By Dan Testa, 12-30-09
Good morning; on the Beacon today, check out the slideshow of the Beacon's favorite news and feature photographs from 2009. We also review the year's top business stories, both the positive ones and the negative. In the Flathead, it's easy to ski on a budget, and here's a rundown of the best deals. As early winter conditions mature, backcountry recreationalists once again have a host of educational opportunities open to anyone looking to travel safely in the snow – whether it’s on a snowmobile or a pair of skis. The Flathead County sheriff's department says a 44-year-old Whitefish woman, Jeanette McNamara, whose body was found outside her house died after she apparently fell out of a hunting stand. And business columnist Mark Riffey advises that the time to wait and whine has passed, and it's time to start working.