Happy Tuesday, Beacon readers! Mariah Thomas here for your Daily Roundup. For those of you keeping up with the fall bucket list adventures, my latest update is that I made it out to Whitefish’s Oktoberfest this weekend. In my humble opinion, you just can’t let a fall go by in this valley without watching and cheering on the strong men and women who participate in the stein-holding competition. It’s truly a highlight of the season for me. Enough said.
Beyond the stein holding, we’re looking down the barrel toward a jam-packed week here in the Flathead Valley, topped off by a presidential visit. ICYMI: President Donald Trump is coming to town, in an effort to shore up support for Republican congressional candidate Aaron Flint as he faces a tough challenge for the western congressional district seat from Democrat Sam Forstag this fall.
Trump will stump for Flint at Majestic Valley Arena, located right on U.S. Highway 93.
And with an event of that magnitude, the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office announced in a release yesterday that travelers in the valley can expect “road closures, traffic restrictions, and delays in the vicinity of the event,” which will be along the main thoroughfare that residents often use to navigate between Kalispell and Whitefish.
Designated event parking will open at noon tomorrow. Attendees are encouraged to carpool. Parking along the road will not be permitted. Attendees must use the designated event parking area and cannot loiter at or near the parking area before noon.
“Anyone arriving before 12:00 p.m. will be turned away by law enforcement,” the sheriff’s office release stated. “Early arrivals may cause significant traffic congestion and create hazardous conditions for motorists, emergency responders, and the surrounding community.”
More information about specific road closures and timing will be shared by the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office on its Facebook page as it becomes available.
All right — that’s what I’ve got for you all today. Onto the rest of today’s Daily Roundup!
In Western Congressional District Race, Republican Aaron Flint and Democrat Sam Forstag Are Locked in a Dead Heat
Widely seen as the biggest ticket item in the state this fall, the race is likely to be defined by topics like cost-of-living and healthcare that have hit voters’ pocketbooks hard — though culture war issues could still play a role.
Ballot Measure Would Add Constitutional Protections for Montana’s Ballot Initiative Process
Supporters say CI-133 would protect the initiative and referendum process from “unjustified interference by the government,” after legislators passed a slew of bills tightening ballot initiative rules. Backers argue that strategy weakens “voters’ ability to propose and vote on laws themselves.”
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