Stories for March 2015

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Tuesday, March 31

March 31, 2015 11:30 p.m.

Boys clobber Cats in tennis season opener

The young and talented Bulldog tennis team opened the season Thursday with a commanding 7-0 victory at Columbia Falls.

March 31, 2015 11 p.m.

Whitefish ski season weathers the rain

You know it’s been a rough ski season when snow reporters are touting the benefits rain.

March 31, 2015 11 p.m.

Vote 'NO' on resort tax increase

The City of Whitefish undertakes ambitious projects. Besides the new City Hall which has come under fire as a “Taj Mahal” in the making, there is now a rushed mail-in ballot in April for a proposal to increase the resort tax from 2 percent to 3 percent to fund or help fund the purchase of a conservation easement in Haskill Basin.

March 31, 2015 11 p.m.

Public invited to chime in on superintendent search

The Whitefish School District is holding a public input meeting as it searches for a new superintendent.

March 31, 2015 11 p.m.

Shopko on pace for September opening

Renovation work is well underway at the Mountain Mall as crews make space for a new Shopko Hometown store that is expected to open sometime in September.

Whitefish water rights could serve double current population
March 31, 2015 11 p.m.

Whitefish water rights could serve double current population

Whitefish has received updated water rights allowances for its municipal water system that would allow it to serve roughly double the current population of the city.

March 31, 2015 11 p.m.

Three candidates enter trustee election

Three candidates are running for two open trustee seats on the Whitefish School Board.

March 31, 2015 10:45 p.m.

Rolling coal and crowdfunding

I remember when teens would drag race their souped up cars on the quarter mile markers up the North Fork Road or on Aluminum Drive toward CFAC. Most of the cars were Ford Mustangs, Dodge Chargers, or Chevy Camaros.

March 31, 2015 10:45 p.m.

Police calls: $14k pillow case heist

March 31, 2015 10:45 p.m.

Whitefish Municipal Court log for March

Andrew Raymond Wallway, 27, Whitefish, no insurance, second offense, $410; no registration, $50.

March 31, 2015 10:30 p.m.

Track teams reload with speed

Whitefish enters the 2015 track and field season with as much depth as it’s had in years.

March 31, 2015 10:30 p.m.

Campus Views: Teaching kindness

Kind words from a fourth grader: “You are extraordinary. You are patient, kind and a good friend.”

March 31, 2015 10:15 p.m.

Dogs earn Northwest A hoops honors

Bulldog basketball had three players named to the Northwest A All-Conference team.

Joan Delores Gardner
March 31, 2015 10 p.m.

Joan Delores Gardner

Joan Delores Gardner, 85, passed away on Friday, March 27, 2015 at North Valley Hospital in Whitefish.

March 31, 2015 10 p.m.

Plows dig in on Glacier's Sun Road

Plows will dig into Glacier Park’s ice and snow covered Going-to-the-Sun Road beginning today, April 1.

March 31, 2015 10 p.m.

Whitefish Community Foundation accepting grant applications

Whitefish Community Foundation is now accepting grant applications for the 2015 Community Grant Program.

March 31, 2015 10 p.m.

Whitefish swimmers earn academic honors

Seven Whitefish athletes have earned Academic All-State honors from the Montana Coaches Association.

March 31, 2015 10 p.m.

Probation violations put former Whitefish man behind bars

A former Whitefish resident who assaulted a man with a Pabst Blue Ribbon beer bottle is now behind bars for violating the conditions of his parole.

March 31, 2015 10 p.m.

Dunnigan recovering from illness

Whitefish musician John Dunnigan fell ill earlier this year with a severe case of acute pancreatitis. Family, friends and fans from around the country have been doing their best to offer support during Dunnigan’s run with this serious health condition.

Forest projects aim to keep fire out of watersheds
March 31, 2015 10 p.m.

Forest projects aim to keep fire out of watersheds

State grants to fund forest projects in Haskill, Hellroaring watersheds

Two key watersheds that contribute to the Whitefish municipal water supply are set to benefit from a pair of wildfire fuels reduction projects.

March 31, 2015 10 p.m.

WTC's 'Venus in Fur' cabaret style

Zip up your boots as the Whitefish Theatre Co. presents the wickedly smart drama “Venus In Fur” at the O’Shaughnessy Center. In intimate cabaret style, this intricate play opens with a sneak preview night on April 8 at 7:30 p.m. Performances continue April 9-11 and 16-18 at 7:30 p.m.

March 31, 2015 10 p.m.

No wiser use of resort tax

I had a hand in the enactment of the resort tax about 20 years ago when it was approved by the state legislature. As I expected, the people of Whitefish went ahead and implemented it a short time later.

March 31, 2015 10 p.m.

Water is our most precious resource

I am a Whitefish resident and I am in support of the great opportunity we have to secure our most precious resource, water.

March 31, 2015 1 a.m.

New owner at popular Whitefish pizza place

Fresh dough baking in the oven and homemade marinara simmering on the stove — these are the aromas of a perfect business opportunity for Jersey Boys new owner Jelisa Guy.

March 31, 2015 12:30 a.m.

Before you make 'No' voters the villain

Rhetoric coming from proponents of the resort tax increase cleverly implies that “No” voters don’t care about protecting Haskill Basin or securing our future water supply. This is nonsense.

Thursday, March 26

City Beach boat launch temporarily closes for improvements
March 26, 2015 10 p.m.

City Beach boat launch temporarily closes for improvements

The boat launch at City Beach in Whitefish will close  Saturday, April 4 to install a trench gate intended to protect water quality and public health.

Tuesday, March 24

March 24, 2015 11 p.m.

Governor highlights school dedication ceremony

Student body president Keaton Grove cut a green and gold ribbon spanning the entrance to Whitefish High School last week — marking the official opening of the new school.

March 24, 2015 10:45 p.m.

Spokane promenade, expanded retail highlight downtown plan

Whitefish is moving forward with an update to the city’s downtown master plan.

March 24, 2015 10:30 p.m.

City backs funding for 911 center

The city of Whitefish supports an effort to create a special district to fund the county’s 911 dispatch center.

March 24, 2015 10:15 p.m.

Outlaws baseball needs host families

The Glacier Outlaws Professional Baseball Team is looking for host families for its debut season.

March 24, 2015 10:15 p.m.

Stone leads Whitefish softball team

New Whitefish softball coach Ron Stone is optimistic he can turn the tide for the struggling program.

March 24, 2015 10:15 p.m.

Vote for Whitefish's future

There is no question about the need to permanently protect our watershed, for now and for the future of our community.

March 24, 2015 10 p.m.

Highway 93 apartments get final approval

A 60-unit apartment complex planned for Highway 93 South overcame its final hurdle last week when Whitefish City Council approved the project with an unanimous vote.

March 24, 2015 10 p.m.

Holt skis at NCAA Nordic championships

Middlebury College senior Stella Holt wrapped up her collegiate racing career last week at the NCAA Championships in Lake Placid, N.Y.

March 24, 2015 10 p.m.

Support for Haskill easement essential

Imagine Whitefish without the improvements of our infrastructure as a result of the resort tax. Now imagine 3,024 acres of land within Haskill Basin off limits to public access and affordable drinking water for the city of Whitefish.

March 24, 2015 10 p.m.

Two candidates enter trustee election as deadline nears

Two candidates so far have decided to run for a pair of open seats on the Whitefish School Board as the March 26 filing deadline approaches.

March 24, 2015 10 p.m.

Students medal at state HOSA conference

A number of Whitefish High School students placed at the 11th annual HOSA Conference last weekend in Bozeman. There were more than 300 students from 20 high schools competing this year.

Elsie Galles
March 24, 2015 9:55 a.m.

Elsie Galles

Elsie Galles, 87, passed away on March 22, 2015 in Whitefish. Elsie is survived by children, Nicholas A. Michaud, Melanie Dawn Golden, Donald Craig Michaud, Laurie S. McConville, and Robert John Woodard. A memorial service for Elsie will be held on Saturday, March 28 at 4 p.m. at Austin Funeral Home. A reception will follow at the Moose Lodge in Whitefish.

Bernie Esker Garrett Jr. “Pat Watterud”
March 24, 2015 9:54 a.m.

Bernie Esker Garrett Jr. “Pat Watterud”

Pat Watterud, also known as Bernie Esker Garrett Jr., 72, passed away March 11, 2015 in Llano, Calif. while doing what he loved, playing golf.

Judith Carpenter Stenger
March 24, 2015 9:53 a.m.

Judith Carpenter Stenger

Judith Carpenter Stenger (Jude) of Whitefish died March 20, 2015 at her home. She was born in Pomona, Calif. on Nov. 10, 1946. She moved from West Palm Beach, Fla. to Whitefish in 1978.

Alvin J. Geske
March 24, 2015 9:52 a.m.

Alvin J. Geske

Alvin J. Geske of Kensington, Maryland, died on March 15 in Kensington of pulmonary fibrosis. He was a longtime resident of the Kensington area and practiced law in Washington, D. C. since the early 1970s.

March 24, 2015 1 a.m.

New service offers brain training

Ruth Luedke was volunteering as a reading tutor when she first decided she wanted to help students who need a little extra attention.

March 24, 2015 1 a.m.

Former Flathead man dies in climbing accident

Climbing community reflects on Sederstrom's legacy “He was known as a guy who climbed more than he worked.”

Strong in the mountains, full of positive energy and forever humble.

March 24, 2015 midnight

Whitefish snowboarders take overall titles in Classic

A pair of Whitefish snowboarders stood atop the podium with palm tree trophies in hand after two days of fierce racing last weekend at the 16th annual Nate Chute Classic.

Friday, March 20

Resort tax collections dip in January
March 20, 2015 10 p.m.

Resort tax collections dip in January

Resort tax collections in Whitefish were down for the first month of 2015.

Wednesday, March 18

March 18, 2015 11:30 p.m.

Whitefish fighter wins martial arts title

Whitefish mixed martial arts competitor Hamilton Ash took the 155-pound title at the Fusion Fight League Rumble Under the Rim last month in Billings.

March 18, 2015 11:15 p.m.

Large pickups should stay off Central Avenue

Mary Jane Barret’s comment in the July 23 Pilot was spot on. I agree that our Whitefish city managers and business owners have done a superb job of refurbishing our charming and historic Montana railroad town, particularly Central Avenue.

March 18, 2015 11 p.m.

Zinke fires warning at Amtrak

Bipartisan legislation to continue federal funding for Amtrak was passed by the U.S. House last week, but not before Republican Congressman Ryan Zinke riled rail supporters with a vote to totally defund the service.

Group studies Muldown renovation
March 18, 2015 10:45 p.m.

Group studies Muldown renovation

Funding a major renovation at Muldown Elementary is likely to go before voters next year.

March 18, 2015 10:45 p.m.

MountainFilm festival benefits the Bob

The Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation is bringing the Telluride Mountainfilm Festival to Whitefish for one night on March 19 at the O'Shaughnessy Center.

March 18, 2015 10:45 p.m.

Howke reaches hunter education milestone

The proud smile of a young hunter with their first deer has always been the ultimate payoff for Leonard Howke. It’s what has kept him excited about teaching hunter education for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks for the last 50 years.

March 18, 2015 10:30 p.m.

Haskill deal a once in a lifetime chance

Voting yes for a 1 percent increase in the resort tax over the next 10 years to purchase the conservation easement in Haskill Basin is definitely a no-brainer.

March 18, 2015 10:15 p.m.

PTA Reflections winners announced

The Whitefish Parent Teachers Association has named this year’s first place winners of the Reflections program. Reflections is a national art competition for student artists in kindergarten through grade 12.

Bernie Esker Garrett  “Pat Watterud”
March 18, 2015 10 p.m.

Bernie Esker Garrett “Pat Watterud”

Bernie Esker Garrett, commonly known as Pat Watterud, passed away Tuesday, March 11, 2015 in Llano, Calif. He was born March 17, 1942 in Whitefish.

Torkel (Tork) Leon Torkelson
March 18, 2015 10 p.m.

Torkel (Tork) Leon Torkelson

Torkel (Tork) Leon Torkelson, 87, died March 9, 2015 in Whitefish. He was born Dec. 9, 1927 in Spokane, Wash.

March 18, 2015 10 p.m.

Idaho ousts Wolverines from playoffs

Skating stride for stride with one of the best junior hockey clubs in North America, the Whitefish Wolverines ran out of gas in a 6-2 loss to the Idaho Junior Steelheads on Saturday night and were eliminated from the Western States Hockey League playoffs.

March 18, 2015 10 p.m.

New baseball team changes name to Outlaws

Whitefish’s new professional baseball team has changed its name to the Glacier Outlaws to avoid any confusion with the University of Montana sports teams.

March 18, 2015 10 p.m.

A few bills of interest to Flathead Valley

The 64th Montana House of Representatives finished day 53 of the 90 day session on March 14. Some bills of interest to the Flathead Valley that have been heard in the House are HB 156, HB 478, HB 344, and HB 297.

March 18, 2015 10 p.m.

Insight into surface water

A recent letter to the editor (Pilot, March 11) had some concerns about drinking surface water. Being a former Montana State Certified Water Treatment Plant Operator, I wanted to provide some information that might be useful.

March 18, 2015 3 a.m.

Orozco resigns as Whitefish superintendent

Whitefish superintendent Kate Orozco has turned in her resignation after four years leading the school district.

March 18, 2015 1 a.m.

Rail yard cleanup still years out

Cleanup of a state Superfund site on BNSF Railway property in Whitefish is still a few years away, the state Department of Environmental Quality says.

March 18, 2015 midnight

State senator works to establish Calgary trade center

Republican Sen. Dee Brown is pushing for a bill in the state Legislature that would create a Montana trade center in Calgary.

Monday, March 16

March 16, 2015 10 p.m.

City won't bury Seventh Street power lines

Whitefish City Council won’t explore the option of burying power lines on West Seventh Street during reconstruction of the road.

March 16, 2015 8:11 a.m.

Lasting legacies of three legislators

Mike Mansfield would have been 112 on St. Patrick's Day. Our political system misses him.  

Friday, March 13

March 13, 2015 1:15 a.m.

Whitefish to vote on school levy

Whitefish School District is asking voters to approve a $39,470 operations levy in the upcoming election.

Thursday, March 12

March 12, 2015 10 p.m.

Teen pinned by fallen tree rescued near Whitefish

An aerial search team used infrared technology to locate a teenage hiker pinned under a fallen tree early Thursday morning near Whitefish.

Wednesday, March 11

March 11, 2015 10 p.m.

Chamber seeks nominees for service awards

The Whitefish Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for its annual Community Service Awards which will be presented at their annual banquet April 2.

Tuesday, March 10

March 10, 2015 10:45 p.m.

50th celebration benefits food bank

March 10, 2015 10:30 p.m.

Square design selected for City Hall

March 10, 2015 10:30 p.m.

Wolverines take series 2-1 from Butte

March 10, 2015 10:15 p.m.

Man denies Christmas Eve brawl

March 10, 2015 10 p.m.

DECA strong at state meet

Torkel “Tork” Torkelson
March 10, 2015 10 p.m.

Torkel “Tork” Torkelson

Veda Engebretson
March 10, 2015 10 p.m.

Veda Engebretson

March 10, 2015 12:30 a.m.

Student finds voice in poetry contest

Tuesday, March 3

March 3, 2015 10:30 p.m.

City Hall a symbol of town

Disagreement with the plans for a new City Hall seems to have received more press than has agreement, and this letter is in support of the council.

March 3, 2015 10:30 p.m.

Reality TV show to film in downtown Whitefish

A reality TV show about Santa Claus enthusiasts is scheduled to film in downtown Whitefish this month.

March 3, 2015 10:30 p.m.

Whitefish home sales slow down in 2014

The local housing market continued to be mostly stable during 2014. New home construction showed improvement, but residential home sales were down from the previous year.

March 3, 2015 10 p.m.

Mayor Muhlfeld addresses state of the city

Whitefish mayor John Muhlfeld is quick to acknowledge the full plate of issues facing the city as he settles into the final year of his first term.

March 3, 2015 10 p.m.

Orozco finalist for Spokane superintendent opening

Whitefish School District superintendent Kate Orozco is a finalist for a superintendent job in Spokane, Wash.

March 3, 2015 9:45 p.m.

Warrant served on suspect in abuse case

A Whitefish man has returned to jail while he awaits trial for alleged sexual online conversations with a 14-year-old girl.

March 3, 2015 9:45 p.m.

Train whistles

I read with interest the letter from Angel Dominguez in the Feb. 25 Pilot on the Birch Point railroad crossing.

March 3, 2015 9:30 p.m.

Wolverines hockey hosts playoff series with Butte

The Whitefish Wolverines junior hockey club has clinched the No. 4 seed in the Western States Hockey League Thorne Cup playoffs.

March 3, 2015 9 p.m.

Ladies avalanche workshop a success

I was fortunate to have participated in an all ladies Avalanche Awareness Workshop Feb. 11, 12 and 14 held at Whitefish Mountain Resort.

March 3, 2015 9 p.m.

Whitefish ski racers finish on podium at Bridger Bowl

Whitefish Mountain Resort’s alpine race team took home multiple podium finishes at Bridger’s Youth Ski League races Feb. 20-22.

March 3, 2015 9 p.m.

City looks to clarify zoning practice

Whitefish is looking to clarify its zoning standards after the city was challenged on its use of planned unit development overlays.

Brian 'Lil B' Foust
March 3, 2015 9 p.m.

Brian 'Lil B' Foust

Brian ‘Lil B’ Foust “went to be with his sister Ida, his brother Frank and the Lord” on Jan. 25, 2015.

March 3, 2015 9 p.m.

Campus Views: The good ol' days

Lifelong Whitefish resident Mark Duff says his hometown is different than it used to be.

BNSF invests $124 million in Montana
March 3, 2015 9 p.m.

BNSF invests $124 million in Montana

BNSF Railway will spend $124 million this year in capital improvements in Montana, the Fort Worth, Texas-based company announced last week.

March 3, 2015 9 p.m.

Dogs take fourth at Northwest A tourney

A roller-coaster season for the Whitefish boys basketball team ended with a dip at the Northwest A divisional tournament.

March 3, 2015 9 p.m.

Prescribed burns planned near Beaver Lake

The Tally Lake Ranger District is planning to conduct multiple prescribed fire projects next month.

March 3, 2015 9 p.m.

Resort tax should fund Haskill project

We have an opportunity to fund a permanent land conservation agreement that will protect our drinking water. Haskill Basin provides some 75 percent of Whitefish’s drinking water and protecting that water source is important to me and my family.

March 3, 2015 9 p.m.

Quirky spelling bee benefits schools

The Whitefish Education Foundation is hosting the Fractured Spelling Bee on Friday, March 20 from 7 to 9 p.m. at O’Shaughnessey Center.

March 3, 2015 midnight

Final Winter Classic this week

The 30th and final edition of the Whitefish Winter Classic runs March 5-8 in Whitefish.

Monday, March 2

March 2, 2015 11 p.m.

Whitefish girls hoops coach Peters resigns

Whitefish girls basketball coach Clint Peters has stepped down after two seasons leading the varsity team.

March 2, 2015 11 p.m.

Railway cleanup project focus of meeting

Plans for cleanup work at a state Superfund site on BNSF Railway property in Whitefish will be the focus of a public meeting March 12.