Ellington

Landmark same-sex marriage bill wins Senate passage

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate passed bipartisan legislation Tuesday to protect same-sex marriages, an extraordinary sign of shifting national politics on the issue and a measure of relief for the hundreds of thousands of same-sex couples who have married since the Supreme Court's 2015 decision that legalized gay marriage nationwide.

Pedestrian death in Lakeside still under investigation

The death of a pedestrian who was struck by at least one vehicle in Lakeside on Nov. 12 remains under investigation, officials with Montana Highway Patrol said Wednesday.

Legals for November, 30 2022

Culinary event benefits ski foundation

The Flathead Valley Ski Education Foundation is having its 2022 Showcase of the Chefs Tuesday, Dec. 6.

Kalispell Holiday Stroll set for Dec. 2

Downtown Kalispell’s Holiday Stroll will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2.

Motorist brought up on multiple felony counts after allegedly brandishing rifle

Herbert Hale Brown, 64, was released from the county jail on Nov. 28 after initially being held with bail set at $35,000.

County sets out plans for regional septage treatment facility

The county has an estimated 30,000 wastewater treatment systems and as rapid growth has occurred over the last decade the suitable land for the disposal of septic waste has become quite limited.

Women Who Wine hosts annual giving banquet

Women Who Wine (WWW) welcomes everyone to help them celebrate a successful 2022 fundraising year at their annual giving banquet “Celebrating Our Stars” on Tuesday, Dec. 6 at the Elks Lodge in Kalispell. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

Montana sees slight increase in unemployment rate in October

The October jobs data is out and unemployment is up slightly in Montana, continuing from September.

Law roundup: Inflatable Snoopy decoration vanishes in thin air

The Kalispell Police Department received a report that an inflatable 5-foot-6-inch Snoopy Christmas display was stolen from a front yard over the weekend.

Abortion looms as major issue in upcoming legislative session

Montana voters this year rejected a ballot initiative that would have reshaped infant and obstetric care, a proposed law linked by supporters and critics to the national debate over abortion, even as they handed Republicans a supermajority in the statehouse.

Prosecutors: Burgess incriminated himself willingly

Bradley Keith Burgess, 37, of Missoula faces a felony count of vehicular homicide while under the influence in Flathead County District Court stemming from the Aug. 27 crash.

Jolene JoAnn Archibald, 92

Jolene “JoAnn" Archibald, 92, died Nov. 23, 2022, following a brief illness.

Don Zen Allred, 88

Don Zen Allred, 88, returned to his hHeavenly home Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022, while at home in Gold Star Park Quartzsite, Arizona, where he and his wife, Louise, have resided since 1997.

Big Sky Notes: Grizzlies, especially the special teams, are on NDSU’s radar

The North Dakota State Bison didn’t roll up nine Football Championship Subdivision football titles in 10 years by taking anyone lightly, and the Montana Grizzlies have their attention.

Western A Football: Jarrett Wilson MVP; Whitefish lands 8 All-State picks, Columbia Falls 6

Whitefish had eight All-State picks — three playing both ways — and Columbia Falls had six while Polson’s Jarrett Wilson was named offensive MVP on the Western A football honors teams released Tuesday.

Oath Keepers boss guilty of seditious conspiracy in 1/6 case

WASHINGTON (AP) — Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes was convicted Tuesday of seditious conspiracy for a violent plot to overturn Democrat Joe Biden's presidential win, handing the Justice Department a major victory in its massive prosecution of the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection.

Hunting season ends with increased elk harvest

The 2022 general big game hunting season wrapped up Sunday with the overall number of Northwest Montana hunters with harvested elk up compared to a year ago.

Hank Williams Jr. to headline Under the Big Sky Festival

The Under the Big Sky Festival returns to Big Mountain Ranch in Whitefish July 14-16 with Hank Williams Jr. headlining the music festival. Also slated to perform are Ohio folk trio CAAMP and Oklahoma’s rising star Zach Bryan.

Letters to the editor Nov. 29

Letters to the editor Nov. 29

Law roundup: It’s not Santa on roof

A woman reportedly returned home around midnight after having a heart attack and heard someone outside.

Veterans deluge VA with claims for toxic exposure benefits, health care

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is processing claims at the fastest rate in its history, hoping to avoid a significant backlog as hundreds of thousands of veterans apply for health care and benefits under the landmark toxic exposure law Congress passed earlier this year.

Local artist pleads guilty to criminal endangerment

Authorities arrested Nicholas Oberling, 59, in July after his then partner reported receiving shocks upon reaching for soap while taking a shower.

A plea to get involved

This past election cycle has really woken me up to the condition of our country and the work that lays ahead.

Legals for November, 29 2022

Man accused of injuring woman after firing gun in home pleads not guilty

Authorities arrested George Paul Herne, 20, in the early morning hours of July 4 while following up on a report of a person receiving treatment for a gunshot wound at a local emergency room, according to court documents.

Conservation initiative marks two decades of protecting critical lands

Conservationists put together a scientific report pointing to the landscape’s high biological value and one where the natural resources were being threatened, bringing people together for the purpose of conserving lands around Flathead Lake and Flathead River.

US stock indexes fall as lockdown protests spread in China

Stocks fell broadly on Wall Street as protests spread in China calling for President Xi Jinping to step down amid growing anger over severe restrictions imposed as part of his "zero COVID" strategy in the world's second-largest economy.

Biden calls on Congress to head off potential rail strike

President Joe Biden on Monday asked Congress to intervene and block a railroad strike before next month's deadline in the stalled contract talks, following pressure by business groups on the stalled negotiations.

Cyber Monday deals lure in consumers amid high inflation

Cyber Monday is expected to remain the year's biggest online shopping day and rake in up to $11.6 billion in sales, according to Adobe Analytics, which tracks transactions at over 85 of the top 100 U.S. online stores.

Europe's inflation likely hasn't peaked, ECB's Lagarde says

The head of the European Central Bank said Monday she does not believe inflation has peaked after reaching the highest levels on record.

Montana officials urge judge to lift limit on wolf kills

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Montana officials on Monday asked a judge to lift a restraining order that restricted wolf hunting and trapping following concerns that too many of the animals could be killed this winter.

Letters to the editor Nov. 28

Letters to the editor Nov. 28

Bigfork Vikings' Jim Benn a coach on and off the field

Jim Benn faced more than his fair share of challenges as the head coach of the Bigfork Vikings football team over the past few seasons.

Legals for November, 28 2022

Great Whitefish Gingerbread Contest returns

Starting at 5 p.m. on Dec. 9, visitors to the Whitefish Christmas Stroll on Central Avenue are invited to view contest entries and vote for their favorites in two divisions.

PHOTOS: Griz charge past Redhawks with 31-point second half

Photos from the Montana Grizzlies 34-24 win over the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks in an FCS playoff game at Washington-Grizzly Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 26.

Legals for November, 27 2022

Ski town keeps evolving as resort turns 75

This year marks the Whitefish Mountain Resort's 75th anniversary, and as the ski destination has grown, the town has too.

Marlene (Herron) Berard, 89

Our beloved wife and mother, Marlene (Herron) Berard passed from this life on Nov. 5, 2022, after bravely enduring the tribulations of kidney dialysis for the last seven years of her life.

Turning the page

A little over 20 years ago, I accepted a job at the Inter Lake.

Flathead Business Watercooler

Business events, trainings and seminars

Griz rally past Redhawks

Malik Flowers sparked a run of 31 straight points with a record-tying kickoff return, and the Grizzlies sped past Southeast Missouri State 34-24 in an FCS playoff game Saturday. Lucas Johnson threw for 306 yards and two scores as the Grizzlies (8-4) advanced to a road game with No. 3 seed and defending national champion North Dakota State next Saturday.

Blacktail Mountain Ski Area to Celebrate 25 years

Steve Spencer, one of the founders of Blacktail Mountain Ski Area, had been skiing and working at Big Mountain for many years, starting with ski patrol and eventually rising to mountain manager, when he noticed fewer and fewer locals on the hill.

Joan Corrine Galland Bruce Lundy, 91

Joan Corrine Galland Bruce Lundy, 91, died peacefully on Nov. 6, 2022, in Kalispell.

Diamond anniversary for skiing Big Mountain

This winter skiers will once again head to the mountain taking turns in the powder as Whitefish Mountain Resort celebrates 75 years of skiing during the 2022-23 season.

Nomad celebrates 20 years manufacturing specialty vehicles

The first trailer, which took the team thousands of hours to build, did the job. It also doubled as an internet hub for tourists in the summer of 2003.

Letters to the editor Nov. 27

Letters to the editor Nov. 27

Whitefish at inflection point as resort celebrates 75 years

Whitefish Mountain Resort is celebrating a milestone birthday this winter — 75 years of carving powder and apres smiles on “the Big.”

Montana GOP has a supermajority. What now?

Earlier this month, voters elected the first legislative supermajority since Montana’s constitution was adopted 50 years ago, voting in over 100 Republicans to represent them in the Legislature.

Behind-the-scenes politics of leadership votes

Republican and Democrat caucuses met last week to pick leadership teams for the upcoming legislative session.

Constitutional Convention would be very risky

Two hundred and thirty-five years ago America held its first and only Constitutional Convention.

Community briefs

Lookout Association volunteer event; Bigfork church hosts series; Lakeside tree lighting; Free meals; Brunch with Santa; Christmas Bazaar; Cheerful Heart serves Lake County cancer patients

Flathead Business Newsmakers

Happenings at Flathead businesses

Kaye K. Stevens

Kaye K. Stevens died Nov. 23, 2022, at Logan Health Whitefish surrounded by her family’s love.

Phyllis Loree Applegate Hansberry, 88

On Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, Phyllis Loree Applegate Hansberry joined her son Randy in heaven for his birthday.

Suspect in 2021 high speed chase brought up on felony

Kevin Alfred Gobert, 38, faces a single count of criminal endangerment in Flathead County District Court for his alleged role in last year’s roughly 66-mile pursuit.

Vibe Wellness Lounge opens on Central Avenue in Whitefish

Below The Toggery on Central Avenue in Whitefish is Vibe Wellness Lounge. The shop offers high-quality therapeutic services and retail sales of wellness products.

Law roundup: Police try tracking pranksters

A Columbia Falls Police Department officer hot on the tracks of a tip that youths were playing “ding, dong, ditch” in the area stopped to speak with five boys playing in the snow in the street.

Martin City homicide trial pushed back

Judge Dan Wilson ordered Nov. 14 the jury trial of accused murderer Del Orrin Crawford pushed to the summer months at the request of his defense attorney.

Man accused of rape of underage girl about a decade ago

Authorities booked a Kalispell man into county jail Wednesday, charging him with the alleged rape of an underage girl about a decade ago after she came forward with the accusations this past February.

Glacier Queer Alliance considers safety training in the wake of Club Q shooting

A local LGBTQ group is considering different avenues to provide a safe space for its members following a deadly shooting at a gay bar in Colorado Springs last weekend.

Resort issues warning to pre-season uphill skiers

Whitefish Mountain Resort has issued another warning to hikers and uphill skiers, reminding them that entering into the construction zone for the new Snow Ghost Express chairlift is forbidden.

Law Roundup: Owner of unruly dog accused of targeting cats

Officers with the Columbia Falls Police Department were called to an area home for a report of a dog potentially blocking traffic.

Curtis David Cain, 57

Curtis was taken from us due to a tragic accident on Nov. 12, 2022, in Lakeside

Loss of public access to private land frustrates hunters in Mineral, Sanders counties

When the general hunting season opened Oct. 22, longtime hunters in Mineral and Sanders counties were shocked to find some of their favorite grounds closed to the public.

Motorist brought up on charges after allegedly fleeing deputies, resisting arrest

A Marion man accused of fleeing law enforcement during a traffic stop and later being uncooperative with sheriff’s deputies pleaded not guilty to multiple charges in Flathead County District Court this month.

After public outcry, Montana standards for counselors, librarians, to stay in place

The Montana Board of Public Education plans to keep existing ratios between students and librarians, school counselors and superintendents — contrary to the Office of Public Instruction’s recommendation to eliminate the minimum requirements.

Lawsuit over Whitefish subdivision dismissed, while second regarding property continues

A lawsuit filed against the city of Whitefish and a developer over a commercial subdivision has been dismissed.

Neighbors appeal apartment variance in C-Falls to state high court

The neighbors of a Columbia Falls apartment complex that burned down have appealed a district court ruling allowing the owner to rebuild.

FVCC student athlete honored for service in community

The award, created by Montana Campus Compact, was presented during the 121st Brawl of the Wild Cat/Griz game at Bobcat Stadium in Bozeman.

Legals for November, 25 2022

Column: Thankful for extra kicks, tackles — and one big win

As we gather around the giant yard bird that accompanies this holiday, the Polson Pirates can give thanks for the seasons they had.

Law roundup: One-eyed man looks to quench thirst

An older man with one eye allegedly went into a casino wanting to buy alcohol for $2. He pointed his phone at an employee, saying he was shooting her with it, after she told him she couldn’t sell him anything for that amount. Another patron stepped in and said, “I got you.” Officers with the Kalispell Police Department said they would check the area.

NW History Museum hosts holiday open house

The Northwest Montana History Museum will open its doors to the community for the museum’s annual holiday open house from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, and admission is free.

‘The Cowboys’ rides into Museum Movie Night

This month’s selection for Movie Night at the Museum is “The Cowboys” starring John Wayne. The film shows 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29, at the Northwest Montana History Museum.

Gypsy Theatre Guild presents holiday radio show

The Gypsy Theatre Guild presents a radio show production of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol at the Conrad Mansion in Kalispell.

NW Ballet Co. presents classic ‘Nutcracker’

This Thanksgiving weekend the Northwest Ballet Company will present its 34th production of the classic “Nutcracker” at the Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts.

Art and entertainment news

Art in the Garden exhibit and sale continues

Nursing homes continue closing, leaving residents, families stressed

In Montana, nine nursing homes have closed or are projected to in 2022, and one transitioned from a nursing home to an assisted living facility, according to the state Department of Public Health and Human Services.

Foundation awards more than $25,000 to teachers

Kalispell Education Foundation awarded $25,009 in Great Opportunities grants to help educators fund projects to engage and inspire students in Kalispell Public Schools.

Evicted Outlaw Inn renters still seeking home

When Joan Corbin and her daughter Michaela see paper notices on their door, it gives them flashbacks. They can’t help but recall a cold day in January when they learned that they had a month to find new accommodations or end up on the streets.

Yuletide Affair takes the stage

Yuletide Affair 19 takes stage

East meets West in Mizutani’s ‘Lord of the Strings’ concert series

Mizutani and Impact present Opus 11 of 12 of his “The Lord of the Strings” concert series.

Legals for November, 24 2022

Holiday railroad strike possible as unions reject tentative contract

A sense of deja vu is overtaking the U.S. railroad industry this week as labor leaders and major railroad representatives try to figure out how to avoid a strike that could bring freight and passenger trains to a halt in the middle of the busy holiday shipping season.

Jeremiah Kenneth Hartle, 46

Jeremiah Kenneth Hartle, 46, returned home to his Lord and Savior on Nov. 17, 2022, after a nearly five-year battle with cancer.

‘A Touch of Christmas’ follows Bigfork Holiday Parade

The Bigfork Playhouse Children’s Theatre presents “A Touch Of Christmas” — Brach Thomson & Friends in concert, for one night only, Dec. 3, at 7:30 p.m. at the Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts.

Grateful to be a Montanan

As a fifth-generation Montanan, I didn’t choose Montana — Montana chose me.

Letters to the editor Nov. 24

Letters to the editor Nov. 24

Fallout from Outlaw closure still deserves review

When approximately 100 people were displaced last winter by the abrupt closure of the extended-stay annex at FairBridge Inn and Suites in Kalispell, many were left with few, if any, options for housing.

Ninepipes Museum hosts holiday event

Ninepipes Museum in Charlo is hosting a special holiday event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 26.

Flathead Forest rejects Holland Lake Lodge expansion

A Utah-based developer is going to have to go back to the drawing board after the Flathead National Forest rejected its initial plan to expand and upgrade the Holland Lake Lodge in Condon.

PHOTOS: Light Up Evergreen & Pie Auction

Photos from the annual Light Up Evergreen & Pie Auction held at Glacier Ace Hardware on Tuesday, Nov. 22.

Walmart manager opens fire in break room, killing 6

CHESAPEAKE, Va. (AP) — A Walmart manager opened fire on fellow employees in the break room of a Virginia store, killing six people in the country's second high-profile mass shooting in four days, police and a witness said Wednesday.

Legals for November, 23 2022

Kalispell puts stormwater treatment facilities project out to bid

The Kalispell Department of Public Works is accepting bids from contractors to install new stormwater treatment facilities at several city locations.

Town Pump offers matching funds for food banks

Over 100 food banks statewide are participating this year in the “Be A Friend in Deed” campaign, which began in 2001.

Kalispell City Council returns Bette Albright to urban forestry committee

Kalispell City Council voted Monday to approve the appointment of Bette Albright to the urban forestry committee, also known as the tree board.

Admitted drunk driver sent to state treatment program

Donald Douglas Houtonen, 35, had pleaded guilty to felony driving under the influence, fourth of subsequent offense, on Sept. 26.

Barry John Burghardt, 59

Barry John Burghardt passed away unexpectedly on Nov. 2, 2022. He was 59 years old.

Stillwater student earns second place in Constitution contest

Stillwater Christian School seventh-grader Kendra Wolf won second place in the middle school category in the Montana Secretary of State’s U.S. Constitution Contest.

House GOP leadership finalizes committee assignments

Newly elected Republican leadership in the Montana House of Representatives finalized committee assignments for the 2023 Legislature Monday, placing both relative moderates and more stringent ideologues in committee chair positions.

Man convicted in murder that rocked Libby seeks parole

A convicted child killer whose crime shocked Libby nearly 40 years ago is seeking parole.

Wanda Ilene Lee, 85

Wanda Ilene Lee passed away Nov. 19, 2022.

Paula Jayne Wheeler, 76

Paula Jayne Wheeler, 76, passed into heaven and joined her husband, Floyd Wheeler, on Nov. 4, 2022.

Joan L. Frank, 86

Joan L. Frank of Columbia Falls passed away on Nov. 19, 2022 at her home surrounded by her loving family and friends at 86.

Law roundup: A killer or a Bob Marley fan?

Someone was probably left speechless after an “extremely cracked out” man allegedly came up to them in a parking lot and said he just killed a sheriff.

Polson’s Jarrett Wilson commits to Montana Tech

Polson quarterback Jarrett Wilson is going to be an Oredigger, after announcing Sunday on Twitter that has committed to Montana Tech to play football.

Big Sky Notebook: Momentum is a win away for Griz

The Montana Grizzlies head into the playoffs coming off a loss, which isn’t all that unique, even to the Griz, and even under coach Bobby Hauck.

Bigfork puts 6 on B All-State football team

Six Bigfork Vikings made All-State for Class B football, the Montana Coaches Association announced this week.

Big game season enters final weekend

The elk harvest for Region 1 continues to trend ahead of last year as the general big game season enters its final weekend in Montana.

Jury begins deliberating in Oath Keepers sedition trial

WASHINGTON (AP) — Jurors began deliberating Tuesday in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot case accusing Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes and four of his extremist group associates of a violent plot to stop the transfer of presidential power from Republican Donald Trump to Democrat Joe Biden.

Letters to the editor Nov. 22

Letters to the editor Nov. 22

Moving toward a clean energy future

When I imagine our clean energy future, I imagine it as amazing. I picture cleaner air, better health, cheaper, more efficient energy, and most importantly, an end to planet heating emissions from the burning of fossil fuels.

Blackfeet Nation challenges Montana’s ban on vaccine mandates

Montana’s vaccination discrimination law is one of the most controversial pandemic-related measures passed by Republican state lawmakers in 2021. Its rollout has created confusion within schools, health care facilities, and counties. And it has been challenged as unconstitutional by health care facilities, doctors, and nurses.

Law roundup: Doll display goes over woman’s head

A woman allegedly thought the residents of two houses across from each other were out their heads and involved in a satanic ritual when she complained they had doll heads impaled on fence posts.

Legals for November, 22 2022

Columbia Falls speech wins first in East Helena

The Class A team amassed 148 overall points at the tournament for the win.

Attorney wants evidence suppressed in fatal crash case

Maury Solomon, who represents 37-year-old Bradley Keith Burgess, filed a motion to suppress evidence in Flathead County District Court earlier this month.

Echo Lake residents struggle with internet, phone woes

A multi-week telecommunications blackout has proven the last straw with CenturyLink for more than a few residents of the Echo Lake area, who say the company has underserved them for years.

Former tribal official sentenced to prison for bribery

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A former Three Affiliated Tribes official was sentenced Monday to six years and three months in federal prison after pleading guilty to a scheme that involved soliciting and accepting bribes and kickbacks from a contractor providing construction services on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation.

Law roundup: Woman thinks ex is in upholstery

Kalispell Police Department officers checked a woman’s vehicle because she was allegedly convinced her ex was in the upholstery.

FWP warden captain has Flathead roots

Nathan Reiner only became interested in pursuing a career as a game warden after working alongside them as a trooper with Montana Highway Patrol.

Louis A. Máté, 94

father, Louis A. Máté, passed into heaven and joined our mother, Glennie Máté.

Whitefish looks to roadmap to address housing needs

City Council meets at 7:10 p.m. at City Hall, 418 E Second St.

Kalispell City Council considers appointment to tree board

The meeting starts at 7 p.m. in the City Hall, 201 First Ave. E. It can also be attended remotely via Zoom.

Births

Births

FCS playoffs: Montana State earns No. 4 seed, Griz get in

South Dakota State and Sacramento State earned the top two seeds in the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs when the 24-team field was announced Sunday.

Police: Gunman kills 5 at gay club, is subdued by patrons

A 22-year-old gunman opened fire inside a gay nightclub in Colorado Springs, killing five people and leaving 25 injured before he was subdued by "heroic" patrons and arrested by police who arrived within minutes, authorities said Sunday.

Kalispell chamber weighs resort tax as part of growth study

The Kalispell Chamber of Commerce is gathering input from the community aiming to create a plan for “intentional growth” in coming years, and among issues being examined are the benefits of a potential resort tax.

Law roundup: Owner lets dog run free, ignores complaint

A dog owner was frustrated and upset when a Kalispell Police Department officer showed up regarding a complaint her dog was running around a man’s property and growling at him. She reportedly told officers she was aware her dog jumps the fence and runs into the road, and neighbors had brought the issue to her attention, however, she ignores them because “they complain too much.”

Flathead Business Newsmakers

Happenings at Flathead businesses

Legals for November, 20 2022

We need to bring Montana medical students home

The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Resources reports that 43 of 56 counties in Montana are designated as primary care health professional shortage areas.

College Center a welcome addition to the valley

Flathead Valley Community College is in the spotlight this month as the public gets its first look at the Wachholz College Center, the new state-of-the-art performing arts and activity venue on the Kalispell campus.

Letters to the editor Nov. 20

Letters to the editor Nov. 20

Montanans deserve better than NorthWestern’s failed leadership

As the global energy landscape shifts — and the costs to power our homes, ranches, and businesses skyrocket – Montana faces serious challenges.

Native American Heritage Month – A constitutional promise

November is National American Indian Heritage Month. In 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed a Congressional Joint Resolution establishing this event and called upon governments, interested groups, organizations, and the people of the United States to observe this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.

Tea with Vivienne and friends

It was a stay at a Victorian B&B and meeting a charming British cafe owner in Kalispell that planted the seeds and began to shape that special place.

Flathead Business Watercooler

Business events, trainings and seminars

Joyce Jeannette Brooks-Pasha, 89

Joyce Jeannette Brooks-Pasha peacefully left behind her earthly body early Thursday morning, Nov. 10, 2022, surrounded by loved ones and in the comfort of her home.

Clarice Gates, 83

Clarice Marie (Maas) Ost Gates was born Nov. 9, 1939, in Kalispell and passed away peacefully in Kalispell on Nov. 10, 2022.

Seasonal franchise Everything Christmas brings holiday cheer to Flathead Valley

Just off U.S. 93, shoppers can see the bold red and green Everything Christmas sign.

Rising food costs take a bite out of Thanksgiving dinner

Americans are bracing for a costly Thanksgiving this year, with double-digit percent increases in the price of turkey, potatoes, stuffing, canned pumpkin and other staples.

Gene Roullier, 78

Gene Roullier, 78, of Elmo, Montana passed away peacefully on Nov. 13, 2022.

Caitlin Rose Mattern, 26

On a sunny Easter morning, April 7, 1996, our beautiful Caitlin Rose was born.

Solution pitched to CenturyLink may overlook Essex customers

After receiving years of sub-par phone service from CenturyLink, the residents of Essex are asking if they will once again be forgotten in the state’s recently announced “solution” to the problem.

Day care programs offer child care to school staff

A state-licensed day care program has opened at Kalispell Public Schools as part of a new cooperative program to serve children of district employees.

Free Thanksgiving dinners served around Flathead Valley

A generous host of free Thanksgiving dinners are available around the Flathead Valley. Members of the community are welcome to feel at home and enjoy both their food and fellowship.

Community briefs

Lions Club ornament fundraiser; Webinar talks about senior living; Food bank donations

The next generation speaks up

I could hear the clamor of students inside Flathead High before I opened the door to the school a couple of Saturdays ago.

Kalispell says branches should be disposed of properly

The statement goes on to remind residents that disposing of tree debris from private property is residents’ responsibility.

Fewer Americans file for jobless benefits last week

Applications for jobless claims for the week ending Nov. 12 fell by 4,000 to 222,000 from 226,000 the previous week, the Labor Department reported Thursday.

Smaller food cos. get set for a high-priced holiday season

Small businesses that count on food-centric holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas are bracing for a difficult season.

Elizabeth Holmes gets more than 11 years for Theranos scam

The sentence imposed Friday by U.S. District Judge Edward Davila was shorter than the 15-year penalty requested by federal prosecutors.

Evergreen School District looks beyond the classroom

While much of the work to meet this mission happens in the classroom each day, the Evergreen School District is also committed to supporting students outside of the traditional classroom each and every day.

Building Permits

building permits

Students get moving with Evergreen Fitness program

What started out as a weight training program for seventh- and eighth-grade student-athletes, soon expanded to all students interested in staying fit over summer break, starting in the second grade.

Evergreen School District seeks substitutes

Evergreen School District is looking for substitutes for all positions and has recently increased the hourly pay as part of recruitment efforts.

Evergreen Rotary Club looks toward 20th anniversary in 2023

The Evergreen Rotary Club was formed in 2003, when founding members were looking at certain projects in the community that they believed they could help fund.

Cryo Kalispell provides alternative health service

Using cold to treat injuries and promote healing is nothing new, but whole body cryotherapy did not start until 1979.

Shirt Shack prints T-shirts out of home garage

Lifelong Evergreen resident Troy Schweigert has known a thing or two about “working from home,” for years.

Gordy's Old Hickory Sheds offer opportunity

Gordy Lister thinks most people are prejudiced against salespeople, something he attributes to people’s experiences with the pushy ones who talk more than they listen.

Misty Mountain has little bit of everything

The Misty Mountain Trading Post, located at 1498 Montana 35 in Kalispell, has a little bit of something for everyone.

Gary Lynn Meldrum, 82

On Friday, Oct. 14, 2022, Gary Lynn Meldrum, the best brother ever, passed away from pulmonary fibrosis.

Evergreen sidewalk project takes next step

The survey phase of the project to build sidewalks along U.S. 2 between Montana 35 and Sunset Drive has been completed by KLJ, the engineering firm selected by the Montana Department of Transportation.

Focused Bobcats literally carried the day

Bobcat fans showed up for a frigid College GameDay program, and then they got more amped up during Montana State’s 55-21 rout of Montana in Saturday’s Cat-Griz game.

Belt rallies to beat Mission for 8-Man title

The Belt Huskies broke out in the second half of the Class C 8-Man championship game at Mission High School to top the Mission Bulldogs 52-24 and claim their first title since 1994.

Cats pile up 439 rushing yards in 55-21 rout of Griz

Tommy Mellott, Montana State’s superb sophomore quarterback out of Butte, is as direct at a postgame press conference as he is hitting the gap on a zone running play.

PHOTOS: Mission falls to Belt in 8-Man final, 52-24

Photos from the State C 8-man championship game where the Mission Bulldogs fell to the Belt Huskies 52-24 at St. Ignatius High School on Saturday, Nov. 19.

PHOTOS: Flathead Food Bank's Thanksgiving distribution

Flathead Food Bank's Thanksgiving distribution on Friday, Nov. 18. Around 800 families pre-registered for the distribution, which does not account for a two hour window set aside for families who were not able to pre-register.

Suspected drug dealer sentenced to six years

Prosecutors say Timothy Leo Vleisides, 64, admitted to receiving methamphetamine via mail every other month for about two years when authorities arrested him in 2021.

POWDR already in charge of Holland Lake Lodge, lawyers allege

POWDR, a Utah company identified as future owner of Holland Lake Lodge, is already in control of the Swan Valley resort, allege a couple of lawyers who are opponents of a lodge expansion proposal in a memo and review of public records.

Logan Health awards Healthy Classrooms grants

Logan Health's Foundation and School-Based Services awarded $500 grants to 16 educators at Flathead Valley schools this October.

Coroner: Idaho students were stabbed to death in their beds

Four University of Idaho students who were found dead in a rental house Sunday were stabbed to death in their beds and likely were asleep, a county coroner told a cable news channel.

Roundup for Safety supports gun safety effort

The Roundup for Safety Board awarded $17,321 in community safety grants to nonprofits at its Nov. 10 meeting, including a $3,000 grant requested by the Nate Chute Foundation (NCF) for gun-safety locks.

June M. Anderson, 94

June M. Anderson, 94, of Bigfork, passed away on Nov. 9, 2022, surrounded by her loving family.

Jean W. Tyser, 94

Jean W. Tyser, 94, passed away Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022, at Buffalo Hill Terraces. Wilbur Warren.

Law roundup: Nice bicycles stored on private land arouse suspicions

Officers with the Kalispell Police Department were tasked with investigating “sketchy activity” in a neighborhood, possibly the result of homeless people “doing things.”

West Glacier Vision Plan goes before county commissioners

Commissioners will consider a resolution of intent to adopt the plan. The public comment portion meeting begins at 8:45 a.m.

Suspect in box cutter attack pleads guilty

Brockton Ferguson, 36, made the acknowledgment after pleading guilty to felony aggravated assault for the April 5 attack in Kalispell.

Knudsen, Tester simultaneously publicize efforts to curb fentanyl abuse

As Attorney General Austin Knudsen unveiled Thursday his latest effort to prevent fentanyl abuse in Montana, U.S. Sen. Jon Tester highlighted efforts in the Senate to make it easier to detect the opioid along the southern border.

Legals for November, 18 2022

Early risers catch glimpse of meteor streaking across morning sky

Early risers Thursday morning may have caught a glimpse of a spectacular fireball seen from Missoula to north of Calgary at 6:26 a.m.

Mission Bulldogs take on Belt for 8-man title Saturday

Mission’s first 8-man football championship appearance was a long time coming, though superintendent Jason Sargent foresaw it after the 2020 season.

Griz, Cats set for 121st ‘Brawl’

The players for the Montana Grizzlies and Montana State Bobcats would like to treat the 121st “Brawl” as any other game, and the coaches feel the same. But you have to be there.

Glacier Park may require reservations for Two Medicine, Many Glacier valleys next summer

Glacier National Park will require reservations for the Many Glacier and Two Medicine valleys in the summer of 2023. That’s in addition to the reservation requirements for the Going-to-the-Sun Road and the North Fork entrances.

Foot found in Yellowstone hot pool ID'd as that of LA man

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. (AP) — A foot found floating in a Yellowstone National Park hot pool last summer belonged to a 70-year-old man from Los Angeles, park officials said Thursday.

Idaho police: No suspect in slaying of 4 college students

Police in the college town of Moscow said Wednesday they have not identified a suspect or found a weapon in the weekend slayings of four University of Idaho students in a rental house near campus.

Reproductive rights groups say the rejection of LR-131 is a bellwether for future abortion legislation in Montana.

When Dr. Timothy Mitchell, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist in Missoula, read the bill behind Montana’s LR-131, the Born-Alive Infant Protection Act, he said, he was motivated for the first time in his medical career to get involved in a political campaign about reproductive health.

WCC hosts International Guitar Night

The 23rd edition of International Guitar Night will be hosted by the Wachholz College Center on the campus of the Flathead Valley Community College on Feb. 5.

FVCC presents exhibit by local painter Christopher Otto

Flathead Valley Community College’s art department presents an exhibition for local painter Christopher Otto and Technology Building lobby on campus in Kalispell.

NW Ballet Co. brings back beloved ‘Nutcracker’

This Thanksgiving weekend the Northwest Ballet Company will present its 34th production of the classic “Nutcracker” at the Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts.

Arts and Entertainment news

‘Come as you are’ to Alliance’s Drag Show

Met Opera Live in HD airs ‘Medea’ in Whitefish

Whitefish Theatre Company and the Whitefish Performing Arts Center are co-presenting the second live on-screen performance of the Metropolitan Opera Live in HD 2022-2023 season.

Legals for November, 17 2022

Court order on wolf hunting gives conservation groups partial victory

A Lewis and Clark County District Court judge on Tuesday granted a temporary restraining order truncating the size and scope of wolf hunting season in response to a motion filed last week by conservation groups.

Law roundup: Woman takes officer’s instruction too far

A Kalispell Police Department officer on a traffic stop told a woman driving a black Honda with no license plates to pull forward a little bit to get out of the middle of the road and she reportedly took their instruction “a little too seriously” and took them on a jaunt.

FEC retires largest capital credit in co-op's history

At their October meeting, FEC’s board of trustees retired $3 million of capital credits allocated to member accounts in 2008 and an additional $5 million of capital credits allocated in 2021 — the largest capital credit retirement in FEC history.

Lloyd Albert Peiffer, 84

Lloyd Albert Peiffer passed away on Monday, Nov. 14, 2022, surrounded by lots of love and comfort from his family.

Knudsen elected vice chair of the Republican Attorneys General Association

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen was elected vice chair of the Republican Attorney General Association (RAGA), a national political advocacy group, over the weekend.

Banff Film Festival screens in new venue

The Banff Film Festival will be held in a new venue — the Wachholz College Center at FVCC — Dec. 6 and 7 (Tuesday and Wednesday) at 7 p.m.

WTC brings gripping ‘Church & State’ to the stage

The Whitefish Theatre Co. presents its second Black Curtain theater production of the 2022-2023 season with “Church & State” by Jason Odell Williams. Called “surprisingly subtle and sophisticated,” “Church & State” has performances at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 19 and 20 at the O’Shaughnessy Center in Whitefish.

National Geo lecture series kicks off today

Archaeologist Alicia Odewale will present “Greenwood: A Century of Resilience” for the first National Geographic Live speaker in the lecture series today, Nov. 17, at the Wachholz College Center at Flathead Valley Community College.

McConnell reelected Senate GOP leader: 'Not going anywhere'

WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Mitch McConnell was reelected as Republican leader Wednesday, quashing a challenge from Sen. Rick Scott of Florida, the Senate GOP campaign chief criticized after a disappointing performance in the midterm elections that kept Senate control with Democrats.

Rep. Regier among legislative leaders picked for 2023 session

Montana legislators selected leadership Wednesday for the 2023 legislative session.

Whitefish takes second at Polson speech tournament

Whitefish scored 83 points overall. Frenchtown placed first with 108 points. Polson took third with 65 points.

Jeffrey Wayne Bronson, 63

Jeffrey Wayne Bronson, 63, passed away on Nov. 9, 2022.

Posse presentation focuses on historic photographer

Herman Schnitzmeyer is a little known historic photographer from the lower Flathead Valley in the early 1900s.

Festival of Flavors event raises $250k for scholarships

Flathead Valley Community College Foundation’s annual Festival of Flavors Grand Wine Tasting event on Nov. 5 raised more than $250,000 for student scholarships.

Michael Thomas Calnan, 55

Michael ”Mike” Thomas Calnan, 55, passed away in Seattle on Nov. 10, 2022, after a long and valiant battle with brain cancer.

Public Works to perform lead pipe inventory

Kalispell City Council received a briefing Monday from Department of Public Works staff on changing federal and state drinking water regulations as well as what steps must be taken to comply with the new standards.

Linda Zimet

Professional triathlete, avid skier, mountaineer, business owner, mother and incredibly kind person, Linda Zimet passed on Nov. 8, 2022, surrounded by loved ones after a sudden battle with brain cancer.

Legals for November, 16 2022

Derick James Jolma, 46

Derick James Jolma, beloved husband, father, son and brother passed away peacefully surrounded by family in Billings on Nov. 9, 2022, after a short illness.

Law roundup: Is it wild or domestic?

Someone wanted the Kalispell Police Department to check out what they thought was a bobcat kitten hissing at people from its perch in a tree on the side of a building.

Roberta 'Bobbi' Lucille Wilkinson Wisdom, 84

Roberta “Bobbi” Lucille Wilkinson Wisdom, 84, of Kalispell, passed away on Nov. 11, 2022, after a long fight with cancer and osteoporosis.

Flathead’s Henley, Glacier’s Gulick land Frontier volleyball honors

Frontier Conference Commissioner Kent Paulson announced the 2022 Frontier Conference volleyball honors teams, and Flathead High product Taylor Henley is a first-team pick.

Big Sky Notebook: Time to get those Game(Day) Faces on

So here we are again, staring at a Cat-Griz game that has big stakes outside the old cliche of state bragging rights.

2 Polson spikers named All-State

Senior Clara Todd and junior Avery Starr of Polson were named All-State, and the Pirates’ Lucy Violett was a first-team pick on the Northwest A All-Conference volleyball team released Tuesday.

Trump launches 2024 White House bid

Former President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he will mount a third White House campaign, launching an early start to the 2024 contest.

Russian missiles cross into Poland during strike

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia pounded Ukraine's energy facilities Tuesday with its biggest barrage of missiles yet, striking targets across the country and causing widespread blackouts. A senior U.S. intelligence official said missiles crossed into NATO member Poland, where two people were killed.

Counties pressured to object to CSKT compact

As the deadline approaches to file objections to water rights claims set out in the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes-Montana Water Compact, some local officials are considering the effects of the landmark deal.

Region 1 check stations show uptick in elk harvests

Northwest Montana hunters can expect more activity in days ahead as signs of the rut have begun to emerge, state wildlife officials report.

Police: Knife used in deadly attack targeting Idaho students

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Four University of Idaho students found dead in an off-campus home were targeted, and the killer or killers used a knife or other "edged weapon" in the attack, police said Tuesday.

Zoneth Lee Overbey, 80

Zon Overbey, 80, passed away on Nov. 4, 2022.

Man allegedly threatened landlord with shotgun

John Raymond Welzel, 34, faces an assault with a weapon charge in Flathead County District Court.

Conservation groups seek to end wolf hunting season early

Wolf hunting season is underway and trapping season begins on Nov. 28, but a motion filed in Lewis and Clark County District Court last week could halt the harvesting of wolves until a new lawsuit is settled.

The snowball effect

Busy weeks left me yearning to get outdoors to take advantage of the amazing October weather we’d been having.

County shows off GIS technology during open house

On what’s known as GIS Day, the county GIS Department will hold an open house from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the historic County Courthouse

Law roundup: Mobile home a complete loss after fire

A mobile home on Hockaday Lane in Lakeside was destroyed in a fire Sunday night.

Letters to the editor Nov. 15

Letters to the editor Nov. 15

Cascade County Election Official says cops called after skeptics escalate

Law enforcement was called Friday after a group of election integrity skeptics in Cascade County escalated tactics, circling the county office and waiting for election officials and staff to come outside, according to County Clerk and Recorder Rina Moore.

Police identify 4 University of Idaho students found dead

MOSCOW, Idaho (AP) — Police have identified the four University of Idaho students who were found dead in a home near the Moscow, Idaho campus on Sunday.

Surging Montana GOP eyes big prize: Senate seat in 2024

Republicans emboldened by a string of electoral victories in Montana this midterm election are quickly turning their attention to a prize that has repeatedly eluded them: the U.S. Senate seat held by three-term Democrat Jon Tester that is up for grabs in 2024.

Kalispell City Council work session to focus on drinking water standards

Kalispell City Council will discuss emerging issues regarding drinking water standards, and how the city may need to change policies to comply with new federal and state standards, during a work session Monday.

Law roundup: Woman trapped in car wash, freed

A woman was reportedly stuck in an automatic car wash for about 20 minutes when she called the Kalispell Police Department. She told officers she tried calling a phone number provided in the car wash but only got a recording.

Ribbons pile up for longtime fair exhibitor

Sharon Askelson earned Open Class Exhibitor of the Year for a record sixth time at the Northwest Montana Fair.

Legals for November, 14 2022

Homelessness among older people is on the rise

Inflation and rising rents are leaving many older Americans on the brink of ruin.

Law roundup: Adult goes the distance in infant care

A cautious caretaker called the Kalispell Police Department wanting to know if there was a law regarding how far away she could be from an infant inside her home while she took her dog out to go potty.

Zoneth Lee Overbey, 80

Zon Overbey, 80, passed away on Nov. 4, 2022.

Legals for November, 13 2022

Family works to return cattle to Tobacco Valley ranch

Located just outside of Trego, the Blarney Heights Ranch sits on the land homesteaded by Octave and Lena Fortin in 1896.

Kenneth Henry Bell

Kenneth Henry Bell was born on the 21st of September 1936 in the middle of the Great Depression to a young beautiful mother, Frances (Sievers) Bell, who was part German/Dutch and Cree and his Irish Canadian father, Lawrence Bell, in Kalispell. He liked to be called Kenny. Kenny passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on the 8th of November 2022 in Kalispell.

June M. Anderson, 94

A life so beautifully lived deserves to be beautifully remembered.

Veterans who have borne the battle suffer the peace in isolation

For those who serve in the military, that is the ultimate bonding time: Camaraderie beyond imagining and sharing beyond compare.

Montana's wolf hunting, trapping regs are unlawful

The general rifle hunting season opened recently across Montana. Thousands of hunters began pursuing elk and deer with the intention of putting meat in their freezer, hunting with a reverence for the wildlife they are pursuing. But there is another hunt going on, void of respect and with no purpose but to kill. So we sued.

Two lively concerts, one lively community

I had the privilege of hearing two nights of live music last weekend. In many ways the music and the venues couldn’t have been more different, but the atmospheres were surprisingly similar.

Bias Brewing makes move to Main Street

Bias opened its doors last month in the former Kalispell Brewing Company building moving from its previous loation nearby on First Avenue East.

Flathead business Watercooler

Business events, trainings and seminars

Quirky downtown Whitefish store has been home for the community

After running the Central Avenue store for 35 years, founder Craig Drynan, sold the business to Bree James in 2014.

Community briefs

Bigfork cafe hosts free Thanksgiving Dinner; Christ Lutheran in Whitefish holds Thanksgiving dinner; Sunburst Mental Health holds open house

Anita Marie Orr, 91

Anita Marie Orr, 91, passed from this life on the morning of Nov. 8, 2022, at her residence in Buffalo Hill Terrace in Kalispell.

Letters to the editor Nov. 13

Letters to the editor Nov. 13

Flathead Business Newsmakers

Happenings at Flathead businesses

Lyle Keith Whiteman, 76

Lyle passed away Nov. 6, 2022, in Kalispell.

House election reveals western district’s true hue

While the much-ballyhooed midterm Republican “red wave” proved to be nothing more than a ripple on the national stage, the Montana election tally left the Big Sky blues drenched and gasping for air.

When bipartisanship really happened

Earlier this month President Joe Biden forecast a potential nuclear “Armageddon” as Russia’s leaders threatened, even boasted about the prospect of using nuclear weapons, or perhaps a radioactive “dirty bomb” against Ukraine.

Gov. Gianforte announces his budget for the 2023 Montana Legislature

Gov. Greg Gianforte unveiled his proposed budget Thursday, a fiscal roadmap that he said is poised to represent the largest tax cut in Montana history.

Griz pummel Eastern, 63-7

After a nightmarish October it’s been a November rain of points for the Montana Grizzlies, who crushed Eastern Washington 63-7 Saturday at Washington-Grizzly Stadium.

Rams upset Vikings 14-6 in Class B semi-final

The Vikings quest for back-to-back Class B state title games fell just short with Bigfork falling to Missoula-Loyola 14-6 in the semifinal game.

Mission holds off Fairview

Bryce Umphrey scored four touchdowns, including a 69-yard kickoff return, and the Mission Bulldogs held off Fairview 54-48 in a State C 8-Man semifinal football game Saturday.

PHOTOS: Mission beats Fairview 54-48, advances to 8-man championship

Photos from the Mission Bulldogs' 54-48 win over the Fairview Warriors in the State C 8-man football semifinals at St. Ignatius High School on Saturday, Nov. 12.

Norwegian battery firm plans $2.6 billion plant in Georgia

A Norwegian company will build a giant electric battery factory just southwest of Atlanta. Freyr Battery announced Friday that it would invest $2.6 billion over multiple phases, hiring 720 people.

Biden tightens methane emissions rule amid push for more oil

The American Exploration and Production Council represents the largest independent oil and gas companies in the U.S. and says it appreciates changes made by the EPA.

Election results show support for local marijuana taxes and sales

Two years after Montana voted to legalize adult-use marijuana, residents of more than a dozen counties and cities returned to the ballot box this month to consider local measures to either ban sales or add taxes to adult-use and medical marijuana.

Man arrested following standoff charged with criminal endangerment

Jason Lewis Junkin, 45, of Kalispell is scheduled to appear before Judge Robert Allison for his arraignment on Nov. 23.

Crypto exchange giant FTX collapses, files for bankruptcy

Embattled cryptocurrency exchange FTX, short billions of dollars, is seeking bankruptcy protection following its collapse this week.

Wall Street rallies for best week since June on rate hopes

The S&P 500 rose 0.9% a day after soaring 5.5% for its best day in more than two years. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 32 points to its surge of more than 1,200 from a day earlier, while the Nasdaq composite jumped 1.9%.

Polson, T-Falls, Bigfork spikers bow out of state tourney

All three valley teams bowed out of the All-Class State Volleyball tournament Friday in loser-out action at Brick Breeden Fieldhouse.

UN reports progress on Russia's grain and fertilizer exports

Top U.N. officials updated a high-level Russian delegation Friday on progress to facilitate Russia's exports of food and fertilizer to global markets which have faced obstacles under an expiring wartime deal that has enabled Ukraine to ship over 10 million metric tons of grain from three Black Sea ports.

Authorities identify pair found dead in Bigfork home

The Flathead County Sheriff's Office released Friday the names of two people found dead Oct. 28 in their Bigfork home.

Polson, Bigfork hunt title berths

Polson and Bigfork, schools (and combatants in the near future) that sit 35 miles apart on the shores of Flathead Lake, are back in the semifinals for high school football.

Top seeds Polson, Bigfork, T-Falls upset at state volleyball

The first day of the All-Class State Volleyball Tournament at Brick Breeden Fieldhouse Thursday saw a few top seeds unexpectedly fall in the first round.

All-state soccer teams announced

All-state soccer teams announced

Legals for November, 11 2022

Kalispell veteran continues to fight for men and women in uniform

Founded in 2018, Homeward for Heroes helps veterans and first responders connect with others that have been through similar situations, providing an avenue to talk, share and remember that they are not alone in their struggle.

Lower Valley residents cry foul over septage facility

County commissioners on Oct. 21 approved a buy-sell agreement with the intent of purchasing 36.9 acres saying the document provides the county the ability to begin further analysis of the property.

ImagineIF assistant director to leave library system

Another figure in ImagineIF Libraries leadership is leaving at month’s end after years of conflict between board trustees and library staff. Assistant Library Director Sean Anderson said board politics made it increasingly difficult to do his day-to-day job.

Dorothy T. Galvin, 99

Dorothy T. Galvin passed away peacefully in her sleep on Nov. 5, 2022, at the Immanuel Skilled Care Center in Kalispell.

Law roundup: Officers advised to use stealth to catch noisy neighbors

A resident with apparently quite the history of dealing with his apartment-dwelling neighbors’ rowdy nightlife phoned the Columbia Falls Police Department to let them know that the party-hearty crowd was “back at it.”

Woman accused of pepper spraying roommates back in jail

Authorities have held Wendy Jean Warner, 48, in the county jail with bail set at $30,000 since she returned to custody on Nov. 7.

Whitefish Community Foundation receives $300,000 for Kids Fund Grant Program

The foundation received two new gifts totaling $150,000 and the Lesar Foundation matched these gifts for a total of $300,000 in additional funding.

Montana voters reject 'born alive' abortion referendum

Abortion rights supporters secured another win Thursday as voters in Montana rejected a ballot measure that would have forced medical workers to intercede in the rare case of a baby born after an attempted abortion.

Zinke wins Montana's western district U.S. House seat

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Republican Ryan Zinke has prevailed over his Democratic challenger in the race for a newly-drawn Montana U.S. House district.

Chris Dombrowki reads from his new memoir

Whitefish Review hosts author Chris Dombrowski for a reading and conversation about his newly released book, “The River You Touch: Making a Life on Moving Water”(Milkweed Editions, 2022) Friday, Nov. 18, at Casey’s in downtown Whitefish.

Holmquist earns third term as county commissioner

Republican Pam Holmquist will retain her seat on the Flathead County Commission.

Longtime director of Humane Society retires

Lori Heatherington, executive director of the Humane Society of Northwest Montana, has announced that she is retiring from the organization she has served for 16 years.

Hockaday's Members Salon 2023 seeks artists

The Hockaday Museum of Art is calling for artists to participate in its Members Salon 2023

Jane Karas honored with chamber’s highest honor

A number of awards were handed out at the chamber’s annual Grand Event Wednesday night at the Wachholz College Center.

Suspect in assault case pleads not guilty

A Kalispell man who allegedly leveled a shotgun at his girlfriend in October in an attempt to scare her pleaded not guilty to a felony assault with a weapon charge on Nov. 3.

FHS Theatre stages ‘Disney’s High School Musical’ this week

Flathead High School Theatre presents “Disney’s High School Musical: On Stage” today, Nov. 10, and Nov. 11 and 12 at 6:27 p.m. in the David M. Hashley Theater at FHS.

Belgian folk quintet Wör in concert tonight at O’Shaughnessy

The Whitefish Theatre Company presents WÖR, a quintet known for their lively shows that reimagine classic folk music from the Flanders region of Belgium.

Law roundup: Man shoots himself in the knee

A 26-year-old was putting a 10 mm 1911 pistol in his backpack when it went off and hit him in the knee.

Man accused of threatening another with a gun pleads not guilty

A local man accused of threatening another man with a gun at an area bar in October pleaded not guilty to felony assault with a weapon in Flathead County District Court on Nov. 3.

Contemporary and classic designs win Kalispell architecture awards

The awards as selected by the Kalispell Architectural Review Committee are designed to acknowledge quality development while encouraging originality and innovation to protect and enhance the city’s character and appeal.

Marshall Tucker Band lights a ‘fire on the mountains’ Jan. 20

The Marshall Tucker Band is coming to Kalispell on its 50th Anniversary Tour and will perform Jan. 20 at the Wachholz College Center on the campus of the Flathead Valley Community College.

Warren Miller’s film ‘Daymaker’ showing this weekend

The Flathead Valley Ski Education Foundation (FVSEF) announces two showings of the much-loved Warren Miller ski and snowboard film event at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11 and Saturday, Nov. 12.

Miracle of America Museum offers vets free admission Nov. 11

The Miracle of America Museum will honor all veterans on Veterans Day, Friday, Nov. 11, by offering them free admission to the museum.

Bigfork Playhouse Children’s Theater holds auditions

The Bigfork Playhouse Children’s Theater invites students in grades three through adult to audition for its annual Christmas production “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.”

WHS Drama Club presents provocative play this weekend

The Whitefish High School Drama Club will be performing “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time” Friday and Saturday, Nov. 11 and 12, at the Performing Arts Center (PAC) at Whitefish Middle School.

Shakespeare in the Parks goes on Winter Tour

Montana Shakespeare in the Parks is back for its 2022 Winter Tour with a long-awaited production of “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) – Revised.”

Legals for November, 10 2022

Bigfork Vikings trio can air it out

A couple years ago you could count on Bigfork’s football team to run nine times out of every 10 plays, and if it seemed predictable, the Vikings still cranked out seven yards a carry and made the playoffs.

Uphill skier caught climbing on new chairlift

Excitement for the new Snow Ghost Express chairlift at Whitefish Mountain Resort is so great that some people apparently can’t keep their mitts – and boots – off of it.

Republicans likely to enjoy supermajority in the Montana State Legislature

Republicans are on track to secure a historic supermajority in the Montana Legislature, winning a minimum of 98 legislative seats, which no political party has done since the Montana legislative makeup was established in 1975.

The Latest: Local and statewide election results

The latest local and statewide election results

GOP edges closer to House win; Senate could hinge on runoff

Republicans were closing in Wednesday on a narrow House majority while control of the Senate hinged on a series of tight races in a midterm election that defied expectations of sweeping conservative victories driven by frustration over inflation and President Joe Biden's leadership.

Montana’s LR-131 on the verge of failure

Montana’s LR-131 was teetering on the verge of failure Wednesday morning after early ballot returns showed the Montana Born-Alive Infant Protection Act garnering more opposition than support in Tuesday’s general election.

Judge in Montana orders arrest of neo-Nazi website founder

A federal judge on Wednesday ordered the arrest of a neo-Nazi website publisher accused of ignoring a $14 million judgment against him for orchestrating an anti-Semitic harassment campaign against a Montana woman's family.

Brown concedes state Supreme Court race to Gustafson

Incumbent Supreme Court Justice Ingrid Gustafson is poised to serve a second term on Montana’s highest court after winning her race for re-election against attorney and Republican Public Service Commission President James Brown.

Rosendale wins reelection; Zinke-Tranel race too close to call

Montana Republican Matt Rosendale won a second term in the U.S. House on Tuesday as he fended off a pair of challengers in the race for a newly drawn district representing the eastern portion of the state.

GOP sweeps Lake County statehouse seats

Lake County voters on Tuesday favored all Republicans in contested statehouse races.

Plains mayor elected to Sanders County commission

Plains Mayor Dan Rowan scored a decisive victory Tuesday night in his campaign for the Sanders County Commission seat in District 1, while John Holland secured the county commission’s District 2 seat.

People in the news

People in the news

Donald Eugene Gould, 87

Donald Eugene Gould passed away on Oct. 16, 2022, in Kalispell.

Law roundup: Shoplifter plans TV dinner night

Maybe it was a man’s earnest desire to have a relaxing meal while watching television that led him to risk a stressful chase after reportedly stealing a TV dinner and batteries, possibly for a remote.

Planning board looks at the residential subdivision on Columbia Falls Stage

The board meets at 6 p.m. on the second floor conference room of the South Campus Building at 40 11th St. W. in Kalispell.

City Council appoints interim municipal judge

Kalispell City Council appointed Rich Hickel interim municipal judge in a unanimous vote at Monday’s meeting.

Whitefish Christian Academy earns international accreditation

Whitefish Christian Academy recently received accreditation from the Association of Christian Schools International.

Arnold Marvin Bowker, 75

Arnold Marvin Bowker was born Aug. 18, 1947, to Everett and Frances (Belik) Bowker.

Legals for November, 9 2022

Decision on environmental assessment on Holland Lake Lodge expansion could land soon

If mapping at Holland Lake Lodge shows a proposed expansion will push “substantially” outside the current permitted acreage, the U.S. Forest Service would require an environmental assessment for the controversial project, according to the Flathead National Forest.

Lincoln County rescue teams assist hiker, hunter

A hike and hunter who had trouble in southern Lincoln County’s wilder places are back in safer environs after local search and rescue teams brought them to safety.

Valkyries volleyball earns first state tournament trip since 2005

The Valkyries volleyball team will be making a trip to the state tournament in Bozeman for the first time since 2005 after finishing second at the Western B Divisional Tournament in Florence over the weekend.

Big Sky Notebook: Bobcats making a habit of tight wins

The Montana State Bobcats are 8-1, ranked third in the Football Championship Division and if all their wins aren’t of the blowout variety, they’re still wins.

Polson spikers win 2nd straight divisional title

Turns out Polson isn’t just a football town, because the Pirates volleyball team is 16-2 and owner of back-to-back Western A championships.

Alan Davis named Whitefish Community Foundation president

Whitefish Community Foundation on Monday named Alan Davis as the philanthropic organization’s new president and CEO.

UN experts urge stringent rules to stop net zero greenwash

Released at the the U.N.'s flagship climate conference in the Egyptian seaside resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, the group of experts set out a number of strict recommendations for businesses, banks, and local governments making net zero pledges to ensure that their promises amount to meaningful action instead of "bogus" assurances.

US stocks edge higher ahead of election, inflation data

Even though the Fed has said that it may soon pare back the size of its increases, it is still warning markets that it may ultimately hike rates higher than expected because of just how stubborn high inflation has been.

Adidas appoints boss of rival Puma as CEO after Ye fallout

Adidas, which followed other companies in cutting ties with Ye, is expected to take a hit of up to 250 million euros (dollars) to its net income this year from the decision to immediately stop production of its line of Yeezy products and is left searching for another star to help it compete with ever-larger rival Nike.

Onset of the 'rut' to ramp up big game season

Montana’s general hunting season is hitting the midway point, and according to state wildlife officials, the overall harvest is expected to increase with the onset of the rut in the coming weeks.

Law roundup: Dog walker suspicious of ‘weird guy’

A man took his dog out and startled a “weird guy” in his driveway who claimed he left his bicycle somewhere.

Griffith Howell Davies III, 77

Griffith Howell Davies III passed away Nov. 1, 2022, at his home in Big Arm, Montana, at the age of 77 years.

Multi-family residential development still going strong in Kalispell

Although total residential construction in Kalispell so far in 2022 has cooled from red-hot 2021, multi-family development remains strong and is outpacing new single-family homes for the second consecutive year.

Community fights back against anti-semitic vandalism

Vandals struck the Lone Pine Tunnel mural along Kalispell’s shared-use trail system again late last month, but volunteers quickly restored the piece of public art. The mural was defaced with anti-semitic tags that echoes vandalism found on a separate mural last year.

Kevin Paul Collom, 58

Kevin Paul Collom passed away unexpectedly on Oct. 22, 2022, while hunting with friends.

Ballots due Tuesday for midterms

All polling locations in Flathead County are accepting ballots from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 8.

Poached elk found in the Bison Range

The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) are investigating poaching on the Bison Range in Northwest Montana after recently finding a decapitated elk.

Letters to the editor Nov. 8

Letters to the editor Nov. 8

Veterans should find out if PACT Act can help them

We write this letter with the hope of reaching as many Montana veterans and their family members as possible regarding the recent passage of the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act sponsored by U.S. Sen. Jon Tester.

Legals for November, 8 2022

Glacier and Flathead high schools take first and second at kickoff speech tourney

Glacier High School took first place at the opening tournament of the season.

Dems, GOP make urgent final pitches as election season wraps

COATESVILLE, Pa. (AP) — An election year weighted by economic turmoil, elimination of federal abortion rights and broad concerns about the future of democracy concluded with a final full day of campaigning Monday by leaders of both parties urgently appealing to their supporters.

Standoff near downtown Kalispell ends with arrest

A 45-year-old man is in custody after a standoff with local law enforcement near downtown Kalispell on Monday morning.

William Allen Arlint Jr., 78

William "Bill" Arlint, 78, passed away Oct. 25, 2022, with his family by his side at Logan Health, Kalispell.

Letters to the editor Nov. 7

Letters to the editor Nov. 7

Once a struggling veteran, food pantry founder looks out for other former service members

There was a period of time in North West Montana Veterans Food Pantry founder Allen Erickson’s life when he wasn’t sure when he’d see any relief from his struggles with alcoholism and homelessness.

Whitefish Council looks to add new zoning district

City Council meets at 7:10 p.m. at City Hall, 418 E Second St.

Legals for November, 7 2022

Kalispell City Council considering appointment of interim municipal judge

Kalispell City Council will consider the nomination of Rich Hickel to fill the municipal judge vacancy, among other business, at its Monday meeting.

Law roundup: Man irate about disregard for crosswalks

A man allegedly called 911, swearing about how he was tired of almost being hit by vehicles while using a crosswalk. Kalispell Police Department officers did extra patrol and everyone behaved.

Suspect in Columbia Falls fatal stabbing deemed unfit to proceed

A Flathead County District Court judge ordered accused murderer Zain Alexander Ray Glass committed to the state mental hospital for an evaluation and observation during a status hearing last week.

Flathead Business Newsmakers

Happenings at Flathead businesses

Wolfpack Theatre’s ‘Death of a Salesman’ highlights story of human condition

Glacier High School’s Wolfpack Theatre Company will present “Death of a Salesman” Nov. 8, 9 and 10.

Rancher’s Daughter store features Montana-made products

No matter the season though, everything at The Rancher’s Daughter is made in Montana.

Gary Lynn Meldrum, 82

On Friday, Oct. 14, 2022, Gary Lynn Meldrum, the best brother ever, passed away from pulmonary fibrosis.

Legals for November, 6 2022

Veterans Day events around the Flathead Valley

Veterans Day offers the opportunity for members of the community and students to honor and express our gratitude to our local veterans.

Montana inks deal for increased barley purchasing from beer giant Heineken

While Budweiser and Coors Light remain Montana’s favorite beers, Gov. Greg Gianforte and Department of Agriculture Director Christy Clark have signed a letter of understanding which states that Heineken’s parent company, Cervecería Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma, S.A., will do more business in Montana, including buying more Treasure State barley.

The bullets kept dodging me

The third time's the charm.

Law roundup: Woman passes up home violin concerts

Two teens repeatedly went to a woman’s house asking to come inside to play the violin. She told the girls she wasn’t interested in their offer when they first knocked at her door. When they

Kevin Paul Collom, 58

Kevin Paul Collom passed away unexpectedly on Oct. 22, 2022, while hunting with friends.

Kris Donald 'Animal' Zeier, 65

Kris Donald “Animal” Zeier, 65, of Kalispell, passed away Nov. 1, 2022.

Uncertainty over 'Born Alive' bill stokes fears

LR-131, also known as the “Born Alive Infant Protection Act,” requires medical providers take necessary actions to preserve the life of a born-alive infant, or else face the threat of a $50,000 fine and 20 years in prison. The measure goes before voters across the state in next week’s election.

Eugene E. ‘Gene’ ‘Snuffy’ Smith, 94

Eugene Smith, 94, of Kalispell, passed away in his sleep Oct. 27, 2022, at the Whitefish home of his daughter and son-in-law

Land trust holds fundraiser for Owen Sowerwine project

Flathead Land Trust will celebrate 20 years of conservation along the Flathead River and north shore of Flathead Lake and begin fundraising for the Owen Sowerwine project with a Flathead River in Paint event Nov. 9 at Montana Modern Fine Art.

Robert Theodore Schwegel, 70

Robert Theodore Schwegel, 70, of Helena, passed away peacefully at home on the evening of Oct. 23, 2022.

Joan M. Jellison, 92

Joan passed away on Nov. 1, 2022, in Kalispell.

Flathead business Watercooler

Business events, trainings and seminars

Saturdays are for football — and Stevenson

If Cy Stevenson was an unknown quantity outside Lincoln County in 2020, it wasn’t really his fault.

Bigfork bounces Scotties en route to state semifinal

The Bigfork Vikings battered their way to a 52-12 Class B quarterfinal playoff win over the Glasgow Scotties led by Joseph Farrier who carried the ball 23 times for 155 yards and five rushing touchdowns on the day.

Bravettes bow out of divisional

Flathead’s run at the Western AA Divisional volleyball tournament ended Saturday, with a straight-set loss to Missoula Sentinel in loser-out action.

Ostmo, Griz overpower Cal Poly

October is over and the Montana Grizzlies came to play. The Griz wouldn’t necessarily make that connection, but Saturday was a welcome tonic: Nick Ostmo ran for a career-high 221 yards and two touchdowns as Montana crushed Cal Poly 57-0 at Washington-Grizzly Stadium.

Polson beats the wind, Locomotives

Polson’s Jarrett Wilson intercepted a Laurel pass with 1:07 left in regulation, then scored on a 6-yard run with 29 seconds remaining to lift the Pirates to a 14-7 win in a Class A quarterfinal football game Saturday.

PHOTOS: Polson advances with 14-7 win over Laurel

Photos from Polson's 14-7 win over Laurel in a Class A quarterfinal round playoff matchup at Polson High School on Saturday, Nov. 5.

Candidates push for voter turnout as midterms near

As the campaign season draws to a close, local and statewide candidates have turned their focus to voter turnout — encouraging residents to get their absentee ballots in the mail or to show up at the polls Nov. 8.

Man accused of pulling knife sentenced to misdemeanor

Jay Ryan Kaufman, 20, pleaded guilty to negligent endangerment in Flathead County District Court on Oct. 27.

Montana youth mental health needs on the rise

Young people in Montana were twice as likely to die by suicide than in the rest of the country during the last decade, according to state statistics.

Flathead survives, Glacier bows out of Divisionals

Flathead moved on but Glacier bowed out Friday in loser-out action at the Western AA Divisional volleyball tournament at the Missoula Big Sky gym.

AA playoffs: Hawks outlast Wolfpack 31-23

The Glacier Wolfpack had more than a few quick starts this football season, but on Friday it was the Bozeman Hawks that made hay early.

On stand in 1/6 trial, Oath Keepers boss says he's a patriot

Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes took the witness stand Friday in his seditious conspiracy trial, telling jurors he is a patriotic American as he tries to counter allegations that his far-right extremist group planned an armed rebellion to stop the transfer of presidential power.

Big game season: White-tail harvest remains up

Montana’s general hunting season is in full swing, and hunters are experiencing the arrival of winter weather in northwest Montana.

Felon accused of beating children given suspended sentence

A Hungry Horse man who has spent more than a year in the county jail after allegedly beating his children received a suspended five-year sentence on Thursday.

Letters to the editor Nov. 4

Letters to the editor Nov. 4

Fern P. Vosen, 95

Fern P. Vosen, 95, passed away due to natural causes at her Kalispell residence on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022.

Groups appeal Badger-Two Medicine oil and gas lease decision

The Pikuni Traditionalists Association, a group representing the cultural and religious interests of the Blackfeet Tribe, has appealed a ruling reinstating a federal oil and gas lease in the Badger-Two Medicine.

Legals for November, 4 2022

Be careful what you ask for when you vote

Reading the pages of this newspaper, it seems to me that the issues most troubling to those who write are the very issues troubling all of us.

Woman arrested for burglary claimed to own the home

Ashley Katherine Coil, 37, faces a felony burglary charge in Flathead County District Court following her Oct. 29 arrest.

Republicans making partisan pitch in Supreme Court race

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Republicans are making an unprecedented partisan pitch to install a party loyalist on Montana's Supreme Court by ousting an incumbent judge in a race that's seen a deluge of cash on both sides and that could affect ongoing legal challenges to abortion and voter laws passed by the 2021 Legislature.

Law roundup: Unwanted stranger at the door

A woman met with officers in the lobby of the Kalispell Police Department after a neighbor kept harassing her and possibly even tried to break into her home.

Bravettes, Wolfpack spikers fall at divisional

Both Kalispell programs fell in the first round of the Western AA Divisional volleyball tournament Thursday, but Friday’s a new day.

AA playoffs: Glacier prepares for Bozeman

Friday’s football game between the host Bozeman Hawks and Glacier Wolfpack picks up a rivalry that went on hiatus more than four years ago.

Power outages linger for thousands in Flathead Valley

More than 12,000 homes across Northwest Montana were without power Thursday morning as the aftermath of a potent winter storm continued to take its toll on the power grid.

Power outages delay delivery of Thursday print edition

Due to ongoing power outages, the Daily Inter Lake press was not able to run last night.

HEART Program seeks to reach homeless young adults with drop-in center

The HEART Program is looking to expand services to help young adults experiencing homelessness through a new grant.

Wachholz College Center’s Art Gallery exhibition debuts Nov. 4

The Wachholz College Center at Flathead Valley Community College in Kalispell unveils its inaugural exhibition in the Wanda Hollensteiner Art Gallery Friday, Nov. 4.

FHS Theatre goes retro with ‘Disney’s High School Musical’

Featuring the well-loved characters and popular songs from Disney’s original smash-hit musical, Flathead High School Theatre will present “Disney’s High School Musical: On Stage” Nov. 10, 11 and 12 at 6:27 p.m. in the David M. Hashley Theater at FHS.

Eureka Community Players’ spotlight northeastern MT history

The Eureka Community Players are presenting the play “More Precious Than Gold” Nov. 4 to Nov. 6 at the Timbers Lodge in Eureka.

Community Band presents second Fall Spectacular concert

The Flathead Valley Community Band presents the second concert in its “Fall Band Spectacular” at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday Nov. 9, in the Whitefish Performing Arts Center (127 Spokane Ave., Whitefish).

Musician Chuck Suchy gives memorial concert

North Dakota songwriter and musician Chuck Suchy will honor the late Pete Skibsrud — his champion supporter, as well as a loyal ambassador to the Northwest Montana History Museum — with a memorial concert Nov. 5 at the museum.

North Valley Music School hosts faculty concert

North Valley Music School hosts its annual Fall Faculty Concert and 25th anniversary celebration from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6, at the First Presbyterian Church in Whitefish, showcasing the school's talented teachers of the local music school.

Oral History to Music Workshops offered

The Eureka Community Players present “Oral History to Music” workshops by Kate G. Hansen from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, 211 First. Ave. W. and Third Street in Eureka.

Alleged thief caught taking tools from trailer in Whitefish

Whitefish Police officers arrested Jesse Arthur Horst after a River Lakes Parkway resident tipped off authorities to suspicious activity on the street about 10:07 p.m. on Oct. 30.

Prosecutors amend charge against Kalispell man to aggravated assault

Prosecutors initially charged Eugene Vernon Clark, 41, with partner or family member assault following the alleged Aug. 22 incident on Crest Court.

Keep Montana, Montana when filling out your ballot

Election Day is around the corner, and one of the most fundamental rights we have as American citizens is the right to vote.

Legals for November, 3 2022

Letters to the editor Nov. 3

Letters to the editor Nov. 3

Watch your words — Speech and debate season kicks off in the valley

Speech competitors may speak the same language, but which team knows exactly the right thing to say to win is up for debate.

Underscore Art supports two emerging artists

Underscore Art and Jewelry opens a new exhibit titled “Emerging” today featuring two local artists.

First Friday reception for David and Bobbie Hafer

Phillips Studio & Gallery is hosting an opening reception for David and Bobbie Hafer’s “Fresh Oil” exhibit from 5 to 7 p.m. on First Friday, Nov. 4.

Holly Nickels, 70

Holly Nickels, 70, passed away Oct. 30, 2022, with her sister and brother by her side in Kalispell.

County eyes land purchase for septage facility

County commissioners approved Oct. 21 a buy-sell agreement with the intent of purchasing 36.9 acres on Wiley Dike Road for the facility.

Officials talk about consolidating invasive species commissions

Invasive species of many kinds are, and will continue to be, a threat to Montana ecosystems and economies, according to officials.

Law roundup: Youths cause a ruckus in store

A group of more than 20 obnoxious youths were allegedly causing problems in a store parking lot and going into a store where they knocked things off the shelves. Officers moved them along.

Unions vote down contracts, renewing threat of rail shutdown

In the last three weeks, members of two different railroad unions have rejected the contract their leaders negotiated, reviving the possibility of a nationwide railroad shutdown as early as this month.

Wolfpack Theatre tackles classic tragedy ‘Death of a Salesman’

No matter how many times you have experienced “Death of a Salesman,” the ending remains the same; Willy Loman dies

New collaboration brings back MET Opera Live

Whitefish Theatre Company and Whitefish Performing Arts Center co-present the screening of the 2022-2023 season of MET Opera Live In HD.

WTC holds Black Curtain auditions

The Whitefish Theatre Co. is holding auditions for the Black Curtain Theatre production “Church and State” at 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6, at the O’Shaughnessy Center in Whitefish.

Man who wielded shotgun pleads guilty to criminal endangerment

A man arrested after allegedly threatening patrons with a shotgun outside of a Whitefish area bar during the summer pleaded guilty to criminal endangerment last month.

WTC presents Wör — Folk with a Belgian attitude

The Whitefish Theatre Company presents WÖR, a quintet known for their lively shows that reimagine classic folk music from the Flanders region of Belgium.

Alleged gun-wielding man arraigned in district court

Romano Corbitt, 32, appeared briefly before Judge Dan Wilson for his arraignment in Flathead County District Court on Oct. 27.

Pack, Bravettes ready for divisional volleyball

Glacier would like to at least hold serve at this weekend’s Western AA Divisional volleyball tournament, which starts today in Missoula. Flathead would like to do a little more.

Winter storm causes power outages in Flathead Valley

Northwest Montana’s first significant winter storm of the season delivered slick roads, widespread power outages and school closures Wednesday morning.

Halloween horror: Biden’s America

Do you like scary movies?

Bigfork receives grant to purchase electric school bus

Bigfork School District received $395,000 from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean School Bus Program to purchase an electric bus.

Letters to the editor Nov. 2

Letters to the editor Nov. 2

Law roundup: Reports of Halloween hijinks and vandalism

After a woman’s requests for cigarettes, money and a room were denied, she allegedly pulled the fire alarm and went outside where she began dancing by the highway.

Agnes Elizabeth Merritt Kenney Hames, 97

On Oct. 30, 2022, Agnes left her earthly home to join that great “cloud of witnesses” in glory.

Judge: State may charge for legal review prior to records release

State agencies can charge the public fees to review documents for privacy and other interests before releasing them as “public information,” according to an order from Yellowstone County District Court this week.

Legals for November, 2 2022

Teen awaiting sentencing arrested in Ohio

Colton Theodore Wieczorek, 19, is in the county jail with bail set at $150,000 as he awaits his Nov. 23 sentencing.

Big Sky Notebook: Grizzlies aim for happier November

A frightening October — as in, this squad is in danger of missing the playoffs — is over for the Montana Grizzlies, and a common refrain from coaches is to be playing your best football in November.

Accused Martin City killer released after securing bond

The man accused of shooting two people in Martin City over the summer — leaving one dead — was released from county jail Oct. 31 after posting a $750,000 bond.

County shelter still nearly full even after abandoned huskies find new homes

All of the dogs that were abandoned up the Hungry Horse Reservoir have gone to new homes, but an influx of new animals has the county shelter at near capacity.

Environmentalists challenge Montana wolf regulations in state court

Environmental groups WildEarth Guardians and Project Coyote are asking a Lewis and Clark County District Court judge to toss out Montana’s current wolf-hunting regulations and declare four hunting laws passed by last year’s Montana Legislature unconstitutional.

Samaritan House expansion project given $80k, but more funding needed

The Samaritan House’s planned expansion project got an $80,000 boost recently, though the effort to overhaul the old Army Reserve Armory in Kalispell requires more financial help.

Brown will bring fresh view to high court

We have the unique opportunity to begin immediate change on the Montana Supreme Court this election.

Letters to the editor Nov. 1

Letters to the editor Nov. 1

Legals for November, 1 2022

Man accused of targeting relatives changes plea

Prosecutors will recommend that 37-year-old Joseph Thomas Oliver serve a deferred, three-year sentence with the state Department of Corrections.

Law roundup: Somers Fire Department responds to hay fire

Somers Fire Department responded to a fire on Lower Valley Road at 11:46 a.m. Saturday.

Gregory Earle Mason, 71

Gregory Earle Mason, 71, of Polson, passed away on Oct. 17, 2022.

Social Security and Medicare in the crosshairs

“Don’t tell anybody.” That’s the approach Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell took when approached recently with the question of what his party would do if it regained control of Congress next year.