MontanaWithKids.com

Dateline: Terry, Montana
October 26, 2009 10:30 AM MDT
By: Bob van der Valk

The two teams for the upcoming World Series of crude oil have been decided. The first team is made up of speculators and hedge fund advisors with the other team made up of the major and independent oil companies. The final outcome of this game between the Wall Street Titans and the Texas Oil Barons will decide the winner or loser, in this case the gasoline customer. Please read the remainder of this article on the player statistics after some local news about Montana fuel prices. (more…)

Goldman Sachs is lining its pockets buying political power

Dateline: Terry, Montana
October 22, 2009 4:00 AM MDT
By: Bob van der Valk

On October 21, 2009, in his remarks at the OTC Derivatives Regulation, Futures Industry Association Expo in Chicago, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Chairman Gary Gensler proposed that hedge funds, financial firms or other investment funds not be exempted from clearing requirements and all standardized OTC products should be moved onto regulated exchanges or trade execution facilities.

The CFTC also recommended changes to its oversight authority, including implementation of the “Eddie Murphy” rule, taken from the 1983 comedy movie “Trading Places”. The CFTC will extend insider trader prohibitions to include parties who receive misappropriated information from any government agency. This will be known and is referred to as the “Eddie Murphy” rule. (more…)

The following letter was posted on the web site of Senator Max Baucus at: http://baucus.senate.gov/?p=contact

You may also contact Senator Baucus at his office number (406) 365-7002

Dear Senator Baucus:

Your response to my previous message about your health care reform bill used the usual boiler plate language thrown out to the uninformed voters in Montana.

However, since we actually read newspapers and watch cable news in Terry, our small town U.S.A., we are able to obtain our information unbiased towards any point of view in the current political climate. (more…)

The Gas Guy dressed up for Halloween 2009

Dateline: Terry, Montana
October 19, 2009 2:00 PM MDT
By: Bob van der Valk

Don’t be scared when you look at the prices you are paying at the pump right now for gasoline and diesel. This winter fuel prices both gasoline and diesel will reach the same low price levels as last year.

In Montana and in the rest of the U.S., we are now already paying about 45 cents per gallon less for fuel than we did last year. Gasoline in Montana is currently averaging $2.59 with the price last year at $3.04 per gallon. (more…)

There is a lot of talk about the Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFL Lights) on the market today, and some discussion about whether or not they’re a good thing overall. These have been legally mandated in other countries like Australia for years because the government feels it’s easier to make them the law rather than build more coal-fired power plants they can’t afford. But is it really cheaper for you, the consumer? Here’s a quick run-down that will show you the real costs, real savings and real benefits of letting the century-old incandescent light go the way of the dodo. (more…)

I believe this is our fourth year being invited to check out the Autumn festivities at Remlinger Farms. Our previous years have always been well above par, and this year was no exception. It was a little different though, since our kids are older, and they just keep adding on to the attractions inside the farm. (more…)

Paul and Linda Nygard from Billings, Montana enjoying breakfast at the Badlands Cafe and Scoop Shoppe in Terry, Montana before hunting antelope in Prairie County

The van der Valk Eastern Montana Gas Price Advisory for 10-12-09

Dateline: Terry, Montana
By: Bob van der Valk
October 12, 2009 9:30 AM MDT

Hunters have been arriving in Terry by the droves since last week Friday in time for the start of the annual hunting season. They will be after herds of antelopes, which have propagated thanks to the great summer weather greening up the prairies.

They have also enjoyed seeing lower gas prices to fill up their trucks, vans and SUVs while driving to Terry from as far away as Minnesota and Idaho. The Four-Corner gas station in Terry is selling regular unleaded gasoline for only $2.479 per gallon this morning. (more…)

Dateline: Terry, Montana
October 10, 2009 4:00 PM MDT
By: Bob van der Valk

Hungry hunters will have another place to eat for breakfast in Prairie County, Montana just in time for the start of the hunting season in Eastern Montana. (more…)

Print of Custer's Last Fight - Courtesy of the New York Public Library

Hardin’s Last Stand: Battle of Big Horn with the American Private Police Force

Dateline: Terry, Montana
By: Bob van der Valk
October 9, 2009 4:00 PM MDT (updated article)

4:00 PM 10/9/09 – The American Private Police Force has pulled out of its deal with the Two Rivers Authority and will not attempt to run the Hardin Detention Facility. The announcement was made by Becky Shay during a press conference in Billings this afternoon.

The tale of woe would have continued for the Two Rivers Authority (TRA) Detention Center. This announcement came after Michael Hilton aka Captain Michael had passed along yet another one of his many tall tales through his spokesperson to the media. (more…)

Michael Cohen – Director of Operations for the Two Rivers Authority Detention Center

Dateline: Terry, Montana
October 7, 2009 4:00 PM MDT (Updated)
By: Bob van der Valk

Glenn Beck reported on this story on his show on the FOX News Channel this afternoon but apparently is not aware that the American Private Police Force in fact still has access to the Two Rivers Authority (TRA) Detention Center. Becky Shay told this writer on Sunday, October 4, 2009 that she has the keys and is in the middle of moving into the office at the jail.

The email with statement issued on Monday, October 5, 2009 by Al Peterson, the current Director with the TRA, is printed in its entirety in the comment section below this article.

What a revolting development this must be for Captain Michael Hilton. Now even his much lauded announcement of having hired the Director of Operations to run the Two Rivers Authority (TRA) Detention Center in Hardin has been totally debunked. (more…)

City of Hardin Police Department Logo on side of Mercedes Benz SUV used by American Private Police Force officials before being asked to remove them from their vehicles by Ron Adams, the Mayor of Hardin

It simply amazes when a truly good hearted people are taken in by a smooth talking convict whose mouth is filled with sticky sweet syrup while his heart is filled with black deceit. (more…)

Revised logo of the American Private Police Force

By: Bob van der Valk
Dateline: Terry, Montana
October 4, 2009 6:00 PM MDT

Becky Shay, the West Coast spokesperson for the American Police Force, has been personally affected by the events in Hardin, Montana and they are not very pretty. She spoke to me earlier today regarding her status with the American Private Police Force (APPF) and their proposed agreement with the Two Rivers Authority. Please note that the word “Private” has now been added to the company name along with having adopted a brand new logo. (more…)

Jack the Horse and Shelby his owner trekked over 8 hours from Western Montana to Terry, Montana just to enjoy some of the Badlands Cafe's delicious marinated tomatoes and Montana's famous Huckleberry ice cream

Dateline: Terry, Montana
October 4, 2009 7:00 AM MDT
By: Bob van der Valk

The nightly sunset puts a special glow over the town of Terry, Montana presenting a very picturesque setting ready for a master’s brush. Kids are practicing at their special brand of soccer in Murn Park in the center of town or riding their bikes up and down the paved streets. (more…)

Official Seal of the City of Hardin, Montana

Dateline: Terry, Montana
October 3, 2009 5:30 AM MDT
By: Bob van der Valk

Once upon a time there was a man named Captain Michael, who tried to take over of Hardin, Montana with his American Police Force (APF). Now Miodrag Dokovich, or Captain Michael as he preferred to be called, was from a strange land called California where people live in the lap of luxury and think of people in Montana as hicks and hayseeds. (more…)

Scroundrel in Hardin, Montana being run out of town on a rail

This is an update on the story of the American Police Force arriving in Hardin, Montana last week with three blackened out Mercedes Benz SUV’s emblazoned with “Hardin Police Department” on their side doors. (more…)