Stories for July 2014

July 31, 2014 11 p.m.

Festival Amadeus opens Sunday with free concert

The Festival Amadeus classical music event in Whitefish has been expanded this summer to offer eight nights of chamber and orchestra concerts.

July 31, 2014 8:39 a.m.

William Purdy Klink II

“Bill” William Purdy Klink II, was born in Orange, Calif., on Aug. 24, 1959. He passed away in his home in Whitefish July 20. A memorial service is being planned.

July 31, 2014 2 a.m.

Fire north of Whitefish Lake contained

Fire danger rated 'high'

Crews have contained a small wildfire north of Whitefish Lake ignited by a dry thunderstorm Tuesday evening.

July 31, 2014 1:30 a.m.

Forest refutes road caused Sullivan slump

A Flathead National Forest investigation of a slump near Sullivan Creek concludes it was not caused by an adjacent road.

July 30, 2014 10:45 p.m.

Council mulls over Growth Policy changes

Whitefish City Council is taking its time with the biennial review of the city’s 2007 Growth Policy following the recent Montana Supreme Court decision that gave Flathead County jurisdiction of Whitefish’s planning doughnut.

July 30, 2014 10:30 p.m.

Cyclist killed in crash identified

A 69-year-old part-time resident of Whitefish died Sunday after a bicycle crash on Big Mountain Road.

July 30, 2014 10:30 p.m.

Schudule shifted for 93 West road work

Beginning this week, road work on the Highway 93 West reconstruction project will start at 6 a.m. and end at 10 p.m.

July 30, 2014 10:30 p.m.

Whitefish encouraged to provide more pedestrian-friendly areas

National walking advocate Mark Fenton stood before an audience of about 120 people last week at the O’Shaughnessy Center. He asked the room, made up of city leaders from around Flathead Valley, to think back to their childhood and recall their earliest recollection of physical activity.

July 30, 2014 10:30 p.m.

2014 Best of Whitefish results

July 30, 2014 10:15 p.m.

Texas man shoots bear in Glacier Park

Two incidents last weekend in Glacier National Park left one hiker and one bear injured, with a trail closed down and under investigation.

July 30, 2014 10:15 p.m.

Wife's odd behavior blamed on suspicous substance

July 30, 2014 10 p.m.

WLGC championship expanded

This year’s club championship, Aug. 16-17, is being expanded with great prizes and opportunities to win for all players. While a true club champion will be crowned in several categories from junior to the new “super senior” division, there will also be extra benefits for everyone. Every entry will be given a great collection of tee prizes from our corporate sponsors.

July 30, 2014 10 p.m.

Transfer of federal lands unreasonable

For those interested in the management of natural resources on National Forests and the ability to access those wild and wide open areas, there is an opportunity to ensure you will be able to continue to enjoy and benefit from these activities.

July 30, 2014 10 p.m.

Ryan Rottenbiller

Ryan Rottenbiller of Whitefish passed away July 26 in Billings.

July 30, 2014 10 p.m.

Local businesses chip in to benefit Glacier Park

On Aug. 2, businesses participating in One Day for Glacier will donate a portion of their profit to Glacier National Park.

July 30, 2014 7:58 a.m.

Twins headed to state tourney

The Glacier Twins are headed for the state American Legion ‘A’ baseball tournament in Lewistown after beating the Bitterroot Bucs in the consolation final 8-1 of the Western A District tournament July 26 in Kalispell.

July 25, 2014 10 p.m.

Rail trip highlights 911 Foundation

Traveling east out of Whitefish along the route of the Great Northern Railway, train travelers view the rapids of the Middle Fork Flathead River and the rising peaks of Glacier Park.

July 24, 2014 10 p.m.

Environmental group blames landslide on logging road

The Swan View Coalition and Friends of the Wild Swan recently reported their discovery of a large landslide in the Flathead National Forest that fell into Sullivan Creek.

July 23, 2014 11 p.m.

Bear euthanized after charging picnickers

A black bear was euthanized July 18 after it charged a family having a picnic in the Two Medicine area of Glacier Park.

July 23, 2014 10 p.m.

Two Bear Kids Marathon kicks off

The energy was palpable at the Whitefish High School track last week as children zipped around, yelling and waving their arms, while training for the kids version of the Two Bear Marathon.

July 22, 2014 11 p.m.

Glacier visitors spent $179 million last year

A new National Park Service report shows that 2.2 million visitors to Glacier National Park last year spent nearly $179 million in communities near the park.

July 22, 2014 10:15 p.m.

Twins head to districts on upswing

The Glacier Twins are peaking at just the right time. Glacier knocked off rival Kalispell A three times last week to set a positive tone heading into the District Tournament.

July 22, 2014 10:15 p.m.

GOP candidates hold most personal wealth

Recently released financial disclosure forms indicate that Republican candidates in Montana’s Congressional races have the most personal wealth.

July 22, 2014 10:15 p.m.

Hospital honors Heckathorn with spirit award

North Valley Hospital has named longtime community supporter Jake Heckathorn as its Planetree Spirit of Community award winner.

July 22, 2014 10 p.m.

Patricia A. Morris

Patricia A. Morris, 71, passed away at her home in Whitefish on Sunday July 20.

July 22, 2014 10 p.m.

Mountain West Bank to close Whitefish branch

The Mountain West Bank branch in Whitefish will close its doors this fall.

July 22, 2014 10 p.m.

Suspicious odor on Baker Avenue

July 22, 2014 3:56 p.m.

Marian T. Franze

Marian T. Franze, 89, passed away July 9 with family and friends by her side.

July 22, 2014 3:55 p.m.

Helen Gustafson

Helen Gustafson died peacefully in Whitefish July 17 with her family by her side. She was one month shy of her 80th birthday and her 56th wedding anniversary.

July 22, 2014 3:35 p.m.

Keep downtown safe and clean

This letter is to address concerns my family and friends have about the streets in downtown Whitefish.

July 22, 2014 3:19 p.m.

Implications of doughnut decision loom

With Flathead County set to resume jurisdiction of the planning doughnut, Whitefish has been left scrambling to maintain some input in how the land directly outside its city limits is managed.

July 22, 2014 3:15 p.m.

Boat inspection efforts ramped up at City Beach

Boaters using the City Beach boat ramp this summer must undergo an Aquatic Invasive Species inspection of their craft before launching into Whitefish Lake.

July 21, 2014 2:28 p.m.

Big bats lift 12U All-Stars at state tourney

The Whitefish 12U All-Stars snagged second place in the Cal Ripken Baseball state tournament last weekend to earn an invite to the Pacific Northwest district tourney.

July 16, 2014 11:30 p.m.

Home construction hot, sales cool off

New construction in Whitefish is heating up with summer.

July 16, 2014 10:45 p.m.

Montana Co-op eyes Whitefish for expansion

The Montana Co-op has set its sights set on Whitefish.

July 16, 2014 10:45 p.m.

Whitefish has new taxi service

Every drive is a new drive.

July 16, 2014 10:15 p.m.

No vote on planned Haugen Heights subdivision

No decision has been made on the future of a new subdivision planned on the west side of Whitefish after it was discovered the project might include lots for townhouses or condos.

July 16, 2014 10:15 p.m.

Closed campus for WHS sophomores

There will be a change for how some Whitefish High School students spend their lunch period next school year.

July 16, 2014 10:15 p.m.

Comment period extended on river proposal

The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission has extended the comment period until Aug. 8 for its proposal to amend boating rules on a section of the Whitefish River.

July 16, 2014 10 p.m.

High school demolition begins this week

Demolition of the old Whitefish High School building began this week.

July 16, 2014 10 p.m.

New fireworks law brings a peaceful Fourth

I am very pleased with the Whitefish City Council’s new ordinance regarding fireworks. This is the first year in my memory that there were limited days of legal use.

July 16, 2014 10 p.m.

Board approves new basketball coach

The Whitefish School Board July 8 accepted the resignation of one boys basketball coach and hired a replacement with two unanimous votes.

July 16, 2014 10 p.m.

Developers, neighbors clash over Big Mountain subdivision

The future of a long-proposed subdivision on Big Mountain remains in the balance as developers and neighbors continue to sort out their differences.

July 16, 2014 10 p.m.

Architect gathers input on new City Hall design

What does staff, city council and the public want and need in a new City Hall? That’s the question Mosaic Architecture is attempting to answer for the city of Whitefish.

July 16, 2014 10 p.m.

Zinke makes campaign stop in Kalispell

Republican U.S. House candidate Ryan Zinke made a campaign stop Friday in Kalispell to speak on the issues he feels strongly about.

July 16, 2014 10 p.m.

Drunk paddleboarders call for taxi

July 16, 2014 10 p.m.

Margret May Rock Rupp

Margret May Rock Rupp, 77, passed away June 27 at North Valley Hospital with family by her side.

July 16, 2014 2 a.m.

City responds to 'doughnut' decision

July 16, 2014 1 a.m.

Boy, family OK after separate river rescues in Glacier Park

Glacier National Park Rangers responded to two water rescue incidents July 15.

July 15, 2014 10 p.m.

Mall lands deal to bring in Shopko

A Shopko Hometown store will soon occupy a large chunk of the Mountain Mall’s retail space.

July 14, 2014 10 p.m.

Whitefish runners beat heat at Missoula Marathon

A strong contingent of local runners beat the heat to finish a grueling Missoula Marathon on Sunday.

July 14, 2014 10 p.m.

Twins take third at Sapa Johnsrud tourney

The Glacier Twins snapped a mid-season skid with a pair of big wins at the 30th annual Sapa Johnsrud Memorial Tournament.

July 13, 2014 10 p.m.

Woman drowns after being swept over Glacier Park waterfall

A Washington state woman has died after being swept over a 30-foot waterfall in Glacier National Park.

July 8, 2014 10:45 p.m.

Hundreds to attend WHS All Class Reunion

Hundreds of Whitefish High School graduates have signed up for the All Class Reunion set for Aug. 1-3.

July 8, 2014 10:30 p.m.

Pilot subscribers now have unlimited online access

Subscribers to the print edition of the Whitefish Pilot now have unlimited access to the Pilot online and the revamped e-Edition.

July 8, 2014 10:30 p.m.

Plan details railroad oil spill response

BNSF Railway has drafted a plan for dealing with oil spills from railroad tanker cars in Northwest Montana, it was reported during a meeting of the Great Northern Environmental Stewardship Area group in Whitefish last week.

July 8, 2014 10:30 p.m.

Texas Avenue residents rally for sidewalks

Residents along Texas Avenue are rallying to bring sidewalks to the rural Whitefish street.

July 8, 2014 10:30 p.m.

Whitefish hoops coach resigns

New coach expected to be hired this week

Whitefish High School’s new boys basketball coach is on the way out before he even coaches a single game.

July 8, 2014 10:15 p.m.