Thursday, September 30
Retention a challenge for volunteer departments
It's a bemoaned fact at many fire departments across the United States — the number of volunteers is shrinking and turnover is high.
Letters to the Editor
Thanks for the memories
Lilly Jo Frank
Lilly Jo Frank, daughter of Tyler and Meagan Frank, of Whitefish, was born Sept. 13, 2010, at North Valley Hospital.
Drugs, ads and age
G. GEORGE OSTROM / For the Hungry Horse News
Whitefish's faded W
Missoula has the "M" on Mount Sentinel. Bozeman and Butte each have an "M," too. Libby has the "L" on Swede Mountain, and Dillon has a "W" for Western and a "B" for Beaverhead. Even don't-blink-or-you'll-miss-it towns like Plains and Drummond have letters for their respective high schools.
Whitefish spikers blank Wildkats
The Lady Bulldogs picked up their second conference win last week with a decisive 3-0 sweep at Columbia Falls. Olivia Nagler led the volleyball squad with 18 assists, seven kills and eight digs as Whitefish cruised past the 'Kats, 25-15, 25-19, 25-18.
Kats cruise over Corvallis, Pirates
The Columbia Falls girls soccer team had two dominant performances last week, downing Corvallis away 10-0 last Thursday and Polson 3-1 at home last Saturday.
UPDATED: Robbery reported at First Interstate Bank
Bigfork Eagle
Dick TrinastichThe cutthroat trout of the Hungry Horse reservoir can rest a little easier now that Dick Trinastich has passed away.
Richard "Dick" Trinastich was born July 10, 1931 to Pete and Florence Trinastich in Great Falls. He graduated from Great Falls High School, where he was a standout on the Bison basketball team. Dick received a scholarship to play basketball for the University of Montana. After two years at the U of M, he enlisted in the army and was stationed in Korea and Japan.
Teacher brings movement to class
Property auction brings in $5.08 million
Persecuted
I am writing in regards to the atrocious article about The Ride Guy. I read this article and was appalled by what was written.
Cats roll over Loggers
Columbia Falls kick returner Devyn Rocker celebrated his birthday with a 98-yard opening kickoff return as the Wildcats thumped Libby last Friday 46-10 in their conference opener.
Likes Hammerquist
Do you know that Will Hammerquist has pure Montana running through his veins? His love for this state runs as deep as the soil in which he and his family have worked for two generations.
Michael William Sloan
Michael William Sloan of Hungry Horse passed away Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2010, doing what he loved, fishing Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park.
Mission Pawsible
Flathead Shelter Friends, Flathead Spay Neuter Task Force, Humane Society of Northwest Montana and Whitefish Theatre Company would like to thank everyone involved with the Mission Pawsible fundraising event. Nearly two years of planning, organizing, promoting and getting things done were put into the event.
Golf club wants 50-year lease with city
The Whitefish City Coun-cil continued its discussion of amending its lease with Whitefish Lake Golf Club at its Sept. 20 meeting.
Public Service Commission meeting in West Glacier Wednesday
Hungry Horse News
Stop doughnut give-away
During the 14 years I served as Whitefish city attorney, I tried to protect the city. Now that I'm retired, I believe that the greatest threat to the city comes from several city councilors who are pushing "amendments' to the 2005 Interlocal Agreement with Flathead County. If you care about Whitefish, you need to take action.
Filling mason jars with sunshine
K.J. HASCALL / Hungry Horse News
Vals shut out Libby
The Bigfork girls soccer team got its second win of the season over the Libby Lady Loggers on Thursday with a 3-0 shutout.
Bulldogs look to regroup
It's time for Whitefish's boys soccer team to step up and finally play to its potential. That's what coach O'Brien Byrd is pleading for after the 'Dogs let a 3-1 halftime lead slip away at Libby on Saturday.
Lady 'Dogs fend off Loggers
The Lady Bulldogs soccer team continued to enforce their authority over the league Saturday when they knocked off a feisty Lady Loggers team 3-2.
Bulldogs tops at divisional tourney
Both Whitefish Bulldog golf teams walked away with top honors at the 2010 Northwestern Class A Divisional tournament held last Saturday at Mission Mountain Golf Course. The boys out distanced runner-up Polson by more than 30 shots, while the girls were nearly 40 shots better than the Lady Pirates.
U.S. 93 strip zoning back to the drawing board
Japanese community donated to Whitefish
Group working to build memorials at Sliter Park
A group of community members is working to revitalize the Sliter Park area in Bigfork.
QRU building moving forward
The Lakeside Quick Response Unit is working to get its new ambulance hall and community meeting place secured for the winter.
Ice safety: Autumn considerations
Most love ice fishing or at least walking on the ice. But there are special needs, often overlooked, that your life may depend on. These relate to ice thickness and variations that can occur.
Attorney encourages city to stick with lawsuit
Former Montana Supreme Court justice Terry Trieweiler weighed in on the "doughnut" issue in a Sept. 17 letter with advice to the Whitefish City Council.
Likes Skees
Over the last few months since Derek Skees won the HD4 (Whitefish area) Republican primary, I have gotten to know him quite well. I have met with Derek several times and found that he can truly represent our interests in Helena in a manner that I find favorable, which is a very well run and efficient state government.
Bulldogs cruise on senior night
The Lady Bulldogs extended their dominance in the league Tuesday with an impressive 11-1 win over Bigfork, while the boys team bounced back from consecutive losses with a 7-0 shutout over the Vikings.
Cheers for volunteers
Carol Anderson was born and raised in Duluth, Minn. With a skating rink in every playground and a dad who was active in curling, it was only natural that she grew up feeling more comfortable on ice than on sidewalks. She began skating at age four and while growing up became known as a "rink rat," regularly walking a mile after school to the nearest ice rink.
Johnna Kathryn Pimentel, 49, of Ashburn, Va., died July 20, 2010 in Leesburg, Va. after courageously battling an aggressive case of cancer that began as melanoma.
Johnna was born to Sharon and (George) Roger Wilson Feb. 20, 1961 in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. In 1970 her family moved to Columbia Falls, just outside of Glacier National Park. She and her family enjoyed camping and picnics in Glacier, skiing on Big Mountain in Whitefish and traveling to see family in Coeur d'Alene.
Cheap humor
Gee, isn't it funny how easily the "editorialists' turned the item about the "traveling gnome" into a criticism of the governor?
Short-handed lady harriers take second
The Ronan Invitational Cross Country meet turned into a highly competitive event with the addition of traditional Class AA cross-country powers Flathead and Missoula Hellgate. The Lady Bulldogs placed second behind the Hellgate team, 32 to 46. They finished ahead of Flathead, which placed third with 71 points.
Inga Julia OlsonInga Julia Olson passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 8, at the Immanuel Lutheran Home. She was 92.
Inga was born in Malta on Feb. 28, 1918, to Alfred and Marie Higdem. She grew up on the family homestead, where she went to country school in the Bennett Lake community and attended Malta High School.
Friday filled with Homecoming activities
Bigfork Eagle
Trailer full of straw catches fire on Highway 35
Bigfork Eagle
Virtual classroom
Teachers bring the classroom to the Web
A short history of the 'doughnut'
I apologize that I will not be able to attend your public hearing on Oct. 4 to answer the questions that I am sure this letter will generate but time, distance, economics and family obligations prevent me from being in Whitefish on Oct. 4. I am now the community development director for the city of Red Lodge, but I am writing this letter as an observer, with knowledge of this complex issue, and not as a Red Lodge representative. As such, the views or opinions stated herein are mine and mine alone!
Thursday
The Columbia Falls Farmers Market is Thursdays at Discovery Square from 5 to 7:30 p.m.
Seeking wolf solutions
It's like a bad horror movie where the monster keeps coming back no matter how many times you think it's been killed. In Hollywood, the worse the villain the more times it comes back to haunt you until it becomes painfully obvious that you'll need a silver bullet to solve the problem once and for all.
For the love of reading and writing
Caution urged with begining of open burning
Candidates share their views at forum
Last Thursday, candidates from area House Districts and candidates in the county commissioner race met at Glacier Discovery Square to share their views with voters.
Cats salvaging soccer season
The Columbia Falls boys soccer team will get at least some of its season back.
Vikes and Vals pick up weekend wins
The Vikings football team took on Thompson Falls on Friday night for Bigfork's Homecoming game and came away with a 42-20 victory over the Bluehawks.
School gets new teachers
Lighthouse celebrates the harvest with festival
For spikers, stats are nice, but wins elusive
The Kats continue to struggle on the volleyball court, though individual players are posting impressive conference stats.
In cross country, progress each week
Get a little better every week.
Kenneth Friske
Kenneth F. Friske passed away Sept. 15, 2010, in Columbia Falls.
Turnovers hurt 'Dogs in shoot-out at Ronan
The Bulldogs put up 26 points and nearly 400 yards of total offense Friday in a shoot-out with Ronan, but it wasn't enough to keep pace in the conference battle. The Chiefs outscored Whitefish 28-13 in the second half en route to a 50-26 win.
Homecoming snake dance
Belton sous chef drowns in Glacier
Michael William Sloan loved to fish. He loved to hunt. He loved the outdoors. And he was often late for work. So when the 30-year-old from Hungry Horse didn't show up to work on time last Tuesday his boss, Melissa Mangold, wasn't too worried.
Ranch analogy doesn't work with education
I disagree wholeheartedly with Gov. Brian Schweitzer's characterization of how he keeps our state solvent, especially with regard to school funding. He has essentially accepted the federal supplemental money for schools and used it to take the place of money already allocated to each district. The net gain for education — zero.
Fill the boot
The Montana Chapter of the Muscular Dystrophy Association would like to thank the generous citizens of Whitefish and the surrounding areas for their incredible support of our Fill the Boot campaign held Aug. 14.
Golfers third at divisionals
Hungry Horse News
Thursday, September 23
Johnna Kathryn Pimentel, 49, of Ashburn, Va., died July 20, 2010 in Leesburg, Va. after courageously battling an aggressive case of cancer that began as melanoma.
Johnna was born to Sharon and (George) Roger Wilson Feb. 20, 1961 in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. In 1970 her family moved to Columbia Falls, just outside of Glacier National Park. She and her family enjoyed camping and picnics in Glacier, skiing on Big Mountain in Whitefish and traveling to see family in Coeur d'Alene.
Narnia
Cheers for volunteers
Miriam Lewis was born and raised in Canada and spent most of her time between Lethbridge and Waterton. Upon graduation from California Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo, she loaded her backpack and set out on a solo trip to see the world.
Lakeside gains gallery for fine art displays
A new place for art in Lakeside opened earlier this month.
'Dogs bounce Maidens
The Lady Bulldogs volleyball squad showed its tenacity in Ronan last week when it bounced back from a one-game deficit to rattle off three wins in a row and take their first conference match of the season.
Lady Bulldogs record fourth-consecutive shutout
The Lady Bulldogs' opponents would be happy just to get a shot on goal, much less actually having one hit the net.
Oliver Henry Clayton
Oliver Henry Clayton, son of Noah and Eliza Clayton, of Whitefish, was born Aug. 3, 2010, at North Valley Hospital.
Draft donut agreement includes current regs
More than 50 people crowded into the Whitefish library's community room on Sept. 14 to hear city and county representatives hammer out what's now called a "Restatement of Interlocal Agreement."
Lady harriers hang with region's best
Whitefish Pilot
Wants lawsuit to proceed
The Interlocal Agreement Committee working to find a solution for representation of "doughnut" residents is considering an amendment that gives the county (by a vote of two commissioners' the ability to overturn every piece of legislation since 2005 that impacts the doughnut (including lakeshore protection regulations, growth policy, critical areas ordinance, dark skies and approximately 60 more such ordinances).
The cutthroat trout of the Hungry Horse reservoir can rest a little easier now that Dick Trinastich has passed away.
Richard "Dick" Trinastich was born July 10, 1931 to Pete and Florence Trinastich in Great Falls. He graduated from Great Falls High School, where he was a standout on the Bison basketball team. Dick received a scholarship to play basketball for the University of Montana. After two years at the U of M, he enlisted in the army and was stationed in Korea and Japan.
Banks remain confident in trying times
While banks across the U.S. are facing dire circumstances, sometimes facing takeover by federal regulators, banks in Montana are holding their own. But that doesn't mean there aren't "problem banks' here.
Blessed to be Montanans
Drivers learn very early on that we put the car into D to move forward and R to go in reverse. It's a simple driving maneuver, but one that aptly describes our current economic situation. We need to move forward as better days are ahead. Don't let anyone fool you into believing that Montana cannot out perform the rest of the nation.
There goes the neighborhood
I have lived in Whitefish on Dakota Avenue for almost 20 years. Recently, in the past three years, I have been living and working in Arizona in the winter and returning home to Montana for the summer.
Geneva Hotel
Geneva M. Hotel, 90, died of natural causes in Conrad, on Sept. 19, 2010.
Thursday
The Columbia Falls Farmers Market is Thursdays at Discovery Square from 5 to 7:30 p.m.
Vikes step over Lions, Runner places at invite
The Vikings extended their record to 3-1 overall and 2-0 in conference Friday night with a 34-14 victory over District 7B rivals Eureka.
Volleyball takes Mission, soccer hit hard in Whitefish
Tuesday night it was all about the Bulldogs for Bigfork athletes.
Against Brenneman
Let's take a walk through history and list a few of the assaults Brenneman has launched on property owners along with his Las Vegas planner:
By Maggie Doherty
Likes trail
A winless day for Vikes, Vals
The Bigfork volleyball team, boys soccer team and girls soccer team were each dealt a conference loss Thursday evening.
Roaming Gnome gets lost in Montana
Statewide tourism got a boost Sept. 14 when Travelocity announced at the Montana Economic Development Summit, in Butte, that it was investing $500,000 promoting Montana. The global travel company also said it would give $10,000 to the Montana Folk Festival, also in Butte.
Last-minute goal downs Bulldogs
Whitefish controlled the pitch for the first 65 minutes of their conference match against Polson on Saturday — hardly allowing the Pirates a solid chance on goal — but two small mental collapses in the final minutes proved to be deadly.
Like Skees
We are endorsing Derek Skees for House District 4. We have known Derek and his wife Ronalee for many years and have the utmost respect for them. If there is one word to describe Derek and his wife, it is character.
Whitefish taxi driver faces fugitive from justice warrant
Rain doesn't stop 11th annual garage sale
UPDATED: Robbery reported at First Interstate Bank
Bigfork Eagle
'Jackets swarm Bulldogs
With only one senior taking the field at the Dawg Pound on Friday, Whitefish was no match for a speedy and talented Stevensville football team.
Inga Julia Olson passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 8, at the Immanuel Lutheran Home. She was 92.
Inga was born in Malta on Feb. 28, 1918, to Alfred and Marie Higdem. She grew up on the family homestead, where she went to country school in the Bennett Lake community and attended Malta High School.
Wednesday, September 22
Middle school welcomes new teachers
County taxes will go up slightly with new budget
Algae company gets $350,000 grant
Bear managers busy with bruins
Two-story home on Echo Lake burns
Bigfork Eagle
Lighthouse Christian Home celebrates harvest
Resident has run-in with bear on nature trail
Loyola knocks down Vals
The Bigfork volleyball team took a break Tuesday from its District 7B schedule to host Missoula Loyola from District 6B — a meeting which did not go the Valkyries' way as the Breakers swept the match in three sets.
My Missing Lynx
The Trailwatcher /G. George Ostrom
Lakeside gains gallery for fine art displays
A new place for art in Lakeside opened earlier this month.
BPCT opens 10th season
Annie Janson, a recognized face on the Village's stage after three summers as an actress with the Bigfork Summer Playhouse, has taken a turn in the director's chair for the Bigfork Playhouse Children's Theatre's production of "Narnia," which opens its 10th-anniversary season.
Planning board passes plan
The revised Lakeside Neighborhood Plan cleared another hurdle last week as it was recommended for approval by the Flathead County Planning Board in a 4-2 vote.
Thursday
The Columbia Falls Farmers Market is Thursdays at Discovery Square from 5 to 7:30 p.m.
New logo for Bigfork revealed
The new logo for Bigfork was unveiled Wednesday morning, another step forward in an ongoing effort to brand the community.
Williams sets school mark
Derrick Williams continued to shine as he took 20th out of a crowded field at the Mountain West Classic last Saturday.
Columbia Falls eyes rail-served industrial park
Flathead County will receive a $1.4 million economic development grant, Sens. Max Baucus and Jon Tester announced last week.
Biologist shares experience studying wolverines
West side of Sun Road closes Monday
Defenders Elise Gordon, Gabby Keller and Kinzie Howell fight for the ball against Whitefish's Caroline Carbo (in white). The Kats lost 3-0. (Matt Baldwin photo)
Girls thump Vals, lose to Dogs
Dancing for joy
K.J. Hascall/Hungry Horse News
A bearable summer
Larry Wilson / For the Hungry Horse News
Vikings defeat Plains
The Vikings football team showed just how far they have come from last season as they annihilated Plains-Hot Springs 42-7 Friday night in Hot Springs in the team's first conference game of the season.
Up in the air
Canyon head teachers excited for year ahead
Every day at Canyon Elementary is a busy one. But for teachers Nicolette Bales and Sherry Petersen, each day is a little bit busier than most.
Her N. Fork
Carol Vuchetich / For the Hungry Horse News
Echo Lake house fire
Cats look to rebound against Loggers
Hungry Horse News
Be aware of animal visitors
Bigfork has had visitors of a different variety than its usual tourists over the course of the past few weeks.
Undefeated start for Vals
The Valkyries volleyball team continued its sweep of District 7B teams last week as the Bigfork girls beat Troy in three games Thursday, Sept. 16, and Plains in four games Saturday.
Obituaries
The Bigfork Eagle runs obituaries and death notices free of charge for people who have lived in the Bigfork area. To submit, e-mail
Whitefish Contact
Department and employee contact information.
whitefish About
The first edition of the Whitefish Pilot rolled off the press on Jan. 23, 1904. For more than 100 years, the Pilot has been providing the citizens of Whitefish with local news, sports and feature stories, and it has played an integral role in documenting the city's transformation from a railroad town to a bustling resort community.
Hungryhorse about
The Hungry Horse News is a weekly newspaper with a circulation of 4,200. Published every Wednesday, the Hungry Horse News covers the community of Columbia Falls, Glacier National Park and the Flathead Valley.
Thursday, September 16
Hearing on plan to be held today
West Shore News
Trails committee gets to work
Community
Kats top Anaconda at rocky CFHS Tip Off Tourney
Hungry Horse News
Bigfork boys steadily improving as competition gets tougher
The Bigfork Vikings soccer team got a little closer to winning its first game of the season last week as the team put up its first points after being shutout its previous three games.
Biologist shares experience studying wolverines
West side of Sun Road closes Monday
Jerald D. McDonald
Jerald D. McDonald, 60, of Columbia Falls was born March 29, 1950 and passed away Sept. 12, 2010.
10th annual CFBB auction raises about $28,000
Residents crowded into the Garden Bar last week for some libations and a chance to give back to the Village.
West Jackson Decker
West Jackson Decker, son of Mark and Emily Decker, of Whitefish, was born Aug. 30, 2010, at North Valley Hospital.
Likes Skees
I am supporting my friend and vice-president of my company, Derek Skees, Republican candidate for House District 4 in Whitefish.
New chief of staff at NVH
Dr. Richard Friedman has been selected to be North Valley Hospital's new chief of staff. He succeeds Dr. Mirna Bowden.
Look to Montanans for wolf solutions
It's like a bad horror movie where the monster keeps coming back no matter how many times you think it's been killed. In Hollywood, the worse the villain the more times it comes back to haunt you until it becomes painfully obvious that you'll need a silver bullet to solve the problem once and for all.
Vals defeat Troy
The Bigfork Valkyries took down their second-straight District 7B opponent on the volleyball court Thursday night as the girls defeated Troy in three games, 25-22, 25-22 and 25-23.
Library news
I have been an intermittently regular user of the Whitefish Library for about 30 years and have always found them friendly, helpful, competent and professional.
Lady Dogs' defense scores two shutouts
The Lady Bulldogs have employed an offense-first game plan thus far this season, but it was rock-solid defense that stole the show last week.
Lakeside dedicates new park
Local residents, government officials and students came out to Volunteer Park in the rain Thursday, Sept. 9, to say "thank you" to residents Bruce Ennis and Margaret Davis.
Stride-for-stride
James Rucker, of Spokane, Wash., edged Whitefish's Tyson Warner by about one minute to win the annual Two Bear Marathon on Sunday, finishing at 2:41:00.
City council OKs vendors
Donut draft sparks debate at council meeting
Whitefish soccer blanks Vikings
Whitefish added a touch of Brazilian flair to its roster Thursday in Bigfork, and with it came a much-needed offensive spark.
Remembering Becky Mattson
A few years ago, long-time Lakeside resident Becky Mattson sat on a swing at Wayfarers State Park near Bigfork and wondered out loud to family why there wasn't anything similar in her community — where children could swim and play.
Rehberg visits Nomad
U.S. Representative vows to help area businesses succeed
Butterfield back on top in Big Mtn. Hill Climb
Matt Butterfield regained the title of "King of the Mountain" by edging out Ben Parsons by 41 seconds at the annual Huckleberry Hill Climb at Whitefish Mountain Resort on Sept. 4.
Dean B. Haworth
Dean B. Haworth, 53, passed away Sept. 2, 2010, at Whitefish Care and Rehab. He was born March 30, 1957, in Billings to Richard and Beverly Haworth.
Duck derby
On behalf of the Whitefish Community Foundation Board of Directors, I would like to express our great appreciation to the merchants, donors and Whitefish community supporters who adopted ducks and donated prizes making the second annual Whitefish Duck Derby a great success.
Cheers for volunteers
Jim Ramlow, a native of Whitefish, graduated from Whitefish High School and attended college in Washington, D.C., Boston and the University of Montana, where he earned his degree in law.
Copperheads shutout Whitefish; more Dog injuries
The injury bug is sweeping through the Bulldog locker room like pink eye though a kindergarten class — and it took its toll Friday night in Anaconda with a 33-0 nonconference loss.
Letters to the editor
Register to vote
Glacier proves to be a very popular park
Visitors flocked to Glacier National Park this year in what could be record numbers.
Stabbings, burns and screaming
Larry Wilson / For the Hungry Horse News
Love at first fight
G. GEORGE OSTROM / For the Hungry Horse News
Balancing the budget: The Montana example
Montana is making national headlines lately, and for a very proud reason: We are one of only two states in America operating without a deficit.
Thursday
Friday
Homecoming heroes
Troop fund
On behalf of U.S. Troop Fund, I would like to thank everyone attending, and those involved in our third annual bake sale at Army Navy of Whitefish. Your commitment to helping our troops is sincerely appreciated by many.
A love letter
We should really call this a love letter to the community rather than an open letter. Now that your gracious applause has quieted down, the Stumptown Players would like to thank the Flathead Valley for all you did to make our first show, "Sylvia," a rousing success.
Lake gets new park
Event brings in funds for training facility
Coach marks 100th win, Kats edge Libby 7-0
Coach Greg Trenerry marked his 100th win as the Columbia Falls girls soccer team blanked Libby last Saturday 7-0.
The truth about student enrollment in Whitefish
As administrators and teachers here in the district, we know we have a mobile student population. The question becomes, just how mobile are we as a school district?
Charles Edward LeRoy Taylor, Jr.
Chuck passed away peacefully Aug. 11, 2010 at home at the age of 65 after a brave battle with cancer.
Vikes dominate Conrad
The final score of Friday night's football game in Bigfork was 48-6, and, yes, the Vikings won the contest over the Conrad Cowboys.
S. Elaine Persinger
S. Elaine Persinger, 77, passed away Thursday, Sept. 9, 2010, and went home to our dear Lord and Savior.
Man survives tumble from Sun Road
Hungry Horse News
Council to take another look at U.S. 93 zoning
With the threat of a lawsuit hanging over its heads, the Whitefish City Council voted 5-1 to bring back zoning amendments to the U.S. 93 strip.
Williams takes 8th at invite
The Columbia Falls cross country team had a strong showing at the Flathead Invitational last week. Derrick Williams led the boys’ effort, taking eighth overall with a time of 16:57 while teammate Justin Whitman took 15th with a time of 17:36.
LEAP program garners recognition
Bigfork's LEAP after-school program got a little added recognition to mark its fifth year of operation.
Tracing a local pioneer's family ties
One of Whitefish's most important pioneers was recognized by the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame & Western Heritage Center. Family members who drove over from Seattle to represent Mokutaro M. Hori included his granddaughter Judy Aya Williamson, her husband Tom and daughter Remi and granddaughter Esther Premo, her husband Lane and son Courtland.
Cats bag stunning win against Browning
Devyn Rocker returned the opening kickoff 89 yards for a touchdown and Nate Thompson rushed for 180 yards in the first half alone to lead the Columbia Falls football team to a 42-12 victory over Browning.
Varsity boys soccer ends after alcohol policy violated
The Columbia Falls boys soccer varsity season is over after a number of players violated the school's alcohol policy.
Fuel tanker trailer tips
Bigfork narrowly avoided what could have been a tragic accident Friday morning.
Most taxpayers will see smaller city bills
Good news for taxpayers — about 70 percent of Whitefish taxpayers will see lower property tax and annual fee payments to the city as a result of the budget proposal approved by the Whitefish City Council on Sept. 7.
Why planning is a 'bad word'
Over the past several years in Flathead County, this failed and expensive experiment we call "planning" has led to dozens of lawsuits; the City of Whitefish and county government at each others throats; thousands of abandoned and disenfranchised citizens; ongoing attempts to regulate into extinction rural property ownership; numerous legally questionable new local government regulations denying property owners the lawful use of their property; and, on the county level, a legal 'settlement" that even by modest estimates chains taxpayers to several million dollars of debt.
Bigfork girls pick up win
The Bigfork girls soccer team was able to scratch one thing off of its to-do list last week — win a game.
Vals drop Loggers, Vikes get shutout
The Bigfork girls soccer team picked up its first conference win of the season with a 6-5 victory over the Libby.
Two-story home on Echo Lake burns
Bigfork Eagle
Harriers sweep Eureka cross-country meet
Both the boys and girls teams won the team titles at the Eureka Invitational Cross Country meet last Friday at the Indian Springs Ranch course.
Sun Road closes because of snow
Glacier National Park officials temporarily closed the upper portion of the Going-to-the-Sun Road 8 a.m. Friday, Sept.17.
Richard Downen
Richard J. Downen, 46, of Columbia Falls, died at his home Aug. 29, 2010.
Lee Longfield
Lee Longfield passed away Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2010 at his home in Columbia Falls from a massive heart attack. He was born Oct.2, 1958 in Salmon, Idaho, to Alvia Lee and Mary Longfield. Lee graduated from Columbia Falls High School in 1976 and graduated from the University of Reno Nevada in 1981.
A plan to get Montana back on track
In Montana, summer's arrival and departure is marked by two important holidays — Memorial Day, honoring our nation's servicemen and women, and Labor Day, honoring the contributions of the American worker to our nation's success and prosperity. The law creating Labor Day was passed in 1894, which is the same year hardscrabble homesteaders established Flathead County.
Thursday, September 9
Likes Hammerquist
Nov. 2 is just around the corner and it's time the citizens of Whitefish realize the clear choice when electing the next representative of House District 4. As a resident of this city for many years, Whitefish has specific needs that can be best advocated for in the legislature by candidate Will Hammerquist.
X-C team runs first race
The Bigfork cross-country team had its first outing of the season Friday when it competed in the Libby Invitational.
Valkyries hit the court
Although it has yet to play a match against any teams from District 7B, the Valkyries volleyball team is picking up solid experience while preparing for such a game.
Week in photos: 9-16-10
Thursday prep action: Volleyball picks up win, soccer falls to Whitefish
Friday morning the Valkyrie volleyball team headed to Columbia Falls to take part in the Northwest/Southwest Tip-off Tournament, but before doing so the girls picked up a win in their first league match of the season Thursday night at home against Thompson Falls.
Permissiveness poetry
G. GEORGE OSTROM / For the Hungry Horse News
Dawn Fraser
Dawn Marie Kell Fraser, 81, died Aug. 30, 2010, in Whitefish.
Committee to work on trail project
Flathead cherry harvest brings in 2.75 million pounds
Donut committee favoring county role
The joint city-county committee tasked with finding a solution to governance of Whitefish's two-mile planning and zoning jurisdiction took a first look at a draft amendment to the interlocal agreement that created the "doughnut" area on Aug. 31.
PTA needs more parent involvement
As a returning co-president of the Whitefish PTA, I would like to let the general public know what PTA is about. We are a parent-teacher association, which means that we are a group that includes parents and teachers who are devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of parent involvement in schools.
Lady 'Dogs confident after preseason
The Lady Bulldogs split a pair of nonconference games last weekend, losing a tight match 2-1 to defending Class A champions Billings Central before rolling past Laurel 7-2.
Williams, Whitman in top 10 at Cut Bank
Derrick Williams took sixth and Justin Whitman took 10th at the Cut Bank cross country time trials last Friday.
City council approves community garden
The Columbia Falls City Council gave the community garden a place to officially take root Monday.
Vals drop Loggers, Vikes get shutout
The Bigfork girls soccer team picked up its first conference win of the season with a 6-5 victory over the Libby.
Cheers for volunteers
Dave Williams was born and raised in Pennsylvania. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy with a degree in analytical management, he was assigned to duty in California, where he met and married Judy.
Cats take 2nd at home
Hungry Horse News
Volunteer Park dedication
Not a drug
A brief note concerning the on-going brouhaha about marijuana.
River drained for clean-up
The Whitefish River ran dry by noon on Sept. 3 from near the BNSF Railway trestle downstream to the Second Street bridge as the slow-moving river was diverted into three four-foot diameter plastic pipes.
Supports high school
My wife and I have four children, two of whom have graduated from Whitefish, one who is currently in high school, and a son who will be entering high school next fall. The condition as well as the inadequacies of our high school should embarrass everyone within our community.
Richard J. Downen
Rich Downen, 46, Columbia Falls, died at his home Sunday, Aug. 29.
Lion chases cat through residence
Oh my, look what the cat dragged in — another, much bigger cat. The sort of cat that might just eat a person for dinner.
Students head back to school
Bigfork students returned to the school Tuesday, Sept. 7, to a number of facility and technology upgrades completed over the summer.
Hearing on plan to be held today
West Shore News
Annual fire fundraiser held this Friday
The Friends of Bigfork Fire Department will host its fourth annual Brats, Burgers and Band fundraising event at 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 10, at the Harbor Village Pavilion.
XC girls take first in Libby
The Whitefish High School cross-country teams competed at the Libby Invitational Cross Country meet on Sept. 3 and left with promising results.
Girls split southern trip
The Columbia Falls girls soccer team split its southern trip last week, downing Livingston 2-1 Friday, but losing to Belgrade 3-1 on Saturday.
'Dogs find redemption against Central
For a game that means nothing come playoff time, Whitefish's 2-0 win over Billings Central Friday was vastly significant to the seniors who finally shook a pesky monkey off their backs.
Blake Perisho
Blake Perisho, son of David and Nichole Perisho, of Whitefish, was born Aug. 19, 2010, at North Valley Hospital.
Flathead filmmaker releases 'The Wylds'
Players gear up for new season
Rudy Arriaga
Rudy Arriaga, 78, died Saturday, Sept. 4, 2010, near Paradise, at the age of 78. He was born June 14, 1932, in Wichita, Kan., to Lorenzo and Leonora (Granados' Arriaga.
Dayton celebrates 100th birthday
There's some debate over how many candles should be on the cake, but either way this weekend marks a big birthday for the community of Dayton.
Patrolling up the North Fork
Larry Wilson / For the Hungry Horse News
Passing the shears
Archer bags bear on opening day
Mitchell Alan Reemts
Mitchell Alan Reemts, 48, of Columbia Falls passed away Saturday, Aug. 28, 2010 at his home in Columbia Falls.
Thursday
The Columbia Falls Farmers Market is Thursdays at Discovery Square from 5 to 7:30 p.m.
Barbara Jean Ott Reynolds
Barbara Jean Ott Reynolds passed away, at home, on Sept. 3, 2010 surrounded by her family. She was born in Bemidji, Minn., on April 30, 1933 to Emil and Else Ott, the seventh of 10 children. When she was in high school her family moved to Columbia Falls. However, she choose to remain in Bemidji to finish school. She moved into an apartment above the movie theatre where she was working. She soon discovered that she missed her family and she too moved to Columbia Falls. It was there that she met the love of her life, Charles Ray Reynolds. They were married on March 3, 1951 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church and began their life together, both working and living at the Montana Veteran's Home.
Red Caboose closing doors after 4-year run
Four years after he built the distinctive Red Caboose diner on Central Avenue, owner Richard Kramer is closing the doors Sunday night, Sept. 12.
Beverly Lee Smith Arriaga
Beverly Lee Smith Arriaga went on to meet her Heavenly Father on Sept. 4, 2010 near Paradise, at age 60. She was born Nov. 3, 1949 to Marvin and Clara Brittenham in Kalispell. She grew up in Columbia Falls and after graduating from Columbia Falls High School she graduated from Montana State College in Billings with a B.A. in teaching. She went on to teach in Idaho. She returned to Montana and raised her son in Columbia Falls. She worked in the dietary department at Kalispell Regional Medical Center for over 15 years. Beverly married Rudy Arriaga on April 23, 2010.
Economist clarifies Flathead forecast
Reduced charges in prostitution, forgery case
Montana sets example for U.S.
Montana is making national headlines lately, and for a very proud reason: We are one of only two states in America operating without a deficit.
Budgets: The Montana example
Montana is making national headlines lately, and for a very proud reason: We are one of only two states in America operating without a deficit.
Likes Gallagher
The purpose of the Montana Public Service Commission is to serve the public interest. So when it came to my attention that PSC candidate Bill Gallagher may not be forthcoming about his ownership and financial interests in a water utility, I was concerned.
Letters to the editor
Editor's note: August was the third anniversary of the death of Bigfork artist Elmer Sprunger. This poem was submitted in his remembrance.
Lady 'Dogs fall to Polson
Whitefish's volleyball squad opened conference play with a tough 3-1 loss to a talented Polson team featuring one of the league's best closers in Breanne Kelly.
Whitefish radio show nominated for award
ÒAcross Turtle Island,Ó a radio show hosted by Flathead resident Jeny Running Brook Covill, has been nominated for Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Award in the category of Best Aboriginal Music Radio Station/Program.
Vikes battle but fall to Loyola
The Vikings' voyage to take on Missoula Loyola started better than most expected, but in the end, the fatigued and injured Bigfork football team let up in the fourth quarter and was sent home with a 61-34 defeat.
Bulldogs make statement with 27-6 win over Browning
In case you didn't hear the roar coming from the Dawg Pound Friday night — they still play football in Whitefish.
Broncs get the better of Cats
The game started out in Columbia Falls' favor. But after that, it was all Hamilton as the Columbia Falls football team lost 17-6 to the Broncs last Friday.
Fall begins in the Village
Letter from the editor
Eagle Scout project at bike park
Matt Kennedy isn’t a mountain biker — he’s a rock climber. He’s more likely to be found scaling the 5.10 rated climb “Room with a View” at Stone Hill near Eureka than tearing up the trails or hitting the jumps at Spencer Mountain.
Thursday, September 2
Ski resort readies for new chair lift
Crews at Whitefish Mountain Resort cleared a path of trees on the lower half of Big Mountain last month in preparation for a new chair lift that is slated to be installed next summer.
New school needed
It appears again that there is going to be a debate about whether or not Whitefish needs a new high school. In response to the recent letter from Cy Appel, I would like to clear up some assumptions made.
Week in sports photos
Vikes look to build on 2009 season
The 2009 football season was a big one for the Bigfork Vikings as the boys broke a 28 game losing streak and ultimately finished the season 4-1 in District 7B and tied Eureka and Plains for the regular season title despite having to cope with a myriad of changes.
Turnover bug bites Cats in opener
Before the season began, coach Bill Coleman likened the first four games of the football schedule to the preseason — none of the games count toward a playoff run.
CARE conflict
The Flathead Valley is fortunate to have two CARE programs. One is based in Kalispell and serves Kalispell, Bigfork and Columbia Falls school districts. The other is Whitefish CARE, which has been in existence since the early 1990s and serves Whitefish School District.
Get ready to rumble: Annual car show set for Sunday
Residents and visitors alike should get ready to rumble this weekend as the Village hosts its third annual Rumble in the Bay car show.
Boys lose opener, but tie Bigfork
The Columbia Falls boys soccer team had plenty of chances Tuesday, but came up just short against Bigfork in a 0-0 draw.
Lady 'Dogs cruise past Stevensville
Consider this a warning shot.
Vint's vision of Glacier a continuing legacy
It's August 1924. Three men sit on horseback, overlooking Glacier National Park's Garden Wall. One man is the trim and fit George Goodwin, a veteran civil engineer. The other is National Park Service director Stephen Mather. The third is Thomas Vint, a young and portly 29-year-old landscape architect, who had been with the Service for all of two years.
Supports Hammerquist
This election cycle I am supporting Will Hammerquist to represent Whitefish in the Montana Legislature. He is the most qualified individual to take on the responsibilities of advocating for Whitefish in Helena. Will also is working very hard knocking on doors to speak with people directly. He is listening to their ideas and building a platform that will serve our community well. I have had the opportunity to engage with Will on several occasions and am confident in my decision to support him.
Volleyball squad 'full of energy'
The Lady Bulldogs' volleyball squad is bouncing off the walls with excitement. In fact, Whitefish coach Jackie Fuller has never seen a team so ready to start a season.
X-C to make mark
The Bigfork cross-country team almost didn't have a season at all following the cancellation of its funding by the district, and now the runners intend to make this a season to remember.
Thursday
The Columbia Falls Farmers Market is Thursdays at Discovery Square from 5 to 7:30 p.m.
Campfire sparks small blaze
An abandoned campfire sparked up a small wildfire Aug. 26 near Smith Lake, just north of Whitefish Lake. Officials said the fire was likely left burning following a party at Smith Lake.
Sept. 9, 2010 photos
Bulldogs even after two matches
It's only two games into the season, and already the Bulldogs soccer club has seen both sides of a rout.
County says it's a bridge too far
Developer will not build private bridge across Flathead River
Molding young musicians
Rugmaker, rugmaker, make me a rug
Construction to begin on First Street
The reconstruction of First Street from the alley behind Casey's Bar to Baker Avenue will begin the day after Labor Day, Tuesday, Sept. 7. The project includes replacing sewer lines, sidewalks, street curbs and gutters. Schellinger Construction is contracted for the work.
Eugene A. Matteson
Eugene A. Matteson of Kingman, Ariz., passed away tragically along with his two faithful companion dogs, Pudgy and Sky, early evening on Sunday, Aug. 15, 2010. A loving husband, father, brother and uncle, Gene will be dearly missed by those he touched with his love. Gene was born Nov. 15, 1949 to Robert and Ruth Matteson in Spokane, Wash. He moved with his family to Ohio then back to Montana, settling in Columbia Falls where he attended school and graduated from high school. After high school, he entered the Army Reserves and worked for Anaconda Aluminum in Columbia Falls. During this time he married Corinne Hartigan and to that union, his two girls, Shaunda and Jana, were born. After their divorce Gene moved to South Carolina and worked for a number of years for Alcoa, retiring in 2002.
The Mysterious Col. Flanagan
Sometimes, in the wilds of our wonderful Northwest Montana, we encounter a unique treasure that must be investigated.
Obituaries
The Bigfork Eagle runs obituaries and death notices free of charge for people who have lived in the Bigfork area.
Swan River School students return to the classroom
Students are settling into their classrooms at Swan River School today after starting school Wednesday and may have already noticed several new additions this year.
Bunny business
G. GEORGE OSTROM / For the Hungry Horse News
Letters to the editor
A moment of humanity
Construction abomination
While it may a good idea to fix the cracks in our roads, the result of recent work on U.S. 93 on the south end of Whitefish is an abomination. First, they route out the cracks, then they spray some kind of rubber slurry into the cracks and finish it off by rolling toilet paper on top. That's right, toilet paper, which apparently serves as some sort of absorbent seal.
Residents to express thanks for new park
West Shore News
Norma Jean Lipp
Norma Jean Lipp, 83, passed away with her family at her side on Friday, Aug. 27, 2010 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.
School works to keep nurse
Mash Bash photos
Transition going smoothly
The transition of Bigfork Ambulance into the Bigfork Fire Department has gone extremely well. Personnel has had a positive attitude and been working very hard this past month. It will take us several more months to tie up loose ends.
Asking for peace and quiet
Waldron hopes Park assesses human noise
Cheers for volunteers
Linda Dutton was born and raised on a farm in southern Idaho. She attended rural schools, followed by college at Eugene, Ore., where she earned the status of licensed practical nurse. It was there she met her late husband Howard, a budding industrial engineer.
Two injured in car-motorcycle crash
Auditions held for BPCT's first show
Hoping for an Indian Summer
Larry Wilson / For the Hungry Horse News
Skees best candidate for Montana HD4
I am publicly announcing my support for Derek Skees, Republican candidate for Montana House District 4.
Rumble in the Bay
Wave Ryders win nine state titles
The Wave Ryder Swim Club took home nine state titles from the Montana Long Course State Championship Swim Meet July 30 - Aug 1 in Bozeman. The top swimmers in the state competed at the event.
Somers couple seeks help in building house for injured veteran
A set of concerned parents in Somers is seeking help from the community to provide housing for a veteran of the Iraq War and his family.
Girls dump Vals, 5-1
The Columbia Falls girls soccer team opened their season by drubbing Bigfork 5-1 at home Tuesday.
Spikers go 0-8 at opener
It was a rough weekend for the Kats at the Whitefish Starter Tournament. The team went 0-8 in the 10-team tourney and finished at the bottom of Pool B.
Vals, Vikes make their mark on the soccer field
The Bigfork boys and girls soccer teams played host to Stillwater Christian School on Tuesday night, and both the Vikings and Valkyries came away with milestones.
Dogs lose opener; Roche out for year
As if a 45-point whooping by the Havre Blue Ponies last Saturday wasn't a tough enough way to kick off the Bulldogs' football season, Whitefish learned Tuesday that senior quarterback Mac Roche is likely out for the year.
Local filmmaker releases 'The Wylds'
Siyeh Pass: A hike around Going-to-the-Sun Mountain
Cheerleaders ready to bring energy to games
Over the past couple of years the Bigfork High School cheerleading squad has impressed crowds with its continually bigger and better stunting abilities and polished performances of cheers and dance routines, and this year the squad hopes to build on that reputation.
