Flathead Lake cherry growers say their trees are likely to blossom in mid-May, a couple of weeks later than in 2008. This year’s lower temperatures have an effect on the growing cycle. Flathead Lake Cherry Growers Inc. says a strong crop is expected. Cool weather has damaged cherry crops in Oregon and Washington, and that […]

Good morning. Today is the anniversary of the Louisiana Purchase. It’s a sunny morning in the valley and the new Beacons are on the stands. Our top story this morning looks at some of the legal and moral questions facing the Whitefish school board as it contemplates random drug testing students at the high school. […]

HELENA – The state Board of Regents is seeking a legislative performance audit of two financially struggling student loan groups. Regent Todd Buchanan pushed for the audit Tuesday of the Student Assistance Foundation and the Montana Higher Education Assistance Corp. SAF last week laid off 23 employees and quit consolidating future student loans because of […]

BILLINGS – Former Republican presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee is stumping for Montana gubernatorial candidate Roy Brown and touting their shared views on lower taxes and more domestic energy development. Huckabee’s visit to Montana includes a pair of $100-a-plate fundraisers in Billings and Bozeman on Wednesday. Speaking to a partisan crowd of more than 100 people […]

HELENA – Former president Clinton is planning to attend a Yellowstone County Democratic fundraiser in Billings on May 10. Kate Downing, communications director for Hilary Clinton’s presidential campaign in Montana, says Bill Clinton is scheduled to attend the Truman Dinner, which is being held at Alterowitz Gymnasium at Montana State-Billings. No other details of the […]

WASHINGTON – Most people call it a farm bill. But it’s really more of a food bill. That’s even more true this year as negotiators, spurred by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other urban lawmakers, move dollars from crop subsidies to food stamps and other programs for feeding the needy. Suddenly, higher food prices for […]

BILLINGS – Former Republican presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee said Wednesday that Barack Obama’s former pastor needs the Illinois senator to lose his bid for the White House to justify the pastor’s own radical views on race. Obama, a Democrat, has struggled in recent weeks to distance himself from repeated incendiary comments made by the Rev. […]

On April 23, I joined a packed house attending the City of Whitefish vs. Flathead County Board of Commissioners hearing before Flathead District Court Judge Kitty Curtis. The main point of the argument presented by Whitefish attorney John Phelps was that irreparable harm would occur were the county to resume zoning jurisdiction. Flathead County counsel […]

Donations of money and land to use has taken Bigfork steps forward toward a several mile goal. Bigfork’s Rotary Club plans to get to work on a 2.75 mile addition to the Swan River Road bike path this spring. Property owners William and Debra Doney, the late Jack and Ruth White and Sherry O’Hearn donated […]

Senator Tester’s field representative for the Kalispell area will be available to constituents at the Columbia Falls City Hall, Room A, on Thursday, May 8 from 10:00 a.m. to noon. Columbia Falls City Hall is at 130 6th Street West – same building as the Columbia Falls branch of the Flathead County Library. All Montanans […]

HELENA – The presidential campaign debate over debates hit Montana on Monday, with Hillary Rodham Clinton pushing for one next month in Missoula and Obama brushing aside the challenge without completely closing the door. Clinton, trailing in delegates and the popular vote, has been stepping up the pressure on Obama for more debates in advance […]

BILLINGS – Bail has been set at $80,000 for a 28-year-old man accused of driving drunk and causing a fatal crash in Billings. John Carey appeared in Justice Court on Monday on a charge of vehicular homicide while under the influence. He was arrested late Friday after being released from St. Vincent Healthcare. According to […]

MISSOULA – Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul is making a return visit to Missoula at the end of June. Paul is scheduled to speak at the Montana Republican Party’s state convention on June 20. Last week, Paul held a “freedom rally” at the University of Montana. The event attracted about 1,000 people. The 72-year-old Paul […]

WHITEFISH – For a long-discussed business service district along Montana Highway 40, the third time is a charm. On Monday night the Whitefish City Council approved a zoning amendment that creates a business service district after tabling it twice before. The district, located along Montana Highway 40 and Dillon Road southeast of Whitefish, allows for […]

Good morning and happy birthday to Dale Earnhardt Sr. On the Beacon this morning, the Whitefish City Council finally approved a business district along Montana Highway 40. On the Police Blotter, there was an axe attack over a woman between two men in a love triangle in Angel Point. And on the real estate blog, […]