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Bigfork Eagle
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.The Steamboat Landing project would consist of primarily single-family residential lots, along with condominium lots, on 63.79 acres at 603 Somers Road. A preliminary plat request for the development goes before the county Planning Board on March 13. The Planning Board meets at 6 p.m. in the South Campus Building at 40 11th St. W. in Kalispell. Two other public hearings are also on the agenda. Recommendations from the board regarding the requests are forwarded to the Flathead County commissioners for final consideration.A stack of public...
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.Lambrecht had led the Kalispell-based hospital system for five years. When Billings Clinic and Logan Health formally merged last September, he was named CEO of the combined entity. In a statement, Lambrecht did not indicate a reason for stepping down.“It has been my distinct privilege to work with staff in service to patients and their families,” Lambrecht said in a letter announcing his resignation. “Both Logan Health and Billings Clinic have strong roots across this region. As I enter my next chapter,...
Candidates file for election in county races
The list of candidates running for office in Flathead County remains short.Commissioner Randy Brodehl has filed for re-election seeking his second term in the position. The Republican last year announced his plan to seek the office again to represent District 3 in the western part of the county. No challengers — Republican or Democrat — had filed for the seat as of last week. The filing deadline is Monday, March 12 at 5 p.m. Sara Fredenberg Smith has filed to run for clerk of court. She now serves as a deputy clerk. Longtime incumbent Clerk of Court Peg Allison, a Republican, has not filed for re-election. In the district court judge races, incumbents Amy Eddy and Heidi Ulbricht have filed to retain their seats on the bench. Eddy was appointed to her position in 2015 and has since won re-election to retain her seat. Ulbricht served as Kalispell municipal judge before being elected to the district court bench in 2012. Paul Sullivan and Eric Hummel, who both serve as Justice of the Peace judges, have filed for the Department B spot held by Judge Robert Allison, who is not seeking another term.Features Editor Heidi Desch may be reached at 758-4421 or hdesch@dailyinterlake.com.
Valkryies come up just short in state championship
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.The final was 41-38, Central; the Rams picked up their seventh State A girls basketball crown, and first outright championship since 2012.The Valkyries were seeking to become the first basketball team to win a championship at one classification — they went 24-0 last season in Class B — and them move up and win another. They came up just short.“We had a chance,” Vals coach Cortnee Gunlock...
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.First the junior guard took a charge, as Miles City drove for what could have been a go-ahead basket or free throws. Then, after a timeout, she took the ensuing inbounds pass and went coast-to-coast for a layup.Bigfork 34, Miles City 32. The dream still lives. The 22-1 Valkyries, State B champions a year ago, will face Billings Central (22-2) for the State A title Saturday at 8 p.m. at...
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.Feb. 17A Bigfork man called to complain that his neighbor’s lights were on and that made him feel “threatened.” Requested extra patrols, three times.Feb. 18Squiggles the nanny goat went missing in Bigfork. Squiggles is a 2-foot-tall black and white female, about 30 pounds, with coloring that forms a curvy shape on her forehead.A trailer at a job site in Somers was broken into overnight as someone cut the lock on the door. Nothing was reported missing.A man in Bigfork...
Cheryl “Lily” Stone, 75
Cheryl (Lily) Stone, 75, of Polson, Montana passed away on February 27, 2024, with her husband, children, and beloved dogs by her side. Lily was the devoted wife of Bob Stone and loving mother of Amy, Bryan, and Lisa. She adored her grandchildren, Jessi, Brandon, Jade and Ivy who cherished their magical summers with their grandparents. Lily is also survived by her brother Bruce, two great-grandchildren, Shivvy, and Juniper, and many nieces and nephews. Lily was loved greatly and will be deeply missed by all who knew her.Lily was a strong woman who faced every challenge in her life with...
March 8, one of the best days of my life
March 8, 2017.I sat just outside the courtroom with my sister and brothers. Our Sunday School teacher sat with us. She entertained us with games and stories as the court dragged on. I glanced hopefully towards the shut doors, waiting.Waiting.Finally, the courtroom doors swung open and out came my mom and step-dad. The smiles on their faces could not be contained. My siblings and I jumped up, grins splitting across our lips and we raced to hug them. It had really happened.My step-dad — now my legal dad — gripped me tightly and whispered in my ear, “Remember Evy, I chose...
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.The 20-1 Valkyries will have their work cut out for them if they intend to march to another title as Bigfork will have to contend with four Eastern A teams that have combined for 71 wins this season.The Valkyries open the state tournament at 8 p.m. Thursday as they take on a Lockwood Lions team that has gone 15-7 this season, scoring 53 points-per-game...
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. The club consists of students from all kinds of backgrounds, united by their passion for wild places.Bodenhamer first dived into the underground world of caves in his late 20s. At this time, he was venturing into the subterranean habitats in order to learn more about protecting the world below. His passion for these...
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.In the fall of 1897, University of Montana’s (UM) first professor of biology, Morton J. Elrod, headed north on an exploratory sampling trip into the Flathead Watershed. This marked the very first field excursion by anyone from the fledgling university, and Elrod was instantly enamored by the breathtaking expanse of Flathead Lake and the encompassing mountainous ecosystems. Elrod wanted to find a secluded place where people could study the natural world....
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.” Two neon orange clay targets are released into the gray sky. She fires — the clay target bursts into pieces. A scorekeeper shouts, “Dead!”Without missing a beat, she shifts her shotgun to the right, aiming at the next clay sailing in the opposite direction. She fires and misses. The scorekeeper shouts, “Lost.” With a hop, she pulls her legs together and lowers the shotgun to reload....
PHOTOS: Bigfork Chamber banquet and awards ceremony
The Bigfork Chamber of Commerce held its annual banquet and awards ceremony at the Jewel Basin Center in Bigfork on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024. Gabe Spencer from Whistling Andy distillery in Bigfork reacts at the Bigfork Chamber of Commerce banquet and awards ceremony on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024. (Matt Baldwin/Daily Inter Lake) Board president Jill Parish holds the Red Hen award at the Bigfork Chamber of Commerce banquet and awards ceremony in Bigfork on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024. (Matt Baldwin/Daily Inter Lake) Guests enjoy a charcuterie board at the Bigfork Chamber of Commerce banquet and awards ceremony in Bigfork on...
Community briefs: Sip ‘n Step, community dinner
Sip ‘n StepCome learn intro line dances and salsa combos at the Bigfork Art and Cultural Center this Saturday (March 2 from 7-9 p.m.). Whether you are an avid dancer or have never taken dance lessons...all ages and experience levels are welcome.Snacks and a variety of libations, including non-alcoholic “mocktails,” will be provided. The admission to this event is by donation and proceeds go to hosting future social dance events and lessons in the Bigfork area.No sign up is required but any questions can be directed to the Bigfork Art and Cultural Center phone number: 406-837-6927. Free community dinnerFree Community Dinner at...
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. Fair-Mont-Egan School, established in 1967, sought support to replace its campus security and emergency communications systems. The school’s intercom and entrance door are both beyond repair. As a result, campus-wide communications and securing the school’s entrance are both intermittent and unsafe. Libby Connor presented on behalf of Fair-Mont-Egan, relaying to the board that when Montana Highway Patrol order an evacuation of the school’s playground due to an active threat in the area the school’s superintendent did not have a means of...
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. The timeless and enchanting musical is set to captivate audiences with its vibrant storytelling, unforgettable music, and dazzling performances.Directed by Brach Thomson, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat promises to be an extraordinary theatrical experience for audiences of all ages. Featuring a talented cast of young actors from the local community, the production brings to life the classic tale of Joseph and his coat of many colors with energy, charm, and a fresh perspective.Performance Dates and Times:• March 1, 2,...
Valkyries win third consecutive divisional title
The classification for the Valkyries may be different this season but the result is the same.The final was a bit closer than last year’s final, but Bigfork overcame Frenchtown at the Western A Divisional champsionship 41-29 at the Butte Civic Center.Braeden Gunlock scored 17 points and Bigfork opened the second half with a 10-0 run while Ava Davey added 11 points for the Vals (20-1), who avenged their only loss of the past two seasons, a 40-37 setback in Frenchtown in December.The Vals were experiencing deja vu in the opening quarter, as Gunlock and Davey picked up two fouls each,...
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, which finishes its season with nine wins and 11 losses, found itself outmatched in the opening round as the Vikings took on a hot-shooting Butte Central Maroons team that would go on to finish second at the tournament after an overtime thriller against Hamilton in the final.The Maroons scored the first 10 points of the contest and led 44-30 at the half.The Vikings fought their way back into the game in the third...
James 'Jim' Greytak, 74
James “Jim” Greytak, 74, was born on Aug. 17, 1949, in Kalispell, to Philip and Rosemary Greytak of Bigfork (formerly of Havre). He joined his older sister, Marilyn and was soon followed by sister, Joyce. As a youngster, he would grab his .22, leave the house first thing in the morning and not return until evening. As adults, the three siblings would reminisce about their many adventures, including Marilyn directing Joyce as Sadie Cedarweed and her horse Sagebrush and Jim as Genevieve the Monkey. The three siblings would make the entire family laugh so hard there would be tears.Jim graduated...
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...
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