County hires firm to evaluate jail needs

County commissioners on Thursday approved a contract for $166,000 with Slate Architecture to complete the study. The firm is based in both Helena and Omaha, Nebraska.

Kalispell man pleads guilty to rape charge

Elton Jones, 21, pleaded guilty to a single felony count of sexual intercourse without consent on July 27 after striking a deal with prosecutors.

Fair Parade won’t happen this year

A highlight of fair week for many, the Northwest Montana Fair Parade will not occur this year.

Legals for July, 28 2022

Father arrested for allegedly beating his daughter

Deputies with the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office arrested Tyeler Cole Dana that same day. He is being held in county jail on a $40,000 bond.

Second man involved in bungled burglary pleads guilty

Colton Theodore Wieczorek, 19, pleaded guilty June 23 in Flathead County District Court to criminal endangerment.

Kalispell woman accused of using pepper spray on roommates

A 48-year-old Kalispell woman faces an assault with a weapon charge after allegedly attacking her roommates with a type of pepper spray and a knife earlier this month.

Local marijuana tax hearing draws few comments

Fewer than a dozen people showed up for a hearing Wednesday morning as Flathead County commissioners took input on a potential local tax on marijuana sales.

Judge rejects effort to close Blankenship to camping

A federal judge has ruled against a group of concerned residents who want to shut down a Forest Service managed camp on a gravel bar just south of the Blankenship Bridge.

Kalispell man arrested after allegedly attacking his ex, her boyfriend and daughter

Jerrad Raymond Merrill, 30, allegedly told authorities during his arrest that he “took care of it like a man” when he learned that his ex-wife was in a new relationship, court documents said.

Law roundup: Resident loses sleep over stolen mattress

An older Tempurpedic mattress with a stained white cover was reportedly stolen from out front of a location and the owner wanted it logged for information in case Kalispell Police Department officers came across it.

Legals for July, 27 2022

Kalispell Police on lookout for alleged bank robber

Authorities in Kalispell are searching for a man they say robbed a bank on U.S. 93 just after noon on Tuesday.

Post-‘Roe,’ Montanans are seeking permanent sterilizations, and some are being turned away

The uncertainty around abortion access in Montana and other states where abortion is now or could become illegal, plus the fear of future legal fights over long-term contraception, has seemingly spurred a rise in the number of people seeking surgical sterilization, according to reports from doctors.

Rents spike as big-pocketed investors buy mobile home parks

LOCKPORT, N.Y. (AP) — For as long as anyone can remember, rent increases rarely happened at Ridgeview Homes, a family-owned mobile home park in upstate New York.

Legals for July, 26 2022

Flathead County included in disaster relief program

Flathead County is now included under a federal disaster relief program to financially assist areas of Montana affected by historic flooding in June, Gov. Greg Gianforte’s office announced last week.

Flathead County to discuss local marijuana tax

Flathead County commissioners on Wednesday will discuss the option of a local tax on marijuana sales.

EU struggles with how to cut off reliance on Russian gas

uropean Union nations are struggling to find common ground on how to wean the bloc off its reliance on Russian natural gas. They seek to appease wary consumers at home while upholding unity as Moscow turns down the tap.

Legals for July, 24 2022