Kalispell Montana News | Kalispell Newspapers

Some Fourth of July activities are obvious: The classic celebrations like fireworks, community fairs and parades are in abundance in almost every American town, including the Flathead (Find a full listing of these on our “Events” page).

But there are less traditional, and uniquely local, ways to celebrate the Fourth as well. In this section, we aim to highlight some Flathead excursions that we think hold promise for an especially memorable day – whether you’re looking for the valley’s best party spot or family-friendly activities.

KALISPELL – A retired Kalispell doctor charged with aggravated animal cruelty for abandoning 12 puppies at a dump site in Somers was given a six-month deferred sentence Thursday.

John L. Heine pleaded no contest to the charge in May as part of a deal with prosecutors, who dropped two misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty.

KALISPELL – A Kalispell man has pleaded guilty to negligent arson for a fire that destroyed several units in an apartment building.

David Bernach was accused of using gasoline to ignite wood in his fireplace on Nov. 21 after several previous attempts to get the fire started with other methods failed. Some of the gas spilled out of the fireplace and spread flames into the apartment. The blaze destroyed 10 units in the building.

The United Way is sponsoring a new grocery delivery service for low-income elderly and disabled people in Kalispell. Registered United Way volunteers will deliver groceries free of charge to eligible individuals.

Here's the information from the United Way:

The Kalispell Home Bound Grocery Delivery Service will deliver groceries once a week to people within the Kalispell City Limits. The service is available to low-income private individuals who are unable to drive and shop for themselves, primarily the elderly and people who are either temporarily or permanently disabled.

Groceries must be paid for by check or debit card number at the time of delivery. Orders can be called in on Thursdays between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Orders will be filled on Friday mornings at Rosauer’s grocery store and will be delivered on Friday afternoons.

Authorities are investigating what might have sparked a home fire in Kalispell that killed 28 cats and a bird.

South Kalispell Fire Capt. Chris Johnston said crews responded to a mobile home park on Lower Valley Road at about 10:45 p.m. Tuesday. Investigators, who do not suspect arson, think the fire started near the electric range oven — possibly after it had been turned on by one of the cats.

Hanging on a rack at the Spirit Skate Shop in Kalispell are a bunch of T-shirts for sale that read: “The KPD can take my skateboard, but they can’t take my spirit.”

“KPD” refers to the Kalispell Police Department, and the T-shirts, according to Spirit Skate Shop’s owner, Mark DeLorme, are a response to the recent crackdown by authorities against skateboarders at the Woodland Skate Park. In June alone, DeLorme estimates the police have confiscated roughly 30 skateboards from skaters failing to wear helmets in the park, or violating city ordinance in some other way.

Authorities say a 52-year-old Somers man was charged with aggravated assault a day after his 18-year-old son was shot in the chest and stomach.

The Flathead County sheriff's office says charges were filed Wednesday against Timothy Withrow. His son, whose name was not released, was flown to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle for treatment of two gunshot wounds.

For so long, the Tidyman’s building sat abandoned. But last week, with the opening of Super 1 Foods, it sprung back to life. And judging by the long lines, locals were ready for a new grocery store in downtown Kalispell. The 115 jobs are nice too.

Less than a week before Super 1’s grand opening, Safeway in Whitefish opened its doors following a 10-month remodel period. The store provided 125 jobs, 92 of which were new while the remaining 33 were previous employees.