Page 25 - Flathead Beacon // 9.2.15

END OF
LIGHTING SALE
Up to
50% OFF
Select Items Select Showroom Pieces
ON SALE
MASTERPIECE
CARPET ONEFLOOR & HOME
2541 US Highway 2 E Kalispell
(406) 752-0924 www.carpetone.com
For Special Offers!
bigamy laws and argues the state is unconstitutionally preventing them from legitimizing their polygamous relationship.
Nathan, Victoria and Christine Col- lier turned to the courts after Yellow- stone County officials denied Nathan and Christine’s request for a marriage license in June. Nathan Collier said he was inspired by the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling allowing gay marriage to legally wed his second wife.
“I’m fighting for my family’s right to exist as a family,” Collier told The Asso- ciated Press. “I can’t imagine a greater cause to fight for.”
Nathan and Victoria Collier married in 2000. Nathan and Christine Collier held a religious ceremony in 2007 but did not sign a marriage license. The three live together in Billings, have eight children from their own and from past relation- ships and went public by appearing on the reality cable television show “Sister Wives” in January.
In their lawsuit, they argue the Supreme Court’s gay marriage ruling means that limiting marriage to oppo- site-sex couples is inconsistent with the fundamental right to marry. They also reference biblical figures and historical who had multiple wives as evidence of polygamy’s historical acceptance.
The state laws that forbid a man from marrying more than one woman denies them their constitutionally guaranteed rights to equal protection, due process, free speech, freedom of religion and free- dom of association, the lawsuit said.
GLACIER PARK
5. Proposed Grizzly Bear Protection Settlement Heads to Judge
Montana and three conservation groups are proposing measures to pro- tect grizzly bears while still allowing log- ging in two state forests west of Glacier National Park.
On Aug. 31, the state Land Board approved the proposed settlement that would create seven security zones total- ing 34 square miles within the Stillwater and Coal Creek state forests.
No permanent roads would be built in the security zones. Logging would be barred except when bears are in their dens for winter, and then only below an elevation of 6,300 feet.
The state also would avoid or mini- mize helicopter flights over the zones.
The proposal would settle a lawsuit filed in 2013 by Friends of the Wild Swan, the Montana Environmental Informa- tion Center and the Natural Resources Defense Council.
It must be approved by a federal judge.
EAST GLACIER
6. East Side Access to Logan Pass Extended
The last day to access Logan Pass by vehicle from the east side of Glacier National Park will be Sunday, Oct. 4, park
officials announced Tuesday. Vehicletrafficwillberestrictedonthe
eastsideneartheSt.MaryCampground beginning Oct. 5 to allow for fall season rehabilitation on the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Vehicle access to Logan Pass will be available from the west side of the park through the third weekend in October, weather permitting.
The last day to access Logan Pass by vehicle from the east side was originally planned to be Sept. 20. However, road crews have made great progress on pav- ing and road rehabilitation projects and are able to extend access to the east side of Going-to-the-Sun Road.
Road rehabilitation will continue through and after Oct. 4. Visitors should anticipate some traffic delays, and some east-side road pull-outs may be closed due to road work and fire hazards.
After the closure to motorists, hikers and bikers will have access to the east side of Going-to-the-Sun Road on weekends and evenings, weather permitting.
Some trails are closed on the east side of Going-to-the-Sun Road due to the Reynolds Creek Fire.
The free shuttle transportation ser- vice accessing Logan Pass and locations along Going-to-the-Sun Road will oper- ate through Sept. 7.
Shuttles on the east side of Going-to- the-Sun Road are currently running a modified schedule due to the Reynolds Creek Fire. East side shuttles are stop- ping only at St. Mary, Rising Sun, Rising Sun Boat Dock, Gunsight Pass Trailhead, Siyeh Bend, and Logan Pass. West side shuttles are running a normal schedule.
The Logan Pass Visitor Center will remain open through Sept. 30. The St. Mary Visitor Center will remain open through Oct. 4. The Apgar Visitor Cen- terwillmovetoaweekendonlyschedule beginning Oct. 17 through mid-May.
HELENA
7. Labor Report: Worker Shortage Begins as Baby Boomers Retire
State officials say Montana’s low unem- ployment rate is driving up wages but a serious worker shortage is appearing on the horizon as baby boomers begin to retire.
The Department of Labor and Indus- try’s Labor Day report released Monday shows at least 130,000 baby boomers in the state are expected to retire in the next decade.
Currently, Montana doesn’t have enough younger people to fill those jobs even if every one of them entered the workforce.
Commissioner of Labor and Industry Pam Bucy says to address the issue, her department is partnering with colleges and businesses to streamline training and create apprenticeships in fast-grow- ing industries such as health care.
The state is also continuing to add jobs with more than 2,000 per month added in the first six months of 2015.
SEPTEMBER 2, 2015 // FLATHEADBEACON.COM
25
Summer
All In-Stock Table & Floor Lamps ON SALE