Thursday, February 28
Special Olympics
Thanks Whitefish Sports-man and Ski Haus.
Fundraiser was a success
The third annual Black Tie and Blue Jeans dinner and silent auction fundraiser was a smashing success, and Rainbow's End Preschool would like to thank everyone for their help at the event.
Closed campus planned for high school
Could mean less trouble but some local business losses
Lucille Hobbs
Lucille Hobbs, 79, of Columbia Falls, passed away on Feb. 14, 2008, due to lung cancer.
Valkyries repeat as divisional champions
By FAITH MOLDAN / Bigfork Eagle
Donald Swisher
Donald A. Swisher, 89, of Whitefish passed away from natural causes Feb.18, 2008, at North Valley Hospital in Whitefish.
Bigfork High School bond summary
By Denny Sabo
Saddlehorn meets with workers, explains 'green'
By ALEX STRICKLANDBigfork Eagle
Dallas Birr
Dallas Jack Birr, 66, died of pancreatic cancer on Feb. 18, 2008, in Kenmore, Wash.
Telemarkers
The local members of the U.S. National Telemark Team would like to thank our community for your continued support. Five of the 13 members of the national team live here in the Flathead Valley and train at Whitefish Mountain Resort.
Community considering high school updates
By ALEX STRICKLANDBigfork Eagle
Girls upset Libby, then fall to undefeated Vals in title game
By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot
PTA thanks for Muldown art
On behalf of the Whitefish Parent Teacher Association, we would like to thank everyone who was involved in the "Showcase of Young Masters" art show held at Muldown Elementary School on Feb. 7.
Finding a fix for the 'doughnut' problem
State statute allows creation of 'multijurisdictional' districts
Walter Jacoby
Walter Charles Jacoby, 96, died Feb. 24, 2008, after a short illness.
Lion Mountain home owners object to critical areas ordinance
Editor's note: This letter was also sent to the Flathead County commissioners.
Enjoying winter in the Flathead
Winter in my native state of Wyoming, where I lived for all but about five years of my life, is often harsh. And I looked forward to what my first winter in the Flathead Valley would be like, in Columbia Falls specifically.
The Kilbella tyee
I've known just two men who would instantly stop whatever they were doing if they heard, "The fish are biting." One time when I went to Buster Redd's home in the swan and told him, "The rainbows are biting." He didn't even finish sawing the 2x4 he was working on. Quit half way through and ran for his fly rod.
Wava Combs
Wava Combs, 85, went to be with her beloved Lord Jesus on Feb. 15, 2008.
Whitefish Winter Festival set March 7-9
By JOE SOVA / Hungry Horse News
Bigfork hosts successful Northwestern A Divisional tournament
By FAITH MOLDAN / Bigfork Eagle
School bond hot topic at Steering Committee
By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle
A 'no' vote on bond is OK
I? 2003, the Whitefish School District taxpayers were asked to support both the Central School building program, and the high school building program, totaling $21 million.
Vikings end season with close games
By FAITH MOLDANBigfork Eagle
Environmental regs OK'd by council
Controversial critical areas ordinance evolved as it underwent two years of review
School needs high-tech facilities
Residents of Whitefish are aware of the barrage of yellow and green signs and badges in support of the upcoming high school bond issue. They will be asked to vote on the bond issue in March, and it is important for citizens to understand the real needs and issues associated with this bond.
Some families settle with Plum Creek; trial date in remaining pollution cases set
By HEIDI DESCH / Hungry Horse News
Vals, fans, put on a show at divisionals
Growing up in the south, there were only two high school sports: Football and all that other stuff.
Kats exit tourney with great effort against Polson
By JOE SOVA / Hungry Horse News
Boys shock No. 1 Polson on their road to state meet
By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot
James A. Shaffer Jr., 90
James A. Shaffer Jr., age 90, of Kalispell, Montana passed away on Sunday, February 24, 2008 at Immanuel Lutheran Home in Kalispell. He was born May 11, 1917 in Chicago, IL to adventurous parents, James A. Shaffer, Sr, and Stella Nelson Shaffer, the last homesteaders of Lake County, "Shipmaster" James Alexander Shaffer, Jr. has passed, his life full of travel, friends, and projects. His parents' home schooled him in the family's lakeshore cabin for his elementary education. He graduated from Polson High School. He loved playing his clarinet and had a dance band that played from Polson to Missoula on the weekends.
Feds move to delist wolves
By CHRIS PETERSON / Hungry Horse News
Cats' season ends with loss to Dogs
By CHRIS PETERSON / Hungry Horse News
RE: Milhous Group not bad
We will not attempt to debate the particulars of the Swan Lakers lawsuit in this letter; this is not the forum for that. All the information is a matter of public record and is available on their Web site at
Dogs stun Cats in wild upset
By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot
BP pulls out of North Fork, but coal mining still threatens streams
By CHRIS PETERSON / Hungry Horse News
Thursday, February 21
I love you, you're perfect, now change
Do you feel that is what is happening in Whitefish? It feels like everyone wants to jam their special interest through. They tell us it is for the children. Or this will make it better. Has it made it better?
Valkyries stay undefeated in conference
By FAITH MOLDAN / Bigfork Eagle
Basketball Tourney Schedule
The 2008 Northwest Class A divisional basketball tournament schedule has been released. Most games will be played at Glacier High School in Kalispell, including all games on Thursday and Friday. Several games on Saturday morning will be played at Flathead High School.
Vikings top 5th-ranked Chiefs
By FAITH MOLDAN / Bigfork Eagle
School bond alternatives
While providing our community with a branch library and a modern, technically efficient, educational facility are both highly desirable, I sincerely wonder if the alternative offered by the current school bond election is the best way to achieve these goals.
John Kenny
John Thomas (Tom) Kenny, of Whitefish, passed away Jan. 28, 2008, while wintering in Mesa, Ariz.
Reichner running for house seat
By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle
Five seniors enjoy a victory on their home courts for the last time before divisionals
By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot
BHS senior not playing second fiddle
By JACOB DORAN / Bigfork Eagle
Sherman Johnson
Sherman Clarence Johnson, 88, a longtime resident of Kalispell and Whitefish, passed away suddenly on Jan. 31, 2008, in Yuma, Ariz.
Mahlums, Montana Athletic Club donate equipment to high school
By FAITH MOLDAN / Bigfork Eagle
It's a 'Taj Mahal' high school
As a five-year member of the Whitefish School District Board, I felt there are some concerns about the present bond you will be asked to vote for that should be addressed.
Kelsey Schmid-Sommer earns third national championship
Whitefish telemark skier Kelsey Schmid-Sommer was named the national women's champion for an unprecedented third time after winning three of four race events at the U.S. Telemark National Championships in Idaho this past weekend.
Alleged Ferndale murderer pleads not guilty to deliberate homicide
By JENNIFER MCBRIDE / for the Eagle
Current high school bond is about double the 2003 proposal
By OLIVIA KOERNIG / Whitefish Pilot
Commissioners deny Hwy. 83 zone change
By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle
Keep lift open
Why does the Big Mountain close one half hour early this year? Why does the Big Mountain ignore requests for an explanation regarding this early closure?
Cordier: Won't run for another term
It is with very mixed emotions that I write to announce my intention not to run for re-election as State Representative for House District 3. Recent events have emerged that bring me to this decision.
CFHS girls tangle with Whitefish in Divisional tournament
By JOE SOVA / Hungry Horse News
Capitalizing on Glacier Park visitors
Economic development in the Flathead Valley seems to be more of a topic of discussion all the time, at least in my opinion during my first seven months living here.
Time to overcome partisan bickering
Two months ago, on Dec. 10, I made a public announcement of my intention to run for the Montana State Senate in Senate District 2. This is to confirm that on Feb. 1, I officially filed for the office with the Secretary of State.
Resolution reached in CFBA baseball lease
By JOE SOVA / Hungry Horse News
Cruises recalled
Time flies like the wind, and house flies like horse manure."
Realtors say no
On behalf of the board of directors of the Northwest Montana Association of Realtors, we want the Flathead County Commissioners to know we are in support of their position on the Whitefish Critical Areas Ordinance as presented in the letter written by commissioner Gary Hall and reprinted in the Feb. 14 edition of the Whitefish Pilot.
Judge rules councilor is not a resident
McGrew is out, Askew is sworn in as city councilor
Around the world in a weekend
I am - thankfully - not a watcher of much TV. I have plenty of time-wasting habits like the Internet and pointless bicycle repair, but the medium of television holds little allure for me most of the time.
Cyrus Rishoff, 102
Cyrus Jerome "Cy" Rishoff, age 102, passed away peacefully in his sleep at the Lake View Care Center in Bigfork early Saturday morning (Feb. 16, 2008).
Do we want a joint high school/community library?
By Denny Sabo
No. 2 Wildcats face Ronan-Bigfork winner in Divisional tourney
By CHRIS PETERSON / Hungry Horse News
Mary Rozzoni
Mary Catherine Rozzoni passed away Feb. 15, 2008, at her Whitefish home with her beloved niece, Susan Crane, by her side.
Neighborhood plan sent to county
By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle
Claire Wilson
Claire Louise Wilson, 62, passed away on Feb. 10, 2008 after a courageous 13-year battle with brain tumors. At the time of her death she was surrounded by her beloved family and pets at her ranch in Bigfork.
McCain takes shot at grizzly bear study
By CHRIS PETERSON / Hungry Horse News
Columbia Falls could see new welcome signs by spring
By JOE SOVA / Hungry Horse News
Area bridges up to par
By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle
St. Matthew's School turns 90
By HEIDI DESCH / Hungry Horse News
Think globally
I
Colt Idol sets a new school record with 39 points
By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot
High court rules in Phelps v. Frampton
By RICHARD HANNERS / Whitefish Pilot
Thursday, February 14
Commissioner warns about ordinance
Editor's note: The following letter was recently sent by Flathead County Commissioner Gary Hall to Mayor Mike Jenson and the Whitefish City Council.
Thanks for the business
As owner of Montana Mom's Espresso and Ice Cream, I would like to thank the communities of Whitefish and Columbia Falls for their support over the last three and a half years.
Kolodejchuk, Houle earn second at State Wrestling Tournament
By JOE SOVA / Hungry Horse News
Kats host Polson in regular season finale
By JOE SOVA / Hungry Horse News
Proposed high school improvements
By Denny Sabo
Lady Bulldogs sweep the Wildkats
By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot
David Dearing
David O. Dearing, 53 of Whitefish, fell peacefully asleep at his home in Whitefish on Feb. 5, 2008, and died of natural causes.
Snockered driving
Whether it is the cold weather, more people moving in, increased law enforcement, or all three, arrests for DUI are booming in Flathead County. The old record for a weekend going back several years in the time of the Highway Patrol's traveling "Goon Squad" was 14. The last few weekends produced numbers in the twenties, 22 from last Friday night to Monday morning, 25 the weekend before.
Loaded guns in Glacier National Park?
Montana's senators back proposal to allow loaded firearms in national parks
Whitefish High School bond will offer our 650 students substantial improvements
In Newton, Mass., a suburb of Boston, ground has been broken for a new high school replacing Newton North High School, a building constructed in 1970.
Carnival crew says thanks
The Whitefish Winter Carnival XLIX Parade co-chairwomen Allison Deaver and Nancy Gordley would like to give a special wild West thank yo' to all those who helped the parade to run without a hitch this year.
Had great time visiting here
We want to thank the nice people in Whitefish for a fabulous ski week. Having never skied at Whitefish Mountain Resort, we were apprehensive about finding the right trails and skiing in powder.
Gary Anderson
Gary Anderson, 50, of Havre, died unexpectedly Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008, at his home in Havre.
John Kenny
John Thomas (Tom) Kenny, of Whitefish, passed away Jan. 28, 2008, while wintering in Mesa, Ariz.
Hungry Horse man dies after gunshot to face
Death of 2-year-old Coram girl 'suspicious'
There's still support for Sun Road
By CHRIS PETERSON / Hungry Horse News
Bulldogs crush Bigfork at home
By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot
Snow collapses carport roof
By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot
Neighborhood Plan meeting garners little comment
By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle
Bigfork florists ready for Valentine's
By JACOB DORAN / Bigfork Eagle
Elementary School bond sale OK'd by board
Bigfork Eagle
Local firm to remake river valley
River Design Group will oversee construction of a new Clark Fork River channel east of Missoula
Comments done right, and wrong
Last week in this space I wrote about reader comment capabilities on the Eagle's and other publications' Web sites and how they add to the conversation between people and the media. No sooner had the column left my desk with the week's pages than I was proved completely right. And wrong.
Cats alone atop NW A
By CHRIS PETERSON / Hungry Horse News
BHS bond ballots mailed out today
By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle
Jeannine Ransier
Jeannine Lee Ransier, 77, passed away on Feb. 5, 2008 after a long and courageous battle with cancer.
Library tales
The Hungry Horse News office was the location of Columbia Falls Branch Library back in 1946-47.
Late surge can't lift Bulldogs over 'Cats
By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot
Garage design wrong
There is a slight omission with regard to public comments on the conceptual design of the proposed downtown parking garage as reported in the Feb. 7 Whitefish Pilot.
Margaret Torgerson
Margaret L. Torgerson, 75, passed away Jan. 29, 2008.
Bowen signs with Western
Hattie Bowen, the Vals 58 guard has signed a letter of intent to play basketball for the University of Montana Western in Dillon, according to head women's coach Kevin Engellant.Bowen earned all-conference basketball honors her junior year. This year, she averages 11 points and close to five rebounds per game. Bowen also lettered in track her sophomore and junior years.Hattie will be an outstanding addition to our campus and our basketball program, says Engellant. She is a hard worker both in the classroom and on the basketball court. Hattie is athletic, a tremendous shooter, and she comes from great basketball family. She is a gym rat and because of her dedication and love for the game, she will continue to improve her basketball skills.Valkyries coach Nate Hammond said college basketball is a step in the right direction for Bowen.She loves playing so much that college basketball is definitely for her, Hammond said. Shes willing to put in the time to get the reward.From the classroom she was selected to the National Honor Society and earned all-state academic honors. Hattie maintains a 3.8 GPA and is a member of the Biology Club and the service club, Interact. Her UMW major is undecided.I decided to sign with Montana Western because of their very successful program, said Bowen. I feel comfortable with the coaching staff. All around, it feels like a good fit for me.Hammond agreed with Bowen.Its a good school for her to go to. Theyve got a good team and a good coach, he said. Theyve shown a real interest in having her there. It will be a good fit.Bowen, who holds the school record for best free-throw percentage, will graduate this spring. She holds the record with her 81.5-percent free-throw shooting as a junior.
North Fork plan will see some revisions
By CHRIS PETERSON / Hungry Horse News
Cornelia Graham
Cornelia Clack Graham, 95, died peacefully Friday, Feb. 1, 2008, at Kalispell Regional Hospital, after a mild heart attack.
Ray to play golf for MSU Bobcats
Whitefish High School senior Chelsea Ray has made a verbal commitment to the Montana State Bobcats as a scholarship golf athlete. While the actual signing date is not until April, Ray decided to move forward with the offer from MSU-Bozeman and become a member of the Bobcat golf team next fall.
Valkyries claim Northwest A conference championship
By FAITH MOLDAN / Bigfork Eagle
Big Creek buried, but Parsons Tractor comes to the rescue
By CHRIS PETERSON / Hungry Horse News
Simple actions help make firefighters safer
I would like to take a moment to both thank you and to also ask a favor of you.
Susan L. Newgard, 57
Susan L. Newgard, age 57, passed away peacefully in her sleep at home on Sun. Feb. 10. She was born June 24, 1950 to Kenneth and Pearl (Stearns) Huso. She was raised in Kalispell and a graduate of Flathead High School, in 1968. Much of her childhood was spent at the family farm with grandparents, Buck and Clara Weaver.
Careful thought went into planning high school bond
In Newton, Mass., a suburb of Boston, ground has been broken for a new high school replacing Newton North High School, a building constructed in 1970.
Wrestlers come up short at state meet
By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot
Vikings falter in second half against Bulldogs
By FAITH MOLDAN
No shortage of help
It has come to my attention that some residents of the Bigfork area believe that we have a lack of community spirit and unity. I beg to differ. For a place of only about 1,500 people, we have a regular volunteer base of about 175 for Tamarack Time! every October since 1988. We have around 60 volunteers for the Riverbend Concert Series — 26 years — plus at least 25 sponsors for the concerts each summer. The Rotary Club has 30-40 members. The Bigfork Boosters have 100 regular members. The Bigfork Steering Committee has 20-50 regular attendees, and even more specific jobs, while the elected Bigfork Land Use Advisory Counciil has seven. The Bigfork School Board has seven members, and the Bigfork Museum Board has 10 members and 270 regular members. The Bigfork Chamber of Commerce has 310 regular members and many attend the monthly Sundowners.
Thursday, February 7
Thanks for trails
We had the enjoyment of cross-country skiing at Round Meadows Ski Trail, off of Star Meadows Road this week.
Rita McDowell
Rita McDowell, 70, a longtime Flathead Valley resident, passed away of natural causes on Jan. 28, 2008 at the Kalispell Regional Medical Center.
Make ordinances affordable
I was not able to attend the last workshop held by Whitefish City Council on Jan. 28, but had I been able, I would have liked to have asked councilor Nick Palmer why he thinks property owners have such deep pockets as to be able to afford $5,000-$10,000 to hire professionals to locate stormwater conveyances on their land?
Larry Vaughn
Larry Lockhard Vaughn, 56, passed away Saturday, Jan. 26, 2008, at his home in Kila, due to a heart attack.
Vals stifle non-conference foes
By FAITH MOLDAN / Bigfork Eagle
Our entitlement programs in trouble
There is no question: The financial future of our Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security programs are in jeopardy. Those "entitlement programs" will see spending cuts of $208 billion over the next five years, if the 2009 National Budget proposed Monday by President George W. Bush is approved.
Jay Stephens
Jay Stephens, 80, passed away on Feb. 1, 2008, in Whitefish.
Home values will rebound
Merrill Lynch's Jan. 23 report predicting a free-fall in home prices was yet another panic analysis based on faulty assumptions. While home values are adjusting, flattening out or even declining in some markets during the current economic downturn, the long-term outlook for home values remains positive.
Public funding for private elections
Primary elections are kind of strange creature; they are neither wholly private nor wholly public affairs. The private aspect is that they are elections in which a political party selects its candidates for offices in the general election; the public part is that the elections are conducted by and paid for by government. It is the public funding of the private event that intrigues me.
Jay Stephens, 80
Jay Stephens, 80, passed away on Friday, Feb. 1, 2008 in Whitefish. He was born May 7, 1927, in Wheeling, W.V., to Floyd and Ethel (Henthorn) Stephens.
Downtown design plans tabled by council
Time needed to digest public comments and meet with all members present
BLUAC fills vacant seat, approves Sr. housing
By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle
Vikings win two straight
By FAITH MOLDAN / Bigfork Eagle
A Linderman letter
Most local folks know of the famous Montana pioneer, writer, historian and legislator, Frank Linderman. His books on Indians are classics and some were illustrated by his friend, Charlie Russell.
Bigfork teen out of jail in Ferndale case
Alex Strickland / Bigfork Eagle
Kats can't stop Mee, Martin in 64-39 league loss to Libby
By JOE SOVA / Hungry Horse News
City councilor's eligibility questioned
Council gives Martin McGrew two weeks to prove his case in court
Bigfork variety show full of talent
By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle
Reader comments enrich the paper
For anyone who has ever read a story from a magazine, newspaper or other publication and thought — well, anything — the Internet has provided the perfect outlet.
Rena Voss
Rena Mary (Faltrino) Voss, 84, peacefully passed away Jan. 29, 2008, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Kalispell, with family members at her side.
Poor first half costs Cats in loss to Loggers
By CHRIS PETERSON / Hungry Horse News
Six Whitefish wrestlers qualify for state tournament in Billings
By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot
Support in 2009
I would like to thank the voters for placing their trust in me by electing me to the House of Representatives in the past 2007 legislative session.
Funding issues raised for critical areas ordinance
City can't charge fees in the 'doughnut' area
Lady Bulldogs drop 75 to tame Lions
Showdown looms between No. 2 Whitefish and No. 1 Bigfork tonight
Remembering Lee Metcalf
Lee Metcalf died 30 years ago last month. His life represented political and policy "change," the very thing now being pursued by candidates and voters alike.
Is Bigfork High School taking it too far?
Hello, our names are David and Justin and we are currently Juniors at Bigfork High School. We are writing to you, the community, to let you know of an unacceptable series of events happening at Bigfork Vikings basketball games. This series of events started on Friday, Jan. 18 when the Bigfork Vikings hosted the Libby Loggers. As the minutes wound down in the fourth quarter, a few of our friends and us wanted to see a player go in, Zac Bruer. Zac Bruer is a great friend of ours and we started chanting his nickname "Chubbs." After a while almost the whole student section started chanting his nickname. We chanted for about ten seconds and realized it may be a little early. Our spirit kicked in and we noticed that this "Chubbs" chant was one of the loudest chants all night. A couple of minutes went by and as a crowd we started chanting again. This time, our great friend Zac got put in along with all the other reserve players. It was a harmless chant for one of the members of the Bigfork Vikings basketball team. A little team spirit, but I guess we were wrong.
Whitefish special
On Sunday, Jan. 13, we lost our dear friend Dave Gogolak in the Canyon Creek avalanche. Dave's love for his family, his passion for Whitefish and his larger-than-life personality were unmatched. This huge loss has devastated us.
Glacier Park's budget looks better for '08
By CHRIS PETERSON / Hungry Horse News
Swan Lake man writes book about early life homesteading near Bigfork
By JACOB DORAN / Bigfork Eagle
Bigfork High School's many deficiencies
By Denny Sabo
Expert: Housing higher than demand
By HEIDI DESCH / Hungry Horse News
Eldora Morrow
Eldora Winifred (Miles) Morrow (Dora), 90, a long-time resident of Whitefish, passed away peacefully on Jan. 31, 2008, at Immanuel Lutheran Nursing Home.
Bigfork boys shoot Horsemen's lights out; JV Vals top Trotters, Bulldogs
By FAITH MOLDAN
Rollins Fire Dept. gets new ice suits
By JACOB DORAN / Bigfork Eagle
Diabetes can't stop young Whitefish swimmer
By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot
Somers looking at new growth plan
By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle
Quintet of Mat Cats qualifies for state
By JOE SOVA / Hungry Horse News
Educators want answers from State about court mandate
By JOE SOVA / Hungry Horse News
