Wednesday, June 29
Roadwork scheduled for Hwy 35 next week
The Montana Department of Transportation and Knife River Corporation will be working on Montana Highway 35 between Bigfork and Woods Bay next week.
Flathead County Commissioners to pick new ImagineIF Trustee tomorrow
Flathead County Commissioners are poised to select a new trustee to serve on the ImagineIF library board during their Thursday meeting.
Whistling Andy gets ready for a little more elbow room
Montana’s oldest distillery is getting ready for their first expansion as they prepare to move into the former Flathead V-8 Ford Museum in Bigfork. Whistling Andy has been bursting at the seams for sometime and Owner Brian Anderson said the former museum has ample room for the company to expand production of their many different spirits.
Sliters wins Employers of Choice Award
Sliters Lumber and Building Supply has won an employers of choice award from the Montana Department of Labor and Industry.
Monday, June 27
BACC to hold artist talk and reception for their June exhibit
The Bigfork Art and Cultural Center will hold an artist talk and reception for their June exhibit: “Sharing Perspectives: Local Indigenous Art, Culture, History” this Thursday.
Bigfork W&S planning service interruption for Windsor Court and Bear Hollow Subdivision
Bigfork Water and Sewer have announced two water interruptions for area subdivisions this week.
Bigfork 4th of July festivities kick-off next Monday, volunteers still needed
Bigfork’s annual celebration of Independence Day is set to kick-off next Monday featuring a grand parade and a rubber duck race. Bigfork resident Walter Kuhn is going to be the Grand Marshall for the parade, which is set to begin at noon on the 4th.
Thursday, June 23
Library board accepts building for Bigfork branch
The ImagineIF Library Foundation has raised half of the $1.6 million needed to turn the Bethany Lutheran Church Ark Building in the new library, which will give the branch room to offer new services and an expanded collection. The project has been in limbo as Flathead County Commissioners had not been willing to commit to accepting the property.
Lake Wind Advisory issued, Flood Advisory remains in effect
A flood advisory still remains in effect for the Swan River and a lake wind advisory has been issued today as well.
Wednesday, June 22
Flood Advisory in effect for Swan River, Bigfork Bay
The National Weather Service in Missoula has issued a Flood Advisory for the Swan River after high lake levels and increased flow.
Deep Dive into FLBS: Flathead’s Future is a Terrible Thing to Waste
Read FLBS Media/Information Manager Ian Withrow's June column about how aging septic systems could impact Flathead Lake.
Justin “Jay” James Anderson
Justin “Jay” James Anderson, of Missoula, MT, passed away Thursday, June 9 at his home after a hard-fought battle with Pancreatic Cancer.
With Flathead Lake at full pool, local law enforcement warns residents of flooding
County officials are warning residents in the south valley to take precautions after Flathead Lake reached full pool from weeks of heavy rain.
Bigfork resident working to get screenings in Montana for rare deadly genetic disease
Bigfork resident Steve Shapero remembers when his brother was diagnosed with X-ALD in the 1980s — a genetic disease that later led to loss in his mobility. At the time, it was considered improbable to be a carrier if you had no symptoms. Shapero would later find out that’s not true.
Bigfork ACES looks forward to a fun-filled summer
Bigfork ACES recently held a luau to welcome the community into their new building, where Director Cathy Hay said they are settling in nicely and ready to tackle another year’s summer camp. During the ribbon cutting, surrounded by ACES Board members, program participants and their families, Hay got a little emotional.
Wednesday, June 15
“Good Fences Make Good Neighbors”: Swan Valley Bear Resources is Charged for Coexistence
Read former Swan Valley Connection employee Rob Rich's June column about bear safety and the formation of SVC's Swan Valley Bear Resources.
Split Rock Restaurant owners hopeful for new Bigfork location
The owners of the Split Rock Restaurant are hopeful that their new location in Bigfork could become home for the long-term, continuing their dreams of having a family-style restaurant that caters mostly to the local community.
Forest Service presses safety as Swan River swells from spring rains
Rivers across Montana are seeing rapid waters and flooding after spring melt and heavy rains caused waterways to swell. Flathead National Forest Hydrologist Craig Kendall said the Swan River is experiencing flooding that happens about once every three years, measuring the water levels at around 5,500 cubic feet per second during the time of this publication. He said it’s nothing to panic about, but nothing to ignore either.
Wednesday, June 8
Steaming on the Flathead (Lake and River)
Read Bigfork History Project Volunteer Kyle Stetler's June column about steamboats that used to run up and down Flathead Lake and the Flathead River.
Bigfork Summer Playhouse opens their 63rd season with "Guys and Dolls" and "Mamma Mia!"
The Bigfork Summer Playhouse opened for their 63rd season this past weekend with their production of the award-winning classic "Guys and Dolls." Their production of "Mamma Mia!" opens tonight, June 8.
Bigfork’s Elliot Sanford carries love of caves to college
Whether it be in the sunshine or snow, Bigfork High School senior Elliot Sanford enjoys exploring places like the Bob Marshall Wilderness, strenuous hiking and then of course the main attraction of his endeavor — exploring a cave.
Rally in Woodland Park includes calls for gun control legislation
Part vigil, part call to action, a small crowd gathered in Woodland Park last week to hear from local survivors of gun violence in the wake of a series of mass shootings that have rattled the nation.
Thursday, June 2
Bigfork Independent Film Festival announces permanent hiatus
The Bigfork Independent Film Festival, or BIFF, is announcing a permanent hiatus after Festival Director Steve Shapero said no one was able to take on the responsibility of running the film festival after his decided departure.
Wednesday, June 1
Vikes and Vals take third at state track meet
With one chance remaining to clear six feet, seven inches, Bigfork’s George Bucklin came through with a new personal record to best Shelby’s Rhett Reynolds and earn the Class B state high jump title Saturday. The victory helped lead the Vikings to a third place team finish at the B/C State Track Meet in Great Falls.
PHOTOS: 47th Annual Bigfork White Water Festival
Locals and visitors alike gathered along the Swan River for the 47th Annual Bigfork White Water Festival. The last mile of the Swan River, known as the "Wild Mile", is a class IV section of whitewater. This beautiful and challenging whitewater venue gives spectators front row seats for some of the best whitewater action in the area.
Bigfork High’s Norse Code brings home big awards from High School Journalism Day
The award-winning Norse Code at Bigfork High School boasts several budding journalists who have garnered real-world experience from their time in the program. The class won multiple awards again at this spring’s High School Journalism Day, hosted by the University of Montana and the Montana Journalism Education Association.
Lakeside project featuring alpine coaster draws ire of neighbors
A meeting held by a community group in Lakeside on Wednesday night grew contentious as neighbors voiced opposition over a potential alpine coaster development just down the road.
County commissioner candidate forum Thursday night
A Meet the Candidates Forum with the candidates running for Flathead County Commissioners will take place on Thursday in Bigfork.
