WASHINGTON (AP) – Republican Rep. Denny Rehberg will not challenge Montana Sen. Max Baucus in 2008, the state Republican party announced Thursday. In a statement issued by the GOP, Rehberg said he will not be a candidate for Senate or governor next year. “Speculation to the contrary only serves as a distraction from the strong […]

WHITEFISH (AP) – A 55-year-old Whitefish man died Tuesday morning at a Kalispell hospital from injuries he suffered in a traffic crash south of here. The wreck happened shortly before 11 p.m. Wednesday in a construction zone near Happy Valley, the Montana Highway Patrol said. The man was southbound on Highway 93 when he plowed […]

Forty miles from the nearest town in rural China, Jack Cross found fireworks. Lots of them. A poor family, spanning three generations, busily focused on their work at hand: making the most beautiful fireworks that Cross, a long-time pyrotechnician, had ever seen. Cross was in his second year of traveling to China to select and […]

It’s Fourth of July in Red Lodge. A crowd has overflowed into the street abutting the Snow Creek Saloon. Fireworks rain from a hill to the east. Inside, wall-to-wall Montanans linger with as many tourists – some dancing on barstools. About 500 miles northwest, in Bigfork, the crowds are similar. There’s a line in front […]

On Oct. 1 of last year, police in Copperas Cove, Texas, responded to a call about a house fire. After extinguishing the fire, investigators found the incinerated body of a 71-year-old man inside. What looked like an accident turned out to be a murder. And when the case went cold in Texas, it appeared unsolvable […]

Microsoft Word says there are 1,338 words in the Declaration of Independence. Who would have ever thought that 1,338 words could start a country? Have you read those words lately? I have. Last year, I promised myself that I would I read the Declaration, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights every Independence Day. So […]

Recently, the news has covered Judge Roy Pearson’s $54-million lawsuit against a dry cleaning store in Washington, D.C. The basis for Pearson’s lawsuit was a pair of lost pants. Later the pants resurfaced and the lawsuit was altered, accusing the cleaner of violating the D.C. Consumer Protection Act. Pearson contended that the presence of a […]

WHITEFISH – A crowd of about 30 people gathered around a tent here Monday to discuss the reality of rape and sexual assault in Flathead County, the problems’ prevention, and to try to dispel some of the myths that surround such issues. Speakers at the “Take Back the Night” rally, sponsored by the Flathead County […]

It’s summer, Fourth of July weekend is approaching – it’s grilling time. Last night I took an inaugural trip on my new grill. I broke out the cedar planks, 3 pounds of briquettes and half a gallon of lighter fluid. The weather was perfect, the flame was high; it was glorious. I don’t profess to […]

“Last year we had about 700 people walk in the door,” says Garden Bar owner Mark (AKA Mister) Langlois, “Pretty freaking amazing, huh.” Independence Day festivities in Bigfork draw huge crowds, and local businesses are stocking up on goods and staff to meet the influx. Langlois ordered 70 cases of liquor, and 50 kegs, just […]

With the contentious 60th session ending not long ago for the Montana Legislature, a note from my Rep arriving in the mail today, and Independence Day just around the corner, it seemed like a good time to offer an online resource to you. Maybe it’s not specifically about C-Falls, but we can use it just […]

There’s a new way to ride a bike in town. But you’ll pedal like crazy and never get anywhere. Craig Prather fondly calls his new bike a Fender Blender. Crank up your heart rate on the red beast and ride for wattage to power a blender mixing up a mango smoothie or an iced coffee. […]

2007 Shelby Invitational – 6/30/2007 to 7/1/2007 Combined Team Scores 1, Shelby Water Otters, 1413. 2, Columbia Falls Swim Team, 824. 3, Bitterroot Swim Team, 664. 4, Cut Bank Sharks, 658.5. 5, Conrad Swim Team, 584. 6, Fort Benton Gators, 404.5. 7, Chester Swim Team, 231. 8, Sunburst Swim Team, 127. 9, Choteau Swim Team, […]

Work consumes the day. In the evening, personal time begins. The morning brings work yet again and personal life is put back on hold. People learn to accept that cycle, two local therapists say, and this creates a great divide between their business and personal lives. But is this how it should be? That is […]

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney landed in Helena last week to stump at the state GOP convention, and the only thing surprising about that is … well, it’s not that surprising. At some point, it’s unclear when, the Big Sky state, home to the world’s largest stuffed steer, became politically relevant on a national level. […]