Ellington

Thieves snatch up spendy sportscar, firearms

Wednesday, Nov. 14

'Nutcracker' rings in the holidays at Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts

Forty-four dancers. Sixty-five handmade costumes. Ten weeks of rehearsals. That’s just a hint of what it takes behind the scenes to bring the Northwest Ballet Company’s beloved “Nutcracker Ballet” to the Flathead Valley. The Company continues its popular tradition with five memorable performances Thanksgiving weekend at the Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts.

Murer to finish year of rodeo success at Junior World Finals

Bigfork’s Lexi Murer is just 14 years old, but she will already be checking off one of her biggest goals when she competes in the National Finals Rodeo’s Junior World Finals in Las Vegas from Dec. 5-14.

Bigfork sewer main to be replaced next spring

Bigfork’s aging sewer system will undergo a major overhaul next spring. Through a combination of grant funding, low-interest state loans and local dollars, the Bigfork Water and Sewer District will replace the damaged main line and relocate the bulk of the system away from the shoreline of Bigfork Bay. The existing line runs along the Bay, from Bridge Street to a lift station on Grand Drive where it’s then pumped to higher ground.

Pocketstone Cafe welcomes all kinds for free Thanksgiving dinner

On Thanksgiving Day at the Pocketstone Cafe, the kitchen is a flurry of activity as a crew of 30 volunteers chop, prep and plate hearty turkey dinners for nearly 200 guests.

County commissioners deny lakeshore variance request

During a public meeting on Monday, the Flathead County Commissioners voted unanimously to deny a request for a major lakeshore variance after determining the application’s accompanying environmental impact study was incomplete.

Letters to the editor

The Auxiliary of the VFW Post 4042 of Bigfork would like to thank the Bigfork High School for al the help the students gave us during the Veterans assembly. They were right there to help pass out poppy and anything else we needed. The Auxiliary really appreciated it! They made our job much easier Again, thank you to the students of Bigfork High. The assembly was exceptional and enjoyed by everyone.

Decorating Day in pictures

Bigfork ballerina takes center stage as Clara in 'The Nutcracker'

The Noble Dance Performing Company presents “The Nutcracker” with special guest, Abby Cockrell, a Whitefish native and professional dancer with Northern Ballet in England. Bigfork’s Mia Gannon will also take center stage in the role of Clara.

Deep dive into the Flathead Lake Biological Station

I’m not a scientist.

PHOTOS: Eureka defeats Manhattan 20-6 for Class B championship

Photos from Eureka’s 20-6 win over Manhattan in the Class B State Championship in Manhattan on Saturday.

Bigfork Elves transform town in beloved holiday tradition

For more than 30 years, the Bigfork Elves have been transforming the Village by the Bay into a picturesque Christmas town, fit for the silver screen. On the Saturday before Thanksgiving, an army of decorators descend on city streets, armed with lights, garland, bows and trees. Led by a number of “flight leaders,” the Elves disperse to their assigned sectors and go about the important mission of spreading the holiday spirit throughout the community.

Lights go dark for delinquent tenants; puppy plays rough

— A man at a Highway 209 residence reported his former renters were complaining about him shutting off their power when in fact, the power company had turned off the power. The renters were reportedly behind on paying their rent, but had not moved out yet. The caller was advised to follow the civil eviction process and seek legal counsel.

Snowmobiling trail pass rates increase for upcoming season

Snowmobilers and other groomed trail users in Montana will see changes to trail passes for the 2019/2020 riding season. Last spring, the 2019 Montana Legislature passed HB 355 which adjusted fees on the Montana Snowmobile Trail Pass and Non-resident Snowmobile Temporary Use Permit and designated a new Non-resident Groomed Trail Pass. 

Bigfork High speech and debate to host state meet

The Bigfork High School speech and debate team will head into their third meet of the season Nov. 23 in Columbia Falls, after finishing second in the Class B division at both the Kalispell Kickoff and Ronan’s Gale Patrick Miller Invitational earlier this year. This year, the team welcomes 14 new students across the four grade levels, including six freshmen. While the speech and debate season is just getting started, Head Coach Charles Appleby has already identified a few standout performers to watch — seniors Anton Young and Elyse Pendlay in Policy Debate, Ben Keller in Impromptu Speaking and Maya Hartig in Memorized Public Address.

Cross-country coach fundraises for season with 559-mile run

Head cross-country coach Beau Wielkoszewski is going the distance — quite literally — to raise funds to make future seasons of the sport possible at Bigfork High School.

New owners bring European elegance to the Bigfork Inn

Francois Zanni and Christopher Languein are making new changes to get back to the old traditions at The Bigfork Inn.

PHOTOS: Eureka tops Red Lodge 39-35, advances to Class B championship

Photos from Eureka’s 39-35 win over Red Lodge in a Class B semifinal matchup at Lincoln County High School in Eureka on Saturday. Eureka advances to the Class B championship where it will play Manhattan in Manhattan on Saturday, Nov. 23.

Suspect in Bigfork armed robbery still at-large

The Flathead County Sheriff’s Office is still on the hunt for the female suspect who robbed the Jackpot Casino in Bigfork at gunpoint Tuesday morning.

Songwriter Festival to debut in Whitefish next fall

The Whitefish Songwriter Festival (WFSF) will debut in downtown Whitefish Sept. 17 to 19, 2020.

Bigfork school resource officer connects with kids

Nearly two decades ago, Paula Sullivan graduated from Bigfork High School and today, she’s walking those same halls as the school resource officer. The 11-year deputy with Flathead County Sheriff’s Office took on the assignment in late August, bringing a law enforcement presence on campus for the first time in more than 10 years.

Bigfork's Barbara Moore walks with widows through grief

Barbara Moore first spotted the man who would be her husband in an alleyway, of all places. She was babysitting for her sister’s kids and had taken the children out back to play when Don pulled up in a red convertible. For their first date, he took her to an amusement park and she remembers being thrown against him when they rode a spinning contraption called The Mixer.

State officials complete gathering of kokanee eggs

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks hatchery staff from Flathead Lake Salmon Hatchery recently completed the annual gathering of kokanee eggs that will benefit lakes across the state.

Artist's corner: Brett Thuma

Age: 51

Bigfork Events: Nov. 13-19

Wednesday, Nov. 13

Bigfork Playhouse auditions for 'A Christmas Story' planned Nov. 19

Calling all Actors – young or old – Nov. 19.

Bigfork schools on lockdown following casino robbery

Bigfork schools are on lockdown today as the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office looks for a suspect in an armed robbery that occurred Tuesday morning at the Jackpot Casino in Bigfork.

Lockwood crowned PBR World Champion

LAS VEGAS – Backed by a dominant 5-for-6 showing, including four 90-point rides, 2017 PBR (Professional Bull Riders) World Champion Jess Lockwood of Volborg surged to the top of the leaderboard to win the PBR World Finals event, and became the youngest two-time champion in the sport’s history on Sunday.

Births NVH and KRMC

Kacen Jack Cotcamp, son of Rylie Williams and Kendall Cotcamp of Kalispell, was born July 4 at North Valley Hospital.

PHOTOS: Grizzlies pull away from Idaho, 42-17

Photos as the Montana Grizzlies beat the Idaho Vandals 42-17 at Washington-Grizzly Stadium in Missoula on Saturday, Nov. 9.

Halloween on Electric Avenue

Photos by MACKENZIE REISS

Military officer's wives club celebrates 25 years

There’s a tradition among military spouses of forming close bonds in a hurry.

A heart for service Bigfork Marine Corps veteran spends a lifetime helping others

To find Craig Wagner, visitors must head well into the hills north of Bigfork proper, and traverse a meandering road that tends to ice over this time of year.

Skincare company offers Montana's 'good stuff'

The Good Stuff Botanicals focuses on all things simple, and this includes the grassroots operation behind its renowned skincare products.

Vikings fall short of upset, bow to Red Lodge in playoffs

Bigfork’s football season ended in Red Lodge on Saturday, as the Rams defeated the Vikings 28-25 in the first round of the Class B playoffs.

Suspects allegedly use parked car as shooting target

Tuesday, Oct. 29

Final week of Mack Days fall tourney

With just one week remaining in the 2019 Fall Mack Days Fishing Event, Lonepine’s Mike Benson continues to lead the top 10 anglers with 1,141 entries and a 68.27 average.

Playhouse alumnus in the running to star in “Chicago” on Broadway

Bigfork Summer Playhouse alumnus and Belmont University musical theatre senior Ginny Swanson was named a semi-finalist in the national search for Broadway’s next Roxie Hart in the hit musical, “Chicago.” Casting directors, producers and former stars of “Chicago” chose Swanson as one of only 10 semi-finalists from hundreds of applicants who submitted video auditions. 

Bigfork firefighters to help fight California wildfires

The Bigfork Fire Department joined a host of Montana agencies sending crew and equipment to help fight wild land fires in California. Three Bigfork firefighters and one wildland engine departed Monday, Oct. 28, and arrived in the Thousand Oaks area of Southern California. This year marks the third consecutive year the department has contributed resources to California. Bigfork is among a host of Montana agencies that answered Gov. Steve Bullock’s call for help via the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, a mutual aid agreement among states. The firefighters will be in California for a minimum of 14 days, with the option to extend their deployment to 21 days if conditions intensify.

Artist's corner: Carl Ambrose

Age: 67

Letters to the editor Nov. 4

I support Ryan Hunter for Kalispell City Council Ward 3. I agree with his priorities and see them as having immediate value while also being investments in the long-term health of Kalispell.

Make the Census count for Montana

One of the most important civic duties Montanans will participate in next year is filling out and responding to the 2020 U.S. Census. At just nine-questions long, the questionnaire might not seem like a big deal, but it is.

Montana senators deserve credit for their leadership

You have most likely heard plenty in the recent months about the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and the political football being played back in Washington, D.C. to secure permanent, full, dedicated funding for the program. While we aren’t all the way there yet, we are closer than we have been in decades. Montana can be proud that both Senator Steve Daines and Senator Jon Tester have been bipartisan champions for reauthorization and funding of this critical program. To say otherwise just isn’t accurate or authentic.

Another look at background checks

As this writer has stated before about when I was a lad in the U.S. Army, my first sergeant claimed that the purpose of a pistol was to defend oneself until he could reach his rifle. And the rifle contained more than 10 rounds.

Letters to the editor Nov. 3

I wonder if President Trump, Ryan Zinke, or any of the members of the Outdoor Recreation Advisory Committee that recommended modernizing and privatizing National Park campgrounds (Daily Inter Lake, Oct. 19) have read Freeman Tilden’s classic and definitive book on the National Park experience: “The National Parks; What They Mean to You and Me.” I don’t think so, because their recommendations do not reflect the spirit of the unique character and purposes of the National Park System so well defined by Tilden.

Bulldogs dump Browning in play-in

WHITEFISH — Kaiah Moore had nine kills and Luci Rideway added 10 digs and nine service aces as the Whitefish Lady Bulldogs downed visiting Browning Monday in a Northwestern A volleyball play-in match. Scores were 25-14, 25-18, 25-11.

Whitefish mulls changes to utility billing regs

A number of proposed changes to Whitefish utility regulations as they pertain to property owners and renters are the focus of the Whitefish City Council’s work session from 5:30 to 7 p.m. tonight at City Hall.

Independent physical therapist makes house calls

An appointment with a physical therapist can feel like another trip to the doctor, but Jay Shaver is trying to change the typical therapy experience for his patients.

KRMC births

Miles Patrick Sarnoski, son of James and MIchelle Sarnoski of Columbia Falls, was born Aug. 23 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

New boutique bills itself as 'lifestyle shop'

Everything is by design at a new boutique shop on Electric Avenue. Kathleen Hennen hand-picks or hand-makes all of the products she sells at Bigfork Design, with items ranging from tables to T-shirts. “I really want to believe in what I buy,” she said. “I won’t sell anything I wouldn’t have in my own home.”

Firehouse Subs coming to Kalispell

A portion of proceeds helps first responders and schools

Construction starts on Eagle Valley Ranch

Construction is underway on the first of multiple apartment buildings planned for property north of Kalispell near Rose Crossing.

Helge L. 'Joe' Helgeson, 95

Helge L. “Joe” Helgeson, 95, passed away at Kalispell Regional Medical Center on Friday, Oct. 25, 2019.

NEW BOUTIQUE BILLS ITSELF AS ‘LIFESTYLE SHOP’

Everything is by design at a new boutique shop on Electric Avenue. Kathleen Hennen hand-picks or hand-makes all of the products she sells at Bigfork Design, with items ranging from tables to T-shirts. “

PHOTOS: Eureka tops Baker 65-24 in Class B first round

Photos from Eureka vs. Baker in the first round of the Class B high school football playoffs at Lincoln County High School in Eureka on Saturday. Eureka won, 65-24.