Stories for November 2005

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Wednesday, November 30

November 30, 2005 11 p.m.

Schweitzer

here to talk coal mine

November 30, 2005 11 p.m.

Forty-two

named to

Saturday, November 26

November 26, 2005 11 p.m.

Sports briefs

Two members of the Whitefish state champion volleyball team were named to the all-state volleyball team — Mandy McFadden and Ashley Ferda. McFadden and Ferda were also named to the all-conference first team, and Jessie Conners was named to the all-conference second team.

November 26, 2005 11 p.m.

Michael McNeilly

Michael A. McNeilly, 66, formerly of Whitefish, died suddenly Oct. 30, 2005, at his home in Menlo Park, Calif.

November 26, 2005 11 p.m.

Fairness for school funding

We want our kids to have the best education money can buy. We love our children, they are our future. We honor our teachers. However, it's apparent to Flathead homeowners that we need a new funding formula for schools.

Carl Pershall
November 26, 2005 11 p.m.

Carl Pershall

The Rev. Carl F. Pershall, 89, a longtime Eureka pastor, died Nov. 15, 2005, at North Valley Hospital in Whitefish.

Honking horns
November 26, 2005 11 p.m.

Honking horns

Honking horns signal the arrival of the state champion Whitefish girls volleyball team as they ride down Central Avenue atop of a city firetruck Wednesday afternoon.

November 26, 2005 11 p.m.

Light problems

According to the Nov. 6 Daily Inter Lake, Whitefish has a light pollution problem. It's so bad, in fact, that a community board has been appointed to look into it.

Hicks signs with UM track team
November 26, 2005 11 p.m.

Hicks signs with UM track team

Whitefish High School senior Chris Hicks has signed a letter of intent with the University of Montana-Missoula, UM track and field coach Tom Raunig announced Nov. 18.

November 26, 2005 11 p.m.

The Pilot's Log

I went to the eye doctor to see why my left eye was killing me. They told me this and they told me that and they must know what they're talking about because they live in million-dollar houses on the river.

Wednesday, November 23

November 23, 2005 11 p.m.

Fall sports

teams hand

November 23, 2005 11 p.m.

A grizzly thank you

I'm sure you all have a lot to be thankful for this year. I'm especially thankful that I didn't become Thanksgiving dinner.

Tuesday, November 22

November 22, 2005 11 p.m.

All aboard-Part 1

In teaming rain, from the platform of Whitefish Train Station, the conductor for Amtrak's Empire Builder called "All aboard."

November 22, 2005 11 p.m.

Stealth

I always find it interesting when the MHRN (Montana Human Rights Network) looks for the "stealth" factor in groups like the Constitution Party (letter to the editor 11/17).

November 22, 2005 11 p.m.

Right to a militia

Thanks to Travis McAdam for his fuller description of the Constitution Party. Had I never heard of the party, I would have been looking to find out where to sign up.

November 22, 2005 11 p.m.

Man drowns in McDonald Creek

Hungry Horse News

November 22, 2005 11 p.m.

Bigfork Eagle letter from the editor

To be thankful

November 22, 2005 11 p.m.

How old is a bear?

A local troublemaker once asked my son, "How long has your dad been out of work?" The boy replied, "Nobody knows. We can't find his birth certificate."

November 22, 2005 11 p.m.

Bull trout counts variable under difficult survey conditions

FWP field crews have completed the 2005 bull trout redd (nest) counts in monitoring tributaries in the North, Middle, and South Fork of the Flathead drainages, and in the Swan drainage. The annual index sections for all three major populations (Flathead, Swan, and Hungry Horse Reservoir) were surveyed this year, but conditions during many surveys were poor, due to drought during the migration period followed by high flows after extensive rainfall. Compared to last year, counts were up slightly in the combined North and Middle forks of the Flathead, and down in the South Fork of the Flathead and Swan.

November 22, 2005 11 p.m.

General big game hunting season set to close Nov. 27

Montana's 2005 general big game hunting season will close Sunday, Nov. 27 at one-half hour after sunset. The general season closure includes hunting for fall black bear, elk, deer, mountain goat, moose, bighorn sheep and mountain lion hunting without hounds. Montana's 2005 general river and stream fishing season will close Wednesday, Nov. 30 in all but the eastern district, which remains open all year.

Thursday, November 17

November 17, 2005 11 p.m.

All about money

There are so many things wrong with this development on Wisconsin Ave., I don't even know where to start. I am only 16 years old, and it seems to be common sense to me that if there is even the potential for negative impact in this sensitive area, it should be avoided at all costs. As everyone has been saying, the wetlands are going to be dramatically affected which mean the animals will be as well.

November 17, 2005 11 p.m.

Michael Sachkowsky

Michael Sachkowsky Sr., 93, passed away Sunday, Nov. 6, 2005, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Kalispell.

November 17, 2005 11 p.m.

Many thanks

As the 2005 fall soccer season begins to fade into the past, I find myself doing a lot of thinking. There are postseason clean-up issues, ideas and changes in store for next year. As I reflect upon the past couple of months, what enters my mind first is thankfulness.

November 17, 2005 11 p.m.

Wave Ryders competitive against larger swim clubs

The Whitefish Wave Ryders Swim Club fared well against larger and more established swim teams in the MAC Fall Invitational on Nov. 12 and 13 at the Grizzly Pool in Missoula.

November 17, 2005 11 p.m.

Pension funding

When the railroad engineer sees a train wreck coming, he hits the brakes and tries to quickly set things right.

November 17, 2005 11 p.m.

Vincent Lidstrom

Vincent "Babe" Lidstrom, 74, passed away at his home south of Whitefish after a battle with cancer. He was sent to be with Our Lord and Savior surrounded by all his loving family.

November 17, 2005 11 p.m.

Michelle Lynn Ostrom

Though she had her 37th birthday on the eighth of this month, my beautiful daughter-in-law looked like a child when she died last week in her husband's arms.

Bulldogs slam home another title
November 17, 2005 11 p.m.

Bulldogs slam home another title

Photos and story by SAM KAUFMAN

November 17, 2005 11 p.m.

Is boating safety the real issue?

In the wake of the city council's deadlock vote on allowing drinking while boating on Whitefish Lake, it's worth considering the legal and practical issues of boating on the lake.

November 17, 2005 11 p.m.

Banking on facts

When I first came to Whitefish a few years ago, after wandering for a while around town, one of my first thoughts was that it was a pretty big mistake for someone to be constructing a new bank building right on the corner of Baker and Second.

November 17, 2005 11 p.m.

Study: Government serves the city well

The government review commission has finished its study of the existing form and powers of the Whitefish government and procedures. This information was submitted by the City of Whitefish Study Commissioners, Sarah P. Fitzgerald-Countryman, chair, and Vanice Woodbeck, secretary.

November 17, 2005 11 p.m.

Grace J. Manske

Grace J. Manske, 80, of Stevens Point, WI died at University Hospital in Madison, Wis., Nov.10, 2005.

November 17, 2005 11 p.m.

Guest opinion

Extreme roots

November 17, 2005 11 p.m.

Hunting on the lake

The recent editorial cartoon in Pilot was a tasteless slam on the sportsmen of the Flathead Valley.

Wednesday, November 16

November 16, 2005 11 p.m.

Snowy delights

With 30 inches at summit, Big Mountain will partially open early

November 16, 2005 11 p.m.

Bazaar

Our Redeemer Lutheran Church is having its bazaar and lunch Nov. 19 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the church, 640 7th St. West. Bazaar is hosted by the Lutheran Women's Missionary League. Call Barb Anderson at 892-4053.

November 16, 2005 11 p.m.

The bad eye

I don't know if a fish can come up from 20 feet of water and you give you the bad eye but it sure as heck looked like one did on Sunday.

Thursday, November 10

November 10, 2005 11 p.m.

Michael McNeilly

Michael A. McNeilly, 66, formerly of Whitefish, died Oct. 30, 2005, at his home in Menlo Park, Calif.

November 10, 2005 11 p.m.

Frank Boylan

Frank Edward Boylan, 83, died Nov. 1, 2005, while hunting pheasants near Choteau. He really loved hunting and Montana.

November 10, 2005 11 p.m.

Big changes on Big Mountain

Skiers and snowboarders will find a lot of changes at Big Mountain this winter, and the Winter Sports Inc. management deserves thanks for many of the improvements.

November 10, 2005 11 p.m.

OPI releases Montana test scores

Superintendent of Public Instruction Linda McCulloch recently released 2004-05 test scores for fourth, eighth and 11th-grade students for all Montana schools and school districts. Montana students in all grades scored above the national average in all five subject areas of reading, math, science, language arts and social studies.

November 10, 2005 11 p.m.

Protecting the lake

A big thank you to the planning board for taking the time to get input from the community and address our concerns regarding the request for the huge development in the wetlands bordering Wisconsin Ave.

November 10, 2005 11 p.m.

Knit one, purl two (continued)

Editor's note: We inadvertently lost the end of Barbara Strate's column last week. It concludes here:

November 10, 2005 11 p.m.

Donald Lolli

Donald W. Lolli, 67, passed away Oct. 30, 2005, at his residence in Kalispell. He was born Dec. 1, 1937, in Chicago, Ill., the son of Dorando and Lela (Breed) Lolli.

November 10, 2005 11 p.m.

Jean Holbrook Frasch

On Nov. 2, 2005, Jean joined her beloved husband Walt and faithful companion, Sir, after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease.

November 10, 2005 11 p.m.

Tammie Snavely

Tammie D. Snavely, 50, passed away Nov. 1, 2006, in Olney.

November 10, 2005 11 p.m.

Leona Lenarz

Leona May McManus Lenarz, 97, a former longtime resident of Eureka, died Nov. 1, 2005, in Havre.

November 10, 2005 11 p.m.

Douglas Barnes

Douglas Edward Barnes, 63, of Helena died Nov. 4, 2005, at St. Peter's Hospital in Helena.

November 10, 2005 11 p.m.

Music to my ears

Tuesday evening we had the privilege of attending the High School Choir program at Community Methodist Church. What a treat!

November 10, 2005 11 p.m.

Guest opinion

Forest Service plan fails

November 10, 2005 11 p.m.

Water quality

My husband Don and I have been long, long time Whitefish residents. We live on the west shore of the lake.

November 10, 2005 11 p.m.

Forever grateful

On behalf of my wife and children, I would like to give out a heartfelt thank you to those involved in organizing, recognizing and contributing to the Hurricane Katrina-Moser Family benefit.

November 10, 2005 11 p.m.

Remembering Rancid Crabtree

Could Rancid Crabtree have been right about avoiding baths in order to build up "the protective crust?"

November 10, 2005 11 p.m.

Message in a bottle

If you could put a message in a bottle and know that at the end of its journey thousands of people from your own community would read it and ponder its meaning as it applied to their lives, what would you write?

Wednesday, November 9

The Letter
November 9, 2005 11 p.m.

The Letter

Most people have their mailbox in front of their house or at least at their driveway or across the street.

November 9, 2005 11 p.m.

Plevel wins write-in seat on city council

As it turned out, there was a mini-race of sorts in the Columbia Falls City election. Councilwoman Julie Plevel ran as a write-in and folks wrote in other candidates against her. Plevel won with 23 votes. Allen Solenberg had six votes, Dick Skees one, Mary Ellen Getts, five, Barbara Proctor, one, Don Barnhart, one, Crystal Marie Huetcher, one. It wasn't clear if Plevel would run as a write-in. She was just recently appointed to council to fill a spot left vacant by Tad Rosenberry, who resigned.

November 9, 2005 11 p.m.

Twins rehire Helber, plan meeting

The Glacier Twins American Legion Baseball organization recently negotiated a 2006 contract for Jack Helber, Head Coach of the Twins AA team.

Thursday, November 3

November 3, 2005 11 p.m.

George Milford Ellis

The beloved George Milford Ellis passed away surrounded by his family at the Montana Veteran's Home in Columbia Falls on Wednesday, Oct. 26 at the age of 73.

November 3, 2005 11 p.m.

Patti Mason

Whitefish planners added to their understanding of responsible growth recently at a workshop at the Flathead County Health Department.

November 3, 2005 11 p.m.

Sports05

Flathead Cycling, a competitive cycling team, will host the sixth annual Herron Park Cyclocross Race on Sunday, Nov. 6, at Herron Park in Kalispell at 11 a.m. Cyclocross is a 1 1/2-mile long bicycle race on a short circuit where racers encounter obstacles. The course consists of a mix of terrain — grass, dirt trails, gravel and paved roads, and it takes place in all kinds of weather, including rain and snow.

November 3, 2005 11 p.m.

The Deer Widow's curse

Letters to the Editor are part of the entertainment within weekly and daily newspapers. Quite a few of the letters are "shoot from the hip" opinions that become a telling…and sometimes shocking look at our fellow human beings, short on facts or common sense yet displaying wild and colorful imaginations.

November 3, 2005 11 p.m.

Comment period extended on lakes poisoning

Hungry Horse News

November 3, 2005 11 p.m.

New developments at the Montana

Veterans Home

November 3, 2005 11 p.m.

Where's Waldo?

Where is Waldo Winchester, the tongue-in-cheek conscience of Whitefish? Waldo would be handing out roses to the trails committee, the skateboard committee, The Wave, the farmer's markets, the ice skating rink and the cast and production crew of Whitefish Theater Company's "Our Town".

November 3, 2005 11 p.m.

Brett Carver

I would like to let the town of Whitefish know what a class act they have in their football team and coaching staff.

November 3, 2005 11 p.m.

Charles Schumacher

Charles O. Schumacher, 79, of Minot, N.D., died Oct. 25, 2005 in his home.

Way to go Cats!
November 3, 2005 11 p.m.

Way to go Cats!

Columbia Falls wins state soccer championship! More photos in photo gallery and complete story in sports.

November 3, 2005 11 p.m.

Jane Cichock

Jane Frances Cichock died Oct. 22, 2005, in Provena Cor Mariae, Rockford, Ill.

November 3, 2005 11 p.m.

Bigfork Eagle editorial

Good move

Chandler Melton / Whitefish Pilot
November 3, 2005 11 p.m.

Chandler Melton / Whitefish Pilot

Rev. Louis Stoker is the new interim pastor at the Whitefish Presbyterian Church. Stoker, who has nearly 50 years of experience, will help fill the position of Rev. Andy Kennaly, who stepped down in April. Stoker says he plans to stay in Whitefish after his year-long position ends.

November 3, 2005 11 p.m.

Ski club to hold fund-raising sale this weekend

Big Mountain Ski Club's annual ski sale will take place Saturday, Nov. 5, at the Whitefish Armory.

Wednesday, November 2

November 2, 2005 11 p.m.

Contact us:

Rena Tintinger, General Manager, (406) 892-2151 -

November 2, 2005 11 p.m.

Flathead Publishing Group

The Flathead Publishing Group publishes the  Hungry Horse News, Whitefish Pilot, Bigfork Eagle, West Shore News, Lake County Leader, and NW Advertiser. All our papers are long standing in each unique community and distributed on a paid subscriber basis.