Ellington

Whitefish Theatre holding auditions for season finale

The Whitefish Theatre Co. is holding auditions for the final season production of “Red Herring” on April 4 and 5 at the O’Shaughnessy Center in Whitefish. Auditions will be held at 7 p.m. Please arrive early to the Green Room to fill out an audition application and review the script.

Progress in eradicating invasive from Beaver Lake

Positive results from efforts to remove Eurasian watermilfoil from Beaver Lake west of Whitefish indicate that the aquatic invasive species may be completely eradicated from the lake within the next few years.

City moves forward with street lights on West 7th

To some residents, West Seventh Street is a quiet neighborhood that has little use for city street lights. Others believe street and pedestrian upgrades in the area mandate adding lighting.

Student shares stage with pop star Justin Bieber

Even when there’s no music playing, Cody Bingham is always moving to the beat.

Impressive turnout for Bulldog track teams

Expectations are high for the Bulldog track team with more than 100 students coming out for the team this spring.

Supports school levy

I wanted to express my support for the school building reserve levy in the May 3 voter election. As we have learned, changes in state law now require Whitefish to have a building reserve levy in place in order for us to use our TIF funds for building projects. Approval of a new levy will then allow us to use the City’s TIF funds to reduce future property tax levies.

Community seed swap a success

In early January 2016, a group of us gathered to talk about hosting a community seed swap. Ten weeks later, we produced the first annual “Free The Seeds!” Seed Fair at FVCC on March 19. In addition to a traditional seed swap, the fair hosted 19 skill-sharing workshops, 33 informational booths from local producers and gardening resources, and two roundtable discussions on topics key to supporting local food access: enhancing local farmer resources and building a local seed library.

Police calls: Man wants to picket dealership

Whitefish Police calls March 21-27:

Middle school ski day

The fifth and sixth grade students and staff at Whitefish Middle School would like to say thank you to Sue Moll for organizing our first ever ski day at Whitefish Mountain Res last February.  

Whitefish shooters Douglas, Henry win valleywide 3-point contest

A pair of sharpshooting sophomores from Whitefish won the 3-point contest at last week’s Les Schwab Shootout at Flathead High School.

Brokered conventions

“Brokered” political conventions are neither good nor bad. Sometimes they are simply necessary. That could be the case with the Republicans this year, as it was in 1952 and 1976.

Changes in state law prompt levy request

The Whitefish School District made a shrewd maneuver nearly 30 years ago when it began using funds from the city’s tax-increment district to finance maintenance and upgrades for its schools.

Supreme Court overturns arson sentence conviction

The Montana Supreme Court last week overturned a Flathead District judge’s decision to go beyond a plea agreement and impose a harsher sentence for a man who set his ex-girlfriend’s Whitefish home on fire in October 2013.

Roger D. Erickson

Roger D. Erickson, 69, born on March 3, 1947 in Whitefish, passed away peacefully on March 18, 2016 in Tucson, Ariz. Roger was a proud Army veteran and will be greatly missed. He is survived by wife, Diane Erickson; daughter, Dawn Carr; son, Roger Erickson; sisters, Phyllis (Jim) Hiebert, Lynette Erickson and June Hiebert; brother, Vernon Erickson; several grandchildren and nieces and nephews. A service will be held in June 2016.

Hartman enters Senate election as lone Democrat

Melissa Hartman’s decision to enter the election for a seat in the state Legislature came on quick notice. No Democrats had filed for Senate District 3, and the March 14 deadline to register was looming.

City hit with lawsuit over parking structure funding

The owners of the Frank Lloyd Wright Building have filed a lawsuit against the city of Whitefish claiming it unfairly created a special assessment to fund operation and maintenance of the new downtown parking structure now under construction.

Whitefish facing 'significant' water rate hikes

If Whitefish implements new water and sewer rates, as recommended in a new study, users could see significant increases on their monthly bill over the next decade.

Pilot Editorial: Standing up for what's right

It was standing-room only last week at Whitefish City Hall as a dozen people courageously stepped forward to speak about why our community should take a stand to protect people from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Slalom course renamed to honor longtime ski school director

“Nice Day!” The simple greeting forever connected to hall of fame skier Martin Hale is now a named run at Whitefish Mountain Resort.

Do you support the school district's building reserve levy?

The Whitefish School District is asking voters to approve a building reserve levy to fund maintenance at its facilities. The levy is $700,000 annually for seven years.

Whitefish High School Talent Show 2016

City studies Baker Avenue extension, new bridges

Whitefish is looking at its long-range plans for street and bridge improvements in hopes of enhancing local transportation.

Prescribed burns planned near Whitefish

The Flathead National Forest is planning to conduct spring prescribed fire projects as conditions become favorable.

Mural brings splash of color to Muldown

Live, learn, grow and help. Muldown Elementary students hear and say those four words every day before class.

Winter Carnival organizers decide on theme

One fish, two fish — Whitefish Winter Carnival organizers have decided on a theme for next year’s big weekend.

Police calls: Craigslist ad leads to underage party

Whitefish Police calls March 14 - 20

Man denies drunken crash on Central Ave

A man is denying that he drove drunk and side-swiped a vehicle in downtown Whitefish last month.

Ryders swim at short course championships

Five swimmers with the Wave Ryder club returned from the Northwest Region Short Course Championships with impressive results.

Girls tennis stacked at doubles

The Lady Dogs tennis team has the weapons and experience to make some noise in the state level with a good group returning to the court.

Whitefish Little Guy wrestlers hit the mat at InterValley

Whitefish’s Little Guy wrestling club scored 34 points at the Western Montana Little Guy InterValley tournament last weekend in Whitefish.

Whitefish approves human rights law

Annika Gordon says she is gay and that doesn’t make her any less of a person.  “That doesn’t change my personality or my work ethic or my job performance,” she said. “There’s no reason people like me should be discriminated against in any way.”

Nellie May Goodness Baker

David and Courtney Baker are blessed to welcome and say goodbye to Nellie May Goodness Baker, born at 4 pounds on March 18, 2016, already with her savior Jesus. We are humbled by the way this little babe touched our lives in just eight short months, and our lives are forever changed. Psalm 27:13 we remain confident in this, we will see the goodness of the Lord. Wait for the Lord, be strong, take heart, and wait for the Lord.

Bulldog swatters have deep roster

The Whitefish boys tennis team has high hopes entering the season with a core of returning players ready to get to work.

Central Avenue alley restricted during City Hall work

Semi-truck traffic will be restricted in the alley next to the City Hall and parking garage construction site. 

Chet Wram

Whitefish native, Chet Wram, passed away on Saturday, March 19, at home. 

Alan Dale Raddatz

Alan Dale Raddatz was born to Kurt and Helen Raddatz on Jan. 21, 1938, in Dillon. 

Stearns announces retirement as city manager

Whitefish City Manger Chuck Stearns has announced his intention to retire at the end of this year. 

Black defends Nate Chute snowboard title

Whitefish snowboarder Hugh Black shredded the competition on his way to the top of the podium at the annual Nate Chute Banked Slalom and Boardercross races last weekend at Whitefish Mountain Resort.

Ron Prince

A memorial for Ron Prince of Eureka will be held April 2 at the Riverstone Lodge, 6370 Highway 93 North in Eureka, from 1-4 p.m. Please join us for a celebration of Ron’s life. Pot luck and casual refreshments will be served. Ron would have wanted it that way.

Neighborhood drops opposition to 93 South subdivision

The developer of a proposed subdivision on Highway 93 South has worked out a deal with neighbors concerned with the project’s density.

Goguen lauded for 'inspiring' philanthropy

There’s no doubt the allegations of sexual abuse against Whitefish philanthropist Michael Goguen and his counterclaim of extortion by his accuser have raised eyebrows in the Flathead Valley.

Whitefish Lake watershed to be discussed at March 22 forum

A community forum to discuss a recent study on the Whitefish Lake watershed is set for next Tuesday, March 22 beginning at 6 p.m. at the O’Shaughnessy Center in Whitefish.

Goguen responds to lawsuit, calls accusations a 'shakedown'

Calling his accuser “a woman scorned” consumed by anger, obsession and jealousy, Whitefish philanthropist Michael Goguen says he is being extorted by a woman who claims in a lawsuit that he sexually abused her during their 13-year relationship.

Whitefish drafts human rights law

A new law protecting people from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity will go before Whitefish City Council next week.

County says it won't accept Syrian refugees

Many Flathead County residents are opposed to Syrian refugees being resettled in the county.

Refuse company to bill for garbage pickup

The city of Whitefish has renewed its contract with North Valley Refuse for garbage collection and maintaining the city’s recycling site.

Celebrate Ski Heritage Days this weekend

Olympic and World Champion skier Phil Mahre will be the guest of honor at the Flathead Valley Ski Education Foundation’s annual Hellroaring Ski Heritage Days March 18-19 in Whitefish.

Nate Chute snowboard races March 19-20

The 17th Annual Nate Chute Banked Slalom and Boardercross kicks off March 19 at Whitefish Mountain Resort.

Campus Views: Hopeful and anxious about adulthood

Oftentimes in Mr. Schwaderer’s English class we reflect on some pretty deep themes. Our discussions have covered everything from existentialism to the inevitability of time.

City moves ahead with Wisconsin study

Whitefish City Council on March 7 approved a planning contract to begin work on a Wisconsin Avenue corridor study.

City moves ahead with Wisconsin Avenue study

Whitefish City Council on March 7 approved a planning contract to begin work on a Wisconsin Avenue corridor study.

Police Calls: Thief values old CDs

Whitefish Police calls from March 7-13:

Planned greenhouse shifts to north side of high school

Plans for a greenhouse and educational garden at Whitefish High School have shifted to the north side of campus.

Cutting golf course trees unnecessary

The Tee to Green column (Nurturing Healthy Greens, Feb. 24, 2016) seems so innocent unless one has gone over to the Whitefish Lake Golf Course over the past month.

Planning board looks at hotel, subdivision projects

Plans for a hotel and housing subdivision on vacant land along Highway 93 South in Whitefish will go before the city Planning Board on March 17.

I'll take my chances on federal land management

Citizens have been using public land in Montana for over 200 years — for mining, grazing, logging, hunting, fishing, packing in wild country and many more activities.

Student uses 4,000 sticky notes in elaborate bid for prom date

Whitefish High School student Travis Catina had a simple question for Allie Schultz — will you stick with me at prom? But the way he went about asking was over the top as he applied roughly 4,000 sticky notes to her car in a promposal.

DREAM Adaptive hosts first-ever backcountry ski camp

Endless stashes of deep powder greeted a foursome of elite adaptive skiers and snowboarders earlier this month in the backcountry north of Whitefish.

Ellen 'Jean' Nally

Ellen “Jean” Nally passed away at the age of 82 at Kalispell Regional Healthcare.

Marie Evelyn DeLaitsch Lockhart

Marie Evelyn DeLaitsch Lockhart was born Oct. 28, 1927 near Colfax, Wisc., to George and Evelyn DeLaitsch. She was the fourth of six children. Marie grew up on a dairy farm and, as a young girl, attended a one-room schoolhouse.

Benjamin Thomas Creech III

Ben left us on March 10, 2016 at the age of 26.

Patricia Julia Porro

Patricia Julia Porro, 93, died of natural causes March 8, 2016, at Buffalo Hill Terrace in Kalispell.

Mayor advocates to keep Depot Park building

Whitefish will re-examine an option to remove the city parks and planning building from Depot Park.

Trees removed from golf club to benefit practice green

One of the historic Christmas trees at Whitefish Lake Golf Club is coming down this spring along with a handful of other mature spruces that line the entry.

Vintage sno-cats on display for Ski Heritage Days

Skiers headed up to Whitefish Mountain Resort have likely noticed a pair of vintage Tucker Sno-Cats parked at the bottom of Big Mountain Road.

Whitefish philanthropist Goguen denies sexual abuse allegations

Whitefish philanthropist Michael Goguen has been fired as a partner at Sequoia Capital following allegations that he sexually and emotionally abused a woman for more than 13 years and then refused to pay the woman an agreed-upon $40 million to keep her quiet about the abuse.

AP March Madness

Plans for downtown gazebo move forward

The first phase of big changes at Whitefish’s downtown park took a step forward this week when City Council approved a contract for the engineering and design of a new gazebo.

Whitefish schools ask for building levy

The Whitefish School District is asking voters to approve two levies totaling $700,000 annually to fund building maintenance, repairs and technology upgrades at all of its schools.

Whitefish trustees approve one-year teacher contract

The Whitefish School District and the Whitefish Education Association have come to terms on a one-year contract that includes pay increases and a bonus for veteran educators.

Affordable housing a wise community investment

The small town charm and community feel we enjoy here in Whitefish are significant assets to business and economic development. Our values and character set Whitefish apart from other mountain towns. They are, in part, created by the workforce that has stood as our community’s backbone since the early 1900s.

BNSF Railway invests $180M in Montana

Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway last week announced it would spend about $180 million in its rail services this year in Montana. That includes replacing 7,000 ties and 11 miles of rail between Whitefish and East Glacier, said spokesman Matt Jones.

Police calls: Guns in government housing

Whitefish Police calls Feb. 29 to March 6:

C-Falls hoops coach quits citing toxic work environment

Columbia Falls boys basketball coach John Anderson has resigned after one season, claiming he couldn’t work in a “toxic” environment.

Voisin 3rd in World Cup finale

Whitefish skier Maggie Voisin finished third in the women’s skiing slopestyle World Cup season finale on Friday at Corvatsch Park.

Whitefish Municipal Court records for February

Brandi Ann Guild, 35, Bigfork, no insurance, $285.

New poolside bar at lodge OK'd

The city has given approval for a small bar to operate out of the Viking Creek facilities at The Lodge at Whitefish Lake.

State facing many challenges in funding senior services

The Montana Office of Aging in a recent strategic plan warns readers of “the tsunami of elderly coming.” One might take a cautionary note in reviewing the plan and from the latest biennium budget for the Senior Long Care Division (SLTC), all a part of Montana Health and Human Services.

Whitefish microbrewery expands capacity

Great Northern Brewing Company hoisted a new holding tank into its downtown facility Friday as part of the microbrewery’s second expansion project in two years.

Powell and Gale married

Leah Marie Powell and Charles Bristol Gale were married Jan. 30 at the First Presbyterian Church in Whitefish. The ceremony was performed by Pastor Tim Dalstrom.

Haskill house torched in chimney fire

A hot spot in a chimney likely led to a full-blown structure fire last week at a home east of Whitefish.

Students learn about science of glass

Art and science melted together at Whitefish High School last week as chemistry students got a hands-on lesson about glass.

Olympian headlines Flathead ski hall of fame class

A group of influential leaders in the local ski community are poised to enter the Flathead Valley Ski Education Foundation’s hall of fame this month. Three helped shape skiing in Northwest Montana as we know it today, while the fourth left his mark on the Olympic stage and later as a pioneer in ski design.

Kastella earns All-State basketball honors

Whitefish’s leading scorer Derek Kastella has earned All-State and All-Conference basketball honors.

Questioning the Lion Mountain septic study

In my opinion, the article regarding a report on Lion Mountain’s wastewater management alternatives (Whitefish Pilot, March 2) has multiple errors and statements that deserve correcting.

1,356 steps: Firefighters climb for a cause

There’s nothing fun about running as fast as you can up 69 flights of stairs in 60 pounds of firefighting gear while wearing a breathing apparatus.

Climate action group looks at travel in Glacier Park

Improving recycling, encouraging energy conservation, and developing a carbon-neutral tourism experience are all ideas introduced at the first climate solutions project meeting.

Brewery crafts IPA for local radio station

Whitefish Community Radio and Bonsai Brewing Project are announcing a collaboration beer called “Radio Revolution Black IPA,” set to be released at a tapping party and fundraiser for WCR on Thursday, March 10, at Bonsai Brewing, 549 Wisconsin Ave., Whitefish.

Former Twins coach to lead Whitefish softball

Whitefish has brought in a local baseball ace to rebuild the school’s struggling softball program.

John Landon, Jr.

John Landon, Jr., was called home to Heaven surrounded by family after a three-year battle with cancer. John was born March 3, 1954, and died on his birthday, just as he predicted, 62 years later.

Building community through our schools

Whitefish School District will request a Building Reserve Levy in a May voter election. This is an important issue for the community.

Lorang retires after career as city's record keeper

Necile Lorang says it’s been a privilege and a pleasure to serve the city of Whitefish for almost three decades.

Keep bikes and chainsaws out of wilderness areas

I’d like to make a couple points about the article “Ban on Bikes in Wilderness Challenged” (Whitefish Pilot, Feb. 24).

We need more guys like Don 'K'

Perhaps starstruck by his days in front of the camera filming the “Don’t you buy no ugly truck!” commercials, Don “K” Kaltschmidt has for decades been a top-level supporter of the performing arts in the Flathead.

Edward Gray

Edward J. Gray passed away peacefully on Feb. 27, 2016 at The Springs at Whitefish.

Support for Sparrow's Nest

Several weeks ago, Laura Kochis, a board member for the Sparrow’s Nest, spoke to our Soroptimist International of Whitefish dinner meeting. She was an eloquent speaker and advocate for the homeless youth in the Flathead Valley and impressed upon us the need for compassion and generosity.

Council to look at transportation plan

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

Johnson and Blackburn to marry

Kirsten Blackburn and Sam Johnson are planning a September wedding surrounded by the beauty of Glacier National Park.

Rep. Regier invested in Whitefish

My name is Katie Bollweg and I am a Flathead native who has lived in Whitefish for over five years.

Police calls: Cowgirls wrangle up horse

Whitefish Police calls from Feb. 22-28:

Hospital Birth Center expands to meet needs

North Valley Hospital is celebrating a much-needed expansion of its Birth Center.

Report: Lion Mountain homes should connect to city services

A new report says Lion Mountain homeowners should abandon their septic systems and hook up to city sewer if they want to keep harmful pollution out of their drinking water and Whitefish Lake.

State berth slips away from boys

Timely three-pointers and crafty post play had Whitefish in the mix for a trip to the state tournament.

Group won't appeal Jesus statue case

A statue of Jesus is no longer at risk for possible removal from Whitefish Mountain Resort after a nonprofit group decided not to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.