Montana Rep. Denny Rehberg is a cosponsor of the Open Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA) of 2010, with bipartisan supporters from other Western states. The legislation reinstates oversight and transparency measures for taxpayer payments made to organizations through the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA).

“I think Montanans would be outraged to learn that huge national special interest groups with multi-million dollar endowments are bankrolling thousands of lawsuits with tax dollars meant for small businesses, individuals and non-profits,” said Rehberg a member of the House Western Caucus. “It’s one thing to have access to the courts, but it’s another to force taxpayers to pay for it. Since 1995, the federal government has inexplicably stopped tracking how it spends these funds, and it’s time to restore the transparency and accountability.”

by Jon Ebelt

Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) officials are advising Montanans to take advantage of the ample H1N1 vaccine supply in the state.

Senator also questions Interior chief on false rumors of land purchases near Missouri River Breaks

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – There are no plans to create any national monuments in Montana, U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar confirmed to Senator Jon Tester today.

Salazar also confirmed that there are no plans for the government to pursue land purchases along the Missouri River Breaks.

by Clarice Ryan

A meeting on biomass as an alternative energy source for power generation, will be held at Flathead Valley Community College, on Monday, March 15 starting at 6:45 pm.in the Arts and Technology Building auditorium.

Gary Callihan, an international specialist in energy systems, will be the keynote speaker. The program will also include a panel consisting of Chuck Roady, vice president of Stoltze Land and Lumber Company; retired forestry specialist Fred Hodgeboom, and Montana State Senator Verdell Jackson, member of the Natural Resources and Energy Committee.

Missoula County’s Open Lands Citizen Advisory Committee proudly announces The Good Neighbor Handbook: Information for Rural Landowners in Missoula County. This new publication is a compilation of resources, tips, technical information, and ideas for rural landowners in Missoula County, and free copies are currently available.

The handbook features photos of western Missoula County, including the Frenchtown area and Petty Creek, and prominently quotes Petty Creek resident Doug McCoy.

McCoy emphasizes the purpose of the book as he states, "I feel it is a privilege to live in the Petty Creek area. I try to repay this privilege by respecting the history, the people, the wildlife, and the open lands that are all part of these beautiful valleys and mountains."

Former St. Regis resident Charles W. “Clem” Moore, 47, was sentenced Monday to the Montana State Prison for 100 years, with 40 years suspended. He will not be eligible for parole for the first 25 years of the sentence.

Montana Fourth District Court Judge Ed McLean sentenced Moore on Monday March 8, 2010 at the Mineral County Court House in Superior.

On Monday, March 8, 2010, District Court Judge Ed McLean granted the Petition of Mineral County Sheriff Hugh Hopwood to forfeit a gun collection owned by former Mineral County resident Fred Dealaman and valued at about $10,000.

In July of 2009 Dealaman was found guilty in State District Court of Criminal Production or Manufacture of Dangerous Drugs. In May 2008 State and federal agents of the Missoula High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force, assisted by personnel from the Mineral County Sheriffs Department, executed a search warrant at 10 Hidden Meadow Lane near Lozeau and discovered a sophisticated marijuana growing operation involving 155 plants. Also discovered and seized was a cache of weapons including 14 rifles, a shotgun and 2 pistols.

Candidate Filing Deadline is Monday, March 15

HELENA – Secretary of State Linda McCulloch today reminded Montanans that there is only one week left to file to run for public office in 2010. The deadline for all candidates to file with the Secretary of State or county election office a declaration of nomination for placement on the primary ballot is Monday, March 15 at 5:00 p.m.

by Robbie Carpenter

If you think you or someone you know might have a gambling problem, the Montana Council on Problem Gambling may be able to help. As part of their mission as a non-profit agency they offer free group therapy counseling to address gambling addiction and its associated social and personal problems. They also offer, referral services, and education to compulsive gamblers, their families, and other concerned Montanans.