30-Year-Old Homicide Cold Case Solved: Nikki Dean Gardner (69) faces two counts of deliberate homicide for the 1990 deaths of two elderly nursing home patients at Missoula's Riverside Health and Rehabilitation. Initially ruled non-suspicious, the cases were reopened after a 2025 DNA match linked him to the crimes.

Missoula Crime Spree Investigation: Police are investigating a series of potentially linked overnight crimes (two random assaults and two vehicle break-ins) that occurred between June 8 and 9. Authorities are seeking a 6-foot-tall male suspect with red hair, a scraggly beard, and a green/black plaid jacket who may be carrying a long gun.

New Kalispell Library Branch Progress: Flathead County Library trustees are close to finalizing a $2.9 million purchase agreement for a 2-acre plot at the Kalispell Center Mall property. A letter of intent is expected by the end of June, with plans to build a 40,000-square-foot library between 2030 and 2033.

County Jail Groundbreaking: Officials held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new $105 million public safety facility and county jail south of Kalispell. Funded by a voter-approved bond, the three-year Martell Construction project will double inmate capacity to 260.

A Tale of Two Bears: In Worden, a calm black bear found under a residential deck was safely tranquilized and relocated. Conversely, a food-conditioned black bear at Beaver Tail Hill State Park was euthanized after entering a campers' tent; the campers were unharmed, and wildlife officials issued safety reminders.

Rafting Accident Leaves Teen Injured: A 17-year-old Ohio girl is in a medically induced coma at Logan Health after being submerged for 10 minutes during a commercial rafting accident at Bone Crusher Rapid on the Middle Fork of the Flathead River. A GoFundMe has been established for her extensive recovery costs.

Massive Columbia Falls Subdivision Approved: The City Council approved "Tea Kettle Heights," a 421-unit mixed housing development on 78 acres of former Columbia Falls Aluminum Company land. Despite concerns regarding its proximity to an active EPA Superfund site, the project will move forward in three phases under 30 strict safety and environmental conditions.

Airport Zoning Delayed: The Flathead County Planning Board delayed a vote on development restrictions for 30,000 acres around Glacier Park International Airport until July 8 due to confusing language.

Affordable Housing Faces Hurdles: A proposed 95-home development in Kalispell (including 30 Habitat for Humanity homes) is moving to a July 14 hearing, but faces structural challenges because the site was previously used for highway construction fill.

Cemetery Sexton Laid to Rest: The long-time sexton of Conrad Cemetery, James Corn—who vanished with critical records in 2025 during a period of failing health—has passed away and was buried at the cemetery he managed for decades.

Forest Service Lawsuit: Conservation groups are suing the U.S. Forest Service over a logging and fireproofing project near Hungry Horse Reservoir, claiming it threatens local grizzly bear and bull trout populations.

Homicide Sentencing: 71-year-old James Philip Lawrence was sentenced to 50 years in prison for the 2024 murder of Ed Loder over a multi-million dollar land inheritance dispute.

• Two recent water-related deaths: a 72-year-old woman in Flathead Lake near Bigfork and a 48-year-old man in the Flathead River near Polson.
• New Falls Creek conservation deal near Troy: 160 acres added to Kootenai National Forest, protecting grizzly habitat and securing public access around Savage Lake and into the Cabinet Mountains wilderness.
• Judge Dan Wilson denies acquittal and new trial for Kenneth Floyd, upholding his negligent homicide and related convictions in the death of his ex-wife, Kimberly Gilliam.
• Cougar Ridge Development’s proposed 97-slip marina on Big Fork Bay faces strong pushback from the Big Fork Community Alliance over access, environmental impacts, and the bay’s future.

Flathead Lake Water Levels: Recent rain and snowmelt have brought the lake within a foot of its full pool capacity, with the CSKT regulating levels at the dam.

Campground Improvements: The Flathead National Forest finalized upgrade plans for the Lindbergh Lake Campground, with construction starting as early as this fall.

Piper Creek Project: The U.S. Forest Service is seeking public comment on a targeted 2,307-acre forest management and thinning project near Condon.

FWP Proposals: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is requesting public feedback on multiple environmental assessments, fishing regulations, and a major 20,704-acre conservation easement.

Homicide Sentencing: Jonathan Drennan Beck was sentenced to 20 years in prison for tampering with evidence related to the 2024 death of Ed Loader.

Whitefish Mountain Resort: Skier visits dropped 8% this season due to warm, rainy weather, though an increase in season pass sales and longer lodging stays helped offset financial losses.

KOFI Flathead News Weekly: May 22, 2026

This week’s roundup covers the biggest headlines shaping Northwest Montana, from major infrastructure projects to shifting local demographics.

In this episode:

• Columbia Falls School Bond: A look ahead to September's upcoming $75.9 million bond election aimed at remodeling Columbia Falls High School.
• Slowing Growth Trends: New U.S. Census Bureau data reveals a slight slowdown in the Flathead Valley's post-pandemic population boom, though Kalispell still ranks as a top city for growth in Montana.
• Kalispell Center Mall Redevelopment: Details from the Urban Renewal Agency work session regarding a $16.9 million tax increment financing (TIF) request to fund pedestrian connectivity and infrastructure upgrades near the Parkline Trail.
• Streamlining Housing Construction: The Kalispell Planning Commission updates its public participation plan to comply with new Montana land-use laws, shifting subdivision approvals to administrative staff.
• Rejected Ballots: Why more than 200 ballots were rejected in Flathead County’s recent special district elections, highlighting the impact of Montana's new voter affirmation laws.

*** Stay connected with the KOFI News team for your weekly look at the stories that matter most to Northwest Montana.

This week’s Flathead News Weekly report from the KOFI News Team features the following headlines:

Top Stories

• Property Tax Rebates: Governor Greg Gianforte announced that Montana homeowners can now apply for property tax rebates of up to $675 through the Department of Revenue website.
• Dam Rehabilitation: The Bureau of Reclamation has begun a multi-year project to rehabilitate the Gibson Dam near Augusta to improve safety and spillway capacity.
• Local Election Results: Recent school board and municipal elections in Flathead County saw high voter turnout, with several new members elected to the Kalispell and Whitefish school boards.
• Wildlife Management: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on a proposed plan to manage grizzly bear populations as the state pushes for federal delisting.
• Arbor Day Celebrations: Communities across the Flathead Valley held tree-planting events and educational workshops to celebrate Arbor Day and promote local conservation efforts.

This week's Flathead News Weekly report from the KOFI News Team covers the following major stories:

Top Stories

• Coach Suspended: Glacier High football coach Grady Bennett was given a two-game suspension and the school was fined $100 for recruiting violations involving Bigfork High.
• Water Rights Settlement: The Montana Water Court approved the CSKT Water Compact, settling long-standing water rights across thousands of miles of Western Montana streams and lakes.
• Fatal Bear Attack: Investigation continues into the death of Anthony Pollo on Mount Brown Trail; search crews recently found a can of bear spray near the site of the encounter.
• Low Snowpack: Despite a rainy April, regional snowpack remains at roughly 80% of normal due to the area's fourth-warmest winter on record.
• Work Camp Upheld: County officials denied a resident appeal against a new 137-person employee housing complex in West Glacier, citing existing zoning policies.

KOFI News Team reports the top stories for this week from across Northwest Montana.