Ellington

Bigfork County Water and Sewer awarded $40k grant

The Bigfork County Water and Sewer District will receive $40,000 in planning grant funding to complete a water preliminary engineering report.

Wildland Firefighter Foundation to hold banquet April 13

The public is invited to the fourth annual Flathead Wildland Firefighters Banquet to help support the many federal, state, local, contract and volunteer firefighters that train and work to protect public and private lands.

Homeschool Theatre Club presents ‘The Sound of Music’

Based on the true story of the Von Trapp Family Singers, the play includes music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II.

Bigfork students take a look at summer work opportunities

With the promise of summer in the air, many students have begun looking for part-time or full-time jobs.

McDonald to lead communications for Energy Keepers

Energy Keepers Inc., has hired Robert McDonald as communications director to focus on media relations, public relations and wider communication efforts regarding operations of the SKQ Dam on Flathead Lake.

Makena Morley fifth at LA Marathon; top American finisher

Bigfork product Makena Morley finished fifth at the 2024 Los Angeles Marathon Sunday, making her the top American on the women’s side.

Judge Christopher announces resignation, effective April 5

In a letter dated March 15, District Court Judge Kim Christopher informed Supreme Court Chief Justice Mike McGrath that she is officially stepping down from her duties April 5. She calls the decision to resign “especially bittersweet,” given her family’s long history in Lake and Sanders counties.

Bigfork church hosts Easter cantata on March 24

Bigfork Community United Methodist Church will present an Easter cantata "What Wondrous Hope" on Sunday, March 24 at 10 a.m.

Flathead Forest plans spring burn operations

The Flathead National Forest is planning to conduct spring prescribed fire projects when weather, fuel conditions and air quality become favorable.

Flathead County passes septage treatment facility to Lakeside district

Flathead County is handing over the construction and future operation of a regional septage treatment facility to the Lakeside County Water and Sewer District.

Construction on new Bigfork library makes strides toward summer opening

Monica Pastor used to walk herself down to storytime at the Bigfork library back when she was a kid running around the village in the 1980s.

Orley Martin, 85

Orley Martin, 85

Charlotte French, 98

Charlotte French, 98

Flathead Basin dam managers defend management decisions

Dam managers in Northwest Montana reiterated in a public presentation last Thursday that reservoir operations during drought years require a delicate balance of competing objectives. “There will be tradeoffs,” cautioned Jennifer Carrington, regional director for the Bureau of Reclamation, which oversees the Hungry Horse Dam above Columbia Falls.

Vikings notch first win in baseball debut

Carson Parish’s one out, RBI double in the eighth inning broke a 3-3 tie and Bigfork held on to beat Ronan 4-3 Monday, in the high school baseball debut for both programs.

Mack Days: Perfect weather for opening weekend

The 2024 Spring Mack Days on Flathead Lake, sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and sanctioned by Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, began Thursday, March 14, and wrap up May 11.

Bigfork baseball team begins inaugural season

After a huge surge in community efforts and support, Bigfork High School officially has a baseball team this spring.

Mountainfilm Tour to benefit Bob Marshall Foundation

The Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation is hitting the road, bringing their annual film festival to five different cities around the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex.

Tester talks crime, drugs and border with Flathead law enforcement officials

U.S. Sen. Jon Tester met with law enforcement officials from Flathead and Lincoln counties in Kalispell on Friday to discuss crime prevention, fentanyl interdiction and border security efforts.

Flathead County planning board signals intent to recommend Somers subdivision

For want of more affordable housing the Flathead County Planning Board on Wednesday tabled the proposed Steamboat Landing subdivision, asking the developer to return with traffic mitigation measures so that it could support the project.

Lake County officials look for answers on Public Law 28 withdrawal from U.S. Attorney

Frustration seemed to be the tenor this week at the Lake County Courthouse as public officials contemplate their withdrawal from Public Law 280, which has given the county felony jurisdiction over tribal members on the Flathead Reservation for nearly 60 years.

PHOTOS: 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat'

Bigfork Playhouse Children’s Theatre presents the musical "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" at the Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts. (Brach Thomson photo)

Gary Lee Lapka

Gary Lee Lapka

Steamboat Landing subdivision calls for more than 250 units in Somers

A proposed subdivision adjacent to Somers Middle School could result in the development of 252 residential units.

All-Northwest A hoops teams picked

The all-conference basketball teams for the Northwest A have been released, and a total of three players each from Bigfork and Browning were selected All-State, along with two from Columbia Falls.

Panel to discuss Flathead Lake water management

An online panel discussion focused on the Flathead Basin's dams and water management decisions will be held Thursday, March 14.

Lambrecht resigns as CEO of Logan Health-Billings Clinic

Logan Health-Billings Clinic CEO Craig Lambrecht resigned Monday, making way for new co-leadership roles atop the state’s largest hospital system.

Candidates file for election in county races

The list of candidates running for office in Flathead County remains short.

Valkryies come up just short in state championship

Billings Central edges Bigfork for State A title

BUTTE — The quest of the Bigfork Valkyries got away right at the end Saturday, when Carol Old Bull put back an offensive rebound to give Billings Central a 39-38 lead with 2:15 left.

State A: Davey lifts Valkyries into title game

BUTTE — If the final State A girls basketball semifinal was a slog for the Bigfork Valkyries, well, Ava Davey had just about as fine a 4.9 seconds as you can have.

Law Roundup

Here are the calls for service made to the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office from the Bigfork area over the past few weeks.

March 8, one of the best days of my life

The day I was adopted was one of the best days of my life, because of his decision, my whole life has changed.

Cheryl “Lily” Stone, 75

Cheryl “Lily” Stone, 75

Gunning to be the best: Teens take part in local shooting league

Standing with her feet hip-distance apart, Flathead Valley Pheasants Forever Youth Shooting League member Abbi Townsend leans into her slightly bent, forward-facing leg. Resting her cheek against the buttstock of her double-barreled shotgun she shouts, “Pull.”

Valkyries three wins from back-to-back state titles

Two years ago, the Bigfork Valkyries came into the season having never won a basketball state championship. Now, they enter the Class A state tournament in Butte this weekend as the favorites to win back-to-back state titles.

BHS club takes learning and conservation to new depths

Bigfork High School teacher Hans Bodenhamer has been exploring caves in national parks around the country for nearly 50 years. Now, he is the leader of the Bigfork Cave Club, a group of students dedicated to the conservation and preservation of caves throughout Montana and the United States.

How community investment in 1899 made the FLBS dream a reality

Imagine, if you will, a world without the Flathead Lake Biological Station. If not for the generosity of the Missoula community back in 1899, that might have been the case.

Roundup for Safety awards funds toward six safety projects

Flathead Electric Co-op’s Roundup for Safety Board on Feb. 8 awarded $34,356 in grant funds supporting six community safety projects.

PHOTOS: Bigfork Chamber banquet and awards ceremony

PHOTOS: Bigfork Chamber banquet and awards ceremony

Valkyries win third consecutive divisional title

The classification for the Valkyries may be different this season but the result is the same.

Vikings fight to the finish at divisional tourney

The Vikings basketball season came to a close over the weekend as Bigfork fell to Butte Central and Frenchtown at the Western A Divisional tournament in Butte.

Bigfork Playhouse Children’s Theatre Presents: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Bigfork Playhouse Children’s Theatre is thrilled to announce the opening of its latest production, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Community briefs: Sip ‘n Step, community dinner

Community briefs