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Bigfork Eagle
Water and Sewer facing lawsuit, capacity issues
Bigfork Water and Sewer District is facing a lawsuit from Snowflake Land Ventures, LLC alleging it didn’t honor a 2004 easement agreement requiring the district to annex the property and to provide water and sewer hooks-ups.The owners of the 24-acre property at 795 Holt Drive, Andrew and Bonnie Matosich, were allegedly informed that the district did not have the capacity to serve their needs. “The District is not excused from its obligations because the waste line that would likely serve the property is at capacity,” said attorney Susan B. Swimley, who represents Land Ventures, in a press release. “For 20 years...
Ronan community mourns victim of alleged murder
The community of Ronan is reeling from the loss of Ed Loder, 67, who was allegedly murdered Saturday, Aug. 31, as he walked along the bike trail near his home and shop on Timberlane Road, southeast of Ronan.“Ed is one of them guys – he's a helper. He helps people all the time, and just expects nothing in return,” said his neighbor Jerry Emerson Monday, still referring to his friend in the present tense. “I could never stay even with him on paybacks.”The Lake County Sheriff’s Office announced last Friday that officers have arrested a suspect in the alleged murder....
Glacier High School student injured in lightning strike released from ICU
A Glacier High School student injured in a lightning strike last month was released from intensive care, according to an online fundraiser for the teenager. A GoFundMe page created by Maddy Schaefer, the student’s sister, described his improvement in a Sept. 10 update posted to the fundraising page. “He continues to make progress every day and we are truly thankful. Ongoing prayer and support are always appreciated. Thank you everybody,” the update read. Community donations have amassed over $70,000 to help defray the student’s medical bills and support his family while they remain out of work. During an Aug. 19 soccer...
Quilted journey: Bigfork maker’s work to be featured in ‘Think Modern, Montana!’
Merrie Ford’s quilting journey started in eighth grade sewing class in Kalispell. Now, after moving around the country and picking up different skills and styles along the way, she has returned to the Flathead to start her own studio, theArtBarnMT, in Bigfork. It was under the patient guidance of Naomi Perry, who taught home economics at Kalispell’s junior high school for 22 years, that Ford first found her passion. “I pretty much fell in love with fabric and sewed a lot of clothes during high school and college,” Ford said. A home economics major and art history minor, it seems...
Chemical fire puts Bigfork man in burn unit
Bigfork native Ken Williams left for work Sept. 6 with his dog in his truck, headed down to Polson. Williams had been working for an asbestos removal company for about two months, a job he enjoyed. He left that day in an ambulance, burnt by chemical fire. As part of the asbestos removal process, workers were applying chemical to an adhesive used to hold the old tiles in place at a commercial building in Polson. A buffer was then utilized to break up the black goo. Williams is unsure whether the chemicals or the buffer caused the spark, but in...
‘Don’t commodify our public land’
Two years ago, a Utah ski corporation and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) announced a plan to highly develop the rustic Holland Lake Lodge on public land in Condon in the rural Swan Valley.The ski corporation, POWDR, and USFS touched off a blistering public debate about the future not only of the small town and relatively wild valley, but a discussion about the future of Montana and the high-dollar outside influences changing the Big Sky State’s property, social and natural values.Skip ahead two years, and the situation has only become more challenging.A venture capitalist from Park City, Utah, the home...
Northshore Woods development back before commissioners
The Northshore Woods housing development is back on the Flathead County Commissioner’s agenda tomorrow following a settlement agreement that allowed the company to resubmit their plans. The Northshore Woods project was first proposed in 2023 and met by outrage from the public in its initial Bigfork Land Use Advisory Committee presentation. The plan called for 125 single-family homes on 105 acres between Highway 35 and Bigfork Stage Road. County Commissioners denied the preliminary plat of Phase I of the project, which would have allowed 51 homes to be built. Development company Longbow Land Partners of Jackson, Wyoming then filed a...
High school students onboard Flathead Maritime Archaeology Project
Fugro is partnering with the Bigfork Arts & Cultural Center to identify, locate, and document underwater cultural heritage sites in Flathead Lake, Montana, as part of the Flathead Maritime Archaeology Project. Working under the supervision of marine archaeologist Dr. Calvin Mires, the project is providing cultural heritage mapping and community education.Northwest Montana’s waters hold a hidden history. Beneath the surface lie shipwrecks, train wrecks, and remnants of early settlements — time capsules of the region’s past which remain largely undocumented. Launched in 2023, FMAP aims to document and preserve this underwater legacy for the benefit of the lakeside community. In...
REzMaDe artist reception comes to Bigfork Library
A VOICE (Art Vision & Outreach in Community Education) along with the Fine Art and Digital Design Technology Departments at Salish Kootenai College (SKC) are proud to present REzMaDe: photographs by SKC and Two Eagle River School photographers from the Flathead Nation. Salish Kootenai College offers a variety of analog and digital based camera-work classes throughout the school year. In a hands-on learning environment, students explore, practice, and create work that is meaningful and important to them. Our Community Record Two Eagle River School, which is central to the work at A VOICE, is a collaborative project between photographer David...
Bigfork Playhouse Children's Theatre premieres ‘The Little Mermaid, Jr.’
Join Ariel and her friends as they embark on a delightful journey filled with music, fun, and unforgettable moments for audiences of all ages. With an outstanding cast of young performers, vibrant costumes, and captivating music, “The Little Mermaid, Jr.” is sure to be a memorable experience that will leave you singing along and believing in the magic of theater. The show will be performed at the Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 20, 21, 27 and 28, with a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. on Sept. 29. Tickets are available online or at the box office one hour before the show. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit https://bigforksummerplayhouse.com/childrens-theatre or contact the Bigfork Playhouse Children’s Theatre at 406-837-0701.
Fundraiser for Bigfork Senior Center
Bigfork Community United Methodist Church will host an evening of supper, songs and local stories to benefit Bigfork Senior Center Saturday, Sept. 28 at 5 p.m. Sponsored by Bigfork and Beyond Storytelling Group, listen to stories of longtime Bigforkers and help the senior center raise money for capital improvements. Contact Karen Sykes at karensykes4450@gmail.com.
New book features Montana’s ‘Stagecoach Mary’ Fields
Bigfork’s Leslie Budewitz is back with her 18th published book. While she may be known for her Spice Shop Mysteries or Food Lovers’ Village Mysteries, this time she has dipped her finger into Montana’s rich history and cooked up a collection of tales on one of its forgotten figures -- “Stagecoach Mary Fields.” Mary Fields was born into slavery in Tennesse. She headed west in 1885 as part of the Ursuline Sisters’ Montana Mission and lived the rest of her life out in Central Montana near Cascade. She is believed to be the first Black woman with a U.S. Postal Star...
HAPPENINGS: Stockman Bank grand opening, “Seeing Things” at BACC, Ethical Material Sourcing Discussion Panel
WEDNESDAY, September 18 Lunch at Bigfork Senior Center, 11:30 to 12:30 p.m. Ethical Material Sourcing Discussion Panel at the Bigfork Library, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Learn about the new library’s participation with Design for Freedom. Free community dinner at Bethany Lutheran Church, 6 p.m. THURSDAY, September 19 Drop in fiber circle at Fiber, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Stockman Bank grand opening and ribbon cutting, 8165 Highway 35, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. FRIDAY, September 20 Lunch at Bigfork Senior Center, 11:30 to 12:30 p.m. Teen Switch Days at ImagineIf Bigfork 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Nintendo Switch games. SATURDAY, September 21 Teen Switch Days at ImagineIf Bigfork 10...
James F Hagan, 95
James F. Hagan, 95, passed away in Bigfork, Montana on September 12, 2024 of natural causes.James was born August 29, 1929 in Fort Dodge, Iowa, to Fred T. and Madge Hultsch Hagan. He graduated from Fort Dodge High School in 1947. He attended Carleton College and the University of Iowa, graduating from University of Iowa in 1952, where he was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity. He married Jean Miller, July 29, 1978 in Helena, Montana. Jim served in the U.S. Army from 1952-1954 as First Lieutenant, Corp of Engineers. He worked as an accountant for General Electric Corporation...
PHOTOS: Vikings cut down the Loggers
Bigfork soccer had another set of wins Thursday night against Libby; Vals 8-0 and Vikes 4-2. Viking Robert Merchant breaks away from the Loggers to score on Thursday. (Avery Howe/Bigfork Eagle) Ione Plummer takes a shot for Bigfork Thursday. (Avery Howe/Bigfork Eagle) Keeper Marion Herring celebrates a Bigfork play on Thursday. (Avery Howe/Bigfork Eagle) Braeden Gunlock pushes towards the goal playing Libby on Thursday. (Avery Howe/Bigfork Eagle) Pawl Bryman snags the ball from Libby on Thursday. (Avery Howe/Bigfork Eagle) Paeten Gunlock and Gracie Johnson celebrate a Bigfork point on Thursday. (Avery Howe/Bigfork Eagle) Robert Merchant (center) is celebrated by his teammates after scoring on Libby Thursday. (Avery Howe/Bigfork Eagle)
Brats, Baseball, Bigfork
Bigfork Baseball is hosting their second annual fundraiser Saturday, Sept. 14. “Our High School team is only partially funded by the school -- coaches stipend and MHSA dues -- the rest of the annual cost is up to us to fundraise, and that is the primary goal of this fundraiser. With last year being our inaugural year, we hope to keep the momentum going and roll into this second year strong,” organizer Jill Parish said. Providing transportation for players will be a key goal of the fundraiser. There will be a silent auction, live auction, 50/50 raffle, dinner and live music by Girls and Guitars at Andy’s Crafthouse Saturday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bigfork-high-school-baseball-fundraiser-2024-tickets-989008189117.
Vikes start season strong with new head coach Hunter Johnson
Bigfork Football is starting a new season with a new coach and looking good at 2-0. Head coach Hunter Johnson took over this season following Jim Benn, who coached the Vikings four seasons. Johnson is a Montana native, growing up in Dillon. “Dillon has a very big football culture, so I played high school football there,” Johnson said. He went on to coach the Beavers for three years, then coached in Whitehall for another three. Last year Johnson came to Bigfork as the team’s defensive back coach, working as a P.E. teacher for the school. “Football, I think, teaches kids a lot...
A visit to Hornet Lookout
On Saturday, March 2 circa 7:46 a.m., I was awake but still in my pajamas, bothering four of my closest friends via Snapchat. I had recruited them to help me in a near impossible mission: renting Hornet Lookout for Labor Day. The reservations for most Forest Service rentals open at 8 a.m., six months before check-in. I had been refreshing recreation.gov all morning. I watched the little digital clock at the top of my phone screen, and as it turned to 8 sharp, hit “reserve” with the reflexes of a feline on Adderall... only to be informed I had missed...
BLOTTER: Cats left by renters
August 28 A vehicle was reported pulled onto the side of the road with its presumed occupants looking through the bushes nearby. August 29 In Somers, a landlord reported their former tenants left four cats in the house. September 4 In Somers, a business owner was having issues with people trying to break in at night. Also in Somers, a man reported he could hear someone speaking outside his house, saying something about being a human trafficker. The man later called off a law enforcement response.
HAPPENINGS: Niner Niner fundraisers for Bigfork Fire Department
WEDNESDAY, September 11 Lunch at Bigfork Senior Center, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m Niner Niner Pickleball Fundraiser for the Bigfork Fire Department, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Jewel Basin Center. For more information, contact Sophia Ermoian at 760-250-0791. Free community dinner at Bethany Lutheran Church, 6 p.m. THURSDAY, September 12 Women’s/mixed doubles for the Bigfork Fire Department fundraiser, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Montana Athletic Club. For more information contact Jim Sticka at 406-692-6050. Sundowner networking event at Parkside Credit Union, 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. FRIDAY, September 13 Women’s/mixed doubles for the Bigfork Fire Department fundraiser, 9 a.m. to 5...
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