Construction of a new building for the Department of Natural Resources’ Roscommon-based Forest Fire Experiment Station (FFES) is under way. The new building will be better equipped to accommodate large vehicles and incorporate new technology to allow for continued work improving and creating equipment to fight wildfires.

“This building will be replacing an outdated facility and will allow DNR staff to better support our firefighters who protect public and private lands,” said Paul Kollmeyer, resource protection manager for the DNR’s Forest Resources Division. “The innovative work this team accomplishes benefits our state as well as cooperative efforts with other states, counties and even countries.” Read more

The Internal Revenue Service issued $4 billion in fraudulent tax refunds last year to people using stolen identities, with some of the money going to addresses in Bulgaria, Lithuania and Ireland, according to an inspector general’s report released Thursday.

The IRS sent a total of 655 tax refunds to a single address in Lithuania, and 343 refunds went to a lone address in Shanghai.  More here…

HYDE PARK, Utah – Camp Chef’s Turkey Cannon is a must have cooking accessory when preparing a meal during the holiday season. Its patented design adds moisture and flavor to the poultry while reducing time spent in the kitchen. The Turkey Cannon, often referred to as an infusion roaster, has been tested and recommended by the Cooking Club of America. Read more

Springfield, Ore. – Cabela’s stores nationwide will honor the contributions of those who serve by offering employee pricing to all veterans and active duty military and reserve, law enforcement, fire, and EMS personnel on Monday, November 11, and Tuesday, November 12. The Hometown Heroes event will recognize the sacrifice and dedication of those who protect and serve our country and communities every day.
To participate in the Hometown Heroes event, veterans and active duty military, reserve, law enforcement, fire and EMS personnel should present their service identification to the Hometown Heroes cashier upon checkout at their local Cabela’s store during the event. Upon doing so, they will receive their Hometown Heroes discount on virtually everything in the store. Some restrictions apply; see store for complete details.

Sleepy Hollow State Park in Clinton County will offer several two-day snowshoe-building classes in December and January. Instructor Clyde Risdon will teach participants how to weave a pair of traditional wooden snowshoes similar to the ones Native Americans made for generations. Read more