Health clinic in Montana Superfund town faces penalties for false asbestos claims

MISSOULA (AP) — A health clinic in a Montana town plagued by deadly asbestos contamination faces millions of dollars in penalties — and potential bankruptcy — after a jury found it submitted more than 300 false asbestos claims to the U.S. government, making patients eligible for Medicare and other benefits they shouldn't have received.

Legals for June, 30 2023

One dead in two-vehicle crash south of Polson

A two-car crash on June 19 at about 5 p.m. resulted in the death of one of the drivers. The vehicles collided at mile marker 58, which is near the intersection of U.S. 93 and Ridgewater Drive, south of Polson.

Glacier Institute fundraising for potential nature center

The Glacier Institute is looking to raise roughly $2.5 million for the purchase of a 142-acre tract of land in Columbia Heights that could potentially become home to a nature center.

Zinke wants water released from Hungry Horse Reservoir to fill Flathead Lake

Flathead Lake’s low water level this summer has drawn the attention of Western Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke, who called the situation an “oncoming crisis.”

Jury says Libby health clinic submitted 337 false asbestos claims

MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) — A federal jury ruled Wednesday that a health clinic in a Montana town where hundreds of people have died from asbestos exposure submitted 337 false asbestos claims that made patients eligible for Medicare and other benefits they shouldn't have received.

Supreme Court strikes down affirmative action in college admissions, says race cannot be a factor

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Thursday struck down affirmative action in college admissions, forcing institutions of higher education to look for new ways to achieve diverse student bodies.

Hockaday hosts guest curator to present on Western tourism history

Guest Curator Lee Silliman of Missoula will present on 100 years of tourism in the American West from the 1840s to 1940s at the Hockaday Museum today, June 29.

Slate of speakers to present at the Wachholz through 2024

A former CIA director, mountaineer, NASA engineer, professor, best-selling author, Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist, celebrated actors and underwater photographers are slated to present at the Wachholz College Center in Kalispell.

Letters to the editor June 29

Letters to the editor June 29

The Conrads at Play — historical athletic fashion on display at the mansion

A historical clothing exhibit, titled “Conrads at Play: Dress for Sports and Recreation” is on display at the Conrad Mansion.

Man suspected of indecent exposure faces revocation of sentence

Prosecutors are seeking to revoke the suspended prison sentence of a Kalispell man accused of exposing his genitals at the Kidsport Complex in late April.

UM-Western taps Britt Cooper as next women’s hoops coach

After a nationwide search, Montana Western stayed in-house for its next women’s basketball coach, elevating assistant coach and former Lady Bulldog star Britt Cooper.

Legals for June, 29 2023

BNSF accuses Libby health clinic of submitting false asbestos claims

A major U.S. railroad found liable for spreading hazardous asbestos that killed hundreds of people in a Montana town is trying to convince a federal jury that a local clinic submitted hundreds of asbestos claims for people who weren't sick, earning them lifetime government benefits and bilking taxpayer funds.

Delores Theis, 92

Delores Theis

Geraldine McElroy, 78

Geraldine McElroy

Carroll picks CSI’s Lundgren as coach

Carroll College found its next men’s basketball coach in the junior college ranks — the school announced Tuesday that Ryan Lundgren of College of Southern Idaho,will succeed Kurt Paulson.

19-year-old charged with deliberate homicide in homeless man’s death

Prosecutors have brought Kaleb Elijah Fleck up on a deliberate homicide charge for the murder of a homeless man over the weekend, alleging in court documents that the 19-year-old Kalispell resident admitted to the fatal assault.

US push to lower wildfire risk across the West stumbles in places

DOWNIEVILLE, Calif. (AP) — Using chainsaws, heavy machinery and controlled burns, the Biden administration is trying to turn the tide on worsening wildfires in the U.S. West through a multi-billion dollar cleanup of forests choked with dead trees and undergrowth.