This is an excerpt from a book that I am writing about how to spend your senior years living every day to its fullest: I believe that another good way to achieve good health is humor. There have been many documented examples of patients who have laughed themselves well. Here is my experience with a […]

The executives who gathered one morning last week at CenturyTel’s offices, as part of Kalispell’s Technology Roundtable conference series, came for the egg burritos but stayed for the networking opportunities. Those in attendance comprised representatives of the Flathead’s top technology, telecom and Web development firms. Executives for large, well-known businesses like Plum Creek and Montanasky.net […]

Osweiler chooses college football over basketball

BILLINGS – Stillwater Mining Co. executives say a temporary production shutdown at one of its two southern Montana mines could become permanent if precious metals prices don’t rebound from a slump that is shuttering mines around the globe. On Tuesday, Stillwater was negotiating with union leaders in the wake of announcing 60-day layoff notices to […]

Elaine Badley has worked at Semitool for the past eight years. Now, following her Nov. 10 layoff along with 99 other employees, she enters what she calls the “world of the unknown.” Indeed, with a shortage in federal funding for displaced workers’ programs and a destabilized job market, the Flathead is a land of uncertainty […]

As winter settles into the Flathead and hunting season reaches its midpoint (OK, at least one of them has), almost every business is scanning the street for more customers. It’s particularly the case in markets that serve people’s hobby, pastime or even luxury items. Hunting, fishing and camping gear is one area that comes to […]

MISSOULA – A Bigfork man who killed a grizzly bear received a $135 fine and a suspended jail sentence of six months. Lawrence Lefebvre contacted wildlife officials after killing the bear near the upper east shore of Flathead Lake on Oct. 25. The state wildlife agency says Lefebvre was hunting black bear and mistakenly shot […]

My fellow reporter Dan Testa showed me a New York Times article about several new studies that are claiming to disprove the traditional method of stretching in athletics. You can see the article by clicking here. Like me, you were most likely taught to hold certain stretching positions, like touching your toes, for a fixed […]

Good morning; today is the anniversary of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. On the Beacon this morning, the ongoing layoffs at the valley’s biggest employers are tightening up the job market week by week. Kalispell City Council took action Monday to open up Kalispell’s southern end for development. A Bigfork hunter was fined $135 and given a […]

On Jan. 5, 2001, with George W. Bush’s moving van parked at the back door of the White House, President Bill Clinton signed his now-infamous Roadless Rule. With a stroke of his pen and without the approval of Congress, Clinton protected almost one-third of our national forests, 58.5 million acres, from road building. Speaking at […]

When some of the youngsters in North Valley Music School heard about the school’s playathon, they panicked. “Some of the kids thought they’d have to play all day,” explained Cameron Blake, Executive Director. Much to the students’ relief, they are each just playing a piece or two. This Saturday, the North Valley Music School celebrates […]

Several nonprofit groups – local and national – are looking for extra help right now to support people in need this holiday season. With strains on the local and national economy, this year will be one of the most demanding on record for local food banks. Need is already up 25 to 35 percent from […]

HELENA – Preliminary calculations based on figures that vary widely by county indicate the value of residential property in Montana has risen by 40 percent to 50 percent since 2002. Final reappraisal numbers will be released next month and may differ from the preliminary numbers, said Dan Bucks, the state revenue director. “Overall, there will […]

Newly restored to his post as chief spokesman for U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg, R-Mont., Bridger Pierce writes in to pass along a RIDICULOUS story by Fox News’ Chad Pergram of Rehberg trying to scope out a new Congressional office, and getting caught up in the middle of a power struggle for House minority leadership. While […]

7:44 a.m. A man was thought to be living in his car near Columbia Falls. Turns out, though, that his car was only inoperable. He had gone home. 8:10 a.m. The theft of a rifle was reported. 8:16 a.m. Someone in Kila had a rapid heart rate. 8:42 a.m. A prisoner wanted to talk to […]