Ellington

Whitefish considers emergency fireworks ban

Private fireworks displays in Whitefish may be banned this Fourth of July depending on the outcome of a special city council meeting tomorrow morning.

Leave fireworks out of your Fourth celebrations

Dear neighbor, my name is Casey Malmquist and my wife Natalie and I are your neighbors. While we may not have had the pleasure to meet, we look forward to having the opportunity to do so. You have been good neighbors so far and I look forward to a positive ongoing relationship with you and your family.  

Teen injured in rollover on Big Mountain

A teenager was seriously injured in a rollover accident the evening of June 23 on a Forest Service road on Big Mountain.

Restoration wizard, 93, brings rebuilt boat home

For Hollister Pond, completely restoring a 19-foot Chris-Craft utility boat is just another day in the shop.

Whitefish police ramp up Fourth patrols

There are more fatalities on Montana highways in July than in any other month, with Fourth of July being one of the most deadly holidays of the year.

Vehicle break-ins reported across town

Lack of candidates for city elections

Unless some candidates step forward soon, Whitefish’s city elections could be a humdrum affair this fall.

A toll for Glacier's Sun Road?

A toll to drive the Sun Road? Perhaps.

Council elected to make decisions

Recent letters in opposition to the plans for the new City Hall in Whitefish allege that the majority of taxpayers oppose it. That may or may not be the case but the only people I know who oppose it are the authors of the letters and a small group who share their views.

Weekend heat wave has fire crews on edge

Already dry conditions in Western Montana are poised to get even crispier this weekend as a surge of record hot weather pushes into the region.

City Hall, parking budget pushes $15 million

The budget has been stretched for the construction of a new Whitefish City Hall and parking structure in order to include items deemed to be too important to cut from the project.

Smelly! Neighbors say proposed site for new cemetery stinks

Neighbors of the city’s wastewater treatment plant don’t want to see a new city cemetery located in their backyard.

Petition against City Hall expected mid-July

A group is moving forward with its pursuit of a ballot initiative to put the City Hall project up to a public vote.

Pizzeria adds second location in Kalispell

There’s another new restaurant in Kalispell’s Blue Cow neighborhood.

Spend more time appreciating life

Like so many before me, I visited Whitefish/Big Mountain in 1998 and purchased a second home on the mountain. I have been getting the Pilot delivered to my Texas home ever since.

Debate swells over City Hall project as council marches forward

Constructing a new City Hall has been a topic of discussion in Whitefish for more than a dozen years. Three years ago, city council decided on a location, and two years ago it decided to build an attached parking structure. Still, a vibrant public debate continues on whether these decisions are correct.

Speculation and misinformation on City Hall

In recent weeks, there has been much speculation and misinformation being distributed around town regarding the costs and how the construction of the new City Hall and parking structure scheduled to begin in September will be paid for.

Chicago flight back on for next winter

United Airline’s direct flight from Glacier Park International Airport to Chicago will stay on for at least one more winter.

Local teen joins group cycling across U.S. to benefit veterans

There have been plenty of flat tires, missed turns, falls, mechanical issues, cold mornings, sizzling days and even a few rounds of vomiting on the side of a highway.

Barbara S. Scholz

Barbara S. Scholz, 77, passed away peacefully June 12, 2015 in Whitefish.

Cooler-raiding black bear killed

Wildlife officials killed a black bear last week after it got into an unattended cooler of food at a campsite on the Hungry Horse Reservoir.

10 reasons to support City Hall, parking project

Top 10 reasons to move forward with the current City Hall/parking project plans:

U10 All-Stars win Father's Day tourney

The Whitefish U10 All-Stars bucked recent history on Sunday win its home Father’s Day Tournament at Smith Fields.

Whitefish Lake unusually warm for mid-June

Beach-goers might be enjoying the unusually warm water of Whitefish Lake this June, but the early spike in temperature could have big impacts on aquatic life.

Historic Whitefish church being renovated

One of Whitefish’s historic landmarks is getting a facelift.

Zinke to donate funds from white supremacist

(AP) U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke of Montana is among a group of Republicans who received donations from the leader of a white supremacist group cited by Charleston church murder suspect Dylann Roof.

Fire ignites on train engine pulling empty oil cars

The lead engine of an eastbound freight train caught fire Sunday afternoon near Columbia Falls but the fire was contained without injury or widespread damage.

Gratitude for Orozco's leadership

As Dr. Kate Orozco leaves District No. 44, we celebrate the legacy of initiatives she has fostered, designed to build a collaborative culture, centered on effective and innovative teaching and learning that improves student outcomes.

Shirley Ann (Finfrock ) Elam

Shirley passed away Dec. 20, 2014 peacefully with her granddaughter Kristen House by her side. She is now with her lord.  

Pilot named Montana's best weekly newspaper

The Whitefish Pilot has earned the Thomas Dimsdale Award, recognizing it as the best weekly newspaper in Montana among all circulation sizes.

City eyes new tennis courts, playground equipment

A number of Whitefish city parks are going to be a flurry of activity this summer as upgrades are made to aging and deteriorating facilities.

Budget talks focus on police, streets

Whitefish continues to sort through the details of its proposed $65.9 million city budget for fiscal year 2016.

Whitefish man sentenced in felony arson case

A 35-year-old Whitefish man has been sentenced to five years in the Department of Corrections for trying to burn down his ex-girlfriend’s home in 2013.

Police calls: What to do with a rescued fawn?

Group wants public vote on City Hall project

A group of Whitefish residents are seeking to establish a law that would require a public vote before the city can move forward with building a new City Hall and parking structure.

Trans-global cyclist stops in Whitefish

London to New Zealand to Alaska to the tip of South America. That’s the convoluted route Adam Glover has chosen for his multi-year quest to bicycle around the world.

Fitzgerald appointed to council

Sarah Fitzgerald was selected Monday to fill a vacancy on the Whitefish City Council.

Teen drafts initiative to allow teachers to carry guns

“The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun.”

Microdistillery planned for Wisconsin Avenue

A new microdistillery planned for Whitefish continues to search for a home and now has its sights set on Wisconsin Avenue.

Four candidates vie for council vacancy

Four candidates are vying to fill a vacancy on the Whitefish City Council.

Whitefish man sentenced for attempting to burn down ex's house

A 35-year-old Whitefish man has been sentenced to five years in the Department of Corrections for trying to burn down his ex-girlfriend’s home in 2013.

Green jackets at stake in Bulldog Open

Both the U.S. Open and the Bulldog Open are being played this week in the Pacific Northwest. If, per chance, you did not qualify for the U.S. Open, don’t be discouraged because you can still qualify for the prestigious Bulldog Open at Whitefish Lake Golf Club on Sunday, June 21.

Whitefish Mountain Resort plans pass-holder appreciation day

Whitefish Mountain Resort is showing gratitude for its thousands of winter season-pass holders with a day of free summer activities on the mountain.

Utah man drowns while surfing the North Fork

A 30-year-old Park City, Utah man drowned June 8 while attempting to surf a rapid on the North Fork of the Flathead River near Polebridge.

Zone change on Whitefish farmland questioned

A neighborhood campaign is underway to stop a zone change for 62 acres of farmland near Whitefish.

Police calls: Rash of break-ins on Somers

City launches 'Buy Local' campaign

A new campaign in Whitefish aims to promote shopping locally, while explaining the city’s resort tax — specifically how an increase in the tax is going toward a conservation easement for Haskill Basin.

It's not too late to be heard

It isn’t too late for residents of Whitefish to make their voice heard. Whether you own or rent your taxes (rental payment) are going up, way up!

Time to address City Hall, parking structure

I’m writing in response to some of the negative chatter associated with the proposed Whitefish City Hall/parking structure construction.

WHS celebrates class of 2015

Angst, tears, but mostly smiles filled the Whitefish High School gym Saturday afternoon at the school’s 101st commencement ceremony.

Principal: 'Find your grit' graduates

Superintendent Orozco, members of the School Board, parents, grandparents, relatives, friends, WHS alumni, members of this great community and class of 2015, welcome to Whitefish High School’s 101st commencement ceremony.

Great Fish fundraising challenge begins

The new grant program from the Whitefish Community Foundation kicked off this week with 32 eligible nonprofits participating.

Suspense novel centers on Glacier Park

Most crime novels take place in the shadows of skyscrapers where seasoned detectives follow a trail of blood through the dark alleyways of New York City, London or Paris.

Building a better Whitefish

It was with great interest that I read two articles in this past week’s Pilot — Pat LaTourelle with her “Is Whitefish losing its soul?” and Grace Kurtz with her “Grateful for Whitefish.” It was great to hear the old and the new express their individual views of this incredible village.

City Hall defines core of community

After 10 years of careful planning, community input, and public review it was reassuring to read in the paper from Mayor John Muhlfeld that “the horse has left the barn.”

2nd Street subdivision shifts street location

A new street layout has been OK’d for a planned subdivision along East Second Street.

Twins buzz Lakers, Loggers

The Glacier Twins A picked up a pair of wins last week.

Ardith A. Bunner

Ardith A. Bunner, 95, passed away at her home in Whitefish on Friday, May 29, 2015, with her son Ron by her side.

Critics of City Hall project speak out

Condensation from a leaky ceiling air conditioner in the council chambers of City Hall steadily dripped into a waste basket last week as a contingent of residents voiced their opposition to plans for constructing a new City Hall.

Theodore (Ted) Tveidt

Theodore Tveidt passed away June 1 at Kalispell Regional Hospital surrounded by his family.

WHS senior finds her niche in business club

Haley Delagnes was looking for her niche when she entered high school, so she started joining clubs and volunteering her time.

Robert "Bob" Gilliland

Robert "Bob" Gilliland, 73, passed away Tuesday, June 2, 2015 at his home in Grand Praire, Texas surrounded by family. Bob had spent the last few years of his life fighting a dual diagnosis of ALS and Pick's disease. 

15 city streets to be repaved this summer

Whitefish plans to tackle three years worth of street overlays this summer.

Five finalists for city public works director

The search for a new Whitefish Public Works Director has been narrowed to five candidates and the public will get the opportunity to meet them at a June 10 event.

Whitefish hires new girls hoops coach

The reigning coach of the year in Class C girls basketball has been hired to lead the Lady Bulldogs next season.

Whitefish student ballot proposal would allow teachers to carry guns

Theodore (Ted) Tveidt

Theodore Tveidt passed away June 1 at Kalispell Regional Hospital surrounded by his family.

Twins blast Bucs to snap skid

The Glacier Twins A squad snapped a seven-game losing streak, downing the Bitterroot Bucs in a doubleheader Sunday in Whitefish 4-1, 2-1.

City sued over plan to annex Houston Drive

Eighteen property owners along Whitefish Lake in the Houston Drive neighborhood are asking Flathead County District Court to decide if their properties can be annexed into the city.

Council takes on round 1 of budget talks

Whitefish City Council last week began its examination of the city budget that includes a potential increase in property taxes.

Ex-officer and city reach settlement

A former Whitefish police officer has reached a settlement agreement with the city of Whitefish in a dispute over his dismissal from the department in 2013.

Police calls: Searching for nightcrawlers

Martinson and Lester engaged

Marissa Lester and Matt Martinson, together with their parents Tom and MaryAnn Lester, of Rockford, Ill, and Heidi Lester of Mount Morris, Ill., and Jim and Jayne Martinson, of Whitefish, are happy to announce their engagement.

Man who punched police chief sentenced

The man who punched the Whitefish police chief in the nose on Halloween night last year will serve time behind bars.

New bus service connects Whitefish to Glacier Park

A new bus service connecting Whitefish to Glacier National Park is set to begin this summer.

Is Whitefish losing its soul?

My husband and I left the town where we met because it had lost its character and heart.

Ardith Bunner

Ardith Bunner, 95, passed away on Friday, May 29, 2015 at her home in Whitefish. Ardith is survived by her children, Ron Bunner, Nadine Bentley, and Patricia Kay.

Greta M. Hale

Greta M. Hale, 77, passed away on Sunday, May 31, 2015 in Columbia Falls.

Sandra Lee McDonald

After a brave and graceful battle with cancer, Sandra Lee McDonald died on May 22, 2015 in Whitefish at the age of 57, surrounded by her loved ones.

WHS to graduate 113 seniors Saturday

The commencement ceremony for the Whitefish High School class of 2015 will take place Saturday, June 6 at 1 p.m. at the high school gym.

Campus views: Grateful for Whitefish

I don’t know if it is possible for me to count the reasons why I love Whitefish.

Flathead Lacrosse U15 wins state title

U13 team takes second place

The Flathead Lacrosse U15 team rallied to defeat a feisty Helena club 10-6 to win the state championship last weekend in Billings.

Cats edge Whitefish in Smoker

The Columbia Falls team edged the Whitefish team 6-4 in the Glacier Twins annual Cat-Dog Smoker on Monday night.

WHS senior thrives under jazz spotlight

Stan Getz, Chick Corea and Charlie Parker. It’s these jazz legends that inspire Rmi Strauser to put in the hours sharpening a craft that demands a complicated mix of technical perfection and abstract creativity.

Glacier Outlaws baseball season in jeopardy

The Glacier Outlaws, Whitefish’s new minor league baseball team, is on the precipice of folding less than two weeks into the inaugural season.

Recycling expanded at Whitefish locations

More recyclable materials are now being accepted at Whitefish drop-off locations.