Condon
Condon, MT · Business
Flathead Beacon
Bio Station Finds ‘Forever Chemicals’ and Pharmaceuticals in Flathead Lake Watershed
When scientists at the Flathead Lake Biological Station collected water samples to test for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the Flathead water basin for the first time last fall, Director Jim Elser said they hoped the results would come back negative. The station, operated by the University of Montana, had not previously tested for the chemicals in the basin due to the expensive cost of analyses, which run at around $500 per sample, Elser said.
onekindesign.com
This lakefront house connects with its serene setting on Whitefish Lake, Montana
Olson Kundig Architects has created this stunning lakefront house that feels rooted in the traditions of lake living, yet subtle enough to blend into its surroundings on Whitefish, Montana. Oriented in parallel to Whitefish Lake, with views to nearby ski trails and the peaks of Glacier National Park, Montana Beach House encourages deep immersion within the landscape. Deliberately quiet in its surroundings, this lakeside retreat provides a flexible gathering place to comfortably host family and friends.
The Western News
State awards Farm to Market Bridge replacement contract
A Belgrade construction firm has been selected to build the new bridge across Libby Creek on Farm to Market Road, south of Libby. The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) announced in a July 9 press release that Battle Ridge Builders was selected to do the work on the $4.7 million project. The bridge was one of many structures and roads that were damaged in the December 2025 flood that caused millions of dollars of damage across south Lincoln County. “Our team has been working on restoring access since before the flood water receded and has done everything possible to fast-track project delivery,” said John Schmidt, MDT Missoula District Administrator. “We have designed the new bridge to be more resilient to future flood events.” Officials said work is scheduled to begin in the coming weeks and will include demolishing the current structure, installing bridge pilings and beams and pouring concrete. The bridge will be 28 feet wide and 303 feet long. The destroyed structure was 150 feet long. The project is scheduled for completion in late February 2027, weather and other unforeseen factors permitting. Farm to Market Road will remain closed to traffic until construction is complete. Officials asked those using
Flathead Beacon
‘Invested in Whitefish’: Longtime Whitefish Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Retires
The first 15 years of Kevin Gartland’s career may have been spent in newsrooms across the West, but he was never too far removed from a chamber of commerce. “When I was in Jackson Hole, one of my beats was covering the chamber of commerce, and I always got a load of leads from business people because they know all the stuff that nobody’s talking about in town,” Gartland said.
Montana Free Press
EPA inks clean-up agreement with Columbia Falls aluminum plant
The owner of a sprawling, long-shuttered aluminum plant in Columbia Falls has agreed to pay $57.6 million to mitigate pollution associated with decades of aluminum smelting. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released a statement Tuesday applauding an agreement with Columbia Falls Aluminum Company that outlines the cleanup objectives for one of northwestern Montana’s largest industrial sites.
Hungry Horse News
CFAC will pay millions to clean up old aluminum plant. It fought in court to pay far less
Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. has agreed to pay $57.6 million to clean up the former smelter site in Columbia Falls, according to a proposed agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency, though the previous owner ARCO, will ultimately reimburse the company 35% of that cost. The cleanup plan includes placing a slurry wall of bentonite around the wet scrubber sludge pond and west landfill where leachate and spent pot liner from the plant was dumped for years. Both areas have been found to be leaking high amounts of cyanide and fluoride into the nearby groundwater, though by the time the groundwater reaches the Flathead River, the concentrations have been shown to be greatly diminished, according to tests done by the company and vetted by the Environmental Protection Agency and state Department of Environmental Quality. The proposed consent decree marks a milestone. The property was listed as a Superfund site in 2016 and it has taken a decade to finalize the cleanup plan. In addition to the $57 million, Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. has also agreed to pay the EPA $1.8 million in past and future response costs and will also reimburse Montana for “any independent state future response costs incurred by
KPAX
Two Montana nonprofits help Kalispell mobile home residents own their land
NBCMontana
EPA inks clean-up agreement with Columbia Falls aluminum plant
COLUMBIA FALLS, Mont. — The owner of a sprawling, long-shuttered aluminum plant in Columbia Falls has agreed to pay $57.6 million to mitigate pollution associated with decades of aluminum smelting. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released a statement Tuesday applauding an agreement with Columbia Falls Aluminum Company that outlines...
Flathead Beacon
Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. Agrees to $57.6 Million Cleanup Plan at Superfund Site
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Tuesday announced that Columbia Falls Aluminum Co., LLC (CFAC) officially agreed to the roughly $57.6 million price tag attached to the Superfund cleanup plan at its former site north of the Flathead River. In the consent decree finalized with the responsible parties —...
NBCMontana
Flathead Electric upgrades underway to meet growing demand
KALISPELL, Mont. — Flathead Electric Cooperative is making major investments to keep up with northwest Montana’s rapid growth. Co-op leaders say the upgrades are about preparing the power grid for the region’s future. This summer, crews are working on substation upgrades, new transformers, underground power lines, and...
Flathead Beacon
Flathead Cherry Producers Say Harvests are ‘Hit or Miss’ this Summer
After an early spring cold snap froze a portion of Flathead cherry buds at the start of the fruit’s bloom, producers say this year’s crop is “hit or miss” on the east shore while a low supply from Washington will raise prices in northwest Montana. Brian...
Flathead Beacon
Floor Space: What You Can Buy for About $800,000
This home has filtered views of Flathead Lake and an expansive floor plan, vaulted ceilings and floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace. It also features a chef’s kitchen with granite counters and stainless steel appliances. Outside is a massive deck overlooking a level lawn and fully fenced backyard. Performance Real Estate. MLS...
Whitefish Pilot
Why resilient commercial buildings are becoming a community priority
Focusing on more resilient commercial buildings means protection for workers by reducing accident risk. These spaces are also safety refuges during emergencies such as local grid failures during heatwaves or temporary shelter from storms, in part due to backup solar generation and reinforced entryways. When businesses don't have to shut down for extended periods by being in more resilient buildings, it also protects the local economy. The Center for Sustainable Systems reports that by 2050, commercial floor space is expected to reach 143 billion square feet, a 38% increase from 2024 . Warehouses have the most space, and such buildings can include gymnasiums, hospitals, and retail, making them ideal candidates for resilient design. Why Is There a Greater Focus on Sustainable Architecture? Secure community infrastructure is a necessity as extreme climate events occur more frequently and at greater intensity. These events include longer, more severe heat waves and larger hurricanes, which can be highly destructive through shattered windows, blown-off roofs, and flooding. In other words, traditional building codes are no longer enough to guarantee safety in a structure. More commercial properties must be able to withstand the impact from fierce weather events since they are part of the urban ecosystem
Flathead Beacon
The Face Behind Kalispell Montana Hidden Gems
Emilie Sangimino started Kalispell Montana Hidden Gems with a simple mission: to help promote the local businesses and places she loved in the Flathead Valley. Fast forward, and the social media accounts Sangimino started on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok have a combined following of more than 113,000. Per analytics, the content she shares to highlight businesses in the area get upward of 1.5 million views per month. She’s expanded beyond her own base of Kalispell, highlighting businesses that are “hidden gems” in Billings, Missoula and Bozeman, with the help of local managers in each area. Hidden Gems has its own website as well, featuring businesses across several sectors like health & wellness; food & drink; places to stay; fun & adventure; shopping; professional services; and events.
NBCMontana
Flathead Electric upgrades power system across Northwest Montana to meet demand
KALISPELL, Mont. — Flathead Electric Cooperative is making major upgrades to its power system across northwest Montana to keep up with growing energy demands. The work includes substation upgrades, new transformers, underground line projects and power line repairs in Whitefish, Bigfork, Lakeside, Hungry Horse, Kalispell and the Swan. The...