Saturday, December 21, 2024
Landfill deer to be killed to help control CWD
December 19, 2024 12:05 a.m.

Landfill deer to be killed to help control CWD

White-tailed deer that come onto the Flathead County Landfill property will be killed by state wildlife officials to help control the spread of chronic wasting disease in the Flathead Valley.

Damaging winds, snow, freezing rain expected Wednesday
December 17, 2024 noon

Damaging winds, snow, freezing rain expected Wednesday

Batten down the hatches, and the Christmas decorations, Kalispell.

Fire destroys business, knocks out internet and phone lines in Kalispell
December 16, 2024 midnight

Fire destroys business, knocks out internet and phone lines in Kalispell

A woodworking business near downtown Kalispell was destroyed in a fire early Tuesday morning that knocked out power and communication lines in the area.

Stoke is high heading into ski resort’s 77th season
December 1, 2024 12:05 a.m.

Stoke is high heading into ski resort’s 77th season

Thanks to an onslaught of Pacific storms, the upper reaches of Big Mountain are already buried in nearly 4 feet of snow.

A closer look: New Kalispell precinct goes all blue while one Whitefish area leans red in governor's race
November 22, 2024 midnight

A closer look: New Kalispell precinct goes all blue while one Whitefish area leans red in governor's race

A voting bloc in downtown Kalispell bucked the prevailing conservative trends in the 2024 election, emerging as an island of blue amid Northwest Montana's overwhelming sea of red.

When journalism matters most
October 6, 2024 midnight

When journalism matters most

Last week was gut-wrenching as images and stories emerged from the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina.

Mann Mortgage to merge with national lender
September 28, 2024 midnight

Mann Mortgage to merge with national lender

After 35 years of operating as a family-owned business, Kalispell-based Mann Mortgage is on the cusp of finalizing a deal to merge with a national lending company.

In search of Glacier's Upper Snyder Lake
September 26, 2024 midnight

In search of Glacier's Upper Snyder Lake

Turns out, Snyder Lake isn't the main attraction of Glacier National Park's Snyder Lake Trail.

Whitefish voters approve bonds for school expansion, new football stadium
September 18, 2024 10 a.m.

Whitefish voters approve bonds for school expansion, new football stadium

Whitefish voters on Tuesday approved two bonds that will fund an expansion and remodel of Whitefish High School and construction of a new on-campus football stadium.

$20k in equipment stolen from Whitefish sports fields
September 12, 2024 3 p.m.

$20k in equipment stolen from Whitefish sports fields

The nonprofit that maintains Whitefish's baseball and soccer fields is asking residents to keep an eye out for its missing utility golf cart and a plethora of other tools stolen from the complex over the weekend.

September 6, 2024 midnight

Former housing authority director accused of embezzling $106k

The former executive director of the Whitefish Housing Authority is accused of embezzling more than $100,000 from the nonprofit during his brief tenure with the organization.

Suspect shot at Two Bear Air during standoff, sheriff says
September 4, 2024 noon

Suspect shot at Two Bear Air during standoff, sheriff says

A Flathead County K9 unit was used to apprehend a suspect involved in a standoff early Wednesday morning after he allegedly shot at multiple people and the Two Bear Air helicopter.

Star Meadow, Tally Lake forest project up for review
August 15, 2024 noon

Star Meadow, Tally Lake forest project up for review

The Flathead Forest on Thursday released its environmental assessment for a 41,000-acre forest project west of Whitefish.

Healthy rainfall eases fire restrictions in Glacier Park
August 8, 2024 1 p.m.

Healthy rainfall eases fire restrictions in Glacier Park

Campfires will once again be allowed in Glacier National Park and on the Flathead Forest beginning Friday.

Tuesday rainfall could end Kalispell's dry streak
July 29, 2024 11 a.m.

Tuesday rainfall could end Kalispell's dry streak

Northwest Montana is expected to receive its first wetting rain in nearly three weeks with the arrival of a cold front on Tuesday.

Celebration of life planned for former Kalispell teacher of the year
July 21, 2024 midnight

Celebration of life planned for former Kalispell teacher of the year

Joyce Banzet kept each of the handwritten notes she accumulated over her decades of teaching at Kalispell's Elrod Elementary.

Flathead Forest OKs 3 projects to reduce wildfire risks
July 19, 2024 midnight

Flathead Forest OKs 3 projects to reduce wildfire risks

Work is expected to begin this fall on projects aimed at reducing the severity of wildfires at three locations around the Flathead Valley.

Heat dome intensifies, elevating Montana fire danger
July 18, 2024 1 p.m.

Heat dome intensifies, elevating Montana fire danger

A dangerous heat dome that continues to smother much of the West intensifies this weekend with triple-digit thermometer readings expected for many western Montana valleys.

Wildflower walkers: Spencer Mountain in full bloom
June 20, 2024 midnight

Wildflower walkers: Spencer Mountain in full bloom

Father’s Day morning began with a fart joke. “Happy Farters ... I mean Father’s Day” the card my three daughters gave me read. “You’re a gassy ... I mean classy guy.”

Whitefish rally takes aim at Biden’s Title IX revisions
June 12, 2024 midnight

Whitefish rally takes aim at Biden’s Title IX revisions

Former NCAA All-American swimmer Riley Gaines headlined a rally in Whitefish on Monday blasting looming changes to federal regulations that prohibit sex-based discrimination at public schools.

Northwest Montana mountain snowpack rebounds in May
May 27, 2024 noon

Northwest Montana mountain snowpack rebounds in May

High-elevation snowpack in the Swan Range has remained near or above historical averages for most of May thanks to a series of cold storms that dumped snow and rain across the region.

Bigfork hotel plan met with traffic, sewer concerns
May 3, 2024 midnight

Bigfork hotel plan met with traffic, sewer concerns

Concerns about highway safety and available sewer infrastructure could stymie the development of a 65-room hotel in a new subdivision north of Bigfork.

Plans take shape for luxury golf club in Lakeside
May 2, 2024 3 p.m.

Plans take shape for luxury golf club in Lakeside

The developers behind a proposed luxury golf club in Lakeside hope to begin construction as soon as next summer if the permit process goes as planned.

Voters to decide on bonds for school expansion, football stadium
April 20, 2024 12:05 a.m.

Voters to decide on bonds for school expansion, football stadium

Whitefish voters this fall will consider separate bond requests totaling $32.6 million to fund a high school expansion and remodel, and build an on-campus football stadium and track.

Three-story hotel proposed for Bigfork
April 18, 2024 midnight

Three-story hotel proposed for Bigfork

A 64-room hotel is planned for a new subdivision on the north side of Bigfork.

Conceptual plans emerge for luxury resort in Lakeside
April 14, 2024 12:05 a.m.

Conceptual plans emerge for luxury resort in Lakeside

Four years ago, Glenn Housman invested in 100 acres at the end of Blacktail Heights Road atop a knob above Lakeside.

Kalispell hotel fire damage estimated at $4 million
April 11, 2024 noon

Kalispell hotel fire damage estimated at $4 million

A three-story hotel on Kalispell’s west side suffered extensive damage in a structure fire Wednesday afternoon that drew one of the largest firefighter responses in the valley in more than a decade.

Locals sour on tourism's impact on Whitefish
April 11, 2024 midnight

Locals sour on tourism's impact on Whitefish

Local Whitefish residents are increasingly at odds with the tourism industry's impact on the city, even as visitation levels have tapered off since the frantic summers during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Whitefish Mountain Resort wraps up season with dip in total skier visits
April 10, 2024 midnight

Whitefish Mountain Resort wraps up season with dip in total skier visits

After shaking off a dreadfully slow start to winter, Whitefish Mountain Resort capped its ski season last weekend with plentiful powder alongside pond skim shenanigans.

Whitefish School Board to consider new plan for high school expansion, sports complex
April 9, 2024 midnight

Whitefish School Board to consider new plan for high school expansion, sports complex

The Whitefish School Board on Tuesday will consider whether the district should pursue two separate bonds totaling $32.6 million to fund a high school expansion and remodel, and build an on-campus athletic complex.

Temporary Bigfork pedestrian bridge deemed unworkable
April 4, 2024 1 p.m.

Temporary Bigfork pedestrian bridge deemed unworkable

The report released Wednesday ruled out seven alternatives that ranged from erecting a suspension bridge over the Swan River, to installing a rental kit bridge or prefabricated steel truss span.

Nate Chute races draw stacked field of shredders
March 18, 2024 midnight

Nate Chute races draw stacked field of shredders

Kyle Anderson took home the top prize in the mens open division the Nate Chute banked slalom and boardercross races last weekend at Whitefish Mountain Resort.

Flathead Basin dam operators defend management decisions
March 16, 2024 midnight

Flathead Basin dam operators defend management decisions

Dam managers in Northwest Montana reiterated in a public presentation Thursday that reservoir operations during drought years require a delicate balance of competing objectives.

Whitefish hotelier plans 'food truck park' on vacant Central Avenue lot
March 13, 2024 1:05 a.m.

Whitefish hotelier plans 'food truck park' on vacant Central Avenue lot

A Whitefish hotelier is seeking permission to create an outdoor food truck park and event space on a prominent vacant lot downtown.

Lambrecht resigns as CEO of Logan Health-Billings Clinic
March 11, 2024 noon

Lambrecht resigns as CEO of Logan Health-Billings Clinic

Logan Health-Billings Clinic CEO Craig Lambrecht resigned Monday, making way for new co-leadership roles atop the state’s largest hospital system.

March 1, 2024 midnight

DEQ reviews new septage land application site in Kalispell

Private property east of Glacier Park International Airport is under consideration for a septage land application site.

Disco skate nights on Whitefish Lake bring community together
February 28, 2024 1 a.m.

Disco skate nights on Whitefish Lake bring community together

When Gabriel Layton looks out across the ice at Whitefish’s City Beach, he sees the realization of his vision to bring a little slice of joy to the community.

Whitefish ski patrollers file petition to unionize
February 22, 2024 1:05 a.m.

Whitefish ski patrollers file petition to unionize

David Kerner is passionate about his work as a ski patroller at Whitefish Mountain Resort. Clocking in early, making the rounds to prep the slopes each morning, and helping guests have a fun and safe experience are all the parts of a job that keeps him coming back.

Injured skier rescued from avalanche near Essex
February 19, 2024 noon

Injured skier rescued from avalanche near Essex

A skier was air-lifted from backcountry terrain near Essex on Saturday after they were seriously injured in a large avalanche set off by their partner from the slopes above.

Dewey skins, slides to Whitefish Whiteout victory
February 15, 2024 1 a.m.

Dewey skins, slides to Whitefish Whiteout victory

Cutting through the fog like a warm knife in butter, Jacob Dewey claimed the top of the podium in the annual Whitefish Whiteout skimo race Saturday at Whitefish Mountain Resort.

Avalanche warning issued amid 'January thaw'
January 29, 2024 10 a.m.

Avalanche warning issued amid 'January thaw'

Dangerous backcountry avalanche conditions exist across Northwest Montana due to recent mountain rainfall and unseasonably warm temperatures.

Blizzard warning issued for Flathead Valley
January 17, 2024 9 a.m.

Blizzard warning issued for Flathead Valley

The National Weather Service warned that Flathead Valley roads could become impassable by Thursday morning due to deep and drifting snow.

Heavy snow moves in as arctic air retreats
January 15, 2024 12:05 p.m.

Heavy snow moves in as arctic air retreats

The records kept falling Monday as a stubborn arctic blast refused to retreat north.

Deep freeze delivers record lows to Flathead Valley
January 13, 2024 11 a.m.

Deep freeze delivers record lows to Flathead Valley

Saturday morning brought the kind of bitter cold to the Flathead Valley that saps car batteries, freezes pipes and takes your breath away.

Nordic skiing trails open in Whitefish, Bigfork, Columbia Falls
January 11, 2024 midnight

Nordic skiing trails open in Whitefish, Bigfork, Columbia Falls

Glacier Nordic Center in Whitefish finally opened for the season this week after a winter storm dumped just enough snow to thoroughly blanket the trails at Whitefish Lake Golf Club.

Brutal cold, heavy snow bears down on Flathead Valley
January 10, 2024 2 p.m.

Brutal cold, heavy snow bears down on Flathead Valley

Local emergency officials are advising residents to slow down on the roads and take extra precautions before heading out this week as a potentially historic winter storm bears down on the region.

Dangerous arctic outbreak to slam Flathead Valley
January 8, 2024 noon

Dangerous arctic outbreak to slam Flathead Valley

Travel will become difficult to impossible across Northwest Montana this week as a significant and potentially dangerous arctic outbreak sweeps across the region.

Kalispell's December snowfall near all-time low
January 2, 2024 midnight

Kalispell's December snowfall near all-time low

As Northwest Montana caps one of its driest Decembers on record, a return to winter weather is within sight.

Fire destroys Evergreen home; 2 cats rescued
December 21, 2023 8 a.m.

Fire destroys Evergreen home; 2 cats rescued

No one was injured in a structure fire Wednesday afternoon that destroyed a home in Evergreen.

Dry December challenges Montana ski areas
December 19, 2023 midnight

Dry December challenges Montana ski areas

Weekend storm could deliver white Christmas

Ski areas across Western Montana are wishing for a Christmas miracle as the winter’s busiest week on the slopes approaches without much of the white stuff piled up, forcing some areas to change operations or postpone season openings until Mother Nature cooperates.