Ostrom's airtime will be missed
Inter Lake editorial
Best known for his folksy spin on news, particularly when he focused on the "wing nuts, dingbats and Looney Tunes" committing a wide range of offenses, George Ostrom's unique approach to the news has made him an institution and a staple part of the morning for Flathead Valley radio listeners.
But his 53-year career with KOFI Radio ended abruptly on Monday after a dispute with management.
The exact details may be known only to Ostrom and his former boss, but thousands of loyal listeners will be sorry to see Ostrom go in any case. They will also not be at all surprised that Ostrom put his journalistic integrity above his career.
Ostrom, 79, has been known to describe himself as "the world's oldest living newsman." Throughout his long career, not only on the radio but during a tenure when he built the Kalispell Weekly News into a quirky but highly popular newspaper, he became synonymous with news reporting.
He has had a noteworthy life in many other respects, too. He was a smoke jumper, an aide to U.S. Sen. Lee Metcalf, a distinguished alumnus of the University of Montana and has been inducted into the Montana Broadcasting Hall of Fame.
His presence on the airwaves will be missed.
Kalispell's Samaritan House soon will have a little more room.
The valley's only homeless shelter will receive the former Sonstelie Hall Army Reserve Center near Peterson School.
Samaritan House was able to acquire the surplus federal property because homeless-assistance programs are given priority over other programs.
A big reason for seeking Sonstelie Hall, according to Samaritan House Director Chris Krager, is that he had to turn away 545 people last year because the homeless shelter was full.
Now, with some space constraints helped by acquisition of the armory, Samaritan House will be able to accommodate an extra 60 people a year.
It won't solve all the problems facing the homeless, but it's a step in the right direction for the noble mission carried out by Samaritan House.