Great Falls Tribune from Great Falls, Montana • Page 24

GREAT FALLS TRIBUNE WWW.GREATFALLSTRIBUNE.COM Business WAA 1 inJ Contact: Business Editor Beth Britton 8S Wednesday, April 24, 2002 at 791.1463 0r (800) 438-6600 IS Business 'fr briefsh- 1 1 kQAL Demolition continues at bowling alley By Tribune staff Scott Liggett of Liggett Construction was busy demolishing the old Skyway bowling alley earlier this week. The alley, located at 1019 7th St. was built in the 1950s and closed in 1998. Replacing the alley will be a bank PMI Bank of Montana. Prairie Mountain Investments President Tom VanHoose said demolition will be completed within 30 days, after which construction of the locally owned bank will begin.

Sletten Construction is the general contractor. The bank will open in temporary quarters in early July at Prairie Mountain Investments' office at 202 2nd Ave. S. The permanent offices will be completed this fall. a -1 i Trlbum photo by Stuart S.

Whit Scott Liggett dumps a load of debris as his company, Liggett Construction, demolishes the former Skyway Bowl, 1019 7th St. S. PPL, Avista win river stewardship awards By MIKE DENNISON Tribune Capitol Bureau Upgrades at KTGF disappointing, May says By BETH BRITTON Tribune Business Editor Just in time for May sweeps and the much anticipated 75th anniversary of NBC, glitches in reception continue at KTGF Channel 16 (Cable 12) Great Falls' NBC affiliate. KTGF General Manager Jack May said the station has been working in recent months with several companies, including Boze-man's Cutthroat Communications, to update its software and hardware. The company has invested heavily in the recent upgrade, May said, and the performance is disappointing.

"We paid our money and we expected a product that would have taken care of this (problem)," May said. "The objective is to bring a superior signal to the market." May said he did not know when the glitches in reception which he said are thankfully less frequent and severe than they were during coverage of the Olympic Games in February would end. "They're maddening when they appear, and we are doing everything humanly possible," May said. KTGF Channel 16 (cable 12) is one of five stations purchased last year by Max Media LLC and operated by Missoula-based Max Media Montana. The company's Kalispell, Bozeman, Butte and Missoula stations are all ABC affiliates.

For information Call KTGF at 761-8816. The office is closed after 5 p.m.; its e-mail is ktgfktgf.com. Belt Valley Bank creates scholarship By Tribune staff The Belt Valley Bank, working with the Montana Bankers Education Foundation, has established a permanent scholarship for schools in Belt, Centerville, Geyser and Highwood. The scholarship, in the amount of $500 at each school, will be given to a graduating senior seeking higher education. Awards will be made on the basis of academic achievement, educational goals, school extracurricular and community activities.

Scholarship funds may be applied toward the cost of tuition, books or required fees to any accredited public or private post-secondary educational institution or trade school. Application materials are available at the schools. The Montana Bankers Education Foundation is a permanent endowment fund of the Montana Community Foundation. The Belt Valley Bank has served the region for more than 65 years. Fading, executive director of Montana Trout Unlimited.

"They had to put this money down as a condition for relicensing. They're not like doing this out of the goodness of their own heart." However, Albers complimented PPL for proposing many of the projects that became part of the relicensing requirements. The company is putting up $10.8 million over the next eight years, and using that to leverage another $45 million from state, federal and private funds for conservation programs along the Madison and Missouri Rivers. which is headquartered in Allen-town, Pa. "I am very proud of the people who put years of effort into the development of this (conservation) project," said Brad Spencer, chief operating officer of PPL Montana.

"It is gratifying to hear that it is being used as a model for hydro reli-censing and river stewardship ef-B forts in other states." The environmental projects are part of each company's federal license to operate hydroelectric dams along rivers. "What people need to know is, this is not over and above what they are required to do," said Bruce earning an award is Avista for its work along the Clark Fork River in extreme northwestern Montana. Avista formerly Washington Water Power of Spokane is helping to acquire property and easements along the Bull River to preserve fish and wildlife habitat and recreation spots. The Bull enters the Clark Fork near the town of Trout Creek. "(Avista) has been outstanding to work with," said Dan Vincent of Kalispell, regional supervisor for the state Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

"They had a completely different twist on how they were ready to go forward with (dam) relicensing." Avista operates two hydroelectric dams along the Clark Fork near the Idaho-Montana border: Noxon Rapids and Cabinet Gorge. PPL Montana operates eight hydroelectric dams and one storage reservoir along the Madison-Missouri river complex, which stretches from Hebgen Lake in southwestern Montana to the five dams along the Missouri near Great Falls. PPL Montana bought the dams from Montana Power Co. in 1999. It's a subsidiary of PPL HELENA Two power-plant operators in Montana received national industry awards Tuesday for their environmental projects along Montana rivers, including PPL Montana for its work along the Madison-Missouri complex.

That work includes efforts to restore cottonwood trees along the wild and scenic Missouri northeast of Great Falls and timed water releases to protect trout in the lower Madison River. "From what I've seen of other (hydro-project) relicensing projects, this one is definitely cutting edge stuff," said Mark Albers of Great Falls, the Montana director for the conservation group American Rivers. "This award recognizes PPL Montana for having one of the most effective river stewardship programs in the country," said David Tuft, spokesman for the National Hydropower Association, which gave out the awards. Eight companies won the annual awards, which have been handed out since 1994. The other Montana operator Water association honors manager Dana Audet, operations manager for USFilter at the Great Falls wastewater treatment plant, received the Montana Water Environment Association's Operator of the Year award at the association's recent annual meeting.

The award, given every third year, is presented for outstanding performance and professionalism. Audet has been the plant's operations manager for 13 years. Business assistance clinic set for May 1 A business assistance clinic is set from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 1 at the Heritage Inn, 1700 Fox Farm Road.

The clinic will provide employers and business owners with up-to-date information on employment and tax laws and services available at Job Service Work Force Centers. Representatives from the Montana Department of Labor and Industry's wage and hour bureau, the worker's compensation regulation and unemployment divisions and the Job Service will make presentations. The IRS and Montana Department of Revenue will be present. Continuing education credits are available. The clinic is sponsored by the Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce.

Registration is due by Monday. The cost is $35 for Chamber members and $40 for nonmembers. For more information, call 761-4434. STATE Legal professionals holding conference The National Association of Legal Secretaries of Montana is holding an educational conference In conjunction with its annual meeting Friday and Saturday in Missoula at the Holiday Inn Parkside. Topics will include criminal law, auto injury in Montana, legal research on the Internet, ethics, video conferencing and citations.

Continuing learning credits are available from the National Association of Legal Secretaries and credits from the State Bar are pending. For more information, call 727-402Q. Stillwater Mining announces earnings Stillwater Mining based in Columbus, reported net income of $16.6 million, or 40 cents per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2002 on revenue of $76 million. The first quarter of 2001, Stillwater had net income of $29.4 million or 75 cents per diluted share on revenue of $89.9 million. The 2002 first quarter results include a $6.3 million pre-tax credit from a reduction in a $11 million restructuring charge accrued in the fourth quarter of 2001.

Tribune staff PUBLIC HEARING All people wishing to comment on the proposed Annuol (onsolidotion Action Plan, the proposed use of 20022003 Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Partnership funds, and the program policies and performance are invited to speak before the City Commission. When: Tuesday, May 7, 2002; 7:00 p.m. Where; City Commission Chambers, Civic Center, 2 Park Drive, 2nd Floor Handicap access available on north side of building. The proposed plan will be available for viewing from April 8, 2002, through May 7, 2002, at five public locations. Great Falls Housing Authority Great Folk Senior Citizens Center Opportunities, Inc.

Great Falls Public library City Community Development Office 1500 Chowen Springs Loop 1004 Central Avenue 90S 1st Avenue North 301 2nd Avenue North Civic Center, Room 112 761-2551 On? Anyone not able to attend the hearing may moil written comments to the City of Great Falls, Community Development Department, P.O. Box S021, Great Falls, MT, 59403, or email kjahnsonci.greot-falls.mt.us. Comments may also be delivered to the Community Development Department in Room 112 of the Civic Center. All comments must oe received by May 7, 2002. For more information, contact the Community Development Department, 771-1180, extension 313 TT-SZT -y ItbHanl7bStopA1nnf- 6 teas dps GREAT FALLS PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FALLS, MONTANA Send tips: Do you have news about your business new location, major remodeling or other changes? Fax us at (406) 791-1431; our address is Business Briefcase, Great Falls Tribune, RO.

Box 5468, Great Falls, MT 59403. KINDERGARTEN PRE-REGISTRATION MAY 1st, 2002 YOUR CHILD'S PRESENCE IS NOT REQUIRED KINDERGARTEN Must be five years old on or before September 1 0. 2002. NO EXCEPTIONS. FIRST GRADE Must be six years old on or before September 10, 2002.

This applies to students who did not attend an accredited kindergarten and are entering 1st grade for the first time. llim Ti Hfi I'MO'f VU i Iff i PLEASE BRING PROOF OF AGE: Birth Certificate, hospital andor baptismal record. NAME AND PHONE NUMBERS IN CASE OF EMERGENCY: Your child's doctor, nearest relative or neighbor, your child's babysitter. PROOF OF IMMUNIZATION (required by law): Must be provide by the first day of school, 82902. Children must be immunized against Diphtheria.

Tetanus. Polio, Rubella and Measles. (Exceptions allowed for medical or religious reasons only). FECHMPC-OEGU LAST CHANCE NOTICE The diet drugs "Fen-Pherv" Pondimin, and Redux may have caused serious heart and lung problems, even with very minimal use. You may have been damaged by these drugs without having any symptoms at all, or you may experience symptoms including fatigue, shortness of breath, andor heart palpitations.

If you took any of these drugs, even for as short as two months, you may have suffered heart or lung damage, and you need to take immediate action to protect your health and your legal rights. Free Medical Testing and Class Settlement Information The law firm of Driggs, Bills Day is providing prompt free medical testing to determine if you may have potential heart damage. The test is non invasive, painless and takes only a few minutes. If you have taken one of these drugs, please call the number listed be'ow. Last Opportunity! This month will be the last time that we will be offering free testing in this area.

If you do not call our office please call someone, you need to do something now or your rights will be lost. Billions of dollars have been set aside for settlements by the manufacturers of these drugs. Call now to beat the deadlines. Toll Free: 1-800-222-9719 Every year, nearly half a million babies are born too soon, some so small they can fit in the palm of a hand. Many have to struggle just to survive.

Join March of Dimes WalkAmerica and help give tiny, premature babies a fighting chance. Maybe even a baby you know. Saturday, May 11 Gibson Park Registration 9:00 a.m. Walk Begins 10:00 a.m. For more information, call 1-800-597-7716 REGISTER IN YOUR ATTENDANCE AREA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ALL CHILDREN LIVING ON MALMSTROM A.F.

B. WILL REGISTER AT LOY SCHOOL ALL SCHOOLS WILL BE REGISTERING ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 1st, 2002 8:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. Sponsored by: 7 rW GREAT FALLS HmP Tribune www.granfallslribune.com Ike Rocrf avorfies.