Polson
Polson, MT · Business
businessdailynetwork.com
Kalispell Farmers Market on October 3, 2026
The Kalispell Farmers Market offers the freshest produce grown in the Flathead Valley and an array of locally made goods. Every Saturday during the summer and fall from 9 am to 12:30 pm, local farmers sell everything from meat and eggs, fruits and vegetables, to baked goods, native plants and trees. Shop for handmade jewelry, pottery, soaps, paintings, and many more creations by the region’s talented artisans.
KPAX
WinCo submits plans to Kalispell for new store location
Char-Koosta News
CSKT Opposes Proposed Opencut Gravel Pit in Pablo
PABLO — The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes oppose a proposed opencut mining permit for a 32-acre gravel pit in Pablo, citing concerns about potential impacts to groundwater and surface water, nearby homes, public water and sewer infrastructure, and educational facilities. The Tribes recently received formal notification from WGM...
Whitefish Pilot
Bank stabilization required for new townhome along Whitefish River
A new development adjacent to Whitefish's Veterans Memorial Bridge is slated to be a three-unit townhome after undergoing an atypical permitting process. The developing building is on the west bank of the Whitefish River across from Kay Beller Park at 1 W. Second St. The project is part of a larger planned unit development that was originally approved in 2004 with the subdivision approval granted in August 2006. The property owner of the 1.3-acre river-adjacent lot is Fifth Avenue Partners, LLC of Tallahassee, Florida. Whitefish city code designates a 20-foot setback along the Whitefish River. There is also a buffer zone of 75 feet or the top of the bank, whichever is greater. However, according to city of Whitefish planners, the project was exempt from the city's water quality protection requirements because the lot was created during a specific approval window, dated April 3, 2006 to March 3, 2008. While exempt from the city's water quality protection, the developers were required to obtain a 310 permit from the Flathead Conservation District. The Montana Natural Streambed and Land Preservation Act of 1975 mandates 310 permits with the intention of protecting streams and rivers and the lands adjacent. The law requires any
NBCMontana
Flathead Electric Coop crews to conduct vegetation maintenance in Libby area
KALISPELL, Mont. — Flathead Electric Cooperative will have tree crews working along local power lines in Libby this fall. FEC says contractors will spend about six to eight weeks inspecting vegetation and trimming or removing trees and brush as needed. The work is designed to maintain safe clearance, reduce...
Flathead Beacon
Floor Space: What You Can Buy for About $750,000
This three-bedroom home sits on 1.06 acres with stunning views of Foys Lake and vaulted ceilings that fill the living room with natural light. A large Trex deck extends the living space outdoors, and the beautiful property offers privacy, space, and the perfect blend of comfort and Montana charm. Beckman’s Real Estate.
Char-Koosta News
Mission Valley Fruit Gleaning Program Seeks Community Participation
The Mission Valley Fruit Gleaning Program is asking residents to help reduce bear conflicts by harvesting fruit from local trees and donating any excess produce to area food banks. Community members planning to harvest fruit may pick up collection boxes and drop off unneeded fruit at designated locations throughout the...
Whitefish Pilot
Opinion: Keeping Whitefish on solid footing under Montana’s new property taxes
Montana’s recent changes to property taxation are reshaping what homeowners see on their tax bills: FY26 moved from a flat 1.35% residential rate to a graduated structure, and FY27 introduces a Homestead Exemption with primary residences and long‑term rentals remaining on a graduated structure, while second homes and short‑term rentals are taxed at a flat 1.9%. For Whitefish, prudence matters. The City has relied on carry‑forward mills, a financial shock absorber, to avoid sudden tax spikes. Recognizing real risk that the Legislature may eliminate this cushion, the Council chose on a 4-3 vote, to use more mills now. We moved from 27.82 carry‑forward mills at the end of FY26 to 11.59 at the end of FY27. This decision is about stability, not spending for spending’s sake. This decision also helps us avoid leaning on reserves for day‑to‑day operations and fund planned capital improvements not instead of using reserves or deferring projects to future years. What does this mean for a typical primary residence? Based on the mill levy and assessments needed to balance the budget, a $1,000,000 home will see less than a 6.6% increase in the City portion of the tax bill, which totals about $53 a year, or
Flathead Beacon
Floor Space: What You Can Buy for About $890,000
Set on 1.85 acres with sweeping views of Flathead Lake and the Swan Mountains, this three-bedroom home offers main-floor living plus a finished basement for recreation or guests. A deep attached garage adds workshop space, and the mid-century character is ready for a personal touch. It’s a 3-minute drive to the Lakeside public beach. Dean & Leininger, Inc.
The Western News
Three Lincoln Co. fire companies receive Town Pump grants
The Town Pump Charitable Foundation has provided grants totaling nearly $1.2 million to 81 volunteer firefighting groups across Montana this summer, including three serving the Libby area. The total was about $425,000 more than the Foundation originally planned to provide, but following overwhelming response to the grant offer, the Foundation increased its grant budget. The grants will be used for a variety of life-saving equipment, including turnouts (fire-safety suits), SCBAs (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus), rescue equipment, pumps, and automated external defibrillators and training. In the Libby area, the Libby Volunteer Fire Department received $20,000 for personal protection equipment (PPE), the Fisher River Valley Fire Rescue received $20,000 for a Lucas CPR kit and the Troy Volunteer Fire Department received $20,000 a live-burn training facility. "We appreciate the commitment of volunteer firefighters across Montana,” said Bill McGladdery, director of corporate communications for Town Pump. “Their needs for personal protective equipment, SCBAs, training resources and other equipment were greater than what we had originally forecasted. We hope that these grant funds to volunteer fire departments will help strengthen our Montana communities.”
Char-Koosta News
SKHA Opens New Transitional Supportive Housing in Ronan
PABLO — The Salish & Kootenai Housing Authority (SKHA) cut the ribbon on its newest Transitional Supportive Housing facility Aug. 20, celebrating the opening with staff, contractors and the families who will live there. The facility builds on the model of SKHA’s Transitional Living Center in Pablo, offering a...
Lake County Leader
Polson continues in ‘okay’ tax revenue this budget season due to growth
As Montana’s taxable values have continued to change over the last few years, small cities have felt the impact, leaving them with a less reliable basis for projecting their next budget. The changes led to cuts in the City of Polson’s last year’s budget, and with 2026 taxable values...
montanian.com
Libby Employers Should Protect The First-Job Workload
Montana’s apprenticeship expansion aims to grow work-based learning while AI changes how work gets done. Libby employers should protect the work that turns beginners into professionals. Stanford Digital Economy Lab’s August update found the employment shortfall for workers ages 22–25 in highly AI-exposed occupations widened from 15% to 19%...
Lake County Leader
Bison Valley Farms raises lavender, dahlias, sunflowers and so much more
The lavender plants are rounded puffs stirring gently with the breeze. The fragrance is ahead — clean, calming, but not too sweet — and the bees are buzzing happily in the endless rows. The plants must grow well in the calmness, quiet, goodness and caring CarolAnne Rozelle exudes...
Hungry Horse News
Most homeowners will see city tax decrease
Owners of primary residences in the city of Columbia Falls should see their property taxes go down this year, while owners of second homes and short-term rentals will see their taxes go up. That was the message last week as city council continued its review of the 2026-27 budget. A primary residence assessed for $600,000 this year will see an estimated city general fund tax bill of about $777, a decrease of about $359 over 2025. That’s due to the resort tax rebate and changes in state property tax formulas. A $600,000 second home, or short-term rental, will see a tax increase of $558.54. The state Legislature in 2025 changed the tax formula, which lowered the tax rate on primary residences, but increased it on secondary homes and short-term rentals and other income producing properties. Long term rentals also enjoy a lower tax rate. But there are other city taxes in play. The city’s medical levy, for example, amounts to $207 on the same home, the lighting district about $14 and street maintenance about $104. The street maintenance levy falls far short of what the city needs to maintain its streets, City Manager Eric Hanks noted to council, and it