Ellington

Hill fourth in bulls at Canadian Finals

West Glacier bull rider Beau Hill took fourth at the Canadian Finals Rodeo in Edmonton earlier this month.

CFHS matmen have more experience, depth this season

By JOE SOVA / Hungry Horse News

Man could be banned from Columbia Falls

By HEIDI DESCH / Hungry Horse News

Sign is too big

Does the appearance of the entrance to our community matter? Do you care whether a 23-foot-high sign was approved for the height of the North Valley Hospital sign? All other businesses have to have 10-foot-high signs. Does this matter? Sure it does.

Newspaper Staff Members

Managing editor

Hansen, Epperly pull double duty

By FAITH MOLDAN / Bigfork Eagle

Bigfork's youth deserve the best

When I took the job here in Bigfork I had a few preconceptions about the place I would be working. I had only visited the Village in the summer but summer must end, I knew, and when that happened I feared a sleepy little hamlet devoid of anyone who isn't old enough to collect social security.

FWP commissioner shoots at charging grizzly

By CHRIS PETERSON / Hungry Horse News

Candidate lists qualifications

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who supported me in this past election.

Firemen: answering the call to duty

Listening to a Columbia Falls volunteer firemen call on my scanner today brought back a lot of memories.

Blacktail still waiting for snow

By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle

New teachers at Bigfork schools bring youth, energy

By FAITH MOLDAN / Bigfork Eagle

Turkey Trot draws from all over

By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle

Whitefish Pilot

PO Box 488

Brother, sister thrive performing for crowds

By FAITH MOLDAN

Winter adult recreation leagues begin in January

Kalispell Parks and Recreation winter adult dodgeball, basketball and volleyball begins in mid-January. Entry deadlines are Dec. 19.

Deborah Horn Wilke Beesley

Deborah Kay Horn Wilke Beesley, 47, passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2007 at her home in Columbia Falls.

Legislators claim planning meeting violated rules

At the Nov. 1 meeting of the Flathead County Planning Board, Gordon Cross, the acting chairman, and Jeff Harris, Flathead County planning director, showed a blatant disregard for the taxpaying citizens of the Flathead Valley and the Montana Constitution.

Paul Hollister Larson, 66

"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain… I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far…" (Philippians 1:21, 23) Those words from the Apostle Paul were immediately on the lips of Paul H. Larson when he was informed just last week that his death was imminent as his body was being ravaged by diabetes.

Flathead Lake featured on new plates

By JACOB DORAN / Bigfork Eagle

Youth hockey in full swing

By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot

Trent Lott and Daschle's 'old friend'

Trent Lott was all ready for me.

Stormwater project gets started

By ALEX STRICKLAND

Store's opening delayed by elk collision

By CHRIS PETERSON / Hungry Horse News

Hwy 209 to be paved, sealed

Bigfork Eagle

Fish and game commissioner shoots grizzly

By CHRIS PETERSON / For the Pilot

Thanks for support of BBBS bowling fundraiser

To the editor,

Bowling success

The board of directors, staff and participants of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flathead County would like to thank the community for the wonderful response to the recent Bowl For Kids' Sake fundraiser.

About us

Women's Hockey Tourney Schedule

Whitefish Northern Lights

Grapplers ready for opener against Ronan

By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot

Election decision will wait to January

Last tied election in 1995 had parallels with today’s events

Northshore Nordic Club introduces new name

By FAITH MOLDAN / Bigfork Eagle

Saved by 'Bill'

Moving slowly into winter and slowly moving from first big holiday of the season, skiers and boarders have a lot to be thankful for.

Ski area projects mostly on schedule

Chairs 1 and 6 are ready to run, but Chair 2 will be delayed a few weeks

It's Reuben's Fault

By G. George Ostrom

Soccer Tournament

The Adrien’s of Columbia Falls went 5-0 to win the U14 girls division of the Whitefish 5-on-5 soccer tournament held the first weekend of November. Team members are, from left, McKenzie Kizer, Cortney White, Madison Sandefer, Lupa Stene-Ayers, Katy Darling, Cedar Jordt. in the back is coach Aaron Jordt.

Election recount ends in a tie vote

Council waits for advice from the city attorney before choosing a winner

Barber pole rule is unjust

Thanks to the media, the public has been alerted that professional and occupational boards under the Montana Department of Labor and Industry can be unreasonable and inflexible.

The Village undergoes its annual transformation

By FAITH MOLDAN - Bigfork Eagle

Dramatic growth could snarl traffic on U.S. 93

By RICHARD HANNERS / Whitefish Pilot

Monument for the community

We'd like to thank the following businesses and organizations that have generously contributed labor, funds and materials to the Community Spirit Monument helping to make this dream become a reality:

Flathead sees recent rash of burglaries to homes, businesses

By ALEX STRICKLAND - Bigfork Eagle

Property owners will be doing infastructure improvements

To the editor,

Basketball practice for boys and girls teams started Monday.

The Wildcats open the wrestling season on Dec. 1 at the Polson Invitational. In basketball openers, the CFHS boys and girls teams play in the Western A Tip-off Tourney on Dec. 7 and 8 in Columbia Falls and Whitefish.

Coalition's voice on exploration heard

It was a last-minute decision, and I’m glad I made the right choice. I got a call from Will Hammerquist mid-afternoon on Monday. He asked if either Chris Peterson, Heidi Desch or I would be coming to the Flathead Coalition open house that evening.

Sen. John Cobb is man of principle

Retiring state Sen. John Cobb is, by all accounts, a man of principle. As such, in his 24 years of legislative service, he has only managed to deeply offend two groups of people — the Democrats and the Republicans.

Something to be thankful about

Soldier recovering from ambush in Afghanistan is home for Thanksgiving

Team Exile comes up 100 miles short in Baja 1000

By TERRY LEONARD - for the Bigfork Eagle

Western Building Center asks city for help with expansion

By HEIDI DESCH / Hungry Horse News

Search for man missing in Wyoming suspended

On Monday afternoon, the extensive search in the Wind River Range of Wyoming for the husband of a seasonal Glacier National Park ranger was suspended. Fremont County Sheriff's Department Sgt. Jerry Evagelatos said Friday that from 45 to 60 people were searching for missing 46-year-old Clay Rubano, an employee of the National Outdoor Leadership School in Lander, Wyo. Rubano's wife, Rachael Jenkins, is a seasonal park ranger.

Local group gathers goodies for soldiers

By ALEX STRICKLAND

Joseph Eastman

Joseph Henry Eastman, age 80, passed away Nov. 3, 2007, in Puyallup, Wash.

GNP Superintendent Holm announces retirement

By CHRIS PETERSON / Hungry Horse News

You can blame it on Reuben

The 2007 World Series is now history but while watching the seemingly endless playoffs and then the finals, it still bothered me seeing the dozens upon dozens of brand new, perfectly good, baseballs either hit or thrown by players and batboys up in the stands. It certainly wasn't like that in the "olden days."

A Thanksgiving all star

Letter from the editor

Losing our Freedom, one rule at a time

Thanks to the media the public has been alerted that professional and occupational boards under the Montana Department of Labor and Industry can be unreasonable and inflexible. The Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists adopted an administrative rule in 2004 that made the use of a barber pole or any likeness thereof by anyone other than a licensed barber unprofessional conduct and punishable by suspension of license and/or fines. No consideration was given to Melissa Franklin, owner of the Clip Joint, who used the barber pole for 9 years before the rule was adopted, nor was she given an opportunity to challenge the barber test without attending a barber college.

Alex Strickland/Bigfork Eagle

The winning class poses in the BHS gym last week in front of the almost 7,000 pounds of food that students donated to the food pantry. The honors history class includes,(top left) Ariana Shults, Beka Bell, Zac Brewer, Scott Taylor, Travis Piedermann, (bottom left) Caitlann O'Dell, Kodie Kunsmen, Jennifer Wirth, Laura Colvin, AnnMarie Losee and Mr. Archibald (standing).

Students go folfing for the planet

Environmental club hosts tournament to raise funds and awareness

Ferda signs to play ball for UM

University of Montana women's basketball coach Robin Selvig announced Monday that Ashley Ferda has signed a letter of intent to play with the Lady Griz beginning with the 2008-09 season.

Hungry Horse Rural Fire District has full board

By JOE SOVA / Hungry Horse News

No simple answers for big debate

By FAITH MOLDAN - Bigfork Eagle

Bigfork School Board to try bond again

By ALEX STRICKLAND - Bigfork Eagle

Seniors lead the way

By FAITH MOLDAN

A Mighty Wind

By CHRIS PETERSON - Hungry Horse News

Bigfork woman to head Montana kids' home

By ALEX STRICKLAND

Big donation

The O'Shaughnessy Foun-dation has done it again.

Agenda is form not function

Having watched from the sidelines, I'd like to present a few observations regarding what appears to be some heavy-handed behavior of the Whitefish city council, planning board and the entities they enlist.

Foreign workers continue to fill the labor void

By CONSTANCE SEE - Whitefish Pilot

Attending Missing Man Table ceremony an honor

On Sunday, Veterans Day, I was invited to take in the Missing Man Table ceremony at the Montana Veterans' Home. The invitation came from MaryBeth Arnold, one of the first people I met when I moved to Columbia Falls. I really knew her before I came to the Flathead. She was scouting around for a place for me to live in town.

Barbara Thomas

Barbara Jean Thomas peacefully went to be with the Lord on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2007, at home in Columbia Falls, surrounded by family.

Housing cost

Affordable housing in the Flathead Valley? What a joke.

Representatives have not done job on wilderness bill

Will the most recent congressional legislation intended to designate new wilderness areas in Montana become law? Not a chance. Does it deserve to become law? No.

Glacier United girls headed to Europe

A Whitefish girls soccer team will be heading to Europe next summer to participate in an international soccer tournament. The team will travel to Barcelona, Spain, to compete in soccer matches with teams from around the world.

Whitefish finally beats Libby, then falls to Lewistown in title match

Historic numbers for Whitefish

Husband of GNP ranger missing in Wyoming

As of Friday afternoon, the husband of a seasonal Glacier National Park ranger was still missing in the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Fremont County Sheriff's Department Sgt. Jerry Evagelatos said Friday that from 45 to 60 people were searching for 46-year-old Clay Rubano, an employee of the National Outdoor Leadership School in Lander who was missing since last Saturday. Rubano's wife, Rachael Jenkins, is a seasonal park ranger. According to Evagelatos, Rubano had plans for a day hike above the falls on the Middle Fork of the Popo Agie River. Rubano did not show up for work at NOLS on Monday and his car was found that afternoon in a parking lot about 10 miles south of Lander. Evagelatos said three helicopters and seven dogs were part of the search effort. The weather has been fairly warm in the area where Rubano was hiking, with a small amount of snow, according to Evagelatos, but the area is brushy and thick — hampering search efforts.

Senate passes multi-year Amtrak funding

Bill heads to the House, includes studies for two new long-distance rail lines

Bigfork High School athletes named all-conference, state

By FAITH MOLDAN - Bigfork Eagle

The Anti-Huggers

By G. George Ostrom

Local woman starts teen leadership program

By ALEX STRICKLAND

Canyon Plan Update Committee members named

By JOE SOVA - Hungry Horse News

Killer's appeal denied

By NICHOLAS LEDDEN - for the Bigfork Eagle

School grateful

North Valley Music School would like to thank everyone who attended our third annual wine event fundraiser at The Loft.

By FAITH MOLDAN - Bigfork Eagle

What Mandy Williams lacks in experience coaching high school basketball, she makes up for with her love of the game.

Hislop, Fields named All-State in soccer

Seven Columbia Falls High School players have been named to their respective Northern A All-Conference teams for 2007, including four players from the Wildkat girls team and three from the Wildcat boys squad.

Gaiser finishes Ford Ironman triathlon

By JOE SOVA - Hungry Horse News

Gas prices jump nationwide

By ALEX STRICKLAND

Bigfork business looted, Alex Strickland/Bigfork Eagle vandalized

Bigfork Eagle

McGrew wins recount - for now One-third of ballots are 'under votes'

By RICHARD HANNERS

Thurman comes alive, aides in successful season

By FAITH MOLDAN

French student thanks veterans

The Veterans Day Assembly last Friday at Whitefish High School reminded me that I am alive today because of all the men and women who gave their life for liberty.

Tragedy as boy, 3, drowns in bathtub

By HEIDI DESCH - Hungry Horse News

Mountain lion attacks hunter in Swan

A hunter was attacked by a mountain lion Sunday morning in the Squeezer Creek area south of Swan Lake and was treated for his injuries and released from the hospital.

FV players 'Kickin' it - Euro-Style'

By DIANE MARCH - For the Hungry Horse News

There are 'anti-huggers' among us

Saw three sixth-grade boys walking away from a school last Friday. They were obviously a carefree trio, arms draped around each others' shoulders. All were enjoying a jaw breaker-type lollipop which made their cheeks bulge, and they were laughing over some specially shared joke.

Feeling pain at the pump

In this week's Eagle you'll find a story about rising gas prices and the effects on the local economy. You'll also find a cartoon right below this column about the increasing cost at the pump. The fact that this was in no way planned speaks volumes about how this subject is weighing on people's minds throughout the community.

Thanks, county for road dust control money

To the editor,

Growth policy gets council nod

Two years in the making, city's master plan will come back Nov. 19 for a final vote

Threat note found at school

By ALEX STRICKLAND Bigfork Eagle

World Community Day success

Another successful year at the Klothes Kloset in Columbia Falls was recognized during the World Community Day observance last Friday (Nov. 2). Many volunteers and shoppers are responsible for the total income shown at $57,900.31.

BSC mulls lighting concerns

By ALEX STRICKLAND Bigfork Eagle

Bigfork Elves called to action

By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle

Flathead Fat Tires grateful

As many of you may or may not know, Whitefish is now home to an impressive bicycle dirt-jump park, located in Armory Park near the Whitefish Airport.

Veteran's Day thoughts

This weekend we celebrate an important day for America's veterans. Veterans Day is dedicated to honoring the sacrifice of the millions of Americans who have bravely served for our country's freedom. Each year, thousands of families from all over the country come out in their Red, White, and Blue, proudly wave our flag, and recognize the heroes of America's past and present.

Seeing the world through war: A veteran's story

By Alex Strickland / Bigfork Eagle

CFHS winter sports meeting Tuesday

Columbia Falls High School will hold an orientation/information meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 13 for all parents and athletes who are planning on participating in boys basketball, girls basketball and wrestling during the 2007-08 school year. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. in the CFHS Little Theater.

Bigfork newcomers do well at home speech, debate, drama meet

Bigfork Eagle

October Highs

By G. George Ostrom

Students make donation to Bigfork Fire

By FAITH MOLDAN

Take the time to say thanks

A friend of mine — also a writer — likes to call our profession "poofy." He heard it called that in a speech once when the speaker was explaining how it was sometimes embarrassing to explain to someone that you write stories for a living when they farm the land or blacksmith or, worst of all, when they are a soldier.

Senators Baucus and Tester seek North Fork protection

Editor's note: Sens. Baucus and Tester recently wrote to the Bush administration about coal mining projects in Canada.

Take time to appreciate our American veterans

To the editor:

Wildkat spikers fall short of qualifying for state

By JOE SOVA / Hungry Horse News

Defending state champs headed to state tourney this weekend in Bozeman

By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot

District unveils high school plan

Conceptual plan could double floor space, school board will look at levy on Nov. 13

Little rock, big bear

So I threw this little rock at a big bear the other day and I know what you're thinking — how does that make any sense because anyone with any sense knows that it makes absolutely no sense to throw a small rock, a tiny rock, at a great big animal like a grizzly bear?

Montanans send their opinions on property taxes

Rep. Mike Jopek, D-Whitefish, is an independent-minded farmer.

Carlson runs her way to success in first season

By FAITH MOLDAN / Bigfork Eagle

Jenson, Muhlfeld, Friel and McGrew are all winners

By RICHARD HANNERS / Whitefish Pilot

Toys For Tots kicks off holiday program

Hungry Horse News donates $10 for each new subscription

Veteran recalls World War II 'bonsai' attack on Saipan

By JOE SOVA / Hungry Horse News

Man bitten at bear park, again

By CHRIS PETERSON / Hungry Horse News

School names October Peacemakers

By ALEX STRICKLAND

Shirley E. Fuller

Nee McDaniel (Aunt Shirley) passed away on October 26, 2007 at 9pm. Shirley loved the Village of Bigfork and the people there. She moved with her daughter and son-in-law to Phoenix, AZ for health reasons. Shirley leaves behind three children and their spouses; Toby and Hyon Fuller; Cathy and Clay Bloomquist and Tim and Chris Fuller; eight grandchildren and five great grandchildren. She also leaves her only sister Lois Sullivan and her children, Debbie and Les Ingram, Christie and Bob Hand and Jeff Sullivan.

Valkyries place third

By FAITH MOLDAN

Local women's team sweeps UM

By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot

Costume contest was big success

A big thank you to Bulldog Saloon, Casey's, Great Northern Bar and Grill, The Remington, VFW Lounge Lounge and Flathead Beverage for sponsoring this year's Halloween in the 'Fish Costume Contest.

Glacier Twins meeting Nov. 15

The Glacier Twins American Legion baseball organization has scheduled a general meeting for Thursday, Nov. 15 at 7 p.m. in the downstairs meeting room at Mountain West Bank, 601 Spokane Ave. in Whitefish.

Vulnerability of education

Not until Monday night's Board of Trustees work session did I fully realize the vulnerability of education in Columbia Falls School District 6, and some of the other school districts in Montana.

Common sense government

I, like many people who live in and around Whitefish, have watched our community and current city council go through many contentious debates over the last two years. I have been surprised to see our community be drawn into a divisive debate over property rights and growth.

Bike-jumping park becomes a reality

By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot

Hill riding, Mufasa among stock at PBR World Finals

By CHRIS PETERSON / Hungry Horse News

Report shows missing physical, good on-field response

By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle

First Best Place looks to buy old First Citizen's Bank

By HEIDI DESCH / Hungry Horse News

Whitefish PACs register with state

One will not support or oppose candidates, the second one will

Spikers down C-Falls in three

Whitefish ends overall regular season 11-2, heads to divisionals in Ronan this weekend

PPL to drop lake levels

By ALEX STRICKLAND

Witches gather to celebrate Samhain

By CONSTANCE SEE / Whitefish Pilot

Saddlehorn gets nod from BLAUC

By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle

Strong setbacks are common sense to maintaining clean water

I literally grew up on the shores of Flathead Lake, the third generation of Flathead Valley residents. My family members were among the first merchants in Demersville in the 1880s. I carry on a tradition of a lifetime of business in the Flathead Valley.

Montanans know best about taxes

In the 2007 legislative session, Montanans helped craft legislation which is very helpful to homeowners. I ask for that help again.

Veterans Day ceremony set Nov. 8 at CFHS

The Murphy Donaldson Chapter of the National Honor Society of Columbia Falls High School is proud to present the annual Veterans' Day Assembly on Thursday, Nov. 8 at 10 a.m. in the high school gymnasium.

Runaway Blazer crashes into barn

By CHRIS PETERSON / Hungry Horse News

Speech, debate, drama team hopeful

By FAITH MOLDAN

Spikers face Ronan at divisional

By JOE SOVA / Hungry Horse News

City council should lead by example

It's time to move on. The present city government needs to change, and we need a council that respects individual ideas and opinions, keeps the city out of court and better exercises its fiscal responsibilities.

Girls lose heartbreaker in OT

By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot

Vals end regular season 5-5

By FAITH MOLDAN / Bigfork Eagle

A mother's love

By ALEX STRICKLAND

Introduction from the new BSC head

My name is Craig Wagner and I have just been elected to the Bigfork Steering Committee as Chairperson. I thought maybe those of you who don't know me would like me to introduce myself to you. I am an enrolled Blackfeet Indian in Browning, MT.

Sun Road work going full bore

By CHRIS PETERSON / Hungry Horse News

Canadian group chimes in on coal plans

Sometimes there is a moment in the history of a province — a pure, perfect moment — to do something extraordinary, like building a world-renowned children's hospital or hosting a green Olympic games.

Cats suffer 24-0 loss to Hamilton

By JOE SOVA / Hungry Horse News

Somers Middle celebrates teacher's life, Red Ribbon Week

By Jacob Doran

Tanner Kolodejchuk

Tanner Robert Kolodejchuk, 22, died on the evening of Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2007 at the Columbia Falls home of his Aunt Brenda and Uncle Dave Stewart from medical complications.

Whitefish gridders trampled by Broncs

By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot

Teachers bring love of learning to Bigfork Elementary.

By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle

The Yoogle Snook Book

Woke up during the night, 11 years ago, with a nonsense poem running through my head. No idea how it got there unless it was from recent picture I'd taken of a grizzly bear's rear end. The poem wouldn't go away so I did mental editing. Got up and wrote it down.

Boys beat Libby in nail-biter to claim state title and unprecedented 30th straight win

By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot

Why shoot an albino bear?

To the editor,

BHS begins Viking Gym

By FAITH MOLDAN / Bigfork Eagle

Conservation key election issue

As a member and regular volunteer for the Flathead Chapter of the Montana Conservation Voters, I strongly encourage Whitefish residents to find out where the candidates stand on conservation issues and vote for the people who pledge to protect the qualities that make Whitefish our special home — not just an asset in someone's portfolio. You can learn more on the Web site www.mtvoters.org.

Too many taken too soon

In this week's Bigfork Eagle there are two stories concerning lives ended long before their time. Dawn Bowker, a teacher at Somers Middle School was killed by a drunk driver on her way to work this time last year. Jeffrey Bowman collapsed at football practice only months ago and died a week later in a Kalispell hospital room.