Stories for April 2008

Subscribe

Thursday, April 24

April 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Mary Pearson

Mary Ellen Kennedy Pearson, 85, passed away Dec. 21, 2007, at Colonial Manor in Whitefish.

April 24, 2008 11 p.m.

County needs to regain control of 'doughnut'

In her letter to the editor last week, Jan Metzmaker seemed to be confused about two different issues concerning the doughnut area around Whitefish.

April 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Woods Bay thanks

Once again the residents of our community have demonstrated their willingness to work together to address troublesome issues that have the potential to have lasting effects on our lives. When faced with the possibility of having 440 acres of special land go from the public domain into private hands, more than 70 local citizens turned out for a community action meeting to discuss alternatives.

April 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Vikings serve up win over Libby;

Girls tennis team wins two of three

April 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Ladies fall to Wildkats in defensive struggle

By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot

April 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Vacation rentals:

Not many takers for city's amnesty program

April 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Whitefish Lake Golf Course opens all 36 holes

Golf course opens

April 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Averill balances tennis, rodeo time committment

By FAITH MOLDAN

April 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Gerald R. Osler

Gerald R. Osler, 87, passed away Sunday, April 20, 2008, at the Mountain View Nursing Home in Eureka of natural causes.

April 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Five vie for Whitefish School Board seats

Election is May 6

April 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Thank you 'Doughnut People'

This letter is in response to Jan Metzmaker's In My View column in the Pilot last week.

April 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Lions Club marks 55 years

Columbia Falls Lions Club, 55 years old, is oldest service club in our area. It was started in December, 1952, and chartered Jan. 21, 1953.

April 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Elementary School project 'creeping' as construction nears

By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle

April 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Jensen resigns from head volleyball coach, teaching position

By FAITH MOLDAN / Bigfork Eagle

April 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Coco sets new WHS record at Missoula track meet; team shines

Bulldogs bring home seven event champs from Bigfork; A.R.M. meet this Saturday

April 24, 2008 11 p.m.

What about all those lawsuits?

In a guest opinion a few weeks ago, Eric Payne offered some biting criticism of the Whitefish City Council and its city attorney. He focused primarily on the city's critical areas ordinance and the interlocal agreement with Flathead County that allows the city to make land-use decisions in the two-mile "doughnut."

April 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Hungry Horse Villages gets Planning Board OK

By HEIDI DESCH / Hungry Horse News

April 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Resort market insulated from U.S. housing trend

What does future hold for Whitefish?

April 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Thanks for fields of dreams

I would like to thank all of the people that came out on a cold Saturday this past week to help give the Jack Zerr Fields in Whitefish a new facelift. Growing up on these fields that make dreams come true, I couldn't help but to relive those days as the community helped bring the fields back to life. We plan on having more improvements on these fields and people like you who showed up are a big part of it. There are no reasons why kids today should not have a facility that is kept up like it is today. Our youth can continue to make dreams come true again at Jack Zerr Fields. I know Jack Zerr was looking down at us from heaven with a big smile this past Saturday. Once again, Whitefish Baseball and Glacier Babe Ruth Baseball appreciate all your hard work and equipment. The fields look great and we'll keep up the good work together as a community of baseball. Thanks again.

April 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Is staff drug-free?

Disbelief was my first reaction when I read about the possiblity of Whitefish Schools drug testing any student without probable cause. If they're serious about eradicating drug use in our schools I say start drug testing with the school board and work your way down the chain of command. Is there anyone out there who actually believes 100 percent of our teaching staff is drug free? If so, please contact me immediately about a great real estate opportunity in Florida.

April 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Fuel spill forces more families to evacuate along Highway 35

By JENNIFER McBRIDE / for the Eagle

April 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Martha Marie (Harrison) Schmechel

Martha Marie (Harrison) Schmechel died of leukemia on Tuesday, April 8, 2008, at her home in Midwest City, Okla. At her side were her daughter Randy and her granddaughter Kim (Hoffman) Beakeley.

April 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Hall on North Fork Road

To the editor,

April 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Getts-Maynard doubles team gets tennis win for Wildcats

The Columbia Falls boys changed their tennis lineup and got a win against Polson, but the girls were blanked by the Pirates last week and lost to Glacier on Tuesday.

April 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Lakeside resident named Big Brother of the Year

By JACOB DORAN / Bigfork Eagle

April 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Letters to the editor

Column illogical

April 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Track team sends six to Top 10 meet

By FAITH MOLDAN / Bigfork Eagle

April 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Bigfork prepares for local elections on May 6

Three open seats on the Bigfork Land Use Advisory Committee will be filled next week, rounding out the seven member board that

April 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Public meeting on Woods Bay sale shows opposition

By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle

April 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Jeronimo Araiza, 87

Jeronimo Araiza, 87, of Lonsdale, Ark. passed away Monday, April 21, 2008 at Saline Memorial Hospital. He was born September 30, 1920 in San Antonio, Texas.

April 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Columbia Falls may bite into doughnut lawsuit

By HEIDI DESCH / Hungry Horse News

April 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Defends teammates

In last week's article "Drug forum attracts crowd," Evan Harris was quoted saying he didn't play high school soccer in 2007 because of "widespread drug and alcohol abuse" on the 2006 state championship team. As the captain of that team, I feel that I must defend my teammates and myself against such hearsay.

April 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Fairbank second in high jump at Top Ten Meet

By JOE SOVA / Hungry Horse News

April 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Whitefish girls stunned by Dillon, boys move to 8-0

By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot

April 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Commissioner calls for abolishing 'doughnut'

"I am a homeowner in the doughnut and have been severely damaged by the interlocal agreement. The new zoning setback to Whitefish Lake passed by the city council last March stopped me from building my future retirement home, after spending thousands on plans and on a new septic and other infrastructure. I have no representation and no recourse within the city of Whitefish. Please proceed with taking back control of the doughnut area."

April 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Something smells wrong this Earth Day

As I write this column on April 22, Earth Day, I can't help but reflect on the continuing bad news coming from the southeast shore of Flathead Lake.

April 24, 2008 11 p.m.

No one injured when fire damages home

By CHRIS PETERSON / Hungry Horse News

April 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Several reservation towns monitor athletes

By OLIVIA KOERNIG / Whitefish Pilot

April 24, 2008 11 p.m.

A silver lining for homeowners

Legislator says property-tax committee is coming up with 'tame' reappraisal numbers

April 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Let's build the fence

Jan Metzmaker's points and statements in last week's, "In My View" (Whitefish Pilot), sound good to us. Build that fence around the city of Whitefish to keep the "People of the Doughnut" out.

April 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Bulldogs sweep Bigfork on the courts

By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot

April 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Wildkats blank Bulldogs, 2-0; dominate Browning, 34-0

By JOE SOVA / Hungry Horse News

April 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Plowing the Sun Road, Many Glacier 'slow going'

It's been a slow go plowing the Sun Road and Many Glacier over the past week as the weather went from bad, to great, to lousy again in the past few days in Glacier National Park.

April 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Tick time in the 'Toolies'

Spring brings wonderful things to Montana, flowers. Green grass, and baby animals…

Thursday, April 17

April 17, 2008 11 p.m.

Netters fall short in openers

The Columbia Falls tennis teams finally hit the courts last week with decidedly mixed results.

April 17, 2008 11 p.m.

Restaurants ready for 14th Annual Taste of Bigfork

By Jacob Doran / Bigfork Eagle

April 17, 2008 11 p.m.

Dawn Alsup

Dawn Marie Alsup, 49, of Belgrade, passed away April 9, 2008. She was born Sept. 30, 1958, in Romeo, Mich., to David V. and Elizabeth M. (Weber) Weldele.

April 17, 2008 11 p.m.

Pot holes need fixing

To the editor,

April 17, 2008 11 p.m.

Bigfork Plan hits a snag at planning board

The Flathead County Planning Board decided last Wednesday to send the Bigfork Neighborhood Plan through a workshop process before discussing and voting on the document. The workshop was scheduled for June 25.

April 17, 2008 11 p.m.

Darrow vies for seat on FVCC board

By Jacob Doran / Bigfork Eagle

April 17, 2008 11 p.m.

Fees approved for critical area ordinance

'Doughnut' area critics call it taxation without representation

April 17, 2008 11 p.m.

School board wrong on drugs

The Whitefish School Board needs to educate itself on the downside of student drug testing. Student involvement in after-school activities like sports has been shown to reduce drug use. They keep kids busy during the hours they are most likely to get into trouble. Forcing students to undergo degrading urine tests as a prerequisite will only discourage participation in extracurricular programs.

April 17, 2008 11 p.m.

Teaching, above and beyond

Dorothy Julia Scholknecht was 101 years of age when she passed away last month in Kalispell. I have wondered, and will continue to wonder… how many hundreds of young people besides me, she greatly inspired during her more than 50 years of teaching.

April 17, 2008 11 p.m.

Lilly Joy Freebury, 82

Lilly Joy Freebury, age 82, passed away on Tuesday, April 8, 2008 at the Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Kalispell, Montana with her family at her side. Lilly was born on April 11, 1925 to Ed and Nellie Ness.

April 17, 2008 11 p.m.

Affordable housing falling behind

Whitefish housing assessment surveys distributed to 3,500 renters and homeowners

April 17, 2008 11 p.m.

Sentence overturned for fake Marine

Appeals court rules lying to a federal probation officer is like lying to a judge

April 17, 2008 11 p.m.

Barbara King

Barbara King passed away at Kalispell Regional Hospital on April 7, 2008, at the age of 79. She will be greatly missed by family and friends and we will hold many wonderful memories of time spent with her forever in our hearts.

April 17, 2008 11 p.m.

River Road neighbors not too neighborly

By HEIDI DESCH / Hungry Horse News

April 17, 2008 11 p.m.

Kats sweep Havre, breeze past Stevensville

By JOE SOVA / Hungry Horse News

April 17, 2008 11 p.m.

Potholes, pancakes and planning

Yes, it's that time of year. We've gone from one of the two seasons in Montana, like many other states, to another — from winter to construction season. It appears there won't be a lot of construction on the highways in Flathead County. But city crews in Columbia Falls will sure be busy, for at least awhile, filling potholes. I was thinking about addressing the town's potholes when, coincidentally, I received a Letter to the Editor from a young man (see page A5) who voiced his concern about the subject. I can identify with what he's saying.

April 17, 2008 11 p.m.

Ronan and Eureka also fall to Whitefish teams on Saturday

By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot

April 17, 2008 11 p.m.

Viking tennis loses close meet to Polson; Valkyries hammer Columbia Falls

By FAITH MOLDAN / Bigfork Eagle

April 17, 2008 11 p.m.

Truckers on 35 pushing East Shore residents

Don Schwennesen

April 17, 2008 11 p.m.

Changing timber land into subdivisions

Plum Creek looking at access but has no definite plans for land north of Whitefish Lake

April 17, 2008 11 p.m.

Step forward

I attended the open forum regarding the proposed drug policy that would be implemented at Whitefish High School.

April 17, 2008 11 p.m.

The Rocket Man wears tall shoes, I saw them

Two weeks ago when presidential candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton made campaign stops in Missoula I lamely excused my absence, explaining that the two-hour trip was just too far.

April 17, 2008 11 p.m.

Myni Ferguson is the 2008 First Lady of Whitefish

By OLIVIA KOERNIG / Whitefish Pilot

April 17, 2008 11 p.m.

Destination Imagination team qualifies for worlds

By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle

April 17, 2008 11 p.m.

Meeting planned, comment period extended for Woods Bay sale

By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle

April 17, 2008 11 p.m.

Drug testing flawed

I am very distressed about the movement to introduce random, suspicionless drug testing in Whitefish. I was at the meeting April 7, and did not speak as I had to leave early. I feel I need to voice this opinion as many other parents feel as I do.

April 17, 2008 11 p.m.

Whitefish hunter kills grizzly mistaken for black bear

FWP Wardens investigated the killing of a grizzly bear in the North Fork Flathead Drainage north of Camas Bridge on Sunday, April 20. A Whitefish hunter contacted FWP through TIP-MONT stating he may have shot a grizzly bear thinking it was a black bear. Game Wardens Chris Crane, Matt Heaton and Perry Brown investigated the incident and confirmed the bear was an older adult male grizzly.

April 17, 2008 11 p.m.

Tough competition at the MPCS Invitational

By JOE SOVA / Hungry Horse News

April 17, 2008 11 p.m.

Non-native plants threaten Montana

Gretchen von Rittberg

April 17, 2008 11 p.m.

Trail projects targeted for Columbia Falls

The First Best Place Task Force has adopted some pretty ambitious goals as part of its overall mission to promote Columbia Falls and improve the quality of life for the community.

April 17, 2008 11 p.m.

Resort tax feasible, committee says

By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle

April 17, 2008 11 p.m.

Vikes, Vals shoot well at shootout

By FAITH MOLDAN / Bigfork Eagle

April 17, 2008 11 p.m.

Drug testing students unacceptable

The American Academy of Pediatrics in its latest policy statement reports, "Drug testing poses substantial risks — in particular, the risk of harming the parent-child and school-child relationships by creating an environment of resentment, distrust, and suspicion."

April 17, 2008 11 p.m.

Native Americans anchor Arbor Day in city

This year's Columbia Falls Arbor Day Celebration on May 3 brings a Native American spirit to the celebration of the tree-planting holiday. The event will feature Native American artists and singers, as well as arts and crafts vendors, and food.

April 17, 2008 11 p.m.

Re: Exception to Montana Tourism Charter

While we agree with the majority of the language set forth in the new Montana Tourism Charter (MTC), we the following do take exception to some of the words and phrases used in this document. They could be construed as no growth, or they could be used to obstruct quality economic development.

April 17, 2008 11 p.m.

Benefits without taxation: Flip side of the coin

In keeping with the current American problem-solving method, I think we should build a big old fence around the city of Whitefish to keep all the "People of the Doughnut" out. As a taxpayer, I am tired of subsidizing all the city-owned and operated facilities and parks for others' benefit. For instance:

Thursday, April 10

April 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Keep streets clean

I just finished reading the letters to the editor titled "Big Mountains Disgust Tourists" in the March 20 paper and "Sidewalk Dog Waste Enraging" on March 27. I agree with both letters.

April 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Kats shut out Bulldogs, 12-0; drop league opener to Libby

By JOE SOVA / Hungry Horse News

April 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Sports fans are never really alone

By FAITH MOLDAN / Bigfork Eagle

April 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Robert Arbuckle

Robert (Skip) Arbuckle, M.D., 65, passed away at his winter home in LaQuinta, Calif., on April 6, 2008, after a battle with cholangiocarcinoma.

April 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Officials look into new lake access at Deep Bay

By JACOB DORAN / Bigfork Eagle

April 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Call it River's Edge Park

By HEIDI DESCH / Hungry Horse News

April 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Planning in the Flathead a damaged system

Last week the Flathead County Planning Board voted 5-1 to pass on a recommendation to approve the North Shore Ranch subdivision to county commissioners. The 286-lot subdivision would still double the size of Somers, even after the developers dropped the number of lots following a 2006 defeat at the Planning Board.

April 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Fairelyn Padgett

Fairelyn Joy Padgett, 73, peacefully passed away on Monday, March 31, 2008 after an extended illness at Kalispell Regional Medical Center surrounded by her family.

April 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Eskil Swanson

Eskil H. (Skull) Swanson, 98, passed away April 6, 2008, at Riverside Senior Living in Whitefish.

April 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Protect parks

It's that time of year, spring is here and it's time to once again plan for summer adventure in Glacier National Park.

April 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Stoltz, Hislop earn wins in Time Trials

By JOE SOVA / Hungry Horse News

April 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Triplett second in bulls at rodeo opener

Matt Triplett of Columbia Falls earned second place in bull riding last Sunday with a score of 65 in the opening rodeo of the 2008 high school season in Helena. Triplett split seventh and eighth on Saturday with a 56. He finished second in the average.

April 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Major league MVP leads pitching clinic

By RAY QUEEN / For the Pilot

April 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Ask why kids choose drugs

I believe the mandatory drug testing for our children who choose to pursue extracurricular activities in our schools is simply brilliant. In fact, I believe we should apply this philosophy in a much broader approach.

April 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Hammond resigns as Valkyries' head coach

By FAITH MOLDAN / Bigfork Eagle

April 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Thanks for clinic

The recent news regarding an infusion of $1.29 million of state funds for the new Flathead Community Health Center is a wonderful example of what can happen when dedicated, compassionate legislators get together in a bi-partisan effort to provide much needed services to the community.

April 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Robert Hall

Robert Hall, 67, of White-fish, passed away from natural causes on March 29, 2008.

April 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Martin Marty Wayne Gemmer, 59

Martin Marty Wayne Gemmer 59 went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Friday, April 4, 2008. He died in his home of natural causes.

April 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Lady Bulldogs bust Blue Ponies twice

By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot

April 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Fifty years with Iris

This is the week when First Wife Iris reminded me we have been married for 50 years. She did that for several reasons. One reason was because she wanted me to get dressed up to be taken for dinner by her Sewing Club. Unique topic of conversation came up during the meal, the group was made up of close friends where-in the nine marriages represented had each managed to survive 50 or more years. Iris and I are the last of that group to reach the Golden Anniversary, partly because she is the youngest of the ladies, and of course I was afraid of girls until my late 20s.

April 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Drug forum attracts crowd

School district presents case for mandatory drug testing

April 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Pond Skim competition draws huge crowd

Despite falling snow, cold temperatures and cloudy skies, the third annual Pond Skim competition drew a huge crowd to Whitefish Mountain Resort on Saturday. All 60 spots for skimmers sold out, and more than 1,000 guests came to witness the wacky shenanigans of the pond riders. The rowdy hillside full spectators was treated to costumes ranging from Batwoman to Britney Spears, and from Lederhosen to Leisure Suits, all of which were soaked by the end of the day. Erik Wilson won first prize, $1,000 cash, for the second year in a row. The pond was 85 feet long and 25 feet wide, and many skiers and snowboarders exploded upon entry to the delight of the onlookers. It was a fitting end to a great season.

April 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Flathead Lake levels nearing low

By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle

April 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Stormwater meeting highlights water issues

By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle

April 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Health fair coming to Bigfork

Bigfork Eagle

April 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Downtown gallery changes hands

By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle

April 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Thanks to legislators for Health Center funding

To the Editor,

April 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Highway named for a native son

By RICHARD HANNERS / Whitefish Pilot

April 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Jury convicts woman in fatal crash

Sports car rear-ended pickup truck at high speed, killing one and injuring two

April 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Incumbent feels called to the job

Hall says he's learned a lot in first term as commissioner

April 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Tennis teams cruise to victory in Libby

By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot

April 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Nothing to hide, nothing to fear in drug testing

I have read all the documents regarding the Whitefish High School drug testing policy, and I found them to be extremely fair and thorough. I have also read the two letters submitted to the Whitefish Pilot in opposition of the policy and found them to be weak.

April 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Obama in Montana, locals chat with presidential hopeful over a beer in Butte

By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot

April 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Thanks for the help

The recent news regarding an infusion of $1.29 million in state funds for the new Flathead Community Health Center is a wonderful example of what can happen when dedicated, compassionate legislators get together in a bi-partisan effort to provide much needed services to the community.

April 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Lawsuit could cost a lot

Montana law which qualified Whitefish to vote for a local sales tax is quite clear about the population needed for "resort community" status — less than 5,500 people.

April 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Plenty of good news to share

Several of us were discussing news in general with so many stories centering around fights, thefts, vandalism and horrid situations which seem so prevalent today.

April 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Montana's new restoration economy

By Pat Williams

April 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Truck rams into Blue Moon at highway speed

By CHRIS PETERSON / Hungry Horse News

April 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Hungry Horse Villages goes to planning board

By CHRIS PETERSON / Hungry Horse News

April 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Track team anticipates competition

By FAITH MOLDAN / Bigfork Eagle

April 10, 2008 11 p.m.

North Shore gets OK from planning board

By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle

April 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Montanans for Multiple Use loses suit against Forest Service

A federal court in Washington, D.C. has struck down all the claims brought by Montanans for Multiple Use and other multiple use groups that claimed the Flathead National Forest was closing roads and revising its forest plan in an illegal manner.MFMU filed the complaint in June of 2003, claiming the Flathead wasn't following several federal laws when it amended its forest plan some 23 times in more than 15 years.The multiple use group claimed that the amendments amounted to a "de facto" rewrite of the forest plan.The court disagreed on several different fronts, the most damning being that MFMU and other groups simply didn't follow administrative procedures when they brought their claim. For example, if an amendment to a forest plan is brought forth, a group that opposes it must go through an administrative appeal process ?by writing letters of protest, etc. ?before it can file suit.The court found the groups simply didn't do that ?they just decided to sue the federal government. In their defense, they claimed they didn't know what the amendments meant until they were already in place ?but the court didn't buy that argument. In fact, the court likened it to the parable of the frog in a pot of boiling water. The frog, as the story goes, is placed in a pot of cold water. Raise the heat a degree at a time and the frog doesn't realize it's being boiled.But if you throw the frog in the boiling water it jumps out ?or at least tries to.In this case, however, MFMU never proved its case that it was futile to go through the administrative appeal process.MFMU also claimed the Forest wasn't following the law because it hadn't revised its forest plan in the past 15 years as required by law. But the court noted that forest plan revision was well under way and that Congress had extended the deadlines to rewrite forest plans.MFMU was supported by several other groups, including Flathead County, Northwest Montana Gold Prospectors, Owens and Hurst Lumber Co., the Flathead Snowmobile Association and several other multiple use and motorized land use advocates, including Leland's Honda."We are pleased with the court's ruling and will continue working to achieve the balance that multiple use management requires on National Forest System lands," Flathead National Forest Planning Staff Officer Rob Carlin said in a prepared release.The case was heard in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C.MFMU chairman Fred Hodgeboom could not be reached for comment. The case was decided by chief judge Thomas F. Hogan.

Thursday, April 3

April 3, 2008 11 p.m.

State considering selling land near Woods Bay

By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle

April 3, 2008 11 p.m.

HH Villages not kosher with Canyon Plan

To the editor,

April 3, 2008 11 p.m.

CFHS tennis openers postponed, reset for next Friday

By CHRIS PETERSON / Hungry Horse News

April 3, 2008 11 p.m.

John James Moore, 39

John lived in Eureka and in the west Kootenai in the late 80's through the 90's. He worked at the Amish mill until it closed. He always loved the outdoors and enjoyed climbing trees. This later led to a job removing dangerous trees near houses in the Bigfork area. He died in the early hours of March 17 while driving home. The best four years of his life were spent in Bigfork with his beloved Irene McCombs and his devoted dog Bethany and silly cat Wascal. He is survived by a son, David, his parents Peter Pintler and Cheryl Fox, and sisters, Shilo Moore, Crystal Millage, Kerry Millage and Tamson Pintler.

April 3, 2008 11 p.m.

Senate candidate focuses on education, social issues

By RICHARD HANNERS / Whitefish Pilot

April 3, 2008 11 p.m.

Thinclads at Polson Time Trials on Saturday

By JOE SOVA / Hungry Horse News

April 3, 2008 11 p.m.

Big snow breaks records

Spring has been delayed again, as a big storm brought cold air and precipitation to the Flathead last week, much to the delight of skiers and snowmobilers and the dismay of bicyclists and gardeners.

April 3, 2008 11 p.m.

Kreps takes Junior Olympic title

By FAITH MOLDAN / Bigfork Eagle

April 3, 2008 11 p.m.

Sunrise Bakery bought out, closes

By HEIDI DESCH / Hungry Horse News

April 3, 2008 11 p.m.

BLUAC denies zone change on Swan River Road

By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle

April 3, 2008 11 p.m.

Chamber honors civic leaders

By OLIVIA KOERNIG / Whitefish Pilot

April 3, 2008 11 p.m.

Tennis team looking to repeat success

By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot

April 3, 2008 11 p.m.

Noted backcountry skier and Co-op serviceman heads for Cooke City

By RICHARD HANNERS / Whitefish Pilot

April 3, 2008 11 p.m.

The pack rat in me is revealed

Ah, the trials and tribulations of moving from one home to another.

April 3, 2008 11 p.m.

BSC gearing up for busy summer

By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle

April 3, 2008 11 p.m.

Kats host Whitefish in softball non-league opener Thursday

By JOE SOVA / Hungry Horse News

April 3, 2008 11 p.m.

Tom Lewis: Capturing the impression

By Jacob Doran / Bigfork Eagle

April 3, 2008 11 p.m.

Painless griz bites

By G. George Ostrom

April 3, 2008 11 p.m.

Corn Cup plays out in record powder

Whitefish Mountain Resort's second annual Corn Cup was held this weekend, amid one of the largest snowstorms of the year. Nearly two feet of snow fell during the two-day event, which is named for the corn snow common in spring skiing conditions.

April 3, 2008 11 p.m.

Already enough red tape

As a resident of Flathead County for almost 50 years, and a property owner in both the county and the city of Whitefish, I am very concerned about Resolution 1783A.

April 3, 2008 11 p.m.

Painless grizzly bites

Grizzly bears are coming out of winter dens. A new scientific study clearly verifies effectiveness of pepper spray, and Hungry Horse subscriber Lucille Guderski of Markesan, Wisc., is the latest person to ask for a rerun of my 1996 column on grizzly bite pain. So! Here it is —

April 3, 2008 11 p.m.

Whitefish woman takes second in Crested Butte extreme ski competition

By NELSON ROOSENDAHL / For the Pilot

April 3, 2008 11 p.m.

National Geographic map highlights Columbia Falls

By CHRIS PETERSON / Hungry Horse News

April 3, 2008 11 p.m.

Bear spray could save your life

By CHRIS PETERSON / Hungry Horse News

April 3, 2008 11 p.m.

Drug policy is ill-advised

Last week, I attended the Whitefish School Board meeting regarding the proposed policy of random student drug testing all high school students involved in extracurricular activities.

April 3, 2008 11 p.m.

On Opening Day, anything is possible

It doesn't feel quite like spring yet, and it most certainly isn't hinting at summer, but the sunny season got started this week when Major League Baseball opened its season on March 31.

April 3, 2008 11 p.m.

Brenneman floating township idea

By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle

April 3, 2008 11 p.m.

Big turnout for subdivision meeting

By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle

April 3, 2008 11 p.m.

Robert Hall

Robert Leland Hall, 67, a Whitefish resident, passed away of natural causes at the North Valley Hospital emergency room.

April 3, 2008 11 p.m.

Florence Cummings

Florence Frances Cummings, a longtime resident of Whitefish, passed away March 19, 2008.

April 3, 2008 11 p.m.

Frances Cantrel

Frances Dodge Candy Cantrel, 89, passed away March 26, 2008, at Heritage Place in Kalispell.

April 3, 2008 11 p.m.

Ski-golf and parties also on tap for closing weekend at Whitefish Mt. Resort

By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot

April 3, 2008 11 p.m.

Conservation ramifications

The term, perpetuity, key to conservation easement contracts, guarantees that land will forever retain restricted use with the exception of that agreed upon by the property owner and the land trust. The holder of the land trust becomes the management agency with monitoring and supervisory authority enforced by law, while the property owner, holder of the title, assumes forever all costs of liability, taxes and maintenance related to the property. Prospective buyers of easement encumbered property must consider these financial obligations, as well as specified restricted uses such as development rights.

April 3, 2008 11 p.m.

We'll make due because we have to

I began teaching at White-fish High School in 1992. I had 28 students doing science labs in the long, narrow yearbook room. We rushed to get the labs done. The students needed to clean up 10 minutes early because there was only one sink.

April 3, 2008 11 p.m.

Voters turn down high school bond

House says it's time to bring community back together

April 3, 2008 11 p.m.

Council goals also include new city hall, EMS building and affordable housing

By RICHARD HANNERS / Whitefish Pilot