The budget increased from the preliminary budget approved earlier this summer by $2 million

Residents north of mile marker 146 to 157.9 on U.S. Highway 93 and properties on Good Creek Road are in the evacuation area; a pre-evacuation remains in effect in Olney

Hot, dry and windy conditions have increased fire activity in the Flathead and Kootenai national forests; Red Flag warning in effect through Saturday

Brian Radabah, 32, died on Aug. 14 following an alleged assault at Third Avenue East North and East Railroad Street; suspect released from Flathead County Detention Center

Crews report success in preventing the wildfire’s spread to the west and will shift their focus to its eastern flanks; an Air Quality Alert is in effect for Flathead and Lake counties

A Flathead County judge kept the bail for Jami Leslie James at $500,000; defendant has a total bail of $750,000 from separate charges filed in Butte-Silver Bow County

William Ronald Blackman was sentenced to eight years and four months in prison for sexually abusing a 15-year-old girl

Fire containment improves to 12% as fire managers prepare for a “critical fire weather pattern” with hot, dry and windy conditions forecast this week

A 32-year-old Kalispell man died following an alleged assault early Sunday morning

Additional resources have helped improve containment of the 3,132-acre fire outside of Hungry Horse while officials warn this week's high temperatures and low humidity will likely increase fire activity

Kalispell resident Linda Lissard drops off at least 10 homemade blankets at the Flathead County Children’s Advocacy Center every week to give to victims of child abuse

Matthew Ryan Cubberly was sentenced to five years in prison for illegally possessing two shotguns while under state supervision

Thomas Joseph Duran pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute in federal court and was sentenced to five years in prison

The council voted unanimously to raise the utility rate in response to high inflationary costs; rate is effective on Sept. 1

Business owners and tourism bureau directors in the Flathead Valley are reporting a softer summer season compared to recent years as inflation impacts spending habits and pandemic trends fizzle