Ellington

Glacier Park plows push past The Loop

Glacier National Park snow plows have advanced beyond The Loop on Going-to-the-Sun Road on the park’s west side.

Grant helps schools communicate ideas

At our Special Board Meeting last Monday, during which we discussed plans for next year’s block scheduling, someone remarked on the fact that Whitefish is a unique community — one which is receptive to new ideas and innovation.

Pilot calendar: spring gear swap May 3

The Parks and Recreation department will be holding its first

Bulldog tennis keeps rolling in Bitterroot

The Whitefish boys tennis team has put in a ton of time on the court in the last two weeks — and it shows.

Re-elected trio of incumbent trustees

In today’s political world where many people would like to fire all incumbents in Congress, I urge you to re-elect our three incumbents to the Whitefish School District Board on Tuesday, May 6.

Sign variance OK'd for business in 'doughnut'

A new native plant nursery on the outskirts of Whitefish has received the OK to install a sign along U.S. 93 South.

Planning board vacancies stymie meetings

The City-County Planning Board was unable to hear a pair of hot-button issues this month due to lack of a quorum.

PTA gives back to schools

On behalf of the Whitefish Parent Teacher Association Board, I am pleased to announce the PTA has awarded more than $22,000 this school year through its Wish List giving initiative.

Phil Mitchell for commissioner

I have known Phil Mitchell for 18 years and endorse him for Flathead County Commissioner.

Joseph V. Montalban

Joseph V. Montalban, of Cut Bank and Whitefish, passed away peacefully on Good Friday, April 18 in Kalispell after suffering a massive stroke.

Gary Wolfe

Gary Wolfe passed away April 22 at his residence in Whitefish.

Hospital patient threatens to 'take them all on'

On-street parking considered for Jennings, Geddes

Residents along Jennings, Geddes and Good avenues may soon have access to on-street parking.

Season Opener golf tourney on Saturday

This Saturday is the very popular Season Opener Tournament, which is played as a two-person net best-ball format. This is a great way to kick off your season with a fun format where both players share the scoring by whoever has the lowest net score on each hole.

FVCC trustee election

We are both incumbent members of the Flathead Valley Community College board of trustees, and we are running for re-election at the May 6 college election.

Lady Dogs take two wins

The Whitefish girls tennis team picked up a pair of key dual wins last week to continue their hot start to the season.

Keeping it clean in the Fish

It was cold and pouring rain Saturday morning — a perfect day to cancel everything and hunker down on the couch with a good movie.

Ski resorts plans Base Lodge renovation

Fresh off a record season for skier visits, Whitefish Mountain Resort is ready to pump some of its revenue back into capital improvements.

Gallery Nights kicks off 10th season

It was 10 years ago that a handful local gallery owners were brought together by a Whitefish Pilot advertising representative to discuss plans for a downtown gallery night.

American flag stolen from Navy veteran

An American flag topped with a bronze eagle went missing last week from Adam Alexander’s home on Geddes Avenue. He wants it returned.

First phase of 93 West rebuild wraps up

Leaning pillars on bridge stir comments

The first phase of the Highway 93 West reconstruction project is nearly complete. Concrete and landscaping work along West Second Street is scheduled to wrap up in a few weeks.

Obamacare a good first step

I had no idea that my family’s personal experience with the Affordable Health Care Act (Pilot, April 2) would elicit such a negative, mean-spirited response (Pilot, April 9)

School election: Meet candidate Marguerite Kaminski

In addition to raising her own children, Marguerite Kaminski has a strong background working with children, mostly in volunteer capacities. It’s that experience she hopes to use if elected to serve on the Whitefish School District Board.

Council to address sales on lake, zoning issues

Planning and zoning issues topped the list of annual goals Whitefish City Councilors set for this year.

Virginia (Ginger) Louise Stevenson

Virginia (Ginger) Louise Stevenson, 83, died April 15 in Whitefish at Whitefish Care and Rehabilitation Center.

Costain takes freeskiing title at Snowbird

Whitefish High School freshman Parkin Costain wrapped up his competitive ski season this month with a win a the IFSA finals at Snowbird, Utah. The victory solidified Costain’s position as the big mountain freeskiing series points leader for the 12-14 category.

School election: Meet candidate Shawn Watts

The Whitefish School District is going through a lot of changes and Shawn Watts would like to retain his seat on the school board to help facilitate those changes.

Boys tennis battle 'Biblical' winds at Cut Bank

The Whitefish boys tennis team traveled east last week to face some stiff competition and weather at the Cut Bank Invitational.

School election: Meet candidate Dave Fern

Dave Fern is seeking his eighth term on the Whitefish School District Board to continue giving back to the community.

School election: Meet candidate Heather Vrentas

Heather Vrentas is seeking a second term on the Whitefish School Board because she says there is still a lot to do to make sure students are receiving a good education.

Telemark racers make podium at Canadian championships

Whitefish Telemark ski racers competed April 5-6 in the 2014 Canadian National Telemark Ski Championships at Silver Star Mountain Resort in British Columbia. Three races over two days provided a fun and exciting event. 

'Doc' Kauffman treasured as a kind, colorful character

Colorful, opinionated and outspoken — longtime Whitefish physician David Kauffman was known simply as “Doc” around town.

Former housing authority director tapped to lead food bank

The former director of Whitefish’s Housing Authority has been tapped to lead the North Valley Food Bank as it takes on a new chapter in its history.

Juliette Louise Gauthier

Juliette Louise Gauthier, 100, died April 16 at The Springs at Whitefish.

Golf course in great shape

The Whitefish Lake Golf Course is now open on both the North and South sides with turf conditions in great early-spring condition.

Students score high marks a music festival

About 1,500 musicians participated in the District 1 Music Festival hosted by Flathead and Glacier high schools.

Boys take first at Frenchtown meet

The Whitefish boys track team cruised to a first-place finish Thursday at the Frenchtown Invitational.

Dogs fastpitch hangs with top-rated Pirates

Whitefish softball suffered another loss last week, falling 10-0 at Polson Yet, despite being shut out, Whitefish coach Carrie Lamb said the game signaled her team is on the track to playing competitive ball.

Expensive yard ornament missing

Girls tennis gain valuable experience at Cut Bank invite

The Whitefish girls tennis team left the Cut Bank Invitational last weekend with a new appreciation for the relatively calm weather found on their home turf.

David “Doc” Kauffman

David “Doc” Kauffman, 92, passed away on Monday April 14 at Whitefish Care and Rehab.

Pilot calendar: Clean the Fish is April 26

The annual

Slight bump to season pass prices next winter

Powder hounds eager for next winter can start saving — and paying — now for a 2014-15 season pass to Whitefish Mountain Resort.

City needs open space plan

I am sad and bewildered to see the property adjacent to City Beach clearcut of all the magnificent Douglas fir, larch and most everything else with bark and leaves that once grew there.

Our teachers deserve more respect

We live in the best country in the world and our First Amendment right gives us the freedom of speech.

Lodge seeks to expand marina, add boat slips

The Lodge at Whitefish Lake is seeking city approval to expand its marina to include 18 new boat slips and extend the marina farther out into Whitefish Lake.

Bulldogs dominate Cats in tennis opener

The Whitefish boys tennis team opened the season with an impressive 6-1 dual win over Columbia Falls on Thursday.

Lakefront condos planned for land west of City Beach

A triplex is set to be built on the lakefront lot just west of City Beach.

New block schedule to include 'flex' periods

Whitefish High School will have a hybrid block schedule involving a mix of standard and longer class periods next school year.

Keep Whitefish River open to motorboats

My family has lived on the Whitefish River for 14 years. Our property lies just south of the JP Road bridge and we are completely against the closure of the river to motorized traffic.

Strong support for plan to ban motors on river

A proposal to designate a section of the Whitefish River as a non-motorized corridor will go before the Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission with a strong backing from local residents.

Hard-working teachers appreciated

As two recently retired teachers with over 50 years combined experience in the Whitefish School District, we thought it only fair to respond to recent comments made by Trustee Shawn Tucker and the “love it or leave it” ultimatum to teachers from Richard Atkinson in the April 9 issue of the Pilot.

Girls tennis opens with dual win over Kats

The Lady Bulldogs pulled off an impressive 5-2 dual win over Columbia Falls on Thursday to open the tennis season on the right foot.

We are all in this together, aren't we?

When professionals, which some so blithely dismiss, express concerns on a private survey used for gathering information for negotiations, their thoughts have to be seriously considered. These teachers’ opinions were never intended as a personal affront to the students, parents and taxpayers of Whitefish School District 44. In fact, it appears to me to be quite the opposite.

New hotel on 93 strip given green light

A new 76-room hotel for the U.S. 93 strip has received the green light to begin construction this July.

Man searches for lost $100 bill

Montana wins 14U hockey national title

The Montana Thunderblades 14U hockey team returned from USA Hockey Tier II Youth National Championships last week in New Jersey with a national title in tow.

Support Mitchell for commissioner

I would like to take this opportunity to express my support for Phil Mitchell for County Commissioner.  I have known Phil for over 30 years and know him to be honest, hard working, and a man of moral integrity.  Phil will speak his mind and you will know where he stands.  Phil is not afraid to ask questions when necessary.

David 'Doc' Kauffman MD

David ‘Doc’ Kauffman MD, 92, passed away peacefully at Whitefish Care and Rehab on April 14. Dr. Kauffman is survived by his wife, Ruth Kauffman; sons, David Kauffman Jr., Stephen Kauffman; and daughters, Elizabeth Kauffman-Harmon and Rebecca Kauffman-Piotrowski.

Whitefish High School Talent Show 2014

Schools begin pilot testing

Whitefish students are beginning a round of performance testing.

Local family tied to Wrigley Field 100th anniversary

Lesley Quigg of Whitefish, along with her sons, Reid and Carl, will travel to Chicago on April 23 to attend the 100th anniversary of Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs Major League Baseball team.

Whitefish Portrait: Meet neighborhood mechanic Roger Fingar

Roger Fingar has been turning wrenches for as long as he can remember.

City prepared for emergency response

Since the Dec. 30 derailment of a BNSF Railway train carrying Bakken oil in Casselton, N.D., considerable attention has been drawn to the safety of the communities these shipments are passing through. As Bakken oil shipments pass through Whitefish on a daily basis, we would like to take this opportunity to report to you our preparations and priorities should we be faced with a hazardous materials release in our community.

Marcia Aronow

Marcia Aronow, 74 passed away April 13, 2014 at her home in Whitefish. She is survived by her spouse David Lobdell, children, Shawn Aronow, Dana Fehler and James Bartschi. A celebration of her life will be held at a later date. Austin Funeral Home is caring for the family.

Young men plead guilty to poaching charges

Two of the four young men from Columbia Falls charged with poaching 19 white-tailed deer near Whitefish in 2012 have pleaded guilty to reduced charges and were sentenced in Flathead County Justice Court.

Local company crafts natural cleaning products

As a single mom living in Whitefish, Laura Blankenship began cleaning houses to make a living, but when she became ill from the cleaning products she was using she started looking for a better way.

Glacier Park plows hit Red Rocks slide

Glacier National Park plow crews are now beyond the Avalanche Creek campground, working in the Red Rocks area on the Going-to-the-Sun Road.

William (Bill) Robert Repnak

William (Bill) Robert Repnak, 83, passed away at his home in Lakeside on April 8 from a degenerative heart condition. With the wonderful help of hospice, his family was able to care for him during his final days and were with him at his bedside when he peacefully passed away.

Libby to leave Northwestern A next year

The Northwestern A conference is down to just four schools after the Libby School Board voted this week to drop its sports programs to Class B next school year.

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Disgruntled teachers should leave district

I read the recent article (Pilot, April 2) about the teachers’ union survey.

Resort posts banner year for snow, skier visits

Smiles, goofy costumes and a few cold beverages ruled the slopes Sunday as Whitefish Mountain Resort capped one of its best ski seasons in the last decade. From snorkle-deep powder days to record-breaking skier visits, the 2013-14 winter will go down as one to remember.

2nd Street housing project revived

A proposal to create a subdivision along East Second Street has returned with a new design that calls for less than half the number of housing units originally proposed.

UPS Store allowed to stay at new location

The UPS Store is allowed to stay at its new location.

$100 bills blowing in the wind

Crews begin plowing Glacier Park roads

The surest sign of spring in Glacier National Park isn’t the long sweet note of the varied thrush or the call of swans sweeping over the Continental Divide — it’s the rumble of diesels and the screech of steel digging into a winter’s worth of snow.

Building tall with wood

If we are serious about tackling climate change, then the solution may be found in building the city of tomorrow to look more like the city of yesterday. As glass and steel towers continue to rise, wood skyscrapers are likely to start sprouting alongside. Multi-story and high-rise wood buildings are already planned or rising in Europe and Canada. They are architecturally distinct, and they are made of the original green building material.

Roots on Rails music train to make Whitefish tour stop

Concert to benefit North Valley Music School

A special one-night concert featuring traveling musicians on a railroad tour along with local performers will benefit the North Valley Music School.

Feds say oil trains should have two-man crews

(AP) — Federal regulators say they will propose requiring at least two crew members on trains transporting crude oil, as well as regulations aimed preventing parked train cars from coming loose and causing an accident.

New swim team self-supported

We would like to thank all involved in bringing to fruition the high school swimming program to Whitefish and Columbia Falls, especially Coach Mike Nelson and Courtney Babcock for all their legwork.  

High court to hear 'doughnut' arguments

Whitefish residents will have a rare opportunity to hear oral arguments in the “doughnut” lawsuit when the Montana Supreme Court holds a session on Friday at the University of Montana in Missoula.

Theater will knock your socks off

It’s Saturday evening and I just spent several hours at a fantastic stage play. The Whitefish Theatre Company’s production of “Other Dessert Cities” knocked my socks off this evening.

U.S. House candidate Lewis talks jobs, energy and health care

Having lived on both sides of the Continental Divide, John Lewis says he brings a unique perspective to his campaign for Montana’s lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Mitchell known for common sense

We were pleased to learn that Phil Mitchell would be running for Commissioner of Flathead County.

In poor taste to celebrate Obamacare

This letter is in response to retired Columbia Falls school teacher Phil Lewis’ letter in the Whitefish Pilot (April 2) titled “Praise for Obamacare.”

Small rate hike on FEC electric bills

Flathead Electric Cooperative customers will see a small increase in their monthly electrical bills as the Co-op continues to incrementally adjust rates in response to higher wholesale power costs.

Lady Bulldog tennis has youthful spirit

The Lady Bulldog tennis team is ripe with youthful talent — even if a bit short on veteran experience.

Timber sale near Polebridge moves forward

A proposed state timber sale south of Polebridge is moving forward.

North Fork bill blocked in Senate

The North Fork Watershed Protection Act failed to gain passage through the Senate on April 3 after it was held up by an objection from Republican senators.

Tracks teams lace up for new season

As winter begrudgingly gives way to spring, the high school track is clear of snow and Whitefish’s fastest athletes have already laced up their cleats for another run at a state title.

Praise for Obamacare

My wife and I have signed up through the Affordable Healthcare Act for our health insurance since December. I am a retired high school teacher from School District No. 6 in Columbia Falls. We had been members of their health insurance plan for the past 29 years.

District OKs offer on sale of Independent school

The Whitefish Independent High School building has been sold to an undisclosed buyer.

Longtime resident reflects on journey to Whitefish

When Janet Collins thinks back on how she came to Whitefish in the mid-60s, she says it was a bit of an adventure.

Whitefish graduation rate steadily improving

Whitefish High School’s graduation rate last year was higher than the statewide average, but the school’s not stopping there when it comes to getting students to earn their diploma.

Teachers and district strike three-year deal

After more than a year of negotiations, the Whitefish School District and teachers union have finally settled on a collective bargaining agreement.

Lieser: The job is not finished

I have decided to run for a second term in the Montana House of Representatives.

Former councilor supports Mitchell

I am a conservative who served with Phil Mitchell on the Whitefish City Council. I know Phil well, which is why I am enthusiastic that he is running for Flathead County Commissioner.  

Christmas decoration a neighborhood nuisance

Cat-Dog joint swim team approved

The Whitefish and Columbia Falls school district boards have both approved creating a joint swim team for their two high schools.

School board election gains fourth candidate

Four candidates have filed to run for three seats on the Whitefish School District Board.

Former coach pleads not guilty to arson charge

A Whitefish man has pleaded not guilty to felony arson after allegedly trying to burn down his girlfriend’s Whitefish home.

Zinke campaign linked to Whitefish billionaire

Republican U.S. House candidate Ryan Zinke, of Whitefish, has raised nearly $448,000 from individuals and political action committees through Dec. 31 — more than any other U.S. House candidate in Montana.

Hotel project gets OK from planning board

A planned 76-room hotel along the U.S. 93 South strip in Whitefish passed its first hurdle.

Commitment to community at schools

Upon learning about the more than $1 million in initial donations for the newly announced Whitefish High School Performing Arts and Technology programs, the short response from everyone in the district was, simply, “Wow!” That, however, is not a proper “thank you.”

Returning seniors lead boys tennis

A trio of returning seniors will lead the boys tennis team this season as the Bulldogs look to put some pressure on the defending state champs in Polson.

Stamp collectors share pastime with students

Stamp collectors are as varied as the small, colorful pieces of paper they collect.