Ellington

Black bear finds feast in tent

The Daily Inter Lake

Rail service not at end of track yet

The story of Amtrak seems perennially tied to financial difficulty, but it appears the passenger-train service has weathered yet another funding storm. Congress is negotiating a budget that should bring in just over $1 billion for Amtrak for the coming year.

Holly Ann Love Brown, 50

Holly Ann Love Brown, 50, of Greenville, Texas, passed away Sunday, Aug. 28, 2005, in Sash, Texas.

Wednesday

Flathead National Forest hosts a field trip to discuss forest plan revision 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bus transportation provided. To reserve a seat, call 758-5252.

Hedges drives home the safety message

Sharon Bonderud, the principal at Cornelius Hedges School in Kalispell, has just one request of parents and students as school opens this fall:

News02

Since Hurricane Katrina wreaked havoc on the Gulf Coast, a wave of people flooded the Kalispell Red Cross office.

Swan River resolves dispute over maternity leave

Facing one of its largest audiences ever, the Swan River school board came out of closed session Monday evening to narrowly approve an unpaid year's leave of absence for one of its teachers.

Alarms

The Kalispell Fire Department sent an ambulance to Snappy Sport Senter to help a man with bear pepper spray in his eye Monday.

Whitefish police

Whitefish police went to a fight about a skateboard in front of Casey's bar Monday night.

FHS set for new journey in x-country

Life without Zoe.

Paul Lansing, 72

Paul Lansing, 72, of Hungry Horse, passed away Aug. 11, 2005, while vacationing in Michigan.

Planning officials reach out for public involvement

Flathead County planning officials are developing several options for keeping people informed and involved in the ongoing growth policy update process.

Cleanup of corn spill may take months

An elaborate effort to secure and clean up a sizable corn spill along railroad tracks in the Middle Fork Flathead River corridor is under way and may take up to three months to complete, a state bear management specialist said Tuesday.

Kalispell police

Kalispell police were visited by a woman Monday who asked to be taken into custody before she hurt her husband, who didn't come home the night before. She vanished before an officer could talk to her.

Flathead County Sheriff

The Flathead County Sheriff's Office took a report of a 10-year-old child in Evergreen trying to hop a box car to go to California, where he said his mother lives. He was returned to a guardian.

Perma fire closes Montana 200

A growing fire 15 miles east of Perma, a tiny town on the southwest corner of the Flathead Indian Reservation, forced the closure of Montana 200 and threatened homes in the Magpie Creek drainage Tuesday afternoon.

Mildred A. Christiansen, 98

Mildred A. Christiansen of Columbia Falls died Aug. 27, 2005, at the age of 98. She was born Mildred Francis Ammer on Nov. 8, 1906, in Fargo, N.D. The family moved near Ryegate in 1910, where they homesteaded. At the age of 4, she contracted polio and lived with its effects the rest of her life.

Fire near Perma doubles in size

A wildfire that erupted Sunday in the southwest corner of the Flathead Indian

Columbia Falls police

Columbia Falls police stopped a driver on a traffic check and found she is wanted on a federal warrant for alleged postal fraud. She was arrested and sent to Missoula.

Lydia Batt MacDonald, 93

Our beautiful grandma and aunt "Susie" Lydia MacDonald passed away Aug. 27, 2005, due to a car accident.

John Wesley 'Jack' Rambo, 85

John Wesley "Jack" Rambo was born March 7, 1920, in Wilford, N.D., to Rueben and Sally Rambo. He "entered into eternal rest" Aug. 29, 2005, at his home in Kalispell. Jack grew up on the Hi-line area near Gilford and Hingman.

Man charged with murder in wife's death

Deliberate homicide charges were filed Monday against Lawrence Frederick Roedel in

Whitefish police

Whitefish police had two people arrested on warrants for aggravated assault. A 31-year-old Chinook man was arrested there and a 38-year-old Whitefish man was arrested in Wibaux County. They're accused of severely beating a man in June.

Airport adds, loses flights

The Daily Inter Lake

Today

Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the center, 17A First Ave., Kalispell. Sponsored by State Farms Neighbors for Life.

Kalispell police

Kalispell police went to 10th Street East on Sunday night when a driver hit a tree. He was charged with his third DUI.

Flathead County Sheriff

The Flathead County Sheriff's Office arrested 45-year-old Timothy Walsh on Sunday, after a report that he stole a car and pointed a gun at a man who witnessed it. He was arrested at Snowslip, charged with assault with a weapon and felony theft.

William C. 'Bill Davis, 70

William C. "Bill" Davis, 70, MSGT USMC Retired, passed away suddenly Aug. 27, 2005, at his home.

Gas prices rising?

Back-to-school shots needed

The beginning of the school year each fall can be a real shot in the arm for students across the state.

Exploring the complexities of Glacier

The extraordinarily diverse research opportunities available in the Northern Rockies were on display recently during the second annual Waterton-Glacier science and history conference.

Ferndale woman slain, suspect held

Paul Rex Holland, 66

Paul Rex Holland, 66, passed away on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2005 in Bigfork.

Amtrak debuts upgrades with renovated Empire Builder

Amtrak's top brass rode the Empire Builder last week in celebration of the passenger train's recent upgrade, but new sleeper cars and a jazzed-up lounge couldn't disguise the ultimate message from company president and chief executive officer David Gunn.

Kalispell police

Someone reported to Kalispell police department that they had seen a man get out of his vehicle on U.S. 93 South Friday evening and hit the driver of another vehicle with a bat.

Bravettes, Bulldogs go 10-0

Today

New Earth Summer Expo 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., WestCoast Kalispell Center Hotel. Exhibitors of health and beauty, and nutritional products, jewelry, and art. Massage and bodywork therapists and health practitioners will be on hand. Guest speakers. Free. All are welcome. Call 406-327-7977.

Economist: More mills are at risk

Without an increase in timber harvests - specifically from national forest lands - Montana's timber industry can expect to lose one or two more mills in the next year, a prominent wood products economist predicts.

Flathead County Sheriff

A report of sexual assault on two young women in Hungry Horse was reported to Flathead County Sheriff's Office Friday afternoon. The assault had occurred three days earlier.

School start-up schedule

-WHITEFISH

How do you relieve gas pains?

As prices at the pump rise, some people are giving hybrid vehicles

Bonnie Julayne Kraut, 70

Bonnie Julayne Kraut, 70, passed away July 10, 2005, in Lethbridge, Alberta, where she was born on Jan. 23, 1935.

Marilyn Conant, 61

Marilyn Conant, 61, died Aug. 20, 2005, in Alaska.

We're being true to our schools

School bells ring this week for most Flathead Valley students, and the excitement is always tangible as children stuff backpacks full of new supplies and head out the door that first day.

Catherine Sophia Stedje Prestbye, 87

Catherine Sophia Stedje Prestbye, 87, died on Monday, Aug. 22, 2005, at Tacoma Lutheran Home in Tacoma, Wash.

Board rejects Bigfork planning change

A major growth-policy amendment in the Bigfork area failed to earn a positive recommendation from the Flathead County Planning Board on Wednesday, despite nearly unanimous support from the audience.

Passengers share conversations and destinations on the Empire Builder

Traveling by train is nothing new to Serge and Pauline Duckett. They retired 15 years ago and moved to Paris, where railroads are still a vital part of public transportation.

Singing the blues for back to school

The back-to-school scene just isn't the same after your kids have graduated from high school.

Whitefish police

Whitefish police arrested a man on Spokane Avenue Saturday night on criminal possession of drugs.

Charles Henry Gantka, 98

Charles Henry Gantka passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2005, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center a few weeks before his 99th birthday.

KR Profitibility wins Charlie Russell Futurity

The Daily Inter Lake

David M. Monroe, 85

David Milton Monroe was born in Nelsonville, N.Y., on Nov. 13, 1919, to David Y. and Alice H. Monroe. He passed away in Whitefish on Aug. 4, 2005.

CDA escapes Flathead upset

Today

Big Mountain Hill Climb Race 9 a.m., Danny On Trail. Registration 8-8:45 a.m. at Hell Roaring Chalet. Cost is $5 for students; $10 for adults; $20 per family. Proceeds benefit the local Nordic Ski Team. Call Debbie at 862-2113.

Bear bites can breed infection

When someone is mauled by a bear, Kalispell Regional Medical Center calls in Dr. Larry Iwersen.

Fair numbers down all the way around

The Daily Inter Lake

Columbia Falls police

Columbia Falls police took a report of money stolen from First Avenue East.

A rescue in Glacier

Thirty feet below a trail in Glacier National Park lay two people who had been mauled by a grizzly bear and then plunged down a cliff to a narrow rock ledge Thursday morning. Their rescue would be a textbook definition of courage and skill.

Flathead County Sheriff

The Flathead County Sheriff's Office took a report that dogs killed chickens on Lake Blaine Drive. Dogs chased children on Kelly Road. A dog bit a child on Dunmovin Lane. A chorus of dogs barked at Glacier Mountain Shadows.

Wet gym floor dogs Whitefish spikers

Whitefish volleyball coach Jackie Fuller calls it a minor inconvenience.

Man moved by kindness of friends and strangers

A few weeks after Todd Smith was diagnosed with ALS, an aggressive neurological condition also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, he composed a letter of heartfelt gratitude to all who have offered their love and support.

Alarms

The Kalispell Fire Department was needed when a gas line was hit on Trump Drive.

Polson, Eureka win volleyball openers

The Daily Inter Lake

New pastor takes the reins at Trinity Lutheran

In just about everything he does - even something like standing in a slow-moving line - the Rev. Mark Cutler will analyze how it could be done more efficiently.

Kalispell police

Kalispell police are investigating a report of a teenager who was sexually assaulted in her own bed early Friday morning. The girl told police that she was home alone when she was awakened by an unknown man on top of her. He kept a pillow and blanket over her face so she couldn't see him, she said. She reportedly was not seriously hurt.

Whitefish police

Whitefish police took a report of a drunk driver on U.S. 93 that resulted in a woman's arrest.

Derailment spills corn along tracks

New classes, new paths

School start-ups next week will draw the curtain on summer

Columbia Falls police

Columbia Falls police arrested a man for assault on Seventh Street West.

Friday

Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Burch's Photo Lab, Blue Cow building, Kalispell. Qdoba coupons will be given to donors.

Man, car found in pond

The Daily Inter Lake

Flathead County Sheriff

The Flathead County Sheriff's Office went to Commerce Street in Bigfork at 5 a.m., when a resident awoke to find a strange woman sleeping on the couch. She didn't know how the drowsy drop-in had gotten into the house. A deputy learned that the woman lived down the street and escorted her to her home and the care of her brother.

Braves' defense to be tested in opener

Big time offense versus stingy defense.

Kalispell police

Kalispell police sent the animal warden on a couple of catch-and-release projects Thursday. A large animal trapped in the skate park at Woodland Park turned out to be a muskrat that was moved to the lagoon nearby. A squirrel on College Avenue was relocated to Lawrence Park.

Sonja Karen Green, 63

Sonja Karen Green, 63, of Hungry Horse, died at home peacefully in her sleep Aug. 21, 2005.

Two hikers injured by grizzly

A man and his teenage daughter were seriously injured by a grizzly bear with cubs Thursday in Glacier National Park, and they were further injured in attempting to escape the bear, falling down a steep rocky area below the Grinnell Glacier Trail.

Series ends on upbeat blues note

Big Daddy and the Blue Notes play the grand finale for Kalispell's free Picnic in the Park concert series on Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m. at Depot Park.

Gaiser, Uibel triathlon champions

The Daily Inter Lake

Market values in Flathead County top $5.5 billion

The market value of real estate and personal property in Flathead County increased by more than $400 million in 2005, topping $5.5 billion for the first time.

Dinner theater a 'Golden' entertainment opportunity

Ernest Thompson's classic drama "On Golden Pond" will be staged as dinner theater at the WestCoast Kalispell Center Hotel on Sept. 1-3 and as a brunch theater on Sept. 4.

Whitefish police

Whitefish police dealt with a traffic disruption Thursday morning when a dump truck unloaded dirt and rocks in front of the Police Department. It took about an hour to clean it up.

Everett Maki Jr., 50

Everett Maki Jr., 50, beloved son, brother and father, passed away Monday, Aug. 22, 2005, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Kalispell.

William H. 'Bill' Stevenson, 74

William H. "Bill" Stevenson, 74, passed away Aug. 16, 2005, at Colonial Manor Nursing Home in Whitefish.

Youth, 16, apologizes for crimes

A boy who helped cause thousands of dollars of damage in vandalism in Kalispell wants residents to know he's sorry and that the gang called the 406 Crips doesn't exist.

Millicent Fox Moore, 93

Millicent Fox Moore, of Kalispell, "went home to heaven" at the age of 93, on Aug. 23, 2005, at Immanual Lutheran Home.

Better times ahead for mountain?

Winter Sports Inc. moves into the upcoming Big Mountain ski season with a new slate of directors and optimism buoyed by the infusion of $12.5 million raised through a private placement of common stock.

County seeks applicants for Mosquito Board

Flathead County has established a Sept. 9 deadline for letters of interest from residents wanting to serving on the new Mosquito Control District Board.

Whitefish police

Whitefish police arrested a 20-year-old Coram man for two counts of sexual intercourse without consent. Luke Jungnitsch is accused of having sex with a 14-year-old Whitefish girl he met on the Internet.

Tread carefully toward tax district

Does the city of Kalispell need another tax increment financing district?

Beverly Jeane Ipsen 'Bev' Dalton

Beverly Jeane lpsen "Bev" Dalton, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend and adopted mother, passed on "to join her lifelong love, friend and husband, Jack Dalton. She also will be joining her two babies that died at birth, and her parents, Rudgar and Margaret Ipsen."

Lincoln L. 'Linc' France, 84

Lincoln L. "Linc" France, 84, passed away Sunday, Aug. 21, 2005, at the North Valley Hospital in Whitefish.

Flathead County Sheriff

The Flathead County Sheriff's Office took a report of a brown and gray 1986 Ford Ranger stolen from Christian Life Fellowship.

Alarms

The Kalispell Fire Department had 14 calls. One was to a vehicle accident on U.S. 2, west of town, Wednesday afternoon.

Storm swamps sailboats

They wanted wind for the North Flathead Yacht Club races Tuesday night, but not that much.

All eyes on C-Falls, Whitefish, Flathead

The Class A girls soccer season is a good news/bad news proposition - good news for Columbia Falls, bad news for everybody else.

Tree hazard keeps park campground closed

The Daily Inter Lake

Kalispell police

The orange murder van is back on Kalispell police logs. There were two complaints about the van on Third Avenue West, where it has been parked for days. It says "murder" on the front and unprintable things are written on the sides. A man who bought it is living inside it, and moving it from parking space to parking space. A parent in the neighborhood doesn't think his children should have to see the vulgar writing.

Big Mtn. hotel-conference center on drawing board

A hotel-conference center that's been a key piece of Big Mountain's master plan for 15 years is on the front burner, Winter Sports Chief Executive Officer Fred Jones told shareholders at the corporation's annual meeting Tuesday.

Dreamland Skateparks

Jack Marsh of Dreamland Skateparks works on the new skate park on Armory Road in Whitefish. The crew, which began construction on the park July 14, expects to finish the first part by Oct. 31. Money is being raised to complete the second portion of the park. Dreamland Skateparks is based in Lincoln City, Ore., and the company has built nearly 30 skate parks across the country. Chris Jordan/Daily Inter Lake

Montana to joinlawsuit over dams

Montana has filed for intervenor status in a lawsuit that seeks to manage dams in the Northwest for salmon survival.

Today

Join the Major Leagues at your library, 9 a.m., Flathead County Library in Kalispell, 247 First Ave. E. Call 758-5713.

Officials break ground on middle school

Kalispell's new middle school - the next generation of education in the Kalispell Junior High building - reached the next layer of decision-making when bids for its new gym were approved Tuesday night.

Patrol sees more cycle crashes

Montana Highway Patrol officials have noticed an increase in the number of motorcycle crashes and accidents involving deer this summer.

Big Mountain Bike Academy helps youths get started on right pedal

Three bike paths to get $600,000 in funding

The Flathead County commissioners allocated more than $600,000 to three competing bike path proposals on Monday.

WHS golfers rule play in prep opener

The Daily Inter Lake

Black rides four winners at Fair

The Daily Inter Lake

New committee to take up community center

The Daily Inter Lake

Dorothy M. Hutcheson, 76

Dorothy M. Hutcheson, 76, "went home to her Lord" on Aug. 20, 2005, after a long battle with cancer.

City Council debates downtown tax district plan

Do Kalispell officials want to encourage redevelopment in the area around Kalispell Center Mall, and if so, what's the best way to do that?

Closer than they appear

"I think I see them," says Evie Berg, 4, of Berkeley, Calif., who is impressed with the view when she holds hold her binoculars backward while keeping an eye out for her mother and grandmother, who were kayaking on MacDonald Lake. "I don't think you're going to see them with the binoculars that way," said Evie's father, Jessie, who is seated next to her. Also in the photo is Evie's grandfather, Jim Dyer, of Grass Valley, Calif. The family was sitting in their room at the Apgar Village Inn while they waited for the rest of the family to return. Chris Jordan/Daily Inter Lake

Alarms

Marion ambulance and Fire Department and the Highway Patrol went to a rollover on U.S. 2.

Leader earns dividend for students

Author J.D. Coleman, 74, makes his living with words - but he was speechless at a recent reunion of his Vietnam War media unit in Kalispell.

lifestyle02

Legislation aimed at extending health insurance to small business owners and their employees is taking effect, with applications accepted Oct. 1 for limited access to the program.

Kalispell police

Kalispell police took several reports of drunken drivers.

Whitefish police

Whitefish police arrested a teenager on a warrant for burglary, felony theft, and forgery - common scheme.

Today

Lakeside Elementary and Somers Middle School new student enrollment 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at either school. Complete immunization records required. Call 857-3301.

Flathead County Sheriff

The Flathead County Sheriff's Office was busy turning down the volume at disagreements across the valley. On Trumbull Canyon Road, a resident complained of her husband's ex-girlfriend yelling at a neighbor. Loud partiers disrupted Murray Lake Campground. Fighting and screaming reported in Hungry Horse turned out to be a woman who backed her vehicle into a fence and was yelling at a dog to get back into the car.

Lions, elephants and cheetahs - Oh my!

How high can the ivory tower be?

Hearing tonight on 800-acre land plan

The Daily Inter Lake

Sister Anne Marie Stickling, 103

Sister Anne Marie Stickling, RSM, 103, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died Aug. 21, 2005, at Queen of Angels Health Center, Sacred Heart Convent.

Eugene Huso, 86

Eugene Huso, 86, of Hermiston, Ore., died Thursday, Aug. 18, 2005, at the Mid-Columbia Medical Center in The Dalles, Ore. Eugene was born July 11, 1919, in Crosby, N.D., to Knute and Lulabelle Butler Huso.

Columbia Falls

Columbia Falls police arrested a woman for DUI on Nucleus Avenue on Sunday night. A teenager was charged with alcohol possession.

County increases plan fees

The Daily Inter Lake

Lakeside Elementary and Somers Middle School new student enrollment 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. today and Wednesday at either school. Complete immunization records required. Call 857-3301.

Today

Kalispell

Kalispell police were called Sunday to College Avenue, where a couple of men were seen trying to get into a building. One had a ladder and climbed in a window and then went to the door to let in his companion. Officers found that the men are carpenters who had left their tools in the business and came back to get them for another job.

One-track mind: Fans of horse racing want sport kept here

The idea of consolidating Montana horse racing to one track - possibly Yellowstone Downs in Billings - has kicked up a cloud of controversy throughout the state.

Jean Richards Beck, 82

Jean Richards Beck passed away Thursday, Aug. 11, 2005, at Kalispell Regional Hospital, Health Services Northwest. She was 82 years old. Jean was born Sept. 22, 1922, in Schuylkill Haven, Pa., to George W. and Theresa P. (Folk) Richards.

Flathead County

The Flathead County Sheriff's Office denied a request by a man who is temporarily out of state. He said he had called a wrecker to tow a van from his house and asked an officer to go inside and find the title and keys for the vehicle. Turns out the man is divorcing and wanted to take the vehicle from his wife. Officers declined to participate in that activity.

Whitefish

Whitefish police went to a house on U.S. 93 to inquire about the slamming doors and swearing within. No one was charged.

Fair royalty crowned

Saturday night the queen and princess of the Northwest Montana Fair were crowned.

Flathead County Sheriff

Flathead County Sheriff's Office responded to a report of two women shoplifting at Wal-Mart Saturday evening.

Kalispell police

A custodian at Flathead High School reported to Kalispell police that a window had been broken and 'lots of blood' was on the north side of the wood shop.

Columbia Falls police

Columbia Falls police arrested a man for DUI early Sunday morning on Meadowlake Boulevard.

Market movers: Kids let go of their hogs, lambs, steers

It was a real zoo Saturday morning in the new livestock pavilion at the Northwest Montana Fair.

Kalispell considers new tax-increment district

The Kalispell City Council will hold a workshop tonight to discuss the formation of a new tax increment financing district in the area north and west of downtown.

Victor L. Darling

We are saddened to inform you of the passing of Victor L. Darling, a lifelong member of the community of Columbia Falls.

Alarms

Kalispell fire department responded to 15 calls

Robert Marshall Orser, 82

Robert Marshall Orser "went to be with his Lord" on Aug. 15, 2005. He died peacefully with family members present at the Immanuel Lutheran Home.

Larry G. Gaffaney, 88

Larry G. Gaffaney, 88, passed away at Heritage Place Nursing Home in Kalispell, on July 9, 2005.

Junior high starts metamorphosis to a middle school

A move to "let out the seams" on District 5 schools continues this week with groundbreaking on the first phase of expansion and remodeling at Kalispell Junior High.

Local soldier drills in Djibouti

Staff Sgt. Harold Shiell's weekend drills as an Army Reservist landed him half a world away, performing a different kind of drilling.

Bike-path proposals vie for funding

The Flathead County commissioners will hold a public hearing Monday morning to discuss funding and construction priorities for three new bike-path proposals.

Today

Northwest Montana Fair continues Flathead County Fairgrounds. Demolition Derby 7:30 p.m.

Gladys Bernice Swenson Curtis, 89

Gladys Bernice Swenson Curtis, 89, died Aug. 14, 2005 at Chattaroy in Deer Park, Spokane County, Wash.

Black Dealin a win in Derby

Kalispell police

A man told Kalispell police that a suspicious man approached his daughter and her friend on Second Avenue East and followed them for half a block Friday evening.

Whitefish police

Whitefish police arrested a Washington state man early Saturday morning at a bar on Central Avenue for the theft of a purse.

Truck cranks out tunes and treats

For most people, the sound of an ice cream truck elicits instant stimulus-response behavior.

Flathead County Sheriff

Flathead County Sheriff's Office responded to the report of a motorized parachute crashing on Pine Bench Road near Columbia Falls Stage Saturday evening. There were minor injuries.

Point out punctuation problems?

Of course!

Panel bullies U.S. lumber industry

Canada may be claiming victory, but the dispute over softwood lumber is far from over.

Big Mountain's operating loss linked to Northwest dry winter

Winter Sports Inc.'s annual report reflects a tough year financially for the ski and summer resort on Big Mountain.

Johnson a hit in NW Montana Fair rodeo debut

If he didn't have a reason to come back before, he sure does now.

Nonresidents vie for Winter Sports board

The slate of director nominees up for election during Winter Sports Inc.'s annual meeting Tuesday represents a sea change of outside influence for Big Mountain.

Retailers checked for alcohol sales; five of eight pass test

Kalispell police and the county Alcohol Enforcement Team checked businesses Monday to see if they would sell alcohol to minors.

Carson Jay Pfaff

Carson Jay Pfaff son of Jason and Jennifer Pfaff of Ocean Springs, Miss., was born July 18 at Biloxi Regional Medical Center.He weighed 7 pounds, 2 ounces, and was 21 inches long. Carson joins Garrett, 3 1/2.

Shae Marie Jackson

Shae Marie Jackson daughter of Heather Lechner and Derrick Jackson of Kalispell, was born Aug. 3 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.She weighed 5 pounds, 10 ounces, and was 19 inches long.

Nakira Rose Morgan

Nakira Rose Morgan daughter of Clint and Crystal Morgan of Kalispell, was born Aug. 3 at North Valley Hospital.She weighed 6 pounds, 7 ounces, and was 20 inches long.

Bridger Rolland Ovnicek

Bridger Rolland Ovnicek son of Chad and Lynette Ovnicek of Florence, Colo., was born July 13 in Colorado Springs, Colo.He weighed 5 pounds, 6 ounces, and was 18 1/2 inches long.

Benton Owen Kann

Benton Owen Kann son of Ryan and Suzanne Kann of Whitefish, was born Aug. 3 at North Valley Hospital.He weighed 6 pounds, 4 ounces, and was 19 3/4 inches long. Benton joins Clay, 3, and Remi, 2.

Brooklyn Lee Roberts

Brooklyn Lee Roberts daughter of Ryan and Maggie Roberts of Columbia Falls, was born Aug. 4 at North Valley Hospital.She weighed 6 pounds, 9 ounces, and was 19 inches long. Brooklyn joins Luke, 19 months.

Dedication of Catholic church set for Sunday

Offbeat race based in Whitefish

Several employees of the Regis Corporation used Whitefish as base camp last month for their own version of "The Amazing Race."

Rockhound Club hosts annual show

The Kalispell Rockhound Club's annual gems, rocks and mineral show opens at 10 a.m. today and Sunday at the WestCoast Kalispell Center Hotel.

Births

Bridger Rolland Ovnicek, son of Chad and Lynette Ovnicek of Florence, Colo., was born July 13 in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Nicholas James Thomas, 21

Sgt. Nicholas Thomas, 21, was buried Aug.16, 2005, at Willamette National Cemetery after full military funeral services at New Hope Community Church in Portland.

Today

Northwest Montana Fair continues Flathead County Fairgrounds. PRCA Rodeo 7:30 p.m.

Two-time champ Crump gets dumped

News04

The Daily Inter Lake

Man pleads guiltyin transient assault

The Daily Inter Lake

Dermatologist rains on sun addicts

Dr. Sylvia Owen, Kalispell's newest dermatologist, has bad news for her patients addicted to the sun.

Columbia Falls police

Columbia Falls police had some advice for a disorderly transient near Fourth Street East on Thursday, but he didn't take it to heart. When an officer had to return because of the man's obscenities and death threats, the man was introduced to the city jail.

Black opens fair horse racing with two victories

The Daily Inter Lake

Alarms

The Kalispell Fire Department had 11 calls. One was to the fairgrounds Friday when a jockey was injured.

Bigfork bank robbed

A man who robbed Rocky Mountain Bank in Bigfork on Friday morning was disguised in a wig and fake facial hair, and was reportedly intoxicated.

Whitefish police

Whitefish police arrested a man for burglary at Whitefish Motel.

Flathead County Sheriff

The Flathead County Sheriff's Office took a call from a woman who said she'd gone into a store with $20 in her hand and it fell somewhere. She went home and called the store, where the clerk said the money hadn't been found. The woman wanted the clerk charged with theft.

Fair fans flock to Kalispell to see the main event on Main Street

Kalispell police

Things not to explain to police when they're called to a disturbance at your house: "He was trying to take my pot."

Judge imposes Brockway sentence

Tracy Brockway, the sole woman prosecuted for her involvement with the local paramilitary group Project 7, was back in District Court on Thursday.

Alarms

The Kalispell Fire Department had a dozen calls. Kalispell and Evergreen fire departments went with the Highway Patrol to an accident with minor injuries on U.S. 2 and Reserve Drive. A motorcycle accident on Main Street didn't cause any serious injuries Thursday, nor did a rollover near Woody's on Wednesday afternoon, when the Creston Fire Department was called. One person went to the hospital after a vehicle crash on West Idaho Street on Thursday.

Columbia Falls police

Columbia Falls police arrested a man for domestic assault on 12th Avenue West on Thursday.

Whitefish police

Whitefish police took complaints of a transient in traffic on Second Street West.

Back in trouble:

A former Kalispell boy who made headlines when he helped start a fire that destroyed the Lakeside Marina is back in trouble.

Kalispell police

Kalispell police arrested a man Tuesday night when he flashed his lights at a patrol car in front of him near the Outlaw Inn and got an officer to stop. Then he said he was drunk and just wanted to get the arrest over with. The man refused to take a breath test, but still was arrested for suspected obvious intoxication.

Making a splash in Flathead Lake

A big round of applause goes to Ron Stevens, who is probably still drying out after spending 12 1/2 hours in Flathead Lake on Tuesday.

Wilfred Paul 'Buster' Dufour, 86

Wilfred Paul "Buster" Dufour, 86, of Lakeside, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2005, at his home.

Today

Northwest Montana Fair continues at Flathead County Fairgrounds. PRCA Rodeo 7:30 p.m.

Susan L. Wink, 67

Susan L. Wink, 67, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2005, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Pile on the free stuff at the fair

I decided it would be smart to take two pens to ensure that I wouldn't miss any details of Thursday's investigative reporting assignment - to nab as much free loot as possible at the Northwest Montana Fair.

Timberman smilin' after 85-point ride

Painted Smile had Kelly Timberman grinnin' from ear to ear.

Agencies lift Stage One fire restrictions

The Daily Inter Lake

North Valley Hospital lab is accredited

North Valley Hospital's laboratory was recently accredited by the College of American Pathologists.

Traveling company makes annual visit to Flathead Valley

"The Taming of the Shrew," produced by Montana Shakespeare in the Park, will be staged on the Big Mountain on Thursday at 6 p.m. just below Chair 3 in the Big Mountain Village.

Horses take center stage in new Hockaday exhibit

The Hockaday Museum of Art announces the opening of "The Horse in Flathead Valley Collections," an exhibition showcasing the beauty of horses.

Father reunites with toddler son

Scotty came home Thursday.

How much is that petrified snail?

The assignment seemed relatively easy, a reporter's dream, actually - take money and spend it.

Flathead County Sheriff

An alleged burglar was caught in the act Wednesday night at Badger Building Center on U.S. 2. The owner reported a gray-haired man in a white shirt outside at 11:30 p.m. He called the Flathead County Sheriff's Office for help. Deputies discovered Thomas Devine, 63, reportedly stacking plywood siding next to a fence, with his pickup parked outside. They chased him and he tripped and fell, according to Undersheriff Mike Meehan. He was arrested and charged with theft, trespassing and obstructing an officer.

Ruby E. Loy, 86

Ruby E. Loy, 86, passed away Thursday, Aug. 11, 2005, of congestive heart failure.

Fire couldn't snuff church's spirit

The Daily Inter Lake

Flathead County Sheriff

The Flathead County Sheriff's Office went to Montana 35 at 6 a.m. Wednesday, where a couple yelled. Earlier there, two men got in a fight; one was knocked unconscious and was reportedly taken away. Later and related to the same problem, a resident on South Cedar Drive reported his brother was badly beaten, his sister was raped, and his girlfriend never came home Tuesday night. The brother and sister went to the hospital. Finally, Wednesday afternoon, a caller contacted police to report a witness to a possible homicide that happened Tuesday night. The caller was reassured that no one had died.

Fields to have surgery on throwing shoulder

The Daily Inter Lake

Eight races, 46 entries for opening day

The Daily Inter Lake

Valora Marie Landon Loraas, 70

Valora Marie (Landon) Loraas, 70, passed away at home Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2005, after a prolonged battle with cancer.

Gabriel Allen Brown, 21

Gabriel Allen Brown drowned July 17, 2005, after diving into the south fork of the Flathead River (Devil's Elbow) while on a fishing trip with friends.

Donald K. Vaupel, 88

Longtime area businessman and pharmacist Don Vaupel died of natural causes Monday, Aug. 15, 2005, at Northern Montana Hospital. He was 88 years young.

Whitfield headlines PRCA rodeo

The Daily Inter Lake

Pack of the litter

Genetics clinic scheduled next week in Whitefish

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Junior high holds open house Aug. 26

Kalispell Junior High School will host an open house for students and their parents or guardians on Aug. 26.

Zero tolerance for gang activity

When Kalispell police discovered a group of boys calling themselves the 406 Crips, officers acted vigorously.

Roy N. Arnold, 78

Roy N. Arnold, 78, was born Aug. 24, 1926, to Jessie and Roy Arnold Sr. He passed away Aug. 14, 2005, at the Washington State Veterans Home in Spokane.

Lake Koocanusa fish kill investigated

They don't know how it happened, but officials with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks intend to sleuth their way to answers behind a another fish kill on Lake Koocanusa.

Kalispell police

A woman reported to Kalispell police Tuesday that her boyfriend's mother has been following her. The mother said she hasn't spoken to the girl since November and she has "no intention of getting along with her," but has not been following her. An officer counseled everyone involved.

Missing boy found outside apartment

A toddler who was allegedly abducted from foster care by his mother in Lake County was turned in to Kalispell police under unusual circumstances Wednesday.

Columbia Falls police

Columbia Falls police arrested a woman Wednesday for partner assault on Martha Road.

Auction signals the endof Eureka lumber mill

Wednesday's auction at the Owens & Hurst lumber mill in Eureka was brisk and businesslike.

County OKs zoning amendment for gravel pits

The Flathead County commissioners took their best shots at resolving an ongoing dispute about gravel pits Wednesday.

Melvin 'Mel' Redlin, 87

On Aug. 16, 2005, Melvin "Mel" Redlin passed on "to be with our Lord for all eternity."

Today

Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m., Libby VFW. Sponsored by the VFW and Rotary.

Harry F. Geis, 80

Harry F. Geis, 80, passed away Sunday, Aug. 14, 2005, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Kalispell.

Kalispell police

Kalispell police had a number of reports of people acting suspiciously. Among them was a man who was staring and unresponsive outside of Gateway West Cinema on Monday evening, a man found lying on the sidewalk in front of a daycare center on Mission Street and a disoriented woman on Fourth Avenue West. A woman who prompted suspicion in a vehicle outside the hospital was only there because her husband was having surgery.

Valley resident swims across Flathead Lake

Karen Elise Barbee, 75

Karen Elise Barbee, 75, died of cancer at her home Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2005, in Kalispell.

Flathead County Sheriff

The Flathead County Sheriff's Office took a report from West Valley Acres, where pain medication, a CD player and CDs and a cell phone were stolen. A note was left that read, "You shouldn't have left stuff around."

Gravel amendment stirs up more dust

The Flathead County commissioners are set to take final action this morning on a controversial zoning text amendment related to gravel pits.

Third attempt tonight for Cottonwood subdivision

The Daily Inter Lake

Wednesday

Food drive and patient appreciation day by chiropractor Richard Puchta, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; current and new patients may bring groceries in exchange for chiropractic adjustments. "Life Without Limits" class at 12:45 p.m. Call 752-7289.

Glacier science takes center stage Thursday

The Daily Inter Lake

Columbia Falls police

Columbia Falls police arrested a 15-year-old boy on Fourth Avenue West for family member assault Tuesday.

To catch a thief: Man recovers stolen car

The people who stole Brandon Nielsen's sister's car picked the wrong victim. Nielsen went to great lengths last week to help his little sister recover her car - and he came away with a good story to tell.

Alarms

Whitefish ambulance and Fire Department went to a fire on Birch Drive, where a truck knocked down a pole, starting a fire and landing lines on the road.

What about ducks, beer?

The Whitefish City Council annexed Whitefish Lake on Monday, but city officials are still clarifying a couple of issues - namely, will boaters still be able to drink a beer or hunt ducks from their boats?

Arlene Francis Skare, 72

Arlene Francis Skare, 72, passed away Saturday Aug. 13, 2005, at her home in Creston. She was born July 7, 1933, in Wolf Point to Francis and Esther Paulson. She moved to the Flathead Valley when she was very young, and attended schools in the Flathead Valley.

D. Sharon (Britt) Rios, 65

D. Sharon (Britt) Rios, 65, of Bigfork died of cancer Saturday, Aug. 13, 2005. Sharon was born Sept. 23, 1939, in Billings and raised in Roundup.

Karen Elise Barbee, 75

Karen Elise Barbee, 75, died at her home Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2005, in Kalispell.She is survived by her husband, Wendell J. Barbee, of Kalispell; and three sons, Charles Barbee of New York, Dan Barbee of California, and Christopher Barbee of New Mexico. There will be no public services or visitation, but friends and neighbors are invited to stop by the family home to visit with the family from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20. Johnson Mortuary & Crematory is caring for Karen's family.

Thanks, CFAC, for 50 years of work

It was big news in the Flathead Valley a half-century ago when an industry giant, Anaconda Aluminum Co., cranked power to the first aluminum-producing potlines in Columbia Falls.

Flathead County Sheriff

A riderless horse was seen on U.S. 2 west of Kalispell, the Flathead County Sheriff's Office said.

Dog Day Afternoon: Canines strut their stuff at 4-H dog show

Kalispell police

Kalispell police were called by a man who said another man punched him in the face. The puncher was described as having red hair and worn-away teeth. This happened near Ogre's pawn shop.

Camp responds to controversy about Butte bats

A Flathead Lake United Methodist Camp official, the Rev. Morie Adams-Griffin, said

Speaker says economy not an election issue

After a morning of fishing on Flathead Lake, U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert

Today

2005 Northwest Montana Fair today through Aug. 21, Flathead County Fairgrounds. Inland Empire Shows and Royal West Amusement Carnival starts 5 p.m. today, and all-day Aug. 17-20; Christian concert with the Fox Brothers, 7 p.m. Aug. 16; country concert with Tracy Byrd, 7 p.m. Aug. 17; PRCA Rodeo, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 18-20; fair parade, 10 a.m. Aug. 19; 2006 Miss Pro Rodeo queen and princess coronation 6 p.m. Aug. 20; Little Miss Rode coronation, 2 p.m. Aug. 20. Demolition Derby 7:30 p.m. Aug. 21. Call 758-5810 or log on to www.nwmtfair.com

Columbia Falls police

Columbia Falls police found some youths allegedly trying to steal bikes at Glacier Gateway School.

Whitefish police

Whitefish police stopped a driver on Second Avenue and found he was an underage drinker.

Leslie Gordon Moody

Leslie (Les) Gordon Moody, of Ellensburg, Wash., (formerly of the Swan Valley, Mont.) died on Friday, Aug. 12, 2005, as a result of an automobile accident near Ellensburg.

Columbia Falls council crunching budget numbers

The Daily Inter Lake

Kalispell looks at $52 million budget

The Kalispell City Council will take action tonight on a $52-million annual budget request, including $9.5 million in general-fund expenditures.

Alarms

Kalispell fire department responded to 17 calls.

Pilot author can tell a story

Flathead County Sheriff

A woman told Flathead County Sheriff'd5s Office that her husband went to the self-serve laundry in Bigfork and found a plastic bag full of jewelry.

Whitefish police

Whitefish police arrested a man on DUI/alcohol or drugs late Saturday night on Central Avenue.

Kalispell police

Kalispell police responded to a report of a woman baring her breasts in an East Idaho Street restaurant Saturday night. The woman said that she was wearing a toga and it had somehow slipped off.

John Grady Floyd

John Grady Floyd "entered the Kingdom of Heaven" on Aug. 11, 2005, after a prolonged battle with cancer.

Steven Arthur Dougherty, 50

.Steven Arthur Dougherty, 50, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2005, at his home in Kalispell.

Alarms

Kalispell fire department responded to 15 calls

CFAC plant turns 50

On Friday, aluminum turned to gold when Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. had its 50th anniversary.

Fugitive still on the run

The Daily Inter Lake

Wildfires smolder

The Daily Inter Lake

Columbia Falls police

Columbia Falls police received a report that someone had stolen some prescription drugs from a home on First Avenue West Saturday morning.

Flathead County Sheriff

Flathead County Sheriff's Office responded to a report of a man taking pictures of children Friday afternoon in Woodland Park. They were unable to find him.

Kalispell police

Kalispell police department arrested three minors Friday night on possession of alcohol or intoxicant on Fifth Avenue East. A woman was arrested on possession of dangerous drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia and endangering the welfare.

Irving L. 'Irv' Roth, 79

Irving L. "Irv" Roth, 79, passed away on Friday, Aug. 12, 2005, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Larry G. Lambert, 58

Larry C. Lambert, 58, passed away Sunday, Aug. 7, 2005, at his home in Columbia Falls.

Whitefish police

Whitefish police arrested a man on DUI late Friday night on Ironhorse Drive.

Stella Marie (Zobach) Smith, 86

Stella Marie (Zobach) Smith, 86, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2005, at the Brendan House in Kalispell. She was born March 18, 1919, in Kalispell to Perry J. and Mary J. (Wark) Zobach.

Fugitive still on the run

Rain, snow squelch wildfires

Rain and snow put a damper on two fires in the Bob Marshall Wilderness Friday, prompting fire managers to reopen some trails in the South Fork Flathead River drainage.

Today

Polson Festival Days continue today and Sunday. Cruisen' By the Bay Car Show 2005, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Main Street; Sandpiper Days, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Lake County Courthouse; Carnival 10 a.m., Riverside Park; Public auction of motor related items, 5-7 p.m., Comets play rock n' roll 7 p.m. Polson fairgrounds. Tickets for Comets, $20 at the gate. Call 883-2488.

Whitefish police

Whitefish police went to an accident near the golf course Friday when a driver reportedly fell asleep and struck a fence. She wasn't hurt.

Kalispell police

Kalispell police took a host of reports from people suspicious about other people.

Columbia Falls police

Columbia Falls police said a woman reported that someone she knows had sexually assaulted her Thursday night at Super 1 Foods.

95 girls notified they may have been exposed to rabies

Health officials say 95 girls who stayed upstairs in a cabin at the Flathead Methodist Camp may have been exposed to rabies from a bat.

Flathead County Sheriff

The Flathead County Sheriff's Office took a call from Mont Villa Motel, where a man locked himself in a computer room and wouldn't let the clerk in. The clerk could see him through a window, typing. So called a deputy, who had to come and tell the man that he's not welcome there anymore.

One fugitive caught, another sought after chase

Charles Randolph Moddrell, 54

Charles Randolph Moddrell "Randy," "Mo" passed away Aug. 9, 2005, as a result of a motorcycle accident in Northwestern Montana. Randy was born July 20, 1951, in Wichita, Kan., to Joe and Jeanne (Peterson) Moddrell. He graduated from Kansas University and was a proud Jayhawks fan. His teaching degree in special education was the springboard to the rest of his vocational life, which was dedicated to the service of people who have a disability. He moved to the Flathead Valley of Montana in 1977, and among his employers were Flathead Industries, Lamplighter and Summit Independent Living Center.His passion for working with people was recognized by the many people and consumers who knew him. He was awarded the original Dan George Award by United Way for his innovative social-service activities. This, he felt, was one of his biggest professional accomplishments. His volunteer work followed his never-ending quest to help people with disabilities, as noted by his various activities with area agencies and programs. He was one of the original founders of the Special Friends Advocacy Program in Kalispell.During the past year, he reduced his workload to spend more of his time with his family, his home, tractor, power tools, grandchildren and motorcycle. An avid motorcyclist for many years, he loved to ride. On a recent adventure with some friends, he motorcycled across Australia. Besides motorcycles, he loved to play various sports, including tennis, squash, wheelchair basketball and, as of late, he maintained a love-hate relationship with golf.He is survived by wife, Gay; his children, Marie and Rusty Weber, Mike and Margie Henderson, Terry and Marisa Henderson, of Kalispell, Bill and Teri Henderson, and Tim and Lori Henderson of Reno, Nev.; his 10 grandchildren; his sister, Kathy, and Rod DePrey, and nephew, Peter, of Atlanta; father, Joe, and stepmother, Jean Moddrell, and nephew, James, of Wichita, Kan.; and numerous extended family members.Known as "Papa Mo" to his grandchildren, he was all that any child could ever hope for in a grandfather. His dedication and passion for his family was exemplified by the various family activities in which he took great pride and delight. His greatest life accomplishment was his family and friends.In keeping with his wishes, a potluck celebration of his life will be held at the family home Sunday, Aug. 21, beginning at 4 p.m. Car-pooling would he appreciated.In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Special Friends Advocacy Program, or the charity of your choice.Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Randy's family.

Lightning keeps fire crews busy

The Daily Inter Lake

Woman arrested in Whitefish Thursday

The Daily Inter Lake

Alarms

A man was in critical condition with head injuries Thursday after he hit a deer while riding his motorcycle on U.S. 2 West.

Douglas Bruce Tibke, 84

Douglas Bruce Tibke, 84, died Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2005, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Kalispell.

Ruth Hildebrandt, 83

Ruth Hildebrandt passed away Aug. 4, 2005, at her home in Columbia Falls. She was surrounded by her family and died a very peaceful death.Ruth was born May 29, 1922, in Philadelphia to John and Catherine Loeffler. She graduated from Hicksville High School in New York. She met Victor Hildebrandt, and on Sept. 26, 1943, they were married. They celebrated their 50th anniversary at Meadow Lake Country Club in Columbia Falls.Ruth and Victor played bridge and golf during retirement. To Victor's dismay, Ruth was able to score a hole-in-one. They made many friends at bridge tournaments and on the golf course.Ruth was predeceased by Victor on Oct. 10, 2001.She is survived by a sister, Katherine Byrd, of Crystal River, Fla., and brother, John Loeffler, of Elbridge, N.Y. She is survived by her sons, Robert and wife, Patty, of Oceanside, N.Y., and George and wife, Paula, of Crystal River, Fla. She is also survived by her daughters, Nancy Hildebrandt and husband, John Hilgers, of Lake Five, and Doris and husband, Dan Turner, of Hungry Horse. Additionally, she is survived by 10 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.Ruth was a devoted wife and mother. She was admired and loved by the people she met and will be remembered for her strength and courage in battling illness in her final years.In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested that a memorial donation be made to the Hospice Association.

Whitefish police

Whitefish police investigated the theft of golf clubs Thursday from a home on Glenwood Drive.

Kalispell police

Kalispell police investigated a fraud perpetrated on a woman who was told she won the Canadian lottery. She was given a bad check for $2,980 from Universal Promotions of Toronto.

Flathead County Sheriff

Deputies from the Flathead County Sheriff's Office investigated criminal mischief after a resident of West Reserve Drive discovered all the tires on a vehicle flattened late Wednesday.

Lightning triggers more fires

Widespread lightning kept lookouts and patrols on their toes Wednesday, as firefighters pounced on a series of new fires in Northwest Montana.

Mixed feelings emerge about bypass plan

Local residents both praised and scolded the Montana Department of Transportation on Tuesday for its work on the U.S. 93 bypass west of Kalispell.

Whitefish police

Whitefish police took calls from two bars visited by someone who was trying to cash a fake casino ticket.

Accident causes power outage

The Daily Inter Lake

Kalispell police

Kalispell police had nearly 50 calls only part-way through the door Wednesday.

Baucus lauds highway bill

The Daily Inter Lake

Joseph Francis 'Joe' Lewellen, 81

Joseph Francis Lewellen, 81, of Ft. Belknap, passed away Aug. 8, 2005, at Colonial Manor in Whitefish, after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He as born March 18, 1924, in Harlem to Ben and Hattie (Keeney) Lewellen.

Flathead County Sheriff

The Flathead County Sheriff's Office took a theft report on Pleasant Valley Road, where someone said he had left two large boxes full of Penthouse magazines in a garage and they had been disposed of.

Mary Katherine Paine Holmquist Hamilton, 73

Interment services for Mary Katherine Paine Holmquist Hamilton, who passed away Saturday, Aug. 6, 2005, have been changed to 2 p.m. today, Wednesday, Aug. 10, at the same location, C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery in Kalispell.Marvin Ray Leland, 48

Wilderness fire could get bigger

Plans are in place to stop a 3,216-acre fire in the Bob Marshall Wilderness from reaching the South Fork of the Flathead River, but the effort will depend upon a change in the weather.

Whitefish police

Whitefish police took reports of houses plastered with eggs on Dakota Avenue and Wedgewood Lane.

Today

Bigfork A.A. by the Bay open meeting/book study, 9 a.m., at Senior Citizens Center.

Motorcycle crash kills Kalispell man

A Kalispell man died Tuesday morning in a motorcycle accident in Glacier County.

Flathead County Sheriff

The Flathead County Sheriff's Office is investigating a pipe bomb that was discovered at Jim Dowen Nissan. It was taken to a safe bunker.

Stage Two fire restrictions go into effect this weekend

Fire restrictions are expected to tighten by the end of this week in Northwest

Kalispell police

Kalispell police and the Kalispell Fire Department were called to Ponderosa Drive on Tuesday afternoon, when a woman's vehicle hit a garage. She said she had stopped the vehicle to check her mail and it popped out of gear, knocking her down. She tried to climb in and stop the vehicle, but it collided with the garage. She went to the hospital with chest pain.

Columbia Falls police

Columbia Falls police arrested a man on a Whitefish warrant for stalking and violation of a protective order.

Lightning sparks two more fires

As firefighters tightened their grips on the Camp 32 fire southwest of Eureka on

Daily Inter Lake Management

Publisher

Columbia Falls police

Columbia Falls police arrested a man for DUI early Monday morning on U.S. 2.

Brockway jailed over probation issue

Tracy Brockway, the only woman sentenced in the illegal-weapons prosecution of

Kalispell Police

The Kalispell Police Department was busy with people sleeping around town. Unacceptable sleep sites included an area near the restrooms at Depot Park, on the boulevard by Cogar's Coffee on U.S. 93, and in a vehicle on Seventh Avenue West.

Flathead County Sheriff

The Flathead County Sheriff's Office took a report from a resident near Lakeside, where a deputy had left a note for whomever has been trespassing there. Now, the interloper has moved more things onto the property. More notes and more deputy visits will follow until the trespasser goes away.

Darlene Amaline Gardner, 71

Darlene Amaline Gardner, 71, "went to be with her Lord and Savior" on Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2005. "She met the Lord in her sleep."

Close call

Today

Flathead County's Edwards Jones representatives host a free one-hour video titled, "Paying for College," at 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at their locations. Call your closest to reserve a seat.

Robbery suspect kills himself

The Daily Inter Lake

Whitefish police

Whitefish police were called on 911 for a disturbance on Second Street West on Monday afternoon. They wound up arresting a man there for possession of drugs.

Mary Katherine Holmquist Hamilton, 73

Mary Katherine Paine Holmquist Hamilton, 73, "went home to be with our Lord" on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2005, in Kalispell. Because of her long, hard battle with cancer, she earned the nickname, "Miracle Mary." She had a very strong will to live. Mary was born in Bismarck, N.D., on Oct. 18, 1931, to Albert and Alberta (Saine) Paine.

Alarms

A structure at Plum Creek Manufacturing Inc.'s Evergreen Complex was threatened by several trees which caught fire Saturday night. Evergreen, Kalispell, South Kalispell, South Valley and West Valley fire departments responded to the blaze, which was extinguished shortly after 11 p.m.

Getting your back-to-school checklist ready

Summer's almost over and the schools are all planning for the fall.

Flathead County Sheriff

A man on Montana 40 West told Flathead County Sheriff's Office he let someone take his car for a test drive Saturday evening and the tester did not return with the vehicle.

Columbia Falls police

Columbia Falls police arrested a man on DUI early Sunday morning at U.S. 2.

Whitefish police

Whitefish police arrested a man on disorderly conduct Saturday evening at City Beach.

Crash kills two near Lakeside

The Daily Inter Lake

Kalispell police

Kalispell police responded to a report of a youth on Liberty Street threatening to slit the throat of a six-year-old Saturday evening. No weapons were seen.

Crews battle blazes on the Kootenai, Flathead

Two new wildfires Sunday added more than 200 acres to the 600 acres already burning out of control in Northwestern Montana since Saturday afternoon, forest officials said.

Frank Benjamin Gamma, 83

Frank Benjamin Gamma, beloved father, grandfather, and friend passed away Aug. 4, 2005, at his home at Ashley Lake near Kalispell.

A commissioner absent without leave

It's a great job if you can get it.

Kalispell police

A woman told Kalispell police a man with a stick was chasing some girls on South Main Street Friday night. She said the girls ran away when the man waved the stick at them. When police arrived they couldn't see anyone with a large stick and no one in the area flagged them down.

Nature pulls out all the stops to create a wildflower season to remember

As a breeze stirs from somewhere high atop Logan Pass, the fields near the Hidden Lake boardwalk in Glacier National Park ripple with waves of purple, blue, pink, red, white and yellow wildflowers.

Longtime reference librarian checks out

During her 35 years at Flathead County library, Rita Kraus has been around volumes of romance and adventure stories. Now it's time for her to live her own.

Wilderness blazes erupt

Smokejumpers and Forest Service firefighters have been responding to two fires totaling several hundred acres and burning out of control Saturday night in the Bob Marshall Wilderness, according to deputy forest fire management officer Seth Carbonari of the Flathead National Forest. Both fires were initially spotted early Saturday afternoon.

Author writes pig tale to teach children morals

Columbia Falls native and retired teacher Roy Ryan sensed something missing from primary-level reading books - a good moral.

This business caters to the jet set

If you've been to 50 airports in your life, you've probably taxied past 50 fixed-base operations on your way to and from the passenger terminals of those airports.

Trudging through to the bitter end

If you had dinner guests who were charming and interesting until right after dinner, when they began responding to all attempts at conversation with blank stares, chances are you'd conveniently misplace their phone numbers.

Whitefish police

Whitefish police arrested a woman on assault and disorderly conduct charges Friday night.

Runaway commissioner?

What's in a name?

Only the NCAA could come up with a policy as stupid as the one on Indian nicknames and mascots announced Friday.

Flathead County Sheriff

A salesman at a local car dealership was attending a Saturday morning meeting when another salesman got up and head-butted him. The first salesman had to go to the emergency room for treatment and Flathead County Sheriff's Office was called to the scene.

Today

Bigfork A.A. By the Bay closed meeting/speaker-discussion, 10 a.m.; open meeting/discussion, 8 p.m.; both at Senior Citizens Center

Searching for an audience

Flathead County Sheriff

The Flathead County Sheriff's Office dispatched rescuers to a serious crash involving a truck and a car Friday morning on Mennonite Church Road and Montana 35. A 15-year-old boy was extricated from a wrecked passenger vehicle. He went by ALERT helicopter to the hospital, and two other people went by Kalispell Fire Department ambulances. The Creston Fire Department was also there, and the road was closed to traffic for two hours.

Kalispell police

Kalispell police arrested five people on drug charges Thursday at a motel. Police received information about a drug deal in progress, leading to four people who were charged with possession of dangerous drugs and one man who was charged with possession with intent to sell. The drug is suspected to be methamphetamine, said officer Jim Wardensky. One of the suspects also was arrested on a warrant for probation violation; another was out of jail on bond for a felony theft charge.

EIS for lake plan released

A final environmental review has been released for a project that would use toxins to remove fish from 21 lakes in and around the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex to protect westslope cutthroat trout from hybridization.

Two Flathead Valley youths take top honors in state poster contest

Park trails closed while officials deal with grizzlies

An effort to train three grizzly bears how to be a bit wilder in Glacier National Park commenced on Friday in the Pitamakan Pass area.

Today

Bigfork A.A. By the Bay closed meeting/discussion, 9 a.m., at Senior Citizens Center

Alarms

The Kalispell Fire Department had nine calls. One was to an accident on Fairmont Road where someone fell off a motorcycle; the Creston Fire Department was also there. A multiple-vehicle crash on U.S. 2 in Evergreen; patients went to the hospital from both crashes.

Whitefish police

Whitefish police spent the early morning hours refereeing disputes. They occurred on Central Avenue, on Lupfer Avenue, and at the Paddle & Ax restaurant.

Benefit auction today in Condon

The Grounded Eagle Foundation 2005 Fundraiser Auction will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Condon Community Hall in Condon.

Fire danger in Northwest at 'very high'

The Daily Inter Lake

One hundred cats, 14 dogs: Woman withdraws plea draws no-contest plea

A criminal case involving a woman who allegedly kept as m any as 100 cats, 14 dogs and other animals was continued Friday in Justice Court.

Don't go ballistic over gov's ball

In politics, sometimes there's plenty of smoke but no fire. That seems to be the case with the Montana Republican Party's intense interest in a long-awaited audit of finances for the governor's inaugural ball.

Whitefish Police

Whitefish Police Department detective Dan Frank has been promoted to sergeant.

Irwin cleans up in Compacts

The Daily Inter Lake

Flathead County Sheriff

The Flathead County Sheriff's Office is skeptical of a man's report Thursday that someone broke into his home near Columbia Falls, broke his wife's legs and stole prescription drugs. The man reported the same thing Wednesday and had no memory of it.

Daily Inter Lake Management

Publisher

Board considers interim planning standards

With a few major changes, a set of interim criteria for new growth-policy amendments could get a favorable recommendation from the Flathead County Planning Board next week.

News Staff

MANAGING EDITOR

Kathy Lee Prescott, 48

Kathy Lee Prescott, 48, passed away Aug. 1, 2005, at her home in Kalispell.

Kalispell police

Kalispell police took a report of a man and woman apparently exposing themselves in a vehicle on Begg Park Drive. Later, a woman was seen driving - shirtless - at Woodland Park with a male passenger. The car descriptions weren't the same.

Cherry season: Short and sweet for Flathead Valley growers

Daily Inter Lake

Alarms

The Kalispell Fire Department had six calls. One was to a vehicle accident on Third Avenue East North Thursday; no one was seriously hurt.

Community college sets orientation for fall classes

Flathead Valley Community College gears up for the fall semester with new-student orientations today and Aug. 17.

CanAm Cup pulls in another big field

The Daily Inter Lake

Trains get in fender bender

The Daily Inter Lake

Howard Peter 'Pete' Terry, 89

Howard Peter "Pete" Terry, 89, beloved husband, father and friend passed peacefully from this world July 28, 2005, in his Kalispell home.

Deal allows liquor license for owners of Somers pub

After an unforeseen snafu, a local couple Wednesday received their liquor license for the pub they plan to open in Somers.

John Lewis Otis, 78

John Lewis Otis, 79, a former resident of Kalispell and a Korean War veteran, passed away July 28, 2005, at his home in Eureka.

Mary Clara Watterud, 87

Mary Clara Watterud, 87, "went home to be united with the Lord" on Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2005, at the Heritage Place in Kalispell.

Paul A. Freeman, 48

Paul A. Freeman, 48, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2005, at the Kalispell Regional Medical Center from complications after a 10-year battle with cancer.

Opal Marie Palmer, 85

Opal Marie Palmer, 85, passed away at her Spokane home on Friday, July 29, 2005.

Lucas James Floren, 21

Lucas James Floren, 21, of Whitefish and formerly of Havre, died in a motorcycle accident between Kalispell and Whitefish, July 30, 2005.

Norman G. Borgen, 86

Norman G. Borgen, 86, died at Immanual Lutheran Home, and "was welcomed into the hands of the Lord" on Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2005.

Marion E. Garrow, 77

Marion E. Garrow, 77, of Saint Mary, died of unknown natural causes Thursday, July 28, 2005.

Today

The Eureka Montana Quilt Show begins today and continues through Saturday at the Historical Village in Eureka; call 889-3791 for details.

Mall foes file suit to block growth plan

Following up on its 18-month effort to stop the Glacier Mall proposal, a group of central valley residents has now sued to block the Two Rivers growth policy amendment.

Bolton, the Beltway and the real world

One of the fun things about the two-party system is you get to watch one side or the other sputtering with indignation every two minutes or so about something they did themselves two minutes before.

Residents let fears fly during hearing

No one at Wednesday's public hearing liked mosquitoes, but some feared the cure more than annual pest.

FVCC kayaks Wild Horse

The Daily Inter Lake

889th cooled air show crowd

The Daily Inter Lake

Board approves gravel pit, concrete plant along river

The Flathead County Board of Adjustment unanimously approved a conditional use permit for a 33-acre gravel pit and concrete batch plant on Tuesday.

Commissioners approve countywide mosquito district

County commissioners approved a countywide mosquito district Wednesday, but voters will have a say in how much money the district gets to spend.

Want to hike? Where do you go?

Henry W. 'Bill' Miller, 74

Henry W. "Bill" Miller died at the age of 74 at the Kalispell Regional Medical Center after an extended illness.

Annual reunions help recall good, old Somers times

Fay Eklund loved living in Somers so much that she started a reunion to keep close to the little town she first met in 1938.

Peggy L. Jones, 57

Peggy L. Jones, 57, passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2005, at her home in Kalispell.

Charles E. Decker, 62

Charles E. Decker, 62, passed away Sunday, July 24, 2005, at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, of multiple brain aneurysms.

Flathead County Sheriff

The Flathead County Sheriff's Office took a call at 2 a.m. Tuesday about rafters overdue from the Flathead River. Three men had left at noon and were due back by 9 p.m. Monday, according to a relative. She wasn't sure where they had planned to go. Deputies, a Glacier Park ranger and the ALERT helicopter began a search. By 3:30 a.m., ALERT, with its spotlight and night-vision goggles, found the trio camped with their raft just above Coal Creek on the Middle Fork of the Flathead River, near Stanton Creek Lodge.

New group wants to get city government 'back on track'

Three former Kalispell City Council members aren't pleased with the direction they see city government heading, so they're forming a watchdog group of sorts.

Kalispell police

Kalispell police went to an apartment after midnight, when a woman was heard screaming. A man there resisted arrest and reportedly head-butted an officer, prompting an assault charge and other violations.

Future now sunnier for Sun Road

Imagine any street in Kalispell being left untended for 70 years, with the exception of occasional pothole patching and occasional asphalt overlays.

State seeks source of W. Valley nitrate

About three dozen wells in the West Valley area were sampled last week in an

Esther Holcomb Chapman Day, 96

Esther Holcomb Chapman Day, 96, "left this life and all she loved here to return home to her Father and Savior" on Monday, Aug. 1, 2005, surrounded by her family at her home.

Whitefish police

Whitefish police went to a fight on Iowa Avenue early Tuesday. An ambulance was called for one man, who decided he was just fine without all his teeth and refused medical attention.

Patricia Rose Keltner, 81

Patricia Rose Keltner, 81, passed away July 29, 2005, at Heritage Place in Kalispell.

City delays Old School annexation

A compromise was reached Monday night to allow a local couple to obtain a liquor license that was hampered by Kalispell's annexation of land for the Old School Station industrial park.

Scorched at air show

Weekend temperatures had people in crowd 'dropping like popcorn'

Sheriff's Office names Kmart robbery suspect

A man sought in connection with Friday's armed robbery at the Kmart pharmacy is Chad W. Lewis, 32, of Kalispell.

Today

Children's Story Hour, 10:30 a.m., Children's Department of the Kalispell library, 247 First Ave. E. Call 758-5822.

Internet pleas still snaring victims

Internet scams promising millions to people who help foreign dignitaries with

Eva Marie Christian, 89

Eva Marie Christian, 89, a lifetime member of the Whitefish community, died July 29, 2005, at the Colonial Manor of natural causes.

Flathead County Sheriff

The Flathead County Sheriff's Office contacted an animal warden after a call at 1 a.m. Monday, saying people were in peril from a growling mountain lion at a cabin off of Eastman Drive. The beast was first said to be trapped under the cabin, but then was said to be roaming free, where the caller feared it would attack people. They turned out to be safe. The mountain lion was actually a family of raccoons.

Whitefish police

Whitefish police arrested a woman on a warrant for assault, two counts of disorderly conduct, and disturbing the peace from an earlier incident on Central Avenue.

Schweitzer seeks input on roadless suggestions

Gov. Brian Schweitzer called on the Flathead County commissioners Monday morning,

Officers seek robber

The Daily Inter Lake

Today

There will be no toenail clinic at the Kalispell Senior Center today. Call 257-1598 for further details regarding any future clinics.

Local teens win 'American Idol' trips

Will the next American Idol be a Flathead Valley resident?

Columbia Falls police

Columbia Falls police took a report of graffiti sprayed on a Water Department building Sunday on Talbot Road.

Kalispell police

A girl who used the computer at the library gave out her grandmother's cell phone number. The woman called Kalispell police Monday to say that now that someone has Grandma's number, he won't stop calling.

Lightning starts nine new fires

Firefighters scrambled Monday to put down this year's first significant rash of

Whitefish police

Whitefish police arrested a man early Sunday morning at a local hotdog stand on assault, disorderly conduct and public urination.

Alarms

Creston, Bad Rock and Bigfork fire departments as well as Kalispell ambulance responded to a fire on Mennonite Church Road east of Montana 35 early Sunday morning. Two barns were fully engulfed and units remained on the scene for more than four hours.

Cedar Creek land sale starts

The decision has been made to sell the Cedar Creek Reservoir and watershed north of Columbia Falls.

Air show brings thrills, chills, laughs, gasps

Waking up the morning after the air show is a little like waking up the day after Christmas. There is a certain sadness of the soul that must be dealt with before getting on with the rest of the week.

Columbia Falls police

Columbia Falls police arrested a man on DUI Saturday night at a local supermarket.

Kalispell police

Kalispell police were called to a scene of suspicious activity on Third Avenue West Saturday afternoon after some youths were spotted wearing trench coats and bandanas and running around with guns. The guns turned out to be fake and those involved were counseled.

Crews douse wildfire

The Daily Inter Lake