Good afternoon, Beacon readers! Hong Kong Harry’s is posted up on every corner, floating vessels are launching in every waterway in the Flathead Valley and the dusk ritual of lighting up the sky and annoying slumbering neighbors has begun in earnest. Happy Fourth of July weekend and 250th Birthday, America! I’m Maggie Dresser, here with this holiday message.
Maybe you already knew this after watching the medical drama The Pitt, but an estimated 13,000 people nationwide were injured by fireworks last year alone. Meanwhile, 1,300 incidents involved sparklers and were treated in the emergency room and 15 fireworks-related deaths were reported, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Young people between the ages of 15 and 24 make up the lion’s share of fireworks injuries while burns were the most common injury, making up 38% of emergency visits nationally.
If you don’t want to blow your fingers off this Independence Day, you can check out commercial fireworks shows from a safe distance in Bigfork, Lakeside, Glacier Bank Park in Kalispell and on Whitefish Lake.
But let’s not forget that more than half of the nation’s dogs are affected by fireworks, which is presented in the form of anxiety and includes whining, shaking and hiding under the bed while July 5 is historically the busiest day of the year for animal shelter intakes.
If you’re looking for some fireworks-free festivities with your pet, the Flathead County Animal Shelter is hosting a Fourth of July Parade walk at 10 a.m. Dogs and cats are invited to meet at the Kalispell Center Mall at 9:30 a.m. at the JC Penny entrance. Uncle Sam attire required.
Speaking of Flathead County — officials have released the preliminary Fiscal Year 2027 budget totaling $204 million in expenditures along with $147 million in revenue.The $57 million gap is primarily driven by the construction of the new public safety facility, which broke ground last month and will be funded with a public safety levy that residents passed last year. The remaining difference in funds is expected to be covered through existing cash balances in capital improvement and operation funds, according to Flathead County officials.
Finance Director Amy Dexter estimated there will be a 2.97% increase in taxes — related to the allowable inflationary factor — for FY27 compared to FY26’s $142 million adopted budget.
“Flathead County is entering a major construction year for the Public Safety Facility, and the budget reflects that reality,” Flathead County Commissioner Brad Abell said. “The headline number is large because we are moving voter-approved bond proceeds into construction. Those dollars were received for this specific purpose, and they are being used to build the facility our community approved.”
For tax-levied funds, the preliminary budget includes $88 million in revenue and $91 million in expenditures, with the difference of approximately $3.1 million coming from cash reserves.
Additionally, the preliminary budget also includes a 2.15% cost of living adjustment (COLA) for employees and major capital items that include Rose Crossing road improvements, Flathead County Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicles, continued investment in the Emergency Communications Center (9-1-1) and a $4 million Solid Waste Department project.
Flathead County commissioners are scheduled to adopt the final budget at a public hearing on Aug. 27 at 10 a.m.
What’s more patriotic than government transparency about where your tax dollars are being spent?
Here’s the rest of a special America 250 edition of the Daily Roundup.
Nonprofits Partner to Preserve 55 Households in Kalispell Mobile Home Park
The Whitefish Community Foundation awarded a $75,000 grant to NeighborWorks Montana to purchase and preserve Twin Willows, a mobile home park in Kalispell that is slated to become a resident-owned community
Council Eyes Solutions to Curb ‘Kruise Kalispell’ Complaints as Police Crack Down on Reckless Driving
The Kalispell Police Department reports an increase in downtown traffic enforcement and stops over the past six weeks as a deterrent to downtown cruising. City staff warned the enhanced enforcement hasn’t had enough time to register on the roadways.
‘Forever Chemicals’ Detected in Big Mountain Water Co. Wells
Sampling of the water company’s six wells on April 27 revealed detectable levels of two federally monitored “forever chemicals” compounds in two of the wells, with one well exceeding the EPA-established maximum contaminant level
Glacier National Park Begins Reopening Following Flooding
The reopening of Going-to-the-Sun Road and some Many Glacier Valley trails coincides with the first day of the park’s new reservation-only shuttle system
Sierra Hull is a seven-time IBMA Mandolin Player of the Year, six-time Grammy nominee, and one of the most dynamic voices in bluegrass and Americana. Her latest album, A Tip Toe High Wire, marks a bold new chapter – her first independent release – spotlighting her songwriting and instrumental prowess. Featuring guest appearances by Béla Fleck, Tim O’Brien, and Aoife O’Donovan, the album balances tradition with innovation. The project has been met with widespread acclaim and was nominated for four GRAMMY Awards, including Best Bluegrass Album, underscoring Hull’s continued evolution as one of acoustic music’s most visionary artists.
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