Heidi Desch

Kalispell

Features editor for @dailyinterlake former editor @whitefishpilot. Love spending my days off in the woods with my dogs. RTs & Follows ≠ Endorsement

Featured in: Favicon

dailyinterlake.com Favicon

yahoo.com (+3) Favicon

usnews.com Favicon

stltoday.com Favicon

govtech.com Favicon

militarytimes.com Favicon

timesunion.com Favicon

nhregister.com Favicon

buffalonews.com Favicon

missoulian.com + 44 more

Articles

Flathead County preliminary budget reflects spending for capital projects

3 days ago | bigforkeagle.com | Heidi Desch

Flathead County commissioners on Tuesday afternoon approved a preliminary budget that includes a focus on long-planned infrastructure projects. The preliminary budget calls for $140.2 million in expenditures for fiscal year 2026, an increase over the previous fiscal year's budget of about $10 million. County Finance Director Amy Dexter pointed to two main areas of increases resulting in an uptick in spending.
Flathead County preliminary budget reflects spending for capital projects

1 week ago | dailyinterlake.com | Heidi Desch

Flathead County commissioners on Tuesday afternoon approved a preliminary budget that includes a focus on long-planned infrastructure projects. The preliminary budget calls for $140.2 million in expenditures for fiscal year 2026, an increase over the previous fiscal year's budget of about $10 million. County Finance Director Amy Dexter pointed to two main areas of increases resulting in an uptick in spending.
Flathead County compensation board denies sheriff’s request for pay increase

1 week ago | dailyinterlake.com | Heidi Desch

Flathead County Sheriff Brian Heino would like to see deputies' wages increase to improve recruitment and retention of staff. Other law enforcement agencies in the state are hiring at a higher starting wage, Heino told the Flathead County Compensation Board on Tuesday. The average around the state is $33 per hour, according to Heino, while Flathead County hires deputies at a rate of about $32. “I’ve evaluated our pay with other entities and I’m not shooting for the moon,” he said.
Whitefish to decide on payday for mayor, city councilors

1 week ago | yahoo.com | Heidi Desch

Jun. 16—Whitefish City Council on Monday will decide whether it should get paid. Following a public hearing, Council is set to vote on whether the mayor and city councilors should receive an annual salary and stipend for service. Council does not currently receive a salary but is eligible for some benefits. The estimated cost of compensation for elected officials is about $128,000. City Council meets at 7:10 p.m. at City Hall, 418 E.
Whitefish to decide on payday for mayor, city councilors

1 week ago | dailyinterlake.com | Heidi Desch

Whitefish City Council on Monday will decide whether it should get paid. Following a public hearing, Council is set to vote on whether the mayor and city councilors should receive an annual salary and stipend for service. Council does not currently receive a salary but is eligible for some benefits. The estimated cost of compensation for elected officials is about $128,000. City Council meets at 7:10 p.m. at City Hall, 418 E.
County talks modest pay increases for staff

2 weeks ago | hungryhorsenews.com | Heidi Desch

Seemingly striking a compromise, the Flathead County Compensation Board last week voted to recommend a 2.5% cost of living increase in county wages. The compensation board is made up of the county’s elected officials, including the three county commissioners, and two citizen members. After several rounds of voting the wage increase was accepted but not before several members of the compensation board advocated for a higher 3% increase, while commissioners lobbied for a lower 2% increase.
Glacier Symphony executive director brings musical background to role

2 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Heidi Desch

Jun. 9—Tony Wise vividly recalls the day he picked the trombone as the musical instrument he would play. Growing up in a musical and artistic household in Pennsylvania, Wise was exposed to music early on. As his father was a trumpet player, Wise knew he wouldn't select that instrument. Then one day during an assembly designed to introduce students to instruments, he heard the trombone. "It's a little bit bigger and it's got the slide," Wise.
Glacier Symphony executive director brings musical background to role

2 weeks ago | dailyinterlake.com | Heidi Desch

Tony Wise vividly recalls the day he picked the trombone as the musical instrument he would play. Growing up in a musical and artistic household in Pennsylvania, Wise was exposed to music early on. As his father was a trumpet player, Wise knew he wouldn't select that instrument. Then one day during an assembly designed to introduce students to instruments, he heard the trombone. “It’s a little bit bigger and it’s got the slide,” Wise.
Flathead County seeks to expand landfill for future needs

2 weeks ago | dailyinterlake.com | Heidi Desch

Flathead County is looking to expand its landfill operations in the future, which is expected to allow it to accept waste for another eight decades beyond its current capacity. The landfill is looking to add 121 acres south of facility located off of U.S. 93 north of Kalispell. Of that acreage 74 acres are planned for refuse disposal. The Montana Department of Environmental Quality is reviewing the county’s application for a license to expand.
Senior spotlight: Whitefish senior finds ways to serve others

3 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Heidi Desch

Jun. 5—Thriving by helping others, Whitefish High School senior Maggie Mercer looks to make a difference in both small and big ways. From coaching youngsters in volleyball and tennis, to mentoring a fellow student, to forming a club that raises funds for those battling cancer — it's all part of how Mercer looks to assist others in her school and community. "It makes me feel really good," she said. "It makes me feel like I have a purpose.