Ellington

Sprunger, beloved local artist, dies

By MIKE RICHESON

Wildkat spikers finish tourney strong

By JOE SOVA

Finding a formula for resource protection

By RICHARD HANNERS

Vision quest

By MIKE RICHESON

Glacier could see nearly $6 million in projects

By CHRIS PETERSON

Blue Moon celebrates 35 years in business

By HEIDI DESCH

Earleen Zinke

Earleen Grace Zinke, 89 a longtime Whitefish resident, passed away of natural causes on Aug. 17, 2007, at the Colonial Manor nursing home in Whitefish.

Elmer Sprunger

Elmer Sprunger, 87, died Aug. 22, 2007, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center after a six-month illness with lung cancer caused by exposure to asbestos.

Girls soccer downed by C-Falls

By FAITH MOLDAN

Barbecue Fundraiser

The members of the Ferndale Volunteer Fire District would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the entire community for the overwhelming display of support at our annual barbecue fundraiser. The July event was a huge success with the best turn-out ever! Thanks to many generous donations from local residents and businesses, our silent auction received spirited bidding. The funds raised will assist our district in the purchasing of additional safety equipment.

Vikings win season opener

By FAITH MOLDAN

Valley Christian outclassed by Dogs

By DAVID ERICKSON

Logan Pass will close Sept. 16

By CHRIS PETERSON

Memorial Field conditions are sad

It was a pleasure coming back to my hometown this past summer. Whitefish is a beautiful area and was a great place for me to play the game of baseball.

Support the fire department

Dear Community Member,

Kats thump Bigfork, 8-1

By CHRIS PETERSON

Bill Foley is misunderstood

It is understandable but very unfortunate that Kelly Mull (Whitefish Pilot, Aug. 16) and all the Pilot readers were left the false impression that the Foleys are in violation of the Whitefish Lake and Lakeshore Protection Regulations.

2007 Whitefish Lake Swim

Fifty people were brave enough to participate in the annual Whitefish Lake Swim early Sunday morning at City Beach. The race consisted of a one-mile swim for ages 18-and-over and a half-mile swim for ages 17-and-under. The sky was gray and cloudy, but spirits were high as competitors lunged into the chilly water. Proceeds from the event benefited The Wave Scholarship Fund and the Wave Ryder Swim Team.

Margaret Martin Swigart

Margaret Martin Swigart, 92, died at 9 p.m. on Aug. 23, 2007 at The Hearth at Windemere in Fishers, Ind.

Regarding busts and bighorns

Sunday was a mighty exciting time after the TV baseball game. Luckily I have a strong heart. Was reclined in the living room chair scrolling through the channels when suddenly there were beautiful girls doing erotic dances on a raised bar and they had lost the top part of their costumes. Was thankful a commercial came on just when Iris entered the room… but then she stayed until the "Striptease" movie started again. "George Ostrom!" she said, "What in heavens name are you watching?"

Power of the pen

Letter from the editor

Big Brothers Big Sisters a valuable asset

Big Brothers Big Sisters is an organization that's been around for more than a century, but many people don't realize the role it plays in the development of a youngster.

Evacuations lifted as fires settle down

Governor calls for special legislative session for additional firefighting funding

Mayor Feury will be missed

I am writing to thank Andy Feury for his 12 years of service to the city of Whitefish as a city councilman and most recently as our mayor.

Imagine Health hosts open house

You are invited to celebrate the "Birth of Imagine Health Wellness and Wisdom Center" in downtown Columbia Falls on Thursday, Sept. 6. The event runs from 12:14 to 6:44 p.m. at 305 1st Ave. W., behind Whitefish Credit Union on Nucleus Avenue.

Wildcats kick off grid season at Browning

By JOE SOVA

Goodbye, Elmer

Jack Whitney introduced me Elmer Sprunger at a downtown Bigfork cafe in June 1983 and urged me to give Elmer a job.

Fall sports preview

By FAITH MOLDAN

Thanks for Senior Citizen Center chairs

To the editor,

Don't believe the campaign lies

I am so weary of reading the gobbledy-goop written to the editor page of the Whitefish Pilot and Daily Inter Lake downgrading the city of Whitefish. I can hardly stand it.

Leave the barber pole alone

Forcing Melissa at the Clip Joint to remove the barber pole that's been residing in that spot for 60 years is beyond petty.

John Kessinger

John M. Kessinger, 61, passed away Aug. 12, 2007, at his home in Columbia Falls surrounded by family and friends. He had been struggling with COPD and asthma for months.

Spikers look tough at tournament

By DAVID ERICKSON

A broken trust

Dale Reisch was wronged. So was the Whitefish Pilot and its readers.

This is a dummy article

Four score and seven years ago.

Creston inventor claims to prolong plant life

By CONSTANCE SEE

Tester, BP square off on North Fork gas drilling

By CHRIS PETERSON

Taking a stance on slopes

Council's resolution affirms city position on Walton case

CF Uptown Merchants meet

Columbia Falls Uptown Merchants Association will be meeting on Thursday, Aug. 23 at 6 p.m. at Arrowhead Fine Art & Framing, 422 Nucleus Ave. The public is invited.

Out-of-state interests are organizing PACS already

Whitefish is the fastest growing city in Montana. Recently, we grew at the staggering double digit pace of Helena. I can see why.

No smoke or mirrors in Whitefish budget

I was truly saddened to read the recent article from my friend Tom Muri wherein he made several attacking statements against me and the city. I was most troubled to find that he says things about me that are not true and, worse yet, that he selectively edited one of my written comments and then quoted the edited statement to make it appear that I said something that in fact I never said.

Riverbend Concert Series

Sunday night was the last concert of the 25th concert season of the Riverbend Concert Series. After a smoky day, many people came out with lawn chairs and umbrellas to enjoy the Don Lawrence Orchestra end the season. The gentle rain that started midway deterred few people and it was a wonderful concert.

Harriers could have best team in years

By CHRIS PETERSON

Wildkat spikers look to make mark

By JOE SOVA

Residents demand larger no wake zone

By MIKE RICHESON

Osborn speaks out in support of Dr. West

To the editor,

Showers stem fire growth for now

By CHRIS PETERSON

"A rattlesnake will not die before the sun goes down."

That is what I was told by old timers while being raised at Camas Prairie, and I sort of believed them. In that part of Sanders County those creatures were found in abundance. After I got older and had more experience of my own with the rattlers, I decided the old timers were probably wrong.

Rockin' for Ravenwood fundraiser

It was a very busy weekend in July for the fifth annual Rockin' for Ravenwood fundraiser and we want to thank all those who came out to support this special community organization. Together, we raised over $6000.00! These funds will help us get more kids outside for safe, hands-on learning adventures in the years to come. We would like to send a very special thank you to all the volunteers, businesses, individual supporters, and attendees who helped make Rockin' for Ravenwood possible. Over 70 businesses and individuals sponsored or donated items for the event. More than 300 people enjoyed the music of Somewhere Down the Road and the Clumsy Lovers, thirty-five volunteers banked more than 150 hours of work, and countless others baked desserts, sent out of town guests our way, or called to wish us well in their absence. We even had an online donation from some nearby neighbors who enjoyed the music from their deck!

Support sought for vandalized shop owner

It is not easy to make a living in Montana, much less start a business and make it a success. Imagine being a small-business owner and showing up to work, only to find that someone broke in and completely vandalized your shop.

Lake article shows need for balance

In your Aug. 2 article "Battening down the hatches," Whitefish Lake and Lakeshore Protection Committee chairman Jim Stack states "it's a difficult balance between property rights and protecting the lake."

Hazel Bjornstad

Hazel F. Bjornstad, 99, passed away Aug. 13, 2007, at the Village Health Care Center in Missoula.

Boys' soccer gears up for opener

By JOE SOVA Hungry Horse News

Discrimination against Christianity

I'm writing concerning the discrimination against Christianity expressed at the Bigfork "Relay for Life". My son's band, "The Four Square Arena" (a popular local teen rock band whose lyrics reflect their Christian world view) was scheduled to play at the Relay. They even rebooked a gig in Spokane so they could do it and be of service to the community. But the organizers wanted just "regular" music. In walking around at one Relay for Life I noticed the singer was singing Clapton's song "Cocaine". Nobody seemed to have a problem with a song promoting drug use but the promoters cancel four 16 year olds whose lyrics reflect the "In God We Trust" values our founding Fathers held to in establishing this great county.

Farewell, sweet little Whitefish

Good-bye sweet little Whitefish town, known for its wonderful down-home feeling and sense of community.

Boys take 3rd, girls 4th in Great Falls

By DAVID ERICKSON

Salute to the firefighters

We at Oettiker Creek Ranch cannot let this fire season pass without expressing our immense gratitude to all those who have worked tirelessly and given so much of themselves to make sure we were safe.

Doctor shortage expected here

By CONSTANCE SEE

Occasionally I talk to myself

Occasionally I talk to myself and I say "self, what sacrifice did you make this week for your readers, your viewers, your friends?"

Zoning boundaries chosen

By MIKE RICHESON

Elementary teacher retires

By FAITH MOLDAN

New group fights for paved roads

By MIKE RICHESON

Theodore Rugland

Theodore “Ted” Carl Rugland, 79, died Aug. 8, 2007, at Brendan House in Kalispell after a long, brave battle with cancer.

Weird stuff and a letter

By GEORGE OSTROM

Markus & Alpine not sold to Foley

I can't count the numerous letters, innuendoes, personal contacts and third-party information I have received in the past three or four months concerning the sale of Markus Foods and the Alpine Market.

Girls' soccer won't have much of a bench this season

CHRIS PETERSON

Brits help Bandits

By FAITH MOLDAN

Blue and White Barbecue set Friday

The Blue & White BBQ Fundraiser, hosted by the Columbia Falls High School Booster Club, will be held Friday, Aug. 24 in front of the high school gym. The event runs from 5 to 7 p.m. and everyone is encouraged to attend.

Local fans love Pedacter

By FAITH MOLDAN

Teen pleads not guilty in wreck death

By HEIDI DESCH

Evacuation lifted at Star Meadow, but fire situation statewide remains serious

By RICHARD HANNERS

Rough weather doesn't deter triathletes

David Erickson/ Whitefish Pilot

Bulldogs look to defend state titles

By DAVID ERICKSON

Club Championship big success

Champions

Wilma Jean Casterline

Wilma Jean Casterline of Columbia Falls, died Saturday, Aug. 4, 2007, at the North Valley Hospital in Whitefish.

First best place

It's not to the boiling point, but the heat has been turned up a notch. With the approval by Columbia Falls City Council to purchase 28 acres of land west of the Flathead River for a new park, the community took a huge step forward.

"Sweet victory"

Attack on Foley is disgusting

I was stunned when I saw the sign with graffiti on it in last week’s paper. After hearing that the sign was then stolen made things even worse. What in the world is happening here?

Community helps ranch in fire crisis

When the Brush Creek fire forced the evacuation of our therapeutic boarding school program, we saw the best of the heart and energy of a caring community. First to be named are the firefighters, volunteer crews, law enforcement, and emergency response agencies. They stood on the "front line" to protect first the young people whose safety has been entrusted to us.

Relay succeeds again

By FAITH MOLDAN

City needs to rein in spending

Whitefish has gone from an affordable place to live and raise a family to Montana's most expensive community — in less than a generation. Most citizens have a simple question. Why?

Foley doesn't understand locals

I recently read a letter to the editor from Robert Foley, son of Bill Foley, with regards to the graffiti sign. I do not agree with graffiti in general, and the statement by my daughter about it being great was a complete misinterpretation of her comment.

Fire tab reaches $41 million

By CHRIS PETERSON

Betty Lou Smith

Betty Lou Smith, 67, of Columbia Falls, died Aug. 5, 2007, at the Colonial Manor in Whitefish, after a long brave battle with Alzheimer’s.

Night of the grizzlies

By GEORGE OSTROM

Better baseball bleachers needed

This letter is concerning the condition of the facility the Glacier Twins are currently playing on in Whitefish. I attended my first game there in over 20 years in late July.

CFHS golfers kick off golf season

By JOE SOVA

Bulldog football gets going

By DAVID ERICKSON

Donna LuElla

Redfield Mitchell

Whitefish Lake Triathlon coming Aug. 19

By DAVID ERICKSON

Fire smoke erodes air quality

By MIKE RICHESON

Thanks for concerts

To the editor,

Recalling August 1967

A young man named Don Gullet put the bleeding Roy Ducat in Don's new sleeping bag at Granite Park campground after the fatal grizzly bear mauling of Julie Helgeson … that awful night.

Juanita Katherine

“Billye” Beatty

Columbia Falls artist rewarded for logo

By HEIDI DESCH

Student collapses during practice

By FAITH MOLDAN

The language of sports

By FAITH MOLDAN

Tourism plays major role in new economy

Natural resources play lesser role these days, but service sector wages lag

Soccer referee clinics coming up

A Grade 9 clinic for beginning youth soccer referees will be held Monday, Aug. 27 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at The Summit Fitness Center in Kalispell. Grade 9 officials can center small-sided fall recreational games, and can be assistant referees (ARs) on spring competitive matches up to U-14.

Mayor Feury to step down

City Council will lose its ‘institutional memory’

School board approves budget

By JOE SOVA

Quilt guild meets

A Teakettle Quild Guild meeting is scheduled for Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Columbia Falls Community Center, 235 Nucleus Ave. Kathie Bauer will demonstrate making pillow cases.

Lake fisheries continue to change

By MIKE RICHESON

NVH birthing staff 'amazing'

I would like to extend a public thank you to the amazing staff at the North Valley Hospital Birth Center. They helped my wife, Lynn, deliver a perfect baby boy.

Grass fire up North Fork Road doused

By CHRIS PETERSON

Develop hospital site for city use

Whitefish citizens, please take a stand with me whatever the cost (legally) to stop the powers-at-be from completely ruining Whitefish.

Coal bed methane problems

As the treasurer of Montana Trout Unlimited, I write to express our organization's serious concern regarding potential coal bed methane extraction and open pit coal mining at the headwaters of Glacier National Park and Flathead Lake.

Duke coach helps Bigfork soccer

By FAITH MOLDAN

Punting on the Thames

By BARBARA ELVY STRATE

Stand up for Big Mountain

Robert Foley stated that the vandalism to the Whitefish Mountain Resort sign gives locals a bad name, and that the actions show we don't appreciate the mountain.

State of the lake

By MIKE RICHESON

Platke earns third in Junior State Amateur Golf Tournament

By JOE SOVA

Appalled by Big Mountain graffiti

As a local of Whitefish, I must admit that lately I have not been proud to be one.

Zebra mussel a serious threat

By MIKE RICHESON

Isabel Boardman Follett

Isabel Boardman Follett, 104, died Aug. 2, 2007. She was born to William Ralph and Mary Ann Boardman in Wigan, Lancashire, England on March 8, 1903. They traveled by ship a year later and settled in Fernie, British Columbia, Canada. After fire destroyed Fernie in 1908, Isabel, her grandparents, parents and six younger brothers and sisters went to live in "the bush" at the foot of the Lizard Range. The homesteads are now the Fernie Ski Resort.

Checks and balances

Your issue of Aug. 2 features a letter/editorial by Eric Young which basically attacks Sean Frampton and those who have hired him for disagreeing with city rules or city proposals.

Downtown development on the horizon

By RICHARD HANNERS

In response to Foley's letter to the editor in the Aug. 2 Pilot, that's pretty much the point here. We don't want you here making this a "world-class resort."

This used to be a great peaceful town where everyone knew everyone. Now you can't even go to your favorite spots without being stampeded by ignorant, snobbish outsiders.

Council listens

Last week, Jason Callihan's letter to the editor expressed his opinion that there are far more important things for the city council to be concerned with than the complaint of an elderly man about the music at a neighborhood block party. The party was allowed through a special-event permit. Mr. Callihan also expressed the fear the council might make special-event permits harder to get.

Brush adventures

Hear that voice? Sure, maybe you can’t hear it, but I can. I hear all sorts of voices (as if you didn’t know that already) but the voice I’ve been listening to lately, the one that I’m really tuning in, is a mix of Liv Tyler and Ozzy Osbourne.

Two hole-in-ones in one month

Hole-in-one club

Concert series

Due to the wildfire smoke, the final performance in the Lions Club concert series tonight (Thursday) has been moved to St. Richards Catholic Church. The Columbia Falls Community Choir performs at 8 p.m. at the church rather than at Marantette Park. Donations of $3 and $5 per family are suggested to help with concert expenses.

Wildfires reaching historic proportions

By RICHARD HANNERS

The threat of Canada's mines

By MIKE RICHESON

Trial scheduled in Lakeside assault case

By RICHARD HANNERS

City Council OKs purchase of land for park

By HEIDI DESCH

Benzene levels at City Beach exceed federal standards

By RICHARD HANNERS

Night of the grizzlies - 40 years later

By HEIDI DESCH

The code of the New West

Over the last few months I’ve been following an issue that strikes a chord with a lot of folks here in Big Sky Country. It’s an issue that isn’t going away. In fact, it’s one that’s getting bigger as wealthy out-of-staters discover Montana and decide to buy up huge chunks of it for exclusive getaway homes.

Columbia Falls Swim Team earns third at state meet

The Columbia Falls swim team earned third place at the state swim meet in Lewistown last weekend as it wrapped up the summer season in style, edging rival Bitterroot for the third spot.

Join the next river cleanup

The organizers of the Whitefish River Cleanup held July 28 would like to extend a hearty thank you to its sponsors and participants.

Skyland Fire races out to prairie

By CHRIS PETERSON

Practices for CFHS fall sports begin Aug. 13

Practices for Columbia Falls High School fall sports, including soccer, football, volleyball, cross country and cheerleading, begin on Monday, Aug. 13. Athletes out for golf meet on Wednesday, Aug. 15. The practice and try-out times were posted by the individual coaches at the high school prior to Tuesday's meeting.

Thanks for park vote

To the editor,

Speaking Out

Establishing park has financial advantages

David Erickson / Whitefish Pilot

A kayaker momentarily gets flipped by a small standing wave at Bonecrusher rapids on the Middle Fork of the Flathead River on Aug. 4. While water levels have steadily dropped in the past few weeks, there has been no apparent slow down in the amount of boat traffic going down the river.

Sports provide comfort, hope

By FAITH MOLDAN

Two Bear Marathon is big draw

The third annual Two Bear Marathon will host the largest and most geographically diverse group of runners yet, with 86 runners from 24 states and three foreign countries registered so far.

HEIDI DESCH / Hungry Horse News

A special sky diving jump Saturday will honor Joel Atkinson.

Emma Webster

Emma K. Webster, 89, of Whitefish died peacefully at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Jolene and Marvin Mikesell, on July 4, 2007.

Brobst sentenced for child pornography

By MIKE RICHESON

Who's making North Fork dust?

Funny that the guy in the big, new pickup with the "Pave NF" license plate roared past us on the North Fork Road going at least 60 mph, spewing dust everywhere, blinding us, almost causing an accident.

Flathead travel an adventure

Maybe it's my age. Or perhaps it's just that drivers are more in a hurry than they used to be.

Sign vandalism uncalled for

I know that the recent name change on the mountain has touched quite a few nerves here in Whitefish, but it does not call for the vandalism of Winter Sports Inc. property.

Susan Green

Susan M. Green, 55, died July 23, 2007, in her sleep at the home of her parents in Whitefish.

By CHRIS PETERSON / Hungry Horse News

Even though Logan Pass wasn't open in June, visitation to Glacier National Park was up about 5 percent over last year, according to Park Service figures.

Don't burst the bubble

Letter from the Editor

Columbia Falls men's teams dominate 3-on-3 tourney

The annual Heritage Days basketball tournament drew another large crowd, with men's and boys' teams from Columbia Falls all taking first-place honors.

Glacier splits doubleheader with Stallions, barely miss playoffs

By DAVID ERICKSON

By JOE SOVAHungry Horse News

Aurora, Colo., resident Lisa Mills was a long way from home when she won the women's division of the 10-kilometer race on Saturday in the Heritage Days Boogie to the Bank. But Mills, a former Boogie to the Bank champion, is no stranger to the Flathead Valley.

Theodore (Ted) A. Laugen

Theodore (Ted) A. Laugen, 71, went home to be with Jesus on Wednesday, July 25, 2007, at his family home in Hungry Horse with loving family at his side.

What noise?

Flipping through the newspaper the other day, I stumbled upon a section which is usually overrun with zoning issues, resort tax increase proposals, and housing development approvals.

Vandals go after ski resort signs. . . .

By RICHARD HANNERS

Charlemagne L'Allier

Charlemagne (Chuck) Joseph L’Allier, Jr., 79, passed away July 26, 2007, at his home in Whitefish.

Fire crews respond to fires

By MIKE RICHESON

By DAVID ERICKSON Whitefish Pilot

Tim Torgerson, former Montana men's Class A singles champion for three consecutive years beginning in 1981, is back on the local courts. He's not competing this time, but coaching kids for the Whitefish Parks and Recreation summer tennis camp.

Early Progress Days remembered

A front page story in the Aug. 9, 1957 issue of the Hungry Horse News answered the question as to when Progress Days started in Columbia Falls. Promotion was to show progress made in the town which had seen little population or business increase in probably 40 or 50 years.

Has ImageArts Festival returns

By MIKE RICHESON

Worry about the visitors

By GEORGE OSTROM

Find out what it means to me

By FAITH MOLDAN

Letters to the Editor

Road dust in the Valley

Unhappy camper

In the summer of 2006 I was at the Big Creek campground on the North Fork of the Flathead for the 14 days allowed, and I had a great time. I asked the host about how much time was needed to be able to stay another 14 days, but she didn’t know. She let me stay another 14 days. Jump ahead a year. In July 2007 I went to Big Creek again and there were sites available. I occupied a camping spot and paid the fee for one night. The host asked me how long I planned to camp. I told here I had decided to pay for one night at a time until one of the nicer sites opened up. She said some of the sites were reserved for her family reunion. The next morning, on Saturday, I went to pay the fee, and I saw that the No. 13 site was vacant. So I occupied the site and paid for four nights. Sunday afternoon, I received a note saying that campsite was reserved. I told host I was planning to finish my 14 days there. She said no, that site is reserved. When I asked how that was possible in a first-come first-serve campground, she said someone had accessed the Web site and saw the group-use area was booked, which meant they could reserve camp sites. But no campers used that campsite for the full 10 days I was there. Still, I moved my camp. On Monday morning, there were reserved signs on sites 13, 14, 16 and 17. When I spoked to recreation forester in Hungry Horse, she confirmed that reservations are not accepted at that campground. If any of your readers have had to pass up a camp site at Big Creek, the reservatons were not legal, and many were probably over the 14-day limit. Their rights to access have been taken and given to family and friends of the camp host. Not a happy camper. Mark Hanson, Kalispell.

Leipheimer finishes third in Tour de France

By RICHARD HANNERS

All-Stars take tourney

By FAITH MOLDAN

Marquardt wins bareback title at Heritage Days Rodeo

Chad Marquardt of Kalispell scored an 80 in the barebacks on Friday night in the Heritage Days Rodeo at the Blue Moon Arena and that score held up Saturday — allowing him to pocket the first-place money.

Keep selling Big Mtn merchandise

Lately it seems that all our local businesses are eager to liquidate 60 years of heritage by discounting all Big Mountain merchandise. From mugs to T-shirts, it's all gotta go.

One-sided story

As Devra West's financial manger, I am appalled at your front page "smut story" that frames West as suspect of a host of misdeeds that border of sheer lunacy, pumped with statements that are conjured, false, inaccurate, out-dated, and out of context.

Attorney a force behind special interest group

When the Waltons applied for a reasonable-use exemption (RUE) to build on a steep slope on their property, they probably did not anticipate the controversy the application would create. Two pieces that ran in the Whitefish Pilot on July 26 concern the court decision in the Waltons' case against the city, while highlighting the emerging role of special-interest groups in Whitefish.

Lightning storms ignite bone-dry timber across Northwest Montana

By RICHARD HANNERS

Increasing lakeshore violations could lead to stricter regulations

By RICHARD HANNERS

Bigfork's favorite firefighter

By LAURA BEHENNA

Capital improvements program clarified

In the past month or two, the subject of city spending has become very popular with the citizens of Whitefish. It appears that interest in this topic was generated after the adoption of the Capital Improvement Program at the May 21 council meeting.

Guide On comes to Montana

By MIKE RICHESON

Rodeo action in Columbia Falls