Best of Preps — Fall 2023
Highlighting the best Flathead Valley athletes from the fall sports seasons
By Micah Drew | Photos by Hunter D'Antuono
The Latest
December 5
The River Whitefish
An early champion of Montana's premier literary journal, David James Duncan, the acclaimed author of "The River Why" and "The Brothers K," will give a reading from his new novel ‘Sun House’ on Dec. 7 at an event hosted by the Whitefish Review
December 5
Glacier Park Adopts Early Access Lottery for Backpacking Reservations
The shift comes within a year of Glacier’s new digital permit process for advanced wilderness campground reservations; park officials attributed the change to public feedback
December 5
Flathead Avalanche Center Issues Backcountry Warning
Forecast says temperatures and rain on snow have combined to create unstable snowpack conditions in the Whitefish and Flathead ranges as well as Glacier National Park
December 5
Attorneys for Gianforte, Agencies Ask Supreme Court to Put Order in Montana Climate Case on Hold
Attorneys argue state will be irreparably harmed if it has to consider greenhouse emissions quickly
December 5
‘Many Unknowns’ as Lake County Pulls Out of Decades-old Tribal Law Enforcement Agreement
So far, the governor’s office has not said how the state plans to handle law enforcement duties on the Flathead Indian Reservation
Flathead Living
Winter’s Can’t-Miss Events
The Flathead Valley will offer plenty of activities this winter to appeal to a wide range of interests and age groups
By Denali Sagner
Dimming the Friday Night Lights
From musical theater to martial arts, the art of balancing your children’s extracurricular activities and interests is a rarefied parenting skill
By Katie Cantrell
The New Guard of Glacier Mountaineering
For more than 40 years, the Glacier Mountaineering Society has helped its members explore the farthest reaches of Glacier National Park while promoting an ethic of stewardship and safety. Now, following the recent deaths of some of its most dedicated members, the next generation of climbers is taking up the mantle.
By Tristan ScottNEWS & FEATURES
Authorities Searching for Missing Libby Man
Johnnie Lee Hantz was reported missing on Nov. 29 and was last seen driving a side-by-side northbound on Highway 37 with his dog
The Air Force is Expanding a Review of Cancers for Service Members Who Worked with Nuclear Missiles
Pilots Flying Tourists Over National Parks Face New Rules
Community Survey Results Guide Whitefish Schools Towards Future
Floor Space: What You Can Buy for About $500,000
Everybody Solar Installs Solar Panels, EV Charging Station at Glacier Conservancy Workforce Housing
OUTDOORS
NCDE Grizzly Specialists Describe Key Human-Bear Conflicts in 2023, Emphasize Preventative Measures
While electric fences reduced human-bear conflict levels this year, Northwest Montana had 224 total calls and 13 known grizzly bear mortalities
The Toughest Weasel
U.S. Proposes Plan to Help the Snow-dependent Canada Lynx Before Warming Shrinks its Habitat
Big Game Hunting Totals Reflect Slow Season
Glacier National Park Hikes Fees at Front-country Campsites
Flathead Rivers Alliance Receives Grant to Improve ADA Accessibility
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SPORTS
Blacktail Mountain Ski Area Gears Up for Opening Day
With high hopes for an incoming storm, Blacktail anticipates solid snow cover, encourages public to snow dance
Montana Rolls Over Delaware 49-19, Will Face Furman in FCS Quarterfinal
North Dakota State Shocks Montana State with Blocked PAT in OT for 35-34 Win in FCS Playoffs
A Week from Opening Day, Whitefish Mountain Resort Optimistic About Upcoming Season
Whitefish Sprinter Signs with Griz
No. 11 Delaware Blue Hens to Visit No. 2 Montana Grizzlies in 2nd Round of FCS Playoffs
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Under The Big Sky Festival Announces 2024 Lineup
Tickets for the 2024 Under The Big Sky festival will go on sale Friday, Dec. 8 at 12 p.m., MST
Christmas, Holiday Parades and Events Get Rolling in the Flathead with December’s Arrival
Chocolate Rum Balls
Maple-Glazed Carrots
Inspired By Heather Cahoon’s Poetry, Glacier Symphony Performance to Feature Original Composition
Vegetarian Mushroom Gravy
OPINION
Tester Commercials Reek of Desperation
His record shows he is more like a party hack who does little more than toe the party line
Get Accustomed to ‘One Song’ Showers
The bigger picture, too often ignored unfortunately, is last summer’s misery was by no means confined to Flathead Lake
Columbia River Settlement Threatens Montana’s Economic Stability
The decisions made on the future viability of hydro projects will have a direct impact on the lives and livelihoods of Montanans
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Editor's Picks
Tribes Set End-of-Year Ultimatum for U.S. and Canada to Address Transboundary Mining Crisis
At a pair of recent binational meetings, tribal and First Nation governments said any solution to pollution in the international watershed must include IJC intervention, with Sen. Tester urging a unilateral reference if Canada refuses to engage
Incumbents Prevail in Kalispell, Whitefish Municipal Races
City council elections were held Nov. 7 in Kalispell, Columbia Falls and Whitefish, where voters also approved reallocating a portion of the resort tax for community housing
As Kalispell Pushes Outward, West Valley School Feels the Effects
Hundreds of housing units are cropping up in the once-empty area northwest of Kalispell. With limited resources at its disposal, one small, rural school district is left to accommodate the wave of new children moving to the area.
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Recent Podcasts
Project 7
A six-part series on notorious Flathead Valley militia leader David Burgert, who vanished into the wilderness after a shootout with sheriff's deputies in 2011
Held v. Montana
Flathead Beacon editor in chief Kellyn Brown is a cohost for today's episode, and asks host Micah Drew about the upcoming climate change lawsuit Held v. Montana
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