Good morning and happy birthday to Jimi Hendrix, who would have been 65 today.
A dusting of snow has fallen on the Flathead, but the news on the Beacon is heating up. Becky Lomax describes the recipe for man made snow, soon to be blowing on the Big Mountain. A Kalispell woman has pleaded not guilty to harboring two Oregon fugitives who shot at police in Creston last month. State Sen. Jerry O’Neill, R-Columbia Falls and a paralegal, is being hit once again with a complaint for practicing law without a license. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commissioner Vic Workman survived a very close encounter with a large grizzly bear Sunday while hunting north of Whitefish Lake.
In state news, the Democrats whose name was being floated to challenge Rep. Denny Rehberg, R-Mont., in 2008, announced he would not be stepping up to the challenge. State Sen. Dave Wanzenried of Missoula said he plans to stay in the Legislature; now Rep. Kendall Van Dyk of Billings appears to be toying with the idea of running. Former Lt. Gov. Karl Ohs, who passed away this week of brain cancer was honored yesterday by current and former state leaders. The Helena Independent Record reports that border control agencies are having difficulty finding and keeping quality employees.
If you like shopping at Costco, you’re not alone. The New York Times reports today that Costco has become the culinary destination for the high-powered dinner parties of Washington’s power elites, with everyone from neocons to media power brokers stocking up on three-pound jars of garlic.
The valley’s roads appear to be in pretty good shape, but there could be more snow on the way. Drive carefully and don’t end up like this guy.