Thursday, June 25
Dennis Schoepp
Dennis H. Schoepp, 61, a longtime Flathead Valley funeral director, died Thursday, June 11, 2009, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center. He was born Dec. 21, 1947, at Bismark, N.D., and came to Lewistown as a child where he attended school, graduating from Fergus County High School in 1966.
Nellie King
Nellie Chandler King, 76, of Columbia Falls, died Saturday, June 20, 2009, at her home. She was born in Cullman County, Alabama, to Ercy Aaron Chandler and Claudia Marie (Watkins' Chandler and was raised and educated in Alabama. She married Ernest L. King, Sr. on Dec. 8, 1952, at Clio, Mich.
For centennial, an epic dance
Dancers and a film crew from the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts are filming in Glacier National Park this week for a piece to commemorate the Park's centennial in 2010.
Glacier Scenes VI
Draft wildfire plan calls for proactive measures
East lakeshore, Haskill Basin, Twin Lakes cited as at-risk areas
Rain swamps U.S. Open
For thePilot
Orris Kastella
Orris A. H. Kastella, 83, passed away Jan. 15, 2009, in Whitefish.
Disney brings Christmas to Whitefish
Whitefish Pilot
Dustin (Dusty) Drown, 25
Dustin (Dusty) Drown, 25, passed away on Friday, June19, 2009 following an accident in Manhattan, MT. He was born in Kalispell Montana on September 20, 1983 to Frank Drown and Denise (Potts' Belt. Dusty attended Swan River School until 1994 when he and his family moved to Manhattan Montana where he then attended the Manhattan schools. In 1999 they returned to Bigfork and attended Bigfork High until his senior year when he returned to Manhattan and graduated in 2002. Dusty was employed with Montana Furniture at the time of his death. Prior he also worked at the "Oasis", "The Depo" and Big Sky Carvers in Manhattan.
Thursday
The Columbia Falls Lions Club meets at 6:30 a.m. on the first and third Thursdays each month at the Back Room, in the same building as the Nite Owl Restaurant. Contact a Lions Club member for information about joining the organization.
Cheers for volunteers
In, 1971, Sally Porcorelli was looking for snow for her five budding ski racers. She headed for Whitefish from Michigan and upon arrival in June, in the middle of a snow storm, she knew she had found her home.
Glenn Shepard
Glenn Jay Shepard, 59, died Thursday, June 18, 2009, as a result of a four-wheeler accident near Hungry Horse. He was born to Harold and Sadie (Fox) Shepard on Oct. 30, 1949, in Polson.
Yearbook memories
Four annuals from Flathead County High School in Kalispell were interesting to read.
Party raises $5k for 'Lucky'
If attendance at last Wednesday's fund raiser for Lakeside's decoy patrol is any indication, the car's presence on the West Shore has become nearly iconic to the community, who have been so impressed by the results - reduced speeds - that they say they'll support it 100 percent.
WEB UPDATE: Somers man shoots son
Northwest Montana News Network
Somers man shoots son
Northwest Montana News Network
Flathead shooters head to nationals
Montana will be represented this year at the NRA Jr. Air Gun Championship and Training Summit by five shooters from the Flathead Valley.
Fishing day attracts record numbers
The 16th annual Fishing Without Barriers Day saw record breaking numbers as more than 95 anglers participated in this year's event on Flathead Lake June 18.
Passing zone nixed on Hwy. 93
The Montana Department of Transportation closed a passing zone earlier this month on Highway 93, drawing praise from members of the community, which has lobbied for such changes over the past year.
Letters to the Editor
Being polite not enough
Wolf Point wins Ed Gallo tourney, Twins 3rd
The Glacier Twins A team started out strong in the 20th annual Ed Gallo Tournament at Memorial Field in Whitefish. The Twins defeated the Kootenai Valley Rangers, of Eureka, 14-5, on June 16 and defeated Spokane 9-4 the next day.
50 years later, grisly grizzly attack recalled
Joe Williams says he never once thought about dying.
Pink Potty thanks
To the editor,
Accusations fly over planning tactics
In the wake of last Monday's altercation during an informational meeting held in Somers by the Flathead County Planning Office - during which two sheriff's deputies were called to disband the meeting and restore order - some residents have been left to wonder, "What happened to the right to peaceful assembly?"
10-U, 11-U, 12-U teams prepare for state
Players for the three Columbia Falls Cal Ripken League all-star teams have been selected, and they are in competition this weekend as they tune up for their respective district and state tournaments.
Village businesses put shine on for summer
The echo of nail guns and circular saws has finally stopped on Electric Avenue, and as the dust settles the view is decidedly impressive.
BHS hires volleyball coach, bring back 9 coaches
The Bigfork Public Schools Board of Trustees approved the hiring of a new head volleyball coach, Tammi McDaniel, for the high school at last Wednesday's meeting.
WEB UPDATE: Ennis purchases Bay Shore Motel
The battle for the Bay Shore Motel in downtown Lakeside came to an end Monday morning, when By The Lake Realty finalized a deal with Bruce Ennis, who last year purchased the neighboring Mattson property with the intention of converting the land into a county park.
Deputies called to Somers meeting
The effort to establish a Somers neighborhood plan has been ongoing since 1994, and throughout the various attempts - which have been hitherto unsuccessful - residents of the community who supported such a plan have encountered some degree of opposition.
Student to spend summer studying marine bio
It's hard to pin down how 17-year-old Tia Bakker fell in love with the ocean, since she's been a resident of landlocked Montana for her whole life. But the rising senior at Bigfork High School can't remember a time that she didn't want to be a marine biologist.
Letter from the editorBigfork's best can be found here
In today's paper on pages B4 and B5 you'll find the results of our second annual Best of Bigfork contest. Eagle readers have been submitting the ballots over the last month or so and the results, I think you'll agree, are pretty darn accurate.
Cherry harvest expected to be above average
Though the first sought-after Flathead Lake cherries won't be picked for about a month, the crop is looking a little above average, according the head of the growers' association, Dale Nelson.
Joyce Workman, 70
Joyce Workman, mother, daughter, sister and friend, died on June 14, 2009, peacefully at her home in Kalispell, surrounded by family and friends she made during her memorable life. She was born to Ross and Mayme (Moore) Duke in Mitchell, S.D., on Nov. 4, 1938.
Stimulus money decisions going on in Helena
Montana's use of the Federal stimulus dollars can be tracked on a state website:
Time to be proactive on wildfires
Summer in Whitefish is a time to enjoy the outdoors with family and friends and to take advantage of the many recreational opportunities that abound here. Visitors come from all over the world to experience the natural beauty and abundant wildlife that we sometimes take for granted as locals.
Who Should We Rescue?
Recently attended the 31st annual A.L.E.R.T. Banquet. The ALERT team has documented 1,300 "life salvages." Exactly how many of those would have died is a guestimate, but the known number is in the hundreds. Included are 30 victims of grizzly attacks. Most flights were more routine accidents and illnesses. Annual maintenance expenses on the Bell 407 copter are $180,000. In November of 1988, I wrote about 'rescuing people" and the topic is still germane:
Relay for Life
I am proud of our community. As some of you might know, the Relay for Life, a fundraising event for the American Cancer Society, was held at the Whitefish High School track on Friday, June 19. The event was a great success.
Catherine Reed
Catherine Rose (Nigg) Reed, 85, daughter of Anna Morgan and Simon Nigg, passed away June 9, 2009. Katie was born Jan. 25, 1924, in Conrad, where she attended school.
Epic proportions: the tip of the icefield
The big black bear snorted and pounded his paws on the ground, warning my brother-in-law, Matthew, and I to get back — a request that we were more than willing to comply with.
The bicep-powered bike
Bikers and hikers on Glacier National Park's Going-to-the-Sun Road who made it up to The Loop or Logan Pass this past month may have noticed Whitefish resident David Nickelson.
Photos of the week
C-Falls fire chief terminated
Columbia Falls Fire Department Chief Bob Webber has been fired.
Saturday, June 20
Glacier Scenes V
Thursday
Friends of Soroptimist Park will hold their annual weed and clean-up neighborhood picnic on Thursday, June 25, at 6 p.m. People should bring a potluck dish, weeding utensils, shovels and rakes. For more information, call Jan Metzmaker at 862 7960.
WEB UPDATE: Ennis purchases Bay Shore Motel
The battle for the Bay Shore Motel in downtown Lakeside came to an end Monday morning, when By The Lake Realty finalized a deal with Bruce Ennis, who last year purchased the neighboring Mattson property with the intention of converting the land into a county park.
Rafters rescued after being dumped in Middle Fork of Flathead
Five rafters escaped serious injury when their raft overturned in the Middle Fork of the Flathead River on Tuesday afternoon. The Flathead County Sheriff's Office took a 911 call just before 2 p.m. that the incident had occurred near Izaak Walton Inn Road southeast of Essex.
WEB UPDATE: Somers woman killed in Highway 93 crash
Bigfork Eagle
Thursday, June 18
Bigfork Eagle cartoon
Dennis Schoepp
Dennis H. Schoepp, 61, a longtime Flathead Valley funeral director, died Thursday, June 11, 2009, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center. He was born Dec. 21, 1947, at Bismark, N.D., and came to Lewistown as a child where he attended school, graduating from Fergus County High School in 1966.
Views abound from Glacier's Snyder Lake
Earlier this month I strapped on my Camelbak and headed up to Lower Snyder Lake, in Glacier Park, needing a more challenging hike but still unable to get up to some of the heights I have been craving since before warm weather returned to the Flathead.
Sun Road will open to Big Bend, Pass not far behind
The Going-to-the-Sun Road will open to Big Bend, which is three miles below Logan Pass on Friday and the Park hopes to have the road completely open "as soon as it is safe to do so," said Park spokeswoman Amy Vanderbilt.
Concert series plugs along in 27th season
It's not hard to quantify the work Elna Darrow did on the Riverbend Concert Series each year before her death last winter. It has taken a team of seven to replace her.
Columbia Falls man dies in ATV accident
A Columbia Falls man died after being thrown from an ATV on the westside Hungry Horse Dam road.
Triplett wins second bull riding title
Matt Triplett is as tough, determined and focused as they come in bull riding.
Cheers for volunteers
Kathy Borchers and her husband Karl came to Whitefish 12 years ago from Great Falls. Besides being busy with a family of five children and nine grandchildren, church, traveling and other activities, Kathy finds time to volunteer at the Whitefish Public Library, where they 'really rely on her" for the highly popular weekly pre-school reading program.
Democracy suffers at the hands of thugs
Letter from the editor
CFST second at Bitterroot Invite
Led by high-point swimmer Michael Baiar, the Columbia Falls Swim Team earned second place in the 11-team Bitterrroot Invitational held Saturday and Sunday in Hamilton to open the 2009 season.
WEB UPDATE: No one hurt in Bigfork Bay gas leak
Bigfork Eagle
Patricia "Trish" Ann Carter, 64
Patricia "Trish" Ann Carter, age 64, passed away on Monday, June 8, 2009 at her adopted home of Bigfork, Montana after a long and courageous battle with Multiple Sclerosis. She was born August 20, 1944 in Upland, California to Herb and Velma (Wright) Trosin.
Local kayaker makes U.S. team
Jonathan Meyers has been kayaking for half of his life and last month he achieved one of his biggest goals by making the U.S. Freestyle Kayak Team.
Hospital proposes enlarged medical village
Whitefish Pilot
Bigfork Babe Ruth loses out in second round of tournament
Bigfork's Babe Ruth Baseball team ended their winning season with two untimely losses in the Glacier League post-season tournament last weekend.
Crews closing in on Logan Pass
The Going-to-the-Sun Road will open to Big Bend, which is three miles below Logan Pass on Friday and the Park hopes to have the road completely open "as soon as it is safe to do so," said Glacier National Park Spokeswoman Amy Vanderbilt.
Student achievements are simply amazing
I
Lakeshore regulations update tabled by council
Nine people addressed the Whitefish City Council at Monday's public hearing on a major rewrite of the Whitefish Lake and Lakeshore Protection regulations.
Super stumps for wilderness
Slowly, but surely, Chas Cartwright has been spreading the word, talking to community groups, chambers of commerce and the like. The superintendent of Glacier National Park says now is the time to permanently designate about 975,000 acres of Glacier as wilderness.
School news
Josh Schott, a junior at Whitefish High School, earned $200 and second prize in the short stories category of the Authors Of The Flathead's 2009 student writing contest for his piece "The Scarf."
Certified green home offers big paybacks
Whitefish Pilot
Football camp prepares Vikings for new season
Nearly forty kids suited up for incoming Bigfork High School Head Football Coach Todd Emslie's pre-summer camp last week.
Ferrington competes in Ironman qualifier
Patty Ferrington, of Whitefish, recently competed in a qualifier for the Ironman Triathlon, completing 70.3 miles in 7 hours 35 minutes on May 30, in Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii.
Arlee Riley, 88
Arlee Riley, 88, passed away on Wednesday, June 10, 2009, at her residence in Lakeside. She was born on Sept. 12, 1920, at Menomonie, Wis., the daughter of Francis Richard and Helen Evelyn (Olsen) Foate.
King's, Stoltze capture Cal Ripken tourney crowns
King's Landscaping and F.H. Stoltze Land and Lumber teams captured championships in the Columbia Falls Cal Ripken League tournament to complete the regular season.
Annual history trip retraces Montana's past
Somers Middle School's 8th grade history trip has long held a reputation for delivering some of the most exciting and historically significant stops mapped out by any school in the state.
Thursday
The Whitefish Chamber of Commerce’s Gone Fishin’ social will take place at the historic Belton Chalet on U.S. 2 in West Glacier on Thursday, June 18, from 6-9 p.m. with live music by Dan Dubuque, food and refreshments. For more information, call 888-5000.
Sun Road to open to Big Bend for cars
For the Pilot
Man drowns in fatal rollover
TY HAMPTON / Northwest Montana News Network
Local students awarded
The Bissell School honor roll includes Nicholas Barr, Kaitlynn McDonald and Harry Workman, grades 5-6 gold (GPA 3.5-4.0); Evelina Morozov, grades 7-8 gold; Paul Bruce, Whitney Kemp and Eric Reed, grades 5-6 blue (GPA 3.0-3.49); and Amber Pickering, Tanner Stupack and Jayla Grilley, grades 7-8 blue.
How to get rich quick if you're a bank
How would you like to increase your net worth without breaking a sweat? It's easy! And it's legal! Say your bank won't loan you money because you don't have enough assets to qualify, or maybe your fiance's parents think you're a bum because you drive a clunker and live in a shack. Don't be a dummy and tell people how much you have in the bank, tell them what you WANT to have in the bank and presto; you have new money and new respect immediately because you changed your way of thinking.
Kudos to Eagle Transit system
Eagle Transit buses are providing 6,000 rides per month for Flathead citizens. Passengers range from elementary to college students, employees taking advantage of bus services to travel to and from jobs, to senior citizens in the Flathead.
Graduating class celebrates Somers legacy
I had the distinct privilege this year of accompanying the Somers eighth-graders on their history trip, returning the Flathead Valley last Thursday evening for a few hours of sleep before another full day and eighth grade graduation on Friday night.
U.S. Telemark team announced
The U.S. Telemark Ski Association recently announced the 17 members of the national team for the 2009-2010 season.
Catherine Reed
Catherine Rose (Nigg) Reed, 85, daughter of Anna Morgan and Simon Nigg, passed away June 9, 2009. Katie was born Jan. 25, 1924, in Conrad, where she attended school.
Live for today
JOE SOVA / Hungry Horse News
Medicare therapy cap should be eliminated
To the editor,
Letters to the editorWater wars
Well it has almost been a year since the annual water war between the metropolises of Big Arm and Polson with Polson winning in 2008 four water wars to Big Arm's two. Some of you may recall while we in Big Arm were suffering through the loss of our magnificent 42-inch walnut and silver bowl traveling trophy that was filled with jelly beans, I promised to not talk smack about the 2009 water war until next June. Well next June is here and I am still not going to talk smack I am only going to talk facts.
Letters to the Editor
Great generosity
Cal Ripken league to host state tourney
A total of 265 kids participated this year in Cal Ripken League, which includes T-ball for 5-6 year-olds, Rookie League for 7-8 year-olds, six Minor League teams for 9-10 year-olds and four Major League teams for 11-12 year-olds.
About Intense Fervor
Most of us have the desire, opportunity and luck to acquire good friends throughout life. I have lost a few of mine through the years but was blessed for having known them and thankfully keep making new ones. Got to pondering the other day … (people over eighty ponder a lot). This latest "ponder" had to do with the question, "If I had to choose ONE specific characteristic which makes a person interesting and fun, what would it be?"
Gravel pit next to GNP? Yes
Despite objections from Glacier National Park, a gravel pit near its borders has been given the green light by the state.
Lay offs
In response to a recent letter from Dana Carmichael, while I appreciate her inspiring counterpoint to the absolutely unnecessary publication recently of letters questioning the decisions made by the Whitefish School Board regarding the termination of a popular teacher, I hope that the citizens of Whitefish realize the unfortunate state of affairs that caused it to happen in the first place.
Whitefish High School Honor Roll
Gold Honor Roll
Dillon Joseph Fennessy
Dillon Joseph Fennessy, son of Dave and Lorrie Fennessy, of Kalispell, was born May 30, 2009, at North Valley Hospital.
Local artist living her dream in the Swan Valley
Over the last few decades, female artists have earned acceptance in almost every part of the United States, as well as in international circles. However, that acceptance represents a victory won through the passion and struggles of those willing to fight for it.
Whitefish High School Senior Class of 2009 awards
Lillian Adams-Custer $24,000 MUS Honor Scholarship, $500 PEO Chapter BR Scholarship, $1,000 Whitefish Kiwanis Memorial, $2,000 Montana State University Tuition, $4,100 FVCC Honor Scholarship, $1,500 Hawkins Foundation Scholarship, $500 Women of the Moose Medical
Friday, June 12
Glacier Scenes IV
Dennis Schoepp
Dennis H. Schoepp, 61, a longtime Flathead Valley funeral director, died Thursday, June 11, 2009, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center. He was born Dec. 21, 1947, at Bismark, N.D., and came to Lewistown as a child where he attended school, graduating from Fergus County High School in 1966.
Suspects arrested in hotel robbery
A 19-year-old Kalispell man wanted in connection with the April 7 robbery of the Holiday Inn Express was arrested by Kalispell police on June 11.
Somers 8th grade History Trip
Thursday
The Columbia Falls Lions Club meets at 6:30 a.m. on the first and third Thursdays each month at the Back Room, in the same building as the Nite Owl Restaurant. Contact a Lions Club member for information about joining the organization.
Thursday, June 11
Letters to the Editor
Aquatic Invasive Species bill beneficial
C-Falls Swim Team opens at Bitterroot Invite
Columbia Falls Swim Team members may have not been able to practice in their home pool at Pinewood Park, but they are preparing for the season opener this weekend.
Columbia Falls woman charged in robbery; Kalispell man sought in incident
The Whitefish Police Department arrested Nicole Chappel, 18, of Columbia Falls in connection with a robbery that occurred at the Whitefish Holiday Inn Express on April 7, 2009. Chappel, a former clerk at the business, was charged with accountability to robbery, a felony.
Thursday
The Columbia Falls Lions Club meets at 6:30 a.m. on the first and third Thursdays each month at the Back Room, in the same building as the Nite Owl Restaurant. Contact a Lions Club member for information about joining the organization.
Glacier runner bit by griz
Thomas Nerison, Kalispell, gives first-hand account
Donald Robert Burns, Sr.
Donald Robert Burns, Sr. passed peacefully from this life surrounded by his family on June 3, 2009 at Heritage Place, after a long illness at home. Donald was born on March 12, 1931, in Springfield, Ill., along with his twin brother Dale.
Resort tax saved by House bill, AG opinion
Whitefish Pilot
Dog park leash-cutting ceremony is June 20
The dream of an off-leash dog park in Whitefish will be realized on Saturday, June 20, when the bull-pen gates open at the Hugh Rogers Wag Park, located in the Armory Park complex, with an open house and hot dog party from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Carlson chalks up another victory
Bigfork Eagle
Zoning: You can't fight city hall
Thank you neighbors, but we can't fight city hall. My husband and I recently spoke about a zoning issue, first to the Whitefish City-County Planning Board, and on June 1 to the Whitefish City Council asking them to deny a conditional-use permit (CUP) for a professional office space in our neighborhood, the first instance of a professional office in a WR-2 zone.
Somers math students trailblazers for advanced opportunities
Kian Ahern and Katie Anderson may look like normal teenagers, but these two 8th grade Somers students have a unique set of skills that sets them far apart from many of their peers: They like math.
Father figure: BMS principal Loeffler retires
Monday afternoon the community of Bigfork gave their thanks and best wishes to Bigfork Middle School principal Wayne Loeffler, who is retiring after working in the school district for 34 years.
County holds plan meeting in Somers
Flathead County planning staff met with members of the Somers community last Thursday regarding potential boundaries for a neighborhood plan. However, that train seemingly derailed before it ever left the station.
Summer reading important activity
Alan Robbins / For the Hungry Horse News
Somers students get their hands dirty
Jacob Doran / West Shore NewsOn Friday, May 29, the Somers 7th grade students trekked to the H.E. Robinson Vocational-Agricultural Center off of Willow Glen Drive. While there, the students engaged in multiple activities, visiting at least six different stations on the grounds of the 100-acre farm project. These included bird surveying, identifying and managing invasive species, stream bank restoration, medical and edible plants, seed planting, aquatic invertebrates and fly-fishing.
Paulson leaves high school on high note
For the Pilot
Alcohol tax hikes equal a tax cut for most
Many Montanans tend to oppose tax increases, across the board. So it's surprising that we're so complacent when it comes to the enormous burden imposed on us by the abuse of alcoholic beverages. According to a recent report from the University of Montana's Bureau of Business and Economic Research, state residents collectively spend $510 million every year dealing with the effects of drinking. If each person in Montana had to pay an equal share, his or her annual alcohol tax bill would total around $530.
Letter from the editor
Last-minute change shows flawed system
The Norski Waiting Game
The Trailwatcher / G. George Ostrom
Laker bats explode against frustrated Twins
The Kalispell Lakers scored eight runs against the Glacier Twins in an AA American Legion conference match-up at Memorial Field on June 3 before the Twins even swung a bat.
Whitefish Criterium race results
The downtown Whitefish Criterium bike race ran for most of the afternoon on Saturday, June 6, with multiple categories and classes. Teams from across Western Montana showed up to compete.
Public interest in music appreciated
We want to thank the many parents and citizens who took the time to contact Whitefish Middle School officials about our music and electives programs over the past couple of weeks. Your passion as advocates for these programs is evident, and your interest in the education of our children is very much appreciated.
Betty Huggins
Betty Lou Huggins, 77, passed away after a full and wonderful life on May 19, 2009. Betty was born March 26, 1932, in Saxon, Wis., to George and Edna LaVigne. Her family later moved to Montana where she met and married her husband, Fred. She was a beloved wife of 59 years and a caring, compassionate friend to all family members and anyone she met.
Broadway Blitz
Bonnie (Slack) Craft
Bonnie Jean (Slack) Craft passed from this life surrounded by family on May 5, 2009, at Brendan House after nearly a year of fighting to live after being diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer.
Health Board seat important
To the editor,
Local boat show receives national attention
The Big Sky Chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society took shape just three short years ago, after the first Big Sky Boat Show enjoyed an impressive turnout and an equally impressive number of participants.
Mary Ann Francis
Mary Ann Francis, 68, Columbia Falls, passed away Tuesday, June 2, 2009, at her home with her husband by her side.
Marianne Monfils
Marianne Rose Monfils, 80, passed away Feb. 11, 2009. She lived a rich and full life of nearly 81 years.
Suspects arrested in hotel robbery
A 19-year-old Kalispell man wanted in connection with the April 7 robbery of the Holiday Inn Express was arrested by Kalispell police on June 11.
Covering City Council of the past
One of my assignments for the Hungry Horse News in later years was to cover Columbia Falls City Council sessions.
Flathead announces contract work
Federal stimulus dollars should mean work for contractors as the Flathead National Forest has about $13.3 million in projects on tap. The work is expected to begin this fall on some projects and into 2010 and 2011.
New BHS grad takes to the skies
Graduation brings new beginnings and opens all kinds of doors for young adults, and for recent Bigfork High School graduate Christina Thompson one of those doors includes the door to the cockpit of an airplane.
Park, friends celebrate ranger's 50 years in Glacier
One evening Glacier Park interpretive rangers Bill Schustrom and Doug Follett took the DeSmet tour boat out on Lake McDonald. Schustrom had filled the boat with gas earlier, but what he didn't know was that another tour had gone out in between.
Congratulations to Class of 2009
This month, the Whitefish School District Class of 2009 celebrated the milestone of high school graduation. The class represents the 95th graduating class from Whitefish High School.
Four-year-old hooks 5-pound rainbow
Shade Koster may be only 4 years old, but that didn't keep him from landing a big rainbow trout.
High school graduation
Diplomas were handed out to 138 of Whitefish High School's 143 graduates, including six foreign exchange students, during the commencement ceremony in the high school gym on Saturday, June 6. Principal Kent Paulson played MC for the event, and students Caitlin Caltabiano, Drew Coco and Zachariah Deister addressed the class. School board member Pat Jarvi handed out diplomas.
Citizens concerned about North Shore access
A group of Bigfork residents showed up at last month's regular Bigfork Parks Advisory Board meeting to express concern about maintaining access to the North Shore of Flathead Lake via a small trail off Holt Drive.
Commissioners grant controversial last-minute change to plan
When the Flathead County Commissioners adopted the Bigfork Neighborhood Plan last week, they made a last-second change that has some Bigfork community members in an uproar.
Suspects named in hotel robbery
The Whitefish police department is looking for a 19-year-old Kalispell man wanted in connection with the April 7 robbery of the Holiday Inn Express.
Bigfork Babe Ruth takes first in league; wins first playoff game
Bigfork's Babe Ruth team not only captured the top spot in the league for the regular season last week with their 12-2 record, but they also won their first game of the playoffs on Sunday.
Council approves professional office on Baker
Whitefish Pilot
Kahle throws hat into ring
My name is Bill Kahle and I am running for the Whitefish City Council. I am joining this race because I have a desire to serve and to give back to this special community. I have loved Whitefish since first coming here 20 years ago. So much so that my wife and I moved here in 1992.
Friday, June 5
Glacier Scenes III
Grizzly bites jogger in Glacier
Glacier National Park officials report that a jogger was injured Sunday morning, June 7, in an encounter with a grizzly bear while running on a backcountry trail on the Park's west side.
Plum Creek to close Evergreen mill; 23 positions trimmed in Columbia Falls
Plum Creek will close its Evergreen sawmill and trim 23 positions from its Columbia Falls sawmill staff, the company announced Thursday (June 4).
Thursday
The Columbia Falls Lions Club meets at 6:30 a.m. on the first and third Thursdays each month at the Back Room, in the same building as the Nite Owl Restaurant. Contact a Lions Club member for information about joining the organization.
Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. to shut down plant
The plant was limping along. Now it will apparently shut down again. The Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. will close at the end of July.
Thursday, June 4
Legislation takes aim at invasive species
The Flathead Lakers wish to thank our state legislators for their support of Senate Bill 343, the Aquatic Invasive Species Act. We were very pleased that this bill passed the legislature with the support of every Flathead Basin legislator and was signed into law by Gov. Brian Schweitzer.
Four computers stolen from Apgar Ranger Station
Glacier National Park officials report that two laptops and two desktop computers were stolen from the Apgar Ranger Station in the Park sometime between Saturday night, May 23 and Sunday morning, May 24. No other items have been reported missing.
County opens LNPC Yahoo! group to public
Possibly ill-advised, but not illegal; that was the word from Flathead County Chief Deputy Attorney Jonathan Smith in regard to a private Internet message board held by the Lakeside Neighborhood Plan Committee since November 2007.
Track team competes like true mustangs
It's been more than a week since the Somers track team cleaned up at Columbia Falls, but Mustang coaches and staff are still talking about the way the team performed this season, and they will likely be talking about it for some time.
Somers renews planning effort
After more than a year of relative inactivity, an effort to establish a Somers neighborhood plan may again be taking shape, this time led by the Flathead County Planning Office rather than by a group of individuals, as in previous efforts.
Mitchell Kopczyk
Mitchell Allen Kopczyk, 50, passed away on Saturday, May 23, 2009, near Bigfork as the result of a motor vehicle accident. He was born on Nov. 4, 1958, in Elyria, Ohio, to John and Carmela (DiMichele) Kopczyk.
Thursday
Stumptown Art Studio will host its 14th annual Spring Show of Student Artwork and Ice Cream Social on Thursday, June 4, from 6-9 p.m. during First Thursday Gallery Nights. The exhibition of works by young neighborhood artists is a culmination from Stumptown Art Studioís youth classes since last fall. More than 100 works of student art will be on display through June 30, including drawings and paintings, collage and printmaking, pottery and sculpture. For more information, call 862-5929 or visit online at
Co-op wants to move forward with fish plan
The board of trustees and management of Flathead Electric Cooperative are deeply concerned regarding the latest response (issued May 18, 2009) from U.S. District Judge James Redden, to the Federal Biological Opinion (BiOp or plan) on Columbia and Snake river hydro operations.
WEB UDPATE: BHS graduates Class of 2009
Bigfork Eagle
Wesley Gregg
Wesley Johnson Gregg, 85, died of natural causes on May 23, 2009, at the Columbia Falls Veterans Home.
C-Falls crunches school budget
Columbia Falls School District 6 was expecting a budget shortfall for the 2009-2010 biennium, but the retirement of two veteran teachers and a speech/language pathologist has lessened the burden.
toon
Column: Athletes ready for life after graduation
Sunday's graduation ceremony at Bigfork High School brought back plenty of fond memories of my own high school and college graduations, as well as the feelings of fear, anxiety and shock that I experienced after receiving my diplomas. Also tugging me down memory lane this week was the one year anniversary of my arrival at the Bigfork Eagle.
Save Whitefish High School, save Whitefish
A relatively large number of high school-age students who live in Whitefish are deciding not to attend Whitefish High School. The current decline in enrollment has become a major contributing factor to funding problems for Whitefish High School. The expected future decline in enrollment will be increasingly detrimental to our community as a whole.
Big Creek a second home for new manager
For Beau Servo, coming to Big Creek is a bit like coming home again. Servo camped here when he was a kid. In fifth grade in a three-day Glacier Institute program.
Whitman, Wilhelm lead C-Falls at state
Columbia Falls junior Shawn Whitman and senior Ketti Wilhelm led their boys and girls teams, respectively, with outstanding performances at the Class A State Track and Field Meet held Friday and Saturday at Bulldog Stadium in Butte.
Shay engine vandalism senseless
A brief notice in The Blotter printed in the May 28 issue of the Hungry Horse News noted the fire department extinguished a fire on the old locomotive in Depot Park at 2:36 a.m., May 19. It is located at Nucleus Avenue and Railroad Street.
Carlson wins 3,200 meter title in Butte
Last weekend's state track meet was Bigfork High School's final event as a Class A school, and many of those athletes representing Bigfork made sure to leave their mark, especially junior Kayla Carlson, who placed in the top three in all three of the distance races.
'Kats go 1-2 at state SB
Coach Dave Kehr's biggest concern going into the Class A State Softball Tournament last week in Polson was realized as Columbia Falls was ousted from the double-elimination competition in three games. That concern was inconsistent hitting.
Flathead boys win U-14 state soccer tourney
The Flathead Soccer Club U-14 boys won their age group at the Montana State Cup hosted by the Montana Youth Soccer Association.
Letter from the editor
The sweet sounds of summer
Council will not back streetscaping referendum
Whitefish Pilot
Remembering the history trip
Some have questioned my sanity. It’s an understandable question, given that I enjoy traveling 1,000 miles in four days on a bus with 36 highly excitable eighth-graders. I have taught seventh and eighth grade Spanish and history for 18 years in Whitefish, and just returned from another eighth-grade Montana history trip — my fifth one. Hence, questions regarding my mental health might be considered valid.
Susan Ann (Davis' Gum
Susan Ann (Davis' Gum, 66, passed away May 31, 2009, after a lengthy battle against ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease). She was born on Aug. 11, 1942, in Ducktown, Tenn.
UM astronomer inspires young stargazers to watch the sky
University of Montana astronomer and physicist Diane Friend paid a visit to Lakeside Elementary School, last Thursday, bringing with her a portable planetarium and a couple of high-power telescopes to inspire students to look up in wonder at the night sky.
Coco's sweep propels boys to third at state
The defending state champion Bulldogs, led by a distance sweep from senior Drew Coco, tallied 72 points for third place at the Class A state track meet in Butte on Friday and Saturday.
QRU pushing 'File of Life' packets
For emergency responders, little things can make a big difference. A patient who accidentally forgets to mention an allergy or a medication can drastically worsen their situation when emergency medical technicians start treatment without all the information. A few seconds saved when paramedics arrive on scene can be the difference in life and death on the way to a hospital.
Bigfork Babe Ruth's win streak snapped in Whitefish
Bigfork's Babe Ruth team broke its nine game winning streak last week, but they still hold the top spot in their division of the Glacier League with their 10-2 record.
Community center plan makes it through BLUAC
After spending years teaching some of Bigfork's most talented youth in the Bigfork Playhouse Children's Theatre, Brach Thomson started to realize that many of the kids had to travel all the way to Kalispell for voice, music or dance lessons.
Robert Vucasovich
Robert Vucasovich, 94, went home to be with our Lord on May 29, 2009. He was born on Jan. 21, 1915, the son of Duscan and Georgia Vucasovich.
Letters to the Editor
Yellow Bay thanks
A new high school in 4 years
Whitefish Pilot
Swan Lake Community Club honors 'Outstanding Citizen'
When the Swan Lake Community Club decided long ago to give out an award to valued community members, they decided against making it a yearly occurrence for fear of diluting its meaning.
Volunteers open space at Discovery Square
First Best Place Task Force / For the Hungry Horse News
Whitefish wins Cat/Dog Smoker
Columbia Falls won the main event, but Whitefish came out on top 7-5 in the Cat/Dog Smoker held Monday at Memorial Field in Whitefish.
Congress sneaks guns into Glacier in credit card bill
Tucked inside a bill that tightens regulations on credit cards is a provision that opens the door for gun possession in national parks.
Thurman, Pewe take top awards
Bigfork High School handed out their annual end of the year sports awards that are voted on by the school's head coaches at an assembly last Wednesday.
Buckle up
I am writing a letter to address a practice that I find alarming. On any given morning as I drive my kids to school and then head to work myself, I see a large population of vehicles with small children in the front passenger seat without a seat belt.
Letters to the editorThanks from Big Arm
For the first time in decades the Big Arm historic school opened its doors this past Saturday to the general public. Doll enthusiasts from Great Falls, Missoula, and many other locations far and near came to view the magnificent doll show. The show highlighted Trish Friez's collection of over 500 dolls and Barbara Wamsley's collection of doll houses and Santas.
Eldin Shields Jr.
Eldin George Shields Jr., 64, died Tuesday, May 26, 2009, at the home of his sister in Columbia Falls.
Richard Fliehler
Richard "Hog Dick" Fliehler, 56, passed away on Saturday, May 23, 2009, near Bigfork as the result of a motor vehicle accident. He was born on March 5, 1953, in Arlington, Iowa, to Donald and Dorothy (Astor) Fliehler.
Richard "Hog Dick" Fliehler, 56
Richard "Hog Dick" Fliehler, 56, passed away on Saturday, May 23, 2009 near Bigfork, Montana as the result of a Motor Vehicle Accident. He was born on March 5, 1953 in Arlington, Iowa to Donald and Dorothy (Astor) Fliehler.
Bigfork plan finally official
The Flathead County Commissioners voted to adopt the Bigfork Neighborhood Plan on Tuesday morning, but not before a final change that one of them decried as a 'return to the good ol' boys system."
Kaitlyn Dawn Schultz
Kaitlyn Dawn Schultz, daughter of John and Star Schultz, of Whitefish, was born May 14, 2009, at North Valley Hospital.
Glacier's Avalanche Lake living up to its name
With much of the last week given to rain and overcast skies, a beautiful Saturday gave me just the occasion I was looking for to head up to Glacier Park.
State History Digest
Hundreds of fascinating books are about Montana, but with TV, PCs and cell phones people don't have much time. That's why I've carefully compiled a five-minute state history, starting with President Thomas Jefferson's 1803 "Louisiana Purchase" from Napoleon for 15 mil.
Plum Creek to shut down Evergreen mill; 23 positions trimmed in Columbia Falls
Plum Creek will close its Evergreen sawmill and trim 23 positions from its Columbia Falls sawmill staff, the company announced Thursday (June 4).
