Tuesday, March 31
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.
Whitefish ski season weathers the rain
You know it’s been a rough ski season when snow reporters are touting the benefits rain.
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.
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.
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
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.
Three candidates enter trustee election
Three candidates are running for two open trustee seats on the Whitefish School Board.
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.
Police calls: $14k pillow case heist
Whitefish Municipal Court log for March
Andrew Raymond Wallway, 27, Whitefish, no insurance, second offense, $410; no registration, $50.
Track teams reload with speed
Whitefish enters the 2015 track and field season with as much depth as it’s had in years.
Campus Views: Teaching kindness
Kind words from a fourth grader: “You are extraordinary. You are patient, kind and a good friend.”
Dogs earn Northwest A hoops honors
Bulldog basketball had three players named to the Northwest A All-Conference team.
Joan Delores Gardner
Joan Delores Gardner, 85, passed away on Friday, March 27, 2015 at North Valley Hospital in Whitefish.
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.
Whitefish Community Foundation accepting grant applications
Whitefish Community Foundation is now accepting grant applications for the 2015 Community Grant Program.
Whitefish swimmers earn academic honors
Seven Whitefish athletes have earned Academic All-State honors from the Montana Coaches Association.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
Spokane promenade, expanded retail highlight downtown plan
Whitefish is moving forward with an update to the city’s downtown master plan.
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.
Police calls: Black bear found in Suncrest basement
Outlaws baseball needs host families
The Glacier Outlaws Professional Baseball Team is looking for host families for its debut season.
Stone leads Whitefish softball team
New Whitefish softball coach Ron Stone is optimistic he can turn the tide for the struggling program.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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
Resort tax collections in Whitefish were down for the first month of 2015.
Wednesday, March 18
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.
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.
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
Funding a major renovation at Muldown Elementary is likely to go before voters next year.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
Torkel (Tork) Leon Torkelson, 87, died March 9, 2015 in Whitefish. He was born Dec. 9, 1927 in Spokane, Wash.
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.
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.
Whitefish Municipal Court records
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.
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.
Orozco resigns as Whitefish superintendent
Whitefish superintendent Kate Orozco has turned in her resignation after four years leading the school district.
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.
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
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.
Lasting legacies of three legislators
Mike Mansfield would have been 112 on St. Patrick's Day. Our political system misses him.
Friday, March 13
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
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
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
Woman admits to credit card theft to buy jewelry
Nate Chute races competitive for a cause
50th celebration benefits food bank
Dog bowl auction benefits Humane Society
Square design selected for City Hall
Wolverines take series 2-1 from Butte
Man denies Christmas Eve brawl
Downtown businesses face new parking fees
Surface water not the best option
Work set to begin on downtown hotel
DECA strong at state meet
Torkel Tork Torkelson
Veda Engebretson
Whitefish looks to form new lakeshore group
Skiers impress with medal haul at YSL Championships
Plea agreement reached in road rage incident
Student finds voice in poetry contest
Tuesday, March 3
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.
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.
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.
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.
Orozco finalist for Spokane superintendent opening
Whitefish School District superintendent Kate Orozco is a finalist for a superintendent job in Spokane, Wash.
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.
Train whistles
I read with interest the letter from Angel Dominguez in the Feb. 25 Pilot on the Birch Point railroad crossing.
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.
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.
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.
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
Brian ‘Lil B’ Foust “went to be with his sister Ida, his brother Frank and the Lord” on Jan. 25, 2015.
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
BNSF Railway will spend $124 million this year in capital improvements in Montana, the Fort Worth, Texas-based company announced last week.
Police calls: Suspicious hooting
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.
Prescribed burns planned near Beaver Lake
The Tally Lake Ranger District is planning to conduct multiple prescribed fire projects next month.
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.
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.
Final Winter Classic this week
The 30th and final edition of the Whitefish Winter Classic runs March 5-8 in Whitefish.
Monday, March 2
Whitefish girls hoops coach Peters resigns
Whitefish girls basketball coach Clint Peters has stepped down after two seasons leading the varsity team.
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.
