Ellington

Cats roll over Loggers

Columbia Falls kick returner Devyn Rocker celebrated his birthday with a 98-yard opening kickoff return as the Wildcats thumped Libby last Friday 46-10 in their conference opener.

Public Service Commission meeting in West Glacier Wednesday

Hungry Horse News

Short-handed lady harriers take second

The Ronan Invitational Cross Country meet turned into a highly competitive event with the addition of traditional Class AA cross-country powers Flathead and Missoula Hellgate. The Lady Bulldogs placed second behind the Hellgate team, 32 to 46. They finished ahead of Flathead, which placed third with 71 points.

Teacher brings movement to class

Property auction brings in $5.08 million

Thursday

The Columbia Falls Farmers Market is Thursdays at Discovery Square from 5 to 7:30 p.m.

Kats cruise over Corvallis, Pirates

The Columbia Falls girls soccer team had two dominant performances last week, downing Corvallis away 10-0 last Thursday and Polson 3-1 at home last Saturday.

Candidates share their views at forum

Last Thursday, candidates from area House Districts and candidates in the county commissioner race met at Glacier Discovery Square to share their views with voters.

Inga Julia OlsonInga Julia Olson passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 8, at the Immanuel Lutheran Home. She was 92.

Inga was born in Malta on Feb. 28, 1918, to Alfred and Marie Higdem. She grew up on the family homestead, where she went to country school in the Bennett Lake community and attended Malta High School.

UPDATED: Robbery reported at First Interstate Bank

Bigfork Eagle

Lady 'Dogs fend off Loggers

The Lady Bulldogs soccer team continued to enforce their authority over the league Saturday when they knocked off a feisty Lady Loggers team 3-2.

Stop doughnut give-away

During the 14 years I served as Whitefish city attorney, I tried to protect the city. Now that I'm retired, I believe that the greatest threat to the city comes from several city councilors who are pushing "amendments' to the 2005 Interlocal Agreement with Flathead County. If you care about Whitefish, you need to take action.

U.S. 93 strip zoning back to the drawing board

Japanese community donated to Whitefish

Golf club wants 50-year lease with city

The Whitefish City Coun-cil continued its discussion of amending its lease with Whitefish Lake Golf Club at its Sept. 20 meeting.

Seeking wolf solutions

It's like a bad horror movie where the monster keeps coming back no matter how many times you think it's been killed. In Hollywood, the worse the villain the more times it comes back to haunt you until it becomes painfully obvious that you'll need a silver bullet to solve the problem once and for all.

Cheers for volunteers

Carol Anderson was born and raised in Duluth, Minn. With a skating rink in every playground and a dad who was active in curling, it was only natural that she grew up feeling more comfortable on ice than on sidewalks. She began skating at age four and while growing up became known as a "rink rat," regularly walking a mile after school to the nearest ice rink.

School gets new teachers

Lighthouse celebrates the harvest with festival

For spikers, stats are nice, but wins elusive

The Kats continue to struggle on the volleyball court, though individual players are posting impressive conference stats.

Trailer full of straw catches fire on Highway 35

Bigfork Eagle

A short history of the 'doughnut'

I apologize that I will not be able to attend your public hearing on Oct. 4 to answer the questions that I am sure this letter will generate but time, distance, economics and family obligations prevent me from being in Whitefish on Oct. 4. I am now the community development director for the city of Red Lodge, but I am writing this letter as an observer, with knowledge of this complex issue, and not as a Red Lodge representative. As such, the views or opinions stated herein are mine and mine alone!

Bulldogs tops at divisional tourney

Both Whitefish Bulldog golf teams walked away with top honors at the 2010 Northwestern Class A Divisional tournament held last Saturday at Mission Mountain Golf Course. The boys out distanced runner-up Polson by more than 30 shots, while the girls were nearly 40 shots better than the Lady Pirates.

Fill the boot

The Montana Chapter of the Muscular Dystrophy Association would like to thank the generous citizens of Whitefish and the surrounding areas for their incredible support of our Fill the Boot campaign held Aug. 14.

Vals shut out Libby

The Bigfork girls soccer team got its second win of the season over the Libby Lady Loggers on Thursday with a 3-0 shutout.

For the love of reading and writing

Caution urged with begining of open burning

Cats salvaging soccer season

The Columbia Falls boys soccer team will get at least some of its season back.

Virtual classroom

Teachers bring the classroom to the Web

Lilly Jo Frank

Lilly Jo Frank, daughter of Tyler and Meagan Frank, of Whitefish, was born Sept. 13, 2010, at North Valley Hospital.

Persecuted

I am writing in regards to the atrocious article about The Ride Guy. I read this article and was appalled by what was written.

Whitefish's faded W

Missoula has the "M" on Mount Sentinel. Bozeman and Butte each have an "M," too. Libby has the "L" on Swede Mountain, and Dillon has a "W" for Western and a "B" for Beaverhead. Even don't-blink-or-you'll-miss-it towns like Plains and Drummond have letters for their respective high schools.

Letters to the Editor

Thanks for the memories

In cross country, progress each week

Get a little better every week.

Dick TrinastichThe cutthroat trout of the Hungry Horse reservoir can rest a little easier now that Dick Trinastich has passed away.

Richard "Dick" Trinastich was born July 10, 1931 to Pete and Florence Trinastich in Great Falls. He graduated from Great Falls High School, where he was a standout on the Bison basketball team. Dick received a scholarship to play basketball for the University of Montana. After two years at the U of M, he enlisted in the army and was stationed in Korea and Japan.

Kenneth Friske

Kenneth F. Friske passed away Sept. 15, 2010, in Columbia Falls.

Bulldogs look to regroup

It's time for Whitefish's boys soccer team to step up and finally play to its potential. That's what coach O'Brien Byrd is pleading for after the 'Dogs let a 3-1 halftime lead slip away at Libby on Saturday.

Golfers third at divisionals

Hungry Horse News

Ranch analogy doesn't work with education

I disagree wholeheartedly with Gov. Brian Schweitzer's characterization of how he keeps our state solvent, especially with regard to school funding. He has essentially accepted the federal supplemental money for schools and used it to take the place of money already allocated to each district. The net gain for education — zero.

Cheap humor

Gee, isn't it funny how easily the "editorialists' turned the item about the "traveling gnome" into a criticism of the governor?

Vikes and Vals pick up weekend wins

The Vikings football team took on Thompson Falls on Friday night for Bigfork's Homecoming game and came away with a 42-20 victory over the Bluehawks.

Retention a challenge for volunteer departments

It's a bemoaned fact at many fire departments across the United States — the number of volunteers is shrinking and turnover is high.

Whitefish spikers blank Wildkats

The Lady Bulldogs picked up their second conference win last week with a decisive 3-0 sweep at Columbia Falls. Olivia Nagler led the volleyball squad with 18 assists, seven kills and eight digs as Whitefish cruised past the 'Kats, 25-15, 25-19, 25-18.

Group working to build memorials at Sliter Park

A group of community members is working to revitalize the Sliter Park area in Bigfork.

Attorney encourages city to stick with lawsuit

Former Montana Supreme Court justice Terry Trieweiler weighed in on the "doughnut" issue in a Sept. 17 letter with advice to the Whitefish City Council.

Johnna Kathryn Pimentel, 49, of Ashburn, Va., died July 20, 2010 in Leesburg, Va. after courageously battling an aggressive case of cancer that began as melanoma.

Johnna was born to Sharon and (George) Roger Wilson Feb. 20, 1961 in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. In 1970 her family moved to Columbia Falls, just outside of Glacier National Park. She and her family enjoyed camping and picnics in Glacier, skiing on Big Mountain in Whitefish and traveling to see family in Coeur d'Alene.

Drugs, ads and age

G. GEORGE OSTROM / For the Hungry Horse News

Turnovers hurt 'Dogs in shoot-out at Ronan

The Bulldogs put up 26 points and nearly 400 yards of total offense Friday in a shoot-out with Ronan, but it wasn't enough to keep pace in the conference battle. The Chiefs outscored Whitefish 28-13 in the second half en route to a 50-26 win.

Homecoming snake dance

Belton sous chef drowns in Glacier

Michael William Sloan loved to fish. He loved to hunt. He loved the outdoors. And he was often late for work. So when the 30-year-old from Hungry Horse didn't show up to work on time last Tuesday his boss, Melissa Mangold, wasn't too worried.

Ice safety: Autumn considerations

Most love ice fishing or at least walking on the ice. But there are special needs, often overlooked, that your life may depend on. These relate to ice thickness and variations that can occur.

Likes Skees

Over the last few months since Derek Skees won the HD4 (Whitefish area) Republican primary, I have gotten to know him quite well. I have met with Derek several times and found that he can truly represent our interests in Helena in a manner that I find favorable, which is a very well run and efficient state government.

Bulldogs cruise on senior night

The Lady Bulldogs extended their dominance in the league Tuesday with an impressive 11-1 win over Bigfork, while the boys team bounced back from consecutive losses with a 7-0 shutout over the Vikings.

QRU building moving forward

The Lakeside Quick Response Unit is working to get its new ambulance hall and community meeting place secured for the winter.

Filling mason jars with sunshine

K.J. HASCALL / Hungry Horse News

Mission Pawsible

Flathead Shelter Friends, Flathead Spay Neuter Task Force, Humane Society of Northwest Montana and Whitefish Theatre Company would like to thank everyone involved with the Mission Pawsible fundraising event. Nearly two years of planning, organizing, promoting and getting things done were put into the event.

Likes Hammerquist

Do you know that Will Hammerquist has pure Montana running through his veins? His love for this state runs as deep as the soil in which he and his family have worked for two generations.

Friday filled with Homecoming activities

Bigfork Eagle

Michael William Sloan

Michael William Sloan of Hungry Horse passed away Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2010, doing what he loved, fishing Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park.

Banks remain confident in trying times

While banks across the U.S. are facing dire circumstances, sometimes facing takeover by federal regulators, banks in Montana are holding their own. But that doesn't mean there aren't "problem banks' here.

Roaming Gnome gets lost in Montana

Statewide tourism got a boost Sept. 14 when Travelocity announced at the Montana Economic Development Summit, in Butte, that it was investing $500,000 promoting Montana. The global travel company also said it would give $10,000 to the Montana Folk Festival, also in Butte.

Cheers for volunteers

Miriam Lewis was born and raised in Canada and spent most of her time between Lethbridge and Waterton. Upon graduation from California Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo, she loaded her backpack and set out on a solo trip to see the world.

Last-minute goal downs Bulldogs

Whitefish controlled the pitch for the first 65 minutes of their conference match against Polson on Saturday — hardly allowing the Pirates a solid chance on goal — but two small mental collapses in the final minutes proved to be deadly.

Volleyball takes Mission, soccer hit hard in Whitefish

Tuesday night it was all about the Bulldogs for Bigfork athletes.

Like Skees

We are endorsing Derek Skees for House District 4. We have known Derek and his wife Ronalee for many years and have the utmost respect for them. If there is one word to describe Derek and his wife, it is character.

Whitefish taxi driver faces fugitive from justice warrant

Rain doesn't stop 11th annual garage sale

UPDATED: Robbery reported at First Interstate Bank

Bigfork Eagle

Geneva Hotel

Geneva M. Hotel, 90, died of natural causes in Conrad, on Sept. 19, 2010.

The cutthroat trout of the Hungry Horse reservoir can rest a little easier now that Dick Trinastich has passed away.

Richard "Dick" Trinastich was born July 10, 1931 to Pete and Florence Trinastich in Great Falls. He graduated from Great Falls High School, where he was a standout on the Bison basketball team. Dick received a scholarship to play basketball for the University of Montana. After two years at the U of M, he enlisted in the army and was stationed in Korea and Japan.

'Jackets swarm Bulldogs

With only one senior taking the field at the Dawg Pound on Friday, Whitefish was no match for a speedy and talented Stevensville football team.

Inga Julia Olson passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 8, at the Immanuel Lutheran Home. She was 92.

Inga was born in Malta on Feb. 28, 1918, to Alfred and Marie Higdem. She grew up on the family homestead, where she went to country school in the Bennett Lake community and attended Malta High School.

Narnia

Vikes step over Lions, Runner places at invite

The Vikings extended their record to 3-1 overall and 2-0 in conference Friday night with a 34-14 victory over District 7B rivals Eureka.

Johnna Kathryn Pimentel, 49, of Ashburn, Va., died July 20, 2010 in Leesburg, Va. after courageously battling an aggressive case of cancer that began as melanoma.

Johnna was born to Sharon and (George) Roger Wilson Feb. 20, 1961 in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. In 1970 her family moved to Columbia Falls, just outside of Glacier National Park. She and her family enjoyed camping and picnics in Glacier, skiing on Big Mountain in Whitefish and traveling to see family in Coeur d'Alene.

'Dogs bounce Maidens

The Lady Bulldogs volleyball squad showed its tenacity in Ronan last week when it bounced back from a one-game deficit to rattle off three wins in a row and take their first conference match of the season.

Lady Bulldogs record fourth-consecutive shutout

The Lady Bulldogs' opponents would be happy just to get a shot on goal, much less actually having one hit the net.

Oliver Henry Clayton

Oliver Henry Clayton, son of Noah and Eliza Clayton, of Whitefish, was born Aug. 3, 2010, at North Valley Hospital.

Draft donut agreement includes current regs

More than 50 people crowded into the Whitefish library's community room on Sept. 14 to hear city and county representatives hammer out what's now called a "Restatement of Interlocal Agreement."

Blessed to be Montanans

Drivers learn very early on that we put the car into D to move forward and R to go in reverse. It's a simple driving maneuver, but one that aptly describes our current economic situation. We need to move forward as better days are ahead. Don't let anyone fool you into believing that Montana cannot out perform the rest of the nation.

Lady harriers hang with region's best

Whitefish Pilot

Wants lawsuit to proceed

The Interlocal Agreement Committee working to find a solution for representation of "doughnut" residents is considering an amendment that gives the county (by a vote of two commissioners' the ability to overturn every piece of legislation since 2005 that impacts the doughnut (including lakeshore protection regulations, growth policy, critical areas ordinance, dark skies and approximately 60 more such ordinances).

By Maggie Doherty

Likes trail

There goes the neighborhood

I have lived in Whitefish on Dakota Avenue for almost 20 years. Recently, in the past three years, I have been living and working in Arizona in the winter and returning home to Montana for the summer.

Thursday

The Columbia Falls Farmers Market is Thursdays at Discovery Square from 5 to 7:30 p.m.

A winless day for Vikes, Vals

The Bigfork volleyball team, boys soccer team and girls soccer team were each dealt a conference loss Thursday evening.

Against Brenneman

Let's take a walk through history and list a few of the assaults Brenneman has launched on property owners along with his Las Vegas planner:

Lakeside gains gallery for fine art displays

A new place for art in Lakeside opened earlier this month.

Williams sets school mark

Derrick Williams continued to shine as he took 20th out of a crowded field at the Mountain West Classic last Saturday.

Lighthouse Christian Home celebrates harvest

Resident has run-in with bear on nature trail

Up in the air

The Flathead Valley is filled with adventurous excursions meant to make the most out of what the area has to offer, but few combine breathtaking views, relaxation and thrill-seeking the way that hot air ballooning does.

Middle school welcomes new teachers

County taxes will go up slightly with new budget

Obituaries

The Bigfork Eagle runs obituaries and death notices free of charge for people who have lived in the Bigfork area. To submit, e-mail

Echo Lake house fire

Loyola knocks down Vals

The Bigfork volleyball team took a break Tuesday from its District 7B schedule to host Missoula Loyola from District 6B — a meeting which did not go the Valkyries' way as the Breakers swept the match in three sets.

Lakeside gains gallery for fine art displays

A new place for art in Lakeside opened earlier this month.

Columbia Falls eyes rail-served industrial park

Flathead County will receive a $1.4 million economic development grant, Sens. Max Baucus and Jon Tester announced last week.

Vikings defeat Plains

The Vikings football team showed just how far they have come from last season as they annihilated Plains-Hot Springs 42-7 Friday night in Hot Springs in the team's first conference game of the season.

Two-story home on Echo Lake burns

Bigfork Eagle

Her N. Fork

Carol Vuchetich / For the Hungry Horse News

BPCT opens 10th season

Annie Janson, a recognized face on the Village's stage after three summers as an actress with the Bigfork Summer Playhouse, has taken a turn in the director's chair for the Bigfork Playhouse Children's Theatre's production of "Narnia," which opens its 10th-anniversary season.

Undefeated start for Vals

The Valkyries volleyball team continued its sweep of District 7B teams last week as the Bigfork girls beat Troy in three games Thursday, Sept. 16, and Plains in four games Saturday.

Defenders Elise Gordon, Gabby Keller and Kinzie Howell fight for the ball against Whitefish's Caroline Carbo (in white). The Kats lost 3-0. (Matt Baldwin photo)

Girls thump Vals, lose to Dogs

A bearable summer

Larry Wilson / For the Hungry Horse News

Algae company gets $350,000 grant

Bear managers busy with bruins

Planning board passes plan

The revised Lakeside Neighborhood Plan cleared another hurdle last week as it was recommended for approval by the Flathead County Planning Board in a 4-2 vote.

My Missing Lynx

The Trailwatcher /G. George Ostrom

New logo for Bigfork revealed

The new logo for Bigfork was unveiled Wednesday morning, another step forward in an ongoing effort to brand the community.

Canyon head teachers excited for year ahead

Every day at Canyon Elementary is a busy one. But for teachers Nicolette Bales and Sherry Petersen, each day is a little bit busier than most.

Thursday

The Columbia Falls Farmers Market is Thursdays at Discovery Square from 5 to 7:30 p.m.

Cats look to rebound against Loggers

Hungry Horse News

Dancing for joy

K.J. Hascall/Hungry Horse News

Be aware of animal visitors

Bigfork has had visitors of a different variety than its usual tourists over the course of the past few weeks.

Biologist shares experience studying wolverines

West side of Sun Road closes Monday

Whitefish Contact

Department and employee contact information.

whitefish About

The first edition of the Whitefish Pilot rolled off the press on Jan. 23, 1904. For more than 100 years, the Pilot has been providing the citizens of Whitefish with local news, sports and feature stories, and it has played an integral role in documenting the city's transformation from a railroad town to a bustling resort community.

Hungryhorse about

The Hungry Horse News is a weekly newspaper with a circulation of 4,200. Published every Wednesday, the Hungry Horse News covers the community of Columbia Falls, Glacier National Park and the Flathead Valley.

Most taxpayers will see smaller city bills

Good news for taxpayers — about 70 percent of Whitefish taxpayers will see lower property tax and annual fee payments to the city as a result of the budget proposal approved by the Whitefish City Council on Sept. 7.

Jerald D. McDonald

Jerald D. McDonald, 60, of Columbia Falls was born March 29, 1950 and passed away Sept. 12, 2010.

Lakeside dedicates new park

Local residents, government officials and students came out to Volunteer Park in the rain Thursday, Sept. 9, to say "thank you" to residents Bruce Ennis and Margaret Davis.

10th annual CFBB auction raises about $28,000

Residents crowded into the Garden Bar last week for some libations and a chance to give back to the Village.

Whitefish soccer blanks Vikings

Whitefish added a touch of Brazilian flair to its roster Thursday in Bigfork, and with it came a much-needed offensive spark.

Why planning is a 'bad word'

Over the past several years in Flathead County, this failed and expensive experiment we call "planning" has led to dozens of lawsuits; the City of Whitefish and county government at each others throats; thousands of abandoned and disenfranchised citizens; ongoing attempts to regulate into extinction rural property ownership; numerous legally questionable new local government regulations denying property owners the lawful use of their property; and, on the county level, a legal 'settlement" that even by modest estimates chains taxpayers to several million dollars of debt.

Vals drop Loggers, Vikes get shutout

The Bigfork girls soccer team picked up its first conference win of the season with a 6-5 victory over the Libby.

Stabbings, burns and screaming

Larry Wilson / For the Hungry Horse News

LEAP program garners recognition

Bigfork's LEAP after-school program got a little added recognition to mark its fifth year of operation.

Council to take another look at U.S. 93 zoning

With the threat of a lawsuit hanging over its heads, the Whitefish City Council voted 5-1 to bring back zoning amendments to the U.S. 93 strip.

Lee Longfield

Lee Longfield passed away Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2010 at his home in Columbia Falls from a massive heart attack. He was born Oct.2, 1958 in Salmon, Idaho, to Alvia Lee and Mary Longfield. Lee graduated from Columbia Falls High School in 1976 and graduated from the University of Reno Nevada in 1981.

Richard Downen

Richard J. Downen, 46, of Columbia Falls, died at his home Aug. 29, 2010.

Biologist shares experience studying wolverines

West side of Sun Road closes Monday

Glacier proves to be a very popular park

Visitors flocked to Glacier National Park this year in what could be record numbers.

Charles Edward LeRoy Taylor, Jr.

Chuck passed away peacefully Aug. 11, 2010 at home at the age of 65 after a brave battle with cancer.

Lady Dogs' defense scores two shutouts

The Lady Bulldogs have employed an offense-first game plan thus far this season, but it was rock-solid defense that stole the show last week.

Library news

I have been an intermittently regular user of the Whitefish Library for about 30 years and have always found them friendly, helpful, competent and professional.

Remembering Becky Mattson

A few years ago, long-time Lakeside resident Becky Mattson sat on a swing at Wayfarers State Park near Bigfork and wondered out loud to family why there wasn't anything similar in her community — where children could swim and play.

Vikes dominate Conrad

The final score of Friday night's football game in Bigfork was 48-6, and, yes, the Vikings won the contest over the Conrad Cowboys.

Thursday

Friday

Stride-for-stride

James Rucker, of Spokane, Wash., edged Whitefish's Tyson Warner by about one minute to win the annual Two Bear Marathon on Sunday, finishing at 2:41:00.

S. Elaine Persinger

S. Elaine Persinger, 77, passed away Thursday, Sept. 9, 2010, and went home to our dear Lord and Savior.

Likes Skees

I am supporting my friend and vice-president of my company, Derek Skees, Republican candidate for House District 4 in Whitefish.

Balancing the budget: The Montana example

Montana is making national headlines lately, and for a very proud reason: We are one of only two states in America operating without a deficit.

Kats top Anaconda at rocky CFHS Tip Off Tourney

Hungry Horse News

City council OKs vendors

Donut draft sparks debate at council meeting

Tracing a local pioneer's family ties

One of Whitefish's most important pioneers was recognized by the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame & Western Heritage Center. Family members who drove over from Seattle to represent Mokutaro M. Hori included his granddaughter Judy Aya Williamson, her husband Tom and daughter Remi and granddaughter Esther Premo, her husband Lane and son Courtland.

Cats bag stunning win against Browning

Devyn Rocker returned the opening kickoff 89 yards for a touchdown and Nate Thompson rushed for 180 yards in the first half alone to lead the Columbia Falls football team to a 42-12 victory over Browning.

Vals defeat Troy

The Bigfork Valkyries took down their second-straight District 7B opponent on the volleyball court Thursday night as the girls defeated Troy in three games, 25-22, 25-22 and 25-23.

Bigfork boys steadily improving as competition gets tougher

The Bigfork Vikings soccer team got a little closer to winning its first game of the season last week as the team put up its first points after being shutout its previous three games.

Man survives tumble from Sun Road

Hungry Horse News

Hearing on plan to be held today

West Shore News

Harriers sweep Eureka cross-country meet

Both the boys and girls teams won the team titles at the Eureka Invitational Cross Country meet last Friday at the Indian Springs Ranch course.

Williams takes 8th at invite

The Columbia Falls cross country team had a strong showing at the Flathead Invitational last week. Derrick Williams led the boys’ effort, taking eighth overall with a time of 16:57 while teammate Justin Whitman took 15th with a time of 17:36.

Lake gets new park

Event brings in funds for training facility

Coach marks 100th win, Kats edge Libby 7-0

Coach Greg Trenerry marked his 100th win as the Columbia Falls girls soccer team blanked Libby last Saturday 7-0.

Dean B. Haworth

Dean B. Haworth, 53, passed away Sept. 2, 2010, at Whitefish Care and Rehab. He was born March 30, 1957, in Billings to Richard and Beverly Haworth.

Two-story home on Echo Lake burns

Bigfork Eagle

Sun Road closes because of snow

Glacier National Park officials temporarily closed the upper portion of the Going-to-the-Sun Road 8 a.m. Friday, Sept.17.

Look to Montanans for wolf solutions

It's like a bad horror movie where the monster keeps coming back no matter how many times you think it's been killed. In Hollywood, the worse the villain the more times it comes back to haunt you until it becomes painfully obvious that you'll need a silver bullet to solve the problem once and for all.

Homecoming heroes

Love at first fight

G. GEORGE OSTROM / For the Hungry Horse News

Copperheads shutout Whitefish; more Dog injuries

The injury bug is sweeping through the Bulldog locker room like pink eye though a kindergarten class — and it took its toll Friday night in Anaconda with a 33-0 nonconference loss.

A plan to get Montana back on track

In Montana, summer's arrival and departure is marked by two important holidays — Memorial Day, honoring our nation's servicemen and women, and Labor Day, honoring the contributions of the American worker to our nation's success and prosperity. The law creating Labor Day was passed in 1894, which is the same year hardscrabble homesteaders established Flathead County.

Troop fund

On behalf of U.S. Troop Fund, I would like to thank everyone attending, and those involved in our third annual bake sale at Army Navy of Whitefish. Your commitment to helping our troops is sincerely appreciated by many.

Cheers for volunteers

Jim Ramlow, a native of Whitefish, graduated from Whitefish High School and attended college in Washington, D.C., Boston and the University of Montana, where he earned his degree in law.

Letters to the editor

Register to vote

Varsity boys soccer ends after alcohol policy violated

The Columbia Falls boys soccer varsity season is over after a number of players violated the school's alcohol policy.

Butterfield back on top in Big Mtn. Hill Climb

Matt Butterfield regained the title of "King of the Mountain" by edging out Ben Parsons by 41 seconds at the annual Huckleberry Hill Climb at Whitefish Mountain Resort on Sept. 4.

Duck derby

On behalf of the Whitefish Community Foundation Board of Directors, I would like to express our great appreciation to the merchants, donors and Whitefish community supporters who adopted ducks and donated prizes making the second annual Whitefish Duck Derby a great success.

Fuel tanker trailer tips

Bigfork narrowly avoided what could have been a tragic accident Friday morning.

Bigfork girls pick up win

The Bigfork girls soccer team was able to scratch one thing off of its to-do list last week — win a game.

The truth about student enrollment in Whitefish

As administrators and teachers here in the district, we know we have a mobile student population. The question becomes, just how mobile are we as a school district?

A love letter

We should really call this a love letter to the community rather than an open letter. Now that your gracious applause has quieted down, the Stumptown Players would like to thank the Flathead Valley for all you did to make our first show, "Sylvia," a rousing success.

New chief of staff at NVH

Dr. Richard Friedman has been selected to be North Valley Hospital's new chief of staff. He succeeds Dr. Mirna Bowden.

West Jackson Decker

West Jackson Decker, son of Mark and Emily Decker, of Whitefish, was born Aug. 30, 2010, at North Valley Hospital.

Trails committee gets to work

Community

Rehberg visits Nomad

U.S. Representative vows to help area businesses succeed

Lady 'Dogs confident after preseason

The Lady Bulldogs split a pair of nonconference games last weekend, losing a tight match 2-1 to defending Class A champions Billings Central before rolling past Laurel 7-2.

Mitchell Alan Reemts

Mitchell Alan Reemts, 48, of Columbia Falls passed away Saturday, Aug. 28, 2010 at his home in Columbia Falls.

Likes Hammerquist

Nov. 2 is just around the corner and it's time the citizens of Whitefish realize the clear choice when electing the next representative of House District 4. As a resident of this city for many years, Whitefish has specific needs that can be best advocated for in the legislature by candidate Will Hammerquist.

Beverly Lee Smith Arriaga

Beverly Lee Smith Arriaga went on to meet her Heavenly Father on Sept. 4, 2010 near Paradise, at age 60. She was born Nov. 3, 1949 to Marvin and Clara Brittenham in Kalispell. She grew up in Columbia Falls and after graduating from Columbia Falls High School she graduated from Montana State College in Billings with a B.A. in teaching. She went on to teach in Idaho. She returned to Montana and raised her son in Columbia Falls. She worked in the dietary department at Kalispell Regional Medical Center for over 15 years. Beverly married Rudy Arriaga on April 23, 2010.

Economist clarifies Flathead forecast

Reduced charges in prostitution, forgery case

Volunteer Park dedication

Cats take 2nd at home

Hungry Horse News

Dawn Fraser

Dawn Marie Kell Fraser, 81, died Aug. 30, 2010, in Whitefish.

Dayton celebrates 100th birthday

There's some debate over how many candles should be on the cake, but either way this weekend marks a big birthday for the community of Dayton.

Rudy Arriaga

Rudy Arriaga, 78, died Saturday, Sept. 4, 2010, near Paradise, at the age of 78. He was born June 14, 1932, in Wichita, Kan., to Lorenzo and Leonora (Granados' Arriaga.

Likes Gallagher

The purpose of the Montana Public Service Commission is to serve the public interest. So when it came to my attention that PSC candidate Bill Gallagher may not be forthcoming about his ownership and financial interests in a water utility, I was concerned.

Barbara Jean Ott Reynolds

Barbara Jean Ott Reynolds passed away, at home, on Sept. 3, 2010 surrounded by her family. She was born in Bemidji, Minn., on April 30, 1933 to Emil and Else Ott, the seventh of 10 children. When she was in high school her family moved to Columbia Falls. However, she choose to remain in Bemidji to finish school. She moved into an apartment above the movie theatre where she was working. She soon discovered that she missed her family and she too moved to Columbia Falls. It was there that she met the love of her life, Charles Ray Reynolds. They were married on March 3, 1951 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church and began their life together, both working and living at the Montana Veteran's Home.

Annual fire fundraiser held this Friday

The Friends of Bigfork Fire Department will host its fourth annual Brats, Burgers and Band fundraising event at 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 10, at the Harbor Village Pavilion.

Vals drop Loggers, Vikes get shutout

The Bigfork girls soccer team picked up its first conference win of the season with a 6-5 victory over the Libby.

Lady 'Dogs fall to Polson

Whitefish's volleyball squad opened conference play with a tough 3-1 loss to a talented Polson team featuring one of the league's best closers in Breanne Kelly.

Committee to work on trail project

Flathead cherry harvest brings in 2.75 million pounds

Valkyries hit the court

Although it has yet to play a match against any teams from District 7B, the Valkyries volleyball team is picking up solid experience while preparing for such a game.

Supports high school

My wife and I have four children, two of whom have graduated from Whitefish, one who is currently in high school, and a son who will be entering high school next fall. The condition as well as the inadequacies of our high school should embarrass everyone within our community.

Blake Perisho

Blake Perisho, son of David and Nichole Perisho, of Whitefish, was born Aug. 19, 2010, at North Valley Hospital.

Students head back to school

Bigfork students returned to the school Tuesday, Sept. 7, to a number of facility and technology upgrades completed over the summer.

PTA needs more parent involvement

As a returning co-president of the Whitefish PTA, I would like to let the general public know what PTA is about. We are a parent-teacher association, which means that we are a group that includes parents and teachers who are devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of parent involvement in schools.

Richard J. Downen

Rich Downen, 46, Columbia Falls, died at his home Sunday, Aug. 29.

Flathead filmmaker releases 'The Wylds'

Players gear up for new season

River drained for clean-up

The Whitefish River ran dry by noon on Sept. 3 from near the BNSF Railway trestle downstream to the Second Street bridge as the slow-moving river was diverted into three four-foot diameter plastic pipes.

Hearing on plan to be held today

West Shore News

X-C team runs first race

The Bigfork cross-country team had its first outing of the season Friday when it competed in the Libby Invitational.

Passing the shears

Archer bags bear on opening day

Letters to the editor

Editor's note: August was the third anniversary of the death of Bigfork artist Elmer Sprunger. This poem was submitted in his remembrance.

Patrolling up the North Fork

Larry Wilson / For the Hungry Horse News

Thursday

Friday

Vikes battle but fall to Loyola

The Vikings' voyage to take on Missoula Loyola started better than most expected, but in the end, the fatigued and injured Bigfork football team let up in the fourth quarter and was sent home with a 61-34 defeat.

Red Caboose closing doors after 4-year run

Four years after he built the distinctive Red Caboose diner on Central Avenue, owner Richard Kramer is closing the doors Sunday night, Sept. 12.

Montana sets example for U.S.

Montana is making national headlines lately, and for a very proud reason: We are one of only two states in America operating without a deficit.

Donut committee favoring county role

The joint city-county committee tasked with finding a solution to governance of Whitefish's two-mile planning and zoning jurisdiction took a first look at a draft amendment to the interlocal agreement that created the "doughnut" area on Aug. 31.

Williams, Whitman in top 10 at Cut Bank

Derrick Williams took sixth and Justin Whitman took 10th at the Cut Bank cross country time trials last Friday.

Permissiveness poetry

G. GEORGE OSTROM / For the Hungry Horse News

'Dogs find redemption against Central

For a game that means nothing come playoff time, Whitefish's 2-0 win over Billings Central Friday was vastly significant to the seniors who finally shook a pesky monkey off their backs.

Girls split southern trip

The Columbia Falls girls soccer team split its southern trip last week, downing Livingston 2-1 Friday, but losing to Belgrade 3-1 on Saturday.

Budgets: The Montana example

Montana is making national headlines lately, and for a very proud reason: We are one of only two states in America operating without a deficit.

Lion chases cat through residence

Oh my, look what the cat dragged in — another, much bigger cat. The sort of cat that might just eat a person for dinner.

City council approves community garden

The Columbia Falls City Council gave the community garden a place to officially take root Monday.

Fall begins in the Village

Letter from the editor

Bulldogs make statement with 27-6 win over Browning

In case you didn't hear the roar coming from the Dawg Pound Friday night — they still play football in Whitefish.

XC girls take first in Libby

The Whitefish High School cross-country teams competed at the Libby Invitational Cross Country meet on Sept. 3 and left with promising results.

Thursday prep action: Volleyball picks up win, soccer falls to Whitefish

Friday morning the Valkyrie volleyball team headed to Columbia Falls to take part in the Northwest/Southwest Tip-off Tournament, but before doing so the girls picked up a win in their first league match of the season Thursday night at home against Thompson Falls.

Whitefish radio show nominated for award

ÒAcross Turtle Island,Ó a radio show hosted by Flathead resident Jeny Running Brook Covill, has been nominated for Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Award in the category of Best Aboriginal Music Radio Station/Program.

Broncs get the better of Cats

The game started out in Columbia Falls' favor. But after that, it was all Hamilton as the Columbia Falls football team lost 17-6 to the Broncs last Friday.

Cheers for volunteers

Dave Williams was born and raised in Pennsylvania. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy with a degree in analytical management, he was assigned to duty in California, where he met and married Judy.

Not a drug

A brief note concerning the on-going brouhaha about marijuana.

Week in photos: 9-16-10

Eagle Scout project at bike park

Matt Kennedy isn’t a mountain biker — he’s a rock climber. He’s more likely to be found scaling the 5.10 rated climb “Room with a View” at Stone Hill near Eureka than tearing up the trails or hitting the jumps at Spencer Mountain.

Residents to express thanks for new park

West Shore News

Cheers for volunteers

Linda Dutton was born and raised on a farm in southern Idaho. She attended rural schools, followed by college at Eugene, Ore., where she earned the status of licensed practical nurse. It was there she met her late husband Howard, a budding industrial engineer.

CARE conflict

The Flathead Valley is fortunate to have two CARE programs. One is based in Kalispell and serves Kalispell, Bigfork and Columbia Falls school districts. The other is Whitefish CARE, which has been in existence since the early 1990s and serves Whitefish School District.

Turnover bug bites Cats in opener

Before the season began, coach Bill Coleman likened the first four games of the football schedule to the preseason — none of the games count toward a playoff run.

Somers couple seeks help in building house for injured veteran

A set of concerned parents in Somers is seeking help from the community to provide housing for a veteran of the Iraq War and his family.

Skees best candidate for Montana HD4

I am publicly announcing my support for Derek Skees, Republican candidate for Montana House District 4.

Molding young musicians

Rugmaker, rugmaker, make me a rug

The Mysterious Col. Flanagan

Sometimes, in the wilds of our wonderful Northwest Montana, we encounter a unique treasure that must be investigated.

Campfire sparks small blaze

An abandoned campfire sparked up a small wildfire Aug. 26 near Smith Lake, just north of Whitefish Lake. Officials said the fire was likely left burning following a party at Smith Lake.

Volleyball squad 'full of energy'

The Lady Bulldogs' volleyball squad is bouncing off the walls with excitement. In fact, Whitefish coach Jackie Fuller has never seen a team so ready to start a season.

Spikers go 0-8 at opener

It was a rough weekend for the Kats at the Whitefish Starter Tournament. The team went 0-8 in the 10-team tourney and finished at the bottom of Pool B.

Dogs lose opener; Roche out for year

As if a 45-point whooping by the Havre Blue Ponies last Saturday wasn't a tough enough way to kick off the Bulldogs' football season, Whitefish learned Tuesday that senior quarterback Mac Roche is likely out for the year.

Week in sports photos

Cheerleaders ready to bring energy to games

Over the past couple of years the Bigfork High School cheerleading squad has impressed crowds with its continually bigger and better stunting abilities and polished performances of cheers and dance routines, and this year the squad hopes to build on that reputation.

Vint's vision of Glacier a continuing legacy

It's August 1924. Three men sit on horseback, overlooking Glacier National Park's Garden Wall. One man is the trim and fit George Goodwin, a veteran civil engineer. The other is National Park Service director Stephen Mather. The third is Thomas Vint, a young and portly 29-year-old landscape architect, who had been with the Service for all of two years.

X-C to make mark

The Bigfork cross-country team almost didn't have a season at all following the cancellation of its funding by the district, and now the runners intend to make this a season to remember.

Thursday

The Columbia Falls Farmers Market is Thursdays at Discovery Square from 5 to 7:30 p.m.

Eugene A. Matteson

Eugene A. Matteson of Kingman, Ariz., passed away tragically along with his two faithful companion dogs, Pudgy and Sky, early evening on Sunday, Aug. 15, 2010. A loving husband, father, brother and uncle, Gene will be dearly missed by those he touched with his love. Gene was born Nov. 15, 1949 to Robert and Ruth Matteson in Spokane, Wash. He moved with his family to Ohio then back to Montana, settling in Columbia Falls where he attended school and graduated from high school. After high school, he entered the Army Reserves and worked for Anaconda Aluminum in Columbia Falls. During this time he married Corinne Hartigan and to that union, his two girls, Shaunda and Jana, were born. After their divorce Gene moved to South Carolina and worked for a number of years for Alcoa, retiring in 2002.

Vals, Vikes make their mark on the soccer field

The Bigfork boys and girls soccer teams played host to Stillwater Christian School on Tuesday night, and both the Vikings and Valkyries came away with milestones.

Swan River School students return to the classroom

Students are settling into their classrooms at Swan River School today after starting school Wednesday and may have already noticed several new additions this year.

Sept. 9, 2010 photos

Norma Jean Lipp

Norma Jean Lipp, 83, passed away with her family at her side Aug. 27, 2010 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center. Norma was born on Feb. 16, 1927 in Colo, Iowa, to Virgil and Rozetta (Hartman) McKinney.

Construction to begin on First Street

The reconstruction of First Street from the alley behind Casey's Bar to Baker Avenue will begin the day after Labor Day, Tuesday, Sept. 7. The project includes replacing sewer lines, sidewalks, street curbs and gutters. Schellinger Construction is contracted for the work.

Local filmmaker releases 'The Wylds'

Siyeh Pass: A hike around Going-to-the-Sun Mountain

Get ready to rumble: Annual car show set for Sunday

Residents and visitors alike should get ready to rumble this weekend as the Village hosts its third annual Rumble in the Bay car show.

Rumble in the Bay

Girls dump Vals, 5-1

The Columbia Falls girls soccer team opened their season by drubbing Bigfork 5-1 at home Tuesday.

Letters to the editor

A moment of humanity

Supports Hammerquist

This election cycle I am supporting Will Hammerquist to represent Whitefish in the Montana Legislature. He is the most qualified individual to take on the responsibilities of advocating for Whitefish in Helena. Will also is working very hard knocking on doors to speak with people directly. He is listening to their ideas and building a platform that will serve our community well. I have had the opportunity to engage with Will on several occasions and am confident in my decision to support him.

Construction abomination

While it may a good idea to fix the cracks in our roads, the result of recent work on U.S. 93 on the south end of Whitefish is an abomination. First, they route out the cracks, then they spray some kind of rubber slurry into the cracks and finish it off by rolling toilet paper on top. That's right, toilet paper, which apparently serves as some sort of absorbent seal.

Two injured in car-motorcycle crash

Auditions held for BPCT's first show

New school needed

It appears again that there is going to be a debate about whether or not Whitefish needs a new high school. In response to the recent letter from Cy Appel, I would like to clear up some assumptions made.

School works to keep nurse

Mash Bash photos

Obituaries

The Bigfork Eagle runs obituaries and death notices free of charge for people who have lived in the Bigfork area.

Bulldogs even after two matches

It's only two games into the season, and already the Bulldogs soccer club has seen both sides of a rout.

Bunny business

G. GEORGE OSTROM / For the Hungry Horse News

Wave Ryders win nine state titles

The Wave Ryder Swim Club took home nine state titles from the Montana Long Course State Championship Swim Meet July 30 - Aug 1 in Bozeman. The top swimmers in the state competed at the event.

Lady 'Dogs cruise past Stevensville

Consider this a warning shot.

Vikes look to build on 2009 season

The 2009 football season was a big one for the Bigfork Vikings as the boys broke a 28 game losing streak and ultimately finished the season 4-1 in District 7B and tied Eureka and Plains for the regular season title despite having to cope with a myriad of changes.

Boys lose opener, but tie Bigfork

The Columbia Falls boys soccer team had plenty of chances Tuesday, but came up just short against Bigfork in a 0-0 draw.

Hoping for an Indian Summer

Larry Wilson / For the Hungry Horse News

Asking for peace and quiet

Waldron hopes Park assesses human noise

Transition going smoothly

The transition of Bigfork Ambulance into the Bigfork Fire Department has gone extremely well. Personnel has had a positive attitude and been working very hard this past month. It will take us several more months to tie up loose ends.

County says it's a bridge too far

Developer will not build private bridge across Flathead River

Ski resort readies for new chair lift

Crews at Whitefish Mountain Resort cleared a path of trees on the lower half of Big Mountain last month in preparation for a new chair lift that is slated to be installed next summer.