HILARY MATHESON

Youth remembered as a student of many talents

Family, friends, classmates and teachers remember Stillwater Christian School student Tabitha Migwi, 16, as an enthusiastic and sweet spirit, humble leader, kindhearted peacemaker, bright student and joyful servant to God.

Sheffels closes out 47-year education career

Marcia Monroe Sheffels is devoted to education.

On stage: Kalispell Middle School students revel in Shakespeare experience

Drop-in center aims to help those with mental-health concerns

Walking into the entrance of Sunburst Village and Drop In-Center, people are greeted by colorful mural that reads, “Welcome to the Sunburst Village!” 

Several factors lead to House race upset

House District 3 election

A difference of 47 votes may have decided the House District 3 race in an upset win by Democrat Zac Perry.

Planners present parking options

New options are being considered for a parking permit proposal involving the areas around Flathead High School and Elrod Elementary School in Kalispell.

Evergreen students take advantage of meal deals

The Evergreen School District served thousands more meals in the first month of school compared to last year.

Foundation seeking new partners for school projects

Kalispell Education Foundation is seeking community organizations and businesses to join the foundation in supporting creativity in Kalispell Public Schools through the Great Opportunities Grants program.

Talk time: Student-focused discussions at the heart of Stillwater class

A large table replaces rows of desks when students are using the Harkness method at Stillwater Christian School.

Halt Cancer at X gives to community support effort

After another exceptional fundraising year for Rebecca Farm’s Halt Cancer at X initiative, $80,000 was awarded to a local support organization and a national research project in the fight against breast cancer.

Promise Academy helps students with a will to succeed

Class aims to unlock youths’ potential

On the lawn in front of Flathead High School Wednesday, a group of 10 students sat in a circle with teacher Emily Doepke as she talked about coping skills — something any teenager would benefit from.

Whitefish High project wraps up in November

With Whitefish High School construction slated to wrap up in November, the school board has decided to cover a $236,000 budget deficit using tax increment finance money.

New options studied for school parking

With new developments regarding a proposed residential on-street parking permit program around Flathead High School and Elrod School and more than two hours of public comments, the Kalispell Planning Board unanimously decided to consider the issue in more depth on Oct. 28.

Kalispell schools receive Project AWARE grant

Kalispell Public Schools, along with along with Butte and Browning school districts, will share $1.275 million of an $8.5 million Project AWARE grant awarded to the state Office of Public Instruction to improve school culture and address mental health needs of children, families and caregivers.

KPS solution is 'elementary'

Seasoned legislator, educator face off in Senate District 4

The Montana speaker of the House, Republican Mark Blasdel, aims to pit his political experience against former educator Diane Taylor in Senate District 4.

Growing a greenhouse

Whitefish harvest fest raises money for school project

It was a bluebird day for a greenhouse event.

School parking focus of hearing

A public hearing on the proposed residential on-street parking permit program around Flathead High School and Elrod Elementary tops the agenda of Tuesday’s Kalispell Planning Board meeting.

Marching for Macy's

Bigfork High School student to march in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City

One Bigfork High School student will march his way from Central Park to Herald Square in New York for the 88th anniversary of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Nov. 27.

Former legislator, retired educator in Senate District 5 race

Election: Senate District 5

Longtime Bigfork businessman Bob Keenan faces retired educator Daniel King in the race for Senate District 5.

Agreement joins Special Olympics, Kalispell schools

Special Olympics Montana and Kalispell Public Schools have entered into a collaborative memorandum of understanding.

Three-way race underway in Columbia Falls district

Election: House District 3

There are three contenders vying for House District 3: Libertarian Chris Colvin, 66, and Democrat Zac Perry, 36 are challenging Republican incumbent Jerry O’Neil, 71.

Citizens of Science

Flathead High School students spend a day bagging dragonfly larvae at Glacier National Park

Flathead High School science students recently had an interesting job in Glacier National Park: Bagging dragonfly larvae.

Students flock to college fair for advice

Flathead High School was bustling with a steady flow of juniors and seniors looking toward their future Thursday morning as they ventured through one of the largest college fairs in the state.

Potential solutions for school parking

Kalispell Public Schools is looking at a combination of solutions to parking congestion around Flathead High School and Elrod Elementary as an alternative to a paid permit parking district proposed recently to the Kalispell Planning Board.

Local teachers tap into dual-credit pilot program

This year, educators have a new incentive to teach college-level courses at high school campuses through a state pilot program.

Whitefish physics class visits local resort for hands-on education

After the hurricane: Kalispell native arrives home after Odile ordeal

Ashley Engebretsen narrowly escapes danger after hurricane crashes into Los Cabos, Mexico

Between tears and laughter Ashley Engebretsen, formerly of Kalispell, recounted feats of survival amid chaos following the devastation of Hurricane Odile and the looting and violence that ensued in the days following.

Donated former church building will provide shelter for teenagers

Shelter for Flathead Valley homeless teens is within reach.

School officials mull FHS parking options

With Kalispell school officials opposing a paid permit parking district over concerns of student attendance and safety at a recent Kalispell Planning Board hearing, the question becomes: What is an alternative?

From Montana to Martinique: A reciprocal student exchange

Knowing they would see each other again, it wasn’t quite “au revoir” between Flathead and Glacier high school French students and their Martinique host family “siblings” at the end of a 10-day trip last spring.

Kalispell schools to expand background checks

Kalispell Public Schools officials are working on a procedural change to require background checks for all new employees and volunteers in Kalispell Public Schools.

Lighthouse resident embraces all life has to offer

Amie Bartell is always looking for a new challenge.

Eyes on the sky: Thousands attend first day of air show

All eyes were trained on the sky at the 2014 Mountain Madness Air Show.

Testing limits at 9 G's

FLYING HIGH

There is no doubt about it. Flying with the United States Air Force Thunderbirds was the ride of my life.

County school leader wins lifetime award

Flathead County Schools Superintendent of Schools Marcia Sheffels was awarded the Lifetime Achievement in Literacy Education by the Northwest Montana Reading Council.

Beware of 'interruption-rich environment'

Pulitzer finalist looks at dark side of Internet

Nicholas Carr — a prolific technology writer — is not on Facebook or Twitter and he doesn’t own a smartphone.

Increased enrollment brings raise in budgets

 The Kalispell Public Schools board approved a $56 million budget Tuesday for the 2014-15 school year.

Techs refurbish high school computers

Despite voter rejection of a high school technology tax levy in May, Kalispell Public Schools have been hard at work outlining and carrying out a technology plan under budget constraints.

District finds land for new schools

Kalispell Public Schools has entered into an agreement to purchase land as a future school site.

Compact models: Miniature horses strut their stuff for fair judges

On a cloudy Thursday morning, 13-year-old Maddie Sutton of Kalispell wiped black hoof polish on her horse Blue at the Flathead County Fairgrounds.

Old walls make way for new at West Valley

Walls of the West Valley School came crashing down as demolition work started this week.

New superintendent for Helena Flats School

Dan Anderson has been named the new superintendent/principal of Helena Flats School.

Kalispell school board works on district mission statement

The Kalispell Public Schools board of trustees met Tuesday for a retreat with new superintendent Mark Flatau to define each other’s role and expectations for the upcoming school year.

A new way of notifying for Kalispell school system

Kalispell Public Schools will connect with parents in a new way this year.

Well-known Flathead artist dies at 92

Marvin “Skeez” Messing, whose contemplation of the human condition led him to a life of painting, sculpting and printmaking, died Friday at Hidden Meadows Memory Care in Columbia Falls. He was 92.

Teen in Israel at start of bombing

Joseph Wisher of Kalispell made a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Israel and was there during the beginning of the Gaza conflict between Israel and Hamas.

'Catch-up days' part of attendance changes

Glacier and Flathead high school 2014-15 handbooks will reflect a new attendance incentive in the form of academic “catch-up” days.

Purple gold pours into Hungry Horse business

The bumper crop of huckleberries has brought in many local pickers wanting to sell their hand-picked purple gold, Huckleberry Patch Supervisor Shauna Clevidence said.

It's huckleberry heaven

Picking ‘tremendous’ this year for those with purple passion

Some people are drawn to Montana for its untamed beauty — and some for the wild huckleberry, which defies attempts at domestication.