Wednesday, March 29
Gunlock named B girls hoops Coach of the Year
Bigfork Valkyries head basketball coach Cortnee Gunlock was one of several Coaches of the Year announced by the MHSA last week.
Creston auction set for this weekend
The Creston Fire Department will hold its 57th Fund-Raising Auction & Country Fair March 31 through April 2.
Celebration at new Somers Beach State Park
The newly-minted State Park at Somers Beach is open to the public and would like to celebrate with the many people who helped bring it to fruition.
Wayfarers park to host kids bike swap event April 16
The Bigfork Innovations Group (BIG) and the Bigfork Area Chamber of Commerce will host a kids bike swap in the Wayfarers State Park upper parking lot Sunday, April 16 from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Bio station scientists learn more about microplastics in Flathead Lake
Thanks to an Flathead Lake Biological Station study, scientists now have a greater understanding of the amount of microplastics polluting Flathead Lake, the likely sources of these microplastics, and what can be done to prevent more from finding their way into the lake’s world-renowned pristine water.
Flathead Lake Brewing Company to reopen Pubhouse
After being closed for several months following a main fire suppression pipe burst in the kitchen, the Flathead Lake Brewing Company Pubhouse will be reopening the main floor of its restaurant on Tuesday, April 4.
85th Annual cherry growers’ meeting set for April 15
The 85th annual cherry growers’ meeting, presented by the Flathead Lake Cherry Growers Association, will be held Saturday, April 15, at the Yellow Bay Community Clubhouse. The meeting is open to anyone interested in growing quality Flathead cherries.
Contest calls for Bigfork high school students to design bank cards
Glacier Bank is holding a contest to design a custom debit card for Bigfork High School. The contest is open to all Bigfork High School students with the winner receiving a $100 gift card to a local business of their choice.
Tuesday, March 28
Lighting up the night: Aurora lights up the skies over Montana
An intense geomagnetic storm brought bright aurora displays to the skies over Montana Thursday evening and early Friday morning.
Wednesday, March 22
Bigfork hoopsters receive numerous postseason honors
Five Valkyries and four Vikings picked up postseason honors last week as the All-State and All-Conference selections for the 2022-23 season were revealed.
University of Montana to honor Hollywood designer with Bigfork ties
John Shaffner, who began his career with the Bigfork Summer Playhouse before becoming a legendary Hollywood production designer who created sets for many of television’s most beloved shows is one of two Montanans who will receive an honorary doctorate this spring from the University of Montana.
Meet new Bigfork Eagle editor, Jeremy Weber
A familiar face to many Eagle readers will soon be exploring even more stories in the community. Beginning with this issue, Bigfork Eagle Sports Editor Jeremy Weber is taking over all editor duties at the newspaper in addition to continuing to report on local sports.
Wednesday, March 15
Vikings overcome semifinal loss, injuries to earn 3rd at State B Tourney
With the possibility of a state title off the table and starter Nick Walker out of the lineup due to an ankle injury, the Vikings could have easily thrown in the towel after a semifinal loss to Malta at the State B Basketball Tournament in Great Falls Friday. Instead, the team showed the same grit and determination it has all season, bouncing back with wins over Columbus and Red Lodge to bring home a third-place trophy.
Valkyries complete perfect 26-0 season, capture first-ever state hoops title
All the hard work paid off for the Valkyries in Great Falls over the weekend and they secured their first-ever state basketball championship at the State B Tournament.
Tina Marie Lawler
Tina Lawler
Kehoe's Agate Shop owner talks gems, jewels and family history
Every spring, Leslie Kehoe travels to eastern Montana to take in the green, rolling hills and do her favorite activity: birding.
New shop on Nucleus features local, regional artists
Nucleus Avenue has a new art shop with deep roots in the valley. Callie Hulslander-Cooper and Traci Staves have opened Persimmon in Columbia Falls.
Lakeside man brought up on felony charge for harassing deputy
Allegedly drunkenly threatening a Flathead County Sheriff’s Office deputy outside of a Lakeside saloon last week earned James Scott Mende a pending felony charge.
Community news briefs
Community news briefs for the week of March 15, 2023.
Remembering Tina Lawler, a friend to all of Bigfork
You didn’t have to know Tina Lawler personally to feel like her friend. Working many different jobs through the years, it could be said she made her biggest impact as a clerk at Harvest Foods, where Bigforkians would go to great lengths to end up in her checkout line. When she died unexpectedly on Feb. 2, people who loved her came out of every corner of the community to express their grief.
Tuesday, March 14
Bigfork man sentenced for attacking police officer
A Bigfork man convicted of assaulting a Whitefish Police officer in 2021 received a partially suspended five-year sentence with the state Department of Corrections on Thursday.
Thursday, March 9
Bigfork homicide case continued
The trial of accused Bigfork murderer Derrick James Jackson was ordered pushed back this week.
Wednesday, March 8
Community news briefs
News briefs for the week of March 8, 2023.
Flathead Lake north shore closed for seasonal waterfowl production
A seasonal closure started March 1 along a large portion of the north shore of Flathead Lake between Bigfork and Somers to support migrating and nesting birds, according to a release from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.
Deep Dive into FLBS: The Trailblazing Women of Science at FLBS
Just in time for Women's History Month, Flathead Lake Biological Station Information/Media Manager Ian Withrow writes about Jessie Bierman, an FLBS alumni who went on to become a pioneer in maternal and pediatric care for underprivileged communities.
Bigfork Brewfest brings 27 Montana breweries to downtown
It was sunshine and blue skies for attendees at the 14th annual Bigfork Brewfest this past weekend.
Flathead National Forest, POWDR, worked ‘hand in hand’ on Holland expansion proposal
For more than one year before the U.S. Forest Service announced a controversial proposal to expand operations at Holland Lake Lodge, it was working hand in hand with POWDR, an “adventure life” company that aims to take full ownership of the resort on public land.
Monday, March 6
Valkyries to head into state tourney unbeaten
The Valkyries will head into the State B Tournament with a 25-0 record after capturing the Western B Divisional crown.
Vikings heading back to state tourney after downing Mission in challenge game
The Vikings are headed back to the state basketball tournament after surviving a tough battle against Mission in Ronan.
Sunday, March 5
Dismantling of Bigfork’s ‘bridge to nowhere’ underway
After seven years of legal battles, Bigfork’s ‘bridge to nowhere’ is coming undone.
Wednesday, March 1
ImagineIF Board pledges purchase of library materials at new Bigfork building
The ImagineIF Library Board of Trustees is pledging to buy $70,000 in materials for the system’s Bigfork branch once its renovation project is complete.
Bill banning vaccinated blood donations would ‘decimate’ blood supply, opponents say
A bill to ban donors who have received the COVID-19 vaccination from giving blood will “decimate” blood supply in Montana and leave patients at risk of even death, said opponents of House Bill 645.
Call 73103 - The Beginning of the Bigfork Volunteer Fire Department
Bigfork History Project Volunteer Kyle Stetler writes in his March column about the history of the Bigfork Volunteer Fire Department.
