Ellington

Polls open Tuesday for general election

Polls will open at 7 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 2, for residents of Flathead and Lake counties to cast their ballots in the general election.

Cats have some soul searching

They wanted to go into the playoffs with momentum. They’ll end up with two weeks to right the ship.

Spikers have a tough week

The Columbia Falls volleyball team continues to have a rough season, as they dropped matches last week to Stevensville, Browning and Dillon. The Kats are 0-11 overall and 0-7 in conference.

Sun Road construction continuing

A stretch of pleasant weather this fall has helped progress on reconstruction of the Going-to-the-Sun Road.

Natural inspiration

Artist’s stay in wilderness results in paintings, music

It was late one night when Jim Clayborn heard a ruckus outside his cabin.

Decoding BHS: Featured Forker: Jorge Zavala

Williams takes second at state

Derrick Williams had a great kick with about 400 meters left in the race, gutting out a second place finish at the state A cross country meet last Saturday.

Bigfork to host first playoff game Saturday

The Bigfork football team had high hopes for the season, but knocking off all five District 7B opponents was a bit of a stretch.

FWP wants goats back in Whitefish Range

For decades, a relatively small band of mountain goats lived in the Whitefish Range. But poaching and over hunting all but exterminated the herd. The last sighting of goats in the Whitefish range was in the early 1990s, and those were probably stragglers from Canada or Glacier National Park.

Decoding BHS: Sullivan takes on eighth grade

Consider your vote's impact

The election is upon us.

Mother-son team creates costumes

Cleopatra’s robes, witches’ hats, flapper dresses and an outfit only fit for a sultan occupy the closets and living space of a mother-son team that’s gearing up for its busiest time of the year.

LETTER: Give credit where credit is due

Gov. Schweitzer inherited millions in surplus from Republican Judy Martz’s time as governor. His reign as governor coincided with a congressional Republican majority that fought hard to control spending. These are the real reasons why Montana had a surplus. Schweitzer has dishonestly taken credit for the surplus and people have fallen for it.

Tales of Toelke and Yenne

Hunting season has rolled around again and my two sons, two son-in-laws, and two grandsons are out there valiantly trying to get a little meat for their families. That’s what reminded me of Mary the Mule.

Bigfork runners rank high at state

Bigfork’s cross-country runners had one last chance to show off what they had at the Class B State Cross-Country Meet on Saturday in Helena at Bill Roberts Golf Course and they didn’t disappoint.

JV, C squad finish up seasons

Bigfork’s junior varsity and C squad volleyball teams wrapped up their seasons last week with matches against Troy and Plains.

Four-peat

Lady ‘Dogs wrap up state title

The results at state have never been better for the Bulldog cross-country teams. The Whitefish girls earned their fourth consecutive Class A state title Saturday at Bill Roberts Golf Course in Helena, while the boys tallied their best result in school history with a second-place finish.

No. 1 seeds collide in finals

Whitefish runs into the freight train of Billings Central on Saturday when the two No. 1 seeded teams collide in the Class A state girls soccer final.

One game to go

The Lady Bulldogs have been taking it one game at a time this season — now there’s only one more left to play.

A weekend of cyclocross racing

Local cyclocross juggernaut Chance Cooke put together two strong days of racing at both the Woodland Park and Herron Park events last weekend in Kalispell. Cooke, of Whitefish, smoked the Masters A event on a fast course at Woodland Park on Saturday before edging Tim Noonan at Herron Park on Sunday.

George Buss

George V. Buss, 55, passed away in Anchor Point, Alaska, on Oct. 3, 2010.

John Barnes

John “Jack” Barnes, 70, died of natural causes Oct. 17, 2010, at the Hi-Line Retirement Center in Malta.

Bill Leonard

Bill Leonard passed away peacefully at his home in Whitefish on Oct. 21, 2010, with his family by his side.

Kerrie Byrne

Kerrie Byrne, 58, died at her home in Whitefish on Oct. 18, 2010.

Likes Hammerquist

If an informal poll were given to residents of the Flathead Valley, I would venture to say that everyone would agree that the pristine waters of this area is one of the top reasons they are drawn here.

No I-161

When you get into the voting machine on Nov. 2, make sure to vote no on I-161, which is completely against Montana. How many folks do you know that have outfitted or are outfitting now and what about the generations to come? I-161 will destroy that — your life-long memories would not have existed.

Likes Toole

Now, more than ever, we need affordable energy. That is why I am voting for consumer advocate Ken Toole for Public Service Commission.

No Skees

This November, voters in House District 4 will be given a choice between voting for rhetoric or voting for results.

No Brenneman

Flathead County commissioner Joe Brenneman thinks our unemployed Flathead County citizens should go to work in Alberta, Canada.

Support education with vote

I have been a member of the Whitefish School Board for four years and am a native of Montana. The local school board provides a system of local control unique to any public agency. Trustees have an eye towards what is best for the community, as well as the future of the students. I take offense with Derek Skees allegations that any problems with education are the results of administrators.

Take our country back

This letter is in response to Sen. Jon Tester’s newsletter of Oct. 22 regarding Medicare advantage and the “so called” Affordable Health Care Act.

Guns and election conjecture

After attending the last two political debates that involved Derek Skees and Will Hammerquist, candidates for House District 4, I left both meetings feeling disappointed. I wanted to hear about real issues that affect the residents of Whitefish.

Truth in politics

It would seem that the modern campaign play book is one of using selective facts, subjective voting records and producing a storm of misleading advertisements. Added to the fact that negative campaign strategies have become common practice, the question of whether truth in politics can exist at all is at question.

How Halloween used to be

Why is it that journalists and writers in general seem to have a cranky bone?

Cooper's 'low-profile' design going up fast

Construction has started at 115 Central Avenue, and there’s hardly a controversial cobblestone in sight. Progress is quickly being made at the building site south of the Red Caboose diner, as crews look to take advantage of warm weather while it lingers.

Baucus, Tester looking at new wolf legislation

Sens. Max Baucus and Jon Tester recently introduced legislation to remove gray wolves in Montana and Idaho from protection under the Endangered Species Act. A similar measure was also introduced by Rep. Denny Rehberg earlier this year.

Mazur honored with national award

Jessie Mazur, a senior at Whitefish High School, was recently awarded the prestigious Venturing Leadership Award. Venturing is a co-ed off-shoot of the Boy Scouts of America.

State proposes mountain goat transplant

For decades, a relatively small band of mountain goats lived in the Whitefish Range. Poaching and over hunting, however, all but exterminated the herd.

Surprise turnaround in donut disagreement

County veto power may be removed

Settlement of one of the most contentious issues Whitefish has seen in decades my be round the corner, now that the Flathead County Commissioners and Whitefish City Council found common ground on how — and whether — the city handles planning and zoning in its two-mile “doughnut” jurisdiction.

Vals head into district tournament

With another loss added to their record, the Valkyries will have to settle for the second-place title in District 7B for the season and the No. 2 seed at this weekend’s district tournament in Thompson Falls.

New Frosty patrol officers missing in action

Two officers who diligently stood patrol throughout the winter months last year have disappeared. 

District gets recognition for food service

The Somers-Lakeside School District will receive state recognition today, Oct. 27, for its food service program.

SMS launches prevention program

Somers Middle School will kick off it’s new bullying prevention program with public assemblies Friday, Oct. 20, at the end of Red Ribbon Week.

Get to know: Shauney Haveman

It’s hard to find a single phrase to describe Shauney Haveman, a local woman of diverse interests and talents.

LETTER: Defending Jackson

In a letter to the editor, Jackie Ladner stated that my husband, State Sen. Verdell Jackson, described his job representing Senate District 5 as “a night job.” This is not true! He has never said this. Also, it does not even make sense. The legislature meets every other year for four months. Legislators work long hours six days a week during this time. Between sessions they are on one or two interim committees, meeting in Helena about once a month. Verdell was on the Energy and Telecommunications Interim Committee for 2009-10. He also attends many meetings on various issues of interest to his constituents. He frequently visits with constituents on issues by phone, e-mail or in person. His e-mail address is vjack@centurytel.net.

LETTER: Vote Pam Holmquist

An ad in the West Shore News for the Democrat candidate for county commissioner says he is for jobs and economic development. But the question I have for him is, “Where?”

LETTER: Brenneman best for the job

If Pam Holmquist and her supporters are to be believed, Joe Brenneman has single handedly wreaked havoc on Flathead County. That should come as a humorous surprise to the two other sitting and previous commissioners. It takes at least two votes for commissioners to take any action. Budget items require a unanimous consent. If Brenneman critics are to be believed, why did the other commissioners sign on with their approval?

Obituary: John D. Morrow

Lakeside resident John Dewayne Morrow died Thursday, Oct. 21.

Obituary: Craig A. Hickenbotham

Craig Alan Hickenbotham, 60, died Sunday, Oct. 17, 2010, at his home in Bigfork.

Obituary: Robert Bellmore

Robert Bellmore, better known by his friends as Uncle Bob, 91, died Oct. 12, 2010, in the company of his friends and the staff at the Columbia Falls Veterans Home.

Lady harriers win state title; boys 2nd

The Whitefish girls cross country team earned their fourth-consecutive Class A state title Saturday at Bill Roberts Colf Course in Helena. The team earned 80 points to edge Fergus by eight points.

Lady 'Dogs top Belgrade 3-0; move on to finals

Whitefish's girls soccer team topped Belgrade 3-0 Saturday in the semi-final game of the Class A state tournament at Smith Fields. The Lady 'Dogs scored twice in the first half and added another in the second.

Vikes finish 5-0 in conference play

Bigfork's football team wrapped up its regular season with a 42-21 victory over Mission.

Independent library on the horizon

With a notification deadline just weeks away, the Whitefish City Council voted unanimously Oct. 18 to form an independent city library.

Community Players open 'Don't Drink the Water'

The Bigfork Community Players will kick off their season with “Don’t Drink the Water,” opening Friday.

Vals defeated in close matches with Troy

The Valkyries volleyball team endured its second-straight conference loss Tuesday night falling to Troy 3-0 on the road.

Group wants sports complex at Vetville

A Columbia Falls group would like to transform a 16-acre Flathead County park into a sports complex.

LETTER: Holmquist recognizes water quality

Water quality is an issue we are all concerned with in Flathead County, particularly here in Bigfork. What many Bigfork residents may not know is that Pam Holmquist has been an active steward of water quality issues for decades. Pam’s business relies on the presence of clean water for recreation and she has served on the Evergreen Water and Sewer Board for 15 years. When your livelihood relies on water quality, you have a vested interest in preserving it.

Deer Park's rejuvenation

School adds before/after-school program

Deer Park School has seen a lot of positive changes this school year, not the least of which is a brand new after-school enrichment program.

Trailwatcher: How to find love

The worldwide Internet generated by computers is now providing an unbelievable source for millions of humans seeking companions ... for honest reasons as well as evil reasons.

LETTER: Educate yourself about candidates

Having reviewed many of the letters to the editor which have been printed on the opinion pages of our area newspapers over the past few weeks of this election cycle, I feel compelled to make some observations about the general nature of their content.

Spikers have tough time in Missoula tournament

The Kats had a tough weekend at the Missoula Invitational, marking only one split match with Libby and six defeats.

Never a fair weather fan

And sometimes, you lose.

Williams wins conference title

Derrick Williams and Justin Whitman took first and second respectively, but the boys cross country team came up just short of winning another divisional title last Saturday.

How to find love

The world-wide Internet generated by computers is now providing an unbelievable source for millions of humans seeking companions ... for honest reasons as well as evil reasons. Reading about what’s happening on the Internet in those matters got me thinking about how it was before that science began. Just 25 years ago I did a column on this fascinating human activity and dug it out to see the differences of then and now:

Cats conference champs

Wallop Whitefish 51-0; first crown since ‘72

For the first time since 1972, Columbia Falls is a conference champion. The Wildcats trounced Whitefish last Thursday as quarterback Austin Barth threw six touchdowns and the Cats cruised to a 51-0 victory.

District looks at possible renovations

Bigfork schools are looking at several facilities-related projects over the coming months after being encouraged to spend the nearly $100,000 in their flexibility funds prior to this winter’s session of the Montana Legislature.

Kats season ends in Hamilton

In all of seven minutes, the Columbia Falls girls soccer season ended. The Hamilton Lady Broncs scored three unanswered goals at the 15, 20 and 22 minute marks to go up 3-0 and the Columbia Falls girls simply couldn’t recover.

Famous author giving talk at FVCC

Vietnam-related events coming up

The Flathead Valley will take on the ghosts and stories of the Vietnam War as award-winning author Tim O’Brien will read his works and give a talk about his war experiences tonight (Thursday) at Flathead Valley Community College.

Junior varsity football team ends season with loss to Troy

With short week for the varsity, the Vikings sent a very limited number of players to Troy, which meant they had a froshmore team facing Troy's junior varsity.

Commissioners lack courage to pave North Fork Road

To the editor,

Judith Waterman

Judith A. Waterman, 68, passed away Oct. 11, 2010, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Hollis Swisher

Hollis Macon “Holly” Swisher died Oct. 13, 2010.

Dallas Nelson

Dallas J.C. Nelson, 66,died of a brain hemorrhage on Oct. 10, 2010, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Likes Holmquist

Water quality is an issue we are all concerned with in Flathead County, particularly here in Bigfork. What many Bigfork residents may not know is that Pam Holmquist has been an active steward on water-quality issues for decades. Pam’s business relies on the presence of clean water for recreation, and she has served on the Evergreen Water and Sewer Board for 15 years. When your livelihood relies on water quality, you have a vested interest in preserving it.

Likes Gallagher

Bill Gallagher has my strong support for the Montana Public Service Commission. You and I need his help working on the PSC to protect us and our Flathead Electric Cooperative.

Likes Hammerquist

Will Hammerquist is without a doubt the best candidate to represent the residents of House District 4 as a member of the Montana State Legislature.

Likes Skees

After hearing the House District 4 candidates take questions from the people in the audience, at a recent debate in Whitefish, a very different core philosophy began to emerge.

School nurse

I am writing this as a last-ditch effort to remind our community of the vital importance of having a school nurse, and we are about to lose ours. I come from a place of extreme frustration and despair. I have left messages with two of the less-supportive school board members, Mr. Charlie Abell and Mr. David Fern, who have not returned my calls.

School garden

The Whitefish Middle School and the Whitefish Lions Club would like to extend a thank you to all who participated and assisted in our Potato Harvest Service Project. On Wednesday Oct. 6, the seventh- and eighth-grade students and educators of Whitefish Middle School worked with the local Whitefish Lions Club to harvest the Farm-to-School garden.

Cheers for volunteers

Walter Sayre completed his education in his native state of Colorado before serving a four-year hitch in the Navy. He then accepted employment with Continental Airlines, and in 1977 was offered a promotion which required a move to the Flathead.

Councilor rebuts 'donut' opinion

John Phelps’ recent letter to the editor is a knee-slapper. Obviously, in Mr. Phelps’ mind, anyone who doesn’t agree with him is bought and controlled by, in his words, “a handful of wealthy doughnut residents.”

Make Montana the Treasure State again

State Rep. Mike Jopek, of Whitefish, recently wrote that Montana is a good place to be in business. So he says we should stay the course. Among his claims are that low wages and an idle workforce gives us a competitive advantage. It was pretty good rhetoric but, unfortunately, it doesn’t match the record.

New WHS wrestling coach ready to rumble

Ryan Boyle will be the new Whitefish High School head wrestling coach. Boyle, 28, in his third year as the school’s industrial technology teacher, was recently hired to replace Ryan Hoffman as coach.

Heartbreaker bounces 'Dogs from playoffs

Down-to-the-wire matches have characterized this Bulldog soccer season, and Saturday’s heartbreaking loss to Livingston followed suit.

Bulldogs look to improve size, strength

It was a ruthless way for the Bulldogs to end a tough football season.

Bulldogs sweep conference XC meet

The Bulldog boys cross-country team surprised favorite Columbia Falls to win the conference championship Saturday, while the Lady Bulldogs easily wrapped up their unprecedented fifth-straight division title. The divisional meet was held at the Cabinet View Country Club in Libby.

Lady 'Dogs edge Stevi

It was an atypical situation for a team that has tallied 50 goals this season.

Big Mountain posts record summer visits

Whitefish Mountain Resort recorded its busiest summer on record this year, and for the first time in history made a profit in July and August.

House District 4 race turns negative

To say the race for House District 4 this year has become mean-spirited and inflammatory may seem obvious to many, but there’s more to the story. Although their political beliefs are wide apart, both candidates say their opponent is hard-working and intelligent — and both blame people outside their campaigns for personal attack ads and campaign tricks that could be illegal.

Register to vote in the general election

Every vote counts. I know it firsthand because I won my first election for public office by only 46 votes.

Commissioners approve plan

The Flathead County commissioners unanimously approved a resolution of intent to adopt the revised Lakeside Neighborhood Plan on Thursday, nearly three years since work on the project began.

Vikings claim district title

A 43-24 victory over Troy on Friday night earned the Vikings football team the District 7B championship.

LETTER: Concerts of note

At this time of the year, politics consumes a great deal of our time and resources, but there are other events in this Valley worth noting. This past weekend (Oct. 9 and 10) many of us had the privilege of attending the season opening concert presented by the Glacier Symphony, under the direction of Maestro John Zoltek. It was an outstanding program!

Bigfork Steering Committee pulls back to annual meetings

Bigfork Steering Committee members decided to shrink back operations to only an annual meeting last week.

JV football team suffers loss in final game

With a short week for the varsity, the Vikings sent a very limited number of players to Troy, which meant they had a froshmore team facing Troy's junior varsity,

Woods Bay Grill smoulders

Julie Carlson thought she saw just a little bit of smoke coming from the Woods Bay Grill when she pulled up for work Oct. 12. When she got out of the car, she was certain — something was on fire.

Obituary: Louise Robinson

Louise Robinson died at her home Oct. 10, 2010.

Rollercoaster weekend for Bigfork

The Vikings celebrated senior night with a 43-24 victory over Troy on the football field Friday night.

Vals fall to Thompson Falls

The Valkyries volleyball team had the unexpected happen Thursday night in Thompson Falls — they lost.

LETTER: Don't ask, don't tell

Thank you for your thoughtful column on the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy that we have as law in our military today, George Ostrom.

New class puts students in the field

Pulling on waders and wandering through the wetlands of the Flathead Lake Waterfowl Production Area to count plants doesn’t sound like a typical class, but it’s normal for students in Bigfork High School’s new applied environmental science course.

Boys team ends season with losses

Having started the season with more players than ever in its 10-year history, a 1-10-1 season wasn’t exactly what the Bigfork boys soccer team had hoped for, but after losing 6-0 in Polson and 8-2 at Stillwater Christian School last week in the final two games of the season, it was the reality of the situation.

Girls soccer heads into playoffs

After a slow start to its season, the Bigfork girls soccer team has managed to finish out with a 3-5 record and earn the No. 3 seed for the Northern Division in the Class A playoffs.

No reason to start from scratch

Montana’s original 1889 state constitution had become increasingly out-dated and unworkable. The 1969 legislature referred the question of rewriting it to the people, and in 1970, by a nearly two-to-one majority, Montana voters agreed with the need for a constitutional convention.

Bulldogs fall short at Polson

Polson rolled over White fish in a 47-12 conference win on Friday, as the top-rated Pirates put up three touchdowns in the first quarter. They out scored the Bulldogs 33-0 in the first half alone.

Lady 'Dogs prep for playoffs

The Lady Bulldogs soccer team may have picked the opportune time to finally lose.

Spikers keep winning

After three conference games in three days, Whitefish’s volleyball squad has a much better idea of where it stands among the league’s best teams — and they like where they’re at.

Bulldogs get playoff momentum

The ‘Dogs tallied one more for the road.

Births

Senan Patrick Wagner

June Richter

June Rose (McGlothlin) Richter was born in Roundup on June 6, 1918, and passed away of natural causes on Oct. 5, 2010, at Whitefish Care and Rehabilitation in Whitefish.

Bonnie Quiram

Bonnie June (Mackaman) Quiram left her wheelchair behind and walked into Heaven on Oct. 1, 2010, at Heritage Place in Kalispell.

Stanley Hansen

Stanley G. Hansen, 88, died of complications from Alzheimer’s disease. on Sept. 29, 2010, at Whitefish Care and Rehabilitation Center.

Hammerquist is our man

As a 15-year fly-fishing guide and avid outdoorsman, I have seen some pristine natural wonders, many of which have been right here in this valley. Whitefish is unique. We have some of the state’s most well-preserved waters and majestic peaks right in our backyard.

Likes Skees

The purpose of this letter is to encourage voters to vote for Derek Skees for House District 4 on Nov. 2. I am extremely confident that Derek will listen to Whitefish voters and make honorable decisions that represent their viewpoints.

Lake park

I would like to commend Richard Hanners and the Whitefish Pilot for their in-depth article regarding the Flathead County access and park on the west side of Whitefish Lake.

Thanks for help

Thanks for help

School funding

It was something like this:

Tax re-appraisal is top issue

The Revenue and Transportation Interim Committee (RTIC) has the charter to recommend legislation to correct the deficiencies in the re-appraisal process and results of the 2008 reappraisal of residential, commercial and agriculture properties. The committee’s final report and recommendations for legislation are critical to the voters in the Nov. 2 election since candidates from both parties are listing property-tax reform as a priority; however, the report will not be released until after Nov. 19.

Cheers for volunteers

John Forsberg was born and raised in Kansas. Upon graduating from college in Topeka with degrees in chemistry and mathematics, plus a commission in the Navy, he entered into service. It was in the choir of a church in Coronado, Calif., that he met Jane, and it was in the same church that they were later married.

Rewriting state constitution could cost millions

Montana’s original 1889 state constitution had become increasingly out-dated and unworkable. The 1969 legislature referred the question of rewriting it to the people, and in 1970, by a nearly two-to-one majority, Montana voters agreed with the need for a constitutional convention.

Marshall Friedman

Flying with Marshall Friedman

“Let’s go find you a parachute.”

Council takes look at 'donut' agreement

Four members of the Whitefish City Council appeared ready to approve a new city-county agreement governing how the city’s two-mile planning and zoning “doughnut” area would function Oct. 4.

Hundreds of platted lots set to expire

With the recession running into its third year, dozens of developers could see hundreds of platted units in Whitefish expire next year. The result could be the loss of millions of dollars invested in design and engineering plans, unfinished projects leaving blight on the landscape, and the loss of property tax revenue and jobs as houses are not built on the platted lots.

Home and land sales improving over last year

Sales of homes and residential land in the Flathead appear to be recovering slightly after a dismal 2009, according to the recent market trends update report from Kelley Appraisal, in Kalispell. But some of that success could be attributed to dropping prices and more foreclosures.

Rollover injures three near Conrad

Three Whitefish residents, including city councilor Bill Kahle, were seriously injured when their pickup truck went off the road on Saturday, Oct. 9, and rolled several times, ejecting all three.

Hundreds of platted lots set to expire in 2011

Council considers ways to help developers weather the recession

With the recession running into its third year, dozens of developers could see hundreds of platted units in Whitefish expire next year. The result could be the loss of millions of dollars invested in design and engineering plans, unfinished projects leaving blight on the landscape, and the loss of property tax revenue and jobs as houses are not built on the platted lots.

Post 276, Ladies Auxiliary earn top award

Lion Mountain VFW Post 276 and Ladies Auxiliary recently returned from a national convention in Indianapolis with a national award in tow. The post was awarded the 2010 National Outstanding Community Service Award for tallying more service hours than any post in the nation — 49,000 in all.

The good, the bad and the ugly

This week we had the best and the worst of life on the North Fork. The best is really great and the worst is really horrid, so let’s talk about the best first.

Prairie wolves and wool shirts

Never really thought it could happen but it did: “Prairie wolf attacks near The Big Apple.”

Osborne crushes school record

Derrick Williams won the boys race and Jinise Osborne shattered the school record as both Columbia Falls cross country teams had stellar performances at the Whitefish Invitational last Saturday.

Kats blast Dogs, face Broncs in playoffs

The Columbia Falls girls soccer team will head into the playoffs with a ton of momentum following a defeat of rival Whitefish 3-1 last Saturday.

For Thompson, a work ethic breeds success

When Nate Thompson was in sixth grade he had a knee injury. After he recuperated from it, he wasn’t feeling very strong.

North Fork man burns neighbor's buildings

A North Fork man faces a charge of felony arson after he allegedly set a neighbor’s yurt and outhouse on fire.

Hunting season begins next Saturday

Hunters urged to check regulations carefully

This year’s general hunting season will see a host of changes, including a bucks-only take on whitetail deer for almost all hunters and a Saturday opener.

CFHS grad appears on Jeopardy!

“Who is Russ Porter?”

Courts open for play

The new tennis courts in Ben Williams Park in Lakeside are officially open to the public.

FOBF co-founder passes

The co-founder of the Friends of Bigfork Fire Department died Oct. 3.

Vikings fall to Eagles

It’s been four weeks since the Vikings football team has lost a game, but that streak ended Friday night in Fairfield as Bigfork fell 26-7.

Obituary: Robert W. Trainer

Robert (Bob) Warren Trainer, 71 of Bigfork died Oct. 3, 2010, after a brief illness.

Obituary: Reinhard L.E. Spies

Reinhard Ludwig Ernst Spies, 81, died Oct. 5, 2010, in Bigfork from heart failure.

Obituary: Ovedia H. Rishoff

Ovedia H. Rishoff

Obituary: Charles B. Gough

Charles “Chuck” Bryan Gough, 73, died Oct. 3, 2010, while traveling in Europe with his beloved wife Kay as they celebrated their 42nd wedding anniversary with a trip to Italy and Croatia.

Support Bill Gallagher

To the editor,

Vote Brenneman out

To the editor,

Too many cops

To the editor,

Two Bear Marathon 2010

Whitefish Pilot Staff

pep rally

Council votes in favor of zoning

The Lakeside Community Council unanimously recommended approval of an application to create a zoning district in the Lakeside Boulevard North area at its meeting last week.

Former Montessori building to become church

The big red building on North Somers Road is under new ownership.

Political campaigning once about respect

We have moved into October and the throes of this year’s political campaigns — the incessant television, radio, newspaper and Internet ads, the charges and countercharges, the doubt, anger and meanness. Some voters seem in the mood to “throw them all out” as if every incumbent is the enemy.

On and on: 'Dogs' streak goes to nine

Whitefish kept the pedal to the metal Tuesday and fended off the Libby Lady Loggers with a 9-3 conference win. The victory marked the Lady Bulldog’s ninth consecutive win and seventh in the league.

Down a player, Whitefish rallies against Loggers

Even one man down, White-fish wouldn’t say die.

'Dogs show defiance on homecoming

There is something very likable about the enduring spirit of this Bulldog football team. Sure, the end result of Friday’s game was the same. Libby rolled to a 38-25 win and added another notch to the ‘Dogs’ loss column. Yet, its doubtful anyone — fans, coaches and players alike — left the Dawg Pound that night with their head down.

Boys grab top spot in T-Falls XC meet

The Whitefish High School boys and girls cross country teams returned from the Thompson Falls Invitational with a better view of where they stand in the Northwestern Montana running scene.

Girls take 3rd, boys 5th at state golf tourney

The Whitefish High School girls golf team managed to capture third place at this year’s state tournament in Laurel. Kiley McConnell capped her excellent Lady Bulldog golf career with a fifth-place finish and rounds of 78-90 at the Laurel Country Club. She held a share of the lead after the first round but ran into some difficulty on day two.

Mary Gable

Mary E. Creon Gable passed away Sept 22, 2010, in Richland, Wash.

Recalling different U.S. politics

We have moved into October and the throes of this year’s political campaigns — the incessant television, radio, newspaper and Internet ads, the charges and countercharges, the doubt, anger and meanness. Some voters seem in the mood to “throw them all out” as if every incumbent is the enemy. Taking measure of this fairly recent kind of campaigning, which appeals to the worst in people, I have been remembering campaigns from a different time and place.

Likes Hammerquist

I am endorsing Will Hammerquist for Whitefish’s next state representative this election cycle.

Doing the same thing over

Hear ye, hear ye, citizens of the Flathead. There are level-headed, clear-thinking individuals among you who refuse to be influenced by the ominous prognostications of attention-seeking radio-show hosts and other political pundits who seem to think that this mid-term election will be problematic for progressive candidates.

Montessori thanks

The families, staff and board of directors at Children’s House Montessori School would like to thank the community for the amazing amount of support shown towards the development and construction of our outdoor classroom and garden. The outdoor classroom and garden will provide an opportunity for children to learn about nutrition through gardening, augment classroom studies with experiential learning, build a love of nature, and increase life skills while learning the responsibility involved in maintaining an outdoor area. 

Revisiting 'don't ask, don't tell'

Don’t ask, don’t tell,” is again a hot political issue.

Violet Arneson

Violet Arneson, 96, died of natural causes on Sept. 19, at the Aphrodite Assisted Living Home where she received six years of excellent and loving care.

Kats making it look easy, win three in a row

The Columbia Falls girls soccer team secured second place in the Northwest A conference after it beat Libby and Polson last week.

Candidate defends against attack ad

I have spent the last 10 months in House District 4. All the people there want to talk about is getting back to work. I will stay on message and be the public servant for these folks. With this service in mind, I must defend myself against a horrible ad run last week in the Flathead Beacon, a new weekly in the valley.

Doughnut self-rule

I am a resident of the “doughnut” area. Regulation without representation is at the heart of the long-standing doughnut controversy. The city-county doughnut committee has labored for several months to reshape the interlocal agreement between the city of Whitefish and Flathead County. Despite their prodigious efforts, I don’t think their current approved draft is sufficient.

Independent voice

I am running for House District 4 to be an independent voice for the Whitefish area. From day one, my campaign has not accepted and will not accept any contributions from third-party political action committees or special interests. I do not support or endorse any expenditure made by PACs or special interests in this election.

Cats win thriller in Polson

The Columbia Falls football team took first place in the Northwest A conference last Friday in one of the best regular season games in years. Runningback Nate Thompson and the Cats’ unheralded offensive line continue to have their way with opponents, as Thompson rushed for 266 yards on 37 carries in a 25-20 come-from-behind win against Polson.

Julie Singer

Julie Ann Singer, 47, of Olathe, Kan., lost a brave battle against cancer on Sept. 6, 2010, at the University of Kansas Medical Center.

Ben Adams

Retired U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Ben Leroy Adams, 81, passed away Sept. 25, 2010.

West Glacier could have broadband by 2011

If a possible deal between CenturyLink and Qwest goes through, the residents of West Glacier could finally have broadband service by the end of 2011.

Candidates square off in 2-hour forum

More than a hundred people crowded into the Whitefish City Council chambers on Sept. 30 to hear this year’s two House District 4 candidates speak at a forum hosted by the Whitefish Chamber of Commerce.

County says it won't pave North Fork Road

$125,000 study offers no conclusion

A recently completed study of improvements for the North Fork Road doesn’t embrace any one concept for fixing the dusty highway.

'Typo' delays donut vote

A “typo” that city councilor Bill Kahle characterized as an “oversight” delayed adoption of a new city-county agreement governing how the city’s two-mile planning and zoning “doughnut” area would function.

Trailer full of straw catches fire

Bigfork resident Les Potts was driving south on Montana Highway 35 just north of McCaffery Road on Friday morning when he suddenly noticed something abnormal behind him — the straw in the 30-foot trailer he was pulling had caught fire.

Donors aid library secession

As the deadline nears for termination notice to the county, two of the leaders of a local effort to secede from the Flathead County Library System have come forward with an offer that could help ensure the transition to an independent Whitefish public library is a success.

Break out the spoons for Tamarack Time!

Bigfork is preparing to celebrate the harvest with a literal smorgasbord this Saturday, Oct. 9, in the Village.

Obituary: Stanley G. Hansen

Stanley G. Hansen, 88, died on Sept. 29 at Whitefish Care and Rehabilitation Center from complications from Alzheimer’s Disease.

Log salvaging project moves forward

The Montana Land Board approved a plan by North Shore Development, LLC, in September to salvage logs that sunk during logging operations in the north part of Flathead Lake.

LETTER: Carefully weigh choices

Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Citizens of the Flathead. There are level-headed, clear-thinking individuals among you who refuse to be influenced by the ominous prognostications of attention-seeking radio show hosts and other political pundits who seem to think that this mid-term election will be problematic for progressive candidates.

A sound that you can live with

Fire Prevention Week will be Oct. 3 to 9. This year’s theme is “Beep Beep Beep... Smoke Alarms: A sound that you can live with.”

Learning on the job

CFHS grads return as student teachers School District 6

School District 6 welcomes a number of new teachers this year, and not the least among them are two student teachers, Andrea Faulkner and Ron Benton.

Foundation launches first winter season

The Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts will kick off its