Friday, January 31
Pack swims to crosstown title
The Glacier and Flathead swim teams are, for at least five afternoons a week, combined into one churning, butterflying, freestyling mass.
Schwarz three lifts Glacier past Helena in OT
HELENA – Michael Schwarz drilled a 3-pointer with 48.7 seconds left in overtime and the Glacier Wolfpack held off Helena from there for a 56-55 Western AA boys basketball victory Friday.
Thursday, January 30
Flathead, Glacier sweep Helena schools
Senior night turned out nicely for both the Glacier and Flathead wrestling programs, who swept the Helena schools in a pair of duals Thursday.
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LIBBY – Libby’s Caden Williams scored 14 points and Keith Johnson poured in seven of his nine points in the final quarter to help the Loggers hold off Eureka in non-conference boys’ basketball Thursday, 49-40.
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LIBBY – Libby’s Caden Williams scored 14 points and Keith Johnson poured in seven of his nine points in the final quarter to help the Loggers hold off Eureka in non-conference boys’ basketball Thursday, 49-40.
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LIBBY – Libby’s Caden Williams scored 14 points and Keith Johnson poured in seven of his nine points in the final quarter to help the Loggers hold off Eureka in non-conference boys’ basketball Thursday, 49-40.
Wednesday, January 29
Things going swimmingly for Glacier, Flathead
As the crosstown swim meet nears – and the state meet waits two weeks beyond – coach Karen Bouda is pretty stoked.
Column: Working back from the darkest days
As overcast days go, this past Sunday pushed its way into the top two.
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The new gym at Flathead High School is getting renamed Friday – for the late Gene Boyle, the longtime coach and athletic director who passed away in 2016.
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The new gym at Flathead High School is getting renamed Friday – for the late Gene Boyle, the longtime coach and athletic director who passed away in 2016.
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The new gym at Flathead High School is getting renamed Friday – for the late Gene Boyle, the longtime coach and athletic director who passed away in 2016.
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The Kalispell Lakers’ annual Batter Up Bash fundraiser begins Friday at 5 p.m., with keynote speakers Jack Morris and Dan Gladden on hand.
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The Kalispell Lakers’ annual Batter Up Bash fundraiser begins Friday at 5 p.m., with keynote speakers Jack Morris and Dan Gladden on hand.
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The Kalispell Lakers’ annual Batter Up Bash fundraiser begins Friday at 5 p.m., with keynote speakers Jack Morris and Dan Gladden on hand.
Bigfork hosts state speech and debate tournament
Students from dozens of campuses across the state will face off in battles of wit, research and oratory skill during the State Class B-C Speech and Drama Tournament, Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 at Bigfork Schools. Over the course of two days, competitors will demonstrate their speaking and acting abilities in 17 different events. To qualify for the competition, students had to place in the top six at the divisional meet, held Jan. 24-25 in Shelby. Eleven students from Bigfork’s 21-person team will be competing at the event.
Man looking for a fight gets ticketed instead
Friday, Jan. 17
The sound of music: Woods Bay artist crafts handmade flutes
A simple walk through the woods is different for Niko Keys.
Woll second at Kato Invitational
Bigfork wrestler Shelton Woll was the headliner for the Eagles at the Ted Kato Invitational Saturday in Thompson Falls.
Basketball teams get wins over Eureka, Mission
The Vikings and Valkyries varsity basketball teams went undefeated last week, going 4-0 with wins over Eureka and Mission.
County receives planning grant to study options for improving community center
The Bigfork Community Center will be the subject of an architectural study that will look at options to either rebuild or relocate the center thanks to a $45,000 Community Development Block Grant from the Montana Department of Commerce. The planning grant, announced Thursday, Jan. 23, will pay for an architect to evaluate potential next steps for the center and their associated costs to help Flathead County determine the most economical and long-term solution to improve the facility.
Chamber anticipates big year for Bigfork events
Twenty nineteen is in the books and we are well into the New Year. Many of us in Bigfork, both personally and professionally, are jumping into the Roaring ’20s, excited and ready for the adventures to come.
Sunday, January 26
Swim teams qualify six more for state
The Daily Inter Lake
Saturday, January 25
Wildkats break Broncs after slow start
HAMILTON – Three players scored 13 points each for Columbia Falls, and the Wildkats blitzed Hamilton from the second quarter on of a 56-32 non-league girls’ basketball win Saturday.
Friday, January 24
Big fourth quarter carries the Pack
The Glacier Wolfpack had its issues shooting the ball at the noisy Flathead High School gym, with fans packed to the rafters and the Braves playing in-your-dish defense.
PHOTOS: Glacier boys complete crosstown sweep
Photos from the boys basketball crosstown matchup between Glacier and Flathead at Flathead High School on Friday night. The Wolfpack took home a 45-40 win over the Braves.
Thursday, January 23
Bigfork boys, girls trip Eureka
BIGFORK – Colt Thorness scored 12 points, including a third-quarter dunk, and the Bigfork Vikings held down Eureka 48-31 in a Western 7-B boys’ basketball showdown Thursday.
Flathead boys hope to cool off hot-shooting Glacier
For the host Flathead Braves to get past their crosstown rival Friday, they’ll have to find the Glacier Wolfpack shooters.
Pack pins Knights, 72-6
MISSOULA – The Glacier Wolfpack picked up eight pins and a handful of forfeits and thumped Missoula Hellgate 72-6 in a wrestling dual Thursday.
PHOTOS: Glacier comes back to beat Flathead, 51-49
Photos from the girls’ basketball crosstown matchup between Flathead and Glacier at Flathead High School on Thursday night. Glacier rallied from a 10-point deficit at half to win, 51-49.
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HELENA (AP) — The Montana High School Association is adding girls wrestling and boys powerlifting to its sports offerings, the association announced.
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HELENA (AP) — The Montana High School Association is adding girls wrestling and boys powerlifting to its sports offerings, the association announced.
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HELENA (AP) — The Montana High School Association is adding girls wrestling and boys powerlifting to its sports offerings, the association announced.
Wednesday, January 22
Bigfork's Epperly, Glacier's Kola among Montana finalists for national coaching awards
Bigfork’s Jim Epperly and Glacier’s Jim Kola are among 14 Montanan finalists for national coaching or athletic director awards, the Montana Coaches Association announced Tuesday.
Whitefish's Voisin to make return at XGames
Not quite a year ago Maggie Voisin was shredding hills and feeling great, fully recovered from reconstructive knee surgery four years before.
Column: Walker's route to Hall included trip up I-25
There was a time, many years ago, when I was on a Sunday morning radio show in Billings with Andy Price, a talented sports caster at one of the local TV stations.
Back on track
A faint but methodical swish swish was the only sound cutting through the forest, alerting other inhabitants that a cross-country skier was approaching. A woman in a striking purple coat glided around a corner emerging into an open area from beneath criss-crossed boughs of pine. Far enough back not to encroach on her solitude came a pair of friends and in their tracks, an older couple.
Morley makes her mark
The daughter of custom boat builder, Steve, and Bigfork Elementary third-grade teacher, Jill, Morley says that running was something that was always a part of her family life growing up, but not something that she seriously considered pursuing until junior high.
Viking wrestlers host meet, hoops teams split pair
Six Vikings wrestlers picked up wins Tuesday as Bigfork hosted its quad meet against Eureka, Florence, and Superior.
Tuesday, January 21
Deep Dive into the Flathead Lake Biological Station
When ringing in the New Year, there’s always a moment in which we envision a brighter future and reflect on our personal growth. For me, that growth is often literal, so my New Year’s celebrations tend to inevitably drift toward the same, dog-eared resolutions that I’ve been resentfully coexisting with since early-2001.
Sunday, January 19
Crusaders pick up seventh straight win
Codi Kenney scored 16 of her game-high 23 points in the first quarter as the Flathead Valley Home School Crusaders picked up their seventh straight win, 56-40, over North Idaho Christian School on Saturday night.
Glacier sweeps Butte hoops teams
The Glacier Wolfpack boys’ basketball team started out hot Saturday in its Western AA battle with Butte High at Glacier High School.
Saturday, January 18
C-Falls High School apologizes, dismisses PA announcer after incident
COLUMBIA FALLS — Columbia Falls High School has dismissed its public address announcer following an incident at a girls’ basketball between Browning and the host WildKats on Thursday.
Friday, January 17
Buzzer-beater completes Butte's sweep of Flathead
A bolstering Western AA league basketball win was there for Flathead High’s taking Friday, but the Butte Bulldogs took it instead.
Thursday, January 16
Whitefish wrestlers drop two duals in Frenchtown
FRENCHTOWN — Camren Ross, Rylee Creasey and Dakota Flannery won matches Thursday for Whitefish, but the Bulldogs lost their two duals in Frenchtown, 43-18 to Belgrade and 50-15 to the host Broncs.
Column: Second-best decision of a lifetime
Park City, Utah, with its ski lifts that reach down to Woodside Avenue, would seem a natural fit for bobsled training. That’s not always the case.
Wednesday, January 15
Northwest Montana: Paradise for snowmobilers
Hundreds of miles of trails and several active groups that keep them groomed make Northwest Montana a paradise for snowmobilers. With snow piling up recently, snow lovers have ramped up their activities in the last few weeks. While avalanches are on the minds of many following the recent deaths of two young men in the Lake Dinah area, snowmachine enthusiasts are nonetheless excited about the season. Snowmobilers new to the sport and looking for somewhere to ride in the region have several places from which to choose from, including several hundred miles of trails on public and private land. Three national forests in the region, Flathead, Kootenai and Lolo, encompass more than 6 million acres and are home to dozens of trails. Two Montana locales made Fodor’s Travel Top 10 list for best places to snowmobile in the U.S., including West Yellowstone and more locally, Seeley Lake.
Report on Lake Dinah avalanche deaths sheds light on tragedy
A preliminary report into the death of two individuals who died in an avalanche while snowmobiling in the Lake Dinah area northwest of Seeley Lake on New Year’s Day offers further insight into the event — a tragedy avalanche research officials say warrants a larger conversation about the importance of practicing snowmobile and avalanche safety.
Two alleged underage parties reported in Bigfork
Saturday, Jan. 4
Valkyries basketball wins two; boys split pair
A furious comeback bid by the Vikings fell just short at home Saturday as Bigfork fell to Deer Lodge, 43-39.
Water district proposes $5.33 million bond for new tank
In the summer months, Bigfork’s water system feels the heat.
Tuesday, January 14
Hellgate puts freeze on Flathead girls and boys hoops
Shut out in the first quarter and turnover-prone throughout, the Flathead Bravettes had to wait until the second half for positives in their 49-25 girls’ basketball loss to Missoula Hellgate Tuesday.
Monday, January 13
Wolfpack swimmers take 2nd at Missoula meet
MISSOULA — The Glacier Wolfpack swim teams both placed second at last weekend’s five-team Missoula County Public School swim meet.
Sunday, January 12
Weekend sweep for FVHS
BOZEMAN — The Flathead Valley Homeschool Lady Crusaders enjoyed an excellent weekend in Bozeman with a four game sweep of Mt. Ellis, Bozeman Sophomores, Gallatin Valley Homeschool and Heritage Christian.
Saturday, January 11
Bravettes earn first Western AA win vs. Big Sky
The Flathead Bravettes’ first conference win was notable for, among other things, the long stretches each team went without scoring.
Unbeaten Sentinel holds off Glacier girls
Take away a little 18-0 blitz by the Sentinel Spartans and the Glacier Wolfpack would have been in the catbird seat Saturday.
Friday, January 10
Brave Brawlers take down Wolfpack
Friday’s crosstown wrestling dual ended up just how Flathead coach Jeff Thompson wanted, with a sophomore winning to cap a fine night for the host team.
PHOTOS: Flathead takes down Glacier in crosstown wrestling
Photos from Flathead and Glacier’s crosstown wrestling dual at Flathead High School on Friday evening. Flathead won, 43-24.
Thursday, January 9
Drought sinks Flathead boys against Sentinel
For a time the Flathead Braves were sticking with Missoula Sentinel, getting hands on passes and shots and finishing at the rim on their home court.
Relationship goal: Write up the Flathead Valley
In 2020 I resolve to have more organization.
Wednesday, January 8
Flathead, Glacier set to grapple Friday
Interesting matchups should be in the offing when Flathead’s Brave Brawlers play host to the Glacier Wolfpack in a crosstown wrestling dual set for 6 p.m. Friday.
Flathead outpins Big Sky
Flathead’s Tanner Russell avenged an early-season loss and Zaybin Stewart put a finishing pin on his opponent to cap the Brave Brawlers’ 39-24 dual win over Missoula Big Sky Wednesday at Flathead High School.
Realtor recognized for community involvement
As a Realtor, Bill Leininger doesn’t just work to sell houses — he works to make the Flathead Valley a better home for its residents. The longtime local Realtor was recently honored with the annual awards for Realtor of the Year 2019 by both the regional Northwest Montana Association of Realtors and the statewide Montana Association of Realtors.
Washington man pleads not guilty to burglary of Bigfork business
The Washington man accused of vandalizing several Bigfork businesses in the early morning hours of Dec. 11 pleaded not guilty Thursday morning to a charge of felony burglary in Flathead County District Court. Christopher David Van Natta faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in state prison and a $50,000 fine.
Boys extend winning streak; two tough losses for Valkyries
Bigfork ran away from the Wildcats in the second half to secure a nonconference boys basketball win at Bigfork High School on Friday night.
Base Camp Bigfork marks a decade of adventure
A chorus of howls breaks through the quiet of the wilderness at Base Camp Bigfork, just a few miles from the heart of downtown, though it feels much farther. More than a dozen Inuit dogs jump and prance about their cages as owner Mark Schurke approaches. His presence usually means one of two things: it’s time for supper or time to run.
Vikings solid on the mat
The Bigfork Vikings high school wrestling team had some solid individual performances at last weekend’s Western Montana Duals tournament in Ronan.
Jilted lover takes back vehicle after alleged affair
Saturday, Dec. 28
Tuesday, January 7
Glacier subdues Big Sky
The Glacier Wolfpack figured to be the favorite coming into Tuesday’s Western AA boys’ basketball game against winless Big Sky, but the Eagles needed further convincing.
Business owners lend a hand after salons flood New Year's Day
Four local business owners had a rocky, and wet start, to the New Year after their building was flooded Jan. 1. The flood was caused by a leak in a water line in the upstairs unit occupied by Hidden Escape Beauty Boutique.
Sunday, January 5
Dunn's free throws lift Eureka
ST. IGNATIUS — Danny Dunn hit a putback layup with four seconds remaining in overtime to give the Eureka Lions (4-2, 2-0) a 48-47 victory Saturday over host St. Ignatius.
Saturday, January 4
Flathead grapplers win Pacific NW tourney
SPOKANE, Wash. – The Flathead Brave Brawlers won another tournament, and it’s a big one – three individual winners helped them take the Pacific Northwest Classic at University High School.
Bigfork boys hoops edge Loyola, 56-53
BIGFORK — The Bigfork Vikings hung on to beat the Loyola Rams 56-53 in Class B boys basketball at Bigfork High School on Saturday.
Friday, January 3
Stillwater Christian girls prevail over Gallatin Valley
Serah Newman scored six of her 10 points in the fourth quarter to help Stillwater Christian defeat Gallatin Valley Home School in girls basketball Friday.
Nine Flathead wrestlers in NW Classic quarters
SPOKANE, Wash. — Dylan Kratofil and Ashler Kemppainen were among the Flathead wrestlers that won Friday in the first found of the Pacific Northwest Classic at University High School.
Wednesday, January 1
A sign of the times
From the top of a ladder one Wednesday afternoon, Mike Roessmann affixed a piece of history to the outer wall of the Garden Bar. His sign for Snow Country Construction and another for Coyote Roadhouse & Riverhouse joined other tokens of businesses past in their final resting place — memorialized in wood, metal and plastic in the outdoor bar area of the iconic Bigfork watering hole. Bar owner Mark “Mister” Langlois has dubbed the collection the sign tribute area — “graveyard” was a little too dark, he said. As much as the 100-some plaques offer decorative appeal, they also serve as a visual history of Bigfork’s economy.
Realtor rants at rowdy neighbor causing ruckus at showing
Friday, Dec. 20
Child Bridge helps families say 'yes' to adoption, fostering
Nearly 4,000 children are in foster care in Montana. The reasons they enter the system are varied — many having been removed from homes where drug or alcohol abuse, physical abuse or neglect threatened their safety. While some are removed for a period of time to allow their parents to undergo a treatment program, serve a prison sentence or find stable footing, roughly 10% of those in the system hope to be adopted into their forever family.
Demand for affordable housing in Bigfork well-outpaces local inventory
Bigfork is known for its charming downtown corridor and multitude of summer lake activities. But the community members that help drive the local economy are finding it increasingly difficult to live in Bigfork.
Get western at audtions for Children's Theatre musical
The Bigfork Playhouse Children’s Theatre invites students in grades two through six to audition, Tuesday, Jan. 7, for the cast of “The Wild, Wild, Wildest West,” a Western style musical full of heroes, villains and damsels in distress.
