Wednesday, January 29
Community meeting looks to connect conservationists
Community members gathered to discuss a variety of issues affecting the Swan watershed on Thursday, Jan. 23 at Flathead Lake Brewing Co. in Bigfork.
Flathead residents push lawmakers to consider Bobby’s Law
Flathead County residents recall the death of Robert "Bobby" Dewbre as they testify in favor of legislation that would provide stricter penalties for drunk driving.
Church seeks help with new elevator installation
“This is a significant financial undertaking for members and friends of CUMC. The elevator cost is $110,000 and installation approximately $20,000,” CUMC said in a press release.
Children’s Theatre production of ‘When in Rome...’ opens
The Bigfork Playhouse Children's Theatre is thrilled to announce its upcoming production of “When in Rome...,” a delightful musical comedy set to open on Friday, Jan. 31.
Lakeside wastewater treatment project comment period extended through Feb. 10
The Department of Environmental Quality has issued a draft environmental assessment for improvements to the Lakeside County Water and Sewer District system, along with ground water pollution control system permits that would allow the facility to discharge treated wastewater into the ground. With an original deadline of Jan. 10, the state agency is now taking comments on the project through Feb. 10.
Construction key to solving housing crunch, report says
More housing — not just affordable housing — is needed to control rising unaffordability, according to a report issued by the Urban Land Institute.
The Cabins at Blacktail offer a serene getaway
The Cabins at Blacktail, located on a unique plat of land off Blacktail Road featuring a sauna, cold-plunge and six separate cabins nestled in the forest, wants to foster a place for community to gather, grow and challenge themselves – whether that be through a cold plunge, a retreat or just a mid-week staycation getaway.
Three Bigfork athletes sign to play in college
Bigfork High School saw three seniors sign their National Letters of Intent last week.
Speech and debate bound for State
Bigfork High School speech and debate is sending eight team members to State after a hard-fought weekend at Divisionals in Polson. All members who attended the competition will continue to the State Tournament.
BLOTTER: Locked out by husband
In Bigfork, a caller reported her husband locked her out of the house when she returned to “talk things out” and get her car, which was stuck in the driveway.
Easement protects key link to Mission Valley wildlife corridor
Located near the Kicking Horse Waterfowl Production Area and Ninepipe National Wildlife Refuge, designated as an Important Bird Area by Montana Audubon, the property significantly enhances critical bird habitat. The landowners have observed 116 bird species on-site including 11 “species of concern,” such as a great grey owl pair that raised their young on the property, and northern goshawk.
Let’s pass a bill that provides real tax relief
Escalating property taxes are hammering many Montana homeowners and Republican and Democratic legislators alike are responding with different proposals to reform our property tax system. While we are confidents some of these proposals will pass, they all share a common limitation.
Wednesday, January 22
What makes housing unaffordable?
For the most part, those of a more progressive leaning push for the government to do something to make housing affordable.
School board puts stop to four-day week plans
“I think that until empirical data shows that kids are more proficient with a four-day school week, I could never be for it... If we’re trying to benefit the kids, then it seems to me that we stick to the five-day model,” chair Paul Sandry said.
Missing Middle: Lake County looks for solutions to housing shortage
The “missing middle” is how housing advocates sometimes describe the lack of affordable housing for middle income residents of Lake County, or almost anywhere in Montana.
Teen charged with homicide in Christmas murder
A 17-year-old teen is charged with murder in the Christmas morning shooting death of Sheldon Fisher.
HAPPENINGS: Undecorate Day, CPR classes, BLUAC
Bigfork Land Use Advisory Committee will meet downstairs at Bethany Lutheran Church at 4 p.m. to consider an application for a zone change on a residential property.
Bigfork crew aids in Palisades Fire
Two four-person crews from the Bigfork and Whitefish fire departments are part of a named Montana Strike Force stationed at Will Rogers State Beach, which sits at the southeast corner of the Palisades Fire.
Woods Bay’s Joe Martinez blazes his trail in blues and country
Doors are opening for 20-year-old Joe Martinez’ burgeoning singing career. The blues and country singer and songwriter from Woods Bay is the first winner of the inaugural Montana’s Got Talent competition held in October, performing an original song, “Lead the Way,” a piece he wrote in the weeks leading up to the show.
Flathead Rivers plan calls for free, unlimited, mandatory use permits
User permits could be coming to the Wild and Scenic portions of the Flathead River system.
Wednesday, January 15
Community pushes for tougher DUI laws and sentencing following fatal wrecks
The peaceful advocates for tighter DUI laws and harsher sentencing appeared proceeding the arraignment of Dal Segall, 41, of Corvallis on Thursday, Jan. 9.
HAPPENINGS: School board, tracks and signs, genealogy classes
Wildlife Track and Sign class with Swan Valley Connections, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. More info at https://swan.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/swan/eventRegistration.jsp?event=413&.
BLOTTER: Customer jumps the counter
A store employee in Bigfork reported a man jumped over the counter and screamed at them.
Former judge-elect pleads not guilty to drug charges in Lake County
A Lake County attorney who had been elected in November to serve as a judge in the 20th Judicial District covering Lake and Sanders counties pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to three felony drug charges.
Polson biochemist earns Green Chemistry Award
PhoSul was recognized for offsetting climate change by making phosphate fertilizer “that avoids hazardous chemicals and waste emissions associated with traditional phosphate fertilizer production, such as strong acids, heavy metals, and radioactive materials.”
U.S. will keep protecting more than 2,000 Rocky Mountain grizzly bears
The Biden administration will continue protecting about 2,000 grizzly bears in four Rocky Mountain states despite objections from Republican-led states, U.S. wildlife officials said Wednesday.
Proposed management plan released for Flathead River
After years of delays, the Flathead National Forest has released another proposed action for a Comprehensive River Management Plan for the three forks of the Flathead River that are designated under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.
PHOTOS: Vikes and Vals hit home court for the first time this season
The Vikings and Valkyries hosted Hamilton at home last week with the boys playing Tuesday and the girls Thursday.
Staying in the know this legislative session
Most Montanans don’t have three months to spend tracking each and every bill, testimonial or budget line-item, but it’s worthwhile to stay updated on the legislation that may impact you and your community. There are accessible tools that will help you follow issues you care about.
Luann Westerhaus Peterson, 86
An energetic, hardworking teacher and petite, curly-headed dynamo, Luann was born June 3, 1938, at the hospital in Kalispell.
Wednesday, January 8
Wildlife commission must follow science, listen to input
We are 40 retired state, federal and tribal Montana biologists with a combined 1,280 years of professional experience. We are extremely concerned about the Fish and Wildlife Commission’s conflicts of interest, lack of due process to involve the public in decisions, and rejection of science and facts in favor of personal opinions when developing wildlife management regulations.
Bridge Street Bridge is coming down
The Montana Department of Transportation and Battle Ridge Builders kicked off the New Year removing the truss from Bigfork’s Bridge Street Bridge Thursday, Jan. 2.
Flathead County eschews state housing program
Saying it’s not a fair use of taxpayer funds or to future homebuyers, Flathead County commissioners last Tuesday quashed implementing a state housing program here.
HandMADE Montana tops $2 million for local makers
Polson-based HandMADE Montana celebrated a banner year of supporting local and regional artists, fostering community engagement, and making a meaningful impact through its events, retail store, and online platform.
HAPPENINGS: Poet Laureate, community dinner, Sundowner
Montana Poet Laureate lecture with Lowell Jaegar at Flathead County Libraries.
BLOTTER: Illuminati Facebook posts
In Bigfork, a caller reported one of their Facebook friends was posting about illuminati and elite political groups and should be on law enforcement’s radar.
Search and Rescue gets new SNOWbulance
The enclosed snowmobile trailer, with heat, lights, and room for a patient to be treated on the ride out of the backcountry, will replace a sled trailer donated to the organization in 1993.
Thursday, January 2
Kalispell woman killed in New Year's Day collision near Creston
A 37-year-old Kalispell woman died in crash early New Year's Day near Creston after another vehicle crossed the center line and struck her vehicle head on, authorities report.
Wednesday, January 1
Year in Review: Top Bigfork Eagle stories of 2024
Here are some of the Eagle’s top stories by views in 2024, thanks for tuning in and we wish you a Happy New Year!
Flathead River plan release expected in January
A second attempt at a proposed action for the long awaited Comprehensive Management Plan is expected to be released in early January Flathead National Forest spokeswoman Kira Powell confirmed last week.
Bigfork Christmas Bird Count breaks all-time record
The 51st annual Bigfork Christmas Bird Count was held Saturday, Dec. 14. Thirty-one volunteer participants counted 25,555 individual birds of 88 species. The number of birds broke the all-time record of the previous high total of 24,344, and the number of species increased by 10 from last year.
Ibbi Hansen Trainer, 89
Ibbi Hansen Trainer, 89, passed away peacefully of natural causes on Dec. 20, 2024, with family by her side
Tax relief needed for working and retired Montanans
Government should serve its citizens and they are looking to the legislature to fix this problem on day one by adopting a tax program that is fair to everyone.
Bio Station announces another successful year keeping invasive species at bay in Flathead Lake
Flathead Lake Biological Station released their 2024 Aquatic Invasive Species report recently, with over 100,000 boats inspected for invasive species. Of those boats, nearly half originated from states with known infestations.
A comedy for the community: Players invite new actors to the stage
The Bigfork Community Players, Bigfork’s adult amateur theater company, is producing a comedy developed from the ground up to get the community involved in theater.
HAPPENINGS: Polar plunge, school board, Genealogy classes
Polar Bear Plunge on Flathead Lake, 1:30 p.m. Meet at The Raven Brew Pub for short parade, costumes welcome, free admission.
One killed in Christmas Day shooting in Polson
A suspect is in custody after a 31-year-old Pablo resident was shot and killed in Polson on Christmas morning, authorities said.
BLOTTER: Brake checked
A caller in Bigfork reported a vehicle passed and then brake-checked them.
