Stories for April 2010

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Friday, April 30

April 30, 2010 11 p.m.

Tree falls through Echo Lake home

Five seconds. For one Bigfork resident that was the amount of time that could have changed or even ended his life Monday.

April 30, 2010 11 p.m.

Star Spangled Students

April 30, 2010 11 p.m.

Thursday

The Boys and Girls Club holds a Youth Night on Thursdays at Glacier Discovery Square. It’s a safe and fun place for youth to hang out. Middle school kids are welcome from 5 to 7 p.m. and high school age from 7 to 9 p.m. There is no cost.

April 30, 2010 11 p.m.

Fetveit, Shellerud take council seats

The Lakeside Community Council will gain two new faces after Tuesday's election.

April 30, 2010 11 p.m.

Abell, Harrison win; levy passes

Two-time former trustee Charlie Abell and incumbent trustee Ruth Harrison were the winners of Tuesday's Whitefish School District board election. Two seats were open and four candidates filed.

April 30, 2010 11 p.m.

Incumbents retain seats in Bigfork elections

In Bigfork's two local elections Tuesday, incumbents held on to their seats.

Thursday, April 29

April 29, 2010 11 p.m.

Violet May Carlson

Violet May Carlson, 89, of Columbia Falls, passed away on April 15, 2010.

April 29, 2010 11 p.m.

Supports Abell, Elespuru

Friends, as you are aware, the school board election is slated for May 4, and the absentee ballots are already out. I am sure you share my concerns over the declining enrollment at our schools and the loss of funds that goes along with it. I am appreciative of all the candidates that have put their hat in the ring and are willing to donate their time and effort to serve.

April 29, 2010 11 p.m.

Karalee (Stewart) Koppang

Karalee (Stewart) Koppang was born June 3, 1944 in Seattle, Wash., to Bruce and Vera Stewart. She passed away on April 14, 2010 at her home in Oregon City, Ore.

April 29, 2010 11 p.m.

Is Mt. Kilimanjaro calling you?

Whitefish father and son climbing team Jon and David Hunt recently summited Mt. Kilimanjaro, at 19,341 feet the highest mountain in Africa and one of the tallest free-standing mountains in the world. They were joined by David's friend Dan Vinson.

April 29, 2010 11 p.m.

Lady Bulldogs swat Maidens

The Lady Bulldog tennis team continued their winning ways Saturday in Ronan when they knocked off the Madiens 5-2 in a conference dual.

April 29, 2010 11 p.m.

Bowling alley employees to face trials

MDOT looks at possibility of replacing Swan River Bridge

April 29, 2010 11 p.m.

Solan Taj Tallman

Solan Taj Tallman, son of Michelle Richards and Brett Tallman, of Kalispell, was born April 4, 2010, at North Valley Hospital.

April 29, 2010 11 p.m.

David Sipe

David Bruce Sipe, 61, an amazing husband, father, grandfather and friend, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, in the comfort of his home on April 25, 2010. Dave's strength and positive attitude throughout his long battle with cancer was an inspiration to many.

April 29, 2010 11 p.m.

Local runners at Boston marathon

Former Whitefish High School standout runner Claire Anderson posted the top time in the Boston Marathon on April 19 among women from Montana.

April 29, 2010 11 p.m.

Likes Abell

I am writing this letter in support of Charlie Abell. Charlie, as we all know, is again seeking a position on the Whitefish School Board.

April 29, 2010 11 p.m.

Former Whitefish fire chief Dave Sipe dies

Former Whitefish fire chief Dave Sipe passed away on Sunday morning at his home in Kalispell after a long fight with cancer.

April 29, 2010 11 p.m.

Park revises bear policy

Glacier National Park has revised key parts of its bear management policy in the wake of a decision to remove a grizzly sow and her cubs from the Two Medicine area last summer.

April 29, 2010 11 p.m.

Supports Abell

Charlie Abell presents an interesting set of credentials that ultimately qualify him for election to another term on the Whitefish School Board.

April 29, 2010 11 p.m.

Frederick Herman Krause

Frederick Herman Krause, 90, "Broke Camp" for one last time on April 12, 2010 at the Montana Veteran's Home in Columbia Falls.

April 29, 2010 11 p.m.

Senators top Twins twice

The Glacier Twins dropped a pair of games at the Legion Class AA Helena Senators on Saturday, losing 6-0 in game one and 9-3 in the nightcap.

April 29, 2010 11 p.m.

Branding announced for Bigfork

The consortium of Bigfork organizations gathered last week to announce the new branding for the Village — "Bigfork: Where Flathead Lake begins."

April 29, 2010 11 p.m.

Charles J. Schaeffer

Charles J. Schaeffer, 63, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, April 17, 2010 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Kalispell. He was born on Aug. 14, 1946 in Fargo, N.D., to Wilbur and Helen (Rudick) Schaeffer.

April 29, 2010 11 p.m.

Girls take third at Libby Invitational

Boys take first place

April 29, 2010 11 p.m.

Biking the Sun Road

April 29, 2010 11 p.m.

Candidate pleads guilty to disorderly conduct

Shawn Bailey, the Constitutional Party candidate for House District 3 recently pleaded guilty to a charge of disorderly conduct stemming from a Dec. 10 incident where police used a Taser on him.

April 29, 2010 11 p.m.

Glacier announces campground dates

Pizza Hut finalist for best in country

April 29, 2010 11 p.m.

Carlson breaks record at Top 10 meet

In her final weeks at Bigfork High School, Kayla Carlson continues to leave her mark in the world of high school running in Montana, and after Tuesday's Russ Pilcher Western Montana Top 10 meet, she has yet another accomplishment to add to her list — a new record.

April 29, 2010 11 p.m.

Board rejects schedule change

OPINION: Our neighbors the coyotes

April 29, 2010 11 p.m.

Rose Marie Goodsel

Rose Marie Goodsel, 72, passed away April 23, 2010.

April 29, 2010 11 p.m.

Student ideas for eco-friendly high school

In honor of Earth Day last week, the Whitefish High School Environmental Club called for students to wear green and practice earth-friendly activities. Students also were surveyed about Earth Day to shared ideas on what they would like to see to make the high school "greener."

April 29, 2010 11 p.m.

BHS sports take big budget cuts

When the Bigfork School Board was faced with the task of balancing the budget for next year one of the main areas they cut from was the athletics and activities fund at the high school, which was reduced by $25,720.

April 29, 2010 11 p.m.

Injuries bite Kats in Frenchtown

The Columbia Falls girls softball team picked up a key conference win against Libby last week and went .500 at the Frenchtown tourney, though they suffered some injuries to key players.

April 29, 2010 11 p.m.

Local guide to attempt first descent in Selkirk Range

No-fall skiing means exactly that — fall and the result is disastrous. A single missed turn or slip of an edge could separate a safe descent from an emergency situation.

April 29, 2010 11 p.m.

Whitefish sprinters dominate at Libby

The Whitefish boys and girls track teams together grabbed seven first-place finishes Saturday at the Libby Invitational.

April 29, 2010 11 p.m.

'Dogs use wild winds to top Chiefs

Whitefish battled through wicked weather conditions at Ronan on Saturday to win their conference tennis dual 5-2 over the Chiefs. It was the Bulldogs' second win of the season.

April 29, 2010 11 p.m.

Cheers for volunteers

Joanna Barnes was born and raised in Whitefish. Daughter of longtime railroader Otto Howke and Vonda, she solidified her ties to Whitefish by marrying into the extensive Barnes family.

April 29, 2010 11 p.m.

Valkyries outdo competition on the track

The Bigfork track and field team continued to show the importance of quality over quantity, especially on the girls side as they handily won the Seeley-Swan Invitational on Saturday.

April 29, 2010 11 p.m.

Exchange students to sing at state

Tar Buddhakosa's first language is Thai, and Cristian Saavedra's is Spanish. At school, the two Whitefish High School exchange students speak and write in English — but together as a singing duet, it's all Latin.

April 29, 2010 11 p.m.

Hands-on learning

CFHS students learn about child care in HERO preschool

April 29, 2010 11 p.m.

Lady Bulldogs struggle in softball tourney

Whitefish's softball squad went 1-3 at the Frenchtown Tournament on April 23-24, topping Corvallis 5-2 after falling to Frenchtown, Stevensville and Florence.

April 29, 2010 11 p.m.

School district cuts staff, programs

After four months of committee discussions, the Bigfork School Board adopted a number of personnel and program cuts for next year to make up for a $297,000 budget shortfall.

April 29, 2010 11 p.m.

Seven dresses

K.J. HASCALL / Hungry Horse News

April 29, 2010 11 p.m.

McLaughlin resigns from debate team

Whitefish High School speech and debate head coach Pat McLaughlin announced last week that she will step down from the helm of the team she helped build the foundation for 30 years ago.

April 29, 2010 11 p.m.

Wants Harrison

We highly recommend Ruth Harrison for the Whitefish School Board.

April 29, 2010 11 p.m.

Lakeside QRU celebrates EMS Week

National Emergency Medical Services Week is May 16 through 22. This year's theme is "Count On Us When Seconds Count!" The Lakeside Quick Response Unit wants to invite all our neighbors to join us in celebrating and honoring those on the frontline of medicine. Emergency medicine begins with education and prevention to reduce the frequency and intensity of medical emergencies. Everyone plays a part in that effort.

April 29, 2010 11 p.m.

Thursday

The Boys and Girls Club holds a Youth Night on Thursdays at Glacier Discovery Square. It’s a safe and fun place for youth to hang out. Middle school kids are welcome from 5 to 7 p.m. and high school age from 7 to 9 p.m. There is no cost.

April 29, 2010 11 p.m.

 Bigfork tennis dominates

Saturday brought clouds, lots of wind, a down pour of rain, popcorn kernel-sized hail, sunshine and a whole lot of high school tennis to Bigfork as the town played host to the annual Bigfork Flight Tournament.

April 29, 2010 11 p.m.

Letters to the editor

Thanks for support

April 29, 2010 11 p.m.

Senior unhappy about new no-smoking policy

How very disappointing to find this nanny state, citizen police attitude here in Montana. I moved here specifically from regulation-ridden Seattle to find the personal freedom and liberty Montana was known for.

April 29, 2010 11 p.m.

Attic vermiculite removal stirs up air pollution concerns

Election coverage continues

April 29, 2010 11 p.m.

Tennis teams wallop Ronan

Both Columbia Falls girls and boys tennis teams downed Ronan in convincing fashion Monday.

April 29, 2010 11 p.m.

Wants forward-looking school board

The Whitefish School District Board of Trustees is comprised of seven citizens elected to represent the community in setting district policies, adopting the budget, placing tax levies and bond issues on the ballot, hiring personnel including the superintendent, and for providing the necessary facilities for the education of our community's youth.

April 29, 2010 11 p.m.

Cash problems continue to dog city budget

There were no great surprises in the city's financial report for the third quarter, Whitefish city manager Chuck Stearns told the city council on April 19.

April 29, 2010 11 p.m.

Gore and the Glaciers

G. GEORGE OSTROM / For the Hungry Horse News

April 29, 2010 11 p.m.

Candidates compete for school board positions

West Shore News

April 29, 2010 11 p.m.

Wants Abell

As a Whitefish educator 'retired) and a graduate of Whitefish High School, no other election is as personal for me as our school board selections. I seek out those with vision, knowledge, willingness to learn, and an overriding insistence for quality education for our youths.

April 29, 2010 11 p.m.

Christine Koch

Christine Koch was born Dec. 15, 1913, to Leber and Anna Mary (Faller) Hecker 10 miles west of Dickinson, N.D.

April 29, 2010 11 p.m.

Two face off for Kalispell board seat

Two candidates are competing for the open high school seat on the Kalispell School Board that represents Somers, Lakeside and Kila.

April 29, 2010 11 p.m.

Danczyk commits to School of Mines

Whitefish High School senior Matt Danczyk has committed to play collegiate soccer with the Orediggers at the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colo.

April 29, 2010 11 p.m.

Remember to vote May 4

Letter from the editor

April 29, 2010 11 p.m.

Likes Abell, Elespuru

In my opinion, both Charlie Abell and Peter Elespuru will make excellent new members on the Whitefish School Board.

April 29, 2010 11 p.m.

Peter John "Pete" Viano

Peter John "Pete" Viano, 84, passed away on Thursday, April 22, 2010 at WEL-Life in Kalispell. He was born on Nov. 25, 1925 in Kalispell, the son of Gaston and Mary (Zadra) Viano.

April 29, 2010 11 p.m.

Brenda Kay (Hoerner) Blakney

Brenda Kay (Hoerner) Blakney passed away peacefully at her sister's house in Columbia Falls, on April 17, 2010 after a short battle with cancer. She was met in heaven by her parents.

Thursday, April 22

April 22, 2010 11 p.m.

Bigfork prepares for flight tournament

Saturday Bigfork will host the Bigfork Flight Tournament, which is now in its third year. It used to be that the Cut Bank teams would swing down to Bigfork on their way back from playing Libby, but a few years ago the Loggers decided they wanted to join in the tournament. Last year Mission competed in the tournament as well. This year, Troy will make it a four-team tournament. Conrad had also planned to attend, but a scheduling conflict has made that unlikely.

April 22, 2010 11 p.m.

Keenan takes top honors in Thompson Falls

With just two matches left before the divisional tournament, Bigfork's boys and girls high school golfers had yet another strong showing Saturday while playing in the Thompson Falls Invitational at River's Bend Golf Course.

April 22, 2010 11 p.m.

Golfers shine in pair of tournaments

Bigfork High School's golf teams had a busy and successful week last week, as three of the team's golfers placed in the top 10 in the Bigfork Invitational on Thursday and the Plains Invitational on Saturday and the boys team placed second at both matches.

April 22, 2010 11 p.m.

Christine Koch

Christine Koch was born Dec. 15, 1913, to Leber and Anna Mary (Faller) Hecker 10 miles west of Dickinson, N.D.

April 22, 2010 11 p.m.

Boys 400 relay tops at Missoula Invite

The Columbia Falls boys track team had some very nice performances at the Missoula Invitational last week. The boys won the 1,600 relay with Derrick Williams, Kaleb Johnson, Shawn Whitman and Patric Jessat.

April 22, 2010 11 p.m.

No deal reached on North Shore Ranch

Local reps ask for legal action against health care reform bill

April 22, 2010 11 p.m.

Likes Abell

If you are looking for a "yes man" who will "go along to get along" to elect to the school board, don't vote for Charlie Abell.

April 22, 2010 11 p.m.

Prom thanks

I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to those involved with this year's Whitefish High School Prom. It was a beautiful evening at The Lodge At Whitefish Lake, and our Whitefish High School students were delightful.

April 22, 2010 11 p.m.

Election coverage

Doughnut meeting continues

April 22, 2010 11 p.m.

Bigfork hosts record-breaking meet

It was a fast day at track Saturday when Bigfork High School hosted its sixth-annual invitational meet, as nine meet records were broken among the boys and eight among the girls. This included three by Bigfork athletes and a Valkyrie tied a record.

April 22, 2010 11 p.m.

Bigfork Flight Tournament

April 22, 2010 11 p.m.

Violet Carlson

Violet May Carlson, 89, of Columbia Falls, passed away April 15, 2010.

April 22, 2010 11 p.m.

Canyon group unites for tourism bid

A group of business owners in the Canyon have joined together to create a group called "Gateway to Glacier - The Canyon" in order to explore opportunities to expand shoulder-season business.

April 22, 2010 11 p.m.

Karalee (Stewart) Koppang

Karalee (Stewart) Koppang was born June 3, 1944 in Seattle, Wash., to Bruce and Vera Stewart. She passed away on April 14, 2010 at her home in Oregon City, Ore.

April 22, 2010 11 p.m.

Road litter

Walkers, runners, bikers and boarders, are you one of the lucky residents of Whitefish who can quickly leave the city limits on your own power to enjoy the Armory-Voerman-Dillon "loops"?

April 22, 2010 11 p.m.

No deal for North Shore sale

Waste found in Bigfork Bay actually was cattails

April 22, 2010 11 p.m.

Theater history in a box

The whole thing was in a box. A banker's box. Half a century of theater history in a yellowing banker's box.

April 22, 2010 11 p.m.

Hikers were on Big Mountain before lifts

Since long before the ski area and lifts were established, people have been hiking up Big Mountain to ski. I've been skiing for 48 years, 26 of those at Big Mountain. Twenty-six years ago, only a very small group of people hiked up the mountain. Over the years, their number has increased dramatically, and they are hiking at all hours of the day.

April 22, 2010 11 p.m.

Twins open with losses in Missoula

The Glacier Twins AA baseball team kicked off their season April 18 with a doubleheader in Missoula against the Mavericks at Lindborg-Cregg Field.

April 22, 2010 11 p.m.

Man acquitted of scalding young boy

A 28-year-old Whitefish man was acquitted last week of all three felony charges in connection with the severe burning of a young boy in a bath tub in 2008.

April 22, 2010 11 p.m.

Details of fatal avalanche released

The victim of a deadly avalanche that occurred March 31 on Peak 6996, next to Mt. Shields, at the south end of Glacier National Park may have survived the initial impact of the slide and tried to walk off the mountain.

April 22, 2010 11 p.m.

Likes Harrison

I would like to urge School District 44 voters to vote for Ruth Harrison for the Whitefish School Board. Ruth has been serving on the school board and has the experience of how the process works. It would be a shame to waste the experience by not re-electing her.

April 22, 2010 11 p.m.

Garden

Members of the White-fish Community Garden wish to thank all the participants of Saturday's very successful second annual garden party, which was held on site behind the United Methodist Church on Wisconsin Ave.

April 22, 2010 11 p.m.

Council wants input on railroad quiet zone

Bailey interested in politics at a young age

April 22, 2010 11 p.m.

Pilot news

Speaking on behalf of many parents and high school staff members, we sincerely appreciate the Whitefish Pilot's current edition of pics and articles displaying active and happy Bulldog students, whether it be attending prom, preparing and perfoming at the upcoming music festival, participating in track, tennis, softball and/or other various clubs and organziations.

April 22, 2010 11 p.m.

Middle School Talent Show

April 22, 2010 11 p.m.

Taste of Bigfork

April 22, 2010 11 p.m.

Girls beat Stevi for first win of the season

The Columbia Falls girls tennis team had some highs and lows last week. On Thursday at home they won just one match against Polson, but over the weekend they beat Stevensville 8-1 and lost to Corvallis 6-1.

April 22, 2010 11 p.m.

Caden Edward McConnell

Caden Edward McConnell, son of Amy and Cameron McConnell. of Augusta, was born in Great Falls on Feb. 22, 2010.

April 22, 2010 11 p.m.

Five vie for fire district seats

Residents will have five candidates to choose from for the two open seats on the Bigfork Rural Fire District Board.

April 22, 2010 11 p.m.

Marijuana patient killed in Kalispell

A medical marijuana patient in Kalispell was killed last week, and two men have been charged in connection with his death.

April 22, 2010 11 p.m.

Letters to the editor

Music program displays high level of talent

April 22, 2010 11 p.m.

Girls split with Blue Ponies

The bats went hot. Then they cooled. The result was a softball split with Havre last Saturday.

April 22, 2010 11 p.m.

Marijuana march set for May 1

Proponents hope to raise awareness, erase stereotypes

April 22, 2010 11 p.m.

Wives Wanted

G. GEORGE OSTROM / For the Hungry Horse News

April 22, 2010 11 p.m.

Students gain skills through projects

Letter from the editor

April 22, 2010 11 p.m.

Lady netters out last Stevensville

After three crushing defeats to start the tennis season, the Lady Bulldogs finally found their stroke against a tough Stevensville team on Saturday.

April 22, 2010 11 p.m.

Lady 'Dogs softball continues hot streak

After an 11-0 rout over Browning and a 4-1 win against conference foe Libby last week, the Lady Bulldogs softball squad may be on to something special.

April 22, 2010 11 p.m.

Thursday

The Boys and Girls Club holds a Youth Night on Thursdays at Glacier Discovery Square. It’s a safe and fun place for youth to hang out. Middle school kids are welcome from 5 to 7 p.m. and high school age from 7 to 9 p.m. There is no cost.

April 22, 2010 11 p.m.

House numbers help emergency workers

If you have to call 911, could emergency vehicles find your home?

April 22, 2010 11 p.m.

In the fire: My story

"Stay down," the assistant Ferndale fire chief Ken Sharr yelled. I was doing my best to keep up with the four firemen ahead of me as we entered into a Ferndale home on our hands and knees pulling a fire hose with us.

April 22, 2010 11 p.m.

Day care a draw for school district

Room 133 is not like Bigfork Elementary School's other rooms. In the place of desks and tables it has playpens, and the children in the room don't get report cards or have homework.

April 22, 2010 11 p.m.

Bulldogs rally for first tennis win

Whitefish boys tennis coach Chris Schwaderer felt the team was due for a win heading into a dual with Stevensville on Saturday.

April 22, 2010 11 p.m.

Swan River School sees deficit

Decreasing enrollment, skyrocketing insurance costs and state budget cuts will leave Swan River School facing a $50,000 deficit in its 2010-11 school year budget, Principal Peter Loyda said.

April 22, 2010 11 p.m.

Spring days on the North Fork

LARRY WILSON / Hungry Horse News

April 22, 2010 11 p.m.

Cheers for Volunteers

Michelle Kuntz, born and raised at Whidbey Island, Wash., and attended Whitworth College in Spokane and the University of Houston. Her mom was the choir director of her church back home, and a handsome young navy pilot named Al was her star tenor.

April 22, 2010 11 p.m.

Boys tennis team still sorting out rotation

The Columbia Falls boys tennis team had a tough time against Polson, Corvallis and Stevensville last week, losing to the Pirates 7-1, Corvallis 7-0 and Stevi 6-1.

April 22, 2010 11 p.m.

Old arguments, new solutions in N. Fork

They were decades old arguments. But in a new forum.

April 22, 2010 11 p.m.

Freestyle team wraps up season in Colo.

Current and former members of the Whitefish Mountain Resort Freestyle Team took on the best of the best at the U.S Snowboard Association's National Championship earlier this month at Copper Mountain, Colo.

April 22, 2010 11 p.m.

Clara Tennant: Always the teacher

Editor's note: Throughout the next few weeks, the Bigfork Eagle will feature the stories of some of Bigfork schools' longest serving teachers and staff as they prepare to retire at the end of the academic year.

Thursday, April 15

April 15, 2010 11 p.m.

Great season

Once again, Big Moun-tain closes after another winter season. Thanks to everyone who works on or supports the mountain operations.

April 15, 2010 11 p.m.

Eagle office gets a new look Letter from the editor

"Wow, those newspapers smell strong," a woman who came into our office Monday said.

April 15, 2010 11 p.m.

Valkyries crush Lady Bulldogs

The Lady Bulldogs tennis squad was swept 7-0 by Bigfork on Saturday, with the Valkyries winning each match in convincing fashion.

April 15, 2010 11 p.m.

Logging

Since Spencer Mountain represents both a high value recreation area and a potential revenue generator, I'm hoping that Department of Natural Resources and Conservation foresters will be unusually creative when developing any final timber harvesting plans for that area.

April 15, 2010 11 p.m.

CFalls native to be honored in D.C.

A Columbia Falls graduate and Bureau of Land Management ranger has been named one of the top law enforcement officers in the nation and could spend some time with President Barack Obama.

April 15, 2010 11 p.m.

Lake riprap case settled

Chamber gets serious about economic development here

April 15, 2010 11 p.m.

Bigfork track

April 15, 2010 11 p.m.

Pave section of road

To the editor,

April 15, 2010 11 p.m.

Music festival will test students and staff

Whitefish High School has participated in District Music Festival for 50 years. This year, it will be hosted by Whitefish Middle School on April 15-17.

April 15, 2010 11 p.m.

Bigfork wrestling: Working to provide opportunities

PART ONE: This is the second of two articles focused on wrestling in Bigfork.Bigfork hasn't had a high school wrestling program for eight years now, but that hasn't kept it from being a topic of concern for coaches and parents in the area.

April 15, 2010 11 p.m.

Boys win home track meet

The weather at the Columbia Falls Invitational was nearly perfect, with long lines at each event, and a win for the home boys' team — not a bad way to start off the track and field season Saturday. In past years, the invite has been marred by rain, snow or both. Last year's meet was cancelled altogether.

April 15, 2010 11 p.m.

Week in photos 4-22-10

April 15, 2010 11 p.m.

Come together on road

To the editor,

April 15, 2010 11 p.m.

Top 10: Worst of basketball

Last week I looked back at highlights of this year's basketball season. However, not everything that occurred was a highlight. So here is a list of 10 things I for one could have done without during the 2009-2010 basketball season in Bigfork.

April 15, 2010 11 p.m.

Cowabunga

April 15, 2010 11 p.m.

Likes Silliker

I am writing in support of Jack Silliker, who is a candidate for Whitefish School District Board of Trustees.

April 15, 2010 11 p.m.

Common sense needed with wolfs

On my recent annual spring outing, I encountered some very large paw prints of a canine creature. They could have been tracks of a mighty big dog, but in the remote location where I found them, I think they were the tracks of a wolf.

April 15, 2010 11 p.m.

Likes Harrison

I am writing this letter in support of Ruth Harrison, incumbent trustee for the Whitefish School Board. I have had children in the Whitefish school district for 10 years and have been very involved within the schools as a volunteer, as an active member of PTA and on various other school board appointed committees. I have worked directly with Ruth on some of these committees as well as been witness to her involvement at school board meetings.

April 15, 2010 11 p.m.

With poor hitting, girls drop opener to Bulldogs

The Columbia Falls girls softball team lost its season opener to Whitefish 6-3 last Saturday. The Kats suffered from an anemic offense in their first loss to the Bulldogs in at least four years.

April 15, 2010 11 p.m.

Tennis squads drop two to tough Libby team

The Columbia Falls girls and boys tennis teams both lost to Libby last week in their first matches of the season, but even in the losses, there were some bright performances.

April 15, 2010 11 p.m.

Senior 'Dogs lead at C-Falls Invite

The Whitefish track team was anchored by a handful of tried and true upperclassmen Saturday at the Columbia Falls Invitational.

April 15, 2010 11 p.m.

Thursday

Friday

April 15, 2010 11 p.m.

Big bats lead Lady Bulldogs

For the three seniors on the Lady Bulldogs softball team, Saturday's 6-3 win over conference-rival Columbia Falls at Smith Fields was long over due.

April 15, 2010 11 p.m.

Three vie for council

West Shore News

April 15, 2010 11 p.m.

West Point cadet ready to be leader

Freshman year at the United States Military Academy at West Point tends to thin the pool of cadets looking to make a splash among the ranks of the U.S. military. Of the 10,000 who apply to the school, about 1,200 are accepted, and hundreds of those won't make their sophomore year.

April 15, 2010 11 p.m.

Local tourism bureau undergoes scrutiny

Concerns about the Whitefish Convention and Visitor Bureau took up much of the Whitefish City Council's April 5 meeting.

April 15, 2010 11 p.m.

Training with fire

April 15, 2010 11 p.m.

More info

The recent Whitefish Pilot article about my running for trustee on the school board was not completely accurate or complete. Hopefully, this will clarify and add to the information presented.

April 15, 2010 11 p.m.

Council is two for two on urgency ordinances

The Whitefish City Council enacted two urgency ordinances during a busy April 5 meeting.

April 15, 2010 11 p.m.

Everett Oslo Gardner

Everett Oslo Gardner, son of Keith and Lindsey Gardner, of Whitefish, was born March 24, 2010, at North Valley Hospital.

April 15, 2010 11 p.m.

Board names new district superintendent

Bigfork schools have a new superintendent — Cynthia Clary.

April 15, 2010 11 p.m.

Thunderblades win national title

Montana Thunderblades goalie Taylor Hulslander, of Whitefish, snagged 19 saves in the USA Hockey Tier II U-16 national championship game, and forward Dylan Gamble, also of Whitefish, tallied two assists to help lead the Midget Minor team to a 5-4 win over the Atlanta Fire.

April 15, 2010 11 p.m.

Vals escape snow for win in Eureka

It took the Bigfork girls tennis team traveling to Eureka to find courts dry enough to play on Tuesday, but the Vals managed to do it and come back to a snow-covered Bigfork with a 6-0 victory.

April 15, 2010 11 p.m.

Bulldog netters slip at Bigfork

The Bulldogs No. 1 doubles team, Joel Mallams and Jake Morison, grinded out a 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 win over Ryan Gembala and Evan Jordt at Bigfork on Saturday to seal their first win of the season.

April 15, 2010 11 p.m.

'Break a Leg' opens Friday

Theatergoers know that saying "good luck" to an actor or actress could get you in a heap of trouble, but they may not know that whistling is equally as bad.

April 15, 2010 11 p.m.

Tennis courts slated for Ben Williams Park

In less than a year tennis enthusiasts in Lakeside won't have to drive to Kalispell or over to Bigfork to get some time on the court.

April 15, 2010 11 p.m.

Don't ignore the tip of the iceberg

Long after the unsinkable Titanic settled at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean, people asked whether the disaster had been avoidable. Titanic had been the greatest ship the world had ever seen, but hubris excused reckless speeds in dangerous waters and critical warning signs were ignored.

April 15, 2010 11 p.m.

Plum Creek asks for log waste landfill

Plum Creek wants to turn a former gravel pit into a landfill to dispose of its log waste.

April 15, 2010 11 p.m.

First week brings packed schedule for tennis

The singles players on Bigfork High School's boys and girls tennis teams had a successful opening week as they won a majority of their five matches.

April 15, 2010 11 p.m.

Voluntary tax group gains non-profit status

Bigfork residents will have a new acronym to keep track of as the group that started the voluntary tourist tax has its official name — the Bigfork Tourist Promotion Assessment.

April 15, 2010 11 p.m.

April 22, 2010

April 15, 2010 11 p.m.

Cover-ups and Plots

G. GEORGE OSTROM / For the Hungry Horse News

April 15, 2010 11 p.m.

Local boy to attend national business competition in May

Revenue dept. turns back alcohol law changes

April 15, 2010 11 p.m.

Lakeside QRU breaks ground on new building

West Shore News

April 15, 2010 11 p.m.

Man acquitted of scalding young boy in tub

Whitefish Pilot

April 15, 2010 11 p.m.

Parent responds to school board candidates

School board candidate Peter Elespuru says, "The whole school district is tired … It lacks concern for all the students." Peter Elespuru, do your homework.

April 15, 2010 11 p.m.

Teachers ask to drop weighted grades

Columbia Falls High School teachers want to discontinue use of the weighted grading system while retaining advanced placement classes.

April 15, 2010 11 p.m.

Waste found in Bigfork Bay

Local reps ask for legal action against health care reform bill

April 15, 2010 11 p.m.

Ida Landon

Ida A. Landon, 90, died April 6, 2010, at North Valley Hospital in Whitefish.

April 15, 2010 11 p.m.

Hidden fee

The funding mechanism of the Whitefish Convention and Visitors Bureau is questionable at best and dishonest at worse. As a participant in the collection of the 1 percent add-on to rental charges, I am heartened by the city's efforts to seek out a definitive answer to this concern.

April 15, 2010 11 p.m.

Don't throw my heart in the trash

K.J. Hascall / Hungry Horse News

April 15, 2010 11 p.m.

Vikes earn second place on home links

The weather turned the corner just in time for the Bigfork High School Invitational at Eagle Bend Golf Club Thursday.

April 15, 2010 11 p.m.

Letters to the Editor

Report animal cruelty

April 15, 2010 11 p.m.

Memorial suggested

A recent article about the new veterans memorial in Kalispell brought to my attention that the private community who spearheaded the site with no tax dollars is in critical need of funding and apparently is $35,000 in debt because of construction and maintenance costs.

April 15, 2010 11 p.m.

Famous mascot disappears from Fox's

After consolidation, city jail set to close in June

Thursday, April 8

April 8, 2010 11 p.m.

Blacktail, other area mountains close

It's been a little tough to tell what season is presiding over Bigfork these days, but one sure sign that winter is over is that all of the ski areas have officially closed for the season.

April 8, 2010 11 p.m.

A fond goodbye to Stewart Udall

Stewart Udall died last month. He loved the West and had a greater influence on the protection and enjoyment of its wild places than any person since President Teddy Roosevelt.

April 8, 2010 11 p.m.

Letters to the Editor

Please don't trap my cat

April 8, 2010 11 p.m.

Joan Kowatsch

Joan Kowatsch, beloved mother of five, grandmother of 13, and great grandmother of 26, passed into eternity on Saturday, April 3, 2010. She greatly enjoyed the outdoors, camping and gardening with the love of her life, John, who proceeded her in death in December 2007. Joan spent 20 years as a respiratory therapist until her retirement in 1990. Joan lived in "many" western states including Nevada, Wyoming, Colorado, California, and finally Hungry Horse, Montana.

April 8, 2010 11 p.m.

Big Mtn. snow totals down, but visitors up

Whitefish Mountain Resort shut down its lifts Sunday, marking the end of a ski season that was defined by a pesky El Nino weather pattern that offered skiers plenty of sun and Glacier Park views, but not much snow.

April 8, 2010 11 p.m.

Baked by the sun

Gone are the smell of diesel fuel and the background hum of the generator at the Polebridge Mercantile. In the generator's place stand two solar panels, which provide power to the famous store — silently, and at little cost to the environment — which is exactly what owners Flannery Coats and Stuart Reiswig wanted.

April 8, 2010 11 p.m.

Lake access poses problems

Resident Dave Hadden has walked parts of the North Shore of Flathead Lake nearly every morning for about 10 years and he's never seen traffic on the beach like there's been this spring.

April 8, 2010 11 p.m.

Girls of spring take to the diamond

This year's Lady Bulldogs softball team may be young — the team features six freshman — but coach Alan Compton thinks the girls could be a surprise success.

April 8, 2010 11 p.m.

Track has strong first showing

Bigfork's track and field teams emerged from their first meet of the season with top placings in several events and also did well in the team scoring Saturday at the Columbia Falls Invitational.

April 8, 2010 11 p.m.

Court reverses gun club ruling

The Montana Supreme Court last week reversed and remanded back to Flathead County District Court an earlier decision to dismiss a lawsuit over a shooting range on Farm To Market Road.

April 8, 2010 11 p.m.

44th Creston Auction kicks off this weekend

Forty-four years ago in Creston's fields, farmers were gathering to auction livestock and goods prior to the start of the season.

Obituaries
April 8, 2010 11 p.m.

Obituaries

The Bigfork Eagle runs obituaries and death notices

April 8, 2010 11 p.m.

Thursday

The Whitefish Chamber of Commerce’s Gone Fishin’ social will take place at Flathead Performance Training, in the North Valley Hospital Village, on Thursday, April 15, from 5 to 7 p.m. with catering by Amazing Crepes.

April 8, 2010 11 p.m.

State should clean up after harvest

West of Whitefish, state public lands of Spencer Mountain offer world-class outdoor recreation. But better get ready for a tussle to save the existing recreation on Spencer.

April 8, 2010 11 p.m.

Top 10: Best of Bigfork basketball

I watched the University of Washington Huskies men's basketball team go from leading to losing two weeks ago during their Sweet 16 matchup against West Virginia in the NCAA Tournament and somehow it made me feel a little bit better about Bigfork High School's boys and girls basketball teams' seasons. After all, that game didn't end much differently than the ones that concluded the Vikes' and Vals' seasons this year.

April 8, 2010 11 p.m.

Bigfork wrestling: Grappling with a seven-year loss

PART ONE: This is the first of two articles focused on wrestling in Bigfork. Pick up a copy of next week's Bigfork Eagle to read about what has been done to try to reestablish wrestling in Bigfork since 2003.

April 8, 2010 11 p.m.

BHS golf team battles elements in two-day Missoula tournament

It wasn't exactly golfing weather last Thursday and Friday, but Bigfork High School's golf team trudged through the nasty conditions of the Loyola Sacred Heart Invitational in Missoula and fared well at the two-day tournament.

April 8, 2010 11 p.m.

A dog sledding excursion

MY EXPERIENCE

April 8, 2010 11 p.m.

Council approves new QRU building

The new Lakeside QRU building is inching closer to construction as members seek a conditional use permit that will allow the quasi-public building to be constructed.

April 8, 2010 11 p.m.

Common sense needed with wolfs

On my recent annual spring outing, I encountered some very large paw prints of a canine creature. They could have been tracks of a mighty big dog, but in the remote location where I found them, I think they were the tracks of a wolf.

April 8, 2010 11 p.m.

Della Mae Babcock

Della Mae Babcock, 88, of Kalispell, passed into eternity March 19, 2010, at the Heritage Place. She is survived by her sons and their wives, Howard and Dede Babcock of Monroe, Wash., and Bruce and Trisha Babcock of Kalispell; and daughter, Lynn Jacobsmeyer, and her husband, Wayne, of Columbia Falls. Della was blessed with nine grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.

April 8, 2010 11 p.m.

Limits on how Spencer project money can be used

School candidates talk to the Pilot

April 8, 2010 11 p.m.

Board names new district superintendent

Bigfork schools have a new superintendent — Cynthia Clary.

April 8, 2010 11 p.m.

Bulldog runners try to stay healthy

Bulldog track coach Derek Schulz has just one goal in mind for the team right now — to keep everyone on the team healthy. A twisted ankle in April can linger into May, and that's when results become relevant.

April 8, 2010 11 p.m.

Three Republicans vie for House District 3 seat

Crews steadily plow Glacier Park roads

April 8, 2010 11 p.m.

State to study North Fork Road

The Montana Department of Transportation will hold a public meeting on a corridor study of the North Fork Road from the Camas Road south to the Blankenship Road.

April 8, 2010 11 p.m.

Park avalanche kills lone snowboarder

Brian Wright had climbed and descended Glacier Park's Mt. Shields dozens of times this winter before an avalanche on the northeast face of the mountain took his life March 31.

April 8, 2010 11 p.m.

Loren Kreck Memorial

The April 17 celebration of Loren Kreck's life has been moved to the Whitefish Ice Rink and Saddle Club to accommodate the large number of friends and family expected to attend. The rink is as 725 Wisconsin Avenue.

April 8, 2010 11 p.m.

Julia Lamberson

Julia Lamberson, 85, passed away at her home in Whitefish surrounded by family on March 29, 2010.

April 8, 2010 11 p.m.

Lori Riggs

Lori was born June 29, 1958 in Boise, Idaho to Richard A. Mabe and Patricia Ann Mabe. Following a long battle with cancer, she died March 28, 2010 with her loving family by her side.

April 8, 2010 11 p.m.

Performers raise funds for schools

Cowabunga is returning to the stage this weekend after a year's hiatus due to the Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts lobby renovation.

April 8, 2010 11 p.m.

Student explorer working at fire department

Students at Whitefish High School are taking a jump start on careers with several classes geared towards career-building and life skills — Jobs for Montana Graduates, Interpersonal Relations, and Personal Development.

April 8, 2010 11 p.m.

New 'Lake Book' now available

Commission to look at state redistricting

April 8, 2010 11 p.m.

Cheers for volunteers

Dayle Vondal says "volunteering is my hobby." He volunteers at North Valley Hospital, North Valley Food Bank and Whitefish Community Center, where he was recently crowned King of the Golden Agers for the Winter Carnival.

April 8, 2010 11 p.m.

Sixteen Wives and The Garden Wall

G. GEORGE OSTROM / For the Hungry Horse News

April 8, 2010 11 p.m.

April 15, 2010

April 8, 2010 11 p.m.

Never the same after turnovers

K.J. Hascall / Hungry Horse News

April 8, 2010 11 p.m.

Good turnout for tennis teams

It's a rare spring when Whitefish's tennis teams are able to get on the hard court this early in the season. Typically, players are wielding snow shovels as often as racquets in the first weeks of practice clearing the court of snow.

April 8, 2010 11 p.m.

Alpine team third in Northern series

Skiers from the Whitefish Mountain Resort Alpine Race Team competed in the Northern Division Alpine Championship at Bridger Bowl Ski Area on April 2 and 3.

April 8, 2010 11 p.m.

Tennis teams strong with athletes, light on experience

The Columbia Falls boys tennis team will see 23 athletes looking to make their mark in 2010.

April 8, 2010 11 p.m.

Canyon principal fined $400 for theft

Matt Fawcett, former principal of Canyon Elementary in Hungry Horse, was cited for shoplifting Feb. 5 at Smith's in Kalispell.

April 8, 2010 11 p.m.

Egg hunt brings joy to all ages Letter from the editor

Verdie Malgrun carefully extracted each of her vibrant blue and pink Easter eggs from the vinegar water last week as she decorated them. The blue were her favorites.

April 8, 2010 11 p.m.

Prom Grand March

Thursday, April 1

April 1, 2010 11 p.m.

Week in photos April 8, 2010

April 1, 2010 11 p.m.

1936 in Glacier Park

G. GEORGE OSTROM / For the Hungry Horse News

April 1, 2010 11 p.m.

Freestyle team dominates Corn Cup

Whitefish Mountain Resort's Freestyle Ski and Snowboard Team garnered six overall champions at the Corn Cup freestyle competiton last weekend on Big Mountain and 22 of the total 44 top-three finishes to wrap up a strong competitve year at home.

April 1, 2010 11 p.m.

Rowe, Owens anchor softball team

The core of any successful softball team is simple: pitching and catching.

April 1, 2010 11 p.m.

Ava Jane Anderson

Ava Jane Anderson, daughter of Cory and Sarah Anderson, of Columbia Falls, was born March 22, 2010, at North Valley Hospital.

Obituaries
April 1, 2010 11 p.m.

Obituaries

The Bigfork Eagle runs obituaries and death notices for people who have lived in the Bigfork area. To submit, e-mail

April 1, 2010 11 p.m.

By K.J. HASCALL / Hungry Horse News

They must have been perched on armchairs and snuggled up under the covers day and night to read that many books.

April 1, 2010 11 p.m.

Co-op delays decision on joining power group

Jill Evans 63rd First Lady

April 1, 2010 11 p.m.

I can ride my bike with no handlebars

K.J. Hascall / Hungry Horse News

April 1, 2010 11 p.m.

Five to vie for open board positions

Lake County sheriff's race to be hotly contested

April 1, 2010 11 p.m.

BHS golf teams swing into action

Bigfork High School's golf team is adjusting to its new time slot – spring, and Steve Hullett, the team's head coach, believes it is a change for the better.

April 1, 2010 11 p.m.

School layoffs, levy on horizon

Shrinking student enrollment is blamed for a forecasted $325,000 deficit in next fiscal year's Whitefish High School budget, but with taxpayers tightening their own belts, school district board trustees decided now wasn't a good time to ask voters to support a levy to make up the difference.

April 1, 2010 11 p.m.

Sheriff's candidate takes aim at morale

Lance Norman, one of two candidates challenging incumbent Mike Meehan in the all-Republican sheriff's race this year, says he's running because morale in the sheriff's office is "at its lowest level in years — and the primary reason is "a lack of quality leadership at the top levels."

April 1, 2010 11 p.m.

Dr. Loren Kreck

Dr. Loren Kreck, a retired Columbia Falls dentist, passionate defender of wilderness and lifelong outdoor adventurer, died Friday, March 26 of natural causes. He was 89.

April 1, 2010 11 p.m.

Committee approves zone change

The Bigfork Land Use Advisory Committee voted unanimously last week to recommend a zone change request for a pair of properties on McCaffery Road.

April 1, 2010 11 p.m.

Rangers recover body of skier killed by avalanche in Glacier

The body of a solo skier apparently killed in an avalanche on Mount Shields was recovered Thursday evening by Glacier National Park rangers.

April 1, 2010 11 p.m.

Gene Haverlandt

Gene Albert Haverlandt, 63, died peacefully on March 13, 2010, surrounded by family in his home in Wasilla, Alaska.

April 1, 2010 11 p.m.

BHS ready for first track meet Saturday

This year's Bigfork track and field program is packing a one-two punch, with the girls bringing the successful past and the boys holding down their side with the numbers.

April 1, 2010 11 p.m.

Schools to face deficit

The Somers School District will be facing tough decisions in April as it prepares to deal with a $164,000 deficit in its 2010-11 budget.

April 1, 2010 11 p.m.

Glacier experiences turned into art

Coach focuses on teaching life skills

April 1, 2010 11 p.m.

Glacier Park avalanche victim ID'd

The victim of a deadly avalanche on Mt. Shields in Glacier National Park has been identified as 37-year-old Brian Wright, a part-time resident of Whitefish, according to the Flathead County Sheriff's Office.

April 1, 2010 11 p.m.

Candidates vie for board seats

Bigfork Eagle

April 1, 2010 11 p.m.

Cherry Growers discuss future of industry

Class looks to help those in need

April 1, 2010 11 p.m.

Let courts determine Seals case

I respect and honor Sen. Ryan Zinke for his military service and thank him. But his opinions expressed in the Feb. 18 Whitefish Pilot are a very different matter. He is entitled to his opinions, of course, but not his facts, and they are in error in important respects.

April 1, 2010 11 p.m.

New Flathead Forest head eager to learn

When Chip Weber, the new superintendent of Flathead National Forest, starts work on May 10, he'll already have a full agenda before him. Learning about the community and the employees of the Forest. Learning about resources. Determining long-term goals for the Forest. And having fun in a new playground.

April 1, 2010 11 p.m.

Six opt for early retirement from schools

Three teachers and three staff members at Bigfork schools have opted to take the early retirement incentive, offered this year to help the school district with its budget shortfall.

April 1, 2010 11 p.m.

Silliker takes league honors

Bulldog forward Connor Silliker was awarded Northwestern A all-conference honors for his exceptional play on the basketball hard court this season.

April 1, 2010 11 p.m.

A fond goodbye to Stewart Udall

Stewart Udall died last week. He loved the West and had a greater influence on the protection and enjoyment of its wild places than any person since President Teddy Roosevelt.

April 1, 2010 11 p.m.

Otter Afternoon

April 1, 2010 11 p.m.

Local voices must overwhelm lobbyists

By now, most folks will attest that the Legislature does not have a clue about the pain caused by high property taxes. On many policy decisions, we're mired in partisan argument with no appetite for fixes, listening only to lobbyists.

April 1, 2010 11 p.m.

A wise and serious man for the West

Stewart Udall died last week. He loved the West and had a greater influence on the protection and enjoyment of its wild places than any person since President Teddy Roosevelt.

April 1, 2010 11 p.m.

House candidate wants to jump-start local economy

Returning from talks in Victoria, B.C., about finalizing efforts to stop coal, oil and gas development in the Canadian Flathead, Will Hammerquist stopped by the Pilot last week to talk about his bid to represent Whitefish in the Montana Legislature as a Democrat.

April 1, 2010 11 p.m.

Cheers for Volunteers

Elmer Ward came from Minnesota to Whitefish to accept employment at Plum Creek. He will, at the drop of a hat, relate many stories about the early days of Plum Creek and the activities he performed during his 39 years of service on the green chain, the trimmer and clean-up crew.

April 1, 2010 11 p.m.

Open burning allowed through April

As we approach the month of April, I would like to remind all residents that there is open burning for one more month.

April 1, 2010 11 p.m.

Letters to the editor

Control the wolf population

April 1, 2010 11 p.m.

Big Mountain season finale

April 1, 2010 11 p.m.

Rose Boyd

Our Mom, Rose Boyd, left this world on March 25 and went to be with her loving husband, Neil. Rose was born in Chelsea, England on Aug. 19, 1920. She met the man of her dreams while he was serving in England during World War II and she was serving in the Women's Land Army of England. They married in 1944 and she traveled all the way to America on a ship coming through Ellis Island. She then rode a train across the United States to Neil's family in eastern Montana where she waited for him to join her. From this union there were four children — Rosemary, Carol Ann (Candy), Sherry Lynn and Danny. They lived in several places around Montana before settling in Hungry Horse in 1952. Rose was very active in the lives of her children and their activities as well as in the community they chose for their home. She belonged to many of the local organizations, including the VFW Auxiliary, Fireman's Auxiliary, local scouting troops, the PTA and was a member of the local Civil Air Patrol when it was active in the 1950s.

April 1, 2010 11 p.m.

A dog sledding excursion

MY EXPERIENCE

April 1, 2010 11 p.m.

Spring returns to the Village

Letter from the editor

April 1, 2010 11 p.m.

Exhibit features, educates about Western icon

Curator Denny Kellogg hopes residents will walk away with more than just an appreciation for bison-inspired art at the Bigfork Museum of Art & History's new exhibit opening today, April 1.

April 1, 2010 11 p.m.

Thursday

Headwaters Montana will present “Wild Places, A Celebration of Montana’s Wilderness Heritage,” billed as the “best photos by Montana’s best photographers,” at the O’Shaughnessy on Thursday, April 8. An artists reception with hors d’oeuvres, beer and wine will take place at 6 p.m. followed by a theater viewing at 7 p.m. Photographers include Dee Blank, Bret Bouda, Ed Gilliland, Chuck Haney, Sumio Harada and eight others. Admission is $10 For more information, call 837-0783 or 862-0438.

April 1, 2010 11 p.m.

Need to vote on power deal

I attended the Flathead Electric Co-op board meeting on March 20. After listening to the board, I am extremely concerned about spending millions of dollars to join a consortium and sharing our main source of power with companies outside of Montana.

April 1, 2010 11 p.m.

Derek Crittenden going into Grizzly country

When offered the choice between playing collegiate football for the Grizzlies or Bobcats, Whitefish's highly recruited defensive back, Derek Crittenden, had to go with the maroon and silver.

April 1, 2010 11 p.m.

Third coach was a charm, struggle for seniors

By the time most student-athletes are seniors they have ran more miles in practice than they can count, learned more plays than they care to remember and sat through more motivational speeches than they can shake a stick at, but they buy into the program for one more year because they know it is their last chance to accomplish their goals.

April 1, 2010 11 p.m.

Costain sweeps freeskiing events

Ten-year-old Parkin Costain, of Whitefish, completed a clean sweep of all four Canadian Junior Freeskiing events this season with a first place in the 11-and-under category at Lake Louise Ski Area, in Alberta, this past weekend.