Ellington

Olson replaces Nelson as WHS golf coach

Terry Nelson said it was time.

Elaborate proposal viewed by millions

Kalispell dancer choreographs viral sensation

As of Thursday, more than 10 million people had watched Gina Johnson Morris, a Kalispell native, lead dozens of family and friends of Isaac Lamb and Amy Frankel in dance routines in a viral video sensation called the “first live lip-dub proposal.”

Elaborate proposal

In this frame from a YouTube video, Gina Johnson Morris, lower right in red dress, watches Isaac Lamb propose to Amy Frankel on a street in Portland.

Store has pointy plumbing problem

An employee of a gas station on U.S. 2 South in Kalispell contacted the

Kwyn Johnson Verbal Agreement with Arizona State

Kwyn Johnson, center, celebrates with her teammates during a game in September in Kalispell. Johnson has made a verbal agreement to play for Arizona State.

Susan J. (Salgo) Fuerst, 84

Susan J. (Salgo) Fuerst, 84, formerly of Kalispell, “peacefully left this earth” on Saturday, May 5, 2012, in Kingston, R.I.

Silverbrook Estates

Somers School at Glacier National Park

Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake BIll Bosslet, center, shows Somers School either-graders how to clip the ends of foam for the Bunyan bugs they tied Friday morning at Lake McDonald Lodge in Glacier National Park. Friday, May 25, 2012 in Glacier National Park, Montana.

Structure Fire on 5th Avenue

Captain Craig Fischer of the Kalispell Fire Department relays orders as firefighters begin working to put out a structure fire on Wednesday evening, May 30, at 1705 5th Avenue East, in Kalispell.

Isaac's Live Lip-Dub Proposal

StatePoint Media Stories

StatePoint Media Wiget

County detention center fills up for holiday weekend

Following the first big holiday weekend of the spring, the Flathead County Detention Center nearly reached capacity.

House candidate fights for name recognition

Normally, a race to represent the largest congressional district in the country would earn a high public profile, but not in this election year.

Kalispell school board approves pay increases

Kalispell Public Schools trustees approved salary increases Tuesday after completing negotiations with three bargaining units.

Daybook

C.F. duo arrested for kidnapping

A pair of Columbia Falls men are in police custody after a man escaped from the trunk of their vehicle north of Spokane.

Missing hiker's death confirmed

A genetic analysis has confirmed that bone fragments found in Glacier National Park last July were the remains of Yi-Jien Hwa, who disappeared while hiking in the park in summer 2008.

Interim commissioner has lost trust

In the recent Inter Lake investigation into the financial pasts of Flathead County commissioner candidates, two numbers stand out, according to reader feedback.

Naked truth: He should have known better

A man who was a little too comfortable with his own body was reported to the

Lake cleanup

Envirocon workers prepare a barge at City Beach to be transported across Whitefish Lake on Wednesday morning. The barge is part of a dredging operation to clean up contaminated sediments from a 1989 train derailment in Mackinaw Bay.

Farmers markets in full bloom

Fresh & funky

With summer right around the corner, gardens and greenhouses across the Flathead Valley are already beginning to produce. That bounty is on display throughout the valley at weekly farmers markets.

Flathead senior aims to fly Navy's next fighter jet

Graduating from Flathead High School on Friday, Michael Scaccia heads off to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., in June.

Tickets on sale now for Glacier Symphony's Festival Amadeus

Tickets are on sale now for Festival Amadeus.

Audition for 'God of Carnage'

Whitefish Theatre Co. holds auditions for its fall 2012 production of “God of Carnage” at 7 p.m. Sunday and Monday.

Teens invited to performing arts camp

Teenagers will have an opportunity to participate in a performing arts workshop this summer.

Meet artists at Whitefish Gallery Nights receptions

Stroll through downtown Whitefish and meet this month’s featured artists at Whitefish Gallery Nights June 7.

Donna Jean Toelke, 76

Marilyn Ann Bailey, 69

Marilyn Ann Bailey (more commonly known as “Honey”) “arrived in the arms of Jesus” after  a sudden and swift surrender to cancer, on May 26, 2012. All of her sons and daughters, her nephew, and her ever-giving friend, were peacefully by her bedside.

Lloyd G. 'Bud' Withey, 90

Great Karma

Betty Virginia Evenson, 91

Betty Virginia Evenson, 91, passed away on May 12, 2012, at home in North Pole, Alaska.

London 2012 Olympic Flame Arrives in the UK

2012 Olympic Flame Lit in Greece

Olympic Torch Relay in Stoke-on-Trent

Whitefish Dredging Begins

Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake Envirocon workers secure a barge to the dock at City Beach. The barge is part of the dredging operation to clean up contaminated sediments, caused by a train derailing in 1989, in Mackinaw Bay. Wednesday, May 30, 2012 in Whitefish, Montana.

Colorado Street Gas Leak

A worker from Flathead Electric walks up Colorado Street on Wednesday afternoon, May 30, in Kalispell. A gas leak was reported near the intersection of W. Colorado and 5th Ave WN just after noon. Gas was clearly visible coming up from the ground. A two block area around the leak was evacuated. The Kalispell Fire Department had two engines on the scene to help monitor the leak and to be ready to respond if needed.

Synergy Aircraft

John McGinnis of Synergy Aircraft LLC, sits in the plane he designed on Wednesday, May 30, in Evergreen. The aircraft is McGinnis' attempt to utilize drag reduction breakthroughs.

Commercial

Amarr Classica (Two lite section)

Amarr Classica (Custom painted)

Amarr Classica

Daybook

Candidate touts resource-extraction experience

Scott Aspenlieder sees his candidacy for secretary of state as having a unique characteristic — he has a background in resource extraction that he would put to work on the State Land Board.

Students win poetry awards

Several Kalispell students have been named winners in the Crail/Carr Poetry Awards.

Seminar today to teach about false currency

The Flathead County Sheriff’s Office is offering one-hour seminars today for local businesses and banks on how to detect false currency.

Man guilty of failing to register as sex offender

A 44-year-old man pleaded guilty Thursday during his arraignment in Flathead District Court to a charge of failing to register as a sexual or violent offender.

County's pertussis count rises to 53

Flathead County’s confirmed cases of pertussis (whooping cough) reached 53 on Tuesday with the results of the latest tests conducted by the laboratory at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Fire leaves mom, four kids homeless

Several local organizations are reaching out to help a woman and her four children after their Kila home and all their belongings were destroyed in a fire late Friday night.

Sherry Hurd Trippel Stein, 64

Cyclist, driver tangle

 The

Bigfork senior aims to pursue geosciences

Graduating Bigfork High School senior Shane Park wants to study the ground beneath his feet.

Bath time for a bruin

A young black bear enjoys a dip in a pond at the National Bison Range.

Wilma V. Kaski, 91

Wilma V. Kaski, 91, passed away Saturday, May 26, 2012, in Kalispell. 

Leonard Henry Wetherelt, 70

Leonard Henry Wetherelt, 70, passed away May 27, 2012, at his home in Columbia Falls, with his family by his side.

Evelyn Hoerner, 76

Evelyn Hoerner, born on May 18, 1935, died Tuesday, April 24, 2012, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Vance 'Bear' BearChild Birky, 42

Vance “Bear” BearChild Birky, 42, a logger from Kalispell, passed away near Kaycee, Wyo., on Feb. 9, 2012, from a tragic vehicle accident.

Spring tease

Almeda Benson, 90

Wood Garage Doors

Commercial

Steel

Custom Wood

Chad Kelly Whyard, 35

Chad Kelly Whyard, 35, of Johnstown, Colo., passed away at St. Luke's-Presbyterian Medical Center on May 25, 2012, after a brave and heroic eight year battle with leukemia and stemming complications of pneumonia.

Graduation Profile: Stillwater Christian School - Rikki Stutsman

Graduating Stillwater Christian School senior Rikki Stuts-man wants a career in global security intelligence.

2012 Graduation Profiles

Graduation Profile: Michael Scaccia - Flathead High School

Michael Scaccia will graduate Friday from Flathead High School and head to the U.S. Naval Academy later in June.

Barbeque Quesadilla

Cinnamon Rolls

Burgers

Jalapeno Cheddar Biscuits & Gravy

Week in Pictures: May 21-27

Chocolate Mousse

Graduation Profile: Bigfork - Shane Parks

Graduating Bigfork High School senior Shane Parks plans to study geology in college.

Graduation Profile: Glacier High School - Josiah Bumgarner

Graduating Glacier High School senior Josiah Bumgarner plans to study biomedical engineering at Virginia Tech.

The Bleau Bird

Good Medicine Imperial Red

Edited version 2012 Whitewater

Fresh Food

Breakfast Specials

Welcome

Services

Specialties

This Week in the Flathead - Farmers Markets

Several varieties of peppers are for sale at the Whitefish Farmers Market on Thursday, May 29, in the Pin & Cue parking lot.

Iverson wins Barnett tournament

MISSOULA — Kalispell’s Logan Iverson is the winner of the 77th Barnett Memorial Day golf tournament at Missoula Country Club.

Polson wins state softball championship

FRENCHTOWN — Heidi Rausch had a two-run home run, Jessica Bagnell had a two-run double and Polson made the most of three Belgrade errors as the Pirates downed the Panthers 8-3 on Monday in the Class A state championship softball game.

Twins rally to beat Missoula

Peter Seymore and Corey Davis each batted 2-for-3 as the Glacier Twins rallied from a three-run deficit in the bottom of the fifth inning to defeat Missoula 10-9 on Monday in the Missoula Memorial tournament.

Whitefish a finalist in firm's contest

Native Eyewear, a national company known for its sunglasses and polarized eyewear, has chosen Whitefish as one of five finalists to host the company’s next catalog shoot.

Council takes a look at annexation policies

At a work session tonight, the Kalispell City Council will meet with the planning staff to broadly review the city’s annexation policies.

Helen Louise (Stores) Harmon, 69

Helen Louise (Stores) Harmon, 69, passed away at Immanuel Lutheran Home on May 26, 2012.

William H. “Bill” Shewell, 79

William H. “Bill” Shewell, 79, died Saturday, May 26, 2012, at Brendan House in Kalispell.

Burglary investigated in Whitefish

A burglary was reported on Park Avenue in Whitefish.

Youth aims for traveling health-care career

Maggie Frankino is planning to take her career on the road and in the sky as a traveling nurse.

Mercedes (Baertsch) LeDesky, 89

Mercedes (Baertsch) LeDesky, 89, died May 26, 2012, at her home in Polson.

Mercedes LeDesky

Mercedes LeDesky

Helen Louise Harmon

Helen Louise Harmon

William Shewell

William Shewell

Graduation Profile: Whitefish - Maggie Frankino

Whitefish High School senior Maggie Frankino plans to study nursing after graduation and wants to work with Doctors Without Borders and the Peace Corp.  

Memorial Day

Linda Elgin, a member of the United Veterans of Flathead County, plays Taps at the Memorial Day celebration at Depot Park on Monday, May 28, in Kalispell. Elgin, who is not a veteran, joined the group because of her brother Jerry Wheeler of the U. S. Army. Monday was Elgin's first Memorial Day without Wheeler who died earlier this year.

Libby rallies to beat Bandits

CRANBROOK, B.C. — The Libby Loggers bounced back from a rough second inning with three runs in each of the fourth and fifth innings to defeat the Rocky Mountain Bandits 12-10 in an American Legion baseball game on Sunday in Cranbrook, B.C.

Iverson leads at Barnett

Kalispell’s Logan Iverson surged to the top of the leaderboard Sunday after the second round of the 77th Barnett Memorial Day golf tournament at Missoula Country Club.

Golf association wants waiver of lease

After a year of big expenditures, the Kalispell Golf Association wants the city of Kalispell to waive a $16,780 annual lease payment for its 240-acre golf course.

Memorial flag honors female veteran, family

Standing on stage at the Liberty Theatre in December 1942, Dorothy Orser Groose had an induction into the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps that made a lasting memory.

Columbia Falls graduate sets sights on becoming an astronaut

The sky isn’t the limit for 18-year-old Becky Griffith.

Woman says she was beaten by boyfriend

Graduation Profile: Columbia Falls - Becky Griffith

Columbia Falls High School senior Becky Griffith wants to become an aerospace engineer.

Becky Griffith

Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake Graduation Profile: Columbia Falls Friday, May 11, 2012 in Columbia Falls, Montana.

A family of distinction

Aspiring novelist taps into online funding platform

Getting a ‘Kickstart’

Finding a way to get a book published is a challenge for most up-and-coming writers.

Black and Blue state rugby champs

Down a score with five minutes left on the clock, the Kalispell Black and Blue needed a huge rally to win the state rugby championship on Saturday at Evergreen Junior High. The rally, and the winning try, came on the back of the smallest player on the pitch.

AA track: Glacier boys 2nd; FHS girls 3rd

Flathead’s Johnson breaks state record in triple jump

BUTTE — Another trophy for the Glacier boys and the Flathead girls also left the Mining City with some hardware on the final day of the weather challenged Class AA state track meet.

'Honor the brave' this Memorial Day

Every Memorial Day there are more flags to fly at cemeteries across our great nation; more wreaths to place, more lives lost to remember.

Williams, Jones help Wildcats finish 3rd in Class A state track

BOZEMAN — Columbia Falls’ Derrick Williams and Dan Jones each won titles on Saturday to help the Wildcats to a third place finish at the Class A state meet in Bozeman.

A softball: Polson's title hopes on hold

ANACONDA — The Polson Pirates are in their third straight Class A state softball championship.

B state track: Bigfork's Morley wins three titles

BOZEMAN — Bigfork freshman Makena Morley added two more running titles to her track resume on Saturday at the Class B state meet.

Elizabeth 'Ann' Tarr

Marie Therese Ohaneson

Andre Lippens

Mark Lowell Johnson

Financial past not a concern in interim appointment

The 2009 bankruptcy filing of Cal Scott was not known to the two sitting county commissioners who appointed him to fill the seat left vacant by Commissioner Jim Dupont’s death, but neither thinks it would have made a difference in their decision.

Tales of three bankruptcies: Reasons vary for commissioner candidates' filings

Three of the 14 active candidates for the two open seats on the Flathead County commission have filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Montana.

Hollywood producer too conservative for Montana high school?

In the land of the free...

If someone had told me that a school in Montana would bar an invited speaker from presenting his or her speech before a high school senior class, I would have said, “no way, not here, not now, not ever.” But then I would have been wrong.

Raku-firing and Oil Paintings

A raku-fired cowboy hat is adhered to an oil painting for one of the Holmes’ latest art pieces.

Raku-Firing

Holmes uses kilns in his backyard for firing the ceramics at 2,000 degrees. Once the pieces are done firing, they are submerged into a trashcan full of sawdust. The smoke and the fire react to the glaze, causing the western raku effect.

Fragile Process

Matt Holmes says biggest challenge is the unpredictability, and fragile process that can result in pieces breaking for a number of reasons.

Raku in the Works

Matt Holmes says the average piece takes five hours to build, and anywhere from one to two weeks to complete.

Holmes Fine Artists

Polson artists, from left, Heather and Matt Holmes work together to create raku-fired ceramic pieces. Their work is currently on display in the lobby of the Secretary of State’s office in Helena.

Report of Shots Fired

Sergeant Kevin Burns of the Flathead County Sheriff's Office, center, and other emergency responders at the scene of a reported shots fired on Belton Stage Road in West Glacier, on Saturday evening, May 26.

Angry at coal? Then turn off your lights

The willingness of Americans to be persuaded to do things against their own interests seems to have no limits, which must give great encouragement to our enemies.

Evergreen Principal Gets Dunked

Evergreen junior high school principal, Kim Anderson, falls into a dunk tank after eighth grader Rosie Tozer hits the bulls-eye on Friday, May 25. Anderson awarded any student who showed accurate growth in math, or any other subject, a chance at dunking her, giving Evergreen students 451 attempts.

Swan River Slalom

Bigfork Whitewater Festival director, Niki Dezzani, makes her way down the lower slalom during the festival Saturday morning, May 26.

Whitewater Slalom

Jesse Person of Whitefish heads down the Wild Mile portion of the Swan River at the 37th annual Bigfork Whitewater Festival last year.

Going Big, in Bigfork

Spectators watch Cody Harris during the expert slalom event at the 37th annual Bigfork Whitewater Festival Saturday, May 26.

Sideways on the Wild Mile

Jared Jimmerson tries to stay upright at the Bigfork Whitewater Festival, heading down the expert slalom event Saturday, May 26.

2012 Montana Youth Rugby Association State Championships

A Kalispell Black and Blue player passes the ball during a semifinal match with the Missoula Mud Dogs on Saturday afternoon in Evergreen at the 2012 Montana Youth Rugby Association State Championships. 

2012 State Class AA Softball Tournament

Great Falls C.M. Russell pitcher Quinn Hartman (14) during the semifinal game against the Great Falls Bison on Saturday afternoon at the 2012 State Class AA Softball Tournament in Kalispell. CMR won the game 7-5.

Illness may have led to rollover crash

Emergency responders were called to a single- vehicle rollover on U.S. 93 near the intersection with Montana 82 at approximately 4:45 p.m. Friday. The driver rolled his vehicle after suffering from a heart attack or stroke while driving. CPR was performed at the scene.

Marie Therese Ohaneson, 94

Elizabeth 'Ann' Tarr, 74

Mark Lowell Johnson, 56

Man gives fast food a brass knuckle sandwich

Man hospitalized after drunken brawl

Andre O. Lippens, 80

State A softball: Pirates hammer Hamilton

ANACONDA — The Polson Pirates got off to a slow start, but they put together a heck of a finish at the Class A state softball tournament on Friday.

State AA track: Individual titles for Boschee, Brenneman, Perrin, Griffith

BUTTE — Two senior standouts closing out their storied track careers on Friday were brilliant despite the less than ideal weather conditions.

State A track: Columbia Falls' Williams first in 800, 3,200

BOZEMAN — Defending champion Columbia Falls is the first-day leader at the Class A state track meet.

Polson girls Class A tennis champs

GREAT FALLS — Whitney Zimmerman did not let a first-round loss in singles play in Class A state tennis spoil her tournament experience.

Polson artist a winner in Walmart art contest

Jeff Nobles of Polson always has wanted a full-time career as an artist, and it just so happens Walmart may bring him one step closer to his dream.

Sherry Hurd Trippel Stein, 64

Sherry Hurd Trippel Stein passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 17, 2012, in Kalispell. Sherry died due to inoperable brain cancer.  

Mission to Kenya: Cows and CT scans

CT scans and cows were involved in the latest trip to Kenya for Dr. Read and Suzie Vaughan of Kalispell.

Great Karma

Monday Profile

Great Harvest Bread Company owner and Flathead Valley Community College Foundation volunteer, Nancy Gordley, received the college’s Eagle Award on May 10.

Backyard Bread Baking

Gino Caselli pulls Mrs. Wonderful’s rustic Italian bread out from his oven in the backyard of his home in Polson, May 17. Caselli bought the oven from a restaurant, and says it has been worth every dollar.

Eight Loaves of Wonderful

Mary Frances Caselli says she started making her own rustic Italian bread, like the real thing in Chicago, when she could not find any in Polson.

Sea Salt Blends

Mary Frances Caselli started making her own rustic Italian bread, like the real thing in Chicago, when she could not find any in Polson, she says.

Home with Mrs. Wonderful

Mary Frances Caselli, left, and her husband Gino team up to bake Mrs. Wonderful’s rustic Italian bread from their home in Polson. They say the secret to making good bread is good ingredients and keeping it simple.

Polson's Noble Artist

Jeff Nobles, one of fifteen winners in a Walmart sponsored employee art contest, discusses his latest painting titled Colors with the Cottage on Main Street art gallery owner, David DeVore in Polson, May 22. Additional pieces of Nobles’ work can be seen on display in the gallery.

WalMart's Winning Artist

WalMart sales associate Jeff Nobles, of Polson, holds up his winning painting for an employee art contest sponsored by WalMart, in celebration of their 50th anniversary. Nobles, one of fifteen winners, painted the art piece during his lunch breaks.

2012 State Class AA Softball Tournament - Grand Slam Feature

Helena Capital Bruins junior Quinci Robertson (22) bats during the first inning of a quarterfinal game against Great Falls C.M. Russell on Friday afternoon at the 2012 State Class AA Softball Tournament in Kalispell. Robertson went on to hit her first home run, a grand slam, during the second inning.

Colonial Day at Elrod Elementary

Nick Haas takes a wooden riffle he made with his father from his locker on Friday afternoon, May 25, at Elrod Elementary. Fifth graders at Elrod were encouraged to dress the part as they celebrated Colonial Day with activities including Spinning and Weaving, Quill Writing, Tin Punching, Candle Making and Wood Working.

Flathead Glass Works : About Us

With more than 35 years of experience in auto glass services, Flathead Glass Works has been providing the best service to Kalispell and surrounding areas. Flathead Glass Works believes in providing top notch services. Our employees only use high quality auto glass from Pilkington and PGW. We provide your auto glass installation or glass repair needs at an affordable rate. In addition to our automotive glass repairs, we can also repair or install heavy equipment glass. Our technicians are factory trained and always get the job done right the first time around. We’ll put you at ease and take care of the problem with efficiency. Flathead Glass Works also has experience in dealing with insurance claims and deductibles. We know you are busy, so we offer you the option of either mobile glass repair services or you can come into our shop. We are conveniently located behind Snappy’s Sport Center, which is easily accessible. Whether you need glass for your boat, car, or truck, we’ve got you covered. Trust your investment to a professional with decades of experience.

Flathead Glass Works : Services

Express Yourself! Let Us Help

Stefanie and Karen, new owners

With over 20 years of professional experience in the retail furniture and design fields, Karen Cramer has now teamed up with daughter Stefanie Hanson. They will offer clients a personal and fun shopping experience, providing exclusive items found only at Montana Expressions.

Area Rugs

Let us create a look that reflects your style and impeccable taste. A look that truly personifies you. Whether you’re seeking classic elegance, chic transitional, or clean contemporary, Montana Expressions has the perfect piece to satisfy your needs.

Accents and Accessories

We could not be more enthusiastic and passionate to bring you the best, most fashion forward products.

Lamps

Bring your vision to life, with lighting to suit your spaces.

Occassional

Always new, always different, style and function.

Bedding

Our philosophy is comfort is the ultimate luxury. Beautiful pillows can enhance your with very little effort. Our bedding creates a splendid haven for everyday life. Our unique array offers quilts, duvets and coordinating shams in cotton, sateen and linen.

Bedroom

Solid Hand crafted pieces that have a worldly presence, with rich finishes and laborious details. See why we are a world apart. Contemporary, transitional, traditional, or eclectic.

Dining Room

Montana Expressions Signature Collection offer choices hand carved in reclaimed teak. Quality is everything and the focus is on a high level of workmanship and the skill of the craftsman. Run your fingers over a table or buffet and you’ll be feeling History. Unique reclaimed metal tables, customized in any size or finish. Come experience your options.

Sofas

Your fabric and color, your style, your way.

Sectionals

Customize by the inch. Our skilled craftsmen will bring your design to life and ship to us in short order.

Chairs

Every lifestyle and more. Fresh patterns, dramatic colors, elegant textures and unexpected combinations to create excitement.

Accents

Unique, as you want to be...

Leather and Upholstery

Imagine being able to have the furniture of your dreams. In styles suiting you to the last detail, covered in fabric or leather selected just for you. Furniture that fits you so well you’ll say “It’s me”.  We offer handcrafted exceptional upholstered furniture at affordable prices, and the best part comes when you put us to work creating something utterly unique, down to the last stitch. And you won’t have to wait long because every piece is made here in the USA.

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Design Services

Make your ideas and dreams come to life.

Beckman's Fine Furnishings

countertop

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cabinetry

home access.

home accessories

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Countertop Replacement

Follow the easy steps below to start the process of replacing your existing countertops.

Working with a Designer

Working with a Designer helps you put all the necessary components into your project in ways that you may not recognize. Professional Designers have a trained eye to take your project to its fullest potential. A Designer will typically:

FHS hires high-profile mat coach Davis

A beautiful area, family in the semi-vicinity, and an opportunity to coach wrestling in a town that has won seven of the last nine Class AA state wrestling championships.

Eureka falls to Glasgow in opener

ANACONDA — Glasgow jumped on Eureka early, scoring seven runs in the first inning and two more in the second en route to an 11-1 first-round victory at the State Class B/C softball tournament on Thursday.

Polson batters Anaconda, Belgrade

ANACONDA — The Pirate bats are rocking at the Class A state softball tournament.

Daybook

Orlyn Dean Knutson, 78

Orlyn Dean Knutson, 78, passed away on Monday, May 21, 2012, at his residence in Kalispell.

Honoring the departed: Memorial Day events

Memorial Day will be commemorated at several locations throughout the Flathead Valley this weekend. The public is encouraged to attend ceremonies.

College trustees hear smoking complaint

At its regular May meeting on Monday, the Flathead Valley Community College Board of Trustees raised the age for the senior tuition benefit to 65 and heard a student complaint about the campus smoking policy. 

Park ready for holiday weekend

Glacier National Park is prepared for a busy Memorial Day weekend, but the National Weather Service is forecasting a cool, wet weekend that may bring as much as 12 inches of snow in the park’s high country.

Failed bomb found in outhouse

The Flathead County Sheriff’s Office responded to FFA Drive, where a homemade bomb made of a spice can filled with explosive powder with a wick sticking out was found in an outhouse. It appeared that someone had tried to light the wick but burned it too short without setting it off.

Samuel Wilburn Cox Sr., 83

Samuel Wilburn Cox Sr., 83, was born to Estlle Elmo Cox and Ona Vivian Gross on June 4, 1928, in Morgan Co., Ky.; and died May 20, 2012, at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Billings.

2012 State Class AA Softball Tournament

Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake Great Falls shortstop Jessica Keller throws to first base during the Bison's win over Missoula Sentinel Thursday afternoon during the first round of the 2012 State Class AA softball tournament at Kidsports Complex in Kalispell. Thursday, May 24, 2012 in Kalispell, Montana.

Commercial Projects

Distinctive Countertops & Cabinetry offers more than 20 years of experience in commercial applications. From commercial kitchens, dining rooms and coffee shops to boutiques, salons and retail store displays, Distinctive can design any space to suit the most discriminating client. It doesn't matter what segment of the commercial atmosphere you are in, change always draws more and new people in. Whether you are in need of countertops or cabinetry give us a call today and schedule an appointment.

Hardware

Distinctive Countertops & Cabinetry offers an extensive selection of cabinet hardware, come in and let us help you choose the perfect pull, knob or handle for that one of a kind, finishing touch.

Distinctive Countertops & Cabinetry

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DIL Career Headlines

Accessories For The Home

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Buffalo Hill Golf Course

A turkey Thursday morning at Buffalo Hill Golf Course. Thursday, May 24, 2012 in Kalispell, Montana.

Ap Olympic videos

All we get is 'educated' guess?

We’ll never know specifically why Whitefish Superintendent of Schools Kate Orozco felt compelled to recommend that popular Principal Dave Carlson be dismissed from his job.

Pirates go for state tennis titles

So far, three of the four state singles titles in 2012 tennis have found a home in the Flathead Valley.

Personett, Dopps HR as Lakers rally past Loggers; Rangers beat Twins

LIBBY — Zach Personett hit two home runs and Cody Dopps added another as Kalispell Lakers AA pulled out a wild 13-5 victory in eight innings over the Libby Loggers on Wednesday in American Legion baseball play.

Graduation ceremonies start Saturday

The U.S. Census Bureau projects 3.2 million diplomas will be awarded nationally to the class of 2012 high school graduates.

Local chef to cook at James Beard House

Cafe Kandahar Chef Andy Blanton will be the featured guest chef at the renowned James Beard House in New York City today, and he will  cook with local products ranging from Flathead cherries to buffalo processed by Lower Valley Meats.

Testing under way on Aeneas antenna

An antenna was ferried by helicopter to a building on Mount Aeneas last week so tests of the county’s emergency services signals finally could begin.

Foundation extends scholarship deadline

The deadline has been extended for youths and teachers interested in applying for scholarships to Crown of the Continent Guitar Foundation’s August workshop in Bigfork.

Still time to subscribe to concert season

The Flathead Valley Concerts Association (formerly Community Concerts) continues to accept subscriptions for season memberships for its 73rd season in the Flathead Valley.

Local theater groups gear up for summer shows

Thrills & trills

Local theater groups are gearing up for another summer of musical, comedic and dramatic offerings on stages throughout the Flathead Valley and beyond.

Mysterious sky stuff identified: Pollen

The

Paul Kleffner, 95

Paul Kleffner “passed to his eternal reward” May 22, 2012.

Hubert 'Bert' Deglow, 73

Bert “passed into the eternal presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” on May 22, 2012.

Helen Ann Zimmerman, 77

On May 19, 2012, our beloved wife, mother and grandmother, Helen Ann Zimmerman, “went home to be with the Lord.”

Paul Kleffner

Grizzly bear study

DIL 2012 London Olympics Photo Gallery

Always ... Patsy Cline

"Always ... Patsy Cline" is back by popular demand at Whitefish Theatre Co. this summer.

Murder at the Howard Johnson's

The Port Polson Players will perform "Murder at the Howard Johnson's" this summer.

I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change

The summer season has already opened at Bigfork Summer Playhouse with "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change."

Little Shop of Horrors

"Little Shop of Horrors" is one of several shows Alpine Theatre Project will perform this summer.

wJessicaBookCover.jpg

Kickstarter Author

Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake Jessica Owen is raising money on Kickstarter to fund the publishing of her book "The Song of the Summer Kings." Wednesday, May 23, 2012 in Whitefish, Montana.

Rufous Hummingbird

Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake A Rufous Hummingbird perches a top a tree Wednesday morning near Whitefish Lake. Wednesday, May 23, 2012 in Whitefish, Montana.

DIL Olympic Headlines

Fish Fun Day

Dawson Fender, a third grader at Creston School, works on casting on Wednesday morning, May 23, at the Creston Fish Hatchery Fish Fun Day.

'Hair of the bear' study planned in Yaak area

A small army will soon begin a summer of scouring the woods of extreme Northwest Montana and northern Idaho, collecting grizzly bear hair for a genetics-based population study.

HazMat Spill at IHOP

Brandon French, center, and members of the Kalispell Fire Department A shift respond to a hazardous materials call at IHOP on Wednesday morning, May 23, in Kalispell. In the background, from left, Taylor Zachary spreads Oil Gator over the combination of diesel fuel and water as Tim Gaston and Captain Rob Cherot direct a customer away from the spill area. Cherot estimates the spill was not more than five gallons.

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Flathead County's pertussis case total reaches 47

Wildkats, Pirates head to state

Going for the three-peat.

Kidsports hosts AA softball

Something is missing.

Whitefish students fight for principles, save principal's job

The emotional Whitefish School Board meeting on Monday was as much about the students as it was about deciding the job status of Principal Dave Carlson.

Woman steers clear of druggies with guns

The

Dorothy Bergstrom Graham, 83

Dorothy passed away peacefully May 21, 2012, at her home in Kalispell.

Area deer survival best in six years

Spring big-game surveys in Northwest Montana indicate a promising upward trend, with the highest ratios of deer and elk offspring in years.

Airport decision: Let's all vote on it

A divided Kalispell City Council punted on deciding a course of action for the city’s airport Monday, moving to put it on a general election ballot for voters to figure out this November.

FVCC breaks ground on new nursing center

Jerome, Rebecca and Sarah Broussard-Kelly and John Chaney helped Flathead Valley Community College President Jane Karas and others break ground Tuesday for the new $5 million Rebecca Chaney Broussard Center for Nursing and Health Sciences.

Spotted Bear elk

This herd of elk in the Spotted Bear area was photographed during the annual aerial game survey conducted by state wildlife officials.

Dorothy Bergstrom Graham

Sunrise in Glacier

View of a mirror-like Lake McDonald sunrise on Friday, May 18, in Glacier National Park.

Riding the North Fork

Riding the North Fork From left, Kelsey Bauer of West Glacier and Mark Ambre of Essex, Mont., riding along the North Fork Road on Friday morning, May 18, in Glacier National Park.

FVCC Ground Breaking

Flathead Valley Community College President Jane Karas speaking at the ground breaking ceremony for the new Rebecca Chaney Broussard Center for Nursing and Health Science on Tuesday, May 22, in Kalispell. More than one hundred people turned out for the ceremony which honored the Broussard family for their 4 million dollar gift to the project. The building is expected to be complete in March 2013.

Montana bus crash

Firefighters from Missoula and Arlee work Tuesday to cut the passenger in a pickup truck from the wreckage after a crash between the pickup and a passenger bus on U.S. 93 North near Arlee.

Passengers help injured in bus crash

ARLEE — The driver of a pickup truck swerved in front of a passenger bus Tuesday, causing a crash that sent both vehicles off a highway north of Missoula and injured four people, officials and bus passengers said.

Daybook

Tuesday

Rose Mary 'Rosie' Goble, 77

Rose Mary “Rosie” Goble, 77, passed away peacefully in her sleep on May 18, 2012, with her loving husband, Carl Goble, by her side.

Kalispell airport going on ballot for voters

A future course of action for the Kalispell City Airport will be decided by city voters this November.

Coats for Kids online voting date changed

Online voting has been switched to June 3 for the Kalispell-based Coats for Kids program.

Idaho Street project ready to switch sides

The Daily Inter Lake

Fish barrier work planned at two Glacier sites

A fish barrier improvement project below Quartz Lake and a fish barrier removal and bridge replacement project on Rose Creek have been approved in Glacier National Park.

Landlord takes puppies as payment

A woman calling the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office from a Lore Lake Road address Sunday reported that her landlord was kicked her off the property and took her pet poodle and pug puppies in lieu of rent.

Board stretches scant repair dollars

Imagine living with no hot water or not being able to get into the bathtub for a soak or a shower. Some low-income senior citizens in the Flathead Valley have lived like that for years in ancient mobile homes.

Evelyn Boyd, 95

Evelyn Boyd died May 17, 2012, at Expressions Memory Care Home, after a long and wonderful life. She was 95 years old.

Board says no clemency for double killer

HELENA — The Montana Parole Board is recommending that a Canadian man on death row be denied clemency.

Edgerton Walk-a-Thon

Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake Edgerton Elementary students walk laps around the field behind the school Friday morning during the last day of the Edgerton Walking Challenge. Edgerton Elementary reached their goal of walking a combined 5,000 miles over the week-long event. Friday, May 18, 2012 in Kalispell, Montana.

Memorial Plaque

Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake Zach Ginnaty unwraps the final bronze plaque for the front of the Flathead County Veterans Memorial Monday afternoon in Depot park. Monday, May 21, 2012 in Kalispell, Montana.

Week in Pictures: May 14-20

Whitefish High principal keeps his job

In a stunning reversal of expectations,  Whitefish School Superintendent Kate Orozco on Monday night changed her recommendation not to renew the contract of Whitefish High School Principal Dave Carlson.

Whitefish Sit-in

Students fill the common area at Whitefish High School during a protest against the possibility of Principal Dave Carlson's contract not being renewed. After the school superintendent reversed course Monday night, Carlson's job was saved.

Lakers AA, A both 3-1 in Canadian Days Tournament baseball action

The Edmonton Cardinals scored five runs in the final four innings to claim an 8-5 victory over the Kalispell Lakers in the final game of the Canadian Days AA Tournament at Griffin Field on Sunday afternoon.

FVCC grad earns prestigious award

Flathead Valley Community College President Jane Karas introduced one of the college’s brightest and most gracious students as the audience cheered at a recent dinner to thank donors to the FVCC Foundation.

Public asked to help divine future of fairgrounds

Public comment on possible future changes and improvements to the Flathead County Fairgrounds is being sought by the fairgrounds manager and the Fair Board.

Whitefish to decide wayfinding funding

Whitefish is ready to embark on a wayfinding project to create better signs for major amenities. All that’s left now is how to pay the bill.

Kalispell police investigate stabbing

Sunday evening, officers with the

Ronnie Pack, 79

Ronnie Pack, 79, died peacefully on May 19, 2012, at his home in Kalispell with his wife and daughters at his side.

New food banks coming in two towns

Facing an increasing number of hungry people at their doors, two independent food banks in the Flathead Valley have outgrown their pantries and are building bigger and better facilities.

Protect city's heritage: Expand airport

It is hard to believe that the Kalispell City Council is actually considering closing the municipal airport that has been part of our local heritage for more than 80 years.

Board votes to stay in state coalition

Kalispell Public Schools trustees unanimously voted Tuesday to continue membership in the Montana Quality Education Coalition and pay $4,000 in dues.

Gluten-free growth: Polson business expands to national distribution

Rachel Carlyle Edington and her two youngest daughters served gluten-free pastry samples to a big crowd at the Women 4 Wellness fair last week at Salish Kootenai College in Pablo.

City's plan doesn't pan out

The one fact that jumps out from the Master Plan Update is just how seasonal and just how little activity actually exists at the Kalispell City Airport.

City ought to keep airport and then act like it has one

Albert Einstein said, “We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.”

Will anyone in politics take the high road?

 My introduction to politics came in 1968 when I was in the seventh grade. More specifically, politics showed up on my radar screen during a road trip with my family to Port Wing, Wis., to visit my grandmother that year.

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Horse Racing in Kalispell

Lakers pull out win versus Trail

Kalispell Lakers coach Ryan Malmin waited patiently.

Glacier Twins 2-1 in Canadian Days

The Glacier Twins improved to 2-1 after two days of action in the Canadian Days American Legion baseball tournament at Griffin Field on Saturday.

Bates, Kulikova net titles in AA state singles

Glacier’s Kellen Bates claimed his 3-peat, unfortunately for the Glacer girls, they came up a point short.

Northwestern A divisional track: Cats, Dogs in charge

COLUMBIA FALLS — Derrick Williams ran away from the field in both the 800 and 3,200 and Josiah Osborne took firsts in the 100 and 200 as the Columbia Falls boys claimed the 2012 Northwestern A divisional track title on Saturday.

Bravettes, Braves division track champs

MISSOULA — The Flathead girls scored 70 points on the final day to join the Flathead boys as Western AA divisional track champions on Saturday.

Gary Wayne Morris, 59

The world lost a kind and talented musician on May 14, 2012. Gary Wayne Morris passed away unexpectedly at home due to complications of diabetes.

Diana Lynn Sande, 58

Diana Lynn Sande, 58, passed away on Sunday, May 13, 2012, at her home in Kila, with her devoted husband Craig Kiser and the many animals she cared for.

Compromising positions - and more politics as usual

More and more lately, we see establishment Republicans naively, innocently — perhaps foolishly? — lamenting the change in politics that has sent Dick Lugar and other longtime politicians to the sidelines.

Yoko (Watanabe) Myrstol , 80

Yoko (Watanabe) Myrstol “went home to be with the Lord” on May 12, 2012.

Bob Warner, 69

Bob Warner, 69, left this life on May 12, 2012, after a strong and valiant fight with cancer. He was surrounded by the people he loved most in this world — his wife, his four children and his seven siblings.

Richard Canfield 'Dick' Pancake, 80

Richard Canfield “Dick” Pancake, passed away on Wednesday, May 16, 2012, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Kalispell. He was the eighth of eight children of George Washington and Alvina Catherine (Canfield) Pancake, born Aug. 1, 1931, and raised in Malta.  

Northwestern A Track

Whitefish’s Marlow Schulz (right) passes teammate Amanda Foley (center) and Polson’s Anna DiGiallonardo during the 200-meter finals Saturday afternoon at the Northwestern A divisional track meet at Columbia Falls. 

Canadian Days Baseball

Third baseman Sean O’Connell fields a ball Saturday afternoon during the Lakers 3-2 victory over the Trail Jays on the second day of the Canadian Days Tournament at Griffin Field.

College breaks ground on Tuesday

Flathead Valley Community College has scheduled a public groundbreaking at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 22, for the new Rebecca Chaney Broussard Center for nursing and Health Science.

Youngsters spin laps for a good cause

The tricycles, bicycles and scooters were out Wednesday morning at Lakeside’s Kidz in Motion Childcare and Activity Center.

Whitefish youth a top marketer

Whitefish High School student Hailey Vasquez is top-notch when it comes to marketing.

Couple donate $1.1 million to foundation

A lifetime of supporting Whitefish has given way to a generous legacy for the late Mary Jane and Russell Street.

Dance firm 'betrayed' by sex offender

The director of the dance school where convicted sex offender Donald Stanfield until recently was employed is speaking out about the incident.

Jobless rate continues slide toward single digits

After stalling at 10.7 percent in February and March, Flathead County’s unemployment rate improved to 10 percent in April.

Chicken-eating grizzlies moved

Two young grizzly bears with a taste for chickens were captured this week in the LaBrant Road area east of Kalispell and then relocated.

Daybook

James brothers: Same sports, different schools

This weekend at the Western AA divisional track meet in Missoula, two Kalispell runners will compete for more than just a spot at the upcoming state meet.

FHS has 4 individual winners, Glacier 1 at Western AA divisional

MISSOULA— Flathead had four individuals take first place and Glacier totaled one at the Western AA divisional track meet on Friday.

Javelin title, record for Jones

COLUMBIA FALLS — Dan Jones has focused most of his high school track career on the shot, discus and sprints.

Softball: Kats upend Broncs

COLUMBIA FALLS — The clutch home runs keep coming for the Columbia Falls Wildkat softball team.

Polson netters rule divisional play

POLSON — Polson snapped up nearly all the honors on the final day of the Northwestern A divisional tennis tournament on Friday.

Solid start for Glacier girls at state AA tennis

MISSOULA — It going to be interesting to see how everything shakes out for the girls on the final day at the Class AA state tennis tournament.

Morley wins two events at Western B divisional track meet

CORVALLIS — Makena Morley of Bigfork had a close finish in the 400, but finished 32 seconds ahead of the field in the 1,600 on Friday at the Western B divisional track meet.

Hellgate ends Glacier's softball season

MISSOULA — Missed opportunities.

Marital discord becomes violent

The

Russ and Mary Jane Street

Taloned takeoff

An osprey takes flight from a fence along Montana 82 on Wednesday afternoon.

Backyard lion too close for comfort

A couple who live in the Woods Bay area have the green light to kill a mountain lion that has been hanging around their home over the last week.

Backyard lion

This mountain lion has been lurking around a home in the Woods Bay area.

Gary Wayne Morris, 59

Diana Lynn Sande, 58

Yoko (Watanabe) Myrstol , 80

Richard Canfield 'Dick' Pancake, 80

Northwestern A Track

DAN JONES of Columbia Falls set a Northwestern A divisional record in the javelin Friday afternoon at Columbia Falls with a distance of 202 feet, 6 inches. That’s also a state best for all classes this season.

Kalispell horse racing

Barb Norlander owns and trains Thoroughbred horses for racing. Here she talks at the Flathead County Fairgrounds about her love for the animals and her experiences with racing.

Gervin Calvert 'Bud' Stein, 90

"Bud" Stein, having lived a rich and diverse life, passed away peacefully and quickly on May 12, 2012, at age 90, in Bigfork.

Phyllis Jean Messenger, 79

Phyllis Jean Messenger, 79, passed away Monday, May 14, 2012, at Brendan House in Kalispell.

Gluten Free Recipes

Gluten Free Mama owner Rachel Edington, right, discusses recipes in her book with a customer at the Women 4 Wellness event, May 17, at Salish Kootenai College. Edington started baking gluten free foods when her youngest daughter, Lexie Gauther, was diagnosed with gluten intolerance.

Gluten Free-for-all

Lexie Gauthier, 7 years old, right, shows Elizabeth Jantz, left, of Saint Ignatius her favorite gluten free snack at the Women 4 Wellness event, May 17, at Salish Kootenai College. Gauthier and her sister, Cassie Carlyle, 12 years old, center, help there mom hand out samples and sell recipe books.

Gluten Free Baking

Lexie Gauthier replaces a gluten free mix dessert at the Women 4 Wellness event, May 17, at Salish Kootenai College. Gauthier’s mother and Gluten Free Mama owner, Rachel Edington, started baking gluten free when she struggled finding food that tasted good.

Feather in the cap of FVCC

It’s quite an impressive feat when a small community college in Northwest Montana makes a splash in international circles, and that’s just what happened recently when “FVCC went to China.”

Caribou cow could make history

Montana wildlife officials say a Canadian caribou has wandered into Northwest Montana for the second time this spring — and this one has the potential to make history.

Kalispell mail sorting targeted for closure

Baucus vows to fight plan ‘tooth and nail’

Mail-sorting operations at Kalispell’s main post office are slated to be closed and moved to Missoula, the U.S. Postal Service said Thursday.

FHS mechanics third in state

 Two Flathead High School seniors took third place recently at the Ford/AAA Student Auto Skill state finals competition at the University of Montana-Helena College of Technology.

Agencies seek sex offender

The Flathead County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Marshals Service are reaching out to residents for help finding a noncompliant sex offender believed to be in the area.

Man pleads guilty to brutal beating

A 20-year-old Kalispell man pleaded guilty May 3 in Flathead District Court to aggravated assault after a brutal attack on another man in August 2010.

Plea deal sends burglar to prison for 10 years

A 24-year-old Missoula man who once attempted to escape from court was sentenced May 10 in Flathead District Court to 10 years in prison with an additional 10 years suspended for burglary and assault.

600-pound grizzly bear killed by vehicle

A large grizzly bear was killed recently after being struck by a vehicle on U.S. 93 north of St. Ignatius.

Suspect pleads not guilty to assaulting pair

Man accused of hitting girlfriend, 11-month old

A 28-year-old Kalispell man pleaded not guilty to a pair of felony charges Tuesday in Flathead District Court.

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Vikes' Mahlum state net champ

MISSOULA — Colter Mahlum of Bigfork defeated Hunter Shima of Ronan 7-6 (5), 6-1 to capture the Class B-C state boys singles title on Thursday.

Glacier, Flathead: Back to Missoula for AA state tennis

It’s been Flathead’s and Glacier’s home away from home all spring.

Northwestern A top seeds advance

POLSON — There were no surprises on the first day of play at the Northwestern A divisional tennis tournament on Thursday at Linderman Court.

Sandefer's slam lifts Wildkats

LIBBY — Columbia Falls’ Madison Sandefer hit an inside-the-park grand slam in the top of the fifth inning — and the Columbia Falls Wildkats downed host Libby 6-2 in a Northwestern A softball contest on Thursday.

FHS mechanics third in state

Dale Hanson

Please keep your beans to yourself

The

Team effort constructs playground in Kalispell

What used to be a field of weeds is being transformed into a playground in the north yard of the Discovery Developmental Center in Kalispell.

Bob Warner, 69

Kalispell Airport

A plane lands at Kalispell City Airport on Thursday afternoon. Thursday, May 17, 2012 in Kalispell, Montana.

Lakers Baseball

Louis Freudenberg (right) and Sean O'Connell stand ready before a pitch during the Lakers matchup against Libby Wednesday night at Griffin Field. Wednesday, May 9, 2012 in Kalispell, Montana.

Home Depot Day

Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake Bozeman Home Depot employee Gary Gotten spreads bark underneath a play structure Thursday morning during Team Depot Day at Discovery Developmental Center. Employees from all six Montana Home Depot stores – Billings, Bozeman, Great Falls, Helena, Kalispell and Missoula – attended the Team Depot Day in Kalispell. Thursday, May 17, 2012 in Kalispell, Montana.

James Brothers Track

Brothers Nick, right, and Noah James compete in the 110-meter hurdles during the crosstown track dual at Legends Stadium on April 24.

Horse Racing in Kalispell

Chantel Fredenberg leads Casey Stoner on RB Encore out for their morning workout on Wednesday, May 16.

Polson city worker fired, later arrested

Bison meeting attracts little public interest

About a dozen people turned out for a Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks meeting in Kalispell on a long-range plan for managing bison in Montana.

Five more cases added to whooping-cough total

Two adults and three school-aged children were among Wednesday’s batch of five new lab-confirmed cases of pertussis (whooping cough).

Ferndale bear moved

A young male grizzly bear that had been grazing on grass near homes in the Ferndale area has been captured and relocated.

Revised wolf hunt is sensible

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is proposing more liberal regulations for the state’s wolf hunt, and some wolf advocates are sure to roll out the hyperbole.

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Twins dump Loggers

WHITEFISH — An offensive show.

Pirates hoping for tennis sweep

All signs, or should it be said all seeds, point to Polson cleaning up most of the top honors at the Northwestern A divisional tennis tournament.

Mahlum to play for state tennis title

MISSOULA — Bigfork’s Colter Mahlum will play for a state tennis championship today.

Bigfork's Keenan finishes in top 10

BILLINGS — Loyola’s Maggie Crippen walked away with the Class B state golf title on Wednesday.

George Howard Gould, 91

Dr. George Gould, 91, died at his home in Kalispell on May 16, 2012, after a long and rich life.

William David Dyer

William David Dyer, son of Matthew and Jessica Dyer of Kalispell, was born Feb. 21 at North Valley Hospital.

Jasper Andrew Butler

Jasper Andrew Butler, son of Josh Butler and Nicole Welliver of Columbia Falls, was born on Feb. 17 at North Valley Hospital.

Adilynn Saree Wooten

Adilynn Saree Wooten, daughter of Ezra and Amber Wooten of Whitefish, was born Feb. 15 at North Valley Hospital.

Teagan Cole Plunkett

Teagan Cole Plunkett, daughter of Brian and Christine Plunkett of Kalispell, was born Feb. 15 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Paul James Mathiason

Paul James Mathiason, son of Beau and Hannah Mathiason of Kalispell, was born Feb. 15 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Kassandra Gibson

Kassandra Gibson, daughter of Savannah Gibson of Kalispell, was born Feb. 15 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Trystin Beezley

Trystin Beezley, son of Zack Beezley and Shannon Sellers of Eureka, was born Feb. 14 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Jazz groups to perform in Kalispell

Flathead Valley Jazz Society’s Spring Jazz Roundup takes place Sunday at the Elks Lodge in Kalispell.

Program brings Shakespeare to elementary school students

Fourth-graders at Muldown Elementary School received an unconventional education earlier this month.

Arianna Gneiting

Arianna Gneiting, daughter of Rafael Gneiting and Sky-Ann Sartain, was born Feb. 14 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Riley Heimerl

Riley Heimerl, son of Phil and Zoey Heimerl of Baker, was born Feb. 11 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Glacier Twins

Glacier second basemen Jake Slaybaugh throws to first during the Glacier Twins' 11-1 win over the Libby Loggers Wednesday night at Memorial Field. 

Solomon Kroll

Solomon Kroll, son of Josh and Sarah Kroll of Kalispell, was born Feb. 10 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Addison Poe-Hatten

Addison Poe-Hatten, daughter of Jason Hatten and Debbie Poe of Kalispell, was born Feb. 9 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Aela Mae Dalimata

Aela Mae Dalimata, daughter of Robert Dalimata and Karli Amundson, was born Feb. 5 at North Valley Hospital.

Greta Grace Weus

Greta Grace Weus, daughter of George and Melissa Weus of Whitefish, was born Feb. 1 at North Valley Hospital.

Christopher Williem Nichol

Christopher Williem Nichol, son of Harley Nichol, was born Feb. 4 at North Valley Hospital.

Zipora Engelhardt

Zipora Engelhardt, daughter of Kit and Kortney Engelhardt of Kalispell, was born Feb. 3 at North Valley Hospital.

Lincoln Alexander Haddenham

Lincoln Alexander Haddenham, son of Jared and Kitt Haddenham of Kalispell, was born Feb. 7 at North Valley Hospital.

Who vandalized vehicle in CFHS lot?

The

Knitters to yarnbomb the Hockaday

Jodie Coston is heading up a yarnbombing project at Camas Creek Yarn in Kalispell.

Park wrestles with shuttle bus issues

Glacier National Park is struggling with shuttle bus finances and over the next few years will craft a management plan to try to deal with congestion along Going-to-the-Sun Road.

Honoring the fallen

Kari Brown of Kalispell holds her 7-year-old daughter Chloe as the two pause during a moment of remembrance at the Peace Officers Memorial Day event in Kalispell on Tuesday outside the Flathead County Justice Center. Brown is the daughter of Trooper Steve Frink of the Washington State Patrol. He was killed in the line of duty in 1993.

Ferndale bear

A grizzly bear takes a lunch break May 10 in the backyard of Melanie Meeks of Ferndale. The bear was trapped and relocated Tuesday.

Marilyn E. Brown, 76

Shakespeare in the Parks to make 3 stops in Northwest Montana

Mark Kuntz will be back in Northwest Montana with Shakespeare in the Parks in August, when the touring company stages performances in the Tobacco and Flathead valleys.

Montana Shakes!

Mark Kuntz, left, and Michael Gonring react to fourth-grader Chloe Kasselder during a performance at Muldown Elementary in Whitefish May 8.

Trike-a-thon for St. Jude's Children's Hospital

From left, Gatlin Merklinger and Travis Fahrney, both 3, from Lakeside, make their way around the track at the Trike-a-thon for St. Jude's Children's Hospital on Wednesday morning, May 16, at Kidz in Motion Childcare center.

Shakespeare in the Schools

Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake Tonya Andrews, left, pulls Michael Gonring out of the audience during a Shakespeare in the Schools performance at Mulldown Elementary Tuesday afternoon. Tuesday, May 8, 2012 in Whitefish, Montana.

Peace Officers Memorial Day

Jerril Ren, son of Montana Highway Patrolman Michael Ren, shares a moment with Chynna Graham, 11, daughter of Montana Highway Patrol Trooper David Graham, before the start of the Peace Officers Memorial Day event on Tuesday evening, May 15, outside the Justice Center in Kalispell.

Grant could help C. Falls firm expand

Flathead County commissioners agreed to sponsor a grant application that could result in a new manufacturing business at Western Building Center in Columbia Falls.

Gordley honored with FVCC Eagle Award

 Nancy Gordley, a 17-year member of the Flathead Valley Community College Foundation Board and owner of Great Harvest Bread Co. in Kalispell, received the college’s Eagle Award for outstanding contributions to the college.

Man pleads guilty to felony theft

Samuel Haley Rose, formerly Harry Paul Mottsman, has pleaded guilty to felony theft.

Fire crews to burn house on Saturday

The Kalispell Fire Department will conduct a live fire training exercise Saturday at 815 W. Wyoming St.

Group aims for safer Montana workplaces

Last year’s legislative reforms for the state workers’ compensation system have resulted in substantial employer premium savings, but there are more savings to be had through concerted efforts to reduce the number of workplace injuries in Montana.

Forum issues: taxes, forests, communism

A dozen people attended a forum Tuesday featuring five of the seven Republican candidates for the District 1 Flathead County commissioner spot.

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Troy boys lead after first day of state tennis

MISSOULA — Tuesday was a stellar day for Bigfork’s Colter Mahlum.

Bigfork's Keenan 8th after first day of state golf

BILLINGS — Bigfork’s Sara Keenan is in eighth place after the first round of the Class B State girls golf tournament at Eaglerock Golf Course in Billings.

Sentinel ends Flathead softball season

MISSOULA — A good run came up just a little bit short for the Flathead Bravette softball team on Tuesday.

Orchards in bloom

Cherry trees have begun to bloom along the shores of Flathead Lake. These blooms were at O’Fallon Orchard on the east shore of the lake just south of Woods Bay.

Illness reported at new schools

The number of Flathead Valley cases of pertussis (whooping cough) climbed to 25 Tuesday with more cases at Kalispell Middle School and new cases at Evergreen Middle School, Trinity Lutheran School and two unspecified rural schools.

Sheriff's office investigates possible rape

The

Stephen James Hoskins, 55

 Stephen James Hoskins, 55, passed away at home on Friday, May 4, 2012, after courageously battling cancer.

Philip A. Reid, 87

Paul Gerhard Haag, 84

Payslee Theda Bernethy and Pyper LelaAnn Bernathy, infants

Payslee Theda Bernethy and Pyper LelaAnn Bernethy, infant daughters of Kellie Gale Burgess and Zackary David Bernethy of Columbia Falls, were born May 9, 2012, at Community Medical Center in Missoula and passed away May 9, 2012, in the loving arms of their mommy and daddy.

Eron Margene 'Marge' Nicholls, 81

Eron Margene “Marge” Nicholls, 81, died Saturday, May 12, 2012, at her home of seven years, Sun Terrace Assisted Living, in Hermiston, Ore.

Expanding Your Horizons

Kathy Cummings, left, helps Columbia Falls Middle School student Meghan McCallum wrap a cast onto the leg of classmate Jessica McCoy during the Expanding Your Horizon event Tuesday afternoon at Flathead Valley Community College. The goal of Expanding Your Horizons is to give young women hands-on experience in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics career fields. Tuesday, May 15, 2012 in Kalispell, Montana.

New Building for Lakeside Food Bank

From left, Eric Amundsen, lead carpenter, and Ben Quinby, co-owner of Lakeshore Building and Design work on the new building for the Lakeside Community Food Bank on Tuesday morning, May 15. Quinby says the project is ahead of schedule and should be complete by the end of June.

Prep for Nervous Novice Horse Show

Alyssa Hadley of Kalispell leads her horse Roxy to the arena at the Flathead County Fairgrounds for training on Monday afternoon, May 14, in Kalispell. Hadley is preparing for the Nervous Novice Horse Show, May 19, in Columbia Falls.

Checking Temps

Checking Temps Nick Russin checks the temperature at Foy's Lake on Monday afternoon, May 14, west of Kalispell. Russin, a member of a local swim club, says he is usually one of the first ones in and the last ones out.

Cherry Blossoms in Bloom

Flathead Cherry Blossoms in Bloom

Cherry blossoms have begun to bloom at O'Fallon Orchard just south of Wood's Bay on Monday night, May 14.

Week in Pictures: May 7-13

Terry Heinecke

Second grade teacher at Edgerton Elementary Terry Heinecke is retiring after 32 years with the district. Thursday, May 10, 2012 in Kalispell, Montana.

Elliott Johnson, 77

Monte Lorrin Senner Jr., 56

Daybook

Three Bigfork golfers at Class B state tournament

Bigfork will have to settle for individual honors this time around at the Class B state golf tournament today and Wednesday.

Softball: Lemer, Price push Eureka by Drummond

EUREKA — Solid pitching by Jacquelyn Lemer and the hitting of Hannah Price and Lemer carried Eureka to a 19-5 Class B-C play-in softball victory over Drummond on Monday.

Bigfork sends 12 to state tennis

Western B-C divisional singles tennis champion McKinze Shults of Bigfork will open state tournament play in Missoula today against Megan Drury of Superior/Alberton.

Flashing paddles

Michael Langohr paddles his way across Foy's Lake west of Kalispell Monday afternoon. More kayak weather is in the forecast, with high temperatures in the upper 70s and lower 80s in the next two days.

Pertussis caseload grows

Flathead County now has 19 confirmed cases of whooping cough (pertussis), according to county Health Officer Joe Russell.

Local burglary suspects plead innocent

Two people accused of participating in the burglary of a Buffalo Hill Drive home pleaded not guilty to felony charges May 3 in Flathead District Court.

Project mixes marksmanship, history

Project Appleseed is coming to Columbia Falls for a June 2-3 rifle shoot at the North Valley Sportsman Club.

Family discord mars mom's holiday

The Flathead County Sheriff’s Office got a report Sunday from a man at a Somers Road address, who said that after he went to visit his mother’s home for Mother’s Day, he was assaulted by one of his brothers.

Tim W. Piland, 43

Tim W. Piland, 43, of Columbia Falls, died May 12, 2012 ,in Missoula.

Hospital taking precautions

Kalispell Regional Medical Center remains on alert and ready for pertussis cases with the latest health department updates distributed to every department.

Pertussis Vaccination

Public Health Nurse Terri Fehlhaber of the Flathead County Health Department puts a band-aid on Kristen Heimann's arm after giving her the Tdap shot on Monday afternoon, May 14, in Kalispell. Heimann is a certified nurse's aid and a home care provider.

Sun Road 2012

Twins AA rally for first win; Lakers AA sweep Belgrade

WHITEFISH — The Glacier Twins AA snapped an 11-game losing streak Sunday afternoon at Memorial Park by rallying for a 9-8 victory over the Calgary Redbirds in the second game of a nonconference American Legion baseball doubleheader.

Ben Clanton

Students at Fair-Mont-Egan School watch illustrator Ben Clanton draw during a presentation Thursday morning. Clanton attended Fair-Mont-Egan from third through eighth grade and graduated from Flathead High School.

Bad driving sends officer out on call

Saturday evening, a caller reported seeing a suspected drunk driver in a truck driving over curbs on North Meridian Road. When a woman got out of the truck to help push it off a curb the man driving ran her over, the caller said.

Trip to China

Flathead Valley Community College President Jane Karas, left, and Zong Wa, department secretary general of the China Education Association for International Exchange, sign an agreement of cooperation between the American Association of Community Colleges and the China Education Association for International Exchange. Karas traveled to Beijing, China, recently as part of the Secretary of State’s delegation during the Third Annual U.S.-China High-Level Consultation on People-to-People Exchange.

Karas' trip to China puts FVCC in global limelight

Flathead Valley Community College President Jane Karas recently returned from a conference in Beijing, China, where she was invited to serve as an education expert with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s delegation.

Evergreen processor takes home top state award

Meat master

A funny thing happened on the way to Don Clapper’s contemplated career as a physical education teacher and wrestling coach.

County shuts down rough road in forest

Lost Prairie Road, including the stretch where the road name changes to Pleasant Valley Road, was closed last week by the Flathead County commissioners because of deterioration.

Whitefish budget reflects healing economy

A slowly improving economy and increased revenue from building permits has given the city of Whitefish more breathing room in this year’s proposed budget.

Illustrator shows students how it's done

Getting published in the children’s book world has been a combination of hard work, passion and a fair amount of luck according to Montana native Ben Clanton.

Schools switch to local beef suppliers

Kalispell Public Schools’ food service program is moving to source food locally and is saving money by doing so.

Daybook

'Veteran club' still pumping away

Stan Watkins is no stranger to hard work or competition.

Newborn photos capture precious early moments

Photographer Valerie McIntyre has teamed up with Kelli McMahon-Staats, manager of Kalispell Regional Medical Center’s birthing center, to present new mothers the gift that lasts a lifetime: professional photos of their newborn babies.

Terror antics belong at Gitmo

If anyone ever doubted the wisdom of not holding civilian trials for Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and four other al-Qaida terrorists in New York City, you can stop doubting now.

Sex offender was teaching children at dance school

A 26-year-old registered sex offender from Polson may be going to jail after apparently failing to register a new address and taking a job teaching children.

Can't we agree it's a bipartisan mess?

I have to admit I don’t usually read Bill Baum’s letters, but one of his (Republicans ‘put party over nation’) caught my eye. Mr. Baum has obviously lost any connection with reality — the reality that both parties and most politicians put party and re-election before the people they are supposed to represent and the nation.  

Is compromise in Congress a lost art?

In the sweltering heat of August in San Diego, a stocky and brawny Sen. Richard Lugar barreled past me, sweat glistening on his brow, and soaking his T-shirt. He was jogging with several young staffers during a break at the 1996 Republican National Convention. Lugar was 64 then, but his boyish face and muscular conditioning made him appear younger. In fact, he was the embodiment of vitality and energy.

Lakers, Calgary split baseball doubleheader with Calgary

The Kalispell Lakers rode the strong pitching of Matt McLean and a balanced offensive attack to a 11-1 victory over the Calgary Redbirds in the first game of a home American Legion baseball doubleheader on Saturday.

Corvallis boys, girls ABC track champions

POLSON — The Corvallis boys and girls swept the Nelson/Thomas ABC Meet in Polson on Saturday, easily outdistancing the rest of the field.

Vals, Vikes 2nd best in 7B track

BIGFORK — Running neck and neck all day, the Plains girls edged by Bigfork in the last three events on Saturday to claim the District 7B track championship.

Polson pounds Sidney, Hardin

BUTTE — Saturday was a pretty good day for the Polson Pirate softball team at the LaVerne Combo softball tournament.

St. Ignatius beats Eureka, 13-1, 13-5

ST. IGNATIUS — Alexa Mrgich batted 2-for-2 with a double in one game and 2-for-4 with two RBIs in the second — but it was all for naught as the Eureka Lions fell to St. Ignatius 13-1 and 13-5 on Saturday in Class B softball play.

Adelyn Kenna Blade

Jenna Morris

Byron Lloyd

Josiah Turner

Isabella Baker

Reagan Clouse

Sophia Rardon

Jack Meredith

Nash Wisnewski

Natalie Bell

Valerie McIntyre

Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake Valerie McIntyre gets the attention of two-day-old Avery Lacy during a new born photography session Wednesday afternoon at Kalispell Regional Medical Center. Wednesday, May 9, 2012 in Kalispell, Montana.

Melted pot sets off apartment fire alarm

The

Donald Stanfield

Sheriff's mom wraps up EMT career

Carol Curry vividly remembers one of the first calls she got as a charter member of the Lakeside Quick Response Unit 30 years ago.

Two women who mean the world to me

It was 10 years ago this coming November that my mother made her last visit to Montana, when she came to Kalispell to stay with me and my two children on Thanksgiving.

Gary W. Gephart, 62

Gary W. Gephart, 62, of Whitefish passed away Thursday, May 10, 2012 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Kalispell.

Mary Jane Parker, 94

Mary Jane Parker, 94, passed away in Kalispell on Friday, May 4, 2012. 

Marilyn L. Servoss, 82

KYSA Softball

Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake Team Les Schwab's Caylie Williams fields a ball Saturday afternoon during a matchup against team Dairy Queen at a softball tournament at Kidsports Complex. Saturday, May 12, 2012 in Kalispell, Montana.

District 7B Track

Bigfork’s Makena Morley sets a fast pace in the 1600-meter run at the District 7B track meet Saturday morning at Bigfork High School.

Growing gardens at Somers School: 'Learning to feed yourself is a life skill'

Somers Middle School nutrition teacher Robin Vogler’s innovative classroom is outdoors.

State wants to extend Swan Lake netting project

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks has released a report evaluating a multi-year experimental gill-netting project on Swan Lake that has resulted in the removal of 21,330 lake trout.

Energy conference coming to town Kalispell

 Several of Montana’s leading energy experts will headline the Northwest Clean & Affordable Energy Conference on Friday, May 18, at the Red Lion Hotel Kalispell.

Kayaker rescued after fall into Flathead River

A woman in her 30s was rescued after falling out of her kayak Friday afternoon on the Flathead River.

Pertussis case total increases

The Flathead City-County Health Department said Friday there now are 13 confirmed cases of whooping cough (pertussis) in the county, with more potential cases pending lab confirmation.

Daybook

No school cuts planned after levy rejection

History repeated itself in Tuesday’s Kalispell Public Schools election when an elementary levy request passed and a high school building reserve levy request failed.

Local focus for Montana Raceway Park

Veteran Montana Raceway Park official Marie AuClaire says the focus for the 22nd season of auto racing at the quarter-mile, high-banked asphalt oval north of Kalispell is — community.

Glacier netters dominate divisional play

GREAT FALLS — All titles belong to Glacier.

Osweiler ready for prime time

Denver Broncos quarterback and Flathead high school graduate Brock Osweiler got his pro career kicked off this week, opening rookie minicamp in Denver on Friday.

Wildkats top Libby in net dual

COLUMBIA FALLS — The Columbia Falls girls tennis team edged Libby 4-3 Friday, powering through by sweeping the singles matches.

Loggers walk over Pioneers

LIBBY — Andrew Haggerty drew a bases-loaded walk with two outs as the Libby Loggers outlasted the visiting Missoula Pioneers 4-3 in eight innings on Friday.

C-Falls, Polson 2-0 at LaVerne Combo tourney

BUTTE — Columbia Falls bounced back from a tough softball loss on Thursday with a pair of victories Friday at the LaVerne Combo in Butte.

Tad Lee Frazier, 47

Tad Lee Frazier passed away on May 7, 2012, at home. He was 47 years old.

Carjacked vehicle found at school

Kalispell native's video about partner's death goes viral

Shirley Wyatt Klein, 86

FVCC Graduation

Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake Flathead Valley Community College graduated the largest class in it's 44-year history Friday night. Friday, May 11, 2012 in Kalispell, Montana.

A plea for equality: Kalispell native's video about partner's death goes viral

Just three days before President Obama’s historic declaration supporting same-sex marriage, a YouTube video posted by Kalispell native Shane Bitney Crone on that very issue was already on its way to going viral.

A plea for equality

Kalispell native Shane Bitney Crone, left, and his partner of six years, Tom Bridegroom, are shown in this frame from “It Could Happen to You,” the video Crone posted on YouTube on the one-year anniversary of Bridegroom’s death.

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Kalispell hospital offers free clinic for new parents

 Kalispell Regional Medical Center’s Birthing Center has redesigned its OB Clinic, giving parents expanded hours for free help with their new baby from registered nurses.

Whitefish man pleads guilty to pot crimes

New stop signs approved for Windward Way intersection

Following numerous requests, the intersection of Windward Way and East Meridian Road in Kalispell is becoming a three-way stop.

Big Creek passes test of water quality

Big Creek is the first stream in the state to have completed a water quality restoration process aimed at reducing sediments.

Sun Road plows at Big Bend

Glacier National Park snow plows have advanced to the Big Bend area on Going-to-the-Sun Road, about 2.5 miles west of Logan Pass, while an east-side plowing crew is working in the Siyeh Bend area.

Helping to make a difference

Bigfork students have gone the distance to help one of their own. More than 300 kids in kindergarten through eighth grade have been busy making art projects to raise money to help defray medical costs for 11-year-old Ember Fortuna.

Six judge candidates field questions at forum

Six candidates for Flathead District Court judge took the stage Wednesday night during a sparsely attended candidates’ night in the auditorium of Glacier High School.

Pirates hang on, upend Wildkats in softball

POLSON — It sure got interesting right there at the end on Thursday night.

Whitefish, Columbia Falls split in tennis

WHITEFISH — When the pressure’s on, Mackenzie Thomas delivers.

Wolfpack drops Bravettes in softball

Hits at the right times.

Glacier, Columbia Falls fast on cold day

The Glacier and Columbia Falls track teams met in a dual on Thursday, one of the last warmups for each squad before divisionals.

Glacier, Flathead netters in semifinals at AA divisional

GREAT FALLS — The first day of Northern AA divisional tennis play went pretty much as expected on Thursday at three different locations in the Electric City.

Fight loud music with louder music

The

Family Forestry Expo

Cameron Tonjum reacts to holding a crawdad Thursday afternoon during the Family Forestry Expo at the Trumbull Creek Educational Forest. Students from across the Flathead Valley came to the expo to learn about wildlife, plant identification, fire management and other aspects of forestry. The expo will be open to the public today with free admission. For more information, visit www.familyforestryexpo.org.

Middle school cancels concert

A confirmed case of whooping cough (pertussis) at Kalispell Middle School prompted the Flathead City-County Health Department to ask the school to cancel Thursday night’s sixth-grade concert to prevent spreading the illness at a public gathering.

Sue Ann 'Sudy' (Cadwell) Schneider, 70

Russell 'Butch' Noss Jr., 66

Carol Curry

Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake Carol Curry at her home in Lakeside Thursday afternoon. Thursday, May 10, 2012 in Lakeside, Montana.

'A mother always worries'

After 30 years with the Lakeside Quick Response Unit, Carol Curry has retired as a first responder.

Crosstown Softball

Flathead’s Kaylee Henderson (37) slides safely to third base Thursday afternoon during the first game of the crosstown doubleheader with Glacier at Kidsports Complex.

Forestry Expo

Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake Julie Gerriory of the Forest Service uses a model forest made of matches to demonstrate the importance of fire management to a group of fifth-grade students from Elrod School Thursday afternoon during Family Forestry Expo at the Trumbull Creek Educational Forest. Thursday, May 10, 2012 in Columbia Falls, Montana.

Quintin H. 'Rick' Richter, 86

Quintin H. “Rick” Richter, 86, of West Glacier, passed away at home of natural causes May 8, 2012.

Backcountry Pilot

GOP Debate

Highline Trail

Do you favor keeping the Kalispell City Airport where it is?

Online voting can help Bigfork win $10,000

Bigfork High School is competing in a Facebook contest sponsored by Ford that pits 64 schools across the country against each other for who produced the best video.

Man sentenced for fourth DUI

A 35-year-old Kalispell man was sentenced in Flathead District Court May 3 to 13 months in jail after he was convicted of his fourth offense of driving under the influence.

C. Falls OKs doughnut amendment

The Columbia Falls City Council at its Monday meeting unanimously approved an amendment to the interlocal agreement with Flathead County for the city’s one-mile planning and zoning “doughnut” jurisdiction.

County road to get new pavement

About a mile of Star Meadows Road is expected to get an asphalt overlay later this summer with money coming from the Forest Service’s now-defunct Resource Advisory Council and Flathead County.

Challenges issued for dragon boat race

Interest in Montana’s first dragon boat race — planned Sept. 8 on Flathead Lake— is heating up, with several local businesses and institutions issuing team challenges.

Deadline looming for protests of flood elevations

The clock is ticking on Evergreen property owners who want to protest the flood elevations assigned to their property by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Daybook

County hopefuls field questions

Four of the five Republicans running for the District 3 county commissioner seat fielded questions at a Flathead Business and Industry Association forum Wednesday morning.

How to make sense of ballot

People in Flathead County are finding themselves looking at a very busy ballot — so busy that county officials are getting lots of comments about the ballot being confusing.

Lakers vs. Loggers

Lakers Baseball

Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake during the Lakers matchup against Libby Wednesday night at Griffin Field. Wednesday, May 9, 2012 in Kalispell, Montana.

Lakers Baseball

Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake during the Lakers matchup against Libby Wednesday night at Griffin Field. Wednesday, May 9, 2012 in Kalispell, Montana.

Lakers down Loggers, 14-4

Right now, it’s all about the innings.

Glacier tennis looking for three-peat

Glacier will be thinking more hardware, as in trophies.

Stumptown Players hold auditions for summer production

Stumptown Players will hold public auditions Sunday, May 20, for their next production, “Looking,” about four people who are middle-aged, single and looking. Auditions will be held at 6 p.m. in the Flathead Valley Community College Theatre; enter by the east door.

Glacier High orchestra students to perform

The Glacier High School orchestras will present their annual Spring Concert at 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 14, in the Glacier High performance hall.

Whitefish welcomes The Four Freshmen

The latest reincarnation of a band that has been touring for more than six decades will perform in Whitefish this month.

Pertussis arrives in Flathead

Eight pertussis cases have been reported in Flathead County.

Folk band plays at the Dwelling Place

A Washington-based band is the next scheduled performance in the Montana Radio Cafe music series.

Club turns youths from timid teens to true thespians

Transformative theater

In its six years of operation, Homeschool Theater Club has earned a reputation for high-quality, elaborate productions. This year’s play, “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,” featured an impressive set, an actual “Chitty” car and 20 musical numbers.

Swirling stream

The churning waters of Avalanche Creek swirl through the water-carved rocks of Avalanche Gorge on the west side of Glacier National Park.

Woman's friend reports her missing

Annual memorial lunch planned Friday in Eureka

 The 14th Annual Louise Burk Memorial Breast Cancer Awareness Luncheon takes place at noon Friday at the Lincoln County Fairgrounds in Eureka.

Shirley Wyatt Klein, 86

Scott Lester Peiffer, 41

Lorraine B. Lankford, 86

Lorraine B. Lankford, 86, of Bigfork, died April 13, 2012, at home.

Drive One 4 UR School-Bigfork High.mov

Raymond Kenneth Toole, 74

Raymond Kenneth Toole, 74, passed away May 6, 2012, at the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls.

Jerry Wheeler, 61

Jerry Wheeler, 61, died May 4, 2012, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center, due to complications from pneumonia. He was with family.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

The Homeschool Theater Club performed "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" at New Covenant Church April 12.

Hyrdroponics at Somers Middle School

Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake Kurt Hill and his son Wes make adjustments Monday afternoon on the hydroponic system they built for Somers Middle School. With 74 slots for plants, Robin Vogler, food service director for the school, plans to grow the lettuce in cycles to be able to harvest greens each week for lunches. "We are going to be growing lettuce anytime we want," said Vogler. Monday, April 23, 2012 in Kalispell, Montana.

Hen Mallard Nest

Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake A hen mallard sits on her nest underneath a playground structure Wednesday afternoon at the Courtyard East Apartments. Residents of the apartment complex have named the bird "Daisy Duck" and have flagged off the area around her nest with caution tape. Wednesday, May 9, 2012 in Kalispell, Montana.

Monday Profile

Don Clapper, owner of Don's Country Smokehouse, sorts through a variety of meats and sausages Tuesday afternoon in the processing area of his shop in east Evergreen. Clapper has won several state cured meat championships.

Candidate wants to eliminate 'election-day chaos'

Brad Johnson predicts that Montana’s secretary of state race will be livelier than usual, with sharp differences over how to counter fraud at the center of the general election.

Daybook

Voters OK four levies, reject three others

The Daily Inter Lake

Libby defeats Bravettes, 7-4

LIBBY — Kim Tangen batted 2-for-4 with a double and a triple as the Libby Loggers claimed a 7-4 nonconference victory over visting Flathead on Tuesday.

Tiny dog has a big bark in Bigfork

The

Color queries

Sandi Doyle of Give Them Wings Preschool took her students Monday to Mark Ogle Studios to learn about colors and how they blend to form other colors. In the top photo, Ogle talks about color with Rita Henshaw, Garrett Endresen, Christian Rich, Ryker Wise and Anthony Henshaw as Will Gross takes a turn at the easel.

Council gets earful on airport issue

An overflow crowd of people packed into Kalispell City Hall to share their opinions Monday about the city airport’s future.

Dona Fay Keller, 72

Dona Fay Keller died suddenly at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 2, 2012, at Rapid City Regional Hospital, in Rapid City, S.D.

Clarence L. Counsell, 90

Clarence L. Counsell, 90, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 5, 2012, surrounded by his family, at the Immanuel Skilled Care Center in Kalispell.

Alvira Marie 'Vi' Starks, 89

Alvira Marie “Vi” Starks, formerly of Whitefish, passed away Friday, May 4, 2012, in Billings, after a brief illness.

Montana Mountain Biking Kootenai Falls Wildlife Management Area

Iceberg Lake, Ptarmigan Tunnel and Redgap Pass

Hidden Lake

Bear Safety in Glacier National Park by Steve Salis

Week in Pictures: April 30 - May 6

Kalispell Athletic Club

Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake Stan Watkins gives a tour of Kalispell Athletic Club Tuesday afternoon. Tuesday, May 1, 2012 in Kalispell, Montana.

Monday Profile

Flathead Valley Community College student Anmol Manchala is one of 60 students in the nation to win a Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship.

Road Work in Whitefish

Whitefish city employee Chuck Allen, left, sprays paint onto a guide for a roadway sign Tuesday afternoon on east Seventh Street near Pine Avenue in Whitefish. Anthony Hernandez sprinkles highway spheres, a reflective material, onto the freshly painted signs. Tuesday, May 8, 2012 in Whitefish, Montana.

Fly Fishing Report for Missoula Montana - 5/3/12

Swan Lake Bull Trout. Where's the net

Snorkeling In Flathead Lake Montana

Leslie H. Fredenberg, 82

Peter John 'Don' Hofer, 68

Daybook

Bigfork qualifies 3 golfers for state

RONAN – Bigfork qualified two girls and one boy for the Class B state golf tournament next week in Billings and Huntley.

Whitefish boys down Columbia Falls in tennis

WHITEFISH — Columbia Falls prevailed at No. 1 singles and doubles, but it was all Whitefish after that Monday as the Bulldogs won the Northwestern A boys tennis dual 5-2.

Water cutoff averted for trailer park

More than 25 people and families living at Backwoods Trailer Court on Montana 35 spent the weekend wondering what to do after learning that Evergreen Sewer and Water District planned to disconnect their service today.

Merrill Lynch guru bonds with investors

A select group of investors leaned forward from plush leather chairs as bond guru Martin Mauro from Bank of America Merrill Lynch shared his global view of the gripping question the drew them to the Canoe Club in Whitefish on a recent sunny evening.

Vote today in school elections

Polls will be open today until 8 p.m. for local school elections.

Four injured in rollover

A woman was seriously injured and three others also were hurt when the vehicle she was driving rolled off KM Ranch Road north of Kalispell early Saturday.

Gluten, school nutrition experts speak

The Montana Dietetic Association’s Food and Nutrition Conference and Exposition Wednesday through Friday May 9 to 11 features two nationally known experts on gluten sensitivity as well as family and school nutrition.

Chase results in 10-year prison sentence

A 23-year-old Kalispell man was sentenced April 26 in Flathead District Court to 10 years in the Montana State Prison after being involved in a high-speed chase in October 2011.

Mom requests parenting help

The Flathead County Sheriff’s Office got a report Sunday from an East Evergreen Drive address regarding an out-of-control 10-year-old boy who locked his mother in a shed. She was able to get out, but the boy continued to be disobedient, and she wanted a deputy to talk with him.

Kalispell man pleads innocent in stabbing

A 43-year-old Kalispell man pleaded not guilty April 26 in Flathead District Court to a felony charge of assault with a weapon.

Thomas Dixon Reed, 87

Thomas Dixon Reed, of Kalispell, died April 28, 2012, at the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls where he had resided for the last years.

Meet senior band at spring concert

Members of the Flathead Valley New Horizons Band invite the public to their free spring concert tonight at 7 p.m. in the Christian Center’s worship center on Summit Ridge Drive in Kalispell.

Frances Emehiser Sager, 92

Frances Emehiser Sager, 92, passed away on April 25, 2012, in Bremerton, Wash.  

Conrad Allan Tousey, 21

Conrad Allan Tousey passed away in his home in Whitefish on May 2, 2012.

New Horizons Band

Gail Davenport, 57, was in her first year of learning the electric bass guitar and had been playing with the New Horizons band's beginners group just 12 weeks before playing in the band's Christmas concert last winter.

Search called off; fatal crash discovered

The Montana Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal crash that was discovered Monday off U.S. 93 in the Lakeside area.

Two fined $175,000 for insider trading

Two Kalispell people have settled insider-trading charges by paying more than $175,000 in fines.

Red Sox top Twins twice

WHITEFISH — The Bitterroot Red Sox swept an American Legion baseball doubleheader from the Glacier Twins AA on Sunday at Memorial Park.

Man lighting smoke hits mailbox, power box and boats

A 20-year-old Hungry Horse man driving north on U.S. 93 early Sunday morning crossed two lanes of traffic, jumped a curb and hit a mailbox, a power box and five boats before careening back into the roadway and coming to a stop.

Election 2012

Anita Hoye double-checks absentee ballots Friday afternoon at the temporary election office location at the Flathead County Fairgrounds.

Early ballots heading out in the mail

Ballots go out in the mail today as early voting begins for the June 5 primary election.

Monday Profile

Kalispell native Alexa Schnee held a book signing April 28 at Womrath Bookstore in Bronxville, N.Y. Her debut novel, "Shakespeare's Lady," was published last month.

Young writer working on two new books

Alexa Schnee is a typical college junior.

Whitefish Council considers sign variance

The Whitefish City Council takes a look at sign-law changes during two separate public hearings tonight.

Man pleads innocent to felony drug charge

A 45-year-old man pleaded not guilty on April 19 in Flathead District Court to a charge of felony criminal possession with intent to distribute drugs.

Flathead FFA students win honors at state

Seventeen students from Flathead FFA competed against 1,700 other high school students at the State FFA Convention in Bozeman.

Michael Larson

Michael Larson

Business specializes in deconstruction

By TOM LOTSHAWThe Daily Inter Lake

Scholars program opens for next fall

The Scholars Program at Flathead Valley Community College is accepting applications for its fourth class that will begin this fall.

Support your school levies

There are daunting numbers facing voters these days: 14 candidates for two county commissioner positions, 11 candidates for governor and 32 candidates in local legislative districts.

Young journalists win Fox News payday

Kyle Schmauch, 20, was reading newspapers on a daily basis by fifth grade, according to his mother.

Law enforcement uses house for real-life scenarios

 Accumulated dirt and grim from long abandonment cover the windows and walls of the 1920s house on Wyoming Street in Kalispell.

Rebuttal offered in defense of Climate Physics Institute

Dr. Jerry Elwood’s opinion letter “Court ruling on climate didn’t say what letter claimed” of March 2 challenges my Jan. 24 letter on the Montana Supreme Court’s rejection of the Climate Change Petition by “Our Children’s Trust”.

Three-way race will determine next state senator

The top vote-getter in the three-way Senate District 6 Republican primary race effectively will be the person to go to Helena next year, because there are no Democratic candidates in the race.

Daybook

Sunday

Dopps HRs twice in Laker sweep

HELENA — Cody Dopps hit two home runs — a two-run shot in the first game and a three-run shot in the second — as the Kalispell Lakers downed Helena in an American Legion AA baseball twinbill on Saturday.

Roe titles go to Flathead boys, girls

On a cold, blustery day at Legends Stadium, the Flathead teams swept the Archie Roe Invitational, dazzling in a meet that was extremely competitive in every event.

Loggers upend Bulldogs in softball

WHITEFISH —Libby’s Dalyn Germany was 2-for-2 with a double and three RBIs on Saturday as the Loggers downed host Whitefish 15-1 in a Northwestern A softball contest.

Mission Valley Mariners take 2 from AA Twins

POLSON — Justin Evertz and Dalton Molzhon sparkled on the mound in their season debuts, helping the Mission Valley Mariners sweep the Glacier Twins AA on Saturday 3-1 and 12-2 in American Legion baseball.

Rangers roll over Glacier A

WHITEFISH — Kootenai Valley scored in every inning but the second and eighth to claim a 12-4 nonconference American Legion baseball victory on Saturday over the Glacier Twins A.

Whitefish sweeps Bigfork in tennis

BIGFORK — Whitefish wrapped up a busy weekend on the tennis courts, sweeping Bigfork on Saturday in a nonconference matchup.

Bates, Kulilova net singles titles at Helena Invitational

HELENA — Glacier’s Kellen Bates and Katya Kulikova both won No. 1 singles titles Saturday at the Helena Invitational tennis tournament.

FVCC trustee polling places

People living in school districts that feed into the Flathead/Glacier high school district vote Tuesday for one of three candidates — Jerry Elwood, Michael Hebert or Raylene Sliter — as their representative for a three-year term on the Flathead Valley Community College Board of Trustees.

School elections take place Tuesday

Voters have either one or two days left to vote in school elections.

Tessa Nichols-Pagel

Tessa Nichols-Pagel, daughter of Gerald and Jenna Nichols-Pagel of Kalispell, was born Feb. 6 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Finley Kipp

Finley Kipp, daughter of Clifford and Cassidy Kipp of Kalispell, was born Feb. 6 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Jacob Lind

Jacob Lind, son of Brian and Sierra Lind of Kalispell, was born Feb. 5 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Grace Moore

Grace Moore, daughter of Matt and Leslie Moore of Kalispell, was born Feb. 4 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Clayton Gunderson

Clayton Gunderson, son of Dustin and Janel Gunderson of Kalispell, was born Feb. 3 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Jackson William Edgren

Jackson William Edgren, son of Barrett and Jodi Edgren of Kalispell, was born Feb. 2 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Rylee Koller

Rylee Koller, daughter of Jason and Channel Koller of Kalispell, was born Feb. 2 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Erik Tonsum

Erik Tonsum, son of Trevor and Kaisa Tonsum of Kalispell, was born Feb. 2 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Gabriella Goodwin

Gabriella Goodwin, daughter of Chad and Bethany Goodwin of Columbia Falls, was born Feb 1 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Sound off on airport's future

Council takes public comment Monday night

Supporters and detractors of Kalispell City Airport are asked to come make their best arguments Monday evening about what should happen to the 83-year-old general aviation airport.

Theodore Jay 'T.J.' Koenig, 34

Theodore Jay "T.J." Koenig passed away May 1, 2012.

Kenneth LeRoy Hotz, 91

Kenneth LeRoy Hotz, 91, passed away in Whitefish on May 2, 2012.

Call 911: Your country is being mugged

When did “we the people” become “we the bystanders”?

Dean Potter, 82

Dean Potter, 82, of Kalispell, “passed into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ” on May 3, 2012, after an eight-year courageous and inspirational journey with colon cancer. He passed peacefully in his home surrounded by his wife, Alice, and his loving family.

Francis H. 'Howard' Stevens, 80

Francis H. 'Howard' Stevens, 80

Archie Roe Invitational

Flathead’s Tess Brenneman eyes the finish line in the 100-meter dash Saturday during the Archie Roe Invitational track meet at Legends Stadium.

Somers/Lakeside looks for new school leader

Casey Love is stepping down as Somers/Lakeside School District superintendent at the end of June.

Trails closed at Lone Pine Park

The Flathead Valley Archery Club will host the annual Lone Pine 3D archery shoot at Lone Pine State Park on Sunday, May 6.

Daybook

Saturday

Rallying for a classmate: Students craft art for benefit event

More than 300 Bigfork students are rallying around fellow student 11-year-old Ember Fortuna.

Water-line work to impact Main Street

Starting Sunday, Kalispell workers will repair a water service line on Main Street just north of the intersection with 11th Street.

Man who helped hide body violated probation

A Kalispell man who pleaded guilty to helping dispose of a murder victim’s body in 2010 has been sentenced to 10 years with the state Department of Corrections after violating the conditions of his probation.

Ronan man arrested after chase on ATV

Deputies with the Lake County Sheriff’s office arrested a 21-year-old Ronan man after he led them on a chase on a stolen all-terrain vehicle early Friday morning.

Glenn Kolodejchuk - County Commission District 1

It’s time to step up to the plate, Glenn Kolodejchuk said of his decision to run as a Republican candidate for the District 1 Flathead County commissioner position.

Local pros sweep bouts

The Burton Boxing fighters swept the pro bouts and capped an exciting night of boxing on Friday night at the Flathead County Fairgrounds.

Grandma calls cops on 5-year-old

The Flathead County Sheriff’s Office was advised that a grandmother, wanting to teach a lesson to her 5-year-old granddaughter she was raising, called 911 after telling her granddaughter she would if the girl did not calm down.

Boxing

Referee Ford Jones (left) checks if Andrew Howk is able to continue the fight during Friday Night Fights boxing at the Flathead County Fairgrounds. Friday, May 4, 2012 in Kalispell, Montana.

Young journalists win Fox News payday

University of Montana Radio-Television Journalism professor Ray Ekness and broadcast journalism students Alexandra Schwier of Bozeman and Kyle Schmauch of Kalispell accept checks April 27 from “Fox & Friends” hosts. Schmauch and Schwier won the Fox News College Challenge with their television news entry about the wolf hunting controversy in Montana.

Archie Roe loaded with talent, teams

With just two weeks until divisionals, time is winding down for local track teams to get their events in order in time for state.

Small ball, errors help Glacier rally past Libby, 8-2

The Glacier strategy on Friday was to put the ball in play — and let the chips fall where they may.

Glacier, Flathead netters advance to semifinal action

HELENA — Flathead and Glacier advanced players to the semifinals in singles  play during Friday’s opening session at the Helena Invitational tennis tournament.

C-Falls blanks Whitefish in softball

COLUMBIA FALLS — Columbia Falls opened and closed with four-run innings in dropping rival Whitefish 11-0 on Friday in Northwestern A softball play.

Hellgate hammers Flathead in softball

MISSOULA — Missoula Hellgate matched hits for runs in whipping Flathead 14-1 Friday in a Western AA softball contest.

TransCanada reapplies for pipeline

Over the edge

A rotary plow sends a cascade of snow over the edge of Going-to-the-Sun Road at the Bird Woman Falls Overlook earlier this week. Motorists can drive as far as Avalanche Creek on the west side of Sun Road. From there, hikers and bikers can go as far as Haystack Creek this weekend.

Girlfriend reports abusive man

Officers with the

Theodore Jay 'T.J.' Koenig, 34

Kenneth LeRoy Hotz, 91

Dean Potter, 82

Joyce Greenwalt O'Neil, 87

With the kind care of loving family and hospice, Joyce Greenwalt O’Neil, 87, died at her home in Columbia Falls on May 1, 2012.

Kalispell City Airport

The public will be asked to weigh in Monday night on a new study about the future of Kalispell City Airport.

Kyle Schmauch

University of Montana Radio-Television Journalism professor Ray Ekness and broadcast journalism students Alexandra Schwier of Bozeman and Kyle Schmauch of Kalispell accept checks April 27 from “Fox & Friends” hosts. Schmauch and Schwier won the Fox News College Challenge with their television news entry about the wolf hunting controversy in Montana. Schmauch and Schwier each won $5,000 plus $10,000 for the university.

Carmine Mowbray

Carmine Mowbray

Janna Taylor

Janna Taylor

Kolodejchuk

Flowers 3

Flowers 2

Flowers

Elections Office

Tony Brockman, left, and Clifford Lee sort through envelopes they stuffed with absentee ballots Friday afternoon at the temporary elections office location in the Country Fair Kitchen at the Flathead County Fairgrounds. "It's been an all week process," Brockman said. Friday, May 4, 2012 in Kalispell, Montana.

Columbia Nursery Staff Pictures

Columbia Nursery Staff Member

Columbia Nursey Staff Member

Columbia Nursery Staff

Columbia Nursery

College will graduate record class on Friday

Flathead Valley Community College will graduate 310 students — the largest class in its 44-year history — on Friday, May 11.

Baucus notes support for Flathead County Rail Park

In the Flathead for a jobs tour, Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont, attended a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday afternoon for the Flathead County Rail Park taking shape along Whitefish Stage Road just outside Kalispell.

Texting driver gets wet in crash

A young man took a quick swim Wednesday after accidentally driving into the Flathead River while he was texting on his cellphone.

Cal Scott - County Commission District 1

Cal Scott says he was deciding what to do with the rest of his life when the District 1 Flathead County commissioner position came open.

Three running for open district judge position

A justice of the peace and two career attorneys are vying for the votes of Flathead County residents in the upcoming primary battle for the District Judge Department 2 seat being vacated by Judge Katherine Curtis.

Happy 10th, Majestic Valley!

Majestic certainly describes the importance of Majestic Valley Arena as part of the Flathead Valley economy, as well as the role it plays in making quality entertainment and sporting activities possible here.

Daybook

Sentinel pulls away from Flathead; Frenchtown trips Polson

Flathead hung tough with Missoula Sentinel for three innings before the Spartans pulled away for a 16-4 Western AA softball victory Thursday afternoon at the Conrad Complex.

Ring master

After 138 amateur bouts, Mount makes pro debut

After a little prodding, 34-year-old Jon Mount is back in the ring.

Keenan, Weimer medalists for Bigfork at St. Regis Invitational

ST. REGIS — Sara Keenan of Bigfork shot an 85 to claim medalist honors at the St. Regis Invitational golf tournament on Thursday.

Neighbor's dogs a problem for caller

The

Arthur M. Lieberman, 76

Joyce J. Legg, 48

Robert Allison

Robert Allison

Cal Scott

Cal Scott

Bruce Fredrickson

Bruce Fredrickson

Daniel Wilson

Daniel Wilson

Rail Park Groundbreaking

Sen. Max Baucus speaks Thursday afternoon during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Flathead County Rail Park. Thursday, May 3, 2012 in Kalispell, Montana.

Dancers to perform 2 ballets at show

Northwest Ballet Co. will bring comedy and tragedy, classical and contemporary stories, and laughter and tears to the stage Mother’s Day weekend during its 32nd annual Spring Show Production.

Whitefish Theatre Co. holds year-end showcase

Whitefish Theatre Co. presents J.A.M.S. (Junior Actors and Musicians on Stage) at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 11 at the O’Shaughnessy Center.

Students tackle Shakespeare plays

The Flathead High School Theatre Department’s Acting 2 class will present two one-act plays May 18 and 19.

Flathead orchestra puts on show for senior night

The Flathead High School orchestra will present its annual Spring Concert at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 8, in the Flathead High School auditorium.

Quartet to play chamber music in Whitefish, Bigfork concerts

The Glacier String Quartet will bring a concert of chamber music to Bigfork and Whitefish when they perform “In the Spotlight” Friday, May 11, and Saturday, May 12.

Whitefish mural project seeks to build community

A primitive art

At first glance, the bits of porcelain on the frame don’t look much different from the rubble on the table and floor.

Small fire sparks school evacuation

St. Matthew’s School in Kalispell was evacuated Thursday morning after smoke alarms went off due to an electrical fire.

Fire at St. Matthew's

Students are evacuated from St. Matthew’s School after smoke was detected in the library Thursday morning.

Firefighters at St. Matthew's

A Kalispell firefighter climbs to the roof of St. Matthew's School after smoke was detected in the library Thursday morning.

It's a three-way contest for GOP nod in North Valley

The Senate District 2 Republican primary race features two veteran House legislators and a Whitefish resident whose main focus is advancing pro-life legislation.

College scholars unveil research work on Friday

 About 130 Flathead Valley Community College students will share their research projects with the public at the college’s third annual Scholars Conference on Student Research on Friday.

Road job temporarily closing Home Depot access

With construction of Reserve Drive South under way, the north entrance to Home Depot and other adjoining stores will close Friday, May 4, and reopen later that night.

Kirk Gentry - County Commission District 1

Kirk Gentry views being elected to fill the two-year Flathead County District 1 commissioner’s spot as a challenge.

Vaccinations and responsibility

The recent outbreak of whooping cough in Ravalli County (and now four other Montana counties) presents an interesting intersection between personal freedom and community responsibility.

Daybook

Charles Edison Hanson

Charles Edison Hanson, son of Eric and Alia Hanson of Whitefish, was born Jan. 30 at North Valley Hospital.

Payden Louise Dittmer

Payden Louise Dittmer, daughter of Mack and Kelly Dittmer, was born Jan. 30 at North Valley Hospital.

Kylie Nichole Hamlin

Kylie Nichole Hamlin, daughter of Mathew Hamlin and Amanda Matlock of Hungry Horse, was born Jan. 30 at North Valley Hospital.

Rail Park Groundbreaking

Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., speaks Thursday afternoon during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Flathead County Rail Park near Kalispell.

Board weighs killer's life or death decision

Ronald Smith

Convicted murderer Ronald Smith is escorted in for his May 2012 clemency hearing at Powell County District Court in Deer Lodge. Smith, of Red Deer, Alberta, was asking board members to recommend that the governor commute his death sentence to life in prison without the possibility of parole. His lawyers want them to look beyond the horrific murders of two Browning cousins in 1983 in Flathead County.  

Clemency hearing

Thomas Runnig Rabbit IV confronts Ronald Smith Wednesday morning in Deer Lodge, Mont during Smith's clemency hearing. Smith killed Running Rabbit's father nearly 30 years ago in Flathead County.

Woman told identity may have been stolen

Tuesday afternoon, a woman told the

The great debate

Neil Livingstone responds to a question while other GOP gubernatorial candidates, from left, Rick Hill, Jim Lynch, Ken Miller and Corey Stapleton listen during a debate Wednesday afternoon at the Whitefish Performing Arts Center.

Franz Arn Barthel, 62

 Franz Arn Barthel, 62, our dear husband, father, brother, uncle and friend, passed away in "his chair" on April 27, 2012, surrounded by love and grace.  He was thankful for being able to spend his remaining days in the home he and Elaine designed, and Franz built.

Richard 'Dick' Glen Foster, 64

Richard "Dick" Glen Foster, 64, died April 30, 2012, after a brief illness, with his family and friends by his side in Kalispell, of natural causes.

Jay W. Evenson, 68

Jay W. Evenson, 68, died of natural causes April 18, 2012, at his home in Anchorage, Alaska.

Lorene Rose 'Lori' Ulland, 60

Business Profile: Flathead Recon

The old Park Side Federal Credit Union safe is nearly all that remains of the building on Monday, April 30, at Depot Park in Whitefish.

Law Enforcement Torch Run

Members from area law enforcement agencies and Special Olympics athletes made their way down main street on Wednesday afternoon, May 2, in Kalispell for the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run. The run started on Center Avenue and made it's way down to Lions Park. Represented agencies included the Kalispell, Columbia Falls, and Whitefish Police departments, the Lake County and Flathead County Sheriff's departments, the Montana Highway Patrol, the Forest Service, Fish and Game, and Border Patrol.

Training Day for SWAT and SRT

SRT operator Jordan Venezio, left, uses an break and rake entry tool during a training exercise on Monday, April 23, in Kalispell. In the background is Caleb Pleasants of SWAT.

Suzanne Brooks

Suzanne Brooks

Resident pheasant

A rooster ring-necked pheasant is shown near Smith Lake May 1.

Ben Stormes

Ben Stormes

Bruce Tutvedt

Rollan Roberts II

Rollan Roberts II

Bill Beck

Bill Beck

Dee Brown

Dee Brown

Kirk Gentry

Kirk Gentry

State Senate leader challenged in GOP primary

The Senate District 3 Republican primary race should be a lively one, with incumbent Sen. Bruce Tutvedt being challenged by a candidate who contends Tutvedt hasn’t been conservative enough.

Graduation party seeks volunteers

The Crosstown Craze is expected to sweep through Kalispell high schools this year at epidemic rates.

College trustees raise tuition, fees by 2 percent

The Flathead Valley Community College Board of Trustees voted Monday to increase tuition and fees by almost 2 percent.

Ben Stormes - County Commission District 1

Flathead County commissioner candidate Ben Stormes decided to run for the two-year District 1 position after realizing that “our country, state and county are in trouble. The overspending, over-regulation, over-taxation are about to cripple federal, state and county governments. I feel the need to help my fellow citizens and neighbors and will not turn a blind eye and leave this for my children.”

Daybook

Schulz, Reynolds double winners at Ken Good

WHITEFISH — Tuesday was a little moist, but that didn’t slow down the competition at Whitefish’s Ken Good Invitational.

Ronan sweeps Eureka in softball

Eureka played well in the first game of its doubleheader against Ronan on Tuesday but was error-prone in the second, dropping both games in Eureka.

Polson bats go deep in win over Glacier

POLSON — Martina Marquardt hit two 2-run home runs and Riley Kenney and Makaliah Wilson had one 2-run home each as the Polson Pirates stormed past visiting Glacier 15-0 in a nonconference softball matchup on Tuesday.

Libby sweeps Lincoln County meet

LIBBY — The Libby Loggers claimed first place in both the boys and the girls competition Tuesday at the Lincoln County Meet.

Polson boys win Lake County meet

POLSON — Claudia Hewston proved herself to be a pretty versatile athlete for the Polson Pirates on Tuesday.

Johnston places 2nd at national hoop shoot

LIBBY — Ryggs Johnston placed second at the National Elks Hoop Shoot on Saturday at Western New England University gymnasium in Springfield, Mass.

Son trades rifle for three-wheeler

A Tally Lake Road resident told the

Caribou taken back to Canada herd

A caribou that was captured in Montana last week is back with her herd in British Columbia’s Purcell Mountains.

Windows on Whitefish

Detail of one of the forthcoming Windows on Whitefish mosaics. In the background participants in Deb Stika's class comb through bins of broken tile to use in their mosaic projects.

Ben Stormes

Caribou is back with her herd

British Columbia wildlife biologist Larry Ingham handles a female caribou at a release site in the Purcell Mountains on Saturday. The caribou appeared to be in good health after its bout with tick paralysis and its move from Northwest Montana.

Gary Gleisner Wehr, 68

Gary Gleisner Wehr, 68, formerly of Kalispell, passed peacefully on April 26, 2012, in Everett, Wash.

Gary Van Aken, 66

Gary Van Aken, of Whitefish, died Sunday, April 29, 2012, at the cabin near Lake Koocanusa.

Rescue Training

Clockwise from top left, firefighters Greg Daenzer, Rob Cherot, Scott Williams and Jason Schwaiger work on rescuing a victim in a confined space rescue and grain engulfment training exercise on Tuesday afternoon, May 1, in Kalispell. The members of C shift took turns rescuing and being rescued as they completed their training with Captain Cherot, the department's technical rescue specialist.

Fly Fishing Go Pro Hero 2

Fishing the Big Horn River in Fort Smith, Montana for big rainbows and browns

Week in Pictures: April 23-29

Caribou release

British Columbia biologist Larry Ingham holds a caribou before releasing it on a ridge in the Purcell Mountains just outside Cranbrook, B.C., this weekend. 

Rod Bernhardson - County Commission District 1

Rod Bernhardson, a Republican candidate for the Flathead County District 1 commissioner position, is very clear about his intention to fill out a vacant term, not to become a career politician.

Pair of Republicans compete for House nomination

Reducing property taxes and getting a sluggish Northwest Montana economy going are two of the top issues for House District 9, the Republican candidates running for the office said.

Community college offers interim-session courses

 Flathead Valley Community College offers a variety of short-term interim session courses with college credits in as little as two weeks instead of a traditional semester.

Coats for Kids gets online shot at winning new vehicle

 Kalispell-based Coats for Kids has been selected as one of 500 nonprofit finalists in Toyota’s 100 Cars for Good program.

Bricks available for Bigfork walking path

Members of Bigfork’s Sliter Park Memorial Committee will begin cleaning the park, planting flowers and installing personally inscribed pathway bricks that were ordered during the fall and winter for a memorial walking path.

Columbia Falls seeks approval of school levies

Columbia Falls school district voters will be asked to approve $173,529 in special tax levies for the elementary and high school districts on May 8, but school officials want voters to know that their School District 6 taxes will not go up.   Reductions in the school district’s non-general-fund budgets will offset any increases that would result from the voted levies, school Superintendent Mike Nicosia said.  Reductions in the general fund are due to declining enrollment and minimal state funding. There also will be reductions in funding for school buses. Taxpayers won’t see all this accounting on their tax bill — they’ll see figures for the elementary and the high school districts that combine the voted levies with the other budget reductions. Taxpayers will, however, see a state-mandated explanation of the tax impact of the voted levy on their May 8 levy ballot.