Stories for February 2008

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Thursday, February 28

February 28, 2008 11 p.m.

PTA thanks for Muldown art

On behalf of the Whitefish Parent Teacher Association, we would like to thank everyone who was involved in the "Showcase of Young Masters" art show held at Muldown Elementary School on Feb. 7.

February 28, 2008 11 p.m.

Vals, fans, put on a show at divisionals

Growing up in the south, there were only two high school sports: Football and all that other stuff.

February 28, 2008 11 p.m.

Fundraiser was a success

The third annual Black Tie and Blue Jeans dinner and silent auction fundraiser was a smashing success, and Rainbow's End Preschool would like to thank everyone for their help at the event.

February 28, 2008 11 p.m.

BP pulls out of North Fork, but coal mining still threatens streams

By CHRIS PETERSON / Hungry Horse News

February 28, 2008 11 p.m.

A 'no' vote on bond is OK

I? 2003, the Whitefish School District taxpayers were asked to support both the Central School building program, and the high school building program, totaling $21 million.

February 28, 2008 11 p.m.

Dogs stun Cats in wild upset

By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot

February 28, 2008 11 p.m.

Lion Mountain home owners object to critical areas ordinance

Editor's note: This letter was also sent to the Flathead County commissioners.

February 28, 2008 11 p.m.

Telemarkers

The local members of the U.S. National Telemark Team would like to thank our community for your continued support. Five of the 13 members of the national team live here in the Flathead Valley and train at Whitefish Mountain Resort.

February 28, 2008 11 p.m.

Walter Jacoby

Walter Charles Jacoby, 96, died Feb. 24, 2008, after a short illness.

February 28, 2008 11 p.m.

Bigfork High School bond summary

By Denny Sabo

February 28, 2008 11 p.m.

Girls upset Libby, then fall to undefeated Vals in title game

By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot

February 28, 2008 11 p.m.

Bigfork hosts successful Northwestern A Divisional tournament

By FAITH MOLDAN / Bigfork Eagle

February 28, 2008 11 p.m.

School needs high-tech facilities

Residents of Whitefish are aware of the barrage of yellow and green signs and badges in support of the upcoming high school bond issue. They will be asked to vote on the bond issue in March, and it is important for citizens to understand the real needs and issues associated with this bond.

February 28, 2008 11 p.m.

Environmental regs OK'd by council

Controversial critical areas ordinance evolved as it underwent two years of review

February 28, 2008 11 p.m.

Kats exit tourney with great effort against Polson

By JOE SOVA / Hungry Horse News

February 28, 2008 11 p.m.

Special Olympics

Thanks Whitefish Sports-man and Ski Haus.

February 28, 2008 11 p.m.

Boys shock No. 1 Polson on their road to state meet

By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot

February 28, 2008 11 p.m.

Cats' season ends with loss to Dogs

By CHRIS PETERSON / Hungry Horse News

February 28, 2008 11 p.m.

Community considering high school updates

By ALEX STRICKLANDBigfork Eagle

February 28, 2008 11 p.m.

Some families settle with Plum Creek; trial date in remaining pollution cases set

By HEIDI DESCH / Hungry Horse News

February 28, 2008 11 p.m.

RE: Milhous Group not bad

We will not attempt to debate the particulars of the Swan Lakers lawsuit in this letter; this is not the forum for that. All the information is a matter of public record and is available on their Web site at

February 28, 2008 11 p.m.

School bond hot topic at Steering Committee

By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle

February 28, 2008 11 p.m.

Donald Swisher

Donald A. Swisher, 89, of Whitefish passed away from natural causes Feb.18, 2008, at North Valley Hospital in Whitefish.

February 28, 2008 11 p.m.

Vikings end season with close games

By FAITH MOLDANBigfork Eagle

February 28, 2008 11 p.m.

Dallas Birr

Dallas Jack Birr, 66, died of pancreatic cancer on Feb. 18, 2008, in Kenmore, Wash.

February 28, 2008 11 p.m.

The Kilbella tyee

I've known just two men who would instantly stop whatever they were doing if they heard, "The fish are biting." One time when I went to Buster Redd's home in the swan and told him, "The rainbows are biting." He didn't even finish sawing the 2x4 he was working on. Quit half way through and ran for his fly rod.

February 28, 2008 11 p.m.

Closed campus planned for high school

Could mean less trouble but some local business losses

February 28, 2008 11 p.m.

Wava Combs

Wava Combs, 85, went to be with her beloved Lord Jesus on Feb. 15, 2008.

February 28, 2008 11 p.m.

Valkyries repeat as divisional champions

By FAITH MOLDAN / Bigfork Eagle

February 28, 2008 11 p.m.

James A. Shaffer Jr., 90

James A. Shaffer Jr., age 90, of Kalispell, Montana passed away on Sunday, February 24, 2008 at Immanuel Lutheran Home in Kalispell. He was born May 11, 1917 in Chicago, IL to adventurous parents, James A. Shaffer, Sr, and Stella Nelson Shaffer, the last homesteaders of Lake County, "Shipmaster" James Alexander Shaffer, Jr. has passed, his life full of travel, friends, and projects. His parents' home schooled him in the family's lakeshore cabin for his elementary education. He graduated from Polson High School. He loved playing his clarinet and had a dance band that played from Polson to Missoula on the weekends.

February 28, 2008 11 p.m.

Whitefish Winter Festival set March 7-9

By JOE SOVA / Hungry Horse News

Thursday, February 21

February 21, 2008 11 p.m.

Kelsey Schmid-Sommer earns third national championship

Whitefish telemark skier Kelsey Schmid-Sommer was named the national women's champion for an unprecedented third time after winning three of four race events at the U.S. Telemark National Championships in Idaho this past weekend.

February 21, 2008 11 p.m.

Current high school bond is about double the 2003 proposal

By OLIVIA KOERNIG / Whitefish Pilot

February 21, 2008 11 p.m.

Cyrus Rishoff, 102

Cyrus Jerome "Cy" Rishoff, age 102, passed away peacefully in his sleep at the Lake View Care Center in Bigfork early Saturday morning (Feb. 16, 2008).

February 21, 2008 11 p.m.

Columbia Falls could see new welcome signs by spring

By JOE SOVA / Hungry Horse News

February 21, 2008 11 p.m.

Reichner running for house seat

By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle

February 21, 2008 11 p.m.

Valkyries stay undefeated in conference

By FAITH MOLDAN / Bigfork Eagle

February 21, 2008 11 p.m.

High court rules in Phelps v. Frampton

By RICHARD HANNERS / Whitefish Pilot

February 21, 2008 11 p.m.

Five seniors enjoy a victory on their home courts for the last time before divisionals

By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot

February 21, 2008 11 p.m.

Mary Rozzoni

Mary Catherine Rozzoni passed away Feb. 15, 2008, at her Whitefish home with her beloved niece, Susan Crane, by her side.

February 21, 2008 11 p.m.

Neighborhood plan sent to county

By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle

February 21, 2008 11 p.m.

Cruises recalled

Time flies like the wind, and house flies like horse manure."

February 21, 2008 11 p.m.

Think globally

I

February 21, 2008 11 p.m.

Alleged Ferndale murderer pleads not guilty to deliberate homicide

By JENNIFER MCBRIDE / for the Eagle

February 21, 2008 11 p.m.

Basketball Tourney Schedule

The 2008 Northwest Class A divisional basketball tournament schedule has been released. Most games will be played at Glacier High School in Kalispell, including all games on Thursday and Friday. Several games on Saturday morning will be played at Flathead High School.

February 21, 2008 11 p.m.

Realtors say no

On behalf of the board of directors of the Northwest Montana Association of Realtors, we want the Flathead County Commissioners to know we are in support of their position on the Whitefish Critical Areas Ordinance as presented in the letter written by commissioner Gary Hall and reprinted in the Feb. 14 edition of the Whitefish Pilot.

February 21, 2008 11 p.m.

Resolution reached in CFBA baseball lease

By JOE SOVA / Hungry Horse News

February 21, 2008 11 p.m.

CFHS girls tangle with Whitefish in Divisional tournament

By JOE SOVA / Hungry Horse News

February 21, 2008 11 p.m.

No. 2 Wildcats face Ronan-Bigfork winner in Divisional tourney

By CHRIS PETERSON / Hungry Horse News

February 21, 2008 11 p.m.

Time to overcome partisan bickering

Two months ago, on Dec. 10, I made a public announcement of my intention to run for the Montana State Senate in Senate District 2. This is to confirm that on Feb. 1, I officially filed for the office with the Secretary of State.

February 21, 2008 11 p.m.

McCain takes shot at grizzly bear study

By CHRIS PETERSON / Hungry Horse News

February 21, 2008 11 p.m.

Do we want a joint high school/community library?

By Denny Sabo

February 21, 2008 11 p.m.

I love you, you're perfect, now change

Do you feel that is what is happening in Whitefish? It feels like everyone wants to jam their special interest through. They tell us it is for the children. Or this will make it better. Has it made it better?

February 21, 2008 11 p.m.

St. Matthew's School turns 90

By HEIDI DESCH / Hungry Horse News

February 21, 2008 11 p.m.

Area bridges up to par

By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle

February 21, 2008 11 p.m.

BHS senior not playing second fiddle

By JACOB DORAN / Bigfork Eagle

February 21, 2008 11 p.m.

Vikings top 5th-ranked Chiefs

By FAITH MOLDAN / Bigfork Eagle

February 21, 2008 11 p.m.

Cordier: Won't run for another term

It is with very mixed emotions that I write to announce my intention not to run for re-election as State Representative for House District 3. Recent events have emerged that bring me to this decision.

February 21, 2008 11 p.m.

Capitalizing on Glacier Park visitors

Economic development in the Flathead Valley seems to be more of a topic of discussion all the time, at least in my opinion during my first seven months living here.

February 21, 2008 11 p.m.

It's a 'Taj Mahal' high school

As a five-year member of the Whitefish School District Board, I felt there are some concerns about the present bond you will be asked to vote for that should be addressed.

February 21, 2008 11 p.m.

Judge rules councilor is not a resident

McGrew is out, Askew is sworn in as city councilor

February 21, 2008 11 p.m.

Keep lift open

Why does the Big Mountain close one half hour early this year? Why does the Big Mountain ignore requests for an explanation regarding this early closure?

February 21, 2008 11 p.m.

Claire Wilson

Claire Louise Wilson, 62, passed away on Feb. 10, 2008 after a courageous 13-year battle with brain tumors. At the time of her death she was surrounded by her beloved family and pets at her ranch in Bigfork.

February 21, 2008 11 p.m.

John Kenny

John Thomas (Tom) Kenny, of Whitefish, passed away Jan. 28, 2008, while wintering in Mesa, Ariz.

February 21, 2008 11 p.m.

Colt Idol sets a new school record with 39 points

By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot

February 21, 2008 11 p.m.

Sherman Johnson

Sherman Clarence Johnson, 88, a longtime resident of Kalispell and Whitefish, passed away suddenly on Jan. 31, 2008, in Yuma, Ariz.

February 21, 2008 11 p.m.

Mahlums, Montana Athletic Club donate equipment to high school

By FAITH MOLDAN / Bigfork Eagle

February 21, 2008 11 p.m.

Commissioners deny Hwy. 83 zone change

By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle

February 21, 2008 11 p.m.

School bond alternatives

While providing our community with a branch library and a modern, technically efficient, educational facility are both highly desirable, I sincerely wonder if the alternative offered by the current school bond election is the best way to achieve these goals.

February 21, 2008 11 p.m.

Around the world in a weekend

I am - thankfully - not a watcher of much TV. I have plenty of time-wasting habits like the Internet and pointless bicycle repair, but the medium of television holds little allure for me most of the time.

Thursday, February 14

February 14, 2008 11 p.m.

Wrestlers come up short at state meet

By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot

February 14, 2008 11 p.m.

Whitefish High School bond will offer our 650 students substantial improvements

In Newton, Mass., a suburb of Boston, ground has been broken for a new high school replacing Newton North High School, a building constructed in 1970.

February 14, 2008 11 p.m.

Cats alone atop NW A

By CHRIS PETERSON / Hungry Horse News

February 14, 2008 11 p.m.

Simple actions help make firefighters safer

I would like to take a moment to both thank you and to also ask a favor of you.

February 14, 2008 11 p.m.

Carnival crew says thanks

The Whitefish Winter Carnival XLIX Parade co-chairwomen Allison Deaver and Nancy Gordley would like to give a special wild West thank yo' to all those who helped the parade to run without a hitch this year.

February 14, 2008 11 p.m.

Kolodejchuk, Houle earn second at State Wrestling Tournament

By JOE SOVA / Hungry Horse News

February 14, 2008 11 p.m.

Had great time visiting here

We want to thank the nice people in Whitefish for a fabulous ski week. Having never skied at Whitefish Mountain Resort, we were apprehensive about finding the right trails and skiing in powder.

February 14, 2008 11 p.m.

David Dearing

David O. Dearing, 53 of Whitefish, fell peacefully asleep at his home in Whitefish on Feb. 5, 2008, and died of natural causes.

February 14, 2008 11 p.m.

Susan L. Newgard, 57

Susan L. Newgard, age 57, passed away peacefully in her sleep at home on Sun. Feb. 10. She was born June 24, 1950 to Kenneth and Pearl (Stearns) Huso. She was raised in Kalispell and a graduate of Flathead High School, in 1968. Much of her childhood was spent at the family farm with grandparents, Buck and Clara Weaver.

February 14, 2008 11 p.m.

Snow collapses carport roof

By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot

February 14, 2008 11 p.m.

Big Creek buried, but Parsons Tractor comes to the rescue

By CHRIS PETERSON / Hungry Horse News

February 14, 2008 11 p.m.

Library tales

The Hungry Horse News office was the location of Columbia Falls Branch Library back in 1946-47.

February 14, 2008 11 p.m.

Margaret Torgerson

Margaret L. Torgerson, 75, passed away Jan. 29, 2008.

February 14, 2008 11 p.m.

Ray to play golf for MSU Bobcats

Whitefish High School senior Chelsea Ray has made a verbal commitment to the Montana State Bobcats as a scholarship golf athlete. While the actual signing date is not until April, Ray decided to move forward with the offer from MSU-Bozeman and become a member of the Bobcat golf team next fall.

February 14, 2008 11 p.m.

Valkyries claim Northwest A conference championship

By FAITH MOLDAN / Bigfork Eagle

February 14, 2008 11 p.m.

Jeannine Ransier

Jeannine Lee Ransier, 77, passed away on Feb. 5, 2008 after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

February 14, 2008 11 p.m.

Lady Bulldogs sweep the Wildkats

By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot

February 14, 2008 11 p.m.

No shortage of help

It has come to my attention that some residents of the Bigfork area believe that we have a lack of community spirit and unity. I beg to differ. For a place of only about 1,500 people, we have a regular volunteer base of about 175 for Tamarack Time! every October since 1988. We have around 60 volunteers for the Riverbend Concert Series — 26 years — plus at least 25 sponsors for the concerts each summer. The Rotary Club has 30-40 members. The Bigfork Boosters have 100 regular members. The Bigfork Steering Committee has 20-50 regular attendees, and even more specific jobs, while the elected Bigfork Land Use Advisory Counciil has seven. The Bigfork School Board has seven members, and the Bigfork Museum Board has 10 members and 270 regular members. The Bigfork Chamber of Commerce has 310 regular members and many attend the monthly Sundowners.

February 14, 2008 11 p.m.

Proposed high school improvements

By Denny Sabo

February 14, 2008 11 p.m.

Bulldogs crush Bigfork at home

By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot

February 14, 2008 11 p.m.

Thanks for the business

As owner of Montana Mom's Espresso and Ice Cream, I would like to thank the communities of Whitefish and Columbia Falls for their support over the last three and a half years.

February 14, 2008 11 p.m.

Garage design wrong

There is a slight omission with regard to public comments on the conceptual design of the proposed downtown parking garage as reported in the Feb. 7 Whitefish Pilot.

February 14, 2008 11 p.m.

Neighborhood Plan meeting garners little comment

By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle

February 14, 2008 11 p.m.

Late surge can't lift Bulldogs over 'Cats

By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot

February 14, 2008 11 p.m.

Local firm to remake river valley

River Design Group will oversee construction of a new Clark Fork River channel east of Missoula

February 14, 2008 11 p.m.

Kats host Polson in regular season finale

By JOE SOVA / Hungry Horse News

February 14, 2008 11 p.m.

Elementary School bond sale OK'd by board

Bigfork Eagle

February 14, 2008 11 p.m.

Cornelia Graham

Cornelia Clack Graham, 95, died peacefully Friday, Feb. 1, 2008, at Kalispell Regional Hospital, after a mild heart attack.

February 14, 2008 11 p.m.

North Fork plan will see some revisions

By CHRIS PETERSON / Hungry Horse News

February 14, 2008 11 p.m.

There's still support for Sun Road

By CHRIS PETERSON / Hungry Horse News

February 14, 2008 11 p.m.

Hungry Horse man dies after gunshot to face

Death of 2-year-old Coram girl 'suspicious'

February 14, 2008 11 p.m.

Vikings falter in second half against Bulldogs

By FAITH MOLDAN

February 14, 2008 11 p.m.

Careful thought went into planning high school bond

In Newton, Mass., a suburb of Boston, ground has been broken for a new high school replacing Newton North High School, a building constructed in 1970.

February 14, 2008 11 p.m.

BHS bond ballots mailed out today

By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle

February 14, 2008 11 p.m.

John Kenny

John Thomas (Tom) Kenny, of Whitefish, passed away Jan. 28, 2008, while wintering in Mesa, Ariz.

February 14, 2008 11 p.m.

Gary Anderson

Gary Anderson, 50, of Havre, died unexpectedly Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008, at his home in Havre.

February 14, 2008 11 p.m.

Comments done right, and wrong

Last week in this space I wrote about reader comment capabilities on the Eagle's and other publications' Web sites and how they add to the conversation between people and the media. No sooner had the column left my desk with the week's pages than I was proved completely right. And wrong.

February 14, 2008 11 p.m.

Bowen signs with Western

Hattie Bowen, the Vals 58 guard has signed a letter of intent to play basketball for the University of Montana Western in Dillon, according to head women's coach Kevin Engellant.Bowen earned all-conference basketball honors her junior year. This year, she averages 11 points and close to five rebounds per game. Bowen also lettered in track her sophomore and junior years.Hattie will be an outstanding addition to our campus and our basketball program, says Engellant. She is a hard worker both in the classroom and on the basketball court. Hattie is athletic, a tremendous shooter, and she comes from great basketball family. She is a gym rat and because of her dedication and love for the game, she will continue to improve her basketball skills.Valkyries coach Nate Hammond said college basketball is a step in the right direction for Bowen.She loves playing so much that college basketball is definitely for her, Hammond said. Shes willing to put in the time to get the reward.From the classroom she was selected to the National Honor Society and earned all-state academic honors. Hattie maintains a 3.8 GPA and is a member of the Biology Club and the service club, Interact. Her UMW major is undecided.I decided to sign with Montana Western because of their very successful program, said Bowen. I feel comfortable with the coaching staff. All around, it feels like a good fit for me.Hammond agreed with Bowen.Its a good school for her to go to. Theyve got a good team and a good coach, he said. Theyve shown a real interest in having her there. It will be a good fit.Bowen, who holds the school record for best free-throw percentage, will graduate this spring. She holds the record with her 81.5-percent free-throw shooting as a junior.

Thursday, February 7

February 7, 2008 11 p.m.

Expert: Housing higher than demand

By HEIDI DESCH / Hungry Horse News

February 7, 2008 11 p.m.

Swan Lake man writes book about early life homesteading near Bigfork

By JACOB DORAN / Bigfork Eagle

February 7, 2008 11 p.m.

Is Bigfork High School taking it too far?

Hello, our names are David and Justin and we are currently Juniors at Bigfork High School. We are writing to you, the community, to let you know of an unacceptable series of events happening at Bigfork Vikings basketball games. This series of events started on Friday, Jan. 18 when the Bigfork Vikings hosted the Libby Loggers. As the minutes wound down in the fourth quarter, a few of our friends and us wanted to see a player go in, Zac Bruer. Zac Bruer is a great friend of ours and we started chanting his nickname "Chubbs." After a while almost the whole student section started chanting his nickname. We chanted for about ten seconds and realized it may be a little early. Our spirit kicked in and we noticed that this "Chubbs" chant was one of the loudest chants all night. A couple of minutes went by and as a crowd we started chanting again. This time, our great friend Zac got put in along with all the other reserve players. It was a harmless chant for one of the members of the Bigfork Vikings basketball team. A little team spirit, but I guess we were wrong.

February 7, 2008 11 p.m.

Rita McDowell

Rita McDowell, 70, a longtime Flathead Valley resident, passed away of natural causes on Jan. 28, 2008 at the Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

February 7, 2008 11 p.m.

Reader comments enrich the paper

For anyone who has ever read a story from a magazine, newspaper or other publication and thought — well, anything — the Internet has provided the perfect outlet.

February 7, 2008 11 p.m.

Jay Stephens, 80

Jay Stephens, 80, passed away on Friday, Feb. 1, 2008 in Whitefish. He was born May 7, 1927, in Wheeling, W.V., to Floyd and Ethel (Henthorn) Stephens.

February 7, 2008 11 p.m.

Bigfork teen out of jail in Ferndale case

Alex Strickland / Bigfork Eagle

February 7, 2008 11 p.m.

BLUAC fills vacant seat, approves Sr. housing

By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle

February 7, 2008 11 p.m.

Vals stifle non-conference foes

By FAITH MOLDAN / Bigfork Eagle

February 7, 2008 11 p.m.

Poor first half costs Cats in loss to Loggers

By CHRIS PETERSON / Hungry Horse News

February 7, 2008 11 p.m.

Bigfork variety show full of talent

By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle

February 7, 2008 11 p.m.

Diabetes can't stop young Whitefish swimmer

By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot

February 7, 2008 11 p.m.

Rollins Fire Dept. gets new ice suits

By JACOB DORAN / Bigfork Eagle

February 7, 2008 11 p.m.

Kats can't stop Mee, Martin in 64-39 league loss to Libby

By JOE SOVA / Hungry Horse News

February 7, 2008 11 p.m.

Somers looking at new growth plan

By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle

February 7, 2008 11 p.m.

Bigfork High School's many deficiencies

By Denny Sabo

February 7, 2008 11 p.m.

Home values will rebound

Merrill Lynch's Jan. 23 report predicting a free-fall in home prices was yet another panic analysis based on faulty assumptions. While home values are adjusting, flattening out or even declining in some markets during the current economic downturn, the long-term outlook for home values remains positive.

February 7, 2008 11 p.m.

A Linderman letter

Most local folks know of the famous Montana pioneer, writer, historian and legislator, Frank Linderman. His books on Indians are classics and some were illustrated by his friend, Charlie Russell.

February 7, 2008 11 p.m.

Funding issues raised for critical areas ordinance

City can't charge fees in the 'doughnut' area

February 7, 2008 11 p.m.

Educators want answers from State about court mandate

By JOE SOVA / Hungry Horse News

February 7, 2008 11 p.m.

Make ordinances affordable

I was not able to attend the last workshop held by Whitefish City Council on Jan. 28, but had I been able, I would have liked to have asked councilor Nick Palmer why he thinks property owners have such deep pockets as to be able to afford $5,000-$10,000 to hire professionals to locate stormwater conveyances on their land?

February 7, 2008 11 p.m.

Lady Bulldogs drop 75 to tame Lions

Showdown looms between No. 2 Whitefish and No. 1 Bigfork tonight

February 7, 2008 11 p.m.

Remembering Lee Metcalf

Lee Metcalf died 30 years ago last month. His life represented political and policy "change," the very thing now being pursued by candidates and voters alike.

February 7, 2008 11 p.m.

Eldora Morrow

Eldora Winifred (Miles) Morrow (Dora), 90, a long-time resident of Whitefish, passed away peacefully on Jan. 31, 2008, at Immanuel Lutheran Nursing Home.

February 7, 2008 11 p.m.

Rena Voss

Rena Mary (Faltrino) Voss, 84, peacefully passed away Jan. 29, 2008, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Kalispell, with family members at her side.

February 7, 2008 11 p.m.

Jay Stephens

Jay Stephens, 80, passed away on Feb. 1, 2008, in Whitefish.

February 7, 2008 11 p.m.

Six Whitefish wrestlers qualify for state tournament in Billings

By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot

February 7, 2008 11 p.m.

Thanks for trails

We had the enjoyment of cross-country skiing at Round Meadows Ski Trail, off of Star Meadows Road this week.

February 7, 2008 11 p.m.

Vikings win two straight

By FAITH MOLDAN / Bigfork Eagle

February 7, 2008 11 p.m.

Public funding for private elections

Primary elections are kind of strange creature; they are neither wholly private nor wholly public affairs. The private aspect is that they are elections in which a political party selects its candidates for offices in the general election; the public part is that the elections are conducted by and paid for by government. It is the public funding of the private event that intrigues me.

February 7, 2008 11 p.m.

City councilor's eligibility questioned

Council gives Martin McGrew two weeks to prove his case in court

February 7, 2008 11 p.m.

Larry Vaughn

Larry Lockhard Vaughn, 56, passed away Saturday, Jan. 26, 2008, at his home in Kila, due to a heart attack.

February 7, 2008 11 p.m.

Glacier Park's budget looks better for '08

By CHRIS PETERSON / Hungry Horse News

February 7, 2008 11 p.m.

Support in 2009

I would like to thank the voters for placing their trust in me by electing me to the House of Representatives in the past 2007 legislative session.

February 7, 2008 11 p.m.

Whitefish special

On Sunday, Jan. 13, we lost our dear friend Dave Gogolak in the Canyon Creek avalanche. Dave's love for his family, his passion for Whitefish and his larger-than-life personality were unmatched. This huge loss has devastated us.

February 7, 2008 11 p.m.

Quintet of Mat Cats qualifies for state

By JOE SOVA / Hungry Horse News

February 7, 2008 11 p.m.

Our entitlement programs in trouble

There is no question: The financial future of our Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security programs are in jeopardy. Those "entitlement programs" will see spending cuts of $208 billion over the next five years, if the 2009 National Budget proposed Monday by President George W. Bush is approved.

February 7, 2008 11 p.m.

Downtown design plans tabled by council

Time needed to digest public comments and meet with all members present