Good morning; on the Beacon today, Jerry O’Brien is a volunteer who is always available for whatever help is needed. B.J. Lupton has observed the impact of nature’s whims on his business since 1977, when he purchased Snappy Sport Senter from his father. U.S. Sen. Jon Tester said Tuesday his compromise plan to both increase logging and expand wilderness still has a chance to clear Congress this year — a move that could be more critical for the legislation as hopes dimmed that it could clear a GOP-controlled House next year.
Gov. Brian Schweitzer, meeting Tuesday with the new Republican legislative leaders, asked them to fully consider his proposals and promised to do the same with theirs during a friendly initial get-together. Environmental groups on Tuesday sought to cancel the December sale of oil and gas leases on more than 234 square miles of public lands in Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota. Law enforcement officers who searched the medical marijuana business run by Jason Christ last week did so based on allegations that he kept hundreds of signed, blank doctor recommendations on hand, and altered checks for filing fees to the state agency that keeps medical marijuana records. Snow and withering cold that have pummeled Montana since Saturday cranked snowpack season into high gear.