Ellington

Whitefish ski resort records busiest day ever

Local powderhounds turned out in hordes Sunday to ski knee-deep cold smoke blanketing the slopes at Whitefish Mountain Resort.

Concerns about hotel

We have grave concerns about the boutique hotel being proposed for Block 46 in downtown Whitefish.

Top sports moments of 2014

A look back at the top sports moments from 2014.

Remembering the year that was

It’s the end of another year, marking another chance for the media to overwhelm you with an onslaught of “year in review” digests.

Jazz legend DeFranco dies at 91

Renowned jazz clarinetist Buddy DeFranco, who lived part time in Whitefish for two decades, died on Christmas Eve at age 91.

Avalanche beacon checkers installed at ski resort

Avalanche beacon check stations have been installed at three popular backcountry access points at Whitefish Mountain Resort.

Car break-ins reported on Central Ave.

Geneva Louise Manicke Webster

Geneva Louise Manicke Webster, 73, died in Kalispell on Dec. 13, 2014, of natural causes, with her family at her side.

Donald F. Kervin, Jr.

Donald F. Kervin, Jr., “Bumps,” died peacefully on Oct. 12, 2014 in Kalispell, surrounded by loved ones. Cause of death was lung cancer.

Empire Builder gets back on schedule

Amtrak’s Empire Builder passenger train service will soon be back on its normal schedule with more convenient arrival and departure times in Whitefish.

Avalanche danger elevated in Whitefish mountains

The mountains around Whitefish continue to be plagued with dangerous avalanche conditions after a series of potent winter storms dumped multiple feet of snow in the higher terrain.

Seventh Street residents sound off on rebuild

West Seventh Street residents came out in droves to a recent meeting to chime in on the future landscape of their neighborhood as a massive road reconstruction project looms.

Decision on new hotel pushed back

A number of questions about a new hotel planned for downtown Whitefish surfaced last week after the City Planning Board took an initial look at the project.

County board makes doughnut recommendations

After months of discussion and public workshops, the Flathead County Planning Board has finally decided on its recommendations for planning and zoning, and lakeshore regulations in the former Whitefish “doughnut” area.

Black bear treed near City Beach

2015 football schedule released

Five of Whitefish’s nine football games next season will come against teams that made the 2014 playoffs.

Groups celebrate North Fork Act

In 2006, then Glacier National Park Superintendent Mick Holm went to Canada to meet with British Petroleum officials, who were considering coal bed methane gas development in the Flathead.

Unprecedented land management

Ten years ago, the Whitefish community was faced with the challenge to meet the requirements of a 10-year obligation to the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation to develop alternative revenue streams for the 13,000 acres of school trust land surrounding Whitefish.

HGTV show to air Whitefish episode

A new Montana house hunting series on HGTV will feature Whitefish in an upcoming episode.

Bowerman, Quimby take titles at Buzz Lucey

Whitefish wrestling returned from the Buzz Lucey Invitational in Eureka on Saturday with a pair of individual champions.

Council to review downtown 24-hour fitness center

A 24-hour fitness center planned for downtown Whitefish has been given a recommendation of approval from the City Planning Board.

Flathead adds 1,574 jobs in past year

Flathead County has added 1,574 jobs over the past year, according to a Montana Department of Labor report that ranks the unemployment rates of Montana’s counties.

Changes make recycling more viable

Starting in January 2015, Flathead residents will need to adapt to significant changes in the county recycling program. These changes will mean fewer drop-off sites for recycling, but will also result in bigger savings.

WHS senior nominated for military academies

Whitefish High School senior Michael Voisin has been nominated to apply for the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and U.S. Naval Academy.

Grizzlies baseball names managers

The Glacier Grizzlies of the newly formed Mount Rainier Professional Baseball League put another piece of the puzzle into place as Grizzlies general manager Bob Lockman named Mike Goss field manager for the inaugural 2015 season on Thursday.

Senators can carry on Mansfield legacy

While Jeb Bush’s testing of the waters on Dec. 16 has taken up most of the political news, I was more interested in Sen. Lindsey Graham’s announcement of a similar interest in the Presidency on the same day.

Lady Dogs cool off against Libby

The Whitefish girls basketball team couldn’t find its shooting touch in a lopsided conference loss to Libby on Friday at home.

Big Dawg Club has mission to teach respect

Thank you for all the positive feedback toward my previous column regarding reasons to stop saying the word retard. For those who are wondering what Whitefish is doing in response, here is an update on what the incredible student body of Whitefish High School is up to.

Geneva Webster

Geneva Webster, 73, passed away on Saturday Dec. 13. Geneva is survived by her children, Loren H. Webster, Kenneth J. Webster, Kathryn J. King, Milton W. Webster, Karen Webster Copeland, and Peggy C. Hertlein.

Grouse neighborhood enters gate lawsuit

A homeowners association that doesn’t want gated roads in a neighboring subdivision has filed to intervene in a lawsuit against the city of Whitefish.

Dogs' fast pace wears down Libby

AJ Wetsch dropped 24 points as Whitefish fended off the hot-shooting Libby Loggers on Friday night to score its first conference win of the season.

Whitefish woman dies in rollover accident

A 27-year-old Whitefish mother died Friday night in a single-vehicle rollover on Hodgson Road.

Nothing collaborative about forest plan

Bob Brown, the ultimate politician and mentor to Michael Jamison, and Michael Jamison, a serious politician wannabe, have successfully co-authored an article on multiple newspaper opinion pages that must be answered.

First Amendment not our nation's moral code

The amount of recent turmoil in our community regarding Richard Spencer and the National Policy Institute is a measure of both the seriousness and the complexity of the issue. It is also representative of a fundamental breakdown of communication so basic that while one party cries “foul” the other hears an apology. I call Shenanigans!

Voisin suffers season-ending injury at Dew Tour

Whitefish competitive freeskier Maggie Voisin will spend the remainder of this winter on the sideline after suffering a season-ending knee injury at a Dew Tour slopestyle event Dec. 13 in Breckenridge, Colo.

Community radio station broadcasts from Whitefish

Eric Waier first found an interest in community radio on a lonely highway through Wyoming. He was driving to Jackson Hole late at night flipping through radio stations when he tuned into KHOL.

Whitefish Municipal Court records

Lady Dogs ride hoops winning streak

It’s been a long time since the Lady Dogs have gone on a winning streak. Since the 2009 season, in fact.

Whitefish wrestling pins Libby

Whitefish wrestling scored its first dual win of the season last week with a gutsy performance against Libby.

Whitefish conservation vision renewed

A vision to preserve public lands around Whitefish that began more than a decade ago is now being realized as the nonprofit spearheading the cause has reached a benchmark in the long-term goal of protecting 13,000 acres of state land.

Police calls: Group claims they were drugged downtown

Greenhouse campaign hits halfway mark

Seventy-six days and counting.

Speech team fifth at Kalispell

The Whitefish speech and debate team had a few competitors place last weekend at the Kalispell tournament.

Legislatures debate forest control

A packed house turned out Thursday night in Kalispell to listen to state Sen. Jennifer Fielder and state Rep. Ed Lieser discuss the pros and cons of Montana possibly taking control of federally owned lands within the state’s borders.

24-hour fitness center looks to move downtown

A 24-hour fitness center could soon open in downtown Whitefish.

New pro baseball team eyes Whitefish

An upstart professional baseball league has reached a tentative agreement to bring a franchise to Whitefish next spring.

Muldown earns grant for computer programming

Reading, writing, arithmetic — and computer programming.

Dogs go 2-0 at Tip-Off Tourney

Defensive intensity opened up the offense as Whitefish’s boys basketball team went 2-0 at the annual Tip-Off Tournament last weekend in Missoula.

Christmas Stroll schedule of events

Friends and neighbors will meet at the annual Whitefish Christmas Stroll on Friday, Dec.12 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. on Central Avenue.

Propane explosion shakes Whitefish

A crew of construction workers were thanking their lucky stars Thursday morning after a large propane explosion shook Whitefish awake, but amazingly left no injuries and minimal damage in its wake.

Whitefish land use decisions delayed

Two major land use recommendations for areas outside of Whitefish have been delayed another week.

Local partnerships provide powerful solutions

We’re a strange pair of fishing buddies, the retired Republican lawmaker and the environmentalist, but we sure do enjoy each other’s company.

Whitefish helicopter ban draws scrutiny

Whitefish’s ban on private helicopters landing or taking off inside residential neighborhoods drew scrutiny last week when City Council approved the second reading of an ordinance on the matter.

Campus Views: Students sound off on holiday chaos

With the Thanksgiving leftovers finally starting to fade from our fridges, we can all heave a sigh of relief for making it through the first round of the holiday season with only minor bumps and bruises.

Nate Chute Foundation makes donation to schools

The NC Foundation has donated $3,000 to support the Whitefish School District’s Student Assistance Program.

Whitefish goes green for new City Hall

Whitefish has decided to follow energy efficiency guidelines in the construction of a new City Hall building.

Lady Dogs hang with Bravettes

The Lady Bulldogs took to the hardwood Friday with an air of confidence and an attitude that this basketball season will be different.

Wailers take local hockey tourney

The Whitefish Wailers rallied from two goals down to win the Whitefish Womens Tournament elite division ice hockey championship Saturday at the Stumptown Ice Den.

$20k challenge grant for Glacier group

A foundation has stepped up to offer a $20,000 matching challenge for the Glacier National Park Conservancy’s fundraising campaign.

WTC presents 'The King and I'

The Whitefish Theatre Company presents the family classic “The King and I” as their holiday show at the O’Shaughnessy Center in Whitefish. This renowned musical continues on Dec. 12, 13, 19 and 20 at 7:30 p.m. and on Dec. 14 and 21 at 4 p.m.

Former Lady Dog signs with Carroll volleyball

Former Whitefish Lady Bulldog Emily Sullivan has signed to play volleyball at Carroll College.

Swim team competes in first meet

The Whitefish swim team took to the pool for its inaugural meet Saturday at the Kalispell Invitational and emerged with some promising results.

Crittenden named to academic team

University of Montana defensive end Derek Crittenden has been named to the 2014 Capital One Academic All-America team.

Bulldog store founded on student collaboration

Whitefish High School Bulldog fans have a new place to shop to show off their school pride.

Whitefish speech earns fourth at Corvallis

Whitefish speech and debate finished fourth among Class A schools at the Corvallis Invite last weekend.

Volunteers keep packs full of healthy options

A program designed to meet the needs of at-risk children in Whitefish by providing healthy snacks on the weekends and school breaks is busier than ever.

Olson earns Coach of Year honors

Whitefish girls golf coach Tim Olson has been named Coach of the year by the Montana Coaches Association.

Not here, not ever

Love Lives Here, which is affiliated with the Montana Human Rights Network, is to be congratulated for taking a strong stance against the poisonous views of the National Policy Institute, whose nondescript name camouflages its white supremacist agenda. This controversy has the potential to catalyze some healthy conversation about the scourge of racism and what we can do about it. But rather than address the issue directly, some commentators have misinterpreted the issue as a question of First Amendment rights. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Wolverines face off with Butte at home

The Whitefish Wolverines are preparing for a busy run up to the holidays on the ice. It begins with a two game series against rival Butte Cobras Dec. 12 and 13 at the Stumptown Ice Den.

Ski resort employee seriously injured in accident

A night janitor at Whitefish Mountain Resort was seriously injured the evening of Dec. 9 while working at the Summit House.

$250,000 grant lifts O'Shaughnessy remodel

Whitefish Theatre Company has received a $250,000 grant to help upgrade the O’Shaughnessy Center. The grant comes from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust and is a one-to-one challenge grant contingent on solicitation of matching funds.

Dogs run out of gas against Flathead

Whitefish held its own in a physical battle with Flathead on Friday in the season-opener for both teams, but ultimately fizzled at the end.

Grouse Mountain Estates sues city over gate ban

A homeowners association is challenging the city of Whitefish over a recent decision to stiffen the city’s ban of gated communities.

Coffee roast brews dollars for snack program

The first student dashes through the door at Whitefish Foursquare Church just seconds after the final bell at the middle school across the street. Another two follow just moments later.

Upscale hotel proposed for downtown Whitefish

Design plans for an upscale “mountain modern” hotel in downtown Whitefish have emerged as the project goes up for public review this month.

City OKs new distillery on Baker

A new microdistillery and tasting room proposed to open in a vacant warehouse on Baker Avenue has received the go-ahead from Whitefish City Council.

Man on mission to walk perimeter of U.S.

Sometimes Randy Montgomery has to take it one day at a time, or 100 yards at a time, or even one step at a time.

Whitefish racks up All-State football honors

Seven Bulldogs have been selected for the Class A All-State football team, the most of any team in Class A.

Let's embody love, compassion for all

The soloist sang a plaintive song of longing and hope on the first Sunday of the season of Advent.

Bike path, expanded retail highlight plan update

Proposed updates to Whitefish’s Downtown Master Plan range from expanding retail shopping to a total reconfiguration of Spokane Avenue with a protected bike path.

Snow slick roads wreak havoc

Campus Views: What lies at the heart of the holiday?

With the Thanksgiving leftovers finally starting to fade from our fridges, we can all heave a sigh of relief for making it through the first round of the holiday season with only minor bumps and bruises.

Storm levels trees, knocks out power

A winter storm packed with heavy snow and wind blasted the north Flathead Valley Friday night, leaving many without power and causing damage in Glacier National Park.

Council takes stand in support of diversity

Whitefish City Council took a stance in support of diversity in the community while still protecting First Amendment rights to free speech Monday when it unanimously approved a non-discrimination resolution.

Defending free expression

At Monday’s City Council meeting, I endorsed a resolution that recognizes vital “community values” in Whitefish: these include celebrating the “dignity, diversity, and inclusion of all of its inhabitants and visitors” and safeguarding their “rights of free speech, freedom of assembly, and freedom from discrimination.”

Strellnauer and Hyer engaged

Scott and Patty Strellnauer, together with Gary and Jill Hyer, all of Whitefish, announce the engagement of their children, Rebecca Jane Strellnauer and Jack Benjamin Hyer.

WTC auditions for 'Letters to Sala' on Dec. 15

The Whitefish Theatre Co. is holding auditions for the Black Curtain Theatre production of “Letters To Sala” on Dec.15 at the O’Shaughnessy Center.

Sheffels retires as county superintendent

After nine years as Flathead County Superintendent and 47 years altogether in education, Marcia Sheffels, 69, is finally retiring.

Seniors ready to lead wrestling team

The Whitefish wrestling team is expecting to be right in the mix this season with a solid group of seniors leading the way.

Backyard rentals not the answer

A new county proposal to allow backyard rental units, or accessory dwelling units as the county calls them, in many zones throughout the county is not the answer to the county’s affordable housing needs.

Deer harvest ahead of last season

Deer harvest in northwest Montana wrapped up Sunday slightly higher than last season.

Christmas tree permits available at Army-Navy in Whitefish

Christmas tree permits from the Flathead National Forest are now available for $5 at the Forest Service offices in Kalispell, Hungry Horse and Bigfork.

Girls basketball deep with athletic guards

The Lady Bulldog basketball team looks as promising as it has in years with depth on the roster, athleticism — and the ability to put the ball in the basket.

Class A sports shift to two divisions

Most state Class A sports will have a different look next season, dropping from four divisions to two.

Wilma Arlene Wagner Search

Wilma Arlene Wagner Search went home to be with her savior on Nov. 26 after a short but difficult battle with cancer.

Trip of opportunity for WIHS student

Emerson Whitford flew on an airplane, rode on public transportation and visited a large city, all for the first time last month when she earned a trip to Washington, D.C.