‘It Just Happens Here:’ In a Perfect Storm of Risk Factors, Montanans Grapple with Barriers to Mental Health Care

For the past 40 years, Montana has been one of the most at-risk states for suicide, with the second highest suicide death rate in the nation in 2022 at 32 deaths per 100,000 people. That’s consistently twice the national average of 13 deaths per 100,000 people.

Flathead Business Watercooler

Business events, trainings and seminars

Spring load limits for county roads set to go into effect

The current weather pattern and lack of moisture are already causing issues with some of the roads creating the need for restrictions earlier than usual, according to the county.

Letters to the editor Feb. 18

Letters to the editor Feb. 18

Robert 'Bob' Ludwig, 77

Robert "Bob" Ludwig, 77, died on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024, at home, following an extended illness.

Grizzly bears still trapped in their own end zone

Contrary to Dale Jorgenson’s assertions in his Jan. 18 letter to the editor “Grizzly bear population out of control,” we do not have “way too many grizzly bears in this country,” we are not “being over-run with grizzlies,” and we should not delist the grizzlies so we can “start hunting them again to thin out their numbers.”

Craig S. Witte, 63

Craig Witte, 63, passed away unexpectedly from natural causes on Jan. 31, 2024.

Bravettes falter after strong start against Capital

Helena Capital flipped their game against Flathead on its head, holding the Bravettes to just three points in the fourth quarter to pick up a Western AA road victory Friday.

Helena Capital cruises past Braves

HELENA — Kyler Meredith scored all 18 of his points in the first half, teammate Merek Mihelish added 21 and Helena Capital defeated Flathead 90-58 in Western AA boys basketball Friday.

State files Supreme Court appeal asking to overturn climate change decision

The State of Montana filed its appeal of a district court judge’s decision in the Held v. Montana case with the Montana Supreme Court this week, arguing that the statute the judge struck down as unconstitutional could not solely be responsible for climate change and so the case never should have been decided in the first place.

Documentary film recounts 'troll storm' against Whitefish family

An award-nominated documentary about a Whitefish resident who, with support from the community, fought back against hatred, will make its world premiere in Missoula later this month.

Record-low snowpacks endure despite midwinter storms

Mid-January and early February storms brought some much-needed snow to the region, but a third of Montana’s basins continued to post record-low snowpacks as of Feb. 7, a situation likely to produce low summer streamflows and uncomfortably dry forests heading into fire season.

Speech and debate students secure spots at nationals

Twenty local speech and debate stars shined over the weekend at the 2024 West District national qualifying tournament.

Montana State Prison sergeant charged, at least five other officers on leave

A Montana State Prison sergeant faces felony charges for selling and distributing marijuana and psychedelic mushrooms to at least four other prison workers and for money laundering, according to Deer Lodge County District Court records.

Woman accused of wielding woodworking tool in attack given deferred prosecution agreement

A Flathead County District Court judge dismissed this month an assault case against a woman accused of attacking another woman with a woodworking tool late last spring.

Linda Iverson, 78

Linda Iverson, 78, left this world after a hard-fought battle from a little of this and a lot of that surrounded by her precious family.

Kiera Sullivan finds her calling

Wolfpack senior works back from torn ACL

What was supposed to happen was, Kiera Sullivan would keep tackling, shooting and sprinting from the end of her 2022 school year straight through to today.

Legals for February, 16 2024

Rosendale drops Senate bid after 6 days, citing Trump endorsement of opponent

Montana Republican Congressman Matt Rosendale dropped his U.S. Senate bid on Thursday, less than a week after he got into the race only to see former President Donald Trump quickly endorse his opponent.

WTC presents Stephen King’s bestselling thriller ‘Misery’

This nail-biting horror play which was also a hit movie starring James Caan and Kathy Bates, opens with a sneak preview night on Feb. 22 at 7:30 p.m. at the O’Shaughnessy Center in Whitefish.