Ellington

River path in Whitefish to reopen

The shared-use path along the Whitefish River from the end of the railyard (north of the trestle) to Miles Avenue will open July 1 and is to remain open, other than intermittent closures as needed for additional restoration work, according to a release from City of Whitefish.

Multi-family development gets green light in Whitefish

A large development that would provide 146 rental apartments, including some deed-restricted as affordable, was recently approved by the Whitefish City Council in a unanimous vote.

University of Montana student awarded American Indian Music Scholarship

Ali Archambult, a soprano majoring in music at the University of Montana School of Music, has been awarded North Valley Music School's American Indian Music Scholarship (AIMS) for 2023.

Two teens face murder charges in Kalispell suspicious death

Two Flathead Valley teenagers are facing murder charges related to a suspicious death in Kalispell early Sunday morning.

David Deuth Stewart, 83

David D. Stewart of Whitefish died on June 21, 2023.

Whitefish Pilot earns several awards in newspaper contest

The Whitefish Pilot won 14 awards in Montana Newspaper Association’s 2022 Better Newspaper Contest.

Seven to run for City Council positions; mayor, judge running unopposed

Incumbent Whitefish city councilors have all filed to retain their seats in the upcoming municipal election, while four challengers also filed.

Looking Back for June 28

Following the pattern of school budgets in the area, the budget set by the District 44 board of education reflected about a 4% increase over the previous school year, with most of the increase coming from increased salaries, a special levy for the new Central school gym and an increased special education program that was nearly all funded through increased state aid payments.

Police Calls: Multiple reckless drivers, hairy man seemed creepy

Reportedly, the driver of a Chevy Blazer had open containers in his vehicle, was driving around drunk and had been trying to start fights.

Climate change’s effects on Montana

Montana’s 1972 constitution guarantees its citizens a right to “a clean and healthful environment in Montana for present and future generations.”

What you should know about property tax appraisals

Property tax appraisals are currently arriving in the mail.

Myrna Chamberlin, 80

Myrna lived!

Whitefish High School alumni return to produce music festival locally

From DJing and throwing small events while attending Whitefish High School in the early 2000s to now producing a music festival locally, Nick Ferrington and Seth and Lisa Macalister are living the dream.

Free-roaming buffalo released by Blackfeet Tribe east of Glacier Park

On Monday the Blackfeet Tribe released a herd of 20 bison in the Chief Mountain Wilderness.

Stay engaged in creation of new growth policy

The 2007 Whitefish Growth Policy is a BIG deal. And because it is a big deal, you should spend the next year reading it, all 146 pages of it. Maybe not all at once, but for sure the relevant chapters on housing, parks and trails, transportation, natural resources, the economy and more.

Whitefish gets federal grant to study rail crossings

Whitefish has received $400,000 in federal funding to study alternatives to at-grade rail crossings.

City Council preview for July 3

Whitefish City Council meets on Monday, July 3, beginning at 7:10 p.m. at City Hall.

Glacier Twins beat Missoula, split games in Helena tournament

The Glacier Twins American Legion Baseball team out of Whitefish and Columbia Falls took down Missoula twice last week before heading to Helena for the Cloninger Classic.

Fireworks, food vendors highlight 4th of July festivities at City Beach

The City of Whitefish Parks and Recreation will host another fun-filled Fourth of July celebration at Whitefish City Beach with fireworks and food vendors.

Fun with Wild Wings Raptors at Whitefish Library

Last week, Beth Watne and the bird-handling helpers from Wild Wings Raptors gave an incredible presentation to a crowd of about 150 people at the Whitefish Community Library.

Thanks for success of Woody Weekend

Thank You, Flathead Valley, for helping to make Whitefish Woody Weekend XI a huge success.

Structure fire in Whitefish leaves family displaced

Early Friday morning, a fire destroyed a home on Armory Road in Whitefish.

City Council approves preliminary FY24 budget

The Whitefish City Council approved the preliminary FY24 budget at its meeting last week after two work sessions to review and discuss it.

Martin City woman killed in hit-and-run

Officials on Wednesday identified 37-year-old Kimberly Ann Gilham as the woman killed in an apparent hit-and-run in Martin City on June 18.

Nonprofit looks to leverage funding for additional affordable housing

Northwest Montana Community Land Trust recently received $35,000 to assist in the organization’s mission to create affordable homeownership opportunities in northwest Montana.

Glacier National Park's Highline Trail opens to hikers

Glacier’s National Park's popular Highline Trail has opened for the season from Logan Pass to Granite Park.

Whitefish Arts Festival returns to Depot Park

The 44th annual Whitefish Arts Festival will be back this weekend, June 30 through July 2, at Depot Park in downtown Whitefish.

Flathead physicians voice opposition to abortion restrictions in letter to governor

Physicians from the Flathead Valley were among the more than 100 medical professionals across Montana who signed a letter calling on Gov. Greg Gianforte and the state Legislature to stop their attempts to restrict access to abortion.

Legals for June, 28 2023

Police Calls: Man at picnic table doing no harm

The man who had been camping near Akers Lane was advised of the city ordinances regarding camping.

Celebrating National Trails Day on the Whitefish Trail

Whitefish Legacy Partners (WLP) partnered with Flathead Area Mountain Bikers (FAMB) on Saturday, June 3, at Spencer Mountain to celebrate National Trails Day with a workday on the Whitefish Trail.

Looking Back for June 21

A call from Jim Curtis, owner of the Viking Lodge, alerted the Whitefish Police and ended in the arrest of three juvenile boys who were charged with grand theft of power boats and other items from the Whitefish river and lake areas.

Explore Whitefish re-launches ‘Be a Friend of the Fish’ campaign

Explore Whitefish has re-launched its sustainable tourism management campaign called “Be a Friend of The Fish,” which aims to balance the economic viability of the tourism industry with community, social and environmental impacts.

Kurt Steele steps down as Flathead Forest supervisor

Kurt Steele is leaving his position as supervisor of the Flathead National Forest for a post at the federal agency’s regional office in Missoula, U.S. Forest Service officials confirmed Monday.

State adopts new laws aimed at alleviating child care shortage

Efforts by Montana legislators and Gov. Greg Gianforte to tackle Montana’s childcare shortage this year have produced several new laws, including measures that expand a program helping lower-income families pay for care and exempting small, in-home daycares from state licensing requirements.

FEC awards grant to North Valley Search and Rescue

Flathead Electric Co-op’s Roundup for Safety Board of Directors awarded $41,715 on June 8 to support area nonprofit community safety projects.

Classical music festival at McClaren Hall in Kalispell

Mozart at McClaren, formerly known as Festival Amadeus, will offer audiences three days of classical music June 23-25.

FVCC receives donation for fitness center in Wachholz College Center

Flathead Valley Community College received a $500,000 donation from community advocate Lucy Smith to name and support the Furlong Smith Fitness Center in the Wachholz College Center on campus in Kalispell.

Local travel baseball program sees success in competitive tournaments

The Badrock 14U baseball team won the Mother’s Day Tournament in Helena last month and also are now champions of the Father’s Day Tournament, which was played on Sunday in Helena.

Sheriff’s Office warns public of deadly combo — Fentanyl plus Xylazine

Last Friday, Governor Greg Gianforte talked about the nearly 11,000 percent increase in fentanyl seizures by anti-drug task forces in Montana since 2019. Fentanyl alone can be lethal, but when combined with another drug – Xylazine – it creates a more potent and lethal drug with horrendous effects, a release from the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office stated.

Whitefish Library’s summer event featuring ATP a hit

Kids of all ages had a blast with Luke Walrath of Alpine Theatre Project at Whitefish Library’s Summer Fun event on Thursday, June 15.

Local Lions Club gets back to gardening to benefit community

The Whitefish Lions Club is seeing a recent surge in membership and participation within the long-standing organization.

Student Art: ‘The Lady’ by Kaitleen To

The art featured above, called "The Lady", is an acrylic painting by Whitefish High School sophomore Kaitleen To in the WHS class Art 1: Painting.

Planning board recommends zoning amendments to marijuana facility ordinance

The Whitefish Planning Board last week voted unanimously to recommend zoning amendments that affect marijuana facilities within city limits.

Solar energy powers summer educational fun at farming academy

The normally quiet grounds of the Montana Veterans Home were shaken up last week when a hovercraft race was held on the premises.

James Roth, 77

James “Jim” Donald Roth, age 77, of Columbia Falls, Montana passed away June 13, 2023.

Glacier Twins keep rolling with wins over Libby, Mission Valley

Over the last week, the Glacier Twins improved to 7-1 in the regional American Legion baseball league.

In a Nutshell: Remembering our founder June through shared food and community

Our beloved founder June Munski-Feenan always had a hot pot of delicious soup on the stove at North Valley Food Bank (NVFB).

Stockman Bank celebrates opening Whitefish branch with nonprofit donations

Sporting a beautiful new red-brick building with numerous windows inviting in the natural light, the new Stockman Bank Whitefish branch just opened its doors.

June Marguerite Leverson, 94

June Marguerite Leverson (Gettelman), age 94, of Whitefish, Montana passed peacefully on Jan. 15, 2023.

'Woody' owners preserve classic boating history

Ken Cook had his eye on a vintage Chris Craft 103 Runabout motorboat for 30 years before he finally found one to call his own.

Whitefish Trail Hootenanny music festival returns in August

The Whitefish Trail Hootenanny brings the public together to celebrate the Whitefish Trail and local conservation lands with Whitefish Legacy Partners. This year the Hootenanny will be on Friday, Aug. 25 from 5 to 9:30 p.m. in Depot Park in Whitefish.

Legals for June, 21 2023

Temporary closure at Whitefish Lake State Park

Whitefish Lake State Park will close temporarily due to road construction that is scheduled to start June 19.

Forever June community celebration at the food bank

North Valley Food Bank (NVFB) will host its annual Forever June community celebration on Friday, June 23, from 5-8 p.m. at the food bank.

Whitefish Woody Weekend returns to The Lodge

Whitefish Woody Weekend, now in its 11th year, is the premier classic boat show in the Pacific Northwest and will be held June 23-25, 2023, at The Lodge at Whitefish Lake.

Friends reflect on decades working for City of Whitefish as both retire

Sitting at a picnic table in Depot Park with two friends, one a soon-to-be-retired city accountant and the other, a newly-retired legal assistant, is a special treat.

Police Calls: Loud, crowded hot tubs, many trailer woes

Someone apparently vandalized a wooden sign in front of a business on Central Avenue by writing on it with a permanent marker.

Looking Back for June 14

The general offices of the Big Mountain received from the U.S. Government Patent Office patent number 956954, as the official registrant for the use of the words, “The Big Mountain” in posters, advertising and all ski resort services.

Local Boy Scouts seek sailboat captain volunteers

The Boy Scouts of America Montana Council will host one of their summer camps on Melita Island on Flathead Lake.

Ambitious program looks to document the depths of Flathead Lake and beyond

With a wetsuit, a camera and an indomitable passion for the depths of Flathead Lake, Kyren Zimmerman and the members of the Flathead Maritime Archaeology Project are hard at work documenting the underwater mysteries of the area’s waterways before they disappear forever.

Jane Tappan, 79

Jane (Taylor) Tappan departed this life on Dec. 6, 2022, at the age of 79. She was born and raised in Whitefish, Montana.

Melissa Fox, 41

Melissa “Missy” Fox went peacefully to Heaven after a long illness on June 3, 2023.

Whitefish illustrates Legislature’s success on housing policy

We would like to thank the Whitefish City Council for perfectly illustrating the Legislature’s success on housing policy and demonstrating why we needed to act on zoning reform in the recent legislative session.

Flathead Basin snowpack all but gone, increased rain needed in June

Northwest Montana’s mountain snowpack is nearly melted out already, setting up a dire forecast of below normal water supply for rivers across the region.

Country star Russell Dickerson to perform at Northwest Montana Fair

The 2023 Northwest Montana Fair and Rodeo will feature a performance by rising country star Russell Dickerson, along with three nights of PRCA Rodeo action and a Big Air Bash.

More than 1,000 Izaak Walton Inn items up for sale

About 1,200 pieces from the historic Izaak Walton Inn will go up for sale.

Gianforte touts Sprunger’s fentanyl bill in Kalispell

Gov. Greg Gianforte joined Kalispell Rep. Courtenay Sprunger in the Flathead County Courthouse on Friday to ceremonially sign two of the freshman lawmakers bills into law, one letting auxiliary officers carry weapons, the other establishing stricter punishments for fentanyl traffickers.

Flathead Electric awards scholarships

Flathead Electric Cooperative has announced its 2023 Scholarship Program recipients.

Raft guide injured in bear attack on Middle Fork

A rafting guide was injured in a bear attack early Wednesday morning while camping on the Middle Fork of the Flathead River.

New subdivision on East Second Street gets Council approval

A nine-lot subdivision was the first item up for discussion at last week’s Whitefish City Council meeting and after making one amendment, the council unanimously approved the request for preliminary plat.

Whitefish City Council considers a variety of items at latest meeting

The city has been awarded a grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to examine the safety of railroad crossings in town.

Whitefish man rescued from river in Idaho

Last week a 91-year-old Whitefish man was rescued after his vehicle went off the road into the Lochsa River about 68 miles from Kooskia on Highway 12 in Idaho.

Plenty of returners highlight talented Twins team; begin with two wins

Another Glacier Twins season is now underway — only a bit delayed from its usual start in previous years.

Student Art: ‘Vermont’ by Signe Ebbett

The art featured above, called "Vermont", was completed using the medium linoleum block print by Whitefish High School junior Signe Ebbett in the WHS class Art 1: Painting.

Sun Road opens to vehicles for season; earliest in over 15 years

Going-to-the-Sun Road officially opened Tuesday morning for the 2023 summer season. The road may now be accessed by motorized vehicles all the way through from both the West Glacier and St. Mary entrances. This is the earliest the road has opened since 2005.

City Council preview for June 19, 2023.

Whitefish City Council meets on Monday, June 19, beginning at 7:10 p.m. at City Hall.

Legals for June, 14 2023

School district to move forward with $33.7M bond for high school expansion

Through an intensive process that started almost a year ago, the Whitefish School District has decided to move forward with plans to expand the high school and athletic facilities.

WEF hosts thank you celebration to celebrate schools

The Whitefish Education Foundation is hosting the second annual “WSD Rocks!” celebration to honor the teachers, administration and staff of the Whitefish School District. The celebration happens from 6 to 10 p.m. on Friday, June 9 at the Moose Lodge in Whitefish.

Water, water everywhere...

Think about how you consume water in your living space. Do you conserve your water use or is it just something you just don't think about? Whitefish has water use restrictions in place and a plan to implement even more limited household water use if necessary.

Maj. Gen. Jacob Joseph Braig, 85

Major General (ret) Jacob J Braig passed away in his hometown hospital, of natural causes and at peace.

Colette Baracker-Flynn, 52

Colette Janeen Baracker-Flynn passed away on Monday, May 22, 2023, at the age of 52, surrounded by her loving family and many friends.

Allen Jacobson, 87

Allen A. Jacobson, 87, of Columbia Falls, passed away peacefully on Jan. 8, 2023, one day after what would have been the 66th wedding anniversary to his wife, Sharon Rae Hileman Jacobson.

Woman allegedly shoots at dog in Martin City, resulting in lock down of Sugar Hill

A woman allegedly shot at a dog after a dispute in Martin City, prompting a lockdown of Central Avenue (Sugar Hill) by Flathead County Sheriff’s deputies Monday for several hours.

Raffle helps nonprofit music school fund music education

North Valley Music School has launched an online charitable raffle to benefit music education, appreciation and performance efforts in Montana.

Summer reading at Whitefish Library kicks off

The kickoff day for the annual Whitefish Library Summer Reading Program for kids and adults is Monday, June 12.

Barbara Foley, 67

Barbara Ellen (Peterson) Foley gracefully passed away in her Whitefish home after her courageous three-year battle with cancer.

Farming academy offers solar powered camps

Throughout the month of June, people will have the opportunity to learn about solar power, the elements of flight, fiber animals, hand felting, and even cheesemaking at the Farming for the Future Academy on the campus of the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls.

City takes first look at preliminary FY24 budget

The Whitefish City Council met last week to discuss the preliminary budget for fiscal year 2024 for the first time.

Student Art: ‘Window View’ by Phoebe Stagg

The art featured above, called "Window View", was completed using color pencil and pen by Whitefish High School freshman Phoebe Stagg in the WHS class Introduction to Art.

Lease dispute over Columbia Falls Community Market results in lawsuit; judge upholds lease for now

The market filed suit against O’Brien Byrd, Three Byrd’s Properties and North Fork Intuition on May 26, claiming the Byrd and his partners broke the five-year lease the market renewed in April 2022 for use of the property.

Owners plan to remodel historic Spokane Avenue building into event space

The historic building at 345 Spokane Avenue was originally the First Methodist Church of Whitefish in 1905.

Community Foundation awards $50K to Boys and Girls Club

Whitefish Community Foundation recently presented Boys and Girls Club of Glacier Country with a $50,000 Kids Fund Grant to support the organization’s after-school program for K-8 students in the Evergreen School District.

State declines millions in federal food assistance for children as food banks see soaring need

Under the Gianforte administration, Montana is opting out of $10 million of federal money that would have paid for children’s meals this year, according to an estimate from the Montana Food Bank Network.

Glacier Symphony holds Chorale auditions

After the inaugural season in the acoustically excellent McClaren Hall at Wachholz College Center, Glacier Symphony is looking forward to another great season of sold-out performances and exciting programming.

U.S. 93 road work north of Kalispell begins, expect delays

Road construction work was set to begin Monday, June 5 on a stretch of U.S. 93 north of Kalispell.

Closing weekend of WTC’s ‘Suite Surrender’

Only three shows remain of the Whitefish Theatre Company’s uproarious comedy “Suite Surrender.”

Flathead Electric Co-op adjusts rates by just over 1%

Flathead Electric Cooperative’s democratically elected Board of Trustees recently approved an overall rate adjustment of 1.11% effective with bills issued on or after June 1, 2023.

Whitefish High School graduates 127 students with Class of 2023

As the graduating seniors in the Class of 2023 gathered in the Whitefish High School gym, the addresses by fellow students centered around honoring the connections formed throughout their years together while looking forward to taking the next steps in their lives.

Looking Back for June 7

Acquisition of a city park site, to be located across from the golf course and next to the border patrol station, was approved by the city council.

Hospital Corner: Join us in the garden

Did you know the hospital has a garden?

Police Calls: “Willy-nilly” speeders reported

A reckless driver in a black 4Runner was “all over the road” on Highway 93 and had a taillight out, too.

WHS senior receives P.E.O. STAR Scholarship

Whitefish’s Chapter D of the Women’s Philanthropic Education Organization (P.E.O.), is pleased to announce that Whitefish High School senior Linnea McCrady has been selected as a recipient of the $2,500 International P.E.O. STAR Scholarship for the 2023-2024 academic year.

Moving forward with Soroptimist International mission, addressing EPA error

Soroptimist International of Whitefish (SIW) is a nonprofit club that provides programs that empower women and girls.

Legals for June, 7 2023

Multi-vehicle accident on Highway 2, one dead, at least three injured

An eastbound semi truck hauling a load of lumber flipped over on Highway 2 in a multi-vehicle fatal accident about 4 p.m. Monday just outside Coram.