Stories for January 2015

January 29, 2015 7:15 a.m.

Avalanche conditions force Hellroaring Basin closure

January 27, 2015 10 p.m.

Alternative energy plant lost in fire

An experimental alternative energy plant on the F.H. Stoltze Land & Lumber Co. mill site was a total loss after an early morning fire on Saturday, Jan. 24.

January 27, 2015 10 p.m.

Disappointed in rail jam denial

I read the article about the proposed rail jam (Jan. 21 Pilot) with considerable disappointment. This event, put forth by three well known and respected businesses of our community — Great Northern Brewery, Whitefish Mountain Resort, and Malmquist Construction — sounds like an excellent addition to the Winter Carnival lineup, and is a great example of what makes Whitefish such a wonderful and unique town.

January 27, 2015 9:30 p.m.

Police calls: Cars towed from ski joring

January 27, 2015 9:30 p.m.

Local man pleads no contest to felony arson

A Whitefish man has pleaded no contest to felony arson after allegedly trying to burn down his ex-girlfriend’s Whitefish home.

January 27, 2015 9:15 p.m.

Bierstube deck demolished due to structural concerns

Après-ski at Whitefish Mountain Resort will be a bit less sunny this season after the deck of a popular bar was demolished due to safety concerns.

January 27, 2015 9 p.m.

Girls rally too late in loss to Polson

A desperate fourth-quarter rally wasn’t enough to lift the Whitefish girls basketball team in a 45-36 loss to Polson on Saturday.

January 27, 2015 9 p.m.

Bestselling author spreads anti-bullying message

New York Times bestselling author Jay Asher says he doesn’t like sad books. Yet, it’s his young adult novel about bullying and suicide that has resonated deeply with schools across the country.

January 27, 2015 9 p.m.

Middle weights power Dogs at Class A Duals

A strong performance from the middle weights was the difference for Whitefish at the Class A duals in Belgrade. The Dogs topped Hamilton, Lewistown, Anaconda and Belgrade to take four of its six duals on the weekend.

January 27, 2015 9 p.m.

Agreement reached in dispute over apartment complex

Neighbors of a proposed apartment complex on U.S. 93 South have reached an agreement with the developers over a disputed zone change.

January 27, 2015 9 p.m.

93 West plan up for final review

A new land-use plan for the Highway 93 West corridor in Whitefish continues to be met with mixed reviews as it heads to City Council.

January 27, 2015 9 p.m.

Towed from ski joring

I would like to say how disappointed I am with Whitefish for towing vehicles from the ski joring event Sunday. The normal parking was too muddy therefore spectators had to improvise with parking. This is an event that brings people to Whitefish where they spend money, which helps local businesses. To have cars towed from a road that is not that busy on a Sunday afternoon is not very accommodating. In my mind that was a crappy thing to do.

January 27, 2015 9 p.m.

Pick up after your dogs

My dog and I just got back from Round Meadows, where we had to ski through a disgusting buildup of poop and pee near the trailhead. In fact, I lost count after burying at least 15 frozen piles in the snow.

January 27, 2015 9 p.m.

Campus Views: Waking up to new ideas

This past week I was invited to Seattle University to try my luck at competing for a scholarship. During this opportunity I was asked to write an impromptu essay on the question “How has America benefited from climate change and how should Americans sacrifice in order to lessen the impacts of climate change?”

January 27, 2015 9 p.m.

Gene Geno Jensen

Gene “Geno” Jensen passed away Jan.14, 2015 in Whitefish.

January 27, 2015 9 p.m.

Nonprofit provides a voice for Whitefish Lake

Whitefish Lake Institute is not unlike its namesake in that the scientists at the institute are always working, but that work isn’t always seen immediately.

January 27, 2015 9 p.m.

WHS speech takes second at divisional

In its best finish of the season, Whitefish speech and debate earned second place at the Northwest Class A divisional tournament last weekend in Libby.

January 27, 2015 9 p.m.

WTC presents 'Letters to Sala'

As part of the Black Curtain Theatre series, the Whitefish Theatre Company presents “Letters To Sala” on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 at 7:30 p.m. at the O’Shaughnessy Center in Whitefish.

January 27, 2015 9 p.m.

Martel wins contract to build new City Hall

Martel Construction has been selected as the general contractor for the construction of a new City Hall and parking structure in Whitefish.

January 27, 2015 1:45 p.m.

Open invitation for new VFW members

The VFW is looking to grow its ranks. If you are a veteran who served in a combat area, Korea over 30 days, or on an Expeditionary Force, or Nuclear Submarines you are eligible to join the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. Help us to continue to help veterans.

January 26, 2015 11 p.m.

Dogs grind out win over Polson

The Whitefish boys basketball team took four charging calls in the final period of a gritty Northwest A victory over Polson on Saturday.

January 23, 2015 9 p.m.

Plans denied for Iron Horse 'welcome center'

If it looks like a guard shack, it probably is a guard shack.

Plans for a “welcome center” at the entrance to the Iron Horse neighborhood in Whitefish were turned down last week by the City Planning Board.

January 22, 2015 9 p.m.

Whitefish hotels acquired by global hospitality company

Company owns TD Garden in Boston

Two Whitefish hotels have been purchased by a global hospitality company based in New York.

January 20, 2015 9:45 p.m.

Dogs pin Frenchtown for dual win

Four pins helped lift Whitefish wrestling to a Northwest A dual win over Frenchtown on Thursday.

January 20, 2015 9:30 p.m.

Whitefish dominates Red Lodge GS races

The Whitefish Mountain Race Team swept the podium in the U14 boys giant slalom races for a strong showing at Red Lodge.

January 20, 2015 9:30 p.m.

Uphill restrictions tightened at Whitefish Mountain Resort

Flathead National Forest has strengthened its special order regarding uphill travel at Whitefish Mountain Resort.

January 20, 2015 9:15 p.m.

Guilty verdict in sexual assault trial

Following four hours of deliberation Friday night, a 12-member jury convicted Bruce Allen Frey of three counts of felony sexual assault for long-term molestation of three young girls.

January 20, 2015 9 p.m.

Towne Printer moving headquarters to Kalispell

After 40 years in Whitefish, The Towne Printer will shift its headquarters to Kalispell starting Feb. 1.

January 20, 2015 9 p.m.

Robert Bob Mason O'Neil

Robert “Bob” Mason O’Neil, of Whitefish, passed away on Jan. 14, 2015, one week shy of his 81st birthday.

January 20, 2015 9 p.m.

Dogs look to rebound after rivalry blowout

A tough week for the Whitefish boys basketball team was accentuated in a blowout loss at rival Columbia Falls.

January 20, 2015 9 p.m.

WHS club spreads message of respect

A group of Whitefish High School students on a mission to teach respect for one another recently took their message to Whitefish Middle School.

January 20, 2015 9 p.m.

Speech team fourth at Missoula

Whitefish’s speech and debate team grabbed fourth place at the Loyola invitational meet last weekend in Missoula.

January 20, 2015 9 p.m.

Whitefish Lake rolled into county regulations

The Flathead County commissioners last week weighed in on recommendations for Whitefish area zoning and lakeshore regulations, bringing the process of establishing county control in those areas a step closer to completion.

January 20, 2015 9 p.m.

Whitefish Whiteout race results

Whitefish Whiteout ski mountaineering race results from Saturday, Jan. 18 at Whitefish Mountain Resort,

January 20, 2015 9 p.m.

Planning board OK's downtown hotel

City Council to review project Feb. 2

Plans for a new hotel in downtown Whitefish will go before City Council next month with a recommendation of approval from the City Planning Board.

January 20, 2015 9 p.m.

Albert F. Hull

Albert F. Hull, 91, passed away Sunday in Whitefish from complications from a broken leg, just three days after his and wife Vivian’s 69th wedding anniversary. His final days were spent at home comforted by his family and hospice.

January 20, 2015 9 p.m.

Lady Dogs clawed by Kats

The Whitefish girls basketball team couldn’t keep pace with the hot shooting Wildkats in a 72-23 loss at Columbia Falls on Saturday.

January 20, 2015 9 p.m.

Police calls: Two moose block traffic

Whitefish Police calls from Jan. 12-18:

January 20, 2015 9 p.m.

Protecting lakeshore loses to politics

In 1974, a heinous act in Whitefish Lake’s Lazy Bay caused a group of Whitefish Lake homeowners to take action. The result was Montana State Statute: 75-7-201 thru 217, and in July of 1975, Montana’s first community adopted lakeshore regulations went into effect on Whitefish Lake.

January 20, 2015 9 p.m.

City should support NDO

We have followed with great interest the development of the Whitefish City Council’s community values resolution. We applaud the courage of city councilors to take a stand. We very much support this important work.

January 20, 2015 9 p.m.

Robert Merlin Cavanaugh

Robert Merlin Cavanaugh, 87, passed away on Sunday Jan. 18, 2015 at The Springs in Whitefish. Robert is survived by his wife, Doris Cavanaugh; and children, Mary Cavanaugh of Portland, Ore., and Patty Akovenko of Prescott, Ariz. No services are scheduled at this time. Arrangements entrusted to Austin Funeral Home.

January 17, 2015 10 p.m.

City denies permit for Carnival rail jam

For the second consecutive year, Whitefish city officials have denied Great Northern Brewing Company a special permit to hold an event during Winter Carnival.

January 16, 2015 1:40 p.m.

Robert "Bob" Mason O'Neil

Robert "Bob" Mason O'Neil of Whitefish passed away on Jan. 14, one week shy of his 81st birthday.

January 15, 2015 9 p.m.

Flu outbreak forces hospitals to restrict visitors

North Valley Hospital in Whitefish is imposing restrictions on visitors to the hospital because of a number of influenza cases in the Flathead Valley.

January 14, 2015 9 p.m.

Police calls: Big brown thing on the lake

January 14, 2015 9 p.m.

Walter Sayre

Walter Sayre was born in Cortez, Colo. on April 23, 1937. He graduated from high school in Durango, Colo. and joined the Navy immediately after, spending two years in Italy with NATO on attaché duty.

January 14, 2015 9 p.m.

Debra Weatherston

Debra “Debbie” Weatherston was granted her angel wings on Dec. 21, 2014.

January 14, 2015 9 p.m.

Larry Bruce Wingate

Larry Bruce Wingate died of an extended illness Dec. 29 in Fallon, Nev. at the age of 62. His loving wife, Pam, was his primary care provider for several years and she cared for him with great love and dedication.

January 14, 2015 9 p.m.

Streibich leads Dogs past Lions

Whitefish senior Jack Streibich exploded for 27 points to lead the boys basketball team to a non-conference win at Eureka last week.

January 14, 2015 9 p.m.

Champman and Kirkpatrick engaged

Sid and Brenda Chapman, of Columbia Falls, are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Amanda Lynn Chapman, to Kevin Robert Kirkpatrick, the son of Robert Kirkpatrick and Eleanor Kirkpatrick, of Moses Lake, Wash.

January 14, 2015 9 p.m.

New sled dog race planned

A new sled dog race is planned near Olney for Feb. 28 to March 1.

January 14, 2015 9 p.m.

Lady Dogs drop two at home

The Whitefish girls basketball team dropped a pair of close non-conference contests last week despite solid scoring efforts.

January 14, 2015 9 p.m.

Ticket sales dip at WHS sporting events

The Whitefish School District spent more money than it took in hosting athletic events last year.

January 14, 2015 9 p.m.

Volleyball, softball coaches resign

Whitefish High School has two coaching vacancies to fill after the head volleyball coach and head softball coach resigned this winter.

January 14, 2015 7:24 a.m.

Edwin Tienhaara

Edwin Tienhaara passed on to his eternal home on Dec. 30, 2014. Edwin was born Feb. 16, 1922 in Phelps, Wisc., to Gust and Sannah Tienhaara. Edwin was the second youngest of 10 siblings.

January 14, 2015 12:30 a.m.

Lady Dogs impress at swim meet

A strong day in the pool from Sarah Perez and Sonja Ring led the Whitefish girls swim team to a sixth place finish at the Kalispell Invite on Saturday.

January 14, 2015 12:30 a.m.

Empire Builder celebrates return to regular schedule

Amtrak’s Empire Builder was greeted with excitement Tuesday morning as the train returned to its regular schedule.

January 13, 2015 9:30 p.m.

Castren, Garcia tops at Glacier Glide

Glacier Glide Nordic ski race results.

January 13, 2015 9 p.m.

Building business booming in Whitefish

New homes are going up in Whitefish at a pace not seen in nearly a decade.

January 13, 2015 9 p.m.

Commission studies local government

A three person panel is studying Whitefish’s government with the goal of making recommendations about potential changes to how the city operates.

January 13, 2015 9 p.m.

Council favors square city hall design

Whitefish City Council is leaning toward a more traditional look for the new City Hall building.

January 13, 2015 9 p.m.

Speech takes fourth at Bigfork

Whitefish’s speech and debate team took fourth in sweepstakes points at the Bigfork invitational last weekend.

January 13, 2015 1:56 p.m.

Student serves as U.S. Senate page

Kate Ehrenberg has a broad range of pursuits — she enjoys music and theater, she likes writing, is passionate about the environment and also has a strong interest in politics.

January 9, 2015 9 p.m.

Visits to Whitefish Lake state parks dip slightly in 2014

State parks in Montana were busier than ever last year with 2.25 million visitors recorded in 2014.

January 8, 2015 9 p.m.

Police investigate rash of burglaries in Whitefish

Whitefish Police have a few leads in a recent rash of burglaries in Whitefish, but no arrests have been made.

January 8, 2015 9 p.m.

Teens charged with armed robbery in meth deal

Four teenagers were arrested and charged with armed robbery on Jan. 7 after allegedly taking money from an undercover Northwest Montana Drug Task Force Agent.

January 6, 2015 10 p.m.

Buzzer-beater sinks Dogs on the road

The Whitefish boys basketball team suffered a pair of losses last week, no thanks to a cold shooting night and a half-court buzzer-beater.

January 6, 2015 9:45 p.m.

State and local tourism strong in 2014

Preliminary numbers show 2014 was another strong year for tourism in the Treasure State and Whitefish.

January 6, 2015 9 p.m.

Groups push Whitefish for non-discrimination law

A pair of Montana human rights groups are encouraging Whitefish to pass a law that protects residents and visitors from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

January 6, 2015 9 p.m.

Campus Views: New Year's resolution to live a grand life

“We are what we eat.” Many New Year’s resolutions will buzz around what healthy food choices we can offer our bodies. We are, in fact, what we think as well.

January 6, 2015 9 p.m.

Whitefish Municipal Court records

Kaylub Michael Burns, 19, Kalispell, no insurance, second offense, $410.

January 6, 2015 9 p.m.

Tuttle and Campbell engaged

Sharon Tuttle, of Whitefish, is happy to announce the engagement of her daughter, Elizabeth Tuttle, to Preston Campbell. The bride-elect graduated in 1998 from Whitefish High School, and in 2009 from the University of Montana with degrees in criminal justice and psychology. Her fiance graduated from Big Sky High School in Missoula in 1995. They are both living and working in the Seattle area. The wedding is planned for June 13, 2015 beachside on Maui, Hawaii.

January 6, 2015 9 p.m.