Stories for January 2008

Subscribe

Thursday, January 31

January 31, 2008 11 p.m.

Another view on parking garages

I am writing to share ideas on the proposed parking structure at the corner of Central and Spokane. I have been involved in previous plans to develop the lot just west of Whitefish Middle School and understand some of the dynamics of this proposed project.

January 31, 2008 11 p.m.

Doughnut' residents pack council meeting

By RICHARD HANNERS / Whitefish Pilot

January 31, 2008 11 p.m.

Common sense

Common sense — what is common sense? There has been no common sense since we hired a city manager.

January 31, 2008 11 p.m.

Cats finding the groove, beat Big Sky, Bigfork

By CHRIS PETERSON / Hungry Horse News

January 31, 2008 11 p.m.

Summer playhouse actor directs BCPT production

By Jacob Doran / Bigfork Eagle

January 31, 2008 11 p.m.

Downtown prepping for Valentine's Day

By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle

January 31, 2008 11 p.m.

Smith wins Big Mountain ski climb

The first-ever ski-mountaineering race at Whitefish Mountain Resort took place on Saturday as part of a national championship race series.

January 31, 2008 11 p.m.

Lady Bulldogs narrowly defeat Libby

By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot

January 31, 2008 11 p.m.

Contentious zoning

Residential, commercial and industrial development in Bigfork is guided by the 1993 Bigfork Neighborhood Plan, a legal document, which is utilized by the Bigfork Land Use Advisory Committee (BLUAC) when considering applications for development in our community. The residents of Bigfork donated $20,000 to fund the development of the new Neighborhood Plan, and hundreds of citizens volunteered thousands of hours to create a new plan that will guide the growth of Bigfork for the next 20 years. It is anticipated that the new Neighborhood Plan soon will be adopted by the County.

January 31, 2008 11 p.m.

Two Bigfork teens arrested in Ferndale homicide

By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle

January 31, 2008 11 p.m.

Weather or not

As a teenager I was active in the Boy Scouts and as such was no stranger to camping in some of the south's many fine state parks and other outward areas.

January 31, 2008 11 p.m.

Control sprawl

One can understand rural property owners within Whitefish's "doughnut" sphere of influence objecting to city control on zoning and growth, but in reality this happens all the time.

January 31, 2008 11 p.m.

Mat Cats topple Loggers; head to Divisional tournament

By JOE SOVA / Hungry Horse News

January 31, 2008 11 p.m.

The Danny On tale

It doesn't seem like 29 years since we lost Danny On. There are still times when I catch myself thinking for a split second, "Maybe I'll run into Danny today." Used to run into him often. Any place with great natural beauty, flowers, wildlife or skiing was a good place to find Danny On; places like Banff, Grand Teton, the Bob Marshal Wilderness, but his favorite place was Glacier Park. You might see him during a storm on Boulder Pass or sitting in the sun beside Natahki Lake.

January 31, 2008 11 p.m.

Bernadette Good

Bernadette Ann "Bernie" Good, 84, of Kalispell, "went home to be with the Lord" on Jan. 23, 2008.

January 31, 2008 11 p.m.

A voice for newspaper

I started out my career in radio at a small station on a big hill that was run by a guy named Kevin.

January 31, 2008 11 p.m.

William James "Bill" Hull, 82

William James "Bill" Hull, of Bigfork, Montana, passed away on Monday, January 21, 2008 at his home. He was born in Union, Utah on March 19, 1925 the son of Albert and Ivy (James) Hull.

January 31, 2008 11 p.m.

Downtown projects raise concerns

By RICHARD HANNERS / Whitefish Pilot

January 31, 2008 11 p.m.

Heart of Whitefish supports the downtown plan

The Heart of Whitefish Board would like to address some concerns and clarify some misunderstandings of a few members of the downtown business district regarding the Downtown Infrastructure Improvements including the Central Avenue project.

January 31, 2008 11 p.m.

Kats fall to Big Sky, Bigfork

By JOE SOVA / Hungry Horse News

January 31, 2008 11 p.m.

Critical areas ordinance on fast track

Council addresses staff recommendations on bike paths and steep slopes

January 31, 2008 11 p.m.

Long-term outlook for home values positive

To the editor,

January 31, 2008 11 p.m.

Columbia Falls wins third straight State Speech and Debate Meet title

By JOE SOVA / Hungry Horse News

January 31, 2008 11 p.m.

Holt dominates at Soldier Hollow

The Glacier Nordic Ski Team traveled to the 2002 Olympic venue at Soldier Hollow, Utah, on Jan. 18-19 for elite cross-country ski races.

January 31, 2008 11 p.m.

Vikings fall to Wildcats, Pirates

by FAITH MOLDAN

January 31, 2008 11 p.m.

Stella Matt

Stella V. (LoPresti) Matt, 87, of Pawling, N.Y., and more recently of Newburyport, Mass., passed away Jan. 22, 2008, at Anna Jaques Hospital in Newburyport.

January 31, 2008 11 p.m.

Vals stay on top of Northwest A conference

By FAITH MOLDAN / Bigfork Eagle

January 31, 2008 11 p.m.

Bigfork's Twin Towers

by FAITH MOLDAN - Bigfork Eagle

January 31, 2008 11 p.m.

Park visitation in 2007 more than 2 million

By CHRIS PETERSON / Hungry Horse News

January 31, 2008 11 p.m.

Thanks for the help

Providing dog beds for the Flathead County Animal Shelter has been a mission of the heart. The success of the project has resulted in 65 Kuranda Dog Beds and 22 fleece pads (that fit the beds) being donated to the shelter.

January 31, 2008 11 p.m.

Bulldogs rally past Loggers on the road

By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot

January 31, 2008 11 p.m.

Sun Road reconstruction estimate skyrockets by $130 million

The estimate to reconstruct the Going-to-the-Sun Road has gone up by $100 to $130 million, Glacier Park officials said Tuesday.

January 31, 2008 11 p.m.

BSC hosting neighborhood plan workshop meeting next week

By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle

January 31, 2008 11 p.m.

Family speaks out on child's death

By HEIDI DESCH / Hungry Horse News

Thursday, January 24

January 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Speech/debate team racks up third straight Divisional title

Make it three consecutive Divisional Tournament titles for the Columbia Falls Speech and Debate team.

January 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Anthony Kollmann, 19

Anthony Kollmann, 19, passed away on Sunday, January 13, 2008 doing what he loved, extreme downhill skiing in Canyon Creek Drainage, Fiberglass Hill near Columbia Falls, Montana. He was born on June 4, 1988 in Rapid City, South Dakota to Robert and Laurie (Rathman) Kollmann.

January 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Remembering Lee Metcalf

Was Lyndon B. Johnson a horse's behind? Lee Metcalf was among those who thought so. I'll tell you about that.

January 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Parents thankful to community

The past four days have been the four darkest, saddest and most agonizing in the lives of the Gogolak family.

January 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Mat Cats outscore Bulldogs, lose to Polson, Ronan

By JOE SOVA / Hungry Horse News

January 24, 2008 11 p.m.

A greater Whitefish in the public's best interest

The people of the greater Whitefish area are united in our love for the land and water. From Happy Valley to Big Mountain, around the lake and all along the Whitefish range, we share a common bond. We love our hills, lakes and streams. We are truly grateful to the heart of downtown, to aquatic centers, ice rinks, theaters and the skate parks.

January 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Shirley Hull

Shirley J. Hull, 82, passed away on Jan. 13, 2008, at Heritage Place in Kalispell.

January 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Bus 22, we loved you

By HEIDI DESCH / Hungry Horse News

January 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Margaret Gordon

Margaret Ann "Toots" Gordon, 72, passed away peacefully on Jan. 8, 2008, at the Colonial Manor in Whitefish. She was born in Milwaukee, Wis., on Nov. 26, 1935.

January 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Behaving badly

By Don Loranger

January 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Bailey Lake home destroyed by early morning fire Tuesday

A fire completely destroyed a home at Bailey Lake about 1 a.m. Tuesday.

January 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Ladies give Bravettes a scare

By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot

January 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Avalanche area reopened

By RICHARD HANNERS

January 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Urgent Care clinic comes to Bigfork

By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle

January 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Local business highlights native art

By JACOB DORAN / Bigfork Eagle

January 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Adults can have second chance at upcoming Bigfork Community Prom

By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle

January 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Democracy triumphs

An unusually hardworking and knowledgeable Whitefish councilman has been re-seated with the solid support of the newspapers, the court and, most importantly, the voters from both sides of the aisle.

January 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Grizzlies need protection

Although I have on occasion locked horns in the past with Vic Workman, I find myself in agreement as to how he handled the November 2007 incident with a grizzly bear and that his remarks were unfairly criticized.

January 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Lakeside readies for annual Winterfest

By JACOB DORAN / Bigfork Eagle

January 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Backwards on bears

To the editor,

January 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Vikings struggle at home

By FAITH MOLDAN / Bigfork Eagle

January 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Bigfork Elementary School work under way

Bigfork Eagle

January 24, 2008 11 p.m.

JV Vals split road games; Vikes hit fourgame skid

By FAITH MOLDAN / Bigfork Eagle

January 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Cats post wins over Eureka, Glacier; girls top Eureka, fall to GHS

By CHRIS PETERSON / Hungry Horse News

January 24, 2008 11 p.m.

No shortage of issues this winter

Winter in Bigfork, I was told, is a slow, slow time in the village. As the clouds seal in Flathead Valley for a long winter's nap, the citizens of this tiny hamlet were supposed to sit on their laurels, saving big decisions for warmer months.

January 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Transportation plan: A hard road to hoe

Developing a logical grid system could be difficult, residents still want a bypass

January 24, 2008 11 p.m.

CF Baseball Association's future could be in jeopardy

By JOE SOVA / Hungry Horse News

January 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Rookies welcome for skijoring

By OLIVIA KOERNIG / Whitefish Pilot

January 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Downtown plan raises concerns

As a downtown merchant and proprietress of Montana Territory, I feel it necessary to state my position on the Whitefish Downtown Infrastructure Improvement Project, reinforcing my concerns submitted at the meeting held Jan. 8.

January 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Animal shelter thanks

Providing Dog Beds for the Flathead County Animal Shelter has been a mission of the heart. The success of the project has resulted in 65 Kuranda Dog Beds and 22 Fleece Pads (that fit the beds) being donated to the Shelter. To these wonderful, caring sponsors (and to the many who shared special animal stories with me as they were writing their checks):

January 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Water adjudication starting in Flathead

By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle

January 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Developers submit plans for Hungry Horse subdivision

By CHRIS PETERSON / Hungry Horse News

January 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Anthony Kollmann

Anthony Kollmann, 19, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 13, 2008 doing what he loved, extreme downhill skiing in Canyon Creek Drainage on Fiberglass Hill near Columbia Falls. He was born on June 4, 1988 in Rapid City, S.D. to Robert and Laurie (Rathman) Kollmann.

January 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Pirates get swamped in the "Dawg Pound"

By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot

January 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Window shopping for new president

News about the presidential caucuses are flooding America this month as we inch closer to Super Tuesday. Not that many years ago, there was a Super Sunday, but not a Super Tuesday. On Tuesday, Feb. 5, a plethora of caucuses will be held as states decide who will represent the Republican and Democratic parties in the primary election — including Montana. When I was a young man, there was campaigning geared toward the primary in August. We're seven months ahead of that pace now.

January 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Environmental mischief

If I understand Jan Metz-maker's recent letter to the Pilot correctly, she made the following points:

January 24, 2008 11 p.m.

Valkyries win nail-biters over Libby, Flathead

By FAITH MOLDAN / Bigfork Eagle

January 24, 2008 11 p.m.

$100 reward for animal abuse

On a very cold morning last week, someone left a mother cat and her four kittens in a closed box next to the Dumpster behind the Whitefish Credit Union office. Fortunately, Sue Schenck went out to empty the trash and heard the cats crying. One kitten was found dead and the remaining were suffering from the cold.

Thursday, January 17

January 17, 2008 11 p.m.

City studies 'doughnut' representation

Regulation without representation angers county residents in area

January 17, 2008 11 p.m.

Wildcats top 'Dogs, edged by Ronan

By CHRIS PETERSON - Hungry Horse News

January 17, 2008 11 p.m.

Turned away in effort to help at avalanche scene

To the editor,

January 17, 2008 11 p.m.

Jason Crayne

Jason Lea Crayne, 20, left this world on Dec. 31, 2007.

January 17, 2008 11 p.m.

Forecast for local economy: Sunny

This week I was thinking about writing about politics and the presidential nominating process. But I'm still trying to sort out the candidates and decide who will get my vote come November. So let's get back to something of more local importance, at least early in 2008, and that is the economy.

January 17, 2008 11 p.m.

Martin City home destroyed by fire

A Martin City man is homeless after his trailer home was gutted by a fire Tuesday morning.

January 17, 2008 11 p.m.

MCT plays show staying power

By HEIDI DESCH - Hungry Horse News

January 17, 2008 11 p.m.

Whitefish is not a corporation

Recently, I was having a political conversation with someone I had never before discussed politics. As we were talking about some of the issues facing Whitefish, they repeated "Whitefish is a $27 million corporation" to me several times during the conversation. This person went on to criticize how our current city government was running the show.

January 17, 2008 11 p.m.

Norma Mae (Hoyt) Young, 69

January 10th, 1938 - January 9th, 2008.

January 17, 2008 11 p.m.

Nelson named coach of year

Whitefish High School golf coach Terry Nelson was recently selected Coach of the Year for Class A girls golf by the Montana Coaches Association.

January 17, 2008 11 p.m.

Garbage can language

A sign of the times is a story last week from St. Charles, Mo. The City Council is considering a bill to ban swearing in bars along with profane music. The leaders of that St. Louis suburb contend such an ordinance is needed to help police in controlling rowdy, dirty-talking crowds. They are trying to keep their town a "decent place to live." The dirty talkers say such a law may be against their civil rights. They are probably right. Quality of a person's speech is a matter of intelligence, taste, and manners… not laws.

January 17, 2008 11 p.m.

Hillary's death the end of an era

The news of Sir Edmund Hillary's death spread quickly from Auckland, New Zealand to the rest of the world on Thursday, a testament to a man who's fame and regard has no counterpart in our country.

January 17, 2008 11 p.m.

Sidewalk clutter

I attended the Downtown Infrastructure Update meeting on Dec. 12, 2007. One of the objects of the Central Avenue project is to make the sidewalks more "pedestrian friendly," mainly by widening the sidewalks and thus narrowing the driving lanes.

January 17, 2008 11 p.m.

Roberta Sullivan

Roberta ‘Robbie’ McAfee Sullivan, 61, passed away peacefully early Jan. 10, 2008, in the company of friends and family after a short and valiant battle with cancer.

January 17, 2008 11 p.m.

Let the dust settle, and get involved

Anyone who has served on the Whitefish City Council or one of the more controversial local boards for any length of time has learned that you do it out of commitment and caring for the community — not for a personal agenda. In that regard, the retiring members of city council deserve the gratitude of the community, including those who may have opposed some of their decisions.

January 17, 2008 11 p.m.

U.S. 93 is not Main Street

During the recent meeting concerning the Riverdale Neighborhood Plan, one of the Flathead County Commissioners stated, “I’m going to have to take the position that the 93 corridor is where you have business operations.”

January 17, 2008 11 p.m.

Lady Bulldogs bite 'Kats

Whitefish Pilot

January 17, 2008 11 p.m.

Situational election politics

I have decided that I would like to run for the Whitefish City Council. I say this because even though I do not live in the city but pay Whitefish school district taxes, I spend 75 percent of my time at my business in Whitefish.

January 17, 2008 11 p.m.

David Gogolak

David Gogolak, (lovingly known as Gogo), 36, of Whitefish, formerly of San Francisco and Darien, Conn., died Jan. 13, 2008.

January 17, 2008 11 p.m.

Stephen Wood

Former Flathead Valley resident Stephen B. Wood passed away of natural causes on Jan. 2, 2008, in Cheyenne, Wyo.

January 17, 2008 11 p.m.

Watershed group meets next week

By ALEX STRICKLAND - Bigfork Eagle

January 17, 2008 11 p.m.

Political protests cost taxpayers

The lights came on and the cockroaches are scurrying for cover. It appears there are a few individuals who cannot seem to distance themselves far enough from the ill-conceived and poorly executed attempt to unseat Whitefish city councilor John Muhlfeld.

January 17, 2008 11 p.m.

Razing the bar: Chumley's Double Eagle bar on Electric is coming down

By ALEX STRICKLAND - Bigfork Eagle

January 17, 2008 11 p.m.

Bigfork Thrift Store closing its doors

By ALEX STRICKLAND

January 17, 2008 11 p.m.

Bigfork drops to 4-6 overall

By FAITH MOLDAN Bigfork Eagle

January 17, 2008 11 p.m.

Margaret Black, matriarch of St. Mary, dies at 105

By CHRIS PETERSON - Hungry Horse News

January 17, 2008 11 p.m.

Avalanche behind Big Mountain claims two lives

By RICHARD HANNERS and DAVID ERICKSON - For the Bigfork Eagle

January 17, 2008 11 p.m.

Easement preserves Johnston estate

By CHRIS PETERSON - Hungry Horse News

January 17, 2008 11 p.m.

School bond thoughts

A number of voters in Bigfork School District 38 have considered a different option to deal with the shortcomings of the existing Bigfork school facilities. School Bonds historically seem to have been expensive band aids that have not, and will not, resolve the problems of aging facilities that are geographically poorly located.

January 17, 2008 11 p.m.

Free throws doom Bulldogs vs. C-Falls

By DAVID ERICKSON - Whitefish Pilot

January 17, 2008 11 p.m.

Avalanche claims two local skiers

By RICHARD HANNERS and DAVID ERICKSON - Whitefish Pilot

January 17, 2008 11 p.m.

Hader, Houle lead Mat Cats at Missoula

By JOE SOVA - Hungry Horse News

January 17, 2008 11 p.m.

Joseph Archer

Joseph Harry Archer, 91, passed away Thursday, Jan. 9, 2008 at the Montana Veterans' Home in Columbia Falls. He was born on May 24, 1916 in Eureka to Jim and Hanna (Webb) Archer.

January 17, 2008 11 p.m.

Game officials dispatch Canyon moose

By RICHARD HANNERS - Whitefish Pilot

January 17, 2008 11 p.m.

Valkyries stay strong on road

By FAITH MOLDAN - Bigfork Eagle

January 17, 2008 11 p.m.

Rose Housky

Rose Housky, 82, of Whitefish passed away at Brendan House on Jan. 2, 2008, after a brief but courageous battle with cancer.

January 17, 2008 11 p.m.

Applauds Muhlfeld

John Muhlfeld is a man of integrity, experience and knowledge. His commitment to clean water is an asset to our town during this time of growth and change.

January 17, 2008 11 p.m.

Kats trip Maidens, fall to Whitefish

By JOE SOVA - Hungry Horse News

January 17, 2008 11 p.m.

Missoula couple dies after canoe capsizes off Wild Horse Island

By ETHAN SMITH - for the Bigfork Eagle

January 17, 2008 11 p.m.

Perkins responds to accusations

By JACOB DORAN - Bigfork Eagle

Thursday, January 10

January 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Valkyrie JV beats out Wolfpack, Trotters; JV Vikings record seventh straight win

By FAITH MOLDAN - Bigfork Eagle

January 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Judge rules in favor of councilor

'PAC of one' had no standing to bring case in first place, but could pay for fees

January 10, 2008 11 p.m.

It's time to change how Americans vote

I? 1952, Sen. Estes Kefau-ver defeated President Harry Truman in the New Hampshire primary with the momentous result that Truman announced he would not seek re-election.

January 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Vikes split road games

By FAITH MOLDAN - Bigfork Eagle

January 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Glacier s bull trout are on the ropes

By CHRIS PETERSON - Hungry Horse News

January 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Wild-'life expectancy'

A huge bighorn ram is featured for the month of December in the 2008 calendar I did for KOFI. While discussing that picture with friends last week, one of the guys asked me how old rams can get. I said, "I can't remember." My friend said, "Well! Several years back you wrote about wildlife ages. You should remember that." I felt a little embarrassed but not much. It did eat on me enough that I spent last weekend searching, while trying to watch what seemed like a hundred football games. Finally I found it:

January 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Cats claw Loggers, Pirates; go to 3-0 in NW A

By CHRIS PETERSON - Hungry Horse News

January 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Robert Holcomb

Robert George Holcomb, 82, passed away on Friday, Dec. 28, 2007 at Crestwood Convalescent Home in Sequim, Wash. He was born on Nov. 16, 1925 in Bismarck, N.D., the son of George and Maggie (Hall) Holcomb. He was the 11th child of 13 and was the last surviving sibling.

January 10, 2008 11 p.m.

The readers have the reins

Whenever a young journalist heads into a job interview there is almost always a trick question on the way. Intimidated by an editor or publisher, the job candidate squirms a bit as questions concerning ethics or hypothetical situations are answered by the book. Finally, the interviewer asks this: "Who do you work for?"

January 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Turnovers, poor shooting plague Wildkats in losses

By JOE SOVA - Hungry Horse News

January 10, 2008 11 p.m.

BSC hoping for high turnout at workshop

By ALEX STRICKLAND - Bigfork Eagle

January 10, 2008 11 p.m.

School Bond thoughts

There appear to be a number of voters in School District 38 who wonder whether all the options have been considered to deal with the shortcomings of the existing facilities. Many feel that more specific educational issues should be addressed in order to justify the amount of money that has been requested.

January 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Moose clashes with snowcats

Hazing would precede "last resort" action of removal

January 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Kolodejchuk leads Mat Cats to seventh place at Cut Bank

By JOE SOVA - Hungry Horse News

January 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Taking the Plunge

The water was warm — compared to the air, when throngs of people jumped into Flathead Lake as part of an annual winter ritual. The Raven Bar & Grill in Woods Bay played host to the craziness again this year. Can someone get me a towel?

January 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Montana to Madagascar

Hungry Horse man talks of life in an island country (and why he's going back)

January 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Shameful tactics used by political action committee

John Muhlfeld has been an outstanding city councilor. He won this election with 75 percent of the vote, which shows how much Whitefish voters value his public service. Rick Blake and his anonymous friends should respect the voters' decision.

January 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Trick is a Treat

A virtually new truck is just what the doctor ordered for cancer survivor

January 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Parrs take 2nd, 4th at sled race

Butch Parr, a longtime Whitefish resident who now lives near Olney, took second place in the 12-dog race at the first Flathead Sled Dog Days race at Whitefish Lake.

January 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Crittenden places 6th at wrestling meet

By DAVID ERICKSON - Whitefish Pilot

January 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Ferndale man died of gunshot wounds

Bigfork Eagle

January 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Fire guts home on Alpine Drive

BFD responding to increased number of chimney fires

January 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Swan Lakers put freeze on condo project

By JACOB DORAN - Bigfork Eagle

January 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Ski patroller wouldn't give up, despite deep snow and darkness

By RICHARD HANNERS - Whitefish Pilot

January 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Sharon Kempe

Sharon Annear Baker Kempe, 62, was called home by her Lord on Dec. 23, 2007.

January 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Doralia Moon Anderson

Doralia "Lia" Ann Moon Anderson, 36, beautiful daughter, mother, wife and friend, passed away unexpectedly Dec. 30, 2007, at the Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

January 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Avalanche scene evacuated due to unstable snow mass

The scene of the avalanche that claimed the lives of two Flathead Valley backcountry skiers on Sunday was evacuated Wednesday morning, as well as the route to the site, according to the Flathead County Sheriff's Office. Tuesday's storm left an additional eight to 14 inches of snow in the area. The high winds associated with the storm caused heavy loading to the already unstable snow mass. The avalanche level was upgraded to "high" by the U.S. Forest Service Glacier Country Avalanche Center on Tuesday.

January 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Clyde "Colin" Lewis Wilson, IV, 24

Clyde "Colin" Lewis Wilson, IV, 24 , of Bigfork, MT died at his home on Dec. 31, 2007.

January 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Community helps family cope with losing it all

By ALEX STRICKLAND - Bigfork Eagle

January 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Bulldogs can't overcome Braves' early lead

By DAVID ERICKSON - Whitefish Pilot

January 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Criticism of handling stream setbacks unfair

To the editor,

January 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Special interests trying to subvert election

I just wanted to take a moment, just in case you're unaware, to bring you up to speed on recent disturbing developments related to our ability to guide and direct the future growth of our rapidly changing town.

January 10, 2008 11 p.m.

John Suzawith

Retired Snowmass, Colo., ski patroller and noted local musician John Suzawith, 61, died of natural causes Nov. 30, 2007, in Clifton, Colo.

January 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Doggone life lessons

There are a few things I learned in 2007 that maybe I didn't know before the year started.

January 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Bigfork records highs, lows for season at home

By FAITH MOLDAN - Bigfork Eagle

January 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Great sled race

On behalf of all of the mushers that participated in the Flathead Sled Dog Race this last weekend, we would like to thank all of the sponsors, the volunteers and, most of all, the organizers — Sean, Brooke and Katie.

January 10, 2008 11 p.m.

Whitefish ladies battle the Bravettes

By DAVID ERICKSON - Whitefish Pilot

Thursday, January 3

January 3, 2008 11 p.m.

Wildfires top 2007 stories

Wildfires topped the news for northern Flathead County in 2007, and by the end of the fire season about a dozen fires has burned timber in the Bob Marshall Wilderness. The Chippy Creek fire was the largest in the state and burned nearly 100,000 acres. The Ahorn and Fool Creek fires burned a swath through a combined 110,000 acres of forest land. The Skyland Fire, south of Marias Pass, spent some time rated as the top priority in the nation after it went from a few hundred acres to more than 16,000 acres is about a week.

January 3, 2008 11 p.m.

Fire season is top story of 2007

Controversial stormwater ordinance a close second

January 3, 2008 11 p.m.

Man's death ruled accidental

The death of a man at a home near Columbia Falls has been ruled accidental.

January 3, 2008 11 p.m.

Respect your pets

I can keep silent no longer. Is there a prerequisite for those pickup drivers who own dogs that they need be uncompassionate, ignorant human beings?

January 3, 2008 11 p.m.

Creepy politics

The recent actions by Common Sense in Whitefish Government and its founder, Rick Blake, are disappointing and downright creepy.

January 3, 2008 11 p.m.

Unaffordable housing

Finding affordable housing difficult. It is shameful that Flathead County has allowed this problem to arise. I watched houses that are not newly built go from reasonable to “you want how much?”

January 3, 2008 11 p.m.

Man dead in Ferndale incident

Bigfork Eagle

January 3, 2008 11 p.m.

City will unveil draft transportation plan

Population growth could make city's congested streets even worse

January 3, 2008 11 p.m.

Big Sky player of the week

Johanna Closson, a graduate of Whitefish High School and a senior forward for the University of Montana's Lady Griz basketball team, was named the Big Sky Conference Player of the Week, the league office announced Monday. The Player of the Week honor is the first of Closson's career. On Dec. 28, she scored a season-best 20 points against the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos. She stepped up after junior forward Britney Lohman was benched after being charged with a DUI earlier in the week. Closson scored 17 points against Mississippi on Dec. 30. She averaged 17.0 points per game on 60.9 percent shooting and was named the Lady Griz Holiday Classic tournament's MVP. Closson is third on the team in both scoring (9.8 ppg) and rebounding (5.2 rpg) and leads Montana with 23 steals. She is shooting 45.1 percent from the field, 50.0 percent from 3-point range and 81.3 percent from the free throw line.

January 3, 2008 11 p.m.

PAC questions councilor's residency

Detective agency hired to find out where Muhlfeld lived 60 days prior to election

January 3, 2008 11 p.m.

Work wrapping up at marina

By Jacob Doran - Bigfork Eagle

January 3, 2008 11 p.m.

Don't expect an early tax refund this year

Talking to my car insurance agent last week gave me some insight into tax time. That's a good time for people who will get money back from the Internal Revenue Service and want to file quickly. It's not a good time for people who must dig out all their receipts for purchases that are deductible so they don't have to pay so much income tax.

January 3, 2008 11 p.m.

The Year in Sports

By DAVID ERICKSON/Whitefish Pilot

January 3, 2008 11 p.m.

Dwain Rose

Dwain Rose, of Rifle, Colo., passed away peacefully Dec. 26, 2007.

January 3, 2008 11 p.m.

Wreath scam

Thanks to all who did not ask for the money back for the wreaths.

January 3, 2008 11 p.m.

No takers for BLUAC spot

ALEX STRICKLAND-Bigfork Eagle

January 3, 2008 11 p.m.

Musher ready for 100-mile race

By DAVID ERICKSON - Whitefish Pilot

January 3, 2008 11 p.m.

Louis Church

Louis Albert Church, 43, passed away Thursday, Dec. 27, 2007 at home — surrounded by his loving family after a courageous 12-year battle beginning with leukemia and the resulting in immunosuppression from his bone marrow transplant.

January 3, 2008 11 p.m.

Flathead Sled Dog Days race starts Saturday

Twenty-nine sled dog teams are lined up for the first Flathead Sled Dog Days race north of Whitefish this weekend, Jan. 4-6.

January 3, 2008 11 p.m.

Simultaneous flushing of 10,000 toilets

Mayor of the town near Phoenix where the Super Bowl will be played on Feb. 3 has politely declined the chance for a "special ticket price." She says she can't afford 'em. What was the offer? Only $900 for a "fairly good" location. I have been told that some seats near mid-field are going for over $10,000 each. Reading about that makes us regular folks wonder, "Who buys all those tens of thousands of tickets?"

January 3, 2008 11 p.m.

Charles Reeder

Charles Thomas Reeder, 79, a retired geologist who was a member of Whitefish United Methodist Church since moving to Whitefish 12 years ago, died at home of natural causes on Dec. 22, 2007.

January 3, 2008 11 p.m.

The 2007 'year in review': Second half of sports, outdoors

? The Bigfork All-star team finished fourth overall at the tournament. The Bigfork All-stars finished their season one game shy of going to state. The team won the Last Chance Tournament in Kalispell July 28-29.

January 3, 2008 11 p.m.

Doughnut politics

The story about Whitefish City Councilor John Muhlfeld’s residency fails to point out a glaring irony in that people who live outside of the city of Whitefish, but have a Whitefish address, do not get to vote on issues that affect them.

January 3, 2008 11 p.m.

The barber pole is issue here

This letter is of my own opinion. I understand Melissa Franklin’s love for her barber pole. It has been a symbol of the barbering trade worldwide for more than five centuries. I would think she would have gotten a barber’s license to begin with.

January 3, 2008 11 p.m.

Herbert Callies

Herbert Emil Callies, 92, passed away Dec. 20, 2007, at his home at Riverside Senior Living in Whitefish.

January 3, 2008 11 p.m.

Glacier's Web site gives skinny on ski trails

By CHRIS PETERSON - Hungry Horse News

January 3, 2008 11 p.m.

City Court has new hours

Columbia Falls City Court has new hours for 2008. Regular hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

January 3, 2008 11 p.m.

Visit brings renewed perspective

Well you can all take a deep breath and rest easy; my Southern family is no longer driving the roads in the Flathead Valley. Actually that statement isn't totally fair, as it was my Montana-born girlfriend who's car got stuck and not my Arkansas-raised father in his tank-like SUV. I'll hand it to him, though. I saw plenty of people who's license plates started with "7" that were doing a far worse job during last weeks snows.

January 3, 2008 11 p.m.

Planning needed for 'new towns' on U.S. Hwy 93

It should be obvious to everyone now that the commercial expansion on the north side of Kalispell has far outpaced our highway's ability to handle the normal flow of automobile and truck traffic and is causing a bottleneck as lengthy as all the stores that stretch alongside the roadway, plus an additional and painful backup during high-volume times of day.