Stories for August 2005

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Wednesday, August 31

August 31, 2005 11 p.m.

A football fan in the worst way

Obsession is a strange thing.

August 31, 2005 11 p.m.

Couple details Glacier Park bear mauling

An exclusive interview

August 31, 2005 11 p.m.

Wildcats gear up for opener

Hungry Horse News

August 31, 2005 11 p.m.

CASA volunteers

Speak up for abused and neglected children in court by becoming a CASA volunteer. For an application, or to find out more information, call CASA for Kids, 755-7208. Applications are needed by Sept. 20 to qualify you for our fall training.

August 31, 2005 11 p.m.

CC teams run in time trials

The Columbia Falls High School cross country teams participated in the Kalispell time trials this weekend, an unscored practice meet.

August 31, 2005 11 p.m.

Spikers solid in debut

Hungry Horse News

August 31, 2005 11 p.m.

Train derailment at Snowlip last week

More than 300 tons of corn spilled in wreck

August 31, 2005 11 p.m.

James Allen Swigart

James Allen Swigart, 89, died at 12:30 am on Aug. 25, at the Hearth at Windermere in Fishers, Ind.

August 31, 2005 11 p.m.

Glacier at a Gallop coming soon

Barring any major problems, the Hungry Horse News' first book should be available sometime next week. The exact arrival date for Glacier at Gallop depends largely on when the truck can get it here.

August 31, 2005 11 p.m.

Since 1939, Park has recorded 101 bear bite incidents

Hungry Horse News

Thursday, August 25

August 25, 2005 11 p.m.

In poor taste

Your article from George Ostrom (8/4/05) was not only un-newsworthy but also offensive.

August 25, 2005 11 p.m.

Being friendly

On the cover of a recent issue of Modern Maturity it listed and article on Page 28 titled "User Friendly Tools for Home and Garden."

August 25, 2005 11 p.m.

Bigfork Eagle editorial

Mass-ive undertaking

August 25, 2005 11 p.m.

Roy Arnold

Roy N. Arnold, 78, passed away Aug. 14, 2005, at the Washington State Veterans Home in Spokane.

August 25, 2005 11 p.m.

Fighting the juggernaut

The serenity of Friday morning, Aug. 19, was shattered for those of us living in proximity to the Kootenai Lodge with the beginning advance of the Milhous Group juggernaut in its evisceration of not only our neighborhood but a national, state and county treasure.

August 25, 2005 11 p.m.

Ray Ramstad

Ray L. Ramstad, 61, died peacefully Aug. 17, 2005, in his home in Mayville, N.D. He was under the loving care of Hospice of the Red River Valley, whom the family wished to gratefully thank for their excellent loving care.

August 25, 2005 11 p.m.

County fair time

County fairs always bring back memories for me and this year's Kalispell fair was no different.

August 25, 2005 11 p.m.

sports04

Steve Gold and Chelsea Ray were the men's and women's club champions at the Whitefish Lake Golf Course. Gold had a combined score of 142, winning by three shots. Ray won her first championship in a one-hole shootout after tying at 160 with Maresa Jenson. At 15, Ray is the youngest champion in the club's history. Tyler Holtet took the boys junior championship with 148. Carroll Lilly and Dave Morberg tied for the men's senior with 146, and Ellen O'Hara won the women's senior with 165.

August 25, 2005 11 p.m.

Big tournament week

This past Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, the Whitefish Lake Golf Course hosted the Northwest Sectional Qualifier for the Club Professionals in our region. The group consists of some excellent players capable of competing on the PGA Tour.

August 25, 2005 11 p.m.

Truth and justice

I am writing in response to the recent interview with city judge candidate Valarie Eve reported in the Whitefish Free Press.

August 25, 2005 11 p.m.

No fishing allowed

I have been coming to Montana for several years and love the state so much that last year I brought close to 100 family and friends with me to celebrate my birthday at Flathead Lake Lodge.

Wednesday, August 24

August 24, 2005 11 p.m.

Linoln L. "Linc" France

Lincoln L. "Linc" France, 84, passed away Sunday, Aug. 21 at the North Valley Hospital in Whitefish.

August 24, 2005 11 p.m.

State champs look to repeat

Hungry Horse News

August 24, 2005 11 p.m.

Glacier will build transit center near Apgar to ease traffic

Hungry Horse News

August 24, 2005 11 p.m.

The worst waitress in the history of time

"So what do you guys want?" this overly tanned and sporadically tattooed waitress asked bluntly.

August 24, 2005 11 p.m.

Ice cream social

Celebrate summer with an old-fashioned Ice Cream Social and hymn sing, to take place in the Historic Whitefish First Presbyterian Church, Monday evening, Aug. 29th at 7 p.m. Ice cream with toppings will be served in the Fellowship Hall following. For more information, call 862-2802 or go to: www.fpcwhitefish.org.

August 24, 2005 11 p.m.

Backcountry burglar

So after supper and a nap Saturday I grabbed my fly rod and pack from my Belly River camp and hoofed it about a mile or so back up to the trail to a place where I thought fishing would be good.

August 24, 2005 11 p.m.

Team speed to be key for football team

Hungry Horse News

August 24, 2005 11 p.m.

France, Darling, community leaders

Hungry Horse News

August 24, 2005 11 p.m.

Chris Peterson photo

Doug Follett can be seen, and heard in many Park locations, including on tours of the DeSmet, which offers visitors a great boating and cultural experience on Lake McDonald.

August 24, 2005 11 p.m.

Volleyball tips off fall sports

Hungry Horse News

Thursday, August 18

August 18, 2005 11 p.m.

Joseph Lewellen

Joseph Francis Lewellen, 81, of Fort Belknap, passed away Aug. 8, 2005, at Colonial Manor in Whitefish, after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

August 18, 2005 11 p.m.

Sports03

Tanya McCully, of Whitefish, got a hole-in-one on the 100-yard third hole at Par 3 on 93 0n Aug. 13. It was witnessed by Jim McCully. This may be the last hole-in-one at Par 3 on 93. Golfers have through Aug. 21 to try to be the last person to get an ace there.

August 18, 2005 11 p.m.

Schools learn to be tobacco-free

In just a few days, Montana children will head back to school. On Oct. 1, Montana's new Clean Indoor Air Act goes into effect, providing students and teachers with a healthier environment in which to learn and work.

August 18, 2005 11 p.m.

Irving L. "Irv" Roth

Irving L. "Irv" Roth, age 79, passed away on Friday, Aug. 12, 2005 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

August 18, 2005 11 p.m.

Catholic church to be dedicated this weekend

The first Catholic Church named for the late Pope John Paul II will be formally dedicated on Sunday, Aug. 21. The Most Reverend George Leo Thomas, Bishop of Helena, will preside over the Mass of Dedication at 10:30 a.m. Immediately following the Mass, parishioners will celebrate with a parish picnic. At 2 p.m., there will be the formal blessing and dedication of the Walker Digital Organ and Yamaha Piano followed by a joint recital by guest artists Mark C. Jones and Jeffri Bantz.

August 18, 2005 11 p.m.

A letter from the editor

My dog saved me

August 18, 2005 11 p.m.

Sex offender nabbed in Whitefish

Last week, the Whitefish Police Department arrested Michele Evonne Malady, age 41, of Great Falls on a $75,000 warrant issued by Cascade County for sexual intercourse without consent.

August 18, 2005 11 p.m.

Ruby Loy

Ruby E. Loy passed away Aug. 11, 2005, of congestive heart failure at the age of 86.

August 18, 2005 11 p.m.

Watering hole up in flames

Another landmark in the "last best place" bit the dust when the Blue Moon Saloon in Divide burned to the ground July 22.

August 18, 2005 11 p.m.

Schools, children and Montana's Clean Indoor Air Act

It's about health; it's coming soon and now is the time to begin. In just a few days, Montana children will head back to school. Within the next few weeks, on Oct. 1, Montana's new Clean Indoor Air Act goes into effect, providing students and teachers with a healthier environment in which to learn and work.Tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke takes an enormous toll on the health of Montanans, especially the children, our most innocent and vulnerable citizens. Nearly 90 percent of smokers take up this deadly habit at or before the age of 18.With more than 22.9 percent of Montana high school students regularly smoking cigarettes and with more than 52,000 being regularly exposed to secondhand smoke, why further jeopardize their health by waiting until Oct. 1 to take action?Secondhand smoke contains more than 60 known or probable carcinogens and more than 4,000 chemicals, including: formaldehyde, arsenic, cyanide and carbon monoxide.While most people focus on the increased risk of heart disease, lung cancer and other cancers from smoking, we also believe that the harm to children from their own smoking or other tobacco use has health consequences that can impact them quite rapidly.Those consequences include illnesses such as periodontal disease, chronic coughing, emphysema, bronchitis, mild airway obstruction and reduced lung function.Tough and enforceable tobacco-free policies, such as the Clean Indoor Air Act, can reduce these tobacco related illnesses and the staggering cost of treating them.Montana's new Clean Indoor Air Act provides a tobacco-free environment in all school buildings, at all school functions, and, in fact anywhere on school property, including in the grandstands. In our elementary and high schools, the Act will prohibit all forms of tobacco, including spit tobacco.That means playgrounds, parking lots, athletic fields, all rooms, and school buses will be tobacco-free starting this October.The law even extends to colleges and universities, where smoking or chewing indoors will no longer be allowed. Cigarettes, cigars and spit tobacco will no longer have a place in or around any Montana school.Tobacco-free policies often provide extra encouragement to current tobacco users to help them in their quest to quit their deadly habit. We encourage all Montana tobacco users to try to quit - for their sake and the sake of their loved ones.For assistance in kicking the habit, we encourage them to call 1-866-485-QUIT.As Montana takes these first steps to join many other states—and entire countries—in becoming smoke-free, we encourage every resident and each legislator to work with our schools to kick off the new year tobacco-free, and not wait until Oct. 1 to start protecting our children.School bells are ready to ring for another new year and right now is the perfect time to encourage everyone to do their part in keeping tobacco away from our children and out of schools. Take the lead; do it today.Over the next few weeks, we will address how this new law also applies to other businesses that serve the public.Again, we encourage everyone to start now and keep tobacco smoke outside, tobacco off of school property and away from our children as Montana moves to make exposure to secondhand smoke a of the Big Sky state's storied past.A copy of the law (HB 643) can be found at the Montana Legislature Web site,

August 18, 2005 11 p.m.

Waiting in line

Whitefish drivers probably won't see the traffic situation at Baker Ave. and Second St. East improve any time soon.

August 18, 2005 11 p.m.

Sports01

Chandler Melton / Whitefish Pilot

August 18, 2005 11 p.m.

'The Park' through others' eyes

Letters from readers, listeners, and hiking acquaintances are one of the treasured bonuses of my lifestyle. The wondrous part of the world we live in becomes even more precious when we see how others are enriched by even a brief visit. Let me share a few examples:

August 18, 2005 11 p.m.

Whitefish Lake Lodge support

Regarding The Lodge at Whitefish Lake project, thank you to all the people who have called and expressed their support for our project on Whitefish Lake.

August 18, 2005 11 p.m.

John Floyd

John Grady Floyd entered the Kingdom of Heaven on Aug. 11, 2005, after a prolonged battle with cancer.

August 18, 2005 11 p.m.

The letter from Dick Skees (Whitefish Pilot Aug. 11) which claims that Flathead County Commissioner Gary Hall is a RINO (Republican in name only) was so weird it must be answered.

From the viewpoint of a Republican activist in Flathead County since 1956 until my retirement from active politics in 2004, I can state with certainty that Gary Hall is a real Republican.

August 18, 2005 11 p.m.

Whitefish Lake Golf Club awards new champions

New Club Champions

Wednesday, August 17

August 17, 2005 11 p.m.

Chris Peterson photos

Wildlife rehabilitator Lynn Vaught releases a bald eagle that was injured along the Flathead River in Columbia Falls about a month ago back into the wild Sunday. The eagle wouldn't hop out of the dog kennel, so she took the top off. The bird sustained a wound and had a maggot-infested infection in its wing before being nursed back to health.

August 17, 2005 11 p.m.

Douglas Bruce Tibke

Douglas Bruce Tibke, 84, died Tuesday, Aug. 9, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Kalispell.

August 17, 2005 11 p.m.

CFAC's history an interesting journey

The Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. has an interesting and fascinating past. Spurred in part by the creation of the Hungry Horse Dam, CFAC was an idea whose time had come.

August 17, 2005 11 p.m.

Ups and downs on the Highline

My family is visiting me this week.

August 17, 2005 11 p.m.

Fugitive still on the loose

Hungry Horse News

August 17, 2005 11 p.m.

Columbia Falls sports begin in earnest

Practices for the Columbia Falls High School sports teams will be more meaningful this week as they prepare for their opening games.

August 17, 2005 11 p.m.

Guidelines on research, reprints

Over the past few weeks I've had quite a few calls asking for me or the staff of this newspaper to do in-depth research for someone. While I'm fairly flattered that they called or sent out an e-mail and even thought of us to begin with, the bottomline is we simply don't have time to do research for folks.

Tuesday, August 16

August 16, 2005 11 p.m.

South Fork reopens

Hungry Horse News

Saturday, August 13

August 13, 2005 11 p.m.

South Fork reopens

Hungry Horse News

Thursday, August 11

August 11, 2005 11 p.m.

Chose forgiveness

Aug. 12 marks the 12th anniversary of a heinous crime that took place in your beautiful town of Bigfork and forever left me and my family with pain and sorrow.

August 11, 2005 11 p.m.

2005 fall hunting preview

Mild winter means stable big game populations

August 11, 2005 11 p.m.

50th party

The family and friends of Carrol and Beverly Sorensen would like you to help celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. Please join them for a reception in their honor on Sunday Aug. 21 at the North Valley Senior Center in Columbia Falls from 2 to 4 p.m.

August 11, 2005 11 p.m.

It could be worse

News of the Flathead Lake monster making recent appearances should be treated with respect and kindness.

August 11, 2005 11 p.m.

New tissue issue

The opening paragraph from a news story on the AP Wire for July 22 really got my attention. This is verbatim.

August 11, 2005 11 p.m.

Jim King

I recently noticed the signs annoucing the U.S. Highway 93 bypass around Kalispell. Now I see that plan is being modified. For years, Whitefish has been talking about a bypass.

August 11, 2005 11 p.m.

Old mining laws

One of the most polluted rivers in the United States is our Clark Fork in Northwestern Montana. It is filled with layers of toxic mine waste from more than 100 years of indiscriminate dumping from the Butte and Anaconda mines.

August 11, 2005 11 p.m.

River city

When August's heat proves too much, most people head for the water. But glaring sun and steaming beaches don't offer much respite.

August 11, 2005 11 p.m.

Tasers too extreme for police use

Should the police use Tasers? A new weapon is now used by the Butte police to bring people to jail. Since the recent acquisition of the Tasers, the police have used them on two occasions. The second incident ended in death for a 42-year-old Butte man. Tasers are lethal weapons and should not be used.

August 11, 2005 11 p.m.

With my arms full of junk, I waddled up the staircase of my new apartment building this weekend, beads of sweat dripping down my face.

I turned the corner on my floor and the door next to mine was wide open. An older man and woman were having a heated discussion about how fast kids drive these days.

August 11, 2005 11 p.m.

Officials apply Stage II fire restrictions in northwest Montana

Wild fire season has arrived.

August 11, 2005 11 p.m.

Griz trees Glacier fisherman

Hungry Horse News

August 11, 2005 11 p.m.

Golf team practice

The Whitefish High School golf team begins practice at 9 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 15. All interested students grades 9-12 are welcome to attend and participate on the golf team for 2005. Every student that wants to participate may do so. We have never cut anyone from the team.

August 11, 2005 11 p.m.

Howard Sellers

Howard L. Sellers, age 60, of Anniston, Ala., died Aug. 3, 2005.

August 11, 2005 11 p.m.

Highway money

Montanans should thank their lucky stars — and their congressmen — for the $2 billion the state stands to get in the new six-year federal highway bill.

August 11, 2005 11 p.m.

Lucas Floren

Lucas James Floren, 21, of Whitefish and formerly of Havre, died in a motorcycle accident between Kalispell and Whitefish on July 30, 2005.

August 11, 2005 11 p.m.

Bum fashion

So I was sitting there in my truck in the parking lot of a store the other day in just a tiny bit of a panic. Panic because I had just told Boy Wonder we could go to McDonalds and get French fries.

August 11, 2005 11 p.m.

Spoon Lake Moose meets sad ending

Hungry Horse News

August 11, 2005 11 p.m.

Questions Bush

Today, Saturday, Aug. 6, 2005, a distraught and trembling mother whose son was killed in Iraq stood before cameras outside Pres. Bush's Crawford, Texas, ranch, with hundreds of others protesting the war, and asked our 'brush clearing Bush' to tell her just why we are in Iraq.

August 11, 2005 11 p.m.

Norman G. Borgen

Norman G. Borgen, 86, passed away at Immanual Lutheran Home, and was welcomed into the hands of the Lord on Tuesday, August 2.

August 11, 2005 11 p.m.

Fire wreaks some havoc south of Eureka Sunday night

Hungry Horse News

August 11, 2005 11 p.m.

Bigfork Eagle editorial

It's good to believe

August 11, 2005 11 p.m.

Edward Frank Strachota

Edward Frank Strachota, age 78, passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2005 at his home in Kalispell.

August 11, 2005 11 p.m.

Maternity home wish

During my April visit to Bigfork, I was pleased to find so many people who had a heart for the girls and babies of the Florence Crittenton Home. As school starts we hope you might open your hearts again to Montana's girls in need.

August 11, 2005 11 p.m.

Columbia Falls

releases fall sports

August 11, 2005 11 p.m.

Howard Terry

Howard Peter Terry, 89, beloved husband, father and friend, passed peacefully from this world on July 28, 2005, in his Kalispell home.

August 11, 2005 11 p.m.

Fires close Bob Marshall trails

Hungry Horse News

Thursday, August 4

August 4, 2005 11 p.m.

Our town is lucky to have such a wonderful group of talented singers and actors who are gracing our stage this summer with My Fair Lady.

Kudos to them all — Betsi, Dan, Luke and all the others, and the two pianists.

August 4, 2005 11 p.m.

We in Whitefish are very fortunate for numerous things. One thing that constantly amazes me is the ability of the community to work together to accomplish projects that enhance our quality of life.

From the O'Shaughnessy Center to the Ice Den to The Wave and on and on, Whitefish is a small town with great amenities made possible by big-hearted people.

August 4, 2005 11 p.m.

Why wilderness

Recently I was in attendance as the Kootenai National Forest unveiled its proposed Forest Plan Starting Option. When someone in the audience asked the question, "What good is wilderness?" I just rolled my eyes and shrugged it off. But after the meeting, the question stayed with me, and I've been thinking about an answer ever since.

August 4, 2005 11 p.m.

Rumors and conspiracies

Here at the newspaper office, we hear a lot of rumors and conspiracy theories. Sometimes, if the timing is right, we get all jacked up on a news tip before we finally get sidetracked to what we're really supposed to be doing — covering day-to-day events.

August 4, 2005 11 p.m.

Shrimping for answers in the lake

Anglers were ecstatic in the 1960s while fishing in the west arm of Kootenay Lake in British Columbia. Kokanee salmon had never been so plentiful or so plump. Who would have believed that a half-inch invertebrate, the opossum shrimp (Mysis relicta), planted in the early 1950s, would allow the kokanee population to gorge themselves as if partaking in an "all you can eat" buffet line?

August 4, 2005 11 p.m.

August brings tournaments

Club Championship Aug. 13-14

Wednesday, August 3

August 3, 2005 11 p.m.

Case could determine fate of helicopter logging

Hungry Horse News

August 3, 2005 11 p.m.

Henry W. (Bill) Miller

Henry W. (Bill) Miller died at the age of 74 at the Kalispell Regional Medical Center after an extended illness.

August 3, 2005 11 p.m.

Swim team finishes season fifth at state

The Columbia Falls Swim Team had two individual state champions, one relay championship and finished fifth overall at the 2005 State swim meet held in Chinook.

August 3, 2005 11 p.m.

C. Falls man charged in child porn case

Hungry Horse News

August 3, 2005 11 p.m.

Thanks for making Relay for Life a success

A big Tip o' the Hat goes out to the generous donors who made the first Bigfork Relay for Life a success. Foremost, thank you to the team members and those who gave money to support those individuals. Because of you, the event raised nearly $70,000. The following list are the individuals and businesses instrumental in the event:

August 3, 2005 11 p.m.

Three-on-three tourney popular once more

The Columbia Falls Heritage Days Three-on-Three baseketball tournament, presented annually by the Columbia Falls Chamber of Commerce, was a success once more.

August 3, 2005 11 p.m.

Joyful, joyful we adore thee

My mother and stepfather, Jim, are here on vacation and that can only mean one thing: The joy of golf.That's right, I said it: The joy of golf.

August 3, 2005 11 p.m.

Fire restrictions currently in effect

Effective midnight Wednesday, Aug. 3, Stage 1 fire restrictions will go into effect in Northwest Montana. Stage 1 fire restrictions limit smoking to buildings, enclosed vehicles, and developed campgrounds, and limits all campfires to developed or improved recreation sites or developed campgrounds on the lands under the jurisdiction of the wildland fire suppression agencies in Northwest Montana including: Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), Flathead National Forest, Kootenai National Forest, Lake County, Sanders County, Lincoln County, Flathead County, Region 1 of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP), and US Fish & Wildlife Service.

August 3, 2005 11 p.m.

Grizzlies have great sniffers

Hungry Horse News

August 3, 2005 11 p.m.

Cape Blanco Lighthouse

We ducked our heads into the gale-force north wind to reach the entrance of Cape Blanco Lighthouse, which sits high above the Pacific Ocean on 47.7 acres.

August 3, 2005 11 p.m.

Out of wedlock

Two weeks ago on July 21, serious hiking and climbing enthusiasts from all over North America gathered at St. Mary to honor the memory of our fallen hero, Dr. Gordon Edwards. During testimony about his varied and exciting life, there was a short mention made of his association with the famed writer Ogden Nash and a poem from long ago.

August 3, 2005 11 p.m.

There were some familiar names at the top of the leaderboard for the Boogie to the Bank race during Heritage Days Saturday.

There was also a racer from the past, who edged one of the top racers of the future.