Did you know?

Did You Know? That’s the subject of my column this week.

First of all, after chatting with a number of readers, I’ve discovered that very few people know you can subscribe to an online version of the Hungry Horse News for only $25 a year. Each week, a PDF of the newspaper gets e-mailed to you. This service is included with a regular, mailed-to-your-home subscription too, if you request it.

The benefits of the online subscription are numerous. If you’ve got electric heat like me and no need for kindling, it’s good to keep piles of newspaper from accumulating in one’s home (though, if you’re like me and you use newspaper as wrapping paper — yes, I’m cheap — you do need some newspaper every now and then). Also, you can get the newspaper any time, anywhere, and a heck of a lot sooner than if the paper is mailed to you.

Though I am eternally a proponent of picking up a copy of the newspaper itself because I just love the way newsprint stains one’s fingers — an imprint of events — online subscriptions are quite useful for people who can’t get to town to pick up a copy of the Hungry Horse News. To subscribe to the e-mailed version of the newspaper, give the Hungry Horse News a call at (406) 892-2151.

Here’s the second Did You Know?

Beginning Feb. 1, the Hungry Horse News will charge for obituaries. Though this newspaper has been one of the last hold-outs in the state to publish obituaries at no charge, we too have been affected by the sour economy and we’re looking for ways to remain the viable community newspaper you’re used to reading.

Obituaries will now cost $25 for the first six inches and $5 per inch for each inch following. These figures will be calculated once the obituary prints and the submitter will be charged accordingly. Death notices will continue to run for free. Though we try to be as flexible as possible, please note the submission deadline is Mondays at noon.

If readers have questions about either of these topics, please don’t hesitate to call me at 892-2151 or send me an e-mail to editor@hungryhorsenews.com.

And a third Did You Know?

I am stepping forward to say that I fully support a stop sign on Nucleus Avenue for several reasons.

First of all, have you tried crossing that street lately? Some people stop for pedestrians but most don’t, which induces mad dashes through traffic on icy roads. Also, as a frequent crosser of Nucleus myself, it’s a lot colder outside than in a car; stop and let the shivering pedestrian scurry on to his or her destination.

Secondly, a stop sign on Nucleus will slow the flow of traffic through town, and that only benefits local businesses. Slow down, smell the roses and hey, maybe even stop by a store that looks intriguing but that a person might have missed as he or she sped toward the North Fork Road and Glacier National Park. And keep this in mind: Both Bigfork and Whitefish have stop signs on their main drags and that doesn’t seem to bother anybody.

And a fourth and final Did You Know?

I also fully support moving the Columbia Falls branch library to Glacier Discovery Square. The current space is far too small. As an avid reader, more often than not I can’t find the book I’m looking for at our local branch and besides, where would the library shelve those additional volumes?

Moving the library is a good change. Expand the library and make it beautiful. We owe that much to our children and their children, who will use and enjoy a new, larger library far longer than we will.