Page 23 - Flathead Beacon // 2.3.16

The Carlyle Group and Canada-based Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. announced Jan. 11 the completion of the $327 million sale of the parent com- pany of Mountain Water Co. in Missoula and two water companies in California to Algonquin’s U.S. subsidiary, Liberty Utilities.
The deal went through after approval by California regulators but while a review was pending before the Montana Public Service Commission. The Mon- tana commission’s review had been sus- pended by a judge overseeing an eminent domain case in which the city of Missoula is seeking to take over Mountain Water.
Carlyle and Algonquin made a “busi- ness decision” to move ahead with the sale without Montana’s approval because of the court delay, Liberty Utilities attor- neys said in a document eld with the PSC. There is no state law giving the PSC authority over company sales and trans- fers, and the sale of the parent company’s stock does not a ect Mountain Water’s assets, they said.
In response, the PSC voted unan- imously to seek a judge’s order ning Mountain Water between $100 and $1,000 a day. Commissioners also will explore with the attorney general’s o ce whether the sale can be nulli ed.
“The conduct of the Carlyle Group and Liberty Utilities in this transaction rep- resents a direct attack on the authority of this commission,” PSC Chairman Brad Johnson said. “I hope the response will be as swift and severe as the law allows it to be.”
Commissioners conceded that their jurisdiction over utility company sales is only implied, and not expressly autho- rized by law, but said they have tradition- ally reviewed such sales in the past. That includes the 2011 sale of Mountain Water to the Carlyle Group.
MISSOULA
4. Man Shot in Face Pleads Guilty to
Trespassing
Brad Johnson says he’s dropping out of the governor’s race.
Johnson said last week that he would need to be a full-time candidate to win the Republican nomination over Boze- man businessman Greg Gianforte. John- son says he is not willing to compromise his commitment to the PSC to do so.
Johnson’s announcement leaves Gianforte and Mark Perea of Helena as the only Republicans seeking to unseat incumbent Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock.
The candidate ling period ends March 14.
Last month, after Gianforte formally announced his entry into the race, John- son estimated he would need between $200,000 and $300,000 to win the Republican nomination. He had raised just over $1,500 by the end of December.
The Montana Television Network rst reported Johnson’s decision to exit the race.
BILLINGS
6. Attorney General Fox Files For Re-Election; No Opponents Yet
Montana Attorney General Tim Fox has led for re-election but so far faces no opponents in the primary or general election.
The Republican made his bid for another term o cial last week, submit- ting his candidate ling with the Secre- tary of State.
Fox told The Associated Press that if re-elected he will push for more resources to ght drug tra cking and put a greater focus on consumer fraud perpe- trated against the elderly.
He also will continue opposing attempts by the federal government to infringe on state a airs. That includes proposed carbon dioxide emission reduc- tions to counter climate change.
Fox says he’s raised almost $200,000 to date for his upcoming campaign, after spending about $370,000 during the 2012 election.
Campaign nance reports show he had $122,000 in cash at the end of 2015.
BILLINGS
7. Exxon Sues NorthWestern Energy
Over Power Outages
ExxonMobil is suing NorthWest- ern Energy, saying power outages at the energy giant’s Billings re nery have cost the company millions of dollars.
The Billings Gazette reports that in the lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Bill- ings, Exxon accuses NorthWestern of being negligent in preventing the outages.
The Exxon re nery gets electricity from two NorthWestern Energy substa- tions and has no alternative power sup- ply. According to the lawsuit, NorthWest- ern also diverted power away from the re nery, forcing it to shut down.
Exxon has requested payment for damages but did not specify an amount.
Representatives from Exxon and NorthWestern declined to comment fur- ther on the lawsuit.
Valentines Day, Sunday Feb. 14th
406 Bar & Grill
VALENTINES DAY MENU
salads
RED BIBB SALAD
Bibb lettuce, strawberries, walnuts` and a basil gorgonzola dressing 7
ENDIVE CAESAR
Romaine, fresh parmesan, garlic croutons, anchovy 7
BEET SALAD
Beets, Mandarin oranges, candied walnuts and goat cheese in our house blackberry ginger vinaigrette 8
starters/tapas
POMEGRANTE LIME SCALLOPS Pan seared scallops topped with a pomegrante lime sauce 12
LOBSTER BISQUE Crostini with butter and cilantro 10
TOMATO SOUP 6
SMOKED SALMON BRUSCHETTA Smoked salmon, cherry tomato, olive oil, thyme, and lemon over toasted bread with a house pesto 10
WATERMELON PROSCIUTTO Watermelon balls wrapped in prosciutto topped with a 21 yr aged white balsamic 10
RED CURRY FRIED CALAMARI
Red curry sauce drizzled over our flash fried calamari 11
SEARED AHI TUNA
Served with a sriracha pineapple horseradish 12
THAI STREET TACOS Sirloin, red onion salsa, cilantro 8
SALMON SLIDERS
Wild salmon sliders, Asian slaw and caper aioli 12
SRIRACHA SHRIMP
Jumbo shrimp, pineapple, sriracha and green onion 11
entrees
RED SNAPPER
Filet of snapper pan seared topped with a red pepper relish served over roasted red potatoes and a pink chili cream sauce 25
FETTUCCINE ROSA
Fettuccine served with cherry tomatoes, asparagus, chicken, garlic and pine nuts in a light rose cream sauce 21
ROASTED CHICKEN Oven-roasted chicken topped with a Rose Champagne vinaigrette, pancetta and pickled red onions served with roasted red potatoes
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NEW ORLEANS BOUILLABAISSE Jumbo prawns, Andouille sausage, mirepoix and Cajun cream sauce served over red rice
24
PINK PEPPERCORN FILET
Filet Mignon grilled to perfection served with asparagus, potatoes and topped with pink peppercorn sauce 38
GRILLED LAMB
Lamb grilled and topped with a red pepper mint relish served over red lentils and mashed potatoes 27
SUN DRIED TOMATO RAVIOLI Ravioli stuffed with sun dried tomatoes and marscapone cheese topped with a asparagus cream sauce and parmesan cheese 19
STEAK FRITES
Hanger steak grilled to perfection topped with a red wine shallot reduction served with house fries 24
SURF & TURF BURGER
Angus beef stuffed with crab topped with lemon arugula, aioli, tomatoes and onion served with truffle fries 18
Desserts
STRAWBERRY LEMONADE CAKE 7 CHOCOLATE GODIVA CHEESECAKE 7
18% gratuity included for parties of 6 or more. $6 charge for split plates.
Free champagne Book your reservations now!
139 1st Avenue West • Kalispell 755-4441 • www.406barandgrill.com open 4pm - 10pm
A man who was shot in the face after entering a Montana residence has pleaded guilty to trespassing and obstructing an o cer.
The Missoulian reports that 40-year- old Casey Heavyrunner was originally charged with felony burglary and evi- dence tampering, but the charges were reduced when he made a plea agreement with prosecutors.
According to court documents, Heavyrunner and a woman entered the home of William “J.R.” Hanson at about 4 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day and refused to leave. The documents say Hanson shot Heavyrunner with a ri e when Heavyrunner advanced toward him with a knife.
Heavyrunner’s attorney says the time he’s already spent in jail satis es his short jail sentence. Heavyrunner was also given $750 in nes and told not to have contact with the victims.
HELENA
5. PSC Chairman Drops Out of
Governor’s Race
Public Service Commission chairman
FEBRUARY 3, 2016 // FLATHEADBEACON.COM
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