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Bigfork Eagle
Hotel permit tabled by Board of Adjustment
The Flathead County Board of Adjustment unanimously voted to table Bigfork Hotel Group’s request for a conditional use permit to allow for a 64-room hotel in the Fort development north of Bigfork during its May 7 meeting. The proposed Miroctel Inn and Suites by Wyndham would be three stories tall, sitting in a B-3 Community Business zone. It is surrounded by other B-3 zoning, save for some I-1 industrial zoning to the north and east. The Fort development, designed as a commercial subdivision, remains largely undeveloped. Previously, the Bigfork Land Use Advisory Committee voted to recommend denial of the proposal. Reasons...
Fall in Flathead Lake visitation could be due to low lake levels
While Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks reported a slight increase in park visits overall for 2023, Flathead Lake actually saw a drop in visitors last year compared to pre-pandemic numbers. Flathead Lake State Park’s six units experienced a minus 6.4% change in visitation 2019 to 2023. In comparison, the parks overall showed a 17.4% increase from pre-pandemic levels.“Another decline in visitation in 2023 to Flathead Lake could be due to record low water levels in the lake impacting recreation,” the Montana State Parks Annual Visitation Report stated. The lake still served 332,063 visitors in 2023, up from 2022, and was the second most-visited park in the state, behind only Giant Springs. Somers Beach State Park, which opened in 2022, saw 34,268 visitors last year. “Significantly, of the 10 parks in the state that saw visitation levels exceed 100,000, three are in Region 1 — Flathead Lake (all units), Thompson Chain of Lakes, and Lone Pine. The important public access these parks provide is underscored by their continued visitation, especially as the Flathead Valley grows in population,” the FWP report stated.
New editor’s note
In 2023, Medill found that an average of 2.5 newspapers were pulled from publication a week. This is up slightly from the year before. Back in 2019, when I was graduating high school in rural Greybull, Wyoming, I remember my family looking concerned when I told them I wanted to be a photojournalist. Rightfully so. I was looking at blowing my scholarship on a four-year education in an industry that’s dying. I think that’s what I was supposed to do, though. In third grade, one of my favorite teachers I’ve had to this day, Timmy Anderson, asked me to write and publish...
Volunteers ready Wild Horse Island trails for summer
Around 14 volunteers loaded on a Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks boat in Big Arm State Park on Saturday to clean up the Wild Horse Island trails for the season. They divided into two groups and made quick work of revamping water bars and improving trail visibility throughout the park with guidance from ranger Zack Story and land improvement specialist Kalle Fox. All told, the volunteers spent about five hours on the island. As far as conditions go, the island’s wildlife appears in abundance. All five mares of the wild horse herd were seen, as well as bighorn sheep and a...
Settlement over Bigfork subdivision would allow developer to resubmit plan
A lawsuit filed by the developer behind a proposed Bigfork subdivision against Flathead County following denial of the project appears to be headed for a settlement.County commissioners in October turned down the first phase of the Northshore Woods development proposed to include 51 single-family homes. The larger project called for 125 homes on 105 acres between Montana 35 and Bigfork Stage Road. Following the denial, the developer behind the project, Longbow Land Partners, filed a lawsuit in Flathead County District Court alleging the decision was illegal. Commissioners on Monday unanimously approved a settlement agreement already signed by Longbow Land Partners of Jackson,...
Tennis divisionals in Kalispell this week
Whitefish has been a team to be reckoned with all season and they showed that in Thursday, May 9’s battle against Bigfork. Bigfork won two matchups against the Whitefish girls but fell 5-2. No. 3 singles player Cassie Schlicht picked up a 6-4, 4-6, 1-0(6) win over Whitefish’s Dessi Young. In No. 3 doubles action, Reagan Waller and Taylor Howlett proved victorious, downing Delila Vine and Gretel Vine 4-6, 6-4, 6-4. In boy’s action, Whitefish won 6-1, with the No. 3 doubles team of Bigfork providing their lone win. Dane Carlson and Andrew Kingery defeated Cole Moses and Logan Hyland 7-6(8), 6-4. This week, Bigfork Tennis will compete in Divisionals May 13-15 at Flathead Valley Community College.
Three Win At Polson ABC Meet
Bigfork had three athletes win events at the Polson Nelson-Thomas ABC Meet on Saturday, May 11 in Polson.On the boys side, Wyatt Johnson won the 300-meter hurdles (41.71), while Tristen Herd was first in the pole vault (12-6). Johnson was also fifth in the 110-meter hurdles (16.04). Tamret Savik was second in the high jump (6-0) and the triple jump (42-0.25). On the girl’s side, Callie Gembala won the javelin (106-5), while Zoe Guffin was fourth in the event (103-0). Danika Bucklin was fifth in the 300-meter hurdles (49.64).Track competes in Columbia Falls this weekend for the Divisional Meet starting at 1 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. Saturday. Boys100 - 4. Robert Merchant 11.39110 Hurdles - 5. Wyatt Johnson 16.04300 Hurdles - 1. Wyatt Johnson 41.71High Jump - 2. Tamret Savik 6-0Pole Vault - 1. Tristen Herd 12-6Triple Jump - 2. Tamret Savik 42-0.25Girls 300 - 5. Danika Bucklin 49.64Javelin - 1. Callie Gembala 106-5, 4. Zoe Guffin 103-0
Vikings tally wins over Browning and Ronan
Whitefish fended off Bigfork for a 6-5 West Division victory on Wednesday, May 8. Mason Lewis started the game for the Vikings, striking out three. Bigfork trailed 3-0 after three innings and posted three runs in the top of the fourth. Whitefish answered with two runs in the bottom of the frame and another run in the fifth. Bigfork came roaring back, scoring a run in the sixth and seventh but couldn’t quite overcome the deficit. Lewis helped his own cause with three RBI, while Ryeln Rodriguez went 2-for-3. Ryder Hamilton and Grady Campbell also drove in runs for Bigfork. Bigfork thumps BrowningBigfork...
Cayuse Prairie School hosting plant sale this week
There’s a lot growing in Cayuse Prairie School’s garden. This Wednesday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., the community is invited to swing by and support the program through their yearly plant sale. “I just think that it’s an amazing program and I’m so happy that it’s available for our students,” Horticulture Manager Marleen Probert said. “Without our plant sale, the budget being the way it is, we would have a hard time supporting the program.”The sale supports everything the horticulture program has to buy — dirt, seeds, fertilizer and more. In semester-long classes, between seven and 15 students at...
Spring Mack Days nears conclusion with 32,000 fish
With only one weekend left in the 2024 Spring Mack Days Fishing Event on Flathead Lake, anglers have entered 32,683 lake trout since the contest began March 14. The 2019 spring event holds the record fish count at 40,357.Mack Days, which are sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and sanctioned by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, are used as a management tool to reduce the numbers of non-native lake trout in Flathead Lake.This event has one of the better tallies in Mack Days history when it comes to numbers of lake trout entered, say organizers. Friday’s total came...
Flathead Lake Lodge chef blends Southern and local influences for spring dinners
A self-proclaimed Navy brat, Rob Clagett moved extensively with his family before settling down and growing up in Virginia. His home base coupled with his uncle’s career as a chef lit the flame to explore a culinary path of his own. “Being around southern food in particular really opened my eyes, and then around the time I was in college, I started working kitchen jobs pretty regularly. I would get a job as a cook and after a few months accidentally end up as the kitchen manager,” Clagett said with a laugh. For the last five years Clagett has been the executive...
Bigfork baseball gets W over Troy
Bigfork got strong pitching outings from Mason Lewis and Ryeln Rodriguez in an 8-3 West Division victory over Troy on Tuesday, April 30. The Vikings scored six runs in the first two innings and cruised to victory as Lewis struck out five batters in four innings and Rodriguez fanned five more Troy batters.Grady Campbell was 2-for-4 in the game while driving home two runs. Liam Benson and Hayden Mayer also drove in runs. Both teams committed five errors, and Bigfork finished with five hits as a team. BIGFORK 8, TROY 3Troy - 002 - 001 - 0 - 3 - 6 - 5BFork...
Bigfork wins Mike Nicosia Triangular
The Bigfork boys placed first at the Mike Nicosia Cat/Dog/Viking Triangular on Tuesday, April 30. The Vikings won eight different events at the meet. In the 200-meter run, Robert Merchant was first (23.66), while teammate Tayden West was fourth (24.10). Merchant was also fifth in the 100-meter run (11.83). Noah Hamilton-Dixon won the 1,600-meter run (5:09.75), while teammate Colton Ballard was second 5:25.19, Sam Ayers was third (5:28.75), Fisher Sliter was fourth and Nic Gustavson was fifth. Wyatt Johnson was first in the 110-meter hurdles (15.66), while Austin Savik was fourth (17.09). Savik would win the 300-meter hurdles (41.99) and Lance Peterson was...
Steamboat Landing subdivision back before county board
The Flathead County Planning Board on Wednesday will return to a proposed subdivision that could add 252 residential units to Somers.The board in March tabled the Steamboat Landing project asking the developer to investigate traffic mitigation options for the development planned for 63.79 acres adjacent to Somers Middle School. The Planning Board meets at 6 p.m. in the South Campus Building at 40 11th St. W. in Kalispell. Four other items also appear on the agenda. Somers Project, LLC and Somers Property, LLC are requesting a preliminary plat for Steamboat Landing, which is proposed to include 180 single-family homes and 72 condo...
Bigfork's Gunlock commits to BYU
After a banner junior season in which she helped Bigfork finish second at the State A tournament, the Valkyries’ Braeden Gunlock announced Tuesday she has committed to play women’s basketball at Brigham Young University.The 6-foot Gunlock, who will be a senior this fall, made the announcement via Instagram. She has been the lead player for a team that finished third in Class B in 2022, then won the 2023 State B championship, and in March marched into the championship game in its first season up in Class A.She had offers from Montana, Boise State and Eastern Washington, and visited UM...
FVCC celebrates 56th annual commencement May 10
Flathead Valley Community College is set to celebrate the class of 2024 at its 56th annual commencement on Friday, May 10. Commencement will take place in Wachholz College Center’s McClaren Hall on FVCC’s Kalispell campus to celebrate 271 students earning 292 degrees and certificates. The ceremony begins at 6 p.m. Also set to be honored are 12 nursing graduates at the nursing pinning ceremony held in the Arts & Technology Building, Room 139 at 3:30 p.m. FVCC is proud to honor the class of 2024 in their pursuit of knowledge, their hours of hard work, and their dedication that has led to Friday’s ceremonies. A live stream of the commencement is available by visiting FVCC’s website homepage at fvcc.edu, FVCC’s Facebook page @fvccmt or facebook.com/fvccmt, or at fvcc.edu/graduation.
Osweiler to hold camp at Legends July 20
High school and youth football players should circle July 20 on their calendars — Brock Osweiler is once again coming back to Kalispell to help with the Flathead Braves Football Camp.The day starts with a Quarterback-Receivers-Tight Ends throwing session for high school athletes from 9-10:30 a.m. at Legends Stadium. Then a youth camp for players in Grades 3-8 will run from 10:30 a.m.-noon.That will be followed by a “Legends of Flathead at Flathead” tailgate. Braves football coach Caleb Aland aims to have as many former Flathead athletic standouts attend as possible.It will be open to all the campers, and food will be provided by 406 BBQ and Sweet Peaks Ice Cream.Osweiler was a standout basketball and football player at Flathead from 2006-08, who then played quarterback at Arizona State University ahead of a 7-year NFL career with the Denver Broncos and Houston Texans. He retired in 2019.Registration is $15 and can be done through at fhsbravesfootball.com: Go to “Schedules” and hit Camp Info.For more information contact Coach Aland at fhsbravesfootball@gmail.com.
Plans take shape for luxury golf club in Lakeside
The developers behind a proposed luxury golf club in Lakeside hope to begin construction as soon as next summer if the permit process goes as planned.Representatives from Arizona-based Discovery Land Company hosted an open house Wednesday at the Lakeside QRU building to discuss the project timeline with residents and take feedback on how the exclusive development would affect the community. Discovery’s portfolio includes 33 residential enclaves across the globe, including Iron Horse Golf Club in Whitefish and the Yellowstone Club near Big Sky.Conceptual plans for the members-only club show an 18-hole golf course with 361 housing units across 1,500 acres...
Bigfork hotel plan met with traffic, sewer concerns
Concerns about highway safety and available sewer infrastructure could stymie the development of a 65-room hotel in a new subdivision north of Bigfork.The Bigfork Land Use Advisory Committee last week voted unanimously to recommend that the county Board of Adjustment deny Bigfork Hotel Group's proposal for The Fort development off Montana 83. The committee based the decision on its findings that a hotel would generate traffic levels that exceed estimations presented in the subdivision's preliminary plat application, and that questions about sewer capacity and infrastructure remained unanswered.The three-story hotel would be a Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham. According to...
Volunteers sought for trail maintenance on Wild Horse
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is seeking volunteers for a trail maintenance project on Wild Horse Island in May.FWP is planning to spend a half-day on the island completing general maintenance of the state park's trail system on Saturday, May 11. Boats will launch from the Big Arm Unit of Flathead Lake State Park at 10 a.m. and return around 3 p.m.To sign up for this trail project, call 406-837-3041. Space is limited. FWP will provide transportation to the island, tools, extra water and snacks.The island has limited amenities, including one vault latrine toilet where the work will start. Cell service will be limited as well, but organizers will have emergency response devices on hand.Volunteers will need sturdy closed-toed shoes, long pants, weather-appropriate clothing, plenty of water, snacks or a pack lunch, and should be prepared to hike 2-3 miles.For additional information, call 406-837-3041 or email FWP Land Improvement Specialist Kalle Fox at kalle.fox@mt.gov.
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The Bigfork Eagle – established in 1976 – provides the community of Bigfork with news, sports and entertainment coverage through our regularly updated news website and weekly print edition. Reinvented in 2019 after a few years hiatus, the Eagle has come back to serve the community with strong local news.
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