Kila School planning for expansion

Kila School Principal Liz English described the school and gym are more than buildings for learning, they serve as a community hub — a hub that’s run out of space..

Happy Tails provides care services for Flathead Valley dogs and cats

Veronica Mallery, 25, started Happy Tails 406 as a way to provide more convenient, and personal care for pets knowing that in-home care keeps pets in the comfort of their own home.

Craig Skinner, 77

Craig Edward Skinner, 77, of Hungry Horse passed away Jan. 8, 2023.

Community briefs

Registration opens for Cedar Creek Marathon; Teacher raises money for Lego Club with STEM emphasis; Montana farms and ranches seeking workers for 2023 season, Registration opens for Woody Weekend event

Margaret Pack, 89

Margaret Pack passed peacefully into eternity on Jan. 25, 2023.

Lempi Hanson, 101

Lempi (Simonson) Hanson, 101, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023, with family by her side.

Legals for January, 29 2023

Wolfpack wrestlers top Sentinel at home

The Glacier wrestling team split a pair of duals in Helena Friday and topped Missoula Sentinel on Saturday at home.

Brave Brawlers extend dual streak

Senior Day was a breeze for the Flathead Brave Brawlers, who won all but one match Saturday against Missoula Sentinel to roll up a 69-2 wrestling victory at the Boyle Gym.

Wildcats beat Pirates, again

Jace Hill scored 21 points and Columbia Falls pulled away over the final five minutes Saturday to beat Northwest A rival Polson 64-48.

Valkyries swamp Loyola, 68-33

Paeten Gunlock hit four 3-pointers and scored 20 points, and the Bigfork Valkyries blew open the game after halftime for a 68-33 girls basketball win Saturday.

Balanced budget best, but debt default dumb

Government spending is increasing by $2.6 million a minute. The national debt now stands at over $31 trillion.

How to spend a $2.5 billion surplus? Lawmakers have no shortage of ideas.

As lawmakers negotiate Montana’s next state budget this winter, the Republican-controlled Capitol has a once-in-a-generation windfall to spend — the state’s $2.5 billion surplus.

Big Sky pulls away on Flathead by 3s

The Flathead Braves had some things working Thursday, hanging in with Missoula Big Sky thanks to some solid rebounding and polished offense.

Sen. Cuffe seeks to combine conservation commissions

A bill that would create a Western Montana Conservation Commission — repealing the Flathead Basin Commission and the Upper Columbia Conservation Commission — had its first hearing in the Senate Natural Resources Committee on Monday.

Arts and entertainment news

Snow Ball benefit event; Father-Daughter Winter Ball; Skijoring event this weekend

Artist accused of wiring partner’s shower given suspended sentence

Local artist and convicted felon Nicholas H. Oberling painted himself as the victim at his Wednesday sentencing in Flathead County District Court, even as his former partner accused him of continuing to harass her from behind bars.

Gov. Gianforte wants tax rebates, cuts with budget surplus

HELENA — Gov. Greg Gianforte reiterated his administration's priorities to improve Montana's economy in his State of the State address delivered Wednesday to the Legislature, whose job over the next few months will include determining how to allocate an unprecedented $2.6 billion budget surplus.

Disagreement over noise preceded fatal shooting, officials say

The victim of Tuesday’s shooting in Whitefish died from a bullet to the head after a disagreement over noise escalated, according to newly-filed court documents.

Legals for January, 25 2023