Good morning; on the Beacon today, fire chiefs around the valley say they need more notice from the state Transportation Department on roadwork that could delay emergency calls. This year is the 100th anniversary of Columbia Falls’ incorporation as a town, and on July 23-26, the annual Heritage Days gathering will celebrate the centennial with a full slate of activities. President Barack Obama’s announcement of a $12-billion initiative boosting funding for two-year education programs was a welcome one at Flathead Valley Community College.
Montana Sens. Max Baucus and Jon Tester say they will back a provision saying that those holding concealed weapons permits may carry them in other states. Three Montana “hotshot” crews are fighting a wildfire 11 miles southwest of Deer Lodge. Montana’s minimum wage is scheduled to increase 35 cents on Friday. TV ads and demonstrations targeting Baucus over health care reform legislation are intensifying. Baucus will hold a health summit in Bozeman Aug. 9 and 10. National Forests in Montana, including the Flathead and Kootenai, are scheduled to receive some $10.1 million in federal stimulus funds. And Evel Knievel Days kick off in uptown Butte this weekend.