said her signature property tax bill is projected to return an estimated $50–$60 million in statewide tax relief between fall 2025 and spring 2026 while stabilizing Montana’s education funding formula A Kalispell lawmaker’s signature property tax relief bill may not have received the same degree of attention in recent weeks as other high-profile tax reform measures which both chambers of the Montana Legislature courted and reshaped right up until the session’s final hours on Wednesday But even if House Bill 483 was something of a wallflower this session its supporters say it may be remembered as the belle of the ball that’s due in part to the immediate and long-term tax relief it delivers to Montanans returning a projected $50–$60 million this fall But it also attaches a much-needed stabilizing ballast to Montana’s 95 school equalization mills a mainstay of Montana’s K-12 public education funding model that has grown increasingly lopsided in the past two decades — a gradual imbalance that skyrocketing property values all but capsized “Most relief looks like a big water balloon where you’re pushing money around to find the right formula,” Sprunger said “This policy doesn’t just focus on the immediate crisis It ensures we can stay in our homes and thrive.” Sign up for our newsletter and get the best of the Beacon delivered every day to your inbox Dubbing her signature property tax relief measure the Right Back Act Sprunger said she worked with a team of education funding experts to craft a measure that sends excess property tax dollars collected from the uniform 95 school equalization mills “right back” to Montanans It piggybacks on legislation passed in 2023 as House Bill 587 which revised Montana’s model for balancing funding between school districts based on their taxable wealth While Sprunger said the Right Back Act builds on the foundation of House Bill 587 “Refined by the lessons we’ve learned from the recent dramatic shifts in property values its key objectives would reduce local property tax bills using the growth in the 95 mills to deliver direct relief to taxpayers and it does so starting this fall,” she said Sprunger said the Right Back Act pays down key permissive mills by delivering $25 million for school bus transportation $7 million for county retirement funds and $18 million to offset guaranteed tax base (GTB) obligations “reducing costs that appear on every Montanan’s property tax bill It strengthens the role of the 95 mills to “ensure both stable school funding and access to a quality education for every child.” It also modernizes state reimbursement rates for school transportation that have been stagnant for two decades while guarding against against tax spikes caused by reappraisal cycles which lessens a long-standing lag associated with GTB “And last but not least the bill provides language that will allow this bill to coordinate with any other property tax relief legislation that this committee and others work together to pass,” Sprunger said “Basically you can think of this bill as a cleanup batter.” executive director of the Montana School Boards Association said HB 483 makes critical adjustments to the state’s share of transportation reimbursement rates along with reimbursement rates to counties the state would pay a more significant share of school transportation costs with the county share remaining flat at $12 million and the school district’s share dropping by $24 million “So this is permanent tax relief right off the bat to solve a 20-year lag in inflation and right the ship,” Melton said adding that it gives lawmakers greater control to adjust equalization rates when property values are reappraised increasing their ability to mitigate impacts on property taxpayers While the previous session’s work directed excess collections from the 95 mills to offset local contributions to teacher retirement it quickly drew opposition from county governments which sued the state in an effort to cap the collections at a time when property values were skyrocketing The Montana Supreme Court ruled in the state’s favor in November 2023 “The court found that there was an excessive reliance on local variable mills that are a patchwork quilt across the state,” Melton said The early threads of that patchwork quilt emerged in 1993 when the Montana Legislature passed the 95 mills for K-12 public school funding Lawmakers launched the initiative to address a Supreme Court ruling that the state’s failure to adequately fund the education program on a uniform basis forced an “excessive reliance” upon local variable levies that differed inequitably from district to district The court found that the inequities in tax rates caused the state to fail to provide a system of quality public education to each student The Legislature responded to the ruling by creating three new uniform levies to promote equalization — 33 mills for elementary equalization; 22 mills for high school equalization; and 40 mills for state equalization Because the Legislature adopted the mills to be uniformly applicable to every property taxpayer in the state these three separate levies became known in their combined form as the 95 mills for school equalization which have been consistently imposed and used by the Legislature to fund Montana’s public schools for more than three decades Each school district in Montana currently sets the rate at which it taxes local property owners to fill its base budget — a complex calculation that is determined by the taxable value of the district the number of taxpayers within it and the budgetary needs of the school district hundreds of different school mill rates have proliferated in Montana creating a tax structure that education experts say is “near impossible” to understand While the formula favors small districts in tax-base wealthy areas such as resort destinations and natural resource hubs it leaves lower income areas shouldering a higher burden of local funding “We have mills that range from 1.78 in one community to 616 in another the value of a mill is as low as $0.34 in Heart Butte and as high as $2,750 in Alzada,” Melton said “So there are vast disparities in tax wealth in communities across the state and these 95 mills were originally put in place by the Legislature in 1993 in order to protect and preserve against an excessive reliance on variable local mills.” As the first of the House’s major property tax relief proposals to reach the governor’s desk one reason House Bill 483 received less attention than its counterpart measures which established “homestead” property tax rates lowering the tax burden on Montanans’ primary residences long-term rentals and small commercial properties while raising them on those who don’t qualify — namely second homes and short-term rentals — is that it passed both chambers with broad support passing the Senate on a decisive 46-4 vote But it works in concert with the other measures to lessen the burden on local tax systems the bill sends excess property tax dollars collected from the uniform 95 School Equalization Mills “right back,” building on House Bill 587 which the Montana Legislature passed in 2023 to create the School Equalization and Property Tax Reduction (SEPTR) account “This is a property tax solution you can take home to your people and say ‘starting this fall we are doing something and we are going to do so without damaging our educational structure,” Sprunger told members of the Senate Taxation Committee on April 14 executive director of the Montana Association of School Business Officials said HB 483 shores up funding for county retirement systems by increasing statewide elementary and high school GTB ratios by 300% for Fiscal Year 2026 and 262% for 2027 and beyond “This aid is essential for counties with lower property tax values ensuring they can meet their retirement obligations without placing an undue burden on local taxpayers,” Turner said “It represents a comprehensive approach to revising school funding laws in a manner that supports county retirement systems and provides significant savings for Montana taxpayers providing property tax relief and assuring efficient use of funds this bill will maintain the financial health of our counties and protect the interests of taxpayers.” who supported the bill on behalf of the Montana School Boards Association the School Administrators of Montana and the Montana Association of School Business Officials gave Sprunger plaudits for her “reference to taxpayers getting the money right back.” “And I would even go further to suggest it prevents an over collection in the first place,” he said [email protected] The continued support from our readers keeps our lights on and helps sustain local independent journalism in northwest Montana Please consider a one-time gift or sign up for a recurring contribution and join more than 500 readers in the Editor’s Club Click here to read about the impact the Beacon has on the community. © 2025 Flathead Beacon, All Rights Reserved. Use of this site is subject to the Flathead Beacon's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy Personalized news alerts with our mobile app The Helena Senators dropped both ends of a nonconference doubleheader to visiting Kalispell Saturday afternoon at Kindrick Legion Field in Helena Helena Senators infielder Ryker Roman attempts a throw to first base from his knees during Game 1 of Saturday's nonconference doubleheader against the Kalispell Lakers at Kindrick Legion Field in Helena Helena Senators center fielder Tyler Kaiser finished 2-for-5 with a double and run scored during Game 1 of Saturday's nonconference doubleheader against the Kalispell Lakers at Kindrick Legion Field in Helena Helena Senators shortstop Walker DesRosier throws across the diamond to first base during Game 1 of Saturday's nonconference doubleheader against the Kalispell Lakers at Kindrick Legion Field in Helena Kalispell Lakers right-handed pitcher Kyler Croft tossed six innings of four-hit two-run (one earned) relief in Game 1 of Saturday's nonconference doubleheader sweep of the Helena Senators at Kindrick Legion Field in Helena Helena Senators first baseman James DeMers stretches to complete the put-out of Kalispell base-runner Bryce Buckmaster during Game 1 of Saturday's nonconference doubleheader against the Kalispell Lakers at Kindrick Legion Field in Helena Helena Senators catcher Tizer Lindgren attempts a throw to second base from behind the plate during Game 1 of Saturday's nonconference doubleheader against the Kalispell Lakers at Kindrick Legion Field in Helena Helena Senators right fielder Connor Devine finished 1-for-4 with a double and three RBI in Game 1 of Saturday's nonconference doubleheader against the Kalispell Lakers at Kindrick Legion Field in Helena Helena Senators first baseman James DeMers finished 1-for-6 with a run scored in Game 1 of Saturday's nonconference doubleheader against the Kalispell Lakers at Kindrick Legion Field in Helena A popular hospitality brand known for its luxurious hotels announced plans for a new development near one of America's most beautiful National Parks Montana welcomes thousands of visitors from around the world so it's no surprise that so many plan vacations there If you've ever tried to book accommodations like hotel rooms and rental cars in Montana you'll quickly realize that places get booked out for months and there never seem to be enough hotel rooms for all the people hoping to see the "Last Best Place." Before we reveal the details about Montana's newest hotel here are a few inexpensive options if you're planning a vacation in the state Gallery Credit: jessejames According to a press release one of America's premier hotel brands is opening a new hotel in Kalispell not far from the west entrance of Glacier National Park extended-stay hotel is located seven miles from Glacier Park International Airport and the new Home2 Suites in Kalispell help meet a growing demand for traveler accommodations in the state Amenities offered at the hotel will include the following or book a reservation at Glacier National Park which is one of America's best scenic drives The area is considered the most beautiful in Montana you won't have trouble finding ways to spend your time Gallery Credit: Jesse James Montana’s newest hotel brings modern elegance to one of the state’s most iconic spots.\nRead More According to a press release a nonprofit dedicated to recording meaningful conversations has been preserving voices across the country for 20 years Montana Public Radio was proud to be part of the original StoryCorps Mobile Tour we’re thrilled to bring StoryCorps to Kalispell you can honor someone close to you by capturing their thoughts and memories with StoryCorps at Flathead Valley Community College Reservations open May 10th, check back here to sign up. Or you can record anytime using the StoryCorps mobile app. or at storycorps.org StoryCorps Kalispell is brought to you in part by Flathead Valley Community College check in with your conversation partner to figure out which option works best for the two of you Please have their contact information ready when you book StoryCorps’ Mobile team will contact everyone who will be participating to go over the details of the recording process and answer any questions we will also do a tech check with you a few days prior to your appointment Please be on the lookout for a phone call from us with the area code (646) You will not be allowed to participate without confirming by phone Listen to some samples from 2022. The StoryCorps Mobile Tour is made possible by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. In partnership with the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress Volunteer KALISPELL — A Kalispell man was recently found guilty at trial in Flathead County Justice Court for seven criminal counts related to poaching crimes committed in November of 2023 was convicted of two counts of unlawful possession of wildlife two counts of hunting or killing an overlimit of game animals and a single count of loan or transfer of a license showed that Carr illegally killed three whitetail deer in the North Fork of the Flathead which led to the seven criminal counts “This is a testament to the dedication and tenacity of Montana game wardens and the work that goes into these complex long-term investigations,” FWP Assistant Chief of Law Enforcement “We would also like to extend our appreciation to the Flathead County Attorney’s Office particularly Deputy County Attorney Gabe Valentine The sentencing hearing for this case is pending At the same time Boveng has been bringing people together she’s also continued to bring together a body of work made up of pieces that represent a variety of artistic disciplines Sydney Boveng has been bringing people together through arts markets and small shows It’s made the 27-year-old Kalispell artist something of a conduit for connecting certain artists but she’s also come to appreciate the good feeling she gets from bringing people together It’s almost like “a little matchmaking moment,” she said And the more of those connections that are made the more she thinks it will benefit the local art community at large “The bigger and more connected our communities are it benefits every single one of us,” she said Her small studio includes clothing with block-printed designs sketchbooks with a mix of words and drawings Some of her works are a more faithful depiction of things as they appear in nature while others take things that exist in life and reconstitute them through her distinct application of scale Art is something that Boveng said has been a part of her life for a long time She describes her family as a creative one An obituary published after his death in 2014 credited his modernist designs and engineering as being seen in buildings around northwest Montana including the Summit House at Whitefish Mountain Resort the visitors’ centers at Logan Pass and St He also designed the home where Boveng has her small studio One of the largest parts of her artistic practice are her sketchbooks and Boveng even took the step last summer of having one of those sketchbooks published annotations and written passages amount in their entirety to a single work of art made up of smaller pieces As a sensory-oriented person who appreciates the tactile side of art “I touch things and feel and hear things,” she said “I hope that’s what people want to feel in my work too is that it indulges more senses than just ‘It’s a nice picture.’” One of the things that Boveng especially values about her sketchbook and the act of sketching or making quick works of art is what she believes is the fundamental power of making a mark on a page she said that she talks about how there’s an empowering and freeing feeling that comes with making marks on a page no matter how good they may look requires a level of focus so complete that you can’t think of anything else Using the sketchbook as a platform for mark-making transforms it into a powerful tool “Especially in a time when I think almost all of us are struggling to focus struggling to be bored and present in the moment because we all want to just be on our phones,” she said “I’ve always been able to get lost in my sketchbook and be happy in that way.”   But the multitude of art forms that Boveng pursues in addition to her sketchbook works speak to other motivations Going down all these different artistic avenues she said she’s partially motivated by the kind of dopamine hit that comes with learning something new (she’s currently teaching herself how to oil paint) and the experience of growing and improving a skill But she also attributed her impulse to branch out to a reluctance to be boxed in by one type of work or another It’s a trajectory that can feel inevitable for some artists what an artist becomes known for is what allows them to develop a fan base And then there’s the added pressure of trying to create personally satisfying art that may not be as big of a draw in a market in which tastes tend to gravitate towards the landscapes and imagery of the West occasional strategy Boveng employs to sidestep an art admirer’s geographic biases is to simply avoid putting a title with a place’s name on a work One of Boveng’s most popular prints is of a painting she made of a mountain meadow she came across while traveling in Tasmania the title was on a small label on the back of the painting People at markets didn’t always see the title and thus weren’t always aware that what they were seeing was a depiction of Cradle Mountain in Tasmania they would often think it was Glacier National Park It led Boveng to think more about the power of ambiguous or creative titles for her works her pieces sometimes have names that are more obvious make it fit into their life more,” Boveng said “Which is kind of the magic of art.” But assigning her work more conceptual names isn’t just an occasional work-around to try and avoid being penned in by the expectations of conventional western art It’s also sometimes an extension of how she sees and creates art Some of her drawings and paintings are representative of a combination of memory and story At times she’s found herself writing in order to paint It’s a way of understanding what she is trying to convey with her visual art “If I Could Take My Place Amongst the Flowers,” shows a feminine figure looking to the distance amid an all-encompassing array of plants as Boveng described it in a note appended to the work bearing witness to loved ones breaking through winter’s cover and being a tiny entity on a big beautiful planet.” Boveng said that she’s excited to continue with landscape art and other styles that people have come to expect — and proven they want — in her work while also continuing to spend more time on personal “It’s really exciting to work on stuff that feels more genuinely me,” she said To see more of Sydney Boveng’s work, check out https://www.sydneyboveng.com/ Editor’s Note: This is the second in a two-part series of profiles of Tarek Penser and Sydney Boveng two Flathead Valley artists who were selected for this summer’s Artist-Wilderness Connection residency which is sponsored by the Glacier Art Museum [email protected] KALISPELL — The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) is continuing work on the Reserve Drive: Hutton Ranch Road to Whitefish Stage Road project this week right-in/right-out access will continue at the intersection Construction will take place between 7 a.m and drivers should plan for 15 to 20-minute delays The new intersections will receive dedicated turn lanes Crews will also replace the Stillwater River Bridge deck to include sidewalks Additional information can be found by calling the project hotline at 406-207-4484 Click here for additional information about the project Kaleb Elijah Fleck in February pleaded guilty to a felony count of deliberate homicide in the 2023 death of a homeless man at a Kalispell gas station The 20-year-old Kalispell man who admitted to beating a 60-year-old homeless man to death outside of a gas station in 2023 has been sentenced to 50 years in the Montana State Prison with 10 years suspended Kaleb Elijah Fleck in February pleaded guilty to a felony count of deliberate homicide before Flathead County District Court Judge Heidi Ulbricht He had previously pleaded not guilty to the charge in June 2023 Following the prosecution’s recommendation Judge Ulbricht imposed the sentence at a March 31 hearing Fleck is also ordered to pay restitution costs he’s required to register as a violent offender he will be eligible to apply for conditional discharge and he will receive credit for 11 days served Fleck was released from the Flathead County Detention Center shortly after his arrest in July of 2023 when he posted a $500,000 property bond He has since been required to wear a GPS monitor Montana Department of Justice Assistant Attorneys General Meghann Paddock and Caitlin Creighton, who are serving as special deputy county attorneys in the case, in October amended the charge to include a revised set of charging documents that stated Fleck intentionally committed aggravated assault and In June of 2023, Fleck beat 60-year-old Scott Bryan to death at the Conoco gas station at the intersection of Meridian Road and Appleway Drive causing significant bleeding and facial and head injuries an eight-second video of the incident’s aftermath captured by his then 18-year-old friend Wiley Meeker of Somers circulated on social media “Kaleb Fleck brutally assaulted Scott Bryan causing an open skull fracture and part of a broken nasal bone protruding out of his forehead,” Judge Ulbricht said during the sentencing hearing “Kaleb Fleck left the victim alone in the parking lot did not call 911 or summon for any help for the victim The victim was still alive when the first responders arrived on the scene and the medical examiner concluded that the cause of death was blunt force injuries and the manner of death was homicide.” Judge Ulbricht cited the violent manner of his death as she passed down the sentence but also took the defendant’s age which was 19 years old at the time of the incident and his lack of criminal history into consideration reduce crime and provide for public safety,” Judge Ulbricht said requested a 40-year sentence in the Montana State Prison a lack of criminal history and his consistent character description as a kind and hardworking father several of Bryan’s family members read victim impact statements describing their relative as a disabled and chronically ill man who became homeless about a year before he was killed testified via Zoom that her brother grew up on the East Coast where he suffered a traumatic brain injury as a child Her brother’s health condition continued to worsen throughout his life Torksa described Bryan’s death as an act of horrific violence against a vulnerable population and she asked the court to impose more jail time than the prosecution’s recommendation “Scott was a person who would give you the shirt off his back – you just had to ask … being unhoused is not a crime a Kalispell social worker who assisted Bryan with housing over the last few years told the court about his experience working with the defendant and described his deteriorating physical and mental condition O’Neill said Bryan was “bruised and battered” after already being assaulted earlier that week “The Scott I had known was a shell of himself,” O’Neill said In addition to the defendant’s letters of support Fleck’s friends and family members provided testimony to the court hardworking new father who acted out of character and expressed remorse said while she acknowledged Bryan’s death as a tragedy she said her nephew was “just a kid” who did not mean to take anyone’s life “I know Kaleb is a man of God and he walks with faith you will realize that he is a good person and it’s not what the media says or social media,” Laven said and nephew and it’s a travesty – all of it.” testified that she believed her son was in the “wrong place at the wrong time” during the incident and cast blame on Meeker The two friends documented the assault’s aftermath on Snapchat with the camera panning between Fleck and Bryan’s motionless body on the ground “You (expletive) that guy up dude,” with Fleck responding Meeker was also arrested on a deliberate homicide charge at the time of the incident but was released from the Flathead County Detention Center two days later He has not been charged with any crime related to Bryan’s death “He was a 19-year-old in fight or flight mode and thought he knocked someone out and left,” Mahlen said “He thought he would get up – he didn’t know He didn’t even see the person it was so dark out – he did not know what he was doing.” But prosecutors did not see the incident as a “case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time,” and instead described Fleck as a strong young man who brutally beat a frail and disabled elderly man “This isn’t someone who is showing remorse,” Creighton said “Someone who then brags on a Snapchat video after nearly killing someone who then will ultimately die That’s not somebody who is well-mannered or shy.” Fleck’s defense attorney Julianne Hinchey said her client feared for his life during the night of the homicide when Bryan approached their vehicle while he was high on methamphetamine and “mumbling gibberish.” “The choice 19-year-old Kaleb made was a choice to get out of the car,” Hinchey said “This is a reaction of a kid who had never been in trouble before that happened.” apologizing to the court and expressing remorse over Bryan’s death “There’s not a day goes by that I don’t think about it,” Fleck said “I’m super sorry and I wish it never happened.” [email protected] Under the Montana Land Use Planning Act established by the 2023 Legislature the municipality is required to adopt a new plan designed to limit public review processes and remove zoning barriers to streamline housing projects Kalispell city officials have begun implementing the Montana Land Use Planning Act after the 2023 Legislature required the municipality to adopt a new plan designed to limit zoning regulations and streamline administrative review processes At the March 18 Kalispell Chamber of Commerce luncheon, Development Services Assistant Director PJ Sorensen outlined the implications of Senate Bill 382, explaining to the audience at Flathead Valley Community College how the act will alter the city’s planning methods “It really changes how we approach long-range planning in the state,” Sorensen said As Kalispell’s population continues to grow at a steady 2.5% rate the planning act aims to reduce regulations to bring more housing to the area while bypassing a public review process conditional use permits that previously required discretionary approval from the city will now be streamlined administratively the city has followed the guidelines of the Kalispell Growth Policy which was last updated in 2017 and must now be replaced with a land use plan meeting the requirements laid out in SB 382 The removal of the public-engagement criteria, however, is currently subject to review by the Montana Supreme Court after a district court judge in Bozeman struck that portion of the bill down. District Court Judge Mike Salvagni ruled last year that the law violates the Montana Constitution’s right of participation Sorensen said the change in public review is not intended to prevent public participation “A lot of the theory behind SB 382 isn’t to cut the public out – and sometimes it feels that way when you’re talking about not having those public hearings related to subdivisions – but what it’s really trying to do is take the focus of public comment from having an almost ad hoc as developments happen and shifting it up front,” Sorensen said Aside from the public review element of SB 382 the planning act lays out zoning requirements for cities of at least 7,000 residents to pick five housing strategies out of a list of 14 Of the 10 cities mandated to take part in the process Columbia Falls and Whitefish also must adhere to the planning act zoning regulations designed to reduce barriers include allowing two isolated housing units on one property; allowing accessory dwelling units in all zones; and allowing a four-plex on a single-family lot you wouldn’t have true single-family housing anymore,” Sorensen said Other ways in which SB 382 eases regulatory requirements include increasing allowable building heights by at least 25% reducing setbacks by 25% and reducing minimum lot sizes by 25% Kalispell city officials have already begun implementing parts of the Montana Land Use Planning Act the Kalispell Planning Board’s title shifted to the Kalispell Planning Commission although responsibilities of the members remain the same several work sessions and pop-up events around the city were established to educate the public about the new participation process and to encourage residents to engage in projects earlier City officials have also launched an “Engage Kalispell” project website which includes a questionnaire about resident’s vision for the future and outlines the land use plan which is planned to head to the city council for approval by the end of the summer “We’re really ramping this up,” Sorensen said we will hopefully have everything in place.” [email protected] The office has not been informed of any disruption of service at this point and will continue to meet with clients in person The federal government also terminated the leases of the Missoula Social Security field office Bureau of Indian Affairs building in Pablo and U.S Fish and Wildlife Service building in Great Falls The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has terminated the lease of the Kalispell Social Security office in an effort to cut costs by selling and cancelling leases on government buildings.  According to the DOGE website the Kalispell Social Security office is one of 10 federal buildings in Montana whose leases have been cancelled Also on the list are the Missoula Social Security field office the Bureau of Indian Affairs building in Pablo and the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service building in Great Falls.  The Kalispell Social Security office is continuing to help individuals in person and has not yet been informed of any disruptions of service.  The DOGE website stated that cancelling the Kalispell lease will save the federal government $151,400 DOGE said that termination details are still being finalized the lessor and customer have been notified and the strategy is under development.  GSA owns 41 federal buildings and leases space in 78 buildings in Montana The majority of GSA-owned buildings in Montana are border patrol stations and primary tenants in Montana’s federal buildings are the U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services and the Bureau of Reclamation In a statement on the Social Security Administration (SSA) website the agency said it has terminated over 60 leases with assistance from GSA amounting to $4 million in annual rent savings with the majority of its hearings being held virtually it no longer needs as much in-person space.  The statement said SSA is continuing to “make good on President Trump’s promise to protect American taxpayers from unnecessary spending while continuing to ensure it delivers on its mission.” The federal government on Tuesday also published a list of more than 440 federal buildings it intends to sell “Senator Sheehy is in touch with the relevant federal agencies on this issue As the administration works to rein in spending and deliver government services more efficiently Senator Sheehy is committed to working with our federal partners to ensure cuts are targeted responsibly and the critical frontline resources Montanans rely on are protected.” “Daines is working closely with the appropriate agencies to ensure critical services for Montanans are uninterrupted as President Trump works to reduce waste within the federal government.” “Paying for empty buildings is not in the best interest of Montana taxpayers If a federal agency is renting a building that is larger than it needs then finding more affordable office space that fits the public’s needs and still delivers the public service is a prudent cost-saving measure We understand that the functions of the agencies will not shutter [email protected] Bradley Jay Hillious argued he was entitled to a new trial because Flathead County officials did not properly assemble a jury panel while also erroneously admitted testimonial hearsay The Montana Supreme Court last month denied a new trial for a 38-year-old Kalispell man convicted of murdering his wife in 2020 after he filed an appeal shortly after his sentencing in 2022 to 100 years in the Montana State Prison. A Flathead County jury three years ago convicted Bradley Jay Hillious of felony deliberate homicide following a 10-day trial in the death of his wife Hillious has maintained his innocence since the charges were filed in 2020 According to Hillious’ appeal brief filed by appellate defenders Tammy Hinderman and Jeff N. Wilson, the defendant argued he is entitled to a new trial because the clerk of court did not comply with the statutory requirements for assembling a jury panel He also argued the Flathead County District Court erroneously admitted testimonial hearsay in violation of his right to confront witnesses In the March 25 opinion drafted by Justice Laurie McKinnon the Montana Supreme Court concluded the jury selection processes did not rise to the level of substantial noncompliance and Hillious did not show that the violation was a result of non-random or subjective criteria He also failed to timely object to the jury’s formation and neither his objection nor motion for a new trial were timely Beth Baker and Jim Rice joined in the opinion while justices Katherine Bidegaray and Ingrid Gustafson dissented Chief Justice Cory Swanson recused himself from the matter Hillious also argued the district court violated his right to confrontation when it allowed as evidence inadmissible hearsay statements from the victim including a temporary order of protection she filed against the defendant a text message exchange between the victim and her coworker The high court ruled that while Hillious’ rights were violated by the admission of certain evidence he had not shown that he was prejudiced by the error Hillious’ efforts seeking a new trial began three years ago shortly after a Flathead County jury convicted him of a felony count of deliberate homicide in his wife’s death filed a motion arguing that the state’s closing arguments violated the defendant’s right to a fair trial and improperly influenced the jury a request that prosecutors said lacked merit Judge Robert Allison, the former Flathead County judge who presided over the trial, rejected the motion saying the references were contextualized and did not violate the defendant’s right to a fair trial Defense attorneys also argued that the facts of the case did not support a conviction for deliberate homicide and evidence suggested Hillious should have been charged with mitigated deliberate homicide because there was no evidence presented that Amanda’s death was planned Flathead County Attorney Travis Ahner said Hillious could not be charged with mitigated deliberate homicide because the defense argued at trial that Amanda was killed by either falling down a set of stairs or at the hands of her father-in-law; when they failed to prove those arguments suggesting Hillious acted under the influence of extreme mental or emotional stress Rebsom said the trial should have been held at a different venue since many potential jurors were excused from the case who “had a pre-determined opinion about the case,” the motion states arguing that community-wide prejudice was unsupported and that the defendant was afforded a fair group of jurors due to the lengthy jury selection process Judge Allison sentenced Hillious to 100 years in the Montana State Prison before the defendant filed an appeal with the Montana Supreme Court the following May Hillious has maintained his innocence since the charges were filed in 2020 and implied during the sentencing hearing that his father who died by suicide shortly after his wife’s death “I have pleaded and maintain my innocence throughout this whole process,” Hillious said at his 2022 sentencing hearing “I will continue to maintain my absolute innocence until the real truth is acknowledged There is no conclusive evidence to believe beyond a reasonable doubt that I was in fact the person that caused the death of another especially with a more likely suspect who is known (to be) violent and hostile toward others.” [email protected] pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl following his 2023 arrest in Browning A 34-year-old Kalispell man who planned to sell drugs on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation was sentenced Wednesday to 10 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release Cameron Lee Richard Carr in September 2024 pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl law enforcement received information that Carr was trafficking illegal drugs from Kalispell to Browning and was seen leaving the Going to the Sun Inn in Browning on Nov A Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services officer tried to pull Carr over after he ran a stop sign but the suspect drove off Carr eventually stopped his vehicle and ran away He was apprehended by the officer and arrested at which point Carr reached for his waistband and prompted a weapons search before placing him in a patrol vehicle The officer recovered suspected meth and fentanyl and found a 9 mm Ruger handgun on the ground near the area where Carr was arrested law enforcement seized 11 additional firearms 168 grams of fentanyl in pill and powder form 2023 admitted to distributing drugs in Browning during an interview with law enforcement Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case and the investigation was conducted by the FBI Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services and the Glacier County Sheriff’s Office [email protected] KALISPELL — A large crowd gathered in Kalispell Saturday afternoon for a “Hands Off Protest” that started at the Flathead County Courthouse it feels encouraging,” said Kalispell resident Audrey Hyvonen Hyvonen was among hundreds of protestors at Saturday’s Hands Off rally in Kalispell “I came a little early to share signs with anyone who forgot theirs or got inspired to stop and join us.” Hyvonen said she wanted to protest peacefully and let her voice be heard regarding current decisions being made at the federal and state level we’re not getting the responses that we want to be getting we’re getting things that look like they are made by robots and we don’t feel like we’re being heard,” said Hyvonen The rally started at the Flathead County Courthouse before protestors marched down Main Street in Kalispell all the way to Depot Park “This is a message of unity; inclusion and it will stay that way,” said Kalispell resident Trand Seymour Watch related coverage: Thousands turn out for Missoula's "Hands Off" Rally Seymour said he wanted to protest because he feels like America’s democracy is being dismantled from within “We’ve seen a lot of bipartisan support across the board not just from liberals or people who are registered democrats people who maybe voted for Trump and are feeling some buyer’s remorse for lack of a better phrase,” said Seymour Hyvonen was excited to see protestors come out in big numbers in the Flathead “The effects are hitting home faster and faster and the reactions will mimic that,” said Hyvonen  Watch related coverage: Hundreds gathered to protest at Hamilton's "Hands Off" Rally The amendments redefine the city’s terms for junk vehicles and tall grass along with shortening the amount of time residents have to comply with violations The Kalispell City Council on Monday voted to expand its definitions of junk vehicles and tall grass to improve code enforcement in residential neighborhoods along with adjusting the amount of time a person has to respond to a violation and gain compliance Council still must formally adopt the amendments in a final reading The city’s ordinance aimed at regulating community blight and promoting public safety originally defined a junk vehicle as “a discarded or dismantled motor vehicle (including component parts) that is inoperative or incapable of being driven.” The new ordinance would amend that definition to include vehicles or parts that are “inoperative or incapable of being driven” or which have one or more of eight listed characteristics relating to safety the height of the vegetation around the vehicle City Manager Doug Russell said the existing definition “isn’t very highly defined,” making the ordinance difficult to follow “I think the added definition gives more clarity and understanding to implementing it,” he said said the city receives many complaints that do not technically fall under the existing definition “It actually does give the city the tools to move a lot of vehicles,” he said of the amended ordinance Councilor Ryan Hunter expressed concern about the restriction proposing an amendment to make an exception for up to two vehicles in a yard “I get that no one wants a junk car next to them but at the same time I’m not too keen on punishing people who are already struggling and in poverty over what is really an aesthetic issue,” said Hunter Councilor Sid Daoud expressed similar “heartburn” over the issue Councilor Chad Graham proposed an amendment to change the verbiage from “or” to “and,” requiring that a vehicle’s inoperative condition must be among the eight listed characteristics The amendment passed with support from all councilors save Councilor Jessica Dahlman The ordinance passed its initial reading with support from Councilor Jed Fisher The council also voted to rewrite the city’s ordinance regulating tall grass and to shift code-enforcement responsibilities away from the fire department so they fall city’s broader jurisdiction The new definition of tall grass includes “unchecked or overgrown vegetation that is unsightly troublesome or offensive” in addition to weeds and grass over eight inches The amendment allows exceptions for property that exceeds 15,000 square feet in size; drainage areas forests or other areas that are impractical for weeding; and “maintained and cultivated gardens.” The roughly 90 minutes of deliberation included debate over the definition of “garden,” with Hunter proposing to add “naturescaping or other intentionally created habitat features,” as an amendment to the ordinance proposed another amendment to add “landscaping” to the definition “All these are about your property rights versus property rights of those around you,” Daoud said warning that some residents could use the expanded ordinance to generate more complaints against neighbors Hunter critiqued the ordinance for similar reasons “I don’t think the community purpose for this is great enough to justify weaponizing the city in neighbors’ disputes,” said Hunter Councilor Fisher shared his experiences having worked for the county in responding to vegetation calls for 35 years “I wish it was where neighbors would just go talk to each other but I think this allows the city to do their job better and satisfies many people who work their tails off and spend a lot of money to have a beautiful maintained yard that they’re proud of and expect to have in their neighborhood.” The updated ordinance also changes the date for compliance from 30 days to 10 days The updated definition and expedited code enforcement timeframe passed with support from Councilors Fisher [email protected] teachers and local stakeholders praised the school district’s student-centered programs and painted a dire picture of the district’s finances warning that beloved programs will be cut if voters reject a high school levy in May “We’re here to tell a pretty powerful story,” Kalispell Public Schools (KPS) Superintendent Matt Jensen said at a press conference on Wednesday afternoon students and business representatives and set to the backdrop of Flathead High School and the setting early spring sun.  we have an excellent school system,” Jensen said describing a dedicated and savvy group of teachers and administrators who have scrapped together funding to provide cutting-edge “It would be irresponsible to not tell the truth about the trouble that we are in.” KPS is facing a nearly $3 million budget deficit borne from inflation and a state funding formula that fails public school districts by forcing them to derive nearly 20% of their budget from taxpayer-approved property tax levies The Kalispell high school district — which includes Flathead High School the Linderman Education Center and other high school-specific programs — is the lowest-funded AA district in the state sitting at only 90% of its full funding capacity KPS has failed to pass a high school levy since 2007 is before this year’s graduating seniors were born At Wednesday’s press conference, students and teachers honed in on the district’s career-focused programming, which has drawn attention across the state, even garnering a visit from the governor and has become a hallmark of Kalispell’s educational programming High school students described gaining on-the-job knowledge and career-readiness skills through internships at local nonprofits construction companies and engineering firms Local employers said the school’s internship program helps companies line up young talent and shepard students towards lucrative career paths they may have otherwise known nothing about described working with a Glacier High School intern who shadowed the firm’s engineers during a junior year internship “I really wish at the time I had a similar program that Sam Very grateful that the school district is able to offer this opportunity to our sophomores and I hope they are afforded the opportunity to continue to do so.”  Kalispell Chamber of Commerce CEO Lorraine Clarno said the chamber voted unanimously to support the levy and is “proud to stand here today as a partner with School District 5.” which means a strong workforce and stronger Flathead economy That’s good for all of us,” Clarno said.  Yet amid the celebration laid a dire warning — without the levy the district will be forced to cut beloved programs lay off teachers and greatly reduce its educational offerings “This levy matters because it will determine whether we continue to build programs like you’ve heard today the entire Flathead Valley will feel the impact of this election,” Jensen said “Some may point to the fact that our schools are currently doing well and that’s the reason not to heed the warning of reducing courses and programs … To me ‘My car is fine as is and this blinking gas light doesn’t deserve my attention.’”  the district will eliminate 100 course offerings next fall and will set in motion “the process for phasing out legacy programs that have taken decades to build and would take many Already, KPS has accepted the resignations and retirements of 35 teachers as it pushes to reduce its staff the district plans to lay off five teachers Yet stakeholders remained clear on Wednesday — the cost of funding Kalispell’s schools will pay dividends across northwest Montana’s economy “We want to see Kalispell step up and pass the levy in May,” Clarno [email protected]  was found guilty of seven criminal counts related to poaching crimes he committed in November of 2023 A 30-year-old Kalispell man was found guilty of seven criminal counts related to poaching crimes committed in November 2023 Cody Hunter Carr in Flathead County Justice Court was found guilty of two counts of unlawful possession of wildlife; two counts of hunting or killing an overlimit of game animals; two counts of waste of game animals; and a count of loan or transfer of license Deputy Flathead County Attorney Gabe Valentine prosecuted the case An investigation conducted by FWP Game Warden Nate Muhn revealed that Carr illegally killed two white-tailed deer in the North Fork Flathead River drainage in Hunting District 110 According to the citations Muhn issued in March 2024 Carr shot and killed a white-tailed buck using a deer tag that did not belong to him and shot a white-tailed doe without a license He was also convicted of hunting and killing over the limit unlawful possession of game animal and waste of game The defendant in 2013 was convicted of a felony burglary charge and probation violation in Flathead County District Court Carr’s sentencing date has not been scheduled Visit tipmont.mt.gov for more information on reporting natural resource crimes Correction: Based on inaccurate information from FWP an earlier version of this story stated that the defendant was convicted of killing three deer illegally instead of two The story also reported that the defendant was convicted following a bench trial rather than a jury trial The story has been updated with the correct information [email protected] The vote settles a lawsuit between the city and the warming center reinstating the center's conditional use permit The Kalispell City Council ratified an agreement Monday night between the city and the Flathead Warming Center to reinstate the low-barrier homeless shelter’s conditional use permit The agreement requires continued communication between the center and the city delineating City Manager Doug Russell as the city’s point person necessitating the center hold a quarterly in-person board meeting open to the public and includes an official apology from the city to Tonya Horn for accusations of perjury during the process Just under 30 community members attended the March 17 meeting Several provided public comment on behalf of the Warming Center a resident at the center for nearly four months whose journey through legal troubles and issues with other shelters landed her at the Warming Center’s doors “They believed in me and gave me hope,” Smith said and a stable job all because of the Warming Center decided to believe in me and give me hope when I had lost hope.” The center’s resource manager Sean Patrick O’Neill said the settlement marked a return of hope at the center listing the programs and services it offers “The proof is in the pudding,” O’Neill said “Throughout this abbreviated shelter season we have helped 23 Flathead Warming Center guests get into housing or treatment.” In January, the center released a community connection guide detailing how the center will incorporate a new law-enforcement liaison and host community meetings a neighbor who was part of a group that originally brought complaints against the center said that the actions to collaborate with the community since January have satisfied what she originally asked for she expressed frustration that the issue went to court which as part of the agreement will cost the city $140,000 in attorney fees “Everything that we wanted them to do they have now done,” Nelson said “I’m not happy we’re settling a suit that should have never happened to begin with encouraging those with lingering questions and concerns to visit the center or call the center’s hotline I understand that some of you do not feel heard by us we will continue to work hard for you to see that we do care.” Councilor Ryan Hunter read aloud the city’s apology to Horn at the meeting though noting that he believed “it wasn’t comprehensive enough.” “The Warming Center will formalize as part of this process measures it has always practiced since it opened with the addition of opening their board meetings quarterly to hear any public complaints or concerns,” Hunter said “They are not doing anything new before any of this started other than opening up those board meetings you were not paying attention to the public comments and this whole process.” The city council unanimously voted to ratify the agreement with Mayor Mike Johnson absent and Council President Chad Graham running the meeting in his place “’Let’s turn the page’ is a very powerful statement,” Graham said “I’m very hopeful that with this in mind there is an opportunity for a good reset in the months to come.” The final step in the court case is the judge’s approval of the mutually agreed upon document and dismissal of the case Two people have been arrested following a Tuesday afternoon standoff in Kalispell The Kalispell Police Department reports Patricia Marie Holcomb of Kalispell was taken into custody on a US Marshall’s arrest warrant Holcomb is also facing opening charges of Obstructing a Peace Officer and Resisting Arrest of Kalispell was taken into custody for a previously issued arrest warrant Holcomb and Deans were taken to the Flathead County Detention Center Law enforcement is on the scene of a standoff in Kalispell The Northwest Montana Regional SWAT Team has responded to an incident in the area of 10th Avenue West and 7th Street West where a person is barricaded The Kalispell Police Department reports "the situation is contained currently" but people are asked to avoid the area and "no disruptions are expected at this time," KPD noted in a news release Watch: Law enforcement standoff in Kalispell Greg Gianforte traveled to the Flathead on Wednesday to talk about his priorities before the legislative session ends “This is the to-do list that Montana voters gave to me and gave to the legislature and I’m looking forward to getting these bills to my desk,” said Governor Gianforte Gianforte met with small business owners at the Rancher’s Daughter a farm-to-table retail store in Kalispell where he discussed his priority to deliver permanent property and income tax relief “We need to lower property taxes so that there’s more money in business owners’ pockets we need to lower income taxes so that they can hire more employees we’ve got to pass a fiscally conservative budget so that we don’t end up putting burdens on future generations," Gov The governor did cross off one box on his to-do list during his press conference: increasing starting teacher pay. House Bill 252, known as the STARS Act passed its final vote in the senate on Tuesday The bill directs $100 million towards raising starting teacher pay in Montana’s schools it goes directly to the classroom to make sure we have the best and brightest there because our goal in all of education policy has to be to help every student reach their full potential and we need teachers in the classroom to make that happen.” Gov. Gianforte also talked about the significance of Bobby’s Law a House Bill that strengthens the punishment for DUIs that result in death “I was pleased to have Bobby’s family at the capitol yesterday when I signed that bill into law and it just shows what people can do when they have a tragedy in their own life Bobby’s law that’s going to protect people from drunk drivers.” KALISPELL — Hundreds gathered for an Earth Day celebration in Kalispell Saturday put on by the Flathead chapter of Citizens Climate Lobby. It was day of learning at Flathead Valley Community College for the third annual Earth Day Expo highlighting sustainability and clean energy we’ve designed it specifically to appeal to all age groups and we know kids are the future so certainly getting the kids engaged is very important today,” said Citizens Climate Lobby Flathead Chapter Co-Leader Angie Winter Kids had a blast at the third annual Earth Day Expo participating in hands-on workshops and learning about electric vehicles Winter said participants are encouraged to take action in protecting the beauty of northwest Montana this is a theme that really resonates with them so it’s no surprise to me that we’ve had a really good turnout and we’re having some great conversations about what we can all do together to preserve this beautiful area,” said Winter Mariah Gladstone, founder of Indigikitchen, a platform dedicated to revitalizing traditional native foods She also hosted a storytelling workshop and cooking demonstration “And I want to remind kids that even though this is ancestorial knowledge these are things that we can incorporate every day and we can continue to learn from that ancestorial wisdom in ways that make sense for us in the modern kitchen and in ways that kids can learn more about cooking but also more about the world around them,” said Gladstone Russell Masse and his 4-year-old daughter Islay traveled from Eureka to take in the event and it’s good to get the little ones involved at a young age,” said Masse Homeless shelter staff agree to keep open lines of communication with neighbors while the City of Kalispell must pay $140,000 in attorney fees and designate the city manager as a point person to address the public's concerns The Flathead Warming Center and the City of Kalispell have reached an agreement to reinstate the 50-bed, low barrier homeless shelter’s conditional use permit and allow for its permanent operation following months of court proceedings after the city council voted to revoke the permit last year. must pass a resolution to ratify the agreement which was reached following 13 hours of mediation on Feb or the lawsuit will proceed to trial in March 2026 “It is a victory for the Warming Center that ensures its continuing existence and this is an opportunity to turn the corner with the City of Kalispell so that we can build on some reconciliation and forgiveness and move forward together as a community to help the homeless people that everybody has an interest in assisting,” Institute for Justice Senior Attorney Jeff Rowes said during a Feb A federal judge in November issued a preliminary injunction that allowed the Warming Center to remain open through the remainder of court proceedings after the Texas-based Institute for Justice filed a lawsuit against the city Following several months of public meetings last year the Kalispell City Council revoked the Warming Center’s conditional use permit in September citing widespread complaints from neighbors and accusing the homeless shelter’s leaders of not following the criteria outlined in the permit Warming Center officials agree to improve the relationship with the neighborhood which includes installing open lines of communication via phone email and on Warming Center’s website to be available for complaints The board of directors will also host a quarterly public meeting that neighbors are encouraged to attend and staff will conduct periodic cleanup patrols within a quarter mile of the facility The Warming Center last month released a community connection guide introducing plans for a new law enforcement liaison position along with an intent to host community meetings which would operate as an open forum allowing neighbors to meet with staff Following complaints surrounding an absence of transportation in the area Warming Center staff will also continue to seek grant funding to provide transportation for guests as Flathead County’s public transportation system remains limited city officials have agreed to pay $140,000 in attorney fees while issuing a public apology to Flathead Warming Center Executive Director Tonya Horn for falsely accusing her of perjury and lying in the conditional use permit’s application process Kalispell City Manager Doug Russell has also been designated the point of contact for public members wishing to address homeless issues “Working with the homeless and helping with the homeless has been very divisive in our community and the point is that no one wins when we’re divisive in our community … we really need our community to come together and to look at real solutions that will help our entire community,” Horn said during the press conference The agreement comes almost a year after complaints prompted several months of public meetings where proponents of the permit’s revocation blamed the Warming Center for attracting homeless individuals to the neighborhood Councilors accused the homeless shelter’s leaders of not abiding by criteria outlined in the conditional use permit which operates on North Meridian Road in neighborhood business zone B-1 Institute for Justice attorneys argued the Warming Center has never been cited for violating any laws and its permit to operate was granted in full compliance with the city’s zoning rules and their accusations are baseless “We brought a federal lawsuit against the City of Kalispell back in the fall to vindicate the Warming Center’s property rights its equal protection rights and its due process rights under the U.S and Montana constitutions after the city revoked its permit despite the fact that the Warming Center had not violated any of Kalispell’s laws or violated any conditions of its permit,” Rowes said [email protected] KALISPELL — The Kalispell man who pleaded guilty to the death of a homeless man in June of 2023 has been sentenced to 40 years in prison Kaleb Fleck had changed his plea from not guilty to guilty on one charge of deliberate homicide on Feb 4 after reaching a plea deal with prosecutors was sentenced Monday morning to a total of 50 years in prison with 10 of those years suspended He also must pay restitution and register as a violent offender Fleck was taken into custody for the assault and murder of 60-year-old Scott Bryan on June 25 the courtroom heard from friends and family of Scott including one from the Flathead Warming Center's resource manager Sean O'Neill “I couldn't shake thinking about the choices these young men made to not only remove Scott Bryan from this earth but to film it and the pride they demonstrated afterward," O'Neill said and shows what these young men value in life.” the courtroom heard character witness statements from friends and family of Fleck including one from his mother Kayla Mahlen That's all we want is the best for him and this was just a mistake Court documents stated that Kalispell Police arrived on the scene in the Meridian Road area and found Bryan lying face down on the ground bleeding profusely behind a gas station Bryan was taken to Logan Health in Kalispell where he was pronounced dead approximately a half-hour after the 2:30 a.m A witness at the scene showed law enforcement a short video and officers identified the two suspects as Fleck and 18-year-old Wiley Meeker of Somers Fleck and Meeker later admitted to police in separate interviews that they were inside a truck at the gas station when a man approached the vehicle Court documents state Fleck admitted to getting out of the truck and assaulting Bryan Meeker told police he pulled Fleck away from Bryan and then left the scene A search of a home where Fleck was found turned up a pair of boots with suspected blood stains in the garage - information from Derek Joseph included in this report KALISPELL — The Northwest Montana Job and Opportunity Fair returns to Kalispell on Thursday at the Flathead County Fairgrounds Trade Center The event kicks off with a high school and college student career fair from 9 a.m Summer jobs and internship opportunities will be highlighted during the high school and college student career fair The focus shifts to the community job fair from 2 p.m offering job seekers of all ages and backgrounds the chance to meet with representatives from a diverse array of businesses Discover Kalispell Workforce and Special Initiatives Director Jenn Cronk said more than 100 employers in the region are expected to attend She said the job fair offers something for everyone including retirees looking to rejoin the workforce to individuals looking for a fresh start “We do recommend that folks bring their resume with them if they have one we do have folks every year come out of the fairgrounds celebrating I got the job and that’s just one of the most wonderful feelings having put on the event to see that direct connection and connecting people to employment Phase two of the city’s Main Street Safety Action Plan affords community members an opportunity to comment on the proposed street revamps before they are finalized by engineers in the third phase The council chambers at Kalispell City Hall swelled Thursday night as community members crowded around poster boards and tables with maps and sticky notes strewn over them The open house to showcase phase two of the city’s Main Street Safety Action Plan afforded the public an opportunity to comment on the proposed street redesigns before the plans are finalized by engineers in the third phase The city drafted the plan in 2024 to evaluate and reshape downtown Kalispell’s streets to eliminate fatal and serious crashes as part of the federal Safe Streets and Roads for All Planning Grant Program identifying hazard areas in the project’s first phase City Council selected three of the 10 downtown locations it previously identified as priorities — Main Street 1st Avenue East and 1st Avenue West — to proceed into the secondary design phase winnowing the options down based on the higher frequency of crashes and traffic congestion at the three locations development services director for the city doesn’t believe it will disrupt funding for the local initiative other than perhaps tacking on additional time to secure the final grant “There will likely be some rule changes,” Nygren said about adjusting aspects of the project’s pacing under the new administration Nygren referenced some concerns community members and business owners raised about traffic and too much noise in downtown saying they will work to incorporate the comments into the redesign The plan is poised to transform two of Main Street’s four driving lanes into additional pedestrian space and a turn lane and to add bicycle lanes to 1st Avenue West and East All streets will incorporate pedestrian safety features such as flashing beacons consulting firm Kittelson & Associates Inc. will develop an implementation grant application — eligible for up to $25 million — for phase three and put it before the city council for approval before submitting it “It’s possible for people to be along for the ride,” said Rachel Grosso Community members can go online to www.mainstreetkalispellsafetyplan.com where they can leave comments questions and concerns on the project’s live docs about the concept design The local Montana Imaging Center opened mid-December offering MRI and CT scans with low out-of-pocket costs providing an independent service to the community Medical scans are now as easy as a stop on the drive through north Kalispell with the addition of an imaging center located off U.S Highway 93 right under the city’s water tower The new Montana Imaging Center (MIC) offers low-barrier MRI and CT scans with costs a fraction of the average price and walk-ins accepted for same-day scans or next-day appointments An MRI scan of the brain stem without contrast at the MIC compared to an estimated more than $2,000 at other area medical facilities for the same procedure The Kalispell center is Montana Imaging Center’s second location the first started in Missoula two and a half years ago by radiologist Dr the Kalispell MIC’s business manager and prior executive officer for Kalispell’s HealthCenter said that the new imaging center evolved out of a desire to bring the concept of Missoula’s MIC to Kalispell “What was important for us was to try to establish an imaging center that was locally owned and managed,” Kreitinger said The imaging center opened within three months of breaking ground starting building just after Labor Day 2024 and opening on Dec The center’s Canon MRI and CT machines offer some of the newest technology on the market at 30% larger than the average MRI machine offering a less claustrophobic feel to what can often be a long scan CTs in the center’s new machinery dose patients with 50-80% less radiation than a typical CT machine while still producing high-quality imagery The center typically has results within 24 hours that can be sent directly to a patient’s requested provider in addition to an emailed report the center sends directly to the patient Nick Satovick is the Kalispell center’s medical director and radiologist-in-chief with an imaging background of 20 years and a specialization in neuroradiology Satovick commented on a mom undergoing a CT scan whose kids peered through the glass door into the copper-encapsulated room where she lay listening to ABBA through non-metal headphones supplied by the center Because of the center’s smaller size the kids could wait and watch nearby “not something you’d see in a large medical facility.” about two thirds is currently being used to house the waiting room changing rooms and the two MRI and CT machines Satovick said they’ll expand into the remaining 2,000 square feet full body scans (which the Missoula center currently offers) and DEXA bone density scans all of the medical conditions from birth to death,” Satovick said and imaging just adds a lot to the diagnosis for these people.”   The center’s eight-staff team worked together previously at Logan Health making the team dynamic an easy transition were both in Flathead Valley Community College’s first class of the Radiologic Technology A.A.S Pitts will often see people from the community who she knows calling on the patient relationships as part of her reason for wanting to work for a small business The Kalispell center services all commercial insurance payers in the valley excluding Medicare and Medicaid for the time being to help keep prices low and avoid the additional expenses that it would incur the center works with both private providers and larger health organizations like Logan Health to receive referrals “Being able to connect with them as an independent and hear what they need “We know the value that small business adds to community I think non-hospital based medical services do the same.” The Kalispell MIC is open Monday through Friday © 2025 Flathead Beacon, All Rights Reserved. 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