Saturday, February 29
Capital pulls away from stubborn Braves
For a quarter of their Western AA boys basketball tussle with Helena Capital Saturday, the Flathead Braves switched roles with the powerful Bruins.
Breakers down Vals for Western B crown, Vikings lose to T-Falls
HAMILTON – Missoula’s Loyola Sacred Heart returned to its dominant form Saturday, building a 24-8 halftime lead on Bigfork on the way to 50-29 win over the Valkyries in the Western B girls basketball divisional championship.
Glacier girls take down Helena High
HELENA – Ellie Keller scored 18 points and the Glacier Wolfpack made a double-digit lead hold up against Western AA foe Helena Saturday, 57-52.
Friday, February 28
Browning beats Bulldogs in semis
RONAN – Riley Spoonhunter scored 27 points, 18 in the first half, and Browning cruised to a 68-39 semifinal win over Whitefish at the Western A Divisional Friday.
Late heroics lift Vals to title game
HAMILTON – Ansleigh Edgerton scored with 29 seconds left and Isabella Santistevan hit two big free throws with 7.5 seconds remaining to lift Bigfork over Thompson Falls 47-46 in the Western B Divisional semifinals Friday.
Vikings fall to Arlee in semifinal
HAMILTON – Cody Tanner scored 20 points and Arlee held down Bigfork’s offense in the second half of a 50-39 win Friday, in the Western B Divisional semifinals.
Bruins rule boards in win over Glacier boys
Helena Capital and Glacier put together a decent shooting contest Friday at the Wolf Den, where the visiting Bruins pulled away to an 87-59 Western AA boys basketball win.
Thursday, February 27
Whitefish boys advance to Western A semis
RONAN – Justin Conklin scored 20 points, including a trio of 3-pointers in the third quarter, and Whitefish knocked off Hamilton 49-42 at the Western B boys divisional Thursday.
Whitefish girls win, C-Falls tumbles at divisional
RONAN – Whitefish and Corvallis sprung upsets at the Western A Divisional girls basketball tournament Thursday, advancing to tonight’s first semifinal.
Wednesday, February 26
Divisionals open today in Ronan, Hamilton
With the exception of the Western A boys, the divisional basketball tournaments look very evenly matched on paper.
Column: To the Wall we add another
We could fill days highlighting the career of Grady Bennett, which was celebrated this past Friday with his induction onto the Legends Stadium Wall of Fame.
Bigfork swimmer wins state championship title
When Bigfork sophomore swimmer Sophi Logue looked up from the pool and saw her name at the top of the 100 butterfly leaderboard at the state meet in Great Falls earlier this month, she couldn’t believe it.
Scouts BSA thanks community for support
Thank you, Bigfork, for your support of family scouting within the Boy Scouts of America!
Curative Yoga brings locals together through donation-only classes
Curative Yoga brings locals together through donation-only classes
Shop of wonders
Two-and-a-half miles from downtown Bigfork, well off the beaten path, a bright pop of teal stands out starkly from the drab, winter foliage. The azure structure is home to Kehoe’s Agate Shop, first established by former steamboat operator, Jack Kehoe in 1932. Customers say the remote location is part of the allure — visitors have to do a little treasure hunting of their own in order to find this literal gem of a place. But the journey is only the beginning. Inside the gabled entry is a rockhound’s paradise — part jewelry store, mineral exhibit and most prominently: a showcase of fossils, crystals and of course, their namesake stone, the agate.
Down to Business
Everyone has a daily routine. Mine, as I am sure many do, starts with coffee, breakfast — when time allows — and off to work. As I drive north on Montana 35, I think of the day ahead, the things unfinished from yesterday and the projects looming in the future.
Bigfork swimmer wins state championship title
When Bigfork sophomore swimmer Sophi Logue looked up from the pool and saw her name at the top of the 100 butterfly leaderboard at the state meet in Great Falls earlier this month, she couldn’t believe it.
Shop of wonders
Two-and-a-half miles from downtown Bigfork, well off the beaten path, a bright pop of teal stands out starkly from the drab, winter foliage. The azure structure is home to Kehoe’s Agate Shop, first established by former steamboat operator, Jack Kehoe in 1932. Customers say the remote location is part of the allure — visitors have to do a little treasure hunting of their own in order to find this literal gem of a place. But the journey is only the beginning. Inside the gabled entry is a rockhound’s paradise — part jewelry store, mineral exhibit and most prominently: a showcase of fossils, crystals and of course, their namesake stone, the agate.
Hoops teams take third in districts, open divisionals Thursday
The Vikings and Valkyries will both enter the Western B Divisional Basketball Tournament as No. 3 seeds after splitting a pair of games in the district tournament last week.
Appreciating all that Bigfork has to offer in everyday life
Everyone has a daily routine. Mine, as I am sure many do, starts with coffee, breakfast — when time allows — and off to work. As I drive north on Montana 35, I think of the day ahead, the things unfinished from yesterday and the projects looming in the future.
Scouts BSA thanks community for support
Thank you, Bigfork, for your support of family scouting within the Boy Scouts of America!
Hoops teams take third in districts, open divisionals Thursday
The Vikings and Valkyries will both enter the Western B Divisional Basketball Tournament as No. 3 seeds after splitting a pair of games in the district tournament last week.
Transportation provider exploring solutions for Bigfork
Eagle Transit is exploring new ways to improve public transportation between Bigfork and the rest of the valley and is currently in the information gathering stage of its planning process. If a solution is identified after gathering public input, locals may see a new program roll-out sometime later this year. Potential solutions discussed at a Feb. 13 meeting of local transportation officials and community leaders included a weekly dial-a-ride service, a volunteer-based program or a commuter van pool.
Transportation provider exploring solutions for Bigfork
Eagle Transit is exploring new ways to improve public transportation between Bigfork and the rest of the valley and is currently in the information gathering stage of its planning process. If a solution is identified after gathering public input, locals may see a new program roll-out sometime later this year. Potential solutions discussed at a Feb. 13 meeting of local transportation officials and community leaders included a weekly dial-a-ride service, a volunteer-based program or a commuter van pool.
Curative Yoga brings locals together through donation-only classes
Yoga comes from the Sanskrit word to “unite,” and that’s exactly what Carolina Cotman hopes to do at Curative Yoga in Bigfork this month. All classes at her studio are being held on a purely donation basis throughout February, in an effort to invite people — particularly locals — to practice yoga, relieve stress and share in the community.
Tuesday, February 25
Stillwater girls top FVHS for MCAA championship
HELENA – Madison Morken scored 16 points to lead three players in double figures for Stillwater Christian Saturday, in the Cougars’ 53-49 win in the MCAA girls’ basketball championship held at Carroll College.
SCS, FVHS players named all-MCAA
HELENA – Six players from Stillwater Christian and five from Flathead Valley Home School were named All-State MCAA at the conclusion of the tournament Saturday.
Monday, February 24
Bulldogs dump Wildcats in play-in game
WHITEFISH — Justin Conklin scored 22 points and Tallon Holmquist and Bodie Smith added 10 each as the Whitefish Bulldogs rolled past visiting Columbia Falls, 57-31 Monday in a Western A Divisional play in basketball game.
Locals receive Frontier conference honors
WHITEFISH — Two local athletes were named the Frontier Conference Women’s and Men’s Indoor Track and Field Athletes of the Week on Monday.
Sunday, February 23
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BOZEMAN — Montana State’s ball movement early led to confetti movement late, as the Bobcat women’s team beat Montana 92-78 in Worthington Arena Saturday afternoon to clinch a share of the 2020 Big Sky Conference Championship.
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BOZEMAN — Montana State’s ball movement early led to confetti movement late, as the Bobcat women’s team beat Montana 92-78 in Worthington Arena Saturday afternoon to clinch a share of the 2020 Big Sky Conference Championship.
No headline
BOZEMAN — Montana State’s ball movement early led to confetti movement late, as the Bobcat women’s team beat Montana 92-78 in Worthington Arena Saturday afternoon to clinch a share of the 2020 Big Sky Conference Championship.
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LIBBY – A.J. Pacella scored 16 points, Corey Channey added 15 and the Eureka Lions held off Mission 49-41 Saturday for the District 7-B boys basketball tournament championship.
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LIBBY – A.J. Pacella scored 16 points, Corey Channey added 15 and the Eureka Lions held off Mission 49-41 Saturday for the District 7-B boys basketball tournament championship.
No headline
LIBBY – A.J. Pacella scored 16 points, Corey Channey added 15 and the Eureka Lions held off Mission 49-41 Saturday for the District 7-B boys basketball tournament championship.
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BOZEMAN – Kendal Manual scored 19 points and Sayeed Pridgett added 15 points and seven rebounds to lead Montana past Montana State 59-54 Saturday for a sweep of the regular-season in-state series.
No headline
BOZEMAN – Kendal Manual scored 19 points and Sayeed Pridgett added 15 points and seven rebounds to lead Montana past Montana State 59-54 Saturday for a sweep of the regular-season in-state series.
No headline
BOZEMAN – Kendal Manual scored 19 points and Sayeed Pridgett added 15 points and seven rebounds to lead Montana past Montana State 59-54 Saturday for a sweep of the regular-season in-state series.
Friday, February 21
PHOTOS: Glacier boys, girls sweep Flathead
Photos from crosstown basketball as Glacier and Flathead squared off at Glacier High School on Friday night. The Wolfpack took home wins in both the girls’ and boys’ games, 59-39 and 70-64.
A romp and a rally
One Flathead team had a rally in mind and the other fell off the pace Friday as Glacier again swept the crosstown basketball games, this time at the Glacier gym.
Manaker to take over Glacier golf teams
Glacier High School’s search for a golf coach has ended with the selection of Doug Manaker, athletic director Mark Dennehy announced this week.
Thursday, February 20
Glacier ready to host Crosstown II as teams trend up
As the second crosstown basketball battle of the season nears, it appears the girls’ programs from Flathead and Glacier are trending up.
Mission knocks off Vikings in semis
BIGFORK – Jedi Christy scored 15 points for Mission, eight coming in the fourth quarter and the Bulldogs tripped Bigfork 47-44 in the semifinals of the District 7B boys basketball tournament Thursday.
Wednesday, February 19
Column: Tearing the lid off the place
Sixteen years ago I covered the State A portion of the All-Class State Wrestling tournament at the Billings Metra. It ended with Sidney dominating the field, which is fitting.
Dear Little Daphnia: A Flathead Lake Fable
It’s on a cold but otherwise unremarkable Wednesday that our dear little Daphnia is born: A water flea the size of a sharpened pencil tip, no bigger than a millimeter or two, emerging defiant and unshaken in the winter waters of Flathead Lake.
Bigfork Water Bond clarifications
A recent letter to the editor contained false and misleading information regarding the upcoming Bigfork Water Bond.
No headline
Terry Click was born on Feb. 16, 1962, in Camas, Washington. Although he traveled the world, he felt most at home in the Flathead Valley.
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Terry Click was born on Feb. 16, 1962, in Camas, Washington. Although he traveled the world, he felt most at home in the Flathead Valley.
Locals keep up passion for skiing into retirement age and beyond
A half dozen skiers fly down Emmons Ridge, whipping through the powder during an afternoon outing at Blacktail Mountain. They weave among each other, snow trailing behind them like a wintry wake. As the group comes closer, the skiers’ features become more apparent.
Fire destroys Eagle Bend clubhouse
A fire destroyed the clubhouse at Eagle Bend Golf Club early Sunday morning in Bigfork.
Bigfork's Sophi Logue earns state title in 100 butterfly
The Bigfork swim team earned their highest ranking ever at the State Swim Meet in Great Falls over the weekend, finishing fourth as Sophi Logue took home the school’s first-ever individual state title in the 100 butterfly.
Vikings, Valkyries basketball teams to open playoffs
The Vikings basketball team will be looking to shake off a three-game losing streak Thursday as Bigfork opens the district tournament at home against the winner of a play-in game between Mission and Troy at 7 p.m.
Swan River Trail parking lot project enters design phase
Progress is underway on the project at the east trailhead parking lot of the Swan River Trail. PacifiCorp, the Portland, Oregon-based energy company that owns the eastern portion of the trail, is now reportedly in the design phase of a project to expand capacity and facilities at the eastern entrance to the trail.
Man spotted dragging 'body bag' is misconception, not murder
Monday, Feb. 10
Comedy 'Naked Bigport' by local playwright opens Friday
The Bigfork Community Players will present the comedy, “Naked Bigport”, by local playwright David Vale, this Friday, Feb. 21.
Cribbage culture alive and well in the Flathead
It may not be the fastest-paced or most popular card game around, but for many players in Bigfork and around the Flathead Valley, cribbage is king.
Sunday, February 16
Bigfork blaze destroys Eagle Bend clubhouse
A fire destroyed the clubhouse at Eagle Bend Golf Club early Sunday morning in Bigfork.
Saturday, February 15
PHOTOS: Barstool Ski Races at Cabin Fever Days
Photos from the Barstool Ski Races at Cabin Fever Days in Martin City on Saturday, Feb. 15. The Barstool Ski Races continue at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
Wednesday, February 12
How We Met: David and Joni Love at first sight
One fateful night, 25 years ago, Joni Isaman took a good look in the mirror and said, “Tonight is the night.” She was 35, single, and convinced that Mr. Right was going to cross her path that evening. It wasn’t a particularly unusual night on the town with friends, other than they were celebrating Ocktoberfest. She ponied up to her favorite local watering hole, Tres Hombres, and raised her glass to cheer the iconic German holiday.
Couple opens the doors to Bigfork's first pet supply store
Julie and Steve Johannes quietly opened the first pet store in Bigfork two weeks ago. “There’s not a lot of places doing what we’re doing,” Julie said.
Bigfork's Joseph Farrier to wrestle for Vikings at state meet
Joseph Farrier will be representing Bigfork at the state wrestling tournament in Billings after finishing third in the 170-pound division at the divisional meet in St. Ignatius over the weekend.
Bigfork Schools to run $600K in general fund levies
The Bigfork School District Board is asking taxpayers to support two general fund levies totaling $603,568 this May that, if passed, would allow the schools to increase course offerings in step with higher student enrollment, and bring staff salaries and benefits closer to other Flathead Valley schools. The levies break down to $346,146 for the Bigfork Elementary District and $257,422 for the Bigfork High School District. Property taxes for residents of the elementary district would increase by $30.48 annually on a $200,000 house, while those living in the high school district would see an $18.13 annual increase. These numbers are estimates provided by Bigfork School District 38 — finalized values will be available from the Montana Department of Revenue after March 1. General fund levies, like the one on this year’s ballot, support the school’s operations and can be allocated for things like personal, classroom supplies and building repairs or maintenance.
How We Met: Margie and Ward Finding love next door
After Ward DeWitt’s wife of 55 years died in the fall of 2018, he didn’t think he’d ever find love again.
A love for the ages
Some people search all their lives for true love and never find it.
Vikings and Valkyries split pair with Florence and Troy
It was an up and down week for the Vikings and Valkyries basketball teams as both teams fell on the road at Florence Friday before bouncing back with home wins over Troy Saturday.
Tuesday, February 11
Intoxicated individuals, couples' quarrels keep deputies busy
Wednesday, Feb. 5
Monday, February 10
Jessie Royer wins Race to the Sky
Jessie Royer of Seeley Lake won her fifth 300-mile Montana Race to the Sky Monday night.
Glacier's Hill receives Gatorade honor
Glacier High School senior Simon Hill was named the Gatorade Montana Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year on Monday.
Sunday, February 9
Thyr wins Race to the Sky 100
Seeley Lake’s Josi Thyr crossed the Race to the Sky 100 finish line at 6:48 a.m. Sunday to claim victory. The first-time winner, who has been working this winter at Jessie Royer’s kennel in Seeley Lake, finished with eight dogs.
Saturday, February 8
FVHS sweeps Stillwater Christian
Corey Connerly poured in 23 points – nine during a fourth-quarter surge – and the Flathead Valley Home School Crusaders edged the Stillwater Christian Cougars 59-57 in overtime at the Kalispell Middle School Saturday.
Glacier girls rout Big Sky; C-Falls rips Polson
The Glacier Wolfpack started an all-senior lineup and dominated from the start of a 64-29 Western AA girls basketball win over Missoula Big Sky Saturday.
Flathead qualifies 19 wrestlers for state, Glacier 14
HELENA – With 19 wrestlers qualifying for state, Flathead coach Jeff Thompson couldn’t be much happier about how the Western AA seeding tournament went Saturday at Helena High.
PHOTOS: FVHS boys, girls top Stillwater Christian
Photos from the Flathead Valley Home School Crusaders and Stillwater Christian School Cougars boys’ and girls’ basketball games at Kalispell Middle School on Saturday. Flathead Valley Home School took home wins in both the boys’ and girls’ games, with the boys winning 60-44 and the girls winning 59-57 in an overtime thriller.
PHOTOS: Penguin Plunge at Whitefish Winter Carnival
Photos from the Whitefish Winter Carnival Penguin Plunge at City Beach in Whitefish on Saturday, Feb. 8. Participants take turns leaping into the frigid waters of Whitefish Lake to raise money for Special Olympics.
Thursday, February 6
Flathead, Glacier wrestling set for seeding tourney
Glacier and Flathead will be at owr near the limit of wrestlers – 24 for Glacier, 25 for Flathead – when they take to the mats Saturday at Helena High School for the Western AA seeding tournament.
Wednesday, February 5
Griz coach checks in with 2020 recruiting list
The annual February signing day for college football used to be a really big deal, fraught with superlatives and last minute faxes.
Column: Gene Boyle: An influencer for his time
A fixture at Flathead sporting events for the better part of 30 years, it is fitting that the late Gene Boyle has his name affixed to the new gym at the high school.
Nonprofit supports Brewfest - and more
Bigfork Brewfest is only about a month away, and the organizers are gearing up for the big event. But leaders with Bigfork Innovations Group, the organization behind the event, said people in the community might not realize the myriad of other initiatives they take on throughout the year around the town.
Looking for love in Woods Bay
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, bachelors and bachelorettes tried their hand at speed dating in the hopes of sparking a new romance at Montana Bonfire.
Woman charged in casino robbery pleads not guilty
The Bigfork woman who allegedly robbed Jackpot Casino at gunpoint last November entered not guilty pleas to felony charges of robbery and criminal possession of dangerous drugs Friday morning at Flathead County District Court. Samantha Lee Starks is currently being held on a $100,000 bond.
Bigfork ballers come up short at Loyola
The Vikings and Valkyries both suffered road losses in their only games last week with both teams falling in Missoula to Loyola.
Ultramarathon to raise money for high school cross country
Beau and Holly Wielkoszewski are bringing ultramarathon running to Bigfork.
Resident against Bigfork water bond issue
The recent article regarding Bigfork Water bond issue is misleading as it states that they need additional water storage for fire suppression. This isn’t true. Fire crews responding to a fire have water with them. If they need additional water, they can request that water tankers bring it to them. The tankers can fill their tanks by pumping water from one of the lakes, rivers, or ponds found throughout the area. They do not have to use treated water stored by the Bigfork Water District.
Food bank distributes 84,000 pounds of food in 2019
In 2019, the Bigfork Food Bank distributed more than 84,000 pounds of food— equivalent to the weight of an 18-wheel semi-truck. More than 3,000 individuals benefited from the food bank’s offerings throughout the year — a number that’s stayed relatively steady in recent years according to food bank director Ann Tucker.
Bigfork takes fourth in Class B State Speech tourney
The halls at Bigfork Schools were teeming with students last weekend, but it was far from an ordinary sight. There were teens in full mime makeup walking past girls in colorful dresses while others in classic black suits headed up to the second floor with briefcases in hand.
Saturday, February 1
Bengals shoot, rebound past Flathead
A zone defense and some hot shooting had the Flathead Bravettes feeling pretty good Saturday, as they built leads of 15-7 and 18-12 on the Helena Bengals.
Dean to step down as Bravettes' coach
Tricia Dean confirmed Saturday that this season as head coach of the Flathead Bravettes would be her last.
Libby hands Browning first league loss
LIBBY – Keith Johnson scored 25 points, seven in the pivotal third quarter, and Libby handed Browning its first conference loss in boys basketball Saturday, 60-49.
