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Clay Benkelman, 73
Dr. Clay E. Benkelman, 73, passed away Jan. 23, 2024, at St. Patrick’s Hospital in Missoula. He was a beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather, and eye doctor to many.He was born Oct. 28, 1950, in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Ward and Mary Benkelman. Clay was an avid outdoorsman, hunting and fishing with his family, friends, and grandkids.Clay graduated from Polson High School in 1969, as class valedictorian, student council president and co-captain of the football team. Following pre-med school at Montana State University as well as the University of Montana, Clay went on to study Optometry at Pacific University in Forest...
ImagineIF Libraries returns to original Flathead County Libraries name, hires Dugan as new director
Imagine if the library system changed its name back to Flathead County Libraries? On Thursday, it did.The library system’s board of trustees voted to drop the ImagineIF Libraries brand and revert back a moniker last used a decade ago.Implementation of the change will occur over the course of two years, according to the motion passed. Flathead County Library Director Teri Dugan said the timeline is in line with how long it took the library system to rebrand as ImagineIF in 2014. She said employees had mixed opinions on the proposed change and asked for time to implement it. “I would ask for...
BACC to host Salish storytelling, art, tool-making programs
The Bigfork Art and Cultural Center will be hosting Aspen and Cameron Decker for several special walk-in events this weekend as the pair present programs on Sqelix (Salish) storytelling, art and tool making.Sponsored by Humanities Montana, the events begin with a storytelling program Friday from 6 to 8 p.m.The couple will host “Our Belongings,” a talk on Salish art and tool making from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday and a hands on workshop on the same topics from 11 a.m. until noon.All programs are free, but the hands on workshop is limited to 25 participants.For more information and to sign up for the workshop, visit www.baccbigfork.org.To learn more about the Deckers and their work, visit www.xwlxwilt.com.
Record-low snowpacks endure despite midwinter storms
Mid-January and early February storms brought some much-needed snow to the region, but a third of Montana’s basins continued to post record-low snowpacks as of Feb. 7, a situation likely to produce low summer streamflows and uncomfortably dry forests heading into fire season.The deficit is most pronounced east of the Continental Divide, according to data from the Natural Resources Conservation Service. The Sun-Teton-Marias, Upper Missouri, Gallatin, Upper Yellowstone and Powder basins all saw lower-than-average precipitation during the month of January and snowpacks in those basins remain at record low levels. Even normal precipitation for each of the next three months would...
Trees for Life honored at conference
In January, at the Association of Montana Turf, Ornamental, and Pest Professionals (AMTOPP) Conference in Fairmont Hot Springs, Trees for Life from Bigfork sent all of its 12 employees to the conference for arboricultural training. Five of its employees tested and became International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certified arborists.At the conference, the Montana Urban and Community Forestry Association (MUCFA) recognized Trees for Life as the 2023 Outstanding Montana Urban Forestry Company for advancing the profession of tree are by promoting ISA certification for its employees and for being an advocate for promoting arboricultural education within the company and the state of Montana.With eleven ISA Certified Arborists on its crew, Trees for Life strives to perform and promote the highest quality tree work in the Flathead and Swan valleys.
My biggest lesson from Super Bowl Sunday
Voices chattered downstairs, the chink of glasses and hiss of opening soda cans filling the room. Mountains of food were arranged across the kitchen table, a kind of haphazard buffet that everyone had contributed to. Between my friends and family, we had about 15 people occupying our home.It was almost time for the Super Bowl LVIII, a face-off between the Chiefs and the 49ers.I have never had much interest in football. When I was younger, we would watch a handful of games with my grandparents, but other than that, I knew very little about the sport.However, sitting on the couch...
Following Closure of historic bridge, Tester urges Secretary Buttigieg to ‘act rapidly’
U.S. Senator Jon Tester last week sent a letter pressing Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg regarding Bigfork’s historic Bridge Street Bridge, which safety inspectors closed in January after a troubling inspection revealed safety concerns.Writing to Secretary Buttigieg, Tester stressed the importance of the Bridge Street Bridge to Bigfork’s community and economy. “This historic bridge is critically important to the economic success and safety of the Bigfork community, which is one of Montana’s most popular summer tourism destinations,” Tester said in the letter. “I am concerned about the immediate effects that this bridge’s closure may have on the ability for local residents...
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.Jan. 29A caller from Lakeside reported they were being blackmailed for money so that private photos would not be released.Jan. 30Property owners in Somers reported the renters they recently kicked out stole several items, including a 4-wheeler.Jan. 31A theft was reported in BigforkFeb. 1A caller from Lakeside advised the southbound lane of the highway was full of nails and screws and was concerned about drivers getting flat tires.Feb. 4Lakeside caller reported they had just chased a shoplifter into the...
Bigfork man accused of erratic driving enters Alford plea
A Bigfork man who allegedly posed as a firefighter while driving recklessly through Lake County in 2020 pleaded guilty to felony criminal endangerment in district court last month. Joshua Wayne Winfree, 34, entered an Alford plea to the charge on Jan. 30 after striking a deal with prosecutors. In an Alford plea, a defendant maintains their innocence, but acknowledges a jury likely would find them guilty. The plea was entered as part of an agreement that will see one count of impersonation of a public servant dismissed and recommends a two-year suspended commitment to the Montana Department of Corrections. The charges were based...
Finley Point arsonist McCrea found guilty on two charges
Former firefighter Craig McCrea was found guilty Feb. 8 on two of four counts of arson after a dramatic four-day trial at the Lake County Courthouse.The jurors emerged midway through deliberations to tell Judge Robert Deschamps that they were unable to reach a unanimous verdict on the four counts. He counseled the jury members to return and “collaborate,” noting that the instructions “to not surrender your honest convictions does not mean you should avoid your honest task.”When they returned to the courtroom after total of about five hours, the jury unanimously determined that McCrea was guilty of starting the approximately...
Valkyries begin tournament play against Corvallis Thursday
The stage is set and the brackets are ready as the Valkyries are prepared to begin the playoffs in search of their second-straight state basketball title.Postseason action gets underway for the Vals at the Butte Civic Center Thursday as Bigfork, the top seed from the northwest at 17-1, takes on the four seed from the Southwest Corvallis Blue Devils Thursday at 8 p.m.The 5-13 Blue Devils come into the tournament having lost six of their last 10 games and should provide little resistance against the Vals, but a projected second-round matchup against the Dillon Beavers could prove challenging.Dillon comes into...
Vikings to open Divisionals against Butte Central Thursday
Postseason play gets underway for the Vikings basketball team in Butte Thursday as they take on Butte Central in the opening round of the Western A Divisional Tournament at 3:30 p.m.The Vikings enter the tournament as the number three seed from the Northwest with a 9-9 record, averaging 55 points-per-game while giving up 52.2 points-per-contest.The Vikings are led by Asher Knopik’s 15.6 points-per-game, but will be without their second leading scorer in Eli Thorness, who will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury.The Vikings come into divisIonals having won three of their last four games, including must-win...
Rheba Bohannon, 84
Rheba Bohannon, 84, our dear Popsy picked Mom up in a white Ford Mercury on Feb. 17, 2024, decorated with "Just Got to Heaven." Tin cans and white crepe paper streamers trailing. He was likely dressed in his same white sport coat from their precious wedding 64 and a half years ago."Popsy" was Jim Bohannon, US Army Veteran of 32 years, resident of Bigfork, that had passed away only 4 weeks prior, on Jan. 20, 2024. Mom was Rheba Bohannon, also a resident of Bigfork, and never left his side in the hospital, or on home hospice later. She'd been...
Drew Hubatsek, 72
Drew William Hubatsek, 72, of Woods Bay, Montana, passed away February 5, 2024. As we say goodbye to the man we had the gift of calling a member of our circle, friend, brother in art, caretaker of the land, holder of hope, we realize more and more all that was lost. ‘Life is too short,’ he said, reflecting on his. He was right. Life is a gift to be used for good. So we bend our heads in grief, to honor the man, created in the spirit of nature. Rest in Peace Dear Drewbi. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Flathead Land Trust, NPR /KUFM, or Bigfork Art / Cultural Center. A celebration of life will be held in the Spring.
Grant provides $90,000 for Bigfork ACES after-school program
Bigfork’s middle students will soon have a new place to spend their afternoons as a $90,000 grant from the Whitefish Community Foundation aims to expand the Bigfork ACES after-school program.The Foundation’s Kids Fund Grant will provide $30,000 each year for the next three years and will be used by ACES to establish an after-school program specifically for students in grades six through eight. That program will engage participants in challenging activities that focus on community service learning, addressing each child’s scholastic needs, mental health needs, connecting with adult mentors, and building valuable career and life skills. Bigfork ACES will work with...
Vikings capture third seed for divisional tourney
In need of two wins to keep their hopes of avoiding the divisional play-in alive, the Vikings got just that last week as they survived tough tests against Ronan and Whitefish.Up by two with 25 seconds to play in Ronan Thursday, the Vikings got a big three from Asher Knopik as they got past the Chiefs, 43-36.The Vikes used strong defense to hold Ronan to just one point in the first quarter, opening up an 8-1 lead after eight minutes of play, but the Chiefs stormed back to cut the Bigfork lead to 21-19 at the half.Bigfork won another defensive...
Vals close out regular season on 17-game win streak
The stage is set for what could be an epic girls Western A Divisional basketball tournament next weekend and the Valkyries downed Ronan and Whitefish last week to finish the regular season on a 17-game winning streak.The Gunlock sisters combined for 46 points and 10 three-pointers against Ronan Thursday as the Vals cruised past the Maidens, 75-18.Five of Paeten’s six threes came in the first half as she scored 20 of her game-high 24 points before halftime as Bigfork built a 46-12 lead at the break.Paeten finished with five assists to go with her 24 points while Braeden finished the...
Vals swimmers compete at state meet in Great Falls
The Valkyries swim team made the trip to Great Falls for the state meet over the weekend, where Danika Bucklin earned a pair of seventh-place finishes.Bucklin narrowly missed the finals in the 50 and 100 freestyle races, taking seventh in both with times of 27.91 seconds and 1:03.09, respectively.Maci Pickens was 11th in the 100 backstroke for the Vals and also took 12th in the 200 freestyle.Erika Dowling was 12th in the 200 individual medley and 14th in the 500 freestyle while Ellena Peterson was13th in the 200 IM, Ashlyn McGill was 13th in the 500 freestyle and Kylie Kinslow took 13th in the 100 breaststroke.In the relay races, the Bigfork 200 freestyle team of McGill, Pickens, Peterson and Bucklin took fifth with a time of 2:03.68, the 400 freestyle team of Pickens, McGill, Dowling and Bucklin was also fifth at 4:38.30 and the 200 medley team of Peterson, Kinslow, Dowling and Bucklin was sixth at 2:42.
Vikes grapplers earn 16th at state wrestling meet
Jerin Coles led the way for the Bigfork wrestling team over the weekend as the Vikings grappled their way to a 16th place finish at the State Wrestling Tournament in Billings.Coles won four of his five matches at the meet, earning third place in the 145-pound division with a 7-4 decision over Sidney’s Reece Graves.Coles won via tech fall Billings Central’s Trey Bazaldua in the opening round before earning a 9-3 decision over Lockwood’s Trace Steinmetz in the quarterfinal. Coles dropped a narrow 9-8 decision to Browning’s Tahj Wells in the semifinal but bounced back with an 11-3 major decision...
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