County approves bid for new animal shelter building
The Flathead County commissioners on Tuesday awarded a $446,900 contract for the construction of a new multipurpose building at the county's animal shelter.
Forest Service approves large project near Tally Lake
The U.S. Forest Service has approved a large logging and tree-thinning project near Tally Lake.
State seeking public input after purchase of Somers Beach
The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks said Thursday it has completed the purchase of a 106-acre swath of land on the north shore of Flathead Lake.
Flathead County moves ahead on redistricting, health board agreement
The Flathead County commissioners on Tuesday took another step toward setting new district boundaries based on population figures from the 2020 Census, and ratified an agreement that will change the makeup of the Flathead City-County Health Board.
Lawsuit: Columbia Falls subdivision threatens to pollute river
Several groups are suing to stop a large subdivision from being developed just outside Columbia Falls, alleging the state Department of Environmental Quality didn't properly assess how dozens of new septic systems might contaminate the Flathead River.
Judge tosses permit for Creston water bottling plant — again
A district judge in Helena has again sided with neighboring landowners and conservationists in a five-year fight over a water bottling facility in the Creston area, saying the state Department of Natural Resources and Conservation erred when it issued a water-use permit to the Montana Artesian Water Co. in 2017.
Whitefish may stop licensing vacation rentals for 90 days
The Whitefish City Council on Monday will consider imposing a 90-day moratorium on the processing and issuing of new licenses for short-term vacation rentals, which are often cited as one of many factors contributing to a severe shortage of workforce housing.
Public Q&A planned for Big Mountain Road project
A team of developers seeking to build hundreds of housing units at the base of Big Mountain Road will host a public meeting to gather feedback and answer questions before the proposal goes to the Whitefish Planning Board.
Private home in Glacier National Park for sale at $12M
One of the few remaining private properties within the bounds of Glacier National Park is up for sale with an asking price of $12 million.
Federal grant to aid purchase of new state park at Somers Beach
A 106-acre swath of land on the north shore of Flathead Lake is another step closer to becoming a state park with a hefty federal grant.
FWP wraps up busy season fighting invasive water species
The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks is wrapping up another busy season working to prevent invasive mussels, snails, clams and aquatic weeds from overrunning lakes and rivers across the state.
State unveils proposed changes to hunting regs
The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks this week unveiled a long list of proposals to streamline hunting regulations in 2022 and 2023. The agency is seeking public feedback on the proposals, which it says are aimed at making the rules "simpler and easier to understand" for hunters.
Whitefish Fire Service Area seeks volunteers for advisory committee
The Whitefish Fire Service Area is seeking five volunteers to serve on a new steering committee that will help advise the district in the coming years.
Studying Lake McDonald water quality among group's 2022 projects
After collecting samples of crystal-clear water from Lake McDonald in 2018, researchers made a concerning observation: Nitrogen levels measured in the water were up to three times higher, and phosphorus levels were up to 12 times higher, than in samples taken from the lake three decades earlier. Algae particles also were found at higher concentrations.
Whitefish admits overcharging water fees, rejects other allegations
Whitefish's city manager and City Council members have responded to allegations that the city has "systematically overcharged" developers and homeowners on water and sewer impact fees, which help cover the cost of extending pipes and expanding treatment facilities to serve new buildings.
Montana senators blast latest extension of US-Canada border restrictions
The Biden administration said Monday it is extending travel restrictions at the land border between the U.S. and Canada at least through Oct. 21, prompting another round of bipartisan criticism from Montana Sens. Jon Tester and Steve Daines.
Whitefish council to consider 95 Karrow project
An amended proposal for a large mixed-use development at the site of a shuttered timber plant is expected to receive final approval from the Whitefish City Council on Monday.
Morisaki tackles Flathead housing crunch with business expertise
As the new executive director of the Northwest Montana Community Land Trust, Kim Morisaki is on a mission to help solve the Flathead Valley's shortage of affordable housing.
Big housing project proposed at base of Big Mountain
A team of developers has submitted plans to the city of Whitefish to build 318 housing units and a small "island" of commercial space at the base of Big Mountain.
Glacier reports year-to-date dip in visitation
Officials said Thursday that Glacier National Park tallied more than 2.35 million visitors from the start of the year through the end of August — fewer than the park welcomed during the same eight-month period in 2017, 2018 and 2019.
WWII soldier's medals presented to family in Kalispell
John T. Mulder had just graduated from Oregon State College when he joined the U.S. Army in 1942. A basketball player from the small town of Raymond, Washington, he became a second lieutenant in the 405th Infantry Regiment as well as a platoon commander for his company's mortar section. Then he went to Germany.
Extended-stay hotel proposed in Whitefish
A second new hotel could be coming to Whitefish. Last month, Averill Hospitality unveiled plans to build a three-story boutique hotel at the northwest corner of Central Avenue and First Street, on the vacant lot next to the Craggy Range restaurant.
Forest conservation planned near Bigfork
Several conservation groups have joined forces to protect 236 acres of forestland and open space, and build more than 4 miles of publicly accessible trails, a short distance from downtown Bigfork.
Evergreen awarded $1M grant for sidewalk project
The Montana Department of Transportation has awarded nearly $1 million for the construction of new sidewalks in Evergreen, the largest source of funding for the long-anticipated project that aims to provide safe routes to schools in the community.
Doctors urge vaccination, not livestock dewormer, in fight against Covid
At least a few people in the Flathead Valley have become ill after taking a widely available antiparasitic drug meant for animals in hopes of treating or preventing Covid-19, according to local hospital officials.
Forest Service poised to approve massive Swan Valley project
The U.S. Forest Service is poised to greenlight part of a massive forestry project that aims to improve wildlife habitat while reducing fuels that increase the threat of wildfire to communities in the Swan Valley.
Traffic returns to U.S. 2 after Glacier ends reservation system
With a frustrating reservation system no longer in effect, motorists have flocked to the west entrance of Glacier National Park this week, causing long lines of slow-moving traffic to spill onto U.S. 2 and forcing park officials to close the gates and turn many visitors away.
Hiker's body airlifted from Glacier National Park
A Two Bear Air helicopter crew on Tuesday afternoon recovered the body of a 34-year-old woman who went missing last week during an apparent solo hike in Glacier National Park.
Sun Road reservation system gets mixed reviews
Glacier National Park's reservation system for the Going-to-the-Sun Road ended Monday after a three-month trial run. For the remainder of the 2021 visitor season, all that's required to get on the scenic thoroughfare is a standard park pass.
Glacier unveils plan to phase out sightseeing flights over park
Officials are asking the public to weigh in on a plan to manage — and eventually phase out — commercial aircraft tours over Glacier National Park.
Whitefish mulls stricter rules on short-term rentals
Whitefish officials are considering a litany of new regulations on short-term rentals, which are often blamed for displacing permanent residents and contributing to a severe shortage of affordable housing in the area.
Searchers find hiker's body in Glacier National Park
Searchers on Sunday afternoon found the body of a 34-year-old woman who was reported missing Wednesday in Glacier National Park.
Search expands for hiker missing in Glacier National Park
Officials continued searching Friday for a 34-year-old Virginia woman reported missing in Glacier National Park.
Park officials kill black bear that threatened Glacier campers
Glacier National Park staff on Thursday euthanized a black bear that had repeatedly wandered through the Many Glacier Campground, showing no fear of people, approaching visitors and stealing food, officials said.
County poised to approve $117M budget
The Flathead County commissioners are poised to approve the final version of the county's operating budget for the 2021-22 fiscal year on Thursday.
Glacier's Sun Road reservation system ends Monday
Glacier National Park is winding down operations as fall approaches and another record-shattering visitor season comes to an end.
Jerry Meerkatz, credited with boosting Kalispell redevelopment, dies at 63
Jerry Meerkatz, a longtime businessman who recently retired after leading two Kalispell-based economic development agencies, died after a motorcycle crash in Wyoming on Friday. He was 63.
MSU nursing school gets $101 million donation from Texas billionaires
Montana State University's College of Nursing has received an unprecedented $101 million donation from Robyn and Mark Jones, the founders of a Texas-based insurance company who recently bought up huge swaths of forestland in Flathead County.
Coal company seeks to weaken Montana water quality standard
Canada's largest coal company is challenging a new Montana water quality standard that aims to limit concentrations of toxic runoff from the company's mines in British Columbia as it travels across the international border into the Kootenai River and Lake Koocanusa.
Northwest Montana Fair saw near-record attendance
A little rain and an ongoing pandemic didn't stop the Northwest Montana Fair and Rodeo from reaching a near-record level of attendance last week.
Forest Service assessing new Big Mountain chairlift
Flathead National Forest officials are seeking public input on Whitefish Mountain Resort's plan to install a new six-person chairlift from the Base Lodge area to the top of Inspiration Ridge.
FVCC performance hall on track for 2022 opening
A $26 million multipurpose building under construction at Flathead Valley Community College is on track for a soft opening in spring 2022, President Jane Karas said Wednesday.
Census shows growth in almost every corner of the Flathead
Results of the 2020 Census show Flathead County gained more than 13,400 residents over the previous decade, a nearly 15% increase that gave the county a population of more than 104,000 and made it the fourth largest county in Montana.
Montana state parks report record visitation
Montana's state parks recorded more than 1.57 million visitors in the first half of 2021, an 11% increase over the same period last year and a 44% increase over the same period in 2019, the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks says in a new report.
State says Whitefish in compliance with Clean Air Act
Breathe easy, Whitefish. State regulators said Monday the city is in compliance with national air quality standards, nearly three decades after it was marked for high levels of coarse particulate matter from dusty roads, parking lots and alleys.
Montana senators blast continued closure of Canada border
Both of Montana's senators criticized the Biden administration's decision on Friday to continue blocking nonessential travel from Canada into the United States for an 18th straight month.
Fire restrictions still in effect in Northwest Montana
Fire danger remains high across Northwest Montana despite a week of precipitation and cooler temperatures, and officials are urging residents to continue abiding by fire restrictions that remain in effect on government and privately owned lands.
Skull discovered in Flathead Lake deemed archeological find
A human skull recently discovered in Flathead Lake is believed to be that of a Native American man who died long ago, and no crime is suspected in his death, the Lake County Sheriff's Office said Thursday.
Whitefish adopts $49.9 million budget
The Whitefish City Council on Monday approved a $49.9 million operating budget for the 2022 fiscal year, which includes funding for two new firefighters, increased property tax relief for homeowners and significantly less in capital expenditures than last year's larger budget.
Montanans with weak immune systems eligible for 3rd vaccine dose
An estimated 22,000 Montana residents with weakened immune systems are eligible to receive third doses of the Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccines, the state health department said Wednesday.