Bigfork Fatals
Two Killed in Rollover Near Ferndale
Two Bigfork area men were killed when the vehicle in which they were riding left the roadway and rolled.
Flathead County Sheriff's Sgt. Jim Browder says it happened shortly after 6 p.m. Saturday on Montana Highway 209 near Ferndale.
Guest Commentary: Sally Janover
Bigfork’s Storm Water Dilemma
In 2000, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s summary of national waters reported that about 40 percent of streams, 45 percent of lakes and 50 percent of estuaries that were assessed were not clean enough to support fishing and swimming; polluted mostly by sediments, excess nutrients and harmful microorganisms.
Could that happen in Bigfork?
Valkyries volleyball off to strong start
In Bigfork, Four Seniors Look to Hang Another Banner
Bigfork's Melissa Vanderveer, Mallery Knoll, Jill Hamilton, Roxie Thurman, Claire Wilken and Rachael Luckow, left to right, celebrate after defeating Libby. - Lido Vizzutti/Flathead Beacon
BIGFORK – Standing in the Bigfork High School gymnasium, senior Bekah Bell motioned to the wall where a single state volleyball championship banner from 1986 hangs. Bell wasn’t even born yet. Now she, along with three other seniors who have all played together since grade school, thinks this could be the year the Valkyries give that lonely banner some company.
“The wall looks a little empty,” Bell said. “All these years we’ve played together are coming together to form the perfect team, the perfect season.”
Warrants now required for the wire
Court Ruling Creates New Hurdle for Undercover Officers
Seized money and 4.5 pounds of cocaine from 2006. - Photo courtesy of Northwest Drug Task Force
It’s been a typically busy year for the Northwest Montana Drug Task Force, which, in September, busted marijuana growing operations in Lake, Lincoln and Flathead counties with an estimated worth of $84,000. So far this year, the task force reports it has made 166 arrests, 144 searches, seized two meth labs, located seven marijuana grow operations and taken a half-million dollars in drugs off the streets.
But those accomplishments come at a time when Montana’s seven drug task forces face significant setbacks. Earlier this year, the Bush Administration slashed funding to the main federal grant that pays for drug enforcement in nearly every state in the country. The result has been a shrinking of the Northwest Task Force, with officers from some jurisdictions having to temporarily back out of the force until – and if – a new Congress and president restore funding.
Bigfork Fire and Ambulance Look to Re-Merge
Joining Forces
Bigfork Volunteer Ambulance's new building isn't quite a castle made of sand, but its shape has changed as has their goal.
Bigfork's Ambulance and Fire are looking to re-emerge as one entity by July 1, 2009.
Health care hits farmers and ranchers
Working the Land, Buried by Medical Costs
A new study on health care coverage for farmers and ranchers highlights a long-discussed and deepening concern: Families that live off the land have difficulty affording health insurance and, in many cases, spend a disproportionate percentage of their total income on premiums and out-of-pocket costs, especially in Montana.
[read more]Budget Wrap
Local Governments Hammer Out Tight Budgets
Times are tight, and the Flathead’s city and county governments recently voted on their respective budgets for the 2008-2009 fiscal year, which began July 1. Here are summaries of what Kalispell, Whitefish, Columbia Falls and Flathead County have to work with for the coming year.
[read more]114 signatures gathered to oppose Bigfork project
Neighbors, State Disagree on Proposed Waste Site
State officials describe a proposed sewage application site near Bigfork as “excellent,” but the plan has drawn the ire of nearby landowners who say the thousands of gallons of waste dumped there annually will ruin their neighborhood.
About 30 Bigfork-area residents crowded last week’s meeting of the Flathead County-City Health Board, petitioning the board to intervene and prevent a proposed disposal site located just off Montana Highway 83 on Lee Road.
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