Stories for January 2016

January 31, 2016 11 a.m.

LETTER: No warming? Just look around!

Quote: “The scientific debate is warming up (even while the earth, in recent years, has not.”

January 31, 2016 11 a.m.

LETTER:Join Missoula rally against refugee program

Please join Act! for America in Missoula for a “Rally to Stand Against Refugee Resettlement.”

January 31, 2016 11 a.m.

OPINION: Obama, government make grab for our God-given rights

Once again the godfather of the crime syndicate running our country, aka the federal government, is attempting to take away another one of our God-given constitutional rights.

January 31, 2016 11 a.m.

LETTER: Letter's blast against Daines poorly aimed

A recent “guest column” in the Inter Lake proclaimed “D.C. politics hurts Montana wildland firefighters.” The column started off appropriate enough, expressing concern for wildfire funding; however, the author soon launched into a rant against Montana Sen. Steve Daines, thereby, revealing that the column was also an exercise in political vilification.

January 31, 2016 11 a.m.

High-end shop crafts precision parts

Just off Whitefish Stage Road, on a unassuming plot of farm land, machinists are shaping materials into parts that could be going into space.

January 31, 2016 6 a.m.

OPINION: Rail park marks new era for Kalispell

Kalispell saw a genesis of new industry and hope on New Year’s Day, 1892, with the arrival of the first train into town. In that era, railroads were renowned for the prosperity they brought to a town, and Flathead residents moved quickly to take advantage of that promise. Droves of residents moved their Demersville homes northward to Kalispell, inching them along on logs, to be closer to the new hub of commerce. Overnight, Demersville became a ghost town.

January 31, 2016 6 a.m.

Craig Arden Joy, 68

Craig Arden Joy, 68, passed away on Monday, Jan. 25, 2016, in Sandpoint, Idaho.

January 31, 2016 6 a.m.

Connie Lorene Johnson, 62

Connie Lorene Johnson, formerly of Kalispell, sadly passed away on Sunday, Jan. 17, 2016, in Panama City, Florida, of multi-organ failure. She was 62 years old.

January 31, 2016 6 a.m.

Leonard O. Johnson, 99

Leonard O. Johnson, 99, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving wife and family on Jan. 26, 2016, at the Montana Veterans Home.

January 31, 2016 6 a.m.

EDITORIAL: Whitefish resort tax is success story

Love it or hate it, you can’t dismiss the impressive impacts of the Whitefish resort tax.

January 31, 2016 6 a.m.

OPINION: Local conservative wonders why Trump is getting traction

Dump Trump

I never thought I’d see the day when Bob McClellan would praise a Republican. Yet in a letter a few months ago addressing Trump’s popularism, McClellan seemed to praise Trump for his fight against “big money” (the same big money Trump freely admits to using when necessary to buy political influence both Democrat and Republican and the very influence McClellan so despises). He also described Trump’s “appealing rhetoric.”

January 31, 2016 6 a.m.

Jean Livesay, 86

“Gramma Jean” Livesay passed peacefully at home Jan. 22, 2016.

January 31, 2016 5:45 a.m.

Warren L. Hommas, Jr., 85

Warren L. Hommas, Jr., 85, died peacefully in his home on Jan. 12, 2016.

January 31, 2016 5:45 a.m.

Carole June Borgen, 78

Carole June (Wessler) Borgen, 78, passed away Monday, Jan. 25, 2016, at Heritage Place from natural causes.

January 31, 2016 5:45 a.m.

A flair for the flare: Novice glassblower learning the tricks of the trade

It was a YouTube video that sucked Hunter Linstead into the world of glassblowing about a year ago.

January 31, 2016 5:45 a.m.

OPINION: Opening Montana's door to Syrian refugees is huge problem

Refugee crisis?

What’s your opinion on bringing Syrian refugees to Montana? You might want to consider that question because WorldMontana, a Helena-based non-profit organization founded in 1987, has designs to resettle refugees, primarily from Syria, around the state.

January 31, 2016 midnight

super bowl 2016

January 31, 2016 midnight

DIL 013116

January 31, 2016 midnight

the answer book 2016

January 30, 2016 11:38 p.m.

Bozeman slips past Flathead, Glacier in AA speech tourney

In an upset win, Bozeman High School won the sweepstakes trophy from defending champion Flathead High School Saturday at the Class AA speech and debate tournament in Billings.

January 30, 2016 11:03 p.m.

WRESTLING: Helena High, Capital pin Glacier in duals

The Helena schools dominated a pair of duals at Glacier on Saturday evening a week ahead of the Western AA wrestling divisional at Missoula Sentinel.

January 30, 2016 10:52 p.m.

BASKETBALL ROUNDUP: Bravettes drop nail-biter; Polson boys stay unbeaten in Northwest A

Flathead led at the end of each of the first three quarters but stumbled in the final period, suffering a heartbreaking 49-48 loss at home against Missoula Hellgate in Western AA conference girls basketball play on Saturday afternoon.

January 30, 2016 10:20 p.m.

SWIMMING: Columbia Falls' Colton Babcock stars in Great Falls

GREAT FALLS — Columbia Falls’ Colton Babcock won a pair of races and Glacier freshman A.J. Popp collected two second-place finishes as part of a packed field at Saturday’s Bohn Moerer meet in Great Falls, the final swimming tuneup before the state finals.

January 30, 2016 10:10 p.m.

SPEECH CHAMPS: Wildcats win No. 11

Whitefish finishes a close second

The Columbia Falls High School speech-and-debate state championship dynasty continued Saturday as the team brought home its 11th consecutive title.

January 30, 2016 9:41 p.m.

Flathead's Cody Howe

Flathead's Cody Howe tries to turn Helena Capital's Sheldon Fladland to his back during the 285-pound match at Flathead on Saturday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

January 30, 2016 9:41 p.m.

Glacier's Tyler Eierdam

Glacier's Tyler Eierdam holds Helena Capital's AJ McBroom to the ground during the 138-pound match at Glacier on Saturday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

January 30, 2016 7 p.m.

LAW ROUNDUP: Woman detains suspected car thief

January 30, 2016 5:53 p.m.

Bob Jay Soderstrom, 85

January 30, 2016 5:51 p.m.

Jean Livesay, 86

January 30, 2016 5:50 p.m.

Craig Arden Joy, 68

January 30, 2016 5:48 p.m.

Connie Lorene Johnson, 62

January 30, 2016 5:46 p.m.

Leonard O. Johnson, 99

January 30, 2016 5:38 p.m.

Battery developers secure Idaho contract

Flathead Valley energy storage firm ViZn Energy Systems Inc. has announced a new contract order with Idaho National Laboratory, one of several laboratories affiliated with the U.S. Department of Energy.

January 30, 2016 4:55 p.m.

Strange thefts highlight drug problem

Aquarium test tubes, fish food scales and dog medication probably wouldn’t stand out as items that could be useful in a life of crime, but a strange assortment of recent thefts may have been fueled by a methamphetamine and heroin problem in Flathead Valley.

January 30, 2016 4:54 p.m.

Five seek FVCC trustee appointment

Flathead Valley Community College Board of Trustees on Monday will interview five applicants for a board opening.

January 30, 2016 4:53 p.m.

COLUMN: 'Orphan trains' a compelling slice of history

There are plenty of good books out there to wile away the winter doldrums, but one in particular has left me wanting to learn more about the actual historical events on which the fictional novel was based.

January 30, 2016 4:48 p.m.

Resort Tax in Whitefish

Bryce Swanson, 18, of Whitefish, makes change for a customer at Montana Coffee Traders in downtown Whitefish on Thursday morning, January 14. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

January 30, 2016 4:44 p.m.

Downtown Whitefish

A predawn view of downtown Whitefish on Saturday morning, January 23. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

January 30, 2016 4:43 p.m.

Millions of dollars poured into street repair

20 years of resort tax

The potholes in Whitefish used to be so big they made front-page news.

January 30, 2016 4:17 p.m.

COLUMN: Bernie Sanders: 'True believer' socialist is part of the new Democratic 'establishment'

On Monday the first real votes of the 2016 election campaign will be cast when Iowans caucus to decide how their delegates will vote at the nominating conventions later this year.

January 30, 2016 4:14 p.m.

Learning to blow glass

January 30, 2016 2:53 p.m.

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Connor Buckley goes off a jump as Dan Burggraff pulls him on River during the sport division of the World Invitational Skijoring event in Whitefish on Saturday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

January 30, 2016 2:53 p.m.

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Connor Brown goes around a turn during the World Invitational Skijoring event in Whitefish on Saturday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

January 30, 2016 2:53 p.m.

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Tim O'Brien wrecks as he goes around a turn during the sport division of the World Invitational Skijoring event in Whitefish on Saturday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

January 30, 2016 2:53 p.m.

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January 30, 2016 6 a.m.

Doris Norine Sjordal Seel, 99

Doris Norine Sjordal Seel was born in Kremlin, Montana, on April 24, 1916, to May and Odin Sjordal. She departed this life peacefully and well-loved Monday, Jan. 25, 2016.

January 29, 2016 11:15 p.m.

GIRLS BASKETBALL: Crusaders storm past Stillwater Christian

Flathead Valley Homeschool took charge in the third quarter to take control of their crosstown rivalry against Stillwater Christian, topping the Cougars 37-32 on Friday at West Valley School.

January 29, 2016 11:11 p.m.

BASKETBALL ROUNDUP: Libby boys squeeze past Troy

January 29, 2016 11:10 p.m.

WRESTLING: Flathead up to 4th in Class AA Poll

Despite a dual loss to Missoula Sentinel on Tuesday, the Flathead wrestling team moved up two spots to fourth in the latest Class AA wrestling coaches poll.

January 29, 2016 11:08 p.m.

WRESTLING: Eureka sweeps Whitefish duals

WHITEFISH — Class B/C Eureka went 4-0 to win the Whitefish Duals on Friday night, securing the victory with a 54-6 rout of Class A Columbia Falls.

January 29, 2016 9:17 p.m.

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Stillwater Christian's Joe Hooker is fouled by Flathead Valley Homeschool's Taylor Titchbourne during the first quarter at West Valley Elementary School on Friday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

January 29, 2016 9:17 p.m.

Stillwater Christian-FVHS basketball

Flathead Valley Homeschool's Alexis Ehelers, right, and Stillwater Christian's Ramey Metzger fight for a loose ball during the second quarter of the Crusader's 37-32 victory at West Valley Elementary School on Friday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

January 29, 2016 6:54 p.m.

Doris Norine Sjordal Seel, 99

January 29, 2016 6:50 p.m.

LAW ROUNDUP: Guests leave scent of drugs behind

A person called the

January 29, 2016 6:50 p.m.

U.S. declares 22 Clinton emails 'top secret'

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration confirmed for the first time Friday that Hillary Clinton’s unsecured home server contained closely guarded government secrets, censoring 22 emails with material requiring one of the highest levels of classification. The revelation comes just three days before the Iowa presidential nominating caucuses in which Clinton is a candidate.

January 29, 2016 6:12 p.m.

Prosecutors rely on refuge occupiers' own words

PORTLAND, Ore. — Ammon Bundy and his followers made ample use of social media and videos to summon armed recruits to join their takeover of a wildlife refuge and to declare their readiness to stand their ground. Now federal authorities are using the occupiers’ own words against them.

January 29, 2016 6:11 p.m.

Beware: The ice may be melting

Winter anglers should take heed of the recent warm weather before embarking on ice fishing trips on local lakes and ponds.

January 29, 2016 6:10 p.m.

Grants to help Glacier trails

Two priority projects for Glacier National Park will get a total of $150,000 from the National Park Service to fund improvements at the popular Swiftcurrent Lake and Avalanche Lake trails.

January 29, 2016 6:09 p.m.

Rep. Ryan Zinke speaking at Flathead High School

January 29, 2016 6:08 p.m.

Ryan Zinke at Flathead High School

January 29, 2016 6:07 p.m.

Congressman, students tackle wide array of international, U.S. issues

Given the opportunity Friday to hear from U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont., Flathead High School students in government classes were able to ask him questions on Syria, refugees, gun control and marijuana use.

January 29, 2016 6:06 p.m.

Blacktail Trail project takes major step forward

The leader of the ambitious Foy’s to Blacktail Trails project says the trail system, more than a decade in the making, has taken an important step toward completion.

January 29, 2016 5:48 p.m.

Flathead student arrested; gun found in backpack

A student is in police custody after a handgun was found in his backpack at Flathead High School on Friday afternoon.

January 29, 2016 5:31 p.m.

Students go behind scenes at museum

PEERING INTO THE PAST

Bigfork Middle School teacher Cynthia Wilondek’s eighth-graders were looking for a competitive edge as they toured the exhibits and archives of the Museum at Central School on Jan. 20.

January 29, 2016 5:27 p.m.

School calendar

January 29, 2016 5:25 p.m.

Events help financial aid filing

A FAFSA completion event is coming to a school near you.

January 29, 2016 3:13 p.m.

Winter Warm-up

16-month-year-old Starlyna Hawks-Freund show volunteer Nola Rice her new gloves as Michelle Freund holds her during the Winter Warm-up at the Gateway Community Center on Friday. The event provided blankets, winter clothing, blankets and provided many services for veterans and people in need. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

January 29, 2016 11 a.m.

LETTER: Let locals solve the problem at CFAC, not EPA

I’ll make this brief since I hope the EPA is getting what I hope are hundreds of letters on the subject of whether “CFAC could get Superfund designation” (Daily Inter Lake, Jan. 23).

January 29, 2016 11 a.m.

LETTER: 'Attack' on letter writer called inappropriate

I noticed that Mr. Al Weed wrote a detailed civilized letter rebutting a number of nasty slurs and inaccurate claims about President Obama. Mr. Weed’s letter was responded to with another letter filled with invective, personal attacks, and suggestions that Mr. Weed in not a patriotic American.

January 29, 2016 11 a.m.

LETTER: Watta you think?

My version of a Ben Stein quote:

January 29, 2016 11 a.m.

Don't allow Syrian refugees in Montana

It is time to take a cold hard look at Islam — and the danger it presents to the West.

January 29, 2016 11 a.m.

OPINION: Federally imposed renewables come at significant cost

Those who view the EPA as a planet-saving benevolent dictator will apparently go to any lengths to “prove” their point.

January 29, 2016 6 a.m.

Daybook

January 29, 2016 6 a.m.

EDITORIAL: No debate: Our students stand tall

Starting today, hard-working high school students from six local schools — Bigfork, Columbia Falls, Flathead, Glacier, Polson and Whitefish — begin the final weekend of the long speech and debate season.

January 29, 2016 midnight

college prep 2016

January 28, 2016 11:03 p.m.

WRESTLING: Polson grapplers pound Whitefish

WHITEFISH — The Polson wrestlers earned three pins and a tech fall while running away with a 62-12 dual win against Northwestern A foe Whitefish on Thursday night.

January 28, 2016 10:59 p.m.

BASKETBALL ROUNDUP: Glacier boys doomed by Hellgate, Wolfpack girls win 6th in a row

Missoula Hellgate went on the road and outscored Glacier 31-12 in the second half to post a 52-35 Western AA conference win Thursday night.

January 28, 2016 7:41 p.m.

LAW ROUNDUP: Fraudsters make off with six-figure loot

January 28, 2016 7:40 p.m.

Dog park discussed at town-hall meeting

Kalispell City Council members held the first Ward 4 town-hall meeting on Wednesday, hoping to find comments and questions from the Kalispell’s south side.

January 28, 2016 7:38 p.m.

Evergreen man sentenced for assaulting wife

An Evergreen man avoided prison time Thursday for the latest in a string of violent offenses, but Flathead District Judge Robert Allison was doubtful the man would avoid ending up in Deer Lodge unless a drastic change was made in his life choices.

January 28, 2016 7:37 p.m.

Graduation event planned Feb. 5

Hundreds of eighth-graders will converge on the Flathead County Fairgrounds on Feb. 5 for the annual “I Pledge to Graduate” event.

January 28, 2016 7:31 p.m.

Polson's Bridger Wentzel

Polson's Bridger Wentzel pins Whitefish's Eli Taylor at the 41 second mark to help the Pirates beat the Bulldogs 62-12 in a dual at Whitefish on Thursday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

January 28, 2016 7:31 p.m.

Whitefish's Steven Quimby

Whitefish's Steven Quimby pins Polson's Nick Marquart at the 1:31 mark to win the heavyweight bout during a dual at Whitefish on Thursday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

January 28, 2016 7:31 p.m.

Whitefish's Konrad Zinke

Whitefish's Konrad Zinke looks up at the ref as he pins Polson's Noah Humphrey right as the first period ends in the 182-pound bout. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

January 28, 2016 7:28 p.m.

Ava Chisholm

January 28, 2016 7:24 p.m.

Columbia Falls, Whitefish top contenders

Wildcats aiming for 11th straight state title

The state championship in Class A speech and debate may be hotly contested if the number of season tournament wins is any indicator.

January 28, 2016 7:15 p.m.

Montana governor paints rosy state economy

HELENA — With the economy expected to be a central focus of Montana’s governor’s race, Gov. Steve Bullock on Thursday laid the groundwork for his re-election by declaring the state’s economy strong.

January 28, 2016 7:14 p.m.

North Fork traffic may worsen next year

U.S. 2 bridge work in 2017 expected to lead to traveler diversions

While a long-term solution remains elusive, residents and community leaders in and around the North Fork agree that traffic along the dusty, washboard-prone road is likely to get a lot worse next year.

January 28, 2016 6:14 p.m.

Bigfork sends big team to Class B state tourney

Members of the Bigfork High School Speech and Debate team are looking to give their all today and Saturday at the state meet in Ennis.

January 28, 2016 4:40 p.m.

Thompson Precision

Interior of one of the turning centers at Thompson Precision capable of holding 24 tools to cut and fabricate material. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

January 28, 2016 11 a.m.

LETTER: Public education in United States does a great job

This letter is in response to Mr. Robert Seymour’s letter on public education in the Inter Lake on Sunday.

January 28, 2016 11 a.m.

LETTER: Translation of New Testament questioned

Eugene Peterson’s book, “The Message,” came into my household recently, and purports to be a “paraphrase” of Scripture. I was stopped cold when his “paraphrase” of the Lord’s Prayer changed Jesus’ own words!

January 28, 2016 11 a.m.

Skijoring's wild ride: Whitefish races feature big purse

Top riders expected for weekend competition

It’s already one of the most anticipated skijoring events in the nation — and it’s only getting bigger and better.

January 28, 2016 11 a.m.

LETTER: Don't let a few change policy on public lands

Recently, in Oregon, a group of armed citizens, initiated a take-over of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. Their intentions are to attempt to force the federal government to relinquish ownership of these public lands. This should not be happening! These and all public lands should be just that, public lands.

January 28, 2016 10:49 a.m.

Learning to blow glass

Hunter Linstead uses a torch that is fed by a mixture of oxygen and propane to heat and shape a glass piece that will become either a pendant or a marble, he hadn't yet decided, in his workspace on Wednesday, January 27, in Kalispell. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

January 28, 2016 10:49 a.m.

Donated Kidney

Sitting around the living room Tyson Niewoehner tells some of the story of the transplant as Shelley's parents, Dick and Lillian Levi of Bigfork, listen in. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

January 28, 2016 10:48 a.m.

Clothing store features Christian connection center

Detail of a sweatshirt for sale at the Fashion Outlet in Kalispell. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

January 28, 2016 10:48 a.m.

Ultimate gift

Tyson Niewoehner and his wife Shelley outside their home in Bigfork on Jan. 26. In November, Tyson gave Shelley one of his kidneys.

January 28, 2016 10:48 a.m.

Jade Owens

Jade Owens in her store Fashion Outlet in west Kalispell on Jan. 26.

January 28, 2016 9:02 a.m.

winter carnival 2016

January 28, 2016 6 a.m.

Bette Faye (Fonger) Donathan, 68

Our beloved Bette Faye (Fonger) Donathan passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2016, at home surrounded by loving family and friends.

January 28, 2016 6 a.m.

Jeff Gerrish, 53

Jeff Gerrish, son of Duff Gerrish and stepson of Marion Gerrish of St. Ignatius and Kalispell, died Jan. 18, 2016, of a gunshot wound, at his home in St. Ignatius. The death is still under investigation.

January 28, 2016 6 a.m.

EDITORIAL: Time to revisit jail expansion project

It was not surprising to hear that the Flathead County Detention Center had set a record for occupancy earlier this week.

January 28, 2016 6 a.m.

Daybook

January 28, 2016 6 a.m.

Philip Jon Reed, 80

Philip Jon Reed passed away Dec. 21, 2015.

January 28, 2016 6 a.m.

African drumming, dance offered in Columbia Falls

Connecting vibrations

Dance instructor Leslie Yancey offers people the chance to move to the beat of their own drums.

January 28, 2016 midnight

TWIF 012816

January 27, 2016 11:22 p.m.

TERRY COLUMN: The most anticipated 'rodeo'

It’s very likely Brock Osweiler won’t play in the Super Bowl.

January 27, 2016 8:04 p.m.

Connecting vibrations

Leslie Yancey leads the Afrofusion dance class at the Imagine Health Wellness and Wisdom Center in Columbia Falls.

January 27, 2016 7:37 p.m.

Jeff Gerrish, 53

January 27, 2016 7:35 p.m.

Philip Jon Reed, 80

January 27, 2016 7:34 p.m.

Bette Faye (Fonger) Donathan, 68

January 27, 2016 7:12 p.m.

LAW ROUNDUP: Can you help me get my iPhone back?

January 27, 2016 7:11 p.m.

COLUMN: Elk lovers banding together for conservation

Hunting is Conservation!

January 27, 2016 7:06 p.m.

North Valley Music School receives grant

North Valley Music School announced this week that it will receive grant funding from the Cadeau Foundation to continue to offer the North Valley Glee Club children’s choir as a tuition-free community outreach program.

January 27, 2016 7:06 p.m.

Man charged with trafficking drugs in wide-ranging scheme

A 29-year-old Mexican citizen allegedly living in the United States illegally has been accused of bringing heroin and methamphetamine to Western Montana in a wide-reaching scheme that stretched to Missoula, California and Mexico.

January 27, 2016 7:05 p.m.

County supports Superfund alternative for CFAC

The Flathead County commissioners this week will send a letter to state and federal officials urging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to designate Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. a Superfund alternative site.

January 27, 2016 7:04 p.m.

Boulder Project ascends to fundraising goal

The Kalispell Boulder Project reached its fundraising goal this week thanks to a recognizable local donor, project organizers said Wednesday.

January 27, 2016 6:20 p.m.

Authorities tell last activists to leave wildlife preserve

BURNS, Ore. — A day after the leaders of an armed anti-government group were arrested, authorities on Wednesday urged a handful of remaining activists to abandon the Oregon wildlife refuge they have occupied for more than three weeks, saying it was “time to move on.”

January 27, 2016 6:17 p.m.

Local teams have been 1-2 all season

Flathead High School, the defending Class AA state speech and debate champion, has been “one step behind” Glacier High School this season but is hoping to make a final push for consecutive state titles.

January 27, 2016 5:08 p.m.

Crosstown Basketball at FHS

January 27, 2016 5:07 p.m.

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Glacier's Blayne Bailey sails past Flathead's Tyler Johnson to score a layup to help the Wolfpack pull away from the Braves. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

January 27, 2016 5:07 p.m.

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The Wolfpack's Taylor Salonen (3), Nikki Krueger (21), and Anna Schrade (23) celebrate from the bench after a basket in the final minutes of their victory against Flathead. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

January 27, 2016 5:07 p.m.

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January 27, 2016 5:07 p.m.

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January 27, 2016 5:07 p.m.

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January 27, 2016 5:06 p.m.

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The Wolfpack celebrate their 55-39 win over the Braves as they walk off the court at Flathead. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

January 27, 2016 5:06 p.m.

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Glacier's Tadan Gilman soars past Flathead's CJ Dugan to score a basket in the first quarter in the Wolfpack's 55-39 victory at Flathead on Tuesday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

January 27, 2016 5:06 p.m.

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Glacier's Anna Shrade gets past Flathead's Tiana Johnson as she puts up a shot. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

January 27, 2016 5:06 p.m.

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January 27, 2016 5:06 p.m.

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Glacier's Hailey Ruggles fights with Flathead's Kylee Meredith for a loose ball as Hailee Bennett looks on during the first half of the Wolfpack's 59-36 crosstown victory at Flathead on Tuesday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

January 27, 2016 4:26 p.m.

Forest proposes post-fire salvage logging

The Flathead National Forest is proposing a salvage timber sale within the more than 20,000 acres that burned in the Trail Creek Fire last summer.

January 27, 2016 12:18 p.m.

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Flathead senior Ethan Hall, left, and his brother Edgar Hall, a freshman, practice their dramatic interpretation performance at Flathead on Tuesday as the prepare for the state speech and debate championship in Billings Friday and Saturday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

January 27, 2016 12:18 p.m.

Flathead speech

January 27, 2016 12:18 p.m.

Glacier speech

January 27, 2016 8:30 a.m.

LaVoy Finicum

In this Jan. 9, 2016 file photo, LaVoy Finicum, a rancher from Arizona, speaks to the media after members of an armed group along with several other organizations arrive at the at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge near Burns, Ore. The FBI and Oregon State Police arrested the leaders of an armed group that has occupied a national wildlife refuge for the past three weeks during a traffic stop that prompted gunfire — and one death — along a highway through the frozen high country. The Oregonian reported that Finicum was the person killed, citing the man's daughter. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

January 27, 2016 8:26 a.m.

Arrests of Oregon standoff leaders leaves 1 person dead

BURNS, Ore. (AP) — Federal and state law officers arrested the leaders of an armed group occupying a national wildlife refuge, during a traffic stop along a highway in Oregon's frozen high country that prompted gunfire and left one man dead.

January 27, 2016 6 a.m.

Daybook

January 27, 2016 midnight

winter carnival 2016

January 26, 2016 11:45 p.m.

Missoula Sentinel pins Flathead in dual

The Daily Inter Lake

January 26, 2016 11:43 p.m.

CROSSTOWN: Glacier girls smother Bravettes in second half

For one half Tuesday evening, it was a battle.

January 26, 2016 11:42 p.m.

Finberg, Burlage push Columbia Falls past Eureka, 62-26

EUREKA — Cydney Finberg tallied a game-high 17 points and Kiara Burlage added 16 as Class A Columbia Falls rolled by Class B Eureka 62-26 in a nonconference girls basketball matchup Tuesday evening.

January 26, 2016 11:41 p.m.

CROSSTOWN: Glacier boys pull away from Flathead

Big shots and tough defense allowed Glacier to run away with a crosstown victory at Flathead High, beating the Braves 55-39 in a Western AA boys basketball contest on Tuesday night.

January 26, 2016 10:39 p.m.

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Glacier's Blayne Bailey sails past Flathead's Tyler Johnson to score a layup to help the Wolfpack pull away from the Braves. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

January 26, 2016 10:39 p.m.

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The Wolfpack celebrate their 55-39 win over the Braves as they walk off the court at Flathead. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

January 26, 2016 10:39 p.m.

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Glacier's Tadan Gilman soars past Flathead's CJ Dugan to score a basket in the first quarter in the Wolfpack's 55-39 victory at Flathead on Tuesday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

January 26, 2016 10:39 p.m.

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The Wolfpack's Taylor Salonen (3), Nikki Krueger (21), and Anna Schrade (23) celebrate from the bench after a basket in the final minutes of their victory against Flathead. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

January 26, 2016 10:39 p.m.

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Glacier's Anna Shrade gets past Flathead's Tiana Johnson as she puts up a shot. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

January 26, 2016 10:39 p.m.

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Glacier's Hailey Ruggles fights with Flathead's Kylee Meredith for a loose ball as Hailee Bennett looks on during the first half of the Wolfpack's 59-36 crosstown victory at Flathead on Tuesday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

January 26, 2016 9:04 p.m.

Snowboarder contemplates revenge for skier

A security worker called

January 26, 2016 7:20 p.m.

Donald Trump

Republican presidential candidate Donald speaks to reporters during a new conference at the Roundhouse Gymnasium, Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2016, in Marshalltown, Iowa. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

January 26, 2016 7:14 p.m.

Trump says he will skip Fox News' debate on Thursday

NEW YORK — The seventh Republican primary debate airs Thursday on the Fox News Channel — but for many viewers it was expected to be Round 2 of Donald Trump vs. Megyn Kelly. Now all bets are off.

January 26, 2016 6:17 p.m.

ALERT trains for snow duty

For someone buried in an avalanche, the chance of survival can start dropping below 50 percent after the first half hour.

January 26, 2016 6:16 p.m.

Superfund designation probably delayed until fall

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency likely will seek a Superfund designation for the Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. site this fall, an agency official said Tuesday.

January 26, 2016 4:48 p.m.

Kalispell man charged with seventh DUI in 12 years

A Kalispell man has been charged with a seventh instance of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

January 26, 2016 4:47 p.m.

Man accused of stealing from school, business

A man has been charged with felony theft and misdemeanor criminal mischief for allegedly stealing from a business and a school.

January 26, 2016 4:26 p.m.

Trustee posts open in local school districts

School elections are coming up and people wishing to serve on a school board have until March 24 to file paperwork.

January 26, 2016 3:10 p.m.

Marriott studies 111-room Whitefish hotel

Marriott has filed pre-application paperwork with the Whitefish Planning Office for a three-story, 111-room hotel along U.S. 93 just south of Mountain Mall in Whitefish.

January 26, 2016 1:44 p.m.

Tourist count up, spending down in Montana

The number of visitors to Montana last year increased by 8 percent over 2014 while their spending dropped 8 percent.

January 26, 2016 1:17 p.m.

Big Mountain Sunset

The clouds part and the rays of sunset catch the peak of Big Mountain on Monday evening, January 25, in Whitefish. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

January 26, 2016 11:57 a.m.

Town hall meeting planned Wednesday night

On Wednesday night, City Council members Phil Guiffrida and Tim Kluesner will host the first Ward 4 town hall meeting at Kalispell City Hall.

January 26, 2016 11 a.m.

Kalispell resident pursues 'idiot' driver

A tan Jeep reportedly drove through the yard of an apartment complex Sunday morning in west Kalispell. The caller pursued the driver while calling

January 26, 2016 6 a.m.

Bypass work plows through winter

Local contracting firm LHC Inc. has been driving ahead with the U.S. 93 bypass project this winter, completing critical components of the project before the spring thaw.

January 25, 2016 11:30 p.m.

Crosstown time for Flathead, Glacier basketball

The season’s first crosstown basketball matchup for Glacier and Flathead tips off tonight at Flathead High School.

January 25, 2016 7:53 p.m.

John Thomas Sistok, 55

John Thomas Sistok, 55, died as a result of a motor vehicle accident on Jan. 20, 2016, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

January 25, 2016 7:52 p.m.

James R. Sutton, 68

January 25, 2016 7:51 p.m.

John Edward Swedberg, 85

January 25, 2016 7:50 p.m.

Douglas 'Doug' Banks Miller, 67

Douglas “Doug” Banks Miller, 67, passed peacefully away on Jan. 23, 2016, with his loving wife, Barb, there to comfort him.

January 25, 2016 7:28 p.m.

Dean D. Domonoske, 80

January 25, 2016 3:53 p.m.

Avalanche victim an expert snowmobiler

Expert snowmobiler Geoffrey Richard Caldbeck died of suffocation after being buried by an avalanche Saturday in the Swede Creek area near Olney.

January 25, 2016 3:30 p.m.

Old Main

January 25, 2016 3:26 p.m.

Meeting looks at ways to save Old Main

All veterans and other interested people are invited to a focus and planning group Tuesday for the purpose of saving, restoring and revitalizing Old Main at the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls.

January 25, 2016 2:48 p.m.

Jail reaches record high population of 124

On Monday morning, the Flathead County Detention Center population reached 124, the highest it has ever been.

January 25, 2016 12:30 p.m.

Bigfork No. 1 in divisional speech, drama

Bigfork High School students topped both speech and drama sweepstakes competition to win divisional championships on Saturday in Cut Bank.

January 25, 2016 11:32 a.m.

ALERT Avalanche search techniques demonstration

The ALERT helicopter swoops overhead as the three-man crew demonstrates avalanche search techniques on Friday morning, January 22, in Kila. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

January 25, 2016 11:30 a.m.

C.F. slips past Whitefish in divisional speech

By a 14-point margin over rival Whitefish, Columbia Falls Speech and Debate took first place at the Western A Divisional tournament in Hamilton on Saturday.

January 25, 2016 11 a.m.

Eco camp planned near Whitefish

A proposal to create an eco-friendly camp and retreat center near the Whitefish Assembly of God Church south of Whitefish goes to the Flathead County Board of Adjustment for a public hearing on Feb. 2.

January 25, 2016 11 a.m.

Snowmobile lands in the ditch

A driver called the

January 25, 2016 6 a.m.

Children's Theatre building purchase in the works

The Community Foundation for a Better Bigfork has offered to sell its majority interest in the Bigfork Playhouse Children’s Theatre building on Grand Avenue for $85,000.

January 25, 2016 6 a.m.

Passion for forest management

When it came time to recognize someone for the 2015 Field Forester Award, the Society of American Foresters’ local chairman, Brad French, didn’t have to look far for the perfect candidate.

January 24, 2016 10:15 p.m.

Kalispell man heading to prison for child molestation

A Kalispell man is headed to prison for five years after repeatedly molesting a young girl over a two-year time frame.

January 24, 2016 10:06 p.m.

Crush Closing

January 24, 2016 10 p.m.

Kalispell man killed in avalanche

A 33-year-old Kalispell man died in an avalanche Saturday while snowmobiling in the Swede Creek area of the Whitefish Range near Olney.

January 24, 2016 11 a.m.

LETTER: Can you travel to Missoula to protest refugees?

Hello, Flathead Valley and good day to you. Let me ask you a question:

January 24, 2016 11 a.m.

Firm releases 'anti-Yelp' app

Last week Old Town Creative + Interactive released its Wandering app, a localized smartphone application that maps out Montana’s compelling to-do lists for residents and travelers alike.

January 24, 2016 11 a.m.

LETTER: Obama's actions speak louder than letter's errors

Okay Mr. Weed (Jan. 22 letter), now you’re the great leveler (and/or fact finder) for us readers of the Daily Inter Lake — that is, as to accuracy in political thought, observations or writings by others, the president included.

January 24, 2016 11 a.m.

Pups help kids have a doggone good time at the library

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Here’s a formula for fun: a frosty January day, a warm library, a bunch of kids and six friendly, tail-wagging dogs.

January 24, 2016 11 a.m.

LETTER: Story on pastor's talk about Islam was 'biased'

I have wondered how one tells when there is bias in reporting, as I often hear how NBC, ABC, CBS, and CNN are biased, not giving “just the facts,” but inserting their beliefs and opinions in their “reporting.”

January 24, 2016 6 a.m.

OPINION: From the CEO, last-minute advice for health-care coverage

When the clock ticks towards midnight on Jan. 31, there’ll be no crowds in New York’s Times Square and families and friends won’t be gathered at festive parties. But like New Year’s Eve, on Jan. 31, I’ll be counting down until the clock hits midnight.

January 24, 2016 6 a.m.

Steve Vranish, 101

On Jan. 6, 2016, I received a call from my dad saying, “Loren, I want you to come by. We need to have a talk.” Thirty hours later, my dad passed away, at an age of 101, from a tiredness of a time long lived.

January 24, 2016 6 a.m.

EDITORIAL: Circling back to South Kalispell

As Yogi Berra famously remarked, it’s deja vu all over again.

January 24, 2016 6 a.m.

LETTER: Thanks for telling the truth with kindness

Touche, Al Weed! Not only was the Jan. 22 letter you wrote to the editor interesting, it was also written with much compassion and intelligence. (See “Here’s how letter writer was ‘duped.’”)

January 24, 2016 6 a.m.

OPINION: Montanans deserve a chance for school choice

Montana’s public schools do a great job for most students. But as every parent knows, children aren’t all the same. One likes to run; the other likes to sit in a corner with a book. One likes to play video games; the other prefers football. And while most may do well in public schools, there are some who do not. Unfortunately, nearly 2,000 students drop out of Montana schools each year.

January 24, 2016 6 a.m.

Patricia 'Patty' Davidson Langohr, 88

Patricia “Patty” Davidson Langohr, 88, passed away of natural causes on Jan. 20, 2016. An avid reader, she retained her intellect and mental clarity to her last day.

January 24, 2016 6 a.m.

Daybook

January 24, 2016 6 a.m.

OPINION: The 'grizzly killing fields': An irresponsible idea

In recent weeks, area papers have run the article “States divvy up Yellowstone-area grizzly hunt,” noting that Wyoming will get 58 percent of the body count, Montana 34 percent, and Idaho 8 percent. With grizzlies still listed as “threatened,” and likely to remain so for years to come despite efforts by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to prematurely delist them, it’s unseemly, irresponsible, and unnecessary for state wildlife agencies to begin dividing up the “killing fields” for this iconic species.

January 24, 2016 6 a.m.

OPINION: Why doesn't U.S. reward success instead of shaming it?

The American blame game

As the father of five kids who consistently achieve A+ academic results, I have to confess... I feel kind of guilty.

January 24, 2016 6 a.m.

DeWayne 'Red' Reinhold Krueger, 86

DeWayne “Red” was born Aug. 3, 1929, and entered into rest Jan. 22, 2016, at The HealthCenter Northwest in Kalispell.

January 24, 2016 6 a.m.

Marietta Louise Downes, 79

Marietta Louise Downes, 79, a longtime resident of the North Fork and, for the past five years, of Columbia Falls, passed away peacefully on Jan. 17, 2016.

January 24, 2016 6 a.m.

Birth, Published Jan. 24, 2016

January 24, 2016 6 a.m.

Genevieve Hazel (Bowers) Glover

Genevieve Hazel (Bowers) Glover passed on Jan. 15, 2016, “to be with her parents, brother, sister and her many friends.”

January 24, 2016 midnight

DIL 012416

January 23, 2016 11:10 p.m.

WRESTLING: Polson second at Class A Duals

LEWISTOWN — Havre claimed the Class A Duals wrestling title on Saturday by beating Polson 57-18 in the championship match.

January 23, 2016 11:08 p.m.

WRESTLING: Flathead grapplers third at AA Duals

GREAT FALLS — Flathead posted a 4-1 mark to place third at the Class AA Duals wrestling tournament on Saturday.

January 23, 2016 11:06 p.m.

Popp, Clason pace Glacier swimmers at Missoula Invite

MISSOULA — Swimmers from Flathead and Glacier continue to prep for the upcoming state meet next month by posting best times at the Missoula Invitational on Saturday.

January 23, 2016 11:03 p.m.

BASKETBALL ROUNDUP: Polson boys pull away from Whitefish

WHITEFISH — Polson outscored Whitefish 25-6 in the fourth quarter to pull away for a 57-38 Northwest A boys basketball victory on Saturday evening.

January 23, 2016 10:01 p.m.

Marietta Louise Downes, 79

January 23, 2016 9:55 p.m.

Genevieve Hazel (Bowers) Glover

January 23, 2016 9:53 p.m.

Patricia 'Patty' Davidson Langohr, 88

January 23, 2016 9:49 p.m.

Steve Vranish, 101

January 23, 2016 9:47 p.m.

LAW ROUNDUP: Woman just wants access to mailbox

January 23, 2016 5:45 p.m.

COLUMN: The secret of Donald Trump's success

I’ve written before about my journey from New York City to Kalispell, Montana, and more particularly my peculiar odyssey from big-city liberal to Main Street conservative, so it was with some amusement that I watched Ted Cruz try to brand Donald Trump as a purveyor of “New York values.”

January 23, 2016 5:43 p.m.

John Frandsen

January 23, 2016 5:39 p.m.

Sheriff encourages vigilance during tax time

As if income-tax season was not already stressful enough, criminals have come up with many sneaky ways to prey on honest folks at tax time.

January 23, 2016 5:36 p.m.

Drought designation lingers for Flathead

Defying a cover of wet snow and slush, Northwest Montana is still in the midst of its worst drought in more than a decade.

January 23, 2016 5:34 p.m.

COLUMN: Project a sweet touch for firefighters

Diane Groves loves to bake.

January 23, 2016 5:33 p.m.

Immanuel Lutheran projects start, stall

Immanuel Lutheran Communities got news from two funding sources on Tuesday: One will propel a major project forward and the other leaves a separate project in limbo.

January 23, 2016 5:32 p.m.

$4.4 million isn't just horsing around

Event at Rebecca Farm has deep economic impact

The Event at Rebecca Farm contributed $4.4 million to the Flathead economy, a recent study shows.

January 23, 2016 5:30 p.m.

A new way to look for invasive species using eDNA

Finding the invisible

In 2012, the National Park Service found a few quagga mussels growing in Lake Powell, a vast reservoir on the Colorado River in Arizona and Utah. They had been there for years.

January 23, 2016 5:29 p.m.

eDNA

January 23, 2016 5:28 p.m.

Flathead Lake

January 23, 2016 5:20 p.m.

Virgil Dupuis

January 23, 2016 5:12 p.m.

Underwater invaders: Many invasive species pose threats to lake

On a dock that leads from the pine-bordered shoreline of Flathead Lake, I lean over and look into the clear green water as hundreds of native Northern pike minnow swim carefree through the gaps of timber structure of the dock. In the warming water of spring the fish are spawning. I have watched them since my childhood carrying out the same cycle year to year by playfully swirling around each other.

January 23, 2016 2:17 p.m.

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A beer sits on a ledge of the ice rink during the Craft Brewers Hockey Tournament and Beerfest at the Woodland Ice Center on Saturday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

January 23, 2016 2:17 p.m.

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Dutchy, a blue heeler puppy, chases down a puck during the Craft Brewers Hockey Tournament and Brewfest at the Woodland Ice Center on Saturday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

January 23, 2016 2:16 p.m.

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Marc Nastase of Fun Beverage goes top shelf to score a goal against Olds College Brewery to help the local team win 8-4 in the competitive divison of the Craft Brewers Hockey Tournament and Beer Fest at Woodland Ice Center on Saturday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

January 23, 2016 11 a.m.

COURTROOM DRAMA: Students learn to look at both sides

The Kalispell City Council room was turned into a courtroom Jan. 15 for Stillwater Christian School 10th-graders to act out mock trials.

January 23, 2016 6 a.m.

Frank Eugene 'Buck' May, 75

Frank Eugene May, known to all as Buck, passed away Jan. 21, 2016, at home, peacefully, with his family.

January 23, 2016 6 a.m.

Daybook

January 23, 2016 6 a.m.

Michael T. Keretzman

Michael T. Keretzman died Jan. 20, 2016.

January 22, 2016 11:53 p.m.

BOYS BASKETBALL: Vikings grind down Loggers

BIGFORK — Led by stifling defense, the Bigfork boys pulled away from Libby and held off a series of comebacks to preserve a 53-37 District 7B home basketball victory on Friday.

January 22, 2016 11:49 p.m.

GIRLS BASKETBALL: Bigfork streaks by Libby

BIGFORK — Swarming on defense, the Bigfork girls put together a 17-2 run over six minutes in the first half to pull away from visiting Libby in a 57-36 District 7B basketball win on Friday evening.

January 22, 2016 10:55 p.m.

WRESTLING: Polson goes 3-0 at Class A Duals

LEWISTOWN — Polson went 3-0 on the first day of wrestling action at the Class A Duals Friday.

January 22, 2016 10:53 p.m.

WRESTLING: Eureka pins dual loss on Loggers

EUREKA — It was all Eureka as the Lions pinned a 54-15 Class B dual wrestling loss on Libby Friday night.

January 22, 2016 10:52 p.m.

WRESTLING: Braves 6th in latest Class AA poll

Fresh off a crosstown rout of Glacier, the Flathead wrestlers are ranked sixth in the state in the latest Class AA poll.

January 22, 2016 10:49 p.m.

SOCCER: NSC Montana joins club scene

If the newest soccer club in the Flathead Valley gets its way, it will soon be home to the best young soccer players from Libby to Polson.

January 22, 2016 9:23 p.m.

Bigfork's Adam Jordt

Bigfork's Adam Jordt shoots over Libby's Ryggs Johnston during the second quarter in Bigfork on Friday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

January 22, 2016 9:23 p.m.

Libby's Jonny Cielak

Libby's Jonny Cielak goes up for a shot in a crowd of Bigfork defenders during the first quarter in Bigfork on Friday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

January 22, 2016 9:23 p.m.

Bigfork's Lana Berg

Bigfork's Lana Berg shoots over Libby's Shannon Reny during the Valkyrie's 57-36 victory at home on Friday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

January 22, 2016 5:16 p.m.

Bill Johnson 1984

This Feb. 6, 1984, file photo shows American Olympic downhill skier Bill Johnson during the third training run for the Winter Olympic alpine skiing events, near Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina. Johnson died Thursday at an assisted living facility in Gresham, Ore. (AP Photo/Michel Lipchitz, File)

January 22, 2016 5:12 p.m.

Frank Eugene 'Buck' May, 75

January 22, 2016 5:09 p.m.

Woman guilty of mailing weapons to Tester in D.C.

A Troy woman was found guilty Wednesday of mailing a loaded gun and other materials to U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont.

January 22, 2016 5:07 p.m.

LAW ROUNDUP: Deputies can't help tax-time blues

A woman called the

January 22, 2016 4:58 p.m.

Winter work

January 22, 2016 4:50 p.m.

Darren Kauffman and Jake Hayden

January 22, 2016 4:47 p.m.

Jacina DeZell

January 22, 2016 4:40 p.m.

Man gets second chance after cutting brake lines

A Kalispell man could have been locked away for 15 years in the Montana State Prison for cutting his mother’s car brake lines and possessing dangerous drugs, but Flathead District Judge Stewart Stadler on Thursday decided to take a more lenient route.

January 22, 2016 2:59 p.m.

Monday Profile: Allen Chrisman

Allen Chrisman recently won the 2015 Field Forester Award from the Society of American Foresters.

January 22, 2016 1:52 p.m.

CFAC could get Superfund designation this spring

Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. could receive a Superfund listing as early as March, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Project Manager Mike Cirian told a liaison panel Thursday night.

January 22, 2016 11 a.m.

LETTER: Here's how letter writer was 'duped'

Bob Fraser’s letter of Jan. 17, 2016, poses the question, “has the U.S. been duped?” The answer is, “Yes, it most certainly has, but not by President Obama.”

January 22, 2016 11 a.m.

OPINION: Let the markets help solve our forest fire issue

There are few things Democrats and Republicans in Washington can agree upon. One is that the Western wildfire problem has gotten out of control. From the overwhelming firefighting costs to the amount of acres at high fire risk due to challenges of drought, insects and fuels build-up, the issue has ballooned like the actual fires themselves. Solutions, however, have been hard to find.

January 22, 2016 11 a.m.

School calendar

January 22, 2016 11 a.m.

LETTER: An apology for letter's errors

In a recent letter to the Daily Inter Lake I quoted, from what I thought was an impeccable source, statements referring to our current president of the United States. My source turned out to be not so impeccable and what I reported as quotes were only paraphrasing by my source. I apologize for such a breach in my attempt at amateur journalism. —

January 22, 2016 11 a.m.

OPINION: Marsy's Law will empower crime victims

On Dec. 30, 2000, my son was murdered by a drug dealer. The pain of that tragedy has diminished little for my family even 15 years later. I’ve learned that when you’re victimized by a crime like this, you’re a victim for life.

January 22, 2016 10 a.m.

Man given second chance after cutting mom's brake lines

A Kalispell man could have been locked away for 15 years in the Montana State Prison for cutting his mother’s car brake lines and possessing dangerous drugs, but Flathead District Judge Stewart Stadler on Thursday decided to take a more lenient route.

January 22, 2016 8:35 a.m.

Olympic ski champ Johnson dies at 55

Bill Johnson, the brash American who became the first U.S. skier to win an Olympic downhill title, died after a long illness, the U.S. ski team said Friday. He was 55.

January 22, 2016 6:50 a.m.

Sheriff's Office: shooting justified

Investigation clears two Kalispell officers who shot armed man

The shooting of an armed man by two Kalispell police officers on Jan. 12 was justified, according to the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office.

January 22, 2016 6 a.m.

EDITORIAL: High school going to the dogs? Good

Therapy dogs have been used for decades to provide comfort and a sense of calm to people in hospitals, nursing homes and other institutions.

January 22, 2016 6 a.m.

Daybook

January 22, 2016 6 a.m.

Dorothy Anna (Edley) Terrell, 64

On Jan. 9, 2016, Dorothy Anna (Edley) Terrell “was granted the peace she had so desperately been seeking” since her father passed away several years before.

January 22, 2016 6 a.m.

Kyle David Konopatzke, 28

Kyle David Konopatzke, 28, passed away Monday, Jan. 18, 2016, at St. Peter’s Hospital in Helena.

January 22, 2016 5:45 a.m.

Michael T. Keretzman

Michael T. Keretzman died Jan. 20, 2015.

January 22, 2016 5:45 a.m.

Diane Zorb, 70

Diane Zorb, 70, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2016, in Kalispell, with her two children, Steven and Kristi, by her side.

January 21, 2016 11:03 p.m.

WRESTLING: Flathead throttles Glacier in 9th annual crosstown showdown

Trae Vasquez wasn’t going to hide the truth.

January 21, 2016 11 p.m.

BASKETBALL ROUNDUP: Columbia Falls girls romp, boys come up short in Frenchtown

FRENCHTOWN — Columbia Falls continues to roll right along, whipping Frenchtown 62-24 in a Northwest A girls basketball matchup on Thursday evening.

January 21, 2016 9 p.m.

Flathead's Payton Hume

Flathead's Payton Hume uses a claw hold as he attempts to pin Glacier's Austin Cheney during the 145-bout at the crosstown dual at Flathead on Thursday. Hume pinned Cheney in the third period to help the Braves win 62-6. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

January 21, 2016 9 p.m.

Flathead's Trae Vasquez

Flathead's Trae Vasquez puts Glacier's Reuger Baier in a head and arm hold to pin him in the first period during the 132-bout at the crosstown dual at Flathead on Thursday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

January 21, 2016 5:55 p.m.

Kyle David Konopatzke, 28

January 21, 2016 5:53 p.m.

LAW ROUNDUP: Woman asks for help settling debt

January 21, 2016 5:51 p.m.

Man admits pot operation

A Kalispell man has admitted using U.S. Forest Service land to grow marijuana.

January 21, 2016 5:51 p.m.

Stalker's appeal denied by high court

Chief justice says case would be wholly frivolous

The Montana Supreme Court has denied a Missoula man’s appeal to have his conviction for felony stalking overturned.

January 21, 2016 5:49 p.m.

Two Fair Board incumbents reappointed

After readvertising various Flathead County board vacancies amid criticism that the application process was flawed, the county commissioners this week reappointed incumbent Fair Board members Butch Woolard and Sam Nunnally.

January 21, 2016 5:48 p.m.

Lung cancer screening program takes shape

Clinic to be based at Rocky Mt. Heart & Lung

A lung cancer screening program that Kalispell Regional Healthcare will launch in March has an ulterior motive: It aims to make lung screening as commonplace as a mammogram or colonoscopy.

January 21, 2016 5:43 p.m.

Dogs used to help relieve test stress

CANINE COMFORT

Glacier High School went to the dogs Thursday as part of an effort to help students relax during finals week.

January 21, 2016 3:17 p.m.

Eureka man apologizes for shooting

Gunman who injured two people gets 15-year sentence

A Eureka man was given a net sentence of 15 years with the Montana Department of Corrections on Thursday for shooting two people outside the Rail Line Tavern in Marion and dealing drugs while awaiting sentencing.

January 21, 2016 2:53 p.m.

Fair-Mont Egan annual Talent and Variety Show and Pie Auction

Front row from right, Harley Williams, Isabel Schmidt-Anthony, Emery Eash, Adilyn Croft and other kindergarteners rehearse their dance performance to the song "Wipe Out" by the Surfaris on Thursday afternoon, January 21, at Fair-Mont Egan. Tonight is the annual Talent and Variety Show and Pie Auction at 7 p.m. in the gymnasium. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

January 21, 2016 2:34 p.m.

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A group of Glacier students sits with Belgian shepherd Brenner during lunch after a finals session on Thursday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

January 21, 2016 2:34 p.m.

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Glacier High School sophomores Abri Turner, left, and Taylor Fraemer pet the Belgian shepherd Stryker during lunch at the school on Thursday. The dogs were at the school to help the students relieve stress during finals. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

January 21, 2016 1:29 p.m.

Picabo Street

January 21, 2016 1:24 p.m.

Olympic ski champ cancels trip to Whitefish

Olympic and world champion skier Picabo Street has canceled her trip to Whitefish as she faces misdemeanor charges for allegedly assaulting her father last month while her three children witnessed the incident.

January 21, 2016 11:51 a.m.

Sunrise Silhouette

A barn and trees are silhouetted against the Swan Range mountains in the early morning light on Thursday, January 21, north of Kalispell. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

January 21, 2016 11 a.m.

LETTER: Questions after GOP debate

I watched both the recent Republican debates in their entirety. The three people on the under card I would give an A; they conducted themselves with dignity. On the other hand on the later one I almost turned it off several times. Here is my critique of four of the candidates.

January 21, 2016 11 a.m.

LETTER: Europe's women under attack?

Cologne used to be a perfume. Now it’s chiefly known as a German city where several hundred refugees gathered on New Year’s Eve to commit the worst possible crime against at least a hundred women in their square — for not meeting their own cultural standards.

January 21, 2016 6 a.m.

Flathead Valley LIVE On Stage presents Billy Dean

Live On Stage Inc. and Flathead Valley LIVE On Stage will welcome country award-winning artist Billy Dean to the Flathead Valley on Thursday, Jan. 28.

January 21, 2016 6 a.m.

EDITORIAL: Help cancer patients and families

For 20 years Wings Regional Cancer Support has wrapped its mission around the notion that the last thing individuals and families affected by cancer need is to worry about how to pay for out-of-pocket expenses when their lives are put on hold by the disease. The nonprofit organization has raised more than $2 million since 1996 to help out with expenses related to cancer treatment.

January 21, 2016 6 a.m.

Noel Bartlett, 82

Noel Bartlett, 82, passed away at his Lakeside residence on Jan. 19, 2016.

January 21, 2016 6 a.m.

Norman Earl Thurnau, 82

Norman Earl Thurnau passed away of natural causes on Jan. 17, 2016, in his home in Kalispell. He was 82 years old.

January 21, 2016 6 a.m.

Billy Dean

Country artist Billy Dean will perform in Kalispell on Thursday, Jan. 28.

January 21, 2016 6 a.m.

Daybook

January 21, 2016 midnight

TWIF 012116

January 20, 2016 11:07 p.m.

TERRY COLUMN: Shaking off good losses

There’s nothing fun about losing.

January 20, 2016 11:01 p.m.

WRESTLING: Glacier headed to Flathead Thursday for crosstown battle

The Glacier Wolfpack need not look far to see what a young, inexperienced group of wrestlers can blossom into before the season-ending state tournament.

January 20, 2016 7:24 p.m.

Norman Earl Thurnau, 82

January 20, 2016 7:19 p.m.

Noel Bartlett, 82

January 20, 2016 7:17 p.m.

LAW ROUNDUP: No recourse over public potty break?

January 20, 2016 7:05 p.m.

Council raises Kalispell ambulance fees

The Kalispell City Council on Tuesday unanimously passed a resolution to raise emergency medical service fees for ambulance patients.

January 20, 2016 7:03 p.m.

Receptive local crowd greets candidate

Greg Gianforte wrapped up the first day of his eight-city tour at Thompson Precision near Kalispell on Wednesday, announcing his candidacy for the Republican gubernatorial nomination to a crowd of nearly 50 local Republican leaders, business leaders and other supporters.

January 20, 2016 7:03 p.m.

Greg Gianforte announces

January 20, 2016 7:02 p.m.

Greg Gianforte announces his candidacy for Governor of Montana

Greg Gianforte talks with attendees after announcing that he will be running for Governor on Wednesday evening, January 20, at Thompson Precision on Whitefish Stage, in Kalispell. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

January 20, 2016 6:30 p.m.

High court rules against drunk driver who killed two

The Montana Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that a former Thompson Falls school board chairman cannot go before Sanders County District Judge James Manley to make his case for an evaluation of how his sentence was imposed.

January 20, 2016 6:29 p.m.

Vincent Meuli

January 20, 2016 6:29 p.m.

Evergreen crash suspect on probation for felonies

A convicted felon on probation is in custody following a wild vehicle crash in Evergreen on Tuesday afternoon.

January 20, 2016 6:27 p.m.

Sperry Chalet

January 20, 2016 6:26 p.m.

Glacier chalets a hot ticket

Backcountry lodging books up in a hurry

As thousands of prospective vacationers found out last week, nabbing a room at one of Glacier National Park’s rustic backcountry chalets isn’t a walk in the park.

January 20, 2016 4:44 p.m.

Eagle view

January 20, 2016 12:05 p.m.

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Vincent Meuli picks up debris left from the wreck caused by a stolen vehicle at the Glacier Auto Co. on Wednesday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

January 20, 2016 12:05 p.m.

Gil Jordan

January 20, 2016 12:05 p.m.

Corwin Way

January 20, 2016 9:19 a.m.

Gianforte makes gubernatorial bid official

Technology entrepreneur Greg Gianforte put an end to the speculation and announced Wednesday that he is running to become the first Republican governor in Montana in more than a decade.

January 20, 2016 9:04 a.m.

LETTER: Compromise is not a plus when morality, freedom at stake

January 20, 2016 9:04 a.m.

LETTER: Bullies in Oregon need to be stopped soon

January 20, 2016 9:04 a.m.

LETTER: Sight of U.S. sailors on knees is sickening

January 20, 2016 9:04 a.m.

LETTER: A Christian nation? What did court say?

January 20, 2016 8:11 a.m.

Makenna Ross Miller

January 20, 2016 6 a.m.

Joe W. Hensley, 87

Joe W. Hensley, 87, of Kalispell, passed away Jan. 15, 2016.

January 20, 2016 6 a.m.

Ronald W. Kizer, 82

Ronald W. Kizer, 82, of Columbia Falls, died Jan. 17, 2016.

January 20, 2016 6 a.m.

Lois J. Thompson, 86

After a short illness, Lois J. Thompson, 86, passed away on Jan. 17, 2016, at her home in Bigfork.

January 20, 2016 6 a.m.

Merle Marie Harris, 93

Merle Marie Harris, 93, of Bigfork, passed away on Monday, Jan. 18, 2016.

January 20, 2016 6 a.m.

Myrna Lee MacLeod, 77

Myrna Lee MacLeod, 77, passed away on Jan. 16, 2016, at North Valley Hospital.

January 19, 2016 11:34 p.m.

BOYS BASKETBALL ROUNDUP: Flathead holds off Whitefish, Wolfpack wins at Polson

WHITEFISH — Whitefish stormed back with a 22-point fourth quarter but missed a potential game-winning shot in the final seconds as Flathead held on for a 41-40 win on Tuesday night.

January 19, 2016 11:32 p.m.

GIRLS BASKETBALL ROUNDUP: Bravettes bound past Bulldogs, Glacier topples Polson

WHITEFISH — Tiana Johnson reached double-figures for the eighth consecutive game and Flathead picked up its fourth win of the season, 46-32 at Whitefish Tuesday night.

January 19, 2016 11:30 p.m.

WRESTLING: Columbia Falls sweeps host triangular

COLUMBIA FALLS — Columbia Falls quickly dispatched a pair of Northwest A conference foes, sweeping its host wrestling triangular on Tuesday against Whitefish and Frenchtown.

January 19, 2016 8:47 p.m.

Flathead's Tyler Johnson

The Braves' Tyler Johnson is fouled by the Bulldogs' Ryan Kemm as he goes up for a shot during the first quarter in Whitefish Tuesday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

January 19, 2016 8:47 p.m.

Flathead's C.J. Dugan

Flathead's C.J. Dugan sinks a basket over the Bulldogs' Matt Brewer (12) and Jacob Henry (10) to give Flathead an 18-13 lead at halftime in Whitefish on Tuesday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

January 19, 2016 8:47 p.m.

Flathead's Taylor Henley

Flathead freshman Taylor Henley shoots over Whitefish's Annisa Brown during the Bravettes' 46-32 win at Whitefish on Tuesday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

January 19, 2016 8:11 p.m.

Daybook

January 19, 2016 7:26 p.m.

Ross Miller

Makenna Ross Miller

January 19, 2016 7:25 p.m.

Wings lifts Kalispell family during child's cancer treatment

When Chris and Nicole Ross Miller headed to Spokane on a fall day in 2014 with their two young daughters, they expected to stay for the weekend.

January 19, 2016 7:23 p.m.

Bigfork apartments to get tax credits

A proposal to renovate the Little Jon Apartments in Bigfork won approval from the Montana Board of Housing on Tuesday, with the prospective new owners of the housing complex receiving $2.6 million worth of federal tax credits.

January 19, 2016 7:12 p.m.

Joe W. Hensley, 87

January 19, 2016 7:07 p.m.

Merle Marie Harris, 93

January 19, 2016 7 p.m.

Coral Rude Fyall, 89, then

January 19, 2016 6:59 p.m.

Coral Rude Fyall, 89

Coral Fern (Aaberg) Rude Fyall, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, “went to her eternal heavenly home” on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2015, at the Brendan House, surrounded by family and friends.

January 19, 2016 6:51 p.m.

LAW ROUNDUP: Man helps track down suspected thieves

January 19, 2016 5:50 p.m.

Seven vehicles totaled

Runaway truck driver smashes into car lot

A driver led law enforcement on a high-speed chase, crashed into eight parked vehicles at an Evergreen dealership and tried to flee on foot before he was taken into custody Tuesday afternoon.

January 19, 2016 5:45 p.m.

Stolen car crash

January 19, 2016 5:22 p.m.

Structure fire

January 19, 2016 5:21 p.m.

House damaged but dog fine after fire

A Kalispell family was thankful for a passer-by who reported smoke coming from their home Tuesday afternoon so that responders could act quickly and save their Pomeranian from a garage fire at 215 Hawthorne Ave.

January 19, 2016 5:17 p.m.

Columbia Falls man charged with allegedly assaulting girl twice

A Columbia Falls man is being held in the Flathead County Detention Center on $100,000 bond after being picked up on a warrant on Friday for allegedly sexually assaulting a teenage girl more than once.

January 19, 2016 5:16 p.m.

Teen caught after allegedly slipping monitoring bracelets

Authorities have arrested a Bigfork teen who allegedly cut off his alcohol and location monitoring bracelets and broke conditions of house arrest.

January 19, 2016 5:11 p.m.

Chamber wants to keep pushing for progress

The Kalispell Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Tuesday concluded with a message: Now is not the time to hit the brakes on development.

January 19, 2016 3:30 p.m.

Transformer fire cuts power in Libby, Troy

More than 3,000 electricity customers in the Libby and Troy area lost power on Tuesday after a transformer at the Troy substation caught fire.

January 19, 2016 2:22 p.m.

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Patsy Bowen smiles as she learns how to tap the drum at the African drum class. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

January 19, 2016 2:22 p.m.

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Nancy Gresham taps the drum during an African drum class. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

January 19, 2016 2:22 p.m.

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A group of women learn how to drum during a class at the Imagine Health Wellness and Wisdom Center in Columbia Falls on Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

January 19, 2016 2:22 p.m.

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Bob Sherrick teaches African drum lesson at the Imagine Health Wellness and Wisdom Center in Columbia Falls. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

January 19, 2016 2:22 p.m.

Connecting vibrations

Bob Sherrick instructs a group on African drumming at the Imagine Health and Wellness Center in Columbia Falls in January.

January 19, 2016 11:04 a.m.

Kintla above the clouds

January 19, 2016 11 a.m.

Ice is cold; skaters are packing heat

An ice skater called the

January 19, 2016 10:54 a.m.

Logging Truck Rollover near Glacier High School

Thomas Manz of the Montana Highway Patrol inspects the scene of a logging truck rollover on Tuesday morning, January 19, at the roundabout near Glacier High School. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

January 19, 2016 10:45 a.m.

MHSA rejects Hellgate's proposal for varsity football

MISSOULA — The Montana High School Association has rejected a proposal by Missoula's Hellgate high school that sought an option for its seniors if Hellgate was unable to field a football team in the fall.

January 19, 2016 9:57 a.m.

Violent offender arrested, jailed

A violent offender accused of not registering with authorities was booked into jail on Monday, three days after the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office launched a social media effort to help track him down.

January 19, 2016 9:31 a.m.

Major Jason Curtis returns to Flathead High School

U.S. Air Force Maj. Jason Curtis addresses student Aug. 29, 2014 at Flathead High School. He spoke to students about the importance of having dreams and chasing them, on seeking mentors and asking for help and on setting goals and writing them down. Curtis is a Flathead High School graduate. (Brenda Ahearn file photo/Daily Inter Lake)

January 19, 2016 9:30 a.m.

Curtis flight

Thunderbird solo pilots Jason Curtis and Blaine Jones perform the Opposing Knife-Edge Pass during the 2014 Cannon Air Force Base Air Show and Open House. (U.S. Air Force file photo/Staff Sgt. Larry E. Reid Jr.) Thunderbird solo pilots Jason Curtis and Blaine Jones perform the Opposing Knife-Edge Pass during the 2014 Cannon Air Force Base Air Show and Open House. (U.S. Air Force file photo/Staff Sgt. Larry E. Reid Jr.)

January 19, 2016 9:29 a.m.

Curtis final flight

January 19, 2016 9:27 a.m.

Curtis final flight portrait

Major Jason Curtis, Thunderbird 5, prepares to climb aboard his F-16 Fighting Falcon during his final flight as a United States Air Force Thunderbird pilot January 13, 2016, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. Curtis, a solo pilot, flew three seasons with the team. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Christopher Boitz)

January 19, 2016 9:26 a.m.

Curtis family

Maj. Jason Curtis poses with his daughter Aurora and wife Larissa.

January 19, 2016 9:25 a.m.

State board OKs North Shore land purchase

The Montana Land Board on Tuesday unanimously approved an addition to the North Shore Waterfowl Management Area, clearing the way for the state wildlife agency to close on the property.

January 19, 2016 6 a.m.

Meeting Miss Montana

Miss Montana Danielle Wineman of Cut Bank kicks off the 2016 leg of her tour with an assembly at Cayuse Prairie School on Monday, Jan. 18. Wineman and the students recited together the school's anti-bullying pledge: 1. We will not bully others. 2. We will help students who are bullied. 3. We will include students who are left out. 4. If we know that somebody is being bullied, we will report it to an adult at school and an adult at home.

January 19, 2016 6 a.m.

Whitefish Planning Board: Tap house proposal tops agenda

A plan to convert the former Dire Wolf restaurant building into a tap house will be considered during a public hearing before the Whitefish Planning Board on Thursday.

January 18, 2016 7:15 p.m.

Virginia Ellen Pearson Ophus, 101

Virginia Ellen Pearson Ophus, 101, of Kalispell, passed away on Jan. 15, 2016, at her daughter’s home in Kalispell. Her family was at her bedside.

January 18, 2016 6:54 p.m.

Norman Leroy 'Norm' Julian, 85

Norman Leroy “Norm” Julian, 85, a resident of The Dalles, Oregon, and formerly of Kalispell, died Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015.

January 18, 2016 4:30 p.m.

C.F., Whitefish finish on top of Bigfork speech meet

Columbia Falls outpointed Whitefish on Saturday in Class A scoring at the Bigfork Viking Invitational, the final regular-season speech and debate meet.

January 18, 2016 3:22 p.m.

Glacier edges Flathead 131-123 in speech meet

Glacier High School held a three-point lead over Flathead and a seven-point lead over Bozeman with only one event (Legislative Debate) left to be finished and tabulated on Saturday at the Garden City Invitational speech and debate meet in Missoula.

January 18, 2016 1:54 p.m.

Own Local Kalispell

January 18, 2016 11 a.m.

Bigfork committee seeking members

The Bigfork Land Use Advisory Committee is taking applications from prospective committee members. Applicants must reside within the Bigfork zoning district and be registered voters in Flathead County.

January 18, 2016 11 a.m.

Worker has done 'a little bit of everything'

40 YEARS ON THE MOUNTAIN

Dave White, 64, is a behind-the-scenes kind of guy who has helped keep Whitefish Mountain Resort and Big Mountain in tip-top shape in a variety of departments — from pyrotechnics to developing mountain biking trails — since 1976.

January 18, 2016 6 a.m.

Kalispell to consider higher ambulance fees

The Kalispell City Council on Tuesday will consider raising fees for emergency medical services.

January 18, 2016 6 a.m.

Foster Grandparent Program is recruiting

Heavy on hugs

It’s been a year of heartfelt hugs for Linda Gimbel.

January 18, 2016 6 a.m.

Whitefish City Council hearing deals with Haskill Basin easement

The purchase of a conservation easement for 3,020 acres of land in Haskill Basin involves a seven-part public hearing at the Whitefish City Council meeting on Tuesday.

January 18, 2016 midnight

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January 17, 2016 9:30 p.m.

Kalispell Police receive safety grant

Kalispell Police Chief Roger Nasset rarely has to deploy tactically geared officers, but thanks to the customers of Flathead Electric Cooperative, he knows that if he does need to send out a SWAT team, his officers will show up with adequate gear.

January 17, 2016 9:30 p.m.

Business reports gate-jumping burglars

The owner of a Central Avenue business called the

January 17, 2016 9:14 p.m.

Monday Profile: Dave White

Dave White at the Hibernation House at Whitefish Mountain Resort.

January 17, 2016 9:10 p.m.

Heavy on hugs

Linda Joy Gimble "Grandma Linda" helps Niky Dixon with his lettering assignment on Thursday morning at Russell Elementary School in Kalispell.

January 17, 2016 11 a.m.

LETTER: Booster clubs grateful for help solving parking problem

Through the collaborative efforts of various agencies and organizations, private businesses and neighborhood individuals, a major safety and parking problem at Legends Field has recently been eliminated.

January 17, 2016 11 a.m.

LETTER: Has the U.S. been duped?

Dupe (noun): “one who is victimized or made to appear foolish.”

January 17, 2016 11 a.m.

Foundation makes big strides in Cambodia

Rachel Riggio went to Cambodia three years ago with a mountain of a mission.

January 17, 2016 11 a.m.

OPINION: Is federal government encouraging U.S. Indian-Mideastern interactions?

Two kinds of tribalism

It has been reported that the town of Browning might have to disincorporate or declare bankruptcy over an ongoing dispute with the Blackfeet Tribe about water and utility service.

January 17, 2016 11 a.m.

Flathead pharmacists earn state awards

Last week two Flathead Valley pharmacists received recognition for their contributions to their community, inside and outside of their respective pharmacies.

January 17, 2016 11 a.m.

LETTER: Doctor disputes allegation of election error

I laughed out loud when I heard I was named in the decision by political practices commissioner Jon Motl regarding Mr. Tutvedt’s primary race in 2012. I can’t wait to read the document!

January 17, 2016 11 a.m.

WINTER CARNIVAL: Retired educators crowned king, queen

A Whitefish couple known for their work with the American Field Services Exchange Student Program and the Whitefish school system will reign as the Whitefish Winter Carnival King Ullr and Queen of the Snows.

January 17, 2016 11 a.m.

LETTER: Hockaday sends thanks for coverage and support

Too many times we take our day to day for granted, say nothing when expectations are exceeded, or fail to pause long enough to realize how much the efforts of others have contributed to our individual successes. The purpose of this letter is to say thank you, and to provide public recognition to the Daily Inter Lake and to your team for all their efforts to support the communities of the Flathead Valley, the nearly 500 nonprofit organizations, and specifically, the Hockaday Museum of Art.

January 17, 2016 6 a.m.

OPINION: D.C. politics hurts Montana wildland firefighters

Our nation has a serious problem in how we fund wildland firefighting. As a former fire lookout and wildfire dispatcher, I have seen friends and colleagues work endless hours in a dangerous job to defend local communities time and time again. I believe they deserve better support from the U.S. Congress.

January 17, 2016 6 a.m.

OPINION: The threat of invasive species in Northwest Montana

Northwest Montana offers some of the finest waterways in Montana, spread across a variety of land ownerships. Waters in our part of the state are a public treasure and draw people from across the United States and beyond. As land and population managers, we share in the responsibility to manage and conserve these incredible resources with all the people who use and enjoy them.

January 17, 2016 6 a.m.

Steven D. Chester, 84

Lt. Col. U.S. Air Force (retired) Steven D. Chester, 84, died Jan. 10, 2016, in Palm Desert, California.

January 17, 2016 6 a.m.

EDITORIAL: War on coal claims more victims

Back in 2008, when he was still an underdog candidate for the Democratic nomination, Barack Obama laid out his strategy for the future of coal.

January 17, 2016 6 a.m.

OPINION: Dale Bumpers, 1925-2016, the man who should have been president

January 17, 2016 6 a.m.

Daybook

January 17, 2016 6 a.m.

James L. Ryan, 52

James L. Ryan, 52, passed away on Monday, Dec. 28, 2015.

January 17, 2016 6 a.m.

Romona Belle Gregg, 53

Romona Belle Gregg, 53, “went to be with the Lord” on Friday, Jan. 15, 2016, after a two-year battle with breast cancer.

January 17, 2016 6 a.m.

Gladys Graham, 91

Early in the morning of Dec, 18, 2015, Gladys Graham of Kalispell peacefully “left this earth to live on forever in her heavenly homeland.” This loving and godly woman who was such a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and friend, “is finally seeing the God she loved and served — face to face. She is now reunited with her beloved husband, Marvin and precious daughter, Laura, along with many more of her loved ones who passed before her.”

January 17, 2016 6 a.m.

Kenneth D. Mallett, 91

Kenneth D. Mallett died Jan. 14, 2016, at Heritage Place Healthcare Community in Kalispell.

January 17, 2016 6 a.m.

OPINION: Radical Islam and national security

Our vigilance and diligence as citizens is paramount

January 17, 2016 6 a.m.

William M. Brass, 89

William “Bill” Brass passed away peacefully on Jan. 8, 2016, at the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls. He was 89 years old; nine days shy of his 90th birthday.

January 17, 2016 midnight

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January 16, 2016 11:02 p.m.

GIRLS BASKETBALL: Sentinel hands Wildkats first loss of season

COLUMBIA FALLS — Columbia Falls hung close with undefeated Missoula Sentinel on Saturday afternoon, but fell behind quickly behind a cold shooting performance in a 45-28 nonconference girls basketball loss.

January 16, 2016 11:01 p.m.

GIRLS BASKETBALL: Bravettes struggle in loss to C.M. Russell

Confidence can be a funny thing.

January 16, 2016 10:58 p.m.

BASKETBALL ROUNDUP: Sentinel boys drop Columbia Falls, Flathead boys fall in Great Falls

COLUMBIA FALLS — Columbia Falls could not rebound from a horrible second quarter, losing 63-48 to Missoula Sentinel on Saturday in a boys nonconference contest between Class A and AA teams.

January 16, 2016 10:56 p.m.

WRESTLING: Flathead's Trae Vasquez wins title at Jug Beck Rocky Mountain Invitational

MISSOULA — Trae Vasquez of Flathead was the individual champion at 120 pounds on Saturday, decisioning Nick Kunz of Helena Capital 8-5 in the finals at the Jug Beck Rocky Mountain Classic.

January 16, 2016 10:52 p.m.

SWIMMING: Whitefish, Columbia Falls dominate at Cat/Dog Invitational

WHITEFISH — Swimmers from Columbia Falls and Whitefish dominated the action in the pool at the Cat/Dog Invitational on Saturday at The Wave.

January 16, 2016 9:31 p.m.

Hospital planning new 10-bed assistance facility in Kalispell

The Kalispell Planning Board and Zoning Commission on Tuesday approved a conditional-use permit for a 24-hour “assist” facility near Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

January 16, 2016 9:30 p.m.

Firebrand Hotel to open this summer

A new downtown Whitefish hotel is expected to open early this summer, according to Averill Hospitality.

January 16, 2016 9:27 p.m.

Pharmacist of the Year

Rebecca Stillo, winner of the Fitzgerald Pharmacist of the Year award at the Pharmacy in Super 1 Foods in Whitefish. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

January 16, 2016 9:24 p.m.

Romona Belle Gregg, 53

January 16, 2016 9:23 p.m.

Steven D. Chester, 84

January 16, 2016 9:21 p.m.

William M. Brass, 89

January 16, 2016 9:07 p.m.

Gladys Graham, 91

January 16, 2016 8:59 p.m.

Woman charged with fifth DUI

A Kalispell woman has been arrested and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs for a fifth time.

January 16, 2016 8:59 p.m.

Citizens Academy teaches about Kalispell police work

Next month, community members will have a chance to see local law enforcement firsthand when the Kalispell Police Department holds its Citizens Police Academy.

January 16, 2016 8:58 p.m.

Agencies preparing for homeless survey

Social service agencies throughout Northwest Montana are gearing up for the annual Montana Homeless Survey on Jan. 28.

January 16, 2016 8:57 p.m.

Two forums planned this week on health care

All members of the community are invited to take part in forums on Tuesday and Wednesday to help develop the Flathead County Community Health Improvement Plan.

January 16, 2016 8:55 p.m.

LAW ROUNDUP: 'I'd like to return this dog food I didn't buy, OK?'

January 16, 2016 8:51 p.m.

Restraining order issued in shooting case

A judge ordered Friday that a woman whose alleged threats brought officers to a home on Looking Glass Avenue in Kalispell on Tuesday have no contact with either her son, who was shot multiple times by the officers, or his girlfriend.

January 16, 2016 8:48 p.m.

Curtis

January 16, 2016 8:39 p.m.

High-flying pilot touches down

Curtis wraps up three years on elite team

Life has been quite a ride for U.S. Air Force Maj. Jason “Jaws” Curtis.

January 16, 2016 5:33 p.m.

COLUMN: 'Flathead News' is the story of our remarkable citizens

Two important things are happening in my life today.

January 16, 2016 5:31 p.m.

Queen of the Snows Jerrie Boksich

January 16, 2016 5:30 p.m.

King Ullr, Ray Boksich

January 16, 2016 5:27 p.m.

Tax credits sought for Courtyard Apts. upgrade

Community Action Partnership of Northwest Montana is vying for state housing tax credits that would enable the agency to undertake a major renovation of its Courtyard Apartments on Airport Road in Kalispell.

January 16, 2016 5:26 p.m.

COLUMN: Lottery woes and Norwegian stamina

Thank goodness a trio of lucky players finally won the $1.5 billion Powerball drawing so we can all get on with our lives. I’m not a gambler, but I succumbed to the office pool for the now historic largest lottery drawing in the world.

January 16, 2016 5:24 p.m.

Alvord Lake land deal completed

Unfettered recreation access will continue at a popular lake near Troy after conservation organizations and the local community wrapped up a $1.5 million effort to purchase a lakeshore property late last year.

January 16, 2016 12:26 p.m.

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Flathead Gymnastics Academy's Ava Mendoza performsduring the level four floor exercise of the Glacier Challenge at the Flathead County Fairgrounds on Saturday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

January 16, 2016 12:26 p.m.

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Flathead Gymnastics Academy's Nora Iames does the splits during the level four floor exercise of the Glacier Challenge at the Flathead County Fairgrounds on Saturday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

January 16, 2016 12:26 p.m.

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Stacy Gibbins, the director of programs for the NW Association for Blind Athletes, helps Hayden Sherman hit the ball during a game of beep ball for the Paralymic Experience Kalispell at the Peterson School on Saturday. The event was hosted by the NW Association for Blind Athletes and the Montana School for the Deaf and the Blind. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

January 16, 2016 11 a.m.

Bigfork library reading loft sets sail with Viking theme

Shop teacher crafts unique area for young readers

Young Vikes and Vals can now set sail into a sea of books in their very own Viking ship at the Bigfork Elementary and Middle School Library.

January 16, 2016 11 a.m.

Applications available for Patrol Fund awards

The Patrol Fund’s Avalanche Education and Scholarship Program promotes wilderness medicine and snow safety education in the community.

January 16, 2016 6 a.m.

Daybook

January 15, 2016 11:22 p.m.

GIRLS BASKETBALL: Glacier bullies Broncs in runaway win

For the second straight game, the Glacier girls found an edge with their suffocating pressure defense, pulling away from Class A Frenchtown early in a 46-24 nonconference basketball win on Friday.

January 15, 2016 11:17 p.m.

BOYS BASKETBALL: Glacier gets back in win column, downs Frenchtown

As far as apes go, this was no gorilla.

January 15, 2016 11:10 p.m.

BASKETBALL ROUNDUP: Eureka girls edge Troy, boys tamed by Trojans

TROY — Amanda Peterson scored 10 points and Sienna Utter added nine to help Eureka slip by Troy 36-30 in District 7B girls basketball action Friday night.

January 15, 2016 11:07 p.m.

WRESTLING: Flathead, Polson tied for 8th at Jug Beck

MISSOULA — Flathead and Polson will both have three wrestlers on the mats today for semifinal action at the Jug Beck Rocky Mountain Classic.

January 15, 2016 10:55 p.m.

GYMNASTICS: Gymnasts flock to fairgrounds for Glacier Challenge

Ten clubs from two states (Idaho and Montana) and Canada will be competing in the first Glacier Challenge gymnastics meet today and Sunday at the Flathead County Fairgrounds.

January 15, 2016 10:45 p.m.

MARTIAL ARTS: Kalispell Kombat MMA event to feature several locals

Some of Northwest Montana’s finest fighters will square off tonight for Kalispell Kombat at the Majestic Valley Arena.

January 15, 2016 8:59 p.m.

Glacier's Tadan Gilman

The Wolfpack's Tadan Gilman scores a basket on a fastbreak during the first quarter against Frenchtown on Friday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

January 15, 2016 8:59 p.m.

Glacier's Brynn McChesney

Glacier's Brynn McChesney drives past Frenchtown's Allison Hochhalter for a shot during the third quarter of the Wolfpack's 46-24 win at home on Friday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

January 15, 2016 8:59 p.m.

Glacier's Noah Lindsay

Glacier's Noah Lindsay puts up a shot over Frenchtown's Andrew King (30) and Austin Means (22) during the first quarter on Friday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

January 15, 2016 7:34 p.m.

Housekeeper leaves home with meds

January 15, 2016 7:33 p.m.

Alert issued for violent offender

A man charged with a fourth count of felony failure to register as a violent offender is being sought by law enforcement.

January 15, 2016 7:33 p.m.

David Howke

January 15, 2016 7:32 p.m.

Judge wants more study on Condon project

Logging won’t happen anytime soon on the Flathead National Forest’s Glacier Loon project after a federal district judge denied the agency’s request to lift an injunction on the 37,320-acre project west of Condon.

January 15, 2016 7:29 p.m.

Election ruling goes against Senate candidate

Montana’s campaign regulator on Friday ruled against a one-time primary candidate in the Flathead Valley, along with a suite of groups and individuals he says violated state campaign laws during the 2012 Republican primary race.

January 15, 2016 6:09 p.m.

Viking ship

January 15, 2016 5:49 p.m.

Coal suspension affects 30-plus mining projects

BILLINGS — At least 30 applications from companies seeking to mine hundreds of millions of tons of coal face suspension as the government reviews its sales of the fuel from public lands, U.S. officials disclosed Friday.

January 15, 2016 5:47 p.m.

Dog park, walking paths on south Kalispell wish list

Opinions are divided on what to do about Kalispell City Airport, but south Kalispell residents are clearer on a couple of points: They don’t want to become like north Kalispell and they would like a dog park.

January 15, 2016 5:44 p.m.

Beaded shirt

January 15, 2016 5:43 p.m.

Helen, Van Kirke Nelson's collection spans decades

A collection of rare American Indian artifacts owned by Helen and the late Dr. Van Kirke Nelson of Kalispell will be sold at auction Feb. 6 in Boston by internationally acclaimed auction house Skinner.

January 15, 2016 3:39 p.m.

West-side situation resolved peacefully

The Kalispell Police Department deployed its special response team to handle a report of shots fired and several people fighting in the street on Hawthorn West Road just before midnight Thursday.

January 15, 2016 3:17 p.m.

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Dave Smith at the Hibernation House at Whitefish Mountain Resort on Thursday. (Aaric Bryan)

January 15, 2016 3:17 p.m.

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Bigfork librarian Julie Bonner checks out books as second graders read in the viking ship on Thursday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

January 15, 2016 3:17 p.m.

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Bigfork second-graders Abigail Hansen, left, and Cecelia Brown laugh as they read Hansen's book on reptiles in the recently built viking ship in the elementary's library on Thursday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

January 15, 2016 2:19 p.m.

Welcome to West Valley

January 15, 2016 1:30 p.m.

Man pleads not guilty to burglary of Bigfork store

A former store employee has denied burglarizing the Bigfork Stage Stop on Jan. 4.

January 15, 2016 12:20 p.m.

State panel OKs land purchase on North Shore

A 77-acre addition to the North Shore Wildlife Management Area along Flathead Lake will face a final vote before the Montana Land Board next week after the state Fish and Wildlife Commission unanimously approved the $489,000 purchase on Thursday.

January 15, 2016 11 a.m.

LETTER: Gas prices falling to where they started?

As we watch in awe at plummeting oil prices in the world, let us not forget that on Jan. 20, 2009, the day Barack Hussein Obama took the oath of office as president, the average price of gasoline at the pump was $1.89, exactly what it is today.

January 15, 2016 11 a.m.

LETTER: Don't forget that nature has its own wisdom

A disturbing syntax appears in the recent Inter Lake comments on wolves. From the “Flathead Outdoors” column’s “...having hundreds of wolves running around eating deer 24/7 has impacted our deer herds,” (Dec. 31, 2015) to the “What about wolves?” Guest Opinion’s “It’s only a matter of time until they’ve [wolves] cleaned out all of our game...,” (Jan. 8, 2016), there seems to be a recurring linguistic clue to the way the authors of these pieces see the world.

January 15, 2016 11 a.m.

OPINION: Today's wilderness challenge

As a Montanan I am blessed to live in a place of incomparable beauty and wealth of natural resources. In appreciation of that I find myself moved to make a plea to thoughtful citizens to resist the corrosive effects of growing threats to the quality of life we enjoy.

January 15, 2016 11 a.m.

LETTER: Sometimes diplomacy is not enough

Bob McClellan thinks the answer in the Middle East and all world conflict is diplomacy. He includes the conflict in Ukraine as one to be settled by diplomacy.

January 15, 2016 11 a.m.

LETTER: Consider the facts before condemning the wolves

With all due respect to Kelly Baracker (“About that moose decline, what about wolves?”), many of us seek to navigate the contentious ground that is wolf stewardship by relying on actual facts and science, not just the opinion of one group.

January 15, 2016 11 a.m.

LETTER: Some facts about Spay and Neuter Task Force

I would like to take this opportunity to respond to an anonymous letter that was sent to Flathead Spay and Neuter Task Force this week. You didn’t include your name or address so that we could answer your concerns, but indicated that you do read this paper. So here are some facts for you to consider:

January 15, 2016 11 a.m.

Forestry group honors two

The Flathead Chapter of the Montana Society of American Foresters presented two achievement awards to members at its annual Christmas banquet.

January 15, 2016 10:45 a.m.

Restored murals installed at the O'Shaughnessy Center

The Hockaday Museum of Art on Tuesday completed installation of two fully restored Glacier National Park murals at the O’Shaughnessy Center in Whitefish.

January 15, 2016 6 a.m.

EDITORIAL: America to NW Montana: Thumbs up

A record year for Glacier Park, the busiest year ever for Glacier Park International Airport and all-time record visitation at Montana State Parks.

January 15, 2016 6 a.m.

Daybook

January 15, 2016 6 a.m.

Fern Louise Reid, 97

Fern Louise Reid died peacefully and went to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2016, at the age of 97. She was born in Oakland, California, to Samuel and Loretta Grace Goldspring on Nov. 30, 1918.

January 15, 2016 6 a.m.

Irene Boots, 83

Irene Boots, 83, passed away on Jan. 12, 2016, at the Springs at Whitefish.

January 14, 2016 11:28 p.m.

BASKETBALL ROUNDUP: Kastella, Dogs top Cats; Columbia Falls girls move to 10-0

COLUMBIA FALLS — Whitefish survived a slow start to knock off Columbia Falls 56-44 on Thursday in Northwest A boys basketball play.

January 14, 2016 11:21 p.m.

RUNNING: Glacier's Annie Hill named Gatorade Montana girls cross country athlete of the year

Glacier sophomore Annie Hill was named the Gatorade Montana girls cross country athlete of the year on Thursday, the company announced in a press release.

January 14, 2016 11:15 p.m.

WRESTLING: Polson uses pins to drop Columbia Falls

POLSON — Polson used six pins and a pair of close decisions to stick a 43-24 Northwest A dual wrestling loss on Columbia Falls Thursday evening.

January 14, 2016 9:19 p.m.

Columbia Falls' Kiara Burlage

Columbia Falls' Kiara Burlage drives past Whitefish's Cailyn Ross for a shot in the first quarter at Columbia Falls on Thursday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

January 14, 2016 9:19 p.m.

Whitefish's Luke May and Jansen Anderson

Luke May and Jansen Anderson celebrate the Whitefish Bulldogs' 56-44 victory over the Wildcats in Columbia Falls on Thursday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake).

January 14, 2016 9:19 p.m.

Whitefish's Zander Wold

Whitefish's Zander Wold is fouled by Columbia Falls' Steven DeCamp as he goes up for a shot during the third quarter. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

January 14, 2016 8:51 p.m.

Fern Louise Reid, 97

January 14, 2016 8:48 p.m.

Irene Boots, 83

January 14, 2016 8:43 p.m.

LAW ROUNDUP: Woman almost runs over fighting men

January 14, 2016 7:55 p.m.

Suspect faces bail of $135,500 for series of alleged offenses

A felon accused of stabbing a man at a home on Silver Leaf Drive in Kalispell on Dec. 28 is going to have to stay in jail a while longer.

January 14, 2016 7:54 p.m.

Changes planned for school welding program

Changes are slated in the fall for the high school welding program in Kalispell Public Schools.

January 14, 2016 7:51 p.m.

Auto Mutt donation

January 14, 2016 7:50 p.m.

Business chips in for Salvation Army

Auto Mutt Dog and Car Wash of Kalispell raised $2,932 through its unique way of “ringing the bell” for the Salvation Army this past season.

January 14, 2016 7:47 p.m.

Blasting powder

Jeremy Mahugh enjoys snowmobiling near his home on Tuesday, January 12, north of Whitefish. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

January 14, 2016 7:40 p.m.

Election season gets underway with first filings

The candidate filing period has begun, kicking off Montana’s 2016 election season.

January 14, 2016 7:39 p.m.

Maintenance chief files for commission

Tim Harmon, the maintenance supervisor for the Flathead County Fairgrounds, is challenging incumbent District 2 County Commissioner Pam Holmquist on the Republican ticket.

January 14, 2016 7:38 p.m.

Audio not working at time of west Kalispell shooting

Investigators will not be able to use sound recordings to help verify what happened when officers shot and critically injured a man in west Kalispell on Tuesday.

January 14, 2016 7:37 p.m.

Witness disputes Kalispell shooting scenario

Police chief stands by his officers accounts

A witness to the police shooting inside a home in west Kalispell on Tuesday says that initial police accounts released to the media do not match up with his recollection of events.

January 14, 2016 2:51 p.m.

Holmquist files for re-election

Flathead County Commissioner Pam Holmquist filed for re-election on Thursday, touting her ability to solve problems and keep the county financially on track.

January 14, 2016 2:41 p.m.

6th Annual Pet Contest

January 14, 2016 11 a.m.

LETTER: Obama shows real strength

Ten days ago I wrote, “What is real strength anyway?” The letter was praising President Obama for demonstrating how real strength comes from the willingness to not react immediately to problem situations with negative emotions of fear and anger but rather respond from our intellectual capability and strength of choosing listening, understanding, compassion, compromise and deliberation.

January 14, 2016 11 a.m.

LETTER: Roots of our dysfunctional president

It was clear from his speech last night that Obama seems mystified by the amount of dysfunction inside of the political world. He shouldn’t be as he is part (or most of) the problem. Our acrimonious political world and, collaterally, our divided country are and will be his legacy. And to a large degree this stems from Obama’s background as he is the first person elected president coming from a totally dysfunctional family.

January 14, 2016 11 a.m.

LETTER: A tribute to those who died on Texas Tower 4

I venture to say that almost all, if not all, of your readers, never heard of the Texas Towers (long range radar platforms similar to the Texas oil rigs).

January 14, 2016 6 a.m.

Daybook

January 14, 2016 6 a.m.

Alva 'Al' Price Downey, 80

Al passed away on Jan. 7, 2016. He was 80 “when he crossed the rainbow bridge to be with his extended family and beloved pets.”

January 14, 2016 6 a.m.

Ava Jean Duncan, 89

Ava Jean Duncan, 89, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2016, of natural causes at the Brendan House in Kalispell.

January 14, 2016 6 a.m.

Tracy Silverman makes Flathead Valley tour stops

'Electric Blizzard'

At the end of the month, six-string electric violinist Tracy Silverman will be bringing his unique brand of electricity to the Flathead Valley.

January 14, 2016 6 a.m.

EDITORIAL: Yep, a divided union – as stated

President Obama’s State of the Union address was billed in advance as being “untraditional,” but there was certainly nothing surprising or unusual about the rhetoric the president employed.

January 14, 2016 6 a.m.

Serenity Step' eysi (Rain) Clairmont, 14 months

Serenity Step’ eysi (Rain) Clairmont “was made an angel” on Jan. 10, 2016.

January 14, 2016 5:59 a.m.

Powerball Jackpot

7-Eleven store clerk M. Faroqui celebrates after learning the store sold a winning Powerball ticket on Wednesday in Chino Hills, Calif. One winning ticket was sold at the store in suburban Los Angeles said Alex Traverso, a spokesman for California lottery. The identity of the winner is not yet known. (Will Lester/The Sun via AP)

January 14, 2016 5:52 a.m.

Three tickets hit Powerball numbers

LOS ANGELES — An eye-popping and unprecedented Powerball jackpot whose rise to $1.6 billion became a national fascination will be split three ways.

January 14, 2016 midnight

TWIF 011416

January 13, 2016 11:24 p.m.

TERRY COLUMN: Chopping down the chants

It’s inescapable at any sporting event.

January 13, 2016 7:58 p.m.

Reward grows over illegal fish introductions

Spurred by the discovery of walleyes in Swan Lake, the Fishing Outfitters Association of Montana has pledged an additional $5,000 reward for information leading to the successful prosecution of people illegally introducing fish in Montana waters.

January 13, 2016 7:57 p.m.

COLUMN: New approach may be needed for bucket biology

Bucket biology. That term strikes fear into the heart of local fish managers.

January 13, 2016 7:55 p.m.

Edith Sanders, 81

January 13, 2016 7:54 p.m.

Ava Jean Duncan, 89

January 13, 2016 7:53 p.m.

Alva 'Al' Price Downey, 80

January 13, 2016 7:51 p.m.

Serenity Step' eysi (Rain) Clairmont, 14 months

January 13, 2016 7:48 p.m.

LAW ROUNDUP: Test driver goes for extended ride

January 13, 2016 7:45 p.m.

Position open on FVCC board

The Flathead Valley Community College Board of Trustees is accepting letters of application to fill a vacant trustee position due to the resignation of trustee John Phelps.

January 13, 2016 7:44 p.m.

Two men plead guilty to burglaries

CRIME RING

Two men have admitted being a part of a burglary and theft ring that stole goods worth more than $25,000 from a Kalispell store and homes in the Beaver Lakes area in late September 2015.

January 13, 2016 7:43 p.m.

County appeals greenbelt court ruling

A Flathead District Court ruling that rejected Flathead County’s greenbelt zoning classification has been appealed to the Montana Supreme Court by the county commissioners.

January 13, 2016 7:43 p.m.

Teen skips town after pleading guilty

A Bigfork teen apparently did not appreciate a judge’s Christmas gift of release from jail or heed her warning about staying out of trouble after admitting numerous thefts and burglaries.

January 13, 2016 7:41 p.m.

Grizzly killing report: Yellowstone hikers taking risks

BILLINGS — The killing of a Montana man by a Yellowstone National Park grizzly bear highlights the need for hikers in the region to travel in groups, carry Mace-like bear spray and take other precautions against attacks, investigators said Wednesday.

January 13, 2016 7:40 p.m.

Campaign filing period opens today

ELECTION 2016

Montana’s campaign filing period kicks off today, marking the official start to the 2016 election season.

January 13, 2016 7:39 p.m.

Collars put on wolves, not elk

BOISE, Idaho — The U.S. Forest Service says it’s investigating after Idaho officials reported inadvertently putting tracking collars on four wolves during recent helicopter flights into a central Idaho wilderness restricted to putting collars on elk.

January 13, 2016 7:10 p.m.

Tracy Silverman

January 13, 2016 3:56 p.m.

Combat veteran in intensive care

House was part of program for wounded soldiers KALISPELL SHOOTING

A former U.S. Army soldier was shot and injured Tuesday afternoon during a confrontation with police at a home given to him three years previously by a nonprofit that builds houses for wounded veterans.

January 13, 2016 3:38 p.m.

Enjoying the snow

Jeremy Mahugh enjoys snowmobiling near his home on Tuesday, January 12, north of Whitefish. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

January 13, 2016 11:35 a.m.

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Amber Steed, from left, Mark Christensen, an event organizer, Dan Stueben, Rob Ford and Dan Brown ride over a hill at the start of 9-mile hill near Hot Springs during the second day of the third annual Chilly Con Cheeno on Sunday. Thirty-six people rode fat bikes around 40 miles from Kila to Hot Springs on Saturday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

January 13, 2016 11:35 a.m.

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Seventh-grader Dillon Young reacts after missing a question during the Columbia Falls Junior High Geography Bee on Tuesday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

January 13, 2016 11:35 a.m.

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Eighth-grader Noah Golan shows his answer to the judges during the championship round of the Columbia Falls Junior High'g Geography Bee at the school on Tuesday. Golan got all the questions right to win his third straight geography bee. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake).

January 13, 2016 11:16 a.m.

LETTER: Evidence goes both directions

This addresses Mark Suppelsa’s letter in the Jan. 1 Daily Inter Lake that a claim about Barack Obama being a Muslim is baloney.

January 13, 2016 11:16 a.m.

OPINION: (Sad) signs of the times for coming year

There must be more to current events than meets the eye. I see the earmarks of a well-orchestrated United Nations global agenda with overall “redistribution” not only of the world’s wealth but of populations. At the recent UN Conference in Paris, Agenda 21 expanded into Agenda 30 under the umbrella of the world’s greatest hoax, “Climate Change.”

January 13, 2016 11:15 a.m.

LETTER: Obama's gun talk misleading

I suppose someone is going to put Obama in for an Oscar for his tearful plea on gun control. What he should get is an award for selling more guns than anyone in the history of firearms.

January 13, 2016 11:14 a.m.

LETTER: A billion dollar victory? Hmmm

My wife Cathy is a die hard Seahawks fan who almost blew out my eardrums when the Vikings’ field goal attempt went wide.

January 13, 2016 11 a.m.

Montana 206 scheduled for upgrade

The Montana Department of Transportation is taking public comment on a proposal to improve roadside safety along 9.4 miles of Montana 206 southeast of Columbia Falls.

January 13, 2016 11 a.m.

Kila students move into new rooms

Kila School can cross off another project in its master plan created in 2009.

January 13, 2016 11 a.m.

Bigfork hosts speech meet on Saturday

Bigfork High School on Saturday will host the last regular-season Class A, B and C invitational speech and debate meet.

January 13, 2016 6 a.m.

Virgil E. Bench, 63

Virgil E. Bench was born Nov. 6, 1952, and passed away Jan. 11, 2016.

January 13, 2016 6 a.m.

Francis Anthony Breidenbach, 85

Francis Anthony Breidenbach, 85, of Whitefish, passed away peacefully on Jan. 7, 2016, surrounded by loving family members after a very short illness.

January 13, 2016 6 a.m.

John Charles Ouldhouse, 68

John Charles Ouldhouse, 68, passed away at his Kalispell residence on Jan. 9, 2016.

January 13, 2016 6 a.m.

Florence Virginia Notley Edwards, 90

Born in Copan, Oklahoma, on Sept. 14, 1925, Florence resided in Columbia Falls the majority of her life, passing away on Jan. 10, 2016, at age 90.

January 13, 2016 6 a.m.

Huberta 'Bert' Lee (Hudson) Eilerman, 81

Huberta “Bert” Lee Eilerman, nee Hudson, 81, passed away in Kalispell on Monday, Jan. 4, 2016.

January 13, 2016 6 a.m.

Daybook

January 13, 2016 6 a.m.

Frances Hess Reilly, 98

Frances Fay Hess Reilly was born March 3, 1917, at her family farm in Victor. She and her twin brother, Herbert, were delivered by the next door neighbor during a severe March snowstorm. Their combined weight was less than five pounds.

January 13, 2016 5:45 a.m.

Lilac Elaine Knox, 84

Lilac Elaine Knox, 84, “Grandma Knox,” passed Jan. 3 of the New Year, 2016. Present with her were sons, daughter-in-law, grandchildren and friends.

January 12, 2016 11:13 p.m.

WRESTLING: Big Sky bests Braves, Eureka edges Libby

Missoula Big Sky soared to a slew of wins at the lower weights to edge Flathead 29-26 in a Class AA wrestling dual on Tuesday night.

January 12, 2016 11:12 p.m.

BASKETBALL ROUNDUP: Libby sweeps Eureka; Polson pounds Stevi

LIBBY — Jonny Cielak scored 15 points and Erik Lauer chipped in 12 more to lead Libby to a runaway 56-33 win against Eureka Tuesday night in District 7B action.

January 12, 2016 8:23 p.m.

Flathead's Payton Hume

Flathead's Payton Hume puts Missoula Big Sky's Wyatt Shinn in a cradle hold before pinning him in the first period during their 138-pount match at the dual at Flathead. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

January 12, 2016 7:37 p.m.

John Charles Ouldhouse, 68

January 12, 2016 7:36 p.m.

Frances Hess Reilly, 98

January 12, 2016 7:33 p.m.

Huberta 'Bert' Lee (Hudson) Eilerman, 81

January 12, 2016 7:24 p.m.

Lilac Elaine Knox, 84

January 12, 2016 7:22 p.m.

Virgil E. Bench, 63

January 12, 2016 7:20 p.m.

Francis Anthony Breidenbach, 85

January 12, 2016 7:16 p.m.

LAW ROUNDUP: Vehicle hits power pole, leaves mess

January 12, 2016 7:15 p.m.

Columbia Falls man charged in federal drug case

A Columbia Falls man who has cycled in and out of prison during the past two decades for possessing and distributing drugs is facing federal charges for more alleged drug activity.

January 12, 2016 7:12 p.m.

New rooms at Kila School

January 12, 2016 7:10 p.m.

Man charged in theft of utility payments

Authorities believe they know who broke into bill-paying boxes inside Super 1 Foods in Kalispell in April and October 2015 in Kalispell.

January 12, 2016 7:09 p.m.

VIRGIL BENCH

January 12, 2016 7:08 p.m.

Building inspector remembered for work ethic

VIRGIL BENCH

Longtime Whitefish Chief Building Official Virgil Bench died Monday after battling cancer for several months. He was 63.

January 12, 2016 7:07 p.m.

Ticket sales push prize to $1.5 billion

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The world’s largest lottery jackpot has grown to $1.5 billion because of continuing strong Powerball ticket sales.

January 12, 2016 7:06 p.m.

Tribes want water-rights deadline extended

The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes are asking the Montana Legislature to extend the deadline for preliminary water rights decrees that could conflict with the tribal water compact ratified by the state last year.

January 12, 2016 7:04 p.m.

Billion with a 'B'

January 12, 2016 7:03 p.m.

Lottery frenzy hits Flathead

Montana jackpot hopefuls spending $2,000 a minute

People who might never have considered putting money down on one of the most astronomical chances of winning the lottery have started buying tickets in the Flathead Valley.

January 12, 2016 4:27 p.m.

Officers shoot man in Kalispell

Two Kalispell Police officers opened fire Tuesday afternoon on a man allegedly holding a gun in a west Kalispell home.

January 12, 2016 11 a.m.

Planning panel studies high school needs

Flathead and Glacier high school principals had their turn last week when longterm facility planning turned to the needs of the two high schools.

January 12, 2016 11 a.m.

Polson man pleads not guilty to firearms charge

A Polson felon pleaded not guilty last week in U.S. District Court to possessing a firearm.

January 12, 2016 10:28 a.m.

Flathead Business Journal

Exterior of the main entrance at Kalispell Regional Medical Center. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

January 12, 2016 10:13 a.m.

Red Road Foundation Fundraiser

Photo courtesey of The Red Road Foundation

January 12, 2016 9:48 a.m.

South Kalispell Aerial View

An open house on Wednesday, Jan. 13, will discuss the South Kalispell Urban Renewal Plan. The event is from 5 to 8 p.m. at Kalispell City Hall. This aerial view looks north up U.S. 93. (CTA Architects Engineers photo)

January 12, 2016 6 a.m.

Forum looks at south Kalispell future

What does the future hold for south Kalispell?

January 12, 2016 6 a.m.

FVCC gets grant for Colombia exchange

Flathead Valley Community College was one of five colleges in the nation selected to receive a grant from the 100,000 Strong in the Americas Innovation Fund’s Tech Challenge 2015.

January 12, 2016 5:45 a.m.

Police get call after teeth go missing

A business manager called

January 11, 2016 7 p.m.

Forest project would cover 34,962 acres

Flathead National Forest will hold a public meeting Thursday to accept comments and answer questions on the proposed Beaver Creek Landscape Restoration Project south of Condon.

January 11, 2016 6:59 p.m.

John M. 'Jack' Moon, 103

January 11, 2016 6:58 p.m.

Bonita 'Bonnie' Lee Williams, 70

January 11, 2016 6:56 p.m.

Mary Isabelle Ingalls, 84

Mary Isabelle Ingalls, 84, passed away of natural causes in Polson on Jan. 9, 2016.

January 11, 2016 3 p.m.

Four champs pace C. Falls to speech win

Host Columbia Falls won team sweepstakes honors in speech and debate at the Columbia Falls Invitational on Saturday.

January 11, 2016 2:21 p.m.

Downtown renovations

From left Scott Story, Jason Jones and Kolton King, from Big Mountain Glass and Window put in a new frame for new windows for the office above Alpine Lighting in downtown Kalispell. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

January 11, 2016 1:58 p.m.

Glacier wins big Spokane speech meet

The Glacier High School Speech and Debate team dominated the Gonzaga Conway Classic this past weekend in Spokane.

January 11, 2016 11 a.m.

Whitefish Theatre Co. receives national grant

The National Endowment for the Arts recently announced awards totaling more than $27.6 million in its first funding round for fiscal year 2016, including a Challenge America award of $10,000 to the Whitefish Theatre Co. to host the award-winning Ukrainian music ensemble DahkaBrahka on April 28.

January 11, 2016 9:38 a.m.

Wesley G. Ostheller

January 11, 2016 8:41 a.m.

KPAX shows return to Dish Network

KPAX-TV was restored to Dish Network satellite subscribers on Sunday after a contract dispute was resolved between the station’s parent company and the satellite provider.

January 11, 2016 6 a.m.

Canvas Church debuts expansive lobby

A new 6,000-square-foot lobby at Canvas Church will open the weekend of Jan. 16 and 17, capping a $3 million remodeling and rebranding of the church.

January 11, 2016 6 a.m.

Celebrating Loeffler's life of achievement

The past couple of months have been a brief breather in what has been an otherwise hectic and full life of community service for Wayne Loeffler.

January 10, 2016 8:30 p.m.

Public argument gets police attention

An employee of a U.S. 93 South business called the

January 10, 2016 8:16 p.m.

Herbert H. Clark, 86

Herb Clark was born Jan. 11, 1929, in the West Kootenai area near Rexford.

January 10, 2016 8:14 p.m.

Susan Faith (Reynolds) Storfa, 73

January 10, 2016 11 a.m.

LETTER: Stand up to federal overreach

After failing many times to get gun control legislation passed through Congress, the Obama administration is now bypassing the legislature and the constitutional rules that restrain him to enact new draconian gun control legislation.

January 10, 2016 11 a.m.

LETTER: Fix Montana IDs

I keep waiting for Gov. Steve Bullock, the Montana Department of Tourism and Business Development, the county commissioners, the Flathead Municipal Airport Authority and the Chamber of Commerce to address the issue that Montana’s drivers licenses are not in compliance with the Real ID Act established 10 years ago.

January 10, 2016 11 a.m.

A visitor in the animal kingdom

Share an African photography safari during a presentation Friday at Flathead Valley Community College.

January 10, 2016 6 a.m.

OPINION: What (or who) is holding down wages?

It appears that one of the major issues in the upcoming campaign for governor will be how to get high paying jobs for Montanans.

January 10, 2016 6 a.m.

OPINION: Kalispell newcomer tells story of his first year 'out West'

A letter back east

Happy holidays to all the citizens of Savannah. As you might recall I practiced medicine in your uniquely beautiful city for a quarter century and offered a regular health column for the Savannah Morning News for 15 years.

January 10, 2016 6 a.m.

Wesley G. Ostheller, 81

After a long battle with metastasized lung cancer, Wesley G. Ostheller, 81, “went home to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” on Monday, Dec. 28, 2015, with family by his side.

January 10, 2016 6 a.m.

Daybook

Saturday

January 10, 2016 6 a.m.

OPINION: Just who's a natural born citizen?

I am prompted to write this letter as a result of Ted Cruz’ recent statement that he is a natural born citizen and eligible to be President of the United States, claiming that it is “settled law” — which it is not and, in addition, is a bald-faced lie.

January 10, 2016 6 a.m.

Beverly Joan Anderson, 74

Beverly Joan Anderson, 74, would like you to know that her work here is done.

January 10, 2016 6 a.m.

Betty 'Trapper Betty' Lou Robertson Showen Funseth Schurr, 90

Betty Lou Robertson Showen Funseth Schurr “Trapper Betty,” 90, passed away on Dec. 15, 2015, at her home in Whitefish surrounded by her husband, John, and daughters.

January 10, 2016 6 a.m.

Brooke Strong, 58

Brooke Strong, loving wife, mother and Nana, passed away on Jan. 6, 2016 after a brief illness surrounded by family. She was 58 years old.

January 10, 2016 6 a.m.

Esther 'Ace' Caroline Gallagher, 85

Esther “Ace” Gallagher, 85, passed away peacefully, with family in her heart, on Dec. 28, 2015, at Brendan House in Kalispell.

January 10, 2016 6 a.m.

EDITORIAL: Kidsports is indeed icing on the cake

Kalispell’s impressive Kidsports athletic complex is on track to become bigger and better this year as the city of Kalispell uses a $1.4 million state grant to build seven new multipurpose fields.

January 10, 2016 midnight

At Home Jan/Feb 2016

January 10, 2016 midnight

DIL 011016

January 9, 2016 11:18 p.m.

GIRLS BASKETBALL: Glacier whips Missoula Big Sky

The Glacier girls locked down on defense, beating Missoula Big Sky 50-30 in a Western AA girls conference basketball game on Saturday, surviving a short night to hand the Eagles their first conference loss of the season.

January 9, 2016 11:16 p.m.

GIRLS BASKETBALL: Missoula Sentinel runs away from Bravettes

“You can’t eat the elephant with one bite.”

January 9, 2016 11:13 p.m.

BASKETBALL ROUNDUP: Glacier, Flathead boys lose; Wildkats remain undefeated

MISSOULA — Missoula Sentinel pulled away in the second half to top Flathead 59-40 in Western AA boys basketball action Saturday.

January 9, 2016 11:04 p.m.

WRESTLING: Polson wrestlers first at Western Montana Duals

RONAN — Polson captured the Western Montana Duals wrestling title Saturday by defeating Hamilton in the title match, 42-25.

January 9, 2016 11:01 p.m.

WRESTLING: Flathead 2nd, Eureka 3rd at Cut Bank Invitational

CUT BANK — Flathead, led by defending Class AA state champion Trae Vasquez, finished second behind Havre at the Cut Bank Invitational wrestling tournament on Saturday.

January 9, 2016 10:51 p.m.

SWIMMING: Popp, Burnham set Glacier records in Missoula

MISSOULA — It was another record-setting day for Glacier freshman sensation A.J. Popp and lots of personal best times for Flathead and Glacier swimmers on Saturday in a meet with the Missoula schools.

January 9, 2016 10:16 p.m.

Betty 'Trapper Betty' Lou Robertson Showen Funseth Schurr, 90

January 9, 2016 10:10 p.m.

Esther 'Ace' Caroline Gallagher, 85

January 9, 2016 10:07 p.m.

Paul Harsh Jr., 87

January 9, 2016 10:05 p.m.

Brooke Strong, 58

January 9, 2016 10:04 p.m.

Beverly Joan Anderson, 74

January 9, 2016 9 p.m.

LAW ROUNDUP: Man finds familiar weapons at gun show

January 9, 2016 5:43 p.m.

Fish Wildlife and Parks Hunting Regulations Meeting

January 9, 2016 5:41 p.m.

Hunters gather in Kalispell

Crowd turns out to give comments on state regulations

Game damage took center stage Saturday at the biennial Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks public meeting on hunting regulations, with increased opportunities for deer, elk and turkey harvest getting support from hunters.

January 9, 2016 5:40 p.m.

State's average 2015 temp ties highest on record

Montana tied its highest average overall temperature in 2015, according to weather data.

January 9, 2016 5:38 p.m.

New water billing starts this month in Kalispell

The Kalispell Public Works Department has begun billing for water and sewer on a monthly basis.

January 9, 2016 5:32 p.m.

OPINION: Why I intervened in Kerr Dam license transfer

Many misconceptions about the interventions in the sale of Kerr Dam during the last year have been in the media. My interventions were not on the sale of Kerr Dam. I intervened in the license transfer proceedings to require the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes through the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to meet the same obligations to the public as required of previous dam owners.

January 9, 2016 5:10 p.m.

COLUMN: 'It has nothing to do with being a Muslim' and other liberal fallacies

Editors 2 Cents

On Thursday night, Philadelphia police officer Jesse Hartnett was sitting in his patrol car when a man dressed in Muslim garb walked up to him and fired 13 shots through the driver’s side window.

January 9, 2016 5:07 p.m.

Safari crocodile

A crocodile feeds on a Cape Buffalo in the Chobe River.

January 9, 2016 5:04 p.m.

Glacier's Hailee Bennett

Glacier senior Hailee Bennett, 4, drives to the basket during Saturday's game against Big Sky. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

January 9, 2016 5:04 p.m.

Glacier's Taylor Salonen

Glacier senior Taylor Salonen, 3, shoots over a defender in Saturday's game against Missoula Big Sky. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

January 9, 2016 4:48 p.m.

No deal means KPAX still blacked out

A satellite television battle continued into the weekend after Cordillera Communications, a midsized market TV company, rejected a short-term contract extension with Dish Network, effectively blacking out a local station for viewers subscribed to Dish.

January 9, 2016 4:35 p.m.

Man gets 10 years for fifth DUI

A man is headed to the Montana State Prison for 10 years after pleading guilty to his fifth offense of driving under the influence.

January 9, 2016 4:33 p.m.

Eckhart Tolle discussion group forming locally

A local discussion group based on the writing and teaching of German author and spiritual leader Eckhart Tolle is being formed in the Flathead Valley.

January 9, 2016 4:32 p.m.

Akey

Prime Minister Joe Akey

January 9, 2016 4:31 p.m.

Twete

Duchess of Lark Brenda Twete

January 9, 2016 4:30 p.m.

Man pleads guilty to bail jumping, sex charge dismissed

A man faces up to 10 years in prison after admitting he skipped out on a trial where he was facing a felony charge for allegedly sexually assaulting an 11-year-old girl in 2008.

January 9, 2016 4:30 p.m.

Akey, Twete selected for Whitefish carnival court

The Whitefish Winter Carnival got underway for its 57th year during the annual Merry Maker on Saturday, crowning Prime Minister Joe Akey and Duchess of Lark Brenda Twete who will be part of the carnival’s royal court.

January 9, 2016 4:29 p.m.

COLUMN: Family gets suite treatment

There was room at the inn this Christmas for one young family at the Holiday Inn Express in Kalispell.

January 9, 2016 4:28 p.m.

Swan Valley conservation groups merge

Northwest Montana has a new conservation organization after two longtime nonprofits in the Swan Valley announced a merger to kick off the new year.

January 9, 2016 4:27 p.m.

County details summer road projects

A 3-mile section on the north end of KM Ranch Road is one of the biggest road rehabilitation projects Flathead County has on tap for the summer construction season.

January 9, 2016 12:11 p.m.

Fish Wildlife and ParksÊHunting Regulations Meeting

Commissioner Gary Wolfe gives opening comments at the Fish Wildlife and Parks Hunting Regulations Meeting on Saturday, January 9, at Flathead Valley Community College in Kalispell. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

January 9, 2016 11 a.m.

Singers earn All-Northwest honors

This year’s “cream of the crop” choir students have been selected to perform in the Northwestern Division of the American Choral Directors Association honors choirs.

January 9, 2016 11 a.m.

New venture: restaurant, distillery

A group of friends might lounge on the leather sofas, gather around the pool table, or head out to the patio to keep warm by the fire — there’s a relaxed atmosphere that asks you to stay awhile at Whitefish Handcrafted Spirits.

January 9, 2016 11 a.m.

Bigfork teen pleads guilty in theft case stemming from crime spree

A Bigfork teen already on probation for driving drunk and leading police on a chase admitted Thursday to committing a string of crimes in October.

January 9, 2016 11 a.m.

Man denies second child assault charge

A Kalispell man pleaded not guilty on Thursday to allegations that he sexually assaulted a 5-year old girl less than a year after the Montana Supreme Court overturned his 40-year prison sentence for sexually assaulting a 9-year-old girl in 2010.

January 9, 2016 6 a.m.

Daybook

January 9, 2016 6 a.m.

Columbia Falls man pleads guilty in fatal crash that killed doctor

A Columbia Falls man on Friday admitted driving drunk, crashing his vehicle on North Fork Road and killing a Nebraska cardiologist in June 2015.

January 8, 2016 11:44 p.m.

BASKETBALL: Campbell, Berg all Bigfork girls need to topple Troy

BIGFORK — Dealing with injuries that thinned out the bench, Bigfork knew coming in it would have to rely on its twin towers inside even more than usual Friday night against Troy.

January 8, 2016 11:42 p.m.

BASKETBALL: Bigfork boys fight past Troy

BIGFORK — The stands were full. The crowd was hyped. The lights went down for the starting lineups and Bigfork fans were ready to watch their undefeated Vikings put on a show against a one-win Troy team that looked woefully overmatched on paper.

January 8, 2016 11:32 p.m.

BASKETBALL ROUNDUP: Wildkats rout Loggers, Libby boys turn tables

COLUMBIA FALLS — The Columbia Falls girls jumped out to a fast start to smother Libby 68-28 in a nonconference basketball game on Friday night.

January 8, 2016 11:20 p.m.

WRESTLING: Columbia Falls, Polson go 3-0 at Ronan duals

RONAN — Columbia Falls and Polson both went 3-0 on Friday at the Western Montana Duals.

January 8, 2016 11:18 p.m.

WRESTLING: Whitefish's Lockwood gets call to Montana State Hall of Fame

BOZEMAN — Whitefish resident Jim Lockwood will be inducted into the Montana State University Hall of Fame along with other members of the 1964-66 MSU wrestling teams, which won three straight Big Sky Conference championships.

January 8, 2016 10:20 p.m.

'Mr. Obama is our top gun salesman'

The Sports Connection Gun Show at the Flathead County Fairgrounds started off quietly on Friday.

January 8, 2016 10:19 p.m.

Bigfork's Mattie McAnally

Valkyrie Mattie McAnally drives past Trojan Allie Brown for a basket during the first half in Bigfork on Friday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

January 8, 2016 10:19 p.m.

Bigfork's Garrett Beville

Bigfork's Garrett Beville is fouled by Troy's Adam Tallmadge as he puts up a shot during the first half in Bigfork on Friday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

January 8, 2016 5:51 p.m.

LAW ROUNDUP: Reluctant worker has to go home

January 8, 2016 5:46 p.m.

State looks at partial approval for mine beneath wilderness

BILLINGS — Montana officials are considering giving only partial approval to a $500 million silver and copper mine proposed beneath a wilderness area near the Idaho border, injecting uncertainty into a project that has been in the works for more than a decade.

January 8, 2016 5:45 p.m.

Powerball prize soars to $800 million as states see strong sales

DES MOINES, Iowa — With Powerball sales breaking previous records, the odds are growing that someone will win Saturday night’s $800 million jackpot — but if no one matches all the numbers, the next drawing is expected to soar past $1 billion.

January 8, 2016 3:12 p.m.

New rooms at Kila School

A row of guitars line the walls of the new music room at Kila School on Friday, January 8. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

January 8, 2016 12:10 p.m.

Sacred Geometry

Christopher Fannon, who has an interest in sacred geometry, creates patterns in the snow on the frozen Lower Stillwater Lake on Wednesday afternoon, January 6. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

January 8, 2016 12:05 p.m.

Airport has busiest year ever

For the second consecutive year, Glacier Park International Airport has set an annual passenger record.

January 8, 2016 11 a.m.

OPINION: About that moose decline... What about wolves?

With all due respect, I found Sam Wilson’s article in the Jan. 4 issue (“Researchers track moose decline”) to be very vague, with few scientific facts and little research, data, or relevant information.

January 8, 2016 11 a.m.

LETTER: America needs to wake up and elect leaders who will follow God

Can’t believe the attack on Glen Hook, of Kalispell, by Mark Suppelsa in his letter “Claims about Obama called lies.” What a joke! The problem we have with Mr. Obama is not what he is or what he says he is at the moment for political gain. The problem is what he is not.

January 8, 2016 11 a.m.

LETTER: Corporate elites declared war on America in '70s

Our conversations have changed in the last 40 years. There was a time of decency. Why has that disappeared? Honest discourse has been replaced by partisan ideology. Critical thinking is no longer sought to ascertain truth. What has changed, and how was that changed? I think the answer begins in the 1970s.

January 8, 2016 11 a.m.

LETTER: Was Obama's statement of faith more than a slip of tongue?

I am writing in response to Mark Suppelso’s letter to the editor in the Jan. 1 Daily Inter Lake, where he called Glen Hook a liar for saying President Obama was a Muslim.

January 8, 2016 9:59 a.m.

Glacier caps record year with 2,366,056 visitors

Park sets new visitor mark in 15

Glacier National Park welcomed 2,366,056 visitors in 2015, breaking its all-time attendance record for the second year in a row.

January 8, 2016 6 a.m.

Daybook

January 8, 2016 6 a.m.

Graydon G. Reynolds, 85

Graydon G. Reynolds, 85, passed away Dec. 13, 2015, with his wife Pat by his side. They were married 53 years.

January 8, 2016 6 a.m.

EDITORIAL: A new start in the West Valley

West Valley residents can be proud of their commitment to their youth, as represented by the now completed $6.8 million expansion and renovation at West Valley School.

January 7, 2016 11:35 p.m.

BASKETBALL: Big Sky boys outmuscle Flathead

The Braves did bad things in bunches Thursday night.

January 7, 2016 11:24 p.m.

BASKETBALL ROUNDUP: Bravettes lose to Big Sky, Whitefish boys rout Eureka

MISSOULA — A strong start didn’t end well for the Flathead Bravettes Thursday evening.

January 7, 2016 11:19 p.m.

WRESTLING: Glacier rides five pins to easy win over Hellgate

MISSOULA — Glacier opened the 2016 portion of its wrestling schedule on a high note Thursday evening.

January 7, 2016 8:12 p.m.

Flathead Basketball

Flathead's Tyler Johnson drives in for two points during the first quarter against Missoula Big Sky on Thursday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

January 7, 2016 7:37 p.m.

Child-porn case ends with 21 convictions

Federal officials on Thursday wrapped up a long-running case that resulted in 21 convictions of men who were found to be using a child pornography bulletin board run by a Polson man.

January 7, 2016 7:36 p.m.

Whitefish stages open house at new park site

The city of Whitefish will hold an open house at 10 a.m. Monday at the James Bakke estate on West Seventh Street to give prospective bidders a chance to inspect six buildings on the property that need to be moved or salvaged to clear space for a city park.

January 7, 2016 7:36 p.m.

Snowmobile use limited on east side of reservoir

Two major Flathead National Forest roads are closed on weekdays due to winter logging operations.

January 7, 2016 6:16 p.m.

Three tips to proper sonar use

If there is one thing that most ice anglers will agree on, it is that a quality sonar unit will help you catch more fish. I am not talking about those anglers (and you know who you are) who insist they do not need a fish finder to catch fish.

January 7, 2016 6:14 p.m.

Step out Saturday on Winter Trails Day

Winter Trails Day is Saturday and several organizations and resource agencies will host free outdoor winter activities around the Flathead Valley.

January 7, 2016 6:12 p.m.

Jewel Basin

A bluebird view of the Jewel Basin ridge, looking southeast toward Mount Aeneas in center frame. The area is popular with skiers and snowmobilers. Trekking to this point, Peak 6437, from Jewel Basin Road by snowshoe took approximately three hours. (Seaborn Larson/Daily Inter Lake)

January 7, 2016 6:02 p.m.

Basin still a jewel in winter

Jewel Basin is one of the most accessible day hiking and camping areas near the Flathead Valley during summer months.

January 7, 2016 5:57 p.m.

Delbert Roy Storkson, 65

Delbert was born in Whitefish on the 23rd of August, 1950.

January 7, 2016 5:46 p.m.

Man pleads not guilty to threatening family, deputy

A Columbia Falls man pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to threatening to shoot his family and a sheriff’s deputy on Dec. 17.

January 7, 2016 5:46 p.m.

LAW ROUNDUP: Police not amused about stolen pork

A Flathead County Sheriff’s deputy escorted a man back to an Evergreen store, where the man had been accused of stealing a whole ham.

January 7, 2016 5:45 p.m.

Suspect charged in burglary of Bigfork store

A man has been charged with burglarizing the Bigfork Stage Stop early Monday morning. Cole James Cleasby, 19, a former employee of the store, was charged with felony burglary in Flathead District Court.

January 7, 2016 5:45 p.m.

Mom accused of picking kids up drunk, crashing car

A woman is facing felony charges after allegedly picking her children up from school while drunk and then crashing her car on Monday.

January 7, 2016 5:44 p.m.

Man pleads guilty to failure to register; other charges dropped

A court document incorrectly identified which charges were dismissed involving Ryan Lee Moskaloff, 38, resulting in an incorrect story in Thursday’s Inter Lake.

January 7, 2016 5:43 p.m.

Staff Sgt. Eric Scott

January 7, 2016 5:42 p.m.

ALL-AMERICAN BOWL: Bigfork soldier serves as mentor

On Saturday East plays West in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas.

January 7, 2016 3:41 p.m.

quadrocopter 1.JPG

Adele Scholl controls the camera and Jeff Scholl flies the unmanned aircraft vehicle behind the Quadrocopter office on Tuesday, August 25, 2015. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

January 7, 2016 3:41 p.m.

gravity shots 2.JPG

Jeff and Adele Scholl control the Freefly ALTA outside of their office on Wednesday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

January 7, 2016 3:41 p.m.

gravity shots 3.JPG

Jeff and Adele Scholl were named the Daily Inter Lake's Entrepreneur of 2015. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

January 7, 2016 3:41 p.m.

On the rail

Birrion Sondahl rides down a rail near the Old Steel Bridge Fishing Access on Thursday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

January 7, 2016 3:41 p.m.

Canvas Church

The new sign is ready to be installed at the Canvas Church.

January 7, 2016 3:41 p.m.

gravity shots.JPG

Jeff and Adele Scholl control the ALTA aircraft outside of their office on Wednesday. (Photo courtesy Jeff and Adele Scholl)

January 7, 2016 2:20 p.m.

Man who killed teacher faces loss of parole

On Thursday, a man who killed a beloved Somers teacher in an October 2006 drunken-driving crash denied he violated his parole by possessing drugs.

January 7, 2016 11 a.m.

LETTER: Likes Obama's quiet strength

We are getting over and over again on our media from many and various sources this comment: “President Obama is simply weak on foreign policy. He does not show strength. Others walk all over him. He is not strong. We need strength. We need strong leadership at this time, not weakness and inaction.”

January 7, 2016 11 a.m.

LETTER: Sizing up Gianforte's taxes

The probable Republican candidate for Montana governor, Greg Gianforte, published his taxes in an effort to be transparent. I commend him for that.

January 7, 2016 11 a.m.

LETTER: Judge's sentence decision lauded

Let’s hear it for Judge Robert Allison for NOT believing in third, fourth, and subsequent chances, as so many other judges out there do, and for Prosecutor Travis Ahner for reminding the judge and standing up and being the voice for the 11-month-old little girl in 2012 that Dalton Lauria abused.

January 7, 2016 11 a.m.

LETTER: A tale from the dark side of VA

In reference to Bill Miles’ Jan. 1 letter, I am glad he has had good experience with the VA health-care system. However, my friend Danny, who served on a destroyer in WWII, wasn’t so fortunate.

January 7, 2016 10:45 a.m.

LETTER: Monday profile about AuClaire was 'spot on'

The Daily Inter Lake paper is not usually among my favorite reads on Monday morning. This is not because of the people who produce the product. In my humble opinion they are among the best in the business. It is because the content usually making the news is not the stuff I like to start my week with.

January 7, 2016 6 a.m.

Sherry Ann Williamson, 35

Sherry Ann Williamson was born Sept. 30, 1980, to Ruth Kimzey in Carmichael, California.

January 7, 2016 6 a.m.

Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts begins 2016 with John Dunnigan

Start of a new season

The Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts kicks off 2016 this weekend with Groovin’ on a Sunday Afternoon featuring local musician John Dunnigan.

January 7, 2016 6 a.m.

Daybook

Thursday

January 7, 2016 6 a.m.

EDITORIAL: Shepherd's Hand has been a blessing

We hope you read the front page story in Sunday’s Inter Lake about the remarkable Shepherd’s Hand ministry. It was truly inspirational.

January 7, 2016 midnight

TWIF 010716

January 6, 2016 11:39 p.m.

FEATURED: Glacier's extraordinary A.J. Popp is already dominating pool

A.J. Popp is not supposed to be an ordinary girl.

January 6, 2016 11:34 p.m.

TERRY COLUMN: Breaking out of the break

Two weeks is a long time to go without games.

January 6, 2016 11:32 p.m.

FOOTBALL: Whitefish's FauntLeRoy, Flathead's Howe make college picks

WHITEFISH — Another member of the Class A state champion Whitefish Bulldogs will be continuing his gridiron career at the next level, as Brian FauntLeRoy has signed a national letter of intent at Carroll College.

January 6, 2016 8:12 p.m.

LAW ROUNDUP: Lovers quarrel over... everything

It was a bad day for relationships, the Flathead County Sheriff’s office discovered Tuesday.

January 6, 2016 5:36 p.m.

Snow day at the dog park

January 6, 2016 5:26 p.m.

Trial in online threat case delayed again

The trial date has been delayed a second time for a Kalispell man accused of threatening local schools and religious leaders in online rants stretching from December 2014 to February 2015.

January 6, 2016 5:26 p.m.

State to use corruption ruling to defend contribution restrictions

HELENA — A second Montana judge has ruled there was corruption in the state’s 2010 Republican primary elections, with candidates pledging loyalty to a national anti-union group’s cause in exchange for thousands of dollars in illegal and unreported corporate campaign contributions.

January 6, 2016 5:24 p.m.

Station may go dark on satellite TV

A contract dispute may mean a local television station will go dark this week for Dish Network viewers.

January 6, 2016 5:07 p.m.

Free mammograms offered today at Health Department

The Flathead City-County Health Department will provide free mammograms today on the Winkley Mobile Mammography Coach in partnership with the Montana Cancer Screening Program and Save A Sister Initiative.

January 6, 2016 5:07 p.m.

Hunters get chance to sound off Saturday

Meeting considers proposed changes

An elk shoulder season, either-sex deer hunting and an expanded turkey hunt will be up for discussion Saturday during Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks’ public meeting on proposed hunting regulations for 2016 and 2017.

January 6, 2016 5:06 p.m.

Libby man charged in shooting incident

A Libby man is being held on charges of felony assault with a weapon after allegedly firing shots from a vehicle on Bobtail Road Tuesday morning.

January 6, 2016 3:54 p.m.

Flathead County picks firm to demolish old grain elevators

Kalispell Feed & Grain

The Flathead County commissioners on Monday selected Spoklie Gravel and Oilfield Service of Kalispell to demolish the grain elevators at the county-owned Kalispell Feed & Grain property south of Kalispell.

January 6, 2016 3:54 p.m.

Felon charged with second child sexual assault offense

A man is being held in the Flathead County Detention Center after a second allegation of sexually assaulting a child.

January 6, 2016 2:05 p.m.

John Dunnigan kicks off season

Portrait of John Dunnigan at the Whitefish State Park on Jan. 5. Dunnigan will be performing at the Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts on Sunday.

January 6, 2016 1:36 p.m.

CBS station may go dark on satellite TV

A contract dispute may mean a local television station will go dark this week for Dish Network viewers.

January 6, 2016 11 a.m.

Groups want federal agency to monitor wolves

Five conservation groups on Tuesday asked the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to extend its oversight of wolves in Montana and Idaho that is set to expire in May.

January 6, 2016 6 a.m.

Matthew Scott Kirton, 25

Sgt. Matthew Scott Kirton, 25, of Clarksville, Tennessee, passed away suddenly on Dec. 31, 2015, in Clarksville as a result of a motorcycle accident.

January 6, 2016 6 a.m.

Gibson 'Gib' Delano, 55

Gibson “Gib” Delano, 55, passed away Dec. 30, 2015, in Casper, Wyoming.

January 6, 2016 6 a.m.

Robert 'Bob' Gabriel Scott, 85

Robert “Bob” Gabriel Scott, 85, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 2, 2016, at his home in Lakeside of natural causes.

January 6, 2016 6 a.m.

Daybook

January 6, 2016 6 a.m.

Pauline Leslie Walker, 91

Leslie Walker died peacefully on Dec. 27, 2015. She was a brilliant, wise, curious, sensitive and loving woman who lived life to the fullest.

January 5, 2016 11:30 p.m.

BOYS BASKETBALL: Whitefish blows past Frenchtown in second half

WHITEFISH — Whitefish turned around a three-point halftime deficit by outscoring Frenchtown 31-16 in the second half on their way to a 51-39 win Tuesday night in the Bulldogs’ first Western A game of the season.

January 5, 2016 11:27 p.m.

GIRLS BASKETBALL: Whitefish rally falls short against Frenchtown

WHITEFISH — Dani Douglas made five 3-pointers and Whitefish erased all but two points of an early 13-point deficit, only to come up short in a 45-43 loss to Frenchtown in the Bulldogs’ Western A opener on Tuesday.

January 5, 2016 11:26 p.m.

Whitefish's Dani Douglas

Whitefish sophomore Dani Douglas slips by Frenchtown defender Alivia Williams in a conference game Tuesday in Whitefish. Douglas finished with 19 points to lead the Bulldogs. (Matt Baldwin / Whitefish Pilot)

January 5, 2016 11:25 p.m.

Whitefish's Sawyer Silliker

Whitefish junior Sawyer Silliker goes up over Frenchtown defenders Andrew King and Austin Means to score a bucket in the fourth quarter of a conference game Tuesday in Whitefish. (Matt Baldwin / Whitefish Pilot)

January 5, 2016 11:19 p.m.

WRESTLING: Polson pounds Frenchtown in dual

POLSON — Polson surrendered just three matches in a 49-12 drubbing of Frenchtown in a Northwestern A conference wrestling dual on Tuesday.

January 5, 2016 8:58 p.m.

Pauline Leslie Walker, 91

January 5, 2016 8:56 p.m.

Gibson 'Gib' Delano, 55

January 5, 2016 8:53 p.m.

Robert 'Bob' Gabriel Scott, 85

January 5, 2016 8:50 p.m.

Matthew Scott Kirton, 25

January 5, 2016 8:45 p.m.

Woman claims meth dealer tried to run her over

Flathead County Sheriff’s deputies responded after a woman called from Anderson Lane to report that her husband had an argument in a car with a meth dealer who had a trunk full of drugs. The woman said she was afraid for her and her husband’s welfare after the meth dealer allegedly tried to run the woman over when she said she was calling police. The woman would not give police her location. An officer could not locate any of the parties involved.

January 5, 2016 6:26 p.m.

Obama acts alone on guns: 'It gets me mad'

WASHINGTON (AP) — Tears streaking his cheeks, President Barack Obama launched a final-year push Tuesday to tighten sales of firearms in the U.S., using his presidential powers in the absence of tougher gun restrictions that Congress has refused to pass.

January 5, 2016 6:23 p.m.

Eugene P. Foley

January 5, 2016 6:22 p.m.

Former top federal leader dies in Whitefish

A Whitefish resident with a long history of top-level federal public service who helped expand small business and ensure racial equality died Dec. 30 of natural causes at a Whitefish care center.

January 5, 2016 6:22 p.m.

Local gun show expects big turnout

President Barack Obama’s new measures aimed to limit gun violence by restricting certain types of firearm sales likely won’t have much impact on a gun show this weekend in Kalispell — other than perhaps boosting sales.

January 5, 2016 4:44 p.m.

Council approves two development projects

The Kalispell City Council on Monday approved preliminary plats for two real estate development projects in north Kalispell.

January 5, 2016 4:43 p.m.

TSA Precheck line now at Glacier Park International Airport

January 5, 2016 4:42 p.m.

Airport adopts streamlined screening

The Transportation Security Administration on Tuesday announced a new precheck screening process now available at Glacier Park International Airport.

January 5, 2016 1:53 p.m.

TSA Pre Ã line now at Glacier Park International Airport

Lorie Dankers, a spokesperson for the Transportation Security Administration, part of the US Department of Homeland Security, gives a press conference on Tuesday, January 5, at the Glacier Park International Airport announcing that a TSA Pre v lane is now available for passengers who are eligible. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

January 5, 2016 1 p.m.

Gunman headed to prison for 15 years

A Whitefish man is headed to Montana State Prison for 15 years after shooting at people on a motorcycle on Aug. 2, 2014 — his latest offense in a series of gun-related crimes — and then fleeing the state.

January 5, 2016 12:09 p.m.

Ryker McIntyre

January 5, 2016 12:05 p.m.

Glacier student perfect on ACT test

The first time Glacier High School student Ryker McIntyre took the ACT as a junior, he achieved a high composite score of 31 out of a possible 36, quite an achievement.

January 5, 2016 noon

Teen injured in sledding accident

Branch pierces neck of Libby boy, 13

LIBBY — A Libby boy is lucky to be alive after his neck was pierced by a 2-inch-thick stick while sledding near Libby Creek Thursday evening.

January 5, 2016 11 a.m.

Robber has to restart 2004 sentence

Man restarts 5-year robbery sentence for 2004 crime

January 5, 2016 11 a.m.

Gifted guns an issue after breakup

The ownership of two guns given to a boyfriend came into question after a Kalispell couple broke up. The ex-girlfriend called the

January 5, 2016 10:53 a.m.

County studies innovative plan for road paving

The Flathead County Road Department is working with property owners in three outlying areas on a collaborative agreement to pave sections of several county roads.

January 5, 2016 8:37 a.m.

The true cost of Medicaid expansion?

Taxpayers, gird your loins! Your burdens jumped on Jan. 1, the first day of Medicaid eligibility for a new population — childless adults who aren’t disabled and whose incomes are between 100 and 133 percent of the federal poverty level.

January 5, 2016 8:36 a.m.

'Executive action' or lawless move?

“If the legislature doesn’t enact gun control because of our recent tragedies I will confer with my attorney general, Loretta Lynch, and then impose executive action... I get too many letters from teachers and kids...” —President Obama, 2016.

January 5, 2016 8:35 a.m.

Proof Research's generosity wins thanks from Samaritan House

I am a Samaritan House board member.

January 5, 2016 6:15 a.m.

Big snows boost holidays at ski areas

Back-to-back snowstorms kicked off a solid holiday season for the Flathead Valley’s two ski areas.

January 5, 2016 6 a.m.

Commissioners swap committee assignments

The Flathead County commissioners voted Monday to retain Commissioner Pam Holmquist as the commission chairwoman for another year, but swapped several committee assignments.

January 5, 2016 6 a.m.

Lunch is served at West Valley School

With the first hot lunches served from West Valley School’s new kitchen on Monday, the last major piece of construction is complete in the school’s new addition.

January 4, 2016 7:04 p.m.

Clarice Mae (Barnes) Beck, 88

Clarice Mae (Barnes) Beck, 88, “flew away to home” on Dec. 27, 2015, with her “angelic wings creating the wind for us.”

January 4, 2016 7:01 p.m.

Lois Aimee Ballenger, 79

January 4, 2016 7 p.m.

Avalanche class offered for women

The Flathead Avalanche Center is hosting a women’s avalanche awareness class Tuesday night at Rocky Mountain Outfitter in Kalispell.

January 4, 2016 6 p.m.

Upgrade planned for Bigfork apartment complex

The potential sale of the Little Jon Apartments in Bigfork is aimed at making improvements to the apartments and keeping them affordable for several more decades, the prospective buyers said recently.

January 4, 2016 5:37 p.m.

Snow day at the dog park

Ryan and Jessica Perkins enjoy a day with their Boxer, Stormy, and Blue Heelers Sweetie and Chief at the Hugh Rogers Wag Park in Whitefish on January 4. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

January 4, 2016 4:02 p.m.

Hot lunches at West Valley School

Food Service Director Tom Hinkley gets the kitchen ready for the lunch hour on the first day that West Vally School served a hot lunch. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

January 4, 2016 4:02 p.m.

What's cooking?

Food Service Assistant Vonda Foster puts the finishing touches on a batch of brownies before the lunch rush on Monday, Jan. 4, at West Valley School.

January 4, 2016 4:01 p.m.

Kalispell Regional Medical Center's first baby of the year

Massimo Farabaugh, the son of Isaac and Valentina of Whitefish, was born almost seven weeks early on January 1, at 1:53 a.m. Valentina's water broke while she was in Helena on January 29. Massimo was born at 5 pounds and 1 ounce and was 19 and a quarter inches long. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

January 4, 2016 3:50 p.m.

Lion hunting ends in two districts

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is closing Hunting Districts 101 and 122 to male mountain lion hunting a half hour after sunset Monday night.

January 4, 2016 11 a.m.

Real estate projects top Kalispell council's agenda

The first Kalispell City Council meeting of the year will consider resolutions for two new real estate developments on the city’s north side.

January 4, 2016 11 a.m.

Car thief pleads guilty

A man admitted on Wednesday in Flathead District Court to hot-wiring and stealing a van.

January 4, 2016 11 a.m.

Businesswoman leads by example

Marie Hickey AuClaire had a request before she agreed to tell her life story: She doesn’t want the spotlight to shine on her.

January 4, 2016 6 a.m.

City Hall cost overrun tops tonight's agenda

Whitefish City Council

The Whitefish City Council starts the new year with an old headache of how to handle a cost overrun for the new City Hall and parking structure.

January 4, 2016 6 a.m.

Researchers track moose decline

If you went hunting last year, the people at the check station who asked if you had seen any moose weren’t just making conversation.

January 4, 2016 6 a.m.

State's high court tosses out DUI appeal

Lab technicians are qualified to take blood samples from suspects accused of driving under the influence of alcohol, the Montana Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday.

January 4, 2016 6 a.m.

Bond revoked for probation absconder

A woman taken into custody after absconding from probation for a year was able to provide a urine sample that was free of drugs, but Flathead District Court Judge Robert Allison revoked her bond and issued an arrest warrant after she failed to show up to court on Wednesday.

January 3, 2016 9 p.m.

Vandals strike again in Whitefish

An O’Brien Avenue resident called the

January 3, 2016 8:55 p.m.

Kathleen 'Kathy' Joann (Morton) Masa, 64

Kathleen “Kathy” Joann (Morton) Masa, of Kalispell, passed away at home surrounded by family on Jan. 1, 2016. Kathy was born on Jan. 1, 1952, in McMinnville, Oregon, and moved to Kalispell as a young child. Kathy and Larry Masa were high school sweethearts and celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary on Sept. 13. She spent years serving customers in Kalispell and excelled at every position. Most importantly, she was a hard-working, honest and loving wife, mother and grandmother. She doted on her numerous Boxer dogs, adored watching birds, and cooked meals for her special needs grandson. She enjoyed spending time at Swan Lake at the campfire with her husband and dog.

January 3, 2016 8:45 p.m.

Researchers track moose decline

January 3, 2016 11 a.m.

Unflagging determination for street vendor

Al Wellenstein is the guy selling $1 American flags at the intersection behind the Home Depot store in Kalispell.

January 3, 2016 6 a.m.

Vergene Johnson, 91

Vergene Johnson passed away on Dec. 27, 2016, at the age of 91 at the Springs of Whitefish.

January 3, 2016 6 a.m.

Births, Published Jan. 3, 2016

January 3, 2016 6 a.m.

OPINION: What to do with the lieutenant governor?

If it’s broke, let’s fix it. That’s what Montanans need to do with our dysfunctional office of lieutenant governor.

January 3, 2016 6 a.m.

EDITORIAL: Back to drawing board for 911 funding

Given the amount of confusion that accompanied Flathead County’s proposed E-911 special district, it’s not surprising the effort was rejected by property owners.

January 3, 2016 6 a.m.

Clara Joan Sayle, 78

“Clara Joan (Joy) Sayle had the best Christmas present ever; she celebrated it with Jesus.” She unexpectedly passed away on Thursday, Dec. 24, 2015. She was surrounded by her sons and their families in her last hours. Clara had her wit and sense of humor till the end.

January 3, 2016 6 a.m.

OPINION: We musn't give away America

Sen. Christine Kaufmann, thank you for your detailed account of your charitable acts on the island of Lesbos (Dec. 6 guest opinion). But may I remind you — since you like quoting the Bible — that your charity is supposed to remain secret even to the point of your left hand not knowing what your right hand is giving.

January 3, 2016 6 a.m.

OPINION: Five takeaways on the 2015 Flathead economy

In 2015, the Flathead Valley hit its stride in a more sustained economic recovery and showed the trends that will carry us into the New Year. Here are five takeaways on the Flathead economy and what they mean for 2016.

January 3, 2016 6 a.m.

Harold Oscar 'John' Oftedahl, 77

Harold “John” Oftedahl passed away Dec. 29, 2015, at Kalispell Regional Hospital after a long and courageous battle with heart health and cancer.

January 3, 2016 6 a.m.

LETTER: How to afford college without all the loans

For all the rhetoric we hear about college being unaffordable, the fact is, ANYONE with normal ability can attain a college degree. For the 2015-16 school year, the University of Montana’s cost of attendance for an in-state resident is $16,599. While that figure sounds high, it is not overwhelming.

January 3, 2016 6 a.m.

Helen Marshall, 98

I would like to tell you a little bit about our mom Helen Marshall. She was born Dec. 24, 1916, in the small Kansas town of Paola to James and Mamie (Morris) Abney.

January 3, 2016 midnight

DIL 010316

January 2, 2016 9:49 p.m.

Missoula man finds family alive in Sierra Leone

MISSOULA, (AP) — At first, Usifu Bangura thought the text message was a joke.

January 2, 2016 9:45 p.m.

Vergene Johnson, 91

January 2, 2016 9:42 p.m.

Harold Oscar 'John' Oftedahl, 77

January 2, 2016 9:40 p.m.

Helen Marshall, 98

January 2, 2016 9:38 p.m.

Clara Joan Sayle, 78

January 2, 2016 9:36 p.m.

Despite claim, no bivouac in backyard

A woman said a

January 2, 2016 9:33 p.m.

Scalia sees no reason why state can't favor religion over non-religion

METAIRIE, La. — Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia said Saturday the idea of religious neutrality is not grounded in the country’s constitutional traditions and that God has been good to the U.S. exactly because Americans honor him.

January 2, 2016 9:32 p.m.

'God's timing' brings Columbia Falls woman to clinic

Tammy Stevens remembers well the first night she timidly walked into Shepherd’s Hand Free Clinic more than 12 years ago.

January 2, 2016 9:31 p.m.

Shepherd's Hand

Dr. Greg Eller and a dental assistant provide dental care at Shepherd's Hand Clinic. (Molly Claridge photo)

January 2, 2016 9:26 p.m.

Shepherd's Hand celebrates 20 years

Free clinic has become a vital cause in Flathead Growth with a purpose

As Shepherd’s Hand Free Clinic recently noted its 20th anniversary, volunteers celebrated the outreach ministry’s past. They also envisioned what the clinic’s future will look like.

January 2, 2016 9:17 p.m.

BOYS BASKETBALL: Cold-shooting Flathead stopped by Hellgate

For all the signs of progress at Flathead this season, there’s still something missing, and it’s the most important thing of all.

January 2, 2016 9:13 p.m.

BOYS BASKETBALL: Visiting Sentinel stymies Glacier, 36-32

Everything was cold for the Wolfpack on Saturday afternoon.

January 2, 2016 9:05 p.m.

BASKETBALL ROUNDUP: Columbia Falls girls, Bigfork boys stay undefeated

COLUMBIA FALLS — Peyton Kehr tallied 20 points and Kiara Burlage followed with 13 as Columbia Falls defeated Eureka 72-33 in nonconference girls basketball action Saturday afternoon.

January 2, 2016 9 p.m.

WRESTLING: Polson goes 3-0 at Dillon Duals

DILLON — Polson rolled to three impressive mat wins in Class A action Saturday at the Dillon Duals.

January 2, 2016 6:01 p.m.

COLUMN: Trump vs. the machine: Three hu-u-ge stories

Despite Time magazine missing the story (surprise!), Donald Trump was the man/person/celebrity/politician/comedian/revolutionary of the year for 2015.

January 2, 2016 5:59 p.m.

Deferred sentence denied for woman

Recovery likely won’t be a walk on the beach after a woman had her three-year deferred felony sentence for possession of dangerous drugs revoked on Wednesday after being denied a probation transfer to Hawaii.

January 2, 2016 5:51 p.m.

County seeks grant to study jail options

Money would pay for architectural report on jail alternatives

Flathead County officials hope to hear in January whether the county will get a $45,000 planning grant to study alternatives for expanding the county jail.

January 2, 2016 5:50 p.m.

New specialist targets lung cancer

In Dr. Katarine Egressy’s world, early intervention is the name of the game.

January 2, 2016 5:47 p.m.

COLUMN: 'Affluenza' a symptom of sick society

I’ve been following with great interest and even greater disgust the case of the Texas teenager whose defense for killing four people in a drunk-driving accident was “affluenza” — he was too rich to know right from wrong.

January 2, 2016 11 a.m.

Local teens excel at Youth Challenge Academy

Antonio ScottiBelli and Quinten Gilbertson were headed down similar paths before they enrolled in the Montana Youth Challenge Academy several months ago.

January 2, 2016 6 a.m.

Cost estimates soar for slope stabilization project

The stabilization of a slump-prone bluff off Whitefish Stage Road has been stalled because Flathead County received no bids from contractors to complete the work.

January 1, 2016 9 p.m.

Kalispell stabbing suspect in custody

A man with a history of crime and threatening people in the Flathead Valley is being detained by authorities in connection with a Monday stabbing at a residence south of Kalispell.

January 1, 2016 7 p.m.

Driver just wanted to curl up and sleep

On New Year’s Eve in Whitefish, a man was arrested for driving drunk after he navigated his car into a ditch, walked to the house across the street and asked the homeowner if he could “curl up in the corner and go to sleep.” He was arrested by

January 1, 2016 5:38 p.m.

Gilbertson

January 1, 2016 5:38 p.m.

ScottiBelli

January 1, 2016 5:29 p.m.

Kidsports gets $1.4 million grant

The city of Kalispell will receive a $1.4 million grant to complete development of the Kidsports complex.

January 1, 2016 3:35 p.m.

polar bear plunge.JPG

A group of brave plungers rush into Flathead Lake to ring in the new year at The Raven in Woods Bay for the 22nd annual Polar Bear Lung on Friday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

January 1, 2016 3:35 p.m.

polar plunge 2.JPG

Plungers rush out of Flathead Lake after taking part in the 22nd annual Polar Bear Plunge in Woods Bay on Friday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

January 1, 2016 3:35 p.m.

polar plunge 3.JPG

The cold doesn't seem to bother Andy Kriss as he air drys after participating in the Polar Bear Plunge on Friday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

January 1, 2016 3:35 p.m.

Mountain fireworks

January 1, 2016 11 a.m.

LETTER: Repudiate all 'radical religion'

Republicans rightly chastised Democrats for not frankly calling out “radical Islamic terrorism” after brutal attacks in Paris and California. I agree that ideologically motivated massacres should be vehemently and universally disavowed.

January 1, 2016 11 a.m.

LETTER: Claims about Obama called lies

To reader Glen Hook of Kalispell who spewed regurgitated years-old, extreme right-wing baloney about President Obama being Muslim: Give it up, loser.

January 1, 2016 11 a.m.

OPINION: VA health care system is full of people doing good

I am writing this letter in regards to the constant trashing of the Veterans Affairs system across the United States of America. It would appear that by all that you read or hear in the media that the VA is deliberately letting veterans die because they have no compassion or understanding on how to treat so many patients.

January 1, 2016 11 a.m.