Monday afternoon, several boys from Troop 41 experience their first sailing lesson on the L. M. Sunshine, in the Big Arm area of Flathead Lake. Board sailing is also taught on the Island. Andrew West and Caleb Sobczak paddle off into the distance. Andrew West celebrates for the camera.

A 53-year-old Marion woman was killed Tuesday night in a head-on collision on U.S. Highway 2. Beatrice Bailey crashed at about 10:30 p.m. near Marion, according to a Flathead County’s sheriff office press release, and was pronounced dead at the scene. Television station KAJ reported that Bailey swerved into the oncoming lane while trying to […]

Lawrence and Woodland Park are perfect for those seeking swing sets, team sports and paved walkways. But for longer hikes, runs, skis, bike rides and horse rides, Herron Park on Kalispell’s west side, has become the city’s backyard. Herron Park, however, is a lot smaller than most people realize. And a common misconception among many […]

HELENA (AP) – A wildfire in the Bob Marshall Wilderness grew to 7,000 acres and burned closer to an area with about 65 summer homes as Montana’s dryness and heat persisted Tuesday, and the state remained in forest-fire emergency status declared by the governor. The declaration issued Monday by Gov. Brian Schweitzer increased authority for […]

STARLING SUBDIVISION PROPOSAL The Kalispell City Council took action on two key development projects Monday night, easing the way for one of the largest subdivision proposals in Flathead County history and setting up obstacles in the path of another, smaller project. Council voted, eight to one with Councilman Randy Kenyon dissenting, to amend the city’s […]

A motorist killed a grizzly bear on U.S. Highway 2, about four miles east of West Glacier near Ouzel Creek, according to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. The 300-pound female was likely killed early Monday morning, and FWP grizzly bear management specialist Tim Manley said the bear probably had cubs, which have not been located. […]

Beginning Monday, July 23, fires will be restricted to designated areas in Northwest Montana, including Flathead and Lake counties. Stage I fire restrictions were announced, meaning next week campfires on public land will only be allowed in designated area. Those hoping to burn on private land should receive written permission from local fire officials. Designated […]

HELENA (AP) – Former Bigfork Republican state lawmaker Bob Keenan said Tuesday he is being courted by the party to challenge incumbent U.S. Sen. Max Baucus, a run Keenan says he is considering. Keenan, who ran a failed primary challenge last year against then-Sen. Conrad Burns, would be the second Republican to enter the race. […]

People and lightning are the quoted causes of several small fires in our area. Over the weekend a fire by Holland Lake was controlled at 1/10 of an acre. The Flathead National Forest believes it was human caused. Lightning sparked a 3-acre fire on Crane Mountain, just east of Bigfork, and another near Swan Lake. […]

One of the great things about parents is how loud they cheer when they retire from coaching. Their children have graduated from college, stopped bumming money (at least not as much), gotten jobs and clothes with buttons and collars. The Beacon’s editorial staff is comprised almost entirely of 20-somethings, an age where our parents are […]

HUNGRY HORSE (AP) – A Georgia woman drowned Sunday in northwestern Montana after her canoe overturned on the South Fork of the Flathead River below Hungry Horse Dam. Teresa Yawn, 43, was canoing with her fiance, Ian Joubert, both of Gainesville, Ga.. “They were here visiting his parents” in Columbia Falls, said Sheriff’s Lt. Bob […]

At Lake McDonald Lodge, the doors to the skinny 12-passenger white Sprinter bus swung open and a family boarded – teenage son, dad, and mom who clomped up three steps in a leg cast. On its first day in operation, Glacier Park’s new shuttles clearly lured more than hikers lugging water-hose ready day packs and […]

Thunderstorms rolled across Montana this weekend, sparking more than 20 new fires and fanning the fires already burning east of the Divide on the Lewis and Clark National Forest. The Ahorn Fire, burning 35 air miles West of Augusta on the Lewis and Clark National Forest grew from 600 acres to an estimated 4,000 acres, […]

Every small town needs a used book store. Not just to recycle books, but a place where readers can nab literary armloads to chow down like potato chips. Ever since Hannah Plumb closed A Saddest Pleasure, Whitefish was bereft of one of its unique downtown hideouts. But weep no more. This past week, Amelie Dawson […]

My friends all have distinct dance moves, though none of them, in the technical sense, know how to dance. Their complete lack of structured training doesn’t faze them when good live music starts. Two-dollar drink specials also help. One friend repeatedly does a bizarre sweeping toe drag with his right foot, as if his leg […]