Thursday, January 31
A voice for newspaper
I started out my career in radio at a small station on a big hill that was run by a guy named Kevin.
Control sprawl
One can understand rural property owners within Whitefish's "doughnut" sphere of influence objecting to city control on zoning and growth, but in reality this happens all the time.
Bigfork's Twin Towers
by FAITH MOLDAN - Bigfork Eagle
Stella Matt
Stella V. (LoPresti) Matt, 87, of Pawling, N.Y., and more recently of Newburyport, Mass., passed away Jan. 22, 2008, at Anna Jaques Hospital in Newburyport.
Smith wins Big Mountain ski climb
The first-ever ski-mountaineering race at Whitefish Mountain Resort took place on Saturday as part of a national championship race series.
Sun Road reconstruction estimate skyrockets by $130 million
The estimate to reconstruct the Going-to-the-Sun Road has gone up by $100 to $130 million, Glacier Park officials said Tuesday.
Rita Lou McDowell
Funeral services for Rita Lou McDowell will take place on Friday, Feb. 1, at 1 p.m. at the Austin Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Whitefish Cemetery.
Weather or not
As a teenager I was active in the Boy Scouts and as such was no stranger to camping in some of the south's many fine state parks and other outward areas.
Park visitation in 2007 more than 2 million
By CHRIS PETERSON / Hungry Horse News
BSC hosting neighborhood plan workshop meeting next week
By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle
Kats fall to Big Sky, Bigfork
By JOE SOVA / Hungry Horse News
Downtown prepping for Valentine's Day
By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle
Two Bigfork teens arrested in Ferndale homicide
By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle
Another view on parking garages
I am writing to share ideas on the proposed parking structure at the corner of Central and Spokane. I have been involved in previous plans to develop the lot just west of Whitefish Middle School and understand some of the dynamics of this proposed project.
Doughnut' residents pack council meeting
By RICHARD HANNERS / Whitefish Pilot
Bulldogs rally past Loggers on the road
By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot
William James "Bill" Hull, 82
William James "Bill" Hull, of Bigfork, Montana, passed away on Monday, January 21, 2008 at his home. He was born in Union, Utah on March 19, 1925 the son of Albert and Ivy (James) Hull.
Bernadette Good
Bernadette Ann "Bernie" Good, 84, of Kalispell, "went home to be with the Lord" on Jan. 23, 2008.
Lady Bulldogs narrowly defeat Libby
By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot
Common sense
Common sense — what is common sense? There has been no common sense since we hired a city manager.
Family speaks out on child's death
By HEIDI DESCH / Hungry Horse News
Cats finding the groove, beat Big Sky, Bigfork
By CHRIS PETERSON / Hungry Horse News
Downtown projects raise concerns
By RICHARD HANNERS / Whitefish Pilot
Summer playhouse actor directs BCPT production
By Jacob Doran / Bigfork Eagle
Heart of Whitefish supports the downtown plan
The Heart of Whitefish Board would like to address some concerns and clarify some misunderstandings of a few members of the downtown business district regarding the Downtown Infrastructure Improvements including the Central Avenue project.
Contentious zoning
Residential, commercial and industrial development in Bigfork is guided by the 1993 Bigfork Neighborhood Plan, a legal document, which is utilized by the Bigfork Land Use Advisory Committee (BLUAC) when considering applications for development in our community. The residents of Bigfork donated $20,000 to fund the development of the new Neighborhood Plan, and hundreds of citizens volunteered thousands of hours to create a new plan that will guide the growth of Bigfork for the next 20 years. It is anticipated that the new Neighborhood Plan soon will be adopted by the County.
Holt dominates at Soldier Hollow
The Glacier Nordic Ski Team traveled to the 2002 Olympic venue at Soldier Hollow, Utah, on Jan. 18-19 for elite cross-country ski races.
Long-term outlook for home values positive
To the editor,
Mat Cats topple Loggers; head to Divisional tournament
By JOE SOVA / Hungry Horse News
The Danny On tale
It doesn't seem like 29 years since we lost Danny On. There are still times when I catch myself thinking for a split second, "Maybe I'll run into Danny today." Used to run into him often. Any place with great natural beauty, flowers, wildlife or skiing was a good place to find Danny On; places like Banff, Grand Teton, the Bob Marshal Wilderness, but his favorite place was Glacier Park. You might see him during a storm on Boulder Pass or sitting in the sun beside Natahki Lake.
Columbia Falls wins third straight State Speech and Debate Meet title
By JOE SOVA / Hungry Horse News
Vals stay on top of Northwest A conference
By FAITH MOLDAN / Bigfork Eagle
Vikings fall to Wildcats, Pirates
by FAITH MOLDAN
Thanks for the help
Providing dog beds for the Flathead County Animal Shelter has been a mission of the heart. The success of the project has resulted in 65 Kuranda Dog Beds and 22 fleece pads (that fit the beds) being donated to the shelter.
Thursday, January 24
Bus 22, we loved you
By HEIDI DESCH / Hungry Horse News
Water adjudication starting in Flathead
By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle
Parents thankful to community
The past four days have been the four darkest, saddest and most agonizing in the lives of the Gogolak family.
Ladies give Bravettes a scare
By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot
Valkyries win nail-biters over Libby, Flathead
By FAITH MOLDAN / Bigfork Eagle
Speech/debate team racks up third straight Divisional title
Make it three consecutive Divisional Tournament titles for the Columbia Falls Speech and Debate team.
Animal shelter thanks
Providing Dog Beds for the Flathead County Animal Shelter has been a mission of the heart. The success of the project has resulted in 65 Kuranda Dog Beds and 22 Fleece Pads (that fit the beds) being donated to the Shelter. To these wonderful, caring sponsors (and to the many who shared special animal stories with me as they were writing their checks):
CF Baseball Association's future could be in jeopardy
By JOE SOVA / Hungry Horse News
Lakeside readies for annual Winterfest
By JACOB DORAN / Bigfork Eagle
Anthony Kollmann, 19
Anthony Kollmann, 19, passed away on Sunday, January 13, 2008 doing what he loved, extreme downhill skiing in Canyon Creek Drainage, Fiberglass Hill near Columbia Falls, Montana. He was born on June 4, 1988 in Rapid City, South Dakota to Robert and Laurie (Rathman) Kollmann.
Urgent Care clinic comes to Bigfork
By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle
No shortage of issues this winter
Winter in Bigfork, I was told, is a slow, slow time in the village. As the clouds seal in Flathead Valley for a long winter's nap, the citizens of this tiny hamlet were supposed to sit on their laurels, saving big decisions for warmer months.
Vikings struggle at home
By FAITH MOLDAN / Bigfork Eagle
Developers submit plans for Hungry Horse subdivision
By CHRIS PETERSON / Hungry Horse News
JV Vals split road games; Vikes hit fourgame skid
By FAITH MOLDAN / Bigfork Eagle
Bailey Lake home destroyed by early morning fire Tuesday
A fire completely destroyed a home at Bailey Lake about 1 a.m. Tuesday.
Bigfork Elementary School work under way
Bigfork Eagle
Environmental mischief
If I understand Jan Metz-maker's recent letter to the Pilot correctly, she made the following points:
Mat Cats outscore Bulldogs, lose to Polson, Ronan
By JOE SOVA / Hungry Horse News
Remembering Lee Metcalf
Was Lyndon B. Johnson a horse's behind? Lee Metcalf was among those who thought so. I'll tell you about that.
Adults can have second chance at upcoming Bigfork Community Prom
By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle
Behaving badly
By Don Loranger
Cats post wins over Eureka, Glacier; girls top Eureka, fall to GHS
By CHRIS PETERSON / Hungry Horse News
$100 reward for animal abuse
On a very cold morning last week, someone left a mother cat and her four kittens in a closed box next to the Dumpster behind the Whitefish Credit Union office. Fortunately, Sue Schenck went out to empty the trash and heard the cats crying. One kitten was found dead and the remaining were suffering from the cold.
Rookies welcome for skijoring
By OLIVIA KOERNIG / Whitefish Pilot
Pirates get swamped in the "Dawg Pound"
By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot
Downtown plan raises concerns
As a downtown merchant and proprietress of Montana Territory, I feel it necessary to state my position on the Whitefish Downtown Infrastructure Improvement Project, reinforcing my concerns submitted at the meeting held Jan. 8.
Local business highlights native art
By JACOB DORAN / Bigfork Eagle
Backwards on bears
To the editor,
Democracy triumphs
An unusually hardworking and knowledgeable Whitefish councilman has been re-seated with the solid support of the newspapers, the court and, most importantly, the voters from both sides of the aisle.
Shirley Hull
Shirley J. Hull, 82, passed away on Jan. 13, 2008, at Heritage Place in Kalispell.
Transportation plan: A hard road to hoe
Developing a logical grid system could be difficult, residents still want a bypass
A greater Whitefish in the public's best interest
The people of the greater Whitefish area are united in our love for the land and water. From Happy Valley to Big Mountain, around the lake and all along the Whitefish range, we share a common bond. We love our hills, lakes and streams. We are truly grateful to the heart of downtown, to aquatic centers, ice rinks, theaters and the skate parks.
Margaret Gordon
Margaret Ann "Toots" Gordon, 72, passed away peacefully on Jan. 8, 2008, at the Colonial Manor in Whitefish. She was born in Milwaukee, Wis., on Nov. 26, 1935.
Grizzlies need protection
Although I have on occasion locked horns in the past with Vic Workman, I find myself in agreement as to how he handled the November 2007 incident with a grizzly bear and that his remarks were unfairly criticized.
Anthony Kollmann
Anthony Kollmann, 19, passed away Jan. 13, 2008, doing what he loved, extreme downhill skiing.
Window shopping for new president
News about the presidential caucuses are flooding America this month as we inch closer to Super Tuesday. Not that many years ago, there was a Super Sunday, but not a Super Tuesday. On Tuesday, Feb. 5, a plethora of caucuses will be held as states decide who will represent the Republican and Democratic parties in the primary election — including Montana. When I was a young man, there was campaigning geared toward the primary in August. We're seven months ahead of that pace now.
Avalanche area reopened
By RICHARD HANNERS
Thursday, January 17
Trying XC: A Bigfork Eagle reporter strikes out across Blacktail Mountain on cross country skis for the first time ever.
Story and photos by Faith Moldan
Nelson named coach of year
Whitefish High School golf coach Terry Nelson was recently selected Coach of the Year for Class A girls golf by the Montana Coaches Association.
Situational election politics
I have decided that I would like to run for the Whitefish City Council. I say this because even though I do not live in the city but pay Whitefish school district taxes, I spend 75 percent of my time at my business in Whitefish.
Wildcats top 'Dogs, edged by Ronan
By CHRIS PETERSON - Hungry Horse News
School bond thoughts
A number of voters in Bigfork School District 38 have considered a different option to deal with the shortcomings of the existing Bigfork school facilities. School Bonds historically seem to have been expensive band aids that have not, and will not, resolve the problems of aging facilities that are geographically poorly located.
Free throws doom Bulldogs vs. C-Falls
By DAVID ERICKSON - Whitefish Pilot
Bigfork drops to 4-6 overall
By FAITH MOLDAN Bigfork Eagle
Let the dust settle, and get involved
Anyone who has served on the Whitefish City Council or one of the more controversial local boards for any length of time has learned that you do it out of commitment and caring for the community — not for a personal agenda. In that regard, the retiring members of city council deserve the gratitude of the community, including those who may have opposed some of their decisions.
Hillary's death the end of an era
The news of Sir Edmund Hillary's death spread quickly from Auckland, New Zealand to the rest of the world on Thursday, a testament to a man who's fame and regard has no counterpart in our country.
Lady Bulldogs bite 'Kats
Whitefish Pilot
Turned away in effort to help at avalanche scene
To the editor,
Joseph Archer
Joseph Harry Archer, 91, passed away Thursday, Jan. 9, 2008 at the Montana Veterans' Home in Columbia Falls. He was born on May 24, 1916 in Eureka to Jim and Hanna (Webb) Archer.
Jason Crayne
Jason Lea Crayne, 20, left this world on Dec. 31, 2007.
Razing the bar: Chumley's Double Eagle bar on Electric is coming down
By ALEX STRICKLAND - Bigfork Eagle
U.S. 93 is not Main Street
During the recent meeting concerning the Riverdale Neighborhood Plan, one of the Flathead County Commissioners stated, “I’m going to have to take the position that the 93 corridor is where you have business operations.”
Game officials dispatch Canyon moose
By RICHARD HANNERS - Whitefish Pilot
Missoula couple dies after canoe capsizes off Wild Horse Island
By ETHAN SMITH - for the Bigfork Eagle
Forecast for local economy: Sunny
This week I was thinking about writing about politics and the presidential nominating process. But I'm still trying to sort out the candidates and decide who will get my vote come November. So let's get back to something of more local importance, at least early in 2008, and that is the economy.
Watershed group meets next week
By ALEX STRICKLAND - Bigfork Eagle
David Gogolak
David Gogolak, (lovingly known as Gogo), 36, of Whitefish, formerly of San Francisco and Darien, Conn., died Jan. 13, 2008.
Valkyries stay strong on road
By FAITH MOLDAN - Bigfork Eagle
Roberta Sullivan
Roberta ‘Robbie’ McAfee Sullivan, 61, passed away peacefully early Jan. 10, 2008, in the company of friends and family after a short and valiant battle with cancer.
Rose Housky
Rose Housky, 82, of Whitefish passed away at Brendan House on Jan. 2, 2008, after a brief but courageous battle with cancer.
Margaret Black, matriarch of St. Mary, dies at 105
By CHRIS PETERSON - Hungry Horse News
Applauds Muhlfeld
John Muhlfeld is a man of integrity, experience and knowledge. His commitment to clean water is an asset to our town during this time of growth and change.
Easement preserves Johnston estate
By CHRIS PETERSON - Hungry Horse News
Hader, Houle lead Mat Cats at Missoula
By JOE SOVA - Hungry Horse News
City studies 'doughnut' representation
Regulation without representation angers county residents in area
Whitefish is not a corporation
Recently, I was having a political conversation with someone I had never before discussed politics. As we were talking about some of the issues facing Whitefish, they repeated "Whitefish is a $27 million corporation" to me several times during the conversation. This person went on to criticize how our current city government was running the show.
Avalanche behind Big Mountain claims two lives
By RICHARD HANNERS and DAVID ERICKSON - For the Bigfork Eagle
Martin City home destroyed by fire
A Martin City man is homeless after his trailer home was gutted by a fire Tuesday morning.
Bigfork Thrift Store closing its doors
By ALEX STRICKLAND
Kats trip Maidens, fall to Whitefish
By JOE SOVA - Hungry Horse News
MCT plays show staying power
By HEIDI DESCH - Hungry Horse News
Norma Mae (Hoyt) Young, 69
January 10th, 1938 - January 9th, 2008.
Stephen Wood
Former Flathead Valley resident Stephen B. Wood passed away of natural causes on Jan. 2, 2008, in Cheyenne, Wyo.
Garbage can language
A sign of the times is a story last week from St. Charles, Mo. The City Council is considering a bill to ban swearing in bars along with profane music. The leaders of that St. Louis suburb contend such an ordinance is needed to help police in controlling rowdy, dirty-talking crowds. They are trying to keep their town a "decent place to live." The dirty talkers say such a law may be against their civil rights. They are probably right. Quality of a person's speech is a matter of intelligence, taste, and manners… not laws.
Avalanche claims two local skiers
By RICHARD HANNERS and DAVID ERICKSON - Whitefish Pilot
Political protests cost taxpayers
The lights came on and the cockroaches are scurrying for cover. It appears there are a few individuals who cannot seem to distance themselves far enough from the ill-conceived and poorly executed attempt to unseat Whitefish city councilor John Muhlfeld.
Perkins responds to accusations
By JACOB DORAN - Bigfork Eagle
Sidewalk clutter
I attended the Downtown Infrastructure Update meeting on Dec. 12, 2007. One of the objects of the Central Avenue project is to make the sidewalks more "pedestrian friendly," mainly by widening the sidewalks and thus narrowing the driving lanes.
Thursday, January 10
Great sled race
On behalf of all of the mushers that participated in the Flathead Sled Dog Race this last weekend, we would like to thank all of the sponsors, the volunteers and, most of all, the organizers — Sean, Brooke and Katie.
Kolodejchuk leads Mat Cats to seventh place at Cut Bank
By JOE SOVA - Hungry Horse News
Whitefish ladies battle the Bravettes
By DAVID ERICKSON - Whitefish Pilot
Moose clashes with snowcats
Hazing would precede "last resort" action of removal
Bigfork records highs, lows for season at home
By FAITH MOLDAN - Bigfork Eagle
Crittenden places 6th at wrestling meet
By DAVID ERICKSON - Whitefish Pilot
Clyde "Colin" Lewis Wilson, IV, 24
Clyde "Colin" Lewis Wilson, IV, 24 , of Bigfork, MT died at his home on Dec. 31, 2007.
Shameful tactics used by political action committee
John Muhlfeld has been an outstanding city councilor. He won this election with 75 percent of the vote, which shows how much Whitefish voters value his public service. Rick Blake and his anonymous friends should respect the voters' decision.
It's time to change how Americans vote
I? 1952, Sen. Estes Kefau-ver defeated President Harry Truman in the New Hampshire primary with the momentous result that Truman announced he would not seek re-election.
Doralia Moon Anderson
Doralia "Lia" Ann Moon Anderson, 36, beautiful daughter, mother, wife and friend, passed away unexpectedly Dec. 30, 2007, at the Kalispell Regional Medical Center.
Trick is a Treat
A virtually new truck is just what the doctor ordered for cancer survivor
Vikes split road games
By FAITH MOLDAN - Bigfork Eagle
Ski patroller wouldn't give up, despite deep snow and darkness
By RICHARD HANNERS - Whitefish Pilot
Montana to Madagascar
Hungry Horse man talks of life in an island country (and why he's going back)
Sharon Kempe
Sharon Annear Baker Kempe, 62, was called home by her Lord on Dec. 23, 2007.
John Suzawith
Retired Snowmass, Colo., ski patroller and noted local musician John Suzawith, 61, died of natural causes Nov. 30, 2007, in Clifton, Colo.
Cats claw Loggers, Pirates; go to 3-0 in NW A
By CHRIS PETERSON - Hungry Horse News
Community helps family cope with losing it all
By ALEX STRICKLAND - Bigfork Eagle
Wild-'life expectancy'
A huge bighorn ram is featured for the month of December in the 2008 calendar I did for KOFI. While discussing that picture with friends last week, one of the guys asked me how old rams can get. I said, "I can't remember." My friend said, "Well! Several years back you wrote about wildlife ages. You should remember that." I felt a little embarrassed but not much. It did eat on me enough that I spent last weekend searching, while trying to watch what seemed like a hundred football games. Finally I found it:
Turnovers, poor shooting plague Wildkats in losses
By JOE SOVA - Hungry Horse News
Taking the Plunge
The water was warm — compared to the air, when throngs of people jumped into Flathead Lake as part of an annual winter ritual. The Raven Bar & Grill in Woods Bay played host to the craziness again this year. Can someone get me a towel?
Glacier s bull trout are on the ropes
By CHRIS PETERSON - Hungry Horse News
Bulldogs can't overcome Braves' early lead
By DAVID ERICKSON - Whitefish Pilot
Judge rules in favor of councilor
'PAC of one' had no standing to bring case in first place, but could pay for fees
Fire guts home on Alpine Drive
BFD responding to increased number of chimney fires
Ferndale man died of gunshot wounds
Bigfork Eagle
Swan Lakers put freeze on condo project
By JACOB DORAN - Bigfork Eagle
Criticism of handling stream setbacks unfair
To the editor,
Parrs take 2nd, 4th at sled race
Butch Parr, a longtime Whitefish resident who now lives near Olney, took second place in the 12-dog race at the first Flathead Sled Dog Days race at Whitefish Lake.
Avalanche scene evacuated due to unstable snow mass
The scene of the avalanche that claimed the lives of two Flathead Valley backcountry skiers on Sunday was evacuated Wednesday morning, as well as the route to the site, according to the Flathead County Sheriff's Office. Tuesday's storm left an additional eight to 14 inches of snow in the area. The high winds associated with the storm caused heavy loading to the already unstable snow mass. The avalanche level was upgraded to "high" by the U.S. Forest Service Glacier Country Avalanche Center on Tuesday.
BSC hoping for high turnout at workshop
By ALEX STRICKLAND - Bigfork Eagle
Robert Holcomb
Robert George Holcomb, 82, passed away on Friday, Dec. 28, 2007 at Crestwood Convalescent Home in Sequim, Wash. He was born on Nov. 16, 1925 in Bismarck, N.D., the son of George and Maggie (Hall) Holcomb. He was the 11th child of 13 and was the last surviving sibling.
The readers have the reins
Whenever a young journalist heads into a job interview there is almost always a trick question on the way. Intimidated by an editor or publisher, the job candidate squirms a bit as questions concerning ethics or hypothetical situations are answered by the book. Finally, the interviewer asks this: "Who do you work for?"
Special interests trying to subvert election
I just wanted to take a moment, just in case you're unaware, to bring you up to speed on recent disturbing developments related to our ability to guide and direct the future growth of our rapidly changing town.
Valkyrie JV beats out Wolfpack, Trotters; JV Vikings record seventh straight win
By FAITH MOLDAN - Bigfork Eagle
School Bond thoughts
There appear to be a number of voters in School District 38 who wonder whether all the options have been considered to deal with the shortcomings of the existing facilities. Many feel that more specific educational issues should be addressed in order to justify the amount of money that has been requested.
Doggone life lessons
There are a few things I learned in 2007 that maybe I didn't know before the year started.
Thursday, January 3
Glacier's Web site gives skinny on ski trails
By CHRIS PETERSON - Hungry Horse News
From water quality to bugs to grizzly bears, the Flathead River will see some intensive study this summer.
By CHRIS PETERSON - Hungry Horse News
PAC questions councilor's residency
Detective agency hired to find out where Muhlfeld lived 60 days prior to election
Creepy politics
The recent actions by Common Sense in Whitefish Government and its founder, Rick Blake, are disappointing and downright creepy.
The barber pole is issue here
This letter is of my own opinion. I understand Melissa Franklin’s love for her barber pole. It has been a symbol of the barbering trade worldwide for more than five centuries. I would think she would have gotten a barber’s license to begin with.
The 2007 'year in review': Second half of sports, outdoors
? The Bigfork All-star team finished fourth overall at the tournament. The Bigfork All-stars finished their season one game shy of going to state. The team won the Last Chance Tournament in Kalispell July 28-29.
The Year in Sports
By DAVID ERICKSON/Whitefish Pilot
Planning needed for 'new towns' on U.S. Hwy 93
It should be obvious to everyone now that the commercial expansion on the north side of Kalispell has far outpaced our highway's ability to handle the normal flow of automobile and truck traffic and is causing a bottleneck as lengthy as all the stores that stretch alongside the roadway, plus an additional and painful backup during high-volume times of day.
Man's death ruled accidental
The death of a man at a home near Columbia Falls has been ruled accidental.
City Court has new hours
Columbia Falls City Court has new hours for 2008. Regular hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Doughnut politics
The story about Whitefish City Councilor John Muhlfeld’s residency fails to point out a glaring irony in that people who live outside of the city of Whitefish, but have a Whitefish address, do not get to vote on issues that affect them.
Musher ready for 100-mile race
By DAVID ERICKSON - Whitefish Pilot
Wreath scam
Thanks to all who did not ask for the money back for the wreaths.
Louis Church
Louis Albert Church, 43, passed away Thursday, Dec. 27, 2007 at home — surrounded by his loving family after a courageous 12-year battle beginning with leukemia and the resulting in immunosuppression from his bone marrow transplant.
Flathead Sled Dog Days race starts Saturday
Twenty-nine sled dog teams are lined up for the first Flathead Sled Dog Days race north of Whitefish this weekend, Jan. 4-6.
Respect your pets
I can keep silent no longer. Is there a prerequisite for those pickup drivers who own dogs that they need be uncompassionate, ignorant human beings?
No takers for BLUAC spot
ALEX STRICKLAND-Bigfork Eagle
Don't expect an early tax refund this year
Talking to my car insurance agent last week gave me some insight into tax time. That's a good time for people who will get money back from the Internal Revenue Service and want to file quickly. It's not a good time for people who must dig out all their receipts for purchases that are deductible so they don't have to pay so much income tax.
Visit brings renewed perspective
Well you can all take a deep breath and rest easy; my Southern family is no longer driving the roads in the Flathead Valley. Actually that statement isn't totally fair, as it was my Montana-born girlfriend who's car got stuck and not my Arkansas-raised father in his tank-like SUV. I'll hand it to him, though. I saw plenty of people who's license plates started with "7" that were doing a far worse job during last weeks snows.
Big Sky player of the week
Johanna Closson, a graduate of Whitefish High School and a senior forward for the University of Montana's Lady Griz basketball team, was named the Big Sky Conference Player of the Week, the league office announced Monday. The Player of the Week honor is the first of Closson's career. On Dec. 28, she scored a season-best 20 points against the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos. She stepped up after junior forward Britney Lohman was benched after being charged with a DUI earlier in the week. Closson scored 17 points against Mississippi on Dec. 30. She averaged 17.0 points per game on 60.9 percent shooting and was named the Lady Griz Holiday Classic tournament's MVP. Closson is third on the team in both scoring (9.8 ppg) and rebounding (5.2 rpg) and leads Montana with 23 steals. She is shooting 45.1 percent from the field, 50.0 percent from 3-point range and 81.3 percent from the free throw line.
Dwain Rose
Dwain Rose, of Rifle, Colo., passed away peacefully Dec. 26, 2007.
Simultaneous flushing of 10,000 toilets
Mayor of the town near Phoenix where the Super Bowl will be played on Feb. 3 has politely declined the chance for a "special ticket price." She says she can't afford 'em. What was the offer? Only $900 for a "fairly good" location. I have been told that some seats near mid-field are going for over $10,000 each. Reading about that makes us regular folks wonder, "Who buys all those tens of thousands of tickets?"
Charles Reeder
Charles Thomas Reeder, 79, a retired geologist who was a member of Whitefish United Methodist Church since moving to Whitefish 12 years ago, died at home of natural causes on Dec. 22, 2007.
Wildfires top 2007 stories
Wildfires topped the news for northern Flathead County in 2007, and by the end of the fire season about a dozen fires has burned timber in the Bob Marshall Wilderness. The Chippy Creek fire was the largest in the state and burned nearly 100,000 acres. The Ahorn and Fool Creek fires burned a swath through a combined 110,000 acres of forest land. The Skyland Fire, south of Marias Pass, spent some time rated as the top priority in the nation after it went from a few hundred acres to more than 16,000 acres is about a week.
Herbert Callies
Herbert Emil Callies, 92, passed away Dec. 20, 2007, at his home at Riverside Senior Living in Whitefish.
Unaffordable housing
Finding affordable housing difficult. It is shameful that Flathead County has allowed this problem to arise. I watched houses that are not newly built go from reasonable to “you want how much?”
Fire season is top story of 2007
Controversial stormwater ordinance a close second
City will unveil draft transportation plan
Population growth could make city's congested streets even worse
Work wrapping up at marina
By Jacob Doran - Bigfork Eagle
Man dead in Ferndale incident
Bigfork Eagle
