Tuesday, January 31

Harkins lifts Glacier
Let it fly.
Hashley leads Glacier girls past Hellgate
MISSOULA - Cassidy Hashley scored 10 points and pulled down 18 rebounds as the Glacier Wolfpack downed host Missoula Hellgate 40-26 in a Western AA girls basketball game on Tuesday.
Wolf hunt closed in North Fork
A wolf hunting district covering the North Fork Flathead drainage has been closed by the state because the district’s wolf quota recently was reached.

Glacier vs. Missoula Hellgate
Glacier junior Kyle Griffith (left) pulls the ball down as Hellgate defenders Zach Peevey (34) and Lucas Wittkopp (center) react to a shot fake during the Wolfpack's home matchup against Missoula Hellgate Tuesday night.
Bryson Bane Tope
Bryson Bane Tope, son of Matt and Emily Tope of Whitefish, was born Sept. 30 at North Valley Hospital.

Jesus statue saved - for now
Group vows to file suit over permit renewal
Flathead National Forest Supervisor Chip Weber has approved a special use permit allowing a statue of Jesus to remain on federal land on Big Mountain, but the Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation intends to file a lawsuit challenging the Forest Service decision.
Daniel Patrick McGeary
Daniel Patrick McGeary, son of James and Keri McGeary of Columbia Falls, was born Sept. 30 at North Valley Hospital.
Payson C. Scribner
Payson C. Scribner, son of Patrick and Juliet Scribner of Columbia Falls, was born Sept. 29 at North Valley Hospital.
Addison Wilder Holloway
Addison Wilder Holloway, son of Matt and Corrie Holloway of Columbia Falls, was born Sept. 26 at North Valley Hospital.
Mylee Gene Sweeney
Mylee Gene Sweeney, daughter of Jake and Meghan Sweeney, was born Sept. 9 at North Valley Hospital.
Sean Wilberforce Mallery
Sean Wilberforce Mallery, son of Ridge and Hannah Mallery of Columbia Falls, was born Sept. 10 at North Valley Hospital.
'Best friends' have one of those (bad) days
The
Jaiden Jeremiah Ray Azure
Jaiden Jeremiah Ray Azure, son of Jayde Azure-Denny and Ashley Moore of Hungry Horse, was born Sept. 29 at North Valley Hospital.
Gloria Rose Austin, 83
Gloria Rose Austin, 83, passed away Jan. 30, 2012, at Whitefish Care and Rehabilitation Center in Whitefish.
Maya Allene Smith
Maya Allene Smith, daughter of Bert and Lisa Smith of Kalispell, was born Oct. 2 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.
Johnathan Sieler
Johnathan Sieler, son of Samuel and Angela Sieler of Kalispell, was born Sept. 30 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.
Valentina Beecroft
Valentina Beecroft, daughter of Macaulay Bee-croft and Victoria Mooney of Kalispell, was born Sept. 30 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.
Caleb McKoy
Caleb McKoy, son of Brian and Chelsea McKoy of Kalispell, was born Sept. 29 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.
Natalie Rivera
Natalie Rivera, daughter of Paul Rivera and Jessica Pullan of Lakeside, was born Sept. 29 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.
Shaw Strauss
Shaw Strauss, son of Richard and Tiffany Strauss of Kalispell, was born Sept. 28 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.
Nevaeh Coyle
Nevaeh Coyle, daughter of Ashlee Coyle of Hungry Horse, was born Sept. 27 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.
Sophie Quinn McAnally
Sophie Quinn McAnally, daughter of Timothy and Kendra McAnally of Bigfork, was born Sept. 21 at North Valley Hospital.
Matthew Michael Hauch
Matthew Michael Hauch, son of Uriah and Jennifer Hauch of Kalispell, was born Sept. 20 at North Valley Hospital.
Blaque Carlos Mejia
Blaque Carlos Mejia, son of Juan Mejia and Hannah Whited of Kalispell, was born Sept. 19 at North Valley Hospital.
Gabriel Arthur Davis
Gabriel Arthur Davis, son of Chevy and Tahnya Davis, was born Sept. 15 at North Valley Hospital.
Hayes Kenneth Dutter
Hayes Kenneth Dutter, son of Jacob Dutter and Shayley Rasmussen, was born Sept. 12 at North Valley Hospital.
Chloe Cohle DeFries
Chloe Cohle DeFries, daughter of Matthew and Angela DeFries of Somers, was born Sept. 12 at North Valley Hospital.
McKenna Joy Guinn
McKenna Joy Guinn, daughter of Heath and Heather Guinn of Columbia Falls, was born Sept. 14 at North Valley Hospital.
Evalyn Jean Olson
Evalyn Jean Olson, daughter of Michael and Elizabeth Olson, was born Sept. 18 at North Valley Hospital.
Bryan Joshua Marvin
Bryan Joshua Marvin, son of Josh Marvin and Melisa Territ of Kila, was born Sept. 17 at North Valley Hospital.
Brooks Andrew Timlick
Brooks Andrew Timlick, son of Ryan and Kristin Timlick of Columbia Falls, was born Sept. 8 at North Valley Hospital.
Bennett Anthony Miller
Bennett Anthony Miller, son of Luke and Keely Miller of Eureka, was born Sept. 11 at North Valley Hospital.
Riley Daniel Murphy
Riley Daniel Murphy, son of Zachary and Elizabeth Murphy of Whitefish, was born Sept. 12 at North Valley Hospital.
Damien Kieth Hancock
Damien Kieth Hancock, son of Donald Hancock and Corina Wickwire, was born Sept. 12 at North Valley Hospital.
Italia Joy Jarvis
Italia Joy Jarvis, daughter of Jonathan and Sara Jarvis of Kalispell, was born Sept. 9 at North Valley Hospital.

Revitalization plan
The city of Kalispell is putting together a revitalization plan for the rail corridor through town.

Core area revitalization plan
A railroad worker rides on a car running parallel to Center Street on Tuesday morning in Kalispell.
Monday, January 30
Daybook
Shirley Sue Brown Weed, 85
Shirley Sue Brown Weed passed away Dec. 28, 2011, in Florence, Ore.

Shawn D. Stevens, 18
Shawn D. Stevens, 18, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012, in Kalispell.

Hundreds turn out for world skijoring competition
About 73 teams turned out for the 2012 World Skijoring Championships in Whitefish over the weekend, with skier Cody Smith of Spokane and horseman Joe Scanlon of Helena winning the top prize in the Open Division.
Payments begin in state asbestos settlement
More than 200 people with asbestos disease have received their portion of a $43 million state settlement to compensate those sickened by asbestos exposure from the former W.R. Grace & Co. vermiculite mine at Libby.
Rehberg schedules Jesus statue hearing
The Big Mountain Jesus statue will be the focus of a congressional committee hearing scheduled on Friday by Montana Congressman Denny Rehberg.
Eagle Transit to expand city bus routes
Plans are in the works to expand the Kalispell city bus routes on the north and west ends of Kalispell and Evergreen.
Kalispell school buses now equipped with GPS tracking
With about 2,600 students in Kalispell Public Schools riding the bus each year, safety is a priority. That’s why the district updated its bus routing and management system to include GPS systems.
Lincoln County schools join GEAR UP program
Libby, Troy and Eureka schools plan to implement GEAR UP programs in their middle and high schools for the first time this year.
Man accused of punching woman
At about 5 a.m. Monday, Kalispell Police got a call from a woman in the Kalispell Regional Medical Center emergency room who said she had given a man a ride and that the man had punched her friend in the vehicle. The victim required medical treatment but did not want to pursue charges.

Len Eldon Patterson, 54
Len Eldon Patterson, 54, of Columbia Falls, passed away on Friday, Jan. 27, 2012, at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula, of complications following heart surgery.

Skijoring
Skier Cody Smith of Spokane and horseman Joe Scanlon of Helena won the top prize in the Open Division at the 2012 World Skijoring Championships in Whitefish over the weekend.
Senior meal numbers steady; delivery changes
The number of meals served to senior citizens daily by the Flathead County Agency on Aging hasn’t changed much in the last two decades, but the ways those meals are delivered has changed, the agency’s program manager says.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Donation
Executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flathead County Tim Sievers, right, accepts a donation check from Greg Eisinger at Eisinger Honda Monday morning. The Eisigner Automotive group donated $25,000 to the nonprofit program. "This is a game changing donation for our organization," Sievers said.

This Week in Pictures January 23-29
Oscars: SAG awards offer clues to Academy Awards
Sunday, January 29
Kids playing chicken were just getting their ball
Saturday afternoon a caller reported seeing three young kids playing chicken with cars on Fifth Avenue West to the

Preserving the Lower Valley
This stretch of the Flathead Rive is now part of a conservation easement set up by Jerry Brosten.
Kalispell, Evergreen working on sewage treatment agreement
Kalispell and the Evergreen Water and Sewer District are working out a new sewage treatment agreement, well before the existing one is set to expire in 2015.

Restorative justice program coordinator sees tangible results
‘Making a difference’
Diane Dwyer loves her job.
Drop in enrollment affects FVCC budget
College still has $580,000 surplus
Flathead Valley Community College trustees got a mix of good and bad news at their January meeting.

Cyril George Sladek, 96
Saturday, January 28

Glacier wrestling: One for the coach
For coach Armstrong.
Bravettes bounce back; edge Helena Capital
Flathead rebounded from a difficult loss on Friday to fifth-ranked Helena High by beating Helena Capital 53-52 on Saturday at FHS.
Braves split final mat duals of season
Flathead walked off the mats with a split in Western AA dual wrestling action on Saturday to close out the regular-season action at home.
Another Democrat files for HD 4 seat
Whitefish resident Ed Lieser has filed as a Democrat for House District 4, setting up at least a two-candidate primary race for the seat currently held by Republican Derek Skees.
Columbia Falls, Glacier repeat as speech champs

Snow Rangers: Elrod students get a workout on Big Mountain
The Flathead National Forest has launched its Junior Snow Ranger program for the winter, starting with Elrod Elementary Students from Kalispell who went on an educational venture at the Whitefish Mountain Resort Friday.

Local authors tap into the world of e-publishing
At the beginning of 2011, writer Kathy Dunnehoff had little social media savvy.

Books without borders: Flathead authors find success in e-publishing
Flathead authors Kathy Dunnehoff and Deborah Epperson had few expectations when they placed their books for sale on Amazon’s Kindle bookstore. Both had their hearts broken before when literary agents accepted their books but never secured publishing contracts.
Bengals stop Wolfpack in OT
The Glacier girls pushed No. 5 Helena High to the brink on Saturday, but couldn't hit their shots in overtime, losing at home 63-55.
Glacier, Flathead lose to Helena High, Helena Capital
HELENA - Helena High held Glacier scoreless in the third quarter en route to a 50-42 Western AA boys basketball victory Saturday afternoon.
Streit, Williams pace Glacier swim
HELENA - Swimmers from Flathead and Glacier wrapped up regular-season action Saturday at the Bohn-Moerer Invitational.
No thanks, Sen. Tester: We don't buy it
Montana’s letters and editorial pages have been flooded with praise for Sen. Jon Tester’s Forest Jobs and Recreation Act, or FJRA.
Forest jobs bill built on trust, strikes balance
Montana’s Forest Jobs and Recreation Act (FJRA) again came close to passage last month. The bill aimed at creating jobs and improving forest management enjoys strong support in Montana and has earned crucial support in the U.S. Senate.
Shouldn't president honor a subpoena?
Maybe rule of law means different things for different people
There has been considerable evidence in recent months that President Obama, like President Nixon before him, sees himself as above the law.

Glacier defeats Helena High wrestling
Glacier’s 130-pound wrestler Kaleb Mitchell (top) tries to pin Cooper Ryan during the Wolfpack’s victory over Helena High Saturday night at Glacier High School.

Cobblestone Moon a mix of old and new treasures
The riddle begins like this: What do you call a business that’s part yarn shop, part art gallery, part collectibles and antiques, part floral shop, part children’s clothing nook and part design emporium?

Neil Arthur Danford, 89
Neil Arthur Danford, 89, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012, at home.

Charles Dulane Fulton, 96
Charles Dulane Fulton died in his sleep Sunday, Jan.15, 2012, in Kalispell, two days short of his 97th birthday.
Friday, January 27
Loggers fall to Broncs, Wolfpack in wrestling duals
LIBBY - Libby's wrestling squad closed out regular-season dual action Friday facing two tough foes.

Wolfpack clips Capital for first time
"Are you ready to take over now?"
Fifth-ranked Bengals bounce Bravettes
The visiting No. 5-ranked Helena High girls scored early and often against Flathead on Friday night, running away with a Western AA win, 62-26.

Gary Alan Ormiston, 64
Daybook
Frederick O. King, 91
Frederick O. King, 91, a longtime Eureka resident, died Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012, at Health Center Northwest in Kalispell, from natural causes.
Glacier upends No. 4 Capital in Western AA boys basketball
HELENA - Glacier clamped down on a hot-shooting Helena Capital squad to claim a 55-44 Western AA boys basketball victory Friday night.

Glacier Girls Basketball
Glacier junior Nicole Heavirland (22) passes the ball during the first half of Glacier's home win over Helena Capital Friday night.

Kalispell Public Safety Building undergoing renovations
Kalispell's Public Safety Building is a little messy these days, with several hundred thousand dollars worth of renovation work under way to improve security and heating and cooling systems at the former City Hall on First Avenue East.
Lake County undersheriff resigns
Lake County Undersheriff Karey Reynolds, recently the focus of an investigation into an allegation of perjury, has announced his resignation.
Kalispell man rearrested three hours after release
A man released from the Flathead County Detention Center after his bond was eliminated made it less than three hours before being rearrested in connection to a four-person burglary Thursday afternoon in Kalispell.
Man pleads not guilty in shooting incident
A 65-year-old Kalispell man pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of criminal endangerment Thursday in Flathead District Court.

Evergreen student wins trip to Italy, Greece
Hannah Tullett has an opportunity most eighth-graders can only dream about: Winning a scholarship that will pay for an educational trip to Europe for 19 days this summer.

Eva Duff DeVall, 85
Eva Duff DeVall, 85, “went peacefully into the arms of her Savior” at her Whitefish home Jan. 25, 2012.

William Charles Ray 'Bill' DeVall, 92
Wrestling applicants: Beware ID theft
Kalispell wrestling applicants have more to worry about than not making the team after a woman reported the theft of a laptop and laptop bag to the Kalispell Police Department. Inside the bag were phone records, pay stubs and Kalispell wrestling applications, including personal information and birth certificates. The items were reported stolen from a restaurant on Hutton Ranch Road.

Snow Rangers
Elrod students snowshoe Friday morning at Big Mountain as part of the Junior Snow Ranger Forest Service program.

Elrod Snowshoeing
Kolton Nevins, 8, works to take of his snowshoes at Big Mountain Friday morning. Elrod students snowshoe Friday morning at Big Mountain as part of the Junior Snow Ranger Forest Service program.
KATS total 22 event winners at swim meet
The KATS had 22 swimmers win events at the Winter Drive and Dive Meet on Jan. 22 at The Summit.

Flathead Land Trust Conservation Easement
Jerry Brosten on his property on Friday morning, January 27, in the lower Flathead Valley.

Learning your iPad and Kindle Class
People working with their Kindle's on Wednesday, January 18, at the Learning your iPad and Kindle Class at the Whitefish Community Library.

Authors of the Flathead
Becky Palmquist gives constructive criticism during and open reading night on Thursday evening, January 26, at the Authors of the Flathead meeting at Flathead Valley Community College.

Kathy Dunnehoff
Author Kathy Dunnehoff teaches a screenwriting class at Flathead Valley Community College. She's among local writers who have good results from publishing their novels online.
Thursday, January 26

Bigfork trips Whitefish in basketball
BIGFORK - Trailing at one point by eight points, the No. 5 Bigfork boys came all the way back to eke out a win against visiting Whitefish on Thursday, 50-49.
Peck, Robertson pace Valkyries over Whitefish
BIGFORK - Taylor Peck scored 14 points and Tessa Robertson pulled down a game-high 15 rebounds as No. 5-ranked Bigfork rolled past Whitefish 44-24 in nonconference girls basketball play on Thursday.
Daybook
Lewis William Hills Jr., 84
Lewis William Hills Jr., 84, passed away Monday, Jan. 23, 2012, at the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls.
Judy Cooper, 69
Judy Cooper, 69, died peacefully Jan. 13, 2012, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Kalispell.

Center for Restorative Youth Justice
Diane Dwyer, victim impact program coordinator for the Center for Restorative Youth Justice, stands by a wall covered in art work from children she has worked with. The art was created as a reflection exercise where the child was given a "Victim Impact Statement" and told to create a collage based on the statement.

Public Safety
Jamee Cole, owner of Cole Acoustics, installs part of the grid for the suspended ceiling in a hallway of the Public Safety Building Thursday afternoon.

Public Safety Building
Douglas Smith, of Monster Electric, hooks up outlets in the new judges chambers Thursday afternoon at the Public Safety Building.

Bigfork defeats Whitefish boys basketball
Bigfork Vikings junior Chris Landon (14) celebrates at the end of Bigfork’s nonconference victory over Whitefish Thursday night at Bigfork High School.
Peck, Robertson pace Valkyries
BIGFORK - Taylor Peck scored 14 points and Tessa Robertson pulled down a game-high 15 rebounds as No. 5-ranked Bigfork rolled past Whitefish 44-24 in nonconference girls basketball play on Thursday.
Big Sky wrestlers edge Flathead in dual
MISSOULA - Missoula Big Sky had five pins to Flathead's three and both schools forfeited two weight classes as the Eagles emerged with a 45-36 AA dual wrestling victory over the Braves on Thursday evening.
Wolfpack wrestlers check in at No. 1 in AA poll
Glacier, thanks to winning the Class AA Duals on Saturday in Bozeman, has locked down the No. 1 spot in this week's AA Coaches wrestling poll.
Libby 6th, Polson 9th in Class A mat poll
Libby and Polson continue to represent Northwestern in the Class A Coaches Wrestling Poll released Thursday.
Fair horse racing future uncertain
It’s not yet known if horse racing will be a part of this year’s Northwest Montana Fair, according to Flathead County Fairgrounds Manager Mark Campbell.
Kalispell eyes tech levy for high schools
The Kalispell School Board is considering asking voters to approve a technology levy that would provide upgrades at both Flathead and Glacier high schools.
Boundaries adjusted for commission districts
The boundaries for the three county commissioner districts in Flathead County have been adjusted to accommodate population shifts reflected in the 2010 census.
One man pleads guilty in RV break-ins
One of three men arrested for breaking into Gardner’s RV & Trailer Center pleaded guilty Jan. 20 in Flathead District Court.
Keep Kidsports where it is
It's good to see there's interest from developers in finding creative ways to use a portion of school trust lands near the Kidsports complex as a way to ensure that the complex remains where it is.
West Valley superintendent takes new job
Todd Fiske will be leaving West Valley School after 12 years as superintendent.
Search for dogs turns up car
The Flathead County Sheriff’s Office received a report from a person whose search for his friends’ dogs turned up more than just the canines. The person located the two dogs while driving over the bridge by Willow Glen and Conrad drives in Kalispell. One dog got in the car, but the other ran down by the river. When he followed it, he found an abandoned car over the bank, almost in the river. Information on the car and its owner were passed on to the Montana Highway Patrol.

Business Profile: Cobblestone Moon
An eclectic collection of art items and collectables on display at Cobblestone Moon on Thursday afternoon, January 26, in Kalispell.

Cobblestone Moon
Cobblestone Moon owners Tammy Thompson, left, and Penelope Bennett opened their business in Kalispell last August, offering a variety of artwork, collectibles and yarn. They will hold an open house from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7, at the store.

Ice fishing at Peterson Lake
Smith Valley fifth-grader Camicia Douglas, right, shows off a fish she caught at Peterson Lake near Bigfork Thursday morning. In the background is fellow fifth-grader Kalea Quinby. The students were part of a group of about 55 fourth- and fifth-graders from Smith Valley participating in the Hooked on Fishing program put on by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.
Wednesday, January 25
Man jailed after child wanders off
A 21-year-old Kalispell man is in jail after a 2-year-old boy under his care was found sitting in the middle of the road Tuesday afternoon.
Will Obama's State of the Union speech signal any real improvements for the country?
Local real estate market still troubled
The Flathead real estate market may have its worst days behind it going into 2012, according to Kalispell appraiser Jim Kelley.
Kalispell closer to extending TIF
Kalispell’s plan to extend the West Side Tax Increment Finance District continues to take shape, with the Kalispell City Council holding a first vote Monday to add three projects to the West Side Urban Renewal Plan.
Middle school students cited, suspended over Jell-O shots incident
Five students were recently suspended and charged with being minors in possession of alcohol for allegedly drinking Jell-O shots at Kalispell Middle School, according to a letter sent to parents by school officials on Wednesday.
Or is it state of the disunion?
President Barack Obama did as expected in his State of the Union address — effectively and optimistically praising the country’s strengths — but there was an underlying theme in his speech that also exhibited an unyielding faith in government spending that is in stark contrast with his Republican opposition.
Flathead economy beginning to improve
The economic picture of the Flathead Valley still isn’t the rosiest, but it’s better than a year ago.

Speech and debate: Columbia Falls goes for seven straight
With six consecutive state championship titles under its belt, the Columbia Falls High School speech and debate team is in the hunt for a seventh state win going into the Class A state competition Friday and Saturday at Polson High School.
Former Bigfork resident picked to sculpt Goldwater statue for national display
A former Bigfork resident living in Sonoita, Ariz. will sculpt a statue of Barry M. Goldwater for display in National Statuary Hall, part of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
Foursome arrested for attempted burglary
Four people are in custody after an attempted burglary Monday afternoon at a home on Haywire Gulch in Kalispell.

Floyd Harvey Kile, 83
Floyd Harvey Kile passed on Jan. 23, 2012, of natural causes, at his home in Columbia Falls, where he resided with his constant and faithful companion, Freckles.

This Week in Pictures January 16-22

Glacier debate prep
Ashlee Buller, Levi Proctor, Decon Zander, Andy Walling and Jaclyn Rensel, clockwise from bottom, listen to suggestions from Josh Munroe during practice for partner debates Tuesday afternoon at Glacier High School while practicing for the state speech and debate tournament.

FHS Speech and Debate
Jeremy Zug, right, presents a case to fellow team members while practicing for the state speech and debate tournament Friday afternoon at Flathead High School.
Tuesday, January 24
Allegiant adds direct flights to California
Allegiant announced Tuesday it will offer nonstop jet service between Kalispell and the San Francisco Bay Area two days a week starting April 27.

Bigfork girls defeat Mission
Valkyrie center Tessa Robertson (right) looks to pass the ball while being guarded by Twyla Hogge Tuesday night during the Valkyries' victory over Mission at Bigfork High School.
Judge dismisses hashish-oil case
A Flathead District Court judge has ruled that Tyler and Matthew Shepard were protected by law in attempting to make THC-infused oil from the marijuana they each legally obtained as medical marijuana cardholders.
Glacier Institute offers winter birding course
Glacier Institute offers a wildlife course, “Winter Birds of Prey,” on Saturday.

Winter visitor
An influx of snowy owls has been documented in the Polson area recently, but this photo shows that the rare species is visiting the north end of Flathead Lake as well. Photographer Richard Cordell took this picture of an owl on a farm off of Farm Road in the Lower Valley. Cordell said it is one of several owls in the vicinity. Flathead Audubon Society is taking a free birding trip around the Lower Valley Saturday to search for snowy owls, raptors, wintering waterfowl and other winter birds. To participate, meet at 8 a.m. at the Park ‘n’ Ride at the intersection of U.S. 93 and Montana 82 near Somers. Bring binoculars or a scope.

Woman, 85, fends off moose attack on husband
Injured man once managed ski resort in Whitefish

Moose attack: 97 pounds, armed with a shovel
George Murphy, sitting with his wife Dorothea Taylor at Providence Alaska Medical Center on Sunday, talks about how his wife saved his life after he was attacked by a moose.
FarmHands map update under way
A sixth edition of the FarmHands map is being compiled.
Deputies asked to rule on 'warning shot'
An upset Bigfork man contacted the

Gary Dale Kropp, 73
City to vote on ending transportation impact fees
The end may prove nigh for Kalispell’s 2-year-old transportation impact fees.

Columbia Falls goes for seven straight
Columbia Falls sophomores Mary Gross, left, and Allison Foust prepare Tuesday afternoon at the high school for the Class A speech and debate competition in Polson. The state tourney starts Friday.

Maryetta Beebe, 63
Maryetta Beebe, 63, of Kalispell, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012, surrounded by family and loved ones, at her son’s home in Littlerock, Calif.

Robert Lee 'Bob' Lindborg, 85
Robert Lee “Bob” Lindborg, 85, died Friday, Jan. 20, 2012, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Kalispell, with his wife and son by his side.

Anna 'Annie' Bishop Landis Foltz, 96

Allegiant adds Oakland
Cindi Martin, airport director at Glacier International talks with the crowd following the announcment at Allegiant will add nonstop flights to Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday morning, January 24.

Hawk Eyes
A young gray hawk keeps close watch on a field alongside Rose Crossing on Tuesdaya afternoon north of Kalispell.
Monday, January 23
Daybook

Robbie 'Rob' Dwight Foster, 55
Triplett wins EPB average in Butte
Matt Triplett of Columbia Falls left the Butte Civic Center Saturday evening as the average winner in the Elite Professional Bullriding Finals.
Leir, Francis ranked No. 1 in all-class wrestling poll
Kyle Leir of Libby and Larry Francis of Flathead are both ranked first at their respective weight classes in the All-Class High School Wrestling Poll released Monday by the Great Falls law firm of Hoyt and Blewett PLLC.

Finishing the Roof
John Schmeusser, owner of Big Sky Concrete Works Inc., and his crew pour the last of the concrete for the Surgical Services addition to the Kalispell Regional Medical Center on Monday morning in Kalispell.
Kalispell welcomes phased-in pollution standards
Federal approval of Montana’s plan to phase in strict new water pollution standards is welcome news for the city of Kalispell, and likely other municipalities that said they would not be able to meet the standards without spending large amounts of money.
Laundry theft leads to arrest
The Flathead County Sheriff’s Office got a report Sunday from a woman who said a man had stolen her clothes at a laundry on Montana 35 near Kalispell, and that when her husband confronted the man, he tried to attack him. The man was later arrested on a warrant.
Kalispell students score well on college readiness exams
Flathead and Glacier high school ACT and SAT scores show students are college-ready, but school administrators would like to see more students taking the tests.

Children celebrate Chinese New Year at local art studio
Students at StillRiver Art Studio got a jump on the Chinese New Year celebration by performing a traditional dragon dance Saturday at the Kalispell studio where they’ve spent time making all kinds of dragon artwork.

Woman reflects on 104 years of memories
On Jan. 2, Irene Daley celebrated her 104th birthday with guests and family at a party at Buffalo Hill Terrace.

Bryce Arle Johnson, 74
Bryce Arle Johnson “went to be with his Lord and Savior” on Jan. 21, 2012.

Irene Daley
Irene Daley, pictured here in her apartment at Buffalo Hill Terrace, celebrated her 104th birthday Jan. 2. She attributes her longevity in part to avoiding medication, except for what her physician prescribes, and the "good plain food" she has eaten all her life.

Chinese New Year
Sunday, January 22
Not so leisurely drive leaves mailboxes damaged
A "bunch of mailboxes" on Leisure Drive, possibly as many as 18 according to one caller, were damaged late Saturday night when a vehicle slid out of control on the ice and hit the boxes.
Deadline extended for Kidsports land proposals
State officials are giving developers another 60 to 90 days to submit concepts for "Victory Commons," a collaborative initiative meant to help Kidsports, Kalispell's most heavily used sports facility, be able to afford to stay where it is.

Monday Profile
After 14 years in Nashville, singer-songwriter Kristi Neumann has returned home to Montana.

Singer returns to Montana roots
Kristi Neumann used to dream of playing sold-out clubs in major cities.
Shelter ends pet euthanasia service
Flathead City-County Board of Health voted Thursday to eliminate pet euthanasia from services offered to the public for a fee.

Bratsburg Support Group

Local fighters rock the house at Kalispell Kombat
The fans at Majestic Valley Arena certainly got their money's worth at the Kalispell Kombat mixed martial arts fight on Saturday night.

Bravettes clip Wildkats
Do you want to win this game or not?
Defense does it for Columbia Falls
Luke Kazlauskas picked the perfect moment to prove Cary Finberg's point.
Glacier AA Duals mat champs
BOZEMAN - Glacier made a strong bid for being the best AA wrestling squad in Montana on Saturday at the Class AA Duals.
Four Eureka wrestlers win Ted Kato titles
THOMPSON FALLS - St. Ignatius/Charlo edged Eureka to claim the team title at the Ted Kato Invitational wrestling tournament on Saturday.
Saturday, January 21
Vasquez, Olson guide Whitefish past Polson, 61-46
WHITEFISH - Gage Vasquez turned in a double-double with 10 rebounds and 13 points and Cooper Olson tossed in a team-best 16 points as Whitefish beat Polson 61-46 in Northwestern A boys basketball action on Saturday.

Fight Force Kalispell Kombat
Jeremy Sanderson, top, of Deer Lodge, fights with Joel Ballard of Kalispell on Saturday night at the Fight Force Kalispell Kombat at Majestic Valley Arena. Ballard won the bout in 1:07 of the second round with a submission due to strikes.

Flathead vs. Columbia Falls
Flathead senior Tess Brenneman (14) brings the ball up the court during Saturday’s nonconference basketball game against Columbia Falls at Flathead High School.

Trailhead Supply expands to retail store
For Andy Breland, life’s always been more about saddlebags than moneybags.
County attorney's office space to be remodeled
Another remodeling project is about to get under way on the Flathead County Courthouse campus.

Ella P. Engel, 89
Man struck by egg on wheels
The
New life for the TIF district
New life may have been found in the nick of time for Kalispell’s embattled West Side Tax Increment Finance District.
Mail vote planned for special districts
Vote-by-mail elections are planned in May for two special districts and 17 fire districts in Flathead County.
Glacier's Streit wins 50 freestyle at Missoula Invitational swim
MISSOULA - Logan Streit of Glacier took first place in the 50 freestyle (23.50) and second in the 100 freestyle (51.61) to lead Kalispell swimmers at the Missoula Invitational on Saturday.
Help to give the veterans memorial in Depot Park a 'voice'
Imagine, if you will, walking by Depot Park as the lights come on in the evening and suddenly the haunting and beautiful strains of the bugle call “Taps” begins to play. When the lights go out in the morning, the bugle call “To the Colors” will begin playing.
Occupy Polson gets a counter-offer
"Occupy Polson” Organizers Ian Laimbeer, Megan Pope, Peregrine Frissell, Riley Kenney and Riley Lemm spent some of their high school holiday break to demonstrate peacefully on the Lake County courthouse lawn. They courteously answered questions and handed out their manifesto pleading against cuts to the federal student loan program.

Spouses' dementia unites those in unofficial support group
Laughter and conversation mix with the smells of freshly cooked breakfast as sunshine pours through the windows of the dining room of the Bratsberg Dementia Unit at Immanuel Lutheran Home in Kalispell.
'Natural-born' mess may soon be cleared up
“So far as the author knows, no fully satisfactory definition of the term ‘natural-born citizen’ has yet been given by the Supreme Court.”

Flathead Pro-Life Annual Rally and March for Life
Mary Van Derveer and others make the trek north along Highway 93 to the intersection of 93 and Highway 2 on Saturday afternoon in Kalispell as part of the Flathead Pro-Life Annual Rally and March for Life. The group carried signs along with 207 balloons representing the number of abortions in Kalispell for the year 2010. Today is National Sanctity of Human Life Day. The date was designated in 1984 by President Ronald Reagan. Today is the 39th anniversary of the Roe vs. Wade decision.
Big fight card for Kalispell Kombat
Kalispell's Zach Dickson will be headlining a mixed martial arts bout, Kalispell Kombat, tonight at the Majestic Valley Arena.
Flathead storms past Polson
Flathead used a big second quarter to take charge en route to a 71-48 nonconference boys basketball victory Friday night over Polson at Flathead High School.
Friday, January 20

Wolfpack nips Bulldogs
The Glacier boys leaned on their big guy to carry them to a 66-64 win against a hot-shooting Whitefish club on Friday night at Glacier High School.
Polson wrestlers dominate Frenchtown
POLSON - It's been a good couple of days for the Polson Pirate wrestling team.

Glacier defeats Whitefish boys basketball
Glacier’s Logan Iverson (24) drives past Whitefish’s Jace Kalbfleisch (32) during Friday night’s nonconference battle at Glacier High School.
Kalispell man pleads guilty to felony charge
The second of two Kalispell men involved in an Oct. 3, 2011, high-speed chase pleaded guilty to two charges Thursday in Flathead District Court.
Pair jailed in possible car crimes
Two 20-year-old Kalispell men have been arrested after allegedly entering or attempting to enter roughly 45 vehicles in Evergreen.
Treacherous roads cause 17 crashes
Slippery, snowy roads led to quite a bit of work for local emergency responders and law enforcement agencies Friday. Due largely to recent weather conditions, responders were called to 17 accidents in Kalispell and Columbia Falls between 6:30 a.m. and 1:38 p.m.

Charles 'Chuck' James Archer Jr., 77
Daybook
Saturday

After the Storm
Works department vehicles clear a snow berm on First Avenue East on Friday morning in downtown Kalispell.

Winter storm boosts resorts
Pedestrians make their way across Main Street in downtown Kalispell Friday morning.
Thursday, January 19
Bigfork nets two close victories over Eureka
EUREKA - Bigfork used a big second quarter to gain a 12-point edge en route to a 58-46 District 7B boys basketball victory over Eureka on Thursday.

MatCats nip Greenchain
COLUMBIA FALLS - The Columbia Falls MatCats made all the right moves at all the right times on Thursday night as they defeated the visiting Libby Greenchain 33-30 in a Northwestern A wrestling matchup.
Polson grapplers defeat Braves
Polson coach Bob Owen said Thursday night's nonconference wrestling dual could have gone either way.
Symphony hires manager for patron services
Maggie Doherty has been hired as patron services manager at Glacier Symphony and Chorale.
Public comment sought on updated county growth policy
A public hearing on the draft of the updated Flathead County growth policy has been scheduled for Feb. 15 before the county Planning Board.

Columbia Falls Libby dual
Libby’s Kyle Leir (left) sticks an arm out to break his fall while being taken down by Columbia Falls senior Kohl Thompson during their 145-pound match Thursday night at Columbia Falls.
Dog survives fall into icy Swan River
The

Ronald E. LaMott, 69
Ronald E. LaMott, 69, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012, at the Whitefish Care and Rehabilitation Center in Whitefish.

Kalispell attorney takes oath as federal judge

New stamp pays tribute to Glacier Park
An avid stamp collector with an interest in First-Day-of-Issue opportunities, Jesse Malone was among a couple dozen people who turned out for a dedication ceremony for Glacier National Park’s commemorative stamp Thursday in Kalispell.
Obama and Keystone Kops?
It is astounding that President Obama cavalierly rejected a permit for the Keystone XL Pipeline when his administration continuously tosses out bold rhetoric about the necessity of creating jobs and economic recovery.

Trailhead Supply
Andy Breland and his daughter Sydney started Trailhead Supply as an online store but recently opened a retail store in Kalispell at 860 N. Meridian Rd.

Glacier National Park stamp
A visitor at the Glacier National Park Stamp First-Day-Of-Issue ceremony walks past an enlargement of the new international rate stamp Thursday afternoon in Kalispell. The stamp features a photograph of Logan Pass by National Geographic photographer Michael Melford and is part of the U.S. Postal Service’s Scenic American Landscapes series.

Somers Snow
Dave Allen looks down Somers Road after digging out his mailbox on Thursday morning in Somers. Allen said he had to wrap a bungee cord around the mailbox to protect it from damage as the snow plows clear the road.
Wednesday, January 18
Accountant reviews books for fire district
As a precautionary measure, Flathead County officials had a financial review conducted of the Olney Fire District’s financial records after all the members of that board resigned last August.
Sophia Sundae Dawn Bock
Sophia Sundae Dawn Bock, daughter of Autumn Bock of Kalispell, was born Sept. 18 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.
State lease rates need realism
The state appears to be in quite a fix regarding recent litigation aimed at raising lease rates on “school trust” cabin sites.
Vote ahead on Kalispell impact fees
Following a work session on Tuesday, the Kalispell City Council is expected to vote on what it wants to do with the city’s two-year-old transportation impact fees at its next regular meeting on Monday, Jan. 23.
Reported drug stash was really a cache
The

Sidewalk snow
Penelope Bennett, co-owner of Cobblestone Moon, clears the sidewalk in front of the store on Wednesday morning in Kalispell. Snow in Kalispell didn’t quite add up to levels predicted earlier this week by weather forecasters, although areas farther south had from 6 to 10 inches of snowfall.
Eureka girl suffers injuries during home invasion
A Eureka girl was hospitalized following a burglary at her home Monday afternoon, according to a press release from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.
Dozens apply for city manager job
Kalispell has received at least 44 applications for its open city manager position and will now start narrowing down the field of candidates to call for an interview.
Oliver Grayson Maclachlan, newborn
“Heaven’s gain was our loss when our angel was called by our Lord.”

Edward J. Johnson, 85

Talent show
Bethany Chestnut breathes a sigh of relief after singing “Temporary Home” by Carrie Underwood.

KMS Talent Show

Students show off their talents
While Annemarie Jones, left, practices her dance routine in the hallway, Bethany Chestnut, center, helps tie the shoe of Jayde Nail before the Kalispell Middle School talent show on Tuesday night.

Alzheimer's Support Group
From left, Marjorie and Wes Tuma, Pete and Donna Larson, and Ed and J. P. Krona eat lunch at the Immanuel Lutheran Home Wednesday afternoon. Jan., 11, 2012 in Kalispell, Mont.

Mike Powers

Tony Veseth

Devon York

Peace of Mind
When you select us, you get more than just a policy . . . you get a partner.

Cole Bryant Sandefer , 17 months
Cole Bryant Sandefer passed away Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012, at the family home in Stevensville, Md. His parents, Jesse and Alayna (Lanie) Sandefer formerly of Columbia Falls, and brothers, Chase Schulte and Cody Sandefer, were by his side.

Gubernatorial Candidate Hill Announces Sonju As Running Mate
Jon Sonju speaks to the crowd gathered at the Sassafras Ballroom on Wednesday morning after being introduced as the running mate for Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Hill.

Hill picks Sonju as running mate
Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Hill and his running mate Jon Sonju talk with Larry Viano of Kalispell on Wednesday morning at the Sassafras Ballroom in Kalispell.
Tuesday, January 17
Wolfpack sweeps Loggers
Libby - The Glacier boys came back from an early game lull to take control of their game at Libby on Tuesday, winning 49-36. The Wolfpack took command in the second quarter behind strong outings from backcourt mates Evan Epperly and Kyle Griffith.
Aubrey Friend
Aubrey Friend, daughter of Rusty Friend and Kaitlin Church of Columbia Falls, was born Sept. 26 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.
Kenzie Tennant
Kenzie Tennant, daughter of John and Jenae Tennant of Kalispell, was born Sept. 24 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.
Rilynn Gabbert
Rilynn Gabbert, daughter of Chance Gabbert and Hanna Johnson of Kalispell, was born Sept. 30 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.
Gracie Jones
Gracie Jones, daughter of Ryan and Jaime Jones of Kalispell, was born Sept. 29 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.
Cadence Egbert
Cadence Egbert, daughter of Cameron and Brook Egbert of Kalispell, was born Sept. 26 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.
Harper Lilly Dauenhauer
Harper Lilly Dauenhauer, daughter of Joseph Dauenhauer and Chelsea Faber of Kalispell, was born Sept. 23 at North Valley Hospital.
Emily Marie Ann Dull
Emily Marie Ann Dull, daughter of Kathrine Scott of Columbia Falls and the late Shad Dull, was born Sept. 10 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.
Elias Case
Elias Case, son of Troy Case and Sarah Light of Whitefish, was born Sept. 21 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.
Abigail Lily-Ann Barkley
Abigail Lily-Ann Barkley, daughter of Alicia Birky of Kalispell, was born Sept. 20 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.
Payton Carter
Payton Carter, daughter of Jake Carter and Brittany Kiser of Columbia Falls, was born Sept. 25 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.
Ayden Stephens
Joseph Nathan O'Canna
Joseph Nathan O’Canna, son of Joe O’Canna and Carina Weiss of Kalispell, was born Sept. 17.
Christian Franklin
Christian Franklin, son of Aaron Franklin and Melissa Birky of Whitefish, was born Sept. 21 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.
Ava-Marie Dalimata
Ava-Marie Dalimata, daughter of Heather Conklin of Kalispell, was born Sept. 22 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.
Logjam remains a problem on river
A logjam created by last spring’s high runoff continues to pose problems on the Stillwater River in Evergreen.
Riley Hodge
Riley Hodge, son of Dan and Michelle Hodge of Kalispell, was born Sept. 21 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.
Joseph Clifton Jr.
Joseph Clifton Jr., son of Joseph Clifton and Adelle Houle of Kalispell, was born Sept. 21 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.
Glacier second, Flathead fourth in Bozeman speech
Glacier High School finished second and Flathead High School fourth at the Bozeman Hawker Invitational Speech and Debate Tournament over the weekend.
Michael Cobler
Michael Cobler, son of George Cobler and Kimberley Brown of Kalispell, was born Sept. 19 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.
Reward offered in Whitefish shooting
Someone who’s outraged over the recent shootings of two deer in the central Whitefish area has offered up a $500 reward in the case and is asking others to chip in additional reward money.
Matthew Csongedi
Matthew Csongedi, son of Kathy Quinters of Kalispell, was born Sept. 18 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.
Cadence West Hunnicutt
Cadence West Hunnicutt, daughter of Brad and Sara Hunnicutt of Kalispell, was born Sept. 18 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Family needs housing after fire
The Jan. 11 fire that destroyed the Coram home of Joshua Armstrong and Stephanie Johnson has left the family in dire need of housing.

Fire in Coram

Donald Floyd Baker, 79

Valicity Faith with Snow White
Valicity Faith is pictured in 2009 with Snow White at Disney World.

Frances Webster, 91

Gertrude 'Gertie' Heloise Weaver, 84

F. Don Hughes, 84

Hannah Tullett Profile
Hannah Tullett is the winner of the People to People Ambasador program for the state of Montana. Tullett will be traveling to Eruope this summer.
Brody Hamland
Brody Hamland, son of Troy and Savannah Hamland of Kalispell, was born Sept. 19 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.
April Abernathy
April Abernathy, daughter of Tyrel and Tamara Abernathy of Kalispell, was born Sept. 15 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Carly Raeann Dickey, 2 months
Carly Raeann Dickey, 2 months, was born in the evening of Nov. 4, 2011. She came into this world as a little bundle of love with a tenacious spirit. She had her own personality from day one. She had her own way of getting tangled up in your heart strings the moment you saw her.

Wings still helps woman beat the odds
Wendy Maechtle has fought off cancer for 30 years with a determined spirit and help from Wings, her local guardian angel.
To purchase Snowy Owl photos, click here...
http://tinyurl.com/76gqmcb

Books without borders
From left, e-book marketing expert Roxanne McHenry and local authors Kathy Dunnehoff and Deborah Epperson gather for banana nut bread and tea at Dunnehoff’s home in Kalispell Jan. 13. McHenry has helped Dunnehoff and Epperson market their books for devices such as the Amazon Kindle.

eBook Publishing
From left, Deborah Epperson, Roxanne McHenry, and Kathy Dunnehoff at Dunnehoff's home in Kalispell on Friday, January 13, in Kalispell.
Monday, January 16
Bigfork's Morley named Montana Runner of the Year
CHICAGO - In its 27th year of honoring the nation's best high school athletes, The Gatorade Company, in collaboration with ESPN HS, has announced Makena Morley of Bigfork High School as its 2011-12 Gatorade Montana Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year.
Whitefish carnival ranked one of top 10 in world
The Whitefish Winter Carnival has been named one of the top 10 winter carnivals in the world by National Geographic Traveler magazine.
Addison Kraft
Addison Kraft, daughter of Kirk and Brandy Kraft of Libby, was born Sept. 20 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.
Ave Isabella Brown
Ave Isabella Brown, daughter of Clayton and Sarah Brown of Trego, was born Sept. 18 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.
Layla Redd
Layla Redd, daughter of Mack Redd and Amanda Pace of Kalispell, was born Sept. 17 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.
Austin Hemmelman
Austin Hemmelman, son of Scott and Shawna Hemmelman of Kalispell, was born Sept. 16 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.
Jenavieve Lee Degele
Jenavieve Lee Degele, daughter of Josh and Mandy Degele of Kalispell, was born Sept. 16 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.
Teya Worth
Teya Worth, daughter of Sara Worth of Whitefish, was born Sept. 11 at North Valley Hospital.
Snow may pile up this week
It might be time to dust off those little-used snow shovels, with a winter storm watch for the Flathead and Mission valleys in effect through Thursday morning.
Hilda McGaugh, 84
Hilda McGaugh, 84, passed away suddenly, at home, on Jan. 11, 2012.
Landowners help search for teacher's body
WILLISTON, N.D. - Authorities renewed calls Monday for landowners near the North Dakota-Montana border to look for signs of a missing Montana teacher's buried body, while documents revealed one of the two Colorado suspects in her disappearance has spent time in prison.

Lucile Langdoc Bucek, 94
Lucile Langdoc Bucek passed away on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012, in Kalispell.

Doris Coates Forkin, 89
Doris Coates Forkin, 89, of Columbia Falls, passed away Thursday, Jan. 12, 2012, at North Valley Hospital in Whitefish.
Man says he's being falsely accused of murder
A man on Cedar Drive called the
Year-end report confirms house-building doldrums
Kalispell's building economy remained down last year, according to the 2011 Construction, Subdivision and Annexation Report released by the Kalispell Planning Department.

Lucile Langdoc Bucek

Doris Coates Forkin

This Week in Pictures December 9-15
Sunday, January 15
Bartender says he did not expose himself, as alleged
A man who was kicked out of a bar early Sunday morning told the

'A Senseless Death'
Jay and Roxanne Wadman hold a photo of their daughter, Alicia "Lisa" Sherman, at their home in Lakeside. Sherman was taken off life support on Dec. 19 in Salt Lake City, Utah, following a savage beating. Sherman's boyfriend of eight years, Dan Folsom, has been charged with her murder.

Lakeside mother speaks out about daughter's fatal beating
‘A senseless death’
The last time Roxanne Wadman of Lakeside spoke to her daughter Alicia "Lisa" Sherman was during a phone call on Dec. 15.

Monday Profile
Margie Fiedler poses with a coyote pelt last week. In 1976, Fiedler was hit in the head by a frozen coyote during a University of South Dakota - South Dakota State University basketball game.

Frozen coyote incident follows woman for 36 years
For Margie Fiedler, working at Lutheran camps has been a lifelong calling.
Whitefish looks at critical areas law changes
The Whitefish City Council will consider various changes to the critical areas ordinance during a public hearing tonight.
Skiers stranded overnight in Glacier National Park
A Kalispell couple was forced to spend Saturday night in the North Fork area of Glacier National Park after they got lost during a Saturday cross-country skiing venture celebrating the 39th birthday of Signe Brust.
Fundraising dynamos crowned
Whitefish philanthropists Richard and Carol Atkinson, who have worked on numerous fundraising projects in the resort town, will reign this year as King Ullr LIII and Queen of the Snows for the Whitefish Winter Carnival.
Saturday, January 14

Whitefish High School
Principal Dave Carlson flips on the lights in a classroom at Whitefish High School Thursday evening. Many of the classroom's lights are controlled only by a circuit breaker.
Flathead's Francis breaks through with Beck title
MISSOULA - The Flathead Braves have a Jug Beck Rocky Mountain Classic champion.

Rustlers ambush Bravettes
C.M. Russell outscored Flathead 15-9 in the fourth quarter to pull away for a 52-40 Class AA nonconference girls basketball victory Saturday afternoon at Flathead High School.

Earl Peter Leighty, 89

Cathleen J. Manning, 70

Cathleen Manning
Cathleen Manning

Earl Leighty

Robert Owens
The hole in the 'doughnut'
We have two words for the city of Whitefish and its overreaching quest for control of the two-mile “doughnut”: Back off.
New Whitefish H.S. is needed
On behalf of the Whitefish School District, I offer my deepest gratitude for our City Council’s decision on Monday, Jan. 2. During that meeting, our council agreed to unanimously support a Resolution of Intention to fund our high school redevelopment project in the amount of a $2.5 million contribution from Tax Increment Finance funds.
Republican/Tea Party 'trickle-down' theory doesn't work
Anyone out there remember Tiananmen Square, Kent State? Our nation was horrified to watch the “evil” communist nation killing young people for protesting their repressionist government. In China no one was allowed to express beliefs counter to the government policies. We didn’t hold our nation to the same standards of freedom that we did China when we were killing young protesters at Kent State.
Penetrating the illusion of tolerance and diversity
Cue the theme music.

Bravettes Basketball
Flathead's Ashlee O'Dell (left) shoots over a C. M. Russell defender during the Bravettes loss to the Lady Rustlers Saturday at Flathead High School.

Jack Gladstone: From warrior to troubadour
Singer’s path led from gridiron glory to cultural discovery
Jack Gladstone’s path to becoming “Montana’s Blackfeet Troubadour” has been a winding one.

Glacier sweeps Columbia Falls
Glacier withstood a furious second-half rally by Columbia Falls to post a 60-46 nonconference boys basketball victory on Friday at Glacier High School.
Friday, January 13
Wolfpack grapplers 2nd at Jug Beck
MISSOULA - Second overall, six in the semifinals and 13 still alive in the Jug Beck Rocky Mountain Classic. Friday was a pretty good day for the Glacier Wolfpack wrestlers.

Glacier versus Columbia Falls basketball
Glacier senior Sean Peters eyes the hoop as he drives to the basket for a layup during Glacier's home game against Columbia Falls Friday night.
Ticket sales closed for Tebow show in Kalispell
Those who haven’t yet bought tickets to see Tim Tebow speak in Kalispell may have missed their chance.
Man pleads not guilty to seven charges
A 21-year-old Columbia Falls man charged in three cases pleaded not guilty to a bevy of charges Thursday in Flathead District Court.
FVCC fires up ceramics offerings
Flathead Valley Community College features an expanded selection of ceramics classes for the spring classes beginning Jan. 17.

Timothy Patrick O'Flaherty Fraleigh, 50
Whitefish man gets probation for assaulting federal worker
A 27-year-old Whitefish resident was sentenced to three years of probation during U.S. District Court hearings in Missoula on Jan. 6 after pleading guilty to assaulting a federal employee.
Pair of pit bulls chase woman
The

Student achieves exam perfection
Whitefish High School senior Molly Schmidt expected a high ACT score.
EPA: Low asbestos in wood chips from Libby

June McCarthy Cosner, 91
June McCarthy Cosner passed away on Jan. 11, 2012, at the Immanuel Lutheran Home in Kalispell. She was 91 years old.

Entrepreneurs of the Year: Kalispell Kreamery
From left Marilyn Hedstrom, Marian Tuck, Jared Tuck, Mary Tuck, Emily Tuck and Bill Hedstrom at Kalispell Kreamery on Tuesday, January 10, north of Kalispell.

Entrepreneurs of the Year: Don K Chevrolet in Whitefish
Don Kaltschmidt at Don K Chevrolet in Whitefish.

A Senseless Death
Jay and Roxanne Wadman of Lakeside hold a photo of their daughter, Alicia "Lisa" Sherman, on Wednesday, January 11, at their home in Lakeside. Sherman was taken off life support on December 19 in Salt Lake City, Utah, following a savage beating. Sherman's boyfriend of eight years, Dan Folsom, has been charged with her murder.

Molly Schmidt

Mike Powers
Career Agent

Tony Veseth
Career Agent

Devon York
Licensed Office Manager

Surgical Services update
Crane operator Fred Winston looks out over Kalispell on Thursday afternoon as he works on the surgical services tower. Winston has been with Swank Enterprises for 12 years.

Kalispell Regional Medical Center: Surgical Services Update
A member of the Swank Construction crew gives an idea of the human scale of the Surgical Services construction project as he positions packets of isulation raised to the roof using the tower crane on Thursday afternoon, January 12, at the Kalispell Regional Medical Center. The crane is balanced with five 12,000 pound weights giving it a total lifting capacity of 22,000 pounds.

The view from up high
The Swank Enterprises tower crane lowers insulation Thursday afternoon for the surgical services addition to Kalispell Regional Medical Center. Project supervisor Jeff Halsey said that, weather permitting, crews will have a roof on the building and most of the framing done by mid-February. Halsey said the mild winter has made for excellent conditions for construction so far.

Sherry Arnold
Sherry Arnold

Home Owners

Missing Sidney teacher dead; Man in custody
Authorities said Friday that two men in the Dakotas are being questioned in connection with the death of a Montana math teacher who vanished last weekend when she left her house for a run.
Glacier wallops Hellgate
MISSOULA - The Wolfpack wrestlers defeated host Missoula Hellgate 79-0 on Thursday in a warmup dual for today's Rocky Mountain Classic.
Thursday, January 12
Plains pulls away from Whitefish in the 2nd half
WHITEFISH - Plains used a big second half to pull away from Whitefish for a 45-25 nonconference girls basketball victory on Thursday.
Man pleads innocent to escape charges
A 23-year-old Missoula man was arraigned Thursday on charges stemming from his attempt to escape from custody during a Dec. 22 hearing in Flathead District Court.
Man pleads innocent to cruelty, drug charges
A 22-year-old Columbia Falls man pleaded not guilty to animal cruelty and drug possession charges Thursday in Flathead District Court.
Montana hunters are class act
Whenever Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks holds its biennial regional hearing on hunting regulations for the next two years, some interesting things stand out: Hunters who show up care deeply about hunting and wildlife, and they defy the hunter stereotype of wanting to kill anything that moves.
Election filing begins
Gary Krueger announced Thursday that he is running for Flathead County commissioner.
Man warns of Canadians' 'evil plans'
The
Fund gives $250,000 to Glacier
The Glacier National Park Fund has announced 14 new grants for projects and programs in the park for 2012.
Island owner sentenced for assault on flight

Suzanne Coletta (Gusky) Metzger, 80
Susan Metzger, 80, “departed the Bigfork area bound for her heavenly home” Jan. 11, 2012, after a valiant battle with cancer.

Flathead County Courthouse Rededication
A large crowd was on hand for the tour of the newly renovated Flathead County Courthouse on Thursday afternoon in Kalipsell.

Coyote Cheerleader
Patrick Cote In 1976 Margie Fiedler was hit in the head with a frozen coyote during a University of South Dakota versus South Dakota State University basketball game.

Jack Gladstone: Native Anthropology
David Griffith and Jack Gladstone rehearsing at Snoring Hound Studios south of Kalispell on Dec. 15. The pair have often played together over the years.

Phyllis Ekblad Portrait
Phyllis Ekblad in her home on Wednesday, January 11, in Kalispell.

Phyllis Ekblad
Phyllis Ekblad, pictured Wednesday in her Kalispell home, wrote a check for $10,000 with her husband, Robert, for the Hot Springs Medical Clinic project.

Nomad Technologies
Owners of Nomad Global Communications Solutions Inc., from left, Shane Ackerly, Will Schmautz and Seth Schmautz stand in front of a mobile command center that will be used by the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

Cafe Max
The Thai Chicken soup at Cafe Max Soup Co. includes rice and is topped with cilantro.

Soup's on
Steve Murray, owner of Cafe Max Soup Co., scoops out a bowl of Thai chicken soup at the new restaurant in Whitefish on Wednesday evening.

County courthouse tours, open house set for today
People who followed the nine-month renovation process at the Flathead County Courthouse have a chance to see the results at an open house today - Thursday, Jan. 12.
County to seek federal grant to remove Red Bridge
Flathead County will apply for about $280,000 in grant money from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to pay the bulk of the costs to remove the Red Bridge over the Flathead River near Columbia Falls.
Wednesday, January 11
School deluged with calls about Tebow appearance
Phones are ringing off the hook at Stillwater Christian School.
Whitefish School Board OKs $14 million bond request
The Whitefish School Board on Tuesday approved a $14 million bond request for a proposed $19 million high school reconstruction and renovation project.

Structure Fire in Evergreen
Leonard Johnson, left, speaks with firefighters as they arrive at the scene of structure fire on Wednesday afternoon, January 11, on Forest Drive in Evergreen. Johnson called in the fire when he looked out his window and saw smoke billowing.
Park visitor count drops 15 percent
Glacier National Park finished 2011 with a 15.7 percent decline in visitation, a trend that can partly be attributed to weather and the record visitor count from the previous year.
Teen back in class after collapse at school
"Miraculous" is how Columbia Falls High School nurse Cathy Dragonfly described the first breath taken by 16-year-old Cole Brown after he collapsed during P.E. class from cardiac arrest.
Got your license plate number, litterbug!
The
Deadline is Sunday for Kalispell Airport comments
People have until Sunday, Jan. 15. to submit public comments on a draft master plan update for Kalispell City Airport prepared by Stelling Engineers Inc.

Robert M. Lange, 56
Robert M. Lange, 56, passed away Sunday, Jan. 8, 2012, as a result of a bus accident near Missoula.

Ivamay Polish DiGiovanni, 101
Ivamay Polish DiGiovanni, 101 years old, passed away Sunday, Jan. 8, 2012, at Greenwood Village.

Ivamay Polish DiGiovanni

Robert M. Lange

Dusting of Snow
A light dusting of snow glistens of a tree farm at the base of the Swan Mountains near Echo Lake on Wednesday morning, January 11.
Tuesday, January 10

Fast start carries Stillwater girls
Morgan Paolini had 16 points, five rebounds and three steals as the Stillwater Christian Cougars downed visiting Eureka 48-34 on Tuesday night.

Cougars outlast Lions
Josh Bray turned in a monster night with 27 points, nine rebounds, four assists and four steals as the Stillwater Christian Cougars avenged an earlier loss to the Eureka Lions with a 61-55 victory on Tuesday night.
Council asked to end transportation impact fees
At the request of new council member Phil Guiffrida III, the Kalispell City Council will hold a work session to discuss whether the city's transportation impact fees should be eliminated.
Old accusations surface in city manager debate
City Attorney Charles Harball took over as Kalispell's acting city manager Monday, volunteering to fill in after the departure of Jane Howington and after David Nielsen declined to take the job.

Tebow to visit Kalispell in March
Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow is coming to Kalispell.

Stillwater Christian versus Eureka Basketball
Stillwater Christian's Josh Bray (12) throws down a dunk during the second quarter of the Cougars' home game against Eureka Tuesday night.

Marlene Kay Bunyak Doyle, 60
Marlene Kay Bunyak Doyle, 60, died at her home in Great Falls Jan. 4, 2012.

Marlene Kay Bunyak Doyle

K.C. Wray Hutchin

James Underwood

K.C. Wray Hutchin, 34
K.C. Wray Hutchin of Kalispell, formerly of Polson, went to the "Happy Hunting Grounds" New Year's Day 2012.

James Arnold Jim Underwood, 77
James Arnold "Jim" Underwood, 77, passed away Friday, Jan. 6, 2012, at his residence in Bigfork.

Dustin Weber-Pourroy

Dustin D.J. Weber-Pourroy, 23
Dustin D.J. Weber-Pourroy, 23, passed away peacefully Jan. 4, 2012, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.
Is Mitt Romney now the inevitable nominee of the GOP?

Meredith Mott, 81
Meredith Mott, 81, passed away Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, in Kalispell. She died peacefully, surrounded by her family.

Agnes 'Aggie' Patricia Long Rupert, 59

Meredith Mott
Weather change brings the usual traffic woes
Law enforcement agencies throughout the Flathead Valley were kept busy during the afternoon as a snow squall conditions led to many accidents, from basic fender benders to vehicles unable to make it up hills.

Tim Tebow
Quarterback Tim Tebow, shown here celebrating after his overtime touchdown pass beat the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, will be in Kalispell on March 7 for a Stillwater Christian School banquet.

Slick Roads Create Hazardous Driving Conditions
Traffic was temporarily reduced to one lane on W. Reserve Drive in Kalispell on account of a non-injury accident on Tuesday afternoon, January 10.

This Week in Pictures January 2-8

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Kalispell Regional Medical Center Construction
Dan Holguin, a framer with RDJ Brothers Inc., of Bigfork, working in the early morning at the Kalispell Regional Medical Center on Tuesday morning, January 10. Jeff Halsey, supervisor of the Surgical Services addition said that weather permitting they will have a roof on the building and have most of the framing done by mid-February. Halsey said the mild winter has made for excellent conditions for construction so far. If things continue as they have the main structure and concrete will be finished in two weeks.

Daddy's little helper
Neil Molter watches as his 3-year-old daughter CeCe helps him make measurements for new ballet studio barres at Noble Dance Jan. 9 in Kalispell.

Mollie P. Hulit Boisen, 87

Richard Burt Nadeau, 57

Kathy C. Jacobs, 57
Kathy C. Jacobs, 57, passed away at home on Dec. 20, 2011, in Bigfork.
Police seek info on Whitefish shooting spree
Whitefish Police Chief Bill Dial says the person who went on a shooting spree Saturday morning, killing two deer and hitting a pet store in the central part of town, was so negligent that it’s fortunate someone was not hurt.

Group effort graces Glacier Park passes
Who says art can’t be done by committee?

2012 Glacier National Park pass
The 2012 Glacier Park annual pass features artwork from a mural.
State tries to revoke Blue Moon license
The Montana Department of Revenue is seeking to revoke the liquor license of a popular Columbia Falls-area bar where a man drank heavily before causing a crash that killed a 19-year-old woman.
Citizens group wants greenbelt zone overturned
A complaint was filed Friday in District Court attempting to revert action taken in recent months by the Flathead County commissioners to create a new zone classification.
Monday, January 9
FHS names Fusaro head softball coach
For Ashley Fusaro, it's back to where it all started.
Vandals attack mailboxes near Kalispell
The Flathead County Sheriff’s Office got a report Sunday regarding mailboxes being vandalized up and down Forest Hill Road in the Kalispell area.

Woman honored for elderly housing management
Deborah Frey, 64, loves her job managing elderly housing too much to even consider retirement.

Deborah Frey award
Deborah Frey, center, holds the plaque she was awarded by Deborah Chorlton, left, Montana Housing Programs director, and Carol Lechner, multifamily housing specialist for Kalispell.

Soccer Practice Outside
Lauren Waldenberg, front, followed by Anna Deleray, and other members of the U18 Flathead Force work on fitness and aerobic exercises at the practice field at Glacier High School on Monday afternoon January 9, in Kalispell. Temperatures in the high 30's and low 40's made the unusual outdoor practice possible. The team got help with their drills from Steve Paulson. "Have a little bit of fun and try to keep in mind this isn't intended to be torture," said Paulson. The Flathead Force have their first game on January 27th.
Sunday, January 8
Doughnut zoning may have Thursday hearing
As Flathead County commissioners continue to assume control of zoning issues in the two-mile area surrounding Whitefish, a public hearing on interim zone classifications has been scheduled for Thursday, unless a judge intervenes.
Commissioners turn cold shoulder to Mac request
Flathead County commissioners were not receptive to a request that the county's information technology department begin supporting Apple products that the Flathead City-County Health Department would like to purchase.
Whitefish police investigating Saturday morning shootings
Police are investigating semi-automatic gunfire reported early Saturday morning in Whitefish, believed to be responsible for two dead deer that were found and a shot-up pet store on Third Street.

Monday Profile
Randy Luken, right, jokes around with Erik Greene at Whitefish Mountain Resort Wednesday afternoon. As a DREAM Adaptive volunteer, Luken not only teaches regular classes but also helps people like Greene who are at the mountain on vacation.
Vandals spray painted church van on Liberty Street
Sunday afternoon, a caller on Liberty Street told the

David Aaron Gordon, 68
Saturday, January 7
Western Montana Duals Wrestling Results
Saturday At Ronan

Turnovers sink Glacier girls
Glacier outrebounded Missoula Sentinel (47-24) and shot extremely well at the charity stripe (13-of-15), but that wasn't quite enough as turnovers led to a 50-38 Western AA girls basketball setback at Glacier High School on Saturday.
Wolfpack grapplers win Pacific Northwest Classic
SPOKANE, Wash. - Glacier left the mats at University High School with three individual champs, three runners-up and the team title at the Pacific Northwest Classic on Saturday.
Glacier, Flathead swimmers back to work
MISSOULA - Glacier had three individual winners and Flathead one on Saturday as the high school swim season resumed after the holiday break.
Willow Glen trail backers make final payment
The remaining balance associated with development of part of the Willow Glen trail recently was paid to Flathead County.

Tien's Place a community hub in Columbia Falls
Chamber honors owner’s contributions
Not a day goes by that Tien Windauer isn’t thankful for winding up in Columbia Falls.

Elsie Stanley Ivers Cooper, 88
Elsie Stanley Ivers Cooper was born on Sept. 14, 1923, in Nampa, Idaho, to John William Stanley and Winnifred Edith Tauge Stanley.

Harold Big Beaver Francis Reed Sr., 66
Traps near home result in trauma for pets, family
During the mild weather before Thanksgiving I took my grandchildren for a walk on the trail behind my house, looking at big rocks, watching the larch needles rain down, listening to the grouse thumping and checking out the trees.
Our county, our courthouse
Flathead County residents should be proud of their 1903 Courthouse that’s open once again after a major renovation project.

Alicia 'Lisa' Anne Sherman, 46
Alicia “Lisa” Anne Sherman passed away Dec. 19, 2011, due to domestic violence.
William 'Dick' Eugene Frey, 62
William “Dick” Eugene Frey, 62, passed away on Monday, Jan. 2, 2012, at home in Kalispell.

Reimer brothers all attain Eagle Scout rank
Four brothers. Four Eagle Scouts. One extraordinary accomplishment.
Coffee kiosk will help free clinic
Shepherd’s Hand Blend served at Pin and Brew
The Pin and Brew, a coffee kiosk in front of the Pin and Cue in Whitefish, now is donating 100 percent of its profit to Shepherd’s Hand Clinic.
One hundred years of solicitude: From Teddy to Barack
In the past year, I have sought answers to the question of American decline — how exactly did we come to the point of audacious despair that led us to jettison our cherished traditions and values and embrace mediocrity as the new excellence.

Glacier vs. Missoula Sentinel
Glacier senior guard Amy Lybeck (23) eyes the basket while Missoula Sentinel senior

Flathead Sled Dog Days 2012
Ozzy a 13-week-old Malamute gazes intentently as the dog team next to them gears up for the race on Saturday morning at the Flathead Sled Dog Days in Olney. Ozzy, part of a litter of 9 called the Hard Rock Litter, belongs to Twila Baker of Garrison, Mont. When he reaches 5 months he'll begin training for a spot on the Quinault Team but he won't race with heavy loads until he is at least 18 months. Baker said this type of racing is what these dogs will be doing so she brings the pups out to socialize them with people and other dogs.

Tien's Place
Tien Pham Windauer cooks up a dish of Kung pao chicken on Tuesday at Tien's Place Oriental Dining in Columbia Falls.

Alicia Sherman

Harold Reed
Western Montana Wrestling Duals
Friday's Results
Braves, Wolfpack start strong at Pacific Northwest Classic wrestling
SPOKANE, Wash. - Flathead opened the Pacific Northwest Classic wrestling tournament on Friday at University High School by advancing eight of its nine entrants to the second round.
Friday, January 6

Bigfork sweeps Troy cagers
BIGFORK - Bigfork jumped on Troy earlier, leading 15-4 after eight minutes of play and rolled from there to a 51-19 District 7B girls basketball victory Friday night.

Elsie Stanley Ivers Cooper, 88
Man pleads innocent to sex assault charges
A 31-year-old transient man from Kalispell pleaded not guilty to three felony charges of sexual assault Thursday in Flathead District Court.

Bigfork vs. Troy Basketball
Bigfork senior Ian Lorang drives by Troy senior guard Creede Garcia (1) during Friday’s District 7B game in Bigfork.
Attempted robbery charges may be dropped against C.F. man
By JESSE DAVISThe Daily Inter Lake
Woman chased as she's leaving work
First round of carnival royalty heralded
The Whitefish Winter Carnival named its first round of royalty for this year during the Merry Maker Friday night, selecting Paul Johannsen as Prime Minister, Dana Scranton as Herald the Hark and Vicki L. Hill as Duchess of Lark.
Woman guilty of tax fraud
A 58-year-old Columbia Falls woman pleaded guilty Wednesday to two counts of attempting to evade or defeat taxes.

Like magic, Harry Potter's owl spotted across U.S.
Famous for its role as Harry Potter’s companion in the books and movies, a species of majestic, mostly white owls is being sighted in abundant numbers this winter far from both Hogwarts and its native Arctic habitat.
Snowpack at 69 percent of average
Mountain snowpack in the Flathead River Basin is 69 percent of average, according to Jan. 1 figures from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Sentence suspended for man's fourth conviction
A 41-year-old Kalispell man was given a three-year suspended sentence for his fourth conviction of partner or family member assault.

Alicia 'Lisa' Anne Sherman, 46

Snowy owl on barn roof
A snowy owl perches on top of a barn roof near Mission View Drive at the south edge of Polson.

Snowy owl
A snowy owl perches on top of a barn roof near Mission View Drive at the south edge of Polson.

Snowy Owls
A snowy owl perches on top of a water tower near Mission View Drive in Polson Friday afternoon.

Hedwig sighting
A snowy owl perches on top of a water tower near Mission View Drive at the south edge of Polson Friday afternoon.

Busiest It's Been In Years
Nic Kardelis of Pro Clean Carwash sprays off a vehicle entering the carwash on Friday afternoon in Kalispell. According to manager Wayne Morgan business is the best it's been in at least the last two years. He attributes this to the weather. "Well last year it started snowing in October and didn't stop until July," said Morgan. "For us it's all about the weather, no snow and dry roads."

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On the job
Kristin and Kori hard at work on a Girls Candoit job. The saying goes: When you want a job done right you've got to do it yourself . . . but when Girls Candoit is on the job, we'll get it done right the first time because WE CAN DO IT!
Thursday, January 5

Flathead knocks off Sentinel in boys Western AA basketball
Flathead kicked off Western AA boys basketball play Thursday night with an impressive 49-45 home victory over Missoula Sentinel.
Glacier girls top Big Sky in AA basketball
MISSOULA - Glacier opened Western AA girls basketball play on Thursday by whipping Missoula Big Sky 66-49.
Libby downs Polson in dual
POLSON - Five pins and three wins by forfeit added up to a 51-33 dual meet victory for the Libby Greenchain over host Polson on Thursday.

Flathead versus Missoula Sentinel Basketball
Flathead’s Austin Jones (33) reaches in on Missoula Sentinel’s Nathan Jewett (25).

Forum tackles cyberbullying
Community discusses online safety issues
With 800 million Facebook users worldwide, safety — particularly cyberbullying — is a huge concern and was the focus of a community forum Thursday at Flathead High School.

NIELSON
Firefighters make gains on 2 fires on Blackfeet Reservation
Daughter is suspected pill thief
Man pleads innocent to two charges
A 23-year-old Missoula man pleaded not guilty to felony charges Thursday in Flathead District Court.
Margaret Ellman, 87
Margaret Ellman, 87, “came to the end of her journey here on earth,” Jan. 1, 2012, at North Valley Hospital.

Following in a Family Tradition - Becoming and Eagle Scout
Julie Reimer displays her Eagle Scout Mom pin, given to her by her son Michael during the Eagle Scout ceremony on Friday, December 30, in Whitefish. Julie has four such ribbons and pins, one for each of her four sons.

Becoming an Eagle Scout
Michael Reimer is greeted by friends and family following his Eagle Scout ceremony.

Following in a family tradition
Michael Reimer and his mother Julie sit surrounded by Jonathan, left, David, Daniel and Kurt in their Whitefish home.

Following in a family tradition: Becoming an Eagle Scout
Michael Reimer sings along with the National Anthem at the start of his Eagle Scout ceremony Dec. 30 at the Whitefish Church of the Nazarene. Michael is the youngest of four brothers, all of whom have attained the rank of Eagle Scout.
Ava Ruth Walters, 64
Ava Ruth Walters passed away in her home Dec. 28, 2011.

Kalispell Grand Hotel celebrates 100 years
The lights of the Kalispell Grand Hotel glow brightly against the night sky on Wednesday in downtown Kalispell.

Tien's Place Oriental Dining
Tien Pham Windauer adds the final touches to a plate of Kung pao chicken on Tuesday, January 3, at Tien's Place Oriental Dining in Columbia Falls.

Facebook Safety Forum
Lt. Gov. John Bohlinger and Sen. Jon Tester share a laugh before the start of the Facebook Safety Forum Thursday in Kalispell.

The Day After a Record Breaking High
Clouds roll back into the Flathead Valley on Thursday morning as seen from Four Mile Drive near the Kidsports complex. Wednesday's high temperature of 50 degrees set a new weather record.
Crews gain ground on Browning fires
BROWNING - A pair of rare winter wildfires fueled by 60 mph gusts burned buildings and forced hundreds from their homes overnight on Montana's Blackfeet Indian Reservation, but better weather conditions on Thursday helped firefighters get a handle on the blazes.
Wednesday, January 4
Francis, Leir ranked No. 1
The organizers of the 4th Annual Tournament of Champions from the personal injury law firm of Hoyt and Blewett PLLC in Great Falls have released an All-Class High School Wrestling Poll.
Whitefish backs $2.5 million for school plan
The Whitefish City Council on Tuesday unanimously agreed to move forward with a proposal to give $2.5 million in tax increment revenue to the Whitefish High school reconstruction project.
Two different views on the Corrupt Practices Act ruling
Man and van wind up at wrong home
The
School pair revive fallen student
School staffers revived a Columbia Falls High School student who had collapsed during gym class Wednesday morning.

Dedman appointed as Kalispell fire chief
Dave Dedman, the Kalispell Fire Department’s operations chief and interim fire chief for the last seven months, will be appointed fire chief, departing City Manager Jane Howington said on Wednesday.
New tower proposed at St. Mary in Glacier Park
Glacier National Park is seeking public comment on a proposal from CenturyLink to install a new telecommunications tower in the St. Mary administrative area inside the park’s boundaries.

City manager leaves Kalispell job
Kalispell City Manager Jane Howington spent her last day on the job Wednesday, handing the reins over to David Nielsen, who will serve as interim city manager.

Jane Howington
Jane Howington's last day as Kalispell City Manager will be Saturday.

William 'Bill' Clayton Haverkorn, 69
William “Bill” Clayton Haverkorn, 69, passed away peacefully at home with his beloved wife, sons and daughter by his side, on Dec. 24, 2011, following a long, courageous battle with COPD.
John Maurer, 75
John Maurer passed away on Dec. 30, 2011 after a lingering illness, at Holy Family Hospital in Spokane.

Robert Glen Henderson, 45

Balmy day sets record high
Rich Johnson of Eureka, front, plays Frisbee golf with his son Tim Johnson of Kalispell and Vitaliy Gerasimov of Eureka on Wednesday afternoon at Lawrence Park. Wednesday’s high temperature of 50 degrees set a new weather record; the previous record high for Jan. 4 was 47 degrees in 1902.

Randy Luken helps with DREAM
Randy Luken, right, jokes around with Erik Greene at Whitefish Mountain Resort Wednesday afternoon. As a DREAM Adaptive volunteer, Luken not only teaches regular classes but also helps people like Greene who are at the mountain on vacation.

Crosstown Wrestling
Glacier's Christian Knopp (right) gets a reversal on Flathead's Tyler Davis during Tuesday night's Crosstown wrestling dual at Flathead High School.
Who do you hope will win the New Hampshire primary?

Tyson James Nimmick, 30
Tyson James Nimmick, 30, of Great Falls, died Saturday, Dec. 31, at his parents' home.
Romney, Santorum lock horns in Iowa; Bachmann steps aside
Tuesday, January 3

Glacier starts fast, pins FHS in crosstown mat dual
The score was lopsided in the Wolfpack's favor, but Tuesday's Flathead-Glacier crosstown dual was a hard-fought affair.
Bigfork boys 3-0 in 7B basketball play
BIGFORK - Balanced scoring carried Bigfork to a 58-50 District 7B boys basketball victory over a scrappy St. Ignatius squad on Tuesday.
Couple dead in apparent murder-suicide
LIBBY - A man and his wife are dead following an apparent murder-suicide that resulted in an eight-hour standoff on south Main Street in Libby.

Glacier gets postage stamp
Last year there was a coin for Glacier National Park; this year there's a stamp.

Glacier Park stamp
This new international-rate postage stamp features an image of Glacier Park's Logan Pass. The photo was taken by National Geographic photographer Michael Melford.

Alice Jane Bongiani, 87
Alice Jane Bongiani, 87, passed away Monday, Jan. 2, 2012, at Lake View Care Center in Bigfork.
Ramona Darlene Daley, 68
Ramona Darlene Daley, 68, passed away Friday, Dec. 30, 2011, at her home.
Theodore O. Schilman, 74
Theodore O. Schilman, 74, passed away Dec. 18, 2011, in Kalispell.
Wesley Richard Johnson, 63
Wesley Richard Johnson, 63, of Ronan, passed away unexpectedly Dec. 31, 2011, at Community Medical Center in Missoula, surrounded by his family.
Mae Thompson, 93
Mae Thompson, 93, died Saturday, Dec. 24, 2011, at her home from natural causes.

Elizabeth Margaret "Liz" Davis, 95
Elizabeth Margaret "Liz" Davis, 95, "went to be with her Lord and Savior and join her loved ones in heaven" Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011, at the Whitefish Care and Rehabilitation Center in Whitefish. She died of natural causes while being surrounded by her loving family!

Alice Jane Bongiani

Elizabeth Davis
Storage lenders got more than they bargained for?
The

Horse-drawn carriage at Wendy's
Trinity Williams reaches from horse-drawn carriage for a bag of food at the Wendy's drive through in Evergreen Monday evening. Sunny, the four-year-old Clydesdale, pulled the family from their house off of Helena Flats.

2012 First Baby
Austin Miller hands his hours old daughter, Raylee Miller, to mother Karli Aurich on Tuesday afternoon at Kalispell Regional Medical Center. Raylee is the first baby born in Kalispell this year. She was born at 9:34 Tuesday morning.

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Monday, January 2
Daybook

Jeanne Blend, 88

James E. Waggener, 63

Lorin D. 'Dennis' Barnes, 67
Crosstown wrestling: Glacier vs. Flathead
WHEN: Tonight
Tax-increment money: How was it spent?
Time is running out for Kalispell’s West Side Tax Increment Finance District.
Kalispell council faces decision on West Side TIF
At a special meeting on Wednesday, it’s do-or-die time for the Kalispell City Council to move forward with a project if it wants to extend the life of the West Side Tax Increment Finance District.

Whitefish soldier and his family rebuilding lives after fire
Nearly two months after a fire destroyed their Whitefish area home, Ryan and Crystal Pengelly are slowly getting their lives back on track.
Courthouse open house set for Jan. 12
An open house to showcase the renovated Flathead County Courthouse is scheduled from 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 12, at the courthouse in Kalispell.

Disabled veteran's family needs help to finish home
For Somers resident Kevin White and his family, life changed on April 12, 2007, when his convoy was ambushed in Iraq.
Girl injured in dog attack at Creston
A vicious dog attack reported near Riverside Road in Creston on Saturday left a 7-year-old girl with extensive injuries.
Guest left without paying for porn
Monday morning, a man on Two Mile Drive told the Kalispell Police Department that a 31-year-old man he let stay at his house took advantage of his television by buying pornography and leaving without paying for it.

Couple enjoys role as hosts at senior center
Jean Penne, 77, and her husband Russ, 79, form a dynamic duo serving the Kalispell Senior Center.

Jean and Russ Penne
Jean and Russ Penne prepare lunch at the Kalispell Senior Center Friday afternoon.

This Week in Pictures December 26-January 1
Sunday, January 1
Group backs bond issue for school
Members of Whitefish Community Partners, a politically diverse group of Whitefish leaders, say they'll support a bond issue for the Whitefish High School reconstruction project regardless of the City Council's decision on the use of city tax-increment revenue for the project.
Disorderly man taken to motel after complaint
A man who refused to leave a woman's house on 12th Avenue West was taken to a motel early Sunday morning, after the woman told the
New Whitefish council has busy first meeting
Snow beacons, money for high school on agenda
The Whitefish City Council starts the new year with a new slate of council members and a new mayor.

Monday Profile
David Nielsen

New manager found through attorney connection
Interim leader ready to start work next week
David Nielsen's first shot at retirement proved short-lived: about one week long.

Wayne Mosbarger
Wayne Mosbarger frames one of his paintings at the Smoke Haus Emporium in Evergreen Wednesday morning.

Homeless artist scrapes by in hard times
All Wayne Mosbarger really wanted for Christmas was a job.

Lee Richard Curtis

Lee Richard Curtis, 82
Lee Richard Curtis, 82, passed away Dec. 30, 2011, at his home in Columbia Falls.