Ellington

Daybook

State AA girls soccer: Bravettes fall to CMR in opener

HELENA — Two late goals pushed Great Falls C.M. Russell to a 2-0 Class AA state quarterfinal girls soccer victory over Flathead at Siebel Fields Thursday afternoon.

Glacier spikers end Western AA play 12-0; C-Falls sweeps Whitefish

MISSOULA — Glacier’s volleyball squad wrapped up regular-season play in style Thursday evening by sweeping Missoula Big Sky 25-16, 25-13, 25-18.

Fourth DUI lands man in treatment

A Kalispell man is being sent to treatment as part of his sentence after being convicted of his fourth offense of driving under the influence.

Three people hurt in four-vehicle crash

A four-car accident south of Somers caused by an inattentive driver sent several people to the hospital Thursday afternoon.

Bachman stays where he belongs

Considering the cold and heinous nature of his crime and the helpless innocence of his victims, it is not surprising that child murderer Karl “Randy” Bachman’s request for parole was denied Wednesday by the Montana parole board.

The case of the blood-stained car

A shocked woman contacted the

Documents unsealed: Accused bride Graham wanted 'cops out of it'

Convicted drunken driver shares sobering message

On Oct. 26, 2006, Jason DeShazer made a choice that proved to be fatal — but not for him.

Crosstown Football Preview

Flathead quarterback Easton Johnson (3) passes the ball under pressure from a Bozeman defender during the first half of their game on Friday, October 11, in Kalispell. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Tristin Lee Cady, 3

Bruyer Granary

The Bruyer Granary on Wednesday evening, October 30, on Whitefish Stage Road. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

AAUW 80th Anniversary

From left, Gail Long of Kalispell and Linda Harris of Whitefish, sorting books in advance of the annual book sale on Thursday, October 31, in Kalispell. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Wreck south of Somers

The Alert helicopter transports an injured person from the scene of a four-vehicle wreck near mile marker 100 south of Somers on Thursday.

Four-vehicle wreck south of Somers

The collision on U.S. 93 mangled the front end of this sport utility vehicle. Two trucks, a small car and the SUV were involved. 

Jason Deshazer returns to Bigfork

Photo of Dawn Bowker on display during Jason Deshazer's talk with students at Bigfork High School on Wednesday, October 30. The photo was accompanied by slides which read: "Dawn Bowker, Teacher bringing up today's youth" and "Killed by a drunk driver on October 26, 2006 (Red Ribbon Week)."

Jason Deshazer

Eagle's Nest Antiques and Home Decor

A silver coffee service is one of the thousands of collectibles at Eagle’s Nest Antiques.

Stide pianist to give 2 local shows

Get involved in Windows on Whitefish fall mosaic

Voices of the Wilderness auction slated for Nov. 8

Norwegian group plans Nov. 10 show

Craft show, auction in Hot Springs

Sign up to sing Christmas carols

Stumptown Art Studio clay classes

Potter offers clay classes at Stumptown Art Studio

North Valley Music School hosts fundraiser concert

Keller Wiliams

Rob Quist

Rick Derringer

Quist to play veterans appreciation concert

Whitefish bars host Halloween costume contest

Rock legend coming to Kalispell

Metalsmith teaches classes in Evergreen

Elliot 'The Talent Show'

Kalispell author publishes first children's book

Salish poet, Calif. photographer team up on book

Charlo 'Still Here'

Book clubs plan November meetings

YWAM 'Edison Effect'

YWAM dance department stages 'Edison Effect'

Sheriff offers Halloween tips

With tonight’s Halloween festivities already gearing up, the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office wants to remind residents of several tips to get the most out of their night.

Whitefish testing sewer lines

Smoke may be rising from Whitefish sewer manholes today, but it’s no Halloween prank.

Building for senior programs

The owners of the Alpine Business Center on Wednesday asked the Flathead County commissioners for a two-year lease on the building that houses the Agency on Aging.

Website maneuver adds to airport intrigue

Did Quiet Skies have a quiet change of heart and decide to support a project to realign and expand Kalispell City Airport through the federal Airport Improvement Program?

Apologetic tribal leader wants some charges dismissed

Prep football polls largely unchanged

Columbia Falls and Bigfork were each third in the last prep football poll of the season for the four smaller classes in Montana. Very little changed in classes A and B, with each of the local schools holding their lofty spots among the elite in the state. For the third straight week, Glacier was No. 2 in Class AA.

AA soccer state tournament: Bravettes face red-hot CMR

The Flathead Bravettes clinched a spot at the Class AA state soccer tournament with a dramatic 3-2 playoff victory over Missoula Big Sky last week.

Daybook

Commissioners back Evergreen enterprise zone

The Flathead County commissioners on Wednesday authorized the planning staff to proceed with the paperwork needed to establish an enterprise zone in Evergreen to spur economic development.

Heroin seller gets four-year sentence

A Whitefish man who admitted selling heroin to an informant just eight days after being released on house arrest in another case has been given a four-year sentence.

Conservancy opens Columbia Falls retail store

The Glacier National Park Conservancy is opening a sales outlet at its office at 402 Ninth St. W. in Columbia Falls.

Beatrice 'Bea' McLaughlin, 95

Beatrice “Bea” McLaughlin, 95, passed away on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2013, at the Immanuel Lutheran Home in Kalispell.

Trailer causes its own disturbance

A

Coram teen endures ordeal in the dark

Coram teenager Lindsey Landell came away from a Sunday hunting outing with a few regrets and a sense of gratitude so strong that she hopes to “pay it forward” someday.

Search for hunter scaled back

The search for a duck hunter missing for 10 days is being scaled back.

Trick or treat

Brooke Sharpe, 4, of Kalispell, takes in the sights at the Flathead Valley Community College Halloween Party on Tuesday, October 29, in Kalispell.

A spook story: The NSA and us

Maybe it’s appropriate we are writing about NSA spying on Halloween. The theme for this editorial is definitely “trick or treat.”

Lindsey Landell

Hunter downs record bighorn ram

Whitefish hunter Glen Prestegaard recently shot a bighorn ram ranked by Safari Club International record book as No. 3 in the world for muzzleloader hunting.

Parole denied for child murderer

The state parole board has denied a request for parole from a man serving a life term for murdering a pair of Marion girls.

Flathead Valley Community College Halloween Party

Jacob Beagley, 3, of Kalispell, enjoys a cupcake at the Flathead Valley Community College Halloween Party on Tuesday, October 29, in Kalispell. The party was put on by the college's student government and held in the Arts and Technology building. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Chaplains back up emergency personnel

When emergency responders, their families or people in crisis need spiritual support, Drew Buckner and his cadre of volunteer chaplains stand ready to help — day or night.

Happy Birthday, Marines!

Flathead Valley celebrates 238th birthday of U.S. Marine Corps

Before the Halls of Montezuma and the shores of Tripoli, the U.S. Marine Corps was defending the interests of the American people and fighting for freedom in the American Revolution.

Volleyball: Glacier sweeps Hellgate

Glacier wasn’t especially sharp, but it was good enough to beat Missoula Hellgate 25-17, 25-23, 25-19 in a Western AA volleyball match Tuesday at Glacier High School.

Jessie Fay McEntire, 89

Jessie Fay McEntire passed away on Oct. 27, 2013, at Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital in Hamilton.

Herd of horses hits highway

The

Phil Guiffrida

New veterans center at FVCC

Matthew Austin, left, describes a class assignment to fellow veterans Mike Steppe, right, and Amber Granzow (not pictured) in the new veterans center at Flathead Valley Community College.

Airport manager says he was libeled

Kalispell’s part-time airport manager Fred Leistiko alleges he was libeled, slandered and defamed by Phil Guiffrida III, a member of the Kalispell City Council.

College opens up new veterans center

Citing a difficulty tracking students who had served in the armed services, Flathead Valley Community College unveiled a new veterans center this fall.

Braveheart Chaplain Services

Drew Buckner of Braveheart Chaplain Services visits with Becky Sturdevant, whose son was killed while on duty as a highway patrolman in 2008.

Columbia Falls speakers top opening meet

Columbia Falls High School took first and Polson High School second in Class A speech sweepstakes at the Frenchtown Invitational Speech and Drama meet on Saturday.

Janice Galloway Dow, 67

Janice Galloway Dow was loving, generous and enthusiastic. Her sudden death on Oct. 23, 2013, has left a void in the lives of her loved ones that will be deeply mourned.

Fred Leistiko

Bigfork teen dies in crash

A young Bigfork man returning from a successful elk-hunting trip died in a traffic accident Monday morning on the Swan Highway.

Mixing seasons

Bright yellow larch stand out in contrast against freshly fallen snow on the mountains on Monday near Creston.

Matt Edwards

Glacier Volleyball

Glacier junior Brielle Bumgarner (26), center, and her teammates celebrate during the game against Missoula Hellgate on Tuesday, October 29, in Kalispell. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Daybook

Merle Beckman York, 86

F. Myrtle Sands Vagle, 96

F. Myrtle Sands Vagle, 96, was born on Feb. 22, 1917, and passed away on Oct. 23, 2013.

Virginia Lee Zelezny, 90

Fall Clean Up

Margaret Kauffman of Kalispell rakes leaves for the second day in a row from her yard on Tuesday, October 29, in Kalispell. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Shirley Stivers obit

Shirley Marie (Hansen) Stivers, 83

Evelyn Smithson obit

Evelyn Catherine Smithson, 85

Glacier 3rd, Flathead 4th in AA volleyball ranking

A pair of key road victories over Helena High and Helena Capital over the weekend lifted Flathead into the No. 4 spot of the Week 7 Class AA Coaches Volleyball Poll.

Bigfork board OKs middle-school grading change

Bigfork Middle School students and parents will have to get used to seeing different letters of the alphabet on report cards after school trustees approved piloting a standards-based grading system Wednesday.

Eureka sessions to focus on jobs in Canada

A symposium in Eureka Nov. 4-5 will tackle the topic, “Work in Canada but live at home in Montana.” 

Opening weekend: Hunting season begins slowly

It was a slow opening weekend for the 2013 general big game hunting season, with hunters bagging about one-third fewer whitetail deer than they did during last year’s opener.

Alzheimer's experts encourage early planning

Man doesn't show up for shootout

Whitefish man killed by police in California after struggle

Kalispell bypass paving begins

Paving Begins on the Bypass

Workers begin paving the bypass near the intersection of U.S. 93 and West Reserve on Monday in Kalispell. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Two Vehicle Wreck in Evergreen

From left, Nelson Grant of the Flathead County Sheriff's Department examines damage to a truck involved in a two vehicle accident as James Boyce, Craig Williams and members of the Evergreen Fire Department work to get one of the drivers onto a stretcher on Monday, October 28, on Highway 2 in Evergreen. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Week in Pictures: October 21-27

Kalispell Parks and Rec chief looks back after quarter-century

 After working for 25 years as Kalispell’s parks and recreation director, Mike Baker is retiring at the end of this year.

Bozeman philanthropist provides scholarships

 Greg Gianforte of Bozeman is a software entrepreneur, philanthropist and an advocate for school choice.

Feedback sought on Whitefish Trail

An update on the Whitefish Trail system will be shared with the public at a meeting 6 p.m. Wednesday at Whitefish City Hall.

Triplett 9th at PBR World Finals

LAS VEGAS — Columbia Falls’ Matt Triplett finished in ninth place at the Professional Bull Riders World Finals on Sunday at the Thomas & Mack Center, getting bucked in each of his two attempts on the last day.

State soccer: FHS girls start with CMR; Whitefish girls at Billings Central

Flathead opens Class AA girls state soccer action Thursday afternoon against Great Falls C.M. Russell at 2:30 p.m. at Siebel Fields in Helena.

History in the Hallways: Project connects FHS students to heritage

There’s history in those hallowed hallways.

Ledger

A ledger from 1931. Staff and students working on History in the Hallways have been impressed by the penmanship of these older documents.

O'Donnell

Sean O’Donnell, head of the Flathead High School social science department and history teacher Pat Reilly look through a book of handwritten school board minutes in front of a display case Reilly constructed to hold historical documents, photos or memorabilia relating to Flathead High School and the district. The project, called History in the Hallways, was organized by O’Donnell to get students connected to their school’s past. Artifacts dating back to 1899 are on display at the school.

Kofford

Mike Kofford, outreach coordinator for Kalispell Public Schools, right, shows Flathead High School International Baccalureate seniors Haakon Sande and Eliza Diegel a teacher’s contract from 1922 in the basement of the district’s central office. At the time, the teacher made $1,392 for a year of service teaching primary grades, which is the same buying power as $19,378 today, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index Inflation calculator. Sande and Diegel are researching district historical documents as part of Flathead’s History in the Hallways project.

Kalispell braces for higher impact fees

What some people are already criticizing as large, development-stunting increases in Kalispell’s sanitary sewer impact fees might be growing even larger.

Polson lawyer appointed District Judge

Triplett sitting 5th at PBR World Finals

LAS VEGAS — Columbia Falls’ Matt Triplett is making a name for himself in his debut at the Professional Bull Riders World Finals, riding his third bull in four attempts on Saturday at the Thomas & Mack Center to move near the top of the standings at the event and advance to today’s final round.

Stillwater claims 5th straight title in state volleyball

Stillwater Christian School had to rally from a first-set loss to upend Yellowstone County Home School 25-27, 26-24, 25-19, 26-24 on Saturday in the championship match at the Montana Christian Athletic Association state volleyball tournament.

SCS repeats for 11th time in MCAA soccer

It didn’t come easy for the Stillwater Christian School boys soccer team at the Montana Christian Athletic Association state tournament.

Class A soccer: WHS girls in title game

WHITEFISH — The Whitefish girls soccer team is headed to the Class A state championship game for the second time in four years after rolling Frenchtown 5-2 in a semifinal match Saturday at Smith Fields.

Morley shatters all-class state x-country record

MISSOULA — Bigfork’s Makena Morley won her third individual state cross country championship, shattering the all-class record in the process, Saturday afternoon during the state meet at the University of Montana golf course.

Daybook

Lawrence P. 'Larry' Moser, 63

On Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013, Lawrence P. “Larry” Moser, 63, of Martin City “began his journey into a new life.”

Wilbur Owen Gulbranson, 85

Volleyball roundup: Glacier, Flathead sweep Helena schools

HELENA — The Glacier volleyball team (19-3 overall, 10-0 Western AA) clinched the conference championship in dramatic fashion Saturday, fighting back to beat Helena High (13-8, 7-4) in five sets 19-25, 15-25, 25-23, 25-22, 15-6.

Civil War-era railcar finds new home in Libby

State role in gill-netting is tricky

Vote for repeal and Osorio-Khor

The Kalispell city election this year is probably one of the most important ones that has occurred in many years. Two issues are on the ballot that can have a long-term effect on all the citizens of Kalispell: The only contested council seat in Ward 3 and the City Airport.

Driver crashes into utility pole

Intern raises eyebrows among the 'church ladies'

Kalispell schools' cuisine earns 'Bon Appetit' accolades

A student at Glacier High School reaches for one of the healthier options available for lunch in this file photo from Nov. 6, 2011.

'We nearly lost it' - Airport was saved in 1967

Our city airport in 1963, was suffering from neglect, a lack of use, lack of interest and lack of upkeep. It was little more than a sod landing strip, not too easily identifiable from the air and not overly conducive to flying operations.

Lethbridge connections: City could be business gateway to Canada

A small contingent from the Flathead Valley traveled to Lethbridge, Alberta, earlier this month to begin the process of forging business ties that go beyond luring Canadian shoppers and skiers to Northwest Montana.

Justice for the accused

Defense attorneys face same challenges as prosecutors

When it comes to determining appropriate sentences, prosecuting attorneys aren’t the only ones who face challenges.

Same crime, different time: Sentencing discrepancies explained

Justice is the name of the game in the court system, but it doesn’t mean those convicted of similar crimes will always receive similar sentences.

Martha Nicholson, 93

Perspective: Celebrating the 'new' airport in 1967

A lesson in logging

DUI cases illustrate sentencing variations

Flathead District Court was the scene Sept. 19 for a pair of hearings in drunk-driving cases that provided one example of the wide range of punishments that can be meted out for similar crimes.

Myths and Messages: How many of the things you know just aren't so?

As I review the letters and opinions published in the Daily Inter Lake I am always amazed at the number of myths that continue to be expressed. A good example is the myth of global warming, which continues even though it is well known that our world is cooling and has been for some time. Even the proponents of this theory have recognized this as they have changed their mantra from “global warming” to “climate change,” knowing sooner or later the truth will come out.

Libby's Civil War-era railcar

Volunteer Doug Adams inspects the Ringling Bros. railcar as it arrived in Libby last week.

2013 MCAA Volleyball Tournament

Stillwater freshman Adrianna Lambert (5) and teammates celebrate a point during the 2013 MCAA state volleyball tournament Saturday at Stillwater Christian School.

2013 MCAA Soccer Tournament

Stillwater senior Julian Emond (14) kicks the ball under pressure from Yellowstone County Christian Homeschool junior Daniel Jacobsen during the 2013 MCAA Soccer Tournament on Saturday, October 26, in Kalispell. Stillwater won the match up in overtime 6 to 4. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

'Run, Brian, Run!' An open letter to Gov. Schweitzer

Tyus Sykes

Ava Miller

Final Christmas at the Mansion

From left, Jesse Ahmann, Karl Berdimurat and Clara Wieck perform a collection of Christmas pieces at the final Christmas at the Mansion on Saturday, October 26, at the Conrad Mansion in Kalispell. The Mansion will be open today from 11 to 4. Entry to the event is $5 at the door. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Theresa 'Terry' Guest Beebe, 52

Theresa “Terry” Guest Beebe, 52, passed away peacefully Saturday, Oct. 5, 2013, at the Hospice of the Valleys in Mesa, Ariz.

Agnes Hilda (Reno) Cada, 98 

On the evening of Oct. 14, 2013, Agnes Hilda (Reno) Cada passed away at her Highgate apartment in Bozeman. She was in the closest company of her daughter Deanna and beloved granddaughter Chelsea. Agnes was 98 years old. Her grandson Alex later commented, “The air must be good in Montana.”

Stormwater: Bigfork and county mull options for system work

Creating a separate stormwater district to pay for the completion and ongoing maintenance of the Bigfork stormwater system may be a viable option and is worth exploring.

Bravettes, Wolfpack net volleyball wins

HELENA — Flathead took care of business with a 25-18, 25-21, 22-25, 18-25, 15-10 Western AA volleyball victory Friday night over Helena High (13-7, 7-3).

AA football: Wolfpack pound Bison, 56-6

Forcing six turnovers and exploiting mismatches on offense, Glacier roared to a 56-6 beatdown of Great Falls High on Friday night in a Class AA football game at Legends Stadium.

C-Falls whips Polson; stays perfect

COLUMBIA FALLS — The third-ranked Columbia Falls Wildcats wrapped up their first unbeaten regular season since 1975 with a 42-5 win over Polson in a Class A football game Friday at Satterthwaite Field.

AA football: Sentinel slams Flathead

MISSOULA — Missoula Sentinel (5-4) used a strong second quarter to pull away from Flathead for a 36-14 Class AA football victory Friday night.

Football roundup: Bigfork stomps T-Falls

THOMPSON FALLS — Boyd Rieke scored five touchdowns on runs of 5, 1, 2, 56 and 6 yards and rushed for 259 yards on 30 carries as undefeated and third-ranked Bigfork crushed Thompson Falls 46-6 in District 7B football action Friday night.

Daybook

Glacier vs. Great Falls Football

Glacier junior Tucker Rauthe (11) takes down Great Falls senior running back Brad Humphreys (32) during the first half of Friday’s Class AA football game at Legends Stadium. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

State cross country: Bigfork's Morley going for 3 in a row

The last time Bigfork’s Makena Morley ran at the university golf course in Missoula, she broke the course record by nearly 17 seconds. For an encore, she’ll be running for her third individual Class B state championship at today’s state cross country meet.

Bravettes defeat Helena High in volleyball

HELENA — Flathead took care of business with a 25-18, 25-21, 22-25, 18-25, 15-10 Western AA volleyball victory Friday night over Helena High (13-7, 7-3).

SCS spikers in MCAA state final

Stillwater Christian School moved a little closer to a fifth-straight Montana Christian Athletic Association state volleyball championship by defeating Yellowstone County Home School 25-20, 25-13, 25-22 in semifinal play Friday night at SCS.

Stillwater boys in state soccer title match

The Stillwater Christian School boys soccer team will be going for its 11th-straight Montana Christian Athletic Association state championship today at SCS.

Evergreen man, 54, pleads guilty to negligent homicide

A 54-year-old man accused of killing another man when he slapped him down a flight of stairs at his Evergreen apartment has pleaded guilty to felony negligent homicide.

Columbia Falls, Whitefish teams aiming high

The Columbia Falls Wildcats are ready to pounce on the opportunity to achieve a ninth consecutive speech and debate state title, with 27 returning veterans and 30 up-and-coming speakers.

Biomass bonanza

Chuck Roady, F.H. Stoltze Land and Lumber Co. vice president and general manager, left, talks about the company’s new $22 million co-generation plant with Montana Gov. Steve Bullock Thursday during a tour of the facility in Columbia Falls.

Glacier, Flathead poised for cross-town rivalry

Local Class AA speech and debate teams are hoping to talk their way to the top with the first competition of the season kicking off Nov. 2 in Missoula and Columbia Falls.

Ag instructor named Teacher of the Year

The Montana Association for Career and Technical Education has selected Kalispell Public Schools vocational agriculture teacher Justin Heupel as the 2013 Teacher of the Year.  

Theresa 'Terry' Guest Beebe, 52

Biomass bonanza: Stoltze starts making power with co-generator

After 14 months of planning and preparation, F.H. Stoltze Land and Lumber Co. unveiled its impressive biomass fueled co-generator to the public on Thursday.

Man wants girlfriend to return shirt

A Kings Loop man contacted the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office to report his ex-girlfriend broke into his house while he was at work and took some of her belongings as well as some of his. He said the woman, who is on parole, opened a window to unlock the front door. The woman’s parole officer was advised to make sure the woman knows she is banned from the property and has to return her ex-boyfriend’s shirt.

State A soccer semis: Whitefish girls host Frenchtown

The Whitefish girls soccer team hosts Frenchtown at 2 p.m. today in a Class A semifinal playoff match at Smith Fields.

Sophia Sysa

Sophia Sysa, daughter of Ivan and Jennifer Sysa of Kalispell, was born Aug. 9 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Robert I. Paul Sr., 88

Our father, Robert I. Paul Sr., 88, of Kalispell, formerly of Eddyville, Ky., “passed on to be with the saints” on Oct. 23, 2013. 

Special Olympics Montana - Glacier Area Basketball Tournament

Columbia Falls Wildcats Lakota Treat (2) shoots and scores at the Special Olympics Montana Glacier Area Basketball Tournament on Friday, October 25, in Kalispell. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Smoking Bus Creates Traffic Tie Up on Highway 93

A school bus engulfed in smoke stops traffic on Highway 93 heading north on Friday afternoon, October 25, south of Kalispell. The incident drew a response from South Kalispll, Kalispell, Evergreen and West Valley Fire Departments. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Mary Katherine Jenkins, 91

Sentencing Story

Jordan Elliott watches as Flathead County Attorney Ed Corrigan addresses the court on Tuesday, October 8, in Kalispell. Elliott was sentenced to 15 years in the state prison. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Mike Baker

Director of Kalispell City Parks & Recreation Mike Baker poses for a photo in Woodland Park on Thursday morning. Oct. 24, 2013 in Kalispell, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Montana Forest Products Industry Week

A log processor is used to sort the cut trees into three piles; peeler logs, pulp logs and stud logs. The logs will go to Plum Creek for processing. The slash piles will be ground up and taken to Stoltze where they will be used for fuel. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Hunters: Get ready for a cold season

The 2013 general hunting season kicks off at daylight Saturday morning, with some dramatically different weather expected to set in soon after.

Counselors offer help with Obamacare

Flathead Valley residents looking for help with Obamacare can drop in at the Flathead County Library in Kalispell on three upcoming days.

Emily Sphuler

Emily Sphuler, daughter of Calvin and Hillary Sphuler of Kalispell, was born Aug. 13 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Bridger Fagerland

Bridger Fagerland, son of Jayce Fagerland and Kaity Presnell of Kalispell, was born Aug. 15 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Child molestation suspect

This 2013 photo provided by the FBI shows a man who has been known to use the aliases Sean Denning, Shawn Denning, Sean Dennis, Dave Freebard and Dennis Shawn. The FBI and law enforcement officers in eastern Montana are asking for the public's help in locating this man, who is suspected of molesting a 5-year-old girl in Baker.

Kayln Nova Weisz

Kayln Nova Weisz, daughter of Keith Weisz and Katie Shepard of Kalispell, was born Aug. 12 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Mollie King

Mollie King, daughter of Casey and Thessa King of Kalispell, was born Aug. 22 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Klaire Oftedahl

Klaire Oftedahl, daughter of Bert and Krystle Oftedahl of Kalispell, was born Aug. 10 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Mason Huegel

Mason Huegel, son of Tara Dove of Kalispell, was born Aug. 9 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Katelyn O'Neil

Katelyn O’Neil, daughter of Sean and Leah O’Neil of Kalispell, was born Aug. 12 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Kieffer Damm

Kieffer Damm, son of Dalton Damm and Haileah Peters of Kalispell, was born Aug. 14 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Levi MacFarlane

Levi MacFarlane, son of Rodney and Tia MacFarlane of Kalispell, was born Aug. 9 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Urijah Gobert

Urijah Gobert, son of Zane Gobert and Shawna Matt of Browning, was born Aug. 13 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Donald LittleDog

Donald LittleDog, son of Richard LittleDog and Lisa Skunkcap of East Glacier, was born Aug. 15 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Gaige Sarkkinen

Gaige Sarkkinen, son of Danny and Tammy Sarkkinen of Kalispell, was born Aug. 18 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Kingston Kinsey

Kingston Kinsey, son of Jarrod Kinsey and Cherylynn VanDale of Kalispell, was born Aug. 24 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Gabriel Larsen-Wigner

Gabriel Larsen-Wigner, son of Clayton Larsen and Kristiana Wigner of Whitefish, was born Aug. 13 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Brady Peters

Brady Peters, son of Josh and Sarah Peters of Kalispell, was born Aug. 15 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Estellise Cushman

Estellise Cushman, daughter of Joshua and Alyssa Cushman of Kalispell, was born Aug. 11 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Sophia Erickson

Sophia Erickson, daughter of Robert and Lisa Erickson of Kalispell, was born Aug. 10 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Boys soccer: Braves lose to Bengals

HELENA — Helena High scored three late goals in the span of 15 minutes to defeat Flathead 4-0 on Thursday in a Western AA boys state play-in soccer match.

Girls soccer: Glacier's season ends with loss to Bruins

The Glacier girls had their chances, but couldn’t find the back of the net, losing 2-0 to Helena Capital in a Class AA play-in soccer match Thursday at Glacier High School.

Girls soccer: Bravettes state bound

Emotion. Drama. Late heroics.

Glacier celebrates senior night versus Great Falls

The playoffs already clinched, Glacier football is looking to stay on top of the Class AA heap as it takes on Great Falls High today at Legends Stadium.

Flathead's playoff hopes on the line at Sentinel

The Flathead Braves need a win to stay in the mix for a playoff spot when they travel to Missoula Sentinel tonight, but it won’t come easy against a potent Sentinel offense.

$20 Deal for $10 at Mobilelicious!

Daybook

Browning senator charged, pleads guilty in tribal court

Grant to extend Kalispell bike path along U.S. 93 from Meridian to Sunnyview

Additional federal grant money is letting Kalispell build another section of bike path that’s taking shape one piece at a time along U.S. 93.

Governor, teachers discuss need for early childhood education in Columbia Falls

Gov. Steve Bullock visited Columbia Falls School District Thursday to discuss the needs and challenges of preparing children for school.

No leads yet in search for missing duck hunter

Man vanished Monday; kayak, paddles found

The search for a duck hunter missing since Monday has yet to turn up any leads.

Empty tax threat reported to sheriff

A concerned Country Way East man contacted the

Reboot Evergreen with new zone

Evergreen business leaders have been pondering how to breathe new life into their commercial highway corridors to compete with the brisk growth in North Kalispell along U.S. 93 in recent years.

Officials ID crash victim

A woman killed after her vehicle was T-boned on U.S. 2 Wednesday has been identified as 67-year-old Janice G. Dow of Kalispell.

$15 million bridge replacement project launched

The Montana Department of Transportation is getting started on plans to replace the South Fork Flathead River Bridge on U.S. 2 west of Hungry Horse.

Opening day nears for Cabela's Outpost store

The new Cabela’s Outpost store opened its doors to media Thursday, showing off a fully stocked and decorated interior bustling with employees who continue to train and prepare the store for a Nov. 7 grand opening.

Belva Mae Humphreys, 90

Belva Mae Humphreys, 90, passed away on Oct. 22, 2013, at Aces Elder Care in Bonners Ferry, Idaho.

Agnes Hilda (Reno) Cada, 98

Sydney Lynn (Coleman) Canady, 60

Sydney Lynn Canady, 60, of Columbia Falls, formerly of Las Cruces, N.M., “went to be with the Lord” on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2013.

Isaac Ray

Isaac Ray, son of David and Alexandria Ray of Kalispell, was born Aug. 7 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Olivia Addison-Grace Oehrtman

Olivia Addison-Grace Oehrtman, daughter of Mark and Brittany Oehrtman of Kalispell, was born Aug. 5 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Ava Joy Ruonavaara

Ava Joy Ruonavaara, daughter of Jono and Ashley Ruonavaara of Kalispell, was born Aug. 5 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Bentley Barkley

Bentley Barkley, son of Ryan Barkley and Alicia Birky of Kalispell, was born Aug. 2 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Kwyn Pierce

Kwyn Pierce, daughter of Tyler and Jody Pierce of Kalispell, was born Aug. 2 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Hadlee Lau

Hadlee Lau, daughter of David and Ashley Lau of Marion, was born Aug 1 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Selah Schwartz

Selah Schwartz, daughter of Brian and Heidi Schwartz of Kalispell, was born Aug. 1 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Wesson Kempken

Wesson Kempken, son of Andrew and Haley Kempken of Kalispell, was born Aug. 16 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Trevin Tyree

Trevin Tyree, son of Christopher and Amanda Tyree of Columbia Falls, was born July 29 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Quora and Teaghan Roe

Quora and Teaghan Roe, daughters of Tyan and Meghan Roe of Kalispell, were born June 2 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Stetson Hulett

Stetson Hulett, son of Chance and Lorraine Hulett of Condon, was born Aug. 25 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Brinkley Redd

Brinkley Redd, daughter of Shellene Redd of Columbia Falls, was born Aug. 20 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Kalispell Scenic

Light from the setting sun illuminates autumn-colored trees Thursday afternoon evening in Kalispell. Oct. 24, 2013 in Kalispell, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Playoff Soccer

Flathead junior keeper Zoe Zander makes a save Thursday afternoon during Flathead's 3-2 playoff victory over Missoula Big Sky at Kidsports Complex.

Cabela's

Employees are trained in the fishing department Thursday morning at the new Cabela’s Outpost store in Kalispell.

$10 Deal for $5 at Boxseat Cafe!

Bigfork given time to find green-box solution

Study group has until January to come up with site alternatives

The ball is in Bigfork’s court to find a viable site for a new green-box collection facility by the end of January.

Property tax bills in the mail

First installment due by Nov. 30

Property tax bills totaling $146.8 million are being sent out in today’s mail, Flathead County Treasurer Adele Krantz said.

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Alleged rapist pleads not guilty in case involving 14-year-old

A Kalispell man pleaded not guilty Thursday in Flathead District Court to two felonies after allegedly molesting and raping a 14-year-old girl.

Hikers spend cold night in the woods

A pair of hikers who couldn’t find their way back to their group waited out the night in the woods near the Hungry Horse Reservoir before being brought out by search and rescue personnel Wednesday morning.

Not-guilty plea to meth-related charges

A Whitefish woman has pleaded not guilty to a pair of felonies after allegedly driving while on a multi-day methamphetamine bender and with her 4-year-old daughter in the car.

Murderer of Marion girls up for parole: Karl Bachman denied parole at last hearing

A man sentenced to life in prison in 1977 after murdering a pair of Marion girls is now hoping to be released.

Thanks to all for 'Thinking Pink'

When parents fear their children

The

Helena Flats fire

Capt. Kirk Pederson of the Kalispell Fire Department works on putting out the fire. 

Contra dance season kicks off Nov. 2

Port Polson Players stage 'The Uninvited'

Catch 'The Nose' in Kalispell and Whitefish

Next session starts Nov. 4 at Stumptown Art Studio

Kalispell woman dies in Evergreen crash

A Kalispell woman died following a crash on U.S. 2 East in Evergreen Wednesday afternoon.

Film poised to go mainstream

Bridegroom

Tra le Gael gives concerts to aid Flathead CARE

Pianist returns to valley for 2 concerts

High school orchestras in concert

Museum offers free screening of 'King of Hearts'

'Copperhead' screening a fundraiser for theater program

Knitting classes at Thimble and Spindle

Whitefish Theatre explores forgiveness in 'Frozen'

Thimble and Spindle mittens

Bridegroom

Met Opera: 'The Nose'

The Nose

Judy Carmichael

Judy Carmichael

WTC 'Frozen'

Port Polson Players 'The Uninvited'

Elizabeth 'Betty' Marie Svendsen Johnson Calahan, 88

Elizabeth “Betty” Marie Svendsen Johnson Calahan, 88, passed away Oct. 17, 2013, from natural causes at a local care facility in Great Falls. 

Brian Scott Delaney, 43

Our beloved son, brother and father, Brian Scott Delaney, was taken from us suddenly on Oct. 17, 2013.

Foggy Sunrise over Polebridge

Tamaracks glow in the first rays of a foggy sunrise over Polebridge on Monday, October 21. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

A Pair of Moose Crossing Whitefish Lake

A cow moose with this year's bull swim across the south side of Whitefish Lake on Monday, October 21.

Forecast calling for colder temperatures next week

The National Weather Service is forecasting a storm system will bring significantly cooler weather to Western Montana at the end of the week.

West Valley voters OK school bond

West Valley voters approved a $6.8 million school bond issue to expand the school Tuesday by a vote of 662 to 515.

Trooper justified in shooting Whitefish man

Spooky (and not so spooky) autumn events

Great Rocky Mountain Shakeout: Statewide earthquake drill today

Montana participates today in its first-ever statewide earthquake drill, hoping to help residents know what to do when the ground starts to shake.

AA soccer playoffs: Big Sky shuts down Glacier boys

MISSOULA — The Glacier boys soccer team’s season came to an end with a 5-0 loss to Missoula Big Sky in a state tournament play-in game Tuesday.

Columbia Falls' Triplett makes PBR World Finals

The hard part is over.

Daybook

Today

Houston, we have a (dog) problem

A Houston Drive woman contacted the

District judge Heidi Ulbricht in intensive care

Flathead County District Judge Heidi Ulbricht is being treated in the intensive care unit of Kalispell Regional Medical Center after being diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease.

'Halt Cancer at X' initiative to donate $71,000

Rebecca Farm to announce awards today

Rebecca Farm will announce $71,000 in awards today being donated to national and local organizations in the fight against breast cancer in the second year of its “Halt Cancer at X” initiative.

Scavenger hunt: Teams vie for prizes in geocaching event at FVCC

For some, it was the first time they had ever held a compass. Others could give orienteering lessons to the most experienced mountain men.

Breast cancer survivor stresses annual screening

Joan Werner has been a registered nurse in Montana since 1977. She’s seen it all when it comes to health care.

Elizabeth 'Betty' Marie Svendsen Johnson Calahan, 88

Geocaching Event at FVCC

Participants enter coordinates into their GPS units Saturday morning during a geocaching event at Flathead Valley Community College. Oct. 19, 2013 in Kalispell, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Christopher Patrick Moulton, 43

Christopher Patrick Moulton, 43, passed away on Oct. 17, 2013, from results of an automobile accident.

Ernest W. 'Buz' Dickson, 62

Ernest W. “Buz” Dickson, 62, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2013, at Community Health Center in Missoula following complications of a stroke. 

Kim Morisaki

Montana West Economic Development and Hockey Association Leader Kim Morisaki. Oct. 21, 2013 in Kalispell, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

SmartLam Laminated Wood Products

SmartLam product development manager Pete Kobelt looks over a stack of cross laminated timber products Tuesday afternoon at the SmartLam plant in Columbia Falls. Oct. 22, 2013 in Columbia Falls, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Breast Cancer Survior

Joan Werner is a breast cancer survivor. Oct. 21, 2013 in Columbia Falls, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Shawn Bates

Shawn Bates

Joan Werner

Joan Werner found out she had breast cancer in 2008 through a mammogram, and has been a promoter of regular wellness checks ever since.

Monty Lee Clemenhagen, 76

Monty Lee Clemenhagen, 76, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013, at his home in Kalispell.

LeeAnne 'Missy' Lauderbaugh, 48

LeeAnne Lauderbaugh, also known as "Missy," 48, passed away Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 15, 2013, at North Valley Hospital in Whitefish.

Search continues for missing duck hunter

New Polson Walmart to open Wednesday

A new 120,000-square-foot Walmart store in Polson will open Wednesday after a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony at 7:30 a.m. 

Woman celebrates 102 years

Daybook

High School Scoreboard

Football

Glacier boys open AA soccer playoffs at Missoula Big Sky

Western AA soccer playoff action begins today with the Glacier boys at Missoula Big Sky and the Missoula Hellgate girls at Missoula Sentinel.

Choose from 2 Deals Starting at $100 from Patt's Jewelry!

Patt's Jewelry

Council member aims to improve Nucleus district

David Petersen would like to a see some things through during another four years on the Columbia Falls City Council.

Lions aim high in youth eye screening

With the help of a little German engineering, a local charity group is trying to help the vision of every child in Kalispell.

Conrad Mansion stages final holiday bazaar

Evergreen zoning request aims to spur business

Bigfork man admits causing crash

Bigfork man admits causing crash

Ex-state senator announces run for U.S. House

Stolen vehicle turns up in wreck

Conrad Mansion

Judy Fretheim, right, and Pattie Ormiston hang garland Monday afternoon at Conrad Mansion in Kalispell. Oct. 21, 2013 in Kalispell, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Molly Gibson

John Tigchon 'Jack' Hoag, 98

Michael Shepard

Shawn Bates

Dave Petersen

Second crash victim identified

Patrick Moulton of Kalispell has been identified by the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office as the second victim from Thursday night’s crash on U.S. 93 south of Kalispell.

Veteran council member sees growth returning

As the seniormost member of the Columbia Falls City Council, Michael Shepard says he has seen the city go through ups and downs and he believes it on the cusp of another economic upturn.

Week in Pictures: October 14-20

Woman pleads guilty to DUI with tot in car

 A Kalispell woman has pleaded guilty to a pair of charges after being caught driving drunk with her 3-year-old daughter in the vehicle with her.

Whitefish considers three proposed zone changes

Three separate zone change requests will occupy the Whitefish City Council’s time tonight.

County seeks city help applying for $30,000 grant

The Kalispell City Council tonight will consider sponsoring a $30,000 grant request for Flathead County to evaluate the condition of its senior centers and develop a plan to address their deficiencies.

Group pushes for residential parking district

 After months of discussion, residents tired of dealing with overflow parking from Flathead High School and Elrod Elementary School are heading out with petitions and a draft ordinance to try to build support for Kalispell’s first residential parking district.

Dispatchers dispense 911 lessons

 First graders are learning the “do’s” and “don’ts” of calling 911 with help from Flathead County emergency dispatchers and spokes-character Red E. Fox.

Red E. Fox

Dispatcher Nikki Stephan is joined by the Red E. Fox at a presentation on the proper use of 911 at Hedges Elementary School on Oct. 9. (Tim Tepas photo)

Julie Maisch

Julie Maisch of Kalispell was driving her car Sept. 19 when another vehicle smashed into her car, leaving her severely injured.

Polson grad crafts safe truck hitch

The idea started in Polson High School’s shop class more than 30 years ago.

Horrific crash injures young woman

In the wake of a terrible crash a month ago, one woman is facing a pair of felonies while another young woman is stuck in a wheelchair recovering from substantial injuries.

Vote for repeal of city airport expansion plan

Since 2006 the airport has operated at a $796,000 loss according to audited financial statements. Every side in the airport discussion acknowledges this fact, and agrees that it is unacceptable.

Vote against repeal and for the future of City Airport

Living in Kalispell, as I have for 34 years, is a choice with an obvious cost for doing business: Getting your “crew” to Billings, Spokane, Calgary, Seattle, etc. on short notice is expensive.

Former Tiebuckers owners open the new Tree Frog Tavern on west side of Kalispell

Julie and Barry Smith incorporated a bit of their now-closed Tiebuckers restaurant into their newly opened Tree Frog Tavern in Kalispell, bringing some repurposed barnwood and an old door from the Tiebuckers building.

Boys deny shooting windows

The courtroom was a little busier than normal during youth court Friday, when several of the victims of a vandalism spree sat in on the admission/denial hearings for three local teens charged with the crimes.

A dog and his boy: Corgi, child bound by more than mere puppy love

When Robert Love fell from the swing at Lawrence Park in Kalispell a few weeks ago, his mother, Crystal Leach, raced to her 4-year-old son.

Shutdown is over, but the problems remain

So the partial government shutdown has ended, but the world did not, and the country’s biggest problems remain untouched.

Vote for repeal of council's airport vote

As a former councilman and observer of the Kalispell City Airport since 1973, I strongly urge all taxpaying city residents to vote for repeal of Resolution No. 5572.

Columbia Falls election: Lovering wants to preserve C.F. small-town feel

For Jenny Lovering, running for a seat on the Columbia Falls City Council is a matter of practicing what she preaches.

JENNY LOVERING

Sara Joann Smith

Airport is an historic asset Kalispell ought to improve

Keith Robinson… this is his story — a story of how a great, local, talented, committed and engaged citizen put almost two decades into trying to make a difference in our community as a member of the Airport Advisory Board.

Whitefish boys, girls win divisional cross country titles

WHITEFISH — The Whitefish boys placed six runners in the top 10 and the girls five as the Bulldogs easily captured the team titles at the Northwestern A cross country divisional Saturday afternoon at Whitefish Lake Golf Club.

Girls playoff soccer: Peterson's goal lifts Whitefish over Livingston

WHITEFISH — The Whitefish girls soccer team is headed to the semifinals of the Class A playoffs after a 1-0 victory over Livingston in a first-round match Saturday at Smith Fields.

Boys playoff soccer: Rangers shock Bulldogs

WHITEFISH — There will be no three-peat for the Whitefish boys soccer team.

Class A soccer playoff roundup: Hamilton girls drop Columbia Falls

HAMILTON — Hamilton struck early, scoring goals at nine and 14 minutes en route to a 3-0 Class A girls quarterfinal playoff soccer victory over Columbia Falls (7-3-3) on Saturday.

Woman's mailbox decorated with deer head

A young shoplifter led to several calls to the

Airport busy enough for federal funding

KALISPELL CITY AIRPORT

Some people opposed to a realignment and expansion of Kalispell City Airport are questioning if city officials improperly — or even fraudulently — inflated the airport’s estimated flight operations to get it listed on the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems and make it eligible for federal funding.

Cecil Ryker Armstrong

Emily Ann Militello

Beau Allen Cochran

Evelyn Mitchell

Mariella Kaprie Dalimata

Vivica Von Morrison and Luxeen Ivy Morrison

Rhett Samuel Smith

Emmalyn Montana Jones

Ridge Preston McGavin

Khloe Marie Williams

Evalena Jane Aurand

Sutton John Sartori

Paige Darlene McCollum

Emera Caron

Briggs Ammon Warburton

Daniel White

Randy Schmeusser

Oliver Magers

Axel Harrison Parker

Caleb Fulford

Toby Bruckelmyer

Katerina and Natalia Fredrickson

Jude William Brooks

Amend it, or else ...

I’ve written repeatedly about the mostly unspoken constitutional crisis that has enveloped our country for the past 100 years and have even gone so far as to draft a

Whitefish Soccer

Forum offers a worldly perspective

Educating the public on national and international issues beyond media sound bites is the genesis of the Glacial Forum.

Boundaries adjusted for districts

Flathead County has redrawn the boundaries for its three commissioner districts to reflect shifts in population from 2000 to 2010.

Glacier manhandles Capital in battle of AA ranked football teams

Glacier’s defense stifled a talented Helena Capital team all night, giving its offense time to find its legs in a 31-7 Class AA football rout on Friday at Legends Stadium.

7B football: Bigfork downs Eureka

BIGFORK — Bigfork clinched at least a share of its fifth straight District 7B football title with a 20-6 win over Eureka Friday.

Football: Flathead hangs on to defeat Hellgate

MISSOULA — Flathead maybe winless at home, but the Braves are proving to be true road warriors on the Class AA football season.

Football roundup: Columbia Falls rolls over Libby

LIBBY — Jared Trinastich passed for three touchdowns and Zach Darling ran for three more as third-ranked Columbia Falls crushed Libby 44-6 Friday night in Northwestern A football action.

Daybook

Today

Glacier vs Capital Football

Glacier junior wide receiver Sam McCamley (18) hauls in a pass near the sideline Friday night during Glacier game with Helena Capital at Legends Stadium.

Kalispell Ward 3: Council veteran seeking another term

Facing challenges from Jason Mueller and Karlene Osorio-Khor this election cycle, incumbent Jim Atkinson is hoping that Ward 3 residents will give him another four-year term on the Kalispell City Council.

Xanterra touts long history in concessions

Xanterra is a new player on the Glacier National Park scene, but it has a broad presence and history across the country.

Student sentenced for fatal crash

Accident killed one, permanently injured two, including a woman from Kalispell

Whitefish boys, girls start Class A soccer playoffs at home

The Whitefish boys hope to begin their third straight championship march when the Class A soccer playoffs kick off today, but unlike a year ago, the Bulldogs aren’t undisputed favorites entering the postseason.

Dogs who like the taste of chicken

The

Fall from above

Fall colors have begun to pop up along the Flathead River north of Bigfork Monday.

Local rivers a treasure trove for insect fossils

Dale Greenwalt couldn’t have picked a better spot to build a summer cabin than he did about seven years ago. The retired biochemist’s serendipitous decision put him and his wife near the confluence of the North and Middle forks of the Flathead River.

School bond ballots due on Tuesday

Voters in the West Valley School District are reminded that 8 p.m. Tuesday is the deadline for ballots to be submitted for the $6.8 million bond request to expand the school.

Jurassic mosquito: Ancient bug's last supper still in fossil

In a steamy tropical forest 46 million years ago, a prehistoric mosquito bit a critter, drew blood and was blown into a lake that now is the Middle Fork of the Flathead River. Belly full, she died and sank.

Soccer: Bengals beat Braves, Bravettes

HELENA — Flathead held a 1-0 halftime lead on Helena High, but the Bengals rallied with two goals in the final half to claim a 2-1 Western AA boys soccer victory on Friday.

Soccer: Capital blanks Glacier's boys, girls

HELENA — The Glacier boys (0-11-1) and girls (5-7-0) wrapped up regular season Western AA soccer action Friday by losing to Helena Capital.

Makena Morley takes first place at Western B divisional cross country meet

RONAN — Bigfork’s Makena Morley stayed perfect on the cross country season by winning the Western B divisional meet for Districts 6 and 7 on Friday at Mission Mountain Golf Course.

Jim Atkinson

Joseph Powell

Jurassic Park mosquito

This image provided by the Smithsonian Institution shows a fossilized female mosquito in a paper-thin piece of shale.

Glacier spikers place 3rd

MISSOULA — Glacier defeated Great Falls High 25-20, 25-21 on Friday to place third at the Missoula Invitational volleyball tournament.

Local high schools compete to drive to benefit food bank

The Kalispell branch of U.S. Bank is extending an extra challenge to high school students and the community for this year’s crosstown competitions.

Volleyball roundup: Cougars tune up for state

Stillwater Christian School closed out regular-season volleyball play with a 25-16, 25-22, 25-20 Thursday nonconference home victory over the Flathead JV/sophomores.

Football: Pivotal contest at Legends for No. 3 Bruins, No. 2 'Pack

Glacier’s football game tonight against Helena Capital could be its most important of the season.

Daybook

Today

Volleyball: Flathead, Glacier, C-Falls in championship bracket

MISSOULA — Flathead, Glacier and Columbia Falls will all compete in the Missoula Invitational championship bracket today at Missoula Sentinel in volleyball.

Man faces host of theft, drug charges

A man charged with stealing thousands of dollars worth of items from Glacier Stone Supply also was allegedly making methamphetamine in his home.

Lake netting could hinge on shared management

The Bonneville Power Administration will not pay for gill netting lake trout on Flathead Lake unless there is management consensus between the state of Montana and the Confederated Salish-Kootenai Tribes, and talks have been underway on developing a new co-management plan for the lake.

Soccer: Bravettes slip past Helena Capital

HELENA — Paige Birky accounted for all of the scoring with her goal at the 25-minute mark as Flathead spilled Helena Capital 1-0 in girls Western AA soccer play on Thursday.

Soccer: Bengals' late rally upends Wolfpack

HELENA — Helena High rallied behind three-second half goals to down Glacier 2-0 in Western AA girls soccer action Thursday afternoon.

Football: Flathead hoping to snap 3-game skid at Hellgate

The Flathead Braves hope to end a three-game losing streak when they take on the Hellgate Knights at 7 p.m. tonight at Missoula County Stadium.

Football: Bigfork, Eureka to battle for 7B crown

The District 7B football title will likely be on the line tonight when Eureka travels to Bigfork in a clash of probable playoff teams.

Vote early or late, but vote smart

The election is upon us already.

Mysterious white powder prompts call

The

Kalispell Ward 3: Candidate 'an average Joe trying to do his duty'

Running against Karlene Osorio-Khor and 25-year incumbent Jim Atkinson for a Ward 3 seat on the Kalispell City Council, Jason Mueller doesn’t think anyone should be in office for too long.

Stillwater Christian Volleyball

Stillwater junior outside hitter Sarah Paolini (3) keeps the ball in play Thursday night during the Cougars’ nonconference match against Flathead’s JV/sophomore squad at Stillwater Christian School.

New Agency on Aging site proposed

A proposal to relocate the Flathead County Agency on Aging facility in the former Homefitters furniture store on U.S. 93 North as part of an expansive senior living community was presented to the county commissioners on Thursday.

JASON MUELLER

Marla Marie Handford, 51

Marla Marie Handford, 51, “peacefully stepped over to heaven” on Oct. 15, 2013, in Kalispell.  

Back in business: Glacier reopens but Logan Pass won't

Glacier National Park reopened Thursday after Congress took action to end the federal government’s partial shutdown.

Glacier National Park Ñ Open Again

Brenda Woll welcomes visitors into Glacier National Park on Thursday, October 17. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Back in business

Mike Carroll of Vale, Ore., hikes along the Avalanche Trail Thursday in Glacier National Park. The park reopened yesterday, with cars allowed as far up as Big Bend.

Donna Ilene Clark, 63

Donna Ilene Clark, 63, passed away on Oct. 16, 2013, in Kalispell.  

Snow Tire Season

Snow Tire Season Dustin Martell installs a set of studded winter tires on Thursday morning, October 17, at the Les Schwab in Evergreen. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Snow Ghost Chalet

Cross country: Runners tune up for state at Glacier Invite

Glacier’s Kade McCutcheon and Bailey Smith ran to comfortable victories at the Glacier cross country invitational on Wednesday at Kidsports Complex, winning the unscored event by huge margins.

Top bucking horses coming to Kalispell

Bob Pecora of Eureka calls it the largest competition of its kind in America.

Prep football poll: Glacier moves up to No. 2

Glacier continued its climb up the poll, while Columbia Falls and Bigfork held their spots among the elite in this week’s Associated Press prep football poll.

Daybook

Today

Cell tower proposed on light pole at baseball field

A plan to use an 80-foot light pole at Memorial Park in Whitefish as a cell tower will be considered during a public hearing tonight at the Whitefish Planning Board meeting.

Health center hosts two forums on insurance

The Flathead Community Health Center will host forums Friday and Monday to inform the public about the Health Insurance Marketplace for the federal Affordable Care Act.

Fence fight leads to heated threats

The

Hospital expands surgery facilities

North Valley Hospital opened its doors to the public Tuesday evening to showcase a fourth operating room and talk about future plans for the Whitefish hospital.

Vote against repeal and for airport

Kalispell voters face one of the most important decisions in the history of the city next month, as their judgment will probably determine the future of the 84-year-old municipal airport for decades to come.

Kalispell Ward 3: Candidate aiming to be agent of change

In their first run for public office, Ward 3 candidates Karlene Osorio-Khor and Jason Mueller are trying to unseat 25-year veteran Jim Atkinson, one of the Kalispell City Council’s longest serving members.

Hypnosis show will benefit Humane Society

Knit for fun, charity at Kalispell store

Writer explores backcountry in new book

Audition for kids' murder mystery

Glacier choirs have 'Something to Sing About'

Singer-songwriter plans album release party

Whitefish Mountain Films come to Kalispell, Whitefish

Chuck Pyle to play 2 Kandahar shows

Artists invited to be in members show

Wilderness group brings film festival to C. Falls, Whitefish

Celtic quintet on tap in Whitefish

Film submission deadline nears

Photographers, adventurers give talk at FVCC

Laurie Lorraine 'Loz' Baker, 50

Laurie Lorraine “Loz” Baker, 50, “went to heaven” on Oct. 13, 2013. 

Gareth 'Gary' George Flansburg, 75

Gareth “Gary” George Flansburg, 75, passed away on Oct. 12, 2013, due to prostate cancer, at his home in Hot Springs with family by his side. 

Chuck Pyle

Hypnotist Don Spencer

Montana Wilderness Association

Glacier Echoes

RUNA

Bigfork Playhouse Children's Theatre

'Inaccessible'

Mike Murray

Gilbert I. Burk, 95

Gilbert I. Burk, 95, passed away on Dec. 14, 2012, in Whitefish. He had resided in Olney for most of his adult life.

Karlene Osorio-Khor

Cross Country

Flathead juniors Chance Kittle and Sylas Schutt (background) compete in cross country on Wednesday, October 16, in Kalispell. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Time capsule cermony

Collette Box, director of Child Developmental Discovery Center, inserts her statement into a capsule Tuesday evening during a burial ceremony for a time capsule at Discover Development Center. Oct. 15, 2013 in Kalispell, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

North Valley Hospital

Robotics coordinator Randy Mansfield watches as Mark Sanman, right, plays with a da Vinci Surgical System robot Tuesday afternoon during an open house for the new surgical suite at North Valley Hospital in Whitefish. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Time capsule ceremony

Students wait with cups of dirt to help fill in the hole as Collette Box buries a time capsule Tuesday evening during a ceremony at Discovery Developmental Center.

Tree Frog Tavern

Julie Smith at the Tree Frog Tavern.

Kalispell City Airport

This aerial view of Kalispell City Airport on Monday looks north toward Kalispell. The runway at the airport parallels U.S. 93.

Glacier Aerial

Mount Jackson looms over Lake Ellen Wilson on Monday, October 14, in Glacier National Park. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Time capsule marks center's longevity

Discovery Developmental Center commemorated the center’s 21st anniversary Tuesday by creating a time capsule that won’t be opened for another 20 years.

Final Christmas bazaar planned at mansion

Christmas at the Mansion next week will bring some of the finest craftspeople from throughout the Northwest to display their best creative work, along with vintage pieces and antiques.

AA volleyball poll: Glacier at No. 3, gains ground on Billings pair

Glacier earned a first-place vote and the power atop the Class AA coaches’ poll shifted this week.

Soccer roundup: Libby boys eliminate C-Falls in shutout win

COLUMBIA FALLS — Libby’s Johnny Davidson scored twice and eliminated Columbia Falls’ playoff hopes as the Loggers earned a 2-0 Northern A conference soccer shutout.

Volleyball roundup: Bravettes bedevil Hellgate

The Flathead volleyball team bounced back from last week’s five-set loss to Glacier with a quick victory over Missoula Hellgate Tuesday at Flathead High School.

Daybook

Council hopefuls sound off on airport

Candidates for the Kalispell City Council introduced themselves, their goals and their views about the city’s airport and impact fees during a forum at City Hall on Monday.

Halloween at the Veterans Home

Residents and staff at the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls get into the festive spirit by passing out candy to area children on Halloween. The event is free and open to the public.

Judge sets Dec. 9 trial for cliff death in Glacier Park

Trap set for fruit-loving Whitefish black bear

A large black bear has been causing a stir in Whitefish recently, prompting an effort to trap and relocate it.

Kalispell Ward 1 Candidate: Time is right for her to serve

Sandy Carlson thought about running for the Kalispell City Council a few years ago but the timing just wasn’t right. As one of two candidates on the ballot for Ward 1 this year, the timing is finally right, she said.

Fire involves 30 vehicles

A fire broke out early Tuesday in the storage yard at Pacific Recycling, engulfing about 30 scrapped vehicles.

Roger Wold

Roger Wold is pictured on his scooter during the summer of 2011. (Photo courtesy of Doug Johnson)

Community embraces Veterans Home: Halloween kicks off holiday season with trick-or-treating

From gremlins and goblins to princesses and pirates, hundreds of costumed crusaders will descend on the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls on Halloween, to the delight of residents and staff.

Man tries to lure girl into van

The

One man's generosity: Recluse leaves $1 million to Whitefish church

Roger A. Wold, a longtime Whitefish resident who lived a simple, reclusive life prior to his death last year, has given $1 million to Christ Lutheran Church in Whitefish.

High Country Carvers

Jim Jensen works on a carving for a hand rail Monday night at the Evergreen Fire Station during the weekly High Country Carvers meeting. Oct. 7, 2013 in Kalispell, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Flathead Volleyball

Junior Jessica Simmons sets the ball Tuesday night during Flathead's home victory over Missoula Hellgate. Oct. 15, 2013 in Kalispell, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Ian Harris

Ian Harris, son of Joseph and Shanna Harris of Polson, was born July 26 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Gage Bebee

Gage Bebee, son of Tyler and Nichole Bebee of Kalispell, was born July 26 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Kamakani Kailialona McMahon

Kamakani Kailialona McMahon, daughter of Kyle McMahon and Brandi Witt-Lau of Evergreen, was born   July 25 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Maria Trieweiler Schmidt

Maria Trieweiler Schmidt, daughter of Jason and Christina Schmidt of Whitefish, was born July 24 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Michael Haynos

Michael Haynos, son of Christopher and Katherine Haynos of Columbia Falls, was born July 24 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Phoenix Nelson

Phoenix Nelson, daughter of  Trevor and Amy Nelson of Kalispell, was born July 23 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Lilian Tobiason

Lilian Tobiason, daughter of Bartholomew and Fresa Tobiason of Kalispell, was born July 23 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Bryson Dahlman

Bryson Dahlman, son of Brock and Carrie Dahlman of Bigfork, was born July 23 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Burning the Log Jam

A crew works to burn a collection of logs on the Flathead River on Tuesday, October 15, east of Kalispell. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Bear in Whitefish

A black bear perches on one of the lower branches of a tree on Iowa Avenue in Whitefish on Tuesday.

Elaine Thoring, 87

Elaine Thoring, 87, passed away on Friday, Oct. 11, 2013, at North Valley Hospital. 

A collection of current Kalispell City Airport leases

George Harvey Riley, 53

George Harvey Riley, 53, of Columbia Falls “went to be with his Lord and Savior” on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013.  

Seniors spend Fridays fishing

Senior center works to make house livable

Daybook

High School Standings - Football, Soccer, Volleyball

Football

Whitefish boys, girls hosting Class A soccer playoff matches

Two-time defending Class A state boys champion Whitefish opens first-round soccer playoff action Saturday with a home match versus Livingston.

Haunted Hotel not for the faint of heart

When guests arrive at the lobby of The Zone’s Haunted Hotel, they are warned that “persons of weak constitution” should not enter.

Feury touts experience, historical perspective

He’s back.

Marion girl competes in national costume contest

Eleven-year-old Marina Cesarone will fly to Los Angeles Thursday to attend Hub Network’s first Halloween Bash television event. She also has a chance to win a $25,000 grand prize.

Autumn canvas

Fall colors stand out against the backdrop of mountains in Glacier National Park, as seen from the North Fork Road south of Polebridge, on Saturday, Oct. 12.

New funding option studied for 911 center

Plains restaurant gets Food Network makeover

Violent man arrested for assault

Shirley Westmoreland, 80

Andy Feury

Marina Cesarone

Zone Haunted House

Bernard, played by The Zone maintenance manager Ian Fee, leads a tour through the Haunted Hotel on Friday. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Week in Pictures: October 7-13

Test Hyundai

County grantwriter a 'Jill of many trades'

Creative thinking, multitasking, collaboration and the ability to write about a wide variety of topics are a few of the ingredients Flathead County grantwriter Debbie Pierson has blended into a successful recipe for pulling money into the county coffers.

Whitefish election: Life Noell

Gaiser leads area runners at Le Grizz

Scott Gaiser of Kalispell had the best showing for area runners competing in the 32nd Le Grizz Ultramarathon on Saturday at Polebridge.

Kalispell man admits fourth DUI offense

 A Kalispell man pleaded guilty Thursday in Flathead District Court to his fourth offense of drunk driving.

Local hospitals take on 638 employees in hiring frenzy

 Both Flathead Valley hospitals have spent the last few months bringing in top-notch specialists in a rash of hiring that has involved a total of 638 new employees, a net gain of 185.

Debbie Pierson Profile

Debbie Pierson, Flathead County grant writer, on Wednesday, October 9, at the courthouse in Kalispell. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Noell

Man fighting fourth DUI

A Kalispell man pleaded not guilty Tuesday in Flathead District Court to a pair of felony charges, including what would be his fourth offense of drunk driving.

Elusive suspect challenges two charges

A Kalispell man charged with a pair of crimes after allegedly leading police on a pursuit before evading them for four days had pleaded not guilty.

Volleyball roundup: Glacier drops Sentinel; Frenchtown spills C-Falls

Glacier stayed undefeated in conference play on Saturday, easily beating Missoula Sentinel in three sets, 25-9, 25-15, 25-18 in a Western AA conference volleyball match at Glacier.

Bulldog runners rule Invitational

WHITEFISH — The Whitefish cross country boys and girls dominated their home invitational meet in the last regular season run of the season, winning both team titles on Saturday at Whitefish High School.

Soccer roundup: Whitefish girls, boys win regular-season finales

WHITEFISH — Northwestern A division champion Whitefish tuned-up for the Class A playoffs Saturday afternoon by crushing Bigfork 10-1 in the regular-season finale for both schools.

Bravettes shut out Big Sky in soccer

The Flathead girls soccer team extended its winning streak to four and moved into a tie for second place in Western AA with a 2-0 win over Missoula Big Sky Saturday at Kidsports Complex.

Daybook

Today

Whitefish election: Candidate offers work ethic and business savvy

When Jen Frandsen got a call in 2007 from her father, asking her to drop everything and come help move livestock and equipment to higher ground as the flooding Mississippi River was about to inundate the family farm in Western Illinois, she went in a heartbeat.

Restore Thompson Field for Gus and us

Kalispell owes Betsy Wood a thank you for reminding us what a treasure we have in Thompson Field.  Because of her efforts, the Daily Inter Lake article on Saturday, Oct. 5, reminded everyone that the field was originally named in honor of  “Gus” Thompson, one of Kalispell’s earlier residents and the first Montanan to play in the World Series — in 1903!

Weigh in on Obamacare impact: Good or bad?

The jury is in, with a widespread view that the rollout of Obamacare has been “nothing short of disastrous,” as it was put on CBS News recently. But the rollout will continue, and Obama administration officials are  nervously promising that things will get better.

Local gym gets grant for arthritis program

Kalispell’s Straight Blast Gym received $4,000 in grant money to start another program that will keep arthritic Montanans walking to improve their health.

Crisis solution: Restore trust in government

America is in crisis.

Yet government still has money for 'chemtrails'?

Police give coat thief the cold shoulder

A group of six or seven people reported fighting outside a U.S. 93 South bar had left the area by the time a

Engineer an expert in carbon fiber

From designing parts of a lunar landing module to patenting prosthetic legs, John Merlette has had an eventful life.

Canning mania still in full swing

Canning mania still in full swing

Airport vote is at hand

Ballots go out this week for key Kalispell decision

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5, but Kalispell voters could start weighing in on a contentious city airport referendum as early as this week.

County outlines use for new building

Flathead County’s 4-H and Extension Service programs finally will have a place to call home.

Royal treatment

Homecoming is a time for kings and queens at high school celebrations.

Opposing sides still far apart on airport

News analysis

Election Day in Kalispell is three weeks away.

Glacier High School homecoming king and queen

Mercede Erickson was crowned queen and Zach Dennehy king for Glacier High School’s homecoming celebration.

Bigfork High School homecoming king and queen

Bigfork homecoming king and queen Cameron Nissen and Alicia Hauss.

Columbia Falls High School homecoming king and queen

Britney Cotton and Sam Toppel were elected Columbia Falls High School queen and king during homecoming last week.

Whitefish High School homecoming king and queen

Whitefish High School 2013 homecoming queen Sage Jackson and king Caleb Knox.

Flathead High School homecoming king and queen

Katie Goodnough and Joey Wisher were crowned queen and king of Flathead High School homecoming Sept. 27 at Legends Stadium.

Man challenges latest DUI charge

A Columbia Falls man has pleaded not guilty to what would be his fourth drunk driving offense after allegedly being found passed out in his car.

Thelma Keen, 85

Thelma Keen, 85, of Crookston, Minn., and formerly of Kalispell, died Thursday afternoon, Oct. 10, 2013, at RiverView Health in Crookston.   

Jen Frandsen

Chemtrails seen from Jewel Basin?

Trails seen from Jewel Basin on Oct. 6?

When does 2 plus 2 equal XX?

“How many fingers am I holding up, Winston?”

West Valley Naturalists

Tris Hoffman, FLathead National Forest weed coordinator, shows a spotted knapweed flower weevil (larinus minutus) to Kieryssa Franchini, 10, right, and Eliza Wood, 10 during the first meeting of the West Valley Naturalists at West Valley School Oct. 3. Unlike the root weevils (cyphocleonus achates) raised in the school insectary, this weevil can fly and feeds on the flower of the spotted knapweed.

Le Grizz

A sign pointing toward the Polebridge Mercantile and the finish of the 32nd Le Grizz on Saturday, October 12. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

MaryLynn Larson, 81

Avis B. Corcoran, 90

Avis B. Corcoran, 90, of Columbia Falls passed away in Whitefish on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2013. 

Community Spirit Dedication in Woodland Park

Detail of one of the new benches with personalized tiles at the Community Spirit Monument Dedication ceremony in Woodland Park on Saturday, October 12, in Kalispell. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

U.S. 93 West plan to be discussed Oct. 15

The city of Whitefish will host a second public comment session on Tuesday, Oct. 15, to discuss the U.S. 93 West corridor plan.

Federal refuge areas to reopen for hunters

Glacier outlasts Sentinel, 59-41

MISSOULA — Staring down a shootout at Washington-Grizzly Stadium, Glacier (6-1) found itself with the quickest hand, outgunning Sentinel (4-3) 59-41 in a high-scoring Class AA football game on Friday night on the campus of the University of Montana.

Hawks handle Braves, 62-7

No. 1 Bozeman dominated both sides of the ball in a 62-7 win over Flathead in a Class AA football game Friday at Legends Stadium.

Football roundup: Columbia Falls blows past Frenchtown

FRENCHTOWN — Zach Darling ran for three touchdowns and Ty Morgan caught three touchdown passes from quarterback Jared Trinastich to power third-ranked Columbia Falls (6-0 overall, 2-0 league) to a 54-13 Northwestern A football victory over Frenchtown (2-4, 1-2) Friday night.

Glacier Football

Logan Jones (28) runs the ball Friday night during Glacier's 59-41 victory over Missoula Sentinel at Washington-Grizzly Stadium in Missoula. Oct. 11, 2013 in Missoula, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Glacier vs Sentinel Football

Daybook

Today

Group explores area's natural history

Propagating non-native spotted knapweed is illegal in Montana, but West Valley School’s root weevil insectary is an exception in fighting the spread of the noxious weed.

Permit OK'd for Rosewater

The developer of the planned Rosewater water-skiing subdivision has cleared the final hurdle in the planning process for the 27-acre manmade lake that will be featured in the unique development.

Whitefish road work 'way ahead of schedule'

The massive reconstruction project on West Second Street in Whitefish is ticking along at a good pace. If the weather cooperates and all goes as planned, Phase 1 could be completed as soon as the end of November.

Bullock: State won't pay to open Glacier

Montana Gov. Steve Bullock says the state will not pick up the tab to reopen Glacier National Park during the federal government shutdown.

Whitefish election: Strong downtown important to council hopeful

Pamela Barberis grew up in an atmosphere of public service in Vermont, where her father was the moderator of the local town-hall meetings — the pinnacle of local government in her hometown of Dorset, population 400.

Burglar chased out of house empty-handed

Flathead vs. Bozeman Football

Flathead quarterback Easton Johnson (3) passes under pressure from a Bozeman defender during the first half of Friday’s game at Legends Stadium. 

As Bakken area booms, drug arrests spike

Apple Pressing At Kalispell Montessori

Winston Gray, a 1st grader at Kalispell Montessori works with an apple press helping make fresh apple juice on Thursday, October 10, at the Kalispell Montessori School. Students were treated to apple juice with their lunch. Students from Kalispell Montessori will be helping with the Harvest Fest at Woodland Montessori on October 30th. Admission to the event will be $5 and will include an haunted house, soup dinner and another apple pressing. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

George Ralph Yeadon McGinnis, 65

Robert Love and his dog

Robert Love looks back to call for his dog Comet as he runs toward the swings Tuesday afternoon at Lawrence Park in Kalispell. Oct. 8, 2013 in Kalispell, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Flathead River Scenic

Sun illuminates fall-colored trees Friday morning along the main stem of the Flathead River near Hungry Horse. Oct. 11, 2013 in Hungry Horse, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Apgar Village Business

Ron Phillips from St. Paul, Minn., waits for a friend Friday morning outside Eddies' Cafe in Apgar Village in Glacier National Park. "We figured we would be able to walk around the park a bit, but they said, 'nope, straight to Apgar,'" said Phillips. The Montana House and Eddie's Cafe and Gifts, both private businesses, remain open despite the closure of the park due to the government shutdown. Glacier Park Rangers are allowing visitors headed directly to Apgar Village through the West Entrance gate. Oct. 11, 2013 in Apgar Village, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Kalispell City Airport

A helicopter takes off Friday afternoon from Kalispell City Airport.

Apgar Village in Glacier National Park

Isaac Boothe of Montevallo, Ala., takes a picture of Lake McDonald Friday morning in Apgar Village in Glacier National Park. “I drove 2,000 miles. I want to see something,” Boothe said. “What are they going to do? Arrest me?” Visitors to private businesses in Apgar are allowed limited access to Glacier Park during the government shutdown.

Standoff ends when armed woman is shot

A Columbia Falls-area woman was listed in critical condition at Kalispell Regional Medical Center Friday morning after she was shot Thursday evening during a standoff with law enforcement.

Drug seller gets five-year sentence

A man who pleaded guilty to a felony charge of criminal distribution of dangerous drugs has been sentenced to five years with the Montana Department of Corrections.

Flathead has a colossal task tonight - No. 1 Bozeman

The schedule keeps getting tougher for the Flathead Braves.

No. 3 Glacier faces Sentinel at Washington-Grizzly Stadium

Glacier has played at some of the best venues in the state this season, making trips to Great Falls, Bozeman and Butte. This week’s trip may top them all as the Wolfpack get ready to play Missoula Sentinel at Washington-Grizzly Stadium on the campus of the University of Montana.

Cross country: Morley, Glacier boys fare well at 7-on-7

HELENA — Bigfork’s Makena Morley was at her usual best while the Glacier boys turned in a stellar performance at the Helena 7-on-7 Cross Country meet Thursday afternoon at Bill Roberts Golf Course.

Soccer: Whitefish boys, C-Falls girls triumph

WHITEFISH — The Whitefish boys soccer team clinched its third straight Northern A conference title with a 3-0 win over Columbia Falls on a damp Thursday at Smith Fields.

Crosstown volleyball: Wolfpack in five over Flathead

Neither team gave in, but it was Glacier that eventually prevailed in a five-set, nail-biting volleyball match against Flathead (11-8 overall, 6-3 Western AA) Thursday evening at Glacier High School.

Daybook

Today

Crosstown Volleyball

Flathead's Emma Andrews makes a dig Thursday night during the crosstown volleyball match with Glacier at Glacier High School. 

Roberta (Dyer) Arnold, 84

Roberta Ann Dyer was born in Kalispell Aug. 11, 1929, to Ray George Dyer and Dorothy (Sheldon) Dyer.

Air monitoring may be overdue

It seems appropriate — and even overdue — that Glacier National Park officials recently have expressed interest in monitoring air quality on the park’s western flank.

Smelly situation wasn't dangerous

A sour gas odor reported across northwest Kalispell on Thursday morning turned out not to be as dangerous as people may have thought — although it was just as smelly.

Raymond Wallace Baier, 70

Many hearts were broken when Raymond Wallace Baier passed away peacefully “in the loving arms of his Lord,” Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center, from a heart attack. Ray was surrounded by his family and will be greatly missed, but his spirit will always remain with us.

Crimes lead to extensive damage

‘Where is the parental guidance?’

It’s 10 p.m. — do you know where your children are?

Reilly Stephenson

Massive beams put in place

Contractors move quickly on Evergreen project Shady Lane Bridge replacement

Replacement of the Shady Lane Bridge in Evergreen is going well and the last of six massive concrete beams that make up its deck was carefully lowered into place Thursday afternoon.

Shady Lane Bridge replacement

Duane Bauer of Bauer and Buck Construction, left, walks across one of the 85-foot concrete beams being placed to form the new Shady Lane Bridge on Thursday in Evergreen.

Shot hits its mark - the ground

A

Brandon Hegstad

Rachael 'Ann' Lawrence, 79

Rachael “Ann” Lawrence unexpectedly passed away at the age of 79 on the morning of Oct. 5, 2013.

Albert Friedt, 87

Kenneth M. Grinde, 92

Kenneth M. Grinde, 92, passed away Oct. 8, 2013, at his home in Prineville, Ore. There will not be any services at this time.  

Shady Lane Bridge in Evergreen

Workers prepare to transfer an 85 foot 85 feet long, 94,000 pound concrete beam from a tractor trailer to a crane on Thursday, October 10, in Evergreen. As the beam was moved across the river was transferred from one crane, to another before being set to form the deck of the new Shady Lane Bridge. Six beams were placed on Thursday. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Sandy Carlson

Apple Pressing At Kalispell Montessori

David Cummings keeps watch over students as they use an apple press on Thursday, October 10, at the Kalispell Montessori School. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Debbie Pierson Profile

Debbie Pierson, Flathead County grant writer, on Wednesday, October 9, at the courthouse in Kalispell. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

KMS Student Scientists

Students from Kalispell Middle School study stream ecology with their teacher, Carter Eash, on Wednesday, October 9, at the Stillwater River in Lawrence Park.

Depression survivor shares hope, advice

Screening session today

Debi Strong is a survivor.

Youth-only deer hunt comes a week early

 Montana’s annual youth-only deer hunt Oct 17-18 will come a week earlier this year.

Geocache Adventure planned Oct. 19

Flathead Valley Community College and students in the natural resources conservation and management program invite the community to participate in the first FVCC Geocache Adventure Oct. 19.

Prep football poll: Glacier up to No. 3, C-Falls still at No. 2

Glacier continues to roll on the football field and moves up to No. 3 in the Associated Press prep football poll this week.

Crosstown volleyball: Glacier looks to sweep season series

In yet another high-stakes crosstown volleyball match, Glacier hosts Flathead looking for its first season sweep in school history, in a gym where it hasn’t seen much luck against the Bravettes.

Daybook

Today

Smith Valley students get an education from local firefighters

National Fire Prevention Week is heating up the issue of safety in schools around the Flathead Valley.

Ty Woods

Charles Woods

Neighbors worry about zone change

Owl Corporation’s request for a zone change for 17.7 acres of undeveloped land at the northeast corner of West Reserve Drive and Stillwater Road met opposition from some area residents at Tuesday’s Kalispell Planning Board meeting.

Pub, shops ahead for Kalispell

Sportsman expansion also moving forward

As Cabela’s prepares to open the doors to its new retail store in Kalispell on Thursday, Nov. 7, other businesses are gearing up to start building adjacent stores.

Missing flock: Five flamingos stolen

A Montana 35 resident who put out 12 plastic flamingos to raise awareness about breast cancer reported someone stole five of them.

Six aspects of a gov't shutdown

As the intransigence in the halls of power in Washington, D.C., extends the partial government shutdown well into its second week, it invites a few observations:

Flathead now home for Benghazi victim's family

Ty Woods set an example for others to follow, father says

A man who lost his son in the 2012 attack in Benghazi, Libya, has moved to Bigfork.

Smith Valley School fire education

Smith Valley School students file into the Smith Valley Grange Hall on Wednesday morning during a fire drill. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Student scientists

Danny Anderson, left, and Adam Bartlett wade into the Stillwater River to use kick-nets to collect invertebrates on Wednesday morning near Lawrence Park. The health of the river can be determined by using the type and number of insects caught in addition to testing the water chemistry.

Kalipsell Middle School Student Scientists

Student Scientists used a dichotomous key, a tool that allows the user to determine the identity of items in nature, to identify aquatic insects like this Stonefly Nymph. Measurements taken at the river become part of a water quality database with Montana Watercourse. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Mackenzie Elyse Boeshans, 2 months

Early Sunday morning, Oct. 6, 2013, our little Mackenzie Elyse “went to heaven to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

Michael S. Harris, 70

Week in Pictures: September 30 - October 6

Confusion follows gunshot reports

A report to the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office of shots fired on First Street South West in Hungry Horse led to a pair of stories as to the gunshots’ source.

Marie H. (Todd) Hartman, 94

Marie H. (Todd) Hartman, 94, passed away peacefully Oct. 4, 2013, in Kalispell, surrounded by her family. “She is now in the loving arms of our Lord.” She will be greatly missed, but her loving spirit will always remain with us. 

Helen Marie Burnell Mauzey, 87

On Oct. 10, 1925, Helen Marie Burnell was born at the family home in Kalispell to Herbert E. and Gladys Carnahan Burnell. She was a “country kid” being raised on a farm just outside of town. 

Domenic Vincent Fiorentino Jr., 76

Domenic Vincent Fiorentino Jr. passed away at 76 years old on Sept. 26, 2013, at his residence in Kalispell. 

Sherry May Shanks, 77

Sherry May Shanks passed away peacefully Saturday, Oct. 5, 2013, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center. 

Gary Ray Secord, 65

Gary Ray Secord, 65, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2013, at Kootenai Medical Center in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

Marie H. (Todd) Hartman

Sherry May Shanks

Gary Secord

Mayor to moderate Kalispell City Council forum

Candidates running for a seat on the Kalispell City Council will be invited to a Monday night forum at City Hall moderated by departing Kalispell Mayor Tammi Fisher.

Volleyball: Bravettes sweep Sentinel

Flathead moved into a three-way tie for second place in the Western AA volleyball standings with a 25-9, 25-17, 25-20 win over Missoula Sentinel Tuesday at Flathead High School.

Soccer roundup: Flathead boys salvage draw with Sentinel

The Flathead boys kept their undefeated streak rolling, tying Missoula Sentinel 2-2 in a Western AA conference soccer match on Tuesday at Kidsports Complex.

Early voting starts Oct. 16 for city elections

City elections in Columbia Falls, Kalispell and Whitefish will be held Tuesday, Nov. 5, but early voting begins Oct. 16.

City OKs contract with firefighters

Kalispell firefighters will get two years of 2 percent pay raises according to a collective bargaining agreement the City Council approved on Monday.

Flathead Volleyball

(Right to left) Emma Andrews, Iris Matulevich, Ashli Petek, and Lizzie Sherwood celebrate a point Tuesday night during Flathead's win over Missoula Sentinel at Flathead High School. Oct. 8, 2013 in Kalispell, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

New section added to land initiative

The Flathead Land Trust has finalized another conservation agreement as part of its ongoing Flathead River to Lake Initiative.

Convict unleashes tirade in court

A Kalispell man whose flight from police ended when an Evergreen woman held him at gunpoint launched into an expletive-laced tirade in Flathead District Court on Tuesday after being sentenced to 15 years in prison and 10 years of probation.

Duck Hunters Delight

This could be one of the best waterfowl seasons on record.

John Merlette

John Merlette in his home in Bigfork on Tuesday, October 8.

Bigfork Community Players' Bus Stop

Bigfork Community Players rehearse Bus Stop on Monday evening at the Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts. Oct. 7, 2013 in Bigfork, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Mule Deer Bow Hunt

Bow Hunting. Bow hunt for mule deer. Archery hunter takes trophy mule deer with Montana OutWest Outfitters. Mule deer bow kill in scenic Montana. Archery hunter passes a great buck then takes a really unique trophy deer with his bow after making a perfect shot.

Montana Upland Bird Hunt

Montana offers upland bird hunters many species of game birds to hunt. Pheasant, grouse and hungarian partridge are on todays agenda. With the help of good dogs, the hunters are in to the birds.

Sentencing Story

Flathead County Attorney Ed Corrigan at the sentencing of Jordan Elliott on Tuesday, October 8, in Kalispell. In the background are Elliott's lawyer Sean Hinchey and Judge Ted Lympus. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Elliott Sentencing

Zone change sought for large subdivision

A zone change to accommodate a 113-lot subdivision south of Rose Crossing is the focus of a Flathead County Planning Board public hearing on Wednesday.

City's core plan gets attention at conferences

Kalispell’s ambitious core area revitalization plan is getting some broader attention as city staffers talk about its creation at state, regional and national planning conferences.

Hungry Deer

A whitetail deer munches on a tree branch Monday afternoon in a yard on River View Drive in Kalispell. Oct. 7, 2013 in Kalispell, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Developer seeks zone change

The Kalispell Planning Board on Tuesday night will consider a zoning change for 17.7 acres of undeveloped land at the northeast corner of West Reserve Drive and Stillwater Road.

Evelyn Kay Wilkerson

Angry motorist makes major threat

Young Kalispell women rule at state pageants

Two young Kalispell women — one a student at Glacier High School and the other a Glacier alumna — won top honors at state scholarship pageants on Sunday in Missoula.

Miss Montana

Endurance lifestyle

Pat Caffrey’s years of running long races of 50 miles or more — called “ultras” in the running community — have helped shape his ability to tackle another tough assignment. 

Pay raises for firefighters up for approval

A collective bargaining agreement that gives pay raises to Kalispell firefighters is up for approval at tonight’s City Council meeting.

Piper Croft

Piper Croft, daughter of Dayne and Amy Croft of Kalispell, was born July 21 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Haven Bernida Johnston

Haven Bernida Johnston, daughter of Graham and Jessica Johnston of Somers, was born July 13 at North Valley Hospital.

Rowan Ray Maynard

Rowan Ray Maynard, son of Benjamin Maynard and Amy Brooks, was born July 12 at North Valley Hospital.

Harper Mae McGuire

Harper Mae McGuire, daughter of Jason and Tracey McGuire of Kila, was born July 11 at North Valley Hospital.

Increase in utility rates proposed

 The city of Whitefish wants to raise rates for water, sewer and garbage services and will hold a public hearing tonight before making a decision.

Montana in the middle of health-care statistic

State comes in 27th for its low-income resident care

According to a new study, Montana ranks in the middle of the states for health care for low-income residents.

Memory lane

FHS Class of ’48 remembers bygone school days

It has been 65 years since the Class of 1948 walked the hallowed halls of Flathead County High School, but to many alumni the memories of those school days are still crystal clear.

Caffrey

1948 Class Reunion

(Front row left to right) Bonnie Cole, Dorothy Danford, Kay Smith-Sagen, Donna James, Dorothy Stickney, Rae Ellen Potter, Shirley Bertelsen, Sylvia Olson. (Back row left to right) Francis VanRinsum, Robert Neitzling, Earl Holst, Stanton Poier, Phillip Kiser, Anton Amundson, Ted Van, Marvin Hobbs, Donald Olson. Members of Flathead High School class of 1948 pose for a picture Wednesday afternoon during their 65-year reunion at Perkins in Evergreen. Oct. 2, 2013 in Kalispell, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Man pleads guilty to road-rage shooting

A Marion man pleaded guilty Thursday to felony criminal endangerment after shooting a pellet gun at a motorist and her passenger.

Learn about Whitefish road project

East Second Street plans to be unveiled Monday

The city of Whitefish will unveil plans for the reconstruction of East Second Street during an open house in the City Council chambers from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Monday.

Glacier's Smith 2nd at Butte run

BUTTE — Flathead’s boys, led by Sylas Schutt, finished fourth in the team standings at the Butte Invitational cross country meet on Saturday.

Volleyball roundup: Bravettes 9th at Crossover Tournament

SPOKANE, Wash. — Flathead finished ninth out of 64 volleyball teams at the Crossover Tournament on Saturday.

Polson girls 3-peat at state A golf

POLSON — Golfing on their home course, the Polson girls wrapped up their third-straight Class A state championship on Saturday, placing all four scoring golfers in the top 10.

Girls soccer: Key victory for Bravettes over Wolfpack

Flathead put itself in position to host a playoff soccer game and leapfrogged Glacier in the Western AA standings with a 1-0 win over the Wolfpack Saturday at Glacier High School.

Boys soccer: Braves winless no more

Haakon Sande’s second-half goal lifted the Flathead boys soccer team to its first win in nearly four years as the Braves downed crosstown-rival Glacier 1-0 Saturday at Glacier High School.

Daybook

Today

Thomas Michael Unger, 77

Thomas Michael Unger passed away peacefully at his home on Sept. 21, 2013. 

Compatible Manufacturing masters design challenges

Compatible Manufacturing owner Tim Miller has a good idea why a Montana manufacturing group has chosen to tour his firm on Tuesday as part of the Montana Chamber of Commerce annual meeting.

Saving our Constitution - and our country  

Things are certainly not going as our forefathers would have wished, even though they likely envisioned some of the problems that we are now facing, human nature being what it is.

Remembering Gus: Movement afoot to honor long-forgotten pitcher from Kalispell

John ‘Gus’ Thompson was the only player from the original World Series not invited to be a guest of honor at the 1953 contest.

One of Kalispell’s only residents to ever play Major League Baseball, pitcher John “Gus” Thompson was good at throwing the ball past swinging batters. 

Man takes a bite out of marital strife

An easy choice for West Valley

West Valley School is popular these days — and that popularity is getting to be a growing problem.

Support West Valley schoolkids

Almost a year ago, West Valley trustees started seriously looking at a major problem. Overcrowding. West Valley contacted CTA architects for help. CTA came in and set up meeting with staff, trustees, and community members. There were two questions: What do you need, and what can you afford?

How do higher premiums and co-pays help me?

Now I believe in coincidence, but I find it strange that my wife was notified in the week before Obamacare started up that her premiums more than  doubled on her Medicare Advantage plan, her co-pay went up 15 percent as did her out of pocket cap, prescriptions will now cost her more, and Tier 1 will now cost her a co-pay.

Alan James Counsell, 69

Alan James Counsell, 69, passed away unexpectedly on Sept. 27, 2013, at his home in Kalispell.

Remembering Gus

Baseball fans throng the Huntington Avenue Grounds in Boston before game three of the first-ever World Series in October 1903. The field was the home to the Boston Americans, who later became the Red Sox and moved to Fenway Park. Gus Thompson of Kalispell pitched in this inaugural World Series. (Photos courtesy of National Baseball Hall of Fame Library, Cooperstown, N.Y.)

Anita Coffrin Taylor Hull, 94

Anita Hull, 94 of Bellingham, Wash. passed away peacefully at home on Sept. 29, 2013. 

Tea Party and GOP failure  

It is now time to recognize that the Tea Party movement is a failure. Our government and Congress has been dysfunctional and ineffective for six years now largely because of Tea Party influence.

Richard Baldwin 'Rick' Dunlap, 67

Richard Baldwin "Rick" Dunlap, 67, left us all too soon on Sept. 25, 2013.

Special education symposium draws crowd

Teachers, school administrators, parents, disability rights advocates and attorneys gathered at Flathead Valley Community College on Thursday and Friday to move forward the discussion on special education needs in the region.

Kalispell man, 22, accused of lewd texts

A 22-year-old Kalispell man has pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of sexual abuse of children after allegedly having inappropriate contact with a 13-year-old girl over the phone.

Man accused of eight years of sexual abuse

A Bigfork man has pleaded not guilty to a pair of sexual assault-related charges after allegedly molesting a girl from the age of 10 until she was 18.

An 'Oktober' tradition

A contestant in the stein-holding contest struggles to keep up his glass Friday night during Oktoberfest at Depot Park in Whitefish.

Judge explains verdict reversal

A U.S. District Court judge has explained why he acquitted a beauty queen with local ties who had been convicted by a federal jury of mail fraud and conspiracy.

Graffitti leads to arrest of two teens

A pair of teenage boys have been arrested for tagging several buildings in the area with graffiti after being caught spray painting a power box early Saturday morning.

'These are the times that try men's souls'

Whenever I see that clip of Harry Reid saying he won’t fund cancer research for children, I think of Strother Martin’s famous line from “Cool Hand Luke”: “What we’ve got here is failure to communicate.”

Compatible Manufacturing

Tim Miller, founder of Compatible Manufacturing, looks over various components built by the company on Oct. 2 at the facility north of Kalispell.

Crosstown Soccer

Flathead’s Paige Birky (right) takes a shot past Glacier’s Alysha Smith (19) Saturday afternoon during the crosstown match at Glacier High School. 

Pet Blessing

Fr. Bradley Wirth, right, says a blessing for Diane Lalum's bichon-poodle Charlie on Saturday afternoon during the pet blessing service at All Saints Episcopal Church near Columbia Falls off of Montana 40.. Oct. 5, 2013 in Columbia Falls, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Oktoberfest

Dave Nielsen of Vauxhall, Alberta, sports a feathered cap Friday night during Oktoberfest at Depot Park in Whitefish. Oct. 4, 2013 in Whitefish, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Formerly 'all in' House candidate now won't run

Two Republican state legislators from Flathead County, Jon Sonju and Scott Reichner, say they won’t be candidates for the U.S. House next year.

Second Bigfork player joins Macy's band

With two Bigfork High School band students accepted to perform in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade and a band program that needs to replace its aging instruments, many people have stepped up and helped out.

Glacier drubs Big Sky, 38-19

Glacier poured it on early, dominating Missoula Big Sky every phase of the game in a 38-19 win in a Class AA football game on Friday at Legends Stadium.

Coeur d'Alene spikers defeat Flathead in five

The Daily Inter Lake

Soccer: C-Falls girls, Libby boys pick up wins

LIBBY — Lindsay Strouse and Haley Purdy both scored two goals in the opening half to push Columbia Falls past Libby 5-0 in Northern A soccer play on Friday.

Helena blows by Flathead, 51-7

HELENA — The third- ranked Helena High Bengals scored four touchdowns in the first quarter and ran away with a 51-7 Class AA football win over Flathead Friday at Vigilante Stadium.

Football roundup: Sandry passes for 4 TDs, runs for another in Bigfork's win over Troy

BIGFORK — Josh Sandry passed for four touchdowns and ran 48 yards for another score to carry third-ranked Bigfork past Troy 41-27 in District 7B football action Friday night.

Whitefish, Polson golfers on top at state tournament

POLSON — The Whitefish boys and Polson girls both turned in strong efforts on the opening day of the Class A state golf tournament at Polson Bay Golf Course on Friday.

Crosstown soccer: Flathead, Glacier have lots to play for

Both the Glacier and Flathead girls soccer teams hope to strengthen their chances of hosting a playoff game when they meet at noon today at Glacier High School.

$11 Deal for $7.50 at Charlie Wong Saigon Garden!

Charlie Wong Saigon Garden

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Woman explains details that led to buck's death

Hutterites plead guilty in grizzly bear possession case

Irene Hafdahl Daley, 105

Irene Hafdahl Daley lived as long as she possibly could without a lot of suffering and passed away Thursday, July 25, 2013, at 105 years of age.  She “went to be with her Lord and savior where everlasting life begins” and was at her bed with her hands held by her son and daughter. She had lived at Buffalo Hill Terrace for the last eight years and was kind, thoughtful and loved by everyone.  

Abusive man sends wife to hospital

Mandy Hyatt and Lonney Longwolf

Mandy Hyatt laughs with Lonney Longwolf, a resident at A Ray of Hope, Friday afternoon in Kalispell. Sept. 13, 2013 in Kalispell, Montana.

Former addict gets second chance plus new career at A Ray of Hope

Ten years ago Mandy Hyatt, 38, walked into A Ray of Hope homeless shelter trapped in a pit of drug addiction.

Glacier Football

Glacier’s Logan Jones (28) picks up yards up the middle on this run Friday night during Glacier’s 38-19 victory over Missoula Big Sky at Legends Stadium.

Dixieland dancing

Dwight Bergeron of Kalispell dances with Lee Anne Byrne of Whitefish at the Thursday night’s opening party for the Glacier Jazz Stampede in the Eagles Ballroom in Kalispell. The festival, a celebration of Dixieland jazz, continues today and tomorrow; events today begin at 10 a.m. and go until 11:30 p.m. For more information, including a full schedule, visit www.glacierjazzstampede.com.

Bride pleads not guilty

Jordan Graham

Coffee for a Cause

Martina Magaddino works on a pair of iced caramel fraps for a customer on Friday, October 4, at Expressway in Kalispell. All proceeds from sales and all tips will be split between Save a Sister and Wings. In the background is Michell Tafoya. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Braves head to Helena to face 3rd-ranked Bengals

The Flathead football team faces a daunting task tonight when it hits the road against the unbeaten Helena High Bengals.

AA football: Fourth-ranked Glacier entertains winless Big Sky

Coming off its biggest win of the season, the No. 4-ranked Glacier football team (4-1) is back at home to take on Missoula Big Sky (0-5) tonight at Legends Stadium.

Soccer roundup: Big Sky holds on to edge Glacier's girls

Glacier won all the statistical battles except for the big one on the scoreboard Thursday afternoon in girls Western AA soccer action at Glacier High School.

Volleyball roundup: Bigfork tops Eureka in 3

BIGFORK — Tessa Robertson had seven kills and four blocks to help Bigfork spill Eureka 25-11, 25-20, 25-23 on Thursday evening in District 7B volleyball action.

Cross country: Whitefish boys win T-Falls Invitational

THOMPSON FALLS — The Whitefish boys finished first and the Whitefish girls second at the Thompson Falls Invitational cross country meet on Thursday.

Wolfpack roll by Big Sky in Western AA volleyball

The Glacier volleyball team returned to its winning ways with a 25-14, 25-14, 25-19 win over Missoula Big Sky Thursday at Glacier High School.

State A golf: Polson girls aim for 3 in row

The Polson girls are looking for their third-straight state championship, this time in their own backyard, as the Class A state golf tournament tees of today at the 18-hole course at Polson Bay Golf Club.

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Man pleads not guilty in shooting near Marion

A Marion man arrested after allegedly shooting another man multiple times has pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of assault with a weapon.

Polson man denies rape, homicide

'Amazing Grace' - Special CrossFit workout staged by cancer survivor

Trina Vanorny had breast cancer.

Mentally ill lose a tireless advocate

The Flathead Valley has lost a tireless advocate for those with mental illness.

Harvest at the Community Garden

Nelli Difort of Kalispell harvests carrots from her plot at the community garden on Hawthorn Avenue in Kalispell Thursday afternoon. Difort will be taking some of the harvest to the Flathead Food Bank. When gardeners produce more food than they can use, they are encouraged to take the excess to the food bank.

Nomad gets emergency-vehicle buying agreement

Columbia Falls-based Nomad Global Communication Solutions has been awarded a multimillion-dollar contractual buying agreement with Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support.

Montana Dems get U.S. Senate candidate

Glacier Volleyball

Glacier's Kylie Peck (3) and Shelbi Kusler celebrate winning the second set Thursday night during Glacier's Western AA home volleyball victory over Missoula Big Sky.

Trina Vanorny

Trina Vanorny at the CrossFit Flathead facility.

Wife charged with murder

Raw Video: 9/23/13 - Bear in Kalispell

Kalispell Police Department dashboard camera footage of a bear being chased around Kalispell neighborhoods.

Columbia Falls Area Chamber of Commerce 16th Annual Garage Sale

Paul McKenzie hands items to sale down to Mary Sparr, both of Columbia Falls, as they work to unload a truck and arrange items for the Columbia Falls Area Chamber of Commerce 16th Annual Garage Sale at Angie's Greenhouse in Columbia Falls. The sale begins today from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and continues on Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Finals Harvests at the Community Garden

Barbara Gould of Kalispell, a member of the community garden for eight years, harvests the last of her tomatoes and works on clearing out her plot on Thursday, October 3 in Kalispel. According to Gould plots need to be cleaned out by October 12. The first killing frost is predicted for Friday night. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Three schools earn awards for job efforts

The Department of Labor and Industry’s Jobs for Montana’s Graduates program ranks number one in the nation for positive outcomes, earning a “5 for 5” award.

United Way aims to raise $600,000

 The local United Way is launching its annual fundraising campaign with a monetary goal of $600,000.

Missing man turns up safe and sound

Glacier's Avery wins AA golf title

MISSOULA — Glacier sophomore Teigan Avery shot a second-round 73 to hold off Billings Senior’s Kortney McNeil and win the Class AA girls golf state championship Wednesday at Canyon River Golf Club.

Prep football poll: Glacier rises to No. 4 in AA

Glacier jumped a spot and Columbia Falls and Bigfork remain among the top ranked teams in their respective classes in this week’s Associated Press prep football poll.

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Wife says hit-and-run victim was traveling to Texas to see family

Students want county to retain recycling program

As Flathead County considers scaling back the number of blue recycling bins offered at sites throughout the county, a group of Flathead High School students made a pitch to the commissioners on Tuesday to keep the recycling program at its current level.

Shutdown not the end of world

 Those who perceive gloom and doom in the current partial shutdown of the U.S. government appear to be guilty of both exaggeration and political opportunism.

Drunk man goes off the rails

A

Local health-care forum attracts big crowd

Before a crowd of Flathead Valley residents on Wednesday, Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance Monica Lindeen whisked through a presentation about the Affordable Care Act.

Monica Lindeen Town Hall meeting

Monica Lindeen holds a town hall meeting Wednesday afternoon at Kalispell Regional Medical Center to discuss the Affordable Care Act and how it will affect Montana residents. Oct. 2, 2013 in Kalispell, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Monica Lindeen at the town-hall meeting

Monica Lindeen, the state insurance commissioner, leads a town-hall meeting Wednesday afternoon in Kalispell to discuss the Affordable Care Act and how it will affect Montanans.

Whitefish Theatre opens season with 'Noises Off'

Snowboard movie features Whitefish rider

Deadline nears for Hockaday members show

World art icons up for discussion

FVCC stages 'Blithe Spirit'

Symphony plans nature-inspired season

Classes offered at Camas Creek Yarn

Genre-defying trio in concert

Season's final gallery nights event is Oct. 3

Opera season kicks off with 'Eugene Onegin'

Artist offers pair of portrait workshops

Bigfork Community Players stage 'Bus Stop'

Deer Fest scheduled for Saturday

Kalispell painter leads Crits and Croissants

800 Pound Pumpkin Arrives at the Fritz Corn Maze

Kyle Koschmeder of Shelby prepares the Extreme Pumpkin Store custom harness to transport the 800 pound pumpkin from his truck to it's new resting place at the Fritz Corn Maze north of Kalispell. The maze is located on Birch Grove East. It is open Fridays from 3 to 6:30, and Saturdays and Sundays from 11 to 6. Entry is $5 for all persons five years old and older. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

800 pounds of pumpkin

An 800-pound pumpkin was delivered to Fritz Corn Maze north of Kalispell on Wednesday. The pumpkin was grown by Kyle Koschmeder of Shelby, who set a new state record this year with another pumpkin that weighed in at 1,168 pounds. The maze is located on Birch Grove Road east of U.S. 2. It is open Fridays from 3 to 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Entry costs $5 for all people age 5 and older.

WTC 'Noises Off'

Whitefish Theatre Company opens its 2013-14 theater season with "Noises Off."

Met: Eugene Onegin

Catch the Metropolitan Opera's performance of "Eugene Onegin" at the Whitefish Performing Arts Center and Stadium 14 in Kalispell. The opera will be screened at 10:55 a.m. Oct. 5 at both locations, and again at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 9.

FVLOS: Sonic Escape

Whitefish Gallery Nights

The Purple Pomegranate features a juried art exhibit during Whitefish Gallery Nights. Pieces such as "Floating World" by Nancy Bardach will be on display.

Leland's Honda Suzuki

Kalispell man launches Senate bid

David W. Leaser, the air traffic manager at Glacier Park International Airport, announced Tuesday that he is running for the U.S. Senate.

Council takes look at water impact fees

Impact fees remain a point of contention among Kalispell City Council members who plan to vote next month on proposed water impact fee increases.

State AA golf: Glacier's Avery leads after opening-round 72

MISSOULA — Glacier’s Teigan Avery holds a share of the lead and the Wolfpack boys are still within striking distance of holding on to their team title after the first day of the Class AA state golf tournament on Tuesday at Missoula Country Club.

Soccer: 'Dogs back in win column

WHITEFISH — Three days after its 32-match unbeaten streak came to an end, Whitefish bounced back with an emphatic 6-1 win over Polson in a Northern A soccer match Tuesday at Smith Fields.

Volleyball: Bravettes sweep Missoula Big Sky

MISSOULA — Flathead cruised past Big Sky 25-14, 25-18, 25-14 to pull back into a tie for second place in Western AA with a conference victory on Tuesday.

Glacier No. 2, Flathead No. 5 in volleyball poll

The Glacier volleyball team is the second-ranked team in the state in the most recent edition of the Montana Class AA coaches poll. Flathead is ranked No. 5.

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Council member nixes write-in plan

Kalispell City Council member Jeff Zauner said Tuesday he will not run a write-in campaign for re-election. The campaign would have pitted Zauner against Chad Graham, who is running unopposed for a Ward 2 seat on the City Council.

Man receives five years for drug conviction

A Whitefish man has been sentenced to five years in jail and five years of probation after being convicted of felony drug possession.

Gun-cleaning session is harmful

Highway hit-and-run leads to grisly discovery at car wash

Blame game heightens; government powers down

Blessing of the Hunt revives old traditions with new twist

Saturday’s third annual Deerfest at Eureka has a different site but still aims to rekindle old traditions.

Glacier closes as shutdown hits home

Barriers went up at the West Entrance late Tuesday morning as Glacier National Park officially closed down.

Workers sent home in Montana

Whitefish Soccer

Whitefish freshman Haley Nicholson takes a shot Tuesday evening during the Bulldog's win over Polson at Smith Fields in Whitefish. Oct. 1, 2013 in Whitefish, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Batavia Waterfoul Production Area

Clouds lit by sunrise are reflected in a pond Tuesday morning in the Batavia Waterfoul Production Area west of Kalispell. Oct. 1, 2013 in Kalispell, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Marion Giles, 83

Bertha Mae Kronolog, 89

Grisly discovery at car wash

Park County Coroner Al Jenkins, left, looks through the contents of a vacuum filter at the Super Car Wash in Livingston where a body part from a hit-and-run victim was found on Monday. State Trooper Bill Bullock is at right. (AP Photo)

Thomas John Allen, 84

Thomas John Allen, 84, of Lakeside, passed away peacefully at home on Sept. 29, 2013.

Bertha Mae Korolog, 89

Bertha Mae Korolog of Bigfork passed away on Sept. 28, 2013.

Glacier National Park shutdown

U.S. National Park Service employees Brian Paul, left, and Rick Holyman set up blockades at the West Entrance of Glacier National Park on Tuesday morning. Oct. 1, 2013 in Glacier National Park, Montana.

Whitefish accident scene

Woman dreams of community center in vacant store

Eryn Edelen has spent many of the wetter and colder months in Kalispell wondering what to do with her four children, and she realizes that this dilemma may face other Flathead Valley families.