Ellington

Ask the judge

First question for the new column: “How can someone have so many DUIs and not be in prison?” I definitely understand the question. Nearly every week we see someone with a dozen or more DUIs being sentenced. So why aren’t these folks in prison? Let’s start at the beginning. Typical sentences for DUIs in Montana are:

Likes Zinke

In 2009, Ryan Zinke chaired the Senate Education Committee. I had the privilege of being his legislative assistant and watched him work diligently to uphold and continue the best education for our children in Montana.

Fall colors and projects

Larry Wilson is out of town for a while, so this column was submitted by a friendly ghostwriter up the North Fork.

Suspect campaign financing

As I observe the process of this year’s political candidacy, both locally and nationally, it is very evident which candidates have the large amounts of mystery money behind them.

State wants schools to save energy

It’s no secret that Montana schools are doing amazing and innovative things. Students today have opportunities to earn college credit in high school, get hands on career training in college and gain valuable skills in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields in elementary and middle school. Through these efforts, students are achieving and succeeding in ways that were unimaginable just a few years ago.

C-Falls ranked No. 3 for crime for Montana

Joan Kuemmerle

Mike McNeely

Woman sentenced in Hungry Horse murder

Motorcycle wreck

I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who helped out following a motorcycle accident on Saturday, Sept. 20, in front of the Super 1 Foods grocery store in Columbia Falls.

Supports Perry

On Nov. 4, I will vote for Zac Perry as my state representative, and I encourage you to do the same. While there are many reasons why I made this choice, I want to share two of them.

Supports Mitchell

Please join me in supporting Phil Mitchell, the conservative Republican candidate for Flathead County Commissioner.

What's wrong with our Montana Supreme Court?

As I travel around the state to meet with Montanans, I’m often asked, “What’s wrong with our current Supreme Court?” My answer is simple.

States back decision on wolverines

The states of Montana, Idaho and Wyoming have noted the recent criticisms about U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Aug. 12 decision to not list wolverines in the western United States as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

Likes Zinke

Approximately four or five years ago, I bought a used vehicle from a local car dealer. It was a 3/4-ton pickup with four-wheel drive. At the time, the dealer advertised a top inspection rate on all used vehicles.

Will Montana judges be for sale?

Citizens United empowered organizations with opaque, feel-good names to pour significant amounts of dark money into judicial elections. This is happening in our sister states, and there is no reason to believe that it won’t happen in Montana’s upcoming elections for judges and justices.

Are you ready for ice fishing?

I know, it’s not even opening day of hunting season yet, but I have ice fishing on my mind. As a tournament promoter (Perch Assault and Ice Duels), my thoughts turn to ice fishing about mid-summer as permits must be submitted and advertising deadlines loom, so I have an excuse.

Likes Perry

House District 3 has been “represented” in Helena by Jerry O’Neil. I put “represented” in quotations because Mr. O’Neil certainly doesn’t represent me or the thousands of other reasonable voters in House District 3.

Election news

Early voting

Community news

Chamber meets

Outdoor news

Survey work

Bankrupting lawsuits bad for Montana businesses

The Montana Supreme Court is reviewing a case that may decide whether Montana businesses will face unlimited and potentially bankrupting awards in civil lawsuits.

Voting on national debt and national security

Two issues in this year’s election overshadow all others — the national debt and our national security.

Local heat record broken

The Montana Climate Office at the University of Montana reports that heat records were broken Sept. 24 in several Montana cities, including Kalispell.

Zinke to attend Billings debate

Republican Congressional candidate Ryan Zinke announced Sept. 26 that he will participate in the Sept. 29 debate hosted by the Billings Gazette and Yellowstone Public Radio. Zinke said he rearranged his campaign schedule in order to attend the event.

Protect federal lands

Our state and local Democratic candidates oppose the transfer of our federal lands to the state. Republicans support it. Can you guess why? Republicans are funded by billionaires who would love to get their hands on some of your favorite recreational areas.

Texas man pleads not guilty in Park bear shooting

A 57-year-old Texas man facing a federal misdemeanor charge of discharging a firearm in a national park pleaded not guilty in U.S. District Court held in the Glacier National Park Community Hall in the Headquarters District on Sept. 26.

Montana joins suit to defend First Amendment rights

Montana Attorney General Tim Fox announced Sept. 26 that Montana joined nine other states in an amicus brief in the U.S. Supreme Court to support an Arizona church’s fight against a local sign ordinance that the church says stifles its freedoms under the First Amendment.

Supports Mitchell

At this time, I would like to express my support for Phil Mitchell, Republican candidate for Flathead County Commissioner.

Eric Holder announces resignation

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder made the following remarks about his resignation on Sept. 25.

No losers in public land transfer

“There are no losers to what we are going to propose,” said Kane County Commissioner Doug Heaton, a founding member of American Lands Council (ALC). “Let me be really clear about this. We are not against anybody. We are for managing the resources so we don’t actually burn our forests to the ground, destroy our watersheds, or kill millions of animals in the process. We are for not putting more pollution into the environment — than all our industrial processes combined — because of mismanagement and the wildfires that are occurring. We are for having some family-sustaining jobs that come as we manage the natural resources and provide a benefit not only for the animals and the environment, but for people as well. We are for being energy independent as a nation, and as states. We are for being financially independent as a nation, as a state, as counties, and private citizens.”

Likes Daines

I saw that the other day that Congressman Steve Daines co-sponsored the Tribal General Welfare Exclusion Act, which exempts federal income assistance to tribal members from taxation.

Will American ground troops be sent to fight ISIS?

With the United States dropping bombs on yet another Muslim country, we might benefit from a close look at President Obama’s anti–Islamic State strategy.

Candidate forum Oct. 6

The Bigfork Eagle and members of the government class at Bigfork High School will present a candidates’ forum Oct. 6 in Bigfork.

Two shut outs propel Bigfork soccer forward

Bigfork High School boys soccer is picking up steam after their first week of conference games.

Valkyries lose focus against Columbia Falls

Coming off of a 2-1 victory over Polson on Thursday, the Bigfork Valkyries lost focus and fell 4-0 to Columbia Falls on Saturday.

Vals play on home court twice this week

After a hard fought four sets, the Valkyries fell to Thompson Falls on the road Saturday.

Vikings defense applies pressure, shuts out Ronan

The Bigfork Vikings football team chalked up a landslide 47-0 victory Friday at Ronan.

Glacier runner beats Morley sisters in Missoula meet

For the first time in her high school career Makena Morley took second at the Mountain West Classic cross country meet in Missoula.

Hunting advocate explains wolf incident on I-90

Recently, a radical pro wolf group, calling itself the Wolves of the Rockies, has been calling for the prosecution of me, Toby Bridges, founder of Lobo Watch, for “deliberately” and “intentionally” hitting two wolves on Interstate 90 with a vehicle.

Likes Perry

During the past two legislative sessions, 2011 and 2013, House District 3 Rep. Jerry O’Neil, R-Columbia Falls, sponsored 30 pieces of legislation. With the exception of non-binding Joint Resolution 3 in 2013, “Limiting the power of the U.S. Congress to regulate commerce,” the remaining 29 bills either died before being submitted or failed to pass out of committees comprised of majority Republicans.

Awards handed out in Park murder case

Montana U.S. Attorney Mike Cotter handed out 14 awards on Sept. 24 to seven investigators and the U.S. Attorney’s Office trial team who worked on the Jordan Graham murder investigation.

Supreme Court candidates address Citizens United ruling

The University of Montana School of Law’s recent forum for four Montana Supreme Court candidates prompted lively debate over issues ranging from outside spending in nonpartisan Supreme Court races and rights of criminals to the controversial Barry Beach case and jury nullification.

Rising Mountains assisted living celebrates open house

National Assisted Living Week was a time of celebration for Rising Mountains in Bigfork last week.

Bigfork to limit non-district students

Out-of-district enrollment at Bigfork Elementary and Middle School is almost at capacity.

Lighthouse resident captures new ways to look at life

Amie Bartell is always looking for a new challenge.

Lawyer makes case for bridge's permit revocation

First, looking at the “big picture,” the Lakeshore Protection Act, § 75-7-201, et seq., MCA (the “Act”), recognizes the importance of Montana’s lakes for their scenic, recreational, environmental and other values.  Section 75-7-201, MCA.  

First-year teacher excited to start in Lakeside

It took one semester for Hayley Donovan to realize she wanted to follow in her parent’s footsteps.

'Gatherings' in Lakeside begin Oct. 5

Sunday Evenings at the Gathering Place start Oct. 5 in Lakeside and will feature a variety of speakers and literary topics.

Late nights were always hopping at the Koffee Kup

Koffee Kup Cafe

Valkyries basketball coach steps down after six years

Bigfork High School head girls basketball coach Mark Hansen is stepping down.

Fire department friends say thanks

Many thanks from the ‘Friends of Bigfork Fire Department’.

JoLynn Yenne joins House District race

The Flathead County Democratic Party has appointed JoLynn Yenne to challenge Republican incumbent Randy Brodehl in the House District 9 race.

Music of Antonio Carlos Jobim celebrated in Bigfork Oct. 3

Some people say that Antonio Carlos Jobim was the George Gershwin of Brazil.

Park's youth corps program in its second year

The Glacier Youth Corps Partnership, a volunteer partnership program supported by the Glacier National Park Conservancy, Montana Conservation Corps, National Park Foundation and Glacier National Park, provides diverse work and educational opportunities for youths from 15 to 24 years old while supporting the completion of important Park projects.

Likes Mitchell

Phil Mitchell is the best candidate for Flathead County Commissioner based on his experience, demonstrated leadership, self-sacrifice, honesty and integrity.

Missoula man brags about running over wolves

Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials say they will investigate the case of an outspoken conservationist who claims to have hit two wolves with his vehicle in an attempt to save an elk calf. One wolf was seen in a Facebook photo laying dead on the road.

Tribes sign international free bison treaty

Leaders of 11 native tribes from Montana and Alberta signed a treaty intended to restore bison to areas of the Rocky Mountains and Great Plains where millions once roamed.

Mundel 21st at Mountain West

Cats lose to conference foes

Love shoots 69 to win at West Glacier course

Kats drop Loggers, Valkyries

Volleyball squad drops Lady Pirates, Stillwater

Cats crush Copperheads, face Bulldogs

Advocate looks back at environmental history

Councilor questions drainage project's cost

City moving ahead with TIF district

Local biker club rides to the rescue again

Korean delegates visit Vets Home

Betty Kennedy

Gym floor ads given a one-year trial by board

SNOTEL station set up on Big Mountain

A automated weather station recently set up on Big Mountain’s summit will provide up-to-the-minute conditions this winter to skiers, meteorologists and avalanche forecasters .

Two Bear Air dispatched to Bob on double mission

A Great Falls medical helicopter broke down in the Bob Marshall Wilderness on Sept. 17 while attempting to extract a man who thought he was having a heart attack.

Montana has huge stake in EPA emissions rule

Earlier this September, 53 U.S. senators — Republicans and Democrats — signed on to an appeal to the White House to extend the comment period for the Environmental Protection Agency’s greenhouse gas regulation. Montana’s Sens. Jon Tester and John Walsh are noticeably absent from the bipartisan list.

Supports Mitchell

The election drum beat increases as we approach the final six weeks before choosing our next Flathead County Commissioner. It is refreshing to have a candidate in Phil Mitchell who is an “open book” on his beliefs and well-informed on the issues that affect all who live in the county.

Likes Mitchell

I know many of you share my dislike of the political season. We vote because we share a sense of duty but are cynical about the value or importance of our vote. From Washington to the Flathead, politicians will promise anything to get elected. Once voted in, they change. Their promises or positions become a distant memory.

Mitchell explains why he won't debate

The following letter was sent by Republican Flathead County commissioner candidate Phil Mitchell, of Whitefish, to his Democratic opponent, Stacey Schnebel, of Coram.

Lawyers want county attorney's office investigated

Politics cloud meth and gun case

Idaho man killed in fall from Sun Road

Officials report that a man from Idaho died after falling from Glacier National Park’s Going-to-the-Sun Road on Sept. 18.

Volleyball to play Thompson Falls on Saturday

Valkyries volleyball had mixed results last week. After a three-set victory over Eureka at home on Thursday, the Vals fell to Florence in three sets on the road.

Bigfork prepares for big meet this week in Missoula

Bryn Morley and Logan Morley both ran away with first-place titles Saturday at the Flathead Invitational at Rebecca Farm in Kalispell.

Football rolls over Florence-Carlton

The Bigfork Vikings football team rolled over Florence-Carlton Friday in a 52-8 victory at Florence.

Vals 3-1, ready for tough week

The Valkyries soccer team chalked up their first loss of the season on Saturday against Park High School in Livingston.

Vikings ready to take on northwest conference

Bigfork boys soccer will enter conference play Thursday against Polson with a 1-2-1 record.

Fishing Flathead Lake is best in the fall

In my last column, I wrote about all the reasons to be excited about fall fishing here in the Flathead Valley. Indeed there are a ton of opportunities to fish well into winter here in the valley and one of the best ones is the coming lake trout spawn on Flathead Lake.

Fall Mack Days opens Sept. 26

The 2014 Fall Mack Days Fishing Tournament is Sept. 26-Nov. 16

Is the foreign policy elite clueless?

The American foreign-policy elite seems to have no idea what it’s doing.

Cutback at Plum Creek blamed on court ruling

Employees at Plum Creek Timber Co.’s Columbia Falls sawmill learned last week that their hours would be cut from 40 to 36 hours per week starting Oct. 6.

Restrictions on Sun Road's east side announced

Glacier National Park officials say the last day to access Logan Pass by motor vehicle from the east side will be Sunday, Sept. 21.

Supports Mitchell

I would like to express commitment and support for Phil Mitchell, Republican candidate for Flathead County Commissioner. I’ve known Phil for nearly 40 years, certainly enough time to assess Phil’s character; simply put, Phil stands for the principles I believe in.

Supports Perry

Politics have always held an interest for me. As a younger woman, I was active in the League of Women Voters, voted for Richard Nixon in 1968 and knocked on doors for George McGovern in 1972 and John Anderson in 1980. This tells you two things: I’ve been around a while, and I’ve never voted the party line.

New youth home will serve children in crisis

Jim Fitzgerald has seen it all too often. 

Chaffin family faces long road to recovery

It was a typical Memorial Day weekend. 

Bigfork woman's book tells how a California winery put Napa on the map

Laura Grace Barrett has held many titles — artist, curator, chef, philanthropist, playwright, winemaker, teacher, stewardess, mother, and most recently — author.

Community Players present acting, directing workshop

The Bigfork Community Players will have a workshop, Directing for Actors: The First Stage, Sept. 26 and 28 in Bigfork.  

Painting the town this month in the Italian tradition

Bigfork hosts its first annual street painting and music festival Sept. 20-21 with a tradition that dates back to 16th-century Italy.  

Playhouse scholarships awarded

The Bigfork Summer Playhouse announced the Scholarship Recipients for the 2014 season last week. Recipients include actress Gabrielle Harker, attending Coastal Carolina University, actor Daniel E. Burgos, attending Florida State University and musicians Marc McDuff attending the University of Montana. Those recipients all received a $1,000 Scholarship.  

Skimming the floor for a dime to play a song in juke box

Let's not go back to the days of deficit timber sales

Perhaps the timber industry in Montana will arrive at a dependable timber base on public lands when it quits bullying the land managers into promising what they can’t deliver. In 1974, the Flathead National Forest tried to reduce its timber base to better protect its watersheds and the public, concluding “taxpayers couldn’t afford road building costs necessary to cut old growth” forests.

Swan Lakers clean up the Swan River

The Swan Lakers has been cleaning the Swan River of trash each of the past eight years at the end of the summer season. We float and walk the banks along the Swan River between Rainbow Drive and Bear Creek, where it gets very heavy use by recreational floaters during the summer and unfortunately some of them leave garbage behind.

Real change comes from the inside out

This morning I tuned into “Meet the Press” with Chuck Todd as the new moderator.  In one segment he had invited the mayors of Pittsburg, Tacoma, and Oklahoma City to share their stories of coming from the depths of despair to vitality.  One was a Democrat, one a Republican and one an Independent.  Despite their political views,  they each spoke with a similar attitude, focus and vision.    

How one woman experienced Ground Zero

Early on Sept. 11, 2001, we in the West were jolted into the news coverage of an event that was unfolding in lower Manhattan — one that simply could not be comprehended.  

Elk season was over 10 minutes after it started

If you enjoy something, why not do it more often?

Where is Gov. Bullock on energy?

Why has Montana Gov. Steve Bullock gone mute on the important issues facing Montana’s energy economy? Energy jobs are critically important to the economic well being of all parts of the state, east and west, and are a vital pillar to our tax base. Our vast energy resources hold the potential for an economic boost in our state that no other sector can currently replicate.

Love leads Cats at home golf tourney with 89

Kats down Libby for first conference win

Mundel notches first victory

Boys carve out first win

Kats end Rams' winning streak

Wildcats wallop Browning, face Copperheads

Tester sees hope for land-use bills

Park numbers surge again in August

Mow looks back at first year

Glacier Park gillnetting plan OK'd

Workshop to address regionwide pollution issue

C-Falls artists perform Shakespeare at FVCC

Columbia Falls brewery to set up on U.S. 2 strip

Ask the judge

This is a new column called “Ask the Judge.” It will initially run once a month but may appear more or less depending on how much interest there is.

President and Congress should work together on military intervention

In his speech last week outlining his plans to use military force against the jihadists of the Islamic State, President Obama gave Congress only passing mention.

Inaugural games kick off in Browning

Thrift store needs new building

C-Falls runners do well in Two Bear marathon

Community news

Harvest 2014: A bounty of rewards and challenges

Harvest season is upon us, bringing with it that perfect blend of sunshine, crisp air and golden fields. While it is a farmer’s nature, it is harder for many of us to complain about the weather we have enjoyed this summer.

Douglas Jones

Douglas Max Jones passed away at his home in Columbia Falls on Sept. 9, 2014. He was able to celebrate his mother’s birthday with her that evening in Heaven. Doug courageously waited to enter into rest after fighting brain cancer for 11 months.

Building economy around coal exports not a productive strategy

State Sen. Alan Olson, R-Roundup, in his recent guest column on coal exports talks a lot about how powerful the “free market” is in motivating businesses to supply whatever the demand for goods happens to be.

BASE jumper killed on Siyeh's north face

Glacier National Park officials report that the body of a 22-year-old-man from Missoula was recovered from the north side of Mount Siyeh on Sunday night, Sept. 14, around 7 p.m.

Why Republicans don't need to debate

If you are a Democratic office holder or candidate for public office today, you are opposed to the right to keep and bear arms; you are for open borders; you believe that the U.S. Constitution is an archaic and outdated document written by old slave owners and should be abolished, or at the very least ignored; you are pro abortion; you are against school choice; you are opposed to using our abundant energy and natural resources; you know that capitalism is the root of all evil, and property rights stand in the way of government being able to solve all of society’s ills.

Smart ALECs

Legislative Referendum 126, penned by the nefarious American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and sponsored by Halliburton henchman Sen. Alan Olson, R-Roundup, will appear on Montana ballots this November. There is no better time than the midterms to slip malevolent regulations past the voters than when turnout is notoriously low.

Marjorie MacDonald

M. Marjorie MacDonald, 89, passed away Sept. 10, 2014, in Kalispell.

Norman Hanson

Norman K. Hanson, 91, passed away Aug. 17, 2014, at home in Marion, with his loving wife of 61 years, Sue (Eberhard) Hanson, at his side.

Suzanne Sylling

Suzanne Grabs Sylling, 77, passed away Sept. 7, 2014, at the Bitterroot Living Center in Stevensville.

Sun Road open again

Glacier National Park officials announced Saturday morning, Sept. 13, that the entire Going-to-the-Sun Road is open to motor vehicle travel, from the West Glacier Entrance all the way over Logan Pass to the St. Mary Visitor Center.

Alvin Wetherelt

Alvin C. Wetherelt, 96, passed away at the Montana Veterans Home on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014.

Danielle Richardson

N. Danielle Richardson, 42, passed away Sept. 7, 2014, at North Valley Hospital, with her family by her side,

Arnold Sundberg

Arnold A. Sundberg, 89, Columbia Falls, passed away at North Valley Hospital on Sept. 9, 2014.  

One more 'thou shalt' needed

Because of the circumstances, I drive by this Ten Commandments Park on a daily basis along U.S. 2 in Columbia Heights. And with this stressful display of “thou shalts,” I am bewildered why a good one is missing. Perhaps the commanders were too busy bearing false witness against Thomas Jefferson, our greatest statesman, and just forgot.

Citizens United amendment fails to advance in Senate

Sen. Jon Tester’s proposed Constitutional amendment to limit outside spending in elections failed to receive enough votes to move forward in the Senate on Sept. 11.

Wants a debate

Republican candidate for Flathead County Commissioner Phil Mitchell’s recent letter declining a debate with his Democratic opponent, Stacey Schnebel, completely disrespects the public that he claims to have long served.

So Republicans want to be exclusive

If the Montana Republican Party wins their federal lawsuit (to close primary elections to registered party members), they will be free to associate and exclude the rest of us. Consider just what that will mean for Montana voters.

Dragon boat races for a cause

Kelsey Timothy will compete this weekend in her third Montana Dragon Boat Festival along with her brain-themed team, Grey Matter, well after doctors thought she’d be gone.

Tamara Larsen

Tamara Marie (Lamoreaux) Larsen, 40, of Columbia Falls, died Sept. 8, 2014.

Wants debates

My concern is a number of candidates have opted out of several debates offered by various media outlets in Montana. Mr. Zinke, Mr. Daines and Mr. Mitchell to name the obvious ones.

Democrat or not?

In the Hungry Horse News in August, Democratic candidate for Flathead County Commissioner Stacey Schnebel said, “I have no use for party politics.”

Obama speaks at 9/11 memorial event

The following remarks were made by President Barack Obama at the Pentagon during a 9/11 memorial event on Sept. 11, 2014.

Obama follows Bush's Iraq playbook

U.S. politicians are exploiting the gruesome beheadings of two American journalists to whip up war fever against ISIS, the “criminal gang” masquerading as an organization of devout Sunni Muslims that controls large parts of Syria and Iraq. The American propaganda campaign seems to be working if recent polls are accurate.

Lon Hinkle came to Eagle Bend as a PGA pro and never left

Lon Hinkle stepped up to the tee box on Eagle Bend’s No. 1 hole and ripped a drive to the green.

When the town needs help the CFBB is there

In 1970 Bigfork was a sleepy little village. 

Benghazi memorial will be installed at Flathead Lake Lodge Sept. 11

A dedication ceremony is Sept. 11 for the “Honor the Four” monument at Flathead Lake Lodge.

Citizens deserve to know status of public lands

Governor Bullock and Department of Natural Resources director John Tubbs have been touting the Forests in Focus initiative that has a provision for the state managing federal lands. 

Spending an afternoon on Bigfork's Electric Avenue

It is a typical August Tuesday afternoon on Bigfork’s Electric Avenue, somewhat warm, windless and slightly hazy from fires from the west. The usual summer afternoon car traffic is from all over including many from  Montana, Alberta, Washington State, the Dakotas,  and other states throughout the U. S. Cars drive slowly down the avenue waiting patiently for an open parking space.

New green box site moving forward

Bigfork residents are one step closer to getting a new green-box collection site in their community.

The original 'who's your farmer?'

Swan River School to offer more options for students

Students returned to class at Bigfork schools Tuesday, and Swan River School principal Marc Bunker is excited for the new year.

Volleyball eases into season at tournament

Bigfork volleyball started its season Saturday with the Class B starter tournament at Mission.

New school year brings excitement to Lakeside, Somers

Reader not surprised that commissioner Cal Scott crossed party lines

And – are we surprised?  Some of us, who did our research, knew all along Cal Scott was not a Republican.  When we “dared” question his participation at “Occupy Wall Street” protests, we were vehemently attacked.  Cal Scott’s handlers even tried to remove the undersigned from her position as “President of the Flathead County Republican Women”.  I received countless e-mails asking me how I “dared” to pose this question. After all, we, as Republicans, should all stick together and support each other. Well, absolutely, we as Republicans should all stick together and support Phil Mitchell for our next County Commissioner. 

Likes Mitchell

Please join me in supporting conservative Republican candidate Phil Mitchell for Flathead County Commissioner.

Spikers take fifth at tourney

Chisholm leads golfers with 91

Mundel takes third at Cut Bank time trials

Cats go 0-2 on long road trip

Gedlaman leads Kats in season opener

Cats down Hamilton Broncs to go 2-0

Draft bull trout recovery plan released

Good weather keeps fire costs down

Daines blames 'fringe' groups for cutback

Drone citations issued in national parks

CSKT water compact events slated

CFAC appeals discharge permit

CFAC severance talks underway

Irma Ruppel

Irma C. Ruppel, 103, passed away at her home in the Flathead Valley on Sept. 7, 2014.

Dragon boats hit the lake

The third annual Montana Dragon Boat Festival will take place on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 13-14, on Flathead Lake, with teams of 20 paddlers and a drummer powering 46-foot long dragon boats.

Rodney Green

Rodney DeWayne “Rod” Green, 48, passed away at his home in Cartersville, Ga., on Sept. 1, 2014.

Senate must repeal Citizens United

Sen. John Walsh made the following remarks on the Senate floor on Sept. 9, 2014, about the need to repeal the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on campaign regulations in the Citizens United case. The Senate will vote in the coming days on a proposed Constitutional amendment that would stop the unregulated flow of corporate funds to political campaigns.

Likes Schnebel

Stacey Schnebel a is a rare find these days — a candidate who’s running for office because she wants to serve the people and make a positive difference for her community.

Alpine sections of Sun Road closed

Glacier National Park reports that the Going-to-the-Sun Road is temporarily closed from Big Bend on the west side to Jackson Glacier Overlook on the east side due to hazardous driving conditions and winter weather conditions.

State considering raising park fees

Montana State Parks is seeking public comment on its 2014 Biennial Fee Rule for the Montana State Park system.

Mitchell says debate is not in his best interest

The following letter from Phil Mitchell was sent to the Daily Inter Lake editorial board declining a request to appear at a debate with Stacy Schnebel, his Democratic opponent for county commissioner in the November election.

Playground bully

Ever since I saw the political insert by Republican U.S. House candidate Ryan Zinke in the newspaper, I have been upset and appalled by the tone of that flier.

Outdoor news

Forest recreation

Community news

Burning restrictions

Cold, windy and snowy front is moving in

The National Weather Service in Missoula is forecasting that a cold, windy, snow-producing weather system will move through the region beginning tonight.

Grading your own work product

One of the major reasons the proposed Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes’ water compact failed in the 2013 Montana Legislature was that not enough information existed to evaluate the impacts of the compact on Montana citizens on and off the reservation, particularly with regard to environmental impacts, economic impacts to property values, and the legal and constitutional implications.  

Sports news

Youth softball

Valkyries soccer starts season with two landslide victories

The Bigfork girls soccer season is off to a stellar start. 

Vikings 1-1 in early season non-conference soccer

An early-season 1-1 record has the Bigfork boys soccer team sitting high in the standings, with the same win-loss record as Whitefish.

Volleyball faces two tough teams this week

Bigfork bounced back quickly after a loss during their home opener to Stillwater Christian on Thursday, to beat conference foes Ronan and Deer Lodge Saturday.

Youngest Morleys crush competition at first meet

Logan Morley and Bryn Morley took home first place titles for Bigfork Friday at the Mike Reynolds Time Trials in Cut Bank.

Looking forward to debates

You can tell it’s election season. The political ads are flying, the campaign mailers are being delivered, and unfortunately we have seen the level of rhetoric and political posturing increase as Election Day draws near, which is why I just wanted to take a moment to set the record straight on a popular topic of discussion of late — debates.

Wants a debate

I’m sure everybody recognizes the subject here:

Bigfork football falls to Choteau, looks to next game

Bigfork fans filled the stands for Bigfork High School’s first football game of the season on Friday. Though Choteau walked away with the win 28-21 Bigfork rallied in the second half and threatened to turn the game.

Timber mills learned a lesson the hard way

Perhaps the timber industry in Montana will arrive at a dependable timber base on public lands when it quits bullying the land managers into promising what they can’t deliver.

Asian coal demand will be supplied by someone

There’s an amazing thing about the free market — it always finds a way. Or put a little more specifically, entrepreneurs are experts at sniffing out consumer demand and finding a way to take advantage of the market opportunity.

Valkyries crush Stevensville in first game of the season

The Bigfork Girls soccer team has already scored more goals than they did all of last season, and they have only played one game.

Boys soccer opens with loss to Stevensville

The Bigfork boys soccer team opened their season Tuesday in a home match against Stevensville at Carlyle Johnson Field. While the Vikings lost, 3-2 they began strong and made Stevensville work for their win.

Fall prescribed burns planned

Flathead National Forest officials plan to conduct prescribed fire projects this fall when weather, fuel conditions and air quality become favorable. Burning is expected to start in mid-September and continue through Nov. 30.

Lloyce Logan

Lloyce E. Logan, age 83, passed away Sept. 3, 2014, in Kalispell.

Robert Stuart

Robert “Jack” Stuart, 86, passed away Sept. 1, 2014, at Brendan House in Kalispell.

Important fundraiser coming for CFBB

The Community Foundation For A Better Bigfork has its 14th auction Sept. 4 at the Garden Bar in Bigfork.  

Grizzly bears caught on Flathead River

A six-year old female grizzly bear and her two cubs were captured last Thursday along the Flathead River.

Zappa rocks Flathead Lake Lodge in opening night of Crown Festival

It seemed fitting that the song being sung on Sunday evening at Flathead Lake Lodge was about moving to Montana, riding horses and starting a farm.

Seventh annual Rumble in the Bay car show gears up for Sunday

In the summer you might see a bright yellow 1958 Chevy pickup truck cruising around Bigfork.

Homestead passes through generations of owners to current owner: the public

A farm that was homesteaded by a Canadian family this week moved to a new generation of owners: the public.

Bigfork women help reuse, recycle and repurpose unwanted items

It all started with spring cleaning, and an idea.

Candidate forum Sept. 4

What is important for the future of Flathead Valley? Who are you going to vote for in the 2014 General Election?

Look for the value-driven candidates in November

Why do we have so much acrimony in the Flathead?  Here we are, living in one of the most desirable places on the planet, and we are constantly confronted with various ideas that have the potential to depredate some of the very features of our valley for which most of us choose to live here.  

Seeing Mr. May on Electric Avenue

Preface: This collection of vignettes is a chapter from my childhood memoir that spans the period from 1950 to 1964, when my parents, Bill and Anne Haug, owned a bar on Bigfork’s Electric Avenue.  While some may remember these characters and events differently than I, this is my perception of the people and events that shaped my life, not about facts that have no real meaning out of context.

Two landmark conservation laws recognized

The Montana Wildlife Federation joins conservation organizations around Montana and the nation in celebrating the 50th anniversary of two of the most significant conservation laws of the 20th century — the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act and the Wilderness Act.

Golf Classic Sept. 21 set to raise money for unfunded Bigfork High School athletics

Eagle Bend will host the first Bigfork High School Golf Classic Sept. 21 to raise money for high school athletics.

Bigfork High School athletics revs up for the fall season

With the start of school just around the corner the Vikings and Valkyries are back at it. Practices started last week for fall sports, and the first games are just around the corner.

Eagle Bend Golf Club names 2014 Ladies Club champions

The annual Eagle Bend Ladies’ Golf Association Championship teed off on last Tuesday with 32 participants in a modified Match Play format.  

Montana artist opens show at Collage gallery, exploring how her father shaped her family

The new show opening at the Collage Gallery on Friday is about family.

Local theatre groups to hold auditions for shows

The Bigfork Community Players have selected three Neil Simon plays for the 2014-2015 season.  

Montana officials study taking over federal land

Montana officials are looking into taking control of federal lands in the state, although they say the proposal is complicated and potentially expensive.

Poll shows strong support for public schools

A recent poll of Montana voters shows strong support for K-12 public education on a wide range of issues.

The Land and Water Conservation Fund at 50

Sept. 3, 2014, marks two important 50th anniversaries — the signing of the Wilderness Act and the establishment of the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

Wildkats split games at home opener

Golfers open at Ronan Invite

Seahawks win senior men's championship

Wildcats blow out Fergus County in season opener

Mundel takes 3rd at Libby Invite

Grizzly bear family swims the reservoir

Quest for more wilderness has been a long journey

In 1964, the Wilderness Act drew little local notice

County budget calls for a small tax increase

Theft sentence revoked for fourth time

Byrds have big plans for U.S. 2 property

New principal welcomed at Glacier Gateway

The summer of our discontent

Despite these last few months of hot and lazy days, it’s been hard not to notice a cold political wind blowing through the country. The magazine Foreign Affairs captured it with its latest cover, a mockup of a travel poster featuring a crumbling U.S. Capitol with the tagline, “See America: Land of Decay and Dysfunction.”

Bannack: Discovery launches Montana gold rush

Fur trappers following in the Corps of Discovery’s footsteps left no settlements in their wake. But a mere 50 years after Lewis and Clark, prospectors were combing the West for gold.

Solo exhibit features outdoor art

The Hockaday Museum of Art will present “A Montana Outdoorsman Perspective,” a solo exhibition by native Montanan artist Jack Hagel, from Sept. 18 through Nov. 1.

Ducking a debate is disrespectful

I noticed an unfortunate item in the newspaper last week. One of Montana’s nominees for Congress is refusing to debate his opponent. This is not good.

Helen Waltmire

Helen L. Waltmire, age 89, of McHenry, Ill., passed away Aug. 28, 2014, at Burr Oak Manor in Genoa City, Wis.

Glacier Park announces fall hours

Operating hours for many visitor services in Glacier National Park including campgrounds, concessions, boat inspections and backcountry permits, will be changing as the fall season approaches.    

Public land management needs change

As a U.S. Forest Service retiree, I know the benefits of a well-managed forest. Over the past 20-plus years, I have seen the federal government’s “on the ground” forest management deteriorate. Lack of timber sales and excessive access closures have not served the public or the resource well.

Sports news

Youth softball

Wants a debate

As a Montana voter, I make decisions about political candidates based on their transparency of what they think is best for our great state.