Ellington

George Darrow

George Darrow, 90, died Feb. 25, 2015.

Wants freedom to choose how he dies

This is the written testimony I submitted to the House of Representatives on House Bill 477, a bill to clarify the offense of aiding or soliciting suicide, sponsored by Rep. Gerald Bennett, R-Helena:

Perch Assaulters get their exercise

The 2015 Perch Assault on Middle Thompson Lake kicked off on Saturday, Feb. 21, with 104 anglers walking off into the darkness at the 6:40 a.m. shotgun start.

Two shots of arctic air for Western Montana

The National Weather Service in Missoula is forecasting two surges of arctic air across Western Montana and the Idaho Panhandle on Friday night, Feb. 27, and again late Monday into Tuesday, March 1 and 2.

De-icer, beer, federal debt, speed limits and public drunkenness

Among the many bills seen in the Montana Legislature this session were a bill to reduce de-icer on state roads, two bills that would have changed how breweries were regulated, a resolution calling for a balanced budget amendment in the U.S. Constitution, and bills to raise speed limits, eliminate term limits for statewide offices, stop the state from collecting union dues, help the city of Billings address public drunkenness and make it easier for motor vehicles to pass bicyclists.

Love in the time of cold

One day it’s warm and sunny, the next day cold and snowy. Welcome to that time on the calendar between winter and spring, though spring really doesn’t seem to hit us some years till May.

Call on Montana delegation to work together

For about a decade now, steady collaboration on the ground in Montana has produced a number of proposals to increase active management, ensure recreational access and protect some of our last best places. But those proposals went to Washington, D.C., only to join the logjam of public lands legislation that had been building there for years.

Legislature now at midway 'transmittal' time

The 64th Montana Legislature reached the midpoint of the session on Feb. 27. Friday was the 45th day of the 90 day session. It is also known as transmittal. This is when all general bills that have passed in each of the chambers are transmitted to the other chamber. Bills that have any revenue attached have a later transmittal date.

Rocking the rotunda in defense of public lands

On Feb. 16, my wife and I attended the Public Lands Rally in Helena in the state capitol rotunda. The rally began at high noon, but people started filtering through the doors well before that. Many sported posters and banners in support of keeping our federal lands in public hands. As the rally began, people continued filing into the room, standing shoulder to shoulder. All the hallways, balconies and staircase were packed full.

Buck tangled up in baling twine rescued

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks wildlife personnel successfully helped a whitetail buck near Whitefish that had bailing twine wrapped around its neck and antlers on Feb. 26.

Julie Kaneen

Julie “Julz” Marjorie Kaneen, 31, of Kalispell, passed away suddenly the morning of Feb. 22, 2015.

Daines urges timber reform at Forest Service budget hearing

Sen. Steve Daines called on the U.S. Forest Service to work together with Congress to move forward common sense forest management reforms during an Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing on Feb. 26.

James Graham

James Bruce Graham, 88, passed away Feb. 24, 2015 at the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls.

Taxes, 'dark money' and drug tests for welfare applicants

Bills that would reduce income taxes by a smidgen, address “dark money” in elections, divert coal severance tax revenue for infrastructure work and require welfare applicants to pass drug tests were some of the bills heard by the Montana Legislature recently.

CSKT water compact benefits all Montanans

The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes water compact is just one of the many important negotiated agreements that our state has entered into over a long period of time with the Indian tribes of Montana.

Water compact passes final reading in Senate

The Montana Senate passed bill to ratify the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes water compact by 32-18 on a third reading on Feb. 26. It was transmitted to the House.

Time to work together to help all Montanans

Montana physicians know that collaborative health care and working together as a team produces the best and most efficient patient outcomes. The patient is at the center of everything a physician does.

Suicide, tourism, the death penalty and Agenda 21

The Montana Legislature saw a mix of bills this past week, covering suicide, tourist dollars, the death penalty, and the United Nation’s Agenda 21.

Norma Finberg: Matriarch of Columbia Falls basketball

When the Columbia Falls basketball team traveled to Eureka in late January, Norma Finberg was there to cheer the team on. She also had a cooler full of ham sandwiches, handing them out to players, coaches and fans in the stands.

Water compact is a voluntary agreement

Senate President Sen. Debby Barrett, R-Dillon, is right when she says (Hungry Horse News, Feb. 24) that proponents of the Flathead water compact have asked the legislature not to amend the negotiated agreement and to ratify it as is. But she is dead wrong in claiming that this request constitutes “an insult to the constitutional role of the legislature.”

Vikings crush opponents in district championship

Bigfork was scoreless for the first five minutes of the District 7B championship game against Thompson Falls on Saturday night.

Morley girls place second at Simplot Games

Bryn Morley of Bigfork finished second in the 1,600 and her sister Makena Morley was the runner-up in the 3,200 at the 37th annual Simplot Games indoor track meet on Saturday.

Domestic fear is the price of empire

If you find no other argument against American intervention abroad persuasive, how about this one? When the U.S. government invades and occupies other countries, or when it underwrites other governments’ invasions or oppression, the people in the victimized societies become angry enough to want and even to exact revenge — against Americans.

Cats and Kats end season with perfect conference records

EPA gathering the documents to list CFAC smelter site

Scientists differ about dust impacts

Park trout projects start this summer

City offers carrot and stick to septic owners

C-Falls in top 10 for safe places in Montana

Daines calls for 1,000 new timber jobs

Greniers give major gift to academic endowment

Community news

City wants community involvement for dogpark

C-Falls couple purchases BeeHive Homes

City taking steps to keep trail open

Lawsuit filed over permit; stop work order follows

Just a few hours after a lawsuit was filed against Flathead County Tuesday over a permit for the Dockstader Island bridge, work came to a sudden halt.

Historical designation sought for Steel Bridge

The one-lane steel bridge that crosses the Swan River where it empties into Bigfork Bay may soon be recognized as a historical landmark.

Truck pulled from Swan River

A man apparently spent nearly 30 minutes in the water after he drove his truck into the Swan River in Bigfork Sunday night.

Proposed water compact an insult to legislative process

 As a rancher with deep roots on a family place in southwest Montana, I know something about the importance of history—and water rights.  I also understand negotiation and compromise.  

Bigfork girl poised to appear on dressage national stage

A Bigfork teenager is making a name for herself in an English fashion.

Bigfork taxidermist donates mount to wounded veteran

Scott Smith’s workspace in Ferndale is full of dead animals. 

New FWP wildlife manager steps up

As of this week, a new face is heading up the wildlife division of the local division of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

Riding with the glamorous, reckless Jezebel

New show celebrates works in timber industry

Join Gretchen Finch,  a Whitefish resident, for her show celebrating “Workers in our Woods” at the Bigfork Museum of Art & History, March 6 – 28. The opening reception is on March 6 from 5-7 p.m. 

Symphony and Chorale feature romantic composers

The Glacier Symphony presents a concert featuring music from two Romantic composers Dvorak and Tchaikovsky Feb. 21-22.

Bill aimed at cutting back on road salt

The two types of Flathead winter days most enjoyable to me are those 20 below zero and blue sky days. The majority of you would agree on the blue sky description, but you may be scratching your head on the below zero comment.

House rejects bill to rein in game wardens

The Montana House turned down a bill that would have reined in the state’s game wardens by a 65-35 vote on Feb. 23. Rep.

CFAC outlines reasons against Superfund listing

The following letter was sent to Gov. Steve Bullock on Dec. 12, 2014.

Disagrees with request for CFAC listing

The Columbia Falls Aluminum Company disagrees with Gov. Steve Bullock’s request to the Environmental Protection Agency to list its plant near Columbia Falls on the National Priorities List. CFAC has begun assessing the site and believes that listing the site on the NPL will unnecessarily slow the cleanup process and any future redevelopment.

Technology can help protect Montana's foster kids

It is widely recognized that we have a child safety crisis in the state of Montana. Since 2008, there has been a 60 percent increase in child abuse and neglect cases. Drugs, untreated mental illness, and domestic violence have all been cited as contributors to this alarming trend.

Norma Finberg

Norma J. “Grams” Finberg passed away Feb. 23, 2015, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center, surrounded by her loving family.

Supports CSKT compact

It takes a great deal to stand up for what you believe in and what is right for Montana — especially when the issue pertains to our states most valuable resource, our water.

Water compact should be supported

As we’ve seen in recent weeks, numerous stakeholder groups that depend heavily on water resources have announced their support of the Confederate Salish and Kootenai Tribes water compact, and late last week it passed the Senate Judiciary Committee with strong bi-partisan support.

Supports expanding Medicaid

There really is no shame when it comes to the hate Obama group. The hypocrisy is astounding. Millions of people with pre-existing medical problems, including many in the hate Obama group, are now covered by affordable health insurance under the Affordable Health Care Act.

Daines not looking for balance

Recently, papers in Northwest Montana have carried articles about Sen. Steve Daines trumpeting the need for “forest reform” and a “balance” between natural resource protection and resource extraction. 

Senate committee passes water compact

The Senate Judiciary Committee passed Senate Bill 262, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes water compact bill on Feb. 20 by a vote of 8-4.

Arctic front and strong winds to hit Flathead

The National Weather Service in Missoula forecasts a deep arctic air mass will push into Western Montana on Friday night, with enhanced precipitation along the leading edge of the arctic front.

Fishing and hunting fees unfair

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks are at it again. Just because they cannot manage their funds, we the seniors are going to pay.

CSKT compact passage will prevent litigation, protect Montanans

Many people have questions about the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes water compact and wonder whether it will affect water users in the Gallatin Valley, southwest Montana and other areas outside the Flathead Valley. People have also been wondering what will happen if the compact doesn’t pass in the Montana Legislature and the CSKT water rights are litigated in court.

Rejects federal land transfer

The plan to transfer federal land to the state is a fool’s errand, based on wishful thinking and misinformation and funded by self-serving private interests. Here’s only one of many reasons this is a bad idea for Montanans. Even if state Sens. Jennifer Fielder, R-Thompson Falls, and Dee Brown, R-Hungry Horse, and other supporters are sincere when they proclaim none of those lands would be sold, the facts tell a different story.

Governor calls for listing CFAC site for cleanup

Evergreen man charged with killing infant

A 21-year-old Evergreen man has been charged with murder for the death of a 3-year-old Evergreen boy on Feb. 17.

Flathead Lake property claims go to trial this fall

Montana Power Co. has long been dismantled, but a class-action lawsuit against the former power conglomerate will proceed to trial this fall.

Calgary trade center bill moving forward

A bill that would use state bed tax revenue to fund a Montana trade center in Calgary passed the Senate by 29-21 on Feb. 16 and was transmitted to the House.

Daines and Tester spreading misinformation about logging

Sens. Steve Daines and Jon Tester are spreading misinformation in their bid to pump up logging of federal lands. They are doing industry’s bidding, and they don’t seem to care if their rate of logging public forests violates environmental laws or not.

Bill calls for supermajority vote for CSKT compact

A bill that would require a two-thirds vote by the Montana Legislature to ratify the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes water rights agreement received a chilly reception from the House State Affairs Committee on Feb. 18. No executive action was set on the bill.

Obama talks about countering violent extremism

The following closing remarks were made by President Barack Obama at the Summit on Countering Violent Extremism in the South Court Auditorium at the White House on Feb. 18, 2015.

Why should the government deliver mail?

In a country where people extol the virtues of free enterprise, why is the U.S. government involved in the delivery of mail? After all, it would be difficult to find a better example of a violation of the principles of free enterprise than the U.S. Postal Service.

Big Sky Health is the Montana answer for health care

We recently introduced our Big Sky Health package, which was developed over two years to address our state’s most serious health care concerns. Montanans have spoken loud and clear, for years, that they don’t want to accept overreaching federal health care programs like Obamacare. Instead, Montanans want a solution that works for our state’s unique population.

Fiery oil train derailment forces evacuations

A CSX train hauling 3 million gallons of crude oil from the Bakken fields in North Dakota and Montana to refineries in Virginia derailed in West Virginia on Feb. 16, filling the sky with spectacular fire balls after several tank cars burst and caught fire.

Proposed bill would restrict food stamp eligibility

A bill sponsored by Sen. Fred Thomas, R-Stevensville, that would restrict eligibility for food stamps in Montana ran into considerable opposition Feb. 16, including food bank officials, advocates for the poor and the hungry, and the Bullock administration.

Bill to criminalize aid in dying defeated

A bill which opponents called “The Physician Imprisonment Act” was defeated in the Montana House on Feb. 17.

Bacteria found in Bigfork drinking water being treated

Coliform bacteria contamination in Bigfork’s drinking water supply was discovered last month, prompting the Bigfork County Water and Sewer District to alert water users.

Groups recommend more wilderness in the Jewel Basin

Two wilderness groups are recommending additional wilderness in the Mission Mountains, Jewel Basin and Swan Crest areas adjacent to the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex.

Half of house fires start in the kitchen

For the month of February, I would like to discuss “Kitchen Fire Prevention.” 

Friday nights at the bar were lively and late

Quirk closes out season at state wrestling meet

The 205-pound weight class at the state wrestling meet proved tough for Bigfork senior Vinny Quirk.

Bigfork swimmers improve at State

The season is now over for the Bigfork High School girls swim team. The Valkyries continued to improve in their second-ever season of competing in the sport.

Valkyries to face Thompson Falls again in districts

After barely scraping out a win against Thompson Falls 39-35 last week the Bigfork High School girls basketball team will face the Lady Bluehawks again as they head into the district tournament this week.

Bigfork boys still on top of class B heading into districts

The Bigfork High School boys basketball team heads into the district tournament looking strong, with no conference losses, and only one non-conference defeat.

Children's theatre auditions coming up

The Bigfork Playhouse Children’s Theater invites students in grades 6 through 12 to audition Feb. 24, for the cast of the high energy rockin’ and rollin’ musical “Camp Rock – the Musical.”

Band lobbies for travel policy change

Roberts falls just short in fourth title bid

Cats take second in first-ever swim meet

Brown resigns as volleyball coach

Lost Johnny Point to close for hazard tree project

Forest Plan's proposed action due out next month

Skiing bill addresses tree wells

Brown will support some federal land transfers

North Fork overcrowding a growing concern

Park outlines plans for Inside Road

Man charged with stealing father's tools

C-Falls man faces fifth DUI charge

Perry wants health care solution

Fire destroys home in Martin City

Snowboard races raise awareness about teen suicide

Canyon firefighter recognized at Capitol ceremony

With the budget, the President calls the shots

It may not be obvious from the news coverage, but a good bit of Congress’s 2015 agenda just landed on Capitol Hill with a thud. I mean this literally. The federal budget that President Obama recently submitted runs to 2,000 pages.

Firefighter fundraiser

On Jan 24, the Bad Rock Volunteer Fire and Quick Response Unit held our annual awards and appreciation banquet at Jagz Restaurant. Joining us for the evening were our board of directors, retired Bad Rock members and our medical supervisor.

Police arrest man after threats nearly shut down schools

A 28-year-old man who recently moved to Kalispell was arrested at Whitefish Mountain Resort on Monday, Feb. 16, after threats he made to schools, students and Jews nearly shut down Flathead Valley schools the next day.

Survey of high-tech businesses shows high impact

According to a recent study by the University of Montana’s Bureau of Business and Economic Research, Montana’s high-tech industry will grow eight to 10 times the projected statewide growth rate, with average wages at about $50,000 — twice the median earnings for Montana workers.

Questions federal subsidies for the rich

Recently, Americans For Prosperity conducted a sham public meeting in Dillon to condemn extending health care coverage to people in Montana who make less than $16,000.

Williams is athlete of the week

Public dock on Wild Horse Island moving forward

New Region 1 wildlife manager has tested research background

Sentence revoked for bad check writer

Foreign policy failure everywhere

If one tried to design a foreign policy to embroil Americans in endless conflicts that would otherwise be quite remote, one could hardly do better than recent presidents of the United States. What could you do that these men have not done to keep Americans mired in distant turmoil?

Proposed bill takes aim at dark money in campaigns

Montana’s elections should be decided by people, not by corporations. With the influx of dark money into our campaigns, legislators must take a stand to ensure that corporations know Montana’s elections are not for sale.

Study seeks to quantify glacial meltwater in rivers

A recent study to be published in the University of Colorado’s Arctic, Antarctic and Alpine Research journal quantifies for the first time the amount of meltwater from Glacier National Park’s glaciers.

Water compact research revealed

Water compact research revealed

Community news

Boys and girls

Outdoor news

Forest history

Strategic plan calls for prioritizing state parks

With a focus on improving its brand image, prioritizing its maintenance backlog and ensuring better funding going into the future, Montana State Parks recently released its strategic plan for 2015 through 2020.

Montana Historical Society marks 150th birthday

Gov. Steve Bullock and several of the state’s leading legislators met in the Capitol rotunda on Feb. 2 to mark the 150th anniversary of the Montana Historical Society.

Water compact good for all Montanans

The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes water compact under consideration by the Montana State Legislature is a complex agreement that has taken years and many changes and improvements to produce.

Paul Jensen

Paul “Bud” Jensen, 89, died Feb. 11, 2015, at Heritage Place in Kalispell.

Coram family left homeless after fire

Flathead Valley residents are rallying to help a Coram family of eight who lost all of their belongings in a Feb. 9 house fire on U.S. 2. An electrical malfunction is believed to have caused the fire, which destroyed the home.

Hospital CEO calls for expanding Medicaid in Montana

One of the most important issues facing the 2015 Montana Legislature is how our state can work together to come up with a solution to provide affordable healthcare coverage for citizens in our communities.

Policy not politics should fuel public land debate

As avid sportsmen, we recognize the value of our public land in Montana. But we also recognize our responsibility as citizens to see that our public lands are properly managed. It’s simply not enough to just “keep it public.”

Need to pass water compact

Do you have thousands of dollars sitting in your bank account? More importantly, do you have thousands of dollars sitting in your bank account that you have no better use for than paying an attorney to go to Water Court?

Weather Service revises harsh forecast

The National Weather Service in Missoula has modified their forecast for next week. The weather will not be “as cold or long-lasting as earlier anticipated,” NWS said.

Keystone pipeline passes Congress, veto looms

A bill to construct the Keystone XL oil pipeline passed in the Republican-controlled Congress on Feb. 11, but President Barack Obama is expected to veto the measure.

CSKT compact must pass

The water compact between the state of Montana and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (Senate Bill 262) is now before our legislature.

Wants full disclosure on CSKT compact

The board of directors of the Northwest Montana Association of Realtors would like to make it known to those crafting and negotiating the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Water Compact that we, as a board, object to the lack of timely disclosure of a complete document package (including all appendices) for our review and consideration. 

Medicaid, abortion, guns and yoga pants

A number of important and less important bill proposals were introduced by Republicans to the Montana Legislature in the past week, including alternatives to Gov. Steve Bullock’s call to expand Medicaid coverage, a bill aimed at preventing abortions, three firearms bills, and a bill that would have tightened the state’s indecent exposure law.

Forecast is very cold winter weather ahead

The National Weather Service in Missoula forecasts winter will return with much colder weather on the way.

Compact throws thousands of Montanans 'under the bus'

As a rancher with deep roots on a family place in southwest Montana, I know something about the importance of history — and water rights. I also understand negotiation and compromise. That’s why I have served on the state’s Reserved Water Rights Compact Commission since 2011 and voted for some compacts.

Planning board recommends allowing horses in city

The Columbia Falls City-County Planning Board debated the pros and cons of allowing residents to have horses inside the city limits at their Feb. 10 meeting.

Dragon boat festival move becomes a necessity

While looking for a new location for the Montana Dragon Boat Festival, the Kalispell Convention and Visitor Bureau may have missed its chance to hold the festival at its previous venue. 

Man pleads not guilty in 2013 rape

Brandon Richmond Turner of Bigfork plead not guilty to accusations of rape in Lake County Court Jan. 28 and will face a jury trial May 4, according to Lake County court records.

Commissioner's apology for statements not enough

An apology is not enough !

The best people are Montanans

I left Montana this month. Probably for the last time. I refuse to be sad, but even as I sit in the warmth of the California sun, I miss Montana. I always will.

Bigfork Players break new ground in Neil Simon's 'Rumors'

You know exactly what I mean by “the f-word,”  but you’d be really shocked to see it here in print. The f-word is like that. It comes with a terrible, almost magical power, a power at once taking your breath away and then giving it back. I have no idea why.

Friday night fights gathered all of Bigfork at the bar

Quirk wins division, looks to state

Bigfork High School senior Vinny Quirk wrestled less than a minute total on Saturday in Eureka to secure the Class B/C 205-pound division championship. Quirk received byes for the first two rounds. He then proceeded to pin Florence-Carlton’s Ramey Meinzen in 23 seconds to move on to the championship match, where he pinned Ronan’s Luiz Gonzalez in just 36 seconds.

Josh Sandry officially signs with Montana football

Bigfork High School senior Josh Sandry signed a letter of intent last Wednesday morning, officially committing to play football at the University of Montana in Missoula.

Vikings beat Columbia Falls, Valkyries close out regular season

The Bigfork Vikings had a stellar week on the road, defeating Columbia Falls 58-56 on Thursday before downing Troy 71-33 on Friday.

MatCats win third straight divisional crown

Byrd tapped as Wildcats soccer coach

Kats edge Valkyries, hammer Lady Pirates

Cats squeak win over Pirates

Haskill Basin plan pegged at $20.6 million

Daines' votes rankle wilderness advocates

Many Glacier Hotel work will start this fall

Former C-Falls educator and Park ranger honored

Russell's Bull Head Lodge art displayed

Root Beer Classic returns to North Fork

House bills would promote microbrewers

Quiet zone bill gets roughed up by committee

Hungry Horse man sentenced for fourth DUI

C-Falls student appears in Super Bowl ad

Special Olympics marks 20 years at Big Mountain

Special Olympics Montana will return to Whitefish Mountain Resort this month for its 20th season of the State Winter Games.

Schweikert signs to play football at Montana Tech

Ross signs with Western

Man sentenced for counterfeiting $50 bills

Video gambling industry posts gains statewide

Columbia Falls baseball figure suffers stroke

Coram fire destroys home, dog missing

Chinese flying lanterns pose fire hazard

Larry Darling

Larry Darling died of natural causes at his home on Jan. 24, 2015 at the age of 71.

Edward McNeil

Edward Bowen McNeil, 93, passed away Feb. 8, 2015, in Kalispell.

Brian Williams helped pave the way to war

The scandal of the week is NBC anchor Brian Williams’s shabby bid for self-glorification by falsely claiming he was in a U.S. military helicopter forced to land in the Iraqi desert after being hit by ground fire in 2003. Of course, so-called news people shouldn’t make up stuff to look good, but there’s something much worse — uncritically passing along official lies intended to prepare the American people for war.

Sports news

Babe Ruth sign-ups

School news

FVCC scholarships

Community news

Love Inc.

Outdoor news

Park bike ride

Redesigning Medicaid in Montana

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, especially when it comes to medical care. Disease prevention and early intervention is so much cheaper than treating a disease or injury after it has progressed.

While the sausage grinds in Helena

The legislature is one-third done with their business. Many bills have been tabled in committee with many good ones advancing through the process. Some you may want to watch at the www.leg.mt.gov site include:

Low gas prices a boon to county

The glut of oil on the global market has led to dramatically lower gasoline and diesel prices, a boon to both individual consumers and those with large fleets of vehicles.

Legislators provided CSKT compact education session

Montana legislators were provided a special three-hour long educational session to explain the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes water rights compact on Saturday, Feb. 7.

Richard Berg

Richard Lawrence Berg, 78, passed away Jan. 25, 2015, at North Valley Hospital in Whitefish.

Caryl Empie

Caryl Joy Empie, 82, formerly of Lewistown, passed away in Columbia Falls on Feb. 6, 2015, after a battle with lung cancer.  

Arena owners offer $10,000 for arson tips

The owners of the Majestic Valley Arena are offering a $10,000 award for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone responsible for the Jan. 3 arson fire at the facility.

Weather change increases avalanche danger

In its Feb. 7 advisory, the Flathead National Forest’s Flathead Avalanche Center warned that warmer weather coupled with strong winds and rain have increased avalanche dangers in the Flathead area.

Taxes, outdoor recreation and megaload bills pass

The 64th Montana Legislature has completed its fifth week. Congressman Ryan Zinke addressed a joint session of the House and Senate on Jan. 30. The theme of his talk was Washington is broken, but it can be fixed.

Bill supporters warn about Islamic law in Montana

More than a dozen speakers from the Flathead Valley showed up in Helena to support a bill that would restrict the use of foreign laws in Montana courts.

Obama talks about middle class economics

The followng remarks about middle class economics were made by President Barack Obama at Ivy Tech Community College in Indianapolis, Ind. on Feb. 6, 2015.

Montana Republicans have caught the D.C. measles

Tax decisions have taken a turn for the worse in the 2015 Montana Legislative session. The conservative House Republican leadership is churning out tax-cut bills without regard to their consequences on necessary services and on people. Tax policy is being determined in the appropriations committee rather than the taxation committee. Our rainy day fund is threatened. And the reason for all of this reckless behavior? To try to unseat Gov. Steve Bullock in 2016.

Ask the judge

A friend asked me the other day if the appointment of Judge Sid Thomas to the chief judge slot at the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals is really that big of a deal. The answer is an unequivocal yes, it really is a big deal.

Taxes, home sales, election regs, offensive place names and bullying

Bills introduced to the Montana Legislature recently propose solutions to a wide range of issues, including shortening the property tax reappraisal cycle from six years to two, making home sale prices public information, amending the U.S. Constitution to limit corporate election spending, getting rid of offensive geographic names, and address bullying in public schools.

A case for the CSKT water compact

The Montana legislative session has begun, and one of the 900-pound gorillas in the room is the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribesl water compact. The negotiations have wrapped up, and a bill is being drafted to present to the legislature.

Misleading statements about CSKT water compact

I was disappointed to learn that the Flathead County Board of Commissioners informed the governor and legislators that it opposes the Salish and Kootenai Tribes water compact.

Holmquist urges no vote on CSKT water compact

The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes water rights compact has been sent to the 2015 Montana Legislature. Now it will be up to our representatives to defend our most precious commodity, our water.

Slow economic growth forecasted for county in 2015

The Flathead Valley can expect to see a year of slow economic growth in 2015, according to forecasts presented at Montana West Economic Development’s annual economic forecast on Jan. 28 in Kalispell.

Future of Montana agriculture depends on CSKT water compact

Farmers and ranchers depend on our water to irrigate our crops, to water our livestock, to care for our families, and to run our businesses. Water doesn’t just play a pivotal role in our everyday lives, it is central to our ability to exist and maintain our livelihoods. The importance of water — and the certainty of having reliable access to water — cannot be overstated.

Groundwater contamination worsening at landfill

Flathead County Public Works Director Dave Prunty recently advised county commissioners about increased groundwater contamination at the county’s solid waste landfill on U.S. 93 between Kalispell and Whitefish.

Bill would allow concealed weapons on college campuses

The Montana Senate narrowly endorsed a bill Feb. 4 that would allow people to carry concealed weapons on college campuses in Montana.

NVH holds Ebola training exercise

North Valley Hospital staff took part in a multi-agency Ebola preparedness drill Jan. 29 designed to train staff on response plans and procedures developed over the past three months.

Bigfork man charged after killing three grizzly bears

A Bigfork man who allegedly shot and killed three grizzly bears in Ferndale last May appeared in U.S. District Court in Missoula Tuesday.

Man faces charges in 2013 rape

 A Bigfork man was charged with rape Jan. 20.

CEO building for future with Kerr Dam operation

Brian Lipscomb is glad to be home again.

Bigfork author sees success with mystery series

Leslie Budewitz loves her native Montana. She hikes, gardens and “adores” living near Bigfork. She is also a lawyer who practices civil litigation and employment law.

North shore conservation group gaining momentum

The newly formed conservation group Community Association for North Shore Conservation received a gift of $1,000 and a second dollar-for-dollar matching gift of $1,000 from the Flathead Lake Protective Association.

Childhood friend still offers inspiration years later

Growing up in Missoula during the 1960s there were few African-American families in town. 

Icy parking lots are a dangerous hazard to people

Earlier this week I drove into the Bigfork Stage Stop’s parking lot, to lunch at Southern Kravinz. I parked my car, opened the door, and stepped out, only to find my foot sliding on the ice. I would have fallen had I not been holding onto my car door. I got back into my car and tried two other parking areas of the same lot, only to discover each was as bad as the first, as I tested the ice with my foot before getting out of the car. I then parallel-parked next to the sidewalk in front of the Stage Stop store (where there was no ice) and went to the manager’s office to explain why I parked there.

Flathead Lakers have been guardians of Flathead Lake

Flathead Lake is a jewel.  It is the valley’s most distinguishing feature and one of its most valuable assets.

The Rose pitcher was discovered in the cupboard

Trio breathes new life into Woods Bay restaurants

Rob Wink always knew that someday he wanted to own a restaurant. But he also knew he wouldn’t be able to do it alone.

Five Bigfork High School students place in top eight in state for speech and drama

Bigfork High School’s speech and drama team proved they have some of the best talent in the state last weekend.

Wrestlers fight hard at Whitefish duals, set for divisionals

Bigfork High School Wrestling competed in the Whitefish Duals on Friday, before a handful of team members headed to the Plains Invitational.

Bigfork swimmers continue to speed up in Missoula and Helena

Bigfork swimming has been hard at work, speeding up in the pool before state.

Bigfork basketball teams topple St. Ignatius and Whitefish

The Bigfork Vikings basketball team is still on top after two victories last week over St. Ignatius and Whitefish.

An apology is not enough

Flathead County Commissioner Phil Mitchell’s comments, as reported in the local media, about American Indians and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes in general, regardless of the issue, appear to be racist.

America's James Bond complex

Today, American politicians of both major parties — conservatives, “moderates” and so-called liberals alike — insist that the United States is an “exceptional,” even “indispensable,” nation. In practice, this means that for the United States alone, the rules are different. Particularly in international affairs — the government and its personnel can do whatever deemed necessary to carry out its objectives, including things that would get any other government or person branded a criminal.

MatCats go 5-0 in duals tourney

Wildkats rout Lady Lions

Cats pull out win over Lions

Triplett moves to top of world standings

Cats swim well in Helena meet

Morgan signs with Montana Tech

Groups call for more wilderness

Snowmobilers cited in prohibited areas

Forest Service plans to remove hazard trees at Lost Johnny Point

Park ranger wins conservation award

Meth dealer worked out of pre-release center

Man sentenced for video child porn

Joint Relay For Life event planned

For the Cats, a decade of dominance

A rare tour of the historic Old Main

This Wildkat team is 'all in the family'

Bill would stop drones from interfering with hunting, fishing

Rep. Jeff Essmann, R-Billings, has introduced a bill in the House Fishing, Wildlife and Parks Committee on Feb. 3 that would ban all unmanned aerial devices from harassing people before, during and after they hunt or fish.

CSKT water compact goes to legislature

After more than 10 years of debate and political wrangling, the proposed water rights compact for the Confederated and Salish and Kootenai Tribes is now in the hands of the Montana Legislature.

U.S. needs balanced budget, not Obama's spending list

The president’s proposal is not a budget; it’s a reckless spending list, paid for on the backs of hard-working Montanans.

Yieldmo - FPG

Can we have a regular Congress?

You probably didn’t notice but the U.S. Senate passed a milestone a couple of weeks back. Before 2015 was a month old, senators had already had a chance to vote up-or-down on more amendments than they did in all of 2014.

United Way exceeds local fundraising goal

The 2014 United Way campaign exceeded its fundraising goal by 3.8 percent, raising a total of $726,612 to benefit a variety of nonprofit agencies in Northwest Montana.

Committee tables electronic voter registration bill

With a 10 to 10 vote, the House State Administration Committee tabled a bill that would have allowed electronic voter registration for qualified Montana electors.

Legislature tables net-metering bills

The Northern Plains Resource Council expressed its displeasure with how Montana House and Senate committees tabled votes on net-metering, which allows small power systems, such as solar and wind generators, to provide power to the grid.

Campaign finance bills tabled in committee

Five of the six major bills introduced at the request of the Office of Political Practices Commissioner Jonathan Motl were tabled by Republican-controlled House and Senate State Administration committees on Jan. 30.

Julia Evenson

Julia Evenson, 95, died Feb. 1, 2015, in Columbia Falls.

The 'rookie representative' reports from Helena

As your representative in Helena, it’s important to me that I keep you informed on the progression of this legislative session. What follows is a short recap.

William Armstrong

H. William “Bill” Armstrong, age 78, passed away Jan. 28, 2015, at Genesis Health Care in Whitefish.

Bill would close loophole on snowmobile stickers

A  Bozeman legislator has proposed a bill to increase state funding for grooming Montana’s snowmobile trails, which are seeing increased use.

Wet and snow is in the forecast

The National Weather Service in Missoula forecasts a series of three weather systems that will impact Central Idaho and Western Montana.

Obama talks about his proposed budget

The following remarks about the fiscal year 2016 federal budget were made by President Barack Obama at the Department of Homeland Security in Washington, D.C. on Feb. 2, 2015.

Community news

Chamber meets

Glenn Weeks

Long time Flathead Valley resident Glenn Weeks, 78, died Jan. 30, 2015 at home.

Outdoor news

Summer camps

Charmaine Davall

Charmaine Davall passed away peacefully on Jan. 30 at the Whitefish Care Center.

Harry Bowers Jr.

Harry “Sonny” William Bowers Jr., 75, of Kalispell, passed away peacefully at his home with Kathleen Bowers, his loving wife of 34 years, by his side.

Keystone politics

So President Obama has vowed to veto legislation authorizing the Keystone XL pipeline. Fascinating, especially what is not being reported.

Watch the races at Cabin Fever Days

The 37th annual Barstool Ski Races at Cabin Fever Days will take place on Friday through Sunday, Feb. 13-15.

John Schutt

John W. Schutt, 73 died Jan. 28, 2014, after a long battle with cancer.