Kalispell Community News | Flathead Beacon

Kalispell Democrat Steenson Won’t Seek Reelection

Dan Testa — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 09:00:40 MDT

Citing a desire to explore teaching opportunities abroad, Cheryl Steenson, the state representative for Kalispell’s House District 8, does not plan to run for reelection in 2010. “It was a great experience; I learned a lot,” Steenson said. “There are other opportunities for me as a teacher right now and I’m going to pursue those.” Steenson, 29, won an extremely close election for the district encompassing downtown Kalispell in 2008, wresting the seat from local restaurant owner and Republican Craig Witte. As a freshman, Steenson sponsored a resolution expressing support for the federal stimulus funds received by Montana, and helped secure funding for Flathead Valley Community College through her seat on the Appropriations Committee.

Slide Show: Year in Sports Images

Lido Vizzutti — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 23:15:59 MDT

Click the image or use the arrows to see the Beacon's favorite sports images from 2009.

WINTER GUIDE: Signature Dishes

Myers Reece — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 16:31:47 MDT

Eating out this weekend? Here's a list of signature dishes served at local restaurants and recommended by some the area's finest chefs. Courtesy of the Beacon's annual Winter Guide magazine – on newsstands now. Kalispell: Huckleberry Lamb Chops One of North Bay Grille’s newest additions, the “Huckleberry Lamb Chops” are prepared over a mesquite wood-fired grill and glazed with champagne huckleberry sauce. The huckleberries are wild, harvested locally. Kevin Pitt, North Bay’s manager, said the wood-fired grill “adds a lot of flavor.” North Bay Grille (406-755-4441) is a downtown hotspot located at 139 First Avenue West, open for lunch Mon.-Fri. at 11:30 a.m. and nightly for dinner beginning at 5 p.m. Cost: $24.95

2009 Businesspeople of the Year

Myers Reece — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 08:54:34 MDT

After winning a lengthy legal battle and freeing up more than $100,000, seven downtown Kalispell property owners threw a party in the street. Actually, they threw a few parties in the street, right in the center of town. They called these festivals “Thursday!Fest,” with an exclamation point in the middle. And the gatherings weren’t really as much for the property owners as for a specific cause: the revitalization of downtown Kalispell. Call it a party with a purpose.

WINTER GUIDE: Above the Clouds

Beacon Staff — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 17:41:08 MDT

The Beacon's annual Winter Guide magazine is inserted in our print edition this week. It includes a map of the valley, signature dishes from area restaurants and a roundup of winter activities. You can read some of the features by following the links after the jump. But I still recommend that you pick up a hard copy on newsstands. As always, it's free.

Smurfit Closure Echoes Through Flathead

Molly Priddy — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 11:46:57 MDT

Whitefish logger Floyd Quiram was not surprised when Smurfit-Stone Container announced it would be closing its Frenchtown linerboard plant by the end of the year. Quiram said he knew the linerboard plant was heading this direction for a long time, but the timing could still be devastating to the already suffering logging and timber industry in Northwest Montana.

Slide Show: The Year in Images

Lido Vizzutti — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 22:51:38 MDT

Click the image or use the arrows to see the Beacon's favorite news and feature photographs from 2009. Some were selected because of their news value or significance, while others were picked because they moved us emotionally through the moments captured or their artistic value. Also be sure to click the "captions" button for more information in each picture.

Flathead Business Year in Review

Myers Reece — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 16:23:38 MDT

By all accounts, this was a rough year for Northwest Montana’s economy. We struggled through soaring unemployment as the region’s major industries ached, the real estate market continued to sing the blues and longtime businesses faltered. But there were bright spots. New businesses opened, certain sectors of the economy saw growth, grassroots efforts revitalized downtowns, and the area’s major electricity provider continued to take the lead in alternative energy. It’s safe to say the 2009 economy won’t be forgotten soon. Here is a review of the year’s top business stories.

First Night Provides Diverse Lineup for the New Year

Molly Priddy — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 19:29:51 MDT

There’s nothing like a little tropical marimba music to warm the soul in the middle of a Northwest Montana winter. Barbara Calm, one of the roughly 10 members of the local favorite Tropical Montana Marimba Ensemble, said their unique music offers people a pleasant escape from the slushy or frozen landscape waiting outside.

Health Care Reform Could Expand Coverage to Libby Residents

Myers Reece — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 19:16:29 MDT

As federal lawmakers hammer out a final health care reform bill, residents in Libby are watching closely. That’s because Sen. Max Baucus, one of Montana’s two senators and a chief figure in the federal government’s attempt to pass health care reform, added a provision to the U.S. Senate version of the bill that would expand Medicare coverage to “individuals exposed to environmental health hazards.”