Broadband Commission may shift gears to get service to people in rural Montana

Will broadband businesses get to determine the areas they’ll reach with federal dollars? Or will the state prevent cherry picking and dictate where they go?

Hungry Horse Reservoir's west side road reopens

The west side road of Hungry Horse Reservoir reopened to the public Friday, allowing travel all the way to Spotted Bear Ranger Station. The road had been closed since early August due to activity on the Ridge, Doris Point and Tin Solider fires. Recent rainfall has cooled the fires enough to allow both the east and west side roads to reopen.

Harris, Wildkats top Polson

The Columbia Falls Wildkats bounced back from their Tuesday draw in Bigfork with a 9-1 win at home against the Poison Pirates on Thursday.

Legals for September, 8 2023

Montana’s ‘choice school’ commission gets Flathead representatives

Two Flathead Valley women recently appointed to a new state commission that will authorize and oversee charter schools in Montana are optimistic that the “choice school” model will ultimately prove to be a valuable addition to the state’s public education system, even as the concept faces some initial legal hurdles and fierce criticism.

Lake County deputy named School Resource Officer of the Year

Soft-spoken Lake County deputy Nate Lundeen, who was recently named School Resource Officer of the Year, clearly feels both a sense of responsibility and affection for the kids he interacts with daily at Polson schools.

Pablo coffee shop and art studio combines owner’s passions

Frank Finley is the owner of 32 Cuppa Java, a small coffee shop and diner that is connected to his art studio of a similar name, 32 Pair of Scissors.

Comments opened for timber harvest planned near Hungry Horse Reservoir

An environmental assessment for a timber project on the Flathead Forest east of the Hungry Horse Reservoir is now under a 30-day comment period.

Letters to the editor Sept. 7

Letters to the editor Sept. 7

Whitefish's new Fire Chief brings two decades of experience to the job

The Whitefish Fire Department’s new chief comes from a long line of firefighters and brings two decades of experience to the top job.

FEC accepting applications for trustee position

The Flathead Electric Cooperative Board of Trustees is now accepting applications for District #3 representative to fill a vacancy.

Montana schools may struggle to remove lead from drinking water even after funding

But even with those two new pools of money intended to last two years, the state’s schools may struggle to remove all but the most dangerous sources of lead, considering that about half the schools that tested their water between July 2020 and February 2022 found high lead levels. Medical experts say no amount of lead is safe to ingest.

Whitefish Community Foundation’s Great Fish Fun Run Saturday

This family-friendly event features 5K and 1-mile races, lunch from Piggyback BBQ, a nonprofit fair, incentive grants, prizes and more.

Mary Louise Tisdale, 86

Mary Louise Tisdale, 86

Big Sky Notebook: Griz punt fake was timely

The Montana Grizzlies offense was scuffling a little bit in the first quarter on what became a 35-20 win over Butler Saturday, in that with a 10-0 lead it had produced a tip-drill interception and a punt.

Wildcats cruise in Bigfork

It took a little while, but the Columbia Falls Wildcats found their groove in the middle of the first half and cruised to a 6-0 win over the Bigfork Vikings on Tuesday in Northwest A boys soccer.

Conservative book ban push fuels library exodus from national association

After parents in a rural and staunchly conservative Wyoming county joined nationwide pressure on librarians to pull books they considered harmful to youngsters, the local library board obliged with new policies making such books a higher priority for removal — and keeping out of collections.

Congress returns to try to prevent a government shutdown while the GOP weighs an impeachment inquiry

Congress is returning to Capitol Hill to try to avert a government shutdown, while House Republicans consider whether to pursue an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden.

Long-distance group hike coming to Kalispell

Highlander, an international long-distance hiking initiative, is coming to Kalispell at the end of September for its first ever event in Montana.

Legals for September, 5 2023