Looking Back: Pollution-causing homeowners to be evicted
The new bridge over the Whitefish River on Highway 40 between Whitefish and Columbia Falls was taking shape. The project was begun in February, 1974, and was expected to be finished by July. The bridge would be a two-lane affair with wide shoulders, replacing the present narrow bridge. Steve Twitchell was in charge of the project for Hilde Maronich Construction Co.
A look back at past Pilot articles by Julie Engler
50 Years Ago
Aug. 8, 1974
Dean Jellison, county attorney, told the Whitefish City Council of the county's proposed action to halt pollution of the Whitefish River. Mr Jellison stated that many septic tanks in the area west of the river and south of Second Street must be non-existent or faulty to cause the sewage found in the river. He was investigating the possibility of issuing injunctions to people in the area forcing them to move out of their houses to halt the pollution. It was uncertain at the meeting whether the county could legally pursue that type of action.
40 Years Ago
Aug. 9, 1984
The Big Mountain ski area received approval from the U.S. Forest Service to add a lift to the north side of the mountain, opening up 445 acres of new skiing trails. Plans also included a restaurant on the summit. However, in selecting alternative D of the options formulated, the Forest Service severely limited the time work can be done in the new area, when it can be open for skiing and when the restaurant can be open. The agency also turned thumbs down to a request to open up the Hellroaring Creek area with a new lift on the front side.
30 Years Ago
July 4, 1994
Voters chose to end county enforcement of building codes by a landslide. Results of the ballot initiative showed Flathead County residents elected to put the building department out of business. By a 11,425 to 1,680 vote, the message to commissioners was made clear. No more county enforcement of building codes. “I'm not surprised,” said commissioner Sharon Stratton as she sat at her desk signing notices of termination for the department's three building inspectors.
20 Years Ago
July 25, 2004
A ribbon of Burlington Northern Santa Fe Land was the key to completion of a crucial city bike trail link but the project was on hold until a fair market value was determined. The section ran along the perimeter of the railroad yard along Edgewood and would connect with land on the other side of the viaduct near Railway Avenue. The city deemed the land heavy industrial and of little use outside of the proposed bike trail. BNSF, however, based an appraisal of the land on river resort property and as such worth top dollar. The city declined BNSF’s original asking price of $283,000.
10 Years Ago
July 6, 2014
The city of Whitefish has notified Flathead County of its intent to create a city planning board. The city sent a formal notice and the county had 30 days to elect either a city planning board or a city-county planning board. In a prepared statement, Mayor John Muhlfeld said the city was ready to sit down with commissioners to discuss the matter. “We would be happy to schedule a joint work session or public meeting if the commissioners would like to discuss accelerating the county's exercise of their control in the doughnut area,” Muhlfeld said.