Looking Back: Series of bicycle thefts in 1974
This tomato, homegrown at 824 East Second Street in Whitefish by Emmett Helm, was a little more than five inches in diameter and between 16 and 17 inches around. It was waiting to become completely ripe in this photo from 1974.
A look back at past Pilot articles by Julie Engler
50 Years Ago
Sept. 26, 1974
Criminal sale of dangerous drugs was charged against Malcolm Cooper by Whitefish Police. A search warrant produced numerous marijuana plants, several being dried and ready for consumption. Mr. Cooper was released on his own recognizance. A series of bicycle thefts were reported. George Allen reported a bicycle stolen from in front of a Whitefish business. A dark green 5-speed Schwinn was stolen from the residence of Al Lauritzen. A Whitefish juvenile was apprehended after stealing a bicycle valued at $102 from a residence on Somers Avenue.
40 Years Ago
Sept. 27, 1984
Flathead County was responsible for the maintenance of Wisconsin Avenue, despite its claims to the contrary, according to a State Highway Department decision issued in a letter from the administrator of the Program Development Division to the city of Whitefish and county commissioners. Robert Champion, administrator of the Program Development Division, wrote, "From the information we have in the Helena office, we have no reason to believe that Flathead County is not aware that ... Flathead County is responsible for the jurisdiction and maintenance of FAS 487.” Champion’s letter also stated that many counties were experiencing considerable difficulty finding adequate funding to preserve and maintain federal secondary mileage.
30 Years Ago
Sept. 22, 1994
The City Council endorsed an ambitious traffic plan for the intersection south of the new viaduct, in hopes the state would tie construction of access ramps and striping of turn lanes into the project. The council agreed on a plan drawn by the city's engineer to keep Railway Street running two ways between Central and Baker avenues and to continue to allow a left turn off the viaduct onto Railway. The city's proposal would also make Railway one-way westbound from the viaduct to the alley behind the Two Moon Cafe and would include a retaining wall around the corner of the parking lot of the restaurant.
20 Years Ago
Sept. 23, 2004
The city of Whitefish was the center of a landmark annexation case in which the Montana Supreme Court ruled in favor of the city’s move to annex five neighborhoods. About 270 county residents in those outlying areas would be annexed as a result of the high court's decision to uphold Flathead District Judge Ted Lympus’ prior decision. Whitefish City Attorney John Phelps was pleased with the decision because the victory established Whitefish as a model for proper annexation.
10 Years Ago
Sept. 24, 2014
Whitefish established registration fees and fines attached to a new law that addresses false burglar and fire alarms that had become an ongoing challenge for first responders in the city. According to Police Chief Bill Dial, there were 124 false fire alarms and 285 false burglar alarms in Whitefish last year. The city established administration fees for alarm system companies and property owners with alarm systems and set out a fee schedule for false alarms.