Thursday, October 25
Thanks to BSC
As we go about our busy daily routines, we often fail to recognize, and pay tribute to some of our fellow citizens who volunteer their time and effort to doing things that contribute to making Bigfork a better place to live. Our first responders, those who manage the food bank, and members of the benevolent organizations that regularly meet in our area are the first that come to mind. I'm sure that if we took a few minutes we all could come up with any number of other examples where individuals are making voluntary contributions of time and energy which serve to make Bigfork a more desirable place to live.
A Bad Week
By G. George Ostrom
State plans several fire salvage sales
By CHRIS PETERSON - Hungry Horse News
Will do best job
We have read about, listened to and asked questions of the three candidates running for mayor of Whitefish. All three should be commended for taking on the challenge of running for this important office.
Better Business Bureau serves Bigfork from afar
By ALEX STRICKLAND - Bigfork Eagle
Native and active
This letter supports Mike Jenson for mayor of Whitefish. The Pilot recently reported that the population of Whitefish continues to increase, and that it is now more than 7,000. With its year-round recreational opportunities, many additional people come to the area. Both revenues and strain on the physical infrastructure increase.
Cats eliminated from playoffs with 3-2 shootout loss to Libby
By JOE SOVA - Hungry Horse News
Natives support Jenson for mayor
In the coming days, we as citizens of this lovely community of Whitefish have the duty and privilege to vote for latest slate of elected city officials. First of all, it would be appropriate to thank those who have served in this sometimes thankless and always volunteer role.
School superintendent of the Year
By CONSTANCE SEE/Whitefish Pilot
Opening day is going to be tough to beat in future.
By CHRIS PETERSON - Hungry Horse News
Coal plans concern watchdog group
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.
Planning board struggles with critical area exemptions
By RICHARD HANNERS/Whitefish Pilot
Grattan's picks
I support Mike Jensen for mayor. I support Turner Askew, Martin McGrew, Kent Taylor and John Murdock for Whitefish City Council.
Career Daze
Bigfork Middle School students sat °ª mostly inert °ª as I spoke to them last week about journalism and the life of a newspaperman. I started telling them about the long hours and the challenge of getting to all the stories you possibly can. I told them about the proper style of a story and the difficulties and joys of interviewing total strangers and how some aspects of the job are a constant adventure and how some aspects are like constant Chinese water torture. Then I stopped, suddenly stricken by the obvious question I had not yet asked.
Robert Eckard
Robert Charles "Bob" Eckard, a strong and loving husband, father, grandpa, brother and friend, went home to be with the Lord on Oct. 17, 2007.
14-0 Bulldogs to host state championship
Showdown with Libby is set for 2 p.m. Saturday at Smith Fields
Vals buck the Broncs
By FAITH MOLDAN
Florence E. Parrish
Florence E. Parrish, 95, a longtime Whitefish area resident, passed away of natural causes Oct. 13, 2007, at the Brendan House in Kalispell.
Whitman earns X-C All-State honors
By CHRIS PETERSON - Hungry Horse News
Lady Bulldogs win physical match
Team heads to Belgrade for championship game on Saturday
Mildred "Millie" Platt, 92
Mildred "Millie" Platt, age 92, passed away on Sunday, October 14, 2007 at the Immanuel Lutheran Home in Kalispell, Montana. She was born at home in Williams, Montana near Valier on September 19, 1915. She was one of eight children born to Anna (Hofland) and Anders Hammer, and was very proud of her Norwegian heritage.
Pair faces charges in albino bear hunt
By HEIDI DESCH - Hungry Horse News
Right-left brain
If you have lived in Whitefish less than 10 years, you may not be aware of the following: One of the three mayoral candidates was mayor for three years during the 1990s, is very well thought of and has exhibited “excellent leadership qualities,” as expressed by other leading business owners here in town.
Lakes Conference unites municipalities
By JACOB DORAN
Fire, Ambulance pondering merger, Bigfork Fire orders ladder truck
By ALEX STRICKLAND
Puff of smoke
You know, I can’t blame smokers. Really. I smoked 20 something years ago. Not a lot, mind you, maybe no more than a pack a week at the most, and most of them I didn’t buy myself. Yeah, I was one of those smokers. A bum. A drool. A leech. An amateur.
Helen "Poogie" Larrivee
Helen Loretta (Kirkpatrick) "Poogie" Larrivee, 82, of Whitefish, slipped away from the hands of her devoted friends and family on Oct. 18, 2007.
Lady Bulldogs win first state trophy, boys place third
By DAVID ERICKSON/Whitefish Pilot
Property rights and planning
For the last few months, I have been working with the Land Use Planning Subcommittee of the Flathead County Long Range Planning Task Force, and one of the things we talked about was how heated people get when they talk about property rights.
Skiing on Big Mountain still a great value
By RICHARD HANNERS/Whitefish Pilot
Lauren Gerald Granmo
Lauren Gerald Granmo, 76, passed away Oct. 12, 2007, at his home in Kalispell.
Carlson places 13th at state
By FAITH MOLDAN
School board accepts bond vote, plots course; Museum waiting on library move
By ALEX STRICKLAND - Bigfork Eagle
Wait is over for Wildcats
By JOE SOVA - Hungry Horse News
Roger Hale
Roger Hale passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007. He was born Dec. 28, 1913 to Titus and Mary Hale in the homestead cabin located at Twentyfive Mile Creek near Chelan, Wash. He married Elizabeth Crockett in 1936 and they had three children.
Bigfork trench collapse leaves man in ICU
Bigfork Eagle
Wave Ryders dive into home competition
By FAITH MOLDAN Bigfork Eagle
William Haw
William "Bill" T. Haw, 75, of Whitefish, passed away Sept. 24, 2007, at the Brendan House extended-care facility in Kalispell.
Support Bowl for Kids Sake
Bowl for Kids Sake is a fundraiser sponsored by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flathead County during two November weekends. It’s designed for casual as well as pro bowlers at bowling alleys in Columbia Falls, Bigfork and Whitefish.
Report on player's death released
By ALEX STRICKLAND - Bigfork Eagle
Thursday, October 18
Tamarack Time!
Bigfork's annual celebration of all things delicious has a banner year.
Bond vote puts library plans on hold
By ALEX STRICKLAND - Bigfork Eagle
Ostrom: About castles and coyotes
By G. George Ostrom
Girls bedevil Corvallis, head to semis
By DAVID ERICKSON - Whitefish Pilot
About castles and coyotes
On the drive to the Bison Range last Sunday, my son and I were able to see many costly, expensive, sumptuous homes that cost a lot of money. Most are above and along Flathead Lake. One on Papoose Island may have over $10 million just in concrete and masonry work. A huge modern castle on top of the high hill west of the old "Lookout" cliffs has probably cost the owner more money for just the road and water than most of us earn in our lifetimes.
Safety-conscious city employees benefit taxpayers
I want to tell you about some outstanding people. These people are the men and women who work for the city of Whitefish. If you live in Whitefish, these people are the ones who keep you supplied with water at your homes and businesses, keep the sewers flowing, repair and rebuild community streets, keep your parks and public facilities looking good, assure that community zoning and safe building standards are implemented, protect you from criminals, rescue you from fires and other perils, and speed you to the hospital when you have a medical emergency.
Bulldogs drill Broncs in playoffs
By DAVID ERICKSON - Whitefish Pilot
Larry Tommerup
Larry Jerome Tommerup, 68, passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2007 at Odessy Hospice in Tucson, Ariz. He was born June 25, 1939 to Clarence and Lillian Tommerup in Sidney.
Columbia Falls City Council election uncontested
By HEIDI DESCH - Hungry Horse News
Pachyderm meets Oct. 19
The Glacier Country Pachyderm meeting will be held from noon to 1 p.m. at the Bulldog in Kalispell on Friday, Oct. 19. Guest speaker BJ Grieve of the Flathead County Planning Office will present the "Update Growth Policy Implementation Plan." Lunch is $4 to $10 and the meeting is open to the public.
Strickland
Eagle gets new editor - Bigfork Eagle
Upcoming election will be one of the most important in recent memory
Serving as your mayor and councilor for more than 14 years was one of the greatest privileges I have ever had. Thank you Whitefish for your support. I worked with some amazing folks during my years in city government, and I am proud of our community's record of success and accomplishment.
Larry Jerome Tommerup, 68
Larry Jerome Tommerup, age 68, passed away on Wednesday, October 10, 2007 at Odessy Hospice in Tuscon, Arizona. He was born June 25, 1939 to Clarence and Lillian Tommerup in Sidney, Montana.
Developers are oblivious to community's true needs
In a nutshell, this is my read on what is going on with the Critical Areas Ordinance: The city of Whitefish is preparing for growth.
Steering Committee to elect board this week
By ALEX STRICKLAND - Bigfork Eagle
Wildcats earn football playoff berth
By JOE SOVA - Hungry Horse News
Chad Grover
Chad Edward Grover, 35, died Oct. 9, 2007, at Kalispell Regional Hospital.
He's not over the hill yet
Whitefish climber finds retirement a good time to bag the 'technical' peaks
Canyon Plan committee members sought
By JOE SOVA - Hungry Horse News
Metaphysical library opens
By CONSTANCE SEE Whitefish Pilot
Wildcats tangle with Libby in soccer semis
By JOE SOVA - Hungry Horse News
Senior running back continues success
By FAITH MOLDAN
Football decisions aren't easy
In response to the "Hats off to the Football Team" letter I'd like to know where the critism stops and the support starts. The individuals that are referred to in this letter have taken enough criticism from some people in this community.
Study reveals pesticides in Glacier lakes
By CHRIS PETERSON - Hungry Horse News
Navy hero returning home to Whitefish
Commander Ryan Zinke retires from SEALS
Anna Mae Anderson
Anna Mae Anderson, 69, died peacefully Oct. 6, 2007, after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease while surrounded by family at her home in Auburn, Wash.
Boys earn second at X-C divisional
The boys team took second and the girls team took fourth as Columbia Falls had a solid showing at the divisional cross country meet in Pablo last Saturday (Oct. 13).
Rose Horn
Rose M. Horn, 74, of Lewistown and a former Whitefish resident, died Sept. 1, 2007, in the Central Montana Medical Center in Lewistown following a year-long battle with cancer.
Vandalism, theft hits two Bigfork businesses
By ALEX STRICKLAND Bigfork Eagle
Committee to plan work on new park
Development of the land purchased by the City of Columbia Falls for a new park is moving ahead. The City is organizing a committee to begin planning the plot along the Flathead River for what is currently known as Riverfront Park. That's the word from Barry Conger, a member of the First Best Place Task Force.
Carlson takes first in conference
By FAITH MOLDAN
Local sculptor carries on cowboy art tradition
By JACOB DORAN
Thanks food drive donations
To the editor,
The new kid on the block
First of all, thanks.
Dorothy Baker
Dorothy M. Baker, 76, a longtime Whitefish resident, passed away of natural causes Oct. 12, 2007, at the Lake View Care Center in Bigfork.
Whitefish upsets Polson to make playoffs
Team faces C-Falls to end regular season tomorrow night
Walk remembers two of Bigfork's best
By ALEX STRICKLAND
Thursday, October 11
Point-by-point
City mailer defends its critical area ordinance
Korea Recalled
By G. George Ostrom
Mae Gordon
Mae Diane Gordon, 87, passed away Oct. 7, 2007, of natural causes at Heritage Place in Kalispell.
Hall's facts wrong
After just having read Flathead County Commissioner Gary Hall's words in the Oct. 3 "Flathead Beacon," I feel compelled to tell a different version of what happened in 2003. I was also in the same meetings as Mr. Hall was, and I have a very different recollection of what happened.
Whitefish-Fernie resolution would call for coal summit
Towns don't want 'top-down solutions' to mining issue
Uptown Merchants meet Oct. 11
Columbia Falls Uptown Merchants Association (CFUMA) meets on Thursday, Oct. 11 at 6 p.m. at Arrowhead Fine Art & Framing at 422 Nucleus Ave., across from Smith's. Special guest Connie McCubbins will speak about the Nov. 30 Night of Lights and Sally Petersen will be sharing information on a future Farmers' Market.
BSC stalls over land use map
By ALEX STRICKLAND — Bigfork Eagle
Lady runners perfect again, boys win by 1
By DAVID ERICKSON - Whitefish Pilot
Ranger station history recalled
We went to see construction of the new ranger station at Hungry Horse a few weeks ago. We were impressed with the building but turned around at the entrance as directed by signs. This will become headquarters for Glacier View and Hungry Horse Ranger Districts.
C. Falls staves off AA designation - for now
By HEIDI DESCH - Hungry Horse News
Environmental regulation without representation
Many of us just want to be left alone to go about our day-to-day activities. Some others prefer to control situations and manipulate things to their own advantage.
Devlin gets 50 years in kidnapping
By ALEX STRICKLAND
Patricia Cannon
After a yearlong battle with cancer, Patricia Elaine Cannon passed away peacefully on Sept. 22, 2007, at her Edmonds home surrounded by her loving family.
Mary Johnson
Mary Elva Johnson, 95, died of natural causes at Colonial Manor in Whitefish.
Fiscal responsibility invests in our future
As we head into the fall of 2007, some very important facts about this year's legislative sessions are suddenly being left out in the cold.
Moser, Whitman set school marks at Whitefish
By CHRIS PETERSON - Hungry Horse News
Wildcats clash with Billings Central in state playoffs
By JOE SOVA - Hungry Horse News
Lady Bulldogs take state
The talented and still very young Lady Bulldog golf team has started another run of dominance in Class A golf by winning the state championship for a second year in a row.
Warn that historic downtowns across the U.S are being 'eroded' by new development
By RICHARD HANNERS - Whitefish Pilot
Volleyball team pushes Wildkats to five games
By FAITH MOLDAN —
Committee to investigate resort tax
By ALEX STRICKLAND - Bigfork Eagle
Homecoming thanks
We want to thank the Whitefish Community for their support during Homecoming week. The turnout for all of the week's events was fantastic.
Elementary school bond passes; high school fails
By ALEX STRICKLAND
North Lake County Planning looking for opinions
On behalf of the North Lake County Planning Subcommittee, a subcommittee of the Bigfork Steering Committee, I'd like to report to the community on our activities. This past summer, we held four community meetings to hear public comment on forming a planning and zoning district serving areas within the Bigfork School District that are in Lake County. Lake County planning staff was present and provided maps and subject matter expertise. About 135 people attended. We also gave a similar presentation to more than 50 homeowners at the Swan Sites HOA meeting. About 40 written comments were also received from attendees. We thank the community for its gracious reception and input.
Great marathon
I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge the excellent job The Wave and the Whitefish community did in conducting the Two Bear Marathon on Sept. 16, 2007.
Despite snow, Sun Road work continues
By CHRIS PETERSON - Hungry Horse News
Bulldogs whip Cats to go 12-0
By DAVID ERICKSON - Whitefish Pilot
Griz study gets cash infusion
By HEIDI DESCH - Hungry Horse News
Charles E. Fisher
Charles E. Fisher, 81, of Columbia Falls died Sunday, Sept. 9, 2007 at North Valley Hospital surrounded by all of his family.
Wildcats sink Pirates, 18-13
By JOE SOVA - Hungry Horse News
Artist Profile: Kathy Bonnema Leslie
By JACOB DORAN
Save the lakes
Unfortunately, Whitefish Lake has become more polluted each year because homes are built close to the shore and the lake is inundated with motorboats. The city of Whitefish has put together an exemplary Critical Areas Ordinance that will protect our smaller lakes, rivers and streams.
Grace Weaver
Grace Weaver, 73, passed away, after a nine-year battle with breast cancer, on Oct. 5, 2007, at her home in Kalispell, surrounded by her family.
Darin Fredricks, Kristen Fredricks, Peter Leander and Thomas Etter made up Team
Bigfork residents take part in 'Xstream' adventure
Should taxes pay for mailer?
The mailman delivered us a flyer obviously in opposition to a position being considered by the Whitefish City Council. I'm presuming that Tim Grattan paid for such mailing.
Fire - Make it personal
Guest Editorial — By Judy Comoletti
Swan lakers committed to protecting watershed
By JACOB DORAN
Valkyries win two to end season, Vikings fight through to the end
By FAITH MOLDAN - Bigfork Eagle
Need to protect water qualtiy
The critical issue in the Whitefish Critical Areas Ordinance is that the bottom line of this new law is to protect the quality of our water.
Alice Colla
Alice Edna Catherine (Cooper) Colla, 96, died quietly Sept. 12, 2007.
Technology brings end to nostalgia
In a time of improvements through technology and change, there are a few things that are hard to watch go by the wayside.
Dorothy Moreno
Dorothy Gray Teunissen Moreno, 72, passed away Sept. 20, 2007, in Cackamas, Ore.
Thursday, October 4
Freda Dale Roberts
Freda Dale Roberts, 85, of Columbia Falls, was called home to her Lord and Savior Friday, Sept. 21, 2007, in Kalispell, after a brief stay at Brendan House while battling cancer. She was born Sept. 2, 1922 near Hulett, Wyo. to Lyle and Iva (Butts) Brimmer.
Northwestern Energy weatherizes Bigfork customers
By ALEX STRICKLAND — Bigfork Eagle
Wildkat spikers edge Ronan, fall to Whitefish
By JOE SOVA Hungry Horse News
Barbara Farquhar Blumberg
Barbara Farquhar Blumberg, a resident of Bigfork since 1978, suffered a stroke Sept. 10 and died Friday, Sept. 21, in a Kalispell hospice room a few days before her 73rd birthday.
Lady Bulldogs score perfect 15
DAVID ERICKSON — Whitefish Pilot
Citizens looking for solutions to Martin City Post Office closure
By CHRIS PETERSON Hungry Horse News
Chemical Concerns
Regarding poisoning the lakes in the Jewel Basin, it's interesting there was no announcement to the public in advance. The Interlake hasn't even mentioned it. This is a very controversial topic and deserves as much exposure as possible. The public WHO OWNS THE LAND is kept in the dark until it's too late to gain any opinions. I would like to know more about successful trials of this method. I would like to know what happens to the osprey, the eagles who eat poisoned fish. I would like to know about amphibians and plant life nearby. Are they protected? Our greatest fishery, Flathead Lake, was ruined years ago, destroying the salmon in it by playing such games with Mother Nature. Here we go again?
Vals continue to make improvements,Vikes make run at end of season
By FAITH MOLDAN — Bigfork Eagle
Kid problems
"I'll sure be glad when I get big and don't have to go to bed at 8 o'clock."
Tourney comes up big for Bigfork Fire
By ALEX STRICKLAND — Bigfork Eagle
Henry Erwin
Henry James Erwin, 24, of Georgia, and also of Montana, Alaska and anywhere else he collected rocks, died on Sept. 21, 2007. He lived in Whitefish up until a year and half ago.
Lady spikers lose heartbreaker
By DAVID ERICKSON — Whitefish Pilot
Crowned
City eyes water rate hike
By HEIDI DESCH Hungry Horse News
Volleyball team serves up home-court win
By FAITH MOLDAN — Bigfork Eagle
Glacier Symphony bus service comes to Bigfork
By ALEX STRICKLAND — Bigfork Eagle
School blessed
Olney-Bissell School has been blessed. During this past year, our school has received funding from many outside sources, both private and commercial, that have greatly improved the quality of education and life here at our school.
Loggers roll over Cats, 41-21
By JOE SOVA — Hungry Horse News
Helen Vinje
Helen Rose Vinje, 92, passed away Sept. 22, 2007, at Health Center Northwest in Kalispell.
Harris, Gembala, Schuster advance
By FAITH MOLDAN — Bigfork Eagle
Family thankful
The family of Earleen Grace Zinke would like to express deep appreciation to all of you who have shown love and kindness in so many ways during the recent passing of our beloved mother and grandmother.
Adding it up
Council looks at cost of protecting critical areas
After-school jobs a challenge on both ends
By ALEX STRICKLAND — Bigfork Eagle
Whitefish man is ordered to pay feds $5 million
By RICHARD HANNERS — Whitefish Pilot
Community consensus?
Imagine a cartoon in the Whitefish Pilot. The city is on the one side, depicted as the tree hugger, righteously fueled with what he calls "community consensus," and on the other hand is the developer, depicted as the greedy, heartless demolition guy.
Craft, bake sale
The Columbia Falls Women’s Connection hosts a craft, baked goods and home canned goods sale on Saturday, Oct. 6 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the North Valley Community Room on Nucleus Avenue. Homemade soups and bread are $2.50 and pie is $1.50 a slice. There will also be hot coffee.
Martin City Post Office closes door
By CHRIS PETERSON — Hungry Horse News
Senseless acts of bloodshed
President John F. Kennedy was noted for the impact of many of his speeches. A speech that focused on war and violence is the one I remember most vividly. In it, he spoke of the “senseless acts of bloodshed.”
Mary Louise Berg
Mary Louise (Isch) DeYoung More Berg, 90, died from natural causes Sunday, Sept. 16, 2007, at her son’s home in Libby.
Some city council members biased
Representative government is what should exist in the city of Whitefish. If a citizen has a complaint, opinion or comment, they should be heard without being slandered, attacked or discredited by the Whitefish City Council members or the mayor.
Margaret Le Duc
Margaret Le Duc, 97, died peacefully Sept. 13, 2007, at her home in Bigfork.
Bulldogs bite Chiefs at Homecoming
By DAVID ERICKSON Whitefish Pilot
Herbert Kameon
Herbert Kameon passed away peacefully on Sept. 23, 2007, after a well-fought battle with cancer at the Kalispell Regional Medical Center Hospice.
CARE grateful
On Sept. 5, Whitefish CARE sponsored the Back to School Bash out at Smith Fields. Whitefish CARE's mission is to promote healthy lifestyles for our youth and our community. The Bash had something for everyone, and we want to thank all those businesses, groups and individuals who helped make this event such a success.
Glacier Park facilities close too soon
I am writing to you to report that Bette Wasik and I had a fantastic and exhilarating visit to Glacier Park, yet a very disappointing one.
Steering Committee gets closer to neighborhood plan
By ALEX STRICKLAND — Bigfork Eagle
River petition rescinded
By RICHARD HANNERS — Whitefish Pilot
Fire Dept. welcomes five new members
By ALEX STRICKLAND — Bigfork Eagle
Central Station was good for Whitefish, period
Flanagan’s Central Station was good for Whitefish, period. Maybe Jim Flanagan the man was not, according to others. This was revealed by our two local civil servants, John Phelps and Mike Ferda.
Depleted boys soccer team edged by Libby
By JOE SOVA Hungry Horse News
