Vaccine mandate could impact staffing at Flathead nursing homes
Montana's long-term care facilities could face staffing challenges and financial uncertainty if the Biden administration moves forward with a plan to require Covid-19 vaccinations for staff at federally funded nursing homes.
Flathead Covid vaccination rate ticking upward
Health officials say Flathead County's Covid-19 vaccination rate is ticking upward by nearly 1% each week, a promising trend as the highly contagious delta variant continues to move through the valley's unvaccinated population.
Latest Flathead Covid surge strains hospital, health department
Flathead County continues to see an uptick in Covid-19 infections, hospitalizations and deaths. The county had 690 active cases on Wednesday — the highest number the area has seen since February, according to local health officials.
FWP seeks to bolster declining bighorn sheep population on Wild Horse Island
Wildlife officials are seeking public input on a proposal to augment the bighorn sheep population on Flathead Lake's Wild Horse Island after the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission gave initial approval for the project to move forward during a public meeting Friday.
New project targets substance abuse, youth development
A new project spearheaded by the Flathead Prevention and Recovery Alliance aims to promote healthy youth development by targeting problem behaviors such as alcohol and tobacco abuse.
Logan Health exceeds adult acute-care bed capacity
Logan Health Medical Center surpassed its adult acute-care bed capacity this week after the hospital experienced a surge in both emergency-room activity and patients suffering from COVID-19.
More Flathead residents seek COVID tests amid surge in cases
Flathead County COVID-19 testing sites have seen an uptick in activity in recent weeks as the number of active cases in the area continues to surge.
In Montana, unvaccinated patients make up 90% of hospitalizations
Nearly 90% of people hospitalized with COVID-19 in Montana over the past eight weeks have been unvaccinated, state officials said in a report released Thursday — a finding that comes as the state surpasses 1,800 active cases, roughly a quarter of which are in Flathead County.
Tree harvesting project near Swan Lake aims to curb disease, insects
Flathead National Forest officials are seeking public input on a plan to harvest trees near Swan Lake that are infected with harmful diseases and insects.
Logan Health reopens COVID unit amid rising cases
In preparation for what experts believe will be a large and lingering wave of COVID-19-related hospitalizations, Logan Health Medical Center in Kalispell has reopened an area of the hospital reserved for patients who test positive for the virus.
Weather, lack of resources exacerbate NW Montana fires
Wildfire activity has worsened significantly in recent days across Sanders and Lincoln counties, where a lack of resources and dangerous fire weather have contributed to the rapid spread of several large fires.
County sees emerging crisis with addictive painkiller
Flathead County experts say illegally manufactured fentanyl is now prevalent throughout the greater valley, and that issues associated with the highly addictive painkiller may prove to be the most challenging leg yet in Montana’s battle against the ongoing opioid epidemic.
Flathead COVID cases, hospitalizations surge amid low vaccine rate
Flathead County has become Montana’s COVID-19 hot spot in recent weeks, with the area now reporting roughly 30% of the state’s active caseload.
Logan Health accuses union of 'smear campaign'
Several Logan Health executives have challenged a recent newspaper advertisement that criticized the hospital's CEO by comparing his involvement in the Kalispell nurses' union bargaining process to another CEO's actions at a Helena-based hospital where nurses also voted to unionize.
Nurses reach union contract at Logan Health clinic in Cut Bank
A union representing nurses at the Northern Rockies Medical Center, an acute-care hospital in Cut Bank recently acquired by Kalispell-based Logan Health, ratified a one-year contract Wednesday after successful collective bargaining negotiations.
Public asked to collaborate on Krause Basin recreation plan
Flathead National Forest officials are seeking public participants for a collaborative project that will focus on developing a recreation management strategy for the Krause Basin area in the Swan Lake Ranger District.
Report: Medicaid expansion bolsters state’s behavioral health system
A new report from the Montana Healthcare Foundation underscores the important role Medicaid expansion plays in helping improve the state’s behavioral health system, including increasing its capacity to prevent and treat certain mental illnesses and substance use disorders.
Kalispell transportation plan goes to city Planning Board
A request from the city of Kalispell to amend its growth policy to include a new long-term plan focused on improving transportation in the area tops the Kalispell Planning Board's agenda for its July 13 meeting.
Agencies OK cleanup at grain elevator site
After several months of cleanup at the former CHS grain elevator site in Kalispell, environmental agencies have determined no further action is required at the property, where contamination from various hazardous substances had been found.
Blood shortage prompts widespread call for donations
Facing a critical blood shortage, the nonprofit transfusion medicine organization that supplies dozens of hospitals and clinics throughout Montana, Idaho and Washington with blood products recently urged individuals to donate blood as soon as possible to their local clinic.
Study underscores economic significance of Montana hospitals
A new study from the University of Montana underscores the economic significance of Montana hospitals
Effort underway to support domestic violence victim charged with homicide
The Abbie Shelter in Kalispell has launched a no-holds-barred activism effort to have the state dismiss, with prejudice, a deliberate homicide charge that was brought last October against Rachel Bellesen, a domestic violence advocate who shot her ex-husband after he allegedly attempted to rape her near a fishing hole in Paradise.
Forest considers numerous recreation, guiding permits
The Flathead National Forest is accepting public comment on 19 different recreation events and temporary outfitting and guiding activities that are expected to take place on public lands this year.
Dayton forest project targets insect infestations, disease
The Swan Lake Ranger District is seeking feedback on a potential forest project near Dayton in an area that is considered highly susceptible to insect and disease infestations.
Flathead gets 'F' in air quality report
A new report from the American Lung Association shows that Western Montana continues to suffer from particle pollution — a finding that aligns with air quality trends nationwide, and is something that experts largely attribute to wildfires and climate change.
Man credits A.L.E.R.T. helicopter, Bigfork Fire Department with saving his life
Man credits A.L.E.R.T. helicopter service and the Bigfork Fire Department with saving his life last March.
Park officials release details for spring operations
Glacier National Park officials release details for spring operations
Officials OK North Fork forest project
Forest officials recently OK'd a large project on the Hungry Horse-Glacier View District that spans thousands of acres from Red Meadow Creek to the Candadian Border.
Former meth users interviewed for state report
Nearly 100 former meth users were interviewed for a Department of Justice report that remains unpublished
Shelby medical facilities and employees join KRH team
Mergers with Conrad and Cut Bank centers still pending
Shelby medical facilities and employees join KRH team
Glacier superintendent to start detail in Alaska this month
Glacier National Park Superintendent Jeff Mow will serve as acting director of the park service's Alaska region beginning April 25.
Health officer: Pause on J&J won’t dampen vaccination efforts
Flathead County's health officer says the national pause on Johnson and Johnson doses won’t dampen local vaccine efforts
Health officials: More Flathead residents must sign up for vaccine
Flathead Count health officials say more people must sign up to be vaccinated
Bunker Park cabin project put on hold
Bunker Cabin Project near the Bob placed on temporary hold by Flathead National Forest Service officials
Local group offers support, education for those living with Parkinson’s disease
Local group offers support, education and positivity for those living with Parkinson’s
Glacier struggles to teach park values to 'selfie generation'
Influencing the influencer generation
Incoming advocates will bolster domestic violence response
Incoming advocates will bolster domestic violence response system
Groups launch fundraiser for Bad Rock project
Organizations to launch online auction in effort to close funding gap for Bad Rock Conservation Project
Commission restricts motorized boats on Tepee Lake; tables drone fishing decision
The Fish and Wildlife Commission voted to restrict motorized boats on Tepee Lake, tables request to ban drone fishing
River returned to natural channel near CFAC cleanup site
Flathead River returned to natural channel near CFAC cleanup site
Glacier Park finalizes ticketed entry system
Glacier National Park officially shifts to ticketed entry for Going-to-the-Sun Road corridor
Glacier forms 'sister relationship' with park in Ireland
Glacier National Park has formed a “sister relationship” with Killarney National Park in Ireland
Park Service seeks leasees for Lake McDonald properties in need of repairs
Park Service seeks leasees for Lake McDonald properties in need of repairs
Input sought on forest management project near Tally Lake
The Flathead Forest Service is seeking public comment on a forest management project near Tally Lake
Lake monitoring, research persevered despite pandemic
Lake monitoring program and research 2020 high points for bio station
Federal agency OKs Lost Trail Conservation Area
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service granted official OK to establish Lost Trail Conservation Area
Local clinic hours will expand to meet vaccine demand
Flathead City-County Health Department to expand clinic hours to meet vaccine demand
New easement south of Kalispell to benefit migratory birds, waterfowl
A new conservation easement south of Kalispell aims to benefit migratory birds, waterfowl
Hospital announces $11M in pay raises, benefits
Kalispell Regional Healthcare announces nearly $11 million in wage increases, benefit enhancements
Forest Service tweaks documents for Bigfork project
Flathead National Forest Service officials update documents on large project near Bigfork