Ellington

Machinery sparked fire north of Whitefish Lake

A heavy aerial and ground attack kept a wildfire near homes on the north end of Whitefish Lake in check over the weekend.

Big Richard Band headlines Whitefish Hootenanny

The Whitefish Trail Hootenanny, considered the local’s finale event of the summer, is planned for Friday, Aug. 25 starting at 5 p.m. in Depot Park in downtown Whitefish.

Broadway stars converge on Whitefish for concert of showstoppers

They’ve starred in some of the most well-known Broadway productions in history, including “Rent,” “Anything Goes,” “The Lion King,” “Color Purple,” and for one week, they’ll perform some of their greatest show-stopping hits on the Whitefish stage.

Runners participate in Glacier Nordic Club's 41st Big Mountain Run

On Saturday, 73 gritty runners participated in the 41st Annual Big Mountain Run.

Council proposes using resort tax to fund community housing

The Whitefish City Council voted unanimously to review a proposed financial plan which reallocates resort tax funds to include community housing.

Who’s Who in Whitefish: Local podcast focuses on community programs and politics

Some might say that Ed Docter, the owner of the Montana Tap House, Tamarack Ski Shop and Dire Need Cannabis, has the gift of gab.

Fishing restrictions possible on Flathead River due to low flows

State wildlife officials may implement fishing restrictions in Northwest Montana as rivers and streams run at or near historic lows for late July.

Experts forecast intense fire season for Montana

Montana is likely to see a rapid increase in wildfires as the summer grows hotter and the rain stops, according to fire weather experts.

City establishes new buffering regulations for marijuana dispensaries

Last week, the Whitefish City Council voted unanimously to adopt amendments to the city’s zoning ordinance regarding marijuana dispensaries.

Missing man found dead in Koocanusa Reservoir

A Lincoln County man was found dead in Lake Koocanusa Wednesday, July 19, in the evening.

Roundup for Safety awards $22,500 in grant funding

Flathead Electric Cooperative’s Roundup for Safety Board on July 13 awarded $22,500 to support area nonprofit community safety projects, including multiple AEDs and first aid kits.

Sun Road crews return to daytime construction

Construction crews assigned to the Going-to-the-Sun Road rehabilitation project are back to working during the day intermittently, according to the Federal Highway Administration.

Woman found dead after grizzly bear encounter near Yellowstone National Park

A woman was found dead in Montana on Saturday after coming into contact with a grizzly bear on a trail west of Yellowstone National Park.

Student Art: ‘Calm’ by Rook Arakaki

The art featured above is called "Calm" and is an India Ink Painting by Whitefish High School sophomore Rook Arakaki in the WHS class Art 1: Painting.

Who Let the Dogs … in the Library?

The Intermountain Therapy Animals will read with kids at the Whitefish Community Library on Thursday, July 27 at 10:30 a.m.

In a Nutshell: A visit to our rural pantry partners

After a three-hour drive, the life-size Sasquatch between the Yaak Mercantile and the Dirty Shame Saloon greets us at the entrance of town. Most people who visit the Yaak are tourists gone astray. The town has less than 500 residents who have built a life in the wilderness among bears, elk and wolves.

Annual Flathead Waters Cleanup sign up open

Registration for the Flathead Waters Cleanup on Saturday, Aug. 12 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. is now open.

Grizzlies put down after becoming food-conditioned, aggressive

Two grizzlies bears were killed last week because they continued to get in trouble with humans and human foods.

Looking Back for July 26

Slusher’s Bakery, long-time Whitefish business located at 215 Central Avenue, closed its doors for the last time Saturday, July 28.

REAL Montana Class V travels to Great Falls for seminar

Flathead Valley residents Shauna Dunn, Shelby George, Brian Hogue and Cameron Wohlschlegel recently returned from three days in Great Falls as part of REAL Montana (Resource Education and Agriculture Leadership).

Police Calls: No DNA testing for flying sandwich

The owner of the boat that came loose and was tied up to the finder’s dock came to retrieve the boat.

Glacier Twins win West A title over Mariners

The Glacier Twins took the long route to a district title, and it could have been longer.

Legals for July, 26 2023

Lifeguard shortage

While swimming in Hawaii this winter I was disappointed in my overall swimming strength and endurance as I entered my 70s.

Whitefish mushroom hunter recounts rescue from Frozen Lake area

An outing earlier this month that started as a day trip to pick mushrooms in the Frozen Lake area northeast of Eureka turned into an international search mission for a man many consider a Whitefish legend.

Zinke targets Glacier National Park ticketed entry system with legislation

U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke’s latest attempt to roll back the vehicle reservation system in Glacier National Park is coming in the form of legislation.

Cub Scout Wilderness Experience

The Northwest District, Montana Council BSA recently held its annual Cub Scout Wilderness Experience event at Grizzly Base Camp near Bigfork.

Resort tax reallocation can do more for residents

The City of Whitefish is preparing to place a reallocation of its resort tax revenues on the ballot this fall.

Local track athletes qualify relay team for Junior Olympic championships

A relay team of some of the fastest female athletes from the Flathead Valley has qualified for the USATF Junior Olympic Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon.

Student Art: ‘Frames’ by Remy Maaliki

The art featured above is called "Frames" and is a watercolor and pen piece by Whitefish High School freshman Remy Maaliki in the WHS class Introduction to Art.

Whitefish Schools prelim budget shows increase in funding, expenditures

The Whitefish School District presented the preliminary school district budget for the 2023-24 school year at a school board meeting last week.

Police Calls: Father of the groom loses his cool

Several items were stolen from a garage on Second Street last night.

Electric Co-op warns customers of phone scam

Flathead Electric Co-op is warning customers that scammers claiming to be Co-op employees are contacting members and attempting to obtain their private information.

Missing mushroom hunter found alive in Canada

An 87-year-old Whitefish man who went missing in the Frozen Lake area last weekend was found alive Tuesday afternoon in Canada.

Whitefish Library takes a hike for Summer Fun activity

Whitefish Legacy Partners is hosting “Tots on the Trail” with the Whitefish Community Library at Lion Mountain Trailhead on Thursday, July 20.

Human remains discovered in woods north of Polebridge

Human remains were found in the wilderness north of Polebridge on Thursday, according to the Flathead County Sheriff's Office.

Looking Back for July 19

The City of Whitefish put into immediate effect sprinkling regulations restricting all sprinkling to the hours of 7-10 a.m. and 5-9 p.m. daily.

78 nonprofits to participate in Great Fish Community Challenge

A record number of Flathead Valley nonprofit organizations will participate in the 9th annual Great Fish Community Challenge hosted by Whitefish Community Foundation August 10 to Sept. 15.

Under the Big Sky

Last weekend, for the fourth time in the last five years, the Under the Big Sky music festival happened at the Big Mountain Ranch in Whitefish.

You too could be a citizen lobbyist

What is it like to step into Sens. Steve Daines’ or Jon Tester’s office in Washington, D.C., as an ordinary citizen? How does it feel to push open the heavy doors to the offices of Reps. Matt Rosendale or Ryan Zinke?

New book takes a deep dive into history of the Polebridge Mercantile

North Fork author Lois Walker comes out with new book “The History of the Polebridge Mercantile.”

Legals for July, 19 2023

Twins snag 3 wins over Kalispell to cap regular season

The Glacier Twins A squad went 5-1 last week, notching three wins over Kalispell to end the regular season.

Friendly Whitefish walking group seeks new members

Walking is beneficial for fitness, and socializing is good for mental and physical health. For over 20 years, the Whitefish Walkers have been meeting daily to walk and connect with one another. The group would like to add new members.

Fire Chief Joe Page reflects on career in Whitefish

Firefighters encounter different scenarios every day so they develop the ability to think quickly, remain flexible and prioritize in order to make sound decisions. A long career in firefighting has prepared Whitefish Fire Chief Joe Page for the challenges he is facing upon his retirement.

Boating reopens on Glacier's Two Medicine and St. Mary lakes

Boating opportunities are now available on St. Mary and Two Medicine lakes on the east side of Glacier National Park. Park officials on Monday said it’s the first time since 2019 that boating has been available on these lakes.

20,000 descend on Whitefish for country music festival

As darkness finally enveloped the main stage at Under the Big Sky in Whitefish on Friday night — smoky sunset hues giving way to sophisticated concert lighting design — Caamp frontman Taylor Meier offered praise to the behind-the-scenes crews that helped pull off opening night of the three-day folk and country music festival.

Plan to raise Flathead Lake level torpedoed by water management team

A regional water management team on Friday opted not to alleviate Flathead Lake’s low water level by increasing flows out of Hungry Horse Reservoir.

Missing mushroom hunter found alive in Canada

An 87-year-old Whitefish man who went missing in the Frozen Lake area last weekend was found alive Tuesday afternoon in Canada.

Allison Schnitzler, 71

Sadly, and unexpectedly, our loving family member, Allison Schnitzler, 71, passed peacefully in her sleep in her home after sustaining a fall, in combination with other underlying medical conditions on Monday, June 26, 2023.

Donald Leach, 97

On March 21, 2023, Donald Leach died peacefully at his home in Upland, California of natural causes related to his age.

Carole Moseley, 77

Please join us for a celebration of life in loving memory of Carole Moseley (1945-2023).

Supermajority Republicans grew Montana government and your raised taxes

Less government and lower taxes.

Montanans are getting their money back

Nearly all working-age Montanans, more than half the state’s total population, are getting some welcome news this month: the state is sending them money.

Police Calls: Law enforcement is not in the business of handling skunks

Some sprinklers were stuck and failed to switch off, thus flooded a field.

Looking Back for July 12

Nearly all of Montana’s reporting stations registered reading in the 100s this week.

Raising Flathead Lake's water level a complicated conundrum

As Flathead Lake’s water level continues to drop prematurely this summer, lake-reliant businesses like Marina Cay Resort are preparing for a substantial financial hit.

Weather forces fireworks cancellation

A bout of bad weather including wind, rain and lightning on Tuesday night forced the cancellation of the annual fireworks display at City Beach that is part of the Whitefish Chamber of Commerce’s Fourth of July Celebration.

Solar storm expected to make Northern Lights visible Thursday

A solar storm forecast for Thursday is expected to give skygazers in 17 American states a chance to glimpse the Northern Lights, the colorful sky show that happens when solar wind hits the atmosphere.

Accused killer out free after white supremacist helps post bail

The 19-year-old accused of beating a homeless man to death in Kalispell last month is free from the county jail after a known white supremacist with deep ties to Flathead Valley put up property to help cover his $500,000 bail.

Moore tops Medley in playoff to win 4th of July tourney

Joey Moore faltered at the end, and then he didn’t, making birdie on the first playoff hole to win the 85th annual Earl Hunt Memorial 4th of July tournament Saturday.

Neal Del Barber, 63

Polson — Neal Del Barber, age 63, passed away at the family home in Yellow Bay Montana on July 5, 2023.

Whitefish Library hosts dynamic science presentation for summer series

Most know who Ms. Frizzle is from “The Magic School Bus”, but do you know who Ms. Melissa is? Melissa is a dynamic science teacher presenting at the Whitefish Community Library on Thursday, July 13.

Housing Whitefish selects architect for first project

After a competitive request for proposal process, Housing Whitefish Inc. has selected Cushing Terrell to design their first project.

Whitefish Firefighters receive $10K State Farm Good Neighbor Grant

The Whitefish Firefighters Association was awarded a $10,000 Good Neighbor Grant from State Farm to provide specialized smoke detectors that are designed to alert hearing-impaired seniors to an emergency situation.

Locals start live podcast featuring community leaders

The Fish Tank is a new podcast to be broadcasted live from the Montana Tap House in Whitefish every Wednesday throughout the summer.

Deadly week on Flathead Valley roads

Over the last week, there were three fatal crashes on Flathead Valley roadways.

Whitefish Community Blood Drive at The Wave

The American Red Cross will host its summer Whitefish Community Blood Drive on Thursday, July 20, at The Wave – 1250 Baker Avenue – from 11 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.

Badrock Baseball 14U champs again

The Badrock Baseball 14U team pulled the hat trick recently at Kalispell’s Firecracker Baseball 15U Tournament. Badrock was the champion of the Mother’s Day Tournament, Father’s Day Tournament and most recently, the Fourth of July Tournament.

Longtime friends, WHS grads head solar business in Whitefish

Two friends and former soccer teammates with a mutual interest in sustainability and renewable energy have joined forces once again, this time to help the valley turn on to solar power.

City launches new Growth Policy engagement website

A website intended to keep the public engaged in the process of updating the Whitefish Growth Policy launched last week.

Helping local causes a priority for Big Mountain Botanicals

A few months ago when Whitefish was covered with snow, the community rallied around a former ski patroller to help make his log cabin more livable as he dealt with some health issues.

Twins end Ed Gallo tournament 2-2; split games with Bitterroot

The Glacier Twins had the home advantage all weekend long as they hosted the Ed Gallo Memorial Wood Bat tournament in Whitefish.

City Council preview for July 17

Whitefish City Council meets on Monday, July 17, beginning at 7:10 p.m. at City Hall.

Jamie Wyman Band among local performers to take stage at UTBS

The Jamie Wyman Band applied to be part of Under the Big Sky Festival in 2022. When they weren’t selected, Wyman wrote her song, “The Underdog,” as a mantra to keep going through the challenges of the music business.

Legals for July, 12 2023

Searchers seek Whitefish man who disappeared in Lincoln Co.

The search continues for an 87-year-old Whitefish man who went missing in the Frozen Lake area Saturday night.

Man dies in fiery crash on Highway 40

A Columbia Falls man died in a fiery crash Thursday morning on Montana 40 near Whitefish.

Bad weather forces cancellation of annual fireworks over Whitefish Lake

A bout of bad weather including wind, rain and lightning on Tuesday night forced the cancellation of the annual fireworks display at City Beach that is part of the Whitefish Chamber of Commerce’s Fourth of July Celebration. The show will not be rescheduled.

Complicated problems like homelessness need sustained, collaborative effort

Operating a shelter is difficult. People assume winter is the worst, but the summer, with extreme heat and no rain, is just as punishing. However, this summer, there are additional challenges.

Bob Brown: The Klan in Montana

History may not repeat itself, but it rhymes. Patterns and cycles seem to repeat over time.

Howard Austin, 91

Howard Austin, 91, died June 19, at his home in Cedar City, Utah.

Lawrence Casazza, 85

Dr. Lawrence (Larry) Casazza, a man of many talents and a love for adventure, passed away peacefully at the age of 85 at Merrill Gardens, First Hill in Seattle.

Whitefish Schools’ Dave Means honored as Superintendent of the Year

Whitefish School District Superintendent Dave Means assumed the role at one of the most challenging times for schools across the world.

New director looks to further connect Whitefish Housing Authority with community

In January, Dwarne Hawkins became the new executive director of the Whitefish Housing Authority (WHA).

Local family hopes to overcome devastating house fire with community support

A house fire that destroyed a double-wide trailer home on Armory Road early Friday morning, June 23, left a young family displaced.

Twins go 3-2 at Spokane Wood Bat Classic

The Glacier Twins headed to Spokane for the 2023 Wood Bat Classic over the Fourth of July weekend.

Student Art: ‘Unity of Betta Fish’ by Amber Samuels

The art featured above, called "Unity of Betta Fish", is a watercolor painting by Whitefish High School senior graduate Amber Samuels in the WHS class Art 2: Advanced Art.

Historic bison release fully supported by Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park supports the release of bison into the Chief Mountain Wilderness area of the Blackfeet Reservation.

Suspect in attempted high school break-in given three-year sentence

The Whitefish man arrested in January for trying to break into Columbia Falls High School earned a three-year sentence with the state Department of Corrections on June 22.

DREAM Adaptive’s annual watersports week at Echo Lake

DREAM Adaptive Recreation has teamed up with Launch Watersports to provide the nonprofit’s 15th Annual Watersports Week on Echo Lake.

Looking Back for July 5

Eighty-three new and long-awaited post office boxes were installed in the Whitefish Post Office.

Homeless advocates call for compassion after homeless man beaten to death in Kalispell

Advocates for the homeless are calling for compassion in Flathead County after a homeless man was murdered in Kalispell early Sunday morning.

Hospital Corner: When biking, go with the flow

Summer is here and traffic has increased noticeably around town. With the great weather, the number of bikes has multiplied, along with the emergence of a new mode of transportation: e-bikes (electric-powered).

North Valley Music School hosts annual Montana Music Event

North Valley Music School will host the seventh annual Montana Music Event, a fundraiser for the nonprofit music school, on Sunday, Aug. 13 at Stillwater Landing.

Police Calls: Stolen bike, lost wallet, beer heist

The reason was unclear for the Ford driver’s reckless driving as he kept crossing into oncoming traffic on Highway 93.

Meeting set to discuss state property appraisal notices

Property owners are receiving their 2023 reappraisal notices from the state Department of Revenue.

Glacier Park plans to close Swiftcurrent area fall 2024 for improvements

Glacier National Park is proposing to close the Swiftcurrent developed area in Many Glacier from the fall of 2024 until the spring of 2026 in order to upgrade the parking area, rehabilitate the roadway and replace the water system.

Income tax rebates to be issued by end of August

Montana income taxpayers may notice extra money in their bank accounts or a rebate check in the mail next month.

Donna Mae Bruner, 85

Donna Mae Bruner, age 85, of Whitefish, Montana went to be with her Lord and Savior on Oct. 25, 2022.

Legals for July, 5 2023

2 killed, 3 injured in suspected DUI wreck near Columbia Falls

Two people were killed and three others were injured in a suspected DUI wreck Monday evening on U.S. 2 south of Columbia Falls.