Good morning, Kalispell.

Kalispell City Council passed a new rule that lets residents throw block parties on residential streets and downtown parking lots by getting a permit and paying a refundable $1,000 deposit to cover cleanup—on longer streets, events need approval from 80% of nearby neighbors.

Flathead National Forest will conduct 14 prescribed fire operations this fall to reduce overgrown vegetation and protect communities, infrastructure, and natural resources.

The burns, planned in areas such as Swan Valley (50 acres) and Flathead County, may continue through winter as weather permits.

Columbia Falls adopted an emergency ordinance today to cut bear attractants amid rising wildlife activity.

City officials require no curbside garbage before 4:00 a.m., secured pet food and closed dumpsters — measures recommended by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks to prevent human-wildlife conflicts.

Charlie Brereton, director of the state health agency, will step down at the end of October for a private-sector job, and state medical officer Doug Harrington is set to take over in November.

Brereton has led DPHHS since 2022 and managed a $7 billion budget for 3,000 employees.

The 1,700-acre Lakeside resort’s Phase I, covering 79 home lots, passed state environmental checks last week for its public water, wastewater, and stormwater systems, and the final plat will be reviewed by Flathead County commissioners on Thursday.