Ellington

Deaths of Bigfork residents investigated as homicides

Authorities are investigating the deaths of a 65-year-old man and 62-year-old woman in Bigfork as homicides.

Ahead of harsh winter, tourism roars back in Mediterranean

Tourism is making a stronger comeback from the coronavirus pandemic than many expected.

Workers walk out of iPhone factory, highlighting virus woes

An employee said workers started to leave the Foxconn factory in Zhengzhou after some fell ill in mid-October and received no treatment.

Inflation hits new record in Europe, slowing economy

The economy grew 0.2% in the July-September period, and many economists say a recession can't be far behind.

Brian Alexander Fichter, 30

Brian Alexander Fichter, 30, passed away Oct. 24, 2022.

Robert Donald Iverson

Robert Donald Iverson was welcomed into his heavenly family on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022.

Law roundup: Man trips up in parking space argument

A man allegedly tried to trip a woman and throw her to the ground during an argument over a parking space.

Legals for October, 31 2022

Salary transparency laws aim to combat pay disparities

New York will require employers as of Nov. 1 to disclose "a good faith salary range for every job, promotion, and transfer opportunity advertised," according to the city's Commission on Human Rights.

History museum director turns the page on a new chapter

With the help of a small staff and a cadre of dedicated volunteers, Margaret Davis is eager to build partnerships and for the museum to continue serving the community in the years to come.

Letters to the editor Oct. 31

Letters to the editor Oct. 31

Columbia Falls boys win first soccer title since 2005

The Columbia Falls Wildcats rode a four-goal lead into halftime and charged to a 5-2 victory over the Livingston Rangers in the boys Class A soccer championship at Flip Darling Memorial Field on Saturday.

Class A football: C-Falls makes short work of Cowboys

One year after a 21-20 loss to these same Miles City Cowboys on this same field, the Columbia Falls Wildcats came out ruthless Saturday.

ImagineIF board nixes challenge of faith-based book

The ImagineIF Board of Trustees voted Thursday to keep a Christian child rearing book in the library’s collection after a challenge claimed the author’s alleged close ties with a pedophile warranted its removal.

Bipartisan group digs into election integrity

Montana voters should be confident in the state’s voting process heading into the midterm elections Nov. 8.

Law roundup: Man wants police to track down litterbug

A litterbug allegedly dropped a box of garbage on the corner of a man’s lawn. The man called the Kalispell Police Department hoping they could figure out whose garbage it was. The box contained paperwork and carpet.

Susan Garrow Johnson, 71

Susan Garrow Johnson, 71, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022, at Logan Health Medical Center following a year-long battle with cancer.

Maxine J. O’Brien, 87

Maxine J. O’Brien passed away on Oct. 20, 2022, at Logan Health Medical Center with her family at her bedside. She was 87 years old

Peddle. Paddle. Repeat.

Each day was as perfect as the last and they called to me like sirens.

Flathead Business Watercooler

Business events, trainings and seminars

Joyce 'Marlene' Snyder, 73

Joyce “Marlene” Snyder, 73, of Whitefish, passed away Oct. 22, 2022.

Fishing family brings Alaskan halibut to Flathead Valley

Born and raised in Juneau, Alaska, Steve has spent most of his life exploring the pristine waters of Glacier Bay National Park in search of salmon, crab and halibut.

Dianne Kay Vickhammer, 72

Dianne Kay Vickhammer passed away on Oct. 22, 2022, at St. Luke's Hospital with her family by her bedside. She battled a brief onset with pneumonia.

Westward ho: Young pioneers traverse the Oregon Trail

Under the bright afternoon sun, teams of excited Hedges Elementary School third-grade pioneers pulling covered wagons rounded the last bend before Dry Bridge Park, or, using their imaginations, the Oregon Trail, came into view.

Time for change on the Montana Supreme Court

I am supporting James Brown to serve on the Montana Supreme Court.

Flathead Business Newsmakers

Happenings at Flathead businesses

Darrell Thomas Micklewright, 76

Darrell Thomas Micklewright, 76, passed away on Oct. 18, 2022, in Kalispell.

ARPA money moves from training workers to automation

Last month, American Rescue Plan Act Workforce Training Grant funds totaling $6 million were reallocated by lawmakers on an ARPA advisory commission to business automation loans.

Montana wants to be the next wine country

Even with the science making progress, Montana still needs its lawmakers’ to give the nascent industry more support.

Aileen Metcalf, 91

Aileen Metcalf passed away in the loving arms of her daughter at their Pasadena home on Sept. 22, 2022.

Legals for October, 30 2022

Dorothy M. McCrudden, 81

Dorothy M. McCrudden, 81, of Eureka, Montana, passed away at home on Oct. 25, 2022.

Letters to the editor Oct. 30

Letters to the editor Oct. 30

Chaplain’s perspective on ‘Born Alive’ question

I would like to provide the perspective of a hospital chaplain on the Born Alive Infant Protection Act, or LR-131, on the ballot this November.

Sound land use planning laws will build sustainable communities

Montana’s explosive popularity is stretching capacity and resources to the breaking point. Many communities are bursting at the seams, pushing development onto farmlands, dangerously siting homes within the wildland-urban interface, and building precipitously close to flooding rivers.

Montana housing status quo unacceptable

As Republican and Democratic legislators representing a mix of Montana’s cities and rural areas, we have our fair share of political differences.

Resurfacing project proposed for Big Mountain Road

The Montana Department of Transportation has proposed a resurfacing project on a three-mile stretch of Big Mountain Road north of Whitefish running up to Whitefish Mountain Resort.

Community briefs

Cornhole for Code Girls Tournament; Epworth holds annual Holiday Bazaar; Epworth holds annual Holiday Bazaar; Free meals in November; Funding available for cancer patients; Salvation Army looking for red bell ringers; Peterson Elementary collects items for veterans

Thomas V. Caughlan, 71

Thomas V. Caughlan, 71, of Kalispell, passed away at his home on Monday, Oct. 24, 2022.

Brian Alexander Fichter, 30

Brian Alexander Fichter, 30, passed away Oct. 24, 2022.

Carolyn ‘Carlie’ Kuhr Rhodes, 101

Carolyn was born on July 4, 1921, in Havre, a few minutes after her twin sister Kathlyn arrived.

Whitefish City Council approves mixed-use subdivision off U.S. 93

The Whitefish City Council on Oct. 17 unanimously approved a 29-lot subdivision on a lot to the east of Big Mountain Thrift on U.S. 93.

Rams edge Whitefish for 10th girls title

Billings Central claimed the crown with a 2-1 victory, the powerhouse Rams’ 10th overall title.

PHOTOS: Wildcats win championship, down Livingston 5-2

Photos from Columbia Falls' 5-2 win over Livingston in the State A boys soccer championship at Flip Darling Memorial Field in Columbia Falls on Saturday, Oct. 29.

Conservation groups sue over Montana wolf harvest rules

Two conservation groups have filed a lawsuit against the state of Montana and its wildlife management agency alleging it illegally set hunting and trapping policies and quotas intended to reduce the gray wolf population by making it easier to kill the predators.

PHOTOS: Columbia Falls rolls past Miles City, 48-0

Photos from Columbia Falls' 48-0 win over Miles City in a Class A high school football play-in game at Satterthwaite Field in Columbia Falls on Saturday, Oct. 29.

Gianforte pushes trades education, more construction as fixes for Montana housing crunch

Standing in front of a luxury apartment complex under construction in Bozeman Thursday, Gov. Greg Gianforte touted his efforts to address Montana’s housing affordability crunch by promoting new residential development.

COPP dismisses complaints against ACLU, MontPIRG and Forward Montana

After a summer of Jocko valley residents' attempts to have their concerns formally heard, it's a waiting game to see if further stages of review will be triggered.

Transitional zoning plan inches forward in Whitefish

The long-awaited highway business transitional zoning district took another step forward last week as City Council gave staff further direction during a work session. This time, the issue centered mostly around traffic and on imposing a size limit on buildings.

Kalispell woman pleads not guilty to child endangerment

Celina Marie Riley of Kalispell appeared before Judge Dan Wilson for her arraignment in Flathead County District Court on Oct. 28.

AA football: Pack ousts Billings Senior

The Billings Senior Broncs brought a stingy defense into Legends Stadium Friday, and behind four sacks kept the Glacier Wolfpack in range after one half of play. Then the third quarter began.

PHOTOS: Glacier advances past Billings Senior, 31-0

Photos from Glacier's 31-0 win over Billings Senior in a State AA play-in game at Legends Stadium in Kalispell on Friday, Oct. 28.

Objectivity needed on the PSC

I’m running for Public Service Commissioner, District 5 and have shared my opinion about dysfunction at the PSC on more than one occasion.

‘Safe and Secure:’ Elections Workgroup gives update following system examination

Montana’s elections practices were found to be “safe and secure” following an examination from a workgroup made up of representatives from organizations and stakeholders across the state.

Democracy hangs in the balance

A non-violent transfer of power is essential for a functioning democracy. The insurrection at our nation’s capital was a violent attempt to overturn a free and fair election.

Law roundup: Neighbor calls cops on recently evicted woman

Spotting a woman going through bagged up items outside a local home, a neighbor contacted the Kalispell Police Department and reported her as possibly using drugs.

Kalispell Police searching for two others involved in foiled burglary

The Kalispell Police Department is on the lookout for two more suspects connected to an Oct. 16 home invasion that ended with one alleged would-be burglar suffering a gunshot wound.

Legals for October, 28 2022

Proposed open-pit gravel mine controversial among Arlee residents

A 2021 Montana law regarding open-pit gravel mining, HB 599, has recently drawn criticism from Arlee residents. Opponents of the proposal feel their constitutional rights are being infringed upon by the permitting process of the 157-acre open-pit mine in Arlee.

Montana needs judicial oversight, not judicial overreach

Montana is currently experiencing a crisis in judicial overreach accountability.

Letters to the editor Oct. 28

Letters to the editor Oct. 28

Haunted tales around the Flathead Valley

Rumors of supernatural activity have occurred at many places, but some of the ghosts have more well-documented stories.

Pulling back the curtain on attack ads

As I was getting ready for work this morning, and enjoying the usual cup of coffee, a television ad started screaming at me telling me how awful my excellent colleague James Brown is as a Public Service Commissioner and as a Montana Supreme Court candidate, all while extolling the alleged “impartiality” of activist judge Ingrid Gustafson.

Meet the candidate: Jack Fallon

Jack Fallon, who lost a bid for a spot on the ballot during the primary election in June, has registered as a write-in candidate in the Flathead County commissioner race. Incumbent Republican Pam Holmquist, who is running for a third term, is the only candidate to appear on the ballot as no Democrats filed for the position. Election Day is Nov. 8.

Meet the candidate: Pam Holmquist

Incumbent Republican Pam Holmquist is running for her third term as county commissioner. While her name appears on the ballot alone as no Democrats filed for the position, candidate Jack Fallon, who lost in the primary election in June, has registered as a write-in candidate. Election Day is Nov. 8.

Which party protects children?

I am writing in response to a big red and white banner in a prominent downtown Libby window.

One more step for Wildcats

Most of the current Columbia Falls Wildcats weren’t even born yet when the school last held a State A soccer final on its home turf in 2004.

Whitefish girls right where they want to be

The Whitefish girls soccer team is exactly where the Bulldogs expect to be every year — competing in a state final.

Frazier shines in final home match for Glacier

Glacier’s last home volleyball match was a satisfying sweep of Missoula Big Sky, with the lone senior — Maddie Frazier — having her usual big night.

AA football: Glacier looks to bust Broncs again

A couple more of these meetings and we’ll have a rivalry. Billings Senior and Glacier are squaring off for the third straight year in the Class AA football playoffs, and for the second straight time in a first-round (play-in) game. The Wolfpack and Broncs kickoff at 7 p.m. inside Legends Stadium.

Lyngholm, Sterck lead another Bravette sweep

Olive Lyngholm had 11 kills to lead a strong Flathead attack that carried the Bravettes past Missoula Hellgate in straight sets Thursday, in Western AA volleyball.

Hensley hauls the rock

Glacier’s Jackson Hensley (2) is averaging 6.1 yards a carry this season, his first at running back.

Glacier’s Jackson Hensley (2) is averaging 6.1 yards a carry this season, his first at running back.

Hunter who mistook dog for wolf cited for animal cruelty

KALISPELL, Mont. (AP) — A Montana woman was cited for animal cruelty Thursday for shooting and skinning a 6-month-old husky and posting pictures of herself with the animal online bragging that she had shot a young wolf, officials said.

It’s closing weekend for WTC’s ‘Sweeney Todd’

Only four shows remain of Whitefish Theatre Company’s musical thriller “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” at the O’Shaughnessy Center in Whitefish.

Two violin masters and one acclaimed pianist

Master violinist Wai Mizutani and Impact present “Duets,” Opus 10 in his Lord of the Strings concert series, featuring special guests Claudius Cazan and Clementa Cazan German.

Songwriter Chuck Suchy honors friend with memorial concert

The kinship of two friends didn’t end when one left this life last November.

Prosecutors: Local woman drove drunk from wedding with children in the vehicle

Celina Marie Riley, 29, boasted a breath alcohol content of .166, or more than double the legal limit, when Flathead County Sheriff’s Office deputies caught up to her at her home on Oct. 16.

Mary ‘Marian’ Dunne Kinney, 88

Our beloved mom, Marian Kinney, joined our father Daniel Kinney in heaven on Oct. 22, 2022.

Black-backed woodpecker suits its name

Picus is Latin for woodpecker, from a legend in which the enchantress Circe turned Picus, the son of Saturn, into a woodpecker; -oides is Greek for “resembling,” so Picoides means “woodpecker-like.”

Legals for October, 27 2022

Motorist accused of pulling out shotgun pleads no contest

Robert Allen Ellis, 65, initially pleaded not guilty in Flathead County District Court to an assault with a weapon charge.

Water rights and the legitimacy of the Flathead Compact

How would you feel if you found that you and your water rights were the victim of a “fraudulently derived, over-reaching, unconstitutional water compact”? Pretty heated, I would guess, and rightly so if that were the case.

Hunting Regs: UM wildlife researchers seek to clarify the complicated

Coming in at a weighty 143 pages, Montana’s 2022 book of deer, elk and antelope hunting regulations is an impressive tome listing license costs, permit drawing stats, season start dates, tag requirements and the ominous penalties for breaking any of its stated rules.

Ordeal not over for one of 18 dogs abandoned near Doris Creek

Jeff Lowney just wanted to give a couple of the dogs that were abandoned up the Hungry Horse Reservoir in September a better life than they had before.

Premier comedian Brian Regan performs at McClaren Hall

Considered one of the best stand-ups in the country by critics, fans and fellow comedians, Brian Regan performs in Kalispell at the Wachholz College Center on the campus of Flathead Valley Community College at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26.

McMurtry spins a yarn or two at the Great Northern

The veteran musician, who rolled through Whitefish on Oct. 22, comes across as unassuming rather than aloof or haughty.

Law roundup: Woman demands police assistance with cigarette break

A woman reportedly wanted the Kalispell Police Department “to take care of the hospital staff” who wouldn’t let her outside to smoke a cigarette after four days had passed.

Fall Band Spectacular presented for two nights at two venues

The Flathead Valley Community Band presents two “Fall Band Spectacular” concerts: the first Wednesday, Nov. 2, in the Flathead High School Auditorium (644 Fourth Ave. W., Kalispell); and the second Wednesday Nov. 9, in the Whitefish Performing Arts Center (127 Spokane Ave., Whitefish).

Letters to the editor Oct. 27

Letters to the editor Oct. 27

FVCC theater presents ‘Men on Boats’

Flathead Valley Community College Theatre presents its first production of the season, “Men On Boats” by Jaclyn Backhaus.

Rare moose hunt a test of perseverance for Flathead Valley man

Hunters who have been in the game for any appreciable length of time know they must exercise great patience and perseverance in the pursuit of success.

Albert John Sparr Jr., 97

Albert John Sparr Jr., 97, laid down his working tools to join his heavenly Father on Friday, Oct. 14, 2022, at home surrounded by his family.

Huge parking garage out of character for historic Main Street

If you are wondering what in the world is going on with an eight-story parking structure in the middle of historic downtown Kalispell, you are not alone.

Secretary of State files 3 political complaints against organizations which defeated her in court

Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen has filed formal complaints against three Montana organizations for what her office says are violations of Montana law when it comes to voter registration. However, those three organizations are among the organizations that successfully sued Jacobsen for three voter laws that have been ruled unlawful, and they say the complaints are retaliation.

Law roundup: Clown’s behavior no laughing matter

A motorist contacted the Kalispell Police Department after coming across a person in a clown costume while driving through town.

County voters to determine marijuana sales tax

In two separate questions, voters will decide in November whether to create a tax on recreational, as well as medical sales, of marijuana and marijuana products.

Maxine J. O’Brien, 87

Maxine J. O’Brien passed away on Oct. 20, 2022, at Logan Health Medical Center with her family at her bedside. She was 87 years old.

Legals for October, 26 2022

Laureen Dawn Behm, 58

Laureen Dawn Behm, 58, of Temple, Texas, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022, after a lengthy battle with cancer.

Halloween happenings and hullabaloo in the Flathead

Here’s a rundown of the fun and spooky trick-or-treating planned around the Flathead Valley.

Daniel ‘Dan’ Todd Bungay, 47

Dan fought to live, yet the world was too much to bear. Dan was born Nov. 10, 1974, in Great Falls to Iris Russell Bungay and Bruce Bungay.

Man accused of assault pleads guilty after a fashion

The Kalispell man accused of threatening a woman with a gun earlier this year nearly derailed his plea agreement after he maintained his innocence under oath prior to his sentencing last week.

Kalispell man accused of aiming shotgun at girlfriend

A 60-year-old Kalispell man is behind bars on a felony assault with a weapon charge after allegedly leveling a shotgun at his girlfriend during an argument earlier this month.

Farrell, Wolfpack win in 5

Ella Farrell sent down 18 kills and added two assists, and Glacier outlasted Missoula Hellgate in five sets Tuesday in Western AA volleyball. Maddie Frazier added 11 digs and two aces for the Wolfpack, which beat Hellgate 15-25, 25-18, 25-22, 23-25, 15-7.

Big Sky notebook: Special teams giveth...

Special teams loomed large over the Big Sky Conference’s marquee games this past Saturday, making a difference in both Montana State’s win over Weber State, and Montana’s loss.

Vaccination discrimination bill on trial in U.S. District Court in Missoula

Mark Carpenter is a kidney transplant recipient who thought the Covid-19 vaccine would work for him, and he also figured health care providers who treat him would be vaccinated.

Northwest Montana hunters have mixed results opening weekend

The opening weekend of the general big game season brought mixed results for hunters in Northwest Montana.

Adams Publishing buying 13-member Montana newspaper group

BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) — Adams Publishing Group, the Minnesota-based company that owns community newspapers in 19 states, is purchasing a 13-member Montana newspaper group, the companies announced.

Mavis R. Durado, 77

Mavis R. Durado was welcomed home by her heavenly Father on Sept. 6 2022.

Colleen Rhea Kelley, 62

On Oct. 20, 2022, Colleen Rhea Kelley, also known to her friends as “KK,” died in a car accident outside of Polson.

Work on new chairlift underway at Whitefish Mountain Resort

Skiers may find shorter lift-lines, faster rides and more space to carve up the slopes this upcoming season at Whitefish Mountain Resort, thanks to the still under construction Chair 4, dubbed the “Snow Ghost Express.”

Public comment sought for Owen Sowerwine conservation easement

Residents have until Oct. 31 to weigh on a proposed conservation easement on stretches of the Flathead and Stillwater rivers in the Owen Sowerwine area just east of Kalispell.

September jobs numbers released for Montana

The September labor and consumer statistics for Montana have been released, and the data shows that while more Montanans are looking for work, less than a third of those searching began jobs last month.

Law roundup: Officers close the door on an investigation

A caller reported barking dogs to dispatchers, saying the commotion had been going on for about an hour just north of where they lived. Responding officers located two of the dogs.

Legals for October, 25 2022

Big Medicine will be returned to CSKT tribes from historical society

Big Medicine spent all of his life on the tribal homelands of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai tribes. Now after his death, he’ll spend most of his time back there too, after a six-decade hiatus as one of the main attractions of the Montana Historical Society.

Letters to the editor Oct. 25

Letters to the editor Oct. 25

Legals for October, 24 2022

Law roundup: Boy allegedy kicks back with daiquiri

Someone called the Kalispell Police Department because they allegedly thought a little boy sitting in a parked pickup was drinking a daiquiri in a can. The truck left.

GHS choir director achieves career aspiration

Once Nathan Connell stood in the choir classroom risers as a Glacier High School student. Today, he stands at the podium conducting students as the choir director in his fourth year of teaching.

Victim of allegedly drunken hit-and-run calls for tougher sentence

The local woman grievously injured after an allegedly drunk driver struck her and left her in a ditch in April fears the sentence prosecutors are recommending will end in another tragedy.

Letters to the editor Oct. 24

Letters to the editor Oct. 24

Wyoming hunter shoots self while fighting off grizzly attack

PINEDALE, Wyo. (AP) — A hunter accidentally shot himself in the leg while trying to fight off a grizzly bear attack in west-central Wyoming — the second such attack in a week's time, officials said.

US Forest Service worker arrested over planned Oregon burn

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — A U.S. Forest Service employee in Oregon was arrested this week by a county sheriff after a planned burn in a national forest spread onto private land.

FBI: Person in custody after 'barricade situation' at base

FORT BELVOIR, Va. (AP) — A person was taken into custody following what authorities described as a "barricade situation" at a U.S. Army base outside the nation's capital, the FBI said in a statement Sunday.

Laura S. Long, 63

Laura S. Long, of Bigfork, died peacefully on Sept. 16, 2022, after several years of battling cancer.

Darlene Ann (Goebel) Strandberg, 86

Darlene Ann (Goebel) Strandberg, 86, passed away peacefully with family, knowing that she was loved throughout her lifetime by her family and friends, past and present, on Friday, July 1, 2022, in Kalispell.

Meet the candidate: Braxton Mitchell, Republican for HD-3

Meet the candidate: Braxton Mitchell, Republican for HD-3

After frenzy local experts predict real estate price drop

The feeding frenzy has caused housing prices to skyrocket, but local realtors and mortgage brokers believe price drops are on the horizon.

For Pete’s sake, build a bridge

When I started working at the Northwest Montana History Museum I began to hear the name Pete Skibsrud. At first he merely sounded like a man about town.

Perry Lee Moore, 75

Perry Lee Moore left earth behind to travel through worlds unknown on Sept. 5, 2022.

Art exhibition seeks to spark conversation about homelessness

The popup art exhibit titled “The Home We Carry: A Visual Anthology of the Unhoused” is on display in Kalispell at the old Kalispell Malting and Brewing Company building on Sixth Avenue West.

Law roundup: Woman douses tantrum with water

A woman spotted allegedly pouring water on a screaming baby in the parking lot of a local grocery store earned a phone call to the Kalispell Police Department.

Legals for October, 23 2022

Carroll 'Poppy' Clyde Lindsey, 87

Carroll “Poppy” Clyde Lindsey, 87, coached his last game and turned out the gym lights. He passed away on Oct. 13, 2022, surrounded by family and friends at Logan Health Whitefish.

Flathead Valley manufacturers turn out breadth of products while facing range of challenges

The chamber put a spotlight on the industry during the event held at Flathead Valley Community College with a panel discussion.

Vibrant Roots brews up fermented mushroom and honey green tea

Everything about Brooke Lynn Dodson’s company, Vibrant Roots, focuses on mushrooms and bees, from her logo through the product line, because of their varied health benefits and ecological importance.

Meet the candidate: Andrea Getts, Democrat for HD-3

Meet the candidate: Angela Getts, Democrat for HD-3

LR-131: Living infants deserve protection

During a legislative session, there are over a thousand bills, amendments and motions a single legislator will vote on over a course of four months. It's our job to accurately represent you, the people of Montana with each vote.

LR-131: Allow doctors to practice appropriate, compassionate medicine

I am a doctor training at the Family Medicine Residency of Western Montana to become a rural family physician. I am also the mother to my giggling 6-month-old son, Theodore.

Ban this book now!

It has come to my attention that there is a book in our library that is simply unsafe and unsuitable for children.

Flathead Business Watercooler

Business events, trainings and seminars

David Anderson, 78

David went home to be with our Lord on Oct. 3, 2022.

Sharron 'Gigi' Tallent, 58

Sharron “Gigi” Tallent, 58, of Martin City, left this earth to meet her creator on Oct. 17, 2022.

Vicki C. Nicholls, 73

Vicki C. Nicholls, 73, of Tomah, Wisconsin, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, at the Tomah Nursing & Rehab Center in Tomah.

Stocks rise on Wall Street, remain on track for winning week

The benchmark S&P 500 rose 1% in midday trading on Friday, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the Nasdaq also gained ground. Technology and health care stocks had some of the strongest gains.

Letters to the editor Oct. 23

Letters to the editor Oct. 23

Time to hit the books on ImagineIF facilities planning

The ImagineIF Board of Trustees’ decision to turn down a proposal to move the Kalispell library branch to the Gateway Community Center last week was prudent — and heartening.

Robert 'Bob' D. Adams, 92

Robert “Bob” D. Adams, 92, of Columbia Falls, passed away Oct. 10, 2022.

William M. 'Bill' Zizz, 73

William M. “Bill” Zizz, 73, of Kalispell, passed away on Oct. 12, 2022, at his home after a long battle with COPD, with his family by his side.

Law roundup: Although unsightly, equipment not illegal

A man’s collection of lawnmowers, four-wheelers, golf carts and other equipment was allegedly clogging up an alleyway and a woman complained she was getting notices for garbage because he was throwing away “non-approved” items.

Crystal Lynn Ford, 37

Crystal Lynn Ford, 37, left this earth to the embrace of our Lord’s arms on Oct. 12, 2022.

West tops Glacier 3-2 in quarterfinal

The Billings West Golden Bears edged the Glacier Wolfpack 3-2 in the final minutes of a State AA quarterfinal game on Friday.

Wildcats earn third straight trip to state final

Last year the Columbia Falls Wildcats had to go through Missoula Loyola en route to the State A boys soccer final. It was the same story this year, and the Wildcats are headed to the chipper after a 2-0 semifinal win over the Rams on Saturday at Flip Darling Memorial Field.

Wildkats fall to Billings Central

Down three goals to the Billings Central Rams in a State A semifinal on Saturday, the Columbia Falls Wildkats desperately needed to score.

Lady Bulldogs win in OT, on to state title game

The Whitefish Bulldogs are headed to their second state final in three years after a 5-3 overtime victory over the Hamilton Bulldogs in a State A semifinal game Saturday.

Deficit figures set up competing visions from Biden and GOP

This fiscal year's budget deficit shrunk in half from last year, but the red ink soared on a monthly basis in September. That's largely because of President Joe Biden's plans to forgive student debt, as three decades' worth of costs were compressed into a single month.

US home sales fell in September for eighth straight month

The National Association of Realtors said Thursday that existing home sales fell 1.5% last month from August to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.71 million. That's slightly higher than what economists were expecting, according to FactSet.

Meet the candidate: Angela Kennedy, Democrat for HD-7

Meet the candidate: Angela Kennedy, Democrat for HD-7

Target of Kalispell manhunt faces multiple felony charges in district court

The man at the heart of an overnight police search in Kalispell last week now faces felony burglary and aggravated burglary charges in Flathead County District Court.

Meet the candidate: Courtenay Sprunger, Republican for HD-7

Meet the candidate: Courtenay Sprunger, Republican for HD-7

Herd throws 3 TDs, Vikings blank Lions

Tristen Herd threw three touchdown passes Friday, the third starting a second-half surge that carried Bigfork to a 39-0 win over Eureka and the Western B football title.

Pirates hold off Bulldogs, 34-27

Polson’s Jarrett Wilson packed a lot of football into the first half Friday, and Whitefish quarterback Fynn Ridgeway had the goods in the second.

PHOTOS: Polson hangs on to beat Whitefish, 34-27

Photos from Polson's 34-27 win over Whitefish in a Western A high school football matchup at Polson High School on Friday, Oct. 21.

Undefeated Hamilton tops Columbia Falls 23-7

Defending state champion Hamilton Broncs kept their undefeated record intact by topping the Columbia Falls Wildcats 23-7.

Elected officials weigh in on Holland Lake Lodge expansion proposal

“There’s a way to be part of a community,” said Rep. Mike Hopkins, R-Missoula, whose district includes the Holland Lake area. “There’s a way to get community buy-in. And there’s a way not to.”

Legals for October, 21 2022

Board rejects moving Kalispell branch to Gateway Community Center

Flathead County Commissioners suggested the space to several organizations.

Meet the candidate: Lyn Bennett, Republican for HD-5

Meet the candidate: Lyn Bennett, Republican for HD-5

Meet the candidate: Dave Fern, Democrat for HD-5

Meet the candidate: Dave Fern, Democrat for HD-5

Meet the candidate: Sid Daoud, Libertarian for HD-8

Meet the candidate: Sid Daoud, Libertarian for HD-8

Meet the candidate: Terry Falk, Republican for HD-8

Meet the candidate: Terry Falk, Republican for HD-8

Housing task force presents recommendations to governor

A task force charged with identifying solutions for Montana’s housing crunch formally passed recommendations for legislative action to Gov. Greg Gianforte Wednesday, teeing up debates over state subsidies and local control that appear likely to play out as specific housing bills are considered by lawmakers this winter.

Big Sky downs Flathead 53-20

Plenty of things went right for Missoula Big Sky and the other way for Flathead Thursday night, but the key stretch came in the second quarter of what was a tie football game.

Glacier pushes Helena, but Bengals win 4-2

Helena topped Glacier in five sets Thursday, but the Wolfpack didn't make it an easy win.

Bengal spikers beat Bravettes in four

The Helena Capital Bengals topped the Flathead Bravettes in four sets in Western AA volleyball Thursday.

State XC: Flathead girls, others hunting for trophies

The Montana State Cross Country Championships are Saturday at the University of Montana Golf Course, and fittingly the Flathead Valley’s fastest girl will get things started.

PHOTOS: Flathead falls to Missoula Big Sky 53-20

Photos from a Western AA high school football matchup between Flathead and Missoula Big Sky at Legends Stadium in Kalispell on Thursday, Oct. 20. Flathead fell to Big Sky, 53-20.

The Lil Smokies heat up New Year’s Eve at The Wilma

Bluegrass phenoms The Lil Smokies are heading back to Montana for a special New Year’s Eve performance at The Wilma in Missoula on Dec. 31.

Opening day his finally here

Opening day. Those words have an almost sacred meaning if you are one of the 100,000 or more Montana resident hunters and thousands of non-resident hunters that will be welcoming the opening of the general rifle season for deer and elk hunting in Montana.

‘Spongebob’ musical features over 100 students

One of the most popular animated shows of all time, “SpongeBob Squarepants,” gets the full Broadway musical treatment Oct. 22 and 23 at the Whitefish Performing Arts Center.

Kalispell parents to get notice of sex ed classes

Parents of students attending Kalispell Public Schools can expect to be notified when human sexuality instruction takes place at least 48 hours in advance if the class, event, or assembly wasn’t addressed in an annual notice.

Judge denies bail reduction for alleged murderer

Judge Dan Wilson denied a request to lower bail for accused killer Del Orrin Crawford in Flathead County District Court on Wednesday, while also questioning the strength of Crawford’s potential self-defense case.

It’s a bloody good time with WTC’s ‘Sweeney Todd’

Just in time for the Halloween season, the Whitefish Theatre Company presents the musical thriller “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” at the O’Shaughnessy Center in Whitefish.

Lawyer to lawyer: James Brown is not qualified

I have been a Montana lawyer for 45 years. James Brown, who is running for the Montana Supreme Court, recently asked me for a contribution. I responded that his record d

Columbia Falls sued by couple over Kreck Riverside Park

A local couple has filed suit in Flathead County District Court claiming Columbia Falls' Kreck Riverside Park is a nuisance and the court should force the city to address it.

Grammy winners Colvin and Cohn share the stage

Two of this generation's favorite singer-songwriters, Marc Cohn and Shawn Colvin, come together onstage for a special evening at the Wachholz College Center on the campus of Flathead Valley Community College on Sunday, April 2.

Bigfork Community Players ‘Odd Couple’ in final weekend

The Bigfork Community Players' production of “The Odd Couple” by Neil Simon continues this weekend in Bigfork at the Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts.

Hockaday exhibit highlights Artist-Wilderness-Connection

The Hockaday Museum of Art will open a new exhibition in the Community Gallery, “James Weikert: Story of a Place: Two Weeks in the Great Bear Wilderness,” with a free opening reception and artist talk for the public from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27.

‘Don’t dream it. Be it’ this Halloween with ‘Rocky Horror’

Alpine Theatre Project celebrates Halloween with the outrageous classic 1975 film “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.”

Letters to the editor Oct. 20

Letters to the editor Oct. 20

Kalispell puts brakes on historic train vandalism

The Kalispell Parks and Recreation Department is taking several steps to prevent vandalism to a historic locomotive located on the new Parkline Trail above Woodland Park.

Republican operative publicizes ethics complaints against Supreme Court incumbent

A prominent Republican operative backing Montana Supreme Court candidate James Brown has filed two ethics complaints against Brown’s opponent in the race, incumbent Supreme Court Justice Ingrid Gustafson, with less than a month until Election Day.

Whitefish's Parkin Costain featured in new ski flick

From a young grom shredding around Whitefish Mountain Resort to a professional skier riding spines in Alaska for Teton Gravity Research, Parkin Costain is hoping to inspire everyone to get excited for the winter season ahead.

Law roundup: Woman chalks up drawings to other kids

A woman complained about a group of kids who used chalk to write profanity and draw parts of the male anatomy all over tennis courts, signing it with her child’s name, who she said was not involved.

Legals for October, 20 2022

Gypsy Theatre Guild holds 'Christmas Carol’ auditions

The Gypsy Theatre Guild announces auditions for “A Christmas Carol,” a radio play to be performed at the Conrad Mansion on Dec. 2, 3 and 4. Auditions are Oct. 22 from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Fireside Room of the Red Lion Hotel at the Kalispell Center Mall (front desk will give directions).

WTC announces auditions for ‘Little Women’

The Whitefish Theatre Co. is holding auditions for its holiday production of “Little Women” Oct. 23 and 24 at 7 p.m. at the O’Shaughnessy Center in Whitefish.

Thursday Night Lights: Flathead looks to end on upswing; Glacier faces Missoula Hellgate on road

Flathead broke a 17-game losing streak to start the football season; now it can end on a winning note.

Prescribed fire on Big Mountain rescheduled for Thursday

If conditions align with air quality, the Tally Lake Ranger District will prescribe burn an area directly adjacent to the Whitefish Mountain Resort on Thursday, Oct. 20.

Brenda Jo Hamilton, 72

Brenda Jo Hamilton, 72, passed away peacefully in her home on Oct. 10, 2022, in Columbia Falls.

Florence B. Jacobson

Florence B. Jacobson was born on Sept. 16, 1928, in Scobey, Montana, to her parents, Hans P. and Beulah B. (Olds) Jacobson, who owned a farm in Flaxville, Montana.

Legals for October, 19 2022

Juel 'Maurice' Leib, 81

Juel “Maurice” Leib, 81, of Columbia Falls, passed away on Oct. 5, 2022, surrounded by his family.

Law roundup: Woman loses sleep counting teens instead of sheep

A group of 50 teens allegedly jumped a resident’s fence to get into the football game and she asked the Kalispell Police Department to keep an eye out on her property because of the destruction they wrought.

Kalispell City Council approves housing subdivison

The subdivision, located at 155 Tronstad Road by U.S. 93, will consist of 39 single-family homes on 10 acres.

ImagineIF board looks at relocating Kalispell library branch

The ImagineIF Board of Trustees are calling a special meeting Thursday to discuss moving the Kalispell branch of the library into the Gateway West Mall, along with a few other county entities.

Lawrence L. 'Peter' Larson, 84

Lawrence L. “Peter” Larson, 84, left peacefully to join his heavenly Father on Friday, Oct. 14, 2022, at home with his wife, Sallie, by his side

Great Fish nets over $5M for local nonprofits

Whitefish Community Foundation awarded more than $5 million to 70 Flathead Valley nonprofit organizations during the Great Fish Awards Celebration Monday evening.

Meet the candidate: Kyle Waterman, Democrat for SD-4

Meet the candidate: Kyle Waterman, Democrat for SD-4

Suspect held in assault case charged with theft

Appearing before Judge Heidi Ulbricht, Ronald Eugene Donais pleaded not guilty to the assault charge last week.

Judge gives Rexford man jail time for lying under oath

Flathead County District Court Judge Robert Allison held Nathaniel Joe Peoples, 32, in contempt after he first testified that he was aware of two firearms found in his home before later claiming he did not know about the weapons.

Meet the candidate: John Fuller, Republican for SD-4

Meet the candidate: John Fuller, Republican for SD-4

FEC seeks applicants for Youth Tour

Applications are open now through Nov. 15.

Don ‘K’ donation benefits Evergreen schools

Don “K” Subaru recently made donations to assist with providing healthy snacks for Evergreen schools.

Big Sky notes: Perhaps we should have known

While the Montana State Bobcats were taking care of business this past Saturday, the Montana Grizzlies were falling flat in their lone October home game.

Spartans drop Bravettes 3-0 in playoffs

Sentinel senior Hailey Wolsky scored two goals for the Spartans in a 3-0 win in a girls State AA soccer first round game on Tuesday.

Wolfpack beats Flathead 4-0, moves into AA boys quarterfinals

Glacier’s boys went into their AA soccer play-off game minus a key player Tuesday, but still had the firepower, and the magic number, to beat crosstown rival Flathead 4-0 at Legends Stadium.

College wrestler saves teammate from grizzly bear mauling

A college wrestler from a small Wyoming school helped his teammate survive a grizzly mauling over the weekend by trying to wrestle the massive bear off his friend, eventually drawing a more brutal attack to himself.

Authorities locate man sought in connection with shooting

Authorities found this morning a man sought following an overnight shooting in Kalispell.

Holland Lake expansion could take place without full environmental assessment

Thousands of people are raising objections to a controversial plan to expand Holland Lake Lodge, especially after the U.S. Forest Service admits it made errors at the beginning of the process.

C-Falls man charged after allegedly threatening neighbor with gun

Peter James Clancy, 59, faces one felony count of assault with a weapon in Flathead County District Court stemming from the Aug. 14 disagreement near Parker Hill Road.

Patricia Ruth Poston Mild, 74

Patricia Ruth Poston Mild passed peacefully on Oct. 13, 2022, at her home in Twin Bridges, with family at her side.

Legals for October, 18 2022

DPHHS announces new background check procedure for daycare operators after troubling report

Earlier this month, Montana lawmakers heard from the Department of Public Health and Human Services about a troubling audit report which said the state’s largest division had not detected sexual or violent offenders living at the same addresses as childcare providers.

Whitefish man enters plea in fatal DUI case

A Whitefish man last week pleaded not guilty to felony charges related to an alleged DUI crash in California that killed his teenage passenger.

Law roundup: Neighbors seek to root out planter thief

A woman visiting a relative reportedly got a call from a neighbor that her patio furniture and planters were gone and it was the same patio where the neighbor had stuff stolen from. The neighbors had a suspect in mind who

Interior law judge allows bison grazing on federal lands

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — A federal administrative law judge has denied a request to block permits that expand bison grazing in north-central Montana while several parties challenge them.

Grizzly bear attacks, injures antler hunters in Wyoming

A grizzly bear attacked and injured two men who apparently surprised the bruin while they were recreating in the Shoshone National Forest in northwestern Wyoming, state wildlife officials said Monday.

Season's first snow set to arrive Saturday

So long Indian summer, hello Jack Frost.

Legals for October, 17 2022

Kalispell considers final OK for subdivision

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

Red Cross volunteer sees destruction of Hurricane Ian

While her deployments in Jacksonville and Wauchula kept her away from main areas of destruction caused by the hurricane, Cassandra Loveless says there was still plenty to do running emergency shelters in both locations.

Letters to the editor Oct. 17

Letters to the editor Oct. 17

Whitefish Council considers subdivision fronting U.S. 93

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

Mary Helen Hendrix

Mary died peacefully after a long struggle with COPD in Oklahoma City Aug. 2, 2022.

Law roundup: Ill chinchilla concerns Boston woman

A woman calling from Boston asked the Kalispell Police Department to check on an ill chinchilla a Kalispell woman reportedly posted about on a Facebook chinchilla owners group and remove it if necessary.

Whitefish boys top Western A Fall Classic

Deneb Linton led his Whitefish squad to the team title at the Western A Fall Classic on Saturday with a second-place finish in his race.

Bravettes top Butte, 1-0

The playoff-bound Flathead Bravettes grinded out a 1-0 win in Butte to end regular season play Saturday.

Grant funding available to increase international sales for Montana’s small businesses

The federal funding, from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), will be administered through Export Montana’s State Trade Expansion Program (STEP).

Response to Racicot-Brown endorsement

Response to Racicot-Brown endorsement

A plan to address the affordability crisis

In my campaign for Congress, I’ve traveled over 35,000 miles to connect with Montanans across the district.

Fact checking claims about state’s housing task force

Kelly Lynch’s Oct. 9 op-ed outlining why the Montana League of Cities and Towns opposes the pro-housing reforms recommended by Gov. Greg Gianforte’s bipartisan Housing Task Force contained numerous inaccuracies, obfuscations and omissions that should be fairly addressed.

Running streak — West Glacier woman uses Mount Brown route to train

Somer Treat eventually took up marathon running in her late 20s and decided to challenge herself to run at least three miles every day for 100 days.

Federal cannabis policy creates challenges in Indian country

Last year state policymakers were presented with the challenge of setting up a regulatory and tax regime for adult-use cannabis after a bipartisan majority of voters enacted I-190 in the 2020 election.

Artists' work on display at ImagineIF Libraries

The library is highlighting three local artists, Tom Roberts, Johnny Ratka Skinner and Keri Keefe.

Leona Lois (Jacobson) Hileman, 94

Our beloved mother, Leona L. Hileman, joined our father, Harry Hileman, in heaven on Friday, Sept. 30, 2022.

Ukrainian refugees make a new life in Whitefish

Ukrainians Yurii and Vitalina Zinchenko never dreamed of living in America. Now, they hope to never have to leave.

Community briefs

Prestige Living offers free cognitive health guide; Meals in Lakeside; Home buyer education class Nov. 5; Women’s Connection fall fundraiser; Code Girls cornhole tournament; Mountain View Mennonite Church holds gift festival

Bruce Allen Nelson Jr., 78

Bruce Allen Nelson Jr., 78

High school students inducted into National Honor Society

Flathead High School inducted 42 students and Glacier High School, 75 in their respective National Honor Society chapters during ceremonies held earlier this month.

Kalispell spa offers hydration and vitamin supplements through IV therapy

The midwest-based Live Hydration Spa, which began as a way to give people an option for hydration outside of a hospital setting, includes franchises all over the country.

Flathead Business Watercooler

Business events, trainings and seminars

Letters to the editor Oct. 16

Letters to the editor Oct. 16

Legals for October, 16 2022

Scott Goodnight

Scott Goodnight was born Jan. 7, 1955, and died Sept. 6, 2022.

Eileen Delores (Ohs) Sandefur, 94

Eileen Sandefur passed from this earthly life into her forever home with the Lord on Friday afternoon Sept. 23, 2022.

Montanans’ privacy is on the ballot

Absentee ballots are set to arrive in mailboxes this week, and along with considering a full slate of candidates, Montana voters will also be asked to decide on a pair of ballot questions.

Season of the stink bug

Around this time of year, every year, stink bugs seemingly come out of the woodwork and begin appearing in every room in the house, on the house, and floating aimlessly in the atmosphere.

Law roundup: Neighbor not happy about campers

People living in a camper parked in a resident’s driveway for several months reportedly got too cozy for a neighbor’s comfort when the Kalispell Police Department received a complaint about the individuals urinating in the yard and arguing a lot.

Vandals knock off Griz, reclaim Stein

Certainly a majority of the Idaho Vandals weren’t born when their football program last claimed the Little Brown Stein.

Whitefish girls topple Laurel; boys beat Hamilton

Whitefish knocked off the defending State A girls soccer champions Laurel in penalty kicks on Saturday at Smith Fields in a Class A quarterfinal game.

Wildkats take out Corvallis 6-3

Hope McAtee scored three goals in the Columbia Falls Wildkats 6-3 victory over the Corvallis Blue Devils Saturday, but her last goal was the most impressive.

Wildcats blank Rams, advance to semis

If the first half was just Columbia Falls and Billings Central trading jabs, then the second half was where the big hits were landed.

PHOTOS: Vandals deal first loss to Griz, 30-23

Photos from the Montana Grizzlies 30-23 loss to the Idaho Vandals at Washington-Grizzly Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 15.

Glacier tops Flathead in crosstown football, 49-14

The Crosstown football game went Glacier’s way again Friday, mainly because Gage Sliter packed an entire game into one half.

Herd-Epperly TD lifts Bigfork over Florence

In a rematch of last year’s State B championship, Bigfork edged Florence 20-19 Friday in a Western B football game that came down to the final minutes.

Sapa scores 2 TDS, Wildcats beat Bulldogs 24-20

Cody Schweikert ran for one touchdown and threw for another and the Columbia Falls Wildcats downed the Whitefish Bulldogs 24-20 on Friday in Western A football.

Hiker from Montana pinned under refrigerator-sized boulder rescued

LEAVENWORTH, Wash. (AP) — A Montana resident hiking in Washington state was rescued this week after he became trapped under a refrigerator-sized boulder, officials said.

Victim in Olney shooting fears wife would attack him if released

Kay Lynn Johnson pleaded not guilty to a single felony count of assault with a weapon.

Secretary of state offers mixed messaging on election rules

Despite a recent ruling by a Billings judge reactivating Election Day voter registration ahead of Montana’s Nov. 8 midterm election, traces of the law the court struck down continue to linger, creating potential confusion about what the registration deadline actually is.

PHOTOS: Glacier tops Flathead 49-14

Photos from Glacier's 49-14 win over Flathead in a Western AA crosstown football matchup at Legends Stadium in Kalispell on Friday, Oct. 14.

Glacier's Sun Road closes for season on Sunday

The Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park will close for the season this Sunday, Oct. 16 at midnight.

Rough times ahead: Hurricane Ian batters SW Florida economy

As the winter months approach, business in southwestern Florida would have been starting to pick up.

Retail sales flat in September as inflation takes a bite

Retail sales were flat last month, down from a revised. 0.4% growth in August.

Bank CEOs increasingly turning pessimistic on economy

Following the short but potent pandemic recession in 2020, many bank CEOs have spent the past year and a half trumpeting the strength of the U.S. economy and the resilience of the U.S. consumer.

Kroger seeks to create grocery giant in $20B Albertsons bid

Kroger on Friday bid $20 billion for Albertsons Companies Inc., or $34.10 per share.

Polson musician Benny Weag debuts on The Voice

As people trickle into The Shoe in Polson Saturday night, Benny Weag and David Caselli open their set with a smooth rendition of “Come Together” by The Beatles.

Legals for October, 14 2022

Program looks at CCC in Glacier Park

The Northwest Montana Posse of Westerners history organization presents a program Monday, Oct. 17, on “Depression Era Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in Glacier National Park” by presenter David R. Butler of Santa Fe, New Mexico.

UM study finds plant growth offsets carbon release of thawing permafrost

The study was led by researchers in UM’s Numerical Terradynamic Simulation Group, a leader in satellite remote sensing and Earth-system science. Their findings were published in Nature Communications.

Larry D. Evinrude, 74

Larry D. Evinrude, 74

Absentee ballots headed out to voters

Election Day is Nov. 8.

Judge overturns Great Falls’ marijuana dispensary ban

A Cascade County District Court judge has overturned a municipal prohibition on cannabis dispensaries in Great Falls and ordered local officials to permit a new recreational marijuana shop as soon as possible.

County planning board votes against KM Ranch proposal

Recommendations from the planning board are forwarded to the county commissioners for final consideration.

Raymond ‘Ray’ Alan Phillips, 62

Raymond “Ray” Alan Phillips aka “Raybo” or “Ray Ders,” age 62, died suddenly on Oct. 5, 2022, at Logan Health Center in Kalispell.

Accused killer's bail reduction rejected by Supreme Court

An accused killer’s latest attempt to have his $25 million bail lowered has been rejected by the Montana Supreme Court.

Tranel visits with creamery owners on campaign trail

U.S. House candidate Democrat Monica Tranel visited with Kalispell Kreamery owners to ask about their needs as a small, local dairy farm while on the campaign trail Thursday.

Law Roundup: Drug talk raises hackles in Whitefish

The tipster had not noticed anything specifically illegal about the gathering, but said members of the group were arguing and talking about drugs. Another passerby tried to lend a hand to a possibly “extremely drunk” fellow walking home.

Underfunded states to get boost in high-tech research money

The law authorized $102 billion over five years for the National Science Foundation.

Three in legal trouble after alleged assault in Somers

The disturbance began with the victim’s car alarm going off.

Citizens’ Climate Lobby holds candidate event

This “second'' Earth Day draws attention to the importance of the midterm elections, emphasizing how conservation-minded voters can make an impact by electing climate-forward candidates.

North Valley Food Bank holds Trick or Treat food drive

The third annual Trick or Treat so Kids Can Eat food drive will benefit hungry and undernourished kids and teens in Northwestern

Brisendine, Pack girls rout Butte to end season

Reagan Brisendine scored an incredible eight goals for Glacier on Tuesday in an 11-1 victory over Western AA foe Butte Bulldogs, the Wolfpack’s final game of the season.

Prep football: Flathead, Glacier ready to battle in crosstown

The Glacier Wolfpack and Flathead Braves are coming off their best football games in a while, so the head coaches are looking forward to Friday at Legends Stadium.

Pack spikers sweep Bravettes

Flathead and Glacier met up Thursday night for crosstown volleyball with the Wolfpack coming out on top 25-23, 25-20, 25-18 in the Western AA match at Glacier High School.

Sentinel squads sweep Flathead

Flathead's Carter Bullins scored twice, but two second-half goals gave Missoula Sentinel a 3-2 victory in Western AA soccer on Thursday.

The Snow Belt: A league whose time has come

Andrew Schmidt, the one-time starting running back for the 2008 Montana Grizzlies, has been telling anyone within earshot that Griz football should be moving on up.

Bulldogs, Bluehawks win Western B/C races

Andrew Rush of Mission won his race, Ellie Baxter of Thompson Falls won hers, and both led their teams to titles at the Western B/C Divisional cross country meet Wednesday.

Hunter survives grizzly bear attack in Montana

A nearly 700-pound grizzly bear charged out of thick brush southeast of Glacier National Park, attacking and injuring a bird hunter before the man shot the animal, Montana wildlife officials said Wednesday.

Bruce Clark Clear, 72

The Rev. Dr. Bruce Clark Clear, passed away in his sleep at his Wel-life residence in Kalispell on Oct. 9, 2022.

Eureka students stage their own production

As a follow up to the success of last year’s student-led and student-directed musical “Be More Chill,” the Eureka High School drama students return this year in directing, producing, set-designing, costume-making, fundraising for, and starring in their own musical.

'Dracula' featured at October’s Movie Night at the Museum

In a month known for spooks and goblins, movie buffs get a chance to see one of Hollywood’s horror classics, 1931’s “Dracula” starring Bela Lugosi.

Drum Brothers will perform and lead workshop in Whitefish

North Valley Music School in Whitefish is hosting a Percussion Pairing Weekend on Friday, Nov. 4, and Saturday, Nov. 5.

Glacier National Park saw fewer visitors in August

Visitation in Glacier National Park continued its downward trend in August as the park saw nearly 21,000 fewer visitors in the month than it did a year ago.

Law Roundup: Who was that masked man?

The masked man was last seen heading down an alleyway and responding officers turned up no one matching the description.

Legals for October, 13 2022

Concert fundraiser focuses on feeding those in need

Feed the Need, a benefit concert for the Flathead Food Bank and Samaritan House, takes place at 7 p.m. today, Oct. 13, at the Jewel Basin Center.

Raymond ‘Ray’ Alan Phillips, 62

Raymond “Ray” Alan Phillips aka “Raybo” or “Ray Ders,” age 62, died suddenly on Oct. 5, 2022, at Logan Health Center in Kalispell.

Gypsy Theatre Guild holds 'Christmas Carol’ auditions

The Gypsy Theatre Guild announces auditions for “A Christmas Carol,” a radio play to be performed at the Conrad Mansion on Dec. 2, 3 and 4.

Letters to the editor Oct. 13

Letters to the editor Oct. 13

Bigfork Community Players stage Neil Simon’s classic comedy

The Bigfork Community Players open their fall play, “The Odd Couple” by Neil Simon on Oct. 14 in Bigfork.

Zinke a no-show at home debate

I organized a candidate’s forum for our new Western District congressional representative in Whitefish in September.

Fresh air: Glacier's fall colors attract local artists group

Fall colors are nearing at their prime along U.S. 2 east of West Glacier.

I may not know much about laws, but I know what I like

I had a neighbor once who spent several days in the county jail because he wouldn’t make his mortgage payments.

FVCC culinary students host dinner series

The Friday dinners each begin at 6 p.m. on FVCC’s Kalispell campus in the culinary kitchen on the lower level of the Arts and Technology Building.

Dogs abandoned near Doris Creek up for adoption

Several of the dogs left abandoned up the Hungry Horse Reservoir a few weeks ago are now up for adoption.

Entertainment briefs

Entertainment happenings

Wildkats top Vals in playoff game, 2-1

When in doubt, make sure Tayler Lingle gets the ball. Sometimes she’ll find it on her own, though.

Flathead sweeps Glacier Invitational; Hollman, Rumsey Eash win races

Juniors Bauer Hollman and Lilli Rumsey Eash were individual champions, and led Flathead to the team sweep of the Glacier Invitational cross country meet Wednesday at Rebecca Farm.

Heir Unapparent

Glacier needed a QB, and Gage Sliter made sure it was him

If you asked Glacier football coach Grady Bennett in 2019 who would be leading not only his team at quarterback but the entire state in passing, he might have guessed anyone but Gage Sliter.

Threats phoned into Libby schools deemed unfounded

Police are investigating threatening phone calls made to the Libby Elementary School and the Libby Middle High School late Wednesday morning.

Library commission OKs new logo with minor color changes

The commission that oversees the Montana State Library voted Wednesday to accept a new logo with colors pulled from the state flag after one commissioner criticized an earlier color scheme as reminding her of a rainbow LGBTQ pride flag.

Alex Jones ordered to pay $965 million for Sandy Hook lies

Jurors ordered conspiracy theorist Alex Jones on Wednesday to pay nearly $1 billion to Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims' relatives and an FBI agent, who said he turned their loss and trauma into years of torment by promoting the lie that the rampage was a hoax.

Idaho nuclear waste treatment plant could start in December

A nuclear waste treatment plant in eastern Idaho designed to treat 900,000 gallons (3.4 million liters) of sodium-bearing, radioactive waste that has had numerous setbacks will likely start operating in early December, a U.S. Department of Energy official said Wednesday.

6 wolves poisoned in northeast Washington, reward offered

Six wolves found dead this year in northeast Washington were poisoned and a reward is being offered for tips leading to a conviction in the case, officials said Monday.

Edward Clarence Eberly

Edward Eberly passed in the early morning hours of Oct. 8, 2022, surrounded by family.

Legals for October, 12 2022

Steve Luckey, 82

Steve Luckey, warrior extraordinaire, has won his final battle on Oct. 2, 2022, and is now resting peacefully and comfortably in the hands of our Lord God.

Law Roundup: Misunderstanding prompts police response

A motorist passing through Coram confronted a woman in another vehicle on the side of the road after spotting her hitting an unseen object.

Accused of assault, Kalispell man pleads guilty to drunk driving

Donald Douglas Houtonen, 35, entered the guilty plea to driving under the influence, fourth or subsequent offense, on Sept. 26 after reaching a deal with prosecutors.

Man accused of threatening inn staff, deputies sentenced

Judge Robert Allison critiqued the agreement between prosecutors and Kyle Ross Burglund, 41, as he handed down his sentences late last month, describing them as “on the light side.”

Rate hikes show need for change on PSC

It was no surprise to open the paper last week and learn that the Public Service Commission had approved a $92 million interim rate increase for NorthWestern Energy.

Misleading term ignores reality of pregnancy complications

Recently, politicians and commentators — including current Montana congressional candidates — have used the phrase “abortion up to the moment of birth.”

Community leaders look to address increase in homelessness

The number of people experiencing homelessness in Kalispell is now the second highest in the state sitting slightly behind Missoula, according to the Montana Homeless Point-In-Time count provided annually by the Montana Continuum of Care Coalition.

GOVERNMENT & POLITICS State library staff gave more than $240K in bonuses that didn’t meet state guidelines, auditors say

The Montana State Library System awarded more than $244,000 in bonuses to staff that was contrary to state law because auditors said the basis for the awards was not clearly outlined.

County planning board holds vote on KM Ranch Road project

The county planning board meets at 6 p.m. in the second floor conference room of the South Campus Building at 40 11th St. W. in Kalispell. Recommendations from the planning board are forwarded to the Flathead County Commissioners for final consideration.

Joseph Ralph (Hash) Morrison, 98

Joseph Ralph (Hash) Morrison, age 98, died in his sleep on Sunday, Oct. 9, at the Montana Veteran’s Home in Columbia Falls.

Joan (Giles) Michael

Joan (Giles) Michael was born in Cricklade, England, on the 26th of October 1932. Joan passed peacefully at Logan Health Hospice, Kalispell, on June 6, 2021.

Amendment on ballot would require warrant to access electronic data

As Montana voters head to the polls this fall, they’ll have the chance to amend the state Constitution to add language explicitly requiring law enforcement to obtain a search warrant before accessing a person’s private electronic data.

Letters to the editor Oct. 12

Letters to the editor Oct. 12

Dirty tricks from a former justice

Lawyers and judges are in positions of great power and responsibility when it comes to our justice system.

Big Sky notes: In a QB-rich league, watch for Idaho’s No. 4

Montana Grizzlies quarterback Lucas Johnson has been reminding Big Sky Conference fans why he started at San Diego State.

Bulldogs blank Pirates in boys play-in game

Collin Lyman scored twice to lift the Whitefish Bulldogs to a 4-0 win over Polson in a Northern A play-in game on Tuesday.

U.S. sued for pollution from retardant drops on wildfires

An environmental group filed a lawsuit Tuesday against U.S. Forest Service officials that alleges they polluted waterways during their campaigns against wildfires by inadvertently dropping large volumes of chemical flame retardant into streams.

Angela Lansbury, 'Murder She Wrote' star, dies at 96

NEW YORK (AP) — Angela Lansbury, the scene-stealing British actor who kicked up her heels in the Broadway musicals "Mame" and "Gypsy" and solved endless murders as crime novelist Jessica Fletcher in the long-running TV series "Murder, She Wrote," has died. She was 96.

Conservative PACs inject millions into local school races

As Republicans and Democrats fight for control of Congress this fall, a growing number of conservative political action groups are targeting their efforts closer to home: at local school boards.

Labor proposal could upend rules for gig workers, companies

The department said Tuesday that misclassifying workers as independent contractors denies those workers protections under federal labor standards, promotes wage theft, allows certain employers to gain an unfair advantage over businesses, and hurts the economy. Shares of major gig companies like Uber and Lyft plummeted in early trading.

Honda, LG to build $3.5B battery plant, hire 2,200 in Ohio

The company also plans to invest $700 million and add 300 jobs at three of its own Ohio factories to prepare them to start making EVs and components.

Born Alive Act will cause real harm

We are Montana health care professionals who care deeply for the health, safety, and well-being of our patients.

Deva Mae Trebas

Deva Mae Trebas, of Browning, passed away on Oct. 7, 2022, of natural causes.

C-Falls hotel project gets a green light

The Columbia Falls City Council on Oct. 3 approved a new 65-unit hotel off of U.S. 2.

Legals for October, 11 2022

DEQ seeks applications for projects to mitigate lead levels in public water supplies

Up to $28 million in federal funding may be available to Montana communities seeking to update lead service lines in public water supplies.

Letters to the editor Oct. 11

Letters to the editor Oct. 11

Prosecutors: Man stole van, drove drunk until collision in Whitefish

Benjamin Edward Brant, 43, faces felony counts of criminal endangerment, theft, criminal mischief and driving under the influence, fourth or subsequent offense, following his Sept. 28 arrest in Whitefish.

Meadows Edge subdivision requests adding four lots

The planning board meets at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 201 First Ave. E in Kalispell.

Anti-abortion group hosts speaker Oct. 15

Matt Britton, board secretary and general counsel of the 40 Days for Life project, will speak in Columbia Falls on Oct. 15 at 10 a.m. at St. Richards Catholic Church, located at 1210 9th St. West, Columbia Falls.

Gianforte’s response to Biden request for marijuana pardons

President Joe Biden last week made a series of sweeping announcements regarding his plans to reform marijuana policy nationwide. While those reforms initially focus solely on Americans facing federal drug charges, the plan could eventually make an impact on people facing state charges as well.

Law roundup: Malodorous man steals perfume

A drunk man reeking of alcohol allegedly decided to freshen up by going into a store and putting perfume down his saggy jeans. An employee called 911

Small business group files suit over Biden student loan plan

WASHINGTON (AP) — A small-business advocacy group has filed a new lawsuit seeking to block the Biden administration's efforts to forgive student loan debt for tens of millions of Americans — the latest legal challenge to the program.

Kalispell leaf pickup underway

In an effort to provide more effective and efficient leaf collection services, the Kalispell Public Works Department is instituting the leaf collection period this fall from Oct. 10 through Nov. 18.

Kalispell Council holds work session on housing

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

Births

Births

Glacier High grad expands horizons with Navy career

Heading to boot camp, or recruit training, at Naval Station Great Lakes in Illinois, Melanie Noble found herself in what she described as a “high stakes” summer camp. She grew up very quickly.

Zinke enables threat to democracy

It is inescapable that every decision made by every leader reflects the character or principles of the man or woman making the decision.

Large rail union rejects deal, renewing strike possibility

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The third largest railroad union rejected its deal with freight railroads Monday — renewing the possibility of a strike that could cripple the economy — but before that could happen both sides will return to the bargaining table.

Law roundup: Loitering toothless man raises concerns

Someone reportedly called the Kalispell Police Department alleging that a toothless man wearing an orange jacket was loitering on the grounds, wanting to watch the children play.

Letters to the editor Oct. 10

Letters to the editor Oct. 10

Legals for October, 10 2022

Judge says laws propping up Montana coal plant are illegal

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — A U.S. magistrate judge has declared unconstitutional two Montana laws that sought to prevent the closure of a coal-fired power plant by subjecting its out-of-state owners to steep fines if they wouldn't pay long-term maintenance and operating costs.

Letting go in peace

Fortunately, not everyone knows the pain of child loss. Unfortunately, I know that pain.

Riley Dale Marconet, 24

Riley Dale Marconet passed away at the age of 24 on Aug. 6, 2022.

Births

Births

Deva Mae Trebas

Deva Mae Trebas, of Browning, passed away on Oct. 7, 2022, of natural causes.

Lessons come over water, wood

"You look like you need to go to the hot pool," the woman said as she bobbed toward me. She beamed a smile, her face edged in white curls.

High court deprives voters right to decide election methods

Who should get to decide how Montanans elect their state Supreme Court justices: Montanans or the justices themselves? Recently, the seven justices made the decisions for us – and shamefully they did it to protect their own jobs.

Peterson School experiments with science curriculum

Science is an extension of a child’s everyday world, Peterson Elementary Principal Tracy Ketchum told the Kalispell Public Schools board of trustees in September.

Jack 'Mick' Michael Kjelsrud, 71

Jack “Mick” Michael Kjelsrud passed away Oct. 4, 2022, at home.

Deputy U.S. marshal cleared in 2021 law enforcement-involved shooting

After listening to testimony in Flathead County District Court throughout the morning of Oct. 5, including from the deputy U.S. marshal who fired the shots that killed 24-year-old Xavier Hutt, the jury returned just after 1 p.m. with the ruling clearing the marshal.

Legals for October, 9 2022

Housing recommendations remove local decision-making

This week, Governor Gianforte’s Housing Task Force released its draft recommendations to address housing in Montana.

Mobile clinic brings physical treatment to patients

Jackie Bullock started Glacier Peaks Mobile Physical Therapy to take a more patient-centered approach to care.

Law roundup: Another night spent hounding neighbors

Every Thursday night, a Kalispell resident’s neighbor allegedly gets very drunk and yells at everyone and it was apparently no different on this particular week.

Speedway fan frontrunner with NASCAR collection

Walking into Kevin Bach's garage would leave any NASCAR fan in awe.

Failed voting laws prove to be costly

Last week a Montana judge ruled as unconstitutional a trio of new voting laws passed by the 2021 Legislature.

Flathead Business Watercooler

Business events, trainings and seminars

Flathead Business Newsmakers

Happenings at businesses

Jean Elizabeth Nye, 95

Jean Elizabeth Nye, 95, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of Sept. 11, 2022, at Tranquil Gardens Adult Family Home in Bellevue, Washington.

Community briefs

Whitefish Community Foundation hosts nonprofit board development workshops; Creston Soup for Supper; Harvest Dinner in Polson; Science Quencher Oct. 14; Flathead Audubon presentation; My Glacier Village holds mobile feast fundraiser

UM program trains commercial drivers to fill critical need

In 2021 alone, trucking companies faced a deficit of 80,000 drivers according to the trade organization American Trucking Associations.

Ralph Leroy Fitzpatrick, 86

Ralph Leroy Fitzpatrick died with his daughters by his side and sunshine gleaming through his window on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022.

Wildcats wrap up Libby, 6-1

The Wildcats wrapped up their regular season slate with a 6-1 win over the Libby Loggers on Saturday.

Flathead spikers split weekend slate of games

Flathead swept Butte Friday in Western AA volleyball, but fell to Sentinel in straight sets Saturday.

Bobcats down Idaho St. with dominant first half

Montana State kept on rolling Saturday, brushing aside Idaho State 37-6 in front of a Homecoming crowd of 21,647, second largest in MSU history.

Glacier sweeps Butte in straight sets

Haven Speer featured for Glacier in a straight set victory over Butte in Western AA volleyball on Saturday with nine kills and 15 assists.

Glacier boys tie Sentinel

Hunter Lisowski and Harrison Sanders scored for Glacier in a game that ended in a 2-2 tie with Sentinel in Western AA soccer on Saturday.

Yellowstone delays opening of road damaged by record floods

MAMMOTH SPRINGS, Wyo. (AP) — Yellowstone National Park is postponing the opening of a renovated road at its north entrance as it continues to repair the damage from this summer's catastrophic flooding, the Wyoming Tribune Eagle reports.

Flathead falls to Bengals, 34-7

HELENA — Carter Kraft threw for 388 yards and three touchdowns, and Helena High made it six straight wins with a 34-7 Western AA football win over Flathead Friday.

Prep roundup: Bigfork cruises past Rams; Eureka, C-Falls win big

BIGFORK — Joseph Farrier ran for 134 yards and two touchdowns, and Bigfork got two pick-6 interception returns in another lopsided 47-14 Western B football win, this one over Missoula Loyola on Friday.

Hungry Horse clinic joins UM Resident Physician Program

A University of Montana-based program has expanded its residency physician medical services to include Greater Valley Health Center’s location in Hungry Horse.

US officials seek public comment on Pacific Northwest Trail

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — U.S. officials are taking a big step involving a 1,200-mile hiking trail stretching from the Continental Divide to the Pacific Ocean.

Logan Health fundraising event is Oct. 12

Logan Health will be holding its inaugural giving day on Oct. 12. The 24-hour digital fundraiser, called Imagine a Day, will benefit Logan Health’s patients, programs, departments and facilities.

Prescribed burn planned Monday on Big Mountain

Smoke from a prescribed fire on Big Mountain will be highly visible from across the valley on Monday, Flathead Forest officials said.

How Montana’s new election laws failed legal muster

Big news struck the 2022 election landscape last week as three new laws that changed how Montanans can vote and access the polls were declared unconstitutional. Come Nov. 8, people will once again be able to register to vote on Election Day, use student IDs and voter registration cards as primary identification at the polls, and accept payment for collecting ballots on behalf of voters unable to return them themselves.

Ridgeway rushes Bulldogs to come-from-behind win over Loggers

The Whitefish Bulldogs overcame a heavy dose of Libby running back and Montana Grizzlies commit Cy Stevenson to beat the Loggers 48-39 Friday in Western A action.

Feds arrest alleged drug dealer in Kalispell, seize thousands of fentanyl pills

Federal prosecutors say authorities seized about 12,000 fentanyl pills during the arrest this week of a Mexican national in Kalispell wanted for allegedly trafficking the deadly drug in the Flathead Valley.

Wolfpack pounds out win over Butte

Butte had a measure of momentum Friday night at Legends Stadium, owning both a 27-14 lead over the Glacier Wolfpack and the ball with two minutes left in the first half.

Delano 'Laney' Anthony Hanzel, 87

Delano “Laney” Anthony Hanzel, 87, died of natural causes Oct. 1, 2022, at Buffalo Hill Terrace.

Campaign to assist Gateway Center makes push toward finish

In 2020, the United Way began its Gateway 2 Miracles Campaign aiming to raise $4.2 million for a reserve fund, to pay off the mortgage and enhance the interior and exterior of the facility.

Harvey Antone Hanson, 95

Harvey Antone Hanson, 95, of Whitefish, passed away peacefully at home on Sept. 30, 2022, with his son Gary and a close friend by his side.

Legals for October, 7 2022

Whitefish Schools hold meeting regarding expansion needs

The district in the fall of 2021 adopted a long range facility plan.

More than 100 cats removed from Whitefish property

In early September, authorities and a handful of volunteers collected a large number of malnourished and neglected cats that were suffering with flea infestations and illnesses from a property in Whitefish.

KPS students outperformed the state in yearly standardized tests

Kalispell Public Schools third- through eighth-graders surpassed the state as a whole in the percentage of students proficient in English language arts and math for the 2021-22 school year, according to Smarter Balanced Assessment results released by the Montana Office of Public Instruction.

Steve Luckey, 82

Steve Luckey, warrior extraordinaire has won his final battle on Oct. 2, 2022, and is now resting peacefully and comfortably in the hands of our Lord God.

PHOTOS: Wolfpack battle back to beat Bulldogs, 55-41

Photos from Glacier's 55-41 win over Butte in Class AA high school football at Legends Stadium in Kalispell on Friday, Oct. 7.

Law Roundup: It’s raining gourds in Columbia Falls

A woman called the Columbia Falls Police Department after a man she had a history with showed up at her home and began throwing pumpkins from the porch.

Whitefish girls, boys trip Polson

A flurry of second-half goals, including an own goal by Polson, lifted Whitefish over Polson in North A girls soccer Thursday.

AA football: Games keep getting bigger for Glacier

The Glacier Wolfpack knew it was going through the tough part of the schedule before playing one-score games with Missoula Sentinel, Helena Capital and Helena High.

Bravettes bounce Pack in crosstown

There was more at stake Thursday than just the usual crosstown bragging rights for Glacier and Flathead. Flathead’s 1-0 victory all but assured the Bravettes a postseason berth.

Biden pardons thousands for 'simple possession' of marijuana

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is pardoning thousands of Americans convicted of "simple possession" of marijuana under federal law, as his administration takes a dramatic step toward decriminalizing the drug and addressing charging practices that disproportionately impact people of color.

Legals for October, 6 2022

Two F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets set to soar over Bigfork's Homecoming celebrations

Bigfork High School will receive a rare honor as students there celebrate Homecoming on Friday with a flyover by two F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets courtesy of the U.S. Air Force.

Politically motivated investigations are nonsense

I was honored to serve as Secretary of the Interior. Indian trust lands, public lands, wildlife management, water, and federal energy, all fall within Interior.

One charged with aggravated assault following weekend fight

Ronald Eugene Donais was brought up on a single count of aggravated assault following the alleged Oct. 2 attack.

Letters to the editor Oct. 6

Letters to the editor Oct. 6

Delano 'Laney' Anthony Hanzel, 87

Delano “Laney” Anthony Hanzel, 87, died of natural causes Oct. 1, 2022, at Buffalo Hill Terrace.

Housing task force details regulatory reforms, other proposals aimed at affordability crunch

A draft report released Monday night by Gov. Greg Gianforte’s housing task force details a slew of ideas to boost housing supply in an effort to tackle Montana’s affordability crunch, previewing legislation that could be advanced by the governor and lawmakers during next year’s legislative session.

The truth about Tranel’s legal work

We are prosecutors, defense attorneys, police officers, and others who work in law enforcement.

Kalispell postpones expanding TIF funding use for workforce housing

City Council on Monday voted to indefinitely postpone a pair of ordinances that would have further enabled the use of tax increment finance (TIF) funds for such projects.

Motorist on probation allegedly led troopers on chase

Alexander Jesus Vasquez, 46, remains in the county jail with bail set at $30,455 following his Oct. 1 arrest.

Law roundup: Prepare to be scared, Halloween is here

Someone was spotted wearing a Halloween mask and carrying a large knife.

Arts and entertainment events

Gypsy Theatre Guild holds “Christmas Carol’ auditions

Ardith Karlsen’s art on exhibit at Phillips Studio

Phillips Studio & Gallery presents a new exhibit, “Big Skies & Rocky Mountains,” featuring the work of Kalispell artist, Ardith Karlsen, with a reception on First Friday, Oct. 7, from 5 to 7 p.m.

Cawdrey Gallery hosts two artists for Gallery Night

Cawdrey Gallery in Whitefish hosts its final Gallery Night of 2022, “An Evening of Glass and Light,” with artists Grace Chepenik of Seattle and Ann Justin of Bozeman, from 6 to 9 p.m. today, Oct. 6.

Lend a hand to ‘Feed the Need’

Feed the Need, a benefit concert to help offset food costs this winter for the Flathead Food Bank and Samaritan House, will feature live music by Local musician Tommy Edwards and Jack Rogan, who both appeared on season 21 of NBC’s hit television show “The Voice.”

Precaution urged following bird flu resurgence

While bird flu cases in wild birds did appear to decline over the summer, there are detections of new cases in parts of the U.S., including Montana this fall.

Award-winning author releases new suspense novel

Local award-winning author Leslie Budewitz, writing as Alicia Beckman, is releasing her second suspense novel, “Blind Faith,” on Oct. 11.

Business tax relief on governor's 2023 agenda

New excavators and tractors served at the backdrop Wednesday as Gov. Greg Gianforte laid out his plan to push for tax relief targeting Montana businesses.

Walking Man Gallery hosts True Archdale

The Walking Man Gallery in Whitefish is featuring the collection of works by True Archdale (b. 1963, Wolf Point) during tonight’s Whitefish Gallery Nights.

Underscore Art hosts opening for Mallory Dawn

Underscore Art & Jewelry is featuring the work of internationally collected artist Mallory Dawn during October.

Sentinel spikers get Glacier in 3

Ella Farrell had 10 kills and a block, but the Glacier Wolfpack still fell to Missoula Sentinel in straight sets Tuesday in Western AA volleyball.

Fynn Ridgeway is literally running things for the Whitefish Bulldogs

Brett Bollweg had big shoes to fill when he took over the Whitefish Bulldogs football team, but any first-year head coach would benefit from having a three-year starter at quarterback.

2 hours away, the Greatest Show on Turf

The obvious question for Noah Fincher is if she wore pink cleats to match the shoes she’s worn the last couple basketball seasons.

State housing task force details regulatory reforms

A draft report released Monday night by Gov. Greg Gianforte’s housing task force details a slew of ideas to boost housing supply in an effort to tackle Montana’s affordability crunch, previewing legislation that could be advanced by the governor and lawmakers during next year’s legislative session.

Alleged barroom confrontation in Kalispell lands one behind bars

Tuyen Quang Tran, 38, faces an assault with a weapon charge in Flathead County District Court following the alleged Oct. 2 confrontation.

Robert 'Bob' James Frank, 80

Dr. Robert “Bob” James Frank, 80, passed away surrounded by loved ones on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022, in Columbia Falls.

UM student studies mental health effects of firefighting

The work was physically grueling, the frontline conditions dangerous and the social life isolating at best.

Law roundup: Pistol pulled on man trying to help out

A man was helping another man close a business and when they were finishing up he allegedly pulled a gun out, placing it in his neck and chest area “for no reason.” The man was detained by the Kalispell Police Department.

Montana’s Supreme Court rules officer unlawfully searched cell phone in child pornography case

The Montana Supreme Court handed down a ruling last week that puts stricter confines on what information law enforcement can access when carrying out searches on digital devices, marking a big win for digital privacy advocates.

Jerry Eugene Gulledge, 76

Jerry Eugene Gulledge, 76, of Eureka, passed away Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022.

Timothy Dean Rowland, 68

Timothy Dean Rowland was born Dec. 26, 1953. He passed away Sept. 30, 2022.

Legals for October, 5 2022

Howard Michael Trainer, 51

Howard Michael Trainer, 51, of Kalispell passed away on Sept. 27, 2022 in Somers with his family by his side.

Tickets for the New York Philharmonic String Quartet at Wachholz College Center available Friday

The New York Philharmonic String Quartet will be performing at the Wachholz College Center on the Flathead Valley Community College campus on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023 with tickets to go on sale Friday, Oct. 7 at 10 a.m.

Browning man pleads guilty to charges linked to museum thefts

Preston Jay Spotted Eagle, 31, pleaded guilty to theft of government property before Chief U.S. District Judge Brian Morris in Great Falls on Oct. 3.

Lois Jean Timmreck, 93

On Saturday, Oct.1, 2022, Lois Jean Timmreck, our beloved mother, went to heaven. She was 93.

ImagineIF announces new fall programming for kids and teens

The new programs have been designed to pair with School District 5’s scheduling, including early-outs on Wednesdays, and to offer educational activities and inviting spaces for kids and teens after school.

Kalispell Council approves parking garage project for downtown

Council approved a list of agreements with Montana Hotel Development Partners for the parking garage that also includes commercial space and multi-family housing, and approved an associated transfer of a lot to the same company for the construction of The Charles Hotel.

Man accused of robbing cannabis outlet sentenced after pleading no contest

Joel William Vessie, 29, pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges of assault and theft in a change of plea hearing immediately prior to his sentencing.

Bulldogs beat Vikings, 5-1

Kyler Jonson scored two goals to help the Whitefish Bulldogs beat the Bigfork Vikings 5-1 in Northern A soccer Tuesday.

McAtee’s 8-point game lifts Wildkats over Pirates

Hope McAtee’s two goals and six assists lifted the Columbia Falls Wildkats to a 9-1 victory over the Polson Pirates in Northern A soccer on Tuesday.

Big Sky notes: Chambers shines in first start for Cats

It likely raised eyebrows when Sean Chambers transferred to Montana State from Wyoming, where he had played quite a bit and where second-year Bobcat coach Brent Vigen had been offensive coordinator.

Zetooney, Bulldogs sweep Loggers

Brooke Zetooney had 10 kills, two blocks and six digs Tuesday, helping Whitefish over Northwest A foe Libby in straight sets.

Loretta Lynn, coal miner's daughter and country queen, dies

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Loretta Lynn, the Kentucky coal miner's daughter whose frank songs about life and love as a woman in Appalachia pulled her out of poverty and made her a pillar of country music, has died. She was 90.

Sally Neumann, 89

During her 89 years, Sally was a daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, friend, godmother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

Montana Department of Justice donates decoy cop car to Lakeside

The Montana Department of Justice has offered a replacement for the beloved decoy cop car that is being retired in Somers and Lakeside.

Legals for October, 4 2022

Letters to the editor Oct. 4

Letters to the editor Oct. 4

Ryan Zinke earned my vote

With personal knowledge of candidates running for Congress from Western Montana, Ryan Zinke is hands down the best choice.

County commissioners appoint librarian to ImagineIF board

Jane Wheeler was one of two applicants recommended to commissioners by the ImagineIF board to fill a vacancy left after Marsha Sultz resigned this summer.

Yearly fraud and waste audit turns up unapproved wedding, misuse of state vehicle

A yearly report by the Montana Legislative Audit Division on waste, fraud and abuse within the state government saw an increased number of calls to the hotline and 15 instances of theft or suspect theft within Fiscal Year 2022, including one case in which employees of Montana’s Fish, Wildlife and Parks threw a private party inside the Lewis and Clark Caverns state park.

Law roundup: Resident: Political sign is dangerous

Someone claimed a political sign posted on a corner was dangerous because it obstructed the view, particularly in the morning for when children were being dropped off at school.

Whitefish father pleads guilty to criminal child endangerment

Dustin Anthony Donsbach, 30, admitted getting behind the wheel while intoxicated during a Sept. 29 change of plea hearing in Flathead County District Court.

Brothers arraigned on assault with a weapon charges

Eugene George Hallas, 73, and Raymond Irwin Hallas, 65, both made short appearances before Judge Robert Allison on Sept. 29 for their arraignments.

Former Glacier National Park Superintendent Chas Cartwright remembered as possessing 'a very big heart'

Glacier National Park said goodbye to a giant of conservation and research with the passing of Chas Cartwright last month. The 21st superintendent of the park, Charles “Chas” Cartwright held the position from March 2008 until his retirement from the National Park Service in December 2012. Cartwright died Sept. 24 in Cortez, Colorado at the age of 72.

Europe faces 'unprecedented risk' of gas shortage, IEA says

The IEA says in its quarterly gas report that people will have to save at least 13% over the winter if Russia cuts off the last trickle of gas that's flowing to Europe.

Fraud, scam cases increasing on Zelle, Senate report finds

The report also found that the large banks who partly own Zelle have been reluctant to compensate customers who have been victims of fraud or scams.

Montana judge knocks down Republicans' tighter voting laws

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — A Montana judge struck down as unconstitutional three laws that restricted voting in the state, saying there was no evidence of the widespread voter fraud the 2021 Republican-sponsored laws were ostensibly targeting.

1 killed in plane crash into Flathead River

The pilot of a small airplane was killed after the aircraft clipped some power lines and crashed into the Flathead River on Sunday morning, the Federal Aviation Administration’s initial crash report indicates.

US stocks gain ground; pound rallies after UK tax retreat

U.S. stocks rose broadly and Treasury yields eased off their multiyear highs as Wall Street leaves behind the worst month since the virus pandemic crashed global markets. The S&P 500 rose 1.8% in morning trading on Monday.

Whole lotta zeros: Apple Music crosses 100M song barrier

The music giant tells The Associated Press that internal data indicates Apple Music will reach the heady mark on Monday.

Plains man killed in crash in Missoula County

Alcohol and speed are suspected factors in a crash that killed a 27-year-old Plains man early Monday morning in Frenchtown.

Daycare director found career in working with children

Now, after 40 years at the daycare with 30 of those serving as director, Tammy Braseth is retiring to enjoy the next chapter of her life as a grandmother.

Law roundup: Woman dumps junk in driveway drive-by

A woman in a red Chevy S10 reportedly threw a camper door and a tire in someone’s driveway.

Letters to the editor Oct. 3

Letters to the editor Oct. 3

Whitefish takes another shot at transportation plan

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

Legals for October, 3 2022

Downtown parking garage up for vote at Kalispell Council

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

Charles 'Chas' Stewart Cartwright, 72

Charles “Chas” Stewart Cartwright passed away on Sept. 24, 2022, at the age of 72 in Cortez, Colorado.

Bigfork shop wants to become hub for fiber arts

Fiber out of a historic cabin on Montana 35 at Bigfork.

Marcia Kay Kapelke, 84

Marcia Kay Kapelke, 84, of Bigfork, went to her heavenly home on Sept. 24, 2022.

Cheryl A. Hyland, 78

Cheryl Ann Hyland died peacefully on Sept. 21, 2022, at The Springs in Whitefish accompanied by two of her close friends.

Law Roundup: Beware of ex bearing gifts

A woman called the Kalispell Police Department after finding a pile of “garbage” with a nasty note affixed to it on her porch.

Law roundup: Cats responsible for eerie sounds under camper

A woman calling the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office from Kalispell reportedly thought her ex was the culprit again behind strange noises coming from under her camper and wanted deputies to get there “pronto” to check it out.

Ronald E. Holton, 94

Ronald E. Holton, age 94, of Kalispell, passed away on Sept. 25, 2022, at Logan Health Care.

Celebrity concierge for a day

A close friend and fellow rowing club member of my oldest brother’s came out from Cincinnati to visit a couple of weeks ago, the first time he’d been to the Flathead Valley.

Marilyn Ann (Gray) Champoux, 89

Marilyn Ann (Gray) Champoux went home to be with the Lord on the last day of summer on Sept. 21, 2022.

States are leading the way in cannabis policy innovation

Innovation in public policy has always started at the state level.

Don’t expand development on Holland Lake

The Holland Lake Lodge in the Swan Valley was sold to an out of state corporation - POWDR - which has numerous ski areas around the country.

No redistricting without Native representation

Every two years, Montanans who are elected from their communities travel from all over Montana to gather at the State Capitol to convene the Montana Legislature.

Letters to the editor Oct. 2

Letters to the editor Oct. 2

Housing crisis curtails Montana’s economy

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell earlier this month described the curious national labor market as being simply “out of balance,” as the demand for workers continues to substantially exceed supply.

Saving the history carved into landscape of Canada's Waterton Lakes National park

Using cutting edge laser scanning technology, archaeologists with the University of Calgary have created an extremely detailed model of the human-carved trees surrounding the original site of a cabin once inhabited by Waterton Lakes National Park's first park ranger, John George “Kootenai” Brown.

James L. Schmauch Jr., 76

James L. Schmauch Jr. passed away peacefully in the early morning of Sept. 26, 2022, at the age of 76.

Shirley Ann (Owens) Druesdow, 91

Shirley Ann (Owens) Druesdow, 91, passed away on Sept. 5, 2022.

Lanette Ann (Himmelhaver) Sand, 75

Lanette Ann (Himmelhaver) Sand, 75, passed away Sept. 28, 2022, at a nursing home in Flathead County after a long battle with Parkinson’s and dementia.

Nomad examines expansion of company to Libby

Nomad Global Communication Solutions launched in 2002 and has been building mobile command centers that feature modern communications systems that are used in various settings.

Libby clinic holds asbestos screening in Kalispell

Under a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CARD can provide free asbestos-related disease screening for everyone who qualifies under the grant.

Legals for October, 2 2022

Flathead Business Watercooler

Business events, trainings and seminars

Bulldogs blank Loggers; girls tie 1-1

Four different scorers got on the board for the Whitefish Bulldogs Saturday in a Northern A skirmish with Libby. Whitefish won 4-0.

Wildkats edge Vals; C-Falls boys clinch conference

Hope McAtee and Sydney Mann teamed up for most of Columbia Falls’ goals in a 4-3 victory over the Bigfork Valkyries in Northern A soccer on Saturday.

Frontier Conference: Montana Tech coasts to 73-0 win over MSU-Northern

The Orediggers (4-1) dashed to a 49-0 halftime lead over MSU-Northern (0-5) en route to a 73-0 blowout victory at home.

Sentinel tops Flathead Friday

Sentinel bounced back emphatically from its first loss since 2019, rolling from the opening kickoff on to beat Flathead 70-7 in Western AA football Friday.

Hellgate Knights sweep Glacier teams

Missoula Hellgate overpowered the Glacier Wolfpack 5-2 in Western AA soccer on Saturday.

State A golf:Polson girls triumph, Laurel boys hold off Pirates, Bulldogs

Polson’s girls got it done with their Iron-4 and the Laurel boys are still the real deal.

Wolfpack flag football wins inaugural state title

MISSOULA — The inaugural Montana high school flag football season ended with Kalispell schools Flathead and Glacier meeting in a crosstown championship game at Washington-Grizzly Stadium Saturday. The Wolfpack beat the Bravettes 20-19 to take home the state title.

Montana holds off Idaho State

The Montana Grizzlies’ 14th straight win over Idaho State didn’t come easy Saturday.

Opponents pile on Republican Rosendale in US House debate

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — U.S. Rep. Matt Rosendale was slammed over his opposition to aid for Ukraine and votes against federal projects that could benefit Montana, during a live Saturday night debate in eastern Montana's U.S. House race that showed deep policy divisions between the Republican and challengers Democrat Penny Ronning and independent Gary Buchanan.

Montana site fouled by copper smelter to get final cleanup

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — A subsidiary of London-based oil giant BP agreed to finish its cleanup of a 300-square mile site in Montana that's contaminated with arsenic and other pollutants from decades of copper smelting, and to repay the U.S. government $48 million in response costs.

State A golf: Smith, Whitefish boys third; Polson girls lead field

Whitefish’s Billy Smith sits in third after the first round of State A golf on Friday, trailing leader Aubrey Kelley by five strokes.

Wolfpack come up just short in 24-21 loss to Bengals

The Helena Bengals held off a late push from the Glacier Wolfpack to win 24-21 Friday at Legends Stadium in Western AA football.

Prep football: Whitefish, Libby, Bigfork and Eureka roll

RONAN — Fynn Ridgeway rushed for 125 yards and two scores, and threw for two scores as well while Whitefish beat Ronan 43-13 in Western A football action Friday.

Butte’s Prigge edges Glacier’s Avery at State AA golf

Jack Prigge completed a huge comeback Friday at the State AA golf tournament that culminated in a playoff with none other than his friend, Glacier’s Tyler Avery.

Wild win: Pirates rally past C-Falls

Before the dust settled, Polson scored two touchdowns 33 seconds apart in the fourth quarter to push past the Wildcats 32-31 in a big Western A game.

PHOTOS: Glacier falls to Helena, 24-21

Photos from Glacier's 24-21 loss to Helena High in a Class AA high school football matchup at Legends Stadium in Kalispell on Friday, Sept. 30.

DEQ drops violation against alpine coaster developers

The Montana Department of Environmental Quality retracted late last month allegations that developers planning an alpine coaster in Lakeside violated state code by moving ahead with construction at the site.

Arraignment in Columbia Falls homicide case continued

The arraignment of accused killer Zain Alexander Ray Glass was delayed this week after his defense attorney requested additional time to secure a fitness evaluation for the 22-year-old.

Officials sound the alarm on feral swine

The carcass of a dead pig found west of Lake Koocanusca prompted the Montana Department of Livestock (DOL) to hold meetings in both Libby and Eureka last week, as the report reignited concerns that feral swine may eventually enter Montana from Canada.

PHOTOS: Great Northwest Oktoberfest in Whitefish

Attendees of the Great Northwest Oktoberfest in downtown Whitefish had a rollicking good time at Local's Night. The Oktoberfest celebration featured German food, drink, music and dancing, crazy contests and food trucks.

Emergency crews working to clear Montana train derailment

BRIDGER, Mont. (AP) — An evacuation warning is in place for residents near the small town of Bridger in south-central Montana after a train derailed and two cars carrying petroleum ruptured and leaked, authorities said Saturday.