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LATEST NEWS
Forest Service asks for public input on outfitter permit renewals for raft companies
By CHRIS PETERSONHungry Horse NewsThe Flathead National Forest is looking to renew five commercial outfitter permits for the North and Middle Forks of the Flathead River outside of wilderness boundaries. The five outfitters are the Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp, Glacier Guides and Montana Raft Co., Glacier Raft Co. Great Northern Whitewater Raft Co and Wild River Adventures. They have previously been permitted for the past 30 to 50 years, depending on the company, according to a recent scoping letter. River usage surged in 2021 but has since leveled off. In 2023, outfitters had about 69,592 service days on the lower Middle Fork,...
Bulldogs in high spirits after 42 – 22 win against Bigfork
The Whitefish football team is in high spirits after a momentous 42 – 22 win against conference foes Bigfork on Friday at the homecoming game. “It was a fun one. We did about everything that I could have hoped. I’m pleased with how the team played well on all facets of the game. Hopefully, it’s a launching point for us,” said Brett Bollweg, head coach for Whitefish. The Bulldogs are now 3-3 overall and 3-2 in Western A. CJ Thew, who shot 78 at the State A golf tournament earlier that afternoon, sandwiched two TD catches around a 98-yard return...
Gift Card Giveaway in Libby, Events in Kalispell and Eureka Too
We did a big tour through Havre, Big Sandy, Livingston, and Butte...now we are headed to Kalispell, Libby, and Eureka. We've been hitting grocery stores, restaurants, hardware stores and other places all across Montana as part of a statewide tour paid for by Americans for Prosperity-Montana. Here was an initial announcement I did when we started the tour in Northeastern Montana.
Northshore Woods preliminary plat moves forward
Flathead County Commissioners approved Northshore Woods housing development’s preliminary plat on Tuesday, Oct. 1, despite resounding disapproval received in public comment. Comment, continued in last week’s meeting, largely involved worries from the surrounding community over limited infrastructure and emergency response capabilities. The current plat would allow for 51 single family homes on 43 acres of land in Bigfork, with the main access coming from Peaceful Drive and additional connectivity to Bigfork Stage Road. Internal paving in the subdivision would connect the two county roads, which is expected to reduce concerns about evacuation in case of a wildfire. Findings also stated,...
Aero Lane mechanic shop will continue to run out of home
Flathead County Board of Adjustments approved a conditional use permit for an after-the-fact home occupation mechanic shop in Bigfork during their Oct. 1 meeting, with recommended changes from Bigfork Land Use Advisory Committee. Next Level Mechanics, owned by Zachary Michnal, has been running as a major repair shop for roughly two years in a partially finished shop next to his residence, which was purchased in 2018 on Aero Lane. It is zoned SAG-5 Suburban Agricultural, which requires a conditional use permit for home occupation businesses with outbuildings, vehicle traffic that exceeds 16 cars a day, or where more than one...
Boys soccer: Wildcats take conference crown with tie against Bulldogs
Hungry Horse NewsThe season's win streak is over, but the Columbia Falls Boys soccer team still won the North A boys soccer conference title by virtue of a tie against Whitefish Tuesday night at home to cap off the regular season.The visiting Bulldogs jumped ahead in the 10th minute, with Preston McPherson scoring off a helper from Kyle Jonson. But Wildcat Bruno Felijo’s equalizer, his 13th of the season, came on a penalty kick in the 30th minute. The Wildcats ended their regular season 11-0-1 overall, 7-0-1 in the North A. “Credit to Whitefish, I believe they were the better team at...
Pavement project on Big Mountain Road complete
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT), in partnership with Knife River, announced the completion of a construction project north of Whitefish on Big Mountain Road. Initial work on Big Mountain Road began in August 2023 and resumed in 2024. “A heartfelt thank you for your understanding and patience during this two-season construction project,” said Bob Vosen, MDT Missoula district administrator. In 2023, crews dug out and repaved the top layer of two targeted sections of Big Mountain Road on both sides of the intersection with Ptarmigan Road. These curved sections of roadway were identified as needing additional structural support. In 2024, work...
Tuck new director for The Birth Center at Logan Health
Callie Tuck has been named to replace Felicity Williams, who is relocating out of state, as the director of The Birth Center at Logan Health – Whitefish. Tuck’s first official day was September 23. “Callie is a respected leader within our team already, so she transitions to this new role with great staff support,” said Amy Vanterpool, Logan Health Vice President, Chief Nursing Officer. “She has been responsible for a number of leadership duties during her dozen years as the liaison for electronic medical records, overseeing simulation training and as the lead the birth center practice council and hospital collaborating...
Co-op's Ribeye Raffles donates 1,000 pounds of meat and $19,008 to food banks
Flathead Electric Cooperative is proud to announce the results of its signature yearly fundraiser for seven area food banks. The 2024 Ribeye Raffle raised $19,008 and approximately 1,000 pounds of meat for donation to the North Valley, Columbia Falls, Flathead, Bigfork, West Shore, Libby, and NW Montana Veterans food banks. As part of its commitment to the community members who own the cooperative, Flathead Electric purchases beef, lamb, and hogs each year during the 4-H and FFA (Future Farmers of America) Market Sale at the Northwest Montana Fair and at the Lincoln County Fair. The meat goes to the food banks,...
Whitefish Trail Blazer a highlight for local trail runners
Over 550 runners blazed the Whitefish Trail last weekend, taking part in the 15th annual trail running event hosted by Whitefish Legacy Partners. Formally called the Whitefish Trail Legacy Run, the new event, The Whitefish Trail Blazer, featured a more mountainous 50k course starting and finishing at Whitefish Mountain Resort. With more than 6,300 vertical feet in over 30 miles, 134 runners got the opportunity to climb up Big Mountain not once, but twice. Luke Schmidt of Kalispell took the top spot in 4:38.31, and not far behind in second overall was the top female – and the youngest participant...
Christian women meeting coming up
Women meetColumbia Falls Women’s Connection will host a luncheon on Wednesday, October 16 at 11:30 a.m. at the First Baptist Church located at 827 9th St West in Columbia Falls. Special feature is Alyx Wieringa from Glacier Floral Designs and keynote speaker is Tiffany Geer, 2024 Montana Mother of the Year. She will share her inspirational story. Donations of non-perishable food items will be collected for The Columbia Falls Food Bank. Cost is $10 and all women are welcome to attend. For reservations call Janet at 406-892-3621 or email cfwomensconnection@yahoo.com by 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 13. Please honor or cancel reservations. Affiliated with Stonecroft Ministries.
Six vie for Whitefish government review commission
Six candidates are running for five commissioner positions with the Local Government Study committee. Whitefish voters chose to support study in the June election and will elect commissioners Nov. 5. Saundra Alessi, Nathan Dugan, Michael Hein, Kevin McDowell, Dakota Whitman and Scott Wurster will be on the ballot. Every 10 years, voters in Flathead County and in each of the valley’s municipalities are asked to decide whether they would like to have a local government review. Montana’s Constitution is the only one in the country that requires local governments to ask citizens if they would like to study the efficacy of government. This...
Lady Bulldogs notch homecoming win over Libby
Whitefish picked up an impressive 25-9, 25-15, 25-14 homecoming sweep over Northwest A foe Libby to improve to 7-1 in the conference and 8-2 overall.“A great homecoming win tonight for the Bulldogs,” Whitefish Head Coach Addy Connelly said.Kaydence Blackwell set out 14 of the team’s 22 assists, while Camry Kelch had five aces and five kills. Myli Ridgeway also had five kills. Maggie Mercer led the Lady Bulldogs with seven digs.Isabella Hartwig was perhaps the most powerful on both sides of the ball, smacking 11 kills and posting an attack-stopping seven blocks.“Camry Kelch served 32 times and added five aces to the game,” Connelly said. “Maggie Mercer led the backcourt with great passing while Izzy Hartwig led the front line in kills and blocks.”
New non-profit art studio hosts Fall Harvest Moon Fest
The Making Place is capping off their first season of events with a free family friendly fall festival, Harvest Moon Fest. Harvest Moon Fest will be held on Saturday, Oct. 12 from noon-8 p.m. at 700 Mooring Road, Columbia Falls. This event will be a celebration of art, music, food and community in collaboration with the Montana Harvest Moon Homestead. The festival will feature artist booths, games and activities, artist demos such as pottery and screen printing, live music, an open mic, food, drinks and a raffle. Conceived in October of last year, The Making Place is a new nonprofit organization...
Green and Gold: Reflections of gratitude
I begin each school year with enthusiasm and appreciation for our schools and community. One of the greatest joys of my job is my weekly visits to each building, where I witness exceptional education in action. I am honored and proud to be the superintendent of such an outstanding educational system supported and shaped by all of us. As I walk through the three buildings of the Whitefish School District, I see our incredibly talented staff and administration in action. I see welcoming, caring and supportive educators helping students engage in learning as they start the new school year. As I...
Girls soccer: Cats down Bulldogs at home to take conference crown
Hungry Horse NewsThe Columbia Falls girls' soccer team wrapped up the regular season and took the North A conference title by beating Whitefish at home Tuesday, 1-0.Isla Alexander’s goal in the ninth minute, a sweet floater that went up and over the over the goalie's head was all the Cats as needed as they dominated possession against the Bulldogs.“The girls came out on fire and scored a goal early,” Columbia Falls coach Thomas Clark said. “Evie Dorr found Isla Alexander and Isla had a great shot outside the box. We have been working a lot on utilizing our wingbacks more...
Celebrity chef Alton Brown coming to Wachholz Center; tickets on sale now
Wachholz College Center is excited to announce that television personality, author and famed food expert Alton Brown will bring his final national theater tour, “Alton Brown Live: Last Bite,” to the Wachholz College Center in Kalispell on March 25, 2025. This special performance is part of Brown’s 60 city farewell tour which promises an unforgettable evening of fun and entertainment. Brown, who has more than eight million followers on social media, has a history of creating successful, interactive culinary variety shows. His “Edible Inevitable,” “Eat Your Science,” and “Beyond the Eats” tours performed in more than 200 cities with more than 550,000 fans in attendance. He also hosted the iconic programs “Iron Chef America,” “Food Network Star,” and “Cutthroat Kitchen.” He is the recipient of a pair of James Beard awards and a Peabody. He lives in Atlanta with his wife, the designer Elizabeth Ingram, and a trio of nefarious canines. Tickets for this event go on sale Friday, Oct. 11. For more information and ticket details, visit wccmt.org or contact the ticket office at 406-756-1400.
Whitefish girls golf second, boys fourth at state
Both the Whitefish girls and boys golf team climbed in the rankings this season, finishing second and fourth at the State A tournament last weekend in Polson. The girls placed second with 727, shooting 367 on Friday and 360 on Saturday. They were behind Billings Central 341-344-685, but ahead of rivals Frenchtown in third with 369-370-739. Power duo Karlee Brown, 83-86-169, and Stella Jaffe, 86-85-171, placed seventh and eighth, respectively. Teammates Rhylee Scott 97-88-185, Ava Zignego 102-101-203 and Caroline Owen 101-108-209 helped secure the second-place team finish. The boys shot 620 over the two days; 309 on Friday and 314 on Saturday, which was good for fourth in the state behind Laurel with 598, Billing Central with 600, and Corvallis with 606. Aiden Rickels took seventh with 74-74-148, followed by Mason O’Neil 70-80-150, Otto Klein 84-75-159, CJ Thew 78-85-163, and Colby Minton, 89-97-186.
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