Ellington

Farrell, Goudette, Labrum lead Glacier’s 2-0 start

GREAT FALLS — Ella Farrell won twice, homered once and Glacier rode a hot offense to Class AA softball wins over Great Falls Russell and Great Falls High Thursday.

Flying start for several Flathead track athletes in dual

Kennedy Moore and Lilli Rumsey Eash won two events each Thursday, as Flathead kicked off its track and field season with a dual with Eureka at Legends Stadium.

Flathead, Glacier netters on Helena courts today

A season ago the Glacier boys won its 10th consecutive divisional title and the state AA tennis crown and appear poised to be a top team again this year.

Break out the gloves and eye black

A dozen years as a head football coach in California and another 18 as an assistant at the high school and college level have prepared Mark Kessler for this moment. Girls flag football is coming to Montana this August.

US taps $420M to boost water supplies hit by climate change

Federal officials slated millions of dollars for rural water projects in several states, with the Biden administration looking to shore up infrastructure needs made more urgent by long-term drought conditions that have been exacerbated by climate change.

Farbstein sentenced for fatal DUI crash

Lifting a blue urn containing Brooke Hanson’s remains up to eye level, Jessie Hanson stared at her daughter’s killer from the witness stand in Flathead County District Court on Thursday.

8 arrested after search at house owned by Blackfeet chairman

A federal search warrant executed at a residence owned by the chairman of the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council on Thursday led to eight people being taken into tribal custody, four for allegedly selling the powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl, tribal law enforcement said.

Court order voids permit for Lake Five resort

Flathead County District Court Judge Amy Eddy issued an order Monday that both voids a major land-use permit for a resort on Lake Five and orders the property owner to restore the land “to its previous unaltered condition,” which includes removing several buildings on the property.

U.S. will require valves on new pipelines to prevent disasters

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — U.S. officials on Monday adopted a long delayed rule aimed at reducing deaths and environmental damage from oil and gas pipeline ruptures in response to fatal explosions and massive spills that happened in California, Michigan and other states.

Census: Flathead fastest-growing county in state

Bozeman may be Montana’s most expensive major city, with the median single-family home price in Gallatin County approaching $900,000 as of February, but population data released March 24 by the U.S. Census Bureau indicates it has forfeited another title: fastest-growing urban area.

Biden tapping oil reserve for 6 months to control gas prices

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is ordering the release of 1 million barrels of oil per day from the nation's strategic petroleum reserve for six months, the White House said Thursday, in a bid to control energy prices that have spiked after the U.S. and allies imposed steep sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.

Law Roundup: Loud truck suspected of personal vendetta

A loud truck apparently drives past a man’s house multiple times a night, and the man told the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office he “feels the driver drives by his house intentionally to upset him.”

Nolan Nathanael Hardy, 42

Nolan Nathanael Hardy, 42, of Kalispell, passed away suddenly on Friday, March 25, 2022 with his daughters by his side.

Eureka students stage play about social status, self and friendship

A group of Lincoln County High School students has taken on the sizable task of staging their own theatrical production of the popular Broadway musical “Be More Chill.”

Koocanusa selenium data is misleading

I would like to respond to the article “Recent data spell trouble for Koocanusa Fish” that inaccurately suggests there is a risk to fish populations in Koocanusa Reservoir. The data referenced in the article is misleading.

Trout Creek woman sentenced for wire fraud

A Trout Creek woman convicted of wire fraud in U.S. District Court will spend the next four years behind bars and pay more than $650,000 in restitution after years of embezzling checks from her one-time employer’s largest client.

Kalispell man sentenced for trafficking heroin

A Kalispell man earned five years behind bars in U.S. District Court on Tuesday for heroin trafficking as well as illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Lessons from Heart Mountain

On Sept. 13, 2001, two days after the incredibly horrific destruction at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and the loss of thousands of lives taken by aircraft commandeered by Muslim terrorists, President George W. Bush met with congressional leaders and cabinet members to discuss the situation and how to return air travel, which had been suspended, to normal.

Exhibit highlights Northwest Montana history

Charles Rogers presents his works devoted to Montana life and history in his “Yesterday’s Memories” exhibit at Phillips Studio & Gallery.

Kalispell City Council discusses updated review fees, design standards

Kalispell City Council conducted a comprehensive review of its construction and design standards during a work session Monday evening.

Legals for March, 31 2022

Hockaday opens two new solo exhibitions

The Hockaday Museum of Art will open two new exhibitions April 8 — Joan Renne: Tapestries for the Body and Wall; and Larry Blackwood: Synthesizing Icons. Both exhibitions will be on view through June 11.

WTC auditions for ‘Murder on the Orient Express’

The Whitefish Theatre Company is holding auditions for Agatha Christie’s “Murder on the Orient Express,” its final show of the 2021-2022 season.

Charlo angler turns in Mack Days whopper

Anglers participating in the second weekend of Spring Mack Days saw some great fishing weather and made the most of it in certain hot spots.

Gypsy Theatre Guild presents ‘Cockeyed’ — A romantic comedy

The Gypsy Theatre Guild presents a live on-stage presentation of the romantic comedy “Cockeyed,” written by William Missouri Downs and directed by JeAnna Wisher.

Letters to the editor March 31

Letters to the editor March 31

Kenneth L. Cornelius, 61

Kenneth L. Cornelius passed away on March 28, 2022, at Logan Health in Kalispell, Montana after sustaining serious injury from a bicycle accident.

Break-in aborted after alleged burglars hit wrong home

Four men facing felony conspiracy to commit burglary charges in Flathead County District Court were arrested after allegedly breaking into the wrong apartment during a planned home invasion in Kalispell last week.

Russia bombards areas where it pledged to scale back

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian forces bombarded areas around Kyiv and another city just hours after pledging to scale back operations in those zones to promote trust between the two sides, Ukrainian authorities said Wednesday.

Class A track: Whitefish girls look to build on last year

What people may have overlooked with last year’s Whitefish girls team, which finished second to Laurel at the State A meet, was how young it was beyond senior standout Mikenna Ells.

AA softball: Glacier reloads for ‘22; Bravettes trending up

Three senior starters are gone but three All-State picks remain, so the Glacier Wolfpack softball squad doesn’t figure to fall far in 2022.

U.S. approves bison grazing on Montana prairie amid criticism

U.S. officials on Wednesday announced approval of a conservation group's proposal to expand bison grazing on prairies in north-central Montana as part of a vast nature reserve over objections from some ranchers and elected officials.

Montana GOP lines up behind Jim Brown for Supreme Court

The Montana Republican Party executive board voted this week to endorse current Public Service Commission President Jim Brown in the three-way primary for the second seat on the Montana Supreme Court, the state GOP announced Wednesday.

Road work resumes at Foys Lake interchange

Starting this month, Flathead area drivers will again see road construction crews at the Foys Lake Road and U.S. 93 Alt intersection.

Patient assault draws new probe of Montana psych hospital

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Federal investigators visited Montana's state psychiatric hospital for an inspection following an assault that reportedly left a patient with severe injuries.

Montana joins challenge to federal transit mask rule

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Twenty-one states with Republican attorneys general sued Tuesday to halt the federal government's requirement that people wear masks on planes, trains, ferries and other public transportation amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Breaking the stigma: Students strive to prevent teen suicide through peer advocacy

Overwhelmed. That is the top word students recently surveyed at Whitefish High School used to describe how they were feeling emotionally. Next up were the words tired and mediocre.

Indian Country Today editor to speak at UM

Mark Trahant, editor-at-large of Indian Country Today, will present the 2022 Dean Stone Lecture at the University of Montana on April 7. The event celebrates the founding dean of the UM School of Journalism, Arthur Stone.

Shepherd’s Hand brings medical outreach to Flathead Warming Center

Aiming to further its mission to improve the health of those in need, Shepherd’s Hand Free Clinic has begun a weekly medical outreach clinic at the Flathead Warming Center.

Robert Paul Mohs, 77

Robert Paul Mohs, 77, known as “Bob” to family and friends, passed away on March 5, 2022, in Bigfork shortly after being diagnosed with liver cancer.

Veteran shares knowledge of airplanes with young history enthusiast

Merle Nimbar flips through a book of old war planes at the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls.

Legals for March, 30 2022

Grant helps fund Kalispell historic walking tour

The Montana History Foundation on Tuesday announced its grant cycle recipients for historic preservation projects across the state.

Tracy Reed Lamb, 34

Tracy Reed Lamb, 34, died March 24, 2022, at his home in Helena, a victim of accidental overdose.

Library board won’t officially appeal state decertification

The ImagineIF library board won’t officially appeal the loss of state accreditation for the library and the associated funding after trustees failed to reach a consensus on the matter.

Pack boys, Bravettes tracking upwards

Glacier coach Arron Deck likes track and field, and not just for the relays and records.

Missoula County GOP pays for envelope count to disprove voter fraud

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — A Montana county Republican organization is paying to have election officials recount envelopes from the November 2020 election in an attempt to alleviate voter concerns after a private group claimed its own count found nearly 4,600 more votes than envelopes in the election held by mail due to the pandemic.

Idaho gov vetoes bill banning business vaccine requirements

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho Gov. Brad Little has vetoed legislation that would make it illegal for most businesses to require the coronavirus vaccine.

FDA OKs another Pfizer, Moderna COVID booster for 50 and up

Americans 50 and older can get a second COVID-19 booster if it's been at least four months since their last vaccination, a chance at extra protection for the most vulnerable in case the coronavirus rebounds.

Spring turkey hunting draws near, bird numbers appear strong

Montana’s spring hunt for nonnative wild turkey starts five days later this season.

Southwest agrees to pay raises for customer-service agents

Southwest agrees to pay raises for customer-service agents

Law Roundup: Loud driver heard but not seen

0329 law roundup

Biden’s budget plan: Higher taxes on rich, lower deficits

Biden’s budget plan: Higher taxes on rich, lower deficits

Letters to the editor March 29

Letters to the editor March 29

Chamber rolls out multiple workforce programs

Chamber rolls out multiple workforce programs

Baseless election fraud claims undermine public trust

Ten of my colleagues have requested a special session of the Legislature for the purpose of creating a “special select committee” to investigate election fraud that some claim is rampant in Montana.

Montana sending troubled kids to programs accused of abuse

The high demand for treatment for children with behavioral and substance abuse problems has led Montana health officials to spend Medicaid funds to send kids, including those who are foster children and wards of the state, to residential programs in other states with less stringent oversight.

Legals for March, 29 2022

Thompson, Thilmony take 4th at NHSCA Nationals

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — All but one of the Montanans left at the NHSCA Nationals wrestling meet may have lost on Sunday, but it’s still a large group of All-Americans.

Glacier product Evan Todd spears Big Sky honor

FARMINGTON, Utah – The Big Sky Conference named Montana's Evan Todd the men's field athlete of the week Monday, two days after his conference-best javelin throw at the Al Manuel Invitational.

Authorities not looking for bear suspected in fatal attack

Authorities have not tried to track down a grizzly bear suspected in the fatal mauling of a Montana man last week because it does not appear to have been a predatory attack, state and local officials said Monday.

Ingelfinger returns to career roots as Kalispell area wildlife biologist

Franz Ingelfinger transitioned last month from restoration ecologist to Kalispell's area wildlife biologist.

Births

MarliAnn Joye Kougl, daughter of Josh and Cassy Kougl of Eureka, was born on Feb. 22, 2022, at Whitefish.

City updates design standards, increases review fee

City updates design standards, increases review fee

Letters to the editor March 28

Letters to the editor March 28

Legals for March, 28 2022

Ted Weaver, 80

Ted passed into God's loving arms on Wednesday, March 23, 2022, of natural causes.

Fire at ExxonMobil refinery in Montana under investigation

The cause of an explosion and fire at an ExxonMobil refinery in southern Montana is under investigation, company officials said Sunday.

Lorraine S. (Hatcher) Wingard, 85

Lorraine S. (Hatcher) Wingard, 85, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 17, 2022, in Cottage Grove, Oregon.

Our national monuments don’t hibernate in the winter

On a sunny February day, my son Badge and I decided to take a winter road trip as we set off for the Big Hole Battlefield outside of Wisdom.

Letters to the editor March 27

Letters to the editor March 27

Mad skills soar in the skies

The hardest part about attending the Flathead Audubon Society meeting turned out to be finding it.

North End Swing keeps ‘swinging’ after more than a decade

It’s a cold Friday night as people show up to Noble Dance in Kalispell to get moving. Nervous at first, they learn some basic moves and slowly begin to branch out on the dance floor.

Legals for March, 27 2022

Registration open for the Governor’s conference on tourism and recreation

Registration open for the Governor’s conference on tourism and recreation

Don’t be hoodwinked by property tax initiative

There is little doubt that many Flathead residential property owners are adversely affected by the disproportional impact of property taxes upon average family income wage earners in the county.

Allyce Mae Street, 90

Allyce Mae Street, 90, passed away peacefully on Jan. 2, 2022, at her home with her long time friend and caregiver, KC, by her side.

Germany: G7 rejects Russia’s demand to pay for gas in rubles

Germany: G7 rejects Russia’s demand to pay for gas in rubles

Top two primary system a bad Idea for Montana

If you are like me, it is difficult to think of a reason why we would want to make Montana more like California.

Walmart to end cigarette sales in some stores

Walmart to end cigarette sales in some stores

Neighbors say gravel pit project near Libby would mar community

Concerns about water rights, air quality and property values – interspersed with insults, catcalls and implied threats – dominated a March 15 public meeting on a proposed gravel pit along Farm to Market Road outside Libby.

Creston Auction funds replacement of fire station

Creston Auction funds replacement of fire station

Kevin Gerard Maskill, 27

Kevin Gerard Maskill, 27, passed away peacefully in his sleep due to a pre-existing cardiac condition on March 17, 2022, at his home in Kalispell.

Ensure equal voting access for Native Americans

A White House report released last week calls upon local, state and federal officials to do more to ensure that Native Americans have equal access to voting ballots.

Donna Jo Ryan, 85

Donna Jo Ryan, 85, passed away peacefully on March 22, 2022, at her home in Columbia Falls.

Flathead Business Newsmakers

Flathead Business Newsmakers

Businesses look to hire ‘untapped workers’

Businesses look to hire ‘untapped workers’

Flathead Business Watercooler

Flathead Business Watercooler

Entrepreneur duo teams up for mentorship program

Entrepreneur duo teams up for mentorship program

Lawsuit: EPA fails to protect Montana rivers from pollution

A conservation group has filed a lawsuit against U.S. environmental officials for alleged failure to intervene after the Montana Legislature rolled back longstanding water pollution rules.

Glacier selects Baker for volleyball program

A lot has happened in Courtney Baker’s life since she last stepped on a volleyball court.

Flye leads Frontier’s NAIA All-America selections

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — N’Dea Flye of Rocky Mountain College is a first-team All-American, and Carroll College had three players honored as the NAIA released its women’s basketball honors teams Friday.

DeShazer, Thompson unbeaten at NHSCA wrestling nationals

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Local wrestlers fared well in Friday’s competition at the NHSCA High School Nationals meet, with Flathead’s Anders Thompson and Libby’s Jace DeShazer going 3-0.

Legals for March, 25 2022

Housing crisis hamstrings economic growth in Montana

The lack of housing in Montana is stifling economic development because potential employees can’t find places to live, so even businesses that offer high salaries and want to expand can’t grow.

Nonprofit founder honored by Bigfork chamber

The gallery at the Bigfork Art and Cultural Center was packed last week as Bigfork Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Rebekah King began to announce their pick for their 2022 Little Red Hen Award.

Montanan’s Constitutional Convention retrospective interviews archived at MSU Library

Montana State University Library’s Archives and Special Collection has created a searchable online archive of interviews of surviving delegates and staffers from the Montana Constitutional Convention of 1972.

Third annual Shred-A-Thon kicks off Saturday morning

Third annual Shred-A-Thon kicks off Saturday morning

Downtown Bigfork bridge temporarily closed beginning March 28

Bigfork’s bridge on Bridge Street that spans the Swan River will be temporarily closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic beginning on Monday.

Affordable housing complex nears groundbreaking

Affordable housing complex nears groundbreaking

Law Roundup: Grandma’s boy gets out of control

Grandma’s boy gets out of control

Carroll's Sljivancanin is NAIA All-America

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Carroll College put two players on the NAIA men’s basketball All-America teams that were released Thursday, and senior forward Jovan Sljivancanin is a first-team pick.

Flathead Valley athletes NAIA All-Academic

WHITEFISH — Conference commissioner Kent Paulson released the 2021-22 Frontier Conference academic all-conference basketball teams, and several Flathead Valley products made the list.

Rendina comes out of state powerlifting meet with world’s best total

Jake Rendina, the Glacier High senior, got pretty crazy at Helena Capital High School last weekend. In the USAPL-sanctioned Montana State championships, he put up 391.3 pounds in the bench press, 628.3 in the dead lift and then got a rep in at 600.8 pounds in the squat.

Area grapplers headed for NHSCA nationals

A couple handfuls of Montana wrestlers, including Flathead High’s Anders Thompson, have been pre-seeded into the NHSCA High School Nationals that begins Friday in Virginia Beach, Va.

Pursuit purchases Glacier Raft Co.

Pursuit purchases Glacier Raft Co.

White House releases report on Native American voting rights

Local, state and federal officials must do more to ensure Native Americans facing persistent, longstanding and deep-rooted barriers to voting have equal access to ballots, a White House report released Thursday said.

High court affirms lower ruling on water-bottler dispute

A bottler of Flathead Valley artesian water will at least get to keep its grandfathered-in status within an expanded agricultural district near Creston — losing a host of recent cross-appeals.

Successful program continues to combat crisis

A year ago, we launched the Snowbird Fund to help families and friends of missing and murdered inidgenous persons by offering immediate cash assistance (no questions asked) to search for their loved ones.

Spring Mack Days begins with tight leaderboard

2022 Spring Mack Days began March 17 with a total of 669 lake trout turned in.

Gypsy Theatre Guild presents ‘Cockeyed’ — A romantic comedy

The Gypsy Theatre Guild presents a live on-stage presentation of the romantic comedy “Cockeyed” written by William Missouri Downs and directed by JeAnna Wisher.

Legals for March, 24 2022

Homeschool Theater Club stages ‘Oliver’

Homeschool Theater Club is performing “Oliver,” an adaptation of “Oliver Twist” at the Whitefish Performing Arts Center.

Eureka teens create their own musical production

A group of Lincoln County High School students in Eureka has taken on the sizable task of putting on their own theatrical production of the popular Broadway musical “Be More Chill.”

Mizutani concert benefits child refugees of Ukraine

Acclaimed violinist Wai Mizutani presents Opus 3, Master of the Stage, in his 12-part Lord of the Strings series at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 27, at the Flathead High School auditorium.

0324 TWIF briefs

Dance to country and rock 'n' roll

Wetona B. 'Tona' Blades

Wetona B. Blades, affectionally known as Tona, was called to heaven March 3, 2022.

Law roundup: Woman hits snag with crocheted sweaters

A woman who does crochet repairs went to Kalispell Police Department when she was thrown through a loop after a customer allegedly told her they were going to call the police to report her for holding their sweaters hostage.

Hockaday’s children's exhibit highlights theme of light

The Hockaday Museum of Art’s new exhibit “Looking for Light: Children’s Art Exhibition” will be on view March 25 to April 23.

Outdoor briefs March 24

Outdoor briefs March 24

Man accused of sexually assaulting minor

A Kalispell man is accused of sexually assaulting a minor girl while “play wrestling.”

KALICO makes call for ceramic artists

KALICO Art Center is seeking ceramic artists of all skill levels to be a part of a new community project and creating a series of outdoor columnar sculptures.

Boats, gear must be inspected before fishing Blackfeet waters

The Blackfeet Tribe has announced that people who are fishing reservation waters must have their equipment inspected for aquatic invasive species. Those who fail to do so could face a $500 fine.

Letters to the editor March 24

Letters to the editor March 24

Montana cities need pro-housing reforms

Workers, renters and young families are getting priced out of Montana’s premier cities in an affordability crisis that reached new heights last year.

For Valkyries, third became their first

The Bigfork Valkyries were intent on making history this basketball season, and they did — just not in the manner they expected.

Two people arrested following burglary in Somers

A Kalispell man and woman are in jail on burglary charges following a Tuesday evening incident in Somers.

EPA moves to end asbestos cleanup along Montana railroad

EPA moves to end asbestos cleanup along Montana railroad

Judge demands $300K to remove Flathead Lake’s ‘bridge to nowhere’

Flathead County District Judge Robert Allison has ordered that $300,000 be paid by early April to demo the tempestuous bridge to vacant Dockstader Island on the northern shore of Flathead Lake.

Lawmakers to be polled on special session to investigate Montana elections

Lawmakers to be polled on special session to investigate Montana elections

City parking garage cost jumps to $9 million

City parking garage cost jumps to $9 million

Legals for March, 23 2022

Man gets prison time for high-speed rampages

A Flathead Valley man who led authorities on two high-speed pursuits last year is headed to prison.

Law roundup: Silent stare from masked man scares youth

A 12-year-old was out riding bicycles with his friends when a man’s spooky stare stopped him in his tracks.

Kalispell schools examine future of learning

Kalispell Public Schools has taken its first strides on a yearslong path to transforming “how school is done,” after wrapping up four public listening sessions at the elementary and middle school level.

Flathead National Forest accepting applications for Youth Conservation Corps

Flathead National Forest is accepting applications for the 2022 Flathead Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) program through April 8.

Robert William 'RW' Holst, 81

Robert William “RW” Holst, 81, passed away peacefully at home in Bigfork on Tuesday, March 15, 2022, after a battle with cancer.

Wanda Bell Thomas, 89

Loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and sister, passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones on March 7, 2022, at Joy Thayer’s home in Bixby, Oklahoma.

Flathead’s Cripe among All-State AA honorees

Flathead’s Joston Cripe is among the five Western players named All-State for Class AA basketball, in voting by league coaches that was released Tuesday.

Man charged with 4th DUI after driving down bike path

A Flathead Valley man is charged with his fourth DUI after allegedly driving down a pedestrian path in Kalispell, then threatening a law enforcement officer during his arrest.

U.S. Supreme Court won’t hear legislative subpoena case

The U.S. Supreme Court will not weigh in on the separation-of-powers conflict between the Montana Legislature and the state judiciary that boiled over during a subpoena fight late in the 2021 session, bringing a major political dispute close to its conclusion.

Pablo meth dealer sentenced to prison

A Pablo man who admitted to trafficking methamphetamine and heroin in the Lake County community was sentenced Thursday, March 17 to six years and six months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.

Immunocompromised patients worry vaccine exemptions put them in peril

Immunocompromised patients worry vaccine exemptions put them in peril

State seeks applicants for group on Church Slough wakes

Applicants with an open mind are sought for a new group to help pin down a formal ruling on boat wakes at Church Slough, state officials said Monday.

Unintended consequences of new Somers beach

I have been taking walks for over 10 years along the stretch of Somers beach slated to become Somers Beach State Park to get away from crowds. This solitude is what makes Somers beach special. Unfortunately, that will soon be a thing of the past.

Law Roundup: Town crier tries to wake up Kalispell

Town crier tries to wake up Kalispell

Long waits for Montana State Hospital leave psychiatric patients in jail

The psychiatric hospital, overseen by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, is under intense scrutiny after a federal investigation revealed that as the facility struggled with massive staffing shortages its main campus failed to protect patients from falls and Covid-19, which led to at least four deaths.

Lake County District Court Judge Manley to retire this summer

District Court Judge Manley to retire this summer

Legals for March, 22 2022

‘Unreserved’ program helps St. Ignatius students connect

St. Ignatius high school students recently found that there is so much more to their fellow students than they knew.

Whitefish committed to pedestrian friendly plan for Spokane Ave.

The city of Whitefish is compelled to respond to the recent Montana Department Transportation press release regarding the feasibility study of improvements to U.S. 93 including streets in downtown Whitefish (Downtown Whitefish Highway Study).

Sick mine workers allege insurer delaying medical payments

Attorneys for Montana mine workers sickened and killed by toxic asbestos exposure filed a lawsuit against Zurich American Insurance on Monday for allegedly stalling legal settlements and medical payments after transferring the workers' claims to investors who can profit off the delays.

Jackson pledges to decide cases 'without fear or favor'

Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson pledged on Monday to decide cases "without fear or favor" if the Senate confirms her historic nomination as the first Black woman on the high court.

Man killed in crash near Hot Springs

Speed and alcohol are suspected factors in a fatal single-vehicle crash near Hot Springs early Monday morning.

Missoula boy dies in Lake County ATV accident

An 11-year-old boy from Missoula died in Lake County on Sunday when an ATV he was driving rolled over.

Law roundup: Owner not tickled pink by break-in attempt

Someone allegedly saw a woman with a pink towel on her head trying to get into their vehicle.

City considers agreement for parking structure

On Monday, the Kalispell city council looks to take a step forward with plans for a downtown parking structure.

February births

Sage Mae Doebler, daughter of Taynya Davis and William Doebler of Whitefish, was born on Feb. 21, 2022, at Logan Health Whitefish.

Legals for March, 21 2022

Bigfork duo's new business features traditional crafts

Kyle Dean Cumming and Kassie Dawn were born and raised in Bigfork on their respective families’ homesteads. When the high school sweethearts graduated, they started looking at conventional paths to success, like college or an industry job.

Election season is underway; get your popcorn ready

Election season is already off to a very interesting start and we are not even to the primaries yet.

Businesses react to surge in gas prices

The recent surge in gas prices is fueling operational adjustments across the Flathead Valley business landscape. Donny Stevens, who runs a Columbia Falls trucking company, said his biweekly bill increased by $5,000 from one statement to the next.

PSC’s open District 5 seat draws varied crowd

One of Montana’s smallest agencies offers one of its biggest election bouts this year following recent legislative audit scrutiny.

Phyllis Claridge, 89

Phyllis Maxine Claridge passed peacefully into the presence of Jesus, March 12, 2022, in Kalispell.

Elaine Marie Brandt Pelton, 88

Elaine Marie Brandt Pelton passed away early Sunday morning, Feb. 13, 2022, at home surrounded by her family.

Workers go on strike at California refinery owned by Chevron

Workers go on strike at California refinery owned by Chevron

Labor foe Schultz returns as Starbucks union effort grows

Labor foe Schultz returns as Starbucks union effort grows

Theater company marks 50 years of Shakespeare in Montana

For half a century, Montana Shakespeare in the Parks has been connecting people across the state and beyond to the fabled playwright — and to each other.

Ken White, 60

Ken White, 60, passed away on March 4, 2022.

Let’s cap our property taxes and save our homes

Our property taxes now increase by double digits every year. They are being driven in large part by wealthy out-of-state transplants with sacks of money from selling their Seattle and Silicon Valley homes.

Finding access solutions for elk management and elk hunting

Montana elk management has been in the news more than usual lately. The big issue is the lack of public access in areas overburdened by huge elk herds and FWP’s attempts to reduce those numbers.

Better Business Bureau releases annual scam tracker risk report

Scams related to cryptocurrency jumped from the seventh riskiest scam in 2020 to second riskiest in 2021, according to the 2021 BBB Scam Tracker Risk Report.

Cecil Leroy Noble, 83

Cecil Leroy Noble moved onto greener pastures on March 16, 2022.

The shameless pretext oil, gas industry is using to demand more public land leasing

In the last few weeks, we’ve watched with horror as Russian troops have invaded Ukraine and committed one atrocity after another against innocent civilians.

Russian bond trading resumes for 1st time since Ukraine war

Russian bond trading resumes for 1st time since Ukraine war

Letters to the editor March 20

Letters to the editor March 20

Seeking balance amid Montana's visitation boom

Montanans’ attitude toward the state’s thriving tourism sector is starting to sour — a troubling trend that industry leaders and elected officials need to take note of before the scales tip too far.

Dusting off the good ol’ stuff

I was doing a little digging around in some of my old stuff I’ve saved for dubious reasons last week and the first thing that caught my attention was a set of four purple plastic puzzle pieces in asymmetrical shapes that, when assembled properly, produce a three-dimensional triangular pyramid about the size of a golf ball.

Elizabeth Diane Thomas Ware Paustian, 93

Our beloved mother, 93, passed peacefully of lung cancer on Tuesday, March 15, 2022, in Longmont, Colorado, at her daughter Dana Ware Willett’s home.

Legals for March, 20 2022

Charles 'Chuck' Thomas Gerry, 88

Charles “Chuck” Thomas Gerry passed away peacefully on March 6, 2022.

Flathead Business Newsmakers

Flathead Business Newsmakers

Flathead Business Watercooler

Flathead Business Watercooler

Jane Irene Schroeder Dennison, 83

Jane Irene Schroeder Dennison passed away March 15, 2022.

Canadian Pacific rail work stoppage could hit US agriculture

Canadian Pacific rail work stoppage could hit US agriculture

Trisha Lynn James, 53

Trisha Lynn James, 53, of Columbia Falls, passed away March 16, 2022, at the home of natural causes.

Family sees restaurant as golden opportunity

Alchemy was a historical practice that sought to turn regular metals into gold, and the founders of Alchemy Lounge on Kalispell’s First Avenue look to carry that tradition into their new restaurant.

Blacktail Mountain joins Powder Alliance pass program

Blacktail Mountain joins Powder Alliance

Law roundup: Man discovers a sticky situation

Flathead County Sheriff’s Office received a report that someone allegedly put glue sticks in the tank of a resident’s generator in Columbia Falls.

Stuart Bushby, 56

Stuart Bushby, 56, passed away of natural causes at his home in Kalispell on Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022.

Sandra Lee Jago, 69

Sandra Lee Jago, 69, of Marion, passed away March 13, 2022, in an automobile accident.

Mary Linda Rogers, 79

“There are people who take the heart out of you, and then there are people that put it back.” Mary Linda Rogers entered eternal life on Sunday, March 13, 2022, surrounded by her family.

Former Griz Sneed gets his shot with the Vegas Knight Hawks

The dream of playing professional football is alive and well for former Montana quarterback Dalton Sneed, a dream that has come full circle to the city where his college career began.

Texas Tech overwhelms Montana State 97-62 in NCAA 1st round

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Terrence Shannon Jr. scored 20 points and set a dominating tone in the opening minutes for Texas Tech, which overwhelmed Montana State 97-62 Friday with one of the best-shooting games in the first round since the NCAA Tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1985.

Judge: Montana can't enforce ban on mandating vaccines

Montana cannot enforce a state law that prevents most health care facilities from mandating vaccines while an interim federal rule is in place requiring millions of health care workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19, a federal judge ruled Friday.

Ukraine war ups pressure for U.S. oil; industry faces hurdles

In the oil fields of northern Montana, industry veteran Mac McDermott watched crude prices whipsaw from $75 a barrel in January to more than $120 as Russia pressed its war in Ukraine, then down again when coronavirus worries in China raised the specter of a global slowdown.

PHOTOS: St. Patrick's Day Parade marches through downtown Kalispell

Scenes from the St. Patrick's Day Parade in downtown Kalispell on Thursday, March 17.

Recent data spell trouble for Koocanusa fish

If recent data from peamouth chub and other fish hold valid insight — and at least, biologists in Montana believe they do — selenium levels at Lake Koocanusa reach as high as 250% of what’s allowed in Montana waters.

Law Roundup: Man threatened by imaginary knife

Man threatened by imaginary knife

Agnes ‘Butchie’ Butchkosky Ryan

Agnes “Butchie” Butchkosky Ryan passed away Tuesday, March 15, 2022, at Logan Health Whitefish.

FEC program awards safety grants

FEC program awards safety grants

Legals for March, 18 2022

Belibi dunk highlights No. 1 Stanford rout of Montana State

STANFORD, Calif. (AP) — Stanford's freshmen have been joining everybody else in begging Francesca Belibi to dunk all season, insisting they came to school here just to see her do it.

Glacier High alum committed to criminal justice reform

Glacier High School 2018 graduate Abigail Roston is pursuing her education with excellence, guided by her faith in pursuit of criminal justice reform.

Students qualify for geo bees

Kalispell Middle School’s Griffin Ingersoll was named the sixth-grade Montana Geography Bee champion Sunday at the University of Montana.

Montana lawmakers review issues facing public education

Despite widespread confusion and concern expressed by local school officials last month, Montana’s Department of Public Health and Human Services reported to lawmakers Monday that recent changes to Medicaid reimbursements for student mental health services are “going relatively smoothly.”

Benjamin V. Smithstone, 53

Benjamin V. Smithstone, 53, of Bigfork, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, March 15, 2022, in Libby.

Bukacek resigns from Flathead County health board

Dr. Annie Bukacek on Thursday told the Flathead City-County Board of Health that she intends to resign from her position on the board.

Glacier Park plows get to work

The annual plowing of Glacier National Park’s roads is set to start this week.

Hospital foundation donates 15 AEDs

The Logan Health Foundation recently purchased 15 Automatic External Defibrillators to be donated to local sports organizations in time for their spring seasons.

Victim shot in back during Kalispell confrontation

A Columbia Falls man allegedly shot another man in the back during a confrontation at the victim’s Kalispell home last weekend, new court documents reveal.

Mountain Climber sees leadership change with eye on future growth

A transition is underway at Flathead County’s public transportation system, the Mountain Climber.

It’s time to change property tax structure

Citizens! We have a chance, right now, to save our homes, save our communities, save our place in this exceptional state for now and for generations to come. And if we, the people, don’t act now, then, as a local legislator recently said “You might have to consider moving.”

Ann Catherine Bassett, 85

Ann Catherine Bassett died at 85, peacefully in her home in Kalispell, with her husband, Dick, by her side after a long battle with Parkinson's disease on the morning of March 9, 2022.

Online hassle

For Montana hunters, both resident and nonresident hunters, March is time to do some heavy duty planning for the 2022 fall hunting season.

Movie Night spins ‘An American Tail’

The Northwest Montana History Museum’s next Movie Night at the Museum will present the 1986 animated classic “An American Tail” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 22.

New indie band’s EP makes strides on streaming platforms

A new local indie-rock, alt-pop band has quickly gained a following on major streaming platforms.

Law roundup: Bar customers hit the bottle, go into frenzy

Four customers were allegedly refusing to leave and becoming violent when they started throwing bottles at the bar. Some of the customers got into a gray truck and left, however, one woman stayed behind to take the frenzy up a notch and attacked a bartender.

Montana Health Department reduces number of children in state care

Montana Health Department reduces number of children in state care

Homeschool Theater Club stages ‘Oliver’

Homeschool Theater Club is performing “Oliver,” an adaptation of “Oliver Twist” at the Whitefish Performing Arts Center.

'Brothers On Three' wins 2021 Montana Book Award

The 2021 Montana Book Award winner is “Brothers on Three: A True Story of Family, Resistance, and Hope on a Reservation in Montana” by Abe Streep, published by Celadon Books.

Humanities Montana awards project grants

Humanities Montana recently awarded $38,350 to humanities projects across the state through its Research Fellowship and Regular Grants.

MT Shakespeare in the Parks celebrates 50 years

Born from aspirations to bring the timeless tales of William Shakespeare directly to rural and under-served communities, Montana Shakespeare in the Parks has been enriching the lives of people in Montana and beyond for 50 seasons.

James 'Jim' Allen Karlin, 69

With great sadness, and love in our hearts, we announce the passing of James “Jim” Allen Karlin, on March 5, 2022, at the Logan Health Medical Center, with his daughter, his only child, Kenzie Rae Holdorff, of Kalispell, by his side.

Legals for March, 17 2022

Charles R. 'Dick' Irvin, 89

Charles R. “Dick” Irvin, 89, of Columbia Falls, passed away on March 14, 2022, of natural causes.

Letters to the editor March 17

Letters to the editor March 17

COLUMN: The hunt for trophies — and free food

Two days ago Fin Nadeau was winning a State AA wrestling title. Yesterday Dougie Peoples was knocking down a 30-footer to win a State A basketball championship. Or maybe it just seems that way.

Flathead’s Moore all-tourney; Koch, Williams are MVPs

BILLINGS — Kennedy Moore of Flathead was named All-Tournament, and the State AA basketball championships boasted the MVPs in voting by media at last week’s event.

Canada to drop Covid tests for vaccinated visitors

Canada will no longer require a pre-arrival COVID-19 test for vaccinated travelers as of April 1.

Condoleezza Rice and Michael McFaul to speak at UM

The 2022 Mansfield Lecture at the University of Montana will feature two of the country’s leading voices on democracy, Condoleezza Rice and Michael McFaul, on Monday, April 18.

Zelenskyy pleads to US Congress: 'We need you right now'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy summoned the memory of Pearl Harbor and the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks in appealing Wednesday to the U.S. Congress to do more to help Ukraine's fight against Russia, but he acknowledged the no-fly zon

Psychiatric hospital gets more time to correct deficiencies

Montana's state psychiatric hospital has more time to correct deficiencies that have resulted in patient deaths, the Montana State News Bureau reports.

Libby seeks 3% tax on recreational marijuana

Libby city councilors last week formally petitioned the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners to pursue an additional 3% local tax on recreational marijuana sales.

Christensen, LaFrombois shine in Mission Valley All-Stars

RONAN — Mission’s Zoren LaFrombois hit four 3-pointers in a game filled with them, and his Light team beat the Dark 105-99 in the Mission Valley All-Stars series held Tuesday at the Ronan Events Center.

Legals for March, 16 2022

Joseph Richard Bosick, 69

Joseph Richard Bosick passed away on March 11, 2022, at the age of 69.

Sinowa M. Cruz, 75

Sinowa was born in Chelsea, Massachusetts, and passed away March 3, 2022, in Kalispell at the age of 75.

Kalispell council discusses possible housing solutions

The Kalispell City Council mulled several avenues for increasing affordable housing in the city, including establishing a housing authority and loosening zoning restrictions, during a work session Monday evening.

William 'Bud' Wilhelm, 84

William “Bud” Wilhelm, 84, passed away from a broken heart and Alzheimer’s at The Springs Memory Care on Friday, March 11, 2022.

Flathead High students medal at regional science fair

Three inquiring minds from Flathead High School won awards at the Montana Tech Regional Science and Engineering Fair in Butte.

Class-action suit alleges Whitefish’s impact fees unlawful

A class-action lawsuit has been filed in U.S. District Court of Montana against the city of Whitefish alleging that the city has been charging “unreasonable, unlawful and unconstitutional” impact fees for new development.

Patrick Allen Libby, 76

Patrick Allen Libby, 76, passed on March 6, 2022, in Olney.

Soccer referee courses offered this weekend at CFHS

The Montana Grassroots Referee Program is offering a two-day referee course March 19-20 at Columbia Falls High School in an effort to provide currently certified officials with upper-level training and an entry level course for newcomers or anyone who is interested in learning more about the sport of soccer.

Browning’s Bull Child, C-Falls’ Robison, Polson’s Graham land MVP honors

Browning’s Mecca Bull Child and Columbia Falls’ Maddie Robison shared one conference most valuable player award, and Polson’s Colton Graham claimed the other by himself as the Northwest A released its all-conference team Tuesday.

Groups sue for records in Montana mine pollution case

Conservation groups are suing Gov. Greg Gianforte's administration to obtain records related to its decision to drop legal claims against a mining executive over decades of pollution from several mines.

Columbia Falls man charged in Kalispell shooting

A Columbia Falls man has been arrested in connection with an alleged shooting that injured one man in Kalispell over the weekend.

Survey gauges attitudes toward Montana tourism

A recent University of Montana survey found state residents still generally support tourism. However, there are growing worries about overcrowding, quality of life and newcomers flooding the state due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Supreme Court should choose energy security

Energy security is national security.

Letters to the editor March 15

Letters to the editor March 15

Gianforte says Montana not interested in Biden's conservation plan

Gov. Greg Gianforte registered his opposition to President Joe Biden’s plan to conserve 30% of the nation’s lands and waters by 2030 in a March 7 letter to the Interior Department that questioned the level of detail available in the plan and asserted that the federal government lacks jurisdiction and funding to execute the proposal.

​​Jennifer Kathleen Kehoe, 70

Jennifer Kathleen Kehoe died at home in Kalispell on Feb. 18, 2022, with her husband Brook DeLange at her side.

Seattle residents plead not guilty to border crossing charges

Two Seattle residents allegedly involved in an attempted illegal border crossing in Lincoln County earlier this year have pleaded not guilty to multiple charges in U.S. District Court.

Legals for March, 15 2022

Fearing fear

There was an old Scrooge McDuck (world’s richest duck!) comic book story called “Christmas in Shacktown,” which opened with McDuck’s three grand-nephews, Huey, Dewey and Louie taking a shortcut home from school just before Christmas by going through Shacktown.

Retiring assistant superintendent highlights career, opening Glacier High

Callie Langohr, outgoing Kalispell Public Schools assistant superintendent and Glacier High School’s first principal, is retiring June 30 after nearly three decades with the district.

Law roundup: Playpen pizza party over for man

Pizza, a playpen, a little chair, a little table and little clothes were reportedly found in a back alley by someone who was suspicious someone was camping there.

Miles Garrison, 87

Miles Garrison went home to be with the Lord on Friday, March 11, 2022.

Four Republican candidates seek commission seat

Three Republican candidates seek commission seat

Legals for March, 14 2022

Brain surgery allows man to return to playing classical guitar

Brain surgery allows man to return to playing classical guitar

Kalispell takes on housing issue at work session

The Kalispell City Council will hold a work session Monday to look at housing resources in the area.

January-February births

Lucy Hoff, daughter of Janie and Cody Hoff of Kalispell, was born on Jan. 1, 2022, at Logan Health Medical Center.

Letters to the editor March 14

Letters to the editor March 14

Man sustains gunshot injuries after incident in southwest Kalispell

A 41-year-old man was transported to the hospital after sustaining injuries from a gunshot wound Sunday in Kalispell, authorities said.

Two die in crashes over the weekend

A 69-year-old Marion woman is dead after the 2007 Ford F250 she was driving westbound on U.S. 2 in Marion Sunday, reportedly drifted to the right, hit a delinator post, went up an embankment and rolled into some trees, according to Montana Highway Patrol.

Bravettes end State AA with 3 wins, trophy

BILLINGS — The Flathead Bravettes headed out of Billings with one Saturday, claiming third place at the State AA girls basketball tournament with a 53-44 consolation win over Missoula Sentinel.

Pirates bring home third-place trophy

MISSOULA — First, Colton Graham got hot; second, Jarrett Wilson got hotter. Finally, thanks to a couple good bounces, Polson picked up a third-place trophy Wilson’s 24-point afternoon was critical to the Pirates’ 57-52 win over Hamilton in the State A boys basketball consolation game, at Dahlberg Arena.

Capital cruises to AA title

BILLINGS — Brayden Koch scored 20 points, Jacob Curry added 19 and Helena Capital won its first State AA boys basketball title since 2014 Saturday, beating Bozeman 62-48.

4 from Flathead vie for western U.S. House seat

With just Monday remaining for candidates to file, four from Flathead County have so far entered a now brimming race for western Montana’s U.S. House District 1 seat.

'Unbelievable and heartbreaking': Local Ukrainians share thoughts on Russian invasion

For Whitefish’s Oksana Nechenechy and her family, the nightmare began with a simple three word text message, “War has started.”

State A girls: Browning falls to Hardin

MISSOULA — Browning’s run at the State A girls basketball tournament ended Saturday morning, with a 71-45 loss to power Hardin at Dahlberg Arena.

Federal Reserve to begin risky pursuit of a ‘soft landing’

Federal Reserve to begin risky pursuit of a ‘soft landing’

Cat skiing operation builds backcountry yurt

Cat skiing operation builds backcountry yurt

0313 building permits

Building permits

Let’s not squander the miracle of Yellowstone

Yellowstone National Park turns 150 years old this month — a milestone truly worth celebrating.

Legals for March, 13 2022

Ford ramping up electric vehicles in Europe

Ford ramping up electric vehicles in Europe

Nothing unusual about governor’s mountain lion hunt

Gov. Greg Gianforte garnered national attention last week following reports of his recent mountain lion hunt north of Yellowstone National Park. Turns out, it’s much ado about nothing.

Letters to the editor March 13

Letters to the editor March 13

Planning board supports Tronstad Road development

The Kalispell Planning Board gave its support Tuesday for the Quail Meadows subdivision, a 10-acre property located at 155 Tronstad Road.

Local pair takes over in-home care

Local pair takes over in-home care

Flathead Business Watercooler

Flathead Business Watercooler

Wild pig reports on the rise in Montana

Feral swine appear to be rooting up in Montana — and invasive species officials say they will be ramping up Big Sky’s “Squeal on Pigs!” campaign in the Flathead Valley and surrounding area.

Support for Ukraine and democracy must be bipartisan

As I watched Russian troops march across the Ukrainian border in an unprovoked war that immediately made the world less safe for our kids and grandkids, I thought about the words of a World War I veteran from Great Falls named Mike Mansfield.

Now is the time for education

A decade of carrying innovative education legislation resulted in my selection to the National Council of State Legislature’s International Education Study Group charged with studying the world’s highest performing education systems.

Flathead Business Newsmakers

Flathead Business Newsmakers

Terry Alan Thiede, 68

Terry Alan Thiede of Yuma, Arizona, passed away March 2, 2022. He was 68 years old.

Jeanne Eleanor (Keith) Hobbs, 81

Jeanne Eleanor (Keith) Hobbs, 81, made her way to heaven March 2, 2022.

Once a powerful symbol in Russia, McDonald’s withdraws

Once a powerful symbol in Russia, McDonald’s withdraws

Irish dance academy steps into community

Claire Gutschenritter is planting the roots of a storied dancing tradition in Kalispell soil. She recently launched An Daire Academy — named for the Irish term for “oak tree” — to instruct local students in traditional Irish dance.

Kelch hired as new Whitefish Chief of Police

After two decades of patrolling the streets of Whitefish, Bridger Kelch has been officially hired as the new police chief.

Real connections take a hang-up

Pre-Prohibition Kalispell had 28 saloons. That’s nothing compared to Kalispell precursor Demersville: At the height of its population in 1890 it had 73 liquor dispensaries, or about one per 21 residents.

Patrick E. Farris, 63

Pat Farris passed away of renal failure at his home in Kalispell on Feb. 21, 2022.

Average US gas price rises 22% in two weeks to record $4.43

Average US gas price rises 22% in two weeks to record $4.43

Elmer Elzig, 94

Elmer Elzig’s hands shook, but they felt as strong as ever when he squeezed his family’s palms in the ICU at Logan Health in Kalispell on Jan. 10.

Ralina 'Randy' Houston Degele, 71

Ralina “Randy” Houston Degele, 71, passed away peacefully on Feb. 13, 2022, after a 10-year battle with Alzheimer’s.

Montana State gets first NCAA Tournament trip since '96

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Xavier Bishop scored 19 points to help Montana State advance to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 26 years as the Bobcats routed Northern Colorado 87-66 in the Big Sky Conference tournament championship game on Saturday night.

PHOTOS: Cloverfest celebrates St. Patrick's Day in Columbia Falls

Scenes from Cloverfest at the Super 1 Foods in Columbia Falls on Saturday, March 12. The family-friendly event held by the Columbia Falls Chamber of Commerce includes live music from multiple bands, a 5K race, a one-mile fun run, food trucks, a beer and distillery garden, themed competitions and a kids carnival.

State A boys: Polson nips Dillon in OT

MISSOULA — Colton Graham fueled a fourth-quarter comeback, Jarrett Wilson cashed in two steals for four overtime free throws, and Polson beat Dillon 53-52 in State A loser-out that ended on a miss from the line.

Prescribed fire proposed for Lone Pine

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is seeking input on a proposed prescribed burn on up to approximately 17 acres at Lone Pine State Park in Kalispell.

State A girls: Browning falls to Hardin

MISSOULA — Browning’s run at the State A girls basketball tournament ended Saturday morning, with a 71-45 loss to powerful Hardin at Dahlberg Arena.

State AA girls: Bravettes make consolation game

BILLINGS — Kennedy Moore scored 21 points, including a reverse layup with 1:30 left that put Flathead ahead, and the Bravettes downed Billings West 53-50 in a Saturday morning loser-out at Skyview High School.

State B girls: Valkyries down Columbus for state tourney win

BOZEMAN — The Valkyries survived a scare from Columbus to earn a win at the Class B State basketball tournament Friday morning, downing the Cougars 48-44.

State B boys: Bigfork falls to Three Forks; Eureka bows out

BOZEMAN — Three Forks knocked the Bigfork Vikings from the championship bracket Friday at the State B basketball tournament with a 65-54 victory in the semifinal.

Saturday State Hoops Pairings

State AA GIRLS Saturday 9 a.m. — Sentinel (12-12) vs. Billings Senior (14-10), lo 9 a.m. (at Skyview) — Flathead (17-6) vs. Billings West (20-3), lo

Battle, Montana St. beat Weber St. 69-66 in Big Sky semifinal

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — RaeQuan Battle came off the bench to score 17 points to lead Montana State to a 69-66 win

White leads Montana State women to Big Sky title over NAU

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Darian White scored 17 points, Leia Beattie added 16 and Montana State earned its third NCAA Tournament berth with a 75-64 win over Northern Arizona in the Big Sky Conference tournament championship game on Friday.

State AA Boys: Gallatin knocks out Glacier

BILLINGS — A second straight slow start meant a second straight loss for the Glacier Wolfpack, which bowed out of the State AA boys basketball tournament with a 63-42 loss to Gallatin Friday.

State AA girls: Bravettes eliminate Butte

BILLINGS — The Flathead Bravettes got back on the winning track in a big way Friday, beating Butte 60-33 at the State AA girls basketball tournament behind big games from Maddy Moy and Clare Converse.

State A girls: Browning holds off Maroons

MISSOULA — Browning earned another day at the State A girls basketball tournament, even as the fouls continued to pile up.

New residents aren't taking pay cuts to move to Montana

Montana's population has been growing during the pandemic, and on average, new residents aren't taking pay cuts to move to the state.

Montana woman accused of taking money, identities of in-laws

A federal grand jury has indicted a Montana woman and accused her of using her in-laws' Bismarck bank account and their identities to make a $134,000 payment on a home.

Sanders County poacher still wanted on bear-baiting charges

Montana wildlife officials say a man who writes a muzzleloader hunting blog remains wanted on several Sanders County warrants for allegedly killing a third black bear over bait in the state.

Vikings bounce Manhattan

BOZEMAN — The start could have been better but it’s the finish that mattered for the Bigfork Vikings at the State A basketball tournament Thursday.

Boulder upsets Bigfork girls, 61-55

The Bigfork Valkyries fell to Boulder 61-55 on the first day of the State B basketball tournament Thursday.

State A boys: Glendive nips Polson, 52-49

MISSOULA — There was foul trouble for their best player, a lack of 3-point shooting and still, the Polson Pirates were right there.

Browning, C-Falls girls lose in State A action

MISSOULA — Browning fell into the loser’s bracket Thursday, and Columbia Falls fell out of it.

FWP launches public planning for Somers Beach

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is hosting an informational meeting this month on Somers Beach State Park development.

Eureka appoints retired doctor to county health board

Eureka Town Council added a fresh face to the Lincoln County Health Board last month, likely realigning the panel’s outlook on the pandemic and public health in the process.

Congress hates changing the clocks just like everyone else

Republicans and Democrats in Congress can agree on sleep, or more precisely, the inconvenience of losing or gaining an hour of it each year thanks to going on and off daylight saving time.

NAIA men: Carroll, Tech win openers

HELENA — Shamrock Campbell hit five 3-pointers and scored 25 points to lead Carroll College over Mount Vernon Nazarene in a first-round NAIA Men’s Tournament game Friday at Carroll’s gym.

RoboScout Squad wins state robotics tournament

Command position — first place at the Montana FIRST Tech Challenge robotics tournament. Endpoint position achieved.

Law roundup: Employee threatens to bring down the ‘cactus hammer’

A store employee allegedly threatened to bring the “cactus hammer down on the whole place.”

Legals for March, 11 2022

NAIA Women: Carroll, Rocky pick up wins

Providence, Montana-Western drop first-round games

NEW ORLEANS — Dani Wagner scored 22 points, Kamden HIlborn added 10 and Carroll College won it’s NAIA Women’s Tournament opener Friday, 69-50 over Lindsey Wilson.

Gary Allan Malkuch, 70

Gary Allan Malkuch, 70, of Kalispell, passed away on Saturday, March 5, 2022, at Logan Health in Kalispell.

Kenneth V. Carpenter, 74

Kenneth V. Carpenter, MD, 74, passed away March 7, 2022, at his home.

State Basketball Pairings for Friday

State AA March 10-12, MetraPark, Billings BOYS Friday Noon — Glacier (10-13) vs. Gallatin (12-11), lo GIRLS 10:30 a.m. — Flathead (16-6) vs. Butte (11-12), lo

State A boys: Polson downs Havre to stay alive

Lewistown, Butte Central to meet for title

MISSOULA — Colton Graham scored 19 points and ignited a huge third quarter for the Polson Pirates, who went on to beat Havre 74-58 in a State A loser-out game Friday morning.

Bobcat men rout Sacramento St. Thursday

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Xavier Bishop had 14 points to lead five Montana State players in double figures as the league champion Bobcats romped past eighth-seeded Sacramento State 83-61 in the Big Sky Conference tournament quarterfinals on Thursday.

Glacier Gateway opening pushed back to December

Students and staff at Glacier Gateway Elementary School will have to wait a few more months to move into the new building that’s under construction.

Senior Broncs hold off Bravettes in AA opener

BILLINGS — The Flathead Bravettes made a season out of winning close games, but after closing the gap in the third quarter they fell short Thursday, in a 55-47 State AA basketball loss to Billings Senior.

Glacier boys fall just short of Falcons

BILLINGS — An early deficit had Glacier’s boys playing catch up all game Thursday — and they almost caught up.

Judge hears arguments in challenges over new election laws

Four laws the Republican majority in the 2021 Montana Legislature said they passed to make elections more secure actually enacted barriers that make it more difficult for some residents to exercise their constitutional right to vote, attorneys argued Thursday in seeking to block and eventually overturn the laws.

Gianforte solicits applications for judicial vacancy in Lake and Sanders Counties

Gov. Greg Gianforte is soliciting judicial applications for a newly vacated bench spot in the Twentieth Judicial District, which encompasses Lake and Sanders counties.

Mountain lions likely trimmed island sheep herd to lowest number in decades

The three mountain lions recently killed on Wild Horse Island had unfettered access to a herd of bighorn sheep that has produced some of the biggest rams in the world.

0310 TWIF briefs

Hockaday Members Salon award winners

‘Disney’s Descendants - the Musical’ in final weekend

Final performances of Bigfork Playhouse Children’s Theater’s “Disney’s Descendants-the Musical'' will take place at the Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 11 and 12, with a Sunday matinee March 13 at 2 p.m

Letters to the editor March 10

Letters to the editor March 10

John ‘Bunky’ Cavalar, 92

John “Bunky” Cavalar passed away March 3, 2022, in Columbia Falls.

New app stores Montana hunting, fishing licenses

Montana has launched a new mobile app from the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks that allows Montanans to access their hunting and fishing licenses with their phone — reducing the need to secure and carry around paperwork while they fish and hunt.

Grab your gear; Spring Mack Days are nearly here

While winter struggles to hang on, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes are preparing to launch the 40th Mack Days fishing event on Flathead Lake, which begins Thursday, March 17 and runs through May 15.

Conference keeps discussions on mental health going

Attendees at last week’s Character Conference at Glacier High School witnessed a powerful display of courage from the night’s two guest speakers.

New app stores Montana hunting, fishing licenses

Montana has launched a new mobile app from the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks that allows Montanans to access their hunting and fishing licenses with their phone — reducing the need to secure and carry around paperwork while they fish and hunt.

Wolfpack Theatre presents Steinbeck classic

The Wolfpack Theatre Company at Glacier High School presents the compelling American classic “Of Mice and Men” March 15 and 16.

WTC stages captivating drama ‘Bauer’

The Whitefish Theatre Co. presents its final Black Curtain theater production of the 2021-2022 season with “Bauer” with performances March 12 and 13 at 7:30 p.m.

State recommends lower speed limit on Montana 82

The Montana Department of Transportation is recommending that the speed limit on Montana 82 be reduced to 60 mph. The speed limit on the highway now is 70 mph.

Legals for March, 10 2022

Mountainfilm on Tour visits Whitefish and Bigfork

Mountainfilm on Tour brings a selection of culturally rich, adventure-packed and inspiring documentary films curated from the Mountainfilm festival in Telluride, Colorado.

Award-winning ski documentary screened

The Ski Heritage Center Museum will present the award-winning documentary film“Mission: Mt. Mangart” at the O’Shaughnessy Saturday, March 19.

A conservative approach to addressing climate change

As has been widely reported, the U.S. meat packing industry is now dominated by four out-of-state meat packing companies that dictate the prices Montana ranchers receive for beef, poultry and pork.

KALICO launches new Visiting Artist Series

A new Visiting Artist Series at KALICO Art Center brings internationally renowned artist Mary Mattingly to Kalispell.

Billings Central girls heat up, beat Columbia Falls

The first-quarter defense was promising enough, but the Columbia Falls Wildkats didn’t take full advantage.

Flathead Fusion girls win state hockey titles

The Flathead Fusion hockey program took home double the hardware last week at the Montana Amateur Hockey Association State Tournament at the Havre Ice Dome.

Bravettes, Wolfpack prepared for State AA

Vals and Vikes, Lions and Lady Hawks ready for State B

Changing snowfall makes it harder to fight fire with fire

Dripping flaming fuel as they go, a line of workers slowly descends a steep, snow-covered hillside above central Colorado's South Platte River, torching piles of woody debris that erupt into flames shooting two stories high.

Judges redraw district maps for utility regulator board

A trio of federal judges adopted a new map Tuesday under which Montana will elect members of the Public Service Commission this year, unless the Montana Legislature acts to update the map used to elect the five-member board to regulate monopoly utilities.

Project would improve Flathead pedestrian paths

The Montana Department of Transportation is seeking public input on a project to seal multiple shared-use paths in Flathead County.

Kalispell council approves massive housing subdivision

Council approves Spring Creek Park

County planning board considers subdivision south of Whitefish

The Flathead County Planning Board is set tonight to consider a request to turn vacant land east of U.S. Highway 93 south of Whitefish into a subdivision described as similar to the Whitefish Hills.

State doubles funding for Somers Beach project

The cost increase covers initial development of the new state park, including basic items like a parking lot, signage, bathrooms and trash receptacles.

Legals for March, 9 2022

Wildkats draw Wednesday nightcap at State A

MISSOULA — The Columbia Falls Wildkats are the late show Wednesday, taking on Billings Central in the 8 p.m. nightcap on the first day of the combined State A tournament.

Law roundup: Dogs choice of drink not a gas for owner

A woman told the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office her dog was running around a Kalispell location and came back vomiting and smelling of gasoline — which her vet said it ingested — because there could be a possible spill.

EPA says CFAC cleanup will protect water supply

Officials from the Environmental Protection Agency met via Zoom last week with the Columbia Falls City Council to give an update on where the agency is with its end of the Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. Superfund cleanup plan.

Man accused of driving high after vehicle nearly hits Kalispell home

A Flathead Valley man is accused of nearly hitting a house in Kalispell while driving high on fentanyl-laced drugs.

Flathead Venture Crew offers Easter egg services

The Easter Bunny is comin’ to town, this year with the help of Boy Scout Venture Crew 2920.

Valley athletes Walburn, Krueger excel at NAIA Indoor

BROOKINGS, S.D. — A pair of Carroll College athletes with Flathead Valley roots landed All-America honors at the 2022 NAIA Indoor Track and Field Championships that concluded Sunday.

Tim Allen Peters, 57

Tim Allen Peters, 57, passed away on Feb. 12, 2022, at his home in Kalispell.

Lewis Lester Hutton

Lewis Lester Hutton wonderful father, husband, brother, and friend to all went home to the arms of Jesus and a happy place after much suffering from cancer. He died at Logan Health Center with family and friends by his side on March 2, 2022.

Colton Graham leads Polson Pirates back to State A

Colton Graham has a soft shooting touch, serious wide receiving skills, a horse named Champ and a 2006 Toyota Tacoma with only 150,000 miles on it.

Kalispell man gets 100 years for killing wife

Family and friends of Amanda Hillious exhaled with relief Tuesday afternoon as her convicted killer and husband was handed the maximum sentence for deliberate homicide.

Biden bans Russian oil, warns of higher prices at pump

President Joe Biden announced Tuesday the U.S. will ban all Russian oil imports, toughening the toll on Russia's economy in retaliation for its invasion of Ukraine, but he acknowledged it will bring costs to Americans, particularly at the gas pump.

Cattle ranchers don't want Montana wolves moved to Colorado

The Montana Stockgrowers Association has asked its state wildlife agency to reject any requests to capture wolves in Montana to be transplanted in Colorado, after voters there narrowly passed a wolf reintroduction plan.

Officials reverse course on pesticide's harm to wildlife

U.S. wildlife officials have reversed their previous finding that a widely used and highly toxic pesticide could jeopardize dozens of plants and animals with extinction, after receiving pledges from chemical manufacturers that they will change product labels for malathion so that it's used more carefully by consumers.

Local snowpack holds steady despite dry February

With its northwestern river basins still making par for snowpack by the start of March, natural resource officials say last month overall proved “disappointingly dry” elsewhere for Montana.

Empire Builder debuts new locomotives

For the first time in a generation, a brand-new locomotive will lead Amtrak’s Empire Builder across the prairies and mountains of Montana.

U.S. should unite in response to historical enemies

President Biden is no John F. Kennedy; former President Trump is no Ronald Reagan. The United States and the world are the losers in the absence of leadership shown by Kennedy and Reagan — and Mitt Romney.

Legals for March, 8 2022

Whitefish man sent to prison for fraud scheme

A Whitefish man who admitted to defrauding wealthy Whitefish businessman Michael Goguen out of millions of dollars was sentenced to six years in prison on Friday.

Innovation and flexibility is critical to teacher licensing

Throughout my tenure as your Montana State Superintendent, I have consistently discussed and evaluated the need to recruit and retain quality teachers in our Montana public schools.

Law roundup: Drunk duo pull hair in parking lot spat

Two intoxicated women were allegedly yelling and pulling each other’s hair in a parking lot. One of the women claimed the other also hit her.

Letters to the editor March 8

Letters to the editor March 8

Tronstad Road housing development up for discussion

Tronstad Road development up for discussion

Virginia Ellen (Tasik) Grant, 91

Virginia Ellen (Tasik) Grant, of Columbia Falls, formerly of Kalispell and Washington, Illinois, went home to Jesus on March 1, 2022.

Waterman could use a civics lesson

In his intellectually erroneous editorial, (What does John Fuller mean?, Feb. 6) Kyle Waterman exposes his fundamental lack of understanding of our American form of government, while attempting to disparage Rep. John Fuller’s understanding. Waterman’s understanding, or lack thereof, would not allow him to carry John Fuller’s textbooks.

Gasoline prices rise again on talk of banning Russian oil

Gasoline prices are pushing even farther above $4 a gallon, the highest price that American motorists have faced since July 2008, as calls grow to ban imports of Russian oil.

Spring Creek Park project up for council vote

A large subdivision in North Kalispell will come before Kalispell City Council for a vote on Monday.

Legals for March, 7 2022

Artist Karen Leigh is 'always looking for the light'

When well-known, and prolific, artist Karen Leigh was in the hardware store this winter to pick up some ice melt, the gentleman who carried it out to her car asked her, “So what did you used to do?”

Law roundup: Man flushed out of building after toilet slumber

An employee opening a business for the day reportedly found a man sitting in one of the rooms. The man claimed his overnight stay was the result of falling asleep on the toilet.

Letters to the editor March 7

Letters to the editor March 7

Gianforte foundation gifting $50M to MSU

The Gianforte Family Foundation is donating $50 million to Montana State University for a building to house the Gianforte School of Computing, the university announced.

Nebraska-born mountain lion killed in Montana

A mountain lion that was born in Nebraska has been killed in Montana, a first for both states.

Whitefish takes second look at new zoning district

Whitefish City Council tonight will revisit its discussion regarding creating a new zoning district that would apply to the area south of U.S. Highway 93 and Montana 40.

The future of learning in Kalispell Public Schools

Kalispell Public Schools is beginning a yearslong process with the objective to transform “how school is done.”

Conservation study sights recreational boating on Flathead River

The Flathead Conservation District hopes to start an erosion study this year centered on recreational boating on the lower Flathead.

Biden to issue executive order on cryptocurrency

Biden to issue executive order on cryptocurrency

More multi-family units will ease Montana housing crisis

It’s no secret that the Flathead Valley has faced a lack of affordable and workforce housing for years. But it’s a problem that has become more acute in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic as more and more people have moved to the area.

Law roundup: Man skates by with pistol in hand

A tall skinny man wearing shoes with wheels was allegedly skating along holding a pistol in his hands.

Natural rhythm — Mission of Rain or Shine 'forest school' in Somers is to get children outdoors

No matter the weather, children attending Rain or Shine School are ready to explore, play, learn and grow.

Bigfork’s Shield Arms planning large expansion

The Bigfork firearms manufacturer that began in a garage will soon be moving into its new $5 million 36,000 square foot headquarters and manufacturing complex by the end of this year.

A wanton act of war

All four of my grandparents immigrated from eastern Europe to upstate New York in the early 20th century.

Biden’s indifference to the border crisis and crime is hurting Montana

The crisis at our southern border is raging on, although you wouldn’t know it from watching the evening news or looking at the front pages of the papers.

Building permits

Building permits

Kalispell looks at school climate in staff, student survey

Staff and student climate survey results were the focus of a recent Kalispell Schools board meeting and come at a time when the district is looking at ways to improve or change “how school is done” on a systematic level.

Russian banks mull China UnionPay; big accounting firms exit

Russian banks mull China UnionPay; big accounting firms exit

Letters to the editor March 6

Letters to the editor March 6

Montana’s double-proxy marriages skyrocket after pandemic

One of Montana’s unique laws allows both parties of a marriage to be absent from the ceremony. The requests for double-proxy marriages have skyrocketed since the pandemic started, and double-proxy marriage services in the Flathead Valley are still racing to meet the demand.

Judee (Fish) Channell, 74

Judee M. (Fish) Channell, born June 12, 1948, passed away peacefully Jan. 20, 2022, in Sonora, California.

Gas tops $4 per gallon average, 1st time since 2008

Gas tops $4 per gallon average, 1st time since 2008

Flathead Business Newsmakers

Flathead Business Newsmakers

Ryan L. How, 35

Ryan became one with The Great Spirit after a tragic accident on Dec. 1, 2021

Flathead Business Watercooler

Flathead Business Watercooler

American energy dominance makes the world safer

I have no doubt that we are all watching the the events unfold in Ukraine with heartbreak and horror. And yet, we are seeing the inspirational courage of the Ukrainian people as they take up arms and fight for their families, liberty and their land.

Volunteers needed for Creston Auction

Volunteers are needed for the 56th annual Creston Auction and Country Fair.

Supply chain issues continue to hamper local businesses

Some businesses in Bigfork are feeling the effects of a national supply chain problem that was born out of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Legals for March, 6 2022

Realtors to conservatives living in liberal areas: Try Idaho

Realtors to conservatives living in liberal areas: Try Idaho

Thomas Siderius, 82

Thomas Siderius, 82, lifelong Flathead Valley resident, passed away at his home on Jan. 7, 2022.

Fix Amtrak first

Since its formation in 2020, the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority has been successful in touting its mission to re-establish rail passenger service through Southern Montana.

Hellgate girls too much, top Bravettes in final

It was a slow start for the Flathead Bravettes Saturday, and a lot of Missoula Hellgate’s opponents know the feeling.

Montana parks board gives initial OK to land purchase plan

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — The Montana State Parks and Recreation Board has granted preliminary approval to a plan to try to purchase land along the lower Yellowstone River in hopes of creating public access and promoting tourism and economic development.

Nebraska-born mountain lion killed in Montana

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A mountain lion that was born in Nebraska has been killed in Montana, a first for both states.

Wheat prices soar on concerns of war, drought

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — With cash grain prices at record highs and Russia's war on Ukraine likely to push them higher still, one might assume that farm trucks would be lining up a mile deep at grain elevators hoping to cash in as they've done before.

Glacier ousts Hellgate on way to taking 3rd

Out of a 3-9 start came a third-place finish for the Glacier Wolfpack, who won twice Saturday at the Western AA Divisional boys basketball tournament.

Legals for March, 5 2022

Top 2 primary system will improve government

We became acquainted over half a century ago and have always shared a keen interest in government and public service.

School program examines mental health, suicide prevention

Teigan Avery speaks warmly of her dad, saying whoever was on the receiving end of his phone call knew they were in for at least an hour of conversation.

Study says more multi-family zoning would ease Montana housing crunch

A new study published by a Republican-aligned Montana think tank argues that zoning reform intended to make it easier to build duplex, triplex and fourplex-style homes in urban neighborhoods represents a key strategy for Montana as the state grapples with a housing crunch driven by lagging home construction and surging in-migration.

Nonprofit seeks land for housing project

Nonprofit seeks land for housing project

Letters to the editor March 5

Letters to the editor March 5

Bravettes top Bruins, earn first trip to State since 2013

State tournament-bound are the Flathead Bravettes, who pushed away from a 21-all tie late in the third quarter and downed Helena Capital 41-32 in the semifinals of the Western AA Divisional.

Glacier boys top Flathead 54-26 in loser-out

Glacier worked the boards and the nets for win No. 8 Friday morning, dispatching crosstown foe Flathead 54-26 in a Western AA Divisional boys loser-out game at Carroll College.

Glacier girls bow out with loss to Sentinel

The Missoula Sentinel Spartans ruled the boards and shot a ton of free throws Friday, and yet the Glacier girls were right there.

Mountain lions killed on Wild Horse Island to protect bighorn sheep

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes collaborated to kill three adult mountain lions on Wild Horse Island over the past two months.

Fewer than 100 Montana residents hospitalized with Covid

Fewer than 100 Montana residents were hospitalized with COVID-19 late this week for the first time in more than seven months, the state health department said.

Glacier boys top Flathead in loser-out

HELENA — Glacier worked the boards and the nets for win No. 8 Friday morning, dispatching crosstown foe Flathead 54-26 in a Western AA Divisional boys loser-out game at Carroll College.

Work session identifies assessment need for police, fire

The Kalispell City Council outlined future plans for three city departments at a work session Monday that reviewed master plans for Kalispell Parks and Recreation, the Kalispell Police Department and the Kalispell Fire Department.

Scouts present Tom Sliter Community Partnership Awards

The NW District Montana Council of Boy Scouts of America recently hosted an Investment in Character and Leadership breakfast fundraising event at the Buffalo Hill Golf Club, which included the Tom Sliter Community Partnership Awards.

Alta Fay Cameron, 84

Alta Fay Cameron, beloved mother, grandma and friend, moved on to her heavenly home on Feb. 24, 2022, at Logan Health Whitefish, surrounded by her loving family.

Legals for March, 4 2022

Workforce expert offers retention strategies

John Caldwell, Workforce Consultant for Job Service Kalispell, believes an innovative approach to retention can help local companies avoid the challenges of the current labor market.

Employers get creative to retain workers

Mike Bare has worked at Nomad Global Communication Solutions in Columbia Falls for eight years.

Law Roundup: Woman uses emergency services ‘to vent’

A woman called the Kalispell Police Department because her sister took her baby album. She was advised her complaint wasn’t a law enforcement matter.

Bravettes surge into Western AA semifinals

Kennedy Moore scored 16 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, and Maddy Moy started a late, critical surge that carried Flathead over Missoula Big Sky 48-39 at the Western AA girls basketball divisional Thursday.

Glacier girls fall to top-seeded Knights

The Glacier Wolfpack girls basketball team was a longshot to beat top-seeded Missoula Hellgate Thursday, certainly, and it took 33 seconds to see why.

Glacier, Flathead boys lose; play each other Friday morning

Flathead and Glacier will battle for a third time this season at 9:30 a.m. Friday, after both lost first-round games at the Western AA boys basketball divisional Thursday at Carroll College.

Cummings steps down as Flathead football coach

Flathead High School activities director Bryce Wilson is on the hunt for another head football coach after he announced Thursday that Alex Cummings has resigned to take an assistant principal position at Kalispell Middle School.

Montana recreational marijuana sales increase in February

The sale of recreational marijuana in Montana increased slightly in February while medical marijuana sales declined compared to January's numbers, according to the state Department of Revenue.

Billings college mulls renaming building after pro-Hitler comments

Officials at Montana State University-Billings will consider removing the name of the college's first president from its administrative building after discovering quotes from more than 85 years ago in which he supported Adolf Hitler's sterilization plan to improve the genetics of the human race, the university said Thursday.

Rosendale votes against Ukrainian resolution, says ‘put America first’

Montana Rep. Matt Rosendale was one of just three members of the U.S. House to vote against supporting Ukraine in its ongoing battle against Vladimir Putin’s Russian invasion of that country.

Dangerous lead levels found in half of Montana schools tested

About half of Montana schools that had tested their water by mid-February under a new state rule had high levels of lead, according to state data. But the full picture isn’t clear because fewer than half of the state’s school buildings had provided water samples six weeks after the deadline.

Gianforte kills collared mountain lion near Yellowstone

News of Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte legally killing a radio-collared mountain lion in the Greater Yellowstone Area earlier this year has generated national headlines, but one wildlife advocacy group said the incident raises more significant concerns beyond the killing of the animal.

State park board reviews land deals, archery range options

State parks officials are looking for more money to develop the state's newly acquired Somers Beach, among other proposals in the Flathead.

Agency provides myriad services to assist older adults

The Flathead County Agency on Aging’s goal is pretty straightforward — to assist older adults with what’s important to them.

KMS stages “Disney’s Frozen Jr.” this weekend

Kalispell Middle School present “Disney’s Frozen Jr.”

N. Colorado rallies, catches Lady Griz in OT

GREELEY, Colo. — Alexis Chapman scored 23 points, including two 3-pointers in the final minute of regulation to force overtime, and Northern Colorado rallied past the Montana Lady Griz 72-64 in Big Sky Conference women’s basketball Wednesday.

Pack of 2: Glacier’s Gulick, Sorensen lead team into Western AA

The tandem of Bethany Sorensen and Sidney Gulick didn’t always work for the same side, not that elementary school athletics are all that cutthroat.

0303 TWIF briefs

Country and bluegrass band performs at YWAM

Women Artists of the Flathead featured at Phillips Studio

Phillips Studio & Gallery presents the Women Artists of the Flathead exhibit featuring the work of Linda Bates, Barbara Geha, Charlene Harman, Ardith Karlsen, Marcia Murdock, Susan Prestwich, Susan Wineman and DeNae Weimer.

Review: Gloomy nights for the Dark Knight in 'The Batman'

Batman, never a day person, is plunged into perpetual night in Matt Reeves' nocturnal, nihilist, neo-noir take on the Caped Crusader.

Former Glacier backcountry ranger to release debut album

When singer/songwriter Michael Shaw headed to Nashville he carried with him an incredible backstory deeply rooted in western Montana, and Glacier National Park in particular.ses debut album June 3

Marjorie I. Fisher, 89

Marjorie I. “Marge” (Cleveland) Fisher of Whitefish, 89, died Feb. 22, 2022, at Logan Health Whitefish.

Rocky guard sweeps 3 Frontier women’s awards

WHITEFISH — N’Dae Flye, the senior guard who just helped Rocky Mountain College win the Frontier Conference women’s basketball crown, swept three Frontier awards as its all-conference teams were released Wednesday.

Bigfork Playhouse Children’s Theater stages ‘Disney’s Descendants’

The Bigfork Playhouse Children’s Theater presents “Disney’s Descendants — the Musical.”

Letters to the editor March 3

Letters to the editor March 3

Legals for March, 3 2022

Longtime game warden Lou Kis remembered as 'larger than life'

The Flathead Valley lost a true living legend last week with the passing of Louis Kis, a longtime Fish, Wildlife and Parks game warden who was described by many as being “larger than life.”

KAMTA music scholars perform concert fundraiser

The Kalispell Area Music Teachers Association (KAMTA) presents its 19th annual Scholarship Alumni Concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 6, at the Flathead High School Performance Hall.

Book bans have no place in the Flathead

Early in my tenure on the Whitefish School Board, I gave a copy of the graphic novel “Maus” to the high school library.

United we win, divided we fail

I have been writing this article in my head for the past week, and now that Ukraine has been invaded, my thoughts remain the same, and they are that the level of dissent in the United States of America plays directly into the hands of the leaders of Russia and China and so threatens the freedoms of Americans in the future.

‘The Revolutionists’ closes this weekend

Whitefish Theatre Company’s “The Revolutionists” closes this weekend with shows March 3, 4 and 5 at 7:30 p.m.

Thompson Chain of Lakes easement

It’s still wintertime in the Flathead, but spring is just around the corner - I hope. This past couple of weeks have been busy for many of us that hunt, fish and hike in the great Flathead Outdoors.

Columbia Falls archer making his mark

A Columbia Falls teen is making his mark in the field of competitive archery.

Bad Bear, Bobcat women win at Sacramento State

SACRAMENTO — Kola Bad Bear scored 20 points to lead Montana State past Sacramento State 65-52 Wednesday, keeping the Bobcats in the hunt for a share of the Big Sky Conference women’s basketball crown.

Montana attorney general's office hires outside legal help

The office of Montana's attorney general has hired outside legal help — at a cost of up to $120,000 this year — to oversee about 40 civil cases, many of which challenge bills passed in 2021 by the Republican-controlled Legislature.

Montana identifies $15M in assets with exposure to Russia

Montana's governor asked state agencies on Wednesday to review assets and operations for any that may benefit the Russian government or its war against Ukraine and to suggest ways to divest them.

States launch probe into TikTok's effect on kids' health

State attorneys general have launched a nationwide investigation into TikTok and its possible harmful effects on young users' mental health, widening government scrutiny of the wildly popular video platform.

2 flu deaths reported in Flathead County

Two people have died of influenza in Flathead County so far this season, the Flathead City-County Health Department reported Wednesday.

2 arrested in Bigfork following police pursuit

Two people were arrested early Wednesday morning following a police pursuit that spanned Lake and Flathead counties.

Sun Road, Polebridge reservations go quickly

Glacier National Park’s vehicle reservations for the North Fork entrance and Going-to-the-Sun Road became available on Wednesday morning.

Wildlife officials survey for snapping turtles, bullfrogs

A state invasive species partnership is taking a deeper look at snapping turtles and bullfrogs in Northwest Montana.

Carroll’s Paulson is men’s Frontier Coach of Year

WHITEFISH — Commissioner Kent Paulson announced the 2021-22 Frontier Conference All-Conference Men’s Basketball team, as well as individual award winners, all-defensive team and Champions of Character after balloting by the league’s coaches.

Mary Louise Alphin Hurley, 91

With profound sadness we announce the passing of Mary Louise Alphin Hurley, our loving mother, devoted wife, and friend to all whose lives she touched, on Feb. 25, 2022.

Legals for March, 2 2022

Prep basketball pairings

State A and Western AA basketball pairings

Spring (football) is in the air

Griz open spring drills with questions at QB, both lines

After more than a month working not-so-quietly behind the scenes in morning conditioning sessions and lifting weights in the Washington-Grizzly Champions Center, the Montana football team officially returns to the field this week to open the spring season.

Kalispell graduate finds her voice as UM speech pathology student

Megan Andersen didn’t talk until she was 5 years old. Now she is a communicative sciences and disorders major at the University of Montana with plans to attend graduate school for clinical training in speech development.

Bishop, Bobcats thump Thunderbirds

BOZEMAN — Point guard Xavier Bishop had his second straight excellent game with 28 points, and Montana State downed Southern Utah 69-53 Tuesday to earn at least a share of its first Big Sky Conference men’s basketball title in 20 years.

MDT decides not to pursue reconstruction project in downtown Whitefish

MDT decides not to pursue reconstruction project in downtown Whitefish

Audubon presentation features naturalist Denny Olson

Flathead Audubon’s next monthly meeting will feature conservation educator Denny Olson at 7 p.m. Monday, March 14, at the Gateway Community Center’s Community Room, or via Zoom.

Cub Scouts celebrate Winter Day

Nearly 40 Cub Scouts from around the Flathead Valley came together Feb. 19 to learn about the Montana ecosystem at Lone Pine State Park.

Rocky women win Frontier crown

BILLINGS — N’Dea Flye scored 24 points, Kloie Thatcher added 16 and Rocky Mountain College held off Carroll 59-56 in the Frontier Conference women’s tournament championship Tuesday.

Laura Wold Monson

Laura Wold Monson passed away peacefully Feb. 17, 2022, from complications from Alzheimer's, surrounded by family

Biden vows to check Russian aggression, fight inflation

Addressing a concerned nation and anxious world, President Joe Biden vowed in his first State of the Union address Tuesday night to check Russian aggression in Ukraine, tame soaring U.S. inflation and deal with the fading but still dangerous coronavirus.

Authorities search for Bigfork bank robbery suspect

The suspect of an attempted armed bank robbery in Bigfork remained at large Tuesday afternoon, authorities warned.

Activism grows nationwide in response to school book bans

Until a year ago, Stephana Ferrell's political activism was limited to the occasional letter to elected officials.

Convicted killer Hillious seeks new trial

Attorneys for a Kalispell man convicted of killing his wife in 2020 are requesting a new trial on the grounds that prosecutors made improper comments during closing arguments, and that evidence suggests a lesser charge should have been pursued.

Warming Center receives $30k grant to fix roof

Whitefish Community Foundation has awarded a $30,000 emergency grant to Flathead Warming Center in Kalispell to replace the shelter’s failing roof.

Montana pays $60k to settle public records case over pipeline docs

The state of Montana has paid more than $60,000 to the ACLU of Montana to settle a case over its refusal to release documents related to the state's preparations for anticipated protests against the proposed Keystone XL oil pipeline that was to cross northeastern Montana.

Filmmakers examine Unabomber in movie ‘Ted K’

The remote wilderness near Lincoln where Ted Kaczynski, the infamous Unabomber, lived still has signs of his presence.

Columbia Falls approves covenants for junior high

The Columbia Falls School District 6 board has approved the covenants on the old junior high school, assuring that it will be senior housing.

Board considers Lower Valley event venue

The Flathead County Board of Adjustment will consider tonight a request to operate a recreation facility south of Kalispell, and separately an appeal from neighbors regarding a previously approved short-term rental near Whitefish.

Legals for March, 1 2022

Law roundup: Welfare check requested for squirrely woman

Someone asked Kalispell Police Department officers to check on a woman’s welfare after seeing her sitting in front of her house and repeatedly “digging her face into the ground.”

Volunteer instructors rekindle lost connections with school

Fair-Mont-Egan School is hoping its volunteer instructor electives program will revive connections lost with community and family members during the pandemic when many schools had visitor restrictions in place.

Polson to consider $50M in school bonds

Citing a need to accommodate school enrollment, address student safety and enhance educational options through facility improvements, the Polson School Board will seek a pair of school bonds totaling nearly $50 million in an election in May.

Co-op energy savings totaled $1.7 million in 2021

Co-op energy savings totaled $1.7 million in 2021