2019

    I am so sad that apparently decent, intelligent Americans like Larry Dillree can be so unwilling to accept facts. (BVD 11/13/19). Facts are not political, but often our opinions are shaped by facts so we have a responsibility as citizens to get the facts right. Before Mr. Dillree says, “ the Democrats have spent the last three and one half years doing nothing,” he should look at the record. Dozens of bills, many with bipartisan support, have been passed: criminal justice ref...

  • Op/Ed: The public takes a back seat to politics on the PSC

    Roger Koopman, District 3 Commissioner, Montana PSC|Updated Dec 4, 2019

    The Public Service Commission has always been a somewhat surly bunch. The PSC's devoted staff has often had to deal with varying degrees of political game-playing, deception, threats and intrigue. Sure. Politicians politic. The question is, at the end of the day, can elected officials bury their egos and ambitions long enough to put the people's business ahead of their own? Recent events would suggest that where the Montana PSC is concerned, the answer is "no." That might...

  • Hey Howdy Hey

    Jim Oly|Updated Dec 3, 2019

    I wanted to send out a big Hey Howdy Hey of thanks to the many member of our local Lincoln Ambulance. These men and women must put in many hours of training before they are able to serve as a member. EMR’s need to put in 70 hours of training. EMT’s 150 to 200 hours, AEMT’s have even more. They are all required a certain amount of training hours every year to keep their license current. The licensing can cost around $200 but they are reimbursed when they commit to be apart...

  • Letter: Kudos to Oly

    Updated Dec 3, 2019

    Kudos to Jim Oly for showing his appreciation to the snow-plow drivers. Thank you! Ice and snow – take it slow and please give the plows room to work safely for everyone. Ron McDunn Pete Dempster...

  • Commentary: Thankful to Those Who Served

    Sen. Steve Daines - R|Updated Dec 3, 2019

    The holiday season is upon us. Montana families across our state are giving thanks and enjoying quality time with their families and loved ones. As we gather around the dining table this year to express our gratitude, let us not forget the extraordinary privilege we have as free Americans. I want to give thanks to our Montana service members currently deployed, unable to be home for the holidays this year. Thank you for protecting our nation. I also want to express my...

  • Op/Ed: Combating Addiction Must Remain Top Priority

    Jon Bennion, Chief Deputy Attorney General of Montana|Updated Nov 12, 2019

    Two and a half years ago, Attorney General Tim Fox and I stood on the steps of the state capitol with other lawmakers announcing a major long-term initiative to address the impacts of drugs (Aid Montana). Since then, our successes outnumber our defeats, and we are ready for the next phase to combat the addiction crisis in Big Sky Country. On the success front, we can point to several victories in the areas of prevention, treatment, and enforcement. We led the charge on passing...

  • Op/Ed: Northwestern resource procurement plan concerns

    Senator Mary McNally - D, SD 24 Billings|Updated Oct 29, 2019

    If you are a customer of NorthWestern Energy (NorthWestern) then you should be interested in its latest Resource Procurement Plan. Publicly owned utilities like NorthWestern are required to periodically prepare these Plans that lay out how the utility will meet energy demands over the next twenty years. Given the rapid changes that are happening in energy markets, this is a challenging task and a moving target subject to revisions over time. The process includes the utility...

  • Op/Ed: Why the US-Japan Trade Deal Matters for Montana's Farmers and Ranchers

    Updated Oct 22, 2019

    U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R) and Fred Wacker, president of the Montana Stockgrowers Assoc. As United States Senator from Montana, and as a rancher from Miles City serving as the president of the Montana Stockgrowers Association, we took a major step forward last week for Montana ag. Together, we worked to accomplish a historic trade deal between the U.S. and Japan - one that will benefit Montana's farmers and ranchers for generations to come. Farming and ranching is tough...

  • Letter: Prayers for Pepe & a question

    Updated Oct 16, 2019

    To the Editor, to Pepe! (Bob LeDeau) All of our prayers are with you. I am writing today about smoking and vaping! Been a smoker since I was 13 and I’m 65 now! Tried every method possible to quit with no success, longest I’ve ever made it was three months! Three years ago, a friend brought me an E-cigarette and charger and said try this! I tried it for about 36 hours and my LUNGS really reacted. My lungs got a heavy gurgling sounds, the sound you get when you have PNEUMONIA! So, I stopped immediately! Went back to my cig...

  • Op/Ed: Congress should approve USMCA Trade agreement

    Montana Sen. Mike Cuffe, R-Lincoln County PNWER President|Updated Oct 16, 2019

    As a state senator from a small Montana border town, I understand the need for strong economies both north and south of the international border. Approval of the new trilateral trade agreement between the United States, Canada and Mexico will help stabilize our lives. Total value of trade across the border amounted to $673 Billion in 2017. Canada is the largest export market for the U.S. USMCA sets higher standards for Canada and Mexico, and it benefits US growers and consumer...

  • Thanks for a successful first DAV of Montana Lincoln Fun Run

    Updated Oct 9, 2019

    October 5 was an amazing success. We were all very happy with the show of support from Lincoln, Great Falls, Helena and Missoula. The ride was a little damp and chilly but the groups said it was a great day and they had a lot of fun! The Fun Run paid high hand of $501 was won by Bill Gowen and he very generously donated half of his winning back to the DAV. Special thanks to Bill Gowen. The Low hand of $334.00 was won by one of our very special residents, Bob Bushnell. Bob is one of our guys who was given an award in Helena...

  • Open Letter: Could use some prayers

    Updated Oct 9, 2019

    Hello Lincoln, About four months ago, the first PET Scan showed I had cancer in my left lung. I wouldn’t believe it until Autumn Howell, my pulmonary lady at Community in Missoula showed me a picture of it. She explained this upcoming operation to me way back then. Took the time to explain the details of the operation in terms I could understand. It’s called rib refraction. I really fell in love with her. As we were leaving, I told her congratulations. She said on what. I thought she was pregnant. She was just a little bit...

  • Commentary: Pleased to offer QPR Gatekeeper training, an important tool for suicide prevention

    Jennifer Wiederhold|Updated Oct 9, 2019

    Hello, I am Jennifer Wiederhold and I am an emergency room nurse. I have lived in Lincoln nearly all my life and am pleased to be able to offer training sessions for suicide prevention in my hometown and neighboring areas. I have been a QPR Certified Gatekeeper Instructor for over three years, but with full time work, family and grad school I have had a difficult time promoting the program. So when Lewis and Clark Public Health and the County Suicide Prevention Coalition offer...

  • Op/Ed: Federal Price Controls on Health Care Would Harm Montana

    HD 53 - Billings|Updated Sep 18, 2019

    Price controls are a primary hallmark of a socialist economy. When the government takes over in any market, bad things happen. Whether it is bread lines in the former USSR or the dire lack of medicines in today's Venezuela, price controls lead quickly to shortages, rationing, and worse. These are not consequences we want for our health care. Can you imagine telling a breast cancer patient there are no oncology appointments available until next year? Or what about a young...

  • Letter: Federal funding key to health center programs

    Updated Sep 18, 2019

    In Montana, community health centers such as PureView Health Center specialize in whole-person care. Beginning with well-child visits, CHCs provide healthcare across the lifespan for many Montanans. Our model of healthcare begins with access. In addition to an open-door policy, CHCs are innovators: 100 percent of Montana CHCs use an electronic health record and 57 percent use telehealth, allowing us to reach as many patients as possible – 110,241 Montanans in 2018. Access t...

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