Ellington

Acharya leads after first 18

WHITEFISH — Three men's golfers are tied for first place after 18 holes at the 86th Earl Hunt Memorial Fourth of July golf tournament at Whitefish Lake Golf Club on Thursday.

Range Riders fall 3-2 to Voyagers

GREAT FALLS — Myles McKisic’s two-run single capped a three-run sixth inning for the Great Falls Voyagers Thursday, and they held on for a 3-2 win over the Glacier Range Riders in Pioneer League baseball.

Twins sweep Loggers, fall to Claremont

LIBBY — Stevyn Andrachick hit two doubles in the first game and tripled and scored three times in the second as the Glacier Twins swept a Legion doubleheader from Libby Tuesday.

Much of northern Yellowstone park to reopen Saturday

Yellowstone National Park is reopening its flood-damaged north loop at noon on Saturday, in time for the Fourth of July holiday weekend, park officials said Thursday.

2nd visitor in 3 days gored by Yellowstone park bison

For the second time in three days, a visitor to Yellowstone National Park was gored by a bison, park officials said Thursday.

Jackson sworn in, becomes 1st Black woman on Supreme Court

WASHINGTON (AP) — Ketanji Brown Jackson was sworn in to the Supreme Court on Thursday, shattering a glass ceiling as the first Black woman on the nation's highest court.

Column: Rockets, flames, power-hitting and great hair

A lot has changed in seven years, I realized, as I drove around the 405.

Supreme Court limits EPA in curbing power plant emissions

WASHINGTON (AP) — In a blow to the fight against climate change, the Supreme Court on Thursday limited how the nation's main anti-air pollution law can be used to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from power plants.

Head to the Whitefish Arts Festival Fourth of July weekend

The 43rd annual Whitefish Arts Festival has become a highlight for many over the Fourth of July weekend and is sponsored by Whitefish Christian Academy.

Letters to the editor June 30

Letters to the editor June 30

Law roundup: Man lights into neighbors about fireworks ordinance

A man called the Kalispell Police Department complaining about “guys lighting off artillery shells” in a neighboring apartment building and said it happens every year, but this year, he was not going to put up with it.

Kila man accused of bear spray attack sentenced

A Kila man accused of discharging bear spray on another man at a fishing access site in 2021 pleaded a felony assault with a weapon charge down to a misdemeanor earlier this month.

Legals for June, 30 2022

Make ‘Movie Music Magic’ at Glacier Symphony’s Night at Rebecca Farm

The Glacier Symphony’s popular Symphony Night at Rebecca Farm “Tops the Pops” of summer music activities in the Flathead Valley.

In Montana, we can only have one governor at a time

It was one thing that Gov. Greg Gianforte’s recent vacation left the public and the press playing “Where’s Waldo?” for the week that he was, as it turns out, in Italy — but how his executive office was handled during the catastrophic floods in Carbon, Park and Stillwater counties leaves some doubts as to who exactly was the governor during that time.

Polebridge ranch hosts summer music events

The Home Ranch Bottoms in Polebridge is highlighting the summer season with several upcoming music events that are free and open to the public. The following music events will be held at the outdoor stage in the ranch’s beer garden.

Northwest Montana trail projects awarded state grants

A number of grants were awarded last week to various trail projects around Northwest Montana.

Plant notes: Hooker's fairybells

As summer ripens, many native plants offer interest by way of unusual seed pods or colorful berries.

Kalispell artist Ken Yarus gives presentation on his Sperry Chalet residence

Kalispell artist Ken Yarus has been exploring and painting Glacier National Park his entire life.

High Plains Book Award finalists announced

Finalists for the 2022 High Plains Book Awards were released June 20, with winners to be announced at an awards event Oct. 8 in Billings.

Area 406 Music & Arts Festival returns to the Flathead

Area 406 Music & Arts Festival returns to the Flathead County Fairgrounds 6 p.m. to midnight Friday, July 1, and Saturday, July 2, for two days of dance music for those 18 and older.

Authorities looking for Eureka man accused of killing his father

Authorities are seeking a man from Eureka who is accused of killing his father in the Thirsty Lake Road area on May 30.

Sun Road open date pushed back to July 13 at the earliest

Visitors hoping to drive the full length of Glacier National Park's Going-to-the-Sun Road will have to wait a few more weeks — at least.

Supreme Court: Montana regents make campus gun rules

Montana's Board of Regents, not the Legislature, has the constitutional authority to regulate the possession and storage of firearms on public college campuses, the Montana Supreme Court ruled Wednesday.

Yellowstone bison gores Colorado man

A Colorado man who Yellowstone National Park officials say got too close to a bison was thrown by the animal while trying to get himself and a child away from danger.

Rockslides, slump close section along Hungry Horse Reservoir

Approximately 10 miles of road is closed along the west shore of Hungry Horse Reservoir due to unstable terrain causing rockslides and a slump.

Five rescued after boat sinks in Whitefish Lake

Officials in Whitefish reminded boaters to take to the water responsibly after authorities responded to a report of a capsized vessel on the city’s eponymous lake earlier this week.

Hiker hospitalized after grizzly bear mauling in Wyoming

A hiker has been hospitalized after being mauled by a bear, believed to have been a grizzly, in the mountains of northwestern Wyoming, the state's Game and Fish agency said Tuesday.

Great Falls’ dispensary owners challenge city’s prohibition of marijuana sales

A lawsuit has been filed in district court challenging Great Falls’ prohibition on marijuana dispensaries within the city limits.

Montana AG wants state Supreme Court to consider Dobbs decision in abortion appeal

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen is asking the Montana Supreme Court to consider last week’s U.S. Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization in an appeal of four abortion laws before the court.

People in the news: Whitefish resident to compete for Miss Montana

People in the news

Buzzkill: Flooding to create active mosquito season in Flathead Valley

For Flathead Valley residents hearing a buzz around town this summer, it’s probably not the influx of tourists swarming the area — it’s the mosquitoes.

Scott William Wendling

Scott William Wendling joined his Heavenly Father June 24, 2022. He passed following one of his many passions, riding his motorcycle with his friend through the majestic mountains of Idaho.

Flathead High speech competitor talks her way to top three

After two days of competing on the national stage, Flathead High School Speech and Debate’s Scout McMahon returned home with a third-place trophy in Extemporaneous Speaking. She also received a $250 scholarship.

Thomas Lee Adrignola, 61

Thomas Lee Adrignola, 61, of Columbia Falls passed away unexpectedly but peacefully on June 20, 2022.

High test wrestling dual on tap tonight at Flathead

The Flathead Brave Brawlers have a dual with nationally-ranked Lowell, Mich., set for 5:30 p.m. today at Flathead High School.

Man who allegedly shot at kayakers pleads not guilty

A Whitefish man accused of shooting at a group of kayakers on Lower Stillwater Lake earlier this month has pleaded not guilty to multiple counts of assault with a weapon.

Dale Lester Spear, 71

Dale Lester Spear, age 71, of Kila, passed away June 26, 2022, in Kalispell.

Gregory Scott Thurston

Gregory Scott Thurston passed away Dec. 11, 2021, from cancer.

Fair accepting 4-H and FFA entries

The Northwest Montana Fair and Rodeo is now accepting online entries for 4-H/FFA and Open Class competitions. The annual event is scheduled for Aug. 17-21 at the Flathead County Fairground

Climate change discussion set for Thursday in Columbia Falls

A panel discussion on climate change is set for Thursday in Columbia Falls.

PaddleHeads’ roster will include comedian

Listen to him on Wednesdays, see him play next Tuesday. Maybe.

Motorist allegedly hits passenger of another vehicle with gun

In an apparent case of road rage by proxy, a motorist is accused of using a gun to hit the passenger of a vehicle that passed him.

Law Roundup: A budding mystery goes unsolved

A “huge” pot of flowers went missing from hanging baskets on a porch in Kalispell. The owner contacted the Kalispell Police Department for help after noticing the theft, but summoned her inner P.I. when she spotted a trail of petals.

Flathead commissioners to make appointment to library board

Flathead County Commissioners are poised to select a new trustee to serve on the ImagineIF library board during their Thursday meeting.

Christ ‘Squeak’ Raymond Kuntz 82

Christ “Squeak” Raymond Kuntz 82, passed away peacefully in Libby on Saturday, June 25, 2022, surrounded by family. Born on July 5, 1939, Ray passed a few weeks before his 83rd birthday.

Legals for June, 29 2022

Conservationists call for action on Northwest wolf poaching

Wildlife advocates say there has been a distressing uptick in wolf poaching cases in the Northwest in the past year and a half.

Aide: Trump dismissed Jan. 6 threats, wanted to join crowd

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President Donald Trump dismissed the presence of armed protesters headed to the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, and even endorsed their calls to "hang Mike Pence," a key former White House aide told House investigators Tuesday, describing chaotic scenes inside and outside the executive mansion as Trump argued to accompany his supporters.

Motion to draft bill codifying access to abortion in Montana dies on tied vote

A legislative interim committee failed to pass a motion Monday that would have begun the process of drafting a bill to codify the access to abortion that currently exists in Montana.

Velma Ruff-Lauman, 89

Velma Ruff-Lauman, 89, passed away peacefully June 21, 2022, in Oologah, Oklahoma.

Marion man arrested after allegedly pulling gun on girlfriend’s father

A Marion man is being held in county jail on a $75,000 bond after allegedly leveling a firearm at his girlfriend’s father earlier this month.

Large Montana rallies protest end of Roe

Protesters advocating for abortion rights rallied in cities around Montana over the weekend in response to the overturning of Roe v. Wade, the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that had made abortion legal across the country for nearly fifty years.

Letters to the editor June 28

Letters to the editor June 28

Educational excellence through local control

State funding has never been removed from a school due to not meeting state accreditation standards.

Legals for June, 28 2022

County attorney seeks sanctions against state public defender's office

Following a recent mistrial in the case of a Troy man accused of stealing thousands of dollars from people across the country, Lincoln County Attorney Marcia Boris is seeking sanctions against the Montana Office of the Public Defender and two of its attorneys.

Law roundup: Sprinkler incident dampens neighborly relationship

A woman called the Columbia Falls Police Department about alleged harassment from neighbors, who they shared a lawn with, when they turned on the sprinklers while her husband was mowing it.

Mariners 3rd, Loggers 5th at Big Bucks Tournament

LIBBY — Aydan Williamson hit a two-run double, then a three-run double, and the Libby Loggers completed its run through the Big Bucks Legion tournament with a 15-7 win over the Northern Lake Mountaineers Sunday.

Flathead River below flood stage for first time in 2 weeks

The Flathead River on Saturday dipped below flood stage for the first time in two weeks.

Glacier's Sun Road won't open by July 4

Glacier National Park officials said Friday that Going-to-the-Sun Road will not be fully open by July 4, though plows have made it to Logan Pass.

Supreme Court sides with coach who sought to pray after game

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Monday sided with a football coach from Washington state who sought to kneel and pray on the field after games.

Letters to the editor June 27

Letters to the editor June 27

Births

Hayden Ramsey Pierce, daughter of Kate and Cole Pierce of Whitefish, was born on May 10, 2022, at Logan Health Whitefish.

Legals for June, 27 2022

Summer water shortage threatens Kalispell

Anticipating peak water demands, City Council on Monday is set to discuss implementing water conservation and restriction protocols. Council will look at an emergency ordinance that, if approved, would place restrictions on watering and irrigation.

Kalispell’s environmental coordinator aims to educate about impacts of stormwater

Although the average person may only think of stormwater when there is a threat of flooding, as the environmental coordinator at the City of Kalispell, Casey Lewis knows that stormwater has an effect on the environment and it’s a message she works to educate others about.

Woman caught with allegedly stolen camper pleads not guilty

A Washington woman arrested after a police officer spotted her unsafely towing what allegedly turned out to be a stolen camper through Kalispell earlier this month has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges.

Law roundup: Man nor beast stops woman from recycling

A Whitefish resident reportedly had an “out-of-control” bear, possibly a cub, in her yard that had been getting into everyone’s trashcans and when she shooed it away it would back up 5 feet before returning.

Twins end Gallo tourney on upswing

WHITEFISH — The first of Kellen Kroger’s four runs batted in gave the Glacier Twins all the runs they needed, and they went on to down the Clarkfork Riverdogs 13-3 in the Ed Gallo Wood Bat Tournament Sunday.

Idaho Falls pins loss Range Riders

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho — Brady West’s two-run triple capped a third-inning rally for Idaho Falls, and the runs kept coming in a 15-7 win over the Glacier Range Riders at Melaleuca Field Sunday.

$5 million in grants earmarked for flood-impacted businesses

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte is making up to $5 million in grant funding from Montana's bed tax fund available to businesses that have been impacted by destructive flooding in southern Montana.

2 Black executives leave Amazon amid changes in leadership

The e-commerce juggernaut confirmed the news Tuesday hours after CEO Andy Jassy named a new head for the company's troubled retail business. That unit has been burdened with a glut of warehouse space after a massive expansion during the pandemic.

US importing baby formula from Mexico to ease shortage

The Department of Health and Human Services is expediting the travel of trucks that will drive about 1 million pounds of Gerber Good Start Gentle infant formula from a Nestlé plant to U.S. retailers, the White House said.

C-Falls resort tax collections higher than expected in first eight months

The tax has grossed $515,000 through May 30, City Manager Susan Nicosia told City Council recently.

Kalispell: Montana's Eden — Exhibit showcases history of town

The largest exhibition curated by the museum in the past 12 years, a grand opening reception for Kalispell: Montana's Eden is set for Thursday, June 30 from 5 to 7 p.m.

John Daniel 'Danny' Fitch, 43

John Daniel “Danny” Fitch, of Kalispell, passed away on June 21 from a rafting accident.

Rice on destroying our institutions: “Over my dead body”

At last week’s celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Montana’s 1972 Constitution, there were many memorable moments, including the presentation of Jim Rice, Associate Justice of the Montana Supreme Court, during the panel discussion about “The Basic Rule of Law: The Backbone of a Constitution.”

Legals for June, 26 2022

Donald E. DuBeau, 86

Donald E. DuBeau died two weeks short of his 87th birthday on May 31, 2022, of natural causes.

Flathead Business Newsmakers

Announcements from Flathead businesses

Sharon 'Lanell' Windham, 65

Sharon “Lanell” Windham, 65, passed away on Sunday, June 19, 2022, in Kalispell, with her husband, Greg, by her side.

Letters to the editor June 26

Letters to the editor June 26

ImagineIF library director turning the page despite controversy

Ashley Cummins, ImagineIF’s new library director, originally planned to get started by immersing herself in the job, meeting her staff and learning about the community.

Addressing Montana’s economic challenges and opportunities

As we begin to approach the 2023 legislative session, Montana workers, families, employers, and elected officials are all facing a unique combination of opportunities and challenges that we haven’t seen before.

Walmart expands health services to address racial inequality

Walmart is expanding health care coverage for employees who want to use a doula, a person trained to assist women during pregnancies, in an effort to address racial inequities in maternal care. After first offering doulas to employees in Georgia last year, Walmart said Wednesday that it will expand the same benefit to its employees in Louisiana, Indiana and Illinois.

A sundry history with Yellowstone

The recent news of the devastating flooding in Yellowstone National Park and the surrounding towns had me thinking back to the summer of 2007 when I rode my bike into the park on the same highway that suffered catastrophic damage by the floodwaters of the Yellowstone River two weeks ago.

Constitutional convention a dangerous ploy

On June 19, the Daily Inter Lake published an op-ed titled “Montanans want term limits for Congress,” by former Republican state senator Ed Walker, in which he blames our organization for the reason Montana won’t apply for an Article V Convention and thereby Americans can’t get Congressional term limits.

Law roundup: Man thinks taxes allow him to drop load

A Columbia Falls employee allegedly told a man he was not allowed to “drop his load of sod” at the location, but the man — who felt he was entitled because he paid taxes —proceeded to dump the load anyway.

Library board end-around the right move for Bigfork

The ImagineIf Libraries board took matters into their own hands last week — and Bigfork locals are better off for it.

Kalispell company offers document management

Global Archives, a cloud-based data storage company in Kalispell, is offering services to organizations in need of document management and storage.

Jeffery Jay Macal, 59

Jeffery Jay Macal passed away on Dec. 19, 2021.

Flathead Business Watercooler

Business events, trainings and seminars

PHOTOS: Lemonade Day in Kalispell

Lemonade Day returned to Kalispell for its third year as youths were out operating lemonade stands from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 25 as part of an initiative of WorkForce Flathead. The national Lemonade Day program helps youth learn about starting a business, via the one-day stands. Through guided lessons in their Lemonade Day booklet, they learn about budgeting, finance, site selection, product creation, supplies, staffing, and more.

Rollins man linked to Whitefish shooting back in jail

Wilson Dane Huyser, 33, is being held in the Flathead County Detention Center on a $150,000 bond after prosecutors amended the charges against him to include felony assault with a weapon. He was booked back into county jail on June 23.

Kila man accused of abusing child takes Alford plea

Skylar Nathaniel Fincher, 24, pleaded guilty by way of an Alford plea, meaning he maintains his innocence but acknowledges a jury likely would convict him if the case went to trial.

Kentucky restaurant created by KFC founder for sale

A restaurant created by KFC founder Harland Sanders for his wife decades ago is for sale. The Claudia Sanders Dinner House in Shelbyville, Kentucky, hit the market this week.

Major housing development proposed near Columbia Falls

A developer is proposing a major subdivision on farmland east of the Flathead River and just outside Columbia Falls.

Man accused of threatening bar staff, deputies pleads not guilty

Kyle Ross Burglund, 41, appeared in Flathead County District Court beside attorney Sean Hinchey for his June 23 arraignment, pleading not guilty to assault with a weapon and threats or improper influence in an official matter.

Libby’s Johnston playing in European Amateur Championship

Libby native Ryggs Johnston is playing in the 35th edition of the European Amateur Championship this week at Parador de El Saler, Spain.

Laurel Dodgers top Lakers A at Cloninger Classic

HELENA — A late score helped the Laurel Dodgers top the Kalispell Lakers A 8-3 on Friday at the Cloninger Classic.

Lakers AA edge Premier 5-3 at WSU tourney

PULLMAN, Wash. — Elijah Owens scored the go-ahead run for the Kalispell Lakers AA in 4-2 victory over Northwest Premier on Friday at the WSU Summer Palouse Tournament.

Twins 1-1 at Ed Gallo tournament

WHITEFISH — The Glacier Twins are 1-1 at the Ed Gallo Wood Bat Tournament after two days of play. Glacier fell to the North Spokane Dodgers Friday night, 6-2, after the Dodgers took the lead early on an error in the second inning.

Flathead Lake over full pool mark

Flathead Lake was more than half a foot over its full pool mark Friday, and was projected to stay at that level through the weekend.

Overturn of Roe shifts Montana abortion debates to state courts

Montana’s elected officials reacted to the U.S. Supreme Court ruling Friday overturning the landmark Roe v. Wade decision, which had made abortion legal nationwide for nearly 50 years.

North Dakota farmland purchase tied to Gates stirs emotion

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — The sale of a couple thousand acres of prime North Dakota farmland to a group tied to Bill Gates has stirred emotions over a Depression-era law meant to protect family farms and raised questions about whether the billionaire shares the state's values.

Montana leaders react to Roe V. Wade decision

Montana’s federal and state elected officials offered mixed reactions Friday to the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and end constitutional protections for abortion.

Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade; states can ban abortion

The Supreme Court has ended constitutional protections for abortion that had been in place nearly 50 years in a decision by its conservative majority to overturn Roe v. Wade. Friday's outcome is expected to lead to abortion bans in roughly half the states.

Comments sought on timber harvest, trail expansion west of Whitefish

The Flathead Forest has released its Environmental Assessment for a forest project on more than 28,000 acres west of Whitefish that includes new trails at a popular Nordic ski area.

Trial date of man accused of raping teen pushed back

The trial date of a man accused of raping one girl and sexually assaulting two others at an underage Halloween party in Kalispell last year has been pushed back.

Kalispell chamber survey shows most businesses feeling impact of economy

Nearly 80% of Kalispell businesses say they’ve experienced a negative effect from the current economic conditions, but just as many seem to have a positive outlook for the future of operations.

Montana’s namesake sub to be commissioned

The USS Montana is the second warship to bear the state’s name and is a Virginia-class, nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine.

One of four bungling burglars pleads guilty

One of the four men arrested after breaking down the door of the wrong house in an allegedly pre-planned burglary entered a guilty plea in district court earlier this week.

Black Ram project again underway

The Kootenai National Forest is moving ahead with the Black Ram Project more than three years after it was first announced.

Law roundup: Between rocks and a hard place

A property owner in the Columbia Falls area told deputies with the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office that the individual who held an easement on a road running through his land lined it with rocks last year. The property owner had to remove the rocks in order to plow during the winter. Now the individual with the easement is threatening to report him for theft.

Legals for June, 24 2022

Mary Bissell, 93

Mary Bissell, 93, went eagerly to the arms of her Lord and Savior on May 18, 2022.

Voyagers top Riders with late HR

Colton Runge’s ninth-inning homer gave the visiting Great Falls Voyagers a 12-11 win over the Glacier Range Riders in a divisional Pioneer League game Wednesday at Flathead Field.

1/6 panel hears of Trump's pressure on Justice Department

WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump hounded the Justice Department to pursue his false election fraud claims, striving in vain to enlist top law enforcement officials in his desperate bid to stay in power and hosting a dramatic Oval Office showdown in which he weighed replacing the agency's leader with a more compliant lower-level official, according to testimony Thursday to the House panel investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot.

ImagineIF board accepts building for Bigfork branch

The ImagineIF Library Foundation has raised half of the $1.6 million needed to turn the Bethany Lutheran Church Ark Building in the new library, which will give the branch room to offer new services and an expanded collection. The project has been in limbo as Flathead County Commissioners had not been willing to commit to accepting the property.

Study finds microplastic pollution in Flathead Lake

They’re in our oceans and rivers. They’re in the food we eat and the water we drink.

Supreme Court expands gun rights, striking New York limits

In a major expansion of gun rights, the Supreme Court said Thursday that Americans have a right to carry firearms in public.

Yellowstone flood exposes silly secret

On the same day that the 50th anniversary of the Montana Constitution was being celebrated in the chambers of the Montana House of Representatives as producing the most open government of all the 50 states, it was revealed that the governor of Montana was keeping a secret from the public: his location.

KALICO invites artists to one-day painting challenge

KALICO Art Center and the Kalispell Downtown Association a new art challenge for the Flathead Valley: The Clarence Rundell Challenge.

Movie Night at the Museum presents silent comedy

The Northwest Montana History Museum’s next Movie Night at the Museum will begin at 7 p.m. Monday, June 27, with the classic 1923 silent comedy “Safety Last!”

ATP’s ‘Queens of Country’ has performances this weekend

Dolly Parton. Patsy Cline. Tammy Wynette. Loretta Lynn. Reba McIntyre. The music of these “Queens of Country,” along with some of their contemporary counterparts will be performed by four powerhouse women and an all-star band.

William ‘Bill’ Arthur Barrier, 80

Mild Bill Barrier passed away on June 5, 2022, in Spokane, at the age of 80.

Legals for June, 23 2022

Columbia Falls outdoor company aids areas affected by Yellowstone flooding

RightOnTrek, a Columbia Falls-based outdoor company, joined with government agencies and nonprofit disaster relief groups last week to aid evacuees caught in flood zones in and around Yellowstone National Park.

Mizutani’s next concert plays on patriotic theme

Master violinist Wai Mizutani and Impact continue The Lord of the String concert series with Opus 6 “Echoes of Americana” Saturday, June 25.

State agencies sound alarm on hazards posed by floodwaters

Staff with DEQ plan to continue monitoring areas affected by flooding to identify possible contamination. Officials warned, though, that sampling falls short of determining the source of contamination.

Entertainment briefs

Artists and Craftsmen of the Flathead host Summer Art Show

Whitefish Review garners Best Cover Award

The American Society of Magazine Editors announced the finalists and winners of the 16th ASME Best Cover Contest, and Whitefish Review has won its second “Readers’ Choice” award.

History museum opens new exhibit about Kalispell

On New Year’s Day 1892, 3,500 people came down to the freshly-laid railroad tracks in the center of Kalispell to celebrate the completion of the Great Northern line to St. Paul.

Law roundup: Man wants to know, should he stay or should he go?

A man confused by crosswalk lights called the Kalispell Police Department reportedly wanting an explanation of how they worked.

Senate deal raises hopes for reduction in gun suicide

A bipartisan U.S. Senate agreement negotiated after high-profile mass shootings in Texas, New York, and Oklahoma lacks gun access restrictions that advocates say are needed to prevent such attacks. But the deal’s focus on mental health has raised hopes — and doubts — that it will help reduce gun suicides, particularly in rural Western states with wide-open gun laws.

Yellowstone park reopens after changes wrought by flood

WAPITI, Wyo. (AP) — Several thousand cars, trucks and recreational vehicles were backed up in long lines at entrances to Yellowstone National Park as it partially reopened Wednesday morning following record floods that reshaped the park's rivers and canyons, wiped out numerous roads and left some areas famous for their wildlife viewing inaccessible, possibly for months to come.

Man dies in rafting accident on Middle Fork

A 43-year-old man died Tuesday after his raft capsized on the Middle Fork of the Flathead River in rapids below Moccasin Creek, the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office said in a release.

Free summer meals offered to children and teens

Free meals are available to children 18 and under in Flathead County. Meals will be served by sponsoring school districts in locations in Evergreen, Columbia Falls, Kalispell and Whitefish.

Law roundup: Upset man fans the flames when call goes unreturned

Someone allegedly called Columbia Falls Police Department over concerns a cousin was posting threats about burning his house down on Facebook.

Hotel owner takes issue with potential for nearby eight-story parking garage

The developers behind The Charles Hotel and the related parking garage at the intersection of First Avenue and First Street West recently approached the city about shifting the plan for the parking structure to include an estimated 70 housing units. The move would make the parking structure roughly eight stories in height.

Larry Ralph Whitney, 85

Larry Ralph Whitney, born Aug. 30, 1936, to Ralph and Alice (Mock) Whitney of Ferndale, Montana, died Jan. 8, 2022, at Logan Health Medical Center in Kalispell, not far from the now old Kalispell Hospital, where he was born.

Dale R. Pierce, 79

Dale R. Pierce left us all on Jan. 6, 2022. He passed away at Logan Health Medical Center in Kalispell.

‘Numerous’ firearms found with man arrested for shooting at kayakers

StorySheriff’s deputies arresting a man accused of shooting at kayakers in Lower Stillwater Lake over the weekend allegedly found him with a minivan loaded with weapons and ammunition.

State Library Commissioners fret over new logo’s color scheme

Commissioners of the Montana State Library, which manages a variety of state records and information systems, are considering scuttling a nearly $300,000 rebranding project because of what they regard as the new logo’s visual proximity to the LGBTQ Pride flag.

Annett Audrey (Windon) Abell, 90

Annett Audrey (Windon) Abell was born at home on the family farm to Jesse C. and Audrey (Erb) Windon on the first day of spring, March 20, 1932, near Maple Falls, Washington.

Power outage planned for June 23 for maintenance work

A controlled power outage planned for the early morning hours of Thursday will leave thousands of Flathead Electric Cooperative customers temporarily without electricity.

Kalispell man allegedly stole SUV from repair shop lot

A Kalispell man faces a felony theft charge after authorities caught him on June 7 in a vehicle stolen from a North Meridian Road repair shop.

KMS Science Club earns state award for studying microplastics in Foys Lake

The club, made up of sixth- through eighth-graders, was a winner in the Montana Department of Environmental Quality’s Saving Money and Resources Today (SMART) Schools Challenge and was awarded $2,000.

Legals for June, 22 2022

Range Riders blank Voyagers

The Glacier Range Riders rode a set of early runs backed by strong pitching to a 2-0 victory over the Great Falls Voyagers at Flathead Field on Tuesday in Pioneer League baseball.

Supreme Court: Religious schools must get Maine tuition aid

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that Maine can't exclude religious schools from a program that offers tuition aid for private education, a decision that could ease religious organizations' access to taxpayer money.

NC family succeeding with honey business led by 8-year-old

What started as making honey for their four-person family, turned into a successful startup called Bubby's Bees.

Gianforte looks to include Flathead in disaster declaration

Fresh off a tour of the Flathead flooding situation, Gov. Greg Gianforte on Tuesday said he was working to add Flathead County to a presidential major disaster declaration for Montana.

Texas top cop: Uvalde police response an 'abject failure'

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Police had enough officers on the scene of the Uvalde school massacre to have stopped the gunman three minutes after he entered the building, and they never checked a classroom door to see if it was locked, the Texas public safety chief testified Tuesday, pronouncing the law enforcement response an "abject failure."

Inter Lake claims top awards for journalism, advertising

The Daily Inter Lake garnered 15 awards at the Montana Newspaper Association’s 2022 Better Newspaper Contest, including top prizes for investigative journalism, column writing and advertising.

Ballot measure I-191 carries unintended consequences

As a member of the Montana Legislature’s bipartisan Water Policy Interim Committee, my colleagues and I had the opportunity to learn more about proposed ballot Initiative 191 at a recent hearing.

Prosecutors: Man threatened to kill bar staff, sheriff’s deputies

A man awaiting sentencing on a felony driving under the influence charge is back behind bars after allegedly threatening to kill the employees of a local bar and later sheriff’s deputies.

Can Gardiner survive its latest disaster?

Its proximity to the northern entrance to the country’s oldest and arguably grandest national park fuels Gardiner’s tourism-based economy. With a year-round population of fewer than 900 people, Gardiner is almost entirely reliant on the nearly three-quarters of a million visitors who pass through Yellowstone’s north gate each year.

Letters to the editor June 21

Letters to the editor June 21

Publisher pulls articles attacking Whitefish Credit Union

While Pastor Jordan David Hall’s legal problems with a series of stories he wrote about a transgender Native American lobbyist may have ended last month with a retraction, apology and quarter million dollar settlement, another lawsuit was brewing.

Legals for June, 21 2022

Shirley Ann Sullivan (nee Beyer), 87

Shirley Ann Sullivan (nee Beyer), lately of Lisle, Illinois, but previously a resident of Kalispell, passed away June 18, 2022, at the age of 87.

PaddleHeads' late rally dooms Riders

The Glacier Range Riders led the Missoula PaddleHeads after an Austin McNicholas homer at the bottom of the fourth inning, but the visitors battled back to win 5-3 in Pioneer League baseball Sunday at Flathead Field.

Gianforte tours Flathead flooding; more evacuation notices issued

Gov. Greg Gianforte pledged Monday to back local officials and emergency responders with whatever resources they need as another bout of heavy rain swelled area waterways and prompted more evacuations.

Biden says decision on gas tax holiday may come this week

REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. (AP) — President Joe Biden said Monday that he's considering a federal holiday on the gasoline tax, possibly saving U.S. consumers as much as 18.4 cents a gallon.

Kalispell Council holds hearing on additions to Eagle Valley Ranch

The meeting starts at 7 p.m. in City Hall, 201 First Avenue East.

Whitefish Council considers garbage rate increase for bear-resistant containers

Whitefish City Council on Monday will consider increasing the garbage collection rate by about $6.50 per month for residences as a result of requiring the use of bear-resistant trash containers.

Getts looks to guide Whitefish’s efforts on affordable housing

As the new affordable housing coordinator and long range planner for the City of Whitefish, Marissa Getts will be looking to guide the community through the impacts of those changes including with endeavors to tackle a lack of affordable housing and planning for the future.

0620 Restaurant inspections

Flathead City-County Health Department inspection results from July 9 to July 15.

Legals for June, 20 2022

Law roundup: Woman asks police to help her move

A woman seemed more concerned about getting Kalispell Police Department officers to move her belongings from a hotel to an apartment rather than reporting alleged fraud involving an Amazon account.

Births

Whitlee Kaye Hill, daughter of Gary Hill and Rebecca Walhus of Whitefish, was born on May 14, 2022, at Logan Health Medical Center.

Outside Yellowstone, flooded towns struggle to recover

FROMBERG, Mont. (AP) — With Yellowstone National Park pushing to reopen to tourists more quickly than anticipated after record floods pounded southern Montana, some of those hardest hit in the disaster live far from the famous park's limelight and are leaning heavily on one another to pull their lives out of the mud.

Yellowstone National Park to partly reopen after floods

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Yellowstone National Park will partially reopen at 8 a.m. Wednesday after catastrophic flooding destroyed bridges and roads and drove out thousands of tourists.

Sullivan, Rohrbach help West to Shrine win

GREAT FALLS — Hamilton’s Tyson Rostad ran for three scores and passed for another, and the West won the 75th Montana Shrine Game 40-21 Saturday night at Memorial Stadium.

Inge Salmonsen, 96

Inge Salmonsen passed away Nov. 25, 2021.

Duane Milo Reisch, 91

Duane Milo Reisch, 91 of Whitefish, passed away June 15, 2022, at Logan Health in Whitefish.

Montanans want term limits for Congress

Americans are divided over just about everything today. From politics to sports to entertainment, Americans do not agree on anything, except for their dislike of career D.C. politicians in Congress.

Lilly Line Westerlund, 88

She came into the world Sept. 3, 1933, in Culbertson, Montana, and was raised in Whitefish on the family strawberry farm east of town.

Flathead Business Watercooler

Business events, trainings and seminars

Can prison-farmed pheasants save hunting?

In the spring of 2021, the Montana Legislature passed a bill that authorized FWP to use $1 million worth of state and federal revenue for a pheasant-stocking program that could ultimately release up to 50,000 pen-reared pheasants onto “suitable and eligible state-owned lands” every fall.

Lemonade Day teaches young entrepreneurs

Lemonade Day teaches young entrepreneurs

Dale R. Pierce, 79

Dale R. Pierce left us all on Jan. 6, 2022. He passed away at Logan Health Medical Center in Kalispell.

Dirk Allan Erekson

Dirk Allan Erekson of Columbia Falls lost his battle with cancer and died peacefully at his home Wednesday, June 6, 2022.

Downtown business group looks at ways to aid Kalispell’s homeless

Merchants in downtown Kalispell are witnessing a rise in homelessness over the past nine months. Although homelessness has yet to manifest in a way that hurts business, many say that solutions should be at the forefront of everyone’s minds.

Morey David Grove, 75

Morey Grove passed away Saturday, June 11, 2022, at Brendan House in Kalispell.

Fallout from historic flooding already devastating tourism in park’s gateway communities

The phone for Park Hotel Yellowstone in Gardiner has been ringing around the clock with guests canceling summer reservations after historic flooding led to the closure of Yellowstone National Park this week.

Legion: A Lakers 2-2 at Rein Memorial

BOZEMAN — Four different Helena players had two hits and two or more RBIs, and the Reps ate up a 5-0 deficit to beat the Kalispell A Lakers 12-7 Saturday at the Howard Rein Legion tournament.

Billie Rae Noyes Erickson, 88

Billie Rae Noyes Erickson, a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend died May 28, 2022, at Brendan House in Kalispell of natural causes.

Letters to the editor June 19

Letters to the editor June 19

A choice between local housing or more VRBOs

The sky's the limit for the proposed downtown Kalispell parking garage.

New sawyers cut it up

When our dad suspected my brother and me of late-night carousing, he’d wake us up early to go get firewood.

Riders in the Storm

If you are a baseball player born and raised in the Pelican State, you’ve seen some weather. Not like this.

Richard ‘Max’ Bullock, 29

When asked how he would want to be celebrated, Lt. TJ Hall, Max’s Wingman, said, “Fast, Loud and Awesome!”

Legals for June, 19 2022

Margery R. Strickland Gress, 80

Margery R. Strickland Gress was born to Archie and Mariam Strickland on Jan. 12, 1942.

Aileen Muriel (Gordon) Lancaster, 92

Aileen M. Lancaster, 92, of Fullerton, California, passed away on May 30, 2022, where she was a resident of Morningside and previously Rancho Bernardo, California.

Scott A. Storkson, 54

Scott A. Storkson passed away on June 12, 2022, in Missoula.

Boutique guest ranch offers opportunity to stay with Clydesdales

At Clydesdale Outpost, guests are offered a boutique ranch experience with the chance to stay in luxury cabins and interact with the Clydesdales. The horse's calm and gentle temperament creates a therapeutic experience for visitors to the ranch, the retreat’s owners say.

Flathead Business Newsmakers

Happenings at Flathead businesses

Celebrating the 50th anniversary of Montana’s constitution

In 1969, when Jean and I moved to Helena from our Tule Creek farm in Roosevelt County, strong winds of change were sweeping Montana.

Hand count plus same-day registration would have been a huge problem

Thank God our election crew was free from same day voter registration this year. Sometimes legislation comes home to roost in a good way.

Dorothy I. (Greenfield) Souther, 96

Dorothy I. (Greenfield) Souther, 96, passed away on June 9, 2022, in Kalispell.

Art exhibit returns Winold Reiss portraits to the Blackfeet Reservation

Through a collaboration between the Blackfeet Nation, Museum of the Plains Indian, the BNSF Foundation and the Glacier National Park Conservancy, an exhibit of nine of Reiss’ original pastel portraits entitled “Connections – the Blackfeet and Winold Reiss” will be on display in Browning through Oct. 29.

Shirley (Coverdell) Seanor, 82

Shirley (Coverdell) Seanor passed away on June 15, 2022, after a battle with cancer.

PHOTOS: Kalispell Kreamery holds its Milk & Cookies 2022 event

Kalispell Kreamery held it's Milk & Cookies 2022 event at their dairy farm on Lost Creek Drive in Kalispell on Saturday, June 18.

Bitcoin drops below $20,000 as crypto selloff quickens

Bitcoin fell below the psychologically important threshold of $20,000 on Saturday for the first time since late 2020, in a fresh sign that the selloff in cryptocurrencies is deepening.

Pioneer League: Range Riders down PaddleHeads Friday

Glacier bounces back from Thursday loss to Billings

The Glacier Range Riders didn’t stay down for long Friday, with Austin McNicholas’ two-run triple highlighting a four-run first inning in a 9-4 Pioneer League win over Missoula at Flathead Field.

Area river levels projected to decline beginning next week

The Flathead River is expected to drop below flood stage by next weekend, according to the latest projection from the National Weather Service.

California bill aims to reduce plastic waste

A bill introduced late Thursday aims to bring environmental and business groups together to avoid a similar ballot measure slated to go before voters in November. But at least one of the ballot measure’s proponents, the Natural Resources Defense Council, isn’t yet on board with the deal.

Wall Street closes worst week since 2020 with slight gain

Wall Street closed out its most punishing week since the 2020 coronavirus crash with a meandering day of trading Friday that left it a bit higher. The S&P 500 rose 0.2%.

Logan Health seeks dismissal of class action lawsuit

Attorneys for Logan Health want a class action lawsuit brought by victims of its November data breach dismissed, arguing the plaintiffs could not prove the hack caused harm.

Mistrial declared in case of Troy log furniture maker

A mistrial was declared in the matter of a Troy man accused of stealing thousands of dollars from people all over the country after taking orders from them for custom log furniture and then not producing the items.

A ray of hope for the post office in Coram

Things are looking up for the post office in Coram.

INDUSTRY Bozeman breaks ground at new MSU Innovation Campus

INDUSTRY provides customizable workspaces for long-term tenants that include shared amenities.

Canceled flights rise across US as summer travel heats up

It's turning into another difficult day for airline travelers in the United States. Airlines canceled more than 1,100 flights by early afternoon Friday, as they try to recover from storms that raked the central and eastern parts of the country. That follows more than 1,700 canceled flights on Thursday. All this is happening while the number of passengers rises with the beginning of summer vacation season. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg met with airline CEOs to go over steps the airlines are taking to operate smoothly over the rest of the summer.

Bulldogs’ Bodie Smith enjoying Shrine week

One of the many cool things about Montana’s annual Shrine Game — the 75th game is Saturday night in Great Falls — is that the rosters are announced on Dec. 25.

White House declares flood disaster in Montana

The White House on Thursday declared a major disaster in Montana in response to severe flooding in the southern part of the state, availing state and local governments of direct federal assistance, cost sharing and other mitigation and recovery resources.

Governor’s Office confirms Italy trip

The Governor’s Office confirmed Friday that Gov. Greg Gianforte and his wife, Susan Gianforte, were in Italy after Newsy broke the story on Thursday.

Developer proposes 8-story parking garage with housing

Kalispell City Council is showing interest in a concept to add housing to a downtown parking structure, pushing the proposed building to roughly eight stories in height.

Joseph Edward Smith, 72

Joseph Edward Smith, 72, died from complications related to ALS at Logan Health Medical Center in Kalispell on June 6, 2022.

Presentation focuses on Lewis and Clark Expedition

The Northwest Montana Posse of Westerners history organization presents a program Monday, June 20, titled “Lewis and Clark Expedition: Eastward Ho, Pacific to Travelers Rest and Beyond – 1806."

Middle school team takes second in national Youth Design Challenge

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s biomimicry! A team of Kalispell Middle School seventh-graders took second place in the middle school category of the Biomimicry Youth Design Challenge, which asks students to find inspiration in nature to engineer designs that solve or mitigate problems. The team included Jayson Aurand, Brodyn DeShaw, Zavier Innerbichler and Parker Miller.

Amended charges filed against Rollins man accused of Whitefish shooting

Authorities have issued an arrest warrant for the Rollins man linked to a shooting in Whitefish earlier this year after prosecutors filed amended charges against him.

Legals for June, 17 2022

Summer Experience kicks off at ImagineIF Libraries

Summer Experience is a free program that encourages youth to enjoy books, explore science and discover new adventures all summer long.

Law roundup: Disturbance report far from a slam dunk

An apparent one-on-one basketball game in Columbia Falls nearly drew a foul from local law enforcement after a resident reported two kids throwing things at a home.

Bigfork standout Guse pulls double duty during All-Star season

Braeden Guse’s competitive fire burned hot last fall, when he and the Bigfork Vikings kept winning football playoff games on the road and earning a shot at the state title.

AP Interview: Biden says a recession is 'not inevitable'

President Joe Biden said Thursday the American people are "really, really down" after a tumultuous two years with the coronavirus pandemic, volatility in the economy and now surging gasoline prices that are slamming family budgets. But he stressed that a recession was "not inevitable" and held out hope of giving the country a greater sense of confidence.

ND oil production drops below 1 million barrels a day

A new report from the North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources shows the state's oil production has dipped below 1 million barrels a day.

Rivers hold steady before projected rise Friday

Following a slight dip Thursday, area rivers are projected to rise again Friday as unseasonably warm temperatures speed up mountain snowmelt along with another round of rain this weekend.

Absent during historic flooding, Gianforte's staff refuse to specify governor's whereabouts

The office of Gov. Greg Gianforte has refused to say where the state’s top elected official is as historic floods ravage southern Montana, despite repeated requests from Montana Free Press and other news outlets over the past two days.

Gateway towns to Yellowstone become dead ends after flood

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Montana's largest city restarted its water plant Thursday after shutting it down amid record flooding that's caused widespread damage in Yellowstone National Park and surrounding communities.

Entertainment briefs

Grace Larson signs her latest book June 21

Input sought on hunting opportunities near Columbia Falls

KALISPELL — Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is seeking input on the scope of hunting opportunities allowed at the new Bad Rock Canyon Wildlife Management Area near Columbia Falls.

Paint, Metal and Mud Gallery hosts reception Friday

In conjunction with Father’s Day weekend, the Paint, Metal and Mud artist cooperative will host a reception to welcome three new artists, from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, June 17, at the gallery in downtown Kalispell.

KALICO completes Phase II of Beautify Kalispell Project

KALICO Art Center has announced the completion of Phase 2 of its Beautify Kalispell Project.

Law roundup: Resident takes cues from Bugs Bunny to ward off burglars

After several items went missing around a Kalispell area septuagenarian's home, she began to worry she had a cat burglar on her hands.

‘The House That Rob Built’ Lady Griz documentary wins Emmy

“The House That Rob Built” Lady Griz sports documentary was awarded the Best Documentary in the Cultural/Historical category at the Northwest Regional Emmy Awards Gala June 4 in Seattle.

Legals for June, 16 2022

Anderson selected as northwest Montana regional supervisor

Lee Anderson was named Northwest Montana's Region 1 supervisor for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, the state agency announced last week.

Summer ArtFest draws legion of artists to Whitefish

Summer ArtFest at Whitefish returns for its fourth annual art show and sale at the downtown O’Shaughnessy Cultural Arts Center.

Man arrested after allegedly setting sights on relative

Deputies with the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office arrested Joseph Thomas Oliver on June 10. He is being held in the county jail on a $100,000 bond.

Kalispell band wins semi-final blues competition in Spokane

The Kenny James Miller Band won the Spokane Semi-Final Competition June 5 in the 2023 International Blues Challenge, one of the world’s largest band, solo/duo contests with participants from around the world.

Bigfork Summer Playhouse opens ‘Freaky Friday’ next week

Bigfork Summer Playhouse presents the new musical “Freaky Friday” beginning June 22 and running through the summer.

Area 406 Music & Arts Festival returns to the Flathead

Area 406 Music & Arts Festival returns to the Flathead County Fairgrounds 6 p.m. to midnight Friday, July 1, and Saturday, July 2, for two days of dance music for those 18 and older.

Twins need extra inning to complete sweep of Bucs

FLORENCE — The Glacier Twins first made short work of the Bitterroot Bucs, then had to work extra to complete a doubleheader sweep in Class A Legion baseball Tuesday.

PHOTOS: Rising rivers swamp the Flathead Valley

Floodwaters from the Flathead and Whitefish rivers impacted areas of the Flathead Valley on Wednesday, June 15 as torrential rain and snow hit the region earlier in the week.

Flooding brings road closures, evacuations

Area road closures and evacuations were ordered Tuesday evening as minor flooding impacted parts of the Flathead Valley.

Tour Divide cyclist rescued from Glacier floodwaters

An international search and rescue effort was able to locate a lost and injured cyclist in the North Fork area of Glacier National Park Tuesday.

New details emerge about Patriot Front arrests in Coeur d'Alene

COEUR d’ALENE — Court documents have revealed new details about the arrest of 31 men who are associated with the white nationalist hate group Patriot Front, including who bailed them out of jail.

After Yellowstone, floodwaters near Montana's largest city

RED LODGE, Mont. (AP) — Floodwaters that rushed through Yellowstone National Park and surrounding communities earlier this week moved through Montana's largest city on Wednesday, flooding farms and ranches and forcing the shutdown of its water treatment plant.

Bukacek presumptive winner of Republican PSC primary

Flathead Valley physician Ann “Annie” Bukacek is the presumptive winner of the Republican primary in the race for a seat on Montana’s Public Service Commission, the five-member board that regulates monopoly power, garbage, water and telecommunications utilities.

Range Riders open Flathead Field with 9-4 loss

It was rainy, it was cold and it was cut short by a third. The first-ever home game for the Glacier Range Riders didn’t go exactly as planned, including the final score (called after six innings with Billings up 9-4). But the Pioneer League’s expansion team showed off a jewel of a yard to several hundred hardy baseball fans excited about pro baseball.

Republican primaries highlight a divided caucus

Eyes across Montana last week were affixed to the slow drip of precinct results in the neck-and-neck U.S. House GOP primary between former U.S. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke and Al Olszewski, an orthopedic surgeon, perennial candidate and former state lawmaker — a battle that went to Zinke two days after polls closed.

Phillip Leo Fadely, 91

Phillip Leo Fadely, born June 8, 1931, in Anderson, Indiana, passed away on June 10, 2022, in Bigfork.

State parks trying to attract more diverse visitors

As Americans plan their summer vacations, states around the country are struggling with a persistent challenge: How to attract more Black residents and other visitors of color to their parks.

Motorists sentenced to four years for April DUI

A motorist arrested for driving under the influence after heading the wrong way down U.S. 93 in April earned a four year sentence last week with the state Department of Corrections.

Whitefish Community Foundation awards funds to nonprofits

Whitefish Community Foundation held its annual Community Grant Awards Presentation June 7 and gave more than $187,000 in grants and special awards to 44 nonprofit organizations representing projects and programs in Creston, Evergreen, Eureka, Somers, Bigfork, Columbia Falls, Kalispell, the North Fork and Whitefish.

Justin 'Jay' James Anderson, 52

Justin “Jay” James Anderson, of Missoula, passed away Thursday, June 9, 2022, at his home after a hard-fought battle with pancreatic cancer.

Legals for June, 15 2022

Law roundup: Man offers local deputies tip regarding Jan. 6 riot

A man walked into the lobby of the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office with a tip regarding the Jan. 6 Capitol riot in Washington, D.C.

Updated: Flooding pummels Yellowstone region, leaves many stranded

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Communities bordering Yellowstone National Park were isolated and tourists stranded Tuesday after record floodwaters knocked out roads and bridges in Montana and Wyoming and forced the closure of all entrances to the park.

Flathead River projected to keep rising

The Flathead River is projected to approach moderate flood stage by the weekend and officials are encouraging pre-evacuation for residents in low-lying areas.

Fisher-Price, US regulators warn of infant deaths in rockers

WASHINGTON (AP) — Fisher-Price and U.S. product safety regulators are telling parents not to let their infants fall asleep in the company's rockers after 13 infants died in the devices between 2009 and 2021.

1/6 panel postpones hearing with ex-Justice Dept. officials

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol has postponed a hearing that was to feature dramatic testimony from former Justice Department officials who were pressured by then-President Donald Trump to pursue his false election fraud theories.

Patriot Front arrestees scheduled for arraignment

COEUR D'ALENE -- The 31 men associated the white nationalist group Patriot Front who were arrested in Coeur d'Alene Saturday must appear in person before a Kootenai County judge next month.

2 killed in head-on crash on U.S. 93

Two people were killed Sunday, June 12 in a head-on crash on U.S. 93 in Lake County.

Continuing fight to eliminate tax on Social Security

Continuing fight to eliminate tax on Social Security

Legals for June, 14 2022

Law roundup: When it comes to bears, the nose knows

A Kalispell employee alerted deputies to the presence of a bear, though he was unable to determine the specific species. He said he could smell it and that’s how he knew it was a bear.

Letters to the editor June 14

Letters to the editor June 14

Holmquist leapfrogs Fallon with addition of provisional ballots

In a stunning reversal, incumbent Flathead County Commissioner Pam Holmquist surpassed challenger Jack Fallon with the addition of provisional ballots to the final tally of last week’s primary election results.

Rains close some parts of Glacier Park

Heavy rains over the weekend have led to several closures inside Glacier National Park as high water has inundated roads, trails and campgrounds.

Judge: Agencies can't charge for legal review of records

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Montana state agencies cannot charge fees for legal reviews of documents sought through public records requests, a state judge has ruled.

Flooding possible along Flathead River with more rain expected

Flooding is possible along portions of the Flathead River this week as a potent atmospheric river dumps copious amounts of rain and mountain snow on the region.

Senate negotiators announce a deal on guns, breaking logjam

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate bargainers on Sunday announced the framework of a bipartisan response to last month's mass shootings, a noteworthy but limited breakthrough offering modest gun curbs and stepped-up efforts to improve school safety and mental health programs.

Coeur d'Alene police receive praise, pushback for Patriot Front arrests

COEUR d’ALENE — Many local citizens are grateful to Coeur d'Alene police officers for their actions Saturday in maintaining peace in the city's downtown area.

Letters to the editor June 13

Letters to the editor June 13

Whitefish holds second budget work session

The total proposed budget for fiscal year 2023 is $50.9 million compared with last year’s approved budget of $49.8 million. The city is in the process of reviewing its draft budget, but won’t adopt a final budget until property tax valuations come in from the state in August.

Steven Evans Cummings, 71

Steve was born Sept. 28, 1950. He was all those labels that people his age could acquire. He was a baby boomer, a teenage husband, a hippie, a yuppie.

From skilled horseman to master artist Michael G. Booth creates art beside his beloved Glacier Park

From skilled horseman to master artist Michael G. Booth creates art beside his beloved Glacier Park

Kalispell parking structure on Council work session agenda

The parking garage is a major component of The Charles Hotel, a boutique hotel planned for downtown. The Montana Hotel Dev Partners, the group behind the connected projects, is asking Council to consider changes to the parking structure component of the plans

Legals for June, 13 2022

AA Lakers split with Bozeman again

BOZEMAN — James Moody went 4-for-4 with a double, stole home for the first of his three runs and drove in three runs as the Kalispell Lakers beat Bozeman 19-9 to earn a split of their AA Legion doubleheader Sunday.

Pioneer League: Range Riders fall Sunday; home opener Tuesday

GREAT FALLS — The rain delay was perfectly timed, if it had been permanent.

A Legion: Mariners get sweep, Twins rained out

POLSON — Sharp pitching performances and Dawson DuMont’s big day at the plate helped Mission Valley sweep a Class A Legion doubleheader from Kalispell Sunday, 9-0 and 4-1.

Virginia 'Ginni' Lee Nye Wilber, 83

Virginia “Ginni” Lee Nye Wilber, 83, was born Aug. 19, 1938, in Lyndhurst, Ohio. Virginia’s family moved to Chagrin Falls, Ohio in 1951.

Law roundup: A call for the kindergarten cop

A exasperated parent called the Columbia Falls Police Department hoping they might send an officer over to speak with a 9-year-old throwing a tantrum.

Woman banned from Grand Teton in missing man false report

JACKSON, Wyo. (AP) — A woman accused of intentionally providing wrong information in the search for a missing Irish hiker in Grand Teton National Park has been banned from the park and ordered to pay restitution.

Letters to the editor June 12

Letters to the editor June 12

Janett Musgrove, 68, and PC Musgrove, 75

“And when great souls die, after a period peace blooms.” Maya Angelou

Kalispell man earns multiple 3-year sentences

A Kalispell man arrested more than two years ago for making purchases with a stolen credit card earned concurrent three year sentences with the state Department of Corrections on June 9.

Trail management groups spearhead etiquette campaign

Outdoor enthusiasts may have already begun to notice the new signage going up as several area trail management groups have come together to launch Outside Kind Flathead, a new trail user courtesy campaign aimed at reducing conflicts.

Bill Shaw, 72

Bill Shaw, 72, passed away June 6, 2022, at home.

Crypto proposal needs more 'due diligence'

There was much buzz in Bozeman earlier this month at the “On the Rise” economic summit hosted by U.S. Sen. Steve Daines and Gov. Greg Gianforte.

Flathead Business Newsmakers

Announcements from Flathead Businesses

KLJ Engineering receives national award for work on Kalispell core project

KLJ Engineering has received national recognition for its work on the Kalispell Core and Rail Redevelopment project. The firm was recently awarded a National American Council of Engineering Companies Honor Award. The Kalispell project received the award in the transportation category.

Barreling toward a Medicaid cliff

Nearly 300,000 Montanans, including 128,000 children, rely on Medicaid for their health care coverage.

US inflation at new 40-year high as price increases spread

Consumer prices surged 8.6% last month from a year earlier, faster than April’s year-over-year increase of 8.3%, the Labor Department said Friday. The new inflation figure, the highest since 1981, will heighten pressure on the Federal Reserve to continue raising interest rates aggressively.

I-191 would devastate Montana’s ag industry

Agriculture is Montana’s top economic industry, generating approximately $4 billion last year alone.

Winslow Curt Nichols, 19

The Columbia Falls community has lost a bright star.

Legals for June, 12 2022

State says emergency birth certificate rule was legal, necessary

The director of Montana’s Department of Public Health and Human Services said the agency had no other choice than to write a new rule addressing how birth certificates could be changed once a judge temporarily enjoined a law passed by the 2021 Legislature.

Carlyle Ward Fauley, 94

Carlyle Ward Fauley, the heart of our family, left us on Feb. 3, 2020, from a massive heart attack, to begin his personal journey to life everlasting.

What’s behind Montana’s higher ed enrollment uptick?

Fall 2021 enrollment counts announced last month have delivered some welcome news for the Montana University System: For the first time in nearly a decade, the state’s 16 public colleges and universities have seen their combined enrollment increase.

Brent Robert Jorgenson, 60

rent Robert Jorgenson passed away on Wednesday, March 2, 2022, unexpectedly at the age of 60.

Hundreds of hands create tile mural at Kalispell Middle School

Created by the hands of hundreds of sixth- through eighth-graders of different abilities, the intention of the project was to foster inclusion within the middle school.

Much ado about mulching

Anyone who’s lived in Northwest Montana for more than a few years is familiar with its typical rainy season — June. So far this month, that “wrings” true like a wet rag.

Family-owned Florence Coffee opens Whitefish location

The company’s owners Rachel and Nate Tamblyn hope the coffee company’s latest expansion to the northern part of the Flathead Valley will provide accessibility for locals and visitors wanting to grab a coffee while traveling U.S. 93.

Douglas E. Daniels, 79

Douglas E. Daniels passed away May 27, 2022.

Cycling way to truly see Glacier Park’s Sun Road

The mostly cloudy skies open for just a moment to let the sun shine through as Corey Weathers looks up from his handlebars to take in the view of Mount Oberlin on Glacier National Park’s Going-to-the-Sun Road.

US lifts COVID-19 test requirement for international travel

The Biden administration is lifting its requirement that international air travelers to the U.S. take a COVID-19 test within a day before boarding their flights, easing one of the last remaining government mandates meant to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

The irony of a burn ban

Last week U.S. Forest Service Chief Randy Moore announced that the agency will stop using prescribed fire as a forest management tool for most of the summer.

PL: Voyagers square series with Range Riders Saturday, 16-5

GREAT FALLS — The Great Falls Voyagers struck back at Glacier again Saturday, riding four hits from Tavis Brunson and four runs batted in by Andy Atwood to a 16-5 Pioneer League victory at Centene Stadium.

AA Lakers split doubleheader with Bucks

BOZEMAN — Max Holden threw a five-inning one-hitter, and the Kalispell AA Lakers sent 13 hitters to the plate in that fifth inning to down the Bozeman Bucks 13-0 in the first game of a Legion baseball doubleheader.

Mariners sweep twinbill from Loggers

POLSON — Strong pitching in both games helped the Mission Valley Mariners sweep a Class A Legion doubleheader from Libby Saturday, 13-3 and 3-2.

Wolfpack football camps start Monday

The Wolfpack Football camps for grades 1-9 begin Monday at Glacier High School.

Yellowstone floods wipe out roads, bridges, strand visitors

Massive floodwaters ravaged Yellowstone National Park and nearby communities Monday, washing out roads and bridges, cutting off electricity and forcing visitors to evacuate parts of the iconic park at the height of summer tourist season.

Thousands take to US streets demanding action on gun laws

WASHINGTON (AP) — Thousands of people rallied on the National Mall and across the United States on Saturday in a renewed push for gun control measures after recent deadly mass shootings from Uvalde, Texas, to Buffalo, New York, that activists say should compel Congress to act.

Range Riders work out of Friday jams, win 10-5

GREAT FALLS — The Glacier Range Riders needed to get out of three bases loaded jams to do it, but they were able to double up the Great Falls Voyagers 10-5 Friday in Pioneer League baseball.

31 Patriot Front members arrested near Idaho Pride event

Authorities arrested 31 members of the white supremacist group Patriot Front near an Idaho pride event Saturday after they were found packed into the back of a U-Haul truck with riot gear.

Wildlife viewing area proposed at Reed’s Slough

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is seeking input on a proposed wildlife viewing area at Reed’s Slough near Somers.

PHOTOS: Kids dig chance to move earth at DIG Rotary fundraiser

Attendees got the opportunity to operate excavators, bulldozers and graders at the DIG Rotary fundraising event held by Kalispell Daybreak and Noon Rotary Clubs and LHC at the Kalispell North Town Center on Highway 93 and Rose Crossing on Saturday, June 11. Proceeds from the event go toward the creation of a Splash Pad full of sprayers, showers and water features along the Kalispell Parkline Trail.

Kalispell man pleads not guilty to assault charge

A Kalispell man accused of putting a gun to a woman’s head at an area campground pleaded not guilty to an assault with a weapon charge last week.

U18 Women's world championship: U.S. women blank Canada, 7-0

Team USA finishes prelims undefeated and earns a bye to Sunday's semifinal round

MADISON, Wis. – Team USA dispatched Canada, 7-0, to finish the IIHF Under-18 Women’s World Championship preliminary round undefeated and secure the top spot in Grou

PHOTOS: St. Matthew's School kids set sail on Foy's Lake with their cardboard boat creations

As part of St. Matthew's School's Jump Into Summer Science Program hosted by teacher Susie Rainwater, 47 students in grades 1-5 used applied science and math concepts to construct cardboard crafts and test their buoyancy in the waters of Foy's Lake on Friday, June 10.

1/6 panel: Told repeatedly he lost, Trump refused to go

WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump was told the same thing over and over, by his campaign team, the data crunchers, and a steady stream of lawyers, investigators and inner-circle allies: There was no voting fraud that could have tipped the 2020 presidential election.

High avalanche danger delays clearing of Going-to-the-Sun Road

High avalanche danger has caused delays and continues to be a concern for road crews clearing both sides of the Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park.

Polson eyed for hydropowered crypto data center

Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte last week announced preliminary plans for a new cryptocurrency data center to be constructed in Polson, potentially in partnership with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.

Couple reflects on three decades of serving church

Daniel Lambert is retiring after serving more than 30 years as the Easthaven Baptist Church's senior pastor. His wife, Vicki, served as the church's worship service director.

Improperly towed camper leads to arrest on felony theft charge

A pickup spotted towing a camper with its slide out extended while traveling through Kalispell on Monday led to the arrest of a woman on a felony theft charge.

Legals for June, 10 2022

Law roundup: Ghost in the machine

An alarm company contacted the Kalispell Police Department after someone hit the emergency help button in an area elevator.

Pioneer League: Voyagers top Range Riders 11-4

GREAT FALLS — Tyler Krabbe and Jake Malec each had four hits, and Great Falls came back at the Glacier Range Riders for an 11-4 Pioneer League win Thursday, at Centene Stadium.

Zinke wins GOP nod in race for new Montana House seat

Former Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke won an unexpectedly tight race Thursday to become the Republican nominee in the race for a new U.S. House seat representing western Montana, a victory that comes after days of hand-counting ballots in one county.

Significant rain, snowfall on tap for Glacier Park

Northwest Montana and Glacier National Park will see a double-whammy of precipitation into Monday, and by the time it’s all said and done, the high country of the park could see another foot of snow.

GOP primary for PSC’s District 5 Public Service Commission within recount margin

Nearly 20 hours after polls closed, fewer than 100 votes separate the first- and second-place vote-getters in the Republican primary for the District 5 seat on the state Public Service Commission, the five-member board that regulates monopoly utilities in Montana.

Montana woman's body recovered after rafting accident

COLUMBUS, Mont. (AP) — Searchers have recovered the body of a woman who went missing after a weekend rafting accident in south-central Montana, Stillwater County officials said Thursday.

New vaccine may be option for troops with religious concerns

WASHINGTON (AP) — A COVID-19 vaccine that could soon win federal authorization may offer a boost for the U.S. military: an opportunity to get shots into some of the thousands of service members who have refused other coronavirus vaccines for religious reasons.

Last-minute election law changes and scattered ballot errors punctuate an otherwise smooth, slow primary election in Montana

Some of Montana’s most anticipated 2022 primary races have already been called, but in Lincoln County, the counting continues.

ACLU asks court to order state to strike down emergency order, allow birth certificate changes

The American Civil Liberties Union in Montana is asking a district court judge to immediately order the state’s Department of Public Health and Human Services to revert to a 2017 law allowing citizens to change the sex designation on a birth certificate with just a form and rule that the efforts to create an “emergency rule” to stop that were “bogus.”

Ronan Musicians Co-op hosts open mics and jams

The Western Montana Musicians Cooperative (WMMC) focuses on bringing songwriters, musicians and performing artists together through a shared love of music, while providing a place to rehearse, grow and connect with others to form bands, grow a musical enterprise, or transition from amateur to professional.

Douglas E. Daniels, 79

Douglas E. Daniels passed away May 27, 2022.

Glacier Queer Alliance celebrates Pride month with festival

The Flathead Pride Festival runs June 9 through June 12. Pride month is celebrated in June to honor the riots that broke out at New York’s Stonewall Inn in 1969. The riots are remembered as a turning point for LGBTQ activism where the community stood against oppression.

Movie Review: Adam Sandler basketball drama, ‘Hustle,’ has game

“Hustle,” a Netflix release, is rated R by the Motion Picture Association of America for language. Running time: 117 minutes. Three stars out of four.

Exhibit explores artistic connection between writer and painter

This June, the Hockaday Museum of Art presents a timely and unique collaborative art exhibition between two artists spanning two continents.

Republicans Fuller, Sprunger win legislative primaries

Veteran state lawmaker John Fuller handily defeated his Republican rival and political neophyte Lee Huestis in the GOP primary for the Senate District 4 seat.

‘We Burn Like This’ film premieres in Flathead

Film "We Burn Like This" makes its Flathead Valley premier at the Northwest Montana History Museum at 7 p.m. June 12.

New artists join Paint, Metal and Mud

In conjunction with Father’s Day weekend, the Paint, Metal and Mud artist cooperative will host a reception to welcome three new artists, from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, June 17, at the gallery in downtown Kalispell.

Law roundup: Possible ne'er-do-well trying every trick in the book

Someone was suspicious of a man walking around a neighborhood who purportedly pretended to read a book but was “looking around more often than not.”

Ronan, C-Falls, Glacier and ‘a good time’

Kris Salonen reiterated this week that she loved basketball more than track as a high school athlete at Great Falls High. “But I was better at track, so I did that,” she said.

Bigfork jewelry artist shows new collection at Phillips Studio

Artist and designer Bonnie Nickel is releasing her new summer collection of jewelry at Phillips Studio & Gallery during the “Saturday Afternoon at the Mall” event June 11.

‘Top Gun’ stays aloft with $86M in its second weekend

The Paramount Pictures release, with Tom Cruise reprising his role from the 1986 original, is holding steadier than any film of its kind has before. Its modest drop — 50-65% is more typical for blockbusters — is the smallest decline for a movie that opened above $100 million.

Legals for June, 9 2022

Joseph O. Mickels-Silva, 35

Joseph O. Mickels-Silva was born Oct. 24, 1986, and passed away May 27, 2022

Nashville artist and former GNP wilderness ranger releases debut album

Singer/songwriter Michael Shaw’s debut album “He Rode On” became available June 4 to stream or purchase.

Glacier Chorale holds auditions for its 40th season

After successfully taking to the stage again this past season, the Glacier Chorale is looking forward to the upcoming 40th season of the Glacier Symphony and Chorale.

Movie Review: Chaos reigns in ‘Jurassic World: Dominion’

“Jurassic World: Dominion,” a Universal Pictures release in theaters Thursday, is rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association of America for, “language, intense sequences of action, some violence.” Running time: 146 minutes. Two stars out of four.

Bigfork Indie Film Fest placed on hiatus

After many successful years, the Bigfork Independent Film Festival (BIFF) is now on permanent hiatus.

Whitefish senior Toelcke excels in final gymnastics meet

As soon as she stepped into the arena at the 2022 Level 9 Western Championships last month, Lucy Toelcke knew her sensors were on.

Pioneer League: Range Riders drill Voyagers 14-0

GREAT FALLS — New additions Livingston Morris and Vinny Bologna hit homers Wednesday, part of a 20-hit attack that carried the Glacier Range Riders over Great Falls 14-0 in Pioneer League baseball.

Rosendale wins GOP primary; Zinke race too early to call

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Montana's lone congressman handily won the GOP primary in his bid for a second term Tuesday as ballot-counting continued in the race for the state's newly created second seat in the U.S. House.

Columbia Falls teen dies in fall from Glacier peak

A Columbia Falls teen died Tuesday in an apparent fall while mountain climbing in Glacier National Park.

Gustafson and Brown advance after Montana Supreme Court primary

Montana Supreme Court Justice Ingrid Gustafson and current Public Service Commission Chair James Brown have emerged as the top two vote-getters in the non-partisan primary election for the high court’s second seat, setting up a general election clash at a time of high political visibility for the court.

Ballot snafu leads to hand count in Lincoln County

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Ballot printing errors have delayed election results for Montana's new congressional seat, forcing a small northwestern county to count votes by hand in the Republican primary race between former Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke and former state Sen. Al "Doc" Olszewski.

Republican Bukacek holds narrow lead in PSC primary

Kalispell physician Ann Bukacek was ahead Wednesday morning on the Republican side for the Montana Public Service Commission, with Rep. Derek Skees, also of Kalispell, close behind in District 5.

Sheriff Bell wins re-election in Lake County

Don Bell has won his re-election bid for Lake County sheriff.

Loge garners re-election support in Mineral, Sanders counties

Rep. Denley Loge has secured another term in the Montana House following a hotly contested primary election.

Fallon holds razor-thin lead over Holmquist

Jack Fallon holds a razor-thin lead over incumbent Pam Holmquist in the GOP nomination for the sole Flathead County Commission seat up for grabs this year.

North Valley Food Bank holds celebration

North Valley Food Bank invites the public to its Forever June Celebration and grand reopening from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, June 10. The event celebrates the food bank’s beloved late founder, June Munski-Feenan, the completion of the food bank capital campaign, and its 45th anniversary.

LeRoy A. Cobler, 80

Gone fishing.

Berniece May Goodwin, 95

Berniece May Goodwin, 95, passed away Friday, June 3, 2022, in Whitefish.

Youth center development project garners approval

The project called the Farm District includes both a commercial and residential compontent planned for on Church Drive near U.S. 93. A 140,000-square-foot youth center designed for athletic, arts and other programs serves as the centerpiece of the project.

Streamflows to trend above normal for Northwest Montana

The April showers just kept coming last month, bringing much-needed precipitation to a good portion of drought-stricken Montana.

Glacier High students take first and second in state math contest

Glacier High School students Leif Kruse and Alexandra Houseworth captured first and second place, respectively, at the state Trig-Star math competition.

Law roundup: Fast cars slowed down by bale in roadway

Life in the fast lane was allegedly blocked by a bale of grain.

Lee Morris Wight

Lee Morris Wight of Bigfork passed away at home in the quiet, early morning hours of Friday, June 3, 2022.

Thomas D. Caudill, 86

Thomas D. Caudill passed away May 25, 2022.

Man arrested at McGregor Lake Campground on assault charge

Authorities arrested a Kalispell man over Memorial Day weekend for allegedly putting a gun to a woman’s head at an area campground.

Flathead and Glacier students participate in state music festival

Glacier and Flathead High School music students participated in the Western State Solo and Ensemble Festival in Helena in May.

Plans call for housing, commercial project on KM Ranch Road

A proposal that could lead to a housing and commercial project on about 155 acres at the south end of KM Ranch Road where it intersects with U.S. 93 has been submitted to Flathead County. Montarise Developments, LLC is requesting a zone change for three parcels of land located on the north side of KM Ranch Road just north of the county landfill.

LaMona Lee Hanson, 55

LaMona Lee Hanson, 55, passed away May 25, 2022, at her home in Kalispell.

Ronnie Carl Swindall, 87

Ronnie Carl Swindall, 87, of Kalispell, passed away June 2, 2022, at Logan Health.

Polson names coaches for 3 sports

POLSON — In one swoop Polson High School filled three head coaching positions for their athletic programs, including a possible first: A woman coaching boys soccer.

Lakers walk off Mavs 6-5

Oscar Kallis’ sacrifice fly scored Elijah Owens with two outs in the seventh inning Tuesday, giving the Kalispell Lakers a walk-off 6-5 win over Missoula in a AA Legion baseball game at Griffin Field.

Legion: AA Lakers sweep Mavericks

Oscar Kallis’ sacrifice fly gave the Kalispell Lakers a walk-off, and Max Holden’s RBI single gave them a doubleheader sweep of the Missoula Mavericks in AA Legion baseball Tuesday, at Griffin Field.

Pioneer League: Voyagers answer Range Riders rally, win 9-8

GREAT FALLS — The Glacier Range Riders had plenty of fight Tuesday night, but just needed a little better pitching.

Zinke, Olszewski in tight GOP race; Tranel wins for Democrats

Montana's lone congressman handily won the GOP primary in his bid for a second term Tuesday as ballot-counting continued in the race for the state's newly created second seat in the U.S. House.

State issues warnings in the wake of 8 fatal overdoses linked to fentanyl

Montana authorities have issued a warning, stemming from a sudden spike in fatal opioid overdoses in the past two weeks, leading to the deaths of eight individuals in six counties, ranging from ages 24 to 60 years old.

State will place order for Covid-19 vaccines for children less than the age of 5

In anticipation of a likely approval of Pfizer and Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine for children less than the age of 5 on June 15, the White House has begun to allow states to place orders.

Kalispell man accused in campground homicide pleads not guilty

A Kalispell man accused of shooting two people, killing one, at a campground near Libby last month appeared in the Montana 19th Judicial District Court Monday afternoon.

Primary election ballots due today

Ballots for the federal primary election are due today, June 7.

Law roundup: Trio skates by with stolen couch

Two males and a female were purportedly seen transporting a stolen couch via skateboard in Kalispell.

Legals for June, 7 2022

Whitefish man brought up on child endangerment charge following auto wreck

Authorities say the Whitefish man who got into a May 29 automobile wreck near McGregor Lake with four children in his vehicle was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash.

LaMona Lee Hanson, 55

LaMona Lee Hanson, 55, passed away May 25, 2022, at her home in Kalispell.

Grizzly bear euthanized in North Fork area

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks specialists euthanized a grizzly bear May 27 after it began frequenting homes in the North Fork area of the Flathead River, saying it had grown comfortable around people.

Benjamin N. Proodian, 79

Benjamin N. Proodian, 79, of Eureka, passed away May 27, 2022, at the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls.

Letters to the editor June 7

Letters to the editor June 7

Bigfork distillery requests permit to move business

Whistling Andy distillery is looking to move its operation to a new location in Bigfork. The owner of the distillery has applied for a conditional use permit with Flathead County to allow the business to operate at 8030 Montana 35 in a warehouse building that formerly housed a car museum.

After going viral, Glacier grizzly bear enjoying the limelight

Warning signs went up along the trails of the north and south shore of Josephine Lake near Many Glacier as the grizzly that killed a moose calf last week continued to frequent the area.

State election officials increasing security for primary

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Frustrated county election administrators in Montana are increasing security for Tuesday's primary election while the state's commissioner of political practices says misinformation about election security is eroding people's faith in democracy.

A Lakers split with A Mavericks

MISSOULA — The Kalispell A Lakers put together a nine-run inning, absorbed a six-run frame by Missoula and ended up with a doubleheader split against the A Mavs Sunday.

Kalispell Council considers youth center development project

A roughly 40-acre project on the north end of Kalispell that includes a youth center, along with commercial uses and housing, goes before City Council Monday night. Council is set to consider the multi-use project known as Farm District for property located on Church Drive near U.S. 93. The property is undeveloped.

Legals for June, 6 2022

Lawyer seeks dismissal of case against woman who allegedly threatened social workers

The lawyer for the Kalispell woman accused of intimidating Child and Family Services employees wants the case dismissed, saying she never directly threatened state workers.

Man says he’s digging for diamonds

Someone reportedly approached a “nicely dressed man with a nice car,” who was digging in a ditch and picking up gravel, that he was parked on a private easement in Whitefish.

Whitefish Council looks at management of Haskill Basin trail

Whitefish Council is set to hold a discussion on trail usage during a work session beginning at 6 p.m. at City Hall. The nonprofit Whitefish Legacy Partners oversees the development and management of the trail in collaboration with other partners including the city which owns the trail itself.

Letters to the editor June 6

Letters to the editor June 6

Meet Kalispell’s own ‘Dr. Quin’

After more than a decade of schooling, Kalispell native Dr. Quin Stevens is off to Minneapolis to complete a three-year residency with plans to bring her medical expertise and compassionate care back home to Montana.

Boy who went missing in Lincoln County found

A 4-year-old boy who went missing in the Bull Lake area of Lincoln County has been found alive.

Rally in Woodland Park includes calls for gun control legislation

Part vigil, part call to action, a small crowd gathered in Woodland Park last week to hear from local survivors of gun violence in the wake of a series of mass shootings that have rattled the nation.

Lowell Vernon Melby, 85

Lowell Vernon Melby passed away the evening of Sunday, May 22, 2022, at home in Bigfork.

Bison — back where they belong

Early in the Covid-19 epidemic, I visited the Bison Range on the Flathead Indian Reservation in northwestern Montana. But the bison didn’t get the memo about social distancing.

Whitefish Schools regenerative agriculture program takes learning outside classroom

Through the class, students have successfully created businesses selling microgreens, marketing grass-finished beef and building a vegetable trailer to use for produce sales this summer.

Grieving what the Flathead Valley once was

There was a post on a Flathead Valley social media page where a new resident was asking about the local’s favorite things.

Sharon Marlene Counsell Shepherd, 74

"Her kindness knew no bounds" was one of the many beautiful sentiments expressed to her family upon Sharon's passing in Kalispell on Feb. 3, 2022.

Vicki Lee (Hagen) Offerdahl, 74

As the train to the afterlife departed Kalispell on May 13, 2022, a new passenger, Vicki Lee (Hagen) Offerdahl, 74, had been warmly welcomed aboard.

Flathead Business Newsmakers

News from Flathead businesses

Floretta 'Flossie' L. Barnard Caverly, 82

Floretta “Flossie” L. Barnard Caverly passed into the loving arms of our heavenly Father on Dec. 15, 2021, at the age of 82, at her family home in Bigfork after a long battle with cancer.

Sharon Kay DeMotts, 80

Sadly, we must announce the passing of Sharon Kay DeMotts, 80, of Bigfork, on March 19, 2022, at Whitefish Care and Rehab.

Edward ‘Ned’ Sohl, 76

Edward Sohl was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, on March 6, 1944, to parents William Edward and Helen (Nold) Sohl.

Wellness retreat farm blends healing arts, medicinal herbs

SpiritWorks Trilogy has recently rebranded to incorporate three businesses: a wellness retreat, a healing arts practice, and a medicinal herb farm. The wellness retreat, on Hideaway Trail south of Whitefish, is set up as a group retreat.

Gary Andrew Burden, 60

Gary Andrew Burden, 60, passed away peacefully in his home on April 16, 2022.

Donald Eugene Hedman, 87

Donald Eugene Hedman, best known best as “Gene,” passed away May 23, 2022.

Letters to the editor June 5

Letters to the editor June 5

Woman on the track of significant other

A woman in Whitefish reportedly wanted a Flathead County Sheriff’s Office deputy to check if there was a “tracker” on her car because she received an alert on her phone and contacted the alarm company that advised her to contact law enforcement.

Flathead Business Watercooler

Events, trainings and seminars related to business

Legals for June, 5 2022

Class of 2022 a resilient bunch

Last week the Inter Lake showcased six remarkable seniors set to graduate from each of the area’s high schools this weekend.

Delores Ann Sanders, 87

Delores Ann Sanders, 87, of Columbia Falls, passed away May 21, 2022 at home with her family at her side.

Ronald Duane Palmer, 82

Ronald Duane Palmer, 82, of Kalispell, passed away Jan. 21, 2022, at the Whitefish Care and Rehab Center in Whitefish.

Jana Kay Walters Grundmeier, 71

Jana Kay Walters Grundmeier, 71, passed away May 18, 2022, while visiting family in Arma, Kansas.

Arlan Harvey Kohl, 84

Arlan Harvey Kohl, 84, died May 31, 2022, in Kalispell.

Dennis Yarbrough, 78

Dennis was born on June 9, 1943, and passed away due to Alzheimer’s on May 19, 2022, at Buffalo Hill Terrace.

State hires a Medicaid director with a managed-care past

Montana, one of only about a dozen states with a fully government-run Medicaid program, has hired a new Medicaid director who oversaw managed-care programs in Iowa and Kansas and championed the idea of having outside companies do the work.

Average long-term US mortgage rates edge down, still over 5%

Average long-term U.S. mortgage rates edged down slightly this week, though interest rates on the key 30-year home loan remain at decade-high levels. Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac reported Thursday that the 30-year rate ticked down to 5.09% from 5.1% last week.

After the pen comes the pitch

As the minutes speed by until my turn, I am alternately amused and jealous of the quicker wits in this classroom at Flathead Valley Community College, the host venue for monthly gatherings of the Montana Screenwriting and Storycrafting group.

Carroll, Tech lead All-Frontier picks for track

Host of Flathead Valley athletes honored

WHITEFISH — The Frontier Conference released its all-conference squads for men’s and women’s outdoor track and field Friday, along with its athletes of the year for each sport.

Stellar jumps, sprints — and hoodies

Covering track and field is not supposed to hurt, but here I am nursing a swollen knee and it wasn’t for any sort of, you know, effort.

PHOTOS: Glacier and Flathead Class of 2022 commencement ceremonies

Scenes from Glacier and Flathead high schools' commencement ceremonies on Friday, June 3 and Saturday, June 4.

Montana officials euthanize grizzly bear, release another

BONNER, Mont. (AP) — Montana wildlife officials captured two young female sibling grizzly bears, releasing one back into the wild and euthanizing the other due to an infection stemming from losing a front left paw.

Teen driver charged with child endangerment takes plea deal

A teen driver charged with child endangerment after getting caught driving drunk with an underage passenger in April has pleaded guilty to misdemeanor driving under the influence.

Kalispell man accused of throwing knife at children

A Kalispell man faces an assault with a weapon charge after allegedly throwing a kitchen knife at several kids performing yard work in late May.

Groups file new lawsuit to stop Idaho gold mine drilling

The U.S. Forest Service violated environmental laws in approving exploratory drilling by a Canadian company hoping to build a gold mine in Idaho west of Yellowstone National Park, two environmental groups said.

Board suggests interim health officer

The Flathead City-County Board of Health is recommending the soon-to-be vacant health officer role be filled internally on an interim basis, while postponing the nationwide search for a permanent hire.

Wildlife agency to consider protecting Yellowstone bison

A wildlife agency that lost key court rulings over its denial of petitions to protect Yellowstone National Park bison will undertake a comprehensive study over whether the animals should be covered under the Endangered Species Act, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said Friday.

Early praise for state hospital’s new administrator, but employees say more work needs to be done

WARM SPRINGS — Morale is up at the Montana State Hospital.

C-Falls man pleads not guilty to rape charge

Shawn Steven Fauske, 38, appeared in Flathead County District Court before Judge Heidi Ulbricht for his June 2 arraignment. Backed by a large contingent of friends, family and supporters in the audience, Fauske was partially successful in securing permission to see his children and the children of his significant other pending the case’s outcome.

Law roundup: BOLO for the Garbage Pail Kids

A group of people, possibly teenagers, briefly terrorized the various garbage receptacles of a Kalispell alleyway. A caller told Kalispell Police officers that they spotted a black truck tear through the alleyway, hitting garbage cans as it went.

Glacier High School senior isn’t ‘waiting on the world to change’

With graduation Saturday, Opal Besaw will begin the next chapter in her life with goals to become a children’s author, social worker and continue her efforts as a disability rights advocate. She’s in her second year serving on the state Office of Public Instruction Special Education Advisory Panel.

Legals for June, 3 2022

Glacier National Park sees large visitation drop in April

Cold temperatures and high gas prices may have kept visitors away from Glacier National Park in April.

Flathead’s Craver, Glacier’s Goudette are All-State

A pair of Kalispell softball players have been named first-team all-Western AA, and thus are All-State picks in voting from league coaches.

Legion: 2 days, 2 splits for A Lakers

At Griffin Field, TJ Hyack hit two doubles and drove in two runs, and the Kalispell A Lakers downed the Clark Fork Valley Riverdogs 12-3 Thursday, before the Riverdogs earned a split of their Legion doubleheader.

Pioneer League: Mustangs down Range Riders 13-1

BILLINGS — The Billings Mustangs again brought the bats, hitting three home runs and downing the Glacier Range Riders 13-1 in Pioneer League baseball Thursday.

Wednesday: Mustangs shut out Range Riders

BILLINGS — Gabe Wurtz hit a two-run homer and Kelvan Pilot threw six shutout innings as the Billings Mustangs blanked Glacier 8-0 in a Pioneer League baseball game Wednesday at Dehler Park.

Body found in Clark Fork River ID'd as missing woman

Authorities in Mineral County have identified the body of a woman recovered from the Clark Fork River last month.

Federal judge halts logging project near Libby because of grizzly, lynx concerns

A federal judge has temporarily halted a large timber logging project in the Cabinet-Yaak Mountains after he said the United States Forest Service failed to properly take into account grizzly bear and Canada lynx population in the area.

Lake County deputy attorney tapped for judicial vacancy

Gov. Greg Gianforte has appointed Molly Owen to fill a judicial vacancy in Lake and Sanders counties.

Boutique hotel plans emerge for downtown Whitefish

Averill Hospitality submitted its plan to the City of Whitefish to construct a new 21-suite hotel, along with a restaurant and retail spaces, at the southwest corner of Second Street and Spokane Avenue.

Artist shares Afghani heritage in 'Azra' series at Phillips Studio

Deborah Quynn shares her “Azra” paintings series and her joyful animal paintings at a new exhibit titled “Awakening” at Phillips Studio & Art Gallery. Meet the artist at the gallery’s First Friday, June 3, from 5 to 7 p.m

Reiss paintings on display at Browning museum

Windold Reiss portraits of the Blackfeet people are almost universally recognized, most commonly through the use of the powerful calendar images in the international advertising campaign for the Great Northern Railway’s Empire Builder in the early 20th Century.

High school taught Madison Wallack how to overcome

Flathead High School will hold its commencement ceremony for the Class of 2022 on Friday, June 3. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for the ceremony which starts at 7 p.m. in the main gym. No tickets are required. About 349 students are expected to graduate. Flathead is located at 644 Fourth Ave. W., Kalispell.

Go-broke dates pushed back for Social Security, Medicare

The annual Social Security and Medicare trustees report released Thursday states that Social Security's trust fund will be unable to pay full benefits in 2035, instead of last year's estimation of 2034.

Benefit concert for Children’s Hospital takes place June 5

Violinist Lauren Welch and classical pianist Jordan Neiman will give a benefit concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, June 5, at Snowline Acres in Kalispell.

Law roundup: Officers answer quack for help

Kalispell Police Department received a call from a woman wondering who to call to rescue nine to 10 ducklings that fell into a sewer grate where a mother duck stood by helplessly.

Legals for June, 2 2022

WTC’s ‘Murder On The Orient Express’ pulls in final weekend

The Whitefish Theatre Company concludes its 2021-2022 season with the final weekend performances of its production of “Murder On The Orient Express.”

KALICO seeks artist for North Valley Food Bank mural

KALICO Art Center and North Valley Food Bank are seeking a mural artist to design and complete a mural inside the new free grocery store at North Valley Food Bank in Whitefish.

Bigfork Summer Playhouse opens with two favorite musicals

The Bigfork Summer Playhouse opens its 63rd season Saturday, June 4, with the fan favorite and dazzling new production of the award-winning classic “Guys and Dolls,” followed next week by the hit ABBA musical “Mamma Mia.”

Letters to the editor June 2

Letters to the editor June 2

AA Lakers hold off Mariners

POLSON — Aaron Crutsinger threw five strong innings, Elijah Owens drove in three runs and the Kalispell AA Lakers held off the Mission Valley Mariners 7-5 for a non-league Legion baseball win Wednesday.

Twins blank Lakers A

Mason Peters and Maddox Muller combined on a four-hitter, and Mikey Glass drove in three runs as the Glacier Twins shut out the Kalispell A Lakers 9-0 Wednesday, in the first game of a Legion doubleheader at Griffin Field.

Updated: State AA track and field results

BOYS Triple jump — 1, Tate Kauffman, Glacier, 45-6.75; 2, Dylan Zink, Flathead, 45-3.5; 3, Carter Bullins, Flathead, 43-6.75; 4, John Pyron, Glacier, 42-9.5; 5, Ty Olsen, Glacier, 42-8.75; 6, Zac Crews, Snt, 42-4.25.

Body of apparent homicide victim discovered south of Eureka

Authorities in Lincoln County are investigating an apparent homicide after a body was discovered south of Eureka over the holiday weekend.

Bison gores woman in Yellowstone National Park

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. (AP) — A bison gored a 25-year-old woman in Yellowstone National Park.

Columbia Falls senior takes a hands-on approach to life

Haily Mundel loves working with her hands. The Columbia Falls High School senior, who will graduate later this week, has always enjoyed being creative, but the metals and ceramics classes she took as a senior have truly unlocked her creativity.

Letters to the editor June 1

Letters to the editor June 1

Lakeside Ambulance/QRU marks more than four decades of serving

The Lakeside Ambulance/Quick Response Unit maintains a staff of emergency medical service personnel who collectively contribute thousands of hours each year to provide assistance to the communities it serves. Founded in 1981, the mission of the Lakeside QRU is to provide essential, quality pre-hospital emergency medical care and transport.

Delores Ann Sanders, 87

Delores Ann Sanders, 87, of Columbia Falls, passed away May 21, 2022, at home with her family at her side.

Wilma Jean Beckman, 85

Wilma Jean Beckman, 85, was born on March 16, 1937, to Esther and Clarence Pope in Terry, Montana.

Myron 'Mike' Keith Strand

Myron “Mike” Keith Strand passed away April 11, 2022.

Meet the PSC candidates who want to regulate your rates

The Public Service Commission may be one of the least understood elected bodies in Montana, but its regulatory reach extends into nearly every household in the state through electrical meters, natural gas and water lines, internet routers or garbage service — the monopoly utilities regulated by the PSC on behalf of consumers

Legals for June, 1 2022

Mansfield, guns and statesmanship

I think the difference between a politician and a statesman is that the people believe a statesman will do what he or she believes is the right thing regardless of the political consequences. When it gets down to it, a statesman would rather be right than reelected.

Law roundup: Drunk man may get a visit from the Tooth Fairy

A drunk man allegedly called Whitefish Police Department and hung up but not before a woman was heard in the background saying, “Here we go.”