Letters to the editor June 2

Letters to the editor June 2

Contingency plan forms as fairgrounds waits for grandstand inspection

Constructed in the 1930s, the grandstands at the Flathead County Fairgrounds have played host to thousands of spectators throughout the decades.

Kalispell Public Schools, teachers union pause contract negotiations

Teachers will be paid according to a contract that was set to expire this week after the Kalispell Education Association and Kalispell Public Schools failed to reach a new collective bargaining agreement after roughly five months of negotiations.

Republican challenger to Tester leans into his outsider status in Montana U.S. Senate debate

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Republican U.S. Senate candidate Tim Sheehy embraced his status as an outsider who came to Montana to start a business during the first debate in a race that could tip the balance of power in the Senate.

Whitefish rally takes aim at Biden’s Title IX revisions

Former NCAA All-American swimmer Riley Gaines headlined a rally in Whitefish on Monday blasting looming changes to federal regulations that prohibit sex-based discrimination at public schools.

Flathead Valley man allegedly fired gun during argument over water pump

Donald James Hanson, 73, is expected to appear before Judge Dan Wilson in Flathead County District Court on July 18 for his arraignment on the felony charge.

No rain on this parade

Senior trio leads C-Falls softball to second straight title

“Fire truck” is not the rally cry you’d expect, but for Columbia Falls softball it kept all eyes on the prize.

Jury selection begins in Hunter Biden's gun case

WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — A federal gun case against President Joe Biden's son Hunter opened Monday with jury selection, following the collapse of a plea deal that would have avoided the spectacle of a trial so close the 2024 election. First lady Jill Biden was seated in the front row of the courtroom, in a show of support for her son.

State environmental agency halts rewrite of water quality standards

Three years into a legislatively mandated effort to adopt looser standards for two nutrients abundant in Montana waterways, the state has halted rulemaking on the contentious effort.

President Biden's brother, son's widow among witnesses expected at Hunter Biden's federal gun trial

WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — Federal prosecutors on Tuesday painted President Joe Biden's son Hunter as a "drug addict" whose dark habits ensnared loved ones and who knew what he was doing when he lied on federal forms to purchase a gun in 2018 by saying he wasn't in the throes of addiction.

Biden says he's restricting asylum to help 'gain control' of the border

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Tuesday unveiled plans to enact immediate significant restrictions on migrants seeking asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border as the White House tries to neutralize immigration as a political liability ahead of the November elections.

Columbia Falls campground provides vintage experience

The brightly colored interiors and exteriors of the campers paired with the campground’s location in the heart of Columbia Falls, provide a unique camping experience for those looking to easily access outdoor activities while still enjoying the amenities of being in town

Sen. Regier challenging subpoena of records tied to creation of new PSC district map

A Helena law firm challenging the Public Service Commission redistricting map drawn and approved by Republican lawmakers last year is now in a fight with the sponsor of the bill that changed the map and the Montana Department of Justice over the communications the senator had regarding why he drew the map the way he did.

Efforts continue to merge Logan Health, Billings Clinic hospital systems

Integrating the clinical services and technology systems at Logan Health-Billings Clinic is a top priority for new leadership at the hospital system.

Northwest Montana Association of Realtors honors professionals

The Northwest Montana Association of Realtors handed out a list of honors at its annual awards banquet on Wednesday at Flathead Valley Community College. Awards included Realtor of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Jean Carter Spirit and the NMAR Good Neighbor Award.

Glacier National Park plow crews grapple with deepest snow in more than a decade

It’s feeling like spring in the valley, but at Logan Pass, Glacier National Park road crews are still in the thick of winter snowpack — the deepest seen in more than a decade, according to officials.

Hot start pushes Range Riders past Idaho Falls

Back in the friendly confines of Glacier Bank Park, the Glacier Range Riders rode a pair of hot innings early to a 15-7 victory over the Idaho Falls Chukars Friday.

Centenarian veterans are sharing their memories of D-Day, 80 years later

COLLEVILLE-SUR-MER, France (AP) — World War II veterans from the United States, Britain and Canada are in Normandy this week to mark 80 years since the D-Day landings that helped lead to Hitler's defeat.

Births

BIrths

Huzzah! Sandpoint Ren Fair brings medieval England to life

Huzzah! The Sandpoint Renaissance Faire is riding back into town. Set for this weekend, the faire will transport the community and visitors back to the late 1500s, when Elizabeth I was on the throne and ruled over England.