Stevensville, MT Municipal and More

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MDT hustling to complete U.S. 93 West of Whitefish construction before snow flies

The Montana Department of Transportation is hustling to complete the majority of the U.S. Highway 93 construction project West of Whitefish before winter comes. Activities the week of Oct. 12 include pouring concrete curb and gutter throughout the project area, according to the project's website. Pilot cars continue to guide one-way traffic during active construction. The project, contracted with Knife River, is between Livermore Flats and Mountainside Drive. It started in early spring 2025 with the aim of enhancing the safety of the three-mile stretch. The project includes resurfacing, guard rail work, widening the shoulders, updating signage and building a shared use path that is ADA compliant. “As they have been working on the new driving surface, there’s been some challenges," said Becca MacLean, a communicator on behalf of the Montana Department of Transportation. "There’s groundwater that’s been unexpected that essentially causes them to take more time to make sure that the surface is cleared out effectively and dry in order to move forward." Even with these challenges, MacLean affirms that the project is moving according to schedule. Some citizens and community members have voiced concerns about the delays and safety issues throughout the entirety of this project. MacLean said

Whitefish, MT · 27d

Valley Press - Mineral Independent

Lake County commissioners consider no longer collecting irrigation fees

A spike in fees paid by irrigation divisions has Lake County officials reevaluating the county's role as fee collector. Commissioners met on Sept. 30 to discuss stopping the collection of fees from irrigation divisions. The fees are collected by way of property tax bills and help finance the Flathead Indian Irrigation Project, a federally run program under the Bureau of Indian Affairs. It's a debate county officials have had with the Flathead Irrigation District — a collective of the Camas, Jocko and Mission Valley irrigation divisions — since 2021. When commissioners passed a resolution in 2022 to remove the fee from property tax bills in July 2023, irrigators argued it would subject them to multiple layers of red tape. The resolution was rescinded by commissioners in March 2023 after they failed to get an answer on the legal ramifications of the move. Commissioner Gale Decker returned to the issue three years later after reading about the irrigation project's recent rate increase in the Daily Inter Lake. It's getting harder for property owners in irrigation divisions to pay their property tax bills, he said, and the county can't accept a property tax bill with unpaid irrigation fees. It also puts the

Lake County, MT · 27d

Whitefish Pilot

Guest opinion: Vote Paula Koch for House District 4

As a Columbia Falls native (Class of '98), my wife and I returned to the Flathead Valley to raise our children near family. After a 20-year career as a civil engineer, I transitioned into teaching to serve our community. Through my daily work in our schools, service on the city Planning Commission, and involvement with several local non-profits, I see firsthand the challenges facing our area from rising housing costs and overlooked infrastructure needs to the heavy financial burden property taxes place on working families. Solutions to these issues require pragmatic action, not rigid ideological positions. That is why I support Paula Koch. Having seen Paula teach both of my children and now working alongside her as a fellow educator, I know her dedication firsthand. She is an exceptional teacher and a fierce advocate for public education. She has fought directly for quality schools and teachers. Chiefly though, I know Paula as a thoughtful listener and committed leader. She takes the time to truly understand complex community challenges before offering practical, balanced solutions. Paula recognizes that sustainable solutions come from doing the work, seeking common ground, and keeping Montana affordable for working people and families. We need representatives in Helena

NBCMontana

partner publisher · 712 followers

Kalispell neurologist wins Montana Medical Association award of merit

KALISPELL, Mont. — After three decades of caring for patients in Montana, Kalispell neurologist Bret Lindsay has been selected for a statewide honor recognizing service and leadership in health care. Lindsay has been named the Montana Medical Association’s 2026 Healthcare Honors Award of Merit. The award recognizes people who...

Kalispell, MT · 28d

We Are Great Falls

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 · 29d

NBCMontana

publisher · 564 followers

NBC MT Today: Trump rally in Kalispell, voting rally in Bozeman, dense fog

What is the focus of Bozeman Library's renovation?

Kalispell, MT · 27d

Bigfork Eagle

The century club: Montana's centenarians reflect on 100 years of life

The year was 1926. The world was stunned by the first public demonstration of the television, Ford factory workers invented the 40-hour work week and Babe Ruth hammered a World Series record three homers over the fence against the St. Louis Cardinals. It was also the year that, in the fledgling state of Montana with a population just shy of 550,000, a baby girl named Blanche Garrett was born in the tiny town of Terry. Garrett scraped her way through the Great Depression in the Flathead Valley, built ships in Portland, Oregon, during World War II and then returned to her native Montana, where she married the love of her life and they bought their first home for $6,500 with no down payment. And 10 decades later, Garrett celebrated her 100th birthday in the company of 14 of Montana's centenarians who were honored at the 57th annual Governor's Conference on Aging on Oct. 7 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Kalispell. "It's a privilege to help recognize and celebrate Montana's centenarians. This year, nearly 40 Montanans have reached or surpassed the remarkable milestone of turning 100 years young," Gov. Greg Gianforte quipped during an introductory video. "What an incredible achievement.

Montana · 26d

Hungry Horse News

publisher · 1.3K followers

Council has good-natured debate over rocks

As the first phase of the city’s Gateway to Glacier Safety and Mobility project comes to fruition this fall, the city council last week had a good-natured debate on whether the resulting boulevards on Seventh Street West and Fourth Avenue West should be rocks or grass. Councilman John Piper said he liked rocks, as they are low maintenance and while some people take care of the grass, there are others that don’t, which results in weeds. City councilwoman Marijke Stob, however, said she didn’t like rocks, as they made the walks in the summertime all the hotter. She definitely preferred grass. Mayor Don Barnhart split it down the middle, saying rocks were low maintenance, yes, but grass looked better. As far as not maintaining the grass, he noted that happens everywhere in the city, though most people are good about it. City Manager Eric Hanks said the city will likely look for a mix. The city has plans to plant trees in some areas and where people wanted grass in front of their house, they did pipe in irrigation under the sidewalks to make sure the lawn got water. He also said the city would likely plant other types of

Flathead Beacon

Pandina, Koch Face Off for House District 4 Seat After Incumbent’s Primary Defeat

With Republican Shaun Pandina and Democrat Paula Koch each running for their first term in the Montana Legislature, both candidates are leaning into their deep community roots in House District 4 as Election Day nears. For Pandina, a 1997 graduate of Columbia Falls High School, running for the Legislature is...

Columbia Falls, MT · 26d

NBCMontana

Hundreds without power in West Glacier, other outages across Montana

MISSOULA, Mont. — A number of power outages are reported across western Montana this morning. Flathead Electric's outage map is reported 386 customers without power in the West Glacier area. The outage was reported just after 4 a.m. Monday. Northwestern Energy is reporting over a dozen small outages of...

Montana · 29d

Whitefish Pilot

Guest opinion: Vote Koch for HD4

I have had the honor and privilege of being friends and colleagues with Paula Koch for over thirty years. During our friendship as well as our time teaching together at Columbia Falls Junior High School, I’ve directly witnessed Paula’s positive leadership, energy, and commitment with staff, students, parents, and community members. Education is vital to Paula. She not only encourages her students to explore their interests but also challenges them to connect their learning with complex community, national, and global issues. Consequently, she helps them see themselves as part of a bigger picture. And, Paula knows that our current educational system needs support. Our young people are our bright futures, and we need to provide a better way to fund our schools. With the recent failure of the high school bond in Columbia Falls, we all realize change is needed, but we need new pathways to forge these changes. Paula is that person. We all need Paula’s energetic, hardworking presence in Helena. She will advocate persistently and passionately for her constituents, carefully considering her voters’ diverse needs and working for all of us. Paula not only listens but she also takes action. She knows how to reach across the aisle,

Lake County Leader

publisher · 1.3K followers

Opinion: Farmer looks to Bradford to put constituents first in HD 13

As a fourth-generation Western Montana farmer and a sixth-generation American farmer, I’ve always considered myself a conservative Republican. But with today’s toxic political environment I find more solace thinking of myself as an Independent. When I consider a candidate nowadays, I look for quality of character first and...

Polson, MT · 26d

Hungry Horse News

Yesterdays: Flathead's forks added to Wild and Scenic River Act

70 years ago Oct. 12, 1956 Packer Chuck Dawson shot a huge grizzly in the South Fork that was estimated between 800 and 900 pounds. Dawson shot the bear with one bullet from a 30-30 from 70 feet. The paws were almost 15 inches long. 60 years ago Oct. 14, 1966 LeRoy Tallman, 19, hit a grizzly near the West Glacier dump and overturned his pickup truck. His arm was pinned under the truck, but he was able to bust out a window with the other hand and get a jack out of the truck. He jacked up the truck enough to get his arm unpinned and then went for help, which was 2 miles away at the Tom Sloan residence. 50 years ago Oct. 14, 1976 The three forks of the Flathead River system, some 219 miles of rivers, were formally protected under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. The addition was supported by Congressman Max Baucus. In addition, a study of the Great Bear Wilderness was also approved. 40 years ago Oct. 15, 1986 In its first year, the Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. turned a profit, sharing proceeds with employees and paying off a state loan. Chairman Brack

Whitefish Pilot

Whitefish Park Board considers permanent stage in Depot Park

Public input is still being taken as the Whitefish Park Board weighs the possibility of building a permanent stage in Depot Park. A group of community members, some involved in arts and performances, floated the idea in April. The proposal is sponsored by the Whitefish Lions Club. Ed Boggs, a local musician and vice president of the Lions Club, is spearheading the proposal. “It is to provide protection for performers from the elements and a ready-made space with access to power,” Boggs said, noting that he’s had electric equipment get rained on. “We don’t want to encroach on the existing space. We want to tuck it back by the trees.” Depot Park is a 2-acre park acquired by the city of Whitefish in 2009. It serves as a physical link to the historic train depot and its Amtrak station. The park hosts several popular events throughout the year, including weekly farmers markets, art festivals and Great Northwest Oktoberfest. In 2012, the city adopted a Depot Park Master Plan which generally recommends maintaining the park as a green space with preserved views and minimal non-living elements such as structures and concrete. The plan designates the pavilion to be the only permanent

Whitefish, MT · 27d

Whitefish Pilot