Ellington

A happy ending for Blacktail rescue effort

Recently, my friend went missing at Blacktail Mountain Ski Area.

Flathead Valley alpine skiers find success at home races

The Flathead Valley Ski Education Foundation hosted a series of U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association races at Whitefish Mountain Resort last weekend. The Youth Ski League (YSL) races for U8 – U14 classes included a Giant Slalom on Saturday and Slalom on Sunday.

New family-owned pizzeria in Whitefish celebrates local farmers, clean ingredients

While it's common for an inn to have a restaurant, it is unusual for that restaurant to be built atop what was once a swimming pool.

Police Calls: No longer keeping it between the lines

The caller reported being attacked by a dog on River Lakes Drive while out for a walk.

Writing Coaches of Montana seeks volunteers for workshop

Writing Coaches of Montana seeks community members in Flathead County to participate in a one-day workshop to help assess student writing.

Baldone safe after over three months alone

Baldone safe after over three months alone

Student Art: ‘Dr. Seuss Whoville House’ by Scott Schram

The art featured above is called "Dr. Seuss Whoville House" and is clay sculpture by junior Scott Schram in the WHS Sculpture class.

DREAM Adaptive Recreation’s 6th annual Shred Fest fundraiser at WMR

DREAM Adaptive Recreation hosts its 6th annual Shred Fest on March 22, at Whitefish Mountain Resort.

Land to Hand celebrates 10th annual Free the Seeds event

Land to Hand’s 10th annual Free the Seeds event is on Saturday, March 1, from 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. at the Art and Technology Building at Flathead Valley Community College.

City Council preview for March 3, 2025

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

Hospital Corner: Staying active for winter wellbeing

From where we live at the 48th Parallel to the arctic circle and above, Nordic countries, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway and Sweden, are consistently ranked among the happiest according to the World Happiness Report.

Looking Back: Overhead power lines escape attention

The Whitefish varsity basketball team clinched the Western Class A Championships by defeating the Stevensville Yellowjackets 61-47 and then whipping the Hamilton Bronx 87-64.

Inaugural 11U girls hockey Banner Tournament a success for Glacier Hockey Association

Last weekend marked a monumental achievement for the Glacier Hockey Association, as the organization competed in the first year of girls' hockey in the EKL 11U league’s Banner Tournament.

FWP seeking public input on fuels reduction at Ray Kuhns Wildlife Management Area

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is seeking public input on a proposal to improve habitat and reduce forest fuels on the Ray Kuhns Wildlife Management Area in Flathead County.

City Council revokes airport hangar permit, rejects tree clearing

The Whitefish City Council last week revoked the permit for an airport hangar and denied an amendment that would have allowed trees to be cleared from a subdivision development.

Photos: Flathead Classic

The Dog Creek Lodge and Nordic in Olney hosted the 2025 Flathead Classic sled dog races last weekend.

Mary Catherine Sloan, 90

Mary Catherine Sloan, 90, passed away on Feb. 10, 2025, at the home she built with her husband Gary on a rocky ledge overlooking Whitefish Lake on Lion Mountain.

Legacy of breaking barriers for Whitefish girls basketball

Current and former Whitefish High School girls basketball players and supporters reunited Thursday to celebrate the inception of a program that has fostered strong women for five decades.

Whitefish wrestler Aurand fourth at state

Whitefish wrestler Landree Aurand led the Bulldogs at the state tournament in Billings Feb. 14-16, earning the highest finish of the team with fourth place.

School expansion projects wade into design principles

School bonds for the academic and athletic expansion projects at Whitefish High School were opened for sale to the public on Tuesday, Feb. 4 and sold out that morning.

School board discusses new courses, absences and early literacy

Whitefish High School will be adding three new course options for the 2025-26 school year.

Legals for February, 26 2025

Dangerously warm temperatures create ‘magnificent’ avalanches

A drastic winter thaw created dangerous avalanche conditions last weekend as temperatures rose to the mid-40s and rain and snow fell.

Shors leads Whitefish past Libby

Allie Shors had a big second half for the Lady Bulldogs in a 46-36 Northwest A Conference victory over Libby on Thursday, Feb. 20. Shors scored 14 of her 17 points in the second to lead Whitefish to its third conference victory over the year.

Whitefish dishes up Dudley against Loggers

Cooper Dudley had the hot hand and Whitefish outscored Libby 14-2 in the second quarter en route to a 51-26 Northwestern A Conference victory on Thursday, Feb. 20.

PHOTOS: Skijoring returns to the Flathead Valley with Whitefish Skijoring 2025

Skijoring made its return to the Flathead Valley, held by the non-profit organization Whitefish Skijoring, at 1530 W. Springcreek Road on Saturday, Feb. 22. Action continues Sunday.

Backcountry avalanche warning extended

The Flathead Avalanche Center in Hungry Horse has issued a backcountry avalanche warning for the Whitefish, Apgar, Swan, and Flathead mountain ranges, and portions of Glacier National Park (the McDonald Valley and peaks near Marias Pass).

Explosion at Weyerhaeuser plant rocks Columbia Falls

Columbia Falls firefighters and several other Flathead Valley fire departments responded Wednesday morning to a report of an explosion and fire at the Weyerhaeuser MDF plant in Columbia Falls.

Glacier National Park updates wildfire response plan

A new fire management plan for Glacier National Park will incorporate prescribed burning and other forest treatments into the park’s ongoing efforts to prevent wildfires.

Marshals capture subject near high school

Whitefish schools were moved into a contain and teach status at approximately noon today due to a law enforcement incident at a residence located a few blocks away from Whitefish High School.

Police Calls: Icy conditions contribute to car accidents

The driver of an older, tan Honda was seen swerving and speeding on JP Road.

Good ol’ Montana freedom

Witness the dominant “freedom” party and its ironic proposals in Helena: BAN personal choice with one’s own body, IMPOSE dominant religious beliefs, OUTLAW anti-viral medicines, BAR bathrooms to keep out "undesirables," BAN sports for targeted minorities, ARREST doctors for providing professional care, BAN “offensive” books, ATTACK judges for fulfilling their legal duties, etc., etc.

Anti-life

People rely on the rMNA vaccines developed for Covid 19. Both Moderna and Pfizer clinics produce these vaccines.

Whitefish Theatre Company presents ‘Shrek The Musical’

The Whitefish Theatre Company is ‘ogre’ the moon to present their next Main Stage Musical production of the season, “Shrek The Musical” by David Lindsay-Abaire and Jeanine Tesori.

Whitefish High School musicians inspire at orchestra festival

There were many firsts for Whitefish student musicians at the 56th annual AA State Orchestra Festival in Bozeman earlier this month.

Protesters in Whitefish take issue with Trump's mass layoffs

Approximately 100 people with signs and flags gathered at the southern end of the viaduct in Whitefish on Monday to protest.

Whitefish opens applications for Green Business Award

The city of Whitefish’s Green Business Award application is open.

Glacier Nordic skiers battle and swing in West Yellowstone

The Glacier Nordic Comp Team competed in West Yellowstone at the second Junior National Qualifier of the season, Feb. 8-9.

Youth ski league races coming to Whitefish Mountain Resort

The Flathead Valley Ski Education Foundation will host two days of junior ski racing at Whitefish Mountain Resort on Feb. 22-23.

Whitefish firefighters take on Stairclimb Challenge

Four firefighters from the Whitefish Fire Department will put on their bunker gear, an oxygen tank, and their boots to climb 69 flights of stairs during the Firefighter Stairclimb Challenge.

Montana, BNSF partner on grizzly bear conservation efforts

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is partnering with Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway and Montana’s Outdoor Legacy Foundation on a plan to enhance grizzly bear conservation and conflict reduction efforts in northwest and north-central Montana.

Cut the budget, not the Constitution

I had the opportunity, during the second Bush administration, to engage in advising struggling democracies in a project then known as “democracy building."

Looking Back: Protecting local water quality

Several thefts were reported to the police.

Workforce housing support from Explore Whitefish surpasses $389,000

Explore Whitefish presented a check for $29,864 to Housing Whitefish from collections last fiscal quarter by local restaurants that are members and collect the 1% Community Support Fund.

Whitefish Theatre Company holds auditions for ‘Lend Me a Tenor’

The Whitefish Theatre Company is holding auditions for the classic farce comedy “Lend Me a Tenor” by Ken Ludwig.

Student Art: ‘SNFF: Super Ninja Fist Fighters’ by Scotty Dalen

The art featured above is called "SNFF: Super Ninja Fist Fighters" and is a marker and pen drawing by senior Scotty Dalen in the WHS Art 3: Advanced Art class.

Bulldogs can't stop Cats in rival rematch

It was a tough week on the court for the Whitefish Bulldogs, as they fell to both Columbia Falls and Ronan in Northwest A boys basketball action.

Harry Brown, 91

CHEERS TO HARRY BROWN!

Dianna Lynn Giddeon, 77

Dianna Lynn Giddeon, 77, of Whitefish, passed away peacefully on the evening of Feb. 5, 2025.

Whitefish girls swim team second at state

The Whitefish girls swim team took second and the boys tied for sixth at the Class AB swim meet in Great Falls last weekend.

Legals for February, 19 2025

Friends reflect on Harry Brown's legacy as community booster

“He was warm, kind and had a wonderful sense of humor. Harry taught us a lot just by example,” Friedman said. “Harry embraced every good quality that any person can have. We are all better people for having known him.”

Elizabeth Ann Christmann, 82

Elizabeth Ann Christmann — affectionately known as "Tata" was born Dec. 26, 1942, in Denver, Colorado to Elizabeth Louise Lockridge and Thaddeus Leon Lockridge.

Mary Elizabeth Frampton, 66

Mary Elizabeth Frampton, 66, of Whitefish, passed away at home on Feb. 13, 2025.

In a Nutshell: Protecting Medicaid expansion in Montana

In February 2025, the Montana House of Representatives passed House Bill 245, a bipartisan effort to remove the sunset clause from Montana's Medicaid expansion program.

Whitefish DECA students top tier at state conference

A record-breaking number of Whitefish DECA students competed against Class AA schools at the State Career Development Conference in Missoula Feb. 4-6.

Whitefish girls basketball to celebrate 50th anniversary

All current and former Whitefish Girls Basketball players, families and supporters are invited to join an anniversary celebration remembering the legacy that many have helped to create.

Lady Bulldogs fall to Ronan, Columbia Falls

The Whitefish girls basketball team faced a tough week against quality opponents on the hardwood, falling to both Ronan and Columbia Falls in Northwest A conference action.

Photos: Governor commends Whitefish Fire Department

Governor Greg Gianforte last week visited the Whitefish Fire Department to thank firefighters who recently returned from their deployment to southern California to support the state’s fire response.

Forest Service lays off 360 Montana-based workers

In response to news this week that Montana’s largest land manager is laying off 360 Montana-based federal employees, a spokesperson for the U.S. Forest Service said Friday the agency is “confident that talented individuals” impacted by the staffing reduction will have “many opportunities to contribute to our economy and society in countless ways outside of government.”

Whitefish Winter Carnival treasure found

The 2025 Winter Carnival treasure was found this morning at City Beach.

Looking Back: Big Mountain association considered civic assessment

High school absenteeism was among topics considered by the District 44 School Board.

Visiting with friends

Early one morning a lobbyist for a trade union enters my office.

North Valley Food Bank hosts Valentine’s dinner

This Valentine’s Day, North Valley Food Bank invites the public to a unique dining experience that blends love, local flavors and a mission to fight hunger.

Hateful fliers appearing in downtown shops

At the Whitefish City Council meeting last week, Bookworks manager Marti Brandt said flyers touting white supremacy had been dropped off at the popular store, put into books and placed in the window.

New amateur men's baseball league comes to the Flathead Valley

A new independent amateur men's baseball league affiliated with the Men's Senior Baseball League is coming to the Flathead Valley and players are invited to join.

Mountain Mamas make a history of camaraderie

The Ski Locker column returns for a series of stories celebrating the history of skiing in Whitefish, published in coordination with the Whitefish Ski Heritage Center and Ski Musuem.

Flathead Valley ski racers compete in qualifiers

Flathead Valley Ski Education Foundation racers travelled in a couple different directions last weekend.

City Council preview for Feb. 18, 2025

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

Whitefish Whiteout ski mountaineering in 17th year

Whitefish Whiteout ski mountaineering in 17th year

Whitefish and BNSF establishing new river access park

Whitefish City Council last week amended a lease agreement with BNSF Railway to establish a new public access point along the Whitefish River.

Police Calls: All the wrong ways to park

A caller on Eighth Street requested a wellness check on the neighbors because they had left their dog outside for a long time and that was not typical behavior.

Bulldog turned Oredigger wins Freshman of the Year award

Whitefish watched Ryder Barinowski play Bulldog football at Memorial Field for years.

Skijoring races gallop to Kalispell venue

Dally up and get ready to enjoy wild, winter fun when skiers, pulled by horses, race around a course with sharp turns and big jumps.

Student Art: ‘Pepper Art’ by Kobalt Smith

The art featured above is called "Pepper Art" and is an acrylic painting on canvas by eighth grader Kobalt Smith in the WMS Drawing class.

A divide in name of equality for girls high school hockey teams

The magnitude of competition for girls high school hockey in Flathead Valley has taken it up a notch this season, noted by the split of the valley wide fusion team into two teams.

Whitefish gets hot against Polson

Whitefish hit its stride in the second quarter and picked up its second Northwestern A Conference win with a 58-48 victory over Polson on Thursday, Feb. 6.

Dyan Sanderson, 71

Dyan "Dynie" Caldwell Sanderson, 71 of Napa Valley, passed away on Jan. 26, 2025, following the rapid onset of a rare blood disorder.

Lady Bulldogs pick up second conference win

Whitefish outscored the Lady Pirates 46-43 in Northwestern A Conference play on Thursday, Feb. 6, revenging a loss to Polson earlier in the season.

Whitefish wrestling has two divisional champions

The Whitefish Bulldogs delivered a strong performance at the MHSA A Western Divisional Wrestling Tournament in Browning over the weekend, with standout performances across multiple weight classes.

Whitefish student is a positive force among her peers

When Zoey Marzo sees a need she acts. The Whitefish High School senior can make things happen.

Whitefish teacher receives kidney from local parent

After seven and a half years of battling polycystic kidney disease, Whitefish Middle School teacher Sean Duff was donated a kidney by local parent Janelle Hansen last month, and both are recovering well.

Glacier National Park’s environmental assessment for fire plan available for comment

Glacier National Park is seeking public comment on an environmental assessment (EA) for the park’s proposed Fire Management Plan (FMP).

PHOTOS: 2025 Whitefish Winter Carnival Parade

The 66th annual Whitefish Carnival Grand Parade commenced through downtown on Feb. 8, 2025.

PHOTOS: Frigid Whitefish Winter Carnival Penguin Plunge raises money for Special Olympics

Participants jumped into the frigid waters of Whitefish Lake during the 24th annual Penguin Plunge as part of the Whitefish Winter Carnival on Saturday, Feb. 8. Organized by the Law Enforcement Torch Run, the event raises funds for Special Olympics Montana.

Vehicle reservations for Glacier Park open next week

Vehicle reservations for Glacier National Park’s upcoming summer season will be available starting Feb. 13, at 8 a.m. Mountain Standard Time.

Local returns to become city planner for Whitefish

She may be new to the job of city planner, but with her deep family roots in the area, Lauren Macdonald is not new to Whitefish.

Looking Back: Winter Carnival time in Whitefish

With the promise of bright winter weather for the weekend, the 16th annual Whitefish Winter Carnival launched itself into a three-day schedule Friday that would see a wide assortment of events running from 8:30 Friday to the small hours of Sunday morning.

Police Calls: Hot tubs havens for badly

The caller reported having trouble with two to four teens at a location on Wisconsin Avenue.

Student Art: ‘Le Mond et ses petit tresores’ (‘The World and Its Little Treasures’) by Melusine Mercier—Menachemoff

The art featured above is called "Le Mond et ses petit tresores" (“The World and its Little Treasures”) and is a watercolor painting by seventh grader Melusine Mercier--Menachemoff in the WMS Drawing class.

Montana’s Nuclear Future

Montana has historically played an important part in US energy transitions throughout its one hundred thirty-five-year history.

Whitefish Council compensation could be funded by a tax increase

If you voted “yes” to city council compensation on the November ballot, did you ever consider it would have to be funded with a tax increase?

New townhome project construction begins at Whitefish Mountain Resort

The team behind the Powder Peak development near the base of Chair 2 at Whitefish Mountain Resort met for a groundbreaking Jan. 22, although construction of the first of several buildings is already well underway.

New community-based Nordic ski program

DREAM Adaptive Recreation's roots are deep in the alpine skiing world and for years, it has offered Nordic ski lessons, but this year the organization is piloting something new, the Community Nordic Program.

Public comment sought for proposed timber sale at Spencer Mountain and Beaver Lakes

The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, Kalispell and the Stillwater Unit are proposing a forest management project, located about four miles west of Whitefish on state-owned land in the Spencer Mountain and Beaver Lakes areas.

Local ski racers compete at Lone Peak Speed Series

Flathead Valley Ski Education Foundation athletes travelled to Big Sky, Montana, last week for a Super-G speed camp followed by three SG races at the Lone Peak Speed Series, a U14/U16 Northern Division Qualifier.

Legals for February, 5 2025

Pamela Ann (Beron) Wedum, 71

Our sweet Mama, Wife, Gramma, Friend and Sister, Pamela Ann Beron Wedum was born on July 18, 1953, to Raymond and Lois Beron.

Whitefish claims Class A speech and debate championship

The Whitefish speech and debate team defeated Columbia Falls to clinch the Class A State title for the first time since 2021.

Albert 'Jack' Jackson III, 79

Albert "Jack" Frawley Jackson III, 79, passed away peacefully after a long battle with Parkinsons disease and Lewy Body Dementia.

Stacks honored with Whitefish Chamber’s legacy award

The Whitefish Chamber of Commerce held its annual awards gala on Jan. 29 at Grouse Mountain Lodge.

Whitefish firefighters return from Los Angeles after two-week assignment

Four Whitefish Fire Department firefighters returned home safely last week after assisting with widespread wildfires in Los Angeles.

Whitefish students participate in Poetry Out Loud contest

Nearly 200 Whitefish High School students – 184, to be exact – gave a go at bringing the lyrics of famous poems to life by participating in the Poetry Out Loud competition.

Whitefish swim team one for one in Cat-Dog home dual

The Whitefish and Columbia Falls swim teams battled it out in their home pool at The Wave on Friday.

The Ski Locker: Downhill straight

The Ski Locker column returns for a series of stories celebrating the history of skiing in Whitefish, published in coordination with the Whitefish Ski Heritage Center and Ski Musuem.

Bulldogs host Whitefish Duals

The Bulldogs wrestling team hosted the Whitefish Duals over the weekend, and while they didn’t get a dual win, several Whitefish wrestlers stood out.

Whitefish girls edge Libby, drop matchup to top-rated Bigfork

Bigfork showed why they are undefeated in Northwestern A Conference play, defeating Whitefish on Thursday, Jan. 30.

Whitefish offense goes off against Loggers

Whitefish’s offense hit high gear in its 84-54 Northwestern A Conference victory over Libby on Tuesday, January 28. Both Carson Gulick and Will Sisson scored 18 points apiece in the win.

Conservation leases give landowners more options

HELENA – When the Habitat Conservation Lease Program started two years ago, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks set a goal of conserving 500,000 acres within five years. With the recent completion of 13 leases and the potential for 33 proposed leases now under consideration, FWP is nearly halfway to reaching that goal.

Whitefish Winter Carnival LXVI this weekend

The 66th annual Whitefish Winter Carnival finale arrives this weekend, Feb. 7 – 9, with a Wizard of Oz theme, 'There's Snow Place Like Home.'

Government hiring freeze hits National Park Service

As part of the Trump administration's government hiring freeze, hundreds of workers expecting to fill seasonal roles at the National Park Service saw their job offers rescinded earlier this month.

Three Rivers Bank partners with Merit Financial Advisors

This partnership will enable the bank to provide comprehensive wealth management services to clients in the Flathead Valley, helping individuals, families, and businesses strategize their growth, and preserving their financial assets, according to a press release.