Whitefish author writes resilient women characters
When John Zaiss submitted his first novel, a financial thriller, to publishers the rejections came back with a lesson he took to heart.
Flathead County landfill rates set for increase this fall
Flathead County landfill rates could be increasing by 15% beginning this fall.
Wrangle up some seats – County fairgrounds grandstands expected to open after repairs
Fairgoers should be able to grab a seat at the rodeo or concerts during the Northwest Montana Fair in August after an analysis showed the grandstands needing immediate repairs are safe.
Whitefish's proposed budget calls for increase in property taxes
Owing to a decrease in resort tax collections and a need to increase employee wages, Whitefish’s proposed budget calls for an increase in property taxes.
Flathead County closes fairgrounds grandstand due to safety concerns
Safety concerns have forced the closure of the main seating structures in the arena at the Flathead County Fairgrounds and pushed events to alternate venues for the time being.
Flathead County passes septage treatment facility to Lakeside district
Flathead County is handing over the construction and future operation of a regional septage treatment facility to the Lakeside County Water and Sewer District.
Brodehl has Democrat challenger for Flathead commission seat
Flathead County commissioner Republican Randy Brodehl will face challenger Democrat Jim Lockwood in this fall’s election.
Experienced fire manager looks to lead rural Whitefish fire area
D.C. Haas traded in climbing into black bear dens for fighting fires when he moved to Montana several decades ago.
Voters to decide fate of resort tax for Big Mountain
Voters who live on Big Mountain will get to decide whether the area should be allowed to collect a resort tax.
Whitefish Mountain Resort looks to create new subdivision
Winter Sports Inc. is proposing to create a subdivision with 18 residential lots and one recreational lot that would be for use by the nonprofit DREAM Adaptive Recreation.
Big Mountain neighborhoods look to create resort tax
A group of Big Mountain residents would like a resort tax implemented for the area as a way to pay for infrastructure needs.
Whitefish nonprofit denied full participation in housing lawsuit
The Montana Supreme Court has denied a Whitefish nonprofit’s request to intervene as a defendant in a lawsuit filed by a coalition of homeowners against the state.
Flathead County increases collection of school property tax mills
Flathead County property owners will soon see increased tax bills in their mailboxes.
Whitefish nonprofit enters ongoing lawsuit over housing bills
A Whitefish nonprofit organization that advocates for affordable housing has joined a lawsuit over four new housing laws being challenged in district court.
Barnes & Noble to open Kalispell location in January
A Barnes & Noble bookstore is poised to open a location in North Kalispell later this month.
State Supreme Court rules for Whitefish in hotel denial
The Montana Supreme Court has ruled Whitefish City Council was within its right to deny a proposed hotel along U.S. 93.
Solving septic contamination comes down to convincing homeowners to replace systems
Contamination from failing septic tanks for roughly 50 years has been well-documented as a contributor of pollution in the Flathead Basin. The key to addressing the pervasive issue likely lies in proving to homeowners their system is failing.
Flathead County reduces collection of school property tax mills
Flathead County has reduced the amount of state school property taxes it plans to collect falling in line with several counties around Montana that are disputing the state’s requirement to collect a set number of mills for school equalization funding.
Federal lawsuit over Whitefish’s impact fees allowed to move ahead
A federal judge will allow a class-action lawsuit alleging the city of Whitefish has been overcharging for impact fees for new development to move forward.
Flathead County budget reflects decrease for taxpayers
Flathead County commissioners on Thursday approved a final budget that includes a $2.8 million increase in tax collections while reducing overall spending when compared to the previous year.
Whitefish Silver Star recipients among Flathead veterans included in new book
Army Chief Warrant Officer Manford Lloyd Kleiv had a dream of returning to his hometown of Whitefish following the Vietnam War.
Commissioners reject zone change for KM Ranch Road property
Saying they agreed with neighbors who spoke against the plan, Flathead County commissioners on Tuesday denied a zone change for 155 acres along KM Ranch Road, arguing it doesn’t fit with the neighborhood.
County commissioners commit to constructing septage plant
Flathead County commissioners say they are committed to developing a septage treatment facility despite the recent rejection of property to house it.
Commissioners reject property purchase in Lower Valley for septage plant
Flathead County commissioners on Tuesday on a split vote denied the purchase of property in Lower Valley that was slated as the potential location for a regional septage treatment facility.
Historic Whitefish home returns to original grandeur
The historic home at 405 Central Ave. in Whitefish has for years been a focal point of the transition between the commercial bustle of downtown and the charming residential neighborhood to the south.
County planning board again rejects KM Ranch proposal
The Flathead County Planning Board on Wednesday again gave a negative recommendation for a proposal that could lead to a residential development along KM Ranch Road.
Foundation president reflects on work bolstering nonprofits
Linda Engh-Grady has overseen the exponential growth of the Whitefish Community Foundation in the last several years, and in turn, furthering the assistance it provides to the valley’s nonprofits.
Neighbors of KM Ranch project raise objections again
A revised proposal for a 155-acre piece of land on KM Ranch Road is just as flawed as a previously rejected plan for the property, neighbors told the Flathead County Planning Board on Wednesday night.
Developer returns with updated proposal for KM Ranch Road
Returning with a new plan the developers behind a proposal for a 155-acre piece of property on KM Ranch Road are headed before the Flathead County Planning Board on Wednesday.
Regional septage treatment facility could address growing problem
On any given day up to 40,000 gallons of septage waste needs to be pumped from septic tanks in Flathead County and with rapid growth in the area over the past decade suitable land for disposal of that waste has become scarce.
Lawsuit over Whitefish subdivision dismissed, while second regarding property continues
A lawsuit filed against the city of Whitefish and a developer over a commercial subdivision has been dismissed.
County planning board votes against KM Ranch proposal
Agreeing with neighbors that a large subdivision doesn’t fit the character of the neighborhood, the Flathead County Planning Board on Wednesday put a negative recommendation on a proposal that could add housing and commercial development along KM Ranch Road.
Decision on KM Ranch Road development pushed after hours of public comment
Representatives of a potential development on a 155-acre chunk of property on KM Ranch Road say it would provide needed housing for the Flathead Valley.
Large development on KM Ranch Road goes before county planning board
A proposal that could result in housing and commercial development, including an RV park, on KM Ranch Road is headed to the Flathead County Planning Board on Wednesday.
Getts looks to guide Whitefish’s efforts on affordable housing
Marissa Getts believes that land use planning is a deeply human endeavor.
Holmquist takes commission seat
In a stunning reversal, incumbent Flathead County Commissioner Pam Holmquist surpassed challenger Jack Fallon with the addition of provisional ballots to the final tally of last week’s primary election results.
Fallon holds razor-thin lead over Holmquist
Jack Fallon holds a razor-thin lead over incumbent Pam Holmquist in the GOP nomination for the sole Flathead County Commission seat up for grabs this year.
Boutique hotel plans emerge for downtown Whitefish
Another boutique hotel in downtown Whitefish is in the works.
Gas prices and inflation could impact summer visitation numbers
Tourism industry officials are keeping an eye on the price of fuel and the inflation rate when looking to predict visitation levels for the upcoming summer travel season.
Nonprofit spearheading creation of large youth center with development
Aiming to provide year-round access to athletic, arts and other enrichment programs, a new youth center is the centerpiece of a larger commercial and housing development planned for the north end of Kalispell.
County planning board looks at rezone on 290 acres near Whitefish
A pair of property owners have submitted a request to Flathead County to rezone just over 290 acres of property outside of Whitefish.
Brain surgery allows man to return to playing classical guitar
Jim Stroud lay on a surgery table strumming his guitar.
Class-action suit alleges Whitefish’s impact fees unlawful
A class-action lawsuit has been filed in U.S. District Court of Montana against the city of Whitefish alleging that the city has been charging “unreasonable, unlawful and unconstitutional” impact fees for new development.
Council rejects Mountain Gateway development planned for Big Mountain Road
Whitefish City Council on Monday turned down a controversial housing project proposed at the base of Big Mountain, saying one of the largest residential developments in the history of the city would be out of place at the proposed location.
Whitefish Interim Police Chief cleared of misconduct
State officials have cleared Whitefish Interim Police Chief Bridger Kelch regarding allegations of misconduct.
Council pushes decision on proposed Big Mountain Road housing development
Following a continued deluge of public comment on a large mixed-use development proposed at the southern end of Big Mountain Road, Whitefish City Council on Tuesday chose to push back until next month a decision on the project.
Whitefish woman pleads guilty to DUI homicide
A Whitefish woman pleaded guilty Monday in Flathead County District Court to felony vehicular homicide while under the influence after she struck and killed a Columbia Falls girl with her vehicle in May 2021.
Overland assumes role of Municipal Court Judge
Overland assumes role of Municipal Court Judge
New ski-themed restaurant Stumptown opens downtown
Owners Sam Dauenhauer and Marissa Keenan recently opened the restaurant and lounge on Spokane Avenue by reimagining the space of the former Stumptown Marketplace multi-vendor market.
Judge throws out lawsuit alleging city violated open meeting laws
A Flathead District Court Judge has dismissed a lawsuit against the City of Whitefish filed by a private planning consultant claiming the city violated open meeting laws.