Ellington

FWP investigates Whitefish deer poachings

Game wardens are investigating a series of poaching incidents this month that have left several deer shot dead and left to waste in areas around Whitefish.

General big-game hunting forecasts

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks recently released its 2012 antelope, elk and deer hunting forecasts.

Fecal coliform contaminates stormwater run-off sample

Relatively high amounts of fecal coliform bacteria were found in stormwater samples gathered in the first post-stormwater project sampling taken on May 21.

Booster Club BBQ

The Columbia Falls Booster Club will host its Homecoming barbecue fundraiser at the entrance to the football field on Friday, Sept. 28, at 5:45 p.m. Cost is $5 for a hamburger or Polish dog, chips, a cookie and a drink.

Windows on Whitefish

First installment of downtown mosaic

Dogs corner Cats in 6-0 win at home

Whitefish defender Jon Dittman took possession of the ball at midfield. After a few touches, he booted a pass over the Columbia Falls back line to Sam Donaldson sprinting down the far sideline. Donaldson took a touch and crossed a perfectly placed ball in front of the net for Nathan Boone who wasted no time finding the back of the net.

Dogs buzz past Loggers, 45-29

Defense led to offense, and the offense led to five unanswered touchdowns as the Bulldogs lit up the Libby Loggers Friday night for a 45-29 conference victory.

Kats squeak by Dogs

Thursday’s Dog-Kat girls soccer game fully lived up to the hype.

Cyclist balances life, competition

Pro mountain biker Clint Muhlfeld has put together an impressive season on the dirt while managing to balance family, work and an intensive training regimen. The Whitefish cyclist has been at the front of the pack at a number of major national endurance races, and has racked up two top-10 finishes in the U.S. National Ultra Endurance Mountain Bike Series.

Clarine Elizabeth Harker

Clarine Elizabeth Harker, 91, of Whitefish, died and gracefully took her place among the angels on Sept. 22, 2012 at Bee Hive Homes, an assisted living facility in Columbia Falls.

Carrol Lemar Sorensen

Carrol Lemar Sorensen, 82, passed away on Sept. 17, 2012 in Kalispell. Carrol was born at home to Tena (Larsen) and Alfred Sorensen on Jan. 10, 1930 in Turner County near Hurley, S.D. He was the fourth of six children and the youngest son. He attended country schools and graduated from Irene High School in 1948.

The 47 percent

Governor Romney is correct — 47 percent of Americans don’t pay federal income taxes — so let’s look at two individuals in the 47 percent.  

Neighborhood deer

I wanted to address the deer situation that seems to be happening around Whitefish. I love seeing them in my yard and walking down the street like a family of a different culture.

'Real Forrest Gump' to speak at clinic

Shepherd’s Hand is sponsoring a workshop to get Whitefish moving.

Native Eyewear to give $5,000 grant

Native Eyewear came to Whitefish for its Locals Only Project and now its giving back to the community with a $5,000 grant.

Giving one hour for a child

The Whitefish CARE mentoring program seems to revolve around a simple thought: Sometimes it takes just one hour to make a difference in a child’s life.

Downtown deer shooter sentenced to six months

A Whitefish man has been sentenced to six months in county jail for shooting two deer near downtown Whitefish last winter.

Oakland flight could be suspended

Allegiant’s nonstop flight between Kalispell and Oakland, Calif., could be put on hold this winter due to a lack of gate space at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The possible seasonal suspension has local tourism officials on edge with serious marketing and economic development efforts planned for the San Francisco Bay area.

BNSF increases Bakken capacity

BNSF Railway plans to increase their hauling capacity from the Bakken oil fields in the Williston Basin of Montana and North Dakota to 1 million barrels per day.

Big Read looks at 'Fahrenheit 451'

Come October Whitefish will envelop itself in Ray Bradbury’s classic novel “Fahrenheit 451” as part of The Big Read.

Bear volunteer concerned about unsecured trash

If Yogi is smarter than the average bear, consider the bears at the Grizzly Discovery Center in West Yellowstone to be regular Einsteins.

James Barker

James Carl Barker, 86, passed away Aug. 27, 2012, with his family by his side in Columbia Falls.

Clarine Harker

Clarine Elizabeth Harker, 91, of Whitefish, died and gracefully took her place among the angels on Sept. 22, 2012, at Bee Hive Homes, an assisted living facility in Columbia Falls.

Bruce Weir and Barbara Weir

Bruce Weir and Barbara Krall Weir passed away this summer.

Carrol Sorensen

Carrol Lemar Sorensen, 82, of Columbia Falls, died Sept. 17, 2012, at Health Center Northwest, in Kalispell.

Harlen Brown

Harlen H. Brown, 79, passed away Sept. 21, 2012, at the North Valley Hospital, surrounded by his wife and children.

Much of North Fork is already 'wilderness'

I had never heard of a “liberal conservationist” until that label was applied to me by Matthew Chappell in a recent letter to the editor in the Hungry Horse News.

My interesting week

National media is busy these days hawking all the new shows coming up on this fall’s TV menus. One particular promo caught my interest because the show, “66 Park Avenue,” will feature a well-known and successful starring lady who once got me in trouble with my wife. Oops, maybe I’d better explain that a little more.

A retrospective: Montana's forest products industry

At the end of the month, the Montana Wood Products Association will hold their annual convention and celebration of 40 years representing the forest products industry in Montana. What has changed or maybe not changed in the past 40 years?

Supports Fern for legislature

Dave Fern is a smart choice for state senator from Senate District 2. District 2 covers the north Flathead Valley area, including Columbia Falls and Whitefish. I have had the pleasure of working with Dave Fern for many (20ish) years as volunteers in our local communities and personally know him to be a hard working, contentious and thoughtful leader at both the local and state levels.

Like Fern for state senate

Without reservation, I support Dave Fern to be our next Montana state senator for District 2. Dave is smart, thoughtful and not engrossed in any political ideology. Although his expertise is in education and school funding, his issues are your issues. He listens to voters instead of telling the voters what he thinks they want to hear.

Kats drop two, riding the learning curve

The Columbia Falls volleyball team is working hard but not getting much in the win column. The girls lost at home on Sept. 18 to Stillwater Christian School in three games, 25-17, 25-18, 25-20, and then to Frenchtown at home on Sept. 22 in three games, 25-16, 25-16, 25-22.

Flathead Lake anglers to compete in Mack Days tournament

Fall Mack Days on Flathead Lake began on Sept. 21 and will end on Nov. 11.

Flathead jobless rate remains at 7.9 percent during summer season

Flathead County unemployment rates remain unchanged since July when they improved to 7.9 percent, the best number in four years.

Kats drop Whitefish for conference lead

The Columbia Falls girls soccer team dropped Whitefish last week to take sole possession of first place in the Northern Class A division.

Wildcats go 0-3 for the week

The Columbia Falls boys soccer team had a rough week, losing all three road matches.

Early ballots and forums coming soon

About 14,000 absentee ballots will be mailed out to registered voters in Flathead County on Oct. 9, according to the county election department. That represents about a quarter of the 59,000 registered voters in the county.

Enrollment down slightly, Somers school board plans for the future

Enrollment numbers are slightly down for the Lakeside-Somers school district this year when compared to the last year’s enrollment. Somers School District 29 board of trustees reviewed the current tuition totals and discussed ways to prepare for the future during their regular meeting on Sept. 18.

Five local golfers headed to state

The Columbia Falls golf team will send two boys and three girls to the state tournament in Anaconda this Friday.

Bigfork waste to be diverted to Somers and Creston

Flathead County Solid Waste Department plans to consolidate green box sites including the closure of the site located on Montana Highway 83.

Cats blanked by Pirates, 35-0, face Park this week

The Columbia Falls football team had a tough time against the Pirates in Polson last week, losing 35-0 in the Sept. 21 showdown.

Runners take second at Thompson Falls

Both Columbia Falls cross-country teams took second at the Thompson Falls Invitational meet on Sept. 21.

BPCT begins 12th season with 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat'

The Bigfork Playhouse Children’s Theatre opened their first production of the 2012-13 season, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”

Forest plans for avalanche awareness

The Flathead National Forest has plans to create a new avalanche awareness and Web site and information service by late fall.

Fire near Condon is still growing, smoke disrupts sporting events

With clearing clouds and inversion combined with warm temperatures this week, the fire near Condon is expected to continue backing and flanking into the Cooney Creek drainage on the southern flank and toward the Swan River Valley on the western flank.

Survey details Montana's nonresident visitors

The average nonresident tourist to Montana is 58 years old, traveling in a group of 2.15 people, has a household income of about $75,000 a year and is a repeat visitor who enjoys scenic drives.

Jury quickly acquits river trail trespasser

A Columbia Falls City Court jury wasted little time Sept. 13 in finding a local woman not guilty of trespassing on a closed city trail.

Fall Mack Days off to a head start in its first weekend New event to be held Friday

Hard fishing lake trout anglers turned in a total of 1,302 lake trout entries during the first weekend of the 2012 fall fishing event slightly edging the 2011 fall event by 38 fish.

Challenger calls for more collaboration

House District 3 Democratic candidate Zac Perry says he wants the constituents’ endorsement.

Incumbent wants to rein in government

Jerry O’Neil’s long-held libertarian beliefs show in the responses he gives to interviewers. The 69-year-old Columbia Falls resident and Republican representative for House District 3 is running for re-election to a second term this year.

Voters will see five ballot issues this November

Marijuana, abortion, Obamacare and election finance still on the ballot

Murder and Motherhood

Five years after she completed a first draft of her novel about murder and motherhood, former Columbia Falls resident Marie Martin has listed the perfected manuscript on Amazon’s Kindle to resounding success.

Electrical scammers afoot

Flathead Electric Cooperative warns members about recent energy scams in the area involving a postcard in the mail inviting people to a free dinner where they will be shown how to save 50 percent or more on their energy costs.

Outdoor news

Wilderness fundraiser

Community news

Garage sale

Howard Melvin McKee

Howard Melvin McKee, 87, of Enumclaw, Wash., passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, Sept. 20. He was born Aug. 3, 1925 in Bryant Township, S.D. At the young age of 13 Howard left school to help run his parents farm after his dad had a horrible farming accident. He married Eloise Helen Phillips on Sept. 23, 1946. Shortly after they moved to Forks, Wash., to finally end up in Enumclaw in 1963.

BHS student's request for open campus touts economic benefits

Bigfork High School student Seth Roessman requested the Bigfork School District board of trustees allow open campus lunch during their regular board meeting on Sept. 19. Under the proposal, it would mean high school students with good grades, and less than two tardies per quarter, would be allowed to leave campus during lunch.

Swan Lake Ranger District to host open house for Wild Cramer and Fuels Reduction

The Swan Lake Ranger District of the Flathead National Forest is holding an open house on Sept. 26 from 4-7 p.m. at the Swan Lake Ranger District, 200 Ranger Station Road, Bigfork, to field questions about the draft environmental impact statement for the proposed Wild Cramer Forest Health and Fuels Reduction Project.

Courts continue to favor campaign de-regulation

Supporters of campaign regulation continue to face legal setbacks in court in the aftermath of the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2010 Citizens United ruling. At stake are contribution limits, public disclosure and even keeping some elections nonpartisan.

Early election ballots and forums coming soon

About 14,000 absentee ballots will be mailed out to registered voters in Flathead County on Oct. 9, according to the county election department. That represents about a quarter of the 59,000 registered voters in the county.

Bigfork Schools approve drivers ed. fee increase

The Bigfork School Board of trustees approved a fee increase for driver’s education, a new option for high school students to earn credit for extracurricular activities, and discussed the benefits of STAR testing and online classes within the district during their regular meeting on Sept. 19.

Help the Flathead fight cancer next Friday at Harvest Foods

Here is an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of our mothers, sisters, wives, daughters and grandmas by coming to Bigfork Harvest Foods on Friday, Oct. 5 and making a donation to SAVE A SISTER.

Americans need to become concerned and put people in political power that will actually work

The wisdom of factual reporting and analysis sometimes comes through amidst the vast array of written and spoken opinions on our nations broken political system.

How tough do we get with DUI offenders?

I would speak to two famous sayings, one perhaps remembered by more people than the other. The Clint Eastwood movie, “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly” is the first, the second from the Pogo cartoon strip, “We have met the enemy and he is us.” Both apply to people driving under the influence of alcohol.

Watch what Senator Tester does in Washington

Senator Tester won a close race with Senator Conrad Burns back in 2006 with the typical left-wing election ethics — not about issues but distortion, distractions, and out right lies.

Politics is like ice cream, you need to do a bit of research before deciding

If “mama always said life is like a box of chocolates,” then this hungry editor says politics is like a tub of ice cream. The packaging can be deceitful since it is designed to be as appealing as possible.

Tribe members cash $10,000 settlement checks

POLSON — Members of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes have received $10,000 checks — their share of a $1 billion settlement over mismanagement of assets and natural resources held in trust by the federal government for the tribes.

New first grade teacher starts her career in Bigfork

There are seven new teachers in the Bigfork school district this year, and Ashley Herriott is starting her teaching career as Bigfork Elementary School’s new first-grade teacher.

America is not a 'democracy' anymore, it is a 'plutocracy'

In viewing, factually, our nations form of government as we wind down into the last couple of months of political campaigning, I think it is well to realize that America is not a “democracy” anymore.  It is a “plutocracy.”

Candidate Richardson's reputation speaks volumes

Fellow residents and voters of Lake county. Please consider joining others of us in casting your vote for Sharon Richardson who is vying on the ballot with 10 others for the job of Justice of the Peace.

Voters should consider carefully how they will vote in this November's upcoming election

Perception is certainly “in the eyes of the beholder.”

Disneyland or national park?

I can’t even begin to tell you the fantasies I have about going to Glacier National Park and just letting all the nagging worries in life melt into the forested backdrop of natural beauty. As someone who lives in the Flathead, but hasn’t had the chance to visit the park this summer, I can tell you those dreams are all-inclusive.

Canola rotates into harvest

With over 6,000 acres being harvested in the Flathead Valley right now, canola is a farming fad that’s catching on.

Candidate Bucy campaigns in the Flathead

Montana Attorney General candidate Pam Bucy brought her campaign to the Flathead Valley last week with experience as her campaign’s emphasis. Bucy worked as Executive Assistant Attorney General from 2001-08 and currently works as administrative counsel for the Montana Department of Labor.

BHS volleyball fields two more losses

Vals soccer team steadily improves through season

Vikings wrangle the Cowboys 42-0

Morley places first in Ronan, BHS cuts time

Vikes play best game through biggest loss

Huck 100 riders pedal through Bigfork

Stormwater completion plans still on hold

Bigfork assisted-living center approved

Echo Lake causeway to be repaired, reopened

Candidate Bucy campaigns in valley

What is logical?

Given that the legalization of marijuana is an emotionally charged hot-button issue, I would like to put forth a position based on reason and logic rather than a subjective opinion.

A win-win benefiting kids and schools

We have been writing about Whitefish Legacy Partners efforts to provide more money than ever with our current “suite of transactions” on the table. Some folks may be wondering what “more than ever” actually is? How much money are we talking about for schools and kids?

Fern dedicated to public service

Stepping aside from all the campaign rhetoric, I want people to know what a great senator by husband, Dave Fern, will make for Senate District 2.  

Forest Service decision to deny air drop hinders recovery effort

I and six of my horses recently had the wonderful yet sad experience of participating in the expedition to search for and ultimately recover the remains of Noah Pippin.

'Rigor' one of the new Rs

On the first day of school, I visited a classroom in which one of our teachers was sitting in a corner surrounded by students engaged in a thoughtful conversation about what it means to become a community of learners. As the discussion evolved, the teacher encouraged her young students to explain their opinions, listen carefully to details in one another’s answers, and respectfully share their agreements and disagreements.

Gangemi, Kalbfleisch lead harriers at Ronan

The Whitefish High School cross country teams went to the Ronan Invitational looking for positive team results and improved individual results. What they received was much better.

Dogs stomp Pirates in title game rematch

Making it look easy at times, Whitefish’s boys soccer team knocked off two of the league’s top contenders last week.

Toy Soldier marches on

The filmmakers at Toy Soldier Productions came back from the International Freeski Film Festival in Montreal last week with some hard-earned hardware.

Lady Dogs perfect at home

Whitefish’s girls soccer team stayed perfect in league play after picking up a pair of wins last week against Bigfork and Polson.

WHS golfers in top form

Whitefish’s Art Doorn and Erin Tabish finished at the top of the leaderboard and the Bulldog boys claimed a team title on Friday at the Libby Invitational golf tournament at Cabinet View Golf Club.

Vandals send marathon runners down wrong trail

As if Whitefish’s grueling Two Bear marathon isn’t challenging enough, the lead runners of Sunday’s race were taken on an unexpected three-mile detour.

New avalanche website planned

The Flathead National Forest has plans to create a new avalanche awareness website and information service by late fall.

Bear killed after mauling solo camper in the Bob

A black bear that mualed a man camping in the Black Bear Creek campsite of the Bob Marshall Wilderness has been destroyed. Evidence from the Sept. 14 incident led Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials to call the mauling “a predatory attack.”

Busy summer boosts Resort Tax collections

Summer of 2012 appears to be a positive one for Whitefish tourism

Biomass in schools nixed

A study of options for heating Whitefish schools shows that using wood biomass isn’t likely to be financially feasible for the school district.

Storm damages library at Muldown Elementary

Muldown Elementary suffered some damage earlier this month after temporary measure to seal the roof failed in the wake of a rain storm.

Water service rates going up 2.5 percent

The Whitefish City Council was split in its decision Sept. 4 to raise user fees for solid waste service and water and wastewater service.

Conservationist says resort should do more to control knapweed

An avid hiker and noted conservationist suggests that Whitefish Mountain Resort can do more to control weeds near the Danny On Trail.

William Heis

William Albert Heis passed away Sept. 15, 2012, in Kalispell. He was born Aug. 11, 1936, in Hamilton, Ohio. After attending schools there, Bill served in the U.S. Air Force.

Harold Nutter

Harold F. “Buck” Nutter, 54, “went to meet with God” on Sept. 7, 2012.

Kristine Matlock

Kristine Marie Matlock, 40, of Hungry Horse, passed away at her home, on Sept. 15, 2012

Carrol Sorensen

Carrol Lemar Sorensen, 82, of Columbia Falls, died Sept. 17, 2012, at Health Center Northwest, in Kalispell.

Great vacation

Can the Hungry Horse residents keep a secret?

Supports vets

In 2011 the Montana State Veterans Home in Columbia Falls was threatened with closure or privatization. Sen. Dave Lewis of Helena is again pushing for the privatization of this facility, which has been an integral part of the Columbia Falls community since 1896.

The true story of Centennial Sal

The 100th anniversary of Montana’s statehood was celebrated in 1989. Teachers were instructing students about the history and importance of statehood and the reasons for the centennial celebrations.

No outhouses in RAC project list

The Resource Advisory committee (RAC) has been reauthorized for one year. Previous reauthorizations have all been for three years, so this year’s federal dollars may well be the last. Of course, we were told last year that the 2012 monies would be the end of the program, so who knows?

Reports of coal in the North Fork

A fine vein of coal was reported in correspondence to J. E. Gaylord, Esq.,  president, Butte City, in 1892. E. J. Matthews, Columbia Falls manager, Northern International Improvement, Co., described message from Robinson as reporting coal as perfect clean, solid and no slag or foreign matter whatever.

A look at presidential debates

With presidential debates rapidly approaching, I contacted a Montanan who is one of the nation’s most respected experts on debating. A Kalispell native and graduate of both Montana State University and the University of Montana, Allan Louden is a professor at Wake Forrest University in North Carolina, where he coached the intercollegiate debate team to two national championships, two second-place finishes, and seven times to the final four.

Kats lose away to Lady Pirates

The Columbia Falls volleyball team lost to conference foe Polson in straight games on Sept. 11, 25-18, 25-20, 25-22.

Columbia Falls runners do well at Two Bear Marathon

The following local runners competed in the Sept. 16 Two Bear Marathon in Whitefish:

Wildkats on a run, go 3-0 for the week in soccer

The Columbia Falls girls soccer team had a stellar week, going 3-0. On Sept. 11, the Wildkats edged Stillwater Christian 1-0 at home. On Sept. 14, they walloped Polson 10-0 away for their first conference victory, and the next day they handled Libby 9-0 at home.

Wildcats go 1-1-1 for the week

The Columbia Falls boys soccer team had an up and down week. They opened with a Sept. 11 loss at home to nonconference Stillwater Christian, 4-1. They bounced back in Polson on Sept. 14 with a win over the Pirates 3-1, but then settled for a tie the next day at home against the Loggers, 1-1. The Wildcats are now 2-2-1 for the season.

Golfers compete at Libby

The Columbia Falls High School golf teams competed at the Libby Invitational at the par 72 Cabinet View Golf Course on Sept. 14.

Cats cruise over Indians in home opener

Zach Darling had 133 yards on 15 carries as the Columbia Falls football team cruised to victory over Browning last week, 43-2.

Harriers take second at Frenchtown meet

The Columbia Falls cross-country team ran at two out-of-town meets last week.

Saving drowned cell phones with rice

What would you do if you dropped your cell phone in the toilet? No, no. Hasn’t happened to me (yet).

FWP seeks comments on state fisheries plan

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks has released a draft statewide fisheries management plan, a blueprint that will guide how state waters are managed for the next six years.

Captured griz released up the North Fork

A three-year old, 271-pound male grizzly was captured Saturday morning, Sept. 15, between U.S. 2 and the Whitefish River, southeast of Whitefish.

Glacier Institute needs help for $50,000 grant

The Glacier Institute has a shot at winning a $50,000 grant to create an alternative energy facility and classroom at its Big Creek Outdoor Education Center up the North Fork, but it needs people to “like” the project on Facebook.

SmartLam gets economic development grant

Three Flathead businesses were recently awarded a total of $937,350 in Big Sky Economic Development Trust Fund grants, including two in the Columbia Falls area.

School news

College planning

Texting teen petitions for relief from prison

The 19-year-old former-Evergreen woman serving a 15-year sentence for double homicide stemming from a 2009 collision north of Kalispell has filed a petition for post-conviction relief.

Funding reached to protect North Fork

Bob Patterson, of Oregon, was slinging a line in the North Fork of the Flathead River last week, catching small cutthroat in a run at Glacier Rim.

Remains found of missing hiker

Glacier National Park rangers report they have recovered the body of Jakson Kreiser, the Michigan man who went missing in July.

Community news

Garage sale update

Dragons on the Water

Candidate claims opponent padded resume

Flathead County commissioner candidate Gil Jordan claimed his opponent, Cal Scott, did not earn a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from University of Nevada as was reported by both the Daily Inter Lake and Hungry Horse News last spring.

State heading for third strong tourist year

Glacier Park sees 13 percent increase

Parents fly in new football helmets from Bozeman

The Somers Middle School Mustangs weren’t sure they would have a football season this year.

Candidate claims opponent padded resume

Flathead County commissioner candidate Gil Jordan claimed his opponent, Cal Scott, did not earn a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from University of Nevada as was reported by both the Daily Inter Lake and Hungry Horse News last spring.

Tough hits on the road for Vals soccer

The Bigfork girls soccer team may have taken a couple big losses over the weekend, but they continue to play hard with heart and determination.

Vikes soccer goes 1-1 on road

Last weeknd the Vikings soccer team clicked again to add their game against Livingston to the winning side of their season. They also took a narrow loss to Belgrade, leaving Bigfork 5-1 as they head into their match-up against Whitefish on Thursday.

Vikes keep Wardens under lock down

Bigfork High School’s football team stomped the Powell County Wardens on Friday, 32-6. For the second game in a row, the Vikings prevented their opponent from scoring any points until the game was nearly over. The Wardens didn’t score their only touchdown until 5:09 into the third quarter.

Bigfork cross country sets pace in Kalispell

Bigfork High School’s cross country team set the pace at the Flathead Invitational meet in Kalispell on Saturday thanks to sophomore Makena Morley’s near-record breaking first place finish and overall improvements from Bigfork’s competing runners.

Farm and community to be showcased at Harvest Festival

While the seventh annual Lighthouse Christian Home Harvest Festival will be their second biggest fundraiser of the year, the event is about more than just money.

Paddling for breast cancer recovery

Different shades of pink roses floated in the water along the shore of Flathead Lake in front of a packed beach at Flathead Lake Lodge on Saturday afternoon.

Breakdowns need to take place before changes and healing can occur

There is a line in the book “The Da Vinci Code” in the first few pages of chapter 20 which goes like this: “The chaos of the world has an underlying order.”

Republican convention rife with inaccuracies and lies

I admit I am not surprised, just once again disappointed by the Daily Inter Lake’s blatant support of all things Republican or right-wing.  The latest example is last Sunday’s editorial on the Republican convention.  The convention was rife with speeches filled with inaccuracies, exaggerations and lies: Vice Presidential nominee Paul Ryan’s speech perhaps the most notable. Was it too difficult to do a little research to write an informative and valuable editorial or is providing a bit of professional journalism just too daunting for the Inter Lake?

Commissioner Cal Scott's integrity questioned

County voters need to ask a lot more questions for the upcoming commissioner election.

A big thank you to all who supported the Bigfork Fire Department

A BIG thank you to the good folks of Bigfork for supporting the sixth annual fundraiser “Brats, Burgers and Band” event for the Friends of Bigfork Fire on Sept. 7 at the Harbor Village Pavilion. This year we raised over $15,000 for our Volunteer Fire Department. Please allow me to thank the wonderful people who teamed up to make this possible.

A big thank you to everyone in the West Shore community for helping with flowers

Flowers do not jump in the barrels, bloom and grow. It takes a lot of helping hands from the many volunteers to make that happen.

Choosing a president is not a personality test

Choosing a president is not a personality contest.

Tip o' the hat returns

Several people have asked me about bringing back the Tip o’ the hat section over the last few weeks, so we’re bringing it back for a test run.

Flathead Lake swimmer killed when hit by boat

A Massachusetts man who was in Montana for a memorial service was struck and killed by a power boat while swimming in Flathead Lake. He was swimming in the Skidoo Bay area when he was struck, according to a release from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

Bigfork resident pleads guilty to felony drug charge

Bigfork resident, John Hampton, 49, pleaded guilty in Flathead District Court to a reduced charge of felony drug possession on Aug. 30.

Assault charges leveled in beating incident

Bigfork resident, Curtis Chapman, 20, pleaded not guilty to felony charges of aggravated assault and criminal endangerment in Flathead District Court on Sept. 6.

Homecoming week set for Sept. 30 - Oct. 6

Whitefish High School’s Homecoming week will run Sept. 30 - Oct. 6. The entire week will be full of activities for both students and community members.

AKTP to hold auditions Sept. 14

The Alpine Kids! Theatre Project (AKTP), the educational outreach program offered by the Alpine Theatre Project, is holding auditions for its fall session, culminating in a production of the popular Disney musical, “The Little Mermaid, Jr.” Auditions will be held on Sept. 14 at 4 p.m. at the Whitefish Middle School auditorium.

William Alfred Hunt

William Alfred Hunt died peacefully in Bozeman on Sept. 3.

Althea Hosek

Born Aug. 12, 1920 to Hugo “Boots” and Harriet (Reavy) Lehnen, Althea E. Lehnen — “Thea” lived a full life to age 92 — active and independent.

John Clifton Bartlett

Only the lucky get to die with their wading boots on; John Clifton Bartlett was one such man. He passed away Tuesday evening, Sept. 4, steps away from the Montana wilderness that he so loved.

Bulldogs squeak out win at Browning

The Bulldogs survived another tough non-conference test Friday after edging a scrappy Browning team with a last-minute score. Whitefish quarterback Luke May connected with Shane Marcial on a 31-yard touchdown pass with just over a minute on the clock as the Bulldogs won at Browning 30-25.

Harriers post solid results in Idaho

The Whitefish boys cross-country team emerged from a stacked field at the Silverwood Coaster Cross meet in Athol, Idaho, with a top-10 finish. The Bulldogs took sixth overall out of 25 teams from Montana, Idaho and Washington.

City's hydro power plant now online

Whitefish’s hydroelectric plant above the city’s water-supply reservoir once again began generating power after a new turbine and generator went online last week.

City warns: 'Don't feed the bears'

The city of Whitefish is warning folks not to feed the bears.

Mayor breaks tie vote on City Hall

The decision to select a location to build a new Whitefish City Hall became divisive last week when a few city councilors questioned whether the selection was being made too quickly.

East Second St. construction open house

An open house is set for next week to review the preliminary plans for reconstruction of East Second Street.

CARE left without director

The event has become a staple of fall, but with no Whitefish CARE director the annual Back to School Bash has been canceled. The event was originally set to take place this week.

Annual benefit yard sale going strong after 12 years

This time of year is a busy one for Sam and Ruth Neff. They’re organizing their carport which is filled with end tables, tools and knick knacks. They’re also refurbishing small pieces of furniture.

Meeting focuses on cemetery options

The city of Whitefish is looking for input on the selection of a site of a new cemetery.

North Fork fall activities slated

The ground squirrels have withdrawn to their winter quarters, there’s fresh snow on the mountains in Glacier Park, and the lone quaking aspen in my meadow is nearly one-third bright yellow. Also, orange paint is being sprayed on trees up and down the road. There are even a few folks with blackened faces and camo clothing, armed with bows and arrows, creeping around in the woods.

Avalanche Fire - retrospect

Breaking local story over Labor Day weekend was a lightning hold-over fire erupting high above Avalanche Lake in Glacier National Park. It was reported burning on the northeast side of Mount Brown “in rugged terrain.” A thing catching my interest was fact eight smokejumpers were called to fight it.

Claims FWP and UM were led astray by Y2Y

We the citizens of Montana are opposed to any new funding for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Legislation will likely be drafted this year to add new funding to FWP, which sees itself as going broke. If FWP has gone from self-sustaining to in the tank, it is for one reason only — the inner replacement of its lawful mission for a progressive environmental agenda that has nothing to do with fish and wildlife preservation and everything to do with furthering environmentalist political goals.      

On political bullying

Last month, on the interstate highway between Gold Creek and Drummond, transporting a fellow Montanan to Seattle to attend to her daughter’s dying, I changed a flat right-front tire on my car. The new Michelin had a quarter-inch slit in its sidewall.

Candidate record check

County voters need to ask a lot more questions for the upcoming commissioner election. Interim commissioner and candidate in District 1, Cal Scott, seems to play fast and loose with the facts. He claims, and at least two local papers have reported, that he earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Nevada-Reno.

Wilderness mission

As a member of the successful, interagency mission to search for the former Marine Noah Pippin, who disappeared in the Bob Marshall Wilderness in September of 2010, I feel it necessary to make a few comments about the assistance provided by several governmental agencies.

Kats lose to cross-valley rival

The Columbia Falls volleyball team had a tough time against Whitefish on Sept. 6, losing in straight games, 25-21, 26-24 and 25-8.

Kats split opening games

The Columbia Falls girls soccer team had a tough start to its season, losing 3-0 to Billings Central on Sept. 7. But the Wildkats bounced back the next day and dropped Laurel 3-2.

Cats win one, lose one on the road

The Columbia Falls boys soccer team split the bill last week, losing to Billings Central on Sept. 7 in the season opener, 4-0, but coming back Saturday to beat Laurel 1-0.

Stevi has way with Cats, 41-14

The Stevensville Yellowjackets stung the Columbia Falls football team 41-14 in an away game Sept. 7. The Yellowjackets defense put good pressure on Wildcat quarterback Jared Trinastich and forced six Cat turnovers — five in the first half alone.

C-Falls runs JV at Flathead

The Columbia Falls cross-country team took a breather last week, running the junior varsity races at the Flathead Invitational on Sept. 8.

Man questions Heavens Peak Lookout construction date

A Kalispell man who worked on trails in 1942 in Glacier National Park claims the historic Heavens Peak Lookout was constructed at least three years earlier than what the National Park Service says, but Park records don’t corroborate his story.

Wolf trappers must take certification classes

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks has opened online registration for wolf trapper certification classes across Northwest Montana. Certification is required in order to use a wolf license to trap wolves.

Outdoor news

Rifle event

School news

All state band

Paralegal says he won his war

Jerry O’Neil says he lost every battle in his decade-long fight against the Montana Bar Association and the Montana Supreme Court’s Commission on the Unauthorized Practice of Law.

Detective snares C-Falls man in online chat room

A 55-year-old Columbia Falls man posted bail after being arrested and charged with online sexual abuse of a child. The “child” was a Flathead County sheriff’s detective posing as a 13-year-old girl on a chat line.

Election office now set up at fairgrounds

The Flathead County Election Department will operate out of the Country Fair Kitchen at the Flathead County Fairgrounds through election day, Nov. 6. Flathead County residents will be able to register to vote in person there.

Suspended sentence for meth dealer

A 30-year-old Columbia Falls woman was given a five-year suspended sentence for felony distribution of dangerous drugs after she was recorded last year selling methamphetamine three times to a confidential informant.

Sexual offender charged with DUI No. 4

A 50-year-old Columbia Falls man pleaded not guilty in Flathead County District Court on Aug. 16 to felony DUI.

C-Falls bowhunter takes wolf

A Columbia Falls man took a wolf up the North Fork while bowhunting last week. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials closed wolf hunting in the North Fork after the elk hunter shot the wolf on the fourth day of archery season.

Kavanagh takes home bronze in Paralympics

Paralympian Sam Kavanagh will come home from London with a bronze medal in the mixed team sprint in cycling.

Missing hiker found injured in Jewel Basin

An unidentified missing hiker was found in Jewel Basin this afternoon. The hiker apparently suffered a broken ankle while hiking up Trail 7 near Foothills Road.

Park concessions closing for the season

Operating hours for Glacier National Park concessioners begin to change in Sept.. Some concessioners stop providing service in early Sept., while others remain open until mid-October. The Park will remain open year-round.

Avalanche Lake trail now open

The popular trail to Glacier National Park’s Avalanche Lake was reopened on Sept. 7, just in time for the weekend rush.

Make-up games for soccer updated

Two soccer games for both boys and girls will be added to the schedule to make up for the two lost games at Livingston and Belgrade, Columbia Falls High School athletic director Troy Bowman recently announced.

Community helps family to recover after accident

Valentina Bilal woke to the sound of a hotel security guard knocking on her door. He told her they’d found her husband, Kheri, lying on the street below their balcony.

Bigfork's patrolman ready to retire

Bigfork doesn’t have a police force. The village relies on the county sheriff’s department and Montana Highway Patrol when it comes to law enforcement.

Don't overlook the tax revenue jobs in coal development and transportation could bring

You have probably heard arguments from some individuals and groups that are critical of the proposed increase in coal movement through Montana by rail. One of the concerns is the health issues caused by coal moving through cities and towns. Coal has been moving through Montana on a regular basis since the early 70s. Coal has been moving from the mines to the manufacturing centers in the east since before Montana was a state. At one time a home in Libby substantially decreased in value because of health concerns related to asbestos. Sheridan and Gillette, Wyo. are railroad terminals that move massive amounts of coal through them every year. Homes are at a premium in both of these towns.

Dragon boats race on Sept. 8

Billed as the eighth-fastest growing sport in the world, dragon boat racing will come to the Flathead Lake Lodge on Flathead Lake on Saturday, Sept. 8, with heats beginning at 8:30 a.m., opening ceremonies at 10 a.m. and championship races at 4:30 p.m.

Annual Ronan Harvest Festival set for Sept. 15

The fourth annual Ronan Area Harvest Fest will be held at the Ronan Visitors Center on Montana 93 on Saturday, Sept. 15 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Game warden reassigned after threats

POLSON — A Montana game warden who has been investigating allegations of poaching by law enforcement officers in Lake County was reassigned to another state agency, in part due to threats he had been receiving.

Lakeside Baptist Church's new pastor brings new approach

Moving to the Flathead can be a long process; finding a place to live, packing everything, driving here, and then unpacking can literally take months. Particularly when moving from Georgia, like Lakeside Baptist Church’s new pastor Dan McNeese and his wife, Shelia, did this summer.

Blacktail resident appeals trails decision

Increasing the amount of motorized trails on the Blacktail Island Unit means more illegal off-road use, more trash and more dust for Blacktail residents.

Dragon Boat fest to bring more than 1,200 participants

The eighth fastest-growing sport in the world will take off in Montana for the first time at Flathead Lake Lodge on Saturday, Sept. 8. Presented by the Kalispell Convention and Visitors Bureau and sponsored by the Flathead Community Foundation, festival organizers have registered 55 teams and 1,210 participants for Montana’s first dragon boat races.

BHS volleyball loses two on the road

In Saturday’s double header versus Ronan and Deer Lodge, another game of experience made the Vals a tough opponent in the second match.

BHS Runners get a vibe for the season

Bigfork High School’s cross country team got a preview for what their season will be like at the meet in Cut Bank on Aug. 31. Due to the holiday weekend, only six boys, three girls, and two middle school students ran at the meet, but coach Sue Loeffler said each runner did well.

Be proactive, we must get help for people on the edge

Our democratic form of government, from the federal level down into towns just like those in this beautiful valley, was conceived and formed on the power of  “WE THE PEOPLE.”  This actually puts responsibility upon “WE THE PEOPLE.”  Thus, within the framework of each and every department of government, “WE THE PEOPLE” have say, have input, have voice, have influence, and most of all have responsibility.

Lady Bulldogs sink Pirates in home match

Call it a statement game — a warning shot to the rest of the conference that Whitefish volleyball is back.

How close would wildfires have to come to homes and businesses to change anti-logging minds?

When smoke clouds the skies and the fires that burn the west every summer have begun again, a little reminder might be invoked.

Bulldogs notch two more shutout wins

Whitefish looks to be as good as advertised.

Soccer is all about team

Soccer is all about patience, timing and speed of play.

Lady Dogs pick up two wins

The points keep piling up for these Lady Bulldogs.

Bulldogs fall short against Hamilton

On the road, down by one, time running out — Whitefish went all in.

Crown of Continent brings big talent to Bigfork

Award winning blues musician and slide guitarist Sonny Landreth brought his unique combination of instrumental blues to Bigfork’s Flathead Lake Lodge on Aug. 28 for the Crown of the Continent guitar festival.

Vote Lieser

I served many years on the Whitefish County Water and Sewer District with Ed Lieser and know his commitment and passion for protecting our valuable water resources. With the publication of the recent WLI Septic Leachate Study, Ed has assumed a leadership role in addressing the problems and finding solutions for human-caused pollution of Whitefish Lake.

Food bank open house

The North Valley Food Bank is moving ahead with plans for our new building at Flathead and Baker Avenue. Construction will start when we feel safe in starting our project. We want to build without a loan if possible.

Foy's to Blacktail awarded $400,000

The Forest Service’s Community Forest Program awarded the Foy’s to Blacktail Trails project a $400,000 grant that will go toward purchasing 170 acres of forested land needed to access Forest Service land from Herron Park, just southwest of Kalispell.

One parking solution

The thought just came to me over my morning coffee. I was downtown yesterday and spent a long time trying to find parking.

Hundreds of jobs in coal transportation

You have probably heard arguments from some individuals and groups that are critical of the proposed increase in coal movement through Montana by rail.

Misguided attacks on HD 4 candidate

While it is always fun watching Republicans trash one of their own, Doug Adam’s attacks on Tim Baldwin attacks all attorneys.

Study looks at downtown parking

The concept that Whitefish could use a few more parking spaces isn’t a particularly new one, but the city is having professionals take fresh look at the issue.

Romney leads in local campaign contributions

With both the Republican and Democratic National Conventions in the spotlight recently, it’s interesting to look at which presidential candidate has taken in the most local campaign donations from major contributors.

Brief challenges effort to remove Jesus statue

U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg was the lead signer last week on a legal brief that supports leaving the Jesus statue on Big Mountain.

Whitefish man won't have to pay for wrecked police vehicles

The Montana Supreme Court ruled last week that a Whitefish man isn’t responsible to pay $7,327 in restitution to the city of Whitefish following an incident from 2009 when a Whitefish police vehicle rear-ended another patrol car while in pursuit of Ralph Jentile.

Students named to All-State music list

Seven Whitefish High School students have been selected to participate in the Montana High School Association All-State Band, Chorus and Orchestra Festival.

Fires force soccer cancellations

Both the girls and boys Columbia Falls soccer games were canceled due to wildland fires and smoke in the Belgrade and Livingston areas last week.

Spikers get conference win, beat Loggers

The Columbia Falls volleyball team went 1-2 on the week, but continue to see improvement.

Ratzlaff leads Cats at Cut Bank Time Trials

The Columbia Falls cross-country squad had a strong showing at the Cut Bank Time Trials to open their season.

Cats beat Blue Devils, 27-20, in season opener

The Columbia Falls football team made a lot of mistakes in its season opener against Corvallis on Sept. 1. But the Wildcats tightened down the defense in a big way during the second half, and two rookie quarterbacks played well in a 27-20 win against the Blue Devils away in Corvallis.

Wasted wood

When smoke clouds the skies and the fires that burn the West every summer have begun again, a little reminder might be invoked.

Wolf trapping

I am a teacher in Chicago, Ill. I ride the bus to go to work almost every day. Recently I noticed the posters displayed inside the bus promoting tourism in Montana.

Marijuana is a gateway drug

When I was running for Flathead County commissioner last spring, I mentioned in an interview that I was against the legalization of marijuana. Tim Baldwin wrote a letter to the editor attempting to ridicule my stance. He proceeded to make assumptions, many totally incorrect, about where I stand on that issue and alcohol, which I never even mentioned.

Let's leave nature alone for a while

There was a letter written in 33 A.D. by a former fisherman called Peter. I refer to the Acts of the Apostles, II Peter. Among other things it says: “Brethren, these are not carefully crafted fables which we relate to you, (paraphrasing now) but this is what happened, and these are the consequences....”

The passing of two great Montanans

Joe Mazurek was a wise and insightful peacemaker. His passing was not unexpected, but his legacy for fairness and gentle persuasion will live on in the memory of all those who had the good fortune to work with him in the political process of our state.

Last-minute changes to growth policy

Sound planning is the key to attracting future economic growth to the Flathead and to protecting the quality of life and the investments of current and future businesses and residents. Responsible changes to the 2007 Flathead Growth Policy must be considered for the role they can play in strengthening our economic future and in protecting the investment many have already made who call the Flathead their home.

Whitefish Range challenge accepted

I thoroughly enjoyed the letter last week from fellow North Forker Frank Vitale. I consider him as well as the North Fork Preservation Association a “moderate” environmentalist.

The banning of sin

The marijuana question is in the news, courts, legislatures and ballots these days, just like alcohol was at the beginning of the 1900s. It is interesting to take a look back at how that went.

Eighth wilderness lake slated for fish treatment

A trail in the Bob Marshall Wilderness will be closed from Sept. 9-14 as Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks biologists continue efforts to restore native westslope cutthroat trout in the headwaters of the South Fork of the Flathead River.

Jail for dog cruelty, not meth

A 22-year-old former Columbia Falls man’s sentence for felony possession of methamphetamine was deferred, but he was ordered to serve jail time for animal cruelty.

Bad Rock corridor study wrapping up

State considering 3-2-3-4 and 4-2-4 configurations

Kid charged in Canyon crime spree breaks free

A 12-year-old Hungry Horse boy charged with stealing numerous vehicles, firearms, pills, electronic games and bikes was recaptured after he escaped from the Flathead County Juvenile Detention Center on Aug. 29.

Robbins receives education scholarship

Austin Robbins, a senior at Montana State University-Bozeman, from Columbia Falls, was one of 50 students from across the country to recently win a $5,000 STEM Teachers Scholarship.

Outdoor news

Horsemen meet

Community news

Hospital philosophy

Veteran teacher attends STEM institute

You could say that Columbia Falls Junior High teacher Tom Berquist jumped into a pool of science this summer. Berquist recharged his science batteries by attending the Siemens Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Institute in Washington, D.C.