Barrel Stove Combo keeps it jazzy for 20 years and running
Barrel Stove Combo performs on June 7 at noon for the Daily Inter Lake’s Press Play concert series.
Columbia Falls debate state champ relies on family strength to overcome
The Columbia Falls senior, who is looking to turn her skills as a state championship debater into a career as a lawyer, has endured hardships, but she said her loved ones helped her through it all.
Flathead County Library Board narrows to five choices for logo designs
The Flathead County Library Board is polling the public on five logo designs that will be posted on the library system’s website by early June.
Discover Kalispell outlines visitation stewardship approach
Twelve million visitors coming to Montana spent $5.45 billion in 2022-2023, according to data from the Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research at the University of Montana.
A Home at the Samaritan House: Expansion project nearly 20 years in the making
The Samaritan House is adding two apartment buildings and will see an expansion of its administrative office on its campus on former Army Reserve property in Kalispell. The organization is nearing its $16.9 million fundraising goal and is preparing to break ground in July, according to Krager.
A Home at Samaritan House: Service organization aims to help veterans, families with expansion project
When the temperatures dropped this past winter, 70-year-old Dave Anderson faced losing a limb — his second limb — to frostbite.
65 years of show tunes and hard work at the Bigfork Summer Playhouse
The Playhouse performs four musicals and a variety show about once a week during its annual run in the summertime. A college-aged cast is hired — roughly 3,000 apply every season for the 20 spots available. The program has churned out performers and crew members who go on to have successful careers in the arts like that of Oscar-winning actor J.K. Simmons.
Montana politicians turn a critical eye toward IVF treatments following Alabama ruling
Kalispell resident Margo Neiman remembers everything it took to get pregnant — medications, money and time spent worrying if her attempts at a baby through in vitro fertilization would work.
Glacier Volunteer Associates hold volunteer day May 18
The Glacier National Park Volunteer Associates will be working on four projects this weekend in the park and are inviting the public to help.
Spring operations start-up in Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park staff are gearing up for the season, with west-side vehicle reservations about to begin and snow plows nearing Logan Pass.
The Syndicate a dream come true for former Kalispell mayor and lifelong friend
At The Syndicate Hair and Beauty Parlor, former Kalispell mayor Tammi Fisher and master cosmetologist Sandy Palmer have fine-tuned their new business to deliver great customer service and reflect their community-minded values.
Waters Edge Winery in Evergreen to be featured on America’s Best Restaurants
Waters Edge Winery owner Angela Zuba was shocked when she was contacted by producers on “America’s Best Restaurants," a show that highlights eateries and bars all across the country.
Park staff and volunteers work to pick up polystyrene foam along Lake McDonald’s shores
Walking along Lake McDonald’s northeastern shore in late December, Heidi Haugen spotted small white dots in the water line debris.
Dynamic Quist duo back on stage with busy performance lineup
When Halladay and Rob aren’t crooning a country melody with trio partner Clara Weick, they’re acting in movies, playing shows and creating a plan to bring more music to Montana children.
MSU breaks ground on new nursing education building in Kalispell
Montana State University officials joined community members in Kalispell on Tuesday to break ground on the final of five new nursing education facilities under construction around the state.
Columbia Falls local returns to serve as Logan Health’s reconstructive surgeon
Thomas Wright began his tenure at Logan Health Medical Center in Kalispell in August of 2023. With an emphasis on breast reconstruction, Wright said he enjoys getting to know his patients and learning how to best solve their issues.
A.L.E.R.T. air ambulance staff provided comfort for highway patrol trooper after grisly injury
Gravely injured after being struck by the vehicle of a fleeing suspect in a remote stretch of Lincoln County last year, Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Lewis Johnson felt a wave of relief when he learned an A.L.E.R.T. air ambulance was en route.
Earth Day Expo expands to FVCC campus with workshops and activities for all ages
Hosting the event, the Flathead Valley chapter of the Citizens Climate Lobby is a national nonprofit organization that advocates for Congress to take up bipartisan climate solutions.
Glacier National Park officials detail coming construction work
Glacier National Park officials expect construction on the Going-to-the-Sun Road and the Upper McDonald Creek Bridge to end this year while other projects, like water infrastructure and road improvements in the Swiftcurrent developed area, are just getting going.
Flathead County Library trustees open search for a new logo to the public
Have an idea for the new Flathead County Library logo? Library board trustees are taking submissions and suggestions on designs leading up to their next board in April.
An Easter egg hunt for everyone — pediatric therapy center creates inclusive event
The youngster was among several who spent the morning on March 23 having fun collecting brightly colored eggs and getting toys at the Inclusive Easter Egg Hunt at Cedar Palace Medical Center in Columbia Falls.
Stitched together: quilting community remains popular in Flathead Valley
On a windy March morning, guild members gathered at the Quilt Gallery in Kalispell to get together and sew quilts for Logan Health Medical Center.
Flathead County Library trustees hold off on overhauling young adult section
Concerned about the age appropriateness of materials in the young adult section, Flathead County Library trustees asked staff Thursday to place additional signs in teen areas, forgoing other proposals, like relabeling books or organizing a community audit.
Singer-songwriter Izaak Opatz looks to move beyond writing about heartbreak
Izaak Opatz performs on April 5 for the Daily Inter Lake’s Press Play series.
Flathead County Library Board could decide future of young adult collection Thursday
The Flathead County Library Board of Trustees is poised to make a decision this week that could change the way young adult novels are shelved or labeled in the library.
Flathead County teen services librarian continues to carve out space for adolescents
As the Flathead County teen services librarian, her efforts are already proving successful — with the revamping of the Teen Zone at the Kalispell branch, new programming and an up-to-date collection, she said more teens are already coming into the library.
Construction on new Bigfork library makes strides toward summer opening
Monica Pastor used to walk herself down to storytime at the Bigfork library back when she was a kid running around the village in the 1980s.
Sinus infection turns life-threatening for Thompson Falls teen
He was flown to Logan Health Children’s hospital in Kalispell the next day for emergency surgery and then would need a second brain surgery that night. On Friday he was headed in for a third brain surgery.
Glacier National Park broke records in the shoulder seasons, but stays on par for annual visits in 2023
More than 2.9 million people passed through the entrances of Glacier National Park in 2023, marking the park’s sixth busiest year in its history.
Flathead County Library Board trustees propose removing young adult designation
Several Flathead County Library trustees want to remove the young adult fiction designation owing to the genre’s wide age range that they argue fails to give parents enough guidance on whether a book is appropriate for their child.
Glacier National Park receives over $1.9 million for ecosystem restoration
Glacier Park’s climate-related projects are part of an overall $195 million investment from the act announced last week to prepare parks across the country to be resilient to climate change.
Kalispell sheep farmers talk soil regeneration methods at Free the Seeds
John Steitz and Carol Treadwell Steitz specialize in selling clean, colored merino wool to spinners all over the world.
Glacier National Park officials seek public input ahead of fire management plan update
Glacier National Park officials are initiating public scoping for an environmental assessment necessary to update the park’s long-term wildfire management plan.
Kalispell counselor works to dispel stigma around eating disorders
When clients with eating disorders come to counselor Mary McRae, they know the advice she gives is from first-hand experience.
Samaritan House receives another $750,000 grant for shelter expansion
Executive Director Chris Krager said the $750,000 grant puts fundraising about halfway to the $16.9 million needed for the project, which will allow the Kalispell shelter to house 85 more people per night.
ImagineIF Libraries returns to original Flathead County Libraries name, hires Dugan as new director
The county library system’s board of trustees voted Thursday to drop the ImagineIF Libraries brand and revert back a moniker last used a decade ago.
Glacier projects 40% increase in revenue from campground fees in 2024
With busier campgrounds and a recently implemented fee increase, front country camping is projected to bring approximately $2.4 million into Glacier National Park coffers in 2024 — a 40% increase over last year.
Piano was Mike Murray’s first instrument, now he’s returning to it for an upcoming album
The Kalispell native has been a performing musician for more than a decade, racking up big performances. Mike Murray performs on March 1 for the Daily Inter Lake’s Press Play series.
Flathead Warming Center's Roadmaps program provides homeless with one-on-one counseling and encouragement
Although Patty Archambault and her son Josh Erickson once knew the Flathead Warming Center as guests, they return these days as volunteers.
Simulation puts caregivers in Kalispell through realistic scenarios
Nursing home resident Martha has dementia and she is convinced someone is trying to steal her car. She’s veering from a window toward the parking lot, yelling for help. But her caregivers know there’s no one trying to steal her car, if she even has a car at the facility.
Browning educator works to preserve Blackfeet language
Robert Hall is the Blackfeet Native American Studies Director for Browning Public Schools, curating a curriculum for the Blackfoot language and preserving the tribes’ cultural traditions for the next generation.
Glacier National Park virtual field trips hope to inspire connection with nature
From climbing over logs in Glacier’s dense forests to trudging up a mountain, Lindsay Brandt tells her students to prepare for different parts of the hike much like she would in real life. Immersing the class in the habitats of the park might make them wonder what kinds of animals live there, a question that she posed to the students multiple times during the field trip.
ImagineIF Library trustees poised to tap Dugan as director
The ImagineIF Library Board of Trustees is leaning toward giving the system’s interim director the job permanently and could vote to that end as soon as its Feb. 22 meeting.
Flathead County sees rise in syphilis cases, mirroring national trend
Flathead City-County Health Department officials say the area is seeing an increase in cases of syphilis over the last several years, falling in line with a national trend.
Montana Pediatrics utilizes telehealth to close gaps in state’s health care system
When parents aren’t sure if they need to drive to the emergency room, they can call Montana Pediatrics care line and be connected with a pediatrician via a telehealth call.
Housing advocates work to improve count of homeless population
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ImagineIF Board of Trustees change to collection development policy draws criticism
The ImagineIF Libraries Board of Trustees amended its collections policy regarding potentially obscene materials Thursday despite pleas from the public and employees to leave it as is.
Singer-songwriter Christiane relies on nature for her creative process
Christiane Hinterman has been singing and writing songs for as long as she can remember but has rarely shared her art with an audience. It’s something that’s changing as she begins to share more of her music and how she engages with the creative process.
Glacier National Park superintendent talks visitor management, shuttle buses at 'state of the park' address
Glacier National Park Superintendent Dave Roemer shared findings from last season’s approach to visitor use management during a presentation at the Northwest Montana History Museum on Monday.
Glacier National Park advance vehicle reservations available Jan. 25
Advance vehicle reservation tickets for Glacier National Park become available Jan. 25 at 8 a.m. Mountain Time, officials said Tuesday.