City removes 51 hazardous trees in Kalispell, urges watering amid dry conditions
City crews felled 51 hazardous trees in Kalispell parks and along boulevards in the autumn months.
Home sales remain even but new inventory could shift Flathead Valley market
In terms of new construction, both Kalispell and Whitefish continue to see multi-family projects dominating the landscape. Several units that have been planned or under construction in the last few years are expected to become available in 2025.
Road work ahead: Major infrastructure projects gain steam in 2025
Several transportation projects are in motion across the Flathead, with more progress planned in 2025
Retiring Flathead County Clerk of Court piloted office into the digital age
The Flathead County Clerk of Court office is responsible for logging and maintaining a variety of records, including court documents, marriage licenses, and passport applications as well as managing jury selections and staffing courtrooms.
Glacier High students host event to foster community for English language learner students
Marlo Carpenter and Quinn Berkram organized the event held in the Edgerton Elementary library after noticing students enrolled in the language program can feel disconnected from their schoolmates.
Homelessness summit pitched by Kalispell City Council appears stalled
More than a year has passed since Kalispell City Council floated the idea of organizing a summit for Flathead County’s three municipalities to address homelessness. But it has quietly fizzled in the intervening months.
Search continues for Kila man who went missing in Kalispell
Friends and family are continuing to search for a Kila man who went missing in Kalispell last week.
Kalispell mayor calls on county commissioners to consider affordable housing program
Kalispell Mayor Mark Johnson on Monday urged Flathead County commissioners to decide whether to adopt House Bill 819 before millions in funding for affordable housing is swept away.
Kalispell to enter into agreement with Bibler Family Trust on new park
The season of giving is in full swing, and Kalispell is poised to receive a hefty gift in the form of a new public park on its west side.
Kalispell moving away from composting biosolids
Kalispell is moving away from composting its biosolids owing to public concerns surrounding forever chemicals and the potential closure of its vendor's composting facility.
Fundraisers launched for victims of fatal vehicle wreck near Bigfork
Two fundraisers have been launched to support victims of a fatal Dec. 1 crash near Bigfork while prosecutors have filed felony charges against the suspected drunk driver accused of causing the wreck.
Growing population prompts Kalispell City Council to explore wastewater, biosolids options
Kalispell City Council will review Monday options for upgrading the city’s wastewater treatment facility and new biosolids disposal methods to keep up with a growing population.
A band of frustrated neighbors, homeless people tidy up Kalispell's defunct Outlaw Inn
A few frustrated neighbors and homeless residents have grabbed drills and garbage bags to clean up the decaying Kalispell building previously known as the Outlaw Inn.
Low turnout at public hearing intended for low-income residents
A handful of representatives from local nonprofits attended a public hearing on Wednesday intended to gather input from low-income city and county residents.
Fake threats spur temporary lockdowns at Kalispell schools
Three Kalispell schools saw a beefed-up law enforcement presence Thursday morning after anonymous overseas threats were called in through a crisis line.
Kalispell City Council approves fund aiding downtown facade improvements
Kalispell City Council approved Monday using tax increment financing funds to help downtown property owners make facade improvements.
Kalispell City Council to vote on using tax increment funds for downtown facade improvements
Some downtown Kalispell properties may be in line for a needed makeover.
A vanishing community: Spring Creek Mobile Home Park residents celebrate holidays with eviction looming
For Thanksgiving, John Wallace would throw a ham on the barbeque and let it smoke for the day while his wife cooked the turkey. Then he’d eat until he couldn’t anymore, regretting it in the morning.
Kalispell mayor calls on Legislature to return power to municipalities
Ahead of the 2025 legislative session in Helena, Kalispell Mayor Mark Johnson said he wants to see authority given back to the cities and out of the hands of “the big government Marxists sitting in Helena.”
Kalispell City Council to review priorities for upcoming legislative session
Kalispell City Council will begin determining Monday the municipality’s legislative priorities ahead of the upcoming session in Helena.
From electrician to lawyer, Jordan Vann brings Vann Law Firm to Evergreen
His firm specializes in criminal defense, personal injury and wills and trusts, offering free consultations and flat fees for service.
Kalispell city manager suggests amending city fire code to address Outlaw Inn
City Manager Doug Russell suggested Monday that Kalispell City Council amend the municipality’s fire code to address a lack of security at the vacant Outlaw Inn.
Former nonprofit leader looks back fondly on time with Flathead Industries
From surviving the pandemic with zero layoffs to penny-pinching after millions of dollars were cut from the Department of Public Health and Human Services in 2017, the now-retired CEO is finally able to reflect on her time leading.
Kalispell City Council to consider financing options for water infrastructure project
Kalispell City Council is expected to approve funding Monday for a 2.5-million-gallon replacement concrete water storage tank.
Habitat Flathead volunteers build a future for those in need of housing
There, Habitat for Humanity of Flathead Valley volunteers have been building two duplex-style townhouses fitted with two bedrooms, one-and-a-half bathrooms and conjoining garages.
Bluebird Health expands to include imaging services
The low cost and easy access service at 104 Westview Park Place in Kalispell has already proven to be lifesaving for at least one patient.
Kalispell Planning Commission grapples with public notice under new land use law
The Kalispell Planning Commission on Tuesday grappled with how to notify neighbors of impending development as the municipality falls in line with a state law aimed at limiting public input in land use decisions.
Flathead Warming Center supporters take to the streets to show solidarity with homeless population
The Flathead Warming Center on Monday organized a welcome-back celebration for shelter guests after reopening for overnight stays last week.
Kalispell Planning Commission begins work on new land use plan
The Kalispell Planning Commission will begin developing a new land use plan and regulations for the city on Tuesday.
Fire knocks out Flathead Valley radio station's transmitter building
A fire engulfed local radio station KOFI’s AM transmitter building early Saturday morning.
Judge lets Flathead Warming Center reopen amid pending lawsuit
A federal judge ruled on Thursday that the Flathead Warming Center can reopen for overnight stays while its lawsuit against the city of Kalispell winds through the court system.
Kalispell City Council approves Tronstad Road subdivisions
Kalispell City Council on Monday gave the go ahead to the Tronstad Meadows and Whitetail Crossing residential projects, two highly contested subdivisions along Tronstad Road.
Flathead County voters cited abortion, economy and immigration as top concerns
Overcast skies and spitting rain did little to deter voters from funneling into the Flathead County Fairgrounds in Kalispell to cast their ballots in person on Tuesday.
Kalispell City Council expected to again take up proposed Tronstad subdivisions
A pair of residential developments on Tronstad Road that have drawn the ire of neighbors will be back before Kalispell City Council on Monday night.
Urban foresters urge homeowners in Kalispell to water their trees
City crews in Kalispell cut down 40 trees this year that had dried up due to a lack of water and officials are asking residents to aid the struggling perennial plants.
Kalispell City Council abandons legislation limiting downtown cruising
Kalispell City Council hit the brakes on a proposal to curb downtown cruising Monday, instead asking that motorists stay respectful and within the bounds of existing traffic laws.
Kalispell City Council to look at ordinances limiting downtown cruising
Downtown Kalispell could go cruise-free in the near future.
Federal judge hears arguments over allowing the Flathead Warming Center to open this winter
MISSOULA – Lawyers for the Flathead Warming Center argued in federal court Friday to keep the overnight shelter open this winter while it sues over the revocation of its city-issued permit.
Glacier Park International Airport expansion project gets another infusion of federal money
Glacier Park International Airport earned another $2.5 million in federal funding this month for its ongoing terminal expansion project.
Harassment on the streets: Homeless individuals share experiences
A lawsuit filed in federal court earlier this month regarding the operation of a Kalispell shelter claims that anti-homeless sentiment in the last few has been enflamed by local elected officials. While at the same time, one law enforcement official says there hasn’t been an increase in reports of violence against homeless individuals.
Work begins on West Reserve Drive widening project
The long-awaited West Reserve Drive expansion project, aimed at curbing increased traffic along the thoroughfare, began last month.
Kalispell City Council subcommittee takes first step into sidewalks and trails funding
Whether to focus on maintaining existing trails and sidewalks or look to future projects was the question before Kalispell City Council’s sidewalk and trails subcommittee during its first meeting Monday.
Firefighters extinguish grass fire that threatened homes in West Valley
Firefighters from six state and local agencies corralled a rapidly spreading grass fire near the intersection of Old Reserve and West Valley drives on Sunday.
Kalispell City Council subcommittee to discuss sidewalk, trail funding
A subcommittee of three Kalispell city councilors will brainstorm potential projects eligible for funding through a trails and sidewalk assessment district on Monday night.
Neighborhood Market follows its name to provide local goods to the community
Sarah and Rob Ratkowski, owners of the Montana Milk Moovers home delivery service, are now offering the community regular access to fresh, local goods through the Neighborhood Market.
Flathead Warming Center offers daytime services while seeking injunction
The Flathead Warming Center reopened Wednesday afternoon to offer limited daytime services in Kalispell, but the revocation of its city-issued conditional use permit means overnight stays remain impermissible.
Lack of progress at former Outlaw Inn property leaves eyesore for south Kalispell
Head-high weeds sprout from the cracks in concrete that spread like a spiderweb across the 9-acre property once known as the Outlaw Inn. Shattered windows give a glimpse at the graffiti-covered walls inside and garbage-laden floors despite unfulfilled promises from a developer of turning the U.S. 93 site into housing.
Tronstad subdivisions move forward
Developers Jon Sonju and Frank Garner, two former Republican lawmakers, are looking for a planned unit development and preliminary plat approval of two subdivisions, Tronstad Meadows and Whitetail Crossing.
Flathead Warming Center files federal lawsuit against Kalispell
The complaint argues that the City Council’s decision to revoke the homeless shelter’s conditional use permit violated state and federal law by undergoing an unfair and politically charged revocation process that took away the shelter’s “vested right” to the property after Council authorized its permit in 2020.
Kalispell City Council approves workforce housing as eligible for city funds, renews lease for golf association
Workforce housing projects became eligible for tax increment financing funds following yeses across the board at Monday’s Kalispell City Council meeting.