Sorted by date Results 350 - 374 of 463
After working for the County for 10 years with 6 years as Tourism Director, Jan Dodge has decided to redirect her focus elsewhere. When she spoke about her experience there she replied, “I thoroughly enjoyed my position as tourism director. We expanded not only in tourism, but also welcoming people to the community.” Dodge described her departure as “bittersweet”. She can picture a lot of expansion in the future. “I wanted to see the visitor center as a welcome mat to everyone passing through o...
If you had a dollar for every time you heard the phrase “Start investing early,” you could retire with a million. If you actually acted on the phrase, you are probably retiring with more. Now is the time to encourage your children and grandchildren to start saving as soon as they get their first job. Let’s assume that your teenage child or grandchild is employed for five years from age 16 to 21. During this time, he or she saves $277 per month ($3,326 per year) and invests the money in a Roth IRA (paying taxes, of course, but at a low tax b...
(BPT) - With so many options based on where you live and what prescriptions you need, selecting a Medicare Part D Plan can be complicated and time consuming. However, every American 65 and older or Medicare disabled who wishes to enroll must enroll in a plan for 2013 no later than Dec. 7, 2012. Alexis Abramson, Ph.D, a gerontologist and leading advocate for health and wellness issues affecting baby boomers and seniors, offers five simple tips to guide you through the process during this year's r...
Rau Elementary in Sidney paid tribute to the veterans of the armed forces to comemorate Veterans Day by singing patriotic songs at several locations in Sidney. The sudents performed at the Kiwanis luncheon at the Elks and The Lodge on Thursday, November 8....
Established in 1997 to encourage individuals, businesses and organizations to make lasting investments in their communities, the Montana Endowment Tax Credit creates an incentive for residents to give to endowments. If you would like to see a personalized, no cost or obligation example of how the MT Endowment Tax Credit can deliver immediate tax benefits, and make a dramatic philanthropic statement, please call or write the Foundation for Community Care, Attention Staci Miller, 221 2nd Street...
Q: What is the Medicare Competitive Bidding Program and How Will it Affect Me? A: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS’) Competitive Bidding Program for Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS) is an important step towards the Medicare program paying appropriately for medical items and services. The program has and will reduce out-of-pocket expenses for Medicare beneficiaries and has and will save the Medicare Program money while ensuring beneficiaries continue to receive quality products from acc...
This is a news release that is promoted across the United States to Honor Military Veterans and their families for a FREE Senior Safe Driving 4 hour Course for the month of November only. You only need to send or bring a copy of your Drivers License and if an AARP member a copy of your membership card to register by Nov. 9, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. at the Wolf Point Senior Citizens Center in Wolf Point, MT. Also anybody who is over 55 years of age that needs or wants to take the class can also join with a payment of $12.00 for AARP members and $14.00...
The Montana Farm Bureau has expressed strong dismay that S. 3412, the Middle Class Tax Cut Act, passed in a 51-48 vote. The state’s largest agricultural organization noted that if anything, the legislation isn’t going to help, but harm, family business and especially family farms and ranches. The bill did not include any extension for the estate tax rate, meaning in 2013, the death tax will increase from 35 percent to 55 percent, and the estate tax deduction will decrease from $5 million to $1 million with no spousal transfer. “Montana Farm...
In the midst of the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln signed into law three landmark pieces of legislation creating a new “people’s department” (the US Department of Agriculture); establishing land grant colleges in every state and opening the west to homesteading. To commemorate the 150th anniversary of those historic signings, a “People’s Celebration” is planned for Thursday afternoon and evening, Nov. 8, at the Richland County Fairgrounds’ Event Center in Sidney. A number of USDA agencies (Agricultural Research Service, Farm Service...
No one “plans” to get stuck in the winter when traveling, but I’m willing to bet you either have, or know someone who has gotten stuck in a drift for a few hours, maybe even overnight! It takes just a few minutes to put together a winter survival kit to carry in your vehicle, and you’ll never regret having it if you do become stuck, or just can’t drive any farther because of blizzard conditions. Here are a few ideas, and in the end, we know you will put together what works best for your car size...
(ARA) - Boomers expect to stay in their homes and live independently into their later years, but in the midst of change that is occurring in their households, it's easy for them to lose focus on planning for their own future housing needs. New research by The Hartford shows that 40 percent of boomers have experienced or anticipate experiencing family member changes in and out of the home, mostly related to their children. However, 70 percent of boomers have not made design changes to their living space, perhaps due to the fact that they don't...
(ARA) - You've probably dreamed about what you'd do if you won the lottery - quit your job, build your dream home or even donate a large sum of money to your favorite charity. The allure of a huge amount of money falling into your lap cannot be denied. Scammers know these dreams and feelings well, and prey on them, making lottery and sweepstakes scams one of the most prevalent types of scams out there, according to the Better Business Bureau. While your chances of winning the actual lottery may already be slim, you not only won't win with scamm...
Bernice Volk, Watford City, displays some of her large carrots and potatoes that she harvested from her garden this season. Three carrots, Chadney Longs, weighed 1 pound together. Three potatoes, Vikings, weighed 2 pounds together. Volk has planted every year for the last 34 years. She has lived in Watford City since 1978. In addition to carrots and potatoes, Volk’s garden produces broccoli, cauliflower, yellow tomatoes, red tomatoes, radishes and onions. She also cans beets and t...
All of us who work feel the bite that Social Security taxes take out of our paycheck. Most of us take comfort in the hope that when we retire, Social Security will be there, giving back all the money that we paid into the system over the course of our careers. Isn’t that how it works? Well, the short answer is no, it doesn’t work that way. The Social Security taxes deducted from your paycheck are not sitting in a special account someplace, earmarked to be returned to you upon your retirement. Instead, the taxes you pay today are used to pay...
Young at Heart Seniors invites you to an afternoon of music and Alaska adventure presented by Pam Haugan, Thursday, October 25, 2012 from 2:30 to 4:30 pm at Watford City Hillside Senior Center. Bars and coffee will be served. See you on the 25th!...
If you listen very long to (or participate in) conversations that touch on the hopes and dreams for retirement years, one thing becomes evident: the conversation is often one of those “good news/bad news” discussions. The good news is that Americans are living longer. And the other side of the coin is that more years in retirement require more powerful plans for income. While you won’t find many complaining about better health and longer life, it’s difficult to find very many adults over the age...
Richland County Health Department (RCHD) will hold a mass flu shot clinic at the Community Services Building on Tuesday September 25th, from 10 am to 6:00 pm. Medicaid, Medicare & CHIPS can be billed for those who bring their cards, otherwise cash or checks will be accepted. The cost of the flu vaccine will be $30, but the High Dose will be $45. Everyone is encouraged to reduce their risk by getting a yearly flu vaccination which is the best way to prevent influenza and its severe complications. The Richland County Health Department will have...
On any given day there are between 800 and 1,000 diapers drying on clotheslines outside one of four orphanages in Haiti. In assorted colors of cotton, the tiny hourglass shaped bottom coverings blow and dry throughout the night. The next day they are folded and reused. The story of how they got there, blowing in the warm, tropical, Haitian wind is one of selflessness and inspiration that starts close to home. The diapers are handmade and donated by Ramona Ross of Culbertson. With a love for sewi...
Many older adults are inactive despite efforts to promote the benefits of regular physical activity. Because walking is the most commonly reported form of physical activity among older adults, enhancing community environments to support walking is a promising approach to increase physical activity among seniors. Research shows that modifying a community’s physical environment to ensure access to appropriate exercise venues and address barriers to walking may increase the physical activity of older adults. Specific measures include: repairing si...
(ARA) - Whether you're heading south for the winter or visiting family in far-off locales for the holidays, cool weather driving can be a fun, fulfilling experience. But while drivers of all ages can enjoy the pleasures of a long trip, changes in roads, road rules and driving conditions can make it more important for older drivers to make extra preparations to ensure a safe and enjoyable journey. AARP Driver Safety offers some advice for drivers age 50 and older who are planning to be on the...
The sooner you start putting aside money for retirement, the more you might have once that highly anticipated day arrives. Saving for college tuition, purchasing a new home, unforeseen medical expenses, or life’s other necessities, surprises, or even enjoyments can cause investors to postpone saving. Starting the retirement planning process late in one’s life can be daunting; but it is by no means impossible. Crunch the Numbers The first step to getting back on track is to put together a budget; this will force you to focus on your fin...
Local organizations urge patients and providers to take advantage of new plan options and services available beginning October 15th The Medicare Rx Access Network has re-energized its local partners to help prepare Montana seniors for the upcoming October 15th through December 7th Open Enrollment opportunity for Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plans. More than 171,499 Montanans are currently covered by Medicare. While there are still a few weeks until seniors can make changes to their benefits, Medicare Rx Access Network members are urging...
As a result of the Affordable Care Act – the health care law enacted in 2010 – seniors and people with disabilities in Montana have saved $12.0 million on prescription drugs since the law was enacted, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced recently. Seniors in Montana saved an average of $623 in the Medicare prescription drug coverage gap known as the “donut hole” in 2012. Nationwide, nearly 5.4 million seniors and people with disabilities have saved over $4.1 billion on prescription drugs. In addition, during...
In increasing numbers, it seems couples that have built their life around the family farm in America are facing a new dilemma as they reach retirement age. In many cases the farm is producing no more than 2 to 3% of its market value in an income stream. In today’s society, the children often have little or no interest in carrying on the farming tradition of Mom and Dad. And the prospect of relying on this asset for significant retirement income while having to pay someone else to run the farm i...
Dr. Dale Speiser drove through Sidney on a little road trip a few months ago and knew as soon as he hit town this was the place for him. After getting a fifth wheel and finding space in the Yellowstone Mall, he was ready to start working. Dr. Dale was born in Miles City, MT, and has lived in both the eastern and western parts of the state. His family goes back generations in the Ekalaka and Forsyth areas. Dr. Dale did most of his undergraduate work in Rexburg, ID and Las Vegas, NV, and attended...
