Forest officials study antenna test results

Data from a radio-signal test from an antenna on Mount Aeneas has been given to Flathead National Forest officials for review.

Strong second half leads Wildcats to win

It was a little sluggish at the start, but once the second half came around Columbia Falls performed like Wildcat teams usually do in December - nearly flawless.

Debbie Pierson: Grant writer runs for county position

Flathead hammers Hellgate

Quick, but painful.

Community briefs

Kalispell Women’s Connection meets; Dahlia sale; Flathead Democrats spring banquet May 6; Hopa Mountain accepting scholarship applications

Flu season tapering off in Flathead County, but other outbreaks still an issue

Hospitalizations in Flathead County are declining after a rough start to flu season, but there are many other outbreaks health department officials are keeping an eye on.

Flathead’s Zink sees familiar faces all around his favorite event

Dylan Zink can look at the rankings on athletic.net and see all the talented triple jumpers on this side of the Continental Divide.

Flathead Lake level dispute boils in letters to federal hydroelectric regulators

A federal agency that oversees hydroelectric dams has been roped, again, into an ongoing dispute about water levels in Flathead Lake. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission received a pair of letters this month related to its ability to referee dam management to sustain water levels in the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi.

Climate change is real: 'What then should we do?'

The rain is finally falling in Montana, and our Southern coastal states are drying out. It’s finally time to have a serious conversation about climate change.

Event aims to bring awareness of Alzheimer's disease

On Sunday, hundreds of Flathead Valley residents will participate in the Kalispell Walk to End Alzheimer’s. The event is one of hundreds that will take place across the country “to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research,” according to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Where's winter?

Have you been out ice fishing in the valley this year? If you have, I am guessing it has been on one of our smaller bodies of water, as it seems Ol’ Man Winter just refuses to strike a “deal” with Mother Nature and get serious about making ice. While it is real winter in so much of the upper Midwest, our Montana weather just continues to be mild. Many area lakes do have ice, but the thickness and quality varies greatly, so please be super careful and assume nothing based on the calendar.

Hospital settles with government for $24M

Kalispell Regional Healthcare has reached a settlement with the federal government for $24 million, according to a Department of Justice announcement Friday and an email sent to Kalispell Regional staff from President and CEO Pam Robertson. Kalispell Regional will pay $21.1 million and the Flathead Physician Group, physician investors in The HealthCenter, will pay $2.8 million. The hospital had set aside $21.5 million in advance of a settlement, which, according to the Department of Justice, is the largest False Claims Act recovery in Montana.

King salmon in Montana

The uneducated angler might argue that there is no such thing as a “King” salmon in Montana…Take that bet! Just like in the Great Lakes, there are freshwater Chinook (or King) salmon populating the waters of Fort Peck Reservoir in Eastern Montana, and now is the time to get in on the action. For this fishery, you have two basic options. One is to bring a boat over that is equipped to successfully chase Lake Trout on Flathead Lake and the other is to hire a guide that specializes in this fishery. We have those guides in place on the reservoir and would be happy to assist you in getting a trip booked. More on that later.

Keep the grinches at bay this holiday season

They most likely aren’t green furry creatures with bright yellow eyes, but there are plenty of Christmas grinches lurking around the Flathead Valley trying their best to spoil the holiday season for other folks.

FLIC features films from around the globe

The Flathead Lake International Cinemafest (FLIC) premieres its eighth annual winter film festival during the weekend of Jan. 24 to Jan. 26 at the Showboat Cinema on Main Street in Polson.

BASKETBALL: Class AA to add divisional tournament

Meeting of activity directors, principals sends proposal for MHSA approval

If approved by the Montana High School Association, divisional basketball tournaments will be coming to the state’s largest classification starting in 2018.

Paul Mark Johnson, 44

Paul Mark Johnson, 44, died July 26, 2005, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center after a brief illness.

Flower power

Sharon Askelson has seen a lot of changes in her native Flathead Valley over the years.

Groundwater contamination increase detected at landfill

Flathead County and state officials are closely watching an increase in groundwater contamination at the county landfill to determine what kind of corrective action can best address the problem.

Moving on up: Airport expansion to include Flathead's only escalator

Glacier Park International Airport’s $100 million upgrade, dubbed “the biggest project in the history of the airport” by Airport Director Rob Ratkowski, will include an escalator to move passengers between floors.