Ellington

Senator Fern's bill seeks to increase resort tax's population threshold

Tourism is a double-edged sword, says Sen. Dave Fern.

Crystal clear ice awes skaters at Whitefish Lake

Hundreds of people flocked to City Beach over the weekend to enjoy the rare phenomenon of glassy ice-skating conditions on Whitefish Lake.

Glacier Nordic team competes travels for qualifier in Utah

Seven athletes and two coaches headed to the Soldier Hollow Nordic Center in Utah, the location of the 2002 Olympics, for the first Junior National Qualifier of the season, the SuperQ.

Nine skiers podium at Seeley Lake Skiesta

Members of the Glacier Nordic ski team had a great sweep at the Skiesta at Seeley Lake on Jan. 18.

Kiddie Carnival fun for everyone

Whitefish High School Leo Club, a division of the Lions club, will host the annual Whitefish Kiddie Carnival on Feb. 8, the same day as the Winter Carnival.

City Council handles light agenda

With half the councilors in attendance, the Whitefish City Council adopted the Safe Streets for All plan and approved an amendment to an agreement with the Housing Authority.

Flathead Valley ski racers post fast times in qualifier

Flathead Valley ski racers post fast times in qualifier

Looking Back: High school participation fee considered

Approximately 60 local members of the Brotherhood Railway Carmen of the United States employed by the Burlington Northern took part in the national Wildcat strike.

Hospital Corner: Emergency preparedness at Logan Health – Whitefish

The massive impact of the wildfires in Los Angeles prompts the question: how prepared are we?

Police Calls: 911 not number to call for ride

After pulling to the shoulder of Highway 93, the caller’s engine reportedly exploded and went up in smoke.

Save our wolves

Wildlife management has no place in politics.

Reed’s run at Junior World Championships leaves spectators ‘breathless’

Whitefish freeskier Townsend Reed competed in the YETI Freeride Junior World Championships in Kappl, Austria, Jan. 13.

Student Art: ‘Cherry Pie/Illusion Food’ by Sofia Christ

The art featured above is called "Cherry Pie/Illusion Food " and is a clay sculpture by Whitefish High School sophomore Sofia Christ in the WHS Pottery I class.

Letter to Montana citizens and businesses that rely on Amtrak

On Jan. 20, the Federal Railroad Administration released a report to Congress titled, “Amtrak Daily Long-Distance Service Study.”

City Council preview for Feb. 3, 2025

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

Living with wildlife: About 100 deer killed each year on Whitefish streets

Whitefish is a town of only 11.6 square miles, yet about 100 deer were stuck by cars on streets within the city limits last year.

Clydesdale Creamery gets boozy

Clydesdale Creamery now has a full liquor license.

Walter Vance Conn, 88

Walter Vance Conn, 88, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Jan. 14, 2025.

Whitefish speech and debate second at Divisionals

Whitefish's speech and debate team took second at Western A Divisionals in Polson last weekend.

Forest project on west side of Hungry Horse Reservoir open for public comment

The project area is in the Hungry Horse and Spotted Bear Ranger Districts along the west side of the Hungry Horse Reservoir.

Legals for January, 29 2025

Dorvall places fourth at Park High Invite

Whitefish's Taylor Dorvall placed fourth in the 130-pound bracket of the Park High Girls Invitational in Livingston over the weekend.

Lady Bulldogs lose two conference games

In the Cat-Dog game on Friday, Jan. 24, Columbia Falls went on a big 18-9 run in the third quarter for a 58-38 Northwestern A Conference on Friday, January 24.

Bulldogs fall to 0-3 in conference play

Whitefish fell to Ronan in Northwestern A Conference action, 61-48, on Thursday, Jan. 23. The Chiefs turned a nine-point first-quarter lead into a 32-20 halftime lead.

City councilors discuss urban deer population

Whitefish City Council at a recent work session discussed the city's robust urban deer population with the first case of Chronic Wasting Disease detected in the valley last fall.

Montana’s David Sturzen beats the Strongest Man on Earth in steinholding competition

As he peered over his shoulder, the Whitefish-born national steinholding champion saw Mitchell Hooper’s outstretched arm begin to falter. Sturzen knew that once the shakes started, they were nearly impossible to stop.

Financial headwinds close Whitefish Thai restaurant

Downtown Whitefish restaurant BANG BANG Thai came in, and is going out, with a bang. The restaurant located at 12 Spokane Ave. opened its doors last spring but will close next week.

Feed Love: North Valley Food Bank's annual winter food drive begins

In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, North Valley Food Bank (NVFB) will be having its fifth annual winter food drive and fundraiser, FEED LOVE, from Feb. 2 through Feb. 16.

Local youth hockey players victorious in battle of the border

The annual Battle of the Border 8-u hockey tournament last weekend brought together fifteen teams from Montana and Canada for a weekend of fierce competition and camaraderie.

Photos: Frey and Freya crowned

The 2025 Whitefish Winter Carnival festivities continue with the crowning of Prince Frey, Nikolas Quenzer, and Princess Freya, Ava Zignego, prior to the basketball game at Whitefish High School on Jan. 23.

Whitefish Community Foundation awards grants in celebration of 25th anniversary

The grants to Samaritan House, Alano Club of Kalispell and Columbia Falls Kids Foundation totaled $370,000 and were made possible by Whitefish Community Foundation’s Circle of Giving and other local donors.

Gerald 'Jerry' Leroy Schwegel, 65

Gerald "Jerry" Leroy Schwegel, 65, passed away Jan. 21, 2025, from cancer.

Brady R. Fleming, 45

Brady Fleming stepped out of his home on Dec. 15, 2024, and fell down the stairs, suffering a cardiac arrest.

Big Mountain approves resort tax

The tax will be implemented June 1 and will affect nearly every good and service sold on Big Mountain.

Photos: A clear Friday in January

Clear skies and clear ice make for a fine Friday sunset skate at Whitefish City Beach.

‘Rooted in Reading’ library program encourages early reading

Starting in January 2025, the Whitefish Community Library is encouraging families of young children to participate in the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program.

Whitefish Theatre Company presents stand-up comedian Alex Velluto

Alex Velluto, a stand-up comedian from Salt Lake City, is a rising voice in the comedy world.

Student Art: ‘Pikman House’ by AJ Samuels

The art featured above is called "Pikman House" and is a clay sculpture by Whitefish High School senior AJ Samuels in the WHS Sculpture class.

Police Calls: Suspicious yelling found to be dog calling

A man was arguing with employees at a location on Highway 40.

Looking Back: City derails brewery’s rail jam

The city fathers agreed to schedule snow plowing as soon as they can establish a schedule for snowfall, Mayor John Thorson explained.

Chairlift: Six little words

Last Wednesday was one of those sublime days on The Big.

Students bring fresh ideas on community growth

Ten Whitefish High School students brought a welcome spark to the Community Development Board work session last week as they presented ideas inspired by the growth policy update, Vision Whitefish 2045.

Whitefish board approves appeal of hangar permit

The Community Development Board voted in favor of an appeal of the zoning decision related to a permit issued in July for a hangar to be built at the Whitefish airport.

Flathead Valley Ski Racers podium in Youth Ski League

Flathead Valley Ski Education Foundation racers in the U8, U10, U12, and U14 age groups had a successful weekend racing in Big Sky Jan. 17-19.

Backcountry Film Festival to benefit Wild Montana

The 20th annual Backcountry Film Festival is headed to Whitefish on Tuesday, Feb. 4, at O'Shaughnessy Cultural Arts Center.

Create Youth Advisory Council to engage young people

During last week’s Whitefish Community Development Board meeting, students from Mr. Webb’s A.P. Government class presented solutions to problems facing Whitefish as part of the Vision Whitefish Growth Policy Updates.

Welcome to the Senate

Following my fourth term in the Montana House, I faced either political extinction, as term limits in Montana limit the number of terms served for legislators and state office holders, or a run for a newly configured senate district comprising Whitefish, Columbia Falls and surrounding areas.

Flathead Fusion hockey plays charged senior night game against Helena

Supporters of the Flathead Fusion boys high school hockey team packed the Stumptown Ice Den in Whitefish on Friday as the team honored seniors and played a tough game against Helena, losing 3-4.

Whitefish boys fall in conference opener

The Whitefish boys opened the 2025 Northwestern A Conference slate with a loss to Polson 66-55 on the Bulldogs home court on Saturday, Jan. 18.

Small fire at Whitefish bus facility quickly contained

A small fire was sparked and quickly contained last week at Rocky Mountain Transportation's bus facility in Whitefish.

Jury awards damages to former Whitefish Housing Authority director

A Flathead County District Court jury on Wednesday awarded damages to the Whitefish Housing Authority's former executive director after she sued the public entity for defamation.

Whitefish speech and debate has challenging week as season end approaches

Whitefish High School’s speech and debate team placed just behind Columbia Falls in the team sweeps at its home competition last week with 223 to 220 points.

Legals for January, 22 2025

Natural phenomena to unveil at Chuck Haney’s photography show

From an ephemeral lake in Death Valley, to eclipses, northern lights, glorious Brocken spectre rings and optical illusions above the clouds, Whitefish photographer Chuck Haney’s 2024 was a year like no other. It was a year in which natural phenomena created breathtaking spectacles that Haney himself, with 30-plus years of professional photography under his belt, found unbelievable at times.

Riverside Park pond sediment removal project starts

This project will remove accumulated sediment along with invasive plants such as Yellow Flag Iris from the pond

School district puts athletic improvements on ‘fast-track’

The Whitefish School District approved a project delivery contract for the high school’s academic and athletic improvements at a board meeting Jan. 14.

Whitefish girls place second at Missoula swim meet

The Whitefish girls swim team swam to a second-place team finish at the Missoula Invite on Saturday.

Lady Dogs fall short against Pirates

Whitefish couldn’t overcome a slow start in a 44-31 Northwestern A Conference loss to Polson on Tuesday, Jan. 14.

MSU students named to fall honor rolls

Montana State University has announced its undergraduate honor rolls for fall semester 2024.

Polson pins Whitefish in wrestling dual

Polson scored two pins and seven forfeits in a 54-12 Northwestern A Conference dual win over Whitefish on Thursday, Jan. 16.

Pickerts to reign as Whitefish Winter Carnival king and queen

Whitefish residents Ross and Coco Pickert will reign as the Whitefish Winter Carnival King Ullr LXVI and Queen of Snows. They were crowned during a coronation ceremony Saturday in downtown Whitefish.

Many Glacier to have limited access this summer due to construction

Due to extremely limited parking during construction in the Swiftcurrent area, Glacier National Park will restrict personal vehicle access into Many Glacier and provide a temporary shuttle service for hikers to access Many Glacier and Swiftcurrent this summer from July 1, 2025, to Sept. 21, 2025.

Browning-Whitefish games ppd.

Thursday’s basketball games between Whitefish and Browning — the girls in Whitefish, and the boys in Browning — were postponed to Feb. 14 because of high winds and blowing snow on Marias Pass.

International Freeskiers and Snowboarders Association competition dazzles on the Big

Whitefish Mountain Resort hosted the IFSA Junior Freeride competition this weekend.

Marijuana, lakeshore variance on City Council agenda

At its first regular meeting of the year, the Whitefish City Council voted unanimously to approve a resolution, two ordinances and a minor lakeshore variance.

Hudson holds on for third place in World Finals

Bull riding: Watch for the nod, listen for the latch

What do Banana Hammock, Ace and Told You Twice have in common?

Lara reigning two-time World Champion

He did it again. Columbia Falls High School junior Azreal Lara traveled to the Yeti Junior World Finals last month and came home as the World Champion bareback rider for the second year in a row.

Looking Back: Ralph Lauren says no to Whitefish

The scarlet coat and golden robe of the Whitefish Winter Carnival Prime Minister settled around his shoulders of Charlie Kuehner, Whitefish sporting goods dealer, at the climax of a merry maker Production sponsored by past Prime Ministers for the purpose of presenting the first of the new 1975 carnival royalty.

Student Art: ‘A Bear and it's Reflection’ by Bailey Allegro

The art featured above is called " A Bear and it's Reflection" and is a chalk pastel by Whitefish High School freshman Bailey Allegro in the WHS Introduction to Art class.

Large dog still at large

This Wednesday marks nine weeks that the Great Pyrenees, Baldone, has been on his own in the woods north of Whitefish.

Flathead Valley ski racers compete in Big Sky Tech Series

Flathead Valley Ski Education Foundation racers travelled to Big Sky, Montana, last week for the first of several qualifying races for end-of-season championship events to be held in March.

GHA hockey heats up Canadian ice

The Glacier Hockey Association 10U girls team traveled to Golden, British Columbia, this weekend for a tournament with Cranbrook and Golden and came back with a 3-1-0 record.

Whitefish Winter Carnival Duchess of Lark and Prime Minister crowned

Hillary Crowley was crowned Duchess of Lark and Eric Schmit was named as Prime Minister on Saturday at the Merry Maker event, officially kicking of the 2025 Whitefish Winter Carnival.

Whitefish Community Foundation invites nonprofits to learn about 2025 funding opportunities

Whitefish Community Foundation will host informational meetings this month for nonprofits interested in learning about the eligibility requirements and application processes for various grant programs.

Whitefish Theatre Company presents comedy ‘Be Here Now’

The Whitefish Theatre Company presents its next black curtain reading of the season, “Be Here Now” by Deborah Zoe Laufer, this weekend only.

Whitefish School District food service wins Healthy Meals Incentives Recognition Award

The Whitefish School District food services department received a Healthy Meals Incentives Recognition Award for improving the nutritional quality of the district’s school meals.

Police Calls: Missing car towing mystery

A vehicle was parked at a location on Highway 40 for a few days.

The sickness of wolf trapping

Wolf trappers and their supporters share in their hatred, cruelty and violence toward wolves.

Alfiera scores 23 as Whitefish tops Eureka

Carmella Alfiera was accurate from behind the three-point arc, hitting five three-pointers and scoring 23 points to lift Whitefish past Eureka 54-30 in non-league basketball action on Thursday, Jan. 9 at home.

CFAC: three ways EPA’s decision fails us all

While the EPA’s Record of Decision recently issued for the Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. Superfund site is dismaying, EPA’s failure to do so without actionably considering public concerns and numerous technical issues raised is appalling.

City Council preview for Jan. 21, 2025

Whitefish City Council meets on Tuesday, Jan. 21, beginning at 7:10 p.m. at City Hall.

Whitefish High School senior rallies for families impacted by cancer

Whitefish High School senior Maggie Mercer knows firsthand the difference a support system can make for families battling cancer. Now, she’s leading the way to support other local families grappling with the disease.

Aurand and Dorvall champions at Western Invite

Whitefish had several placers at the Western Boys Invitational in Ronan over the weekend.

Whitefish's balanced attack takes down Eureka

It was a balanced attack for Whitefish which allowed the Bulldogs to post a 69-56 victory over their nonleague foe Eureka on Thursday, Jan. 9 at home.

Hospitality industry using social media to create destination narrative

Social media’s increasing influence has been a game-changer for Flathead Valley and Glacier National Park hospitality businesses over the last five years.

Nordic skiers Ingelfinger, Dezzani compete at U.S. Nationals

Columbia Falls High School junior Findley Dezzani competed at the U.S. Nordic Nationals in Anchorage, Alaska last week alongside her former Glacier Nordic Club teammate Maeve Ingelfinger, who now skis for Dartmouth.

Sandra E. Conradi, 87

Sandra Conradi, a trailblazing forensic pathologist based in Charleston, South Carolina who was equally as energized about her beloved family and countless pursuits, died on Jan. 1, 2025.

Craig Kuzma, 51

Craig David Kuzma, 51, June 12, 1973 — Jan. 6, 2025, passed away at his home in Chewelah, Washington.

Legals for January, 15 2025

Groups sue Forest Service over Round Star logging project

Four conservation organizations are suing the Flathead National Forest in an effort to halt the Round Star logging project located 13 miles west of Whitefish near Tally Lake.

Four Whitefish firefighters assist with California wildfires

Glen Hartman, Jamison Smith, Sal Baccaro and Saxton Coorough of the Whitefish Fire Department went to California last weekend for an 18-plus day assignment.

Library has watch party on preserving oral history

Stumptown Historical Society and Whitefish Community Library will co-sponsor a watch party of “Preserving Montana’s Oral History and Traditions” at the Library on Thursday, Jan. 16 at 6 p.m.

Pursuit buys iconic Montana House in Glacier Park

Pursuit continues to acquire properties in Apgar Village in Glacier National Park.

Grizzlies will stay on ESA, be managed as single population

All grizzly bears in the Lower 48 United States would be federally managed as a single population under a proposed U.S Fish and Wildlife Service rule released on Wednesday.

Proud to have put students first

Serving as your state superintendent has been an honor.

Police Calls: Driver doing everything wrong

Someone accidentally locked his keys in the car.

Seek and ye shall find

The only control I have in life is over myself.

A dirty manger

I applaud County Commissioners Randy Brodehl and Pam Holmquist for standing strong against any further encroachment of socialism in Flathead County operations.

Looking Back: Councilman protests parking ticket

Financial arrangements for the construction of the $1,500,000 North Valley Hospital addition were completed at the Northwestern Bank in Great Falls.

Whitefish community blood drive breaks record

The American Red Cross will host the first 2025 Whitefish Community Blood Drive on Thursday, Jan.16, at The WAVE at 1250 Baker Ave. from 11 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Task Force helps thousands of pets and pet families

The Flathead Spay and Neuter Task Force in Columbia Falls was the first nonprofit spay and neuter clinic in Montana.

Student Art: ‘Hungry Bear’ by Stella Frisbee

The art featured above is called "Hungry Bear" and is an oil pastel by Whitefish High School freshman Stella Frisbee in the WHS Introduction to Art class.

Local sushi eatery celebrates 25 years

Special occasions often call for a special dinner, and in Whitefish, Wasabi Sushi Bar is among the go-to establishments.

Photo: DREAM Nordic ski

DREAM Adaptive Recreation kicks off the Nordic skiing season with a training clinic for staff and volunteer instructors.

Chairlift: Automotive appreciation

I'm in a minority of sorts.

Aurand and Dorvall champions at Western Invite

Whitefish had several placers at the Western Boys Invitational in Ronan over the weekend.

G. George Ostrom, 96

"Through fate and something within me, I am blessed to have done so very many interesting things." All quotes attributed to G. George Ostrom.

Men's mental health group a valuable safe space

For men in the Flathead Valley, spaces to be vulnerable about mental health challenges are few and far between.

Flathead National Forest’s River Management Plan open for comment

The Flathead National Forest is developing a Comprehensive River Management Plan for the three forks of the designated Wild and Scenic Flathead River.

Dealer sold to undercover agents in Whitefish bar, court docs say

A man who allegedly arranged the sale of cocaine to a pair of undercover agents of the state Division of Criminal Investigation in Whitefish in October 2023 is facing a drug distribution charge in Flathead County District Court.

Legals for January, 8 2025

Toni Matt trail dedicated in east at Catamount Mountain

EGREMONT – For most of the world, Toni Matt was the fastest man on skis. For Catamount Mountain kids, he was their cigar-smoking, limburger cheese-eating instructor. Staff at Catamount Mountain in the Berkshires are now honoring his legacy by changing the name of The Race Trail to Toni Matt.

Whitefish’s athletic feats of the year

From Whitefish Bulldog all-stars to well-seasoned skiers, here’s a few of the athletic feats that made headlines in 2024.

Winter Carnival to be Oz-themed

The month-long celebration kicks off next week with a Wizard of Oz theme that tells all: ‘There’s snow place like home.'

Columbia Falls Community Choir starts 47th year

The Columbia Falls Community Choir is about to kick off its 47th year of singing.

Mountain lions active on Big Mountain Nordic Trails

A fresh mountain lion kill site was observed on Big Mountain near the Lower Badger Nordic Trail on Dec. 23, according to a Glacier Nordic Club grooming report.

A selection of photos from 2024

A few snippets of life in Whitefish in 2024.

Whitefish Fire Department responds to two structural fires

Whitefish firefighters responded to two structural fires Friday, Jan. 3.

Radio personality George Ostrom dies

George Ostrom was a radio personality, newspaper owner, author, longtime newspaper columnist for the Hungry Horse News, avid hiker and humorist.

Flathead County eschews state housing program

Saying it’s not a fair use of taxpayer funds or to future homebuyers, Flathead County commissioners on Tuesday quashed implementing a state housing program here.

President Jimmy Carter a moral compass for our times

My wife and I took our daughters to Disney World in 1997, and after doing so took a quick side trip into southern Georgia to visit the Andersonville Stockade where our Civil War ancestor was held in the rebel prison.

Curtis Pedersen, 87

U.S. Army veteran and man of many talents. An avid outdoorsman, Curtis could often be found fishing Montana's finest spots — he knew them all.

Avalanche partially buries skier in popular backcountry area near Whitefish Mountain Resort

A skier narrowly escaped injury after triggering an avalanche in a popular backcountry area near Whitefish Mountain Resort over the weekend.

Legals for January, 1 2025

Lisa Jones McClellan recognized with Friend of Fish award

Longtime resident Lisa Jones McClellan was honored with Explore Whitefish’s Friend of the Fish award last month for her dedication to the Whitefish community.

County commissioners should reject funding

Our county commissioners have been under a lot of public pressure to accept money that could be used to help people, who would otherwise not be able, to attain home ownership.