Ellington

Sapa-Johnsrud: Lakers top Twins

WHITEFISH— The Kalispell Lakers AA pulled away late, scoring runs in each of the last four innings to beat the Glacier Twins 9-7 on Saturday night at the Sapa-Johnsrud Memorial Tournament.

For One Another Family Camp

For One Another Family Camp focuses on families affected by a cancer diagnosis. The camp was held at Flathead Lutheran Camp in Kalispell, Montana.

Local runners win Whitefish Lake 5k, 10k titles

WHITEFISH — The top runners from across the Flathead Valley snapped up the open titles in the 5k and 10k races on Saturday at the 35th annual Whitefish Lake Run.

Lakers vs. Twins

Kalispell Lakers outfielder Cody Dopps makes a sliding catch to end the bottom of the fourth inning against the Glacier Twins Saturday evening during Sapa-Johnsrud Tournament play at Memorial Park. 

Leading the Way

Josh Buell from St. Maries, Id. leads the pro class one race of the MRP Endurocross at the Flathead County Fairgrounds in Kalispell on Saturday, June 30.

Enduro-racing

Trace Hanson from St. Maries, Id. races his way to first place in the kids division, 12 and under, in the MRP Endurocross Saturday, June 30, at the Flathead County Fairgrounds.

Ronald G. Quaife, 80

Ronald G. Quaife, 80, of Goodyear, Ariz., passed away on June 23, 2012.

High summer in Glacier

Almost two miles up the Swiftcurrent Trail in Many Glacier, Swiftcurrent Creek cascades down aptly named Redrock Falls on the east side of Glacier National Park.

Airport decision revisited

Kalispell City Council members on Monday face a second showdown in as many months over charting a course of action for the city’s 83-year-old general aviation airport.

Liberals, conservatives and the Great Divide

When I first contemplated writing this column, I thought it would be interesting to show how moving from the East Coast to Montana and then living here for nearly 30 years had changed me from a big-city liberal to a small-town conservative.

Huffing incidents lead to arrests

Officers with the

William Barry Moore, 71

William Barry Moore passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of May 5, 2012, at Ponderosa Pines Healthcare in Billings. Barry, as he was known by all, had resided at The Ponderosa for the past two years, suffering from COPD and diabetes.

Daybook

Russell John Knapp, 73

Russell John Knapp, 73, passed away March 29, 2012, in Chesapeake, Va., at his home.

Kermit Sigward Kvigne, 87

Kermit Sigward Kvigne, 87, passed away on June 27, 2012, at the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls.

Harry 'Mike' Clifford Keith, 80

Harry “Mike” Clifford Keith “passed on to peace with his Lord” in his wife Jeanne’s arms, on April 3, 2012, after several years of illness.

Margaret A. Davies, 86

Ivan Andrew Windsheimer, 91

Ivan Andrew Windsheimer was born Dec. 1, 1920, in Gurley, Neb., and passed away on March 11, 2012, in Kalispell.

Honey bees caused horse death

A horse stung to death two weeks ago most likely was stung by feral honey bees and, like a small percentage of people, was hypersensitive to their venom, Montana’s state entomologist and apiarist said.

Medicaid a big unanswered question for local hospitals

Local hospital officials say the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision Thursday upholding most of President Barack Obama’s health reform legislation has little impact since both Flathead Valley hospitals began planning for implementation when the law passed.

Science students to test the waters

Seventh-graders will test the waters this fall as part of Kalispell Middle School’s life science curriculum.

All four lanes are now open on West Idaho Street

Most of West Idaho Street now is open for traffic in Kalispell.

Runaway van smashes through garage

Thursday morning started out like any other morning for Joyce Ortega of Kalispell.

Lost Praire Skydiving

Lost Prairie skydiver Lanny Deist, 59, is one of three skydivers to land at the Midway Swap Meet and Farmers Market in Columbia Falls Friday evening, June 29. Deist says he has been jumping for about 40 years, and he has had a lot tighter spots to land in than here at the swap meet and farmers market.

Rock the Swap

Humanlab and their tambourine player, Miriam Folk from Whitefish, get ready close out the first annual Rock the Swap on Friday, June 29. Oshinn, Fresh Off the Vine, and God Fearing Women played earlier on Friday.

Sunflowers

Tally Palmer, nine-years-old, from Columbia Falls looks waits for her mom to take a picture at the Midway Swap Meet and Farmers Market on Friday evening, June 29.

Bulls-eye

Ted Petersen from Whitefish throws a leather handle mountain man knife at the Midway Swap Meet and Farmers Market in Columbia Falls on Friday evening, June 29. Lessons for tomahawk knife throwing can be purchased for $5.

Jumping for Joy

Fifteen-year-old Morgan Payne from Kalispell flips upside down as she jumps on a trampoline provided by the Zone Family Fun Center. The swap meet and farmers market offers a bounce house, pony rides, face painting and more for the kids.

Fun for All

General admission for the Midway Swap Meet and Farmers Market is $1 and kids 6 and under are free. The swap meet and farmers market will be open every Friday and 5 to 10 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. all summer long.

BBQ

Barron Gray from Columbia Falls, right, barbeques some chicken while his friend Nathan Dozier helps serve customers at Barron’s Free Barbeque. In addition to food, the Midway Swap Meet and Farmers Market offers everything from crafts to car parts.

Indian Tacos

Montana Fry Bread from Whitefish offers special recipe Indian tacos for a second year at the Midway Swap Meet and Farmers Market. For more information on Montana Fry Bread you can find them on Facebook.

Folk Music

Oshinn from Kalispell plays at the Midway Swap Meet and Farmers Market on Friday afternoon, June 29. Oshinn learned to play the guitar last October after her band broke up.

Summer Fun

Four-year-old Ryla Collier from Kalispell takes a break from the bouncer and enjoys a hotdog and some music at the Midway Swap Meet and Farmers Market on Friday, June 29.

Fast lane suits Corprons

When you mention the Corpron name to sports fans in the Flathead Valley, auto racing, track championships and Hall of Fame membership are three things that immediately come to mind.

Rough tourney day for Lakers, Twins

WHITEFISH — The Kalispell Lakers AA held tough in their second game of the day at the Sapa-Johnsrud Memorial Tournament on Friday, playing neck and neck with the Club Spokane Dodgers before falling apart late in a 12-4 loss.

Kermit Sigward Kvigne, 87

Harry 'Mike' Clifford Keith, 80

Confused man goes to hospital

The

Producer ready to roll out '2016'

Bigfork resident and Oscar-winning producer Gerald “Jerry” Molen said being turned away from speaking to students at Ronan High School ended up generating considerable publicity for his upcoming film, “Obama’s America 2016.”

Kerr Dam

Water cascades through the gates and down the front of Kerr Dam near Polson on Friday.

Glacier Twins Memorial Tournament

Charlie Obermiller of the Kalispell Lakers dives back to first as JT Phelan of the Club Spokane Dodgers White waits for the throw Friday afternoon in Sapa-Johnsrud Memorial Tournament play in Whitefish. Obermiller was tagged out.

Van smashes through garage

Ortega takes photos as her smashed vehicle is pulled from her garage on Thursday.

Runaway van

This vehicle was lodged in Joyce Ortega’s garage after it pushed her car through the back wall.

Glacier National Park

A view of Redrock Lake from the Switfcurrent trail in Glacier National Park. Friday, June 29, 2012 in Glacier National Park, Montana.

Old Glory flying in the wind

I’ve always been a patriotic sort.

Kayakers on Brennan's Wave

Bear experts featured at rendezvous

Grizzly Bear Rendezvous 2012 will take place from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, July 13, in Bigfork.

Lakers win, Twins fall in tourney openers

WHITEFISH — Even with a short night, the Kalispell Lakers AA were able to shake off the cobwebs and beat the Spokane Cannons 6-3 on Thursday at the Sapa-Johnsrud Memorial Tournament.

Cup to honor soccer's history in valley

Veteran coach/player O’Brien Byrd calls it an epic event regarding soccer in the Flathead Valley.

Daybook

Man gets reward for tracking robber

A Lakeside man is getting a payday after his help led to the arrest of the serial bank robber known as the motorcycle bandit. 

Flows go up from Libby Dam

 The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has ramped up flows from Libby Dam even higher to prevent Lake Koocanusa from topping full pool, but the higher flows continue to cause flooding downstream at Bonners Ferry, Idaho.

Put on a happy face

Fancy Face Design painter Kathleen Francis, left, paints a design on 15-year-old Kateri Cook, right, at Thursday!Fest in downtown Kalispell on June 28. The free festival will take place every Thursday through Sept. 6, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Charles L. Baker Jr., 65

Shenanigans at skate park

The Kalispell Police Department received several reports of activity in the area around Woodland Skate Park:

Montana Action Parks

Sean Miller, left, cleans paint off of Dawson HIll's mask Thursday afternoon after a paintball game at Montana Action Parks outside of Columbia Falls. Thursday, June 28, 2012 in Columbia Falls, Montana.

Ronald L. Toney

Ronald L. Toney

One Step at a Time

Fourteen-year-old Sidney Kiefer from Billings inches her way along the high ropes on Friday June 22. Kiefer attended the camp with her mother and sisters.

Fun for All Ages

Six-year-old Mitchell Schauers from Bozeman holds hands with other campers while the group tries to balance on wooden platform during a challenge called whale watching. The camp offers a fun-filled agenda for all ages.

Discovering New Strategies

Shaelyn Bachini from Billings walks across a high ropes obstacle at the For One Another Family Camp in Kalispell on June 22. Campers had a number of obstacles to choose from once they made their way up the first tree.

For One Another

Twenty-Three-year-old volunteer Adam Colvin, right, from Helena helps a camper at the For One Another Family Camp on the tightrope obstacle in Kalispell on June 22. Colvin attended camp for the first time in 2006 when his father was diagnosed with cancer.

New Strategies and Hope

For One Another Family Camp participants and volunteers help each other along the tightrope obstacle on June 22 in Kalispell.

In Good Company

Melinda Bachini from Billings, right, and her daughter Samantha Kiefer enjoy a group session at the For One Another Family Camp in Kalispell, June 22. The camp is free for Montana families affected by a cancer diagnosis by the Cancer Support Community of Montana.

Time for Celebration

Participants at the For One Another Family Camp celebrate after completing a maze obstacle in Kalispell on June 22. The camp is designed to celebrate life, family time, discover new strategies and hope with other families who have a cancer diagnosis.

Family Camp

Michelle Mead of Missoula and her son Aiden, 7, listen to instructions during a group activity at the For One Another Family Camp in Kalispell, June 22. The camp is held each year for families who have been diagnosed with cancer.

Motorcycle bandit gets 14-year prison sentence

The motorcycle bandit is heading to prison.

Bank robber sentenced

Bank robber Steven Dee Norred was sentenced in federal court Thursday to more than 14 years in prison. He is pictured here during an earlier court appearance in Kalispell.

Glacier Twins vs. Kalispell Lakers

Wednesday afternoon during the Lakers' win over the Twins at Memorial Stadium. Wednesday, June 27, 2012 in Whitefish, Montana.

Lakers vs Twins

Echo Lake road stays open - for now

The water level in Echo Lake has been rapidly increasing, causing county and state officials to keep a close eye on the body of water, but so far no closures or boating restrictions have been implemented.

Fatal crashes rose in 2011

The number of fatal crashes in Flathead County rose in 2011 but remained in a historically low range.

High court upholds health-care overhaul

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld virtually all of President Barack Obama’s historic health care overhaul, including the hotly debated core requirement that nearly every American have health insurance.

Council avoids tough decision

When politicians try to avoid making hard decisions because they worry about how it will affect their popularity, that’s when government either grinds to a halt or staggers to its most inefficient worst.

Board OKs $3.35 million school bond request

Kalispell Public Schools will ask elementary district voters for money to build eight elementary classrooms and a new central kitchen.

Aviation group brings seminar to Kalispell

Members of the nonprofit Recreational Aviation Foundation are traveling to Kalispell for an educational seminar at the Hilton Garden Inn today and Friday.

Glacier Twins vs. Kalispell Lakers

Kalispell's Kendrick Lee (below) dives safely back to second base as Glacier's Carl Talsma (above) waits for a throw Wednesday afternoon during the Lakers' win over the Twins at Memorial Field. Wednesday, June 27, 2012 in Whitefish, Montana.

Fortine show features faith, facts and fun

Dare to Be

Fortine is just about the last place one would expect to find a television studio.

Alpine Theatre Project performs 'Little Shop of Horrors'

A giant, man-eating plant from outer space will invade the Whitefish Performing Arts Center when Alpine Theatre Project presents “Little Shop of Horrors” July 5-21.

'Always ... Patsy Cline' back by popular demand

In intimate Cabaret-style, “Always … Patsy Cline” returns to Whitefish Theatre Co.’s stage due to popular demand for a summer encore performance July 12-15 and 18-21 at 8 p.m. All shows are at the O’Shaughnessy Center.

Prankster's plastic leg wastes sheriff's time

In an overabundance of caution, the

Columbia Mountain group stages Shakespeare romp

Columbia Mountain Theater Co.’s first production, “Shakespeare Makes a Scene,” opens July 13 in Columbia Falls.

Most local water problems are minor

Few reports of flooding in Flathead County have been received by the county Office of Emergency Services, Deputy Director Cindy Mullaney said Wednesday afternoon.

Stranded Kalispell couple rescued

A Kalispell couple got more than they bargained for from the flooded Flathead River when they were trying to check in on their son Wednesday.

Whitefish Gallery Nights scheduled for July 5

Whitefish’s downtown art galleries will once again play host to artist receptions and live music July 5.

With reservoirs full, dams open up their gates

The Kootenai River rose more than two feet above flood stage Wednesday at Bonners Ferry, Idaho, prompting a variety of emergency response efforts, and Lake Koocanusa continues to fill even with Libby Dam spilling water at full capacity.

Concert to honor band killed in crash

 The Montana Band’s 25th Anniversary Tribute Tour comes to Whitefish Wednesday, bringing the music of the state’s most popular “homegrown” musicians back to life for one evening of country, rock and bluegrass music — followed by fireworks.

Victor 'Vic' James Nixon, 63

Ronald L. Toney, 74

Ronald L. Toney, 74, of Ferndale, passed on June 24, 2012, at his home after battling MDS, Myelodysplastic Syndrome, for over a year.

Symphony moves its music outdoors

You know that summer has truly arrived in the Flathead Valley when the music moves outdoors. Glacier Symphony and Chorale kicks off its summer music season with not one, but three outdoor concerts scheduled during the month of July in Bigfork, Kalispell and Whitefish.

Dare to Be TV

Deloris Thompson, 95

Deloris Thompson, 95, passed away peacefully at her home on June 25, 2012, leaving behind two sons, Richard and Ronald.

Beulah Caroline Martinson, 94

Beulah Caroline Martinson, 94, “passed on to be with the Lord” on June 25, 2012.

Nails

Skin & Body

Salon

Hungry Horse Dam Spilling

Due to recent rainstorms, water spills out of Hungry Horse Dam at 7,000 feet per second on Wednesday.

Leisure Park Closed

The Stillwater River’s rising water floods Leisure Park in Kalispell on June 27.

Stillwater River Flooding

Roadways on Leisure Park have been closed due to flooding from the Stillwater River on June 27.

Hungry Horse Dam

Due to recent rainstorms, water spills out of Hungry Horse Dam at 7,000 feet per second on Wednesday.

Water Flowing

Due to moisture from the past rainstorms, the Hungry Horse Dam has been spilling water since Monday, June 25.

Nathan Adrian Qualified - A Rising Champion

Stay out of high water: Couple rescued from flooded road

Joe Brenneman of the Creston Fire Department and Tara Chapman of Evergreen Fire Rescue escort Barbara Frank from her car on Wednesday afternoon. Barbara and her husband, Brian, were caught in high water along Steel Bridge Road. In the background Kevin Wise and Ben Covington work to winch the car back to dry land. Later Wednesday, the stretch of Steel Bridge Road between addresses 800 and 1475 was closed because of the high water.

A Day on the Pond.mov

Hungry Horse Dam spill

As viewed from the top of Hungry Horse Dam, water spills through jet valves at the dam.

Dean & Leininger

Montana Wildfires

Helena residents move their horses down Sierra Road on Tuesday during evacuations in the face of a major wildfire. The nervous horses had to be pushed often to keep them going down the road.

College passes $1 million goal

Flathead Valley Community College trustees learned Monday that the college has raised more than $1.3 million to match the $4 million donated by the Broussard family for the new center for nursing and health sciences.

Raging fires burn dozens of homes

BILLINGS — Wildfires raced through southeastern Montana Wednesday, torching more than 125,000 acres, burning dozens of homes and increasing the need for fire equipment and personnel already responding to four fires in the western part of the state.

Kalispell says goodbye to long-serving employees

Kalispell loses almost a century of combined municipal government experience this month with the retirements of Finance Director Amy Robertson, Assistant Police Chief Roger Krauss and Fred Zavodny, a longtime employee in the Public Works Department.

Board postpones sewage-tank vote

The Flathead City-County Health Board tabled action Thursday on a variance request to develop a host site pad at the Old Steel Bridge Fishing Access on the Flathead River.

Echo Lake on county's agenda today

The Flathead County Commission will meet today to discuss the potential for resuming an emergency no-wake rule on Echo Lake.

Daybook

Carlson out as principal at Whitefish High School

A little more than a month after a huge public outcry saved his job, Dave Carlson has resigned as principal of Whitefish High School.

Council may backtrack on airport vote

The future of Kalispell City Airport is going on the ballot for voters to decide this November. Or maybe not.

Lake Koocanusa 'running out of room'

Because of record rainfall, Libby Dam has been spilling water to prevent Lake Koocanusa from reaching full pool — but the increased releases have contributed to the Kootenai River surpassing flood stage at Bonners Ferry, Idaho.

Legion Roundup: Mariners sweep Bitterroot Red Sox

The Mission Valley Mariners picked up a conference sweep on Tuesday, shutting out the Bitterroot Red Sox twice. 

Twins AA prepare for Sapa-Johnsrud tournament

The 28th annual Sapa-Johnsrud Memorial Tournament is a little bit earlier this year and a little bit smaller.

Dangerous prank targets drivers on U.S. 93

The

Weather woes: high wind, high water

Crews scramble again to restore lost electricity

Nasty weather again reared its ugly head in Northwest Montana on Tuesday, knocking out power for roughly 6,000 electricity customers.

Dylan G. Hudson, 20

Dylan G. Hudson, 20, of Kalispell, passed away Saturday, June 23, 2012, in Whitefish, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.

Barbara Ann Benzien, 67

Barbara Ann Benzien, 67, of Columbia Falls, passed away Monday, June 25, 2012, in Columbia Falls.

Brenda Sue “Bree” Reiner, 57

Brenda Sue “Bree” Reiner, 57, passed away on Sunday, June 24, 2012.

McDonald Creek overflow

Quarter Circle Bridge Road in Glacier National Park is closed at the horse corral due to high water on McDonald Creek.

KwaTaqNuk Resort & Casino

Week in Pictures: June 18-24

Fallen tree

Ferndale volunteer firefighter Ken Sharr inspects a tree that fell across South Ferndale Drive and landed on power lines on Tuesday. Trees blocked roads and cut power in many areas in the southeast part of Flathead County.

Storm damage

A large tree branch rests against another tree and is draped over a power line after falling during a storm Tuesday on East Fourth Street in Whitefish.

Brenda K. Hanson

A Racing Brotherhood

For the Corpron brothers, left to right, Tyler, Trevor and Tristan, racing in the family dates back to the 1960s with their great uncle Laverne Corpron. All three will be racing in the 11th annual Legend Thunder at Montana Raceway Park in Kalispell.

Montana Wildfires

A golfer tees off as his partner watches a wildfire burning in the Scratchgravel Hills on Monday in Helena. Scorching heat and high winds caused wildfires to break out across southwestern Montana, forcing the evacuation of more than 200 homes. This fire grew to 700 acres and destroyed at least three houses. 

Four houses lost in 1,400-acre Helena fire

Lewis and Clark County officials began evacuating additional residences north of Helena as strong winds Tuesday afternoon fanned a 1,400-acre fire that destroyed at least four houses a day earlier.

Bison gores man in Yellowstone National Park

WEST YELLOWSTONE — Officials in Yellowstone National Park say a Massachusetts man was gored by a bull bison that threw him 10 feet in the air and then pinned him to the ground.

Suspect in arson fires arrested

Officials in Lake County have arrested a St. Ignatius man suspected in a string of recent fires in St. Ignatius and Pablo.

Charlotte Berland, 94

Daybook

Betty Janie Steig, 69

Twins drop AA thriller to Mavericks

WHITEFISH — It was touch- and-go, but Missoula kept its nine-game winning streak alive.

Iverson 3rd, Doorn 5th in sectional golf play

BILLINGS — Tom Swanson of Missoula qualified for the 65th U.S. Junior Amateur golf tournament on Monday with his four-shot victory at the U.S. Junior Amateur Sectional Qualifier at the Laurel Golf Club.

Victims identified from weekend tragedies

Authorities on Monday released the names of two Kalispell residents who died this weekend in separate accidents.

Landfill has plenty of room for storm waste

 The volume of downed trees and brush hauled to the Flathead County Landfill in the first couple of days after Saturday’s storm hasn’t been tremendous, the landfill operations manager says. 

Storm cleanup in full swing

The Kalispell area continues to clean up after Saturday night’s storm.

Seamstress hangs up her scissors after 27 years

Since she was a small girl at her mother’s treadle machine, Naomi Davidson has found sewing a perfect fit. For the last 27 years, she has made her talent pay as the proprietor of The Perfect Fit in Kalispell.

Cops warned of infected person

Someone told the Kalispell Police Department Monday morning about a person intentionally infecting people with a sexually transmitted disease.

More rain may cause flooding

A new surge of rainfall today could send rivers in Northwest Montana above flood stage.

Recount confirms Krueger victory

Gary Krueger was declared the winner of the Republican primary election for the District 3 Flathead County commissioner nomination following Monday’s recount of ballots in the tight race.

Patricia Lu Guckenberg, 64

Patricia Lu Guckenberg, 64, of Fortine, passed away June 19, 2012, in the presence of her loved ones.

David Russell Bennett, 59

David Russell Bennett was born in Tarentum, Pa., on July 28, 1952, to Betty and Robert Bennett. “He went home to Jesus” on June 20, 2012, after his courageous battle with cancer came to an end.

Jury sides with county over contested boat ramp

A jury has sided with Flathead County on all claims made against it in a lawsuit over a public boat launch on Church Slough.

Boat Ramp

A jury ruled in favor of Flathead County Monday on a lawsuit challenging the legality of a boat launch on Church Slough. The county launch was temporarily closed earlier this month by District Judge Katherine Curtis, who still must rule on the closure that was prompted by an inadequate flood-plain permit.

Storm Damage

A downed tree takes up most of the front yard of the house at 131 Sleepy Hollow Road on Monday morning in Evergreen.

Election Recount

Flathead County Treasurer Adele Krantz counts ballots on Monday morning, June 25, at the fairgrounds in Kalispell.

Piegan Pass

Misty May-Treanor & Kerri Walsh

Coin Toss May Determine Entry into 2012 Olympics for Two Runners

Court rejects Montana campaign finance law

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Monday reaffirmed its 2-year-old decision allowing corporations to spend freely to influence elections. The justices struck down a Montana law limiting corporate campaign spending.

Grizzly that killed 70 sheep captured

GREAT FALLS — Wildlife managers have captured a female grizzly bear responsible for the deaths of 70 sheep along the Rocky Mountain Front.

Kalispell AA ends Lethbridge trip with a win

LETHBRIDGE, Alberta — The Kalispell Lakers finished up a three-game American Legion baseball weekend with Western AA foe Lethbridge Spitz Elks Sunday afternoon with a 9-5 come-from-behind victory.

Sexual assault report under investigation

Sunday afternoon, an employee at Kalispell Regional Medical Center reported a sexual assault on a minor to the

Honor Flight

Navy veteran Roy Bloom, photographed in 1943, was aboard the U.S.S. Drexler as it was hit by three Japanese suicide bombers, sinking it.

WWII vets back from honor flight

‘It was awesome’

It was the trip of a lifetime for two local World War II soldiers.

Woman drowns Sunday

A Kalispell woman, rafting with her husband on the Flathead River, drowned Sunday after their inflatable raft overturned just north of the Presentine Bar fishing access, authorities said.

Storm clean up stretches two days

Flathead Electric Cooperative crews continued working Sunday to restore electricity to about 100 members who were still without power after a storm roared through the valley Saturday, dumping a record amount of rain.

Kalispell council to debate airport ballot language

At a work session tonight, Kalispell City Council members will try to hash out ballot language for an upcoming referendum on the city’s 83-year-old general aviation airport.

Beaver Lake weed plan in process

Public comment is being sought on a draft environmental assessment that outlines alternatives to address the Eurasian watermilfoil discovered last fall in Beaver Lake.

Specialist teaches Israeli martial art

A man who has spent the last 16 years developing and running a martial arts school in Whitefish with his wife is now furthering his passion and bringing a new skill to the Whitefish Police Department.

Whitefish library donates to Myanmar

Whitefish Community Library employees have agreed to donate about 75 books to a statewide effort to send books to Myanmar, where residents continue to rebuild after a devastating cyclone hit in 2008.

Patricia Lu Guckenberg, 64

JoAnn Cuthbertson, 74

Donald Hagen, 83

Donald L. Ronish, 55

Donald L. Ronish, 55, of Columbia Falls, passed away June 21, 2012, at North Valley Hospital.

Montana Life: Brash Rodeo

New West focuses on Medicare after breakup

Six months after an antitrust settlement forced New West Health Services to downsize and restructure, the company has emerged a leader in selling Medicare Advantage and supplement policies in Montana.

Crime-control grants benefit local agencies

Several local agencies are getting their yearly boost from 2011 grant programs through the Montana Board of Crime Control.

Police seek partner for shooting range

Kalispell Police Department is looking for a partner to help it move forward with a new law enforcement training center that includes a live-fire shooting range and shooting simulator.

Daybook

What one local reader says about Pat Boone: He's still singing 'white-washed' tunes

You have all probably noticed the advertisements recently shown in Montana in which Pat Boone, one of my generation’s popular singers in the 1950s, has been “educating” that same generation — who are now senior citizens — concerning threats posed by President Obama and Sen. Tester to our Medicare system.  

What Pat Boone says about Obamacare ...

Baucus support of health plan not good for state’s seniors

Sen. Baucus is a good man and has served ably in the Senate — but he must not know the truth about Obamacare’s adverse impacts on Medicare.  

Cowboy time

Every Thursday this summer, riders and ropers compete during the Blue Moon Summer Series rodeo.

Brash Rodeo

Twins fall to Mavs in AA; Rangers gain split

MISSOULA — Missoula used a six-run seventh inning to pull away from the Glacier Twins for a 12-6 Western AA American Legion baseball victory Saturday.

Election reforms needed

If you are feeling dissatisfied in the wake of the recent primary election, consider yourself in the majority.

Wind damage

A tree that fell into a home on Harmony Road in Evergreen caused some of the worst damage from a sudden storm Saturday night that also left 10,000 Flathead Electric customers without power.

Storm slams Flathead

More than 10,600 members of Flathead Electric Co-op lost power Saturday evening after a brief but violent storm ripped through the valley.

Drunk woman causes disturbance

Officers with the

Stacy Ward Swor, 70

Race Rescheduled

Tech official Bruce McMaster uses a squeegee to remove water from the pit area following a storm at Montana Raceway Park on Saturday, June 23. Officials rescheduled the race for 1 P.M. on Sunday, June 24.

Doris Ruth Roy, 87

Uprooted by the Weather

A tree is uprooted in the Woodland Park area during a storm Saturday evening, June 23.

Emergency Crews Respond

Emergency crews respond to a call following a storm Saturday evening, June 24.

Falling Trees

A storm downed trees and power-lines on Saturday evening, June 23.

Trees Down

A driver walked away from their car after a tree fell on it, and another on a power-line on West Evergreen in Evergreen on Saturday, June 23.

The more government we have, the less freedom we keep

Last week, I addressed the conundrum of “liberal Republicans” and the virtual absence of “conservative Democrats.”

Lanona Jane Coburn, 79

Lanona Jane Coburn, 79, of Missoula, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 14, 2012, after a brief and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Surrounded at home by her daughters, “Jane couldn't have chosen a more beautiful and sunny day to reunite with the love of her life, her husband Dan.”

West Valley Structure Fire

West Valley firefighters Shawn Loughery, left, and Tina Venturini help put out the last of a fire on West Springcreek Road just before 3 a.m. on Saturday, June 23, in West Valley. The call came in at 2:13 a.m. Firefighters from West Valley were joined by the teams from Smith Valley and South Kalispell.

Relay For LIfe

Martha King of Columbia Falls, a 15 year cancer survivor, smiles at a volunteer as she registers for the Relay For Life on Friday evening, June 22, in Kalispell.

Awarded for Attendance

Glacier High School’s Ben Menard wins a new Nissan Versa for his perfect attendance from Green Nissan in Kalispell on Saturday, June 23. Green Nissan hosted their first ever giveaway, using a raffle to select from over 100 students in the Flathead Valley with perfect attendance.

Man pleads not guilty to assault

A 60-year-old Kalispell man pleaded not guilty Thursday in Flathead District Court to a felony charge of assault on a minor.

Whitefish Senate debate canceled

Polson man faces two charges

A 41-year-old Polson man is now facing a charge of failing to register as a sex offender after an assault Tuesday.

Kalispell man pleads not guilty to assault

A 27-year-old Kalispell man pleaded not guilty Thursday in Flathead District Court to a felony charge of aggravated assault.

Columbia Falls man pleads guilty to drug possession

A 22-year-old Columbia Falls man pleaded guilty Thursday in Flathead District Court to a felony charge of drug possession and a misdemeanor charge of animal cruelty.

Kalispell council member organizing graffiti cleanup

Sick of seeing all the graffiti around town, especially with tourist season at hand, Kalispell City Council member Phil Guiffrida III is organizing a communitywide effort to get people out and cleaning it up for one day.

Trinity's mainstay stepping down

Ken Holste has taught 43 years at Kalispell school

After Ken Holste graduated from Concordia University in Seward, Neb., in 1969, he took his first teaching position at Trinity Lutheran School in Kalispell.

Daybook

Saturday

Boat-ramp trial extends into Monday

The trial over a county boat launch on Church Slough was supposed to be a five-day affair ending Friday, but it will extend into Monday as Flathead County continues its defense of the launch.

Man sentenced for fifth DUI

A 53-year-old Kalispell man was sentenced Thursday in Flathead District Court to five years in jail for his fifth conviction of driving under the influence.

Man pleads in assault case

A 51-year-old Kalispell man pleaded not guilty Thursday in Flathead District Court to felony charges of assault with a weapon and burglary.

Tracking Brenneman champ

Senior exits Flathead High School as Bravettes career scoring leader

Tess Brenneman’s favorite high school sporting moment came on the pitch.

Libby's Winslow fans 14 batters; Mission Valley's Evertz totals 18

LIBBY — Jared Winslow notched 14 strikeouts, walked one batter and checked the Moscow, Idaho, Blue Devils on four hits to lead the Libby Loggers to a 4-3 come-from-behind victory on the second day of their Big Bucks Tournament.

Brist leaves Whitefish High School for Argos

The Flathead Valley is losing one of its most highly-regarded and respected coaches.

Man shoots dog being walked without leash

A distraught dog owner contacted the

Stings of misfortune: Horse succumbs to bee attack

Tim McKee and his family were laughing and joking the evening of June 15 when they looked out the window of their home on Columbia Falls Stage Road and saw their horse Fury scratching his back on a tree so hard that the tree was shaking all over the place.

Patricia Lu Guckenberg, 64

L. Jane Coburn, 79

William Barry Moore, 71

Monday Profile

Jeff Green is pictured at the American Karate Academy in Whitefish on Thursday.

Roger Krauss

Roger Krauss out at his farm on Friday, June 22, south of Kalispell. Krauss refers to his farm as his "real life" and is looking forward to being out there more.

Growing a community

Landon Anderson and Dakota Lovett unload soil at the Meadow Court Community Garden in Kalispell.

Community Garden at Meadow Court

Merry Elerick sits on the corner on one of the four garden boxes currently in place at the Meadow Court Community Garden on Tuesday, June 19, in Kalispell.

By the Banks of the Bow Leaves Kalispell

Laird Hill of Crystal Service; a specialized moving company out of Calgary, carefully secures the final piece of the sculpture By the Banks of the Bow for loading on Tuesday morning, June 19, at Kalispell Art Casting.

Samples of our inventory

Lost Trail National Wildlife Refuge

Sunset view of the Lost Trail National Wildlife Refuge on Wednesday, June 20, west of Marion.

Reflections and Lilies

Trees are reflected through lily pads on a pond near Bitterroot Lake on Wednesday, June 20, near Marion.

A-2 Auto Sales

Horse stung to death near Columbia Falls

These are some of the insects from the swarm that killed McKee’s horse.

Three answer federal drug charges

Three people originally charged with a string of drug offenses in Flathead District Court have pleaded not guilty to drug charges in federal court.

Hospital makes the grade

The recent round of honors bestowed on Kalispell Regional Medical Center by HealthGrades, a leading health-care ratings organization, is a clear indicator that our medical facilities here are top-notch.

Daybook

Red Cross blood supply critically low

The American Red Cross has issued an urgent call for blood donors since the supply has reached critically low levels for blood types O positive, O negative, B negative and A negative.

Whitefish scales back pay raises

Whitefish’s nonunion city employees likely won’t get the 4.7 percent pay increase promised in the city’s preliminary budget.

Child turns up safe after going AWOL

Deputies with the

Fishing fun for a special cause

Troy Miller, 22, of Anaconda may have had the first catch of the day Thursday — before even boarding a boat — during the 19th annual Fishing Without Barriers Day.

Florence Henrietta Ylinen, 93

Bill Koppy, 78

Bill Koppy, 78, passed away June 6, 2012, at 5:38 p.m., at the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls.

Virginia Lawetzki, 86

Zach Perrin

Zach Perrin runs in the Flathead Invitational at Kidsports Complex. September 10, 2011.

Roy Bloom

Roy Bloom, photographed in 1943, was aboard the USS Drexler when it was hit and sunk by three Japanese suicide bombers.

Ken Kjelstrup

Army Air Corps veteran Ken Kjelstrup attended primary flight school in Ballinger, Texas, in 1942. Kjelstrup says the highlight of his recent trip to Washington, D.C., was to stand in front of the World War II memorial and salute.

Honor Flight

World War II veterans, 90-year-old Ken Kjelstrup, left, and 89-year-old Roy Bloom discuss their recent Big Sky Honor Flight trip to Washington D.C. They are pictured Thursday at the Veterans Memorial in Kalispell’s Depot Park.

NewWest Health Services

Betty Mace is the administrative services supervisor at New West Health Services in Kalispell. New West employs 31 people in Kalispell.

Catch of the day

Captain Tim Shattuck and 11-year-old Tristan Houk hold up lake trout they caught Thursday during the 19th Annual Fishing Without Barriers Day on Flathead Lake.

Montana Search And Rescue Rendezvous

Joel Greene of Columbia Falls and his son, Travis, 11, make their way though part of the compass and map reading course at the Montana Search And Rescue Rendezvous on Friday afternoon, June 15, in Columbia Falls. The rendezvous, which is sponsored by the Flathead County Sheriff's Department, offered a range of courses in subjects like swiftwater rescue, lost person behavior, first aid, crime scenes, CPR, and ethics.

USA Shooting Team - Amanda Furrer - NSSF Shooting Sportscast

Cutbank Pass

Kalispell man wins $50,000 lottery prize

Subdivision plans to repair drainage woes

With soggy ground, wet basements and ducks seen on puddle-filled streets some springs, homeowners in the Willows are asking for some help to improve stormwater drainage in their southeast Kalispell neighborhood.

Neighbor says boat ramp 'got busier and busier'

The court battle over a boat launch on Church Slough continued Wednesday with developer Dennis Carver’s attorney attempting to establish that the launch exceeded a condition that he provide “substantially the same” access that existed before the county abandoned Wagner Lane.

A critical shift in forest lawsuits?

We’ve long been detractors of theoretical, hugely expensive “critical habitat” designations by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and now we are even more so.

Safety program nets county $290,580 rebate

Flathead County’s general fund grew by $290,580 this month when the county received a rebate on its workers’ compensation insurance.

Daybook

Fugitive search renewed

The Missoula County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday launched an extensive ground search southwest of Missoula, where officers engaged in a shootout with convicted felon David Burgert just over a year ago.

College to build eight new tennis courts

Flathead Valley Community College is doubling its tennis courts this summer.

Brash Rodeo

The Blue Moon Summer Series rodeo takes place every Thursday in Columbia Falls at the Blue Moon arena.

Laura Dawn VanBroeke

Laura Dawn VanBroeke, daughter of Keith and Summer VanBroeke of Whitefish, was born March 28 at North Valley Hospital.

Michael Malinkowski

Michael Malinkowski, son of Joseph Malinkowski and Alyssa Beach of Martin City, was born March 25 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Lexi Wade

Lexi Wade, daughter of Chad and Shaunna Wade of Kalispell, was born March 19 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Liam Ridenour

Liam Ridenour, son of Darel and Chelsea Ridenour of Kalispell, was born March 17 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Lillian Weaver

Lillian Weaver, daughter of Devin and RaeAnna Weaver of Kalispell, was born March 16 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Brennan Jacobs

Brennan Jacobs, son of Daniel and Jessica Jacobs of Kalispell, was born March 16 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Graham Heinrichs

Graham Heinrichs, son of Justin and Laura Heinrichs of Kalispell, was born March 16 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Hunter Dickerson

Hunter Dickerson, son of David Dickerson and Savanah Woolery of Kalispell, was born March 15 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Thomas Pittaway

Thomas Pittaway, son of Tom and Holly Pittaway of Kalispell, was born March 14 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Ashton Ferguson

Ashton Ferguson, son of Cortney Ferguson of Kalispell, was born March 14 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Colter Tate

Colter Tate, son of Casey and Heidi Tate of Whitefish, was born March 13 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Jordan Fox

Jordan Fox, daughter of Daniel and Samantha Fox of Kalispell, was born March 13 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Maxwell Miller

Maxwell Miller, son of John and Juli Miller of Whitefish, was born March 13 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Lorna Bodeker's grave

Bodeker has been given 30 days to exhume his wife’s body from this grave on the property. Lorna Bodeker died in July 2011.

Plains veteran given 30 days to exhume body of his wife

Neighbor Roxsanna Ryan talks with Renn Bodeker. Bodeker is living with the Ryan family after being evicted from his home.

Glenyce Krogstad, 93

Glenyce Krogstad, 93, passed away at home on Sunday, June 17, 2012. 

Woman injured when vehicle leaves road

A woman was airlifted to the Kalispell Regional Medical Center after driving into a ditch and striking a tree Tuesday evening. According to Sgt. Steve Lavin with the

Montana veteran loses home, hope

Sanders County Sheriff Tom Rummel talks with Renn Bodeker on Monday at the property in Plains that Bodeker has lost due to a bankruptcy ruling. Rummel said he was present “to make sure the peace is kept.”

Lakers vs. Twins

Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake Adam Frandsen (12) and Sean O'Connell (18) celebrate after both scored in the first inning of the Lakers' win over the Twins Wednesday night at Griffin Field. Wednesday, June 20, 2012 in Kalispell, Montana.

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Ivan Andrew Windsheimer, 91

Michael 'Mike' Buchanan, 60

Michael "Mike" Buchanan, 60, passed away June 19, 2012, in Kalispell.

Two Medicine River Bridge

Traffic is escorted across a bridge as construction crews work on the Two Medicine Bridge project on US-2, just east of East Glacier on Friday, June 15. The existing bridge, built in 1941, is 761-feet long and crosses 150-feet above the Two Medicine River.

Montana Search And Rescue Rendezvous

Participants in the Montana Search And Rescue Rendezvous Swiftwater Rescue and Recertification course make their way down the South Fork on Friday afternoon, June 15, near the Hungry Horse Dam. Over the weekend first responders, emergency personnel and members of the public were able to take a variety of classes in subjects like: map and compass reading, lost person behavior, aviation resources, first aid, and many others.

Getting a Grip

Bull rider, Sandy Dejong of British Columbia, Canada, straps in prior to his ride at the Blue Moon Summer Series rodeo in Columbia Falls on Thursday, June 14. Dejong says it is one of his favorite rodeos every summer, and enjoys getting to ride with his close friends.

Cowboy in the Well

Former Western Montana basketball player, Gus McDonald, of St. Ignatius, competes in the bull riding competition at the Blue Moon Summer Series rodeo in Columbia Falls on Thursday, June 14. McDonald says it feels awesome to go from basketball to bull riding.

Hanging On

Kyle Delaney, of Polson, holds on during the bareback competition in the Blue Moon Summer Series rodeo in Columbia Falls on Thursday, June 14. Delaney, riding with a broken left wrist, was riding right-handed for only his second time.

Keeping Time

In the announcers booth at the Blue Moon Summer Series rodeo, timers Shandi Higgins, right, and Kelly Hawkinson, are recording times of riders in the open barrels event on Thursday, June 14.

Getting His Mind Right

Saddle bronc rider, Allen Foster, from Columbia, Tenn., prepares for the saddle bronc event at the Blue Moon Summer Series rodeo in Columbia Falls on Thursday, June 14. Foster is spending his summer working at the Bar W Ranch in Whitefish.

Sunset Cowboy

A cowboy looks out into the arena during the Blue Moon Summer Series rodeo in Columbia Falls on Thursday, June 14.

Montana Water Course at Lawrence Park

Carter Eash, a seventh grade science teacher at Kalispell Middle School, takes a closer look at an insect collected at Stillwater Creek in Lawrence Park on Monday, June 11, in Kalispell.

Montana Watercourse at Lawrence Park

Along the Stillwater River at Lawrence Park on June 11, Stephanie McGinnis of Montana Watercourse out of Bozeman, center, shows teachers Carter Eash and Deb Hunt how to turn a trip to the park into a science class.

Sex offender leaves valley

The Kalispell Police Department has announced that registered Tier 3 sex offender Geoffrey Friant has moved out of the state due to health issues.

Daybook

Problems push up cost of water project

A water line project along West Colorado Street has been something of a hassle for both area residents and the city of Kalispell.

Account to help Polson family after crash

A benefit account has been set up for a Polson family involved in a crash Saturday morning on Interstate 90 between Billings and Hardin.

Couple's annexation request shot down by council

An annexation request by Josh and Shelby Farnham was voted down by the Kalispell City Council on Monday.

Refinancing to save city $2.5 million

Combining and refinancing the general obligation bonds issued for Woodland Water Park and Fire Station 62 at lower interest rates will save Kalispell more than $565,000 over the next 10 years.

County recount planned

A final determination of who won the Republican primary nomination for the District 3 Flathead County commissioner race awaits a hand recount of ballots on Monday, June 25, according to County Clerk Paula Robinson.

Mariners split with Bitterroot Bucs

POLSON — Mission Valley settled for a split with the Bitterroot Bucs in Class A American Legion baseball play on Tuesday.

Avery wins age group at MSGA Junior Championship

BOZEMAN — Teigan Avery of Kalispell won the 14-15 age group at the Montana State Golf Association Junior Championship on Tuesday at Riverside Golf Course.

Hospital gives man 'extreme' makeover

You can see why there was some confusion. It’s not everyday that a man wearing a hospital gown and hospital pants walks into a business to buy a pack of cigarettes and then asks where he can go to gamble and smoke.

Summer arrives with a soggy, soggy start

Rain-weary Flathead Valley residents may not want it, but just one more inch of precipitation over the next 11 days will make it the rainiest June on record.

Marie Augusta Bauer, 93

Montie E. Magera, 101

Gary L. Ott, 63

Gary L. Ott, 63, of Kalispell, lost his battle with cancer on Tuesday, June 5, 2012.

Alexander James 'A.J.' Peters, 25

Going to the SNOW Road

Glacier Park’s Going to the Sun road opened for visitors despite a winter weather advisory on Tuesday, June 19.

Snow Path

Visitors at Glacier National Park walk along the pathway at Logan Pass on Tuesday, June 19. Going to the Sun Road opened for the first time of the year just before noon on Tuesday.

Snowy opener on Logan Pass

Four-year-old Candice Ngan, left, and her 6-year-old brother Cyrus, from Portland, Ore., were among the first visitors to Logan Pass in Glacier National Park on Tuesday. The long-awaited opening of Going-to-the-Sun Road over the pass occurred around noon.

This Week in the Flatheadd: Vintage Whites Market

Shayla Smith and Andrew "Leon" Gregory, both of Kalispell, performing at the Vintage Whites Market on Saturday, June 9, in Somers. Smith will be performing at the remaining markets which are set for July 14 and August 25.

Tess Brenneman

Tess Brenneman poses next to hurdles on the track at Legends Stadium on Monday. The two-time Class AA state champion in the long jump is Flathead High School’s new career scoring leader in girls track. The senior scored 44 points at the Western AA divisional and 24 1/2 points at state to finish with 818 1/4.

Week in Pictures: June 11-17

Raising an Olympian - LOLO JONES

Local players in Shodair Soccer Classic

Players from Columbia Falls, Flathead, Glacier and Polson will be on East and West rosters for the 13th annual Shodair Soccer Classic in Helena on July 28 at Nelson Stadium on the campus of Carroll College.

Kalispell's Avery leads MSGA Junior Championship

BOZEMAN — Teigan Avery of Kalispell shot an 83 to grab a share of the first-round lead at the Montana State Golf Association Junior Championship on Monday at Riverside Country Club.

Battle over boat ramp goes to trial

 A jury trial to decide the fate of a county boat ramp on Church Slough got under way Monday, with a developer claiming that he had an understanding that a “full-scale boat ramp” would not be built.

Schools want to build eight new classrooms

 Kalispell Public Schools trustees are moving forward with plans to build classroom additions at two elementary schools to relieve overcrowding.

Hiker injured in fall down snowfield

Hiker injured in fall on snowfield

Whitefish may tighten campaign sign rules

The Daily Inter Lake

Man down in road preferred it that way

The

Josephine “Babe” Dusterhoff, 90

Josephine Rose “Babe” Dusterhoff, 90

Josephine Rose “Babe” Dusterhoff, 90, passed away on June 8, 2012, of natural causes, at Heritage Place in Kalispell.

Joanne LaMarsh

Joanne Margaret LaMarsh (Wagar), 61

Joanne Margaret LaMarsh (Wagar), 61, passed away on Saturday, June 16, 2012, at her residence in Marion.

Christopher Smith Jr.

Christopher “CJ” Jay Smith Jr., 30

Christopher “CJ” Jay Smith Jr., 30, of Columbia Falls, passed away Saturday, June 16, 2012, from a lengthy battle with brain cancer, surrounded by his loving family.

Logan Pass due to open Tuesday

The full 50-mile length of Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park is anticipated to open to vehicle travel Tuesday, allowing access to Logan Pass.  

Dennis Carver

Dennis Carver listens to opening statements Monday afternoon at the Flathead County Justice Center.  

Grace Orchard

Alden Drew, left, and Erick Boothman carry buckets of wood chips Monday morning during the groundbreaking of Grace Orchard at Kalispell Middle School. Monday, June 18, 2012 in Kalispell, Montana.

Owen Sowerwine

Bob Lopp helps his wife Jane through the new wheelchair-accessible gate leading into the Owen Sowerwine Natural Area in Kalispell. Flathead Audubon unveiled the new accessible trail Friday afternoon. Friday, June 15, 2012 in Kalispell, Montana.

Planting a special orchard

From left, Aarron Clark, Tommy Diegel, Ryan Daub and Rylee Attard plant an apple tree Monday morning during the building of Grace Orchard at Kalispell Middle School. The orchard is named after retiring Principal Barry Grace. The school took first place in a contest to win an orchard put on by Dreyer’s Fruit Bars and The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation. Volunteers planted 30 apple, plum and pear trees. 

Missoula Montana Fly Fishing Video Report

Test Find It Flathead

Monday Profile

In May, Dodson met with Montana Sens. Max Baucus and Jon Tester in Washington, D.C.

Legion baseball: Rangers roll past Loggers

EUREKA — Kade Davis drove in four runs with a double and a home run and Bryton Guckenberg held Libby to a pair of singles in going the distance on the mound as Kootenai Valley rolled to a 10-0 victory in the first game of an American Legion baseball doubleheader on Sunday.

Lakers finish tournament play on a high note

PULLMAN, Wash. — Cody Dopps, 2-for-4, doubled, homered and drove in five runs to help the AA Kalispell Lakers wrap up action at the Summer Palouse Series tournament with a 9-3 victory over the Spokane Baseball Club late Saturday night.

Facebook posting leads cops to partiers

About 30 people were cited for underage drinking Saturday night when

Robert Allen Weaver, 54

“It is with great joy and celebration that our family shares with you the news of a most amazing miracle that has taken place in the life of Robert ‘Bob’ Allen Weaver. At three o'clock on the afternoon of June 15, 2012, he exchanged his cancer-, chemo-, pain-ridden earthly body for a glorious, immortal, eternal, heavenly one.”

Margie Ann Binegar, 80

Margie Ann (Moore) Binegar, 80, of Rapid City, S.D., died Friday, June 15, 2012, at Rapid City Regional Hospice House.

Celebration of the century

Andrew Olsen poses as a young Viking on the Sons of Norway's Viking ship at a Nordicfest parade in Libby in 2000. Members built the ship including the dragon head hand-carved by artist Arvid Kristoffersen.

Sons of Norway gear up for party

As Fedraheimen Lodge No. 140 of the Sons of Norway approaches its 100th birthday next March, members issued an invitation for others interested in Scandinavian culture to join up for the celebration of the century.

New city manager ready to go

Kalispell’s new city manager, Doug Russell, planned to start work bright and early this morning for his first day on the job.

Libby woman expands activities for students

After-school ambassador

Kaide Dodson is an advocate for after-school programming.

Some landowners willing to sell to landfill

The initial reception has been positive from property owners who live near the Flathead County Landfill about possibly selling their property to the Solid Waste District.

Whitefish considers city boat inspections

The Whitefish City Council is considering a boat inspection program at City Beach aimed at keeping aquatic invasive species out of Whitefish Lake.

Citizens' Academy

Sharing the BEAR

Whether it’s developing a business plan, training employees or figuring out how to get a government contract, there’s no end to the challenges facing small business owners.

Senate hopefuls on debate stage

In their shoes: Class offers citizens crash course in law enforcement

A program invented during the 1970s in England before spreading to the United States in 1985 is now putting Flathead County residents in the shoes of those who have sworn to serve and protect them.

Forest officials study antenna test results

Data from a radio-signal test from an antenna on Mount Aeneas has been given to Flathead National Forest officials for review.

Daily Inter Lake wins 19 awards in press contest

The Daily Inter Lake achieved its best showing ever at the Montana Newspaper Association’s annual awards banquet Saturday night, claiming 19 total awards and seven first-places.

Ex-publisher wins statewide honor

Former Inter Lake publisher Tom Kurdy was honored Saturday with the Master Editor-Publisher Award bestowed by the Montana Newspaper Association.

A father's influence is far-reaching

 It occurred to me at 4 a.m. the other morning (I do a lot of early-morning tossing and turning as I think of ideas for this space) that it took a lot of different fathers to raise our two daughters.

Old School Station: Unpaid taxes, fees pile up for vacant lots

Envisioned as a cluster of vibrant technology businesses in south Kalispell, Old School Station today is trying to make it through a protracted lull in the economy.

My life with Dad: A tribute to one local father for all he did as a parent

Just in case you ever wondered how you did as a parent, here’s my life, through my eyes.

Daybook

The Obama solution is on the way...

By now it should be clear to everyone that President Obama is fed up with high gas prices. Why, his outrage is even more terrible than that of the public he serves. After all, Obama’s future may well depend on how the economy does during the next few months, and it is clearly the oil companies that are conspiring to bring him down. So he has conferred with the keen business and economic minds who surround him, identified the root causes of the problem, and come up with a brilliant, cohesive program to right this intolerable situation.

Tax rebate or campaign reboot?

Politicians giveth, and they taketh away, and sometimes you have to watch their hands to know whether they are taking away even when they say they are giving you something.

Lakers 1-3 in Summer Palouse Series tournament

PULLMAN, Wash. — The Kalispell Lakers wrapped up Summer Palouse Series tournament play Saturday with a 9 p.m. (PDT) contest with the Spokane Baseball Club.

Mission Valley in title game

DILLON — Mission Valley and Bitterroot will play for the championship today at 12:30 p.m. in the Maybelle Arthur Memorial American Legion baseball tournament.

Malya Gauthier

Easton Allen

Soleil Hotaka Yuasa-Green

Gavyn Michael Ridenour

Flathead grad flies high: Pilot picked for elite Thunderbirds

As a young boy, Jason Curtis watched the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds perform in the Flathead Valley.

Jasper B. Hall

Liliana Bowden

Roman Shestak

Audrey Weitzel

Sarah Hays

Single-engine plane bounces on landing

The

Do political parties matter - or not?

I get confused about partisanship. Apparently sometimes its good and sometimes it’s bad. I may be wrong, but I think it is good when the Democrats are the party in power, and bad when the Democrats don’t have enough votes to do what they want.

Ted Lunde, 82

Ted Lunde “went to be with the Lord” on Oct. 29, 2011.

James Chisholm MacKimmie, 83

James Chisholm MacKimmie, 83, died Monday, June 11, 2012, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center. He “embarked on his next journey,” with his wife Andrea and their dear friend Debbie Gwynn there to hold his hands.

Michael A “Oso” Ban, 81

Michael A “Oso” Ban, 81, passed away on June 14, 2012, surrounded by his family at his home in Martin City.

Fay June Fisher, 79

Fay June Fisher, 79, passed away on Friday, June 15, 2012, in Kalispell.

Jobless rate nears 3-year low

After years of stubbornly high jobless numbers in Flathead County, the pendulum finally may be swinging the other way.

Daybook

Jack Lee Thomas

Jack Lee Thomas, son of John and Christie Thomas of Kalispell, was born March 15 at North Valley Hospital.

Camden Crose

Camden Crose, son of John and Angelee Crose of Kalispell, was born March 16 at North Valley Hospital.

Leif Truett Shultes

Leif Truett Shultes, son of Josh and Hope Shultes of Kalispell, was born March 16 at North Valley Hospital.

Jonathan Ryan Hunt

Jonathan Ryan Hunt, son of Joshua and Jessica Hunt of Kalispell, was born March 18 at North Valley Hospital.

Payzlie Christine Davis

Payzlie Christine Davis, daughter of Willie Davis and Hannah Vanek of Kalispell, was born March 9 at North Valley Hospital.

Chloe Aurora Sellars

Chloe Aurora Sellars, daughter of Brittney Sellars of Hungry Horse, was born March 10 at North Valley Hospital.

Dainan Elijah Kaschmitter

Dainan Elijah Kaschmitter, son of Ryan Kaschmitter and Amanda Wygant of Kalispell, was born March 7 at North Valley Hospital.

Owen Bennett Albiero

Owen Bennett Albiero, son of Brian and Pam Albiero of Bigfork, was born March 9 at North Valley Hospital.

Brooke Lorraine Thompson

Brooke Lorraine Thompson, daughter of Mathew and Julie Thompson of Columbia Falls, was born March 8 at North Valley Hospital.

Andromache McCoy Oliver

Andromache McCoy Oliver, daughter of Steven and Ariance Oliver of Marlborough, Mass., was born Jan. 30 at Newton-Wellesley Hospital in Newton, Mass.

Mackenzie Rae Baugh

Mackenzie Rae Baugh, daughter of Jason and Stacie Baugh of Cookeville, Tenn., was born March 7 at Cookeville Regional Medical Center.

Aurora Christine Wyrick

Aurora Christine Wyrick, daughter of Chris and Heather Wyrick of Kalispell, was born March 7 at North Valley Hospital.

Malachi Juarez

Malachi Juarez, son of David Henderson and Angela Juarez was born March 3 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Bruce Frey

Tom Kurdy

Thunderbirds

The USAF Thunderbirds

Capt. Jason Curtis and his wife, Larissa

Capt. Jason Curtis and his wife, Larissa, hug upon Jason’s return from a five-month deployment to Afghanistan in October 2010. The couple expect their first child, a girl, in July. Jason had just shut down the engine of his jet, “My Lady Larissa III,” when the photo was taken.

Flathead grad flies high

Capt. Jason Curtis of Kalispell begins training with the Thunderbirds in November. He will be one of six top pilots flying F-16s with the prestigious demonstration squadron.

James Chisholm MacKimmie, 83

Ted Lunde, 82

School arsonist faces sex-assault charge

The man who burned down the Whitefish High School gym in 1977 now faces a felony charge of sexual assault for allegedly molesting a child for nearly three years.

My life with Dad

Ralph Ertz Sr. and his son, Ralph Ertz Jr., show off a bull trout they brought home from a fishing expedition on the Flathead River sometime in the late 1960s.  This picture was taken at the back of the old Fernwell Apartments, which Ertz owned from 1967 to 1970.

Man accused of embezzlement

The

River rescue

Emmanuel Llado, right, clings to Swan Mission Search and Rescue swimmer Jarred Flores after being rescued from a tree Friday afternoon in the Swan River. Llado, on vacation from Bend, Ore., was stuck in the tree after falling out of his kayak south of the Swan River fishing access.

David Alan Solum, 51

David Alan Solum, 51, died May 31, 2012, at his home in Clinton.

Mom's Place

Bed

Dining Set

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Photos | Design | Home Break

Kalispell man sentenced to five years in jail

A 22-year-old Kalispell man was sentenced Thursday in Flathead District Court to five years in jail and eight years of probation on felony charges in four cases.

Bigfork Location

8270 Hwy. 35

Evergreen Location

2138 Hwy. 2 East

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Kalispell Location

720 West Idaho

Commercial

Professional and experienced Imperial Dry Cleaners and Laundromat services dozens of accounts all over the valley everyday.

Area Rugs

Time and traffic take their toll on carpets and area rugs. Let our experienced staff bring out the color and vibrancy hidden deep within your smaller floor coverings. We’ll clean and refresh them with a professional touch. Once again, you’ll admire the richness of your quality floor coverings, and how they enhance your home.

Drapes & Curtains

Even if you don’t notice your window treatments every day, eventually they need a lift, not to mention a good cleaning. But they aren’t made to be tossed in the washer. Let your Sanitone Certified Master Drycleaner give your window treatments the cleaning and attention they need. Then stand back and see how they brighten your windows, your home, your life!

Linens

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Comforters & Bedding

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Leathers & Suedes

The rich texture of Suede and suppleness of leather are a luxurious touch worth preserving. Yet caring for such garments is a delicate responsibility. You don’t want to ignore them, but can’t confidently clean them yourself. Trust your Leather and Suede to our experienced staff.

Alterations

Whether it is a repair you need, or just a “slight adjustment”, you won’t find a better fit than our experienced tailors. We know clothing, and appreciate quality workmanship as much as you do. Our professional skills, materials and techniques make it right for you every time!

Wedding Gowns

Turner picked to head public works

After filling in on a temporary basis since late May, Susie Turner has been appointed Kalispell Public Works director by City Attorney Charlie Harball, who himself is serving as interim city manager until  Monday.

Dry Cleaning & Laundry

Summer fun starts at resort on Saturday

Whitefish Mountain Resort will open some of its popular summer attractions on Saturday.

Jury convicts woman of burglary, theft

After a three-day trial and a little more than two hours of deliberation, a jury found 25-year-old Kandice Tellegen of Kalispell guilty of felony charges of burglary and theft.

Great news for the economy

There was welcome news on the local economic scene this week with construction beginning on a new $8.5 million Hilton Homewood Suites in north Kalispell.

Officials hear range of wolf comments

More than 90 people turned out for a meeting in Kalispell on Wednesday to chime in on proposed hunting and trapping regulations for wolves in Montana.

Going-to-the-Sun Road slated to open next week

Even though crews are making rapid progress clearing snow at Logan Pass, Glacier National Park officials still are planning to open Going-to-the-Sun Road over the pass by the middle of next week.

Daybook

Graffiti reported all over town

Officers with the

Young actor doing well after heart surgery

Max Page, the young actor who starred in the popular Volkswagen Super Bowl commercial last year, came through open-heart surgery on Thursday “just like a champion,” his grandfather said.

Eunice Emma Beller Quade McKinley, 93

Bryson Micheal Krissie, 18

ON Media Group, USA Swim Team 3D Projection Mapping Show, Mutual of Omaha Building US Olympic Trials

Mom's Place

Gas Leak at Spruce Wood Apartments

From left, Todd Hawes Captain Craig Fischer, Joe Hansen and Ian Miller of the Kalispell Fire Department B shift converge to discuss the situation at Spruce Wood Apartments on Thursday afternoon, June 14, in Kalispell. A gas leak was reported which required the Fire Department to help evacuate residents and be on site in case of a fire.

Lone Pine Picnic

From left, Jacob Ost, 6, Savanna Reddig, 5, Mariah Reddig, 4, Natalie Reddig, 7, and Brooklynn Ost, 2, gather around for a picnic lunch at Lone Pine State Park on Thursday morning, June 14, west of Kalispell.

Week in Pictures: June 4-10

Business Model Canvas Explained TEST

A 2 minute overview of the Business Model Canvas, a tool for visionaries, game changers, and challengers. This method from the bestselling management book Business Model Generation is applied in leading organizations and start-ups worldwide.

Senior apartments planned in Kalispell

Sparrow Group, a Missoula-based affordable housing development firm, is moving ahead with plans to build Depot Place, a new senior housing building near downtown Kalispell.

Water spilling test resumes at Libby Dam

Libby Dam has been releasing water over its spillway this week to test possible benefits to white sturgeon spawning in the Kootenai River near Bonners Ferry, Idaho.

Olney man gets three-year sentence

A 43-year-old Olney man was sentenced June 7 in Flathead District Court to three years in jail and two years of probation.

Group inaugurates state food cooperative

 A new group of Montana farmers and food producers has launched plans to start a Montana Food Cooperative.

Roll out red carpet for Molen

The recent decision of a Ronan school principal to deny Bigfork resident and Oscar-winning producer Gerald “Jerry” Molen an opportunity to speak to graduating seniors sure raised a fuss, and it should have.

Delays expected on Forest Service roads

 Drivers should expect delays on a few Flathead National Forest roads due to either road work or logging operations, according to a news release from the forest. 

Kalispell has plenty of commercial land available

A land inventory and study of construction activity over the last six years suggests Kalispell has a significant inventory of available commercial land, Planning Director Tom Jentz told Planning Board members at a work session Tuesday.

Honoring Old Glory

Sue Haverfield, in center, prepares to post a 48-star American flag as part of the Flag Day ceremony at Depot Park in Kalispell Thursday evening. Also in the photo are Richard Sauerbier, left, and Jim Heibert. All three are members of the United Veterans of the Flathead. Congress authorized the Stars and Stripes as the official national symbol of the United States on June 14, 1777, according to the National Flag Day Foundation. Flag Day was born when Wisconsin teacher Bernard J. Cigrand had his class celebrate the flag’s birthday in 1885.

Artists' violins on display around valley

A traveling exhibit of 11 sculpted and painted violins is on display this month at locations around the Flathead Valley.

Picnic in the Park concerts start Tuesday

Kalispell Parks and Recreation’s annual Picnic in the Park concert series kicks off next week.

Another guitarist joins concert lineup

One more guitarist has joined the lineup at the Summer Guitar Celebration.

Anglers' event includes fly-fishing films

A fly-fishing film tour will come to West Glacier Saturday as part of Glacier Anglers’ Cast Off 2012.

Museum screens 'Paths of Glory'

Stanley Kubrick’s anti-war statement, “Paths of Glory,” will be screened for free at the Museum at Central School June 25.

Guerilla knitters take Hockaday by storm

Knitting might conjure up images of sweet little grandmas in rocking chairs clicking needles and transforming yarn into baby booties or scratchy sweaters. But in recent years, the craft has become the basis of an urban street art known as yarn bombing.

New hotel to have 100 rooms

Martel Construction is getting started on a project to build a Hilton Homewood Suites in north Kalispell.

Windows shot in several Kalispell locales

Windows were reported shot with BB or similar style guns at several locations,

Daybook

William R. 'Bill' Doyle, 79

William R. “Bill” Doyle, 79, of Kalispell, passed away on Monday, June 11, 2012, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Old School Station

At Old School Station, 11 of 17 lots remain vacant six years after the business park was created.

Citizens Academy

Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake Sgt. Brad Stahlberg shows Marguerite Kaminski how to shoot his .22-conversion M4 rifle during range day at SheriffÕs CitizensÕ Academy. Thursday, May 17, 2012 in Kalispell, Montana.

Lois Van Landingham Gray, 97

Lois Van Landingham Gray, 97, passed away in her sleep on Friday, June 8, 2012, in Kalispell.

Glen Arnold Forman Jr., 58

Glen Arnold Forman Jr., 58, passed away on the morning of June 4, 2012, at Garden Manor in Brookville, Ohio, due to complications from a fall in February that broke his neck and left him quadriplegic.

Rose Crossing Water Pipe

Work continues on a 12 inch water line near Whitefish Stage Road and Rose Crossing on Wednesday afternoon north of Kalispell.

Hilton Homewood Suites Construction Begins

A crew from Martel Construction begins building a Hilton Homewood Suites near Signature Theaters and Walmart on Wednesday, June 13, in Kalispell. The project is expected to be complete in June of next year.

Swinging at Camp

First time camper, Brittany Staat of Kalispell, holds on tight as fellow campers push her on the tire swing at the Flathead CARE Kids Camp on Wednesday, June 13, in Bigfork. Staat, 13-years-old, says her favorite part of camp is getting to know the counselors and looks forward to getting the chance to be a counselor herself.

Flash Dancing

Flathead CARE Kids Camp senior counselor, Chelsea Rosean, 20-years-old, left, teaches campers how to dance on Wednesday, June 13, in preparation for a flash mob dance later that evening in Bigfork. Rosean, says she enjoys getting to know and connecting with the kids.

Sunroom

Mirror

Windows

Clad, Vinyl....we got windows.

Back-painted Glass

Shower Enclosure

H-Bar Handle, Antique Copper Finish

Corporate Image Outfitters

Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake Susan Shea, production manager at Corporate Image Outfitters, makes adjustments on an embroidery machine Wednesday afternoon in Whitefish. Corporate Image Outfitters specialize in embroidering logos onto clothing, hats and gear. Wednesday, June 13, 2012 in Whitefish, Montana.

Help for the heart

While a system monitor checks the status of his pump, Russ Harold repacks the emergency kit for his left ventricular assist device recently during a checkup at The Rock medical office building. The emergency kit contains spare batteries and a backup computer that controls the pump connected to his heart.

Restaurant Guide Button

Osprey Link

Wild Roses

A wild rose blooms in Lawrence Park on Monday, June 11, in Kalispell.

This Week in the Flathead: Yarn Bombing the Hockaday

Detail of trees that have been 'yarn bombed' outside the Hockaday Museum on Monday, June 11, in Kalispell.

Kalispell Glass

Visiting Glacier

Maya Johnson, 11, of Salt Lake City, Utah, tosses a rock into Avalanche Creek on Tuesday, June 12, in Glacier National Park.

Grab-n-Go

From left, Ashley Palmer and her mother Tamara Sax, both of Columbia Falls, were the first in line to check out books at the new Grab-n-Go collection at the Flathead County Library on Wednesday morning, June 13, in Kalispell. The collection allows readers to get the newest bestsellers while bypassing the waiting lists. Grab-n-Go books may be checked out for two weeks and cannot be renewed.

osprey

Dining Table

State rejects Lake County allegations

Despite a recently issued state ruling citing a lack of evidence for allegations against the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, further allegations will be tested in a lawsuit that is moving forward this week.

Green Tea House

Abbott Valley Homestead

New snow postpones Sun Road opening

Although Glacier National Park officials hoped that Going-to-the-Sun Road could be opened over Logan Pass by Friday, now they project an opening by the middle of next week.

Pertussis outbreak winding down

Flathead County pertussis (whooping cough) cases have reached 59 and two new schools have been added to the list of those with students sick with the disease.

Council wades through part of city's budget

Kalispell City Council members offered up some limited cost-saving ideas Monday as they waded department-by-department through a 146-page preliminary budget proposed for fiscal year 2013.

Kalispell looks for consultant for cleanup work

Kalispell is looking to contract with someone to help oversee a $1 million revolving loan fund that the city set up to help people clean and redevelop contaminated properties.

Sea of red won't last in N. Fork forest

A sea of red trees in the North Fork Flathead River drainage is an alarming view if you’re thinking “beetle kill,” but it’s not.

Ronan principal reports death threats

The Ronan High School principal who canceled a Hollywood producer’s talk to high school seniors said he has moved his family out of their house because of death threats.

FVCC president in line to lead U.S. board

 Flathead Valley Community College President Jane Karas will become chairwoman-elect of the American Association of Community Colleges’ board of directors on July 1.

Mission Valley takes 2 from Libby

LIBBY — Solid pitching by Justin Evertz and Nick Crawford and the big bats of Jack Humphreys and Mike Bournstein carried the Mission Valley Mariners to a doubleheader sweep of the Libby Loggers (11-13 overall, 4-4 league) on Tuesday in Class A American Legion baseball.

Eaves gives Lakers split with Mavericks

The Kalispell Lakers AA earned a split with first-place Missoula at Griffin Field on Tuesday, giving the Mavericks their first league loss of the season.

Young actor summons courage for heart surgery

Boy, 7, has ties to Whitefish

Max Page, the 7-year-old who won acclaim playing a mini-Darth Vader last year in Volkswagen’s Super Bowl commercial, is summoning some super power of his own to undergo open heart surgery in Los Angeles on Thursday.

Tenant-landlord dispute 'overflows'

The

Volkswagen Passat 2011 Super Bowl XLV television commercial

Flathead Valley Junior Tour

Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake Riggs Johnston sinks a par put on Hole 2 at Meadow Lake Golf Course Tuesday afternoon during the Flathead Valley Junior Tour. Tuesday, June 12, 2012 in Columbia Falls, Montana.

Lakers AA Baseball

Kalispell Lakers’ first basemen Dillon Eaves runs to first base to get the final out in the first inning during the opening game of a doubleheader with Missoula at Griffin Field on Tuesday.

Shawn Douglas Sipes, 53

A Sea of Red

Detail shot of trees infected with the needle cast fungus Lophodermella along the North Fork Road on Tuesday, June 12, just outside Glacier National Park.

Bonnie Elsie Alice Schlegel Winter, 76

Bonnie Elsie Alice Schlegel Winter, 76, passed away on June 11, 2012, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Kalispell Ninja

Thirteen-year-old Jordan Geyer of Kalispell practices his “ninja-style” moves in front of his home on Monday, June 11. Geyer says they improve his agility, speed and power.

Daybook

Concrete work

WM Winkler laborer Koa Ramos pours concrete as crew members start flatwork on the sidewalk along West Idaho Street Monday. The work has continued since early April.

Krueger adds two votes to his slim lead

The number of votes separating the top two finishers in the District 3 Flathead County commissioner Republican primary race remains close enough to allow for a recount, after 109 provisional ballots were added to the vote totals Monday afternoon.

Rows of Green

Rows of Chinese cabbage and oak leaf lettuce are only two of the many varieties of vegetables and herbs that can be found at Terrapin Farm in Whitefish.

Chief Weeder

Terrapin Farm owner, Judy Owsowitz, has been farming in Kalispell for over 30 years. Owsowitz says she enjoys growing food for people, in addition to teaching the four apprentices she has working with her.

Evening session scheduled to discuss water rights negotiations

A town-hall meeting to discuss ongoing Water Rights Compact negotiations between the state, the Confederated Salish-Kootenai Tribes and the federal government will be held June 21 in Ronan.

Family Doctor

Dr. Valerie Linse examines Tom Scalese’s horse, Red, as he and his daughter, Sicily, watch at the LaSalle Equine Clinic in Kalispell on Monday, June 11.

Caring for Horses

Dr. Valerie Linse examines the eye of a horse at LaSalle Equine Clinic in Kalispell on Monday, June 11. Established by Dr. Gerald Slobojan and Dr. John Erfle in 1979 as the mixed-practice LaSalle Veterinary Clinic, the LaSalle Equine Clinic narrowed it’s focus to large animals in 2005.

FVCC awards 200 GEDs tonight

More than 200 people of all ages are expected to receive their general education development certificates tonight at Flathead Valley Community College.

County battles with space needs for documents

Ensuring there is adequate space in a properly maintained environment for documents that Flathead County must keep is a constant battle, the county clerk says.

City departments hold bike rodeo

Weather permitting, Kalispell’s fire, police and parks departments host a “bike rodeo” Saturday to help area youngsters learn how to be safe while riding around.

Flower theft caught on video

The Flathead County Sheriff’s Office got a report Sunday from a gallery on Electric Avenue in Bigfork regarding a woman stealing a basket of flowers. The theft was captured on video.

Provisional Ballot Count

From left, county commissioner candidate Gerald "Jay" Scott and Paula Robinson, county clerk and recorder, look over the first round of numbers from the provisional ballot count Monday afternoonat the Expo Building at the Flathead County Fairgrounds.

Extra Day for Birding

Audry Bechard of Missoula wanders the trails at Lawrence Park on Monday afternoon, June 11, in Kalispell. Bechard was in town for the Wings Over the Flathead program this past weekend.

Updated fishing report for June 2012

Kootenai Valley, Libby split doubleheaders

EUREKA — It was definitely a tale of two games for the Kootenai Valley Rangers on Sunday.

Stuck cat prompts call to police

Sunday afternoon, a Short Pine Drive resident called the

Building hope: Kalispell man shepherds orphanage in Philippines

It’s been eight years since Mike Yap first thought about starting an orphanage in the Philippines.

Bigfork merchant a voracious volunteer

Pride of ownership a mainstay for town

It may sound simplistic, but Bigfork is a busy community with a loaded event schedule because people who live there want it that way and work hard to keep things hopping, one of those busy volunteers says.

Spokane man pleads innocent to gun charges

A 26-year-old Spokane man pleaded not guilty Thursday in Flathead District Court to a pair of felony charges.

As grass grows, so do complaints to city

‘Tis the season: Growing and uncut grass in Kalispell neighborhoods has been prompting the usual complaints to city officials.

Lakeside man faces series of court charges

A 29-year-old Lakeside man pleaded not guilty Thursday in Flathead District Court to felony charges of assault on a minor and criminal endangerment across two cases.

Council appoints interim mayor

The Troy City Council has appointed a new interim mayor.

Let the early voter beware

First things first: The voter turnout in Flathead County for Tuesday’s election was abominable. Just 33.77 percent of voters cast ballots in an election as significant as any in recent memory.

Meal program begins summer phase

Starting Monday, Kalispell Public Schools will serve free breakfast and lunch to children over the summer.

Raku art puts Polson couple in limelight

When Matt and Heather Holmes put their fiery hot 2,000-degree ceramic pieces into metal buckets of sawdust, they don’t know what the end result will be.

Olney man wins $10,000 at Albertsons

A little over a week ago, Rye Beals of Olney thought to himself, “It can’t be,” as he affixed the fifth and final tab to his Kalispell Albertsons’ game board under the $10,000 family vacation prize.

French dining gives way to fusion fare in Bigfork

Reinventing a classic restaurant

For 12 years La Provence’s exclusive French cuisine was the pinnacle of fine dining in the Flathead Valley.

Daybook

Mission Valley rolls past Glacier A

WHITEFISH — The Mission Valley Mariners racked up 24 hits while holding the Glacier Twins to a grand total of two hits en route to a doubleheader sweep Saturday at Memorial Park.

Athletes brave the cold and wind during Herron Park race

Eighty runners descended in Kalispell on a cold, windy morning to run the Herron half marathon and 10K race. Peter Heyboer won the half marathon by more than two minutes, finishing in 1 hour, 48 minutes, 17.3 seconds.

Man takes illicit photo of minor

Employees of a business on Hutton Ranch Road contacted the

Maibel Robinson

Noah Heidegger

Garrett Petersen

Talia Wheeler

Alexander Allen

Dawson Davis

Jordeyn Eby

Rose Alice Ford

Charles Curtis Hamilton

Daniel Homola

Bryar Crampton

Nevaeh Lee Hilliard

Keenyn Lodien

Aila Grady

Ryden Klempel

Dog tired

Three-year-old William Heyboer of Kalispell waits for his parents, Pete and Jenny, at the finish line of the Herron Half Marathon and 10K run in Kalispell on Saturday, June 9. Proceeds raised through the event were donated to Foy’s to Blacktail Trails.

Outpouring of support: Montanans rally to conservative who was blocked from talking to students

Kalispell contemplates $4 million budget increase

Sizable increases in spending for water and sewer system improvements  are driving a $4 million increase in next year’s proposed city budget.

So just who was 'smearing' whom?

What if Barack Obama gave a “party,” and nobody came?

Think Local Art Fair

James Corwin of Kalispell works on a miniature painting on Saturday morning, June 9, at the Think Local Art Fair on the Courthouse Lawn in Kalispell. The fair continues today from 9 to 4 on the west side of the courthouse. This is Corwin's first year taking part in the the Think Local fairs. The next Think Local is scheduled for August 24-26.

Half Marathon Finish

Pete Heyboer crosses the finish line after running the marathon section of the first Herron Marathon half marathon and 10K in Kalispell on Saturday. Heyboer’s wife, Jenny, ran in the event as well.

Going the Distance

Flathead Lake Distance Running Camp counselor, Brett Winegar of Seattle, leads runners during the 10K section of the first Herron half marathon and 10K in Kalispell on Saturday.

Trail Running

Katie French runs one of three trail loops in the first ever Herron half marathon and 10K in Kalispell on Saturday.

Ready, Set, Go!

Runners start the half marathon portion of the first Herron half marathon and 10K run in Kalispell on Saturday.

Cancer clouds teacher's retirement plans

On Tuesday, the last school bell rang in second-grade teacher Terry Heinecke’s career.

Glacier student named to statewide advisory board

 Anna Deleray from Glacier High School is among 31 new members of the 2012-13 Office of Public Instruction Student Advisory Board.

Driver in fatal crash pleads not guilty

A 33-year-old Columbia Falls man pleaded not guilty to negligent homicide Thursday in Flathead District Court.

Lawsuit over statue slated for 2013 trial

The court case challenging the Jesus statue on Big Mountain has been scheduled in U.S. District Court in Missoula.

School's snub goes national

Bigfork resident and Oscar-winning producer Gerald “Jerry” Molen says he was surprised about the national attention that came about on Friday regarding the story of him being turned away from addressing the Ronan High School graduating class because of his conservative political views.

Daybook

Dad wants help busting his son with Jack

A concerned father requested a deputy from the

Groups sue to stop forest thinning

Environmental groups have sued to stop pre-commercial thinning work on the Flathead National Forest, raising arguments that are similar to those applied in two previous lawsuits targeting timber sales.

Double vision

 Patrick Record/Daily Inter Lake

Mary Mamie Herman LaRoque, 87

This week in the flt header

Profile: Amy Roberston

Amy Roberston, finance director for the City of Kalispell, in her office on Friday, June 8, in Kalispell. Roberston, Fred Zavodny and Roger Krauss will all be retiring at the end of this month. According to Robertson the three combined have 98 years of service.

Profile: Fred Zavodny

Fred Zavodny, project manager for the Public Works Department, in his office on Friday, June 8, in Kalispell. Zavodny, Amy Roberston and Roger Krauss will all be retiring at the end of this month.

Ken Holste

Ken Holste is retiring from Trinity Lutheran School after more than 40 years of service.

Piping Up

Rod Douglas, pipe major with the Montana Highlanders Association pipe and drum band, adds a touch of Celtic flair to the band's garage sale on Friday afternoon, June 8, by playing the bagpipes as visitors sift through the items for sale. The band held the sale this weekend to raise funds for their new uniforms. The sale continues Saturday and is being held at the intersection of 4th Avenue E and 9th Street across from Hedges School in Kalispell.

This week in the flt link

Michael Yap and Cross Point Ministries

Michael Yap of Cross Point Ministries displays the plans for a Christian-based orphanage located in Kalibo, Aklan, an island in the Philippines, on Thursday, January 26, at his home in Whitefish. Yap will be traveling to the Philippines for the grand opening of the orphanage on June 21.

Building Hope

Michael Yap, center, receives prayers at the close of a Night of Worship, a fundraising event for Cross Point Ministries.

Alberson's $10,000 Vacation Winner

From left, Roy Beals of Olney stands with Amy Holtz and Jeff Brown of Alberson's as they present him with the check for $10,000 on Wednesday, June 6, in Kalispell. Beals won the prize as part of the Sizzlin' Summer Give Away contest.

Raising an Olympian - Alicia Sacramone

"Glacier Park & the Canadian Rockies: The Great Rocky Mountain RV Adventure" Part 2

Big Trout, Small Stream- Opening Day 2012

Daybook

Troy Council seeks replacement for recalled mayor

Troy officials this week began the task of finding a replacement for recently recalled Mayor Don Banning.

College leader begins community meetings

Flathead Valley Community College President Jane Karas will kick off her 11th annual Community Conversations June 13.

Glacier plows dig through new snow

After being turned back by foul weather on Wednesday, Glacier National Park plow crews returned to Logan Pass Thursday to continue working on the Big Drift and clearing snow from the visitor center parking lot.

Man sentenced for pornography

A 29-year-old Kalispell man was sentenced Thursday in U.S. District Court in Missoula to three years in jail and 15 years of probation for possessing child pornography.

String of fires in Lake County investigated

A series of suspicious fires in Lake County, including one that destroyed a historic building early Saturday morning, has caught the attention of area law enforcement.

Disputed boat ramp shut down temporarily

A county boat launch on Church Slough that is the focus of a lawsuit has been temporarily closed by a recent order from Flathead County District Judge Katherine Curtis.

Bemis resigns as softball coach

The Glacier Wolfpack will have a new softball coach next spring.

Johnson verbally commits to Arizona State

Missoula Volleyball Academy 18 National coach Nate Michael recalls a tournament his team played recently in Colorado.

Questionably dressed girl reported

The

100 provisional ballots remain to be reviewed

Final results from Flathead County’s primary election await Monday’s review of provisional ballots.

Helping the homeless

Joseph Berg, 5, gets his hair cut by Jacarla Corne of Protege Salon at the Homeless Connect event on Thursday morning, June 6, at Samaritan House in Kalispell. On the left is Janell Malczynski of Hair Tech and at right is Jesi Schuman of Salon Jazlin.

Robert John 'Bob' Hamill, 84

Robert John “Bob” Hamill, husband and father, “was placed in God's loving arms” on Friday, May 25, 2012, at St. Vincent Hospital, Billings.

Shirley Ann Neilson, 75

Rachelle Rae Thompson, 47

Rachelle Rae Thompson, 47, of Weatherford, Texas, passed away Sunday, May 20, 2012.

Nancy Ramage Christensen, 65

Nancy Ramage Christensen, 65, passed away suddenly in her home in Lakeside on Sunday, June 3, 2012.

Great People and Atmosphere

Bigfork residents for 33 years, Jerry and Pat Molen can be found at the Mosaic restaurant two to three times a week. The Molens say they are excited for owner Mark Guizol and they enjoy the atmosphere and people.

A Mosaic Tiramisu

Chocolate tiramisu is one of the desserts made fresh at the Mosaic restaurant in Bigfork. The dessert menu changes every couple of days and it is not out of the ordinary for customers to call ahead of time to place an order, restaurant owner, Caroline Guizol says.

La Provence Reinvented

Mosaic restaurant owner, Marc Guizol, puts his finishing touch on the Saffron Scented Risotto and Shrimp, in Bigfork on Thursday, June 7. The Saffron Scented Risotto and Shrimp is one of a few items from Marc and Caroline Guizol’s previous restaurant, La Provence.

Homeless Connect Event

Brandon Nelson of Kalispell helps fix bikes at the Homeless Connect event on Thursday morning, June 6, at Samaritan House in Kalispell. Nelson is a member of the Kalispell Wheelmen, a mutant bike club, helping out at the event is a service project for the organization.

High-water Mark

Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake A sign on the bank of the Flathead River near Columbia Falls marks level of the water during the flooding in 1964. Thursday, June 7, 2012 in Columbia Falls, Montana.

Whitefish picked for national catalog shoot

Thanks to a late burst of online voting, Native Eyewear will be coming to Whitefish for its next catalog shoot.

Lashinda Demus: Qualified First Look

Whitefish imposes new limits on yard sales

The Whitefish City Council voted Monday to rein in long-term yard sales and eliminate some illegal home businesses.

Orchard to be planted on June 18

The groundbreaking and planting date for Grace Orchard at Kalispell Middle School is June 18.

KMS plan comes to fruition

Don’t mess with Kalispell Middle School — at least not when it comes to online voting!

Kalispell family left homeless by fire

Members of a Kalispell family is working to put their lives back together after a fire destroyed their home and all their possessions Monday afternoon.

Daybook

Deluge raises rivers, adds to snowpack

A steady downpour over the last couple of days has added to mountain snowpacks and raised flows on Northwest Montana rivers, some of which were expected to approach flood stage by today.

Sediment work to begin today on Whitefish Lake

The removal of contaminated sediment left in Whitefish Lake by a 1989 train derailment and fuel spill is scheduled to begin today in Mackinaw Bay and should be finished by the end of June.

Lakers earn split in Great Falls

'Nature with a capital N'

Artist seeks to capture light, mood in landscapes

By KRISTI ALBERTSON

Deer crossing

Deer cross a snowy road Wednesday morning on Big Mountain. The latest weather onslaught in Northwest Montana brought snow to higher elevations and heavy rain to lower areas.

Road cellphone ban studied for Col. Falls

Columbia Falls is considering a citywide ban on the use of handheld electronic devices by drivers, with a public hearing on the proposal set for June 18.

Celebration launches summer guitar festival

A summer guitar celebration launching events surrounding the 2012 Crown of the Continent Guitar Workshop and Festival will be held Friday, June 22, at the Saddlehorn Trapper Cabins in Bigfork.

Mountain lion 'put down' in Martin City

A deputy with the

Alpine Theatre Project to perform 'Master Class'

Tony Award nominee and Broadway veteran Barbara Walsh will bring Terrence McNally’s “Master Class” back to its birthplace when she portrays legendary opera diva Maria Callas with Alpine Theatre Project in Whitefish June 15 to 24.

Boot competition raises funds for Intermountain

Art classes from each high school in the Flathead Valley rallied together recently in a friendly rivalry for Intermountain’s Painted Boot Scoot.

Erma Overby, 87

Guitar foundation seeks 75 volunteers

Organizers of the Crown of the Continent Guitar Workshop and Festival are looking for 75 volunteers to help with a variety of events and activities before and during the workshop, which will be held from Aug. 26 to Sept. 2 in Bigfork.

North Boundary Trail

Grille 459

Evergreen Splash

Drivers make their way through flooding on U.S. 2 in Evergreen on Wednesday, June 6. The National Weather Service issued a flood watch on Tuesday, June 5, though Thursday evening, June 7.

This Week in the Flathead: Nicholas Oberling

Tubes of paint in Nicholas Oberling's studio on Tuesday, June 5, in West Valley.

Event connects homeless with services

A walk-in Project Homeless Connect event at the Samaritan House Administrative Center on Thursday and Friday will have about 20 Kalispell dentists offering free dental care.

Montana storms bring problems, maybe floods

A storm system that moved north through central Montana has brought hail and at least one tornado in the rural Hobson area, leaving behind downed trees and power lines.

Council turns down lease credit for golf group

After some confusion and debate, the Kalispell City Council on Monday voted down a lease credit requested by the Kalispell Golf Association.

Daybook

Four advance in District Court races

Robert Allison and Daniel Wilson will square off in November for a Flathead District Court judge position.

Incumbent legislators fend off challengers in two races

It was incumbents 2, challengers 1, Tuesday in a field of five contested legislative primary battles across Flathead County.

Unknown driver declares war on beehives

Somone with an apparent distaste for bees was the perpetrator of criminal mischief on Cowboy Way in Columbia Falls. It was reported to the

2012 Olympic Stadium opens

Ruth Bennett Rodwick, 92

Ruth Bennett Rodwick, born Feb. 23, 1920, passed away May 27, 2012, from complications due to advanced age, in her beloved home of Montana.

Roadside Campaigning

Campaign signs line the side of U.S. 93 in Kalispell on Wednesday, June 6.

Next Step, First Grade.

Kindergartner Dylan Hefner waits his turn to slide down the slide at the end of the Cornelius Hedges School graduation on Wednesday, June 5. Before going down the slide, students were asked what they wanted to be when they grow up. Hefner wants to be a firefighter.

Voting Lessons

Tim Sievers votes with his 3-year-old daughter, Arabella, at the Flathead County Fairgrounds on Tuesday. Sievers said it is important for his daughter to see him fulfill his civic duty, with the hopes that she will learn from the experience.

Alice Marie Norquay Simons, 78

Alice Marie Norquay Simons was born in Whitefish on May 16, 1934.

Monday Profile

Donna Lawson is in her third year as a board member for the Bigfork Performing Arts Center.

Cat Dog Smoker

Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake Monday evening during the Cat Dog Smoker at Memorial Park. Monday, June 4, 2012 in Whitefish, Montana.

Lakers A down Missoula in twinbill

The Kalispell Lakers A registered 21 hits over the course of a doubleheader on Sunday, taking two American Legion baseball games from the visiting Missoula Mavericks A team.

Local softball players honored

Several local athletes have been honored by the Northwestern A for their prowess on the softball field.

Dogs get best of Cats

WHITEFISH — The Bulldogs got the better of the Columbia Falls Wildcats at the annual Cat-Dog Boxing Smoker on Monday night at Memorial Park.

Della Beller, 79

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Cat Dog Smoker

Columbia Falls' Alyssa VanMoorsel (right) and Whitefish's Jenna-Rose Hanson trade punches Monday evening during the Cat Dog Smoker at Memorial Park. 

Rains may cause some flooding

On the heels of the area's recent wet weather, the National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for Flathead County and Northwest Montana.

Dolly the duck

A mother duck and her six ducklings take shelter under a tree at the Flathead County Courthouse last week. The duck spent the last month living at the base of a tree at the courthouse, sitting on her nest of nine eggs. The ducklings hatched last Tuesday and Wednesday. Birds stole at least one egg, according to county employees who had adopted the duck, named her Dolly and provided her food and water daily. The drake never returned to the nest, employees said. Dolly led her brood Friday afternoon toward a slough on 11th Street East.

Open house considers wolf-hunt changes

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks will host an open house in Kalispell on Wednesday, June 13, to give information and answer questions on the proposed 2012-13 wolf hunting and trapping season.

Crowded ballot awaits primary voters today

Area voters go to the polls today for Montana’s primary election.

Assault suspect arrested

A Kalispell man was arrested on a felony assault charge Sunday after a hospital nurse told police about a 54-year-old woman being treated for knife wounds in the emergency room.

Candidate challenges campaign allegations

Republican gubernatorial candidate Ken Miller on Monday accused the state’s commissioner of political practices of making “false, unsupported and malicious accusations” in a report released Friday.

Man pleads not guilty to burglary charges

A 30-year-old Kalispell man pleaded not guilty Thursday in Flathead District Court to amended charges in one of his two pending cases.

Couple attack house sitter

A 22-year-old woman was watching a house on Kings Way early Monday morning when a couple showed up and beat her up with a bat and tried to stab her with a knife. One woman was arrested on a preliminary charge of assault, the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office said.

Hospital tallies $19 million benefit

In its 2012 community report, North Valley Hospital in Whitefish reported a $19 million benefit to the community during fiscal year 2011.

Firefighters stop fire in Kalispell basement

The Kalispell Fire Department put out a house fire at 1305 Fourth St. W. late Monday morning.

Special Olympics Fundraiser

After finishing the final leg of her 91-mile fundraising run, Kelda Latham-Bennett, right, is greeted by Special Olympics athlete Chrissy Siefke in the Flathead Industries parking lot Monday afternoon. Latham-Bennett raised more than $4,000 for Special Olympics of Montana by running from Libby to Kalispell. The two-day run started Sunday at Achievements' Parkside Thrift Store in Libby and concluded Monday afternoon at Flathead Industries in Kalispell. Monday, June 4, 2012 in Kalispell, Montana.

Hawkeye WC holds media day prior to Olympic Team Trials in Iowa City

Preview of USA Archery Olympic Team Trials

LHN - Phelps Interview - Longhorn Aquatics Elite Invite

Whitewater Festival 2012 #2

Silverbrook Communities

Silverbrook Estates was designed with you in mind. Constructed around the pristine Stillwater River, there are 5 distinct community areas within the Silverbrook Estates Community: Riverside North, Riverside South, Creekside North, Creekside South, and Silverbrook Townhomes.

Silverbrook Creek

Silverbrook Estates is a quiet, rural area that is close to numerous large lakes and rivers, yet within the community is its very own creek. The stone bridge that crosses the Silverbrook Creek is a one-of-a-kind creation with stones hand picked from the local Dayton, Montana quarry. The bridge offers safe pedestrian traffic from one end of the Community to the other. Water flows from the Stillwater Creek, originating at the Town Center and downward toward the Riverside Park.

Clubhouse

Silverbrook Estates offers residents a personal clubhouse, complete with dining area, kitchenette and fitness center. The Clubhouse was designed with the active individual in mind, offering a space for activities that fit your lifestyle.

Albert Lewis

Albert “Algie” Lewis, 80

Albert “Algie” Lewis, 80, passed on at 11:45 am Wednesday, May 30, 2012, at North Valley Hospital. He spent his last day joking with his wife, daughter, son-in-law, granddaughter and brother.

Week in Pictures: May 28 - June 3

Lakers AA fall to Missoula Mavs

MISSOULA — Sunday was a long day for the Kalispell Lakers AA American Legion baseball team.

Rangers, Twins split twinbill

EUREKA — The Kootenai Valley Rangers saw both ends of the American Legion baseball spectrum on Sunday.

Driver leaves scene after causing rollover

FVCC tests out gunsmithing program

Gun enthusiasts can take their hobby to a new level and law enforcement officers can earn education credits when Flathead Valley Community College premieres gunsmithing in mid-July.

Cost figures hang up couple's coffee-kiosk plan

Mayor calls for annexations to pay their own way

A small request is sparking bigger talk about whether properties Kalispell annexes should have to be cost-neutral or pay the difference through a special charge each year until they prove they are.

Man pleads not guilty to series of charges

A 31-year-old Bigfork man pleaded not guilty May 24 in Flathead District Court to a bevy of charges including driving under the influence.

Bakery owner gives back to community

Having volunteered to help boost Flathead Valley Community College for almost two decades, Nancy Gordley knows what a big role the college can play in the valley.

Renee Boiseau

Kila principal moving to Montessori in Kalispell

After 15 years at Kila School, Principal Renee Boisseau will leave the district to become the new director of Montessori Elementary in Kalispell.

Somers students learn fly tying, fishing in Glacier Park

A group of Somers Middle School eighth-graders leaned over fly-tie vises and wrapped thread around foam “insect” bodies to make Bunyan Bug ties at Glacier National Park’s Lake McDonald Lodge last week.

It's a Mrs. Wonderful life

Chicago native reinvents herself as Polson entrepreneur

Ever heard of orzechownik?

County choice: 14 candidates in two races

Voters will find a crowded field of Republican candidates in both Flathead County commissioner races as they head to the polls during the primary election on Tuesday.

Fifty shades of white: My quest for a tan

A New Jersey mother with not much common sense in her bronzed noggin recently made headlines when she was accused of putting her 5-year-old daughter in a tanning bed. If you watch TV at all you’ve seen the “Tan Mom” in all her glory looking as if someone has smeared brown paint on her face and body.

Voters to narrow governor field

Watch Venus transit with astronomy club

 On June 5, as Venus passes between Earth and the sun for the last time this century, members of the Big Sky Astronomy Club will make their telescopes available for the public.

Vote early? Or vote informed?

Tuesday is Election Day in Montana’s primary, an event which all citizens should welcome as an opportunity to exercise their most important responsibility in a free society.

Teen pregnancy is not a fashion statement

 believe there are more single teen mothers in America now than there are adult, single mothers.

Free-speech debate - Who's corrupting whom with political spending? 

Recently, Montana had news that our attorney general had filed briefs with the U.S. Supreme Court asking them to revisit their 2010 Citizens United decision and give Montana’s restrictive campaign finance laws a pass. With all due respect, I think our AG is either stuck in a time warp or doesn’t understand the basics of a marketplace, and especially a marketplace of influence or ideas.

Daybook

Cat-Dog smoker set for Monday

The annual Cat-Dog boxing smoker gets going tonight at 7 p.m. at Memorial Park in Whitefish.

Columbia Falls adds five to hall of fame

COLUMBIA FALLS — Five members of the Columbia Falls High School Class of 2012 were recently inducted into the school’s athletic hall of fame.

Loggers split with Bandits

LIBBY — The Libby Loggers recorded 20 hits on Saturday, but came away with a split in a non-conference American Legion doubleheader against the visiting Rocky Mountain Bandits of Cranbrook, B.C.

Violent offender claims not guilty of rape

The

Ben A. Barkley, 61

Ben A. Barkley, 61, passed away on Thursday, May 31, 2012, at his home in Kalispell.

Glacier Graduation

Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake Seniors descend the gymnasium stairs on their way to their seats for the start of Glacier High School graduation Saturday morning. Saturday, June 2, 2012 in Kalispell, Montana.

Freedom to choose? That all depends...

I was contemplating the joyous simplicity of writing a column about Mayor Bloomberg’s delightfully dim-witted plan to ban big Cokes in the Big Apple when something far more troubling occurred that made me rethink my plans.

Francis LaVerne McBride, 94

3 Blind Refs

Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake Flathead Soccer Club's Cadie Williams (left) lines up to take a shot against a North Idaho Avalanche defender Saturday afternoon during the 3 Blind Refs tournament at Kidsports Complex. Saturday, June 2, 2012 in Kalispell, Montana.

Bear panel watches oil activity on east side

An interagency panel of land and wildlife managers has turned its attention to the impacts on grizzly bears from oil-and-gas exploration and extraction on the Rocky Mountain Front.

Defendant changes pleas

The Daily Inter Lake

Washington man pleads innocent to drug charges

A 38-year-old Easton, Wash., man pleaded not guilty Thursday in Flathead District Court to a pair of drug charges.

Daybook

Flathead H.S. Class of 2012

Heta Nikula, center, gets a hug from Jene Amundson as the seniors gather before the start of the commencement ceremony at Flathead High School Friday evening in Kalispell. Amundson was listed as recipient of the Jenner and Edith Orr Scholarship and the Pepsi Cola FHS Activities Scholarship. The pair were among 355 seniors who graduated from Flathead.

GHS senior aspires to cure diseases

Finding a cure for cancer is a “lofty goal,” Josiah Bumgarner realizes, but he has always set his bar a little bit higher than most people.

Gunsmithing program

Brandon Miller uses a lathe to prepare a barrel for a muzzle break in his Creston gunsmith shop.

Stillwater Christian School Graduation

Stillwater Christian School seniors take a moment to pray before the start of graduation Friday night. Friday, June 1, 2012 in Kalispell, Montana.

Deputies investigate shots fired

Deputies with the

Judy K. Hynes, 67

Judy K. Hynes, 67, of Sun City West, Ariz., and formerly of Broadus, Mont., passed away on May 28, 2012. 

Specialties

Salads

Tacos

Burritos

Breakfast

Taco John's

Crash

Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake Creston figherfighters extricate a man from his pickup truck after being hit by a semi-truck on Egan Slough Road Friday afternoon. Friday, June 1, 2012 in Kalispell, Montana.

Gene Wiley, 87

Gene Wiley, 87, formerly of Martin City, passed away Friday, May 25, 2012, at his home in Merrill, Wis.

Smith Lake Scenes

Joey Christersson, left, and his wife Jessica and son Dominic, 4, enjoy an afternoon visit to Smith Lake on Friday, June 1, near Kila. The Chisterssons are visiting from Seeley Lake.

A River Runs Through It

Fly Fishing at Glacier National Park

Somers School eighth-graders studied the book "A River Runs Through It" as part of their science and history curriculum. The class took a trip to Glacier National Park to put their fly fishing knowledge to the test.

Logging Truck Rollover

A logging truck rolled over Friday morning while turning onto West Springcreek Road from U.S. 2 west of Kalispell. Friday, June 1, 2012 in Kalispell, Montana.

MT Life interactive

Elections 2012

Whitefish man pleads guilty to felony burglary

A 29-year-old Whitefish man pleaded guilty Wednesday in Flathead District Court to felony counts of burglary and accountability to burglary for his participation in two burglaries in the valley.

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mt life headlines

Grant will help rail park design

A Montana Department of Commerce grant will help the Flathead County Economic Development Authority design and engineer Flathead County Rail Park.

MT life Photo gallery

KMS wins orchard in online vote

The online voting for Grace Orchard has proved fruitful for Kalispell Middle School.

Whitefish week is all about bikes

Whitefish celebrates its third annual Bikefish June 2 through June 7.

We need you, Class of 2012!

Congratulations, Class of 2012.

Online funding campaign boosts unique aircraft firm

Kalispell resident John McGinnis has a bold vision of what the personal aircraft could and should be.

Glacier Park plow crews near final snow obstacles

Glacier National Park snowplow crews continue to close in on Logan Pass and the Big Drift, the last major obstacle in clearing Going-to-the-Sun Road for summer traffic.

Somers school now among list of sites with infected students

Flathead City-County Health Department officials have reported three more pertussis (whooping cough) cases, raising the county total to 56 and adding Somers Middle School to the list of affected school districts.

Stillwater senior shoots for career as a federal agent

Rikki Stutsman, special agent.

Angle says Tea Party movement alive and well

While some national pundits, usually of the liberal stripe, have casually dismissed the Tea Party movement as a fading phenomenon over the last year, Sharron Angle and Ken Miller say they are in for a surprise.