Author: Brian Bennett

Montana Public Service Commission Reverses Course

The Montana Public Service Commission has reversed course on requiring more details from NorthWestern Energy about its application to purchase more of the Colstrip Power Plant, six weeks after unanimously deciding it hadn’t provided the legally required amount of information in its application for approval. NorthWestern plans to buy a 12.5% sh...

Stevensville – Council Broadens Civic Involvement

The Town of Stevensville has been successfully engaging citizens in its council meetings through live webcasting in the past two years. Recently it added a new participation guide and implemented steps to broaden civic involvement in its virtual public meetings online. The town’s website will now live stream any virtual meeting including board...

Kalispell – Virtual Celebration of Earth Day

This year environmental protection advocates in the Flathead Valley and beyond will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day virtually through an online event organized by the Citizens’ Climate Lobby. Virtual attendees will be guided through simple actions they can take to help the climate right then and there.

Flathead lake Cherry Harvest May Have an Advantage This Year

The Flathead Lake Cherry Harvest is usually one of the last in the U.S. because the market usually makes a rebound after Washington has harvested so many cherries. This year they may have an advantage. Cherry pickers are mostly migrant workers who move to the Flathead. With orchards rows they’re able to pick with distance between them to avoid...

Great Falls – High Ticket Item on City Commision Agenda Tonight

The Great Falls City Commission will meet this evening. Agenda items include the purchase of a half-million dollar fire truck using federal funds and a $3.2 million bond issue the city says will save $144,000 in interest payments. Commissioners will meet virtually from their homes via ZOOM with residents able to comment via email telephone or ...

Mild Winter Good for Big Game in Montana

Montana’s generally mild winter was good for big game although biologists caution that early spring could still stress animals. If temperatures continue to warm up through April biologist expect most animals to survive but a cold spring could still impact deer, elk, and other big game animals looking to milder days for recovery.