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Collinsville Daily News

partner publisher · 8.1K followers
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Blue wave felt in Montana, Republicans maintain legislative control

KALISPELL, Mont. - The larch trees have turned gold in western Montana, and politically, the state is looking a little more purple. The United States saw a significant blue wave politically last night, and Montana felt the ripples. Two years after republicans took every statewide seat and ousted an 18-year incumbent Democrat, Montana is sending a democrat to the House for the first time since the 1990s. Nonstop Local’s John Riley breaks down the purple turn. Montana political reporter Mike Dennison believes the state still leans conservative, but it is not so red that Democrats can’t be competitive, especially in the west. “Oh, absolutely. I mean, you look at the results from the 2024 election between Tim Sheehy and Jon Tester, while she was beating Tester statewide in that district,” he noted. “You know, John Tester beat Tim Sheehy by a couple thousand votes. So we have now Sam Forstag doing the same year in Flint.” Forstag saw the most success in the larger urban counties, which pushed him to victory in the late hours of election night. The Western House District saw significant interest from both inside and outside the state. President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and

Montana · 1d

Bigfork Eagle

publisher · 563 followers

Flathead County commissioners greenlight first phase of luxury resort in Lakeside

Flathead County commissioners approved the first phase of a forthcoming luxury Lakeside resort Thursday on a 2-1 vote. The decision came after the vote on the final plat for Territory 1889 Phase I was delayed three times due to pending water rights issues. Arizona-based Discovery Land Company is behind the 1,700-acre subdivision west of U.S. 93 in Lakeside. The members-only resort will include single-family lots, a golf course, spa, restaurants, retail stores, offices and management facilities at full build-out. The first phase involves constructing water, wastewater and stormwater management systems for 79 residential lots and 11 open space lots. The subdivision is set to have 359 residential lots. Developers originally proposed using groundwater wells on the property to support the subdivision's water supply system. But those plans hit a snag when a use permit granted by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation for two groundwater wells got tied up in litigation. As a backup plan, developers signed an agreement with Lakeside County Water and Sewer District to purchase water allocation and connect to an existing water supply system. If the permit for the two groundwater wells does not come to fruition, developers would need to build a water

Flathead County, MT · 2d

Char-Koosta News

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Hewankorn To Be Sworn In To CSKT Tribal Council

FLATHEAD RESERVATION — Levi Hewankorn will be appointed to Tribal Council to replace the vacated seat for Pablo. Hewankorn was the other Pablo candidate in the CSKT General Election. A swearing-in ceremony is planned for 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the regular Council meeting. Council passed this action Tuesday. Hewankorn...

Pablo, MT · 22h
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Bigfork Eagle

publisher · 563 followers

Tensions flare as Lakeside grants water usage to development

Following impassioned comments from an overflowing crowd Wednesday seeking a delay or outright denial of the agreement, the Lakeside County Water and Sewer District board approved a revised contract to provide water to planned resort development near Blacktail Mountain. The district board, on a vote of 4-1, agreed to provide water to the Territory 1889 subdivision to serve the first two phases of the development. The full project is expected to include 359 homes, along with commercial development and open space, on 1,700 acres in Lakeside. The major change to the agreement was to reduce the amount of water allocated to Territory 1889. The new agreement provides an allocation of 80 acre-feet per year as opposed to 125, for an annual rate of $52,160. During the first round of public comment, the board of directors drew the ire of residents who believed there had been insufficient notice given for the meeting and that the office was inadequate to host the large group. Hands were on hips as the fired-up crowd, comprised mostly of Lakeside residents over the age of 60, stared down the board. It rapidly got louder in the small space as community members and board members spoke over

Lakeside, MT · 2d

Lake County Leader

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Lake County Courthouse renovations underway

The Lake County Courthouse is undergoing a significant transformation, which sometimes leads to a little confusion. During a recent tour with Commissioner Gale Decker, an older woman stopped him to ask where she could register to vote. He directed her across the street to the Dave Stipe Annex, now home of the Lake County Election Office.

Lake County, MT · 1d

Lake County Leader

publisher · 1.6K followers

County Commissioners approve grant application for Charlo Wastewater Lagoon Rehab Project

Failing lagoon liners and compacting sludge prompt an estimated $5.6 million Charlo Wastewater Lagoon Rehab Project. On Tuesday, Oct. 27, the Lake County Commissioners approved a Community Development Block Grant application for this project, one of the many grants the county hopes to use to fund it. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development funds the block grant, which has a maximum award of $750,000. Under HUD’s qualifications for this application, 51% or more of residents in the service area must be low- or moderate-income. A recent income study found that Charlo is over 64%, meaning Lake County can apply for this grant on behalf of the Charlo Water and Sewer District, which the county manages. The project’s civil engineer, CR Leisinger, explained that the 2025 Wastewater Preliminary Engineering Report recommended improvements to Charlo's wastewater treatment facility. The facility currently includes three lagoon cells, two wetland cells, a pump station and more. The total project scope includes replacing lagoon liners, removing sludge, creating a lift station bypass, installing flow meters and installing two devices that circulate water to improve water quality, prevent stagnation and control algae. In total, replacing the liners, which includes draining the cells, removing sludge, repairing

Lake County, MT · 1d

Char-Koosta News

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Council Dispatch For September 24 and 29

Approved a $62,500 agreement among CSKT, Never Alone Recovery Support Services and Salish Kootenai Housing Authority to support recovery services for Tribal members living at Recovery Village. Funding will come from opioid settlement interest funds for October 1, 2026–September 30, 2027. Tribal Lands Department. Approved purchasing the four one-quarter...

Lake County, MT · 1d

Lake County Leader

publisher · 1.6K followers

This week 67 years ago: City Council election plans, 4-H leaders meeting, Pirates to Ronan 26-6

The Flathead Courier, November 5, 1959 City Council Decides to Go Ahead with Election Plans and Considers Further Expansion of Limits The Polson city council Monday night decided to go ahead with plans to hold a combined election asking voters to approve a $195,000 sewage disposal system bond issue and a $195,000 water supply bond issue. At the same time, the council passed a resolution announcing its intent to investigate the possibility of expanding the city limits and stated that it is in favor of including "logical and contiguous areas." As for the election, petitions will be circulated this week and will ask that the council schedule an election. The forms will be reviewed when the council resumes its recessed regular meeting next Thursday, Nov. 12, at 7:30 p.m. in the city hall. The assistance of Harold Eagle, representing the consulting engineering firm of Morrison and Maierle, was obtained to help draw up a base map showing areas that might be included in the expansion. Commenting on the proposed expansion, Councilman Norin T. Johnson said that while tax rates for people now outside the city would increase about one-third, fire rates would decrease. He said city residents are now paying

Polson, MT · 1d

Flathead Beacon

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Democratic Candidates Emerge Victorious in Competitive North Valley House District Races

Democratic candidates Debo Powers, House District 3, and Paula Koch, House District 4, secured comfortable victories on Election Day — marking the first time both districts will send Democrats to Helena in the ruby-red Flathead Valley following redistricting in 2024. Powers, the District 3 incumbent, defeated Republican challenger Derek...

Helena, MT · 1d

NBCMontana

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Kalispell mayor faces recall effort

KALISPELL, Mont. — Kalispell Mayor Ryan Hunter is facing calls for his removal from office. The effort comes after questions were raised about a potential conflict of interest involving Hunter’s employment with Flathead Land Trust. The controversy centers on an April City Council meeting, when the council considered its long-term land use plan, PLAN-IT 2045.

Kalispell, MT · 3d

Hungry Horse News

publisher · 1.3K followers

Community could see reparations from CFAC pollution impacts

Reparations from the Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. plant’s past pollution could help Columbia Falls with projects like upgrading water lines, but it will likely be years before the city, or any other stakeholder, sees any money. That was the message last week during a meeting of trustee representatives of the State of Montana Natural Resource Damage Program. Representatives of the program, which is authorized under federal Superfund law, gave an update on its investigation of the site to date. The program will take another, and perhaps close, look at contamination at the site and ways to mitigate and ways compensate for the long-term impacts to the natural environment from the operation of the former aluminum smelter. The effort is part of Superfund law and is collectively done by the state of Montana, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Interior, collectively known as the “trustees.” About a 10 members of the public met with trustee representatives last week to get an update on the Damage Plan’s investigations to date. The Damage Risk Assessment is separate from the Superfund cleanup of the defunct smelter. Instead, it looks to recoup damage done to the environment

Columbia Falls, MT · 2d

XL Country 100.7

partner publisher · 8.6K followers

Three Montana Towns Just Made a Major National List

Three Montana towns just landed on a major national ranking — but affordability remains a challenge.

Montana · 4d

theoutdoorwire.com

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Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte Visits PROOF Research to Celebrate New Columbia Falls Facility

COLUMBIA FALLS, Mont. – PROOF Research® welcomed Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte to its Columbia Falls headquarters on Wednesday, Oct. 28, to celebrate the opening of the company's newest facility and spotlight its continued growth as a Montana manufacturer. Marked by a ribbon cutting for the new building, the...

Columbia Falls, MT · 4d

Whitefish Pilot

publisher · 1.1K followers

Roundup for Safety supports Marion Fire, Abbie Shelter

Five local organizations are receiving a combined $31,885 in grants from Flathead Electric Cooperative's Roundup for Safety program to support projects that improve community safety. The latest grants include $12,000 for the Marion Fire District to purchase new emergency radios. Serving more than 40 square miles of rugged terrain west of Kalispell, the district will use the radios to improve communication with dispatchers and neighboring agencies, helping emergency responders coordinate resources and respond faster and more safely. The Abbie Shelter received $10,000 for safety fencing. The organization provides confidential services and temporary safe housing for individuals and families experiencing domestic violence in Flathead County. Steps of Justice received $1,500 for improvements to a children's play area; Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp will use $4,000 for fire hoses, nozzles and reels to strengthen fire protection; and Fair Mont Egan School District: $4,385 for safety fencing. Roundup for Safety is a voluntary program funded by Flathead Electric Cooperative members who choose to round up their monthly electric bills to the nearest dollar. These small contributions, averaging about $6 per year per participating member, are pooled together and awarded by an independent board to nonprofit organizations and community projects that improve safety throughout the

Marion, MT · 2d

Hungry Horse News

publisher · 1.3K followers

Columbia Falls veteran honored by Gen. Dan Caine

Columbia Falls alumni and Air Force veteran Manuel “Manny” Guzman was recognized by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. John “Daniel” Caine with a challenge coin for his work to boost airman morale during the early weeks of the Iran War. Senior Airman Guzman, an avionics technician working on F-35 fighter jets, is also avid boxer and weightlifter. As drones and missiles dropped ordnance on and around the U.S. Air Force base in Jordan, Guzman, was working with his squad seven days a week, 12 hours a day keeping the F-35 jets maintained for the battle. They often found themselves sleeping in underground bunkers when they weren’t working, to avoid missile strikes. The above ground barracks were tight as well. Four people to one small room in two bunks. With the war in full tilt, tensions were high. In order to keep their sanity, Guzman initiated a boxing and weightlifting program for the squadron. The war and the stress “was a character building experience,” Guzman said in an interview a few weeks ago, when he was back in the Flathead Valley on leave to visit family because his grandmother had died. His family is well-known for its boxing

Columbia Falls, MT · 2d

Flathead Beacon

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Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks to Increase Surveying Efforts After Invasive Mussel Larva Detected in Whitefish Lake

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) confirmed the presence of a nonviable invasive mussel larva at Whitefish Lake, marking the first detection of invasive mussel species in the state for nearly a decade. The discovered larva was not yet cause for concern, FWP officials said, as monitoring has not revealed...

Whitefish, MT · 2d

Flathead Beacon

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Flathead County Commissioners Approve First Phase of Luxury Lakeside Golf Club Despite Water Right Concerns

Flathead County commissioners on Thursday approved the final plat for the first phase of the luxury “Territory 1889 Golf & Lake Club,” despite the absence of a secure water right that has presented liability concerns. The initial phase is slated to include 79 lots of the total 359 single-family homes planned on 1,700 acres in Lakeside.

Flathead County, MT · 7d

Flathead Beacon

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Lakeside District Downsizes Water Rights for Territory 1889

Lakeside County Water and Sewer District board members gathered in the district’s small conference room Wednesday afternoon to discuss the water rights for Territory 1889, Discovery Land Company’s latest resort development proposed for Lakeside. The district approved a water lease agreement for the development in August to lease 125 acre-feet of water, or 40.7 million gallons, annually to Territory 1889. The lease included water for phase one, two and parts of phase three.

Lakeside, MT · 7d

Flathead Beacon

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Flathead County Library Ends Talks With Developer Over Kalispell Center Mall Site

Flathead County Library is pulling out of negotiations with SHOP Development Company to purchase a piece of Kalispell Center Mall property for a future library branch. Parkline Partners LP, an affiliate of SHOP, is in the process of requesting Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds to help transform the mall property. The Texas-based developers had been in talks with the county library about a section of the northwest corner of the lot.

Flathead County, MT · 8d

montanian.com

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50 Years of Power. None of the Benefit.

Guest opinion submitted to The Montanian in response to “Libby Dam’s Generator Unit 6 Strengthens Reliability and Conservation,” October 21, 2026. This paper recently carried an account of the Unit 6 installation at Libby Dam, submitted by the Army Corps of Engineers. It is accurate, it is informative, and the engineering it describes deserves the respect it was given. Lincoln County has no quarrel with a single figure in it.

Lincoln County, MT · 8d