Wednesday, February 23
Supply chain issues continue to make things difficult for local businesses
Some businesses in Bigfork are feeling the effects of a national supply chain problem that was born out of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Associated Press reported in November of last year that suppliers haven’t been able to keep up with the robust demand for goods since consumer spending skyrocketed after the most recent recession.
Vikes and Vals earn district titles, enter Divisionals as top seeds
The Vikings and Valkyries basketball teams will enter the Western B Divisional Tournament in Ronan this weekend as top seeds after both squads earned titles at the District Tournament Saturday.
Bigfork Water and Sewer Board write-in deadline on Feb. 28
Anyone interested in filing to run for the Bigfork Water and Sewer Board must submit their intent to be a write-in candidate before February 28.
Deep Dive into FLBS: Getting to the Bottom of Echo Lake
Flathead Biological Station Media/Information Program Manager Ian Withrow writes in his monthly column for the Eagle about a mysterious methane gas that has been detected at the bottom of Echo Lake and the work FLBS Intern Abigail Ross has been doing to figure it out.
Bigfork’s Shield Arms planning large expansion
The Bigfork firearms manufacturer that began in a garage will soon be moving into its new $5 million 36,000 square foot headquarters and manufacturing complex by the end of this year. Founded in 2017 by Brandon Zeider and Seth Berglee, Shield Arms began in Zeider’s garage and has already expanded twice in the past four years.
Wednesday, February 16
Fainter leads Vikings with 4th-place finish at state wrestling meet
Vikings sophomore Traic Fainter battled his way to a fourth-place finish in the 103-pound division of the Class B/C State Wrestling Tournament in Billings over the weekend, picking up all four of his victories via fall.
Bigfork Area Chamber of Commerce charging "full steam ahead" into a year full of events
January and February are always a flurry of activity at the Chamber office. When most would assume the office is slow, we are busy plotting and planning the events and committees for the year to come. The last couple of years has included many "what ifs" but this year - dare I say it - the Bigfork Area Chamber of Commerce is charging full steam ahead.
“Nana Chainsaw” talks about finding her new favorite art form
Toni Whitney has been an artist since childhood. When a windstorm blew through two years ago and downed a ton of trees around her property, she decided to grab a chainsaw and pursue a new art form.
Bigfork High School’s PLC team explains initiative to help struggling students
Bigfork High School’s Professional Learning Community, or PLC, team explained their recent initiative at the school board meeting last week to catch-up students who are struggling.
Bigfork basketball teams to enter districts as top seeds
The Vikings and Valkyries will enter this weekend’s District 7B Tournament in Bigfork as top seeds as both teams finished up the regular season with wins over Thompson Falls Saturday. The Valkyries will take on the winner of the opening round game between Mission and Plains at 2 p.m. Friday while the Vikings will face the winner of Thompson Falls vs Troy at 5:15 Friday.
Logue’s third butterfly title leads Vals to third-place finish at state
Valkyries senior Sophi Logue earned her third straight state title in the 100 butterfly in Great Falls over the weekend as Bigfork came away with a third place finish at the state meet.
Wednesday, February 9
Bigfork soccer player Tanko signs with University of Texas
Lily Tanko signed her National Letter of Intent to play soccer for the University of Texas at Dallas on National Signing Day, February 3, 2022. Lily has competed at the highest levels in youth soccer.
A LOOK BACK: Folks battle it out playing winter games at the 1982 East Shore Deepfreeze
A look back...people young and old seemed to have a blast at the first annual East Shore Deepfreeze Jamboree in 1982, which was hosted by the East Shore Business Association. Billed as a "family-oriented event" they featured several activities, including barstool races, a snowball throwing competition, inner tube races, and ski races. This included "ski joring," which was said to involve a series of competitions including a modest jump in which the contestants were towed on their skis by a horse.
“Is it just me, or is it getting hot in here?” A book review by Glacier Conservancy Exec. Director Doug Mitchell
Next month, Glacier's Book Club will be discussing "Land on Fire" By Gary Ferguson. Conservancy Executive Director Doug Mitchell gives his thoughts on the book while recounting recent wildfires in the park.
Flathead Land Trust stewards Harrell Forest project in 2022
The Flathead Land Trust is working on developing a parcel of land right behind downtown Bigfork into about four miles of trails that could be used to create a larger connected trail system in the future.
Vikes and Vals maintain hold atop district basketball standings
Both the Vikings and Valkyries basketball teams maintained their lead atop the district standings last week with blowouts wins over Troy and Plains while the Vikings wrestling team was in action at the Western B Divisional tournament.
Bigfork’s Berreth scored 1,000th point in win over Plains
Valkyries senior guard Emma Berreth was surprised when the Bigfork gym erupted with cheers after her three-pointer went through the hoop in the third quarter against Plains Saturday.
Tuesday, February 8
Charles William Gudeman
Charles William Gudeman, age 80, of Bigfork, Montana, passed away Feb 6, 2022, at the Montana Veteran’s Home in Columbia Falls, MT.
Wednesday, February 2
PHOTOS: Polar Plunge participants help raise funds for Montana Special Olympics
Bigfork Blaze raised $1,150 during their Polar Plunge event on January 30, 2022. The money goes towards Special Olympics Montana, and is in coordination with the Penguin Plunge event that will take place in Whitefish on February 5.
Sports roundup: Vikings basketball sees a tough week while Valkyries rack up wins
The Vikings basketball squad had a tough week, dropping three straight while the Valkyries improved to 13-1 with wins over Loyola and Columbia Falls. The Vikings wrestlers were at home as the regular season winds down.
Bigfork High’s Speech and Debate team makes a comeback after a year off
Bigfork High School’s Speech and Debate team is back in action again after taking a year off. The team just finished their 2021-2022 season at state finals this past weekend, where Tyler Broesel took 3rd place and Molly Kurkowski took 7th place in Extemporaneous Speaking. The team also won their Class B division earlier in January.
“A worthless lot of shacks” -- Ranger Stations of the Swan Valley and Bigfork
While many in Bigfork associate the Forest Service with the bucolic white buildings that make up the current Swan Lake ranger district compound of today, the early Forest Service and its administration were typified by constant movement, adjustment, and construction.
Ilene Gembala
Ilene Gembala 98 passed away peacefully at Brendan House on January 23, 2022 with her daughter and son in-law by her side.
Tuesday, February 1
Bigfork Community Center staff wants to warn seniors about Meals on Wheels imposters
Staff at the Bigfork Community Center want to warn seniors and others in the community about people potentially posing as Meals on Wheels drivers. Social Coordinator Tanya Dowling said one of their board members was approached by someone in the community who said she had an incident with two young men when they showed up at her house late in the evening claiming to be Meals on Wheels drivers.
