Ellington

Dr. Dale A. Bax, 75

Community leader and dentist Dr. Dale Bax, 75, passed away on Nov. 11, 2024.

Solve a holiday whodunit alongside Sherlock Holmes with the Whitefish Theatre Co.

The dazzling whodunit “The Game’s Afoot: Holmes For The Holiday” by Ken Ludwig runs Dec. 6, 7, and 8 and Dec. 12, 13, 14, and 15 at the O’Shaughnessy Center in Whitefish.

Student Art: ‘My Favorite Show’ by Wesley Bridgewater

The art featured above is called "My Favorite Show" and is a pen drawing by Whitefish High School senior Wesley Bridgewater in the WHS Art I: Drawing class.

Photos: A true community effort

Sunday marked the 75th year that Whitefish Shines, the city of Whitefish and several volunteers have gathered to decorate the town for winter.

Looking Back: Love Lives Here sparks anti-discrimination resolution

Approximately 300 spectators witnessed the crowning of Pattie Lemcke as Whitefish’s Junior Miss.

Police Calls: Public bathroom floor mistaken for Airbnb

A child was running around trying to scare people with an air gun and may have shot another child.

City Council preview for Dec. 2, 2025

Whitefish City Council meets on Monday, Dec. 2, beginning at 7:10 p.m. at City Hall.

Beaver trapping at Smith Lake deemed necessary by DNRC

The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation posted a sign near Smith Lake recently, warning people to stay away and to keep pets away from the area because beaver trapping for the integrity of the dam was underway.

Changeover: Residents rise early for winter tire ritual

The first flakes flew, the mountains collected several inches, and the valley held on to a skiff last week.

Whitefish City Council delays compensation discussion

A discussion of potential compensation for the council and mayor was postponed at the regular meeting of the City Council last week.

Great Whitefish Gingerbread Contest to benefit affordable housing

The Great Whitefish Gingerbread House Contest returns for the fourth time with all entry fees and donations being matched dollar-for-dollar by Century 21 Deaton and Company Real Estate.

Participate in the Glacier National Park stewardship process

We in Western Montana are lucky enough to have Glacier National Park in our backyard.

The flag

Okay everyone, it is time to put your flags away.

Co-op announces Community Education Grant support for Flathead Industries

Flathead Industries is the recent recipient of a $50,000 Flathead Electric Cooperative Community Education Grant.

Hospital Corner: Cheers to gathering safely

We have officially entered the season of gathering.

Two riverfront properties newly protected with conservation easements

Over the past few days, Flathead Land Trust helped protect two riverfront properties near Whitefish with conservation easements.

Cairo to Cape Town the ride of a lifetime for Whitefish cyclist

“It often reached a point where it’s just combat biking,” said Whitefish resident Pam Sbar, when telling the story of her recent expedition across Africa.

Whitefish speech and debate primed to win

Upperclassmen are small in numbers but forceful in leadership for the Whitefish speech and debate team this year.

Adaptability, responsibility among school district’s new goals for graduates

More than 500 responses were recorded from the community in a discussion about the competencies that are desired for Whitefish graduates.

Green and Gold: In this together

In this season of gratitude, I extend my heartfelt appreciation to our educators, students, parents, trustees, administrators, and the community for their shared contributions that are integral to the success of our students and schools.

City of Whitefish taking quotes for Highway 93 South maintenance

The City of Whitefish Parks and Recreation Department is soliciting for quotes for seasonal maintenance of US Highway 93 South right-of-way from May 1, 2025, through Oct. 31, 2025.

Whitefish speech and debate students safe after bus fire in Ronan

The bus that was used to take Whitefish Speech & Debate students to a tournament in Ronan caught fire in the Ronan Middle School parking lot Saturday evening.

Kick off the holiday season with ‘The Nutcracker’

Keeping with holiday tradition, the Northwest Ballet Company tradition presents its 36th production of “The Nutcracker” over Thanksgiving weekend at the Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts.

Teen writing workshop focuses on the power of setting

Local author Jess Owen will share her writing expertise at “The Power of Your Story’s Setting,” a workshop for teens at the Whitefish Community Library on Friday, Nov. 22, at 4:30 p.m.

Hartwig signing

Isabella Hartwig signed a letter of intent to play volleyball at Cal Poly Humboldt in California.

Hunting season picks up in final two weeks

Montana’s general hunting season is down to the final two weeks, and activity has picked up in northwest Montana.

Musical presentation ‘Season of Soul 3.0’ in Whitefish

Amazing Place Music presents “Season of Soul 3.0” on Saturday, Nov. 30, at the Whitefish Performing Arts Center.

Photos: Whitefish businesses offer deals for electric cowgirls

Photos: On Friday, November 15, from 5 to 9pm, get ready to saddle up for a night of excitement at Ladies Night Out in Whitefish. This unique event will bring together a group of adventurous women for a night of shopping, dining, and dancing.

Student Art: ‘Covers’ by Margaret Leipzig

The art featured above is called " Covers " and is a watercolor and colored pencil work by Whitefish Middle School eighth grader Margaret Leipzig in the WMS art class.

Looking Back: Water quality, resort tax, earthquake

The Whitefish City Council signed an agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency which made Whitefish part of the EPA's proposed Water Quality Study.

Police Calls: Ready, aim, firework

A car parked on Second Street was a concern.

Jersey Boys ready to open at new location

A downtown fixture has shut its doors at the corner of East First Street and Spokane Avenue in Whitefish, but its delicious food and warm atmosphere are available, bigger and better, just a short drive south.

State adds protections for bull trout in Northwest Montana

The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission approved additional protections for bull trout in Hungry Horse Reservoir and the South Fork of the Flathead River in northwest Montana.

Commissioners must promote workforce housing

Since the Legislature passed SBs 245, 323 and 382, our family has been actively involved with the City of Columbia Falls in updating their growth management plans and development codes.

Energy resilience featured in presentation to science class

Power Up Ukraine is a Rotary-led campaign that delivers mobile, lithium battery-powered, solar backup generators to hospitals, mobile clinics and humanitarian hubs across Ukraine.

School board considers options for issuing bonds

The Whitefish School Board is prepared to make quick progress in starting projects to update Whitefish High School and athletic facilities.

Whitefish Theatre Company presents ‘Tosca’

Whitefish Theatre Company, in collaboration with the Whitefish Performing Arts Center, presents “Tosca” as part of the 2024-2025 live streaming season of the Metropolitan Opera Live in HD.

WCA Lions boys basketball wins Kalispell tourney

Stillwater Christian School in Kalispell hosted a seventh-grade boys basketball tournament in early November.

Girls hockey undefeated in weekend tournament play

Fourteen girls from the Glacier Hockey Association traveled to the Canal Flats tournament in British Columbia, Canada, where they played teams from Cranbrook and Golden.

In a nutshell: Protecting crucial public benefit programs

Critical public benefit programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid face an uncertain future with the change of administration in January.

Scott King, 73

It is with deep loss and great sadness that we announce the passing of husband, brother, grandfather, uncle and friend, Scott King, 73, on Nov. 4, 2024, after a brief but determined fight with an inoperable brain tumor.

Lonnie Collinsworth scholarship shows that teaching is giving

Lonnie Collinsworth may have taught for 33 years, but he isn’t quite done leaving a positive mark on Whitefish students.

Mumford and Sons to headline 2025 Under the Big Sky music festival

British folk rock band Mumford and Sons will headline the 2025 Under the Big Sky music festival alongside country star Tyler Childers and country rock act The Red Clay Strays.

Glacier National Park seeks feedback on crowd management

Glacier National Park will hold a series of meetings to talk about traffic and crowd management in the park and possible solutions.

Last Whitefish blood drive of the year

The American Red Cross will host the last 2024 Whitefish Community Blood Drive on Thursday, Nov. 21, at The WAVE, located at 1250 Baker Avenue, from 11 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.

City Council preview for Nov. 18, 2025

Whitefish City Council meets on Monday, Nov. 18, beginning at 7:10 p.m. at City Hall.

Girls hockey to play in Canadian festival

Glacier Hockey Association’s girls program players took to the ice for their first event of the season when they traveled to Havre for a Montana Amateur Hockey Association event at the end of October.

Voters open door for City Council compensation

Fifty-three percent of Whitefish voters approved an amendment to the city charter to allow city council members to be paid but it will be some time before they cash that first check.

Chairlift: Elevate

I drove to Billings for the Class A boys soccer final between Whitefish and Billings Central two weeks ago.

Student Art: ‘Bruce’ by Griffin Johnson

The art featured above is called "Bruce" and is a ceramic pinch pot animal by Whitefish High School junior Griffin Johnson in the WHS Sculpture class.

All Conference soccer team honors announced

The 2024 All Conference and All State team selections were released recently and several Whitefish players were recognized.

Looking Back: Whitefish assigned third-class city status

A study commission to investigate various forms of local and county government became available to residents.

Police Calls: Gambling winnings lost

Someone said they won almost $2,000 gambling but lost it all somehow.

Adjustments made to resort tax and sign ordinances

The Whitefish City Council last week approved changes to the resort tax administrative ordinance, updating taxable items and establishing penalties for late fees.

Flathead Electric Co-op announces scholarship opportunities

Flathead Electric Cooperative announces the first of several scholarship opportunities open to seniors graduating from accredited high schools in the Co-op’s service area, graduating homeschool students and current undergraduate college students.

Margaret Johnson, 91

"Growing up in Big Timber and living 30 years in Whitefish should qualify me as a 'Montanan,' so upon my husband, Jerry's, retirement we decided to come back to Montana after seven years in Reno, Nevada.

Veterans Day assembly at Whitefish High School honors sacrifice

Veterans Day assembly at Whitefish High School honors sacrifice.

Whitefish’s Ryan Zinke elected to another term in U.S. House

Voters on Nov. 5 reelected Republican U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke to the U.S. House, as he again defeated challenger Monica Tranel for Montana’s western district seat.

Whitefish voters send Democrats to Senate, House

After redistricting in 2023, Republicans will remain dominate across Flathead County and Montana during the 2025 legislative session.

Nov. 13 letters: Corrupt compensation, peace among politics

Nov. 13 letters: Corrupt compensation, peace among politics, what now?

Portion of East Sixth rebuild to be one-way

The final design and bidding for construction of East Sixth Street gained Whitefish City Council’s unanimous approval last week.

Slaybaugh retires as Glacier Twins coach

Kevin Slaybaugh, head coach of the Glacier Twins American Legion baseball team, has announced his retirement from coaching. While stepping down from his on-field leadership, Slaybaugh will remain active with the organization, continuing his role as president.

Geraldine (Ehlman) Uecker, 91

Geraldine 'Gerri,' Geri,' Gerry,' 'Jeri' Uecker, 91, died of natural causes on Nov. 6, 2024, at Highgate Assisted Senior Living Center in Great Falls.

Whitefish falls in quarterfinals to Billings Central

The Bulldogs’ football season came to an end Saturday in a tough 55-21 quarterfinals loss to Billings Central.

Photos: Whitefish High School Theatre presents Clue

Whitefish High School Theatre presents Clue Nov. 14, 15 and 16.

Peter 'Rocky' Graziano

Peter "Rocky" Graziano passed quietly from this life on Sept. 26, 2024, after a long battle with diabetes.

Claire C. Strickler, 93

Claire Church Strickler, 93, died in Broomfield, Colorado on Oct. 7, 2024.

Bulldogs drop two at volleyball divisionals

Whitefish picked up a victory at the Western A Divisional Tournament but lost their next two matchups to bow out of the 2024 Class A postseason.

Election results for Nov. 5, 2024

Election results for Nov. 5, 2024

Glacier National Park to introduce timed vehicle reservations in 2025

Next year, Glacier National Park visitors who go through the west entrance of Going-to-the-Sun Road and the North Fork will be required to enter during a designated time block during ticketed entry.

Warren Miller movie ‘75’ showing in Whitefish

The Flathead Valley Ski Education Foundation hosts two screenings of Warren Miller Entertainment's “75” Nov. 15 and 16 at the O’Shaughnessy Cultural Arts Center in Whitefish.

The latest Flathead County election results

The latest Flathead County election results

Whitefish Christian Academy volleyball wins Flathead Valley Rural League tournament

The Whitefish Christian Academy’s girls volleyball team won first place in the Flathead Valley Rural League at a recent tournament held in Deer Park.

Bulldogs finish second in State A soccer tournament

The Montana Class A State boys soccer championship game on Saturday was a rematch between the Whitefish Bulldogs and the undefeated Billing Central Rams.

EPA trashing sound CFAC cleanup strategies

EPA’s (Environmental Protection Agency) trash can is full of discarded cleanup strategies marked as “Too Costly,” “Too Risky,” “Good, But Not Top Rated,” “Why Do More, When Less is, OK?”

Flathead Avalanche hosts Snow and Avalanche Workshop

Flathead Avalanche is ready to kick off the season with the 13th Annual Northern Rockies Snow & Avalanche Workshop.

Looking Back: Heavy snowfall; stellar football season ends

Frenchy’s Chinese Gardens attracted national notice.

Police Calls: Screaming customer bad for business

The caller reporting a reckless driver on Highway 93 was quick to hang up before he was pulled over for talking on the phone while driving.

Sheehy must apologize for Native American remarks

As Montanans, the undersigned persons and groups fully support the compelling letter of Chairman Michael Dolson of the Confederate Salish and Kootenai Tribe calling Tim Sheehy, candidate for the U.S. Senate, to account for his racist comments directed at our fellow Native American citizens.

Student Art: ‘Fall Pum-tangle’ by Elise Harvey

The art featured above is called "Fall Pum-tangle" and is a watercolor painting with ink pen and marker by Whitefish High School freshman Elise Harvey in the WHS Introduction to Art class.

Shelter WF housing design competition showcases fresh ideas

Shelter WF, a community nonprofit concerned with affordable housing in Whitefish, was awarded the AARP Community Challenge Grant in April and organized a housing design competition that sought ways to build missing middle housing.

City of Whitefish requests questionnaire from 2025 jurors

The City of Whitefish is asking for information from prospective 2025 municipal court jurors. A questionnaire was sent by mail to those selected to serve as jurors in 2025 and its completion is required.

Legals for November, 6 2024

Willow trees at Riverside Park to be removed

The Whitefish Parks and Recreation Department is removing willow trees at Riverside Park this fall and replacing them with safer, more sustainable native tree species in the spring.

‘Forever Glacier’ a vibrant force of learning at Whitefish High School

Nancy Cawdrey’s Forever Glacier exhibit has returned to Whitefish and is on display at Whitefish High School for three months.

Freeride skier Katie Hersom receives adventure scholarship

The Flyin Ryan Hawks Foundation awarded an adventure scholarship to Katie Hersom, 17, who lives in Whitefish and is a senior in high school. She is a competitive freeride skier in her final year competing in IFSA Juniors.

Whitefish Lions Club gardeners dedicated to feeding community

A few dedicated Whitefish Lions Club members were gardening all spring, summer and fall to donate heaps of produce to local organizations this growing season.

Whitefish volleyball first in Northwest A

It was a close battle, but then again, would you expect anything else from a Cat-Dog matchup.

Photos: Chickens, witches, and chairlift skeletons afright

Halloween in Whitefish didn't disappoint this year.

Last-minute Gulick TD lifts Whitefish over Bigfork

This one will be talked about for years to come.

Community band to perform 'A Concert of Celebrations' in Kalispell and Whitefish

The Flathead Valley Community Band presents A Concert of Celebrations with two performances scheduled Nov. 6 and 13.

Ann Goldthwait

Ann Goldthwait died Sept. 3, 2024. At home in Sheridan, Montana.

Quarterback Carson Gulick earns his position

It was the summer of 2023 and Carson Gulick was at a crossroads.