Speaking to the Montana Contractors Association in Kalispell, Sen. Max Baucus warned Wednesday that when the U.S. Congress reconvenes, among its top priorities would be legislation to grapple with the potential for a recession. “Are we going to have a recession or not?” Baucus, a Democrat up for re-election in 2008, said. “It’s going to […]

HELENA (AP) – Gov. Brian Schweitzer led the money race over Republican challenger Roy Brown in campaign finance disclosures filed Monday. Schweitzer reported raising about $230,000 since the start of the fourth quarter, Oct. 1. Brown, a state senator from Billings, reported raising about $134,000, including a personal loan of $20,000, since he got into […]

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Supreme Court appeared divided Monday over whether the drugs commonly injected to execute prisoners risk causing excruciating pain in violation of the Constitution. Several justices indicated a willingness to preserve the three-drug cocktail authorized by three dozen states, including Montana, that allow executions. Such a decision would allow lethal injections, on […]

At Monday night’s public hearing on the Glacier Town Center, Kalispell City Council heard from citizens largely unopposed to the development, but still concerned about the potential for additional stoplights on U.S. Highway 93. Councilman Randy Kenyon’s motion to extend public comment on the development for five weeks died when no other council members would […]

Whitefish is done with recounts and uncertainty. As of Monday night, the city has a new mayor and a full city council. To kick off Monday’s city council meeting, Mike Jenson took the oath of office as Whitefish’s elected mayor, replacing Cris Coughlin. Then John Muhlfeld and Ryan Friel were sworn in as city councilors, […]

Good morning and happy birthday Elvis Presley. Topping news on the Beacon this morning, two big city council meetings in Whitefish and Kalispell. In Whitefish, new city council members were sworn in and began to grapple with the myriad issues facing the town, while down in Kalispell, the council took public comment on the proposed […]

Whitefish High School was constructed 54 years ago in the typewriter era. In 1978, the gym portion was rebuilt after fire. “The school is old and very outdated,” says Linda Maetzold, co-chair of the new-founded Friends of Whitefish Schools. “Classrooms are less than 700 square feet.” “The school was built for capacity of 400 students […]

News organizations hosting debates for aspiring presidents can be a risky exercise. In Iowa, Carolyn Washburn, editor of the Des Moines Register, was panned as a “boring,” “rigid” and “lackluster” moderator. Clearly, her staid, school-marmish print journalism demeanor had no place in the glitzy arena of national TV. Then she stunned many when she refused […]

The Kalispell Police and Flathead County Sheriff’s reports for Monday included the following: 7:23 a.m. A window was busted out at the Evergreen Junior High. However, no one entered the building. 8:34 a.m. A Ferndale resident called in because he found a horse. He’s taking care of it until the owner can retrieve it. 10:34 […]

“Cross-country skiing opens a whole new avenue for winter,” says Marie Shaw, coordinator for the Chet Hope Youth Ski League. For the next seven Saturday mornings starting Jan. 12, Glacier Nordic Center will see a circus of kids – all learning to ski on skinny little boards. Many avid alpine skiers like Shaw start their […]

KALISPELL Kalispell City Council will hold a public comment session on the proposed Glacier Town Center commercial and residential development. The 485-acre commercial and residential development would go up between U.S. 93 North and Whitefish Stage Road, bordered by West Reserve Drive to the south. Its 191-acre first phase consists of a “lifestyle center,” essentially […]

Good morning and Merry Christmas to our readers in the Eastern Orthodox church. Topping local news this morning, are two big city council meetings. In Kalispell, the council takes public comment on the proposed Glacier Town Center development, while in Whitefish, new council members are sworn in and selection of either Martin McGrew or Turner […]

I’ve never been tempted to buy tabloids at the grocery store, and find it easy enough to ignore entertainment news (though despite my best efforts, details of Britney’s latest escapades always seem to creep into my consciousness). But, there is one type of shock journalism I can’t resist: strange headlines. I readily admit that, while […]

The Kalispell Police and Flathead County Sheriff’s reports for Sunday included the following: 12:20 a.m. A Columbia Falls woman took her aggression out on a man. 2:04 a.m. Two drunken men were arguing outside a bar near Columbia Falls. One of the man was pushed and slammed his head on the ground. No medical attention […]

There’s a lot to be considered before popping the question: Will he or she say “yes?” When and where will it happen? How much will it cost? Will it last? But, if you are lucky enough to have those aforementioned what-ifs answered, all that is left is the icing on the cake. On Saturday, the […]