Windstorm keeps officers busy

A windstorm Sunday evening activated burglary alarms, started a small fire by tipping over a heater, and took down some power lines. Kalispell and South Kalispell fire departments went to Willow Glen Drive where power lines arced. A firefighter who was hit by a vehicle went by ambulance to the hospital.

Flathead County Sheriff's Office took a report of an unwelcome woman at a home on Potter Lane Sunday. She reportedly threatened a girl and said she wouldn't leave until an officer arrived. Three did, and she left.

Fourteen drivers were booked into the county jail for DUI over the week. Six were arrested Thursday.

Checkbooks were stolen from a locked safe on Willow Glen Drive. An unintended exchange of tools between friends caused friction that a deputy helped ease on Shady Lane. Construction equipment was stolen on Lower Lost Prairie Road.

Vandalism was reported at Flathead Salvage. It got worse for a man who said he parked his vehicle at another man's house because the vehicle was being vandalized. Then, the other man said he wouldn't give the vehicle back to its owner. A deputy persuaded him to return it. Another vehicle was tampered with on Pickleville Lane.

A domestic disturbance was reported on Circle Drive. A man was arrested on Spring Hill Road after a woman suffered back pain from being pushed into a counter. A couple separated for the night after a disturbance on Helena Flats Road.

Eighteen shots were heard fired on Panoramic Drive on Sunday. As someone called to report it, the sheriff's dispatcher heard more shots on the phone. No shooter was found.

A suspected case of embezzlement is under investigation.

A man with a crow bar and the vehicle he was attempting to break into at the Ferndale fire hall were gone when deputies arrived.

On Wishart Road, a woman jumping out in front of vehicles had been thrown out of the car she was riding in, according to a witness. She was gone when officers arrived.

A one-ton Dodge truck reported stolen on Springcreek Drive was found and returned to its owner, who didn't want to file a theft complaint. A 1998 Chevy Silverado truck was stolen on Zimmerman Road.

A man who drove with his lights on bright complained that several people standing on a road east of Kalispell made an obscene gesture at him. He wanted a deputy to drive there and respond; a deputy declined.

A forgery was reported at a restaurant. The back kitchen door at Swan River Cafe was broken open. On Izaak Walton Inn Road, someone broke a window to get into a home, then slept and ate, before gathering up some items and leaving, Goldilocks-style. Theft was reported at Crossroad Motors.

A steel beam that fell from a truck on Montana 40 nearly hit a driver behind it. She reported mechanical problems after the incident.

Whitefish police took a call from a woman who said someone was in her house at 2 a.m. Monday, doing something to her Christmas tree. It turned out to be the wind blowing wrapping paper around.

Kalispell fire department went to Glacier Gateway Motel where a man wanted to know what room his estranged wife was in. He was stopped later by police who told him he'll be charged with stalking if he returns.

A loud electric-guitar player on Glenwood Drive might de-amplify after a complaint Sunday.

A man in a black trench coat appeared to be casing houses on Fourth Avenue East; he was gone when officers arrived.

A resident on Fifth Avenue East reported a brown Ford truck drove through the yard between two houses, nearly hitting a fuel tank, and caused damage to the lawn.

A man reportedly assaulted a woman at the Hilltop Motel. Monday, someone reported an assault from Saturday night at the VFW bar.

It's not just a house on East Oregon Street that's been vandalized. The resident reported the hood of a car was also damaged.

A theft is under investigation at Kalispell Marine.

Three gifts were stolen from a van on Glacier Street. A chair was stolen from a porch on Second Avenue East. Lumber apparently left the back of a truck of its own accord on Fifth Avenue West North and Idaho Street, where it was removed from the traffic lane.

Alarms

Kalispell fire department had 15 calls. The department sent an ambulance and Smith Valley fire department went to Herron Park Sunday when a woman fell off a horse. She went to the hospital. South Kalispell fire department responded with Kalispell to a small fire in a new building on the corner of U.S. 93 and Willow Glen Drive Sunday. Initial reports said it looked like a heater blew over, causing the fire. A possibly plugged chimney flue filled a house with smoke on Hawthorn. Another report of a chimney fire turned out to be a normally burning fireplace on Fifth Avenue West. A short circuit caused an electric smell at Noon's convenience store on East Idaho. No one was hurt in a vehicle crash on Main and Idaho Streets Monday morning; it involved a police patrol car. Someone suffered a possible head injury at the junior high school Monday.

West Valley fire department went to Pines Boulevard Sunday for a report of power lines down.

Hungry Horse fire department went to a report of smoke at a mobile home on Beta Road Sunday.

Whitefish ambulance was needed for a woman who fell off a horse on Lore Lake Road.

Smith Valley fire department went to Kelly Raes convenience store Monday when smoke detectors were activated by a vacuum cleaner.