HELENA – A new pair of wildfires prompted evacuations for at least 40 homes in western Montana on Monday, as continued hot, dry weather fueled the growth of other blazes around the state. The Mile Marker 124 fire, discovered Saturday, had burned about 1,000 acres along Interstate 90 east of Clinton in western Montana and […]

2007 Western Divisionals – 7/28/2007 to 7/29/2007 Cut Bank MT C-Falls’ Kyle Boyd stretches his lead (and peeks at the photographer) in the 200 meter Individual Medley on Sunday morning. The individual medley requires 50 yards each of freestyle, butterfly, breaststroke and backstroke. Photo by Mark Riffey for the Beacon. Combined Team Scores 1, Bitterroot […]

TROY (AP) – A mechanic was killed in a rock fall at the Troy Mine Monday, mine officials said. “Unfortunately, we do have a fatality,” said Carson Rife, vice president of operations for Revett Minerals Inc. The victim was identified as Mike Ivins. Lincoln County Sheriff Daryl Anderson said he was a longtime resident of […]

HELENA (AP) – More than 100 homes and other buildings were threatened Monday by a trio of fast-moving wildfires southeast of Missoula, but organizers of the area’s famed Testicle Festival said the five-day bacchanalia was still a go. The 25th annual bash was slated to start Wednesday at the Rock Creek Lodge in Clinton along […]

HELENA, Mont. (AP) _ Wind helped push a fire near Glacier National Park outside firefighters’ control lines Saturday, forcing the evacuation of a lodge and closing a stretch of U.S. 2, officials said. When guests of the Summit Station Lodge left Saturday morning to go golfing, hiking, rafting and fishing, the Skyland fire was about […]

HELENA (AP) – The Montana Republican party and some GOP legislators said Friday they will be pushing ethics issues, such as calling for increased financial disclosure from the governor – a Democrat. Republicans said they were trying to lead on important issues and said the ethics call was not politically motivated. Democrats called it a […]

For a less congested and more relaxing weekend, travel down U.S. Highway 83 to Swan Lake. A haven for hikers, bikers and boaters, the lake provides a plethora of opportunities for families and outdoor enthusiasts. “I would recommend (Swan Lake) to people with kids,” said Mike Woodring, who was vacationing for three nights with his […]

C-Falls swimmers compete today and tomorrow in Cut Bank, at the Montana Federation of Swimmers Western Divisional competition. Qualifiers at Divisionals will move on to the State meet in Lewistown next weekend.

Heritage Days is almost here. This weekend, Columbia Falls teems with more activity than normal on a summer weekend, as the celebration of Columbia Falls’ heritage takes place Saturday and Sunday, with some events – like the Wildcat Endowment BBQ – starting later today. Tomorrow, start your day early with breakfast at the fire hall, […]

It’s the little things that can make a big difference in life, as I note in my business column from time to time. Little things like smoothing out a jaw-rattling railroad crossing. When “Road Closed” signs came out this week, I suspect a small cheer went up from folks who cross the tracks at the […]

It was almost a typical summer evening on the front deck at the Columbia Falls Dairy Queen. A gorgeous summer evening in C-Falls, the setting sun, a Blizzard, a few kids from my troop and their friends, some neighbors, tourists and a pile of people I didnt know – standard fare for any summer evening […]

As a child of the Midwest, the summer brought with it humidity, fireflies and storm warnings. Last week, after the muggy Flathead air turned violent and a tornado touched down near Polson, a valley renowned for its surrounding mountains acted much flatter; a lot like Bourbonnais, Ill. My family lived in this town – more […]

HELENA (AP) – Homeowners will get an extra tax credit of about $140 on 2007 taxes, thanks to state revenues that have exceeded estimates, Gov. Brian Schweitzer said Friday. Schweitzer said the rebate will be in addition to the scheduled $400 homeowner credit for 2006 taxes, which people can begin applying for this fall. The […]

Another University of Montana athlete was arrested last weekend – this time accused of drunken driving. Thus, the rap sheets at MSU and UM continue to grow. At the professional sports level, NFL quarterback Michael Vick was indicted on gruesome dog fighting charges. And an NBA referee allegedly fixed games. But some red-blooded American sport […]

At first glance it looks like a mini-golf course in the middle of the woods. Red, white and blue stakes mark the area a golfer would use as a tee box. An archer stands at these stakes, and instead of holding a driver, grips a bow. A life-size foam black bear cub, visible through the […]