We were sorry to learn that BNSF Railway has furloughed numerous workers, including approximately 150 across the Hi-Line in Montana.

These are good-paying jobs that contribute immensely to the economic vitality of Whitefish, Havre and other small Montana towns and cities. 

Unfortunately, those jobs and the well-being of the railroad depend to a large extent on commodities such as oil, coal and grain, which fluctuate in pricing and availability. When the price of oil lowered last year, it meant that a correspondingly lower amount of oil was being produced in the Bakken fields of Montana and North Dakota. That it turn means fewer trains and fewer jobs.

The lesson, of course, is that we should be doing everything possible to support energy development in Montana. Even if the price of oil remains low, there is a market for coal in Asia that could be exploited. The federal government and Montana’s state government should be doing everything possible to develop those markets and create more top-paying jobs.

Dunnigan Fest aids the best

If you’ve been to more than a bar or two in Whitefish over the last 20 years, there’s a pretty good chance you’ve run into singer-songwriter John Dunnigan.

Actually, Dunnigan has been entertaining in Whitefish and throughout Northwest Montana for parts of the last five decades — and entertain he does! His melodic and often poignant music is counterbalanced by a zany sense of humor that leaves audiences either guffawing or just plain guessing. 

On Thursday, May 28, members of the John Dunnigan fan club (and there are thousands of us) can pay John back for some of the good times he has delivered over the years.

The performer fell deathly ill with pancreatitis earlier this year, and with the ensuing surgeries and treatment, his bank account went down to zero even while his health returned. The community is being asked to help raise funds to retire Dunnigan’s medical bills, but in the most entertaining way possible.

A $20 wristband to Dunnigan Fest will get you into four or more bars in downtown Whitefish, where some of the top acts in Montana will be performing. Doors open at 6 p.m. and you can pay then.

If you see John, say hello from us!

Track finale worth the wait

Dozens of teams and hundreds of athletes will converge in Kalispell today and Saturday for the Class AA and B state track meets.

The meet at Legends Stadium promises plenty of competitive action on both the track and in the field events.

The most closely watched events might be in the distance races where a cadre of top-flight Flathead Valley athletes may well rewrite the record books.

There are sure to be other events worth watching as our young athletes compete in the finale of the spring season.