Here’s what travelers can expect from the Alaska Airlines, Virgin America merger (For KTVA)12/14/2016
 SEATTLE – Two U.S. companies have finally sealed the deal — Alaska Airlines and Virgin America will celebrate a merger months in the making.
In a blog post Wednesday, Alaska Air Group Inc. announced it has closed its acquisition of Virgin America, the crescendo of a multibillion-dollar agreement that was announced in April 2016.  Roger Starkel stands in front of just one of his caches of spuds. Photos by Jessica Stugelmayer. In 1982, two young seniors at Montana State University started dating. They had known of each other growing up in the Mission Valley, she in Bigfork and he on the family farm outside of Pablo, but it wasn’t until college that they officially met. The next year, Roger and Kathy Starkel would get married and begin their life and business together.
“It’s been nothing but fun since,” Roger said. Nearly 40 years later, the Starkels are about to be the recipients of the Ronan Area Chamber of Commerce’s ‘Producer of the Year’ award. While he still says the award is for “old guys,” Roger said he and Kathy are honored for the recognition. Yet, this achievement pales in comparison to the innovations and advancements Roger and Kathy have brought to the agriculture industry. |