Thursday, August 31
Glacier turns focus to Rustlers
The Daily Inter Lake
KNOW THE FOE: CMR brings young squad to challenge Glacier
Two programs with strong histories, both Glacier and Great Falls C.M. Russell struggled in the first week of games. Glacier fell down early against defending champ Billings Senior and the Rustlers were stopped short against Helena High. Great Falls Tribune sports reporter Steve Schreck helped us find out how CMR will try to respond in Friday’s game:
Flathead faces confident Capital
By EVAN MCCULLERS
KNOW THE FOE: Helena IR sports editor Troy Shockley previews Capital
Fresh off a 27-19 win over Butte in the season opener, Flathead now stares down one of its toughest tests of the season.
Fuller out as WHS volleyball coach
Jackie Fuller has resigned as head volleyball coach at Whitefish High School.
Busy holiday weekend for prep soccer action
Twenty-six Montana High School Association soccer matches, boys and girls, will be played by area teams over a three-day period this Labor Day Weekend.
Johnston has low round; Polson boys, Whitefish girls team champs
RONAN — Ryggs Johnston easily captured medalist honors at the Ronan Invitational golf tournament on Thursday.
Sandpoint stymies Stillwater
SANDPOINT, Idaho — The young Stillwater Christian soccer team couldn’t keep pace with Sandpoint, losing 8-0.
Montana to join Idaho, N. Dakota in holiday weekend patrols
On Labor Day weekend, troopers from the Montana Highway Patrol, the Idaho State Police and the North Dakota Highway Patrol will join together to carry out Operation Border to Border — a collaborative effort to reduce traffic fatalities, impaired driving and criminal activities on state highways.
Sperry Chalet lost in Sprague Fire
At about 6 p.m. Thursday, the main building at the Sperry Chalet was lost to the Sprague Fire, according to the
Peaceful Drive reportedly not so peaceful
A resident of Peaceful Drive reported hearing a series of gunshots coming from the somewhere in the not so peaceful neighborhood, according to Flathead County Sheriff’s Office.
Tornow drops out of Whitefish judge race
Longtime Whitefish attorney Thomas Tornow announced Thursday he is withdrawing his candidacy for Whitefish municipal judge.
Tally Lake Campground reopens
The Tally Lake Ranger District on the Flathead National Forest is reopening the Tally Lake Campground, Boat Launch and Day Use Area on Friday, Sept. 1. The campground was closed earlier in the week for public safety, following several reports of bear activity in the campground.
Great Fish fundraiser wraps up with color run
Sept. 15 is the deadline for giving
Commissioner Mitchell pleads not guilty to felony
A Flathead County commissioner pleaded not guilty to felony criminal mischief in Flathead District Court on Thursday.
Carl Elias Goble, 89
Carl Elias Goble passed away peacefully late in the evening on Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2017, surrounded by his loving family.
Montana Sky suffers as part of massive internet outage
An internet outage that affected Montana Sky Networks customers Wednesday evening and Thursday morning was fixed by early Thursday afternoon.
Kalispell man headed to prison for intimidation
A Kalispell man was sentenced to prison for felony intimidation after he repeatedly threatened a woman in front of police.
KGEZ tower back on Board of Adjustment agenda
A proposal to relocate KGEZ’s radio towers to the West Valley awaits a decision when the Flathead County Board of Adjustment meets Tuesday, Sept. 5.
Mary Katrina Deitrick, 91
Mary Katrina Deitrick, 91, passed away Aug. 24, 2017.
James Andrew Vale, 24
James Andrew Vale died on Sunday, Aug. 27, 2017.
Eureka teen wins hearing aids
Eureka’s DaySha Brown couldn’t believe her ears when she got the call: she had won a pair of custom hearing aids courtesy of the Hearing Aid Institute of Kalispell.
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Michael Tolomeo-Atwood was recently sentenced in Flathead District Court for reportedly head-butting a detention officer in November.
Bear activity prompts hard-sided camping at St. Mary
St. Mary Campground on the east side of Glacier National Park, is temporarily available to hard-sided camping only due to bear activity. The hiker/biker sites also will be temporarily unavailable at this campground due to the change.
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Michael Tolomeo-Atwood was recently sentenced in Flathead District Court for reportedly head-butting a detention officer in November.
Julian Leonard 'Len' Derby, 89
Julian Leonard “Len” Derby passed away from natural causes Aug. 28, 2017, at The Springs of Whitefish. He was 89.
Man's feathers ruffled by trespassing poultry
A man told Kalispell Police he wanted his neighbors charged after their chickens allegedly entered his yard.
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- Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., Immanuel Lutheran Communities.
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- Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., Immanuel Lutheran Communities.
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Michael Tolomeo-Atwood was recently sentenced in Flathead District Court for reportedly head-butting a detention officer in November.
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- Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., Immanuel Lutheran Communities.
Planning Board to hear zone-change requests
The Flathead County Planning Board will hold public hearings to consider two zone change requests on Wednesday, Sept. 13.
Wednesday, August 30
Man withdraws plea in sex assault case
George Wilcoxen of Bigfork will face a jury on a felony sexual assault charge after withdrawing an Alford plea following the judge’s rejection of a binding plea agreement before a packed courtroom on Aug. 30.
Resources stepped up for Eureka area fire
Management of the nearly 6,000-acre Gibralter Ridge Fire east of Eureka today will transition from a Type III Incident Team to a Type II Team to increase resources as Northwest Montana remains on high fire alert.
Lake McDonald Lodge closes early due to smoke
Lake McDonald Lodge in Glacier National Park closed for the season on Wednesday due to air-quality concerns from the Sprague Fire and other regional fires.
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It is the duty of any elected or appointed official, be it county commissioners, municipal judges or city planners, to consider the input on the community at large before rendering any final opinion or approval of the matter at hand. When one person or a small group of people propose a zoning expansion, or commercial development that will adversely affect and disrupt an entire community, the burden of the final decision of the arbitration is entirely on the elected or appointed officials.
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It is the duty of any elected or appointed official, be it county commissioners, municipal judges or city planners, to consider the input on the community at large before rendering any final opinion or approval of the matter at hand. When one person or a small group of people propose a zoning expansion, or commercial development that will adversely affect and disrupt an entire community, the burden of the final decision of the arbitration is entirely on the elected or appointed officials.
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- Red Cross blood drives: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Flathead County Health Department; 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Park Side Credit Union, Whitefish.
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- Red Cross blood drives: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Flathead County Health Department; 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Park Side Credit Union, Whitefish.
Roxanna Dorothy Marie Menish, 61
Roxanna Dorothy Marie Menish, 61, passed away unexpectedly on June 7, 2017.
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- Red Cross blood drives: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Flathead County Health Department; 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Park Side Credit Union, Whitefish.
Suspected burglar was really woman's son
Whitefish Police Department received a report of a break-in attempt at a Wisconsin Avenue residence when a woman reportedly heard a screen being taken off a basement window. She found the screen had indeed been taken off the window, however, she learned that the would-be burglar was her son sneaking back into the house.
Relief efforts underway in Montana
As rain continues to pour down on coastal areas of Texas in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, Flathead Valley churches and the Red Cross of Montana are among those responding with disaster relief.
Harvey's staggering destruction
When we were putting a story on Saturday’s front page about Hurricane Harvey making landfall, we never would have guessed that the devastation would still be unrolling five days later.
Red-flag alert issued for Flathead as
A forecast of temperatures in the low 90s and a 20 to 30 percent chance of thunderstorms has prompted the National Weather Service to issue a red-flag alert for Wednesday night through Thursday night for the Flathead Valley
Brian Loucks, 37
Brian Scott Loucks passed away on Aug. 27, 2017.
Stage 2 fire restrictions continue
Stage 2 fire restrictions remain in effect throughout most of Flathead County.
Narcissist Trump is everybody's problem now
Time for the rest of white America to grow up. Those who support this president can now consider themselves culpable in the nuclear narcissists’ tantrum going on between two king babies — Donald J. Trump and Kim Jong-un. There is a reason we don’t let toddlers play with guns, and it is the very same reason disordered personalities should never have the launch codes to a nuclear arsenal.
Experience Day in Evergreen
Community collaborates to provide services to students
By HILARY MATHESON
Tuesday, August 29
Whitefish wipes out Bigfork
BIGFORK — Whitefish sophomore Anna Cook scored three goals, all of them in the second half, to lead the Whitefish girls soccer team to a 6-1 win over Bigfork in its season opener on Tuesday afternoon.
Young, Whitefish girls win Corvallis meet
MISSOULA — Whitefish’s Gracie Young edged the field by two strokes to win the Corvallis Golf Meet on Tuesday at the University of Montana Golf Course.
Bigfork rallies past Breakers
MISSOULA — Bigfork rallied from a slow first set, dominating the next three sets in a 3-1 Western B conference volleyball victory over Missoula Loyola-Sacred Heart on Tuesday.
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Lake County sees infestation of rush skeletonweed
BOZEMAN — A Montana State University project aimed at educating state residents about noxious weeds recently investigated a newly discovered rush skeletonweed infestation in Pablo.
Kalispell Public Schools ready for new year
School bells will ring in the new year this week in Kalispell Public Schools.
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Monday, August 28
Wildfires continue to grow in western Montana
The Lolo Peak Fire outside Missoula experienced a climb in activity Sunday as drier air returned to the area and humidity dropped.
Bear activity prompts Tally Lake Campground closure
The Tally Lake Ranger District on the Flathead National Forest is temporarily closing the Tally Lake Campground and Day Use Area for public safety following several reports of bear activity this last week in the campground.
Man pleads not guilty to felony robbery charges
The passenger of a vehicle involved in an alleged armed robbery where he brandished a gun pleaded not guilty to two felony charges in Flathead District Court on Aug. 17.
Ronan man charged in fatality case
A Ronan man has been charged in the Aug. 20 death of Jessie Qualtier, 36, of Ronan.
Wynona Doreen 'Nonie' Chapman Mathison, 89
Wynona Doreen “Nonie” Chapman Mathison, 89, passed away Saturday, Aug. 26, 2017.
Landfill manager: Handling garbage is complex business
As Jim Chilton contemplates the day ahead in an office filled with shelves of thick reports and binders full of water-quality and air-quality monitoring data, it’s clear there’s a lot more to running the county landfill than making space for garbage.
New school year set to begin
A new school year is here with many school districts in the Flathead Valley starting Wednesday, Aug. 30. Columbia Falls and West Valley students start Thursday, Aug. 31.
County ready to adopt $90.3M budget
Flathead County’s taxable valuation has increased considerably because of a strong local economy, but whether property owners’ taxes will go up and down depends on the state’s new appraisals for individual properties.
Sunday, August 27
Kalispell council tackles stormwater fee study
A study that recommends a 10.3 percent increase in Kalispell stormwater impact fees is the focus of a City Council work session on Monday, Aug. 28.
Attendance up at the Northwest Montana Fair
Preliminary tallies show that attendance was up nearly 4 percent at this year’s Northwest Montana Fair & Rodeo. Approximately 79,500 people attended various events, concerts, rodeo performances and exhibits Aug. 16-20 at the Flathead County Fairgrounds.
Kalispell man charged with sexual assault
Daily Inter Lake
Who are the politically correct police and what is their goal?
Who really sets the political social agenda for the United States? Who sets the criteria for someone to be labeled a bigot or racist? Who defines what hate speech is and identifies those who use it? Who establishes the criteria for being a “white supremacist” and who has the authority to label someone as one? Why is it all right for one African-American to call another African-American the “N” word but no other race can use that word? Just what groups can set the “politically correct” (PC) standards for all Americans?
Gustafson and Alexander
Ivy Grace Gustafson and Joseph James Alexander were married July 22 at the bride’s family lake lot on Echo Lake in Bigfork.
VA removes red tape to increase access to care
Imagine the day that you can see your medical provider from anywhere in the country, including from the comfort of your own home. You wouldn’t have to take a full day off of work, travel long distances or spend hours in a hospital waiting room. Thanks to the age of smart phones and other advanced technology, that day has come. And it couldn’t have come at a more critical moment.
Editor missed the mark in critique of national media
I’d like to say a few things about the Inter Lake’s managing editor’s “2 cents” column in the June 24 edition (“Trump and the ‘Mean Girls’ of the media”).
The so-far fruitless search for evidence against Trump
I recently read an article in National Review that asked, “When does all the evidence arrive?” The search for proof of Trump-Russia collusion has been going on for months and has, to date, produced nothing more than suppositions, inferences, and possibilities. Without concrete evidence there is no case except in the minds of those longing for it to be true. After all, how could it be explained that Hillary, with her sizable war chest and all of her valuable experience (?), lost to a “buffoon” (a Gene Lyons descriptive word) with no experience?
Flathead Valley cannot escape America's biggest challenges
Those of us who live in the Flathead Valley do so because it’s a lovely place to raise a family, seemingly separate from the traffic, crime, and pollution that many Americans tolerate as part of their daily lives. It also seems a place separate from the uglier racial tensions and prejudices that permeate American life.
A bold new beginning for Kalispell
The verdict is unanimous — downtown Kalispell is on the cusp of a renaissance.
Eradicating history
What will you remove next? Lewis and Clark?
Not surprisingly, the city of Helena has caved in to demands by Indian legislators to remove a memorial to Confederate war dead. Montana’s Indian legislators are bringing ridicule upon themselves, as they have no problem with monuments that honor the United States, which conquered, subdued and exploited them. Meanwhile, the mere existence of a monument in tribute to the Confederate states that were treated similarly by the United States during and after the Civil War, and never had any meaningful contact with the tribes of Montana, strikes terror in the hearts of these once fierce warriors.
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Change the name of Flathead High School? (as suggested in a letter to the editor)?
More letters on rewriting history
“Every record has been destroyed or falsified, every book has been rewritten, every picture has been repainted, every statue and street and building has been renamed, every date has been altered. And that process is continuing day by day and minute by minute. History has stopped. Nothing exists except an endless present in which the Party is always right.”
If we want to save country, common sense must prevail
There comes a point in time when decent people must stand up for what is right and dismiss the idea that by some kind of action we can literally re-write our way into “A more perfect union.”
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Change the name of Flathead High School? (as suggested in a letter to the editor)?
Saturday, August 26
Voisin makes World Cup finals
The Daily Inter Lake
Cross Country Flathead, Bigfork's Morley dominate Libby Invite
Flathead’s cross country season is off to a fast start.
Glacier boys, girls blank Billings West, Butte in AA soccer
HELENA — Glacier had six different players account for goals in boys soccer match victories on Saturday to open the season at the AA Jamboree.
Libby, Whitefish top 2 at Tipoff
FRENCHTOWN — Northwestern A teams captured the top two places in the Tipoff Tournament versus Southwestern A schools on Saturday.
Rewriting history: It's nothing new
Total perfection: Chasing solar eclipse totality
For those lucky enough to have clear weather on Monday, Aug. 21, the path of totality for the Great American Eclipse gave sky watchers around two minutes of undiluted perfection. While the direct shadow of the moon did cross a small patch of Montana, those who wanted to see the real power of a total eclipse of the sun had to travel to get to it. And many Montanans chose to do just that.
Grandpa's Barn offers local antiques, vintage pickings
Members of the Blasdel family have a tendency to collect things — lots of things. And after time, they add up.
Neighbor has cat trap fever in Whitefish
An individual contacted the Whitefish Police Department regarding a cat that repeatedly trespassed on their property and sprayed in their windows. The caller said every time they chased the cat, it ran to a neighboring house. The caller expressed interest in trapping the cat.
Man denies assault with weapon charge
A 48-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to felony assault with a weapon in Flathead District Court.
Linda Lillian Williams, 79
Linda “went to be with her family, friends and the Lord” on Aug. 18, 2017. She passed peacefully at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula. It was here that she showed her true bravery, strength and faith in the Lord.
Roger H. Elliott, 86
Roger H. Elliott passed away on Aug.1, 2017, at the age of 86 after a lengthy struggle with brain tumors.
Kalispell projects vie for tax credits
Two of eight affordable-housing projects in the running statewide for Montana Board of Housing tax credits are in Kalispell.
Program aims to fill gaps in rural health care
There were 55 miles between Nicole Russell’s childhood home along the Mission Mountains and her primary care doctor in Missoula.
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University touts research at tour stop in Kalispell
Professors and faculty of Montana State University brought the Innovation Road Show to Kalispell Friday evening as part of a statewide mission to share the research and stories developing at the university
Robots and reporting: a shift toward AI
I watched a morning TV news show a couple of weeks ago about artificial intelligence that was fascinating as it showed all of the automation that already exists — robots making pizza and all kinds of other things. It’s no secret robots have become a way of life in many industries. Amazon’s Alexa and iPhone’s Siri, those friendly, life-like virtual assistants, are becoming pretty commonplace.
Program gears up to assist students in need
Friday, August 25
Whitefish 6-2 in pool play; Libby sweeps 3 matches
FRENCHTOWN — Whitefish posted a 6-2 mark in pool play on Friday at the season-opening Northwestern A versus Southwestern A Tipoff Tournament.
Eureka, Bigfork win Class B football openers
EUREKA — Class B state champion Eureka opened the 2017 football season Friday night by thumping Cut Bank 41-0.
Flathead, Glacier start soccer play in G. Falls, Helena
The prep golf season began last week, football kicked off Thursday evening and now it’s soccer’s turn to enter the fall sports scene.
Torn bike streamers not intentional
An caller contacted the Columbia Falls Police Department to report their daughter’s bike had allegedly been vandalized. The person said a juvenile female ripped the streamers off the bike. An officer responded to the scene and spoke with the suspect’s grandmother who said she would replace the streamers in about two days. She also noted that the incident wasn’t intentional — her granddaughter reportedly fell and grabbed the streamers to break her fall.
Whitefish High graduate travels abroad to learn Arabic
Makkie Haller has set her sights on working for the U.S. Department of State. In doing so, the 2017 Whitefish High School graduate has focused her efforts over the past couple of years on learning Arabic.
Child sex offender gets 100 years
Phillip Kevin James Bruinsma, 42, was sentenced to two concurrent 100-year terms in Montana State Prison — accused of sexually abusing and raping children.
Flathead Football vs. Butte
Photos from Flathead football’s 27-19 victory over Butte on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2017.
Gianforte booked after assault conviction
HELENA — Montana U.S. Rep. Greg Gianforte was photographed and fingerprinted Friday, days after a judge ordered him to be booked after pleading guilty to assaulting a reporter on the eve of the special election that put him in office.
Couple arrested in connection to death in Lincoln County
LIBBY (AP) — Law enforcement officials say an Idaho couple has been arrested in connection to a suspicious death in northwestern Montana.
Kalispell woman gets 10 years in child pornography case
A Kalispell woman was sentenced to 10 years in Montana Women’s Prison for her reported involvement editing pornographic photos of children following emotional and tearful testimony from a victim and a mother of some of the victims.
Senior slices Wolfpack, 37-21
COLUMBIA FALLS — The state champs haven’t lost a step.
Thursday, August 24
Quick scores lift Braves over Butte
BIGFORK — Early in the third quarter, Taylor Morton raced down the sideline with his fist raised high to celebrate with wideout AJ Jones after a score.
Class AA football Title rematch as 'Pack opens against Senior
Glacier will kick off the 2017 season in much the same fashion it ended 2016.
Polson out to defend league crown; C-Falls sets sights on state title
The Northwest A football conference has a new look this fall.
Libby's Johnston wins again at C-Falls Invite
COLUMBIA FALLS — Libby junior Ryggs Johnston didn’t set any records this time out, but easily walked away with medalist honors at the Columbia Falls Invitational on Thursday at Meadow Lake Resort. Johnston shot a 3-under-par 69 to win the golf tournament by six strokes. Hamilton’s Bryce Reed finished second at 3-over 75 to lead the Broncs to a team title.
AA football champ Senior features fresh faces
Glacier football will start its season with a familiar opponent at 7 tonight, playing a championship rematch against Billings Senior in what is one of the state’s most anticipated matchups of the opening weekend.
Eureka, Bigfork prep for new-look Western B
By JOSEPH TERRY
Handbag goes missing at wildlife preserve
A woman was reportedly riding her bike near a wildlife preserve when she realized she had set her bag down on the side of the road. When she went back to find it, it was allegedly gone and a woman was sitting on the side of the road nearby. The reporting person accused the woman of being a prostitute and claimed she got into a truck that pulled up and peeled out of the area. The woman never saw the other woman with the bag.
Charles H. Roman, 83
Father Charles H. Roman, 83, died peacefully on Aug. 23, 2017, at Brendan House in Kalispell.
PHOTO GALLERY: Zombie Survival Camp
Kalispell Parks and Recreation hosted Zombie Survival Camp at Woodland Park on Tuesday. Children at the three-day camp learned survival techniques like water purification, making a smokeless fire, tracking, orienteering and building a bow and arrow.
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Labs begin testing state's medical marijuana supply
Roughly 10 miles outside of Whitefish just off U.S. 93 sits a building that appears to be a series of storage units, including one with bars on the windows. Inside is Montana’s first licensed medical marijuana testing facility.
Montana lottery winner thought he won $30
HELENA — Joseph Thompson, of Salt Lake City thought he knew how the story would end when he dropped a Montana Lottery Powerball ticket in the mail last month.
Man accused of burglary spree denies charges
Samuel Robert Hundley, 29, pleaded not guilty to seven felony charges in Flathead District Court after being accused of leading police in a car chase following a rash of Kalispell burglaries in 2016.
Zinke won't recommend eliminating any national monuments
BILLINGS — Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke announced Thursday he won’t seek to rescind any national monuments carved from the wilderness and oceans by past presidents. But he said he will press for some boundary changes and left open the possibility of allowing drilling, mining or other industries on the sites.
Wednesday, August 23
A new beginning for Flathead
The Flathead football team entered last season with lofty goals and dreams of playing into late November in head coach Kyle Samson’s third year on the job.
Glacier back in state title hunt
After six straight trips to the state semifinals, Glacier football has cemented itself as a perennial title contender in Class AA. In 10 seasons as a program, the Wolfpack has made the championship game more times than it has missed the playoffs.
Morton's moment arrives as Braves host Butte in Bigfork
Taylor Morton’s aim is to keep everything the same.
Speedy Bulldogs look for redemption
Football is finally back.
FVCC opens student housing
The newest addition to the Flathead Valley Community College campus is now open and will house around 120 students beginning Friday, Aug. 25.
Fighting words tossed around at C-Falls bar
Three males were reportedly circling a bar with the intention of fighting an individual inside the establishment. A caller contacted the Columbia Falls Police Department and said the males allegedly called him names after the he confronted them. Law enforcement responded to the scene but was unable to locate the males in question.
Dog rescued from Evergreen trailer fire
An electrical fire Tuesday afternoon left an Evergreen trailer uninhabitable after flames torched the kitchen area and caused smoke damage throughout the home.
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Final round of Fourth Avenue paving begins
Crews will begin final preparation and paving for the second phase of the Fourth Avenue East water-main replacement project on Thursday in Kalispell.
Landowners support, Whitefish opposes zoning plan
Property owners along the U.S. 93 corridor south of Whitefish last week got a chance to weigh in on a proposed overlay zone and accompanying zone changes aimed at creating more flexibility in how they can use and develop their property.
Judge overturns ruling on grizzly status
HELENA — Animals and plants can be considered endangered even if they are not on the brink of extinction, a judge ruled in overturning the U.S. government’s re-classification of a small population of grizzly bears living in the forests of Montana and Idaho near the Canada border.
Stabilization work resumes at Whitefish Stage slump
Stabilization work has resumed on a slump-prone bluff off Whitefish Stage Road near Village Greens golf community in Kalispell.
County sets Bigfork, Lakeside green-box fees
Bigfork residents will see their annual green-box garbage collection fee decrease by about $10 for the next tax year, and Lakeside residents won’t pay as much as proposed.
Kalispell man sent to prison for breaking child's arm
A Kalispell man has been sentenced to four years in prison for breaking a 3-year-old’s arm who was in his care.
Conservation deal protects habitat in Swan Valley
A wildlife landscape previously threatened by potential development in Northwest Montana is now in the public’s hands.
Players hold breath as $700M Powerball jackpot drawing nears
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Lottery players across the U.S. are scooping up $2 Powerball tickets in hopes of beating the odds and winning a massive $700 million jackpot as Wednesday night's drawing nears.
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Thank you, Matt and Keith Regier, for your recent letters to the editor, for naming names when exposing corruption in the political process in Helena.
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Thank you, Matt and Keith Regier, for your recent letters to the editor, for naming names when exposing corruption in the political process in Helena.
Hospital takes more strides forward
Kalispell Regional Healthcare quietly broke ground this summer on yet another expansion project.
Gianforte needs to rise to the next level
The managing editor’s profoundly simple “do the math” theme of his June 11 “Editor’s 2 Cents” column makes perfectly good sense. Rep. Gianforte has committed just one lone “violent incident” compared to a couple more such incidents attributed to Sen. Lee Metcalf, thusly, it is concluded, that “Montana’s original hot head in Congress” is not Gianforte, but, indeed, it is Metcalf.
Tuesday, August 22
C-Falls boys win host invite
WEST GLACIER — The Columbia Falls boys bested half of the Western A in the first of two host golf invitationals this week, beating Frenchtown, Ronan and Corvallis on Tuesday at Glacier View Golf Course.
Mercer, McDaniel win Missoula Invite
MISSOULA — Flathead freshman Marcella Mercer won her first high school tournament in only her second outing, taking the Missoula County Invite on Tuesday at Canyon River Golf Club.
Man denies three felony drug charges
A 22-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to three felonies for allegedly possessing heroin and methamphetamine.
Dognapping do-gooder in Kalispell
Someone reportedly stole an injured Chihuahua out of a locked vehicle and took the dog to a veterinarian, according to Kalispell Police. When the owner confronted the suspect, the man refused to tell him which vet he had taken the dog to. The dog was later located and returned to its owner.
Allen Ray Ream, 79
Allen Ray Ream “went to be with his Lord and Savior” on Aug. 19, 2017, after losing his 45-year battle with Huntington’s disease.
Event highlights state's outdoor economy
The thriving state of Montana’s outdoor economy was the talk of the town at the Last Best Outdoors Fest held Tuesday at The Coop in Columbia Falls. The celebration, hosted by Business for Montana’s Outdoors (BFMO) and the Montana Brewer’s Association, focused on celebrating the state’s booming outdoors industry with food, craft beer and music, preceded by a panel discussion on the economic value of public lands.
New district ranger hired for Spotted Bear
Scott Snelson has been hired as the new Spotted Bear District Ranger for the Flathead National Forest. He replaces Deb Mucklow, who retired earlier this year.
Rifle optics manufacturer relocating to Kalispell
A manufacturing company that has been building custom rifle scopes and optics for 26 years in Southern California is relocating to Kalispell.
Jury refuses to convict in Nevada ranch standoff
LAS VEGAS — A federal jury in Las Vegas refused Tuesday to convict four accused gunman in a 2014 standoff with federal authorities near the Nevada ranch of states’ rights figure Cliven Bundy.
93 Bypass a finalist for national award
The U.S. 93 bypass around Kalispell is in line for another award.
Work begins on new rail park
Dozens gathered in a dusty lot off Whitefish Stage Road on Tuesday morning to celebrate the long-anticipated groundbreaking of the Glacier Rail and Industrial Park. As Kalispell Mayor Mark Johnson kicked off the ceremony, he described the project as the first step in “transforming the city of Kalispell.” This, he said, would be a moment in history the town would look back on 50 years from now with pride.
Monday, August 21
Watching the solar eclipse
Locals gathered around valley to witness event
Angry man starts throwing things
A woman’s angry boyfriend was reportedly throwing things, including her dinner. When the boyfriend approached her while she was on the phone, he was reportedly heard saying “you can’t say you’re not mad,” before the line went dead. On a call back from Kalispell Police Department, the situation was reportedly calm and the boyfriend was going to leave.
Entertainment drives strong fair numbers
Buoyed by good weather and a strong local economy, the Northwest Montana Fair reported increases in gate admissions, entertainment sales and carnival revenue for last week’s five-day fair.
Wisconsin Avenue plan details future of key Whitefish road
A plan for how the primary highway north of the railroad tracks in Whitefish should develop over the next two decades will be unveiled at a meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 23.
Kalispell woman sentenced for heroin trafficking
COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho — A Kalispell woman who transported a bag of heroin inside her vagina will spend three years in prison on a trafficking conviction, according to a ruling by a Coeur d’Alene judge earlier this month.
Woman pleads not guilty in child endangerment case
Linda Carrie Williams, 41, pleaded not guilty to felony criminal child endangerment in Flathead District Court on Aug. 10.
Lolo Peak Fire destroys at least 2 homes
Two homes in the upper Folsom Road area were completely destroyed in the Lolo Peak Fire on Aug. 18 and multiple other structures reportedly have been lost as well, according to the Missoula County Sheriff’s Office. The homeowners from Folsom Road had been evacuated and have been notified of the loss.
Monday morning fire closes Finnegan's until further notice
A kitchen fire broke out early Monday morning at Finnegan’s Family Restaurant on East Idaho in Kalispell.
Teacher shares passion for agriculture
Justin Heupel has stuck with plan A for more than two decades as he’s moved from eastern to western Montana teaching agriculture.
Telephone operators gather for reunion
There was once a workforce in the Flathead Valley that acted as the sole link for people to reach the world outside their home. They were the nameless voices on the other end of the line asking, “How may I connect your call?”
Sunday, August 20
Whitefish ready to adopt $40.9 million budget
The Whitefish City Council is poised to adopt a $40.9 million budget for the coming year and will hold a public hearing on Monday, Aug. 21, before taking final action.
Kalispell council to finalize fee increases, budget
The Kalispell City Council will decide Monday, Aug. 21, whether to increase residents’ urban-forestry and stormwater assessments.
Forest plan delayed until October
A final plan for the Flathead National Forest will be delayed a couple more months. The final record of decision will now likely come out in mid-October Forest Planner Joe Krueger said last week.
Pete G. Bergen, 84
Pete G. Bergen, 84, passed away at home in Austin, Texas, on Aug.14, 2017, due to complications from congestive heart failure. Pete was born on Dec. 24, 1932, to Peter and Agnes Bergen in Hampton, Nebraska, the eldest of five living children.
Publicist: Jerry Lewis, comedian, telethon host, dies at 91
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jerry Lewis, the manic, rubber-faced showman who jumped and hollered to fame in a lucrative partnership with Dean Martin, settled down to become a self-conscious screen auteur and found an even greater following as the tireless, teary host of the annual muscular dystrophy telethons, has died. He was 91.
PHOTO GALLERY: Northwest Montana Fair
Smiling faces at the Northwest Montana Fair.
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I am offended by Commissioner Phil Mitchell’s total disregard for the property he swore to protect when elected commissioner. His request that county officials “treat me no differently than they would treat any other citizen” is even more offensive. County officials should hold him to an even higher standard with respect to charging and sentencing him in district court. Any official in a position of trust to its citizens should bear a heavier burden in this regard. I hope that this is grounds for removing him from office and I would support anyone who has the knowledge to achieve such a move against him. This is disgusting! —David Mosby, Kalispell
Charlottesville and beyond
Readers react to aftermath of deadly confrontation
Recently I’ve seen opinions supporting Donald Trump on the grounds that the stock market is up, along with lame excuses about how he’s new at his job and his comments about Charlottesville should be forgiven. I ask this question: what does it profit our nation to gain the whole world’s economy and lose our own soul?
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The total eclipse of the sun this year is a cost-to-coast phenomenon not experienced in our country for a hundred years. I was in Minneapolis in the late spring of 1954 when the Twin Cities experienced a total eclipse for about 1 1/2 minutes. That was about 63 years ago.
Is it time to rename Flathead High?
I grew up living in northern Wisconsin and lived adjacent to the Red Cliff Indian Reservation. As I grew older, I attended Northland College, where I studied Native American culture with one of the tribal elders. One of the highlights of my musical career was recording a CD (“Woodland Winds”) with a Native American flute player. Both of us had had dreams of using music to help bridge cultures and ease ethnic tension.
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The total eclipse of the sun this year is a cost-to-coast phenomenon not experienced in our country for a hundred years. I was in Minneapolis in the late spring of 1954 when the Twin Cities experienced a total eclipse for about 1 1/2 minutes. That was about 63 years ago.
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I am offended by Commissioner Phil Mitchell’s total disregard for the property he swore to protect when elected commissioner. His request that county officials “treat me no differently than they would treat any other citizen” is even more offensive. County officials should hold him to an even higher standard with respect to charging and sentencing him in district court. Any official in a position of trust to its citizens should bear a heavier burden in this regard. I hope that this is grounds for removing him from office and I would support anyone who has the knowledge to achieve such a move against him. This is disgusting! —David Mosby, Kalispell
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I am offended by Commissioner Phil Mitchell’s total disregard for the property he swore to protect when elected commissioner. His request that county officials “treat me no differently than they would treat any other citizen” is even more offensive. County officials should hold him to an even higher standard with respect to charging and sentencing him in district court. Any official in a position of trust to its citizens should bear a heavier burden in this regard. I hope that this is grounds for removing him from office and I would support anyone who has the knowledge to achieve such a move against him. This is disgusting! —David Mosby, Kalispell
Commissioners take risk with other people's jobs
County commissioners invariably say they want to create jobs and economic development when they’re running for office. It sounds good as part of their campaign shtick, and supporting local business certainly is a laudable goal.
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The total eclipse of the sun this year is a cost-to-coast phenomenon not experienced in our country for a hundred years. I was in Minneapolis in the late spring of 1954 when the Twin Cities experienced a total eclipse for about 1 1/2 minutes. That was about 63 years ago.
Planning by panic in Glacier Park
The Inter Lake of Aug. 8 contains the headline, “Glacier visitation tops 1 million in July” — not much of a surprise for those who have visited this summer. What is a surprise is that after a July “emergency congestion management workshop,” park managers have decided to make matters dramatically worse at Logan Pass by imposing a one-hour time limit for 60 parking spaces. The stated intent is to provide an opportunity for people who want to make a quick restroom stop, take a few photos, and go for a short walk to be able to do so.
Saturday, August 19
NW Montana Fair PRCA rodeo saves best for last
The Northwest Montana Fair PRCA Rodeo saved its best for last.
Libby's Cielak state Mid-Am golf champ
HELENA — Libby’s Joe Cielak won the Montana State Mid-Amateur golf tournament on Saturday at Green Meadow Country Club.
The human cost of hate, and the high price of love
If life were as simple as the mainstream media makes it out to be, then we would have the luxury of never having to think about anything.
Flathead readies for solar eclipse show
People have been watching and documenting solar eclipses for centuries, but for those under the age of 38, Monday’s coast-to-coast total solar eclipse will be a first.
National Guard called to Lolo Peak Fire
National Guard troops were called to the rapidly growing Lolo Peak Fire south of Missoula after it made another big run on Friday.
Fair stock sale tops $500k
The 2017 Northwest Montana Fair and Rodeo market stock sale grossed $515,090 Saturday as local 4-H and FFA members bid farewell to their steers, hogs and lambs. This year’s stock sale grossed nearly $138,000 more than last year’s sale.
Whitefish man charged with DUI following car chase
A Whitefish man has been charged following an alleged attempt to elude officers by speeding away in his vehicle, but ultimately leading them to his place of residence.
Mildred Elaine Berner, 98
Mildred Elaine Berner, 98, passed away peacefully Aug. 17, 2017
Iva Pedersen 81
Iva (Meeks) Pedersen was born Feb. 25, 1936, in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Iva moved with her family to Montana in 1945. She attended Russell Elementary School and graduated high school with American Schools.
Fay Lynnette Lynn Martinez, 76
Lynn left us peacefully “to her permanent fishing spot above” on Aug. 2, 2017, after 76 amazing years with us. While here, those cool waters always held for her the promise of peacefulness and happiness, and we now trust those waters to carry her into eternity. She is survived by her two daughters, Tanya “TJ” and Belinda, and son Ben; seven grandchildren, Miro, Winter, Corissa, Cassy, Sidonya, Shaelynn and Breaunna; and great-grandchildren, Ian, Austin, Vela and Spencer.
Skunk leaves its mark inside vehicle
A Kalispell Police Department officer checked on a vehicle with its door open. The driver reported they had left the door open to get the skunk odor out.
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Northwest Montana Fair results
The following individuals earned honors for their award-winning entries at the 2017 Northwest Montana Fair & Rodeo:
Passersby give travelers much needed 'lifts'
Sid and Carol Anderson of Kalispell titled their recent letter to the Inter Lake “Kindness and thoughtfulness still live in Kalispell.”
Kalispell Regional names new pediatric facility
The $40 million pediatric facility currently under construction at Kalispell Regional Healthcare has been named the Montana Children’s Medical Center. The hospital made the announcement Wednesday and decided on the moniker to emphasize the program’s statewide scope.
Kalispell woman wins apple pie baking contest
“Holy moly, there’s some pretty ones,” judge Karen Strong said as she examined the field of 20 apple pies at the eighth annual Great American Pie Baking Contest. There were pies with precise lattice work and delicate leaves, and pies with crystallized sugar on top that seemed to sparkle. There were pies with traditional covered tops next to slim pies and round ones about to burst out of their pans.
Jobless rate remains steady in Flathead County
Flathead County’s unemployment rate improved in July, posting at 3.9 percent compared to 4.5 percent in June.
Friday, August 18
Browning bull rider bucks trend
Dakota Louis put an exclamation point on the second round of the Northwest Montana Fair PRCA Rodeo, pointing the biggest ride of the night in the final trip out of the chutes.
Hill opens season ranked nationally
By JOSEPH TERRY
Cielak, Mance in contention at Mid-Am golf
HELENA — Moving day went the wrong direction for all but two golfers on the second day of play at the Montana State Mid-Amateur golf tournament on Friday at Green Meadow Country Club.
James Russell Durtsche, 71
James Russell Durtsche was born in Kalispell on July 7, 1946, and passed away at Kalispell Regional Medical Center on Aug. 15, 2017.
Groceries alleged victim of angry ex
A woman contacted the Kalispell Police Department to report her boyfriend’s ex-girlfriend had allegedly harassed her at the fairgrounds the night before. The reporting party said the suspect reportedly let the air out of her tires and smashed her groceries. An officer spoke with the female in question and advised her to avoid conflict or confrontation.
Blackfeet designer bound for City of Lights
Belinda Bullshoe isn’t your ordinary fashion designer.
Airport poised to expand parking lot
Glacier Park International Airport plans to expand the main airport parking lot by more than 30 percent, adding 224 new spaces to the existing 660 spaces, the airport announced Thursday.
Whitefish considers mandatory curbside recycling program
The Whitefish City Council will take a closer look at mandatory curbside recycling for city residents during a work session on Monday.
HUD secretary Ben Carson to speak in Polson
On Monday, August 21,
Cigarette likely cause of grass fire near Col. Falls
Columbia Falls firefighters were able to extinguish a grass fire Thursday night before it burned down a garage on U.S. 2 about a half mile south of the Blue Moon.
Sprague Fire grows to 500 acres
The Sprague Fire in Glacier National Park has grown to more than 500 acres and is starting to drop down into both the Snyder and Sprague creek drainages.
PHOTO GALLERY: Northwest Montana Fair Parade
Images from the Northwest Montana Fair parade in downtown Kalispell.
Helena begins removing Confederate memorial
HELENA — The City of Helena on Friday began removing a monument to Confederate soldiers that has been in a public park in Montana’s capital city since 1916.
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Is America being abused? Local businesses along our borders might prosper but what about the remaining tax-paying citizens?
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Is America being abused? Local businesses along our borders might prosper but what about the remaining tax-paying citizens?
Name that school! Good ideas abound
Kalispell Public Schools is seeking public input on what to name the new elementary school on Airport Road, which is under construction now and is expected to open in August 2018.
Thursday, August 17
Blue Bay Fire makes run
A wildfire burning east of Flathead Lake flared up Wednesday night, sending up a plume of smoke visible from Kalispell.
Rabbit jumping makes its debut at fair
Onlookers draped themselves over the fence surrounding the bunny jumping competition Thursday at the Northwest Montana Fair. Handlers and their rabbits were spread out beneath the shade of a canopy, some taking time for an extra snuggle with their competitors while others kept a close eye on the competition.
Grandson spooks sleeping grandma
A woman reported to the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office that a man was pounding on her windows at night. Terrified, the woman refused to look out the window to see who it was. It was her grandson.
Carl Elias Goble, 89
Carl Elias Goble passed away peacefully late in the evening on Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2017, surrounded by his loving family.
Whitefish man accused of making meth
A 30-year-old Whitefish man will be arraigned Aug. 24 at Flathead District Court for two felony counts of operation of an unlawful clandestine laboratory and criminal possession of dangerous drugs.
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- Kalispell Public Schools Finance Committee meets 7:30 a.m., district office, 233 First Ave. E.
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- Kalispell Public Schools Finance Committee meets 7:30 a.m., district office, 233 First Ave. E.
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- Kalispell Public Schools Finance Committee meets 7:30 a.m., district office, 233 First Ave. E.
Best Food at the Fair contest results
406 Bar and Grill in Kalispell won top honors at the inaugural Best Food at the Fair contest at the Northwest Montana Fair and Rodeo.
Rash of burglaries hit Kalispell churches, businesses
The Kalispell Police Department is warning residents about recent rash of burglaries targeting churches and businesses in the city.
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The following individuals earned honors for their award-winning entries at the 2017 Northwest Montana Fair & Rodeo:
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The following individuals earned honors for their award-winning entries at the 2017 Northwest Montana Fair & Rodeo:
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The following individuals earned honors for their award-winning entries at the 2017 Northwest Montana Fair & Rodeo:
1967: Parade with a View
This year, the Daily Inter Lake is sharing some memories of the Northwest Montana Fair from 50 years ago.
Construction to begin on Rail Park
Construction of the long-awaited Glacier Rail Park will begin this month, kicking off the transformation of a 40-acre tract off Whitefish Stage Road into a business park that will spur more than $38 million in public and private investment over the coming years.
Montana cowboys put on show
Josh Boka says the Northwest Montana Fair PRCA Rodeo at the Flathead County Fairgrounds always seems to bring out the best in him.
U.S. women into Rugby World Cup semifinals
DUBLIN, Ireland — USA joined pool winners New Zealand, England and France in the semifinals of Women’s Rugby World Cup 2017 as the best runner-up across the three pools.
Grattan, NW golfers in the mix at Mid-Am
HELENA — Whitefish’s Brad Grattan is one stroke back after the first round at the Montana State Mid-Amateur golf tournament on Thursday at Green Meadows Country Club.
Reilly, Eskimos sputter in first loss of CFL season
WINNEPEG, Manitoba — A slow first half doomed the Edmonton Eskimos in their first loss of the CFL season, dropping a 33-23 game to the Winnepeg Blue Bombers on Thursday.
Flathead, Glacier set to scrimmage
Flathead head coach Kyle Samson will be in an unfamiliar position when his team takes the field tonight.
Wednesday, August 16
Turning Montana into a hockey state
Bill Foley has a big job on his hands.
NHL's Golden Knights ride into Whitefish
WHITEFISH — The Vegas Golden Knights have a strong connection to Whitefish.
Around-the-clock work at Montana's wildfire camps
A 2,000-acre wildfire continues to spread across Gibralter Ridge just 7 miles east of Eureka, consuming timber, brush and anything else in its path. Less than 20 miles away, however, the best chance of controlling what one resident described as a “raging inferno” has set up camp and will remain there until the danger has passed.
Soon-to-be exes have 'one last argument'
A couple told Kalispell Police officers they were parting and having “one last argument” when neighbors reported they were yelling at one another.
Lloyd Edwin Lee, 83
Lloyd Edwin Lee passed away Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2017, at the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls, after a long battle with Parkinson’s.
Kalispell woman charged with felony arson
A Kalispell woman is in jail after allegedly setting a neighbor’s house on fire out of anger.
Classic rides and new thrills
Ride operator TJ Beitel twisted a long metal bar at the base of the Zipper, tightening the metal supports that hold up the classic carnival ride. The caged buckets hooked to the oval exterior were empty for the moment, but would soon fill with thrill-seeking fairgoers by the time the Northwest Montana Fair carnival officially opened on Wednesday.
Commissioners grant one tax break, deny another
Total Label USA was granted a tax break on Monday by the Flathead County commissioners, but a similar request from Nomad Global Communications Solutions and KK&B Partnership was rejected because the company missed a deadline for its application.
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Horse Show – Open
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Horse Show – Open
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Horse Show – Open
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Park Service rolls back bottled-water ban
The National Park Service on Wednesday discontinued a policy that encouraged parks to ban the sale of bottled water.
Helena commission orders removal of Confederate fountain
HELENA (AP) — The Helena City Commission ordered the removal of a Confederate memorial during an administrative meeting Wednesday.
NWMT Fair PRCA Rodeo kicks off today
The Northwest Montana Fair PRCA Rodeo looks to kick off in style this weekend with a roll call of world-class cowboys rolling through the Flathead County Fairgrounds today through Saturday.
Ryggs runs away at NWA
Ryggs Johnston didn’t need a tune-up tournament.
Tuesday, August 15
Prep golf tees off
Welcome back to Class A, Libby.
Glacier opener shifted to C-Falls
The Glacier football team will open its season a little closer to its namesake national park this fall.
Connolly takes over Glacier softball
Entering its 11th year, Glacier has hired its first alumni as head coach, tabbing 2010 grad Abby Connolly to lead the Wolfpack softball team this season.
Market sale supporters stress value of ag
As Wes McAlpin prepares for this year’s 4-H/FFA Market Livestock Sale on Saturday, he is reminded once again how deep agricultural roots run in Flathead County.
Black bear fails unexpected mascot tryout
A black bear was seen near a high school during a soccer match, according to Kalispell Police. The bear ran toward town before climbing a tree. Fish and Game employees responded to handle the bear.
Noe Gomez, 65
Noe Gomez, 65, of Bigfork, passed away Friday, Aug.11, 2017, at his home.
Howard A. Stockwell, 92
Howard A. Stockwell, 92, passed away in his home in Kalispell on Aug.13, 2017, following a brief battle with cancer.
Mary Lori Delores (Bauer) LaVanway, 80
Mary “Lori” Delores (Bauer) LaVanway, 80, passed away on Feb. 8, 2017, at her home in Smith Valley with her husband Carroll by her side.
Travis Paul Collier, 75
Travis Paul Collier was born Oct. 30, 1941, in Wichita Falls, Texas, to Neal and Anne Collier.
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4-H'er perseveres despite rare disease
Jenessa Levanen carefully made her way around the show arena at the Northwest Montana Fair on Tuesday, stepping along with the aid of a bright blue walker and her lamb Nutella in tow. She wasn’t worried about the other 4-H’ers or even their sheep — it was the sawdust floor that she had her eye on. One errant bump could send her crashing to the ground and in Jenessa’s case, even simple falls were serious business.
Hospital begins work on $12.9M center
In Kalispell Regional Healthcare’s latest stride toward becoming a medical destination, the hospital system has begun construction on a $12.9 million Digestive Health Institute.
Man denies charges in robbery, high-speed chase
Following an alleged armed robbery and car chase in July, David Warrant, 57, has pleaded not guilty to three felony counts of accountability to robbery, felony criminal endangerment and criminal possession drugs in Flathead District Court on Aug. 10.
Hungry Horse man pleads not guilty to drug charge
Richard Glenn Rossbach of Hungry Horse pleaded not guilty to felony criminal distribution of dangerous drugs in Flathead District Court Aug. 10.
New Kalispell elementary school in need of a name
As the first foundation walls have been erected on the south elementary school gym, Kalispell Public Schools has begun a nomination process to name the new school located on Airport Road.
Glacier wildfire grows to 100 acres
A wildfire in Glacier National Park blocking trail access to the Sperry Chalet continued to actively burn Tuesday, having charred about 100 acres since it started Aug. 10. Citing forecasts of more dry weather, fire managers believe the Sprague Fire may continue to burn in some capacity throughout the summer before a snow event this fall.
U.S. 93 corridor plan hearing set
By LYNNETTE HINTZE
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- Creston School board meets 7:30 a.m.
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- Creston School board meets 7:30 a.m.
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- Creston School board meets 7:30 a.m.
Monday, August 14
Hobbs, McDaniel lead Polson boys in golf opener
BUTTE — Matt Hobbs of Polson opened the Class A high school golf season by winning a scorecard playoff with three other golfers on Monday at the Butte Central Invitational.
Flathead's Mercer leads Great Falls golf
GREAT FALLS — Marcella Mercer’s high school golf career is off to a very notable start.
Longtime Lincoln County legislator Aubyn Curtiss dies
Longtime Republican lawmaker Aubyn Curtiss, who served in both the House and Senate of the Montana Legislature, died Aug. 9 at her home in Fortine. She was 92.
Garner named MVP of legislative session by state Chamber
Fern receives ‘Champion of Business’ award
Whitefish man, 21, charged with vehicular homicide
A Whitefish man is in jail, charged with felony vehicular homicide while under the influence of drugs, more than a year after his passenger, a 17-year-old Bigfork girl, died from injuries sustained in a crash.
Kalispell man sentenced in intimidation case
A 65-year-old man’s continued refusal to register as a sex offender — maintaining his innocence — in addition to threating to go a killing spree to gain the public’s attention on the county’s criminal justice system has landed him 40 years in prison.
Aubyn Ann Curtiss, 92
Aubyn Ann Curtiss, 92, has died. The former Montana state senator and representative passed away at her home near Fortine, surrounded by the love and care of her children, relatives and friends on Aug. 9, 2017.
Donations support ranchers affected by fires
Between 12 and 15 Kalispell FFA and vocational agriculture students started one of the few remaining Friday mornings of the summer hauling 15 tons of hay onto a flatbed truck as part of a larger effort to provide relief to ranchers who lost grazing land by the Lodgepole Complex wildfire in eastern Montana.
Hospital spokesman Jim Oliverson retires
The man that has acted as a voice for Kalispell Regional Healthcare for nearly four decades recently adjusted his silver handkerchief in his suit jacket as he talked about his Montana beginnings at a lumber mill.
Sunday, August 13
Kalispell woman sentenced in elder abuse case
A Kalispell woman was sentenced for felony elder abuse after being convicted of neglecting her elderly mother, whose body was found in a bed soaked in urine and fecal matter, in a house they shared.
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Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks seeks members for advisory committee
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is seeking up to five volunteer applicants to serve terms of two to three years on the agency’s Citizen’s Advisory Committee that was established in 1996. The primary function of the committee is to increase Fish, Wildlife and Parks’ awareness of emerging issues throughout the region by sharing the perspectives of the increasingly diverse constituencies.
New water-sports shop opens in Evergreen
A Bozeman outdoor retailer with more than four decades in the water-sports business has opened Northern Lights Rivers, Lakes & Oceans in the former Replay Sports building on U.S. 2 East.
Let's send Rob Quist to North Korea as a peace ambassador
By RON CARTER
Long weekends and Congress' short attention span
As members of Congress look forward to their annual August recess, many congressional observers are once again raising the concern that lawmakers do not spend a whole lot of time on Capitol Hill doing the people’s business. For example, the House was in session for 131 days last year, while the Senate met for 165 days.
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In his July 27 Inter Lake letter concerning overcrowding in Glacier National Park, P. David Myerowitz defended his advocacy for parking area expansion at Bowman Lake. He did so primarily by disparaging Bob Muth’s fact-based letter of June 8. In an attempt to illustrate that there are no constraints in the 1916 National Park Service Establishment Act, Myerowitz invoked outdated policy options — logging and grazing — from the Act. In reality, the Act merely gave authority to consider logging and grazing. Those activities have long since been considered incompatible with the purpose of national parks. Many national park management policies have changed since 1916 as a result of evolving scientific understanding of natural ecosystems. In contrast, as Muth pointed out, the congressionally enacted purpose of national parks has remained constant through the years. Our understanding of how to achieve it has grown.
This week, we'll see you at the fair
Our favorite time of the year has arrived — which means the Northwest Montana Fair is back!
Stop pointing fingers and face facts about budget
As governor of Montana it’s my job to responsibly manage the state through everything from a difficult fire season and the challenges posed by increasing drought conditions to making sure we take advantage of the opportunities presented by our growing outdoor recreation economy. This includes making tough decisions during lean budget times.
Here we are again - more live fires and dead trees
My last letter to the editor was in 2003, when Montana was on fire. Here we are 14 years later, and apparently, we haven’t learned a thing! Montana has (well, HAD, before this fire season) 19.39 million acres of national forest, and another 3.443 million acres of forested wilderness area in our beautiful state.
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In his July 27 Inter Lake letter concerning overcrowding in Glacier National Park, P. David Myerowitz defended his advocacy for parking area expansion at Bowman Lake. He did so primarily by disparaging Bob Muth’s fact-based letter of June 8. In an attempt to illustrate that there are no constraints in the 1916 National Park Service Establishment Act, Myerowitz invoked outdated policy options — logging and grazing — from the Act. In reality, the Act merely gave authority to consider logging and grazing. Those activities have long since been considered incompatible with the purpose of national parks. Many national park management policies have changed since 1916 as a result of evolving scientific understanding of natural ecosystems. In contrast, as Muth pointed out, the congressionally enacted purpose of national parks has remained constant through the years. Our understanding of how to achieve it has grown.
Who benefits?
Resistance and chaos are paralyzing our country
Regardless of whether you are a “never-Trumper” or voted for him, the prevalent resistance movement is producing vitriolic discourse and has now become beyond the pale and could easily result in a dangerous outcome. It may not be a real actor as one comedian joked but a “bad actor” carrying out a John Wilkes Booth style tragedy.
Gore's climate assumptions must be challenged
Al Gore expects us to believe that climate change science is settled. According to the former Vice President, scientists know, with a high degree of certainty, that our emissions of greenhouse gases, 82 percent of which is carbon dioxide (CO2) in U.S., is causing dangerous climate change. The solution, Gore tells us, is a dramatic reduction in our use of fossil fuels, the source of 86 percent of the world’s energy supply.
GOP focuses on responsible budgeting in lean times
In lean financial times, families across Montana know that the responsible thing to do is to prioritize spending and, in some cases, cut back on the wants so that the needs of their families can be met. Understandably, Montanans want to see state government take the same actions — prioritize spending, cut back on non-essential government operations and make due with less taxpayer money — until revenues increase.
Tribal politics proving George Washington's warning true
Why is it that people become so entrenched in their views that they are unable to change or consider other points of view? In spite of all objective truths to the opposite, people contrive any reason they can to reach the objective their tribe wants. How has this happened?
Fly-fishing industry needs action on climate change
Even though some politicians in Washington want to keep disagreeing with the science, the effects of climate change in Montana can be seen far and wide. Whether it is the spread of mountain pine beetle infestations, increased frequency of wildfires, or extreme drought, climate change threatens to affect the way of life for many Montanans.
1967
On Sunday, Aug. 13, 1967, exactly 50 years ago today, excitement was reaching a fever pitch as the Flathead Valley awaited the start of the Northwest Montana Fair and Rodeo. The Daily Inter Lake, then as now, played an important role in recording the fair from beginjning to end. Today, we present a sampling of images from that week, mostly taken by photographer Rick Prestbye. If you have memories of the 1967 fair, send them to edit@dailyinterlake.com.
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In his July 27 Inter Lake letter concerning overcrowding in Glacier National Park, P. David Myerowitz defended his advocacy for parking area expansion at Bowman Lake. He did so primarily by disparaging Bob Muth’s fact-based letter of June 8. In an attempt to illustrate that there are no constraints in the 1916 National Park Service Establishment Act, Myerowitz invoked outdated policy options — logging and grazing — from the Act. In reality, the Act merely gave authority to consider logging and grazing. Those activities have long since been considered incompatible with the purpose of national parks. Many national park management policies have changed since 1916 as a result of evolving scientific understanding of natural ecosystems. In contrast, as Muth pointed out, the congressionally enacted purpose of national parks has remained constant through the years. Our understanding of how to achieve it has grown.
Saturday, August 12
Politically correct and intellectually intolerable
There is no issue more clearly delineating right and left (or perhaps I should say right and wrong) than political correctness.
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- Annual Huckleberry Days Art Festival 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Depot Park, Whitefish. More than 100 artists and food vendors, live entertainment, huckleberry dessert bake-off contest, mobile climbing wall for kids. Free admission.
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- Annual Huckleberry Days Art Festival 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Depot Park, Whitefish. More than 100 artists and food vendors, live entertainment, huckleberry dessert bake-off contest, mobile climbing wall for kids. Free admission.
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- Annual Huckleberry Days Art Festival 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Depot Park, Whitefish. More than 100 artists and food vendors, live entertainment, huckleberry dessert bake-off contest, mobile climbing wall for kids. Free admission.
Police receive tip on bear spray incident
Someone called the Whitefish Police Department to report they may have information on “the bear spray incident” in a local park. On Thursday, a parent reported their child incurred chemical burns on their back and legs after playing at the Kiddie Park in Whitefish. The park was closed Thursday so the bear spray could be cleaned off the equipment.
Mary 'Lori' Delores (Bauer) LaVanway, 80
Mary “Lori” Delores (Bauer) LaVanway, 80, passed away on Feb. 8, 2017, at her home in Smith Valley with her husband Carroll by her side.
Judy Carr, 75
Judy Carr, 75, passed away on Jan. 29, 2017, in Omaha, Nebraska, due to a month-long battle with respiratory failure.
Myrna Mae Johnson, 78
Myrna Mae Johnson, 78, of Kalispell, passed “into the light” on Thursday, Aug. 10, 2017.
Fire has Eureka residents on edge
While firefighters work around the clock defending homes from the still-growing Gibralter Ridge Fire east of Eureka, the evacuated residents of those homes wait in motels and temporary shelters for some kind of news.
LaSalle Grange revival
Jack and Catherine Stephens look around the new LaSalle Grange Theatre and marvel at the many small miracles that came together to make their dream come true.
Lightning sparks 20 new fires west of Kalispell
Lightning from the past couple of nights resulted in numerous new fires burning west of Kalispell on Saturday.
Second grizzly spotted in Big Belt Mountains
Biologists with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks say they have confirmed a grizzly bear sighting on a ranch in the northern Big Belt Mountains. The sighting is the second in the Big Belts this summer and FWP believes it is two separate bears.
Small fires pop up on Glacier's east side
Fire resources continued to attack a number of small fires burning in Glacier National Park on Saturday. The fires were sparked by a violent wind and lightning storm that hit the area on Thursday evening.
Friday, August 11
Woods Bay boat wreck under investigation
A caller reported a boat accident to the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office at 11:48 p.m. The incident occurred in Woods Bay and was referred to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. FWP Warden Morgan Post declined to provide further details and stated the incident was still under investigation Friday.
Jumping for joy
Twenty-four skydivers packed themselves like sardines into a Twin Otter airplane Thursday afternoon. As the aircraft climbed rapidly above Marion, they made the final adjustments to their gear, examining gauges, buckling helmets and preparing mentally for the imminent rush of free fall.
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Whitefish man sentenced in arson case
A Whitefish man received consecutive suspended sentences in Flathead District Court Thursday for felony criminal endangerment and felony criminal mischief after being accused of setting an ex-girlfriend’s Whitefish home on fire in 2013.
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Whitefish man sentenced in arson case
A Whitefish man received consecutive suspended sentences in Flathead District Court Thursday for felony criminal endangerment and felony criminal mischief after being accused of setting an ex-girlfriend’s Whitefish home on fire in 2013.
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Whitefish man sentenced in arson case
A Whitefish man received consecutive suspended sentences in Flathead District Court Thursday for felony criminal endangerment and felony criminal mischief after being accused of setting an ex-girlfriend’s Whitefish home on fire in 2013.
Waller and Hosler
Katie C. Waller and Jesse W.H. Hosler were married July 8 at the Conrad Mansion in Kalispell.
Whitefish neighbors help stomp out fire
Crews with the Whitefish Fire Department were dispatched to two separate fires after a windstorm hit the area Thursday evening. Both fires were due to down power lines.
Storm sparks fires in Glacier Park
WEST GLACIER — A violent storm that moved through Glacier National Park Thursday evening triggered about 150 lightning strikes throughout the park, sparking multiple fires.
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In a letter published in the Daily Inter Lake, Duncan Scott accused the Whitefish City Council of violating the public’s constitutional rights. While I seldom weigh in on letters to the editor, the seriousness and significance of Mr. Scott’s accusation merits a response.
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In a letter published in the Daily Inter Lake, Duncan Scott accused the Whitefish City Council of violating the public’s constitutional rights. While I seldom weigh in on letters to the editor, the seriousness and significance of Mr. Scott’s accusation merits a response.
Commissioner's misstep concerning
Flathead County finds itself in an awkward position with one of its own commissioners charged with felony criminal mischief for killing a half-dozen cottonwood trees in a county park on Whitefish Lake near his home.
Thursday, August 10
Softball Emeralds finish third at national tournament
KAYSVILLE, Utah — The girls were just looking to get in some out-of-state competition.
Local junior golfers at regional competition
Nine young Flathead Valley golfers will be taking part in the PGA Junior League Golf Final Four on Sunday at Three Lakes Golf Club in Malaga, Washington.
CFL: Reilly leads Eskimos to historic win
OTTAWA, Ontario — It wasn’t an easy win for Mike Reilly and the Edmonton Eskimos. Then again, they rarely seem to come that way.
Orchard owners press on
“Come on, Bill,” Clarice Bush hollers back to her husband as she climbs a hill through her cherry orchard. Bill, cane in hand, follows behind until he meets his wife beneath the boughs of a Lapin cherry tree, weighed down heavily by clumps of the plump, maroon fruit.
AA Football Flathead, Glacier to play season openers away from Legends Stadium
Flathead and Glacier will each be the home team in their opening games of the upcoming football season. They will not, however, play those games at home.
Woman gets barking mad over animal cruelty
After discovering a dog left in a car with the windows cracked, a woman allegedly became upset and left the scene, saying she intended to return with a hammer to break the window. Whitefish Police told the reporting person that if the woman came back to advise her to call them before breaking the window. They advised the caller to inform the woman that breaking the window would result in the report changing from animal cruelty to more serious charges against her. Officers arrived and located the dog in the car, determining it was never in distress.
Patrick David Meehan, 25
Patrick David Meehan, beloved son, brother, grandson, nephew, uncle, father, fiance and friend, 25, passed away at home on Aug. 6, 2017.
Donald Eugene Howard, 83
Donald Eugene Howard, 83, passed away on Jan. 16, 2017, in Bozeman, due to a combination of multiple health issues.
Twila Helen Dopp, 91
Twila Helen Dopp passed away Saturday, Aug. 5, 2017, at her residence in Prestige Assisted Living in Kalispell.
Several small fires in Glacier controlled or out
Glacier National Park fire crews have squashed several small fires in the North Fork area.
Whitefish playground closed after bear spray discharged
The Whitefish Police Department is investigating an incident that forced the closure of the Kiddie Park on Thursday after bear spray was discharged on playground equipment and in the restrooms.
Former Olney fire chief sentenced for embezzlement
A former Olney Fire Department chief has received suspended sentences more than a year after allegations of embezzlement were brought forward by residents and fire district trustees.
Commissioner apologizes for killing trees
Flathead County Commissioner Phil Mitchell has issued letters of apology following a recent charge of felony criminal mischief for allegedly killing six cottonwood trees on a county-owned public park on Whitefish Lake.
New report: State could do more to prevent cancer deaths
Montana could do more to prevent cancer deaths, according to a recent report by a nonprofit that lobbies the goals of the American Cancer Society.
Wednesday, August 9
Valley players ready for football season
The first Flathead Valley High School football kickoff show was held on Monday.
Football is back, and so are the stories
Football is finally back.
Hundreds turn out to support Flathead's Daniel Long
Daniel Long didn’t know what to expect when he arrived for a fundraiser in his honor at Fatt Boys Sports Bar in Kalispell on Wednesday evening.
'Yuppies' give Bigfork man problems
A Bigfork man told Flathead County Sheriff’s officers he wanted to get a reaction from the “yuppies” who allegedly give him problems, which he said is why he set up a target across a roadway and started firing at it. Officers told the man the message had been received.
Larry McIlhargey, 67
Larry McIlhargey, 67, passed away peacefully Monday, Aug. 7, 2017, in Kalispell, after a long battle with cancer.
Several small fires close some Glacier Park trails
Glacier National Park has closed some trails and a portion of the Inside North fork Road from Polebridge down to Logging Creek as it battles several small fires in the region.
Commissioner faces felony charge
A Flathead County commissioner has been charged with felony criminal mischief.
Golden Knights making trip to Whitefish
By JOSEPH TERRY
Strong winds fan Eureka wildfire
The lightning-caused Gibralter Ridge Fire east of Eureka has grown to more than 1,100 acres since Monday night.
Air quality alert sounded for Montana
With wildfire smoke stretching across Montana, the state has issued an air quality
Dry weather creates dust problem on county roads
The lack of rainfall this summer has exacerbated the dust and washboard effect on Flathead County’s 500 miles of gravel roads, prompting road officials to remind motorists to slow down.
A Cleveland comeback for Brock?
No matter how much abuse is heaped on Brock Osweiler by NFL pundits, he will always have friends and fans in the Flathead.
Bruce E. Getter, 80
Bruce E. Getter passed away on July 30, 2017, at his home in Whitefish.
Dorothy Mae (Saddler) (Anderson) Johnson, 94
Dorothy Mae (Saddler) (Anderson) Johnson, 94, passed away on Thursday, Aug. 3, 2017, at Immanuel Lutheran Home in Kalispell. She was born in Puposky, Minnesota, to Clyde and Grace (Durand) Saddler on Dec. 10, 1922. Dorothy grew up in Puposky, graduating from the Bemidji High School Class of 1939 with honors.
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I was shocked and amazed that Judge Molloy shut down the Montanore mine application once again! Astounding!
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TODay
Kalispell man back in jail for more drug charges
A Kalispell man who received a probationary sentence for growing marijuana with his cousin in Flathead National Forest is back in jail.
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I was shocked and amazed that Judge Molloy shut down the Montanore mine application once again! Astounding!
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TODay
Eugenia Ford Tartaglino, 53
Eugenia F. Tartaglino passed away on Friday, Aug. 4, 2017, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.
Rising fees raise hackles in Kalispell
A crowd filled the Kalispell City Council chambers Monday to talk about proposed fee increases — many asking city leaders to find another way to cover rising costs.
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I was shocked and amazed that Judge Molloy shut down the Montanore mine application once again! Astounding!
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TODay
Tuesday, August 8
Heavirland helping Eagles soar
The last time the United States won the Women’s Rugby World Cup was the first time it was ever held.
Hot temper battles with hot-air balloon
The pilot of a hot-air balloon reportedly received a threatening voicemail from an angry woman. The woman allegedly threatened to shoot the hot-air balloon down if it flew over her house. Flathead County sheriff’s deputies counseled the woman and told her she could not shoot at the balloon because she would be shooting at people.
Judge denies request to intervene in Egan Slough zoning fight
A Flathead District Court Judge has denied a Creston area resident’s request to force the Flathead County commissioners to set a Nov. 7 election for a ballot issue on the proposed Egan Slough Zoning District expansion or show cause why they won’t do so.
Small wildfires prompt big response in dry conditions
A one-acre wildfire south of Bigfork Tuesday morning prompted responses from multiple fire agencies across the Flathead due to increasingly dry conditions creating a heightened threat of small fires spreading.
New fire east of Eureka forces evacuations
At least 30 homes were evacuated Monday night as a result of an 800- to 1,000-acre wildfire along Gibralter Ridge east of Eureka.
Whitefish goes to Stage 2 fire restrictions
The city of Whitefish has imposed Stage 2 fire restrictions within city limits, effective immediately.
Team creates device to find, fight mussels
The pristine waters of Flathead Lake that have supported local residents’ way of life for centuries are being threatened by invasive species that have devastated lakes and waterways across the country.
Monday, August 7
Donna Svendsen, 83
Donna Svendsen, 83, passed away Friday, Aug. 4, 2017, in Kalispell.
James 'Jim' Michael Redman, 72
James “Jim” Michael Redman, 72, died on Aug. 2, 2017.
Renovations delayed at Legends Stadium
A delay in the renovation of Legends Stadium means the local football season openers will be relocated.
County OKs new regs for vacation rentals
Administrative permit will be required
Vacation rentals in zoned areas of Flathead County now must abide by new regulations approved Monday by the county commissioners.
Glacier visitation tops 1 million in July
For the first time ever in a single month, more than 1 million people visited Glacier National Park during July.
Police on puppy patrol
Kalispell Police Department was on puppy patrol when following up on a report that someone thought animal cruelty was going on at a Kenway Drive residence because he or she could hear puppies howling and barking outside in the heat “all summer long.” Officers met with the puppy owner and located four “loud and excited” puppies in a round pen with shade and water, appearing in good health. The owner and possibly the puppies were cautioned on the noise level.
C. Falls man pleads not guilty to bail jumping
A Columbia Falls man on Thursday pleaded not guilty to felony bail jumping.
Man pleads not guilty in strangulation assault case
David Dautel of Kalispell pleaded not guilty to felony partner or family member assault/strangulation on Aug. 2 in Flathead District Court.
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Here are the results from the 2017 Evergreen Car Show ‘N’ Shine, held Aug. 5 at Conlin’s.
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Here are the results from the 2017 Evergreen Car Show ‘N’ Shine, held Aug. 5 at Conlin’s.
Sunday, August 6
Council to vote on final plat for Kalispell North Town Center
The Kalispell City Council is set to consider the final layout of the first portion of a massive commercial project that’s been a long time coming.
Man pleads not guilty to felony sexual intercourse without consent
A 20-year-old man pleaded not guilty to felony sexual intercourse without consent in Flathead District Court on Thursday.
Whitefish man charged with DUI after crash
A Whitefish man with a prior history of driving under the influence of alcohol has been arrested following involvement in a two-vehicle crash.
The establishment - on both sides - weaponizes 'fake news'
The epidemic of “fake news” is apparently so contagious it has spread to India. Ravi Prasad, the country’s Electronics and Information Technology Minister, claimed India is “helpless” in combating “objectionable content.” The Indian government has even threatened to jail people responsible for spreading that content.
The March of Time
Senators, members of Congress defy death and the public
Many decades ago when I was a teenager, I could run and jump and do all sorts of things. I even set a record in my division and league for cross-country. Today, I mow my front lawn and the next day the back yard, for it just takes too much out of me to do them both in the same day. Which means, like everyone else, I’m growing old.
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In response to Rep. Matt Regier’s letter, “Eye-opening session for new legislator,” I would like to publicly thank Regier for his courageous and “eye-opening” exposing of compromised and corrupt politicians Frank Garner and Rob Cook.
'Night of the grizzlies': Then and now
We’ve come a long way since the tragic events of the so-called “night of the grizzlies” shook our community 50 years ago.
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In response to Rep. Matt Regier’s letter, “Eye-opening session for new legislator,” I would like to publicly thank Regier for his courageous and “eye-opening” exposing of compromised and corrupt politicians Frank Garner and Rob Cook.
Reduce costs, bolster morale and improve combat readiness
I for one strongly applaud President Trump’s decision to ban transgenders from serving in the military. This decision will reduce costs, enhance military readiness and improve force morale and esprit de corps.
How the deaths of two park employees changed bear management for good
Bears and humans have crossed paths in Glacier National Park since it first opened in 1910 — and long before that. In the park’s early days, it wasn’t unusual for these behemoth mammals to walk right up to visitor vehicles chugging along Going-to-the-Sun Road. Vintage photos depict bears sometimes half crawling over cars or peeking into windows, while drivers offered up bits of food or stood a few yards off, firing away on their cameras. The visitors got the wildlife encounters they came for and the bears were treated to an easy lunch.
Downtown Whitefish building gets facelift
The downtown Whitefish building that once housed Piney Creek Interiors is in the midst of a $450,000 renovation. The two-story building located at 100 Central Ave. will house an art gallery, interior design company and clothing store, along with two professional offices. Monica Pastor said she purchased the property in the winter of 2015 with partners, Tanya and Judah Gersh, and Alicia and Daniel Hollis.
Trump's reversal on transgender troops will hurt the military
In a sudden reversal of policy, President Trump recently announced transgendered people would no longer be eligible to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces. Yet, a 2016 RAND study found that the costs of gender-transition-related health care are relatively low, and that allowing them to serve openly has no effect on military readiness. Furthermore, according to estimates, thousands of transgendered people are already serving on active duty.
Saturday, August 5
Inter Lake's grizzly story 'repurposed' by the Post
They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
Weyerhaeuser donates to Senior Mobile Home Repair
A $10,000 donation from Weyerhaeuser was issued recently to the Senior Mobile Home Repair program, whose umbrella organization is Flathead County’s Agency on Aging. The program is designed to help seniors with maintenance and repairs they may not be able to afford otherwise.
LaVaughn Deloris (Meyer) Bernau, 85
LaVaughn Deloris (Meyer) Bernau passed away Thursday, Aug. 3, 2017, at the Heritage Place in Kalispell, at the age of 85.
Margaret Belle 'Margiebel' Hart, 87
Margaret Belle “Margiebel” Hart passed away peacefully on July 22, 2017, in Whitefish.
Linnea Samuelson, 71
Linnea Samuelson was born July 11, 1945, to Carl and Maxine Samuelson in Vancouver, Washington.
Ted 'Theo' N. Chaffey, 81
Ted Chaffey passed away at the Veterans Home in Columbia Falls on Tuesday, July 25, 2017, surrounded by his family and friends.
Bruce E. Getter, 80
Bruce E. Getter passed away on July 30, 2017, at his home in Whitefish.
Elva Irene 'Todd' Johnston Kinniburgh Miller, 100
Todd was born to George Ralph and Iva May Johnston in Brockway, Montana, on May 25, 1917. She joined her brother Jack and later a sister Annette and brother Merrill. Todd went to a country school with very few kids. She herded sheep for her dad in the summers and for awhile after she finished school.
Marilyn Jean (Hocking) Easton, 86
Marilyn Jean (Hocking) Easton, 86, of Bigfork, and Fountain Hills, Arizona, died July 25, 2017, in Scottsdale, Arizona, with loving family present.
Allana Marie Erekson, 87
Allana Marie Erekson a beloved friend, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully in her sleep on July 16, 2017, at home surrounded by her loving daughters and granddaughter.
A HELPING HAND
The crowded van he was riding in had just entered the city limits of Spokane, Washington, when Daniel Long’s phone rang.
Graves leads Lions to unforgettable year
In eighth grade, Garrett Graves wrote on his locker three goals for his high school athletic career.
Pack's Krueger overpowers Class AA
In a decade of dominance in north Kalispell, Glacier has seen very few athletes combine the type of multi-sport excellence that Nikki Krueger displayed during her senior season.
Friday, August 4
Reilly, Esks escape with another win
The Daily Inter Lake
Interior watchdog reviewing Zinke's calls to Alaska senators
WASHINGTON — The Interior Department’s internal watchdog is examining phone calls to Alaska’s Republican senators from Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke seeking support for the GOP health care bill.
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As residents of the beautiful Swan Valley, we are deeply disturbed by the Lake County Conservation District’s proposal to transfer the management of 60,000 acres of the Flathead National Forest. The proposal calls for the establishment of a “Conservation Forest” to produce timber revenue for the conservation district. This proposal is a direct attack on our public lands, and we cannot stand for it in our own backyard.
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As residents of the beautiful Swan Valley, we are deeply disturbed by the Lake County Conservation District’s proposal to transfer the management of 60,000 acres of the Flathead National Forest. The proposal calls for the establishment of a “Conservation Forest” to produce timber revenue for the conservation district. This proposal is a direct attack on our public lands, and we cannot stand for it in our own backyard.
Do your part to protect Flathead Lake
It’s no surprise the top concern in the latest State of the Lake report for Flathead Lake is the threat of aquatic invasive species. Boat inspections have now become a way of life here in Northwest Montana, and we can’t imagine anyone would purposely bypass an inspection station and put an uninspected boat into our pristine waters.
Thursday, August 3
Drought spreads and intensifies across Northern Plains
HELENA — The drought plaguing eastern Montana and much of North and South Dakota came on quickly and is intensifying, leading ranchers to sell their cattle and farmers to harvest early whatever crops that have grown so far this summer.
Ronald William Wachsmuth, 80
Ronald William Wachsmuth, 80, passed away July 19, 2017, at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula with his family by his side.
Eek! Caller reports mouse in the house
Someone reportedly called the Kalispell Police Department requested to speak to an officer about a mouse he found in his house.
Dorothy Jean Hanson, 75
Dorothy Jean Hanson of Mesquite, Nevada, formerly Kalispell, passed away Sunday, July 30, 2017 in Missoula.
Drive-thru crash results in felony charge
A Kalispell man has been charged with felony criminal child endangerment after allegedly rear-ending a vehicle in a drive-thru, having reportedly taken sleeping medication and morphine earlier in the day.
James Richard 'Pete' Peterson, 71
James Richard “Pete” Peterson passed away July 2, 2017, at 71 years old, at Genesis Healthcare in Whitefish.
Laura Grace Barrett, 87
Born in Froid, Montana, in 1930, Laura was raised on a wheat farm, which she left at the age of 16 to attend the University of Montana. She worked as schoolteacher in San Francisco. The bright and beautiful Laura became a stewardess for Pan American Airways. There she met Jim Barrett, who was love-struck by the bold blonde bombshell. Laura was captivated by the handsome young attorney. They married and moved to Los Angeles. They had five children, Stephanie Jo, James Patrick, Michael Sean, Kevin Vincent and Gabriela Goodwin.
$6 million in state grants helps boost local preschool programs
Preschools across the state are experiencing new opportunities for growth and improvement with the implementation of a state-funded grant meant to specifically benefit early childhood programs.
Water-ski community taking shape
Greg Alsbury pops up out of the water as if he were weightless, gliding across the surface on a single ski at 34 mph. He whips in and out of the slalom course, marked by colored buoys, down one of two half-mile long lakes at Rosewater water-ski community in North Kalispell off Rose Crossing.
Businesses ask county for tax break
Two local manufacturing companies have asked Flathead County for tax incentives offered through a county resolution for new or expanding industries.
California firefighter dies in Montana
MISSOULA (AP) — A California firefighter died in western Montana when a tree that was being cut down fell and hit him.
Best of the Flathead 2017 results
Wednesday, August 2
Where's the leadership?
When was the last time an NFL owner asked your opinion on building your favorite team’s roster?
Man with spam tries unplugging computer
Flathead County Sheriff’s officers advised a man to unplug his computer until he got a “real computer expert” to clear up issues caused by an alleged scam. The caller said someone had somehow accessed his computer, resulting in the device showing him web pages he didn’t want to see.
Herbert Osorio, 93
Herbert Osorio, 93, of Missoula, and a longtime resident of Kalispell, passed away at his home in Missoula on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2017.
Deidra 'Dee' Bryant Faessler, 70
Deidra “Dee” Bryant Faessler passed away in Kona Community Hospital from extended complications of acute pneumonia on July 29, 2017.
Herbert Joseph Osorio, 93
Longtime Kalispell resident, Command Sgt. Maj. (Ret.) Herbert Joseph Osorio died Aug. 1, 2017, in Missoula.
Glacier reveals plan for motor boats on Lake McDonald
Glacier National Park today will begin scheduling motorized watercraft inspections and sealing for boaters to launch on Lake McDonald after a 30-day quarantine period.
Viewing area for fair parade expanded
Due to growing crowds at parades in Kalispell over the last 18 months, the parade route and viewing area for the upcoming Northwest Montana Fair and Rodeo Parade will extend by two blocks to the south on the east side of Main Street.
Boy Scouts paddle marine trail from Lakeside to Polson
A group of Kalispell Boy Scouts didn’t anticipate having to battle 2-foot waves, 30 mph winds and gusts up to 50 mph on their paddling excursion from Lakeside to Polson in mid-July, but they’re scouts so they persevered.
Helicopters douse quick-moving fire
A quick-moving grass fire west of Kalispell burned 4 acres on Wednesday afternoon before crews contained the blaze that threatened a couple nearby homes.
Zinke recommends no changes to Montana monument
WASHINGTON (AP) — Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke said Wednesday he will not recommend changes to Montana’s Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument as he continues to review national monuments for possible elimination or reduction.
Bear attacks jogger in Idaho, jogger kicks it and it flees
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A black bear attacked a man jogging in the Panhandle National Forests in northern Idaho in the second bear attack at the popular recreation area in a month but the bear ran away after the jogger kicked at it, officials said Wednesday.
Kalispell Regional names new CEO
Roughly six months after Northwest Montana’s largest medical system lost its chief executive officer, Kalispell Regional Healthcare has named its newest leader.
Tuesday, August 1
Shelly Ruth Walter Moen, 54
On July 26, 2017, “heaven became a more fun place with the arrival of” Shelly Ruth Walter Moen. Shelly died unexpectedly of natural causes at her home in Eureka, with her beloved dogs by her side. Shelly, who was funny, smart and loved life will be missed by so many.
Jan Marie Taylor, 65
Jan Marie Taylor passed away on Saturday, July 22, 2017, at her home on Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho.
Little piggies cry all the way home
Flathead County Sheriff’s Office received a report of dozen domestic pigs allegedly seen squealing down Montana 35. The bovine buds reportedly escaped from a farm off the highway. The owners of the pigs were found to be out of town, and a man who was allegedly watching the property was called to use a bucket of grain to lead the pigs home.
Library kiosks set up in rural communities
The rural communities of Stryker, Fortine and Trego — all located northwest of Whitefish — have joined the ranks of cities around the world that have tapped into the Free Little Library movement to provide book exchanges for readers of all ages.
Parched July fifth hottest ever
July 2017 in the Flathead Valley will go into the record book as the fifth-hottest and fifth-driest July since record-keeping began, the National Weather Service said.
Red flag warning in Glacier, Flathead
Numerous wildfires continued to burn across Western Montana on Tuesday as a relentless hot and dry weather pattern kept the fire danger at extreme.
Final decision pending on short-term rentals
The Flathead County commissioners are poised to make a final decision Aug. 7 on imposing regulations for short-term rental housing in zoned areas of the county.
