Hi-Line darts and laurels

Laurel — The Havre/Hill County Historic Preservation Commission raised some funds and elevated community spirit when it sold 50 special Christmas ornaments. Ornaments depicting historic buildings will be designed every year. In this inaugural year, the ornament paid tribute to the old post office building in downtown Havre. Most appropriate. The building has been sold to Marc Whitacre and Erica Farmer, who will renovate it and convert it into business space and living quarters.

Laurel — Laurel —— Stu and Carol McIntosh donated $200,000 to the Boys & Girls Club of the Hi-Line. The McIntoshes have been good citizens of the area for some time, but this generous donation to the club will be put into the club's endowment fund, meaning the contributions will help Havre young people for generations to come.

Dart — Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks gets criticized, often unfairly, but the commission chair, Bob Ream, should be sharply criticized for his recent conduct. A deer jumped in front of his car last month. The deer died, he tagged it and took it home for processing. He said he thought it was OK. Twenty-six states allow that, he said. Well, 24 states don't allow it, and Montana is one of the 24. Officers gave the chairman a warning. The chairman of FWP should know better.

Dart — A Department of Labor proposal would bar young people from working farm jobs on anything but their family's farm. We're dead set against exploitation of young people by industrialists, but working on the farm is a tradition for young people. This well-meaning proposal should be rejected. Sen. Jon Tester and Rep. Denny Rehberg, who agree on just about nothing these days, are fighting the proposed regulation.

Laurel — Fortunately the weather hasn't been too cold or too snowy, given that this is December in Montana. But it's been plenty cold for those people standing outside ringing the Salvation Army bell at the red kettles. Drop some money in the kettle the next time you pass one, and thank the people who volunteer their time.