Bruce Tutvedt-R At a recent Kalispell Chamber of Commerce forum, legislative candidates were given a few minutes each to get up and introduce themselves to the gathering. Most offered fairly benign explanations of their political philosophy. But when Mark Holston, Democratic candidate for Senate District 3, took the stage, he unloaded a blistering critique of […]

Ryan Zinke-R Many of Montana’s brightest young minds leave the state for college or, if they do stay, they often look to better-paying job markets in other states after graduation. To Senate District 2 candidates Ryan Zinke and Brittany MacLean, this is one of the most pressing concerns facing the state today. If elected, both […]

Montana Legislative candidates were asked the following questions: 1. In the 2009 session would you support legislation allowing Montana cities to vote on a local option sales tax? If not, is there some other funding mechanism you would support to help cash-strapped municipalities? 2. What type of regulatory changes, if any, do you think the […]

Good morning; on this date in 1929 the Great Depression began! Yay! The Beacon’s special pre-election edition hits newsstands this morning, with in-depth stories on ballot issues, the races for county commissioner, senate districts 2 and 3, and house districts 3 and 8. Flathead County road officials prepare to roll out a new dust abatement […]

There’s a lot of talk about change these days. No, this isn’t another tired political story. I’m a bit burned out on them too. Let’s talk about changing your business for the better. Many ideas for business change come from your clients. Another source is from events like TED. TED is an annual conference that […]

NEW YORK – Qwest Communications International says its third-quarter profit fell 93 percent and it plans to cut 1,200 jobs, or slightly more than 3 percent of its work force. The Denver-based phone company said Wednesday it earned $151 million, or 9 cents per share, in the three months ended Sept. 30. That’s down from […]

GREAT FALLS – The candidates for state attorney general have been raising money at a record-setting pace. Republican Tim Fox and Democrat Steve Bullock have raised more money than any previous candidate for the office — or for any statewide position in Montana other than governor or Montana Supreme Court justice. That’s according to figures […]

10:04 a.m. There was a sick horse. 10:43 a.m. A woman believes her neighbor shoots his gun in an intimidating fashion. Whenever she is outside he comes outside and shoots. 10:47 a.m. A man is out $423. He was scammed. 11:11 a.m. There was an injured cat on someone’s front porch. 4:18 p.m. A woman […]

Nobody likes waiting in line. So here we are again, faced with the same election season decision: Vote early and avoid the long lines, or get the full voting experience and wait until Nov. 4? This year, absentee voting is through the roof in Montana, already shattering records with Election Day still a week away. […]

Now is the time when editors and pundits write on the uplifting theme: “Citizens, Do Your Civic Duty This Election Day and Vote.” Well, my theme is: Citizens might best fulfill their civic role by staying the heck home. My friend Robert Struckman over at NewWest.Net wrote an item titled, “Should You Vote?” that featured […]

POLSON –Trial is set to begin on Feb. 2 for a Bigfork man charged with murder in the New Year’s Eve shooting death of a Ferndale man. Ronald Petersen is accused of killing 24-year-old Clyde Wilson. Court records say Wilson’s girlfriend called authorities and reported that someone broke into their home early on Dec. 31 […]

COLUMBIA FALLS – The U.S. Department of Labor has announced a $462,000 grant to assist workers affected by layoffs at Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. The aluminum plant laid off about 125 workers in July. Wednesday in Washington, D.C., Deputy Assistant Labor Secretary Brent Orrell said the grant will provide training and employment services to help […]

Flathead County commissioners approved a new zoning designation Wednesday, smoothing the path for the county’s takeover of the Whitefish “doughnut” area and adding a new planning tool to the county’s repertoire. Commissioners Joe Brenneman and Dale Lauman voted 2-0 Wednesday morning to approve the addition of the suburban residential 2.5-acre zoning designation. Commissioner Gary Hall […]

Along a stretch of Highway 93, signs supporting former GOP presidential candidate Ron Paul almost outnumber those of the party’s presidential nominee, John McCain. It’s been months since Paul officially left the race, and yet a series of circumstances has the Texas congressman right in the middle of the presidential race in Montana. Political observers […]

Kalispell City Council voted unanimously Monday to formally terminate the employment contract of City Manager Jim Patrick, and to hire Myrt Webb as the interim city manager in a contract tentatively scheduled to last 160 days. Webb begins work Tuesday. After the city announced it was firing Patrick on Oct. 17, Kalispell council members said […]