Retiring pastor recalls journey leading Kalispell’s First Presbyterian Church
April 2, 2024 midnight

Retiring pastor recalls journey leading Kalispell’s First Presbyterian Church

After serving as pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Kalispell for 25 years, Glenn Burfeind is retiring.

Kalispell City Council to hold hearing on proposed public participation plan for future development
March 18, 2024 midnight

Kalispell City Council to hold hearing on proposed public participation plan for future development

Kalispell City Council will hold a public hearing Monday on the municipality’s proposed public participation plan for property development, necessitated by last year’s passage of the Montana Land Use Planning Act by the state Legislature.

Veteran skier oversees solitude of Essex trails
March 11, 2024 midnight

Veteran skier oversees solitude of Essex trails

Gumby is a well-known presence at the Izaak Walton where he rents out the skis, oversees trail conditions, and always takes a moment to ask visitors what conditions were like up to Marion Lake or Dickey Creek.

Residents get say in Kalispell's Main Street safety plan effort
March 7, 2024 midnight

Residents get say in Kalispell's Main Street safety plan effort

Kalispell officials solicited public input for the forthcoming Main Street safety plan at an open house Tuesday, which also gave residents an opportunity to speak with representatives from the city, Kalispell Downtown Association and Kalispell Business Improvement District.

Kalispell seeks feedback for Main Street safety plan
March 5, 2024 midnight

Kalispell seeks feedback for Main Street safety plan

The City of Kalispell, in partnership with Kittelson and Associates Inc., is holding an open house Tuesday to solicit public input for its forthcoming Main Street safety plan.

Kalispell City Council could address vacancy issue created by election snafu
March 4, 2024 midnight

Kalispell City Council could address vacancy issue created by election snafu

Municipal officials have prepared resolutions ahead of Monday’s Kalispell City Council meeting that could see it declare two of its seats vacant and then immediately move to appoint replacements.

Levy could provide overtaxed Kalispell Fire Department with more personnel, new station
March 3, 2024 midnight

Levy could provide overtaxed Kalispell Fire Department with more personnel, new station

When the calls began coming in Feb. 1 about a possible structure fire off of Three Mile Drive, the Kalispell Fire Department was across town fielding a medical call.

Longtime owners of Kalispell's Woodland Floral retiring
March 3, 2024 midnight

Longtime owners of Kalispell's Woodland Floral retiring

Woodland Floral, a mainstay of Kalispell’s bouquet and sentiment business, is changing hands after 45 years.

Kalispell Police Department could see its ranks expand if levy passes
March 1, 2024 midnight

Kalispell Police Department could see its ranks expand if levy passes

Faced with staffing shortages and an increased workload, Kalispell Police Department officials said the city’s proposed public safety levy will bolster the agency’s ranks.

Kalispell City Council still waiting for answers on annulled elections
February 28, 2024 midnight

Kalispell City Council still waiting for answers on annulled elections

Kalispell City Council on Monday peppered city staff with questions about next steps following a judge’s decision to annul the elections of two of its members.

Kalispell City Council to discuss next steps after court order annulling elections
February 26, 2024 midnight

Kalispell City Council to discuss next steps after court order annulling elections

Kalispell City Council is expected to receive legal advice Monday on how best to move forward following a district court decision earlier this month annulling the elections of two of its members.

February 23, 2024 midnight

Firefighters union drumming up support for Kalispell's public safety levy

The Kalispell Firefighters Association, International Association of Fire Fighters Local 547, is holding a Feb. 24 event at Black Rifle Coffee Company at 10 a.m. to drum up support for the city’s proposed public safety levy.

Kalispell councilors step down after judge orders election redo
February 22, 2024 midnight

Kalispell councilors step down after judge orders election redo

Flathead County District Court Judge Robert Allison ruled Feb. 16 that a clerical error resulting in incorrect ballots going out to some voters in Kalispell could have changed the outcome in two of four city council races held in November.

Kalispell City Council to prioritize infrastructure projects eligible for state aid
February 20, 2024 midnight

Kalispell City Council to prioritize infrastructure projects eligible for state aid

Kalispell City Council is set Tuesday to finalize a priority list of needed infrastructure projects eligible for state dollars as well as consider a request from city staff to seek additional grant money for the U.S. 93 Bypass.

Bad Rock Canyon icicle wall becomes frozen canvas
February 18, 2024 midnight

Bad Rock Canyon icicle wall becomes frozen canvas

The stretch of U.S. 2 joining Columbia Falls and Hungry Horse is tight with bends in the road as it winds between the Middle Fork of the Flathead River and the canyon wall.

February 16, 2024 midnight

Kalispell Planning Commission takes comment on proposed public participation plan

The Kalispell Planning Commission on Tuesday accepted resident input on the city’s proposed public participation plan, which was crafted in response to new requirements established under the Montana Land Use Planning Act.

Increasing costs straining Kalispell's road maintenance funds, officials say
February 14, 2024 midnight

Increasing costs straining Kalispell's road maintenance funds, officials say

Public Works officials warned Kalispell City Council on Monday that inflation threatened to cut into the department’s ability to keep up with roadwork.

February 13, 2024 midnight

Kalispell Planning Commission to host hearing on city's future participation plan

Kalispell Planning Commission will solicit input Tuesday on a forthcoming public participation plan, which will change how residents engage with the city on developments and establish a long-term game plan for city growth.

Kalispell City Council to get update from street maintenance, traffic divisions
February 12, 2024 midnight

Kalispell City Council to get update from street maintenance, traffic divisions

During its Monday work session, Kalispell City Council will review services rendered by the municipality’s Street Maintenance and Traffic, Signs and Signals divisions.

Kalispell City Council to put local government review before voters
February 7, 2024 midnight

Kalispell City Council to put local government review before voters

During a short meeting Monday, Kalispell City Council unanimously approved a slate of resolutions, including one putting a possible review of local government before voters this spring.

Economic forecast predicts slow growth for state
February 7, 2024 midnight

Economic forecast predicts slow growth for state

This was the summary offered by Patrick M. Barkey, the director of the Bureau of Business and Economic Research at the University of Montana, at the 49th annual Economic Outlook Seminar Tuesday at the Wachholz College Center at Flathead Valley Community College.

Kalispell City Council to take public input on infrastructure projects
February 5, 2024 midnight

Kalispell City Council to take public input on infrastructure projects

Kalispell City Council will open Monday a public hearing spanning multiple meetings to give residents a say on what infrastructure projects to prioritize if the municipality applies for newly available state funding.

Firefighters douse structure fire in Kalispell
February 1, 2024 2:10 p.m.

Firefighters douse structure fire in Kalispell

Firefighters squelched a structure fire on Northwest Lane in Kalispell that sent a plume of smoke high above the city early Thursday afternoon.

New Silos apartments open to tenants
February 1, 2024 midnight

New Silos apartments open to tenants

Of the planned total 192 units, the first building of 40 units will open to tenants — of which 35 are still available to rent.

February 1, 2024 midnight

Damaged pipe left Evergreen mobile home park temporarily without water Tuesday

Evergreen Water and Sewer District personnel fixed a busted pipe near Mountain View Mobile Home Park on Tuesday.

Resident-owned community poised to hook into Kalispell's water and sewer
January 27, 2024 midnight

Resident-owned community poised to hook into Kalispell's water and sewer

A resident-owned manufactured home community in Kalispell is poised to begin building water and sewer connections to the city after securing $2.15 million in funding for the undertaking.

Kalispell City Council digs into solid waste master plan effort
January 24, 2024 midnight

Kalispell City Council digs into solid waste master plan effort

Kalispell City Council began digging through the municipality’s trash disposal services Monday as part of an ongoing effort to develop a solid waste master plan.

Former Kalispell mayor Pam Carbonari wraps up decades of public service
January 22, 2024 midnight

Former Kalispell mayor Pam Carbonari wraps up decades of public service

Now, after 29 years of serving Kalispell — her first eight years as a city council member, then eight years as mayor, followed by 13 years leading the city’s business improvement organizations — she has retired but still plans to stay involved in the community.

Kalispell City Council talks garbage collection plan
January 22, 2024 midnight

Kalispell City Council talks garbage collection plan

Kalispell City Council on Monday is set to discuss the details surrounding a master plan for its garbage collection service that reflects the city’s growth and expanding disposal needs in years to come.

Thrift store reopens with goal of being community hub again
January 21, 2024 midnight

Thrift store reopens with goal of being community hub again

There is a yard where she sees a future community garden and there are upstairs rooms where she hopes to host art activities and provide tutoring space.

Kalispell considers entering fray over planning lawsuit
January 18, 2024 midnight

Kalispell considers entering fray over planning lawsuit

The act, created by Senate Bill 382, directs cities to streamline planning and zoning processes while focusing public participation during the creation of land-use plans rather than specific projects.

Kalispell City Council to schedule public hearing on state infrastructure funds
January 15, 2024 midnight

Kalispell City Council to schedule public hearing on state infrastructure funds

Kalispell City Council is set Tuesday to confirm the date for a public hearing on how to potentially spend funds made available through the State-Local Infrastructure Partnership Act of 2023.

January 12, 2024 midnight

Kalispell Planning Commission begins work on new public participation process

The Kalispell Planning Commission on Tuesday took a first look at a proposed public participation process for future development decisions as required by the Montana Land Use Planning Act.

Winter storm creates severe road conditions in Flathead Valley
January 11, 2024 noon

Winter storm creates severe road conditions in Flathead Valley

Some local services were closed and events canceled Thursday as a major winter storm loaded with gusting winds and heavy snow created dangerous driving conditions.

Kalispell City Council vets public education campaign for emergency responder levy request
January 10, 2024 midnight

Kalispell City Council vets public education campaign for emergency responder levy request

Kalispell City Council on Monday reviewed the municipality’s forthcoming public education campaign for an emergency responder levy request going before voters in March.

Kalispell City Council to review education campaign for public safety levy request
January 8, 2024 midnight

Kalispell City Council to review education campaign for public safety levy request

Kalispell City Council will take a look Monday at a proposed educational campaign for a public safety levy request headed before voters in March.

National chain Take 5 Oil Change opens in Kalispell
January 7, 2024 midnight

National chain Take 5 Oil Change opens in Kalispell

The Kalispell location marks the first of eight planned stores within Montana, currently making Last Best Oil Change, LLC the exclusive operator of Take 5 Oil Change garages in the Treasure State.

Kalispell hit-and-run victim seeks answers
January 5, 2024 midnight

Kalispell hit-and-run victim seeks answers

An uninsured victim of a Dec. 7 hit-and-run in Kalispell is still coping with injuries as police continue to investigate the incident nearly a month later.

Kalispell city councilor sees signs for hope amid housing crunch
January 4, 2024 midnight

Kalispell city councilor sees signs for hope amid housing crunch

Kalispell City Councilor Ryan Hunter told his colleagues Tuesday he saw signs of success in addressing the region’s housing crunch as the body approved a multifamily, mixed-use residential project on Village Loop.

Kalispell City Council poised to green-light Village Loop multi-family building
January 1, 2024 midnight

Kalispell City Council poised to green-light Village Loop multi-family building

Kalispell City Council is expected Tuesday to vote on a conditional use permit for new multi-family residential units on Village Loop.

Home sales down while multi-family units continue to dominate Flathead Valley market
December 31, 2023 midnight

Home sales down while multi-family units continue to dominate Flathead Valley market

High interest rates coupled with shortages in skilled labor have influenced development projects in the Flathead Valley toward more concentrated multi-family units, according to city officials, real estate agents and builders.

Major Flathead Valley transportation upgrades will be underway in 2024
December 28, 2023 midnight

Major Flathead Valley transportation upgrades will be underway in 2024

State and local officials expect to make inroads on several major transportation infrastructure projects in the Flathead Valley in 2024, including the widening of West Reserve Drive in Kalispell.

Samaritan House obtains state funding for expansion project
December 27, 2023 midnight

Samaritan House obtains state funding for expansion project

The Montana Department of Commerce awarded a $750,000 Housing Trust Fund grant to the Samaritan House to assist in funding the shelter’s expansion project that looks to turn the old Army Reserve Armory into housing.

December 23, 2023 midnight

Montana's labor force hits all-time high

Job growth in Montana continues to thrive as the state’s total workforce reached a new all-time high last month.

Kalispell City Council revamps Planning Board
December 20, 2023 midnight

Kalispell City Council revamps Planning Board

Grumbling aside, Kalispell City Council on Monday established a Planning Commission to replace the municipality’s Planning Board, bringing the city in line with recently approved state legislation.

BNSF crews assessing fuel leak from locomotive
December 20, 2023 midnight

BNSF crews assessing fuel leak from locomotive

BNSF Railway crews began assessing Tuesday the possible effects of a fuel leak on a train locomotive traveling between Havre and West Glacier.

State investigates fuel leak on BNSF train that passed through Glacier National Park
December 18, 2023 1:47 p.m.

State investigates fuel leak on BNSF train that passed through Glacier National Park

State officials are investigating a fuel leak on a BNSF Railway train that occurred while it was running between Havre and West Glacier, taking it through Glacier National Park.

Kalispell City Council to create Planning Commission
December 18, 2023 midnight

Kalispell City Council to create Planning Commission

Kalispell City Council on Monday is expected to redesignate the city Planning Board as the Planning Commission, bringing the municipality in line with new development and land use laws passed by the state Legislature earlier this year.

December 15, 2023 midnight

Kalispell Planning Board shepherds developer requests to City Council

The Kalispell Planning Board voted Tuesday to recommend a major preliminary plat approval for three phases of a roughly 107-acre mixed-use development north of Rose Crossing.

December 15, 2023 midnight

Lobby at Glacier Park International Airport impacted by construction

The ticket lobby remains operational, but travelers are encouraged to use airline online check-in services to reduce crowds in the area.