Ellington

Saddle Club building eyed for ski museum

A log building used for decades as a clubhouse for the Mountain Trails Saddle Club in Whitefish soon may have a new use as a local skiing hall of fame and museum.

Top Chef

Moroldo's owner impresses cooking peers

Fabrizio Moroldo, chef and owner at Moroldo’s Fine Italian Restaurant in Bigfork, is more than capable of cooking in styles from around the world. 

Aging docks to be replaced at Smith Lake, Echo Lake

Docks at fishing access sites on Smith Lake and Echo Lake will be replaced by midsummer.

Council takes up panhandling ordinance tonight

An ordinance to ban most panhandling in Kalispell goes before the Kalispell City Council for a first reading tonight.

Moroldo

Fabrizio Moroldo. June 27, 2013 in Bigfork, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Riska

Helen Riska, 91

Helen Hattie Riska, 91, died Thursday, June 27, 2013, at her home in Kalispell. 

Tall grass needs to be mowed

The city of Kalispell advises residents that after July 1 of each year it is the duty of all owners or occupants of any property in the city to trim all grass more than 8 inches high and remove all weeds from their property.

Twins in title game at Ed Gallo tourney

WHITEFISH — The Kalispell Lakers A locked up a spot in the third-place game of the Ed Gallo Tournament on Saturday, beating Fort McLeod 13-5 at Memorial Park. 

Hot day at Whitefish Lake

The Daily Inter Lake

State revives couplet plans

Some of the scene has changed since this 2002 aerial photo was taken of the county courthouse complex — traffic around the courthouse is now one instead of two lanes and the two buildings flanking the old courthouse have been removed. State highway officials have revived plans to rebuild the couplet around the courthouse. Options include two lanes on each side or all four lanes of U.S. 93 rerouted to the east side — at the bottom in this photograph. (Daily Inter Lake file photo)

Former Stillwater miner survives ski crash, coma

Railroad plan could be major crossroad

Dreams of a revived Kalispell core area can be real, and making them real should be an utmost priority for city leaders.

Fireworks set off townspeople

The

Bernanke's 'luck' is really hard work

There is no shortage of topics to gripe about today. Whether it is another political scandal, a further weakening of our nation’s sovereignty or more politicians caught in blatant lies to the public who elected them to office; our nation is under constant attack from within, especially from those working within our federal government.

Daybook

Today

Legends to get new scoreboard, track

Athletes will have about $176,480 in improvements to look forward to at Legends Stadium in the form of a new scoreboard and resurfaced track.

Plans altered for rebuild of school

Whitefish High School has made significant changes to its reconstruction project that may save money and retain square footage originally slated for demolition.

Control the borders? Nah, let's control Congress!

Controlled immigration has worked for America. This is self-evident.

Two local restaurant-supply businesses stay busy serving retail and commercial needs

People who love to cook may not be aware of the bounty of kitchen supplies that await them at two stores in the Evergreen area.

Galton project on Kootenai: Is it just another play for wilderness?

In January of 2008 the Kootenai National Forest announced that the Fortine Ranger District  was in the early stages of developing a project entitled Galton — named for a previously little known mountain range overlooking the Tobacco Valley. 

Run-down house a problem for Kalispell Senior Center

Problems continue for the Kalispell Senior Center, as the aging facility now has a new burden to contend with: The property next door is in a shambles.

Let's protect the North Fork

The Flathead Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited has long been committed to protecting the Flathead River system, one of the last best strongholds for native bull trout and westslope cutthroat trout.  

Light show

The Northern Lights make an appearance over the Flathead River in the early hours of June 29.

A birthday wish: Don't walk away from doing right

Happy birthday to me — if I have lived that long.

George W. Wamsley Jr., 98

Lock your doors: As weather warms, thefts from local vehicles on the rise

As the weather warms, property crimes rise, and not excluded from that rule are thefts from vehicles.

Body found may be missing St. Ignatius woman

Boat dock fixed at West Shore Park

The West Shore State Park boat dock is back in the water and open for use.

Rush chosen for Olympic training program

Kalispell’s Hunter Rush has been chosen as one of 100 wrestlers in the U.S. to take part in the 2020 Junior Olympic Training Program at the Spire Institute in Geneva, Ohio.

Baseball: Loggers split doubleheader; M.V. swept

MILES CITY — The Libby Loggers bounced back from a morning loss to Glasgow on Friday with a commanding 11-3 win over Sidney in the afternoon, improving to 2-1 at the Harry Griffith Tournament.

Missing money investigated at Lakeside School

A Lakeside Elementary School secretary has resigned and school district officials are investigating what happened to more than $10,000 in teachers’ union funds.

Waterton recovering from floods

The impact of a deluge of rain on June 19 continues to be felt at Waterton Lakes National Park, Glacier Park’s neighbor to the north.

Daybook

Today

Teen saves 2-year-old from drowning at Missoula pool

Brock Perkins, 14, right, pulled a toddler who was near drowning from the water at Splash Montana swimming pool in Missoula Thursday after his brother, 6-year-old Patyn, spotted the girl in the pool.

Fireworks restrictions vary by city

As one of the most celebrated and certainly the most explosive holiday of the year approaches, the Kalispell Fire Department reminds residents that the use of fireworks within city limits is tightly regulated.

Schools gearing up for Common Core

Students across the nation will enter a new era of standardized tests in the 2014-15 school year ushered in by the Common Core Standards.

Shirlee Joy Spain, 82

Shirlee Joy Spain, 82, of Kalispell “is with her Savior” as of June 27, 2013.

Gearing up for Common Core

Darlene Kay Hoerner, 60

Our precious wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend, Darlene Kay Hoerner of Polson, “was reunited with her Dad and Sister in heaven” on June 25, 2013. While traveling home with her family, she was involved in a fatal car accident in Texas.  

Dogs save woman in home invasion

A shaken Lone Pine Road woman indebted to her pet dogs contacted the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office after a man broke into her home. The man climbed in through the kitchen window and opened the door to her bedroom, where she was. Her dogs then ran after him, and he fled through the front door. She described the man as white, possibly between the ages of 18 and 25, approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall and with a heavier build.

Advanced Restaurant Supply

Advanced Restaurant Supply east of Kalispell has a large collection of cutlery.

Fire hits home of family in Eureka

A Eureka couple who returned home after being gone less than 20 minutes Thursday afternoon found their house — and everything they owned — in flames.

Summer fun on Big Mountain

Ben Desmul navigates an obstacle in the aerial adventure park and tackles the zip line at Whitefish Mountain Resort. All summer activities at the resort are in full swing.

Helicopter crashes into river near Missoula

Willard B. Morton, 84

Willard B. Morton, 84, died on Wednesday, June 26, 2013, at his home in Kalispell of cancer.

Moroldo

Fabrizio Moroldo. June 27, 2013 in Bigfork, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Park identifies man who died in fall

The Glacier Park hiker who died in a fall from a closed trail on Wednesday has been identified as 64-year old Charles Fred Huseman from Packwood, Wash.

Sentence deferred for domestic assailant

A Kalispell man alleged to have broken his wife’s ribs in a vicious assault that also left their youngest child severely bruised has been given a three-year deferred sentence.

Five firms bid on U.S. 93 bypass

The Montana Department of Transportation opened bids Thursday for the northernmost segment of the U.S. 93 bypass in Kalispell.

Whitefish grad Harris hired as Bulldog AD

Whitefish High School’s new activities director is a familiar face.

Baseball roundup: Twins double up

WHITEFISH — The Glacier Twins A team opened the Ed Gallo baseball tournament with a pair of wins over Canadian teams Thursday, edging the Cranbrook (British Columbia) Bandits 6-5 and routing the Fort Macleod (Alberta) Royals 15-1.

Ed Gallo Baseball

Glacier second baseman Kyler Howke fields the ball Thursday night during Glacier's win over the Royals in the Ed Gallo Baseball Tournament at Memorial Park. June 27, 2013 in Whitefish, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Dancers shine in Coeur d'Alene

Dream Dancers Dance Studio swept up at their recent dance competition, Kids Artistic Revue, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

Door-to-door visits prompt concerns

Along with a multitude of dogs running at large, panhandlers and property crime, reports to police of another kind — door-to-door salespeople — also rise with the temperatures.

Unwind at the wooden boat show

Take a trip down memory lane this weekend at the Whitefish Woody Weekend II antique and wooden boat show to be staged at The Lodge at Whitefish Lake.

Stay cool: Major heat wave on the way

A major heat wave is descending on Western Montana, with temperatures in the next few days expected to soar into the 90s in the Flathead Valley and possibly hitting 100 in Missoula.

Candidate slate finalized for elections

The filing window for candidates in municipal elections in Kalispell, Whitefish and Columbia Falls came to a close Thursday with a few more names for the ballot.

Shotgun mystery remains unsolved

A Hungry Horse man looking for his long-lost shotgun contacted the

Lid for the wastewater treatment plant

Workers with Swank Enterprises pour a concrete lid Wednesday for the primary digester at Kalispell’s wastewater treatment plant. Half of the lid was poured last week, and remaining sections were finished Wednesday. The digester handles corrosive methane gas generated as part of the treatment plant’s solids reduction process and is getting an $863,000 overhaul. Financing costs and contingency reserves push the total estimated cost of the project up to about $1.2 million. Work on the primary digester should be finished by year’s end.

Group crafts alternative water compact

Under the premise that water rights holders in Western Montana were not adequately represented in negotiations for a Confederated Salish-Kootenai tribal water rights compact, two legislators presented an “alternative” compact to Flathead County commissioners Thursday.

Big Sky Regional Pony Club Camp

Mary Osellame of Missoula riding Libby jumps a log Wednesday afternoon during Pony Club camp at Rebecca Farms west of Kalispell. June 26, 2013 in Kalispell, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Oliver James 'Jim' Davey, 92

Oliver James “Jim” Davey, 92, passed away Tuesday, June 25, 2013, at Greenwood Assisted Living in Kalispell. 

Goldendoodle

New owners, new identity for Outlaw Inn

Though the Outlaw Inn in Kalispell will probably be known by that name for years to come, its official name soon will be GuestHouse Inn & Suites.

Kalispell water bills going up as of July 1

Kalispell’s water customers will see their utility bills go up next month as the last in a string of City Council-approved increases takes effect.

Bigfork author to release novel in August

Gospel quartet in concert July 7

Novels on tap at July meetings

Family band plays at church July 2

Ed Gallo baseball tourney begins today in Whitefish

After two weeks of cloudy skies and rain, the sun is set to come out just in time for the 24th annual Ed Gallo American Legion baseball tournament today through Saturday at Memorial Field in Whitefish.

Baseball: Mission Valley Mariners split doubleheader

POLSON — The Mission Valley Mariners and Bitterroot Bucs split a pair of American Legion baseball conference games Thursday.

Glacier's Day to play rugby at Wheeling Jesuit

Former Glacier standout Dawson Day has signed to play rugby at Division 1-A Wheeling Jesuit (W.Va.) University.

Receive TWO Crispy Tacos for $1.44 at Taco John's!

Taco John's

Daybook

Today

Glacier visitor dies in fall from trail

A Washington state man apparently slipped and fell to his death Wednesday afternoon in Glacier National Park.

Fireworks factory explosion

A secondary explosion rips through a pyrotechnics firm Tuesday after an earlier explosion started the Evolution Pyrotechnics building on fire north of Billings.

Kya Elizabeth Venn

Kya Elizabeth Venn, daughter of Justin and Echo Venn of Miles City, was born May 28 at North Valley Hospital.

Kayleb LeRoy Fauske

Kayleb LeRoy Fauske, son of Shanen and Renee Fauske of Kalispell, was born May 20 at North Valley Hospital.

Greason Jon Vincent

Greason Jon Vincent, son of Brandon and Toni Vincent of Libby, was born May 20 at North Valley Hospital.

Gabrielle Marie Eckhardt

Gabrielle Marie Eckhardt, daughter of Tyson and Kimberly Eckhardt of Kalispell, was born May 17 at North Valley Hospital.

Darci Jean Dennison

Darci Jean Dennison, daughter of Larrik and Mia Dennison of Somers, was born May 17 at North Valley Hospital.

Maya Jane David

Maya Jane David, daughter of Tony and Kelly David of Whitefish, was born May 15 at North Valley Hospital.

Tifa Zeal Bucher

Tifa Zeal Bucher, daughter of Brandon and Nikki Bucher of Columbia Falls, was born May 15 at North Valley Hospital.

Hope Rae Marie Sederdahl

Hope Rae Marie Sederdahl, daughter of Levi and Nikki Sederdahl of Kalispell, was born May 18 at North Valley Hospital.

County workers get hefty pay raises

The Flathead County commissioners on Wednesday approved a bigger-than-expected pay raise for county employees, awarding a 3.5 percent cost-of-living adjustment instead of the proposed 3 percent increase.

Ayden Denzil Starcher

Ayden Denzil Starcher, son of Josh and Krista Starcher of Coram, was born May 20 at North Valley Hospital.

Judge puts statue in perspective

In dismissing a lawsuit seeking the removal of the Big Mountain Jesus statue, U.S. District Judge Dana Christensen did a fine job of explaining with multiple arguments why the statue is not unconstitutional.

Ronin James Carpenter

Ronin James Carpenter, son of Jonathan and Jade Carpenter of Whitefish, was born May 16 at North Valley Hospital.

Dead body in the weeds? Well, no...

A report of a dead body was debunked after a brief investigation by the Whitefish Police Department Tuesday. A man had reported his belief that there was a dead body in the weeds near East Seventh Street after hearing from another person that a teenager had been lying in a nearby school parking lot, then got up, walked into the weeds and never came out. The man had also seen teenagers in a van acting suspicious in the area the prior night.

Lincoln Ladd McMahon

Lincoln Ladd McMahon, son of Ladd and Kayla McMahon of Dayton, was born May 24 at North Valley Hospital.

Zara Enid Muhonen

Zara Enid Muhonen, daughter of Adam and Megan Muhonen, was born May 31 at North Valley Hospital.

Leyna Lynne Marcus

Leyna Lynne Marcus, daughter of Shane and Samantha Marcus of Kalispell, was born May 31 at North Valley Hospital.

Evelyn Rose Meade

Evelyn Rose Meade, daughter of Cory Meade and Angel Preston of Kalispell, was born May 19 at North Valley Hospital.

Triston Wayne Petero

Triston Wayne Petero, son of Levi and Shelby Petero of Columbia Falls, was born May 20 at North Valley Hospital.

Peyton Marie Goe

Peyton Marie Goe, daughter of Steven Goe and Keely Johnson, was born May 24 at North Valley Hospital.

Gaige Ivan Riddle

Gaige Ivan Riddle, son of Vincent and Victoria Riddle of Columbia Falls, was born May 17 at North Valley Hospital.

Roy C.B. Hall

Roy C.B. Hall, son of Shilo and Ariel Hall, was born May 30 at North Valley Hospital.

Maksim Dmitrievich Ivanov

Maksim Dmitrievich Ivanov, son of Dmitri Ivanov and Mercedes Trevino, was born May 20 at North Valley Hospital.

Lauryn May Beck

Lauryn May Beck, daughter of Jason and Melissa Buck of Libby, was born May 16 at North Valley Hospital.

Emmet Benjamin Becker

Emmet Benjamin Becker, son of Chris and Rita Becker, was born May 15 at North Valley Hospital.

Oliver John Wright

Oliver John Wright, son of Joseph Oliver and Kourtney Wright of Kalispell, was born May 26 at North Valley Hospital.

AERO to raise money that will help bring more flights to valley

The Jackson Hole Airport in Wyoming is serving as a model for much of what some Glacier Park International Airport supporters are hoping to accomplish.

Angela Elena Dorsett

Angela Elena Dorsett, daughter of Al and Aimee Dorsett, was born May 23 at North Valley Hospital.

Jaylynn Elizabeth Payne

Jaylynn Elizabeth Payne, daughter of Mikhael Payne and Ashley Minor of Kalispell, was born May 30 at North Valley Hospital.

Motel clerk's first shift marred by robbery

Kalispell police are searching for a woman who robbed a clerk at the Blue and White Motel at gunpoint late Tuesday night.

Asher Levi McCrorie

Asher Levi McCrorie, son of Markus and Ashley McCrorie, was born May 18 at North Valley Hospital.

Contract awarded for new school kitchen

Meredith Construction of Kalispell was awarded the contract to building a central school kitchen near Kalispell Middle School Tuesday.

Keelie Skye Becker

Keelie Skye Becker, daughter of Kyle Becker and Kimberly Bland, was born May 23 at North Valley Hospital.

Kensington Klay Ruen

Kensington Klay Ruen, daughter of Kyle and Lisa Ruen of Clark Fork, Idaho, was born May 30 at North Valley Hospital.

Ethan Jesus Emmert

Ethan Jesus Emmert, son of Gordon and Susana Emmert of Kalispell, was born May 26 at North Valley Hospital.

Lexi Renee Clark

Lexi Renee Clark, daughter of Brad and Jessie Clark of Columbia Falls, was born May 15 at North Valley Hospital.

Theater to screen modern classics

Group offers home for artists, craftsmen

Kila artist holds contest

Bus Driver Tour comes home

Woolen Collectibles offers knitting classes

Beading, jewelry classes at trading post

Brewfest to raise money for trail

Libby group stages 'Snow White'

Symphony to play pops concert

Collage art on display in Bigfork

Early-ticket price expires June 30

Apply for studio tour by June 29

Ed Maul

Ed Maul builds a variety of bird houses, tables and tool boxes in his shop near Whitefish. 

Pitiful Players 'Snow White'

Death al Dente

Superintendent Schottle to resign next year

Darlene Schottle is entering her last school year as superintendent of Kalispell Public Schools.

Gay marriage

Gay rights activist Bryce Romero, who works for the Human Rights Campaign, offers an enthusiastic high five to visitors getting in line to enter the Supreme Court on a day when justices issued major rulings on two gay marriage cases. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Two high court rulings favor gay marriage

Same-sex marriage may resume in California

WASHINGTON — In a historic day for gay rights, the Supreme Court gave the nation’s legally married gay couples equal federal footing with all other married Americans on Wednesday and also cleared the way for same-sex marriages to resume in California.

Plum Creek gives lumber to Habitat effort in Columbia Falls

A load of lumber Plum Creek Timber Co. is dropping off this afternoon will help volunteers with Habitat for Humanity of Flathead Valley start building two more houses in Columbia Falls.

Driver sentenced for fatal accident

A Kalispell woman has been given a 10-year suspended sentence after her passenger died in a 2012 vehicle crash.

Mounds of potential

Legion baseball: Loggers cut down Lakers A

$32 Deal for $16: 18 Holes at Glacier View Golf!

Glacier View Golf

Kalispell Home Depot the top store in state

For the first time, the Kalispell-area Home Depot has become the top store in Montana based on year-to-year sales.

Glacier Park to conduct new mountain goat study

Glacier National Park and the University of Montana plan to start a new mountain goat research program this summer, three years after the deaths of two animals halted a previous study, park officials said Monday.

Elmer Jacob Kraft, 73

Elmer Jacob Kraft, 73, passed away on Sunday, June 23, 2013, surrounded by his family, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Kalispell. 

Daybook

Wednesday

Venice program gets $20,000 boost

Amid mounds of spaghetti alla carbonara, malloreddus al pomodoro, Palermo-style fish in carta fata, stuffed portabella caps and strawberry tiramisu, it was easy to lose track of the purpose of Flathead Valley Community College’s Big Night.

Calls of the wild: Dogs keep officers busy

The

Under the Big Top

Francis the African lion pulls his way on to a platform as lion tamer Trey Key stands behind Tuesday night during the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus in Somers. 

Railroad corridor plan 'needed'

Consultants give positive presentation to Kalispell city leaders

Big plans to breathe new life into Kalispell’s railroad corridor are financially feasible with a little careful planning over the next decade, hired consultants told city leaders on Monday.

'Frivolity' not reverence at heart of statue ruling

U.S. District Court Judge Dana Christensen found that the low-profile nature and secular history of the Jesus statue on Big Mountain plus a lack of “government entanglement” related to the statue’s presence did not elevate it to a violation of the U.S. Constitution’s Establishment Clause.

Culpepper & Merriweather Circus

As Judy the clown, Michelle Musser performs a hula hoop trick Tuesday night during the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus in Somers. June 25, 2013 in Somers, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Sunset kayaking

Sunset on the lake

Jesus statue

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that this statue of Jesus can remain on Big Mountain. (Whitefish Pilot file photo)

Andreé Marie (Flemming) Laird, 88

Jack G. Teeples, 82

Hutterites may have chased bears to death

Federal prosecutors have charged a Montana Hutterite colony with possessing two illegally killed grizzly bears.

Test opinion

Agency ordered to pay $20,000 over retaliation

A hearings officer for the Montana Human Rights Bureau has ordered the state Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks to pay $20,000 to a Kalispell employee for retaliating against him after he questioned his punishment for comments made during an inadvertent phone call.

Do you support the Kalispell Council's decision to upgrade the city airport?

Stoltze gets $210,000 grant for biomass project

F.H. Stoltze Land & Lumber Co. in Columbia Falls will receive a $210,000 grant from the U.S. Forest Service to develop and improve its biomass facility.

Power outage kills 160,000 fish at Eureka hatchery

A planned power outage at a fish hatchery near Eureka killed 160,000 fish on Sunday after a backup generator for the hatchery’s pumping system failed to activate.

Elusive fugitive on the run again

A Libby man with a history of creating fake identities and running from the law absconded from probation just seven months after being given a suspended sentence in Flathead County District Court.

Seniors team up with Lighthouse for farm work

Path of the paddle leads to fitness, fun

Daybook

Lessor wins Can/Am Shoot-out 125

It was a fast night and a profitable one for Alex Lessor of Kalispell.

Kalispell considers electrical permit system

County OKs Hodgson Road area zone change

 A zone change to convert 40 acres of suburban agricultural land to residential 2.5-acre lots won final approval from the Flathead County commissioners last week.

Draft plan for lake-trout netting unveiled

Bear the prime suspect in break-in

Henry David Lawshe, 10 months

Student speaker places ninth in national meet

For the third consecutive year, a student from Glacier High School has placed in the top 10 at the National Forensic League tournament.  

Sunset on the Lake

An evening kayaking tour with Sea Me Paddle of the Flathead Lake near Somers provided an opportunity to get close to a variety of water fowl including gulls near an old boat house on Sunday, June 23, near Somers. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Area guide recognized by Orvis

Tim Linehan considers himself fortunate, even lucky, to have built an outfitting business in the Libby and Troy area that has presented him with unexpected opportunities and enjoyment.

Rainfall a boon for wildflowers

Heavy rainfall in the past week in Glacier National Park created some problems but also boosted wildflower displays.

Balsamroot

Arrowleaf balsamroot blooms at Marias Pass in Glacier National Park. With recent rains, flowers have taken off in Glacier. (Chris Peterson photo/Hungry Horse News)

Bypass bridge could be built next year

Chipping away at the Kalispell bypass project one piece at a time, the Montana Department of Transportation is planning to build a new bridge on Three Mile Drive that would span the future path of the bypass underneath.

Study of railroad corridor shared

Analysis looks at financial possibilities

A business hired to explore market opportunities and the cost of revitalization goals in Kalispell’s railroad corridor will share its findings with the Kalispell City Council at a work session tonight.

Suspects in meth ring plead not guilty

All four players in an alleged small methamphetamine ring as well as a believed user caught in the crossfire have pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.

Libby wins Big Bucks tournament

LIBBY — Micah Germany hit a grand slam to left field in the second inning and Oliver Grupenhoff followed with a two-run home run to right center in the fourth to power Libby’s Loggers to an 11-7 victory over the Moscow Blue Devils in the championship game of the eighth annual Big Bucks American Legion baseball tournament on Sunday.

Behind closed doors

New tour features mansion’s ‘nooks and crannies’

Kalispell’s Conrad Mansion is 118 years old and it’s still revealing some intriguing secrets.

Tim Linehan

Tim Linehan, who runs an outfitting business in the Troy area, was recently named Orvis Guide of the Year.

Nooks and Crannies

Small dividers signed by Charles E. Conrad and dated as far back as 1896 can be seen on the nooks and crannies tour at the Conrad Mansion in Kalispell. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

County handyman proposed to handle 'frivolous' requests

Flathead County needs a part-time handyman to handle a growing number of “frivolous” work orders from county departments.

Montana school leader rallies local Democrats

Women who have forged new paths in Montana politics for future generations were a cause for celebration Friday.

Curb painting raises hackles in Whitefish

A man from Kalispell who employs at-risk youth is in jeopardy of losing his business license in Whitefish after numerous people complained about aggressive sales tactics.

Legion baseball: Libby in Big Bucks tournament championship game

LIBBY — Libby’s Loggers will face Moscow’s Blue Devils today in the championship game of the Big Bucks American Legion baseball tournament at 5:30 p.m.

Wreck on North Fork Road

A tow truck driver from American Towing works to pull a car up from where it landed after sliding off the North Fork road and flipping on its way down on Saturday afternoon, June 22, just north of the entrance into Glacier National Park. The driver was not seriously injured. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Pine tree catches fire at Lawrence Park

The

Immigration debate more of same

Mistrust in government has been a common theme in recent editorials on this page, and it is front and center once again with the topic of “comprehensive” immigration reform.

Kalispell man sentenced for four crimes

A Kalispell man was sentenced to five years with the Montana Department of Corrections and five years on probation after pleading guilty to four charges across three cases and three years in Flathead District Court.

Joseph Lee 'Jo Jo' Buck, 36

Joseph Lee “Jo Jo” Buck, 36, “was called to heaven” on Thursday, June 20, 2013, in Deer Lodge.

Curb painters raise hackles in Whitefish

Curb numbers on Central Avenue in Whitefish were painted by the Kalispell Youth Project.

Daybook

Fred's Appliance moves to temporary spot before building Kalispell store

After its initial plans to open a store in Evergreen were thwarted earlier this year, Fred’s Appliance is anxious enough to move into the Flathead Valley market to take up a temporary home in the northern part of the Gardner’s RV showroom in south Kalispell.

It's time to speak up about GMOs

I am a mom with two young children living in Columbia Falls. I, like most moms, work hard to make good choices about the food I feed my family. But I am growing increasingly angry that corporate food giants are refusing to label just what is in the foods they are marketing to all of us, and rather heavily to children.

Whitefish on the move

“We come a long way — and we got a long way to go…”

Whitefish Lake racers, 1982

Regatta racers send up rooster tails of water on Whitefish Lake in 1982.

Fred's Appliance

Fred's Appliance general manager Troy Varness poses for a picture Thursday afternoon at Gardner RV south of Kalispell.

Feds to students: You can't say that

The scandals roiling Washington over the past two months involve troubling government behavior that had been hidden — the IRS targeting of conservative groups and the Justice Department’s surveillance of the Associated Press, among others. Largely overlooked amid the histrionics has been a shocker hiding in plain sight. Last month, the Obama administration moved to dramatically undermine students’ and faculty rights at colleges across the country.

Boating has always meant good times on Whitefish Lake

Beautifully restored antique and classic wooden boats will bring back a lot of memories for those attending the Whitefish Woody Weekend II show next weekend.

With four days left to file, only one city race contested

With four days left to file, candidates are sparse for upcoming municipal elections in Kalispell, Whitefish and Columbia Falls.

Wooden wonders

Lorne and Leslie Kermath lounge in the 1955 Curly Craft boat that will be displayed at Whitefish Woody Weekend II.

Old jail had laid-back atmosphere

A story I wrote recently about Flathead County making plans to renovate the old jail south of the courthouse prompted a telephone call from Irma Cook Wells of Kalispell, who worked at the jail from 1947 to 1952.

Wooden wonders - Family history buoys passion for classic boats

Lorne Kermath’s 1955 Curly Craft is one of the wooden boats that will have the crowd talking as Whitefish Woody Weekend II unfolds June 28-30 in Whitefish.

Rewriting history and 'Looking Backward'

One thing that’s incredibly tiresome about being a conservative is how people rewrite history so that they can pigeonhole you as a racist, a fascist or a dangerous radical.

Dragon Boat Practice

Before getting in the water, members of the Journey to Wellness Dragon Boat teams practice in chairs Thursday evening during in a conference room at The Summit. June 20, 2013 in Kalispell, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Mega Monster Truck Tour

Kelly Byrd of Kalispell loses a tire during the first round of the Tuff Truck challenge Friday night during the Mega Monster Truck Tour at Flathead County Fairgrounds. June 21, 2013 in Kalispell, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

George Andrew Curtis, 78

George Andrew Curtis, 78, of Eureka passed away on Sunday, Jan. 6, 2013. 

William Donald Krejci, 82

Born to Czech immigrants on a small ranch near Simpson, Mont., on May 5, 1931, William Donald Krejci started out in life farming with his brother Joe on a place outside Havre. Moving on to spend much of the rest of his life welding and fabricating, Bill led the simple, gracious life of working with his hands; he built almost anything anyone would ask him to build for them. 

Michael Patrick Haines, 62

Michael Patrick Haines, 62, of Bigfork, passed away peacefully May 24, 2013, on his way back to the valley after spending time with his son in Eugene, Ore.

Beverley L. Johnson, 84

Beverley L. Johnson was born Oct. 6, 1928, in Minong, Wis., and passed away June 16, 2013, in Kalispell.

Michael 'Mike' Siderius, 50

Michael “Mike” Siderius, 50, passed away on June 7, 2013, in Kalispell from cancer.  

Joint workshop looks at new law on leased buildings

A new bill that requires local governments to review development projects that will lease or rent multiple buildings or units in a building will be discussed during a workshop on Wednesday, June 26.

Wolf chases man on motorcycle in Canada

Flooding forces 75,000 people from their western Canadian homes

Legion baseball: Twins rally by Lakers; stay perfect in league

Zac Darling stole home to score the go-ahead run in the seventh inning and the Glacier Twins rallied from a two-run deficit to beat the Kalispell Lakers’ A team 6-4 in an American Legion baseball game at Griffin Field Friday.

Legion baseball: Loggers upend Tri-County at Big Bucks Tournament

LIBBY — Will Reichel held Tri-County to just two hits over six innings as Libby rolled to a 6-1 victory Friday on the second day of the Big Bucks American Legion baseball tournament.

Mary Critchlow

Glacier High School teacher Mary Critchlow recently embarked on a trip to Cambodia where she will learn about environmental issues and be immersed in the local culture.

Kelly Hendrix

Rate shows healing economy

For the first time in nearly five years, Flathead County’s unemployment rate has dropped to 7 percent, signaling a rebirth of local growth.

George Andrew Curtis, 78

Swiftcurrent Creek

The water of Lake Sherburne in Glacier National Park laps at the bridge over the Swiftcurrent Creek outlet. The lake level rose due to heavy rains. The bridge is the main access to Many Glacier Hotel.

State Sen. Augare charged with DUI, obstruction

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Alberta flooding

Above, Kevan Yeats swims after his cat, Momo, to safety as the flood waters sweep him downstream after submerging his truck in High River,Alberta, Thursday.

Chased by a wolf

This image provided by Tim Bartlett shows a wolf chasing Bartlett’s motorcycle down Highway 93 in Kootenay National Park highway in British Columbia.

Parks deal with flood damage

Glacier National Park personnel continued to monitor and respond Friday to problems created by recent heavy rains.

Land offered for county athletic facility

Flathead County may have a site already for a proposed recreational facility, the county commissioners learned Thursday.

Michael Patrick Haines, 62

Beverley L. Johnson, 84

Pair embark on Cambodia adventure

Adventure-seekers Kelly Hendrix and Mary Critchlow have begun a journey into Cambodia studying cultural and environmental issues.

High water

High water severed a section of the Akamina Parkway in Waterton Lakes National Park. (Parks Canada photo)

Man shot by Highway Patrol trooper identified

William Donald Krejci, 82

Landlord reports possible meth lab

The possible remains of a methamphetamine lab were reported to the

Sun Road opens

Steve Crumley of Raleigh, N.C., tries to avoid falling water Friday afternoon after taking in the view from the West Side Tunnel on Going-to-the-Sun Road.

Logan Pass Opening

Cloudy weather obscured many of the views Friday afternoon on Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park. June 21, 2013 in Glacier National Park, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Isaiah Joseph Jones, infant

  Isaiah Joseph Jones was stillborn on June 13, 2013, due to complications (trisomy 18), at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Logan Pass open in both directions

West-side access to Logan Pass opened at 8:30 a.m. Friday.

Knife assailant gets 35 years at state hospital

Dante Kirpal Kier’s face reflected little on Thursday as he was sentenced to 35 years in the Montana State Hospital.

Gatorade names Tokarz the Montana boys track athlete of the year

In its 28th year of honoring the nation’s best high school athletes, The Gatorade Company, in collaboration with USA TODAY High School Sports, announced Thursday that Matthew Tokarz of Flathead High School has been named the 2012-13 Gatorade Montana Boys Track and Field Athlete of the Year.

Fire hits downtown radio station

Kalispell firefighters extinguished a fire at the KOFI broadcast studio on First Avenue East late Wednesday night.

Man denies crime spree in Whitefish

Man denies  crime spree         in Whitefish

Summer ritual: Sun Road to open

Even if it’s raining, today’s planned opening of Glacier National Park’s Going-to-the-Sun Road signals the beginning of summer.

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Friday

'Best of' voting working again

Best Glitch in a New Media Campaign? No problem. We’ve got you covered.

That plan wasn't well thought out

A pair of poorly skilled panhandlers on Denver Street were reported to the

County pay to go up 3 percent, maybe more

Commissioners OK pay raise for elected officials

The Flathead County commissioners on Thursday approved a 3 percent pay raise for the county’s elected officials — including themselves — but stalled a decision on a cost-of-living adjustment for other county employees until next week.

Suspect pleads innocent in man's death

A 54-year-old man has denied causing the death of another man at his Evergreen apartment earlier this month.

Company cited in worker's death

Power outage

A crew from Flathead Electric Cooperative works on a damaged power pole near the intersection of U.S. 35 and Dyer Road north of Bigfork Thursday. The pole was struck by a vehicle early Thursday, damaging a transmission line and cutting power to the surrounding area.

Killer Buck dies

One of the most heinous killers in Flathead County history, Joe Buck, died Thursday at Deer Lodge Medical Center.  

Even with rain, Logan Pass still slated to open today

Glacier National Park has incurred some wind and rain problems the last couple of days, but Going-to-the-Sun Road is scheduled to open over Logan Pass this afternoon, provided that the weather doesn’t get too rough.

Gerald G. 'Jerry' Brown, 70

 Gerald G. “Jerry” Brown, 70, “began his trip up the staircase to be with the love of his life, Victoria ‘Vicki’ (Lumpry) Brown,” on June 18, 2013, in Helena.

Bret Allen Aklestad, 47

Logan Pass due to open Friday afternoon

All 50 miles of the Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park are anticipated to be open to vehicle travel by Friday afternoon — weather dependent. 

This Week in the Flathead: Arts and Crafts

Carolyn Snyder demonstrates how she makes her beads on Thursday, June 20, at her home in Kalispell. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Man killed in St. Regis confrontation

A man was killed by law enforcement officers responding to a report of a domestic disturbance in St. Regis.

Radio stations back on the air after fire

Kalispell firefighters extinguished a fire at the KOFI broadcast studio on First Avenue East late Wednesday night.

Power restored after morning outages

More than 3,200 Flathead Electric Cooperative customers were left without power for several hours Thursday morning after a vehicle hit a power pole at 3:02 a.m. and took out a transmission line near the intersection of Montana 35 and Dyer Road.

Two irrigation districts pull out of joint board

Intermountain gets state pact for foster care

Intermountain, a Montana nonprofit specializing in nurturing therapeutic environments for children, is looking for families to provide foster care services to children in the Flathead Valley.  

Hot Springs woman denies kidnapping 2-year-old niece

Asbestos glue slows carpet work at store

A project to install new carpet at the Flathead Industries Thrift Store  hit a small snag when workers found asbestos-containing glue holding down floor tiles under the old carpet in part of the Kalispell store.

Kayli Wagoner

Land trust, Stoltze working on deal to protect 3,000 acres

F.H. Stoltze Land & Lumber Co. and the Trust for Public Land have announced a plan that could permanently protect more than 3,000 acres of working forest in the Haskill Basin, which accounts for most of Whitefish’s water supply.

Tree memorial for teen a big success

Hundreds of native ponderosa pines will serve as living memorials to Kayli Wagoner.

Road briefly closed by damaged gas line

U.S. 93 in Whitefish was shut down between Baker Avenue and Karrow Avenue briefly Wednesday afternoon when a contractor hit a gas line. The road was reopened 24 minutes later after the gas line was repaired by a utility crew.

Bronze deer will soon bound at Main & Idaho

Bronze statues of deer, which are roughly 7 feet high, sit in storage on Kalispell city property.

Sun Road - Weather may play big role in pass plans

Glacier National Park’s often-used phrase, “weather permitting,” could come into play with Friday’s planned opening of the full length of Going-to-the-Sun Road over Logan Pass.

Daybook

Welcome bonus for county coffers

Flathead County gets a fair amount of money from the federal government each year as compensation for federal land within the county that can’t be taxed. These payments-in-lieu-of-taxes, or PILT allocations, have been a good thing for the county and have paid for a number of worthy projects to allow the county to refurbish facilities and keep pace with needed improvements.

Classroom work ahead of schedule

Construction on Peterson and Edgerton school classroom additions in Kalispell is under budget and ahead of schedule.

Bronze deer soon will bound at Main & Idaho

A statue of two bounding white-tailed buck deer has been stuck in city storage for years.

Broadway stars take Whitefish stage

July 4 has 2 concerts at 1 venue

Eckels now performs at Sunday brunch

Lakeside memoir available locally

Summer concerts offer something for every ear

Summer concerts

Steve Eckels

'Growing up with a Chamber Pot'

Debbie Jean Caferro, 58

Lola B. Anderson, 94

Rough waves on Flathead Lake

Despite rough water on Flathead Lake, Bill McStay of Ferndale fishes from the dock at Wayfarers State Park on Wednesday afternoon near Bigfork.

Horsemanship and Cow Working Clinic with Dave Gamble

Dave Gamble, upper right, and students gather cattle for a cow working lesson on Friday, April 19, at the Standing Heart Ranch in Whitefish. Gamble as been teaching horsemanship and cow working for 15 years. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday Gamble will be leading a workshop from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Participants pay $375 to attend. Spectators are also welcome to watch for $15. The ranch is located at 1000 Kuhn's Road south of Whitefish. To get there take 93 north to KM Ranch Road. Left on Spring Prairie. Right on Kuhn's and then the ranch will be on the left. For more information contact Gamble at 406-220-2534. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Third year of math required in high school

Students who will be sophomores at Glacier and Flathead high schools for the 2013-14 school year will be the first class required to take three years of math.

Council finalizes alcohol-in-parks law

With an unusual third reading and a few more amendments on Monday, the Kalispell City Council passed an ordinance that offers permits for special public events with beer or wine at more city properties.

Baseball: Loggers fall to Missoula, 4-2

MISSOULA — Libby couldn’t get on base early and failed to knock in runs late, losing 4-2 to the Missoula Mavericks in an American Legion conference baseball game to on Tuesday.

Junior golf: Avery, Johnston take titles

MISSOULA — Kalispell’s Teigan Avery and Libby’s Ryggs Johnston each won the Montana junior golf title for their age group at the state championships on Tuesday at Missoula Country Club.

Anello

Rogge

Newman

Monna Lou (Miller) McQuirk, 88

Senner

Morrison

Lembrich

Carmalt

Jackson 'Jack' Allen Gregg, 89

Jackson "Jack" Allen Gregg passed away peacefully in his home in Billings on Sunday, June 16, 2013, at the age of 89.

Public comment sought on Sun Road study

 Meetings next week will launch the public scoping process for a long-term study of the Going-to-the-Sun Road corridor in Glacier National Park.

Fox

City settles legal dispute - Diamond Aire lawsuit was filed in 2004

The Kalispell City Council on Monday approved a deal settling a lawsuit Montana Diamond Aire filed against the city in 2004.

Approaching storm

A storm rolls through Kalispell on Monday afternoon near Lower Valley Drive in Kalispell.

Kelly

Daybook

Today

Mathilda 'Tillie' Ingaborg Egnash, 92

Kayli Mercedes Wagoner, 17

Kayli Mercedes Wagoner, 17, of Columbia Falls, passed away on Friday, June 7, 2013, in Kalispell. 

Coronation to cap Pro Rodeo Pageant

The 2013 Northwest Montana Pro Rodeo Pageant is this week. All events will take place in the Trade Center at the Flathead County Fairgrounds.

Salminen

Diehl

Circus coming to Somers for first time in 73 years

It’s been a long time since the circus has come to town in Somers — 73 years to be exact.

Tutvedt

Five-hundred pound totem pole goes missing

Toni Lee Laurendeau, 76

Julianne (Wood) Hindahl, 53

The haunted rocking chair at the Belton Chalet

The Belton Chalet in West Glacier is one of the haunted spots described in “Glacier Ghost Stories.” Noreen Hanson, the Belton’s marketing and lodge manager, remembered a spooky encounter that involved this empty rocking chair rocking violently.

Haunted Room 37 at the Belton Chalet

Room 37 is one of the haunted spots in the Belton Chalet.

Noreen Hanson at the Belton Chalet

Noreen Hanson of the Belton Chalet has experienced the pranks of “Bob,” a ghost known to haunt just down the hall in Room 37.

Bear Grass in Glacier National Park

Bear Grass growing along side Avalanche Creek on Tuesday morning, June 18, in Glacier National Park. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Flathead gets hefty federal allocation

Flathead County has received a $2.17 million payment from the federal government under a program that compensates local governments for nontaxable federal land.

Developer seeks approval for Whitefish hotel

Daybook

Auto Racing: Martel sets new track record for Hobby Stocks

Dustin Martel set a new Montana Raceway Park record in qualifying for Hobby Stocks last Saturday with a fast time of 14.788 seconds.

Strong start for area golfers

MISSOULA — Four area golfers are either leading or tied for the lead in their respective age divisions after first-day action at the Montana State Junior Golf Championships at the Missoula Country Club.

Opening soon

The parking lot at Logan Pass is visible at the bottom of this aerial photo of Glacier National Park taken Monday. The pass is accessible to motorists from the east side of the park. The full length of Going-To-The-Sun Road over Logan Pass is expected to open on Friday if weather permits.

State below national average on senior health

Kalispell city shop in line for upgrade

Mark 'Doc' Erwin Hindahl, 63

Mark “Doc” Erwin Hindahl, 63, of rural Havana, Ill., passed away at 4:43 p.m. Thursday, June 13, 2013 at his home.

Alex Mandarino, 26

A Father's Day gift gone awry

Woman crusades against mental health stigma

Fatal Kalispell crash adds to deadly toll on area roads

 A woman died in a north Kalispell wreck Saturday, adding to a deadly weekend when 12 people died on Montana roads.

Week in Pictures: June 10-16

Flathead theater director retires

Teacher started drama career as a student at FHS

Valeri McGarvey is wrapping up the latest act in her school theater career where she began it: on the Flathead High School stage.

Whitefish lip-balm maker seeks expansion incentives

Owners of the Whitefish-based Hurraw! lip balm company have asked the city of Whitefish for property tax incentives and financial help with utility lines and impact fees as they plan to build a new manufacturing center in the Baker Commons business park.

Legion Baseball Roundup: Mariners take Arthur Tourney; Loggers sweep Lakers

DILLON — The Mission Valley Mariners won their second American Legion baseball tournament of the season on Sunday with a 9-6 victory over the Bitterroot Bruins in the championship game of the Maybelle Arthur Tournament.

Settlement possible in long-running airport case

 The Kalispell City Council and Montana Diamond Aire owner John Talmage might end their nine-year-old legal fight tonight.

Officer of the year

Kalispell's Jason Parce receives statewide honor

A little more than five years into his career with the Kalispell Police Department, Jason Parce already has made a name for himself through his work as a school resource officer and in alcohol and DUI enforcement.

Portrait of Valeri McGarvey

Valeri McGarvey at Flathead High School on Friday, May 24. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Drugs in Schools

Jason Parce, the Kalispell Police Department resource officer at Glacier High School, has been named the state officer of the year by the Montana Association of Chiefs of Police. (Brenda Ahearn file photo/Daily Inter Lake)

Myron Wilson

Jim Brenden

Polson 'advise' man charges just 50 cents

You get your money’s worth when you stop by Brian Loden’s booth at the Polson Farmers Market on Fridays.

Whitefish High School - Vote postponed on final bid package

Approval of the final bid package for the reconstruction of Whitefish High School has been delayed for further review of subcontractor bids.

Thumbs up for Summit Classic

It was a successful move.

Griffith shines in Badlands Bowl

MILES CITY — Glacier wide receiver Kyle Griffith caught a 26-yard touchdown pass from Manhattan quarterback Quinn McQuery and was perfect on five-extra point kicks to help Montana beat North Dakota 43-29 Saturday evening in the 20th annual Knights of Columbus Badlands Bowl at Connors Stadium.

Legion baseball: Lakers 2-1 in Palouse Tourney

PULLMAN, Wash. — The Kalispell Lakers’ AA American Legion baseball team entered the final day of pool play with a chance to claim the top seed in their pool at the Summer Palouse Tournament.

Payton Magone

Payton Magone, daughter of Dan Magone and Presley Pritchard of Kalispell, was born April 28 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

William Nestingen

William Nestingen, son of Erik and Kimberly Nestingen of Kalispell, was born April 28 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Jonathan 'Greg' Dalerio, 48

Greg Dalerio passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on the morning of June 6, 2013, in Reno, Nev.

Does GOP even have principles?

Is it really raining scandals in Washington? How is it that when four people are killed in Benghazi, it is a scandal but 4,500 of America’s finest killed in the Bush-Cheney neo-con war in Iraq, a war started on lies, that is just fine, no problem?

Malia Renae Land

Malia Renae Land, daughter of David Land and Brandy Klein of Columbia Falls, was born May 16 at North Valley Hospital.

School leaders get 1.5-percent raises

Kalispell Public Schools administrators had their contracts renewed with 1.5 percent salary increases Tuesday.

Even in Montana, we could do better

Since adoption of Montana’s 1972 Constitution, our governors have vetoed 293 bills in 21 legislative sessions. More than half the vetoes, however, 149, have been cast in just the last two sessions.

Merrick Elyse Zachary

Merrick Elyse Zachary, daughter of Taylor and Michele Zachary of Lakeside, was born April 30 at North Valley Hospital.

Nora Homola

Nora Homola, daughter of Cameron and Trina Homola of Kalispell, was born April 30 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Perfect Little Houses - Developer pairs with Washington architect to create cottage-style living on Flathead Lake

Mark Campbell, developer of The Landing at Somers Bay, said he would love to have year-round residents of the Flathead Valley living in his new subdivision.

Dakota Dawn Counsell

Dakota Dawn Counsell, daughter of Derick and Kim Counsell of Columbia Falls, was born May 13 at North Valley Hospital.

Sophia Jane Dachs

Sophia Jane Dachs, daughter of Vernon and Anna Dachs of Columbia Falls, was born April 29 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Jaspher Hayes Bradley Terrell

Jaspher Hayes Bradley Terrell, son of Jeff and Amber Terrell of Kalispell, was born May 16 at North Valley Hospital.

Berkeley LaCasse

Berkeley LaCasse, daughter of Cale and Shay LaCasse of Kalispell, was born April 30 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Courthouse restoration: the sequel?

Following on the heels of the successful renovation of the Flathead County Courthouse, the county now has plans to refurbish the old jail, a companion building just south of the courthouse.

Red Road Foundation - Siblings lead project to build safe house

Rachel Riggio is a shoot-for-the-moon woman who wants to heal the world, and she’s starting with an ambitious project in Cambodia.

Running a trapline - Pursuing a wolf pack requires patience

Baited with scent and concealed under forest duff and sticks, the traps are set Thursday on the likely travel routes surrounding a newly discovered wolf denning area in the Salish Mountains southwest of Lakeside.

Competition is already present in public schools

On graduation day, May 31, former state Sen. Fred Carl had a letter published in this paper arguing that increased competition between public and private schools would have a win/win result for both types of school. My interpretation of Mr. Carl’s point was that if parents whose children went to private school didn’t have to contribute property taxes to the public system, fear of losing students and money would motivate the public schools to do a better job.

Noah Phillips

Noah Phillips, son of David and Natalie Phillips of Kalispell, was born April 30 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Pie Netherly, 61

Pie Netherly, 61 years young, of Kalispell, passed away on Sunday, June 9, 2013, after a courageous and graceful fight with cancer. She was surrounded by her loving husband, family and friends.

Woman just says 'no' to drugs

A Fourth Avenue West woman contacted the

It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing

Upcoming dance camp fuels local swing craze

For swing-dance zealots, Ella Fitzgerald said it best: “It don’t mean a thing, if it ain’t got that swing.”

Daybook

Immigration reform? Or a comprehensive transformation of America?

The so-called “comprehensive immigration reform bill” is just the latest turn of the screw in the ongoing campaign to fundamentally transform America into a socialist republic.

John 'Jack' Hanson, 85

Nooks and Crannies

Mary Meisters slides back the cover of a shaving station Wednesday afternoon at Conrad Mansion in Kalispell. June 12, 2013 in Kalispell, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Peterson Elementary School construction

Workers move scaffolding on the addition to Peterson Elementary School in Kalispell.

Summit Classic

Matt MacFarlane of Lakeside gives a thumbs up to the announcers booth after crossing the finish line with a chip time of 18:56:6 to win the 5k race Saturday morning during the Rocky Mountain Bank Summit Classic at The Summit.

Youth heads for national electronics competition

After winning first place in April at the Montana SkillsUSA competition in electronics technology, recent Glacier High School graduate Tyler Godbold has studied hard to compete at the national level.

Flathead, Bigfork students named to advisory board

Two local students recently were named to a statewide Office of Public Instruction Student Advisory Board.

Learn to Swing

Jonathan de Caussin of Bozeman dances with Gwen Mann of Missoula at the Downtown Dance Collective in Missoula on Saturday, February 16. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Eastside Stomp

Ben White dances with Jenna Applegarth at Eastside Stomp in Seattle May 17. White and Applegarth have made several trips to teach in Montana.

Legion baseball: Mariners fall short vs. Bruins

DILLON — The Bitterroot Bruins scored a run in the top of the seventh inning to edge the Mission Valley Mariners 6-5 on Friday at the Maybelle Arthur American Legion baseball tournament.

Bigfork graduate will study in Russia in Fulbright program

Travis Vincent, a 2008 Bigfork High School graduate, received a prestigious Fulbright Scholarship to conduct research at Kuban State University, Krasnodar, Russia.

Generosity helps girl ride in comfort

Getting around is easier for the Wyatt family of Kalispell thanks to a donated van outfitted for their daughter Candace.

Polson pool ready to reopen Monday

The Mission Valley Aquatic Center plans to reopen on Monday after a weeklong shutdown for construction-related improvements.

Running a trapline

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks wolf biologist Kent Laudon listens for transmitter signals from his trapline to determine if any traps have been triggered by wolves. Trapping is necessary to fit a wolf with a radio collar so a pack can be monitored.

Who could pass up that offer?

A Lower Valley Road man asked if any “young officers” at the

In bizarre accident, pickup lands on roof

After waking up Friday morning and starting to play a few video games, 14-year-old Brady Campbell heard what sounded like a grenade exploding outside his family’s second-floor apartment on Skyles Place in Whitefish.

Daybook

Logan Pass opens Saturday

Sidewalks at the Logan Pass Visitor Center in Glacier Park are lined with walls of snow 6 to 8 feet tall on Sunday. Motorists can reach Logan Pass starting today from the east side of the park.

Logan Pass opens from the east side

Road opens to motorists today

Starting this morning, motorists will be able to reach Logan Pass from the east side of Glacier National Park.

Host of charges reduced to three for Kalispell man

A bevy of charges against a Kalispell man has been dropped after he pleaded guilty to just three.

Power agency aims to rebuild aging line

The Bonneville Power Administration will hold public meetings next week to discuss rebuilding the 66-year-old Kalispell-Kerr transmission line.

Rudolph 'Rudy' William Stefanatz, 97

Rooftop Truck

Brady Campbell, 14, was the only one home when a black Toytota truck, in background, rolled down the hill and onto the roof of the Campbell's second story apartment. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Active Senior: Jennifer Allen

Embrace Health Program Director Jennifer Allen sits outside the Cornerstone Building on Friday, June 14, in Whitefish. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Legion baseball: Mariners blow by Dillon

DILLON — Mission Valley scored 13 runs on 13 hits and Bradley Pichler went the distance on the mound as the Mariners rolled over Dillon 13-6 on Thursday during first-day action at the Maybelle Arthur Class A American Legion baseball tournament.

Hunter LeCount

Hunter LeCount, son of Derek LeCount and Jasmine Day of Kalispell, was born April 27 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Jett Lockard Bartholomew

Jett Lockard Bartholomew, son of Joel and Cody Bartholomew of Kalispell, was born April 25 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Mercy Sebastian Lee Peterson (Armstrong), 18

Shooting simulator open to police, public

Law enforcement officials on Thursday unveiled a new training simulator at Northwest Shooter that’s available not only to them, but also the general public.

Schools get $1.2 million energy grant

Kalispell Public Schools received a much-needed Quality Schools Facility grant to continue making improvements at Flathead High School.

Taylor Billiet

Taylor Billiet, son of Ryan and Erika Billiet of Kalispell, was born April 21 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Ethan Gunderson

Ethan Gunderson, son of Kyle and April Gunderson of Kalispell, was born April 25 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Bridger Bauer

Bridger Bauer, son of Tim and Cierra Bauer of Kalispell, was born April 23 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Haydin Nasset

Haydin Nasset, daughter of Trey and Cortney Nasset of Kalispell, was born April 19 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Michael Thomas Fitzpatrick, 69

Daybook

Maizie Joe Abern-Flanigan

Maizie Joe Abern-Flanigan, daughter of Russell Flanigan and Hali Abern of Kalispell, was born April 22 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Cayo Handford

Cayo Handford, son of Levi Handford and Alana Johnson  of Kalispell, was born April 20 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Sadie Nicole Downing

Sadie Nicole Downing, daughter of Jeremy and Cameron Downing, was born April 15 at North Valley Hospital

Hunter Smith

Hunter Smith, son of Chad and Jami Smith of Kalispell, was born April 25 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Gavin O'Neil

Gavin O’Neil, son of Jordan and Brittney O’Neil of Kalispell, was born April 23 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Caution on highway can save lives

A recent rash of tragedies on Flathead Valley highways — four fatalities in six days — should be a reminder of a seasonal maxim:

A man in search of squirrel justice

A man armed with a rifle was reported walking up and down Cougar Trail in Whitefish shooting squirrels. The man told a resident, who reported the incident to the

Idaho officer shoots, kills Whitefish man

Struggle over gun turns fatal

An Idaho State Police officer shot and killed a Whitefish motorist Wednesday near Lookout Pass as a sheriff’s deputy struggled with the man over a gun.

Upgrades to the Kalispell Central Garage

Kalispell Director of Public Works Susie Turner talks about proposed upgrades for the Kalispell Central Garage on Wednesday. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Molecular Lab at Kalispell Regional Medical Center

Clinical Lab Scientist Stephen Jensen prepares sames for testing for Pertussis, also known as Whooping Cough, on Wednesday, June 12, at the Molecular Lab at the Kalispell Regional Medical Center. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

The Landing at Somers Bay

Construction was well underway at Lot 6 of the Landing at Somers Bay on June 13.

VirTra Simulator at Northwest Shooter

Kalispell Chief of Police Roger Nasset surrounded by representatives from Glacier National Park, the Border Patrol, Whitefish Police, Columbia Falls Police, Fish, Wildlife and Parks and the Flathead County Sheriff's Department talks about the grant that made the training simulator at Northwest Shooter a reality on Thursday, June 13, in Columbia Falls. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Second Annual Project Homeless Connect

Jessie Bumgarner of the Great Falls MSU Dental Hygiene School, from left, looks on as Dr. Robert Bowman examines Elizabeth Hannifin at the Second Annual Project Homeless Connect on Thursday, June 13, at Samaritan House in Kalispell. Fifty-six dentists and dental specialists as well as 20 students from Great Falls took part in providing free cleanings and extractions yesterday and today. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Police find 3 children missing from Blackfeet Reservation

Shooting scene

Kick off summer with outdoor concerts

Price tag rises for Willows stormwater project

Plans are taking shape to improve stormwater drainage in the Willows subdivision this summer.

Board may reopen 911 director applications

Applications submitted for the 911 Center director position were so underwhelming that 911 board members discussed reopening the application process during their regular meeting Wednesday.

Kalispell woman in the running for Miss USA

Strutting her stuff

Concerts group finalizes 2013 lineup

Loggers sweep Savages in Idaho

SALMON, Idaho — The Libby Loggers swept an American Legion baseball doubleheader with the Salmon (Idaho) Savages Wednesday, winning 14-4 and 7-5.

Camp open to families affected by cancer

Cancer Support Community Montana invites families who are experiencing a cancer diagnosis to apply to attend “For One Another” Family Camp June 13 to 16 at Flathead Lutheran Camp on Flathead Lake.

Health-care seminar planned on Saturday

 Jim Oliverson of Kalispell Regional Medical Center and Eric Schindler, chief executive officer of Montana Unified School Trust, will speak Saturday at the Kalispell Hilton Garden Inn about the effects of health-care reform.

County to buy property south of courthouse

Flathead County has a tentative deal to buy the State Farm Insurance building along South Main Street for future expansion of the county courthouse campus.

Sentence suspended for four-time offender

A Kalispell man received an eight-year suspended sentence May 30 in Flathead District Court after pleading guilty to a series of charges in three cases.

Kids all wet for pulling mailbox prank

A group of youthful miscreants were reported pulling mail out of mailboxes on Maple Drive and peeing on it, drawing a

Summer meals offered at four Kalispell sites

Kalispell Public Schools is once again offering a summer food service program for children under 19 in need of support over the break.

Historic jail slated for renovation

A $1.5 million renovation of the historic Flathead County Jail building adjacent to the courthouse is planned over the next two years as a remedy for expansion needs at the nearby Justice Center.

Keep spying, but keep our trust too

The whirlwind of stories coming out about the National Security Agency and its meta-data mining program for phone records and Internet communications are difficult to digest, as evidenced by the political and philosophical debates they have triggered.

Copper-cable thief faces prison time

A Kalispell man is facing up to 33 years in prison after admitting allegations against him in a pair of cases as well as violations of a past sentence.

Alaska veteran named new Glacier Park leader

A new superintendent — 25-year National Park Service veteran Jeff Mow — has been selected to lead Glacier National Park.

Daybook

Film festival seeks early submissions

Olney author releases new novel

C. Falls group discusses 'The Lake of Dreams'

Schedule time on the 'clayground'

Museum screens 'The Mouse That Roared'

New book out about iconic Sun Road

Artists welcome at Fortine workshop

Whitefish Theatre offers free preview, 'cake-off'

Museum holds garden party fundraiser

Photographers shares experience in S. American wetlands

Jeff Mow

Smith Lake

Three paddlers make their way across Smith Lake in a canoe Tuesday evening near Kila. June 11, 2013 in Kila, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Patriot Guard Riders

Members of the Patriot Guard Riders Ronn Larsen, left, and Pam Dylina strap the cremains of Army PFC Robert Topping onto Larsen's motorcycle Wednesday morning near Somers. The Riders will be taking the cremains to the Western Montana State Veterans Cemetery in Missoula. Larsen was Topping's guardian for four years. June 12, 2013 in Somers, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Old Jail

Mike Pence walks through the entrance of the solitary confinement cells at the Old Jail on Wednesday afternoon in Kalispell. June 12, 2013 in Kalispell, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Miss Montana

Kacie West, left, practices her walk in preparation for the Miss USA pageant at her parents' house west of Kalispell. Her sister, Christine, watches and offers advice. “She’s my biggest fan and toughest critic at the same time," West said of her 15-year-old sister. "She’s very, very supportive.”

Montana Art Experience

Stephanie Seguin

Pieces by Stumptown Art Studio's resident potter Stephanie Seguin,

Bill Yenne, Sun Road book

Marthella Adams, 'Heartfelt Promises'

Bad Rock Books

'The Mouse That Roared'

The Museum at Central School shows “The Mouse That Roared” at 7 p.m. June 24.

Judy Marie Loucks, 58

Michael Thomas Fitzpatrick, 69

Michael Thomas Fitzpatrick was born on July 15, 1943, in Kenosha, Wis., to Norman and Doris (Newhouse) Fitzpatrick, and passed away unexpectedly June 7, 2013, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center. He lived in the Kenosha area until 1977, when he moved to Coram. 

William Steven 'Willie' Ward, 60

Former Viking hoopster and Bigfork native William Steven Ward died suddenly June 10, 2013, following a tragic motorcycle-deer collision on the Swan Highway, not far from his home.

Portrait of Valeri McGarvey

Valeri McGarvey at Flathead High School on Friday, May 24. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

The Red Road Foundation

Rachel and Garrett Riggio will hold a fundraiser for their organization, The Red Road Foundation, on June 30 at the Barn At Finley Point. Proceeds will go toward building a home, farm and school for victims of child trafficking in Cambodia. \

Race boats in Whitefish, 1940s

Race boats lined up at City Beach capture the flavor the Whitefish Lake Regatta in the late 1940s.

John Moore on his Star Dust U-33

John Moore pictured on the Star Dust U-33 he raced.

The History of Whitefish Lake

Historic photos courtsey of John Moore. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Headed to the Point of Pines dance hall

In the early 1900s, a group of women in period attire were headed to the Point of Pines dance hall on Whitefish Lake. There were a couple of dance halls along the lakeshore at that time, and tour boats routinely transported passengers eager for an evening of entertainment.

John Moore

John Moore, 82, of Whitefish, holds a scrapbook of photographs and memorabilia from his regatta racing days in 1948-49. He was still in high school and was among the youngest racers on Whitefish Lake.

Whitefish Lake tour boats

Tour boats were all the rage on Whitefish Lake in the early 1900s. One of their primary functions was to shuttle people to the various dance halls around the lake, but pleasure cruises were equally popular.

Rooftop over Whitefish

Rooftop over Whitefish Fresh Off the Vine plays at Casey's rooftop Sky Bar on Tuesday, June 11, in downtown Whitefish. Band members, from left, Lucas Mace, Karl Berdimurat, and Jesse Ahmann had to wrap things up earlier than expected as a rain storm moved in from the south. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

William James 'Bill' Robbins, 70

Ronald McDonald House opens local family room

Kalispell Regional Medical Center unveiled its Ronald McDonald family room Thursday night at the hospital.

School districts work on ways to help out homeless students

Area organizations are seeking ways to provide shelter and resources for more than 290 students identified as homeless in Kalispell and Evergreen school districts.

Daybook

Today

Somers Company Town Project aims to restore, preserve area's history

Somers residents are working to preserve memories of the bustling days of the past in the town on the north shore of Flathead Lake.

County attorney addresses probe

Survey finds demand for business degrees

Business majors are in high demand, according to a recent needs assessment done by Flathead Valley Community College.

Susan Ann Morris, 62

Darla Goe Parker, 52

Darla Goe Parker was born Oct. 10, 1961, and passed away peacefully June 8, 2013, at her home in Columbia Falls.

Handguns stolen during reported attack

A man calling from a Kila Road residence told the

Louise Smith Wellington La Brie, 95

Louise Smith Wellington La Brie, 95, of Whitefish, passed away on Mother's Day, May 12, 2013, at Whitefish Care & Rehabilitation Center.

Council inclined to crack down on beggars

Are beggars wearing out their welcome in Kalispell?

Good news from Glacier

Logan Pass could be accessible by next week

Kym Hall, acting Glacier National Park superintendent, says the park is “right on target” for a June 21 opening of Going-to-the-Sun over Logan Pass from the west side of the park, and the pass could be accessible from the east side by early next week.

Writer converts family event into her first novel

Shirley Rorvik’s son Tim was a man’s man. More than six feet tall, he had served as a U.S. Marine in the first Gulf War.

Panhandling

A sign prohibiting panhandling near the entrance of Hutton Ranch Plaza. June 11, 2013 in Kalispell, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

William James 'Bill' Robbins, 70

William James "Bill" Robbins, 70, passed away at his Lakeside residence on June 8, 2013.

Week in Pictures: June 3-9

Flathead Business Journal: Shelly's Jellys

Al Withall of Shelly's Jellys fills jars with a freshly cooked batch of Flathead Cherry Jelly on Monday, June 10, in Kalispell. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Leah Marie Kelly Galloway

U.S., Canada ready to renegotiate treaty

Montana may be a bit player in the grand scheme of the Columbia Basin Treaty, but the state will be affected by any changes to the treaty that could be negotiated over the next 10 years.

State wants old bridge span moved

Pete Skibsrud knew the rusting remnants of the Old Steel Bridge would be a burden to move, but that’s what Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks wants to him to do — and soon.

Avery, Doorn District One junior golf champions

Teigan Avery of Kalispell and Arthur Doorn of Whitefish were medalists Monday at the Montana State District One Junior Golf Qualifier at Whitefish Lake Golf Club.

Whitefish parks plan to be unveiled at Farmers Market

The city of Whitefish will roll out the draft of a new Parks and Recreation Master Plan Tuesday night during the downtown Whitefish Farmers Market.

Kalispell man denies ramming deputy's car

A Kalispell man accused of leading law officers on a slow-speed chase before ramming a sheriff’s car has denied the charges against him.

C. Falls library project put on hold

Concerned that a lack of county commissioner support for relocating the Columbia Falls Branch Library has cast a negative pall over the project, the Flathead County Library Board reluctantly voted 3-1 on Monday to put the effort on hold.

Motorcyclist dies after collision with deer

A Bigfork man was killed Monday morning after his motorcycle struck a deer on Montana 83 just north of the Montana 209 intersection at Ferndale.

The Old Steel Bridge

The Old Steel Bridge sits on Fish, Wildlife and Parks land near Conrad Drive on Monday, June 10, east of Kalispell. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Sea Me Paddle Kayaking Tours

"BJ" Brian Johnson helps launch Matt Deason of Wichita Falls, Texas onto Flathead Lake on Friday, June 8, near Somers. In the background Joel Deason of Kalispell, Matt's brother, smiles enthusiastically. The brothers took off Friday for an overnight tour with a night of camping at West Shore State Park. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Rock Bottom Diving

Nick Cook in the dive pool on Friday, June 8, at Rock Bottom Diving north of Kalispell. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

'Magic' trick leads to guilty plea

A Hungry Horse man has pleaded guilty to an amended charge after a violent “magic” assault.

Plea deal eschews fourth DUI charge

A Kalispell man has been convicted of an amended charge after initially being charged with what would have been his fourth offense of drunk driving.

Garage fire caused by kiln quickly doused

The Kalispell Fire Department was able to quickly put out a garage fire caused by a pottery kiln Saturday afternoon.

Baseball roundup: Lakers collect 2 road wins; Mariners win tourney title

GREAT FALLS — The Kalispell Lakers picked up two key conference AA American Legion baseball victories on Sunday by sweeping the Great Falls Chargers.

Worth the risk

Consultant on global quest to help international students

There’s a hint of nonchalance as Judi Fenton talks about the time she was nearly attacked by a deadly cobra on a playground in Senegal, or tells about the time she almost died of dengue fever contracted during a trip to Costa Rica.

June Rose Tripp, 84

June Rose Tripp, 84, passed away Wednesday, June 5, 2013 at the Prestige Assisted Living Center in Kalispell. She was born on June 15, 1928 in Lewistown to William Garnett and Carrie M. (Bagwell) Roberts.

Kalispell proposes crackdown on panhandlers

A proposed law aimed at cracking down on panhandlers in Kalispell will be discussed tonight during a City Council work session.

Popularity grows for Scout camp

Even though it’s quietly tucked away in the foothills of the Swan Mountains among shimmering lakes, the Boy Scouts Grizzly Base Camp has become a bustling place over the last few years, the direct result of the Melita Island camp on Flathead Lake becoming a wildly popular destination for Scouts.

Leah Marie Kelly Galloway, 82

Leah Marie Kelly Galloway, 82, passed away on Thursday, June 6, 2013, at the Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Homeless man followed by frightening female

A homeless man on U.S. 93 North contacted the

Judy Fenton

At her home in Kalispell, Judi Fenton smiles Monday afternoon while talking about traveling the world as an international education consultant. May 20, 2013 in Kalispell, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Fenton in Senegal

Judi Fenton eats rice and sheep at a baby christening during one of her trips to a village in Senegal. A sheep is killed when there is a major event and everyone eats from the same dish. 

Flathead group hosts state Democratic event

The Flathead County Democratic Women are hosting the Montana Democratic Women’s Convention Friday, June 21, and Saturday, June 22, at the Hilton Garden Inn in Kalispell.

Evergreen raises connection fees

Water connection fees charged by the Evergreen Water and Sewer District increased by about 25 percent on June 1.

Best Places to Work contest wraps up

The first Flathead Valley Best Places to Work contest results have been tallied by Quantum Workplace data analysis, and the results will be announced later this month.

Basketball: Montana boys sweep Wyoming

BILLINGS — No overtime this time.

Class B football: Trent: 2 TD passes; Ibach: 1 scoring run

BILLINGS — Bigfork quarterback Colter Trent passed for two touchdowns in the second quarter and Eureka running back Chis Ibach ripped off a 48-yard touchdown run in the third quarter as the North rolled over the South 48-27 on Saturday in the 25th annual Big Sky Class B All-Star football game at Rocky Mountain College.

Legion baseball: Mariners pick up 3 wins at tourney

HELENA — Bradley Pichler picked up the victory on the mound and drove in two runs to help Mission Valley’s Mariners slip past the Laurel Dodgers 11-10 in eight innings Saturday at the Cloninger Classic American Legion baseball tournament.

Driver pleads guilty after crash

A pair of charges have been dropped against a Kalispell man after he pleaded guilty to a third charge.

Biker bar bounces back

New owners reviving Yaak’s Dirty Shame Saloon

The legendary Dirty Shame Saloon was brought out of foreclosure in February and purchased by longtime friends John Runkle and Ray Falzone.

One fine day with mom to cherish

The train was running five hours late when I stepped onto the depot platform in Fargo, N.D., two weeks ago and immediately knew I was home.

Employee serves food with a side of pot

Defense of U.S. education system missed the point

Am I listening to the points Mercedes Oxford wrote regarding my editorial about the political agenda inside of our educational community? You bet and I even hear what she is saying. However, her letter reminds me of my first paper in philosophy class my freshman year at the U of M in which I received a grade of F plus — well-written but completely irrelevant to the topic.

GOP: Terminal case of patriarchal white privilege

There is something predictable and perhaps predestined about the current slow implosion of the Republican Party. After losing substantial ground in both the House and Senate last November, and after Mitt Romney received the electoral trouncing of his life, Republican politicians around the country called upon their own party to become more inclusive, and in effect, to tack towards the political center in a meaningful way.

National call to action - 'The fate of the country is now in our hands'

Our federal government continues down the path of destroying America. Americans must now stand up and put America back on the right track. The federal government has not subsided in “sucking the oxygen” out of America and its people with legislation and without the action required to solve our problems

Daybook

Backlash growing against GMOs

More than 500 people spent the better part of a day waving signs and protesting in Kalispell’s Depot Park on May 25.

The air up there - Vintage aircraft form backdrop for big-band event

We were somewhere over Bigfork when his voice crackled into the noise-canceling headphones.

Inter Lake has long roots across Northwest Montana

Rumors are nothing new in the news business. We hear all kinds of unfounded rumors every day, which we can usually file under the heading of either wishful thinking or malicious mischief.

Russell Oren 'Rusty' Lammert, 60

Russell Oren “Rusty” Lammert, 60, passed away on Monday, June 3, 2013, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Kalispell.

Linda Lee Fontecilla, 64

Linda Lee Fontecilla, 64, passed away on June 7, 2013. 

Adult black bear shot near Polson elementary school

Navy Corsair flying over Flathead Lake

Steve Bakke pilots a Navy F4U-5 Corsair over Flathead Lake on May 29.

Navy Corsair over Flathead Lake

Bakke prepares to put the wings down and go for a flight in the F4U-5 Corsair at Glacier Park International Airport.

Opening Day at the Woodland Water Park

Gabriella Weber, 7, of Kalispell, plays in the in the water on Saturday, June 8, at the opening day of the Woodland Water Park in Kalispell. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Robert O'Neil Wallace, 94

Robert O’Neil Wallace, 94, passed away peacefully at home in Kalispell, surrounded by loving family, on Monday evening, June 3, 2013.

Jody Scott Reedy, 49

Jody was born in Omaha, Neb., on Jan. 1, 1964, and died in Marietta, Ga., on April 16, 2013.

Michele M. Price, 58

Our hearts are saddened by the loss of Michele M. Price “who went to her rest” on May 24, 2013. Her heart was always in the right place as she struggled and fought for many years to conquer her illness, bipolar disorder.

F4U Navy Corsair

Steve Bakke piloting a F4U Navy Corsair from Glacier International Airport over Flathead Lake.

Five of seven reservations don't report DUIs to state

Church offers Bible School starting Monday

Mountain View Mennonite Church will host Bible School for children in fourth through sixth grade from 9 a.m. to noon June 10-14.  

Students try to solve worldly problems

During a recent Model U.N. conference, Flathead High School students from four Western Civilization honors courses attempted to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and Syrian crisis.

IRS follies are no laughing matter

“Maliciously self-indulgent” is how Rep. Darrell Issa aptly described the shameless splurging by IRS higher-ups over a three-year period.

Biker bar bounces back

The new owners of the Dirty Shame Saloon are remodeling the landmark building to make it look much like it did before a previous owner put carpet on the floor and tried to establish a bistro atmosphere.

Big Night event designed to benefit student travelers

 The Flathead Valley Community College Art Department will present Big Night 3 at 6 p.m. June 21.

Fire razes abandoned home

Flathead County Crimestoppers is asking the public for help after a historic abandoned home on West Springcreek Road was destroyed in a suspicious fire late Thursday night.

College president plans series of community conversations

Flathead Valley Community College President Jane Karas invites the community to public forums to have Community Conversations this month:

Car takes a beating for troubled affair

An “on again, off again” 12-year affair led to a call to the

Ronald Walter 'OB' O'Brien, 78

Ronald Walter “OB” O'Brien passed away Saturday, June 1, 2013, due to health complications.

Model U.N. at Flathead High School

Judah Justine, center, as the representative from Germany, and other sophomores go through parliamentary procedures in a simulation of a United Nations conference on the Middle East on May 30 at Flathead High School.

Daybook

The air up there

Steve Bakke flies a Navy Corsair as pictured from the cockpit of the AT-6 Harvard flown by Frank Hale over Flathead Lake. Both planes will be on display during Saturday’s Sentimental Journey big-band dinner dance.

Grim day on Flathead roads: Two die, several injured in series of accidents

Two teenagers are dead and several other people injured after three crashes that occurred within a span of less than two hours Friday morning.

Park rafter rescued, then cited

A Whitefish man was rescued from the raging waters of Upper McDonald Creek  in Glacier National Park on Thursday after he apparently had been illegally rafting on the creek.

Amber Morgan McAtee, 38

Laurene W. 'Larry' Murphy, 77

Somers Sunrise

A cloudy morning over Somers Bay on Friday, June 7. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Fatal Accident on Highway 2

Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Jim Schneider, right and John Harmon, make their way through the scene of a fatal accident on Friday, June 7, near the Glacier International Airport. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Fatal accident on U.S. 2

This minivan sustained major damage and its driver was injured when it was struck head-on by the passenger car in the background on U.S. 2.

Car Wreck at Highway 93 and Highway 82 north of Somers

Members of the Somers-Lakeside Fire Department respond to the scene of a two vehicle accident on Friday, June 7, at the intersection of Highway 93 and Highway 82 north of Somers. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

East, west plowing crews meet at Big Drift

Glacier National Park plow crews have been chipping away at the Big Drift, the last major obstacle to clearing Going-to-the-Sun Road for summer business.

Man pleads guilty to raping baby sitter

A 24-year-old Whitefish man has admitted raping a baby sitter in a case in which his wife also is charged.

Dog survives accident that killed its owner

The woman who died in a rollover accident Wednesday has been identified as 38-year-old Amber Morgan McAtee of West Glacier.

Daybook

Man turns himself in for pair of casino robberies

A man who turned himself in four and a half years after robbing a pair of Kalispell casinos has pleaded not guilty to two counts of felony robbery.

Willis Thomason, 39

Driver endures window-shattering event

Tainted berry mix was sold here

A frozen berry mix sold at Costco has been linked to cases of Hepatitis A, according to public health officials.

Building support for the ReStore

Jody Scott Reedy, 49

Casino projects get nod

Two proposed business ventures featuring a casino component sailed through public hearings on Tuesday, winning a recommendation of approval from the Kalispell Planning Board.

British invasion

Baby moose rescue

Bentley brigade makes stop in Bigfork

A British invasion of Bigfork this week features more than two dozen Bentley drivers pausing during their tour of the West. 

Water Feature

Cannon Wride, 4, right, runs from his sister Bailey, 8, as they play with the water hose in their yard on Thursday afternoon, June 6, in Kalispell. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Pair rescue baby moose from river

Flathead native Max Campbell releases first EP

Escape to Hawaii at annual hula show

Seattle rockers at the Great Northern

Windows on Whitefish mosaic project continues

Gallery Nights in Whitefish offers artistic stroll

Catch up with culture at art history club

Portrait workshop with local artist

Big band dance held in airport hangar

Documentary focuses on dragon boats

Hockaday event offers art in the outdoors

This Week in the Flathead: Janina Hobday Birch Creek Designs

Janina Hobday uses scratch paper to remove excess ink from the rollers as she prepares to add a third color to a piece on which she is working at her home in Columbia Falls. Hobday's work is a bit of a family tradition. Her great grandfather, and great grand uncles were newspaper pressmen in the 1930s in Ohio.  

Artist finds new passion in old-fashioned letterpress printing

Best of FLT ad space

Daines offers North Fork preservation bill

Montana Congressman Steve Daines introduced legislation Wednesday that is aimed at protecting the North Fork Flathead drainage from mineral development.

Young grizzly put down

A young female grizzly bear that had developed a habit of looking for food around homes in the Eureka area has been killed, according to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

KATS fast at Tri-City Open

Legion A baseball: Glacier shells Lakers

Daybook

Trading do's and don'ts - mostly don'ts

An upset man contacted the

Polson, Glacier ranked in top 10 percent in U.S.

U.S. News & World Report recently ranked Polson and Glacier high schools in the top 10 percent of the nation’s best-performing high schools.

Ryan Zinke

New president named for tribal college

The next president of Salish Kootenai College in Pablo will be Robert DePoe III.

Former legislator Zinke might consider Senate run

Former state legislator Ryan Zinke of Whitefish said Wednesday he might consider a U.S. Senate run if the Montana Republican Party’s big names don’t get in the race.

Bandwidth may presage a boom

Northwest Montana has just struck gold — or virtual gold, at least!

Lakers vs Twins Baseball

Glacier's Jake Slaybaugh (right) slides safely into second base past Laker short stop Wednesday night during the Glacier Twins win over the Kalispell Lakers at Griffin Field. June 5, 2013 in Kalispell, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Art imitates life in sculpture climbing up downtown wall

A sculpture of an ice climber ascended the facade of Rocky Mountain Outfitter on Sunday, joining a sculpture of a cowboy on the facade of the Noice Studio and Gallery just up the block on Main Street.

Voters reject two Columbia Falls school levies

By narrow margins, Columbia Falls School District voters on Tuesday  defeated two special funding requests.

Driver dies in rollover

A woman was killed Wednesday afternoon when she rolled her vehicle west of Kalispell.

Emmett Bernard Myhre, 102

Three Car Accident at Highway 93 and the Bypass

Members of the Kalispell and South Kalispell Fire Departments respond to the scene of a three car accident at Highway 93 and the Bypass on Wednesday afternoon, June 5, south of Kalispell. The Flathead County Sheriff's Department and the Montana Highway Patrol were also called to the scene. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Boy Scouts Grizzly Base Camp donates funds for cabins

A row of new cabins sit nestled in the forest at the Boy Scouts Grizzly Base Camp near Bigfork on Friday, May 24. The funds for the cabins were provided by an anonymous donor. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Cat Dog Smoker

Whitefish's Mozi Gerber celebrates his victory Tuesday night during the Cat Dog Smoker at Memorial Park in Whitefish. June 4, 2013 in Whitefish, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Man faces negligent homicide charge

A 54-year-old Evergreen man has been charged with felony negligent homicide for allegedly killing an acquaintance by knocking him down a flight of stairs Saturday in Evergreen.

Third meeting to look at school parking problem

The city of Kalispell and Flathead High School are holding a third community meeting Thursday with people who live around the school.

Did the plane eat his homework, too?

A pair of feuding Second Avenue West neighbors each contacted the

Couple earn mentor recognition

Flathead Valley Community College President Jane Karas honored Dr. Van Kirke and Helen Nelson with her eighth annual Montana Mentor Award during the 18th annual President’s Donor Dinner May 16.

Annual Amish auction offers quality, fun

For decades the Amish community has built a reputation for quality craftsmanship from carefully hand-making each item, whether it’s a quilt or a chair.

Roy Johannes Bloom, 89

Roy Johannes Bloom, 89, passed away on Saturday, June 1, 2013, at HealthCenter Northwest in Kalispell. 

Board to revamp zoning rules

The Flathead County Planning Board will spend the coming fiscal year reviewing county zoning regulations and will hold a workshop June 12 to develop a review process and timeline for the project.

Mom's right here

A protective mother bison rests her chin on the back of her baby on Friday at the Spring Brook Yak Ranch near Kalispell. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Spending plan reflects stronger local economy

A proposed budget that asks for a 3.7 percent pay raise for city workers plus staff additions in the planning and parks departments indicates an improving economy for the city of Whitefish.

Stay away from grizzly bear traps in Glacier Park

 A long-term effort to monitor grizzly bear population trends in the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem will continue at Glacier National Park this year.

New Statue at Rocky Mountain Outfitter

Don Scharfe of Rocky Mountain Outfitter, climbs to the roof of the building to take a look at the new sculpture on Tuesday afternoon, June 4, in Kalispell. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Foys to Blacktail Fundraiser

Liz Seabaugh, treasurer for the Foy's to Blacktail organization and other cast sort through items for auction at the fundraiser on Saturday, June 1, at Herron Park. More than $3,000 was raised. The organization is preparing to make their next land purchase on July 31. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Food

Harold J. Murray, 95

Mayme Robischon, 83

Leonard Dykes, 81

Clifford Paul Johnson, 80

Clifford Paul Johnson passed away Thursday, May 30, 2013, in Kalispell.

This Week in the Flathead: Janina Hobday - Birch Creek Designs

Janina Hobday displays a print made with a linoleum block she hand-carved on Tuesday, June 4, at her home studio in Columbia Falls. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

FLT Deals June Contest

Training offered for citizen scientists

The Crown of the Continent Research Learning Center at Glacier National Park will continue its Citizen Science Program this summer, offering free research and learning opportunities for the public.

Neighbor mows over flower bed

Margaret Louise Engberg, 89

Water-skiing subdivision OK'd;County adds more oversight to project

Margaret Louise Engberg

Kalispell resident returns to West Point for 75-year ceremony

Neil Van Sickle

Retired Maj. Gen. Neil Van Sickle, Class of 1938, salutes during May's cadet graduation at the U.S. Military Academy in New York. 

Grant seeks $8.7 million for rail park

The city of Kalispell and Flathead County Economic Development Authority are crossing their fingers after asking for an $8.7 million federal grant to help develop the Flathead County Rail Park.

Rainy Ride

Peter Pelchen wears a poncho to avoid the rain as he rides down Third Avenue east Monday afternoon on his way home from work. June 3, 2013 in Kalispell, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Westside casino, liquor store projects unveiled

Permit requests for a tavern with a casino and a liquor store with a casino that want to open on West Idaho Street are on the Kalispell Planning Board’s agenda Tuesday. 

All about attitude

Longtime FVCC instructor leaves legacy of caring for students

The last time Flathead Valley Community College had a semester without Jeanie Manion teaching a course, the college only had several hundred students and was nearly two decades away from getting a campus of its own.

Man dies after tumble down stairs

A 55-year-old Kalispell man died Saturday evening after an altercation with another man at an apartment in Evergreen.

Week in Pictures: May 27 - June 2

New Kalispell law would allow alcohol at outdoor events

The Kalispell City Council tonight holds a final vote on an ordinance to allow special public events with alcohol at select city properties.

Kalispell saves money by refinancing state loans

The Montana State Revolving Fund is letting municipal borrowers refinance their loans from the program at reduced interest rates. And that’s saving Kalispell and other cities around the state millions of dollars.

Speedy Hayley wins G.E.T. Rich

There was no catching Cameron Hayley Saturday evening at Montana Raceway Park.

Lakers AA baseball: Eaves hurls no-hitter

WHITEFISH — Right-handed pitcher Dillon Eaves will never forget this weekend.

Hoyt, Crawford toss 1-hitters for Mission Valley Mariners

POLSON — The Mission Valley Mariners opened Class A American Legion conference play on Sunday by sweeping a doubleheader from the Missoula Mavericks on the 1-hit pitching of Kellen Hoyt and Jeremiah Crawford.

B&B project rekindled in Whitefish

A bed-and-breakfast inn planned along U.S. 93 west of Whitefish will be the focus of a public hearing at tonight’s Whitefish City Council meeting.

Recycling at the ReStore

Habitat thrift shop opens larger facility

Jack Stephens knows how handy something used can be for making something new. 

Profile: Jeanie Manion

Jeanie Manion is going to retire after four decades of teaching adult-ed at Flathead Valley Community College. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Habitat Restore

Jack Stephens has been getting most of his materials from the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Kaliaspell while restoring the old LaSalle Grange on U.S. 2 south of Columbia Falls. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Columbia Falls seeks school funds in levies

The Columbia Falls School District is requesting two general fund levies in an election Tuesday.

St. Ignatius police receive grant

The St. Ignatius Police Department has received national funds to address what it calls an “unending problem of animal cruelty within its boundaries.”

Haydin Nasset

Amy Lee

Emree Lavon Schwecke

Mason Bain

Kinley Wagner

Ridge Koehler

Evelyn Rhoades

Jace Johnson

Olivia Grace Willits

Caiden Calderwood

Tyson Schmautz

Baseball: Mission Valley Mariners sweep at Missoula

MISSOULA — The Mission Valley Mariners swept a doubleheader with the Missoula Pioneers Saturday, winning game one 10-3 and taking game two 6-4.

Seeing through the 'climate scam'

Dr. Eric Grimsrud (May 5 letter to the editor) bemoans that all do not agree with him that CO2 emissions are dangerous to the planet.

Decision expected on water-skiing subdivision

A final decision on whether to approve the controversial Rosewater water-skiing subdivision north of Kalispell is expected from the Flathead County commissioners on Monday.

Boosting bandwidth: Middle-mile fiber-optic line will move more data at faster speeds

For a company like Vubiquity, broadband access is everything.

Have we forfeited the right to outrage?

I was by chance in Boston on April 15 when the bombs went off, on the other side of the Charles River. I did not hear the explosions, but felt the shock waves of human reaction moving through the city.

Cops called for cap and gown emergency

The

Daybook

Raining scandals in D.C.

It is starting to feel like every week there is a new scandal from the White House. Even the old scandals surface again with more life than ever. When will this all end for the Obama administration and why have we seen the recent escalation? They seem to have begun with Fast and Furious, then on to Benghazi, and more recently problems with the IRS targeting conservatives.

Hundreds graduate from local schools

Six hundred nineteen graduates reached the apex of their high school careers as they walked across stages to receive diplomas Friday and Saturday.

Government overreach? Are you really surprised?

“Let me assure you that the trifling problem you brought us today is already put safely to bed... The memorandum itself is now being thoroughly and plausibly denied by its authors and blamed on an overzealous local bureaucracy somewhere in the barren Midwest.”

Lawsuits may spur special session

Sen. Bruce Tutvedt, R-Kalispell, is reiterating his belief that a special legislative session is on the horizon because of lawsuits challenging the state’s property appraisal system.

Brad Franklin, 40

Habitat Restore

Jack Stephens has been using ReStore almost exclusively while restoring the old LaSalle Grange on U.S. 2 south of Columbia Falls. May 30, 2013 in Kalispell, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Graduation

Life skills teacher Lissy Boar, right, talks to her student Kayla Burns Saturday morning before the graduation ceremony at Glacier High School. June 1, 2013 in Kalispell, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Rae Karolyn McMaster, 65

Rae Karolyn McMaster, 65, of Kalispell, passed away peacefully at her home on March 12, 2013, after a long battle with cardiovascular disease.