Triangle looks to eliminate some long-distance charges

A telephone cooperative is asking its members whether they are interested in extending their local calling area, at the cost of an increased basic service charge.

"We (would) take what our costs are for long distance and roll them into a local charge," said John Magyar, general manager of Triangle Telephone Cooperative.

Magyar said the increase in local residential charges for a co-op member in the Havre area would go from $10 a month to $19.95. The local rate for Qwest, which provides service in Havre, is $24.92, he said.

Those charges don't include mandated fees, taxes and charges, like thos...