Good morning. On the Beacon today, the increasing number of street vendors in the valley is prompting an increasing number of local governments to look to an increasing amount of regulation. Kalispell planning officials are taking heat after a memo surfaced showing certain developers will be exempt from paying traffic impact fees if they pull a building permit in the next six months. Sen. Greg Barkus, R-Kalispell, is the subject of a requested ethics probe by Flathead Democrats regarding state money he appropriated to help pay for a local construction firm’s share of an environmental cleanup. And check out Lido’s sick photos from Saturday’s ultimate fighting event at Majestic Valley Arena.
The Legislature agreed on a budget and adjourned. Yahoo! Despite heavy criticism from both sides, lawmakers also passed a bill to mitigate property tax increases on the last day as well. Thousands are without power as a heavy spring snowstorm is rocking central Montana. Smurfit-Stone Container Corp. is extending the shutdown of its Frenchtown linerboard plant through June. And a new study finds oilseed crop camelina makes excellent jet fuel that cuts way back on greenhouse gas emissions. Have a great day.