Stories for August 2007

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Thursday, August 30

August 30, 2007 11 p.m.

Leave the barber pole alone

Forcing Melissa at the Clip Joint to remove the barber pole that's been residing in that spot for 60 years is beyond petty.

August 30, 2007 11 p.m.

Regarding busts and bighorns

Sunday was a mighty exciting time after the TV baseball game. Luckily I have a strong heart. Was reclined in the living room chair scrolling through the channels when suddenly there were beautiful girls doing erotic dances on a raised bar and they had lost the top part of their costumes. Was thankful a commercial came on just when Iris entered the room… but then she stayed until the "Striptease" movie started again. "George Ostrom!" she said, "What in heavens name are you watching?"

August 30, 2007 11 p.m.

Kats thump Bigfork, 8-1

By CHRIS PETERSON

August 30, 2007 11 p.m.

Vision quest

By MIKE RICHESON

August 30, 2007 11 p.m.

A broken trust

Dale Reisch was wronged. So was the Whitefish Pilot and its readers.

August 30, 2007 11 p.m.

Earleen Zinke

Earleen Grace Zinke, 89 a longtime Whitefish resident, passed away of natural causes on Aug. 17, 2007, at the Colonial Manor nursing home in Whitefish.

August 30, 2007 11 p.m.

Support the fire department

Dear Community Member,

August 30, 2007 11 p.m.

Fall sports preview

By FAITH MOLDAN

August 30, 2007 11 p.m.

Mayor Feury will be missed

I am writing to thank Andy Feury for his 12 years of service to the city of Whitefish as a city councilman and most recently as our mayor.

August 30, 2007 11 p.m.

Thanks for Senior Citizen Center chairs

To the editor,

August 30, 2007 11 p.m.

John Kessinger

John M. Kessinger, 61, passed away Aug. 12, 2007, at his home in Columbia Falls surrounded by family and friends. He had been struggling with COPD and asthma for months.

August 30, 2007 11 p.m.

Glacier could see nearly $6 million in projects

By CHRIS PETERSON

August 30, 2007 11 p.m.

Finding a formula for resource protection

By RICHARD HANNERS

August 30, 2007 11 p.m.

Barbecue Fundraiser

The members of the Ferndale Volunteer Fire District would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the entire community for the overwhelming display of support at our annual barbecue fundraiser. The July event was a huge success with the best turn-out ever! Thanks to many generous donations from local residents and businesses, our silent auction received spirited bidding. The funds raised will assist our district in the purchasing of additional safety equipment.

August 30, 2007 11 p.m.

Wildcats kick off grid season at Browning

By JOE SOVA

August 30, 2007 11 p.m.

2007 Whitefish Lake Swim

Fifty people were brave enough to participate in the annual Whitefish Lake Swim early Sunday morning at City Beach. The race consisted of a one-mile swim for ages 18-and-over and a half-mile swim for ages 17-and-under. The sky was gray and cloudy, but spirits were high as competitors lunged into the chilly water. Proceeds from the event benefited The Wave Scholarship Fund and the Wave Ryder Swim Team.

August 30, 2007 11 p.m.

Spikers look tough at tournament

By DAVID ERICKSON

August 30, 2007 11 p.m.

Elmer Sprunger

Elmer Sprunger, 87, died Aug. 22, 2007, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center after a six-month illness with lung cancer caused by exposure to asbestos.

August 30, 2007 11 p.m.

Power of the pen

Letter from the editor

August 30, 2007 11 p.m.

Sprunger, beloved local artist, dies

By MIKE RICHESON

August 30, 2007 11 p.m.

Imagine Health hosts open house

You are invited to celebrate the "Birth of Imagine Health Wellness and Wisdom Center" in downtown Columbia Falls on Thursday, Sept. 6. The event runs from 12:14 to 6:44 p.m. at 305 1st Ave. W., behind Whitefish Credit Union on Nucleus Avenue.

August 30, 2007 11 p.m.

Girls soccer downed by C-Falls

By FAITH MOLDAN

August 30, 2007 11 p.m.

Wildkat spikers finish tourney strong

By JOE SOVA

August 30, 2007 11 p.m.

Blue Moon celebrates 35 years in business

By HEIDI DESCH

August 30, 2007 11 p.m.

Memorial Field conditions are sad

It was a pleasure coming back to my hometown this past summer. Whitefish is a beautiful area and was a great place for me to play the game of baseball.

August 30, 2007 11 p.m.

Big Brothers Big Sisters a valuable asset

Big Brothers Big Sisters is an organization that's been around for more than a century, but many people don't realize the role it plays in the development of a youngster.

August 30, 2007 11 p.m.

Don't believe the campaign lies

I am so weary of reading the gobbledy-goop written to the editor page of the Whitefish Pilot and Daily Inter Lake downgrading the city of Whitefish. I can hardly stand it.

August 30, 2007 11 p.m.

Vikings win season opener

By FAITH MOLDAN

August 30, 2007 11 p.m.

Goodbye, Elmer

Jack Whitney introduced me Elmer Sprunger at a downtown Bigfork cafe in June 1983 and urged me to give Elmer a job.

August 30, 2007 11 p.m.

Valley Christian outclassed by Dogs

By DAVID ERICKSON

August 30, 2007 11 p.m.

Bill Foley is misunderstood

It is understandable but very unfortunate that Kelly Mull (Whitefish Pilot, Aug. 16) and all the Pilot readers were left the false impression that the Foleys are in violation of the Whitefish Lake and Lakeshore Protection Regulations.

August 30, 2007 11 p.m.

Margaret Martin Swigart

Margaret Martin Swigart, 92, died at 9 p.m. on Aug. 23, 2007 at The Hearth at Windemere in Fishers, Ind.

August 30, 2007 11 p.m.

Logan Pass will close Sept. 16

By CHRIS PETERSON

August 30, 2007 11 p.m.

Evacuations lifted as fires settle down

Governor calls for special legislative session for additional firefighting funding

Monday, August 27

August 27, 2007 11 p.m.

This is a dummy article

Four score and seven years ago.

Thursday, August 23

August 23, 2007 11 p.m.

Zoning boundaries chosen

By MIKE RICHESON

August 23, 2007 11 p.m.

Support sought for vandalized shop owner

It is not easy to make a living in Montana, much less start a business and make it a success. Imagine being a small-business owner and showing up to work, only to find that someone broke in and completely vandalized your shop.

August 23, 2007 11 p.m.

Blue and White Barbecue set Friday

The Blue & White BBQ Fundraiser, hosted by the Columbia Falls High School Booster Club, will be held Friday, Aug. 24 in front of the high school gym. The event runs from 5 to 7 p.m. and everyone is encouraged to attend.

August 23, 2007 11 p.m.

Girls' soccer won't have much of a bench this season

CHRIS PETERSON

August 23, 2007 11 p.m.

Brits help Bandits

By FAITH MOLDAN

August 23, 2007 11 p.m.

Rough weather doesn't deter triathletes

David Erickson/ Whitefish Pilot

August 23, 2007 11 p.m.

Doctor shortage expected here

By CONSTANCE SEE

August 23, 2007 11 p.m.

Local fans love Pedacter

By FAITH MOLDAN

August 23, 2007 11 p.m.

Harriers could have best team in years

By CHRIS PETERSON

August 23, 2007 11 p.m.

Weird stuff and a letter

By GEORGE OSTROM

August 23, 2007 11 p.m.

Riverbend Concert Series

Sunday night was the last concert of the 25th concert season of the Riverbend Concert Series. After a smoky day, many people came out with lawn chairs and umbrellas to enjoy the Don Lawrence Orchestra end the season. The gentle rain that started midway deterred few people and it was a wonderful concert.

August 23, 2007 11 p.m.

Boys' soccer gears up for opener

By JOE SOVA Hungry Horse News

August 23, 2007 11 p.m.

Taking a stance on slopes

Council's resolution affirms city position on Walton case

August 23, 2007 11 p.m.

Hazel Bjornstad

Hazel F. Bjornstad, 99, passed away Aug. 13, 2007, at the Village Health Care Center in Missoula.

August 23, 2007 11 p.m.

Tester, BP square off on North Fork gas drilling

By CHRIS PETERSON

August 23, 2007 11 p.m.

Markus & Alpine not sold to Foley

I can't count the numerous letters, innuendoes, personal contacts and third-party information I have received in the past three or four months concerning the sale of Markus Foods and the Alpine Market.

August 23, 2007 11 p.m.

"A rattlesnake will not die before the sun goes down."

That is what I was told by old timers while being raised at Camas Prairie, and I sort of believed them. In that part of Sanders County those creatures were found in abundance. After I got older and had more experience of my own with the rattlers, I decided the old timers were probably wrong.

August 23, 2007 11 p.m.

Theodore Rugland

Theodore “Ted” Carl Rugland, 79, died Aug. 8, 2007, at Brendan House in Kalispell after a long, brave battle with cancer.

August 23, 2007 11 p.m.

Creston inventor claims to prolong plant life

By CONSTANCE SEE

August 23, 2007 11 p.m.

Elementary teacher retires

By FAITH MOLDAN

August 23, 2007 11 p.m.

New group fights for paved roads

By MIKE RICHESON

August 23, 2007 11 p.m.

Teen pleads not guilty in wreck death

By HEIDI DESCH

August 23, 2007 11 p.m.

Bulldogs look to defend state titles

By DAVID ERICKSON

August 23, 2007 11 p.m.

Lake article shows need for balance

In your Aug. 2 article "Battening down the hatches," Whitefish Lake and Lakeshore Protection Committee chairman Jim Stack states "it's a difficult balance between property rights and protecting the lake."

August 23, 2007 11 p.m.

Boys take 3rd, girls 4th in Great Falls

By DAVID ERICKSON

August 23, 2007 11 p.m.

Rockin' for Ravenwood fundraiser

It was a very busy weekend in July for the fifth annual Rockin' for Ravenwood fundraiser and we want to thank all those who came out to support this special community organization. Together, we raised over $6000.00! These funds will help us get more kids outside for safe, hands-on learning adventures in the years to come. We would like to send a very special thank you to all the volunteers, businesses, individual supporters, and attendees who helped make Rockin' for Ravenwood possible. Over 70 businesses and individuals sponsored or donated items for the event. More than 300 people enjoyed the music of Somewhere Down the Road and the Clumsy Lovers, thirty-five volunteers banked more than 150 hours of work, and countless others baked desserts, sent out of town guests our way, or called to wish us well in their absence. We even had an online donation from some nearby neighbors who enjoyed the music from their deck!

August 23, 2007 11 p.m.

Farewell, sweet little Whitefish

Good-bye sweet little Whitefish town, known for its wonderful down-home feeling and sense of community.

August 23, 2007 11 p.m.

Osborn speaks out in support of Dr. West

To the editor,

August 23, 2007 11 p.m.

No smoke or mirrors in Whitefish budget

I was truly saddened to read the recent article from my friend Tom Muri wherein he made several attacking statements against me and the city. I was most troubled to find that he says things about me that are not true and, worse yet, that he selectively edited one of my written comments and then quoted the edited statement to make it appear that I said something that in fact I never said.

August 23, 2007 11 p.m.

Discrimination against Christianity

I'm writing concerning the discrimination against Christianity expressed at the Bigfork "Relay for Life". My son's band, "The Four Square Arena" (a popular local teen rock band whose lyrics reflect their Christian world view) was scheduled to play at the Relay. They even rebooked a gig in Spokane so they could do it and be of service to the community. But the organizers wanted just "regular" music. In walking around at one Relay for Life I noticed the singer was singing Clapton's song "Cocaine". Nobody seemed to have a problem with a song promoting drug use but the promoters cancel four 16 year olds whose lyrics reflect the "In God We Trust" values our founding Fathers held to in establishing this great county.

August 23, 2007 11 p.m.

Out-of-state interests are organizing PACS already

Whitefish is the fastest growing city in Montana. Recently, we grew at the staggering double digit pace of Helena. I can see why.

August 23, 2007 11 p.m.

Residents demand larger no wake zone

By MIKE RICHESON

August 23, 2007 11 p.m.

Showers stem fire growth for now

By CHRIS PETERSON

August 23, 2007 11 p.m.

Wildkat spikers look to make mark

By JOE SOVA

August 23, 2007 11 p.m.

CF Uptown Merchants meet

Columbia Falls Uptown Merchants Association will be meeting on Thursday, Aug. 23 at 6 p.m. at Arrowhead Fine Art & Framing, 422 Nucleus Ave. The public is invited.

August 23, 2007 11 p.m.

Occasionally I talk to myself

Occasionally I talk to myself and I say "self, what sacrifice did you make this week for your readers, your viewers, your friends?"

August 23, 2007 11 p.m.

Salute to the firefighters

We at Oettiker Creek Ranch cannot let this fire season pass without expressing our immense gratitude to all those who have worked tirelessly and given so much of themselves to make sure we were safe.

Thursday, August 16

August 16, 2007 11 p.m.

Community helps ranch in fire crisis

When the Brush Creek fire forced the evacuation of our therapeutic boarding school program, we saw the best of the heart and energy of a caring community. First to be named are the firefighters, volunteer crews, law enforcement, and emergency response agencies. They stood on the "front line" to protect first the young people whose safety has been entrusted to us.

August 16, 2007 11 p.m.

Tourism plays major role in new economy

Natural resources play lesser role these days, but service sector wages lag

August 16, 2007 11 p.m.

NVH birthing staff 'amazing'

I would like to extend a public thank you to the amazing staff at the North Valley Hospital Birth Center. They helped my wife, Lynn, deliver a perfect baby boy.

August 16, 2007 11 p.m.

Student collapses during practice

By FAITH MOLDAN

August 16, 2007 11 p.m.

Whitefish Lake Triathlon coming Aug. 19

By DAVID ERICKSON

August 16, 2007 11 p.m.

Coal bed methane problems

As the treasurer of Montana Trout Unlimited, I write to express our organization's serious concern regarding potential coal bed methane extraction and open pit coal mining at the headwaters of Glacier National Park and Flathead Lake.

August 16, 2007 11 p.m.

Wilma Jean Casterline

Wilma Jean Casterline of Columbia Falls, died Saturday, Aug. 4, 2007, at the North Valley Hospital in Whitefish.

August 16, 2007 11 p.m.

Bulldog football gets going

By DAVID ERICKSON

August 16, 2007 11 p.m.

The language of sports

By FAITH MOLDAN

August 16, 2007 11 p.m.

First best place

It's not to the boiling point, but the heat has been turned up a notch. With the approval by Columbia Falls City Council to purchase 28 acres of land west of the Flathead River for a new park, the community took a huge step forward.

August 16, 2007 11 p.m.

Night of the grizzlies

By GEORGE OSTROM

August 16, 2007 11 p.m.

Fire smoke erodes air quality

By MIKE RICHESON

August 16, 2007 11 p.m.

Better baseball bleachers needed

This letter is concerning the condition of the facility the Glacier Twins are currently playing on in Whitefish. I attended my first game there in over 20 years in late July.

August 16, 2007 11 p.m.

CFHS golfers kick off golf season

By JOE SOVA

August 16, 2007 11 p.m.

"Sweet victory"

August 16, 2007 11 p.m.

Club Championship big success

Champions

August 16, 2007 11 p.m.

Donna LuElla

Redfield Mitchell

August 16, 2007 11 p.m.

Columbia Falls artist rewarded for logo

By HEIDI DESCH

August 16, 2007 11 p.m.

School board approves budget

By JOE SOVA

August 16, 2007 11 p.m.

Foley doesn't understand locals

I recently read a letter to the editor from Robert Foley, son of Bill Foley, with regards to the graffiti sign. I do not agree with graffiti in general, and the statement by my daughter about it being great was a complete misinterpretation of her comment.

August 16, 2007 11 p.m.

Develop hospital site for city use

Whitefish citizens, please take a stand with me whatever the cost (legally) to stop the powers-at-be from completely ruining Whitefish.

August 16, 2007 11 p.m.

Soccer referee clinics coming up

A Grade 9 clinic for beginning youth soccer referees will be held Monday, Aug. 27 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at The Summit Fitness Center in Kalispell. Grade 9 officials can center small-sided fall recreational games, and can be assistant referees (ARs) on spring competitive matches up to U-14.

August 16, 2007 11 p.m.

City needs to rein in spending

Whitefish has gone from an affordable place to live and raise a family to Montana's most expensive community — in less than a generation. Most citizens have a simple question. Why?

August 16, 2007 11 p.m.

Fire tab reaches $41 million

By CHRIS PETERSON

August 16, 2007 11 p.m.

Recalling August 1967

A young man named Don Gullet put the bleeding Roy Ducat in Don's new sleeping bag at Granite Park campground after the fatal grizzly bear mauling of Julie Helgeson … that awful night.

August 16, 2007 11 p.m.

Lake fisheries continue to change

By MIKE RICHESON

August 16, 2007 11 p.m.

Relay succeeds again

By FAITH MOLDAN

August 16, 2007 11 p.m.

Grass fire up North Fork Road doused

By CHRIS PETERSON

August 16, 2007 11 p.m.

Mayor Feury to step down

City Council will lose its ‘institutional memory’

August 16, 2007 11 p.m.

Betty Lou Smith

Betty Lou Smith, 67, of Columbia Falls, died Aug. 5, 2007, at the Colonial Manor in Whitefish, after a long brave battle with Alzheimer’s.

August 16, 2007 11 p.m.

Thanks for concerts

To the editor,

August 16, 2007 11 p.m.

Juanita Katherine

“Billye” Beatty

August 16, 2007 11 p.m.

Quilt guild meets

A Teakettle Quild Guild meeting is scheduled for Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Columbia Falls Community Center, 235 Nucleus Ave. Kathie Bauer will demonstrate making pillow cases.

August 16, 2007 11 p.m.

Attack on Foley is disgusting

I was stunned when I saw the sign with graffiti on it in last week’s paper. After hearing that the sign was then stolen made things even worse. What in the world is happening here?

Thursday, August 9

August 9, 2007 11 p.m.

Council listens

Last week, Jason Callihan's letter to the editor expressed his opinion that there are far more important things for the city council to be concerned with than the complaint of an elderly man about the music at a neighborhood block party. The party was allowed through a special-event permit. Mr. Callihan also expressed the fear the council might make special-event permits harder to get.

August 9, 2007 11 p.m.

Benzene levels at City Beach exceed federal standards

By RICHARD HANNERS

August 9, 2007 11 p.m.

Isabel Boardman Follett

Isabel Boardman Follett, 104, died Aug. 2, 2007. She was born to William Ralph and Mary Ann Boardman in Wigan, Lancashire, England on March 8, 1903. They traveled by ship a year later and settled in Fernie, British Columbia, Canada. After fire destroyed Fernie in 1908, Isabel, her grandparents, parents and six younger brothers and sisters went to live in "the bush" at the foot of the Lizard Range. The homesteads are now the Fernie Ski Resort.

August 9, 2007 11 p.m.

Night of the grizzlies - 40 years later

By HEIDI DESCH

August 9, 2007 11 p.m.

The threat of Canada's mines

By MIKE RICHESON

August 9, 2007 11 p.m.

Skyland Fire races out to prairie

By CHRIS PETERSON

August 9, 2007 11 p.m.

Downtown development on the horizon

By RICHARD HANNERS

August 9, 2007 11 p.m.

City Council OKs purchase of land for park

By HEIDI DESCH

August 9, 2007 11 p.m.

Punting on the Thames

By BARBARA ELVY STRATE

August 9, 2007 11 p.m.

Speaking Out

Establishing park has financial advantages

August 9, 2007 11 p.m.

State of the lake

By MIKE RICHESON

August 9, 2007 11 p.m.

In response to Foley's letter to the editor in the Aug. 2 Pilot, that's pretty much the point here. We don't want you here making this a "world-class resort."

This used to be a great peaceful town where everyone knew everyone. Now you can't even go to your favorite spots without being stampeded by ignorant, snobbish outsiders.

August 9, 2007 11 p.m.

Checks and balances

Your issue of Aug. 2 features a letter/editorial by Eric Young which basically attacks Sean Frampton and those who have hired him for disagreeing with city rules or city proposals.

August 9, 2007 11 p.m.

Join the next river cleanup

The organizers of the Whitefish River Cleanup held July 28 would like to extend a hearty thank you to its sponsors and participants.

August 9, 2007 11 p.m.

Thanks for park vote

To the editor,

August 9, 2007 11 p.m.

Brush adventures

Hear that voice? Sure, maybe you can’t hear it, but I can. I hear all sorts of voices (as if you didn’t know that already) but the voice I’ve been listening to lately, the one that I’m really tuning in, is a mix of Liv Tyler and Ozzy Osbourne.

August 9, 2007 11 p.m.

Wildfires reaching historic proportions

By RICHARD HANNERS

August 9, 2007 11 p.m.

Practices for CFHS fall sports begin Aug. 13

Practices for Columbia Falls High School fall sports, including soccer, football, volleyball, cross country and cheerleading, begin on Monday, Aug. 13. Athletes out for golf meet on Wednesday, Aug. 15. The practice and try-out times were posted by the individual coaches at the high school prior to Tuesday's meeting.

August 9, 2007 11 p.m.

Columbia Falls Swim Team earns third at state meet

The Columbia Falls swim team earned third place at the state swim meet in Lewistown last weekend as it wrapped up the summer season in style, edging rival Bitterroot for the third spot.

August 9, 2007 11 p.m.

Zebra mussel a serious threat

By MIKE RICHESON

August 9, 2007 11 p.m.

Duke coach helps Bigfork soccer

By FAITH MOLDAN

August 9, 2007 11 p.m.

The code of the New West

Over the last few months I’ve been following an issue that strikes a chord with a lot of folks here in Big Sky Country. It’s an issue that isn’t going away. In fact, it’s one that’s getting bigger as wealthy out-of-staters discover Montana and decide to buy up huge chunks of it for exclusive getaway homes.

August 9, 2007 11 p.m.

David Erickson / Whitefish Pilot

A kayaker momentarily gets flipped by a small standing wave at Bonecrusher rapids on the Middle Fork of the Flathead River on Aug. 4. While water levels have steadily dropped in the past few weeks, there has been no apparent slow down in the amount of boat traffic going down the river.

August 9, 2007 11 p.m.

Sports provide comfort, hope

By FAITH MOLDAN

August 9, 2007 11 p.m.

Trial scheduled in Lakeside assault case

By RICHARD HANNERS

August 9, 2007 11 p.m.

Concert series

Due to the wildfire smoke, the final performance in the Lions Club concert series tonight (Thursday) has been moved to St. Richards Catholic Church. The Columbia Falls Community Choir performs at 8 p.m. at the church rather than at Marantette Park. Donations of $3 and $5 per family are suggested to help with concert expenses.

August 9, 2007 11 p.m.

Two hole-in-ones in one month

Hole-in-one club

August 9, 2007 11 p.m.

Two Bear Marathon is big draw

The third annual Two Bear Marathon will host the largest and most geographically diverse group of runners yet, with 86 runners from 24 states and three foreign countries registered so far.

August 9, 2007 11 p.m.

Stand up for Big Mountain

Robert Foley stated that the vandalism to the Whitefish Mountain Resort sign gives locals a bad name, and that the actions show we don't appreciate the mountain.

August 9, 2007 11 p.m.

Appalled by Big Mountain graffiti

As a local of Whitefish, I must admit that lately I have not been proud to be one.

Thursday, August 2

August 2, 2007 11 p.m.

Capital improvements program clarified

In the past month or two, the subject of city spending has become very popular with the citizens of Whitefish. It appears that interest in this topic was generated after the adoption of the Capital Improvement Program at the May 21 council meeting.

August 2, 2007 11 p.m.

By DAVID ERICKSON Whitefish Pilot

Tim Torgerson, former Montana men's Class A singles champion for three consecutive years beginning in 1981, is back on the local courts. He's not competing this time, but coaching kids for the Whitefish Parks and Recreation summer tennis camp.

August 2, 2007 11 p.m.

Susan Green

Susan M. Green, 55, died July 23, 2007, in her sleep at the home of her parents in Whitefish.

August 2, 2007 11 p.m.

Has ImageArts Festival returns

By MIKE RICHESON

August 2, 2007 11 p.m.

Vandals go after ski resort signs. . . .

By RICHARD HANNERS

August 2, 2007 11 p.m.

Fire crews respond to fires

By MIKE RICHESON

August 2, 2007 11 p.m.

Theodore (Ted) A. Laugen

Theodore (Ted) A. Laugen, 71, went home to be with Jesus on Wednesday, July 25, 2007, at his family home in Hungry Horse with loving family at his side.

August 2, 2007 11 p.m.

Flathead travel an adventure

Maybe it's my age. Or perhaps it's just that drivers are more in a hurry than they used to be.

August 2, 2007 11 p.m.

Keep selling Big Mtn merchandise

Lately it seems that all our local businesses are eager to liquidate 60 years of heritage by discounting all Big Mountain merchandise. From mugs to T-shirts, it's all gotta go.

August 2, 2007 11 p.m.

Brobst sentenced for child pornography

By MIKE RICHESON

August 2, 2007 11 p.m.

By JOE SOVAHungry Horse News

Aurora, Colo., resident Lisa Mills was a long way from home when she won the women's division of the 10-kilometer race on Saturday in the Heritage Days Boogie to the Bank. But Mills, a former Boogie to the Bank champion, is no stranger to the Flathead Valley.

August 2, 2007 11 p.m.

By CHRIS PETERSON / Hungry Horse News

Even though Logan Pass wasn't open in June, visitation to Glacier National Park was up about 5 percent over last year, according to Park Service figures.

August 2, 2007 11 p.m.

Attorney a force behind special interest group

When the Waltons applied for a reasonable-use exemption (RUE) to build on a steep slope on their property, they probably did not anticipate the controversy the application would create. Two pieces that ran in the Whitefish Pilot on July 26 concern the court decision in the Waltons' case against the city, while highlighting the emerging role of special-interest groups in Whitefish.

August 2, 2007 11 p.m.

Columbia Falls men's teams dominate 3-on-3 tourney

The annual Heritage Days basketball tournament drew another large crowd, with men's and boys' teams from Columbia Falls all taking first-place honors.

August 2, 2007 11 p.m.

Don't burst the bubble

Letter from the Editor

August 2, 2007 11 p.m.

Marquardt wins bareback title at Heritage Days Rodeo

Chad Marquardt of Kalispell scored an 80 in the barebacks on Friday night in the Heritage Days Rodeo at the Blue Moon Arena and that score held up Saturday — allowing him to pocket the first-place money.

August 2, 2007 11 p.m.

Worry about the visitors

By GEORGE OSTROM

August 2, 2007 11 p.m.

Emma Webster

Emma K. Webster, 89, of Whitefish died peacefully at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Jolene and Marvin Mikesell, on July 4, 2007.

August 2, 2007 11 p.m.

Find out what it means to me

By FAITH MOLDAN

August 2, 2007 11 p.m.

Who's making North Fork dust?

Funny that the guy in the big, new pickup with the "Pave NF" license plate roared past us on the North Fork Road going at least 60 mph, spewing dust everywhere, blinding us, almost causing an accident.

August 2, 2007 11 p.m.

Sign vandalism uncalled for

I know that the recent name change on the mountain has touched quite a few nerves here in Whitefish, but it does not call for the vandalism of Winter Sports Inc. property.

August 2, 2007 11 p.m.

Early Progress Days remembered

A front page story in the Aug. 9, 1957 issue of the Hungry Horse News answered the question as to when Progress Days started in Columbia Falls. Promotion was to show progress made in the town which had seen little population or business increase in probably 40 or 50 years.

August 2, 2007 11 p.m.

Rodeo action in Columbia Falls

August 2, 2007 11 p.m.

Charlemagne L'Allier

Charlemagne (Chuck) Joseph L’Allier, Jr., 79, passed away July 26, 2007, at his home in Whitefish.

August 2, 2007 11 p.m.

What noise?

Flipping through the newspaper the other day, I stumbled upon a section which is usually overrun with zoning issues, resort tax increase proposals, and housing development approvals.

August 2, 2007 11 p.m.

HEIDI DESCH / Hungry Horse News

A special sky diving jump Saturday will honor Joel Atkinson.

August 2, 2007 11 p.m.

Guide On comes to Montana

By MIKE RICHESON

August 2, 2007 11 p.m.

All-Stars take tourney

By FAITH MOLDAN

August 2, 2007 11 p.m.

Bigfork's favorite firefighter

By LAURA BEHENNA

August 2, 2007 11 p.m.

Leipheimer finishes third in Tour de France

By RICHARD HANNERS

August 2, 2007 11 p.m.

One-sided story

As Devra West's financial manger, I am appalled at your front page "smut story" that frames West as suspect of a host of misdeeds that border of sheer lunacy, pumped with statements that are conjured, false, inaccurate, out-dated, and out of context.

August 2, 2007 11 p.m.

Letters to the Editor

Road dust in the Valley

August 2, 2007 11 p.m.

Unhappy camper

In the summer of 2006 I was at the Big Creek campground on the North Fork of the Flathead for the 14 days allowed, and I had a great time. I asked the host about how much time was needed to be able to stay another 14 days, but she didn’t know. She let me stay another 14 days. Jump ahead a year. In July 2007 I went to Big Creek again and there were sites available. I occupied a camping spot and paid the fee for one night. The host asked me how long I planned to camp. I told here I had decided to pay for one night at a time until one of the nicer sites opened up. She said some of the sites were reserved for her family reunion. The next morning, on Saturday, I went to pay the fee, and I saw that the No. 13 site was vacant. So I occupied the site and paid for four nights. Sunday afternoon, I received a note saying that campsite was reserved. I told host I was planning to finish my 14 days there. She said no, that site is reserved. When I asked how that was possible in a first-come first-serve campground, she said someone had accessed the Web site and saw the group-use area was booked, which meant they could reserve camp sites. But no campers used that campsite for the full 10 days I was there. Still, I moved my camp. On Monday morning, there were reserved signs on sites 13, 14, 16 and 17. When I spoked to recreation forester in Hungry Horse, she confirmed that reservations are not accepted at that campground. If any of your readers have had to pass up a camp site at Big Creek, the reservatons were not legal, and many were probably over the 14-day limit. Their rights to access have been taken and given to family and friends of the camp host. Not a happy camper. Mark Hanson, Kalispell.