Looking Back for Jan. 13

A look back at past Whitefish Pilot articles by Whitney England.

10 years ago

Jan. 5, 2011

The Whitefish Lake and Lakeshore Protection Committee was outraged over a series of lakeshore violations that had been occurring the previous year. The most recent issue was with a Kalispell contractor that had repeatedly violated regulations that protect the water quality on Whitefish Lake. The committee was seeking advice from the City Council on how to handle these issues in the new year.

20 years ago

Jan. 4, 2001

A new bar called Club Central had just opened in downtown Whitefish including a separate restaurant downstairs called Julio’s Coaches Corner. The new space was touted to be the first of its kind in northwest Montana, the owners were claiming to be a bar, restaurant, nightclub and casino.

30 years ago

Jan. 3, 1991

Federal funding was secured to take on a massive project of redesigning Highway 93 South in order to widen the road and create a fifth lane which would be a center turn lane. Opponents to the project were arguing in favor of a divided scenic parkway wherever possible along the highway, but the state was saying the time to make changes had already come and gone.

40 years ago

Jan. 8, 1981

Whitefish councilman Jim Putnam had been filling in as acting mayor for three months before the new Mayor Hank Olson took over. The previous mayor had resigned in September of the previous year and Olson came on early, even before the scheduled Feb. 10 election, because of the vacancy and he was the only person to file for the mayor’s seat.

50 years ago

Jan. 7, 1971

The Whitefish Winter Carnival had just been named to the top 20 U.S. Travel Events listed for that winter by Discover America Travel Organization. The quirky celebration had been around for a little over 10 years at that point.