Thursday, July 31
Energy independence and forest health
By Jim Elliot
Visit to Ekalaka, Plevna enjoyed
Two of my favorite towns are Ekalaka and Plevna and we visit these communities each time I go to Baker. We claim Baker is located in West Dakota as it is just 50 miles from the North Dakota border.
Club championship tourney coming up
The annual Club Cham-pionship Tournament is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 9-10.
Supports 24/7 firefighters
We understand that the Whitefish Fire Department currently is not a 24-hour department, but its members are on call at night and respond from their individual homes to the station. They then determine what equipment and apparatus are appropriate for the current emergency.
Iraq vets fly-fishing back to health
Project Healing Waters helps disabled veterans recover from emotional and physical wounds
CEO Holley optimistic about Plum Creek's future
By CHRIS PETERSON / Hungry Horse News
Decoy patrol car proves 'Lucky' for Lakeside
By JACOB DORAN / Bigfork Eagle
Bigfork Schools working to retain stormwater
By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle
Marjorie Birky
Marjorie Eula (Lais) Birky, age 83, passed away on Wednesday, July 23, 2008 at her home in Kalispell. She was born March 1, 1925, in Hubbard, Ore., to Daniel and Ellen (Egli) Lais.
Festival of the Arts hits Bigfork Saturday
By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle
Cherry harvest in full swing around Flathead Lake
By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle
Likes helicopters
Whack? Whack?
Land, water conservation bond supported
To the editor,
Guns in parks is pandering
The proposal of several U.S. Senators to allow transporting of firearms in national parks is political pandering to the National Rifle Association. Common-sense citizens should voice their objections to these changes to the National Park Service before the Aug. 5 deadline. Send Sens. Max Baucus and Jon Tester a copy.
Who's calling?
By CHRIS PETERSON / Hungry Horse News
Twins give Lakers a scare, end with a win
By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot
Label company keeping right on track
Total Label USA adds capacity but feeling economic downturn
'Urinetown' is musical satire not to be taken seriously
By Jacob Doran / Bigfork Eagle
Ferndale family sets world float record
By JORDAN DAWSON / Bigfork Eagle
3-on-3 hoop tourney champions crowned
Champions in four male divisions and three female divisions were crowned at the conclusion of the 3-on-3 Heritage Days basketball tournament on the asphalt in uptown Columbia Falls last weekend.
Baffling might solve A/C noise problems
By RICHARD HANNERS / Whitefish Pilot
Obituaries
Gary Byron Lee, 69
Living by the lake, and the mountains, and the rivers
Here in Western Montana we suffer from an embarrassment of riches. Flathead Lake. Glacier National Park. The Swan Mountains. The Mission Mountains. Multiple brewing companies. The list goes on and on.
City signs on to county 911 dispatch plan
But insists funding and governance issues must be resolved within two years
Hail to the chief
Bigfork says good-bye to Joe Nelson
City claims ice cream art violates sign ordinance
By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot
Gaylon "Lum" Owens
Gaylon "Lum" Owens, 73, a lifelong Kalispell resident and businessman, passed away July 19, 2008, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center, surrounded by his loving family.
State tourney went great
As president of Glacier Babe Ruth, I want to take this time to thank everyone in the community who has supported our baseball athletes. The state tournament was a success and it couldn't have been without you as a community.
Griz attack samples
Newspaper readers are exposed to quite a few opinions from amateur grizzly bear "experts," from moderately knowledgeable "experts" and occasionally from professional "experts." There are still things nobody truly understands about North America's largest and most powerful carnivores. I'm not any kind of expert, but I am an interested observer. I do trust officially tested "bear repellent."
Glacier Prep pulls off huge comeback win
Team rallies to upset Calgary at regional Babe Ruth Tournament, fall to Kelso, Wash., on Tuesday
Junior Academy at Eagle Bend gets kids on the green
By JORDAN DAWSON / Bigfork Eagle
Track coach still inspires former athletes
By JORDAN DAWSON / Bigfork Eagle
Nystuen, Brown, Grossman, Cowan win Boogie titles
By JOE SOVA / Hungry Horse News
Local couple competes at Rebecca Farm
By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot
Thursday, July 24
Speedboat races don't disappoint
By JORDAN DAWSON / Bigfork Eagle
When junk is someone's treasure
Quirkiness and old-Montana values raised in defense against city decay ordinance
Committee looking for questions on resort tax
By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle
Columbia Falls man injured in rollover
Medical personnel and Bad Rock fire work to extricate Roddy Hill, 18, of Columbia Falls from his pickup truck after it rear-ended another pickup on Highway 206 on Thursday. Chris Peterson photo.
Dennis Young
Dennis G. Young, 56, Hungry Horse, passed away Sunday, July 13, 2008. He was born Sept. 15, 1951 in Modesto, Calif., to Bill and Edna Young.
Lake in good shape, despite potential for trouble
By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle
Radio Waves Regatta comes to Polson
By Ali Bronsdon / Leader Staff
Flathead summer going full tilt
Plenty of road construction, old men in Bermuda shorts and car after car with Canadian license plates driving blissfully unaware that we here in America count our speed in miles per hour rather than kilometers. Yes, it's summer at last.
Glacier Prep All-Stars win state
Team fights out of loser bracket to win extra-inning thriller in front of a packed house
CFST fifth at Shelby Invitational
The Columbia Falls Swim Team (CFST) finished fifth in the Shelby Invitational over the weekend. The Shelby Water Otters took the team title, scoring 1,217 points. Conrad was second with 677, followed by Fort Benton with 589, Cut Bank 577.5, Columbia Falls 569, Chester 441.5, Bitterroot 409, Chinook 220, Sunburst 157, Choteau 140 and Lewistown 89.
Lee Rost
Lee Rost, 77, passed away July 14, 2008, at his home in Bigfork.
It's time for 24/7 services
Since you elected me mayor, there have been and will continue to be many issues to deal with. As you know, many have differing points of view and opinions. In many cases, there are controversial processes and outcomes. All of these problems, we will work through. However, there is one issue that has come to my attention that we cannot ignore and we cannot continue the way we have in the past; nor should this item be a candidate for controversy.
Glacier rejects bombing snow chutes near rail tracks
By CHRIS PETERSON / Hungry Horse News
Gravel pits and the spin machine
When Rep. Mike Jopek called a public forum at Flathead Valley Community College to gain input from the people of Flathead Valley about gravel pits, open-cut mining, etc., he was surprised down to his barefoot Birkenstocks to find the auditorium filled with the honest hard-working citizens who wear working boots and whose livelihood depends on the industry.
Glacier Prep captures Babe Ruth state title
By DAVID ERICKSON / For the Hungry Horse News
Lewis repeats as Montana 200 champ
Tragedy strikes Brandt team before race, drivers and fans offer tribute to fallen owner
'Rock villain' brings horror show here
Whitefish Pilot has a chat with influential rock star Alice Cooper
Hungry Horse man gets 80 years for wife's murder
By HEIDI DESCH / Hungry Horse News
Twins fall to Loggers in the ninth inning
By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot
Glacier 14s earns second in Babe Ruth State Tournament
The Glacier all-star team earned second place at the 14-year-old Babe Ruth State Tournament earlier this month in Eureka.
Bigfork Relay for Life walks for a cure
By JORDAN DAWSON / Bigfork Eagle
Citizens lose in 'doughnut' debate debacle
After attending the July 16 public hearing where the Flathead County Planning Board exercised its brand new jurisdictional rights to take over for the Whitefish City-County Planning Board for determining land-use planning and zoning in the two-mile doughnut area surrounding the city, pending resolution by the Montana State Supreme Court, I made the following observations:
Mountain bike race series begins
The first installment of Whitefish Mountain Resort's Thursday Night Race League began last Thursday with a great turnout of riders from all over the Flathead Valley.
Wild and Scenic Rivers Act turns 40
By CHRIS PETERSON / Hungry Horse News
'Doughnut' reverts to 1996 Master Plan
County planning board votes to drop Whitefish growth policy
Yoga gains acceptance in Bigfork and grows in popularity
By JORDAN DAWSON / Bigfork Eagle
Downtown: '1, 2, 3 floors - who cares?'
Planning board considers downtown restrictions on height, chainstores, setbacks
Party, passion fill Flathead Lakers 50th anniversary celebration
By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle
Regarding stray cats.
Once again I am compelled to write a letter in response to one from Gee Weaver regarding stray cats. I deal with feral and street cats on a daily basis as president of the Flathead Spay & Neuter Task Force. We dedicate a great deal of time educating and helping people deal with stray cats in their areas. Most who we deal with want to keep the cats but want them to stop reproducing, which is where we come in.
Collection of every Heritage Days button
By JOE SOVA / Hungry Horse News
Aurorafest issues: environment, safety, ethics
Here are three good reasons to boycott Aurorafest (this August in Polebridge).
'Old Age,' Harleys and Haircuts
G. George Ostrom
Wildcat Athletic Endowment a key to CFHS sports
Sports has been in my blood for as long as I can remember. And maybe playing ball when I was a kid kept me out of trouble.
Letters to the Editor
Crew helps out
Bigfork's hidden theatrical community
By JACOB DORAN / Bigfork Eagle
Laurie Ireland
Laurie Ireland passed through on July 3, 2008. She was born Aug. 12, 1952, in Portland, Maine, to Ralph and Vi McDonald.
Thursday, July 17
District 6 faces bills for major repairs
By JOE SOVA / Hungry Horse News
Robert Cox
Robert M. "Robin" Cox, 60, passed away June 25, 2008 in Polebridge. He was born July 19, 1947 in Cody, Wyo. His parents were Robert M. Cox Sr. of Fries, Va., and Kathryn E. Cox (Hall) of Bismarck, N.D.
Pageantry has become a family affair for Mrs. Montana
By JORDAN DAWSON / Bigfork Eagle
Remembering life before memory cards
Before coming to this job, my experience taking photographs was limited to an occasional foray with a point-and-shoot and a protracted — and losing — battle with a 35mm Canon.
County moves ahead on 'doughnut'
Complete takeover might take 2-3 months
Team heading to national softball tournament at the end of July
By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot
Stack deserves thanks
In most communities, a dedicated citizen completing 16 hard-working years of unpaid public service, knowledgeably chairing a contentious committee charged with protecting the community's greatest natural asset, would anticipate at least quiet if not public thanks and a pat on the back.
Wild and Scenic Rivers Act turns 40
By CHRIS PETERSON / Hungry Horse News
Livelihoods and neighborhoods
Solutions are formed from listening, having a bit of courage and respecting others. There are a few things that are easy to say about Montanans — we work hard, love our families and respect our neighbors. This common bond of appreciation allows us to move forward as a State.
Village getting ready for 30th Bigfork arts festival
By JACOB DORAN / Bigfork Eagle
Obama's record is a little thin
Sen. Barack Obama's Fourth of July visit to Butte, already his fourth to our state, is proof, if anybody needed any, that Montana in 2008 is indeed a "battleground" state. Democrats see an opportunity to change the electoral map in Montana, where Obama ran well in the June Democratic primary. His message of change seems to resonate, particularly with our state's young people.
Billings man drives into lake near Woods Bay
By JORDAN DAWSON / Bigfork Eagle
Dale Witty
Dale Ivan Witty, 72, passed away July 14, 2008, surrounded by his wife and children at his home south of Buffalo, Wyo.
Full weekend on tap around the Flathead
By JACOB DORAN / Bigfork Eagle
Safeway will close during remodel
Company got design concessions from city by saying it could stay open
Whack! Whack!
Residents unhappy about low-flying helicopter tours
Joe T. Nelson, 94
Just three days short of his 95th birthday, Joseph "Joe" Theodore Nelson's life journey on this earth came to an end in Bigfork at the home of his Granddaughter, Lori. And what a journey it was!
Wyatt Silker
Wyatt B. Silker, 79, of Columbia Falls, passed away peacefully at his home June 11, 2008, with his loving family surrounding him.
Elephant-size opportunity
There comes a time in your life when you have an experience or reach a milestone and you think to yourself, "Well, I saw that, so I can die happy now."
Inspirational heroes
Three "heroes" in my life have died within the past week and were residents of our wonderful Flathead Valley. They were the perfect example of what we should be in our brief existence on earth.
Now for the rest of the story
Regarding the article "Baucus signs largest land conservation in U.S. History" in the July 3 Whitefish Pilot, I have been visiting Whitefish on and off for the last 30 years. I have lived and worked in Whitefish several times in that period.
Flathead Lakers celebrate 50 years
By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle
Pearl Eckhoff
Pearl L. Eckhoff, 90, passed away July 12, 2008, at the Colonial Manor in Whitefish.
A note of appreciation
This note of appreciation for long-time Whitefish residents Jim and Lisa Stack is proportionately inadequate in comparison to the service these two have contributed to our community — most notably to the preservation of Whitefish Lake and lakeshore. Mr. Stack has announced his upcoming resignation from the Whitefish Lake and Lakeshore Protection Committee after 16 years of dedicated work — 10 as chairman.
Glacier Babe Ruth hosting state tourney
By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot
Determined amputee on 10,000-mile journey
By JOE SOVA / Hungry Horse News
Twins AA take sixth at Sapa-Johnsrud tourney
Conference showdown with Lakers this Saturday
Weeds in town an eyesore
To the editor,
Woman with epilepsy reported missing
A 38-year-old woman has been reported missing. Bobbie Rae Nielson was last seen on July 12, according to her cousin, Kim Wehrman. Nielson, who has epilepsy, may have gone hiking in Glacier National Park. Her brother started looking for Nielson on Tuesday in the park, but could find no trace of her, according to Wehrman.
Discovery Benefit Regatta draws largest crowd ever
By JACOB DORAN / Bigfork Eagle
Emeralds Green 12U captures state SB championship
By JOE SOVA / Hungry Horse News
Kayaking growing in popularity across the Flathead
By JORDAN DAWSON / Bigfork Eagle
Event raised more than $15,000 for Flathead Youth Home
By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot
Anderson leads CFST to second at Cut Bank Invitational
By JOE SOVA / Hungry Horse News
'CAO-lite' and engineered solutions
City looks at ways to exempt platted lots from critical areas ordinance
C-Falls, Whitefish host State Babe Ruth Tournament
By DAVID ERICKSON / For the Hungry Horse News
Search for boys varsity basketball coach continues
By JORDAN DAWSON / Bigfork Eagle
Gravel about livelihoods and neighborhoods
Rep. Mike Jopek
Farmers markets outnumber Wal-Marts, and they're growing
In response to the White-fish Pilot's July 10 editorial cartoon: "Look, spinach." And kale, chard, collards, mustard, onions, beets, radishes, eggs, salad mix, rhubarb, arugula and herbs. And that's just at my vending booth at the Downtown Whitefish Farmers Market.
Revisiting the Jabberwock
Earlier this month a high-ranking Federal judge in Washington, D.C., compared government lawyer's statements, to the Jabberwock type language of Lewis Carroll. Being a long-time fan of "The Hunting of the Snark" and "Jabberwock," I was somewhat uneasy with the judge's reference even though it was refreshingly humorous and probably accurate.
Whitefish is state's fastest growing city
Flathead posts Montana's second fastest growth
Thursday, July 10
Two 10-run first-innings lift Twins
Annual Sapa-Johnsrud Tournament runs through Saturday, nine teams in town
County has cat problem
I run a pet-related business, and I hear no end of stories about the cat problem in our county. I brought two street cats into the shelter that I trapped, because they were killing my chickens.
Doreen Smith-Szpak
Doreen Smith-Szpak, 55, died of cancer in Anchorage, Alaska, on Sunday, June 15, 2008, at home with her family by her side.
The West's best parade
Downtown Bigfork was packed to the brim on Friday with kids ready for candy and everyone else prepared for spectacle. Bigfork's annual festivities did not disappoint.
Minor all-stars off to state on a streak
You might say the Columbia Falls minor all-star baseball team is on a roll.
Emerald 12-U team shoots for state softball title
The Glacier Emeralds 12-U girls fast pitch softball team started out the 2008 season with plenty of goals in mind. The main one being to win the state championship.
Glacier shuttle service sees pinch
By CHRIS PETERSON / Hungry Horse News
Letters to the Editor
Fox killings
New river rules target human waste
By CHRIS PETERSON / Hungry Horse News
Judge rules against city over 'doughnut'
County moving forward with plans to take over jurisdiction of the area
Shawn K. Seimens, 36
Shawn K. Siemens, 36, passed away on July 1, 2008 at the Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Kalispell, Montana. He was born on September 18, 1971 in Vancouver, British Columbia.
'It's pretty good gig'
Local man gives up Park ranger job to run Whitefish Lake dock business
Eagle Bend Hosts Annual 4th of July Tournament
On July 4 Eagle Bend Golf Course held their annual Red, White and Blue tournament. Scott Bishop had the overall low gross score of 68. Blu Funk and Jerry Turley tied for the overall low net score with 64 in the field of 121 participants. Results are listed below by flight:
Capping therapy costs not a good idea
Looking at the upcoming election, healthcare is and will be a hotly debated topic. However, far beyond the presidential race, there is a bill before Congress that will affect many of our lives, yet very few are even aware of the issue.
Bigfork Relay for Life coming up July 18-19
By JORDAN DAWSON / Bigfork Eagle
Susannah Kelley
Susannah Marciana Kelley, 48, passed away June 27, 2008, after an extended illness.
Backcountry treacherous with snow, water
By CHRIS PETERSON / Hungry Horse News
Longtime fire chief Joe Nelson dead at 94
By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle
Who reads these bills?
A tongue-in-cheek book written about 30 years ago by long-time California lawmaker H.L. Richardson was titled "What Makes You Think We Read the Bills?"
CFST swims to third at Columbia Falls Invite
By JOE SOVA / Hungry Horse News
Vikes use summer to work on skills, build interest
By JORDAN DAWSON / Bigfork Eagle
Glacier National Park Opens
Without a whole lot of advance notice, Glacier National Park officials opened the entire Going-to-the-Sun Road to Logan Pass on Wednesday, July 2. Unlike last year, when the pass opened on a Saturday with a week's notice from officials, there were no huge crowds and the visitor's center seemed eerily quiet. At left, a family of mountain goats realized that tourist season had officially started when a long line of cars formed to watch them. Below right, Grant Sharp hikes to get in some late-season snowboarding. The Garden Wall is in the background. Below left, a bighorn sheep was looking for food along the west side of the road. Due to unusually large amounts of snow, it was one of the latest openings of the entire Sun Road. The latest opening on record is July 10, 1943, when the snow was allowed to melt out. The earliest Logan Pass opening to motorized traffic occurred on May 16, 1987.
Bringing art home
By Jacob Doran / Bigfork Eagle
A mother's plea for missing son
As a mother of five, I've been blessed with an abundance of opportunities to share many life lessons. Of them all, one of the most profound discoveries is that family really is important, no matter how old you are. As an adult, and having gone through some difficult times recently, I have come to realize that it would be a very lonely world without the support and unconditional love of family.
Helen Robertson
Helen M. Robertson (Ericson, Kozisek), 97, passed away on July 2, 2008.
Virginia Barranger
Virginia B. Barranger, 87, died July 6, 2008, of natural causes at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.
Polka Festival brings talent to Kalispell
Two top-notch polka bands entertain during the Northwest Montana Polka Festival in Kalispell, July 18, 19 and 20 at the Eagles Aerie No. 234 club.
Stars 2-2 in Firecracker Tournament
By Jordan Dawson / Bigfork Eagle
Billy Adair's grandkid
Latest statistics show, " The one nation representing the United States" biggest source of oil and gas is Canada." A "local boy" had a deep influence creating that current situation.
Apologize for 'copter noise
Triple-X Helicopter would like to thank our beautiful community of Whitefish and visiting guests who came out to help us celebrate our grand opening. It was an astounding success, with hundreds of well-wishers and folks hanging out to just watch the action.
Thursday, July 3
Going-to-the-Sun road turns 75
By CHRIS PETERSON / For the Whitefish Pilot
Local foresters utilizing native plants for healthy ecosystems
By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot
Reluctant council increases building fees
By RICHARD HANNERS / Whitefish Pilot
Family didn't approve donation jars
To the editor,
Larry Olson
Larry Olson, 61, of Havre died Tuesday, June 24, 2008 at Northern Montana Hospital in Havre, with his sister Connie and brother-in-law Larry at his bedside. Larry died of lengthy illnesses which he had suffered from for most of his life. He gave life a valiant fight.
Twins AA walloped by Lakers, 17-2
With temperatures soaring into the 90s, it was a rough time to play baseball on Sunday afternoon at Memorial Park. It was especially rough for the Glacier Twins AA, who committed six errors on their way to a 17-2 pummeling at the hands of the Kalispell Lakers. The Twins are currently on a road trip for the Seattle Wood Bat Tourney. They will host the Sapa-Johnsrud Tournament from July 8-12.
Thank you for your blessings
With all sincerity, the family of John V. Nelson would like to thank the precious friends, family members and acquaintances who came alongside us during our grief with wonderful food, cards, flowers, prayers and contributions.
Quilt raffle a success
I would like to thank everyone for supporting me through my quilt raffle. Congratulations to Barbara Sorenson, of Whitefish, for winning the quilt.
Construction forces parade re-route
By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle
Montana Legacy Project: Victory or Montana
Preserving Our Way of Life
Call it 'another fire story'
The last time I nearly got trapped by wildfire, it was the Crazy Horse Fire. It happened Aug. 10, 2003, at the height of an historic fire season that filled valleys with smoke and residents with fear. Drive around Northwest Montana today and you'll see many of the tree-thinning projects that resulted from that fire season.
The last best battle
Baucus bill would protect the popular Montana phrase — once and for all
Celebrating Sun Road's 75th
By CHRIS PETERSON / Hungry Horse News
John F. Fisher, 80
John F. Fisher, 80, passed away June 27, 2008 at his home in Bigfork, Montana. He is survived by his wife Patricia, daughter Barbara of Scottsdale, son John, daughter in-law Mickey, and grandson Robbie of Dallas, and stepson Christopher of London, England. He carries with him memories of his son Tommy. He and Patricia moved to Sedona in 1988 following his retirement after thirty-three years with Bank One Corporation, Columbus, Ohio as Senior Marketing Officer.
Many local winners at Whitefish Lake Run
By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot
A damper on my marriage
I have a confession to make: I have beaver feet. That's right, beaver feet. I also have something worse: Beaver sneakers. And beavers socks. Beaver socks at least can be washed. But beaver sneakers, well, I don't think there's a cure for beaver sneakers.
At 106, Bigfork woman oldest angler
Blanche Seccombe, 106, is Montana's oldest angler, and she's proud of it. Blanche went out on a boat recently during the 15th annual Fishing Without Barriers Day, an event that hosts nearly 100 people with disabilities on Flathead Lake. Although she didn't catch any fish, she did enjoy the ride.
Edna Newton
Edna Louise Newton, 70, passed away Monday, June 23, 2008, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.
John Nelson
John Vincent Nelson, a Flathead Valley resident for many years, was peacefully called to heaven on June 24, 2008, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center. He died of natural causes.
Plum Creek to sell 320,000 acres in Swan to conservation groups
By HEIDI DESCH / Hungry Horse News
Take a moment this holiday for the troops
On the front page of today's Eagle you'll see a hard-to-misinterpret reminder of what we're celebrating this Friday. Somewhere amidst all the fireworks and boating and beer, we're celebrating these faces and the ones who came before them.
Ruth Shafer Luding
Ruth Shafer Luding, 82, passed away at the Hospice House in Tacoma, Wash., on June 14, 2008, after a lingering illness.
Events abound for the 4th
Bigfork Eagle
Additional drilling could help ease pump prices
By David A. Galt / Executive Director
Neighborhood plan workshop postponed again by planning board
By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle
Sounding off on downtown plan
Planning board members agree —like it or not, Whitefish is a tourist town
