Week in Pictures December 7-13
Glacier senior Shay Smithwick-Hann, number 21, rebounds the ball under pressure from Whitefish junior Drew Galbraith, number 52, and senior Willie Roche, number 22, during their game on Tuesday night. Glacier won the game 63 to 27.
Whitefish junior Karissa Demarco, number 15, is pressured by Glacier junior Cami Mathison, number 12, and freshman Nicole Heavirland, number 15, during their game on Tuesday night. Glacier won the match up 61 to 29.
Gayla Benefield, longtime advocate for the care of asbestos victims, recalls the many years spent working to spur awareness and action over the issue that's marked the town of Libby. "I have to tell myself you're not responsible for these people dying," she said. "I felt like we were on trial, felt we were the guilty ones. I've had to do a lot of self-talking."
Jimmy Ray works last week with Roy Sneath, who was diagnosed with asbestos disease in 2000, as he walks on a treadmill at St. John’s Lutheran Hospital in Libby. The declaration of a public health emergency in Libby means more federal money for health care of victims of asbestos exposure.
Daniel “Red” Busby moved to Libby in 1983, living just a mile from the W.R. Grace vermiculite mine. His lung capacity is now down to 33 percent of normal rate, forcing him to rely on night-time oxygen.
Aidan Matkovick, 6, of Kalispell, receives a toy spider from Santa Claus at the 20th anniversary Christmas at Our House hosted by the 495th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion of the National Guard. In the background is Pvt. Kimber Clark as one of Santa’s elves.
Glacier’s McKell Bennett goes in for a layup while being defended by Lake City’s Sydeney Butler during Friday evening’s game at Flathead High School.
Glacier’s Connor Fuller makes a pass to a teammate after a wild scramble for a loose ball on the court during Friday evening’s nonconference game with Lake City at Flathead High School.
Dakota Johnson celebrates the successful launch of his ball from a robot catapult he built with teammate Chris Sheehan, right.
Columbia Falls Police Officer Todd Mertz helps fit a ski mask over Jayson Guring’s head at Target during the department’s annual Shop with a Cop Program on Thursday. Through donations taken over the course of the year, the police association was able to take five children shopping with a budget of $190 each.
John Vinion, a senior from Libby, left, gets a check on his make-up from fellow Libby senior Mike Wise before the start of round one of the pantomime competition on Friday at Glacier.
Dennis Dortch and Gina Kiehn, both of Kalispell, sweep the ice along the path they want the stone to follow.
Cheryl Trumble, left, arranges hay for the manger scene in Bethlehem Village at the Boys and Girls Club of Glacier Country family night Christmas party held Tuesday evening. Dawn Griffin, at right, team leader for Spirit Club that hosts a weekly program for the boys and girls, was invited to present the Bethlehem scene for the family gathering. Austin Blain, 7, looks on in the background.
Mark Radway of Whitefish, a program director and morning radio DJ at 103.1 The River, waves to passing cars from atop a lift at The Blue Cow building in Kalispell. Radway and several other radio DJs camped out Wednesday and Thursday at sites across the valley to raise donations for Toys for Tots.
Larry Wilson, Chairman/CEO of Alpha Broadcasting in his home office at his ranch in Ferndale on Friday.
Flathead County Animal Shelter Dog Manager Trista Sapp plays with Calamity Jane and Wilbur in the shelter’s back room that has been used for storage and occasionally for overflow kennels for small dogs. The room will be converted into an open housing space and observation/quarantine area for dogs.
From left, Jim Fitzgerald, John Gordon and Don Blasdel joke around about how many years they’ve been coming to Sykes’ while Curt Hagen takes a sip from his coffee Wednesday morning. “It’s going to be a good Christmas now that Sykes’ is opening up,” Fitzgerald said.
