Ellington

A death-defying airplane crash was one of the top stories for 2004, but most of the news was not as dramatic.

2004: Year in Review

Plum Creek stock hits an all-time high

Hungry Horse News

Stupid stings

To the editor,

Living the anesthetized life

Sunday night I woke up late with a throbbing toothache; the kind that makes you think your heart and nervous system have migrated to one small point in your mouth.

2004 a year of growth, grizzlies and Democrats

Here's our top 10 stories of 2004.

The perfect gift

I got the perfect gift for Christmas and I recommend you put it on your "must buy" Christmas shopping list for next year.

Community choir

The community choir starts its weekly practices Sunday, Jan. 2, from 2 to 4 p.m. and each Sunday thereafter until its concert March 12. Practices are in the Columbia Falls High School Choir Room. If you would like to join or need more information, call Ron Bond at 892-5174.

Letter to the editor

Visiting family needs your help

Children's ski classes

The Glacier Nordic Ski Club would like children ages 4-15 to join its Saturday ski league.

Bowling

Glacier Lanes bowling report-Dec. 20-23

Bigfork Eagle editorial

Resolutions

They dealt doughnuts at Christmas

Hungry Horse News

Luke Johnston

Luke Shannon Johnston, 32, of Columbia Falls died in a motor vehicle accident Dec. 24, 2004.

My grandmother was Dorothy Johnson

a If ever there was a year to tell tales, it will be the upcoming year. With a hundred years of history to relay, 2005 provides a unique opportunity for residents to understand the past that made this little town. A chance to appreciate the color, grit and splash that was and is Whitefish.

About Shorts and Sheep

Several things had gone wrong during Wednesday the 22nd. Bad start was getting my shorts on backwards, hit my head on a cupboard door, . . . stuff like that. So as evening approached I was being cautious with all thoughts and movements. Was reading a good book around 5:30 p.m. when Iris said it was about time I started getting ready to go to KOFI'S annual Christmas Party and dinner. Said we should leave in about 20 minutes. She also said she'd told me three times before.

Big Mountain changes hours, Hellroaring Basin now open

Big Mountain Resort has implemented new lift-operating hours this winter in an effort to ensure the continued safety of its guests.

Vanishing views

It was with some alarm that I took a drive around the better part of the valley the other day. Specifically, I was looking for a snowy owl that I had heard about, hoping to get a picture of it. But there were no signs of the owl.

Braves get the best of Kats, but Kats get the best of Broncs

Hungry Horse News

A dog's life

I was hiking this summer in the woods and I got off the trail to take a closer look at a bird. On the way back, I stepped in something slippery that didn't smell too good.

Bennett plans new bank

Hungry Horse News

LaMar Orndorff

LaMar "Bud" Orndorff, 87, passed away Dec. 16, 2004, at the Immanuel Lutheran Home in Kalispell.

Seasons greetings from Norway

It's Yuletide here on our little island, and the Christmas spirit is all around. The lights are up, people are spending absurd amounts of money, and Santa Claus is in the mall. Even the weather is making an effort to be festive. The normal, west coast rainstorms have been temporarily replaced by gentle snow, and the local ice skating rink is actually frozen for once.

Wrong path

When it comes to protecting families and private property, the Flathead County Board of Adjustment got it all wrong on Dec. 16.

MatCats learn a few lessons in duals against Loggers

Hungry Horse News

Center offers thanks

Bigfork Senior Center would like to honor and say Thank You Bigfork for your help and support during the years. Many people and groups support us, as a community center both financially and with their love and sweat. We couldn't do it without you. And so we hope to recognize some of you and say a very heartfelt THANK YOU.

Mack search in Glacier has implications for Swan

Hungry Horse News

Helena Pannell Blend

Helena Pannell Blend, 88, of Bigfork, died Friday, Dec. 10, 2004, in Phoenix.

Cats thump Braves, Broncs, to go 5-0

At the beginning of the season, coach Cary Finberg touted his team's depth.

Christmas with Ross Cox

Who were the first white men to spend Christmas in Montana? Why were the Salish Indians, who had never heard of Jesus, celebrating? How did the horror of that celebration bring peace to many?

County resource plan critical of Forest Service, Glacier Park policies

Hungry Horse News

A Christmas wish

I watched flames dance from red embers in the fireplace. The aroma of hot mince pie filled the house. I was warm, cozy and relaxed in my armchair after a busy day of decorating the Christmas tree and preparing festive fare for the next day's family gathering.

No time for bitterness

Having been labeled, "categorically undatable," I feel uniquely qualified to address a few of Lindsey Nelson's opinion article remarks from the Dec. 9 Pilot. I am selfish and I fear commitment; false commitment, that is. Why

Plum Creek settlement crunches school budgets

Plum Creek settlement crunches school budgets

Debate team, a success story

Major congratulations are due the WHS speech and debate team for their recent, impressive class A triumph at the Missoula Invitational, but the real BRAVO should go to the school board, the administration, the coaches and the parents.

Letters to the editor

Whitefish CARE deserves recognition

Egg noggins

I went into the Columbia Falls Junior High this week to take a picture of some pre-schools kids who had come to visit to make Christmas decorations. The experience, of course, brought back fond junior high memories of my own.

In My View

We're not small-town Whitefish anymore

West Glacier man puts up with lots of bull and gets world recognition

Hungry Horse News

Youth soccer gets a little help from friends

On behalf of the Whitefish Soccer Association, I would like to express my thanks to all the individuals and businesses that helped make our 2004 wreath fundraiser a success once again.

Cats start out season 3-0, face Braves at home

It wasn't always pretty, but they'll take the Ws just the same.

Hills of Bills

"NO MAN'S LIFE OR PROPERTY IS SAFE, WHILE THE LEGISLATURE IS IN SESSION."

County opinion on zoning could leave Whitefish vulnerable to asphalt and gravel plants

My family lives in Kalispell and we are concerned about a recent opinion issued by Mr. Forrest Sanderson, the Flathead County Planning Department Director. Mr. Sanderson recently stated that county zoning only applies to the gravel industry (gravel pits, asphalt plants, concrete plants, crushers, etc.) in areas that have "residential" in the zoning title. The impacts of this opinion are monumental. The county needs to reverse this opinion for the following reasons.

Whitefish dating scene further analyzed

Whoa Ms. Nelson, I feel some bitterness about your judgement of dating in the shadow of Big Mountain (as stated in your column last week).

Glacier Fund's Williams dies from crash injuries

Hungry Horse News

Poor planning has long-term impact

The day after my infamous quote came out on Dec. 7, 2004 in the Daily Inter Lake, I received a telephone call from a Flathead County businessman.

Keep your gift shopping local

Whitefish is fortunate to have a thriving downtown business community. Unlike more mature resort towns, Main Street and the surrounding commercial district in Whitefish still have many established, locally owned retail businesses.

The truth behind redd counts

The stream walks are over for this year, and the results are in: The bulls of Flathead Lake are hanging in there and are maybe on their way to a comeback. At least that was how the Flathead Basin redd count report came across to the Pacific Northwest public. Headlines proclaimed "Better Montana bull trout reproduction," "Tally holds steady," and "Bull trout numbers down but on the rebound."

MatCats squash some squads, get beat themselves in a flurry of duals

Hungry Horse News

By CHRIS PETERSONFor the Pilot

Whitefish mother killed in weekend car crash

Wildkats have a solid weekend

Hungry Horse News

Mastering my own plan

Had I known what a attention-grabbing issue it would be, I would have written something about dating this week. Although, having been with the same person for six years, it would have been more of a retrospective.

In My View

Two Conditional Use Permit Applications were on file to be heard by the Flathead County Board of Adjustment on Nov. 3. One was for JTL Group's application to expand it's gravel mining operation and to add a concrete batch plant, adjacent to the Flathead River at Highway 35 and west of the Sunrise Terrace subdivisions. The second was for LHC, Inc. to expand their gravel mining operation on the north side of Stillwater Estates, Country View Estates and Country Estates subdivisions.

Bad days

It's frustrating to have things that you learned when a toddler suddenly change without knowing why.

Teamsters whack city with a $250,000 bill

Hungry Horse News

Too much

John Stokes (KGEZ) states he has never spent a day in the armed forces of the United States. He also claims to be a man without prejudice regarding race or gender.

Cats take fourth in Polson, Tarr's streak is broken

Hungry Horse News

Robert "Bob" G. McGuire

Robert "Bob" G. McGuire, age 59, died Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2004 at his residence in Kalispell after a long battle with cancer. He was born March 22, 1945 in Kalispell, the son of Glenn and Beth (Calbick) McGuire.

Highbrow lunch

I live close to the office, which means on days when I'm stuck in the office, I can at least go home for lunch. This allows me to scratch the very underbelly of daytime television.

Mary Bertino

Mary H. Bertino, 95, of Columbia Falls, passed away of cancer Dec. 2, 2004, at the Brendan House in Kalispell.

Local postal service delivers

In spite of all of the growth and changes around our valley one thing has stayed consistent. The excellence of our US Postal Service. Once again, the Staffs at the Whitefish and Columbia Falls offices have gone above and beyond the call.

Notice of tariff increase

On Nov. 14, Flathead Glacier Transportation LLC, P.O. box 1707, Whitefish, MT, filed a request for increased passenger rates and charges covering its operations under PSC No. 9015, in Passenger Tariff No. 2.

Keep the reservoir

Once again city leaders are looking at selling the Cedar Creek Reservoir, and once again, we don't think it's a great idea for a variety of reasons.

No headline provided

An introduction to Montana Conservation Districts

Hello. My name is Steve Merritt, and I'm the outreach coordinator for the Montana Association of Conservation Districts (CDs).

Protect the Clark Fork river

Are there really people out there who want to tear into the side of the Cabinet Mountain Wilderness Area? This is a spectacular place - nonstop beautiful in every direction. It has always been protected for all of us.

It looked a little shaky at first, but Kats get by the Wolves away

Hungry Horse News

Two mountain lions a week

Someday there will be millions of dollars worth of silver ore taken from the site of the old Flathead Mine where I was raised. The geologists know it is there but the price is not good enough right now, nor is the science of extraction clean enough to pass muster with the EPA. Did a story in this column last Aug. 26 about the Mine and my father's many years up there. Now I've found some things I've never known about that place.

Separating the men from the boys…

You know the dating scene is bad when…

Unethical hunters ruin it for the rest

We have just finished an exciting time of year - hunting season. Get togethers and Holidays are fast approaching.

Karate kids celebrate accomplishments on December 14

Sports Brief

Cats nip Wolves with just seconds left

If Saturday's game against Cut Bank is any indication of how the boys basketball season will go, you won't want to leave until the final buzzer has sounded.

Corporate America

"Corporation: An ingenious device for obtaining profit without individual responsibility." Ambrose Bierce in The Devil's Dictionary (1911).

City OKs shrunken planning boundaries

Hungry Horse News

Gravel gripe

Two Conditional Use Permit Applications were on file to be heard by the Flathead County Board of Adjustment on November 3rd. One was for JTL Group's application to expand its' gravel mining operation and to add a concrete batch plant, adjacent to the Flathead River at Highway 35 and west of the Sunrise Terrace subdivisions. The second was for LHC, Inc. to expand their gravel mining operation on the north side of Stillwater Estates, Country View Estates and Country Estates subdivisions. On October 14th, in response to a letter from JTL's consultant, Michael Fraser of Thomas, Dean and Haskins, Forrest Sanderson, Flathead County's Planning Director, issued a monumental land use opinion, that the County cannot legally require a conditional use permit for gravel operations, except within residential zoning districts. Mr. Sanderson's opinion was supported by an October 14th e-mail from Jonathan Smith, the County's Chief Deputy Attorney, and further in a letter dated November 3rd, Mr. Smith opines: 'Only in areas "zoned as residential" may the County subject gravel pits to zoning regulations.' Mr. Sanderson's decision means that the County will now allow gravel pits to operate throughout the County without any County restrictions or control over hours of operation, dust, noise, traffic, or reclamation timetables. This includes the right for gravel pits to run asphalt and concrete batch plants in their gravel pits.

Grizzly mortality way too high here

Hungry Horse News

Having an identity crisis

Occasionally someone will ask, "Who is Russ Miller?" I have often wondered myself and decided it would be better to first find who I am not.

Sacred sandwiches and wolves

Lead topic last week was miracles and dealt with what I thought was the latest and wildest one I'd ever heard about, where the lady in Cambodia was cured of serious disease by a cow's lick. Had no more than gotten that column off to the newspapers when there was a new mind-boggling miracle story on the radio. Went into mild shock so don't remember names or the town, but this American lady discovered "the face of the Virgin" in her sandwich. That's what it said, "IN HER SANDWICH!" Don't know if it was peanut butter or what, but it could have been baloney.

Bigfork Eagle Editorial

Pot predicament

Green gold

I'm sure that many marijuana growers and sellers are thankful to the Flathead County Sheriff's deputies and the Northwest Drug Task Force for the recent pot bust and others like it.

Are you contributing to a local charity this holiday season?

A) yes

Frederick William Hartman, Jr.

Frederick William Hartman, Jr., 67 passed away after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer on Thanksgiving Day at his home in Martin City, surrounded by his loving family.

Grapplers look tough, can Tarr go undefeated again?

The Columbia Falls wrestling team is packed with talent this year and has several wrestlers who will look to being home hardware at the state tournament.

Gipe on the mark

We have to admit we're a bit confused by the city's quest for planning jurisdiction over Columbia Heights, particularly in light of Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. saying it won't sell the big chunk of land it owns on the east side of the river unless the plant shuts down for good.

City wants say in Heights planning

Hungry Horse News

Girls have some big holes to fill, but still look solid

Girls will have five non-conference games for a tune up

Henry Belston

Henry "Ray" Belston, 74, passed away Nov. 23, 2004, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center with loving support from family and friends.

Horses in need of homes

Hungry Horse News

Cats ready to hit the hardwood

The Columbia Falls boys basketball team will have something this season it hasn't had in years, not even when it won the state championship in 2002.

A big thanks

To the editor,

Climate isn't great for CFAC expansion

Hungry Horse News

Bowling for kids' sake raises thousands

The board of directors, taff and participants of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flathead County would like to thank the community for the wonderful response to the recent Bowl For Kids' Sake fundraiser.