Ellington

Investors ride rails to meet local businesses

Are you a small business owner looking for investors to help get a new idea off the ground? The crowdfunding startup Wefunder is making a stop in Whitefish and wants to talk with you.

Lady Dogs show resilience at Western A

The Whitefish girls left all they had on the hardwood at the Butte Civic Center trying to scratch their way into the state tournament.

Sled dog races called off due to thin snow

A prolonged mid-winter warm spell has taken its toll on another Flathead Valley event. The Flathead Classic Sled Dog Races were called off Sunday due to poor trail conditions.

Whitefish State Park to improve bicycle camping spots

The bicycle camping areas at Whitefish Lake and Wayfarers state parks are getting upgrades, Montana State Parks announced Tuesday.

Groups celebrate finalized Haskill easement

All parties have signed on the dotted line. The Haskill Basin conservation easement is officially a done deal.

Students propose citywide bike share program

Four Whitefish High School students have a vision for their community that involves more people walking or biking to school and work.

Lady Dogs nipped at buzzer in Polson

The Lady Pirates converted a buzzer-beating tip-in to down the Whitefish girls in a wild 44-42 Northwest A contest last week at Polson.

Whitefish studies city water rates

Recommendations from a water and wastewater rate study for the city are expected to be released next month. 

County compromises on water source setback

The Flathead County commissioners last week agreed to retain a 100-foot setback for the city of Whitefish’s primary water source, a key compromise as the county inches closer to adopting zoning in the “doughnut” area surrounding Whitefish.

Police Calls: Don't feed the bears

Whitefish Police Calls Feb. 15-21.

Early season rates for golf club memberships until March 1

Whitefish Lake Golf Club memberships are on sale at the early season rate until March 1. 

Gianforte: Why I'm running for Governor

Since first falling in love with Montana 40 years ago, I knew that I wanted to make a life here. When we started our high-tech company RightNow Technologies here in Montana, we had a lot of people tell us it wouldn’t work. People said, “Greg, you can’t start a global technology business in Montana.” Not only did we ended up creating over a thousand jobs, giving folks in places like Bozeman, Montana, an average salary nearing $90,000 per year, I was also able to raise all four of my kids here.

Jean A. Morris

Jean A. Morris, 87, passed away Febr. 16, 2016 at the Wel-Life in Kalispell. She is survived by her son, Larry. A memorial service was held Febr. 23 at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home. Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Jean’s family.

Climate action task force meets March 1

A North Valley climate action task force will hold its first meeting on Tuesday, March 1 in Whitefish. Formed to develop local solutions to the challenges of a warming climate, the task force will meet at 7 p.m. at the Whitefish Community Library. 

Glacier Restaurant Group starts employee scholarship program

Glacier Restaurant Group is starting a scholarship program administered by the Whitefish Community Foundation.

Subdivision planned next to new hotel in Whitefish

Plans have been submitted for a pair of large development projects on vacant land along Highway 93 South in Whitefish.

Aggressive line lands Costain in first at Fernie

Whitefish freeskier Parkin Costain cleanly landed four cliff drops before making sweeping turns to the finish at Sunday’s IFSA Junior Freeski Nationals event at Fernie, B.C.

Don 'K' enters senate election

Whitefish businessman Don Kaltschmidt has announced his candidacy for the state Legislature, setting up a heated battle for Whitefish’s Senate District 3.

Ban on bikes in wilderness challenged

No mechanical transport in the wilderness — not even a wheelbarrow.

Whitefish earns No. 2 seed in Western A

Whitefish is facing a favorable path in the Western A divisional basketball tournament as the No. 2 seed from the Northwest. 

West 7th residents question plan for street lights

Dee Blank can see far away galaxies from her backyard on West Seventh Street.

Voisin grabs second at South Korea's Olympic test event

Slopestyle star Maggie Voisin appears to be very comfortable with the site of the next Olympics.

Whitefish OKs new zoning for 93 West

Whitefish has approved two new zoning districts for the Highway 93 West corridor that could assist in the future development of that neighborhood.

City puts freeze on contentious development tool

Whitefish has placed a temporary moratorium on blended density zoning for planned unit development overlays, a move that suspends some forms of new development in the city for at least the next six months.

New program brings writing mentors to Whitefish High School

Scientist and author Cristina Eisenberg still remembers the C she got in her college English class.

Gianforte stumps for better paying jobs during Whitefish stop

Greg Gianforte wants his family around the dinner table when it comes time to eat. But with the current business climate in Montana, the Republican gubernatorial candidate claims more and more young people are leaving the state because they can’t find good-paying jobs here.

Local retailers feel pinch of fewer Canadians

Whitefish’s resort tax collections were down by about $18,400 in December.

Campus Views: 'I'll tell you when you're older'

I love to listen to my dad’s stories.

WHS hosts freshman orientation

In an effort to better inform incoming freshman at Whitefish High School, staff and students are hosting an interactive and informative freshman orientation fair, Monday, Feb. 22.

Police calls: Cashier uncovers check, mail fraud

Whitefish Police calls from Feb. 8-13.

Drama students learn about 9/11 through stage show

Tavia Wood was just a toddler when the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 shook a nation to its core.

Bulldog swimmers third at state

The Whitefish swim team held its own at the tough All-Class State Swim Meet last weekend, showing vast improvement in just the second year of the program.

Menicke to lead Bulldog harriers

Longtime Columbia Falls cross-country coach Richard Menicke has been hired to lead the Bulldog harriers next fall.

Whitefish Municipal Court records

Whitefish Municipal Court records for January 2016. Judge Bradley Johnson presiding.

A road map to water quality projects

One of roles of the Whitefish Lake Institute is to provide independent scientific results to assist decision makers in making informed decisions about our aquatic resources.

Evelyn Elkins (Knudsen)

Memorial services for Evelyn Elkins (Knudsen) were held Feb. 16, 2016 at Walker Funeral Home in Gillette, Wyo., with Pastor Bill Morel officiating. Evelyn passed away at Close to Home Hospice House after her short battle with cancer.

Quimby and Zinke make podium at state wrestling

A pair of Whitefish wrestlers finished on the podium at the State A tournament Saturday at Billings.

Economists optimistic about 2016

Manufacturing, nonresident spending and a swelling health-care market are expected to cultivate another strong economic year for Montana and the Flathead Valley, economists said at Friday’s 2016 Economic Outlook seminar.

Superintendent contract extended through 2018

The Whitefish School Board voted last week to extend superintendent Heather Davis Schmidt’s contract for another two years.

Blanche Eleanor Carter Conat

Blanche Eleanor Carter Conat, 92, passed away Feb. 9, 2016 at Heritage place in Kalispell.

Maassen and McCully to marry

Matthew and Shelley Maassen of Whitefish, together with Brian McCully of Eureka and Janet McCully of Whitefish, announce the engagement of their children, Whitefish High School graduates, Zach Maassen and Danielle McCully.

Vandalism suspects captured on security video

Whitefish Police are searching for suspects involved in a rash of graffiti vandalism around downtown last week.

Uncertain future for some at Plum Creek

As Plum Creek merges with Weyerhaeuser in the coming weeks, staff at the company’s Columbia Falls “cedar palace” offices could face an uncertain future, but workers at the manufacturing facilities will retain their positions and the plants will continue to operate, the company announced.

Whitefish OKs plan to bring Browning into Northwest A

All signals point toward Browning High School joining the Northwest A athletic division as the league's fifth team.

Orchestrator of Haskill deal leaves legacy of conservation

A one-of-a-kind opportunity. That’s how Alex Diekmann always characterized the Haskill Basin land conservation easement.

Bulldog grapplers head to state

Whitefish’s Steven Quimby is well positioned for a run at a state wrestling title. The senior won the heavyweight championship at the Western A Divisional tournament last weekend in Whitefish to punch his ticket to state as a No. 1 seed.

Marriott hotel in the works for Whitefish

The stock of lodging options in Whitefish is poised for substantial growth in the coming years with two new hotels currently under construction, and another one being planned.

Residents say PUD zoning regs favor developers

Whitefish City Council wants a complete overhaul of the city’s planned unit development regulations after hearing complaints from residents who say the regulations unfairly favor developers looking to create housing subdivisions.

Contaminated soil found at City Hall, parking site

The contingency fund for the City Hall and parking structure project in Whitefish will likely take a hit after contaminated soil was found at the construction site.

City looks to reduce carbon footprint

Whitefish is investigating whether it should establish a climate action plan in an attempt to reduce the city’s carbon footprint.

32 pounds of meth found in border bust

The The Canada Border Services Agency announced a striking drug bust on the U.S.-Canada border at Del Bonita border crossing north of Cut Bank.

West Seventh plan fixes steep intersections

West Seventh Street will undergo a major reconstruction this summer that has been designed with safety in mind. 

Tap house OK'd at iconic location

A plan for a tap house on Wisconsin Avenue has received city approval. 

Equestrian center opens near Whitefish

As a young girl, Amy Ericksen always dreamed of riding her own horse. So for her, it hardly seems real that she now owns a ranch with an indoor arena where other children can pursue their own dreams. 

Three school trustee seats open

Three Whitefish School Board trustee seats are up for election this spring.

Backcountry Film Fest comes to Whitefish

On Friday, Feb. 12, the Montana Wilderness Association will host the 11th annual Backcountry Film Festival at the O’Shaughnessy Center in Whitefish. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and the films begin at 6:30 p.m.

Thanks for embracing the arts

“Thank you” is one of those terms that, at times, you never can seem to say enough. So on behalf of all music lovers and the nonprofit community, here is a very heartfelt “Thank You” to the Whitefish Community Foundation and the Whitefish community in general for how you have embraced the arts and supported non-profit organizations. 

Improvements needed with state CPS program

The Department of Health & Human Services, the largest state agency, has a budget of almost $4 billion. DPHHS is in charge of everything from welfare programs to Child Protective Services. Last fall’s audit of CPS did not paint a rosy picture and pointed out several standards which needed implementing if we are going to truly protect our neediest children.

Candidate wants to hear your ideas

Seeing as how I’m running to represent the wonderful city of Whitefish in the Montana Legislature, I would like to introduce myself.

93 West plan reflects needs of community

Whitefish City Council’s decisions on the Highway 93 West corridor plan reflect the needs of the community, not the desires of a single individual or a small group of people. That is their responsibility. While there are those who may wish to have the Whitefish Planning Board to revisit the council’s decision there is no precedence for the board to recommend zone changes to the city council which are inconsistent with approved zoning.

Several downtown buildings tagged with graffiti

Whitefish police calls from Feb. 1-7:

Nagler inks with Montana Grizzlies

FauntLeRoy to Carroll; Quimby to NDSCS

A trio of Whitefish Bulldogs signed letter of intents to play football at the next level Wednesday on national signing day.

Helen Pauline Kahle

Helen Pauline Kahle passed peacefully from this world Jan. 31, 2016 surrounded by her loving family. She personified compassion, optimism and grace towards everyone she encountered during her long life.

Digging into the glacial history of Whitefish Lake

The Flathead Valley was once the geologic setting for repeated southward advances and retreats of the Flathead Lobe of the Cordilleran Ice Sheet — the last being about 13,000 years ago.

Whitefish hosts Western A wrestling tourney

Whitefish will be a hub of wrestling action this weekend when it plays host to the Western A divisional tournament.

Whitefish speech second at state

Whitefish speech and debate nearly pulled off an upset for the ages.

Whitefish's Robinson named top big mountain rider

It’s a short list of snowboarders who have been named Snowboarder magazine’s Big Mountain Rider of the Year.

Burglar breaks into pharmacy through heating vents

Whitefish Police calls Jan. 25-31

Great Fish kick-off meeting for local nonprofits

Whitefish Community Foundation is asking nonprofit organizations to mark their calendars for the kick-off meeting of the 2016 Great Fish Community Challenge on Thursday, March 3 at the O’Shaughnessy Center.

Project Lead the Way preparing students for success

Graduates of Whitefish High School face a very different world today than we did 20, 30, 40 and more years ago.

Music school receives grant for choir program

North Valley Music School announced this week that it will receive grant funding from the Cadeau Foundation to continue to offer the North Valley Glee Club children’s choir as a tuition-free community outreach program.

A vision for something better on West Second

It’s a sad day for any small community when the loud voices of a few create a hostile environment for needed improvement and investment.

Junior ski team wins Northern Division trophy

For the first time ever, the Flathead Valley Ski Education Foundation junior ski team has won the Northern Division team trophy.

Praise for Veteran's Support Team

I just completed my fifth winter of volunteering with the Whitefish Veterans Support Team and continue to marvel at the warmth, “joie de vivre”, and professionalism of the team.

Whitefish home sales slow in 2015; median price up

Whitefish home sales took a tumble in 2015 and one local appraisal firm says it's because prices in the resort town are too high.

Whitefish man who killed girlfriend dies in prison

A man convicted of murdering his girlfriend in Whitefish in 1989 has died in Montana State Prison in Deer Lodge.