Meals on Wheels serves seniors from Whitefish Community Center
The Whitefish Community Center has served as the Whitefish hub for the Meals on Wheels program for well over 20 years. Around 40 volunteers deliver about 50 meals each day in Whitefish. On weekends, the crew delivers another 25 to 30 frozen meals. The service area reaches south to Happy Valley, west to Skyles Lake and north to Whitefish Lake and Big Mountain Road.
North Valley Music School celebrates groundbreaking ceremony
The mood was upbeat when more than 50 people, some with shiny hard hats and golden shovels, gathered on April 19 at the Smith Fields Sports Complex to celebrate the groundbreaking ceremony for the North Valley Music School’s new building.
Choir to perform spring concert at the O’Shaughnessy
When Meghan Hodges climbed up on the piano bench beside her father and began picking out harmonies when she was just three years old, it was clear that musical talent was in her DNA.
Construction to start on new music school in Whitefish
The mood was upbeat when more than 50 people, some with shiny hard hats and golden shovels, gathered on April 19 at the Smith Fields Sports Complex to celebrate the groundbreaking ceremony for the North Valley Music School’s new building.
Chairlift: The in-between time
We’ve entered the season when the chairlift doesn't spin. From the closing day of the ski hill until the opening day of the mountain’s summer activities, the lift is still. No low rumble of the motor, no gentle swing of the chair, no friendly smiles from your favorite liftie.
Apartment project highlights fee in lieu versus affordable housing units
The Whitefish Community Development Board voted to recommend approval for a conditional use permit for a 21-unit multi-family development on Iowa Avenue.
Whitefish begins chipping away at stock of illegal short-term rentals
Whitefish’s short-term rental specialist, Codi Evenson, has been on the job for about one month. She says she is already making headway in reining in the proliferation of illegal vacation properties as she builds the newly created position from the ground up.
Council reviews upcoming projects on Armory Road, East 6th Street
The developer behind a proposed 77-lot subdivision on Flathead Avenue pulled its three items from the agenda for the Whitefish City Council meeting last week, leaving no public hearings, but a handful of other considerations were addressed.
Looking back: Committee likes idea of Seventh Street bridge
County Sanitarian Les Espeland and Assistant Al Shoenhuth attended the city council meeting to acquaint the city with various sanitary problems in this area.
Let ‘er buck: Local teen launches bull-riding business
When Korbin Baldwin isn’t in class at the vo-ag center, or on the wrestling mats at Flathead High School, he is likely having a bull session with Whiskey, Tumbleweed, Flat White and Dust Demon.
The Chairlift: Uphill travel
Often, when the skier beside me on the chairlift sees people hiking up, aka skinning, the mountain, they will say, “What are those folks doing? Why would someone do that?”
Whitefish City Council revisits plan for Depot Park townhome project
Marissa Getts, associate executive director of the Whitefish Housing Authority, met with the Whitefish City Council during a work session last week to discuss changes to the Depot Park Townhomes project.
City Council: Lake Park duplex project approved
Whitefish City Council on April 1 approved a preliminary plat for a duplex project on Lake Park Lane.
Longtime middle school art educator Nanette Reed to retire
After spending 34 years at Whitefish Middle School, 29 of them as an art teacher, Nanette Reed will retire at the end of the school year. After tallying up the time she spent as a student and as a teacher at the school, she described the total as a “big chunk of my life.”
Council looks at trail construction hurdles
No one from the public was in attendance at last week’s Whitefish City Council meeting but that didn’t shorten the proceedings. Construction of a bike/pedestrian river trail connection has been on the city’s to-do list for years and the council addressed the next step in the process.
The chairlift: Snacks
I’ve never been one to go in for lunch on a ski day, so like many others, I carry treats.
Offering hope: Nate Chute Foundation supports valley for 25 years
The Nate Chute Foundation has been providing the Flathead Valley with suicide prevention training and mental health support for 25 years.
Whitefish Legacy Partners leader recognized with inaugural Linda Engh-Grady award
The Whitefish Community Foundation presented the first Linda Engh-Grady Award for Nonprofit Excellence to Heidi Van Everen, the executive director of Whitefish Legacy Partners.
City supports Alpenglow project with $1 million in funding
The Whitefish City Council met last week to discuss a budget request from Housing Whitefish to support Phase 2 of the Alpenglow apartment project and to consider taking action in the Montanans Against Irresponsible Densification v. State of Montana lawsuit.
New Tupelo Grille owner brings fresh look to popular Whitefish restaurant while leaning on tradition
Ownership recently changed hands and the interior of the Central Avenue restaurant has undergone a remodel, but the Tupelo feel and the menu favorites remain.
Townhome project OK'd for River Lakes Parkway
A townhome development on River Lakes Parkway was approved last week at Whitefish City Council’s regular meeting.
Whitefish business helps visitors explore the valley
Based in a cozy house at 541 Spokane Ave., Whitefish Outfitters & Tours helps visitors get out into the spectacular natural areas in and around the Flathead Valley.
Public gets involved in Whitefish's Vision 2045 plan
Whitefish hosted the first of several visioning sessions to gather public input for the growth policy update.
Ode to the Snow Ghost Express
Please don’t tell my boss, but I spent two hours Friday having big fun on the Big Mountain. It was some of the best skiing I’ve had in a long time and it set my spirits soaring again.
Mush: Flathead Classic draws sled, skijor teams from across the West
The 2024 Flathead Classic was held at the Dog Creek Lodge & Nordic Center in Olney last weekend. Races included skijoring and bikejoring as well as four-dog and six-dog sled teams.
Compensation for Whitefish City Council, judge to go on ballot
Whitefish City Council plans to put the issue of compensation for the mayor and councilors, including health insurance, on the ballot in November.
PACE program, Spencer trails expansion, reburbished fire boat top council agenda
With only one public comment all evening, the Whitefish City Council made quick work of addressing a handful of items at its regular meeting Tuesday, Feb. 20.
Council considers resort tax rebate changes for seasonal residents
Since Whitefish’s resort tax was initiated in 1995, at least 25% of it has been allocated to property tax relief. At a work session last week, the City Council had a preliminary discussion about potential changes to the allocation of those funds.
Flathead Valley sends three athletes to XC Junior Nationals
The Glacier Nordic ski team qualified three athletes for the 2024 Junior Nationals. Maeve Ingelfinger from Whitefish, Findley Dezzani from Columbia Falls and Liam Browne from Kalispell will head to Lake Placid, New York, for a week of racing next month.
River Lakes townhome project draws scrutiny from neighbors
At the second meeting of the newly-formed Community Development Board last week, members voted to recommend a conditional-use permit and preliminary plat for a nine-lot subdivision.
Chairlift: Don’t come this way
Dad started smoking when he was 12 years old.
Looking back: Skier rescued from tree well; crime rate soars
A target of $3 million was announced for the Whitefish Credit Union at the annual meeting.
Documentary film recounts 'troll storm' against Whitefish family
An award-nominated documentary about a Whitefish resident who, with support from the community, fought back against hatred, will make its world premiere in Missoula later this month.
Whitefish Council discusses possibility for compensation
The Whitefish City Council discussed the possibility of initiating pay for the mayor and council members during a work session last week.
Phase 2 of Alpenglow project OK'd by council
Approval of a deed-restricted apartment project was among the many tasks completed by the Whitefish City Council last week. The council also approved a handful of other requests and discussed a lawsuit.
Students shine at All-State Music Festival
The University of Montana hosted the 2023 MHSA All-State Music Festival last October. A remarkable number of Whitefish high school student musicians earned All-State honors: two from choir and five from the band program.
Whitefish students take part in growth policy update
Despite school being canceled last Thursday for a snow day, six Whitefish High School students ventured out to attend Whitefish’s Community Development Board meeting and participate in local government by sharing their ideas for the city's updated growth policy.
Avalanche 12U brings home first place banner
The Glacier Avalanche 12U team won the first-place banner at the Brent Roeber Memorial Tournament, hosted by the Butte Copper Kings, on Jan 7. The team battled organizations from Idaho and Montana to make it into the championship game against the Spokane Jr. Chiefs.
Police Calls: Television calls 911, dog characterized as ‘mean mugging’
The police calls section is presented for entertainment purposes and does not reflect the nature or the volume of the calls received by local law enforcement.
City Council preview for Feb. 5, 2024
Whitefish City Council meets on Monday, Feb. 5 beginning at 7:10 p.m. at City Hall.
The Chairlift: The Whitefish 'we'
The skiing was surprisingly good last week. Albeit odd, spring skiing in January was a hoot and almost everyone seemed to be having a great time.
New board recommends phase 2 of apartment project
The Whitefish Community Development Board voted unanimously at its inaugural meeting last week to recommend Phase 2 of the Alpenglow Apartments development.
Council Briefs: Two properties annexed, new school resource officer, lakeshore permit approved
Deputy Mayor Frank Sweeney presided over the Jan. 16 meeting of the Whitefish City Council in the absence of Mayor John Muhlfeld. The council voted unanimously in favor of each agenda item, including the annexation of two properties and the approval of the School Resource Officer program agreement.
Depot Park affordable housing project runs into funding issues
At a work session last week, Whitefish City Council heard from the Whitefish Housing Authority (WHA) and the city’s Housing Planner, Luke Sponable about potential changes to the Depot Park Townhomes project.
Flathead County Sheriff's Office adding more K9 teams
Sounds of a prolonged, one-sided skirmish echoed in a large warehouse recently, where Flathead County Sheriff’s Office deputies were taking part in a selection process for a new K9 handler.
Conservation commission earns big federal grant
During the 2023 Montana legislative session, the Western Montana Conservation Commission (WMCC) was created, in essence by combining two natural resource protection agencies — the Flathead Basin Commission and the Upper Columbia Conservation Commission (UC3).
Council discusses annexation fee, infrastructure funding
The council chambers were mostly empty for the first Whitefish City Council meeting of 2024.
Whitefish loses a longtime friend Sam McGough
Sometimes, grieving the loss of a loved one elicits laughter as well as tears.
Canine hero tracks lost dachshund to reunite with owner
A 165-pound, 2-year-old Newfoundland mix named Gram became a hero last week in Whitefish. He was able to follow paw prints that led to a missing, dappled dachshund, named Finley, in the heavily wooded Swift Creek area.
Stanley Cup makes rounds in Whitefish
Nearly 35 pounds of sterling silver made quite an impression on Whitefish last Friday.