Good morning; on the Beacon today, Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials say two recent boating deaths here have highlighted the need for carefulness on the water. Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. says its operations that were scheduled to close on Tuesday, ending 86 jobs, will continue at least until Aug. 31. Want to cool down this summer on the river, but don’t want to paddle the whitewater section of the Middle Fork of the Flathead River? Try floating down from West Glacier to the Blankenship Bridge Road. An original piston assembly from the Oakes Steamer, a boat commissioned by Columbia Falls’ founder James Talbott, has been unearthed – 117 years after the boat capsized in the Flathead River on its maiden voyage. And Kitchen Guy Jim Gray writes up some of his favorite breakfasts, from Scottish-style to Tex-Mex.
Protests by single-payer health care advocates continued on Friday, calling for Sen. Max Baucus to give greater consideration to such a plan. Ravalli County’s undersheriff has resigned amid an investigation into a domestic disturbance at his home earlier this month. Stimson Lumber Co. is searching for a new buyer for its Bonner sawmill after the current deal collapsed. The Kootenai Creek Fire west of Stevensville has grown to 786 acres. And the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians should find out today whether they receive land recognition from the federal government.