Ellington

Vehicle access opened to Avalanche area on Sun Road

After a streak of warm weather caused avalanches to halt snowplows on Glacier National Park’s Going-to-the-Sun Road, crews were able to clear snow from Haystack Creek to Big Bend this week.

Garage torched in Whitefish fire

No one was injured in a fire that ripped through the detached garage of a Whitefish home early Thursday morning.

Park looks at climate change, AIS impact on waterways

Glacier National Park announced last week it has begun drafting a comprehensive plan to address the impacts of climate change and aquatic invasive species throughout the park’s vast network of lakes, ponds, wetlands and streams.

Shuttle service to Glacier Park back for second summer

The summer shuttle between Whitefish and Glacier National Park is returning again this summer.

New bike-shuttle service planned for Glacier

Glacier National Park officials will likely start a new bike-shuttle service May 7 to ease congestion and parking at Avalanche Creek this spring.

West Lakeshore properties eyed for annexation

The city of Whitefish is considering the annexation of 26 properties on West Lakeshore Drive as part of efforts to protect the water quality of Whitefish Lake.

Twins baseball pounds Belgrade in season opener

The Twins flexed their offensive muscle, scoring 24 runs on 20 hits in a pair of one-sided wins against Belgrade.

Bulldogs ace tennis test with Stevensville

It was all Whitefish on the tennis courts Saturday as the Bulldogs rolled by Stevensville 6-1 in boys play and 7-0 on the girls side.

Council looks into culling urban deer population

City Councilor Richard Hildner believes the urban deer population in Whitefish has become a nuisance and that it’s time to look at possible solutions.

Cornerstone for Whitefish

The construction of the Masonic Temple building at the corner of Second Street and Lupfer Avenue was highly anticipated in the summer of 1915.

Firm hired to look at renovation of Muldown

The Whitefish School District has hired an architect and engineering firm to investigate options for renovating Muldown Elementary.

City approves housing subdivision on Hwy 93

Whitefish City Council April 18 approved a 41-unit housing subdivision planned for along Highway 93 south of Mountain Mall.

City begins update of bicycle and pedestrian plan

Do you walk or ride your bike through Whitefish? Do you have suggestions for how the city can improve its paths, walkways, and roads in the future?

Police Calls: Dead body turns out to be mermaid sculpture

Monday, April 18

Pilot editorial: Look beyond emotions when voting on levy

It’s been a tumultuous few weeks within the Whitefish School District following a recommendation to reassign a top high school administrator. The plan drew the ire of many parents, students and staff, and those emotions boiled over at the April school board meeting and in the ensuing days as word spread around town.

Don't second guess school staff changes

It’s amazing how the public allows itself to second guess school administrations without access to all the information. To do the same to a successful sports coach would be considered ill informed.

Regier a strong voice for constitutional conservatism

I hope you folks in the Flathead will vote to keep Keith Regier in the legislature as he seeks a seat in the Montana Senate.

Don 'K' invested in Whitefish community

I’ve known Don “K” for many years. I’ve watched him grow his business and seen his contributions to our community.

Raising minimum wage not the answer

After talking with a few business owners, and conducting extensive research on economic principles and behaviors, I am staunchly opposed to not just a minimum wage hike, but the minimum wage altogether.

Vermelle “Mimi” Votteler

Vermelle “Mimi” Votteler passed away on March 11, 2016, in Austin, Texas. She was born Grace Vermelle McCain on April 15 1930, in Luling, Texas, to Robert D. McCain and Grace Prudence McCain.

Reuben Alexander Nelson

Reuben Alexander Nelson passed away on Feb. 6, 2016 with family by his side, at the age of 102. He was born at home on June 19, 1913 in Outlook, Mont., to John and Hazel Madill Nelson.

Mary Louise De Pue

Former longtime Flathead Valley resident Mary Louise De Pue, 93, died Sunday, April 17 in Kalispell, surrounded by loving family.

Dogs scorch track at Iceberg

Whitefish girls came in second and the boys earned third in team standings Saturday at the Iceberg Invitational at Columbia Falls Junior High School.

Clearing up misinformation on WHS administrator's status

Many community members have recently expressed concerns regarding a proposed reassignment of high school assistant principal Jackie Fuller to a teaching position at the middle school. There has been quite a bit of misinformation and speculation and I am happy to let the community know that Jackie has chosen to stay in her position at the high school.

AKTP presents rock musical 'Spring Awakening'

Whitefish is making a huge mistake

I was fortunate to have worked with Jackie Fuller for 19 years in the Whitefish High School physical education and athletic departments. I found her to be a woman of principle and integrity, with unequaled work ethic, and a true passion for her job. She was a compassionate disciplinarian that held students and athletes accountable and insisted on nothing but the highest standards of excellence. 

Community: Clean the Fish, Booster auction this weekend

Lady Dogs clip Kats on court

Whitefish notched its first girls tennis dual win of the season April 12, going 5-2 over Columbia Falls in Northwest A action.

Strengthening the foundation of our schools

The foundation of Whitefish schools is strong and continues to grow. It is such a pleasure to be surrounded by motivated students who get their inspiration from our teachers and staff. 

City takes hard look at Lion Mountain annexation

A few Whitefish City Councilors say the city might be forced to annex Lion Mountain and other neighborhoods in order to clean up the septic leachate pollution found in Whitefish Lake. 

Subdivision planned at Haugen Heights

A new 6-lot subdivision is planned for the Old Town neighborhood on the west end of Whitefish.

Police calls: Neighbors suspected of dumping herbs

Creative scavenger hunt benefits nonprofit

Make a painting, compose a song, shoot a short film, learn a piece of music — and before you do that also figure out the secret location of where you’ll complete these creative acts of art.

Don 'K' will be a good change

The Montana legislature could work a lot better. I know from having served in it.

Campus Views: Making music part of your life

Most of the great musicians started playing an instrument when they were young, just look at how all the greats got their start: Jimi Hendrix taught himself to play on a five dollar guitar; Billie Holiday did chores and sang along to jazz records; Beethoven’s father gave him piano lessons before he was even 6-years-old. Everyone who loves creating music began in their own unique way for their own unique reasons. 

Whitefish boys show depth in blanking Cats 7-0

Whitefish showed off its depth last week in routing Columbia Falls 7-0 in Northwest A boys tennis.

Food festival benefits Project Whitefish Kids

Flathead locals and visitors are invited to enjoy an annual Whitefish tradition: Project Whitefish Wine and Food Fest.

Regier will be excellent senator

It is my great pleasure to endorse Representative Keith Regier as candidate for Montana’s Senate District 3.

Earth Day celebrations in Whitefish this weekend

There’s plenty of ways to celebrate the planet during Earth Day events Saturday in Whitefish.

Whitefish softball making strides in new season

The progress is evident, from inning to inning and game to game.

School board approves basketball coach's resignations

There was no comment from the Whitefish School Board last week in approving the resignation of Whitefish boys basketball coach Curtis Green.

Whitefish wins Houston Drive annexation lawsuit

The city of Whitefish can legally annex a group of properties along the east shore of Whitefish Lake in the Houston Drive neighborhood.

Twins' roster loaded with talent

The Glacier Twins expect to look in top form when they take the diamond for their season-opener this weekend in Missoula.

Electing Don 'K' will be a good change

The Montana legislature could work a lot better. I know from having served in it.

Court says gates OK at Whitefish subdivision

The Montana Supreme Court has ruled that a Whitefish subdivision can install gates and close its private roads to public traffic.

Iron man of Big Mountain vertical

Records are made to be broken, but this one might stand the test of time.

No doubt in unanimous non-discrimination vote

When Whitefish City Council unanimously passed a non-discrimination ordinance I realized that we, as a city, had accomplished something extremely important; that we had taken an enormous step in defining who we are as a community and making clear to all that we do not condone discrimination. We had embraced our values as Montanans and extended basic, undeniable human rights to a community who has lived without them for far too long.

Business owners share ideas for housing shortage

Buffalo Cafe co-owner Alex Maetzold says about 80 percent of his employees live at least 20 miles from Whitefish due to a scarcity of affordable housing options in town.

North Valley CEO says hospital will retain identity

North Valley Hospital’s chief executive says patients and employees shouldn’t worry about any sweeping changes at Whitefish’s hospital in the wake of a new affiliation agreement with Kalispell Regional Healthcare.

Chamber rolls out plan for week-long 'Feast' event

It was no easy decision for the Whitefish Chamber to turn away from an event that’s stood for almost three decades. Especially one that’s always brought a sizable chunk of change to the Chamber’s coffers.

Fashion police call real police on woman in red

Monday, April 4

WTC opens 'Tribes' with sneak preview April 14

The Whitefish Theatre Co. continues its 37th season with “Tribes” by Nina Raine, a critically-acclaimed drama about what it means to hear and listen. Directed by Rebecca Schaffer, “Tribes” runs at the O’Shaughnessy Center in Whitefish on April 15-16 and 21-23 at 7:30 p.m. and on April 17 at 4 p.m. A sneak preview performance will be held on April 14 at 7:30 p.m.

Golf course has second earliest opening

The opening of the Whitefish Lake Golf Course on April 1 was the second earliest date in recent history, according to superintendent Dick Collins. While the season started early it also includes the best golf course conditions in memory, as well.

Whitefish edges Dillon, Polson in tennis season opener

The Whitefish boys opened their tennis season Saturday with a pair of impressive dual wins.

Grateful for “doughnut” efforts

The conclusion in our fight for “doughnut” representation came April 7 at 11:38 a.m. when the Flathead County Commissioners approved final zoning for the Whitefish planning doughnut — Resolution 2416A and Resolution 2417A.

Tanks of Thanks honors Askew

Whitefish resident Turner Askew has received a special thank you for paying it forward in his community. Askew was selected to receive free fuel from Tanks of Thanks, a program that recognizes people who go the extra mile for others.

Track starts season on solid footing

Whitefish eased into its season last week with some early success on the track.

New subdivision goes before council April 18

Whitefish City Council meets April 18 at 7:10 p.m. at the interim City Hall at 1005 Baker Ave. The following agenda items will be discussed, subject to change:

Clean the Fish planned for April 23

The annual Clean the Fish effort to pick up litter around Whitefish is planned for April 23 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Breakfast will be served to all of the community “litter gitters” at the Glacier Bank parking lot located at 319 E. Second St. Trash bags and gloves will be provided. Designated drivers and trucks will pick up the trash bags and items too big for trash bags that are left along the roads.

Don 'K' worthy of your vote

Please vote for Don “K” Kaltschmidt, Republican candidate for District 3 State Senate in the June primary.

Green steps down as boys basketball coach

Whitefish boys basketball coach Curtis Green is stepping down after two seasons leading the team.

Leased spaces in parking structure up for discussion

Roughly half of the parking spaces in the city’s new downtown parking structure are planned to be leased parking spots.

Whitefish ski season overcomes the El Niño odds

For all the doom and gloom predicted at the beginning of ski season, it sure did end on a celebratory note. Spring corn and sun ruled the slopes all weekend as locals gathered for a few last turns, last splashes and last laughs of a season that exceeded all expectations.

Keith Regier is a trustworthy work horse

As majority leader during the last legislative session, Rep. Keith Regier was the work horse for the House.

Student artist recognized for watercolor work

Whitefish High School student Heather Luedke won the People’s Choice Award at the Hockaday Museum of Art’s annual New Artists exhibition.

Proud of our town

In a silent moment at last night’s Whitefish Council meeting after Mayor John Muhlfeld called for a final consent vote on the non-discrimination ordinance protecting LGBT civil rights in our community, all hands rose high in approval.

Popular downtown restaurant closing for remodel

A popular downtown sports bar and restaurant is closing shop for a few months as it undergoes an extensive renovation.

Slight bump in ski season pass rates

Whitefish Mountain Resort continues to be aggressive on affordability with the announcement of its 2016/17 season pass rates.

Groups blast effort to allow bikes in wilderness

Fourteen outdoor and conservation organizations from Montana have joined a chorus of opposition to recent proposals to allow mountain bikes in wilderness areas.

Costain in first for freeski championships

Sixteen-year-old Whitefish skier Parkin Costain is well positioned to earn the 2016 International Free Skiers Association National Championship when he heads to Whistler/Blackcomb this week.

City to repair failing sections of wastewater pipeline

The city of Whitefish is set to begin work on three substantial water and wastewater projects.

Police calls: Man hit with bear spray

Whitefish Police calls from March 28-April 3.

Forest historian shares collection of logging artifacts

There’s a story behind every photograph in Ronald Buentemeier’s rare collection of images from the early days of logging the Flathead Valley. He knows most of the tales from memory, down to the exact date and place on a map.

Pilot Editorial: 'Nice Day' a befitting recognition

The colorful history of Whitefish Mountain Resort comes through in many of the named slopes on the ski hill.

William Hendershott

William Steven Hendershott, 62, of Bozeman, passed peacefully Feb. 15, 2016 surrounded by family into the presence of our Lord Jesus at Aurora Saint Luke’s Medical Center in Milwaukee, Wisc.

Institute says apathy threatening health of lake

The Whitefish Lake Institute is issuing a warning about protecting the future of Whitefish Lake.

Frank Phillips

Frank Wendell Phillips, 86, passed away on March 29, 2016, at the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls.

Lady Bulldog softball building mental toughness

Building mental toughness and cleaning up the fundamentals. Whitefish softball coach Travis Krause believes success in those two areas will get Whitefish softball back on the winning track.

Dr. Robert Shapiro

Dr. Robert “Dr. Bob” Shapiro died peacefully on Tues., March 29, 2016.

Pond skim remains a crowd favorite

It all started with a leaky pond on a chilly spring day back in 2006. Big Mountain Resort (the name change to Whitefish Mountain hadn’t yet been unveiled) swapped the ever-popular furniture races for a new season finale event — pond skimming.

Whitefish Range forest plan taking shape

A plan for prescribed burns and timber harvesting in the mountains above Haskill Basin is coming closer to a final form.

Hospitals finalize affiliation agreement

The governing boards of the Flathead Valley’s two primary health-care providers have finalized an agreement to create a formal affiliation between the two organizations.