We’re high on Plum Creek and low on poachers in our weekly index of what’s up, down and in between …
HIGH
TED TURNER – State and federal officials decided allowing some of Yellowstone’s wild bison to be relocated to this media mogul’s ranchland could be the best option to spare the buffalo from slaughter.
PLUM CREEK – The timber giant received a $337,000 rebate from the Bonneville Power Administration for energy conservation measures at its C-Falls fiberboard plant.
RYAN KEENAN – This 12-year-old Bigfork golf phenom shot his first career hole-in-one last week – on his last day of the season.
MATTHEW BRENNER – This UM sophomore was disqualified from kicking a $10,000-field goal at a Griz game when it was discovered he played high school ball. But last weekend he got another chance and nailed it, winning the cash. It’s good!
BETWEEN
BARACK OBAMA – An Associated Press poll found his approval rating holding fairly steady at 54 percent, even while public attitudes on everything from the economy to health care to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan show increasing dissatisfaction. A planned summit on job creation indicates the president is getting the message.
LOW
POACHERS – Numerous trophy animals shot and left to rot all over Montana have wildlife officials concerned about the uptick in the crime. A reward of $11,800 is available for info in the case of an 800-pound grizzly shot near Depuyer.
AM930 – Missoula’s last remaining liberal talk radio station switches formats to conservative talk after KMPT’s management said they weren’t making money.
STATE PENSION FUNDS – The retirement funds lost nearly 21 percent of their value this year, a loss unlikely to be made up for through future investments alone. An interim legislative committee is studying the problem.
KRISTINA KALLIES – This middle school teacher’s aide returned to Great Falls to face charges she abused an autistic boy by placing his head under running water after he dozed off in class.