Weekend: Freedom House, Flathead Hazing, Savage v. Palin

Good morning; on the Beacon today, now in its 10th year, the Bigfork High School girls soccer program could be on its way to a winning record for the first time, led by Caitlin Charlebois. The Kalispell City Council again decided Tuesday to delay a decision on whether to issue an operating permit to a west side residential facility for men recovering from alcohol and drug addiction. Flathead Shelter Friends, Inc., Humane Society of Northwest Montana, Flathead Spay and Neuter Task Force and the Whitefish Theatre Company teamed up to host the “Mission: Pawsible” gala and auction on Sept. 11. A drifter convicted of trying to assume ownership of a Polson area house in foreclosure was sentenced Thursday to 10 years in prison.

Student-athletes from Flathead High School in Kalispell have been disciplined for engaging in “inappropriate conduct” during a AA coaches’ football camp in Billings this summer. The Montana tea party association leader ousted over an anti-gay exchange on Facebook said Thursday that he wants his leadership post back, and denied that he understood an online friend was talking about killing gay people during their Internet discussion. Job openings are rising modestly, a sign that employers may step up hiring soon. Architects estimate it will cost about $15 million to rebuild Billings’ tornado-damaged Rimrock Auto Arena at MetraPark with improved sound, more bathrooms and more-welcoming entrances. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service erred little when it designated a vast area scattered over six states as critical habitat for the threatened Canada lynx, a judge ruled Thursday. Nine years after the subject was last broached, alternate routes through or around Polson for U.S. Highway 93 were back on the table Thursday night. Syndicated sex columnist and author Dan Savage presents an interactive lecture at the University Theatre – less than 48 hours prior to Sarah Palin’s appearance at the Hilton Garden Inn on Sunday. State wildlife officials say an investigation into the apparent illegal shooting of a moose in 2005 has brought to light possible hunting violations by Lake County law enforcement officers. Religious leaders will hold public readings of the Quran in Bozeman at two events this weekend, hoping the readings serve as a peaceful rebuttal to the Florida preacher who wanted to burn the holy book on Sept. 11.