Ellington

Save criticism for the deserving

America’s righteous indignation machine is revving on all cylinders this week. Shaming anyone and everyone it can in order to make itself feel morally superior.

Obama's prison initiative right move

The recent announcement that the U.S. Justice Department is going to extend clemency to some drug offenders prompted predictable criticism from some law-and-order Republicans.

Gear swap planned Saturday

The Whitefish Parks and Recreation Department will hold a Spring Gear Swap from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Roy Duff Memorial Armory.

Parole denied for killer

More than five years after his last attempt, Richard Sweet’s parole request again has been denied.

Pensacola flooding

Vehicles rest at the bottom of a ravine after the Scenic Highway collapsed near Pensacola, Fla., Wednesday April 30, 2014. Heavy rains and flooding have left people stranded in houses and cars in the Florida Panhandle and along the Alabama coast. According to the National Weather Service, an estimated 15-20 inches of rain has fallen in Pensacola in the past 24 hours.

Consulate asks justice for slain student

Exchange student killed

Diren Dede, right, plays in a Big Sky High School soccer game against Hellgate on Oct. 8, 2013. Dede was shot to death Sunday in a Missoula garage.

Hundreds rescued from floodwaters

Some dogs do wrong; so do people

The

Officials: Colleges set to meet sex assault rules

MISSOULA (AP) — Montana states colleges are prepared to meet new federal guidelines meant to protect students from sexual assault, officials with the university system said.

Meeting to consider hunt, fish fees

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks will host a public meeting on Monday, May 19, to discuss recommendations from an advisory council about adjusting Montana’s hunting and fishing licenses and fees.

Permits now needed for outdoor burning

The Department of Natural Resources and Conservation reminds residents that as of Thursday, May 1, a permit will be required for burning any natural yard, wildland or agricultural debris in Flathead County and northern Lake County.

Federal agency approves Montana dam purchase

HELENA (AP) — NorthWestern Energy said Tuesday that the Federal Trade Commission approved its proposed $900 million purchase of 11 hydroelectric dams in Montana, a move that could raise electric rates about 4 percent.

County commissioner delivers apology to tribe

Tankers carrying oil derail, catch fire in Virginia

Char Terry Sherman: Candidate touts her customer service experience

County clerk and recorder election

Woman pleads guilty to embezzling

A Kalispell woman has pleaded guilty to felony theft after embezzling thousands of dollars from a local law firm.

Builder seeks permit for longer span

Work on a bridge leading to an island off the north shore of Flathead Lake has been halted because the project does not comply with terms of a county permit.

Scholarly work unfolds on Friday

Approximately 100 students from Flathead Valley Community College, the University of Montana and Whitefish High School will present their research projects during the college’s fifth annual Scholars Conference on Student Research on Friday.

Daybook

Fire kills eight pigs at Kalispell vo-ag center

At least eight pigs are dead after a pig enclosure burned down early Wednesday morning at the H.E. Robinson Agricultural Education Center on FFA Drive in south Kalispell.

Parole denied for man who killed children

More than five years after his last attempt, Richard Sweet’s parole request again has been denied.

Bessie Ann Ingraham, 74

On Monday, April 28, 2014, surrounded by her loving children, Bessie Ann Ingraham passed quietly “from this life to the next with the Lord in heaven.”

Taking to the Trails

Tucker Blake, center, and Duane Arnold, examine a map showing state and privately held lands west of Whitefish as part of a discussion about forest fires and safety measures taken to change the way a fire behaves so that it is less likely to get out of control and reach peoples homes. Nearly 120 freshmen from Whitefish High School were on the Whitefish Trail on Wednesday morning, April 30. The Whitefish Legacy Partners partnered with the Montana Conservation Corps, the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation and The Wave to coordinate a day of education and fitness. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Columbia Falls Junior High Donation

Katie Mayer unloads bags of schools supplies she is donating to Columbia Falls Junior High. April 30, 2014 in Columbia Falls, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

A bridge too far?

A stop work order has halted the construction of a bridge Roger Sortino was building between his property and an island he owns near the north shore of Flathead Lake.

Rapist teacher to be re-sentenced

Glacier runs past Flathead

Mee fifth at Frontier finals

Pirates sweep Bulldogs, Wildcats

Morley, Nicosia take Top 10 titles

Daybook

Man charged in shooting gets death threats

 A Missoula man charged in the shooting death of a 17-year-old exchange student in his garage is receiving death threats and is afraid to leave his home, his attorney said Tuesday.

Owner neglects to retrieve rescued bird

A black-hooded parakeet found in an old machine shop at the Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. has a new home.

Notalone.gov to assist campus rape victims

Somers man acquitted of felony

A Somers man has been acquitted of felony criminal endangerment in the beating of a man at the Ferndale Market last year.

College tuition not going up

For the second year in a row, the Flathead Valley Community College board of trustees has decided not to raise the college’s tuition.

Violent weather spreads its wrath across South

Laurie Anne (Absalonson) Cunningham, 65

Laurie Anne (Absalonson) Cunningham, 65, of Kalispell, passed away April 26, 2014.

Man pleads guilty in beating death

Marva Jean Schmid, 84

Parole board reviews Beach's clemency request

Rebekah Eslick Savelle: Office veteran campaigns for top job

County clerk and recorder election

Gunfire in Somers: Man tells his side of story

Although he was convicted of felony criminal endangerment, Somers resident Christopher Cassidy and his attorney, Peter Leander, say there’s more to the story about what actually occurred on Feb. 9, 2013.

Contractor admits stealing from home

A Whitefish man has admitted stealing from a Flathead County deputy on whose house he had been contracted to work.

Pipeline supporters seek quick Senate vote

Drivers recruited to transport veterans

After a recruitment effort earlier this year, the Flathead Chapter of the Disabled American Veterans has signed up more than 30 new drivers to help transport veterans to Veterans Affairs appointments in Kalispell, Missoula and Fort Harrison in Helena.

Bibler Gardens preparation

Assistant landscapers Kerry Thompson, right, and Jackie Kovnesky prepare the grounds of the Bibler Gardens on Tuesday. The Spring Stroll at Bibler Gardens is May 10, 17 and 18. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased by calling 756-3632 or by visiting www.biblergardens.org.

Crosstown Track

Flathead's Chade Gotner attempts to clear 6' 3 3/4" Tuesday afternoon during the crosstown track meet at Legends Stadium. April 29, 2014 in Kalispell, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Flathead Sunset

Setting sun lights McWenneger Slough and the Swan Mountain Range Monday night east of Kalispell. April 28, 2014 in Kalispell, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Assault jury convicts Somers man of lesser charge

A Somers man has been convicted of misdemeanor assault for participating in the beating of a man at the Ferndale Market last year.

Preparing for spring at Bibler Gardens

The Saxifraga Triumph are in bloom at the green house at Bibler Gardens. Greenhouse manager Dawn Duane said the Gardens have changed up some of their plants as they are working to make a more bee friendly environment. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Donald Sterling, V. Stiviano

In this Dec. 19, 2010, file photo, Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling sits with V. Stiviano as they watch the Clippers play the Los Angeles Lakers during an NBA preseason basketball game in Los Angeles. NBA commissioner Adam Silver announced Tuesday, April 29, 2014, that he is banning the owner for life from the Clippers organization over racist comments in recording. (AP Photo/Danny Moloshok, File)

Business: ISO Float Center

Photo courtesy of the ISO Float Center

Week in Pictures: April 21-27

Debbie Pierson: Grant writer runs for county position

Stacey Schnebel for County Commissioner

Stacey Schnebel at Woodland Park in Kalispell on Monday, April 28, in Kalispell. Schnebel is running as a democrat in the upcoming primary. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Char Terry Sherman

Rebekah Eslick Savelle

Debbie Pierson

Deadly storms claim at least 30 lives

LOUISVILLE, Miss. — A dangerous storm system that spawned a chain of deadly tornadoes over three days flattened homes and businesses, forced frightened residents in more than half a dozen states to take cover and left tens of thousands in the dark Tuesday.

Alabama damage

Teresa Ingram looks for belongings in the debris after a tornado destroyed Billy Barbs mobile home park on Tuesday in Athens, Ala. A dangerous storm system that spawned a chain of deadly tornadoes over three days flattened homes and businesses, forced frightened residents in more than half a dozen states to take cover and left tens of thousands in the dark Tuesday morning.(AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Slain student was soccer standout, good friend

Early voting begins Monday in Flathead County

Absentee voting for the June 3 primary election begins Monday, May 5, in Flathead County.

Ronan spills Eureka in softball doubleheader

EUREKA — Alaina Madsen struck out eight batters in both games as Ronan swept a softball doubleheader from Eureka on Monday.

Flathead, Glacier on the track for crosstown dual

Look for records to be challenge, athletes to turn in top performances and a close battle on the team front today for the seventh annual crosstown track meet at Legends Stadium.

Going to church didn't solve this problem

The

C. Falls launches academic endowment

Columbia Falls High School academics will get a boost from a new source of funding in the community.

Family seeks justice for two children

Darby Hodges was just 18 months old when he was found dead on June 27, 2010, in Kalispell. The autopsy listed the cause and manner of death as undetermined, though the medical examiner’s report noted two broken ribs and multiple contusions and abrasions on the boy’s head.

Albert R. “Art” Trenkle, 86

Albert R. “Art” Trenkle passed away Jan. 22, 2014, at Brendan House.

Raymond John Brandewie

Raymond John Brandewie, 74

Raymond John Brandewie, 74, of Bigfork, passed away April 26, 2014, with his family by his side.

Carl Corino, 78

Carl Corino was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., and “passed to the other side” on April 26, 2014, the same day as his birthday, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center, due to natural causes. He was 78 years old.  

Anne P. Oertel

Anne P. Oertel, 96

Anne P. Oertel, 96, passed away April 18, 2014, in Kalispell.

Peter F. Brucato Sr.

Peter F. Brucato Sr., 92

Peter F. Brucato Sr., resident of his beloved Whitefish, passed away on April 22, 2014, at the age of 92.

Missoula man charged with homicide in teen shooting

A Missoula man has been charged in the shooting death of a 17-year-old boy after prosecutors said he set a trap in his garage to catch any would-be burglars because he was frustrated over recent thefts.

Dancing the night away

Caitlin Hills of Kalispell dances with Peter Flahiff, a swing dance instructor from the Atomic Ballroom in Irvine, Calif., on Saturday, April 26 at the Downtown Dance Collective in Missoula. Flahiff and other instructors from California, Washington, Calgary and beyond will be returning to the Flathead valley June 20-23 for the Big Sky Workshop Weekend with North End Swing of Kalispell. For more information see: http://www.bigskyweekend.com/ (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Jazz Night with the Maestro

Glacier Symphony and Chorale's Music Director, John Zoltek plays the electric guitar with bass player Ron Reeves and percussionist Don Caverly on Friday evening, April 25, at Jazz Night with the Maestro at the Alpine Ballroom in Kalispell. The sold out show was the final installment of the "Symphony Soloist Spotlight," series. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Committed to children

Nurturing Center director motivated by mission of the organization

Nonprofits have established themselves as an important economic force in the Flathead Valley.

Severe Weather

Travel trailers and motor homes are piled on top of each other at Mayflower RV in Mayflower, Ark., on Sunday after A powerful storm system rumbled through the central and southern United States, spawning tornadoes. (AP Photo/Danny Johnston)

Tornadoes kill 16 in Arkansas, 1 in Oklahoma

VILONIA, Ark. — Emergency officials on Monday began searching for survivors in the debris left by a powerful tornado that carved an 80-mile path of destruction through suburban Little Rock, killing at least 16 people.

New study to look at potential for 'dark' fruits

Montana State University Extension Agent Pay McGlynn is taking the economic development potential for local fruit a step further with a new study of “dark” fruit.

Man pleads not guilty to assault with sword

A Maricopa, Ariz., man has pleaded not guilty to felony assault with a weapon after allegedly attacking another man with a sword.

Wallace, Maassen sharp as Lakers take 2 from Mariners

POLSON — Justin Wallace struck out 13 batters, allowed three hits and walked just one during his six innings on the mound as the Kalispell Lakers AA defeated Mission Valley A 11-0 in the first game of a doubleheader on Sunday in American Legion baseball play.

Stress relievers

Nursing students share research with high schools

Hives, rashes, nausea, dizziness and increased heart rates are all symptoms Nicole Dearing, a Kalispell Public Schools nurse, was seeing in high school students.

Profile: Eileen Donahue

Eileen Donahue in her office at the Nurturing Center in downtown Kalispell on Wednesday, April 23. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

MSU Students

Montana State University student KyleLee Hall demonstrates power poses while teaching stress management techniques Friday morning to a health class at Flathead High School. April 25, 2014 in Kalispell, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Sign police out; good neighbors in?

It happens like clockwork in the weeks leading up to a primary or general election. Calls start coming in to the Flathead County Planning Office, the Sheriff’s Office and even the Inter Lake office. Concerned citizens say so-and-so has put up his campaign sign before it’s legal to do so. Or the sign is too big, or it’s in the county or state road right of way.

Camilla Becker

Camilla Becker, daughter of Adam and Frannie Becker of Whitefish, was born April 3 at North Valley Hospital.

Ethan Randall Scott

Ethan Randall Scott, son of Dave and Sarah Scott of Whitefish, was born April 4 at North Valley Hospital.

Olivia Quinn Yoder

Olivia Quinn Yoder, daughter of Mitch and Amber Yoder of Kalispell, was born April 6 at North Valley Hospital.

Softball: Polson splits with Hamilton, Loyola at Frenchtown Invitational

FRENCHTOWN — Polson lost a big lead in the fourth inning to fall to Hamilton 12-9 at the Frenchtown Invitational softball tournament on Saturday.

Softball: Bravettes fall twice to Hellgate

MISSOULA — The third inning doomed Flathead in each of its two softball games against Missoula Hellgate on Saturday, as the Knights scored big in that inning to sweep the Bravettes, 11-8, 13-3.

Bigfork boys win Seeley-Swan track

MISSOULA — The Bigfork boys, led by double distance winner Logan Morley, edged Thompson Falls for the team title Saturday at the Seeley-Swan Invitational track and field meet at Missoula County Stadium.

BNSF, Whitefish work on safety issues

Candidate explains opposition to Medicaid expansion

Superintendent explains request for tech levy

Young artists flock to Kalispell: Students from around state gather for art workshops

Whitefish's Blades, Roberts 2nd in doubles

Whitefish tennis players Logan Blades and Holden Roberts finished second in Nos. 1-2 doubles at the Bitterroot Invitational on Saturday.

Bigfork, Eureka golfers in Top 10

PLAINS — Bigfork put four golfers in the Top 10 and Eureka had one on Saturday at the Plains Invitational.

Glacier girls 4th, Flathead 9th at Great Falls Optimist track meet

GREAT FALLS — Glacier and Flathead did not have an individual winner, but the Wolfpack and Bravettes had enough placers to crack the top 10 at the Great Falls Optimist track and field meet on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

Wolfpack has 2 winners, Braves 1 at Dahlberg Invitational track meet

BUTTE — Glacier’s Lonnie Sherman and Logan Jones and Flathead’s Jess Beaman were individual event winners on Saturday at the Harry Swede Dahlberg Invitational track and field meet at Bulldog Memorial Stadium.

Whitefish boys, girls sweep team titles at Libby Invitational track meet

LIBBY — The Whitefish boys and girls dominated the Libby Invitational track and field meet on Saturday.

Three criticize Flathead Forest planning process

Three environmental advocates are withdrawing from the Flathead National Forest’s forest plan revision process, claiming it is “ill-informed, poorly documented and is creating conflict and resentment” at considerable taxpayer expense.

Steeped in tradition: New Evergreen eatery serves up savory pho

At Pho Ly, it’s all about the broth.

Daybook

Skill show: Whitefish Independent students display their hospitality know-how during annual fundraising dinner

The Park Avenue Jazz Club was swinging at Whitefish Independent High School.

Lamm-French

Dwight and Ann Lamm of Bigfork announce the engagement of their daughter, Kate Lamm, to Charles French, son of Mark and Katy French of Paradise.

Let's build a fence around John Boehner

The last few weeks I’ve explored ways in which liberals have worked to undermine conservatives in the American political scene. This week, let’s look at one typical instance of so-called conservatives shooting themselves in the foot.

Richard 'Dick' Birch Loraas, 84

Richard “Dick” Birch Loraas, 84, “left this Earth” on April 2, 2014, at North Valley Hospital in Whitefish.

Montana Art Institute at Glacier High School

Jefferson junior Austin Clark works with Sara Nelson of Flathead High School in the World of Wire workshop on Saturday, April 26. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Clean up the Valley

Spenser Eaton, 16, of Whitefish, and a long time volunteer with the Whitefish Theatre Company cleans up around the moose statue over the entry way of the O'Shaughnessy Center on Saturday, April 26, in Whitefish. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Shelley (Vanisko) Harland, 58

Shelley Harland passed away on April 17, 2014, in Kalispell.

Softball: England tosses no-hitter as Libby belts Hamilton, 11-0

FRENCHTOWN — Libby bounced back from its first loss of the season with a sterling performance by Hannah England.

Glacier rolls by Hellgate in softball

Glacier took advantage of sloppy play on the other side of the diamond and scored in double figures for the third-straight game, clubbing Missoula Hellgate 12-2 on Friday in a Western AA conference softball contest at Kidsports Complex.

Tourney time for high school netters

The three Missoula schools — Big Sky, Hellgate and Sentinel — and Columbia Falls will join Flathead and Glacier on the courts today, weather permitting of course, for the annual Flathead Invitational tennis tournament.

McCrumb, Hislop pace Polson in tennis duals

Polson’s Brady Hislop and Dylan McCrumb both went 2-0 in singles play at the No. 1 and 2 spots on Friday in Class A dual tennis action with Corvallis and Hamilton.

Former nurse pleads guilty to witness tampering

County delays sign-limit vote

Commissioners

Flathead County’s regulations for political signs will stay in place for now.

New Warhol images located on old disks

Two bodies found in car in irrigation ditch

Bar owner guilty of drug charges

The owner of a Bigfork bar has pleaded guilty to a series of drug distribution charges after selling cocaine out of the business.

Crow defendants to keep most proceeds

Oregon dropping its online health exchange

Dangling window-washers rescued

Explosion rocks small town in Washington

Teenagers in trouble at two different locations

 The

Daybook

Judge says discrimination case should proceed

Man sentenced to 13 years in son's death

Montana Revenue Department warns of email scam

Lawyer facing two other misconduct complaints

Richard 'Dick' Birch Loraas, 84

Catholic school chief resigning

Special Olympics

Tucker Negron, right, and Ken Salois share a laugh while on the awards podium Friday morning at Legends Stadium.

Church sponsors Prophecy Conference

The First Baptist Church of Columbia Falls invites the public to a Prophecy Conference with guest speaker Manfred Kober.

Heidi Nickol, 46

Bigfork team gears for Global Finals

DESTINATION IMAGINATION

After a six-year hiatus, Destination Imagination is back by demand in Bigfork Middle School.

Washington state explosion

Debris is strewn on and above the roadway after a large explosion in North Bend, Wash., on Friday morning. (AP Photo/The Seattle Times, John Lok)

Prom rejection probed in school killing

Cycle driver charged after crash

 Kalispell woman is facing a felony charge after allegedly crashing a motorcycle while drunk, leaving her passenger with a broken neck and back.

Driver suffers torn biceps

A driver involved in a collision Thursday morning on Montana 40 suffered a torn biceps.

Court weighs police use of cellphone data

Funeral held for NYC inmate who died in hot cell

Report: Stowaway's mom says son believed her dead

Glacier vs. Hellgate Softball

Glacier's Tacey Howe hits a single in the bottom of the sixth to end the game Friday afternoon during Glacier's 12-2 victory over Missoula Hellgate at Kidsports Complex. April 25, 2014 in Kalispell, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

MSU Students

Montana State University students Mitch Yoder, right, and KyleLee Hall teach stress management techniques Friday morning to a health class at Flathead High School. April 25, 2014 in Kalispell, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Billings man faces bomb threat charges

ImagineIF Kalispell to get new landscaping this spring

The Flathead County Library Foundation is raising money for new landscaping at ImagineIF Kalispell.

Bigfork's Destination Imagination team

Evan Benton and Grant Gibson practice part of their skit for Bigfork’s Destination Imagination team.

Ti-Rangles team

Riley Hoveland and Cole Hider are part of the seven-member Ti-Rangles team that will compete in the Destination Imagination Global Finals in Knoxville, Tenn.

Black and Blue whip Missoula Mud Dogs

Black and Blue rugby lived up to its name on Thursday at Evergreen Junior High, bullying Missoula in a 47-7 rout in its first of two home games this season.

Polson knocks off Libby; Ronan upends C-Falls

POLSON — Polson fought back from an early 2-0 deficit to hand Libby its first loss of the season in a Northwestern A conference softball game on Thursday.

Glacier spills Flathead twice

Dark clouds swarmed over Conrad Complex on Thursday as Glacier battled the elements to sweep Flathead 13-5 and 14-6 in a crosstown softball doubleheader.

Bigfork, Ronan split dual

BIGFORK — Led by Lana Berg at No. 1 singles, the Bigfork girls rolled to an easy Class B tennis dual win over Ronan on Thursday afternoon.

Crosstown Softball

Glacier senior Hannah Atlee (left) smiles as she runs in after making the last out of the game Thursday afternoon during Glacier's win in the first game of a doubleheader against Flathead at Conrad Complex. April 24, 2014 in Kalispell, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Two-week truce for hot sauce maker, California city

Plan to log dead trees near roads meets objections

83-year-old man accused of pulling gun on officers

Marijuana-smoking man arrested on train

Hatchet job leads to suspended sentence

A Lakeside woman was given a six-month suspended sentence after hacking through a bedroom door with a hatchet trying to get to her husband.

County endorses Rocky Mountain Front legislation

Felon receives five-year sentence

A Kalispell man has been sentenced to jail, probation, and thousands of dollars of restitution for a pair of felonies.

Cleanup events planned Saturday

 A variety of events are planned Saturday throughout the Flathead Valley to keep your community green and clean or raise awareness of issues related to Earth Day.

Park plows past The Loop

Going-to-the-Sun Road

Glacier National Park snow plows have advanced beyond The Loop on Going-to-the-Sun Road on the park’s west side.

Blocks and mortar

A crew from Swank Enterprises works Thursday on what will be the new Michaels store in phase three of the Spring Prairie shopping center in north Kalispell. This view looks down from the roof of the Cabela’s store. Four new stores are under construction: Ulta and Michaels on the west side of Cabela’s and Boot Barn and PetSmart to the east. Stores are expected to open this fall.

Don't Dew it: School stops serving soda before tests

County commissioner involved in accident

Flathead County Commissioner Cal Scott was not injured in a minor traffic accident Thursday morning but was cited for a right-of-way violation.

Daybook

Attorney general turns over info on fracking letter

Teen driver crashes after Laurel high-speed chase with police

Washington mudslide search winding down

Court fast-tracks eligibility question

Pho Ly

Jon Ly fires up a pot of broth Wednesday afternoon at Pho Ly in Evergreen. Ly’s wife, Jinnie, prepares jalapenos in the background.

Human Blue Ribbon

Supporters of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month form a human blue ribbon Wednesday afternoon on the hill at Lawrence Park in Kalispell. April 23, 2014 in Kalispell, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Big riders mean bigger horses on Western trails

BOISE, Idaho  — Wranglers in the West who have for decades cashed in on the allure of getting on a horse and setting out on an open trail say they have had to add bigger horses to their stables to help carry larger tourists over the rugged terrain.

Lynn Louise Henry, 63

Lynn Louise Henry was born on Sept. 28, 1950, to Ralph Robert Easley Sr., and Doris Louise Titus Easley, in Coos Bay, Ore.

Phil Mitchell

Profile: Eileen Donahue

Eileen Donahue in her office at the Nurturing Center in downtown Kalispell on Wednesday, April 23. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Flathead County Commissioner Race: Jack Garlitz

Jack Garlitz, one of the candidates in the Flathead County commissioner race, outside train station in Whitefish on Thursday, April 24, in Whitefish. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Entertainment highlights for April 24-30

Bigfork Summer Playhouse stages a full summer's worth of classics

Alpine Theatre Project goes with repertory schedule in 10th year

Kenny Aronoff

World-class drummer brings rhythms to Kalispell

'Doctor Faustus' at Flathead a night of soul searching

Black Curtain production a night of stories

Museum screens "Tender Mercies"

Back in Boston

The difference a year makes.

Whitefish family has ties to Wrigley

Lesley Quigg’s family history with the Chicago Cubs goes back a long way.

Bravettes, Wolfpack ready for crosstown doubleheader

The Glacier Wolfpack and Flathead Bravettes reignite the crosstown softball rivalry today with a doubleheader at Conrad Complex. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. and the second game will begin at 5 p.m.

Whitefish hockey team in the works

WHITEFISH — Hockey hasn’t left Whitefish for good.

Arrest follows fight that played out on 911 call

A pipeline to dark side of politics

Feds seek fines over grain dust hazards

Three new hotels being built in Bozeman area

'Free the River' signs appear along Bitterroot

Olzsewski's position questioned on Medicaid expansion

Dr. Al Olzsewski, Republican candidate House District 11, testified in support of Gov. Bullock’s HB 590 Medicaid expansion bill — suggesting it would give “access to health care and affordable, legitimate health coverage.”

Daybook

Bozeman panel picks site for new MSU school

Woman pleads guilty to theft from bank

A former Glacier Bank employee has pleaded guilty to theft by embezzlement after taking $3,100 from the business.

Sturgeon frenzy on the lower Columbia

With the kids both living in the Portland area, I enjoy my visits there and it usually allows me a day of fishing.

Agency head calls for action on oil trains safety

Pursuit on ATV lands Kalispell man in prison

A Kalispell man who led police on a chase while riding an all-terrain vehicle has been sentenced to prison.

Bullock takes up Beach's clemency plea

Treatment straightens boy's spine

Shriners Hospital steps in to help many youthful patients

Today, Noah Hannah is an active little boy bouncing off the walls, pestering his mother and practicing his archery skills.

Noah Hannah

Now a happy 8-year old, Noah Hannah plays sports, runs around the house and practices his archery on a daily basis.

Support for Debbie Pierson

It’s Hallelujah time!

Caretaker sentenced to five years for elder abuse

Grizzly situation: Progress and setbacks

A panel in charge of grizzly bear management in Northwest Montana met Wednesday in Hungry Horse to discuss the current situation with bear conservation. This grizzly was photographed in the Swan Mountain Range.

State, federal officials discuss CFAC cleanup options

Cleaning up the Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. site could take at least a decade, although it could be done faster if the state rather than the federal government was in charge.

Clemency studied for inmates jailed for 10 years

NYPD Twitter effort backfires

Incumbents ask for your votes in FVCC board election

We are both incumbent members of the Flathead Valley Community College Board of Trustees,  and we are running for re-election to the board in the May 6 college election.

Mitchell for commissioner

I would like to take this opportunity to express my support for Phil Mitchell for county commissioner. I have known Phil for over 30 years and know him to be honest, hard working, and a man of moral integrity. Phil will speak his mind and you will know where he stands.  Phil is not afraid to ask questions when necessary.

Governor weighs in on Beach's clemency application

HELENA — Gov. Steve Bullock asked the state parole board Wednesday to consider whether Barry Beach has served enough time in prison as the board prepares to review Beach’s clemency application in the 1979 beating death of a Poplar classmate.

Cubs

Lesley Quigg and her sons Carl and Reid are descendants of the first owner of Wrigley Field in Chicago. April 19, 2014 in Whitefish, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Betty E. Jarland, 80

David Lyle Kohs, 52

Wanda M. (Carr) Hill, 70

Wanda M. (Carr) Hill, 70, of Libby passed away peacefully at her home, surrounded by her loving family on April 22, 2014.    

Whitefish Independent High School Dinner

Former student Tyler Ferguson, center, prepares food while other students prepare to wait tables Friday night during Whitefish Independent High School formal inner. April 18, 2014 in Whitefish, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Rodney 'Rod' Walter Kuiava, 75

Softball: Bravettes blast Kats

COLUMBIA FALLS — It’s pretty tough for freshmen to make an impact in varsity sports.

Bulldogs sweep Bigfork

BIGFORK — Whitefish tennis earned a narrow sweep of Bigfork in a nonconference dual on a dreary overcast day Tuesday.

Young athletes weather Glacier Triangular

The athletes at the Glacier Triangular track meet got through most of the day on Tuesday before the skies opened up and made things miserable. That was plenty of time to see some encouraging results at an early season, mid-week track meet.

High court OKs Michigan affirmative-action ban

Police await crime-lab tests in murder-suicide

Kalispell police have completed their investigation into the apparent murder-suicide of Dan and Stacy Fleck last month.

Court hearing on slope issue delayed

Today’s planned Flathead District Court hearing on a county decision to terminate a grant for slope stabilization off Whitefish Stage Road has been postponed.

Wyoming man pleads not guilty in explosives theft

Health officials issue warning about hantavirus

Kalispell schools election: Three board seats up for election in Kalispell

There are three candidates competing for two openings on the Kalispell Public Schools elementary school district, and an incumbent trustee faces a challenge in the only contested race for a high school district seat.

UM on track to set fundraising record

Youth gets starring role for hospital

Jason Albin has a waffle and whipped cream for breakfast, a half-pack of Ramen noodles, some Lucky Charms and Cheetos for lunch, and low-protein spaghetti with butter and salt for supper.

Internet TV case: Justices skeptical, concerned

Nuns ask to bring diocese back to state court

Bozeman to decide on site for new high school

Horse owners urged to consider West Nile vaccine

Man admits taking illegal unemployment benefits

A Kalispell man has admitted receiving nearly $20,000 in unemployment benefits to which he was not entitled.

Viola Grace (Syring) Hill Hoover, 82

Daybook

Trustee candidates sound off on college issues

FVCC election

With seven candidates running for two positions on the Flathead Valley Community College Board of Trustees, a candidate forum Monday was an important venue for them to espouse their views and plans for the college.

Deer alert

A quartet of white-tailed deer pauses as they forage for their dinner on Monday in Whitefish.

100 tickets remain in fundraising raffle

 There are about 100 tickets left for the Glacier High Booster Club’s second annual $10,000 raffle event.

Four students found with marijuana

An administrator at a Bigfork school contacted the

Glacier Track

Glaicer's Hailee Bennett (right) runs against Bigfork's Matti McAnally in the 300-meter hurdle race Tuesday afternoon during a track meet at Glacier High School. April 22, 2014 in Kalispell, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Flathead vs. Columbia Falls Softball

Flathead pitcher Kylee Beccari throws to first base Tuesday night during Flathead's victory over Columbia Falls. April 22, 2014 in Kalispell, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

FVCC

Marion Foley Monday night during a candidate forum at Flathead Valley Community College. April 21, 2014 in Kalispell, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Shodair Children's Hospital award

Jason Albin of Columbia Falls smiles while sitting next to his mother. Michelle. during a presentation naming Jason the 2104 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Champion for Montana on Thursday afternoon at the Badrock Fire Hall. Albin has phenylketornuria, a condition that prevents his body from breaking down certain proteins. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Dorothy Dean Muzzy, 87

David Lyle Kohs, 52

David Lyle Kohs, 52, of Hamilton “joined the company of Heaven by God’s grace” on Good Friday, April 18, 2014, following a brief, but hard-fought battle against an aggressive cancer.

Matilda 'Tilly' Sprinkel, 90

Joseph V. Montalban, 89

Court upholds Michigan affirmative action ban

Board approves Victory Commons lease

The Montana State Land Board on Monday approved a long-term lease for the Victory Commons  commercial development on state land south of Costco.

Officials warn about tax, utility scams

The Internal Revenue Service and the state Office of Consumer Protection are warning the public of a number of recent scams targeting both individuals and businesses.

Shorthanded Planning Board cancels meeting

The Whitefish Planning Board, still struggling to fill three vacancies, canceled its April 17 meeting for lack of a quorum, postponing two key public hearings.

Kalispell woman pleads not guilty to biting police officer

A Kalispell woman has pleaded not guilty to a felony charge after allegedly biting a Kalispell police officer.

Daybook

Woman marks 102nd birthday in Whitefish

Celebrating a 102nd birthday is nothing to sleep through.

'Substantial confusion' - Flathead County debates changes to political sign rules

The Flathead County commissioners on Monday heard testimony both for and against a county-driven proposal to allow political signs on private property for any length of time, but won’t make a decision on the zoning text amendment until Friday.

College accepting Eagle Award nominations

Flathead Valley Community College is accepting nominations for the prestigious Eagle Award.

South Korean ferry disaster: Families wait for bodies to be found

Buzz killers: Beekeepers unhappy with state law on raw honey

For local beekeepers, Thursday’s Flathead City-County Board of Health meeting ended in disappointment.

Sentence suspended for man who punched store worker

A Kalispell man has been given a 10-year suspended sentence after assaulting a man, then not showing up for his trial.

Stowaway unaware flight was headed to Hawaii

A teenager who stowed away on a flight from San Jose to Hawaii and survived did not know where the plane was headed when he climbed aboard, FBI officials said Monday.

Russians inspect Montana nuclear launch facilities

Too many dogs for one owner

The

Variety of events Saturday focus on climate change

 A year after Glacier National Park was established in 1910, University of Montana Professor Morton Elrod lugged a large camera to a scenic point and snapped a photo of Jackson Glacier. An artist as well as a scientist, Elrod sold park images through his family postcard business.

CampaignSigns

Vehicles drive past campaign signs posted along the north side of Reserve Drive near Whitefish Stage Road. April 21, 2014 in Kalispell, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Shodair Children's Hospital Award

Jason Albin of Columbia Falls smiles while sitting next to his mother Michelle during a presentation naming Jason the 2104 Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Champion for the state of Montana on Thursday afternoon at the Bad Rock Volunteer Fire Department. Albin has phenylketornuria, a condition that prevents his body from being able to break down certain proteins. April 17, 2014 in Columbia Falls, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Campaign signs

Vehicles drive past campaign signs posted along the north side of Reserve Drive near Whitefish Stage Road at the edge of Kalispell.

Georgia Ruthe Wendt Howell, 76

Robert Thane Williams, 91   

Joyce Davidson Sullivan, 74

Shelley (Vanisko) Harland, 58

Yemen says strikes on al-Qaida base kill 55

SANAA, Yemen (AP) — Yemeni forces, reportedly backed by U.S. drone strikes, hit al-Qaida militants for a second straight day Monday in what Yemen officials said was an assault on a major base of the terror group hidden in the remote southern mountains. The government said 55 militants were killed so far.

Boston Marathon

Meb Keflezighi

American runner wins Boston Marathon

BOSTON — American Meb Keflezighi has won the Boston Marathon, a year after a bombing at the finish line left three dead and more than 260 people injured.

Week in Pictures: April 14-20

Week in Pictures: April 7-13

Industrial park annexation on Kalispell agenda

The Kalispell City Council tonight will consider annexing and zoning a 40-acre site on the east side of town for it to be put to use as a rail-served industrial park.

Sign variance sought in Whitefish 'doughnut'

During a public hearing at tonight’s meeting, the Whitefish City Council will consider a sign variance on U.S. 93 South that is complicated because of the jurisdiction dispute between the city and Flathead County in the two-mile “doughnut” area.”

Sentence given to woman for meth lab

A Columbia Falls woman has been sentenced to two years of incarceration followed by five years of probation after pleading guilty to running a methamphetamine lab.

Darin James Walters

Darin James Walters, son of Michael Kirkland and Ashley Walters, was born March 19 at North Valley Hospital.

Kyler Lucas Reid

Kyler Lucas Reid, son of Chris Reid and Brooke Todd of Columbia Falls, was born March 24 at North Valley Hospital.

Tannek Matthew Decker

Tannek Matthew Decker, son of Christopher Decker and Danielle Mooney of Columbia Falls, was born March 21 at North Valley Hospital.

Braxton Edward Wofford

Braxton Edward Wofford, Son of Michael and Heather Wofford of Columbia Falls, was born March 26 at North Valley Hospital.

Riley Caleb Richardson

Riley Caleb Richardson, son of Brent Richardson and Jamie Mack of Kalispell, was born March 28 at North Valley Hospital.

Riley McHann

Riley McHann, son of Vitaliy McHann and Amanda Davis of Kalispell, was born March 18 at North Valley Hospital.

Nevaeh Marie Heikens

Nevaeh Marie Heikens, daughter of Jenna Heikens, was born March 20 at North Valley Hospital.

Lily Marie Kendal Johnson

Lily Marie Kendal Johnson, daughter of Joshua and Joanna Johnson of Columbia Falls, was born March 23 at North Valley Hospital.

Carter Joe Johnson

Carter Joe Johnson, son of Jesse Johnson and Brittney Roberts of Kalispell, was born March 18 at North Valley Hospital.

Jaylynn Marie Dixon

Jaylynn Marie Dixon, daughter of Nathan Dixon and Tonya Arnold of Whitefish, was born March 17 at North Valley Hospital.

Isla Bell Boksich

Isla Bell Boksich, daughter of Garth and Sarah Boksich of Whitefish, was born March 27 at North Valley Hospital.

Lyric Aibhlinn Russell

Lyric Aibhlinn Russell, daughter of Cody and Angela Russell, was born April 7 at North Valley Hospital.

Nelson Eugene Williams

Nelson Eugene Williams, son of Thomas and Elizabeth Williams of Eureka, was born March 20 at North Valley Hospital.

Family still seeks answers

Eleven years after the only known unsolved murder in Kalispell’s history, the victim’s family is still looking for closure.

Plan for north shore is good compromise

I am responding to you with the knowledge I have as one of the previous owners of Eagle Cove, and as the current secretary of the Eagle Cove Home Owners Association. I have not owned any of the property in question for almost 10 years. The property is currently owned by a local Bigfork resident and some of my family members who have ties to Flathead Lake since the 1930s. In fact, my daughter's grandfather's cabin on the east shore of the lake, which was built in 1938, is still owned by the family.

Scans

Darlene Wilcock, front right, poses for a family photo during the Christmas season of 2002. The photo is one of the most recent of Wilcock before she was murdered in a Kalispell motel room the following April. (Photo provided by Holly Blouch)

Fresh Life Easter

Pastor Levi Lusko delivers the Fresh Life Easter sermon "Welcome Home" at the Majestic Valley Arena on Sunday, April 20, north of Kalispell. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Busy day for Flathead, Glacier with tennis duals

MISSOULA — Flathead and Glacier battled Missoula Big Sky, Hellgate and Sentinel on the tennis courts Saturday in dual play.

Polson cruises on final day on tennis play

CUT BANK — The Polson boys and girls both beat Cut Bank and Lewistown to wrap up a successful weekend of tennis action on the Hi-Line Saturday.

Softball: Glacier tips Helena, beaten by Capital

HELENA — The Glacier Wolfpack softball team lost to Helena Capital 3-1, but came back to edge Helena High 2-1 in Western AA road games on Saturday.

Softball: Bravettes fall to Bruins, Bengals

HELENA — The Flathead softball team’s trip didn’t go as planned, as the Bravettes lost to Helena High 16-6 and Helena Capital 10-0 in Western AA contests on Saturday.

Track: Glacier boys win Missoula Invitational

MISSOULA — The Glacier Wolfpack boys track and field team saw four of its competitors hit state qualifying marks as it edged Missoula Big Sky by nine points to win the Missoula Invitational on Saturday. Glacier totaled 102 points.

Jim and Ardelle Hanson

Keeping an eye on university finances

Many Montanans don’t know that nonresident students subsidize the cost of our own children going to college. Legislators recognized this and wrote laws allowing the university system to waive nonresident tuition up to 2 percent of the previous year’s full-time enrollment numbers. University officials call this “tuition discounting” and know that more students from out of state mean lower costs for everyone.

At barricades, Ukraine insurgents await Easter

F. Gary Robbins, 70

Glacier Distilling sees rapid growth over four years

The farther you get from Coram the harder it gets to find Glacier Distilling Co. spirits, but that’s exactly how the owners want it.

Bridge prompts 'lots of calls'

Private span to link shore with island

Over the last few months, steel pilings for a bridge have been set between the north shore of Flathead Lake and an island commonly known as Dockstader Island, and Bigfork residents have been wondering how the bridge got permitted without public scrutiny.

Vote for Brockman as Kalispell trustee

As a retired educator, who has served as a teacher, curriculum specialist, and principal, and is a parent and grandparent, I ask that you vote for Antoine “Tony” Brockman for High School District II Trustee on the Kalispell School Board.

County may lift limits on political signs

A proposed change to Flathead County zoning regulations that will allow political signs to be posted on private property for any length of time before and after an election is drawing public criticism.

Creeping landslide devouring part of Wyo. town

Legislation can help eliminate drunk driving

Do you believe that drunk drivers pose a threat to you, your family, and your friends? Although alcohol-impaired driving fatalities in Montana significantly decreased in 2013, our state has a long way to go to improve its position as the state with the second highest rate of drunk driving fatalities in the nation.

So we are paying them to take away our water rights?

“You say the Indian Water Compact requires Montanans to pay the Indians $55 million to take our water. Don’t you mean instead that the Indians are paying the state of Montana $55 million for our water rights?”   

North shore access

The base of a new bridge stretches out across the north shore area of Flathead Lake. The bridge that will connect the shore to a private island will be 481 feet long and 16 feet wide.

Couple married 70 years die hours apart

Ian Tippet

North Fork protection needs straight vote

By Mac Minard

Security deposit leads to boozy bash

A burned boyfriend contacted the

Stanley 'Pete' Robert Olafson, 75

Ballots out by Monday for school tax requests

Approximately 30,000 ballots will be mailed by Monday asking voters in Kalispell and surrounding school districts to approve 10-year technology tax levies of $600,000 annually for the Kalispell Public Schools elementary district and $600,000 a year for the high school district.

Display your U.S. flag in good condition

Do you display an American flag at your home or place of business? That is a good thing.

Dam purchase a watershed moment?

NorthWestern Energy’s proposed purchase of 11 hydropower dams from PPL Montana marks a watershed moment for cleaner and more affordable energy to serve Montana’s businesses and families.

Felix-Saubert

Tom and Marilyn Saubert of Kalispell announce the engagement of their son, Chris Saubert, to Jade Felix, daughter of Lynette and Dustin Dahl of Bismarck, N.D., and Joel Felix of Helena.

Dave Hadden

Dave Hadden explains the boundaries of a public easement that allows access to the north shore of Flathead Lake near Bigfork.

Woman convicted of murder sues jail

Horsemen contribute mightily to woods work

Back Country Horsemen of the Flathead was founded in 1973 by four friends who were avid hunters and horsemen with a desire to preserve the heritage of wilderness packing in the Bob Marshall Wilderness and all of Montana’s backcountry.

Proposed initiative seeks to ban all marijuana

Juliette Louise Gauthier, 100

Juliette Louise Gauthier, 100, died April 16, 2014, at The Springs at Whitefish.  

Kenny and Helen Felumlee

In this 1941 photo, Kenneth and Helen Felumlee pose for a photo nearly three years before their marriage in February 1944.

Forum features college trustee candidates

Candidates for trustee positions at Flathead Valley Community College will be featured at a forum Monday night in Kalispell.

Neighbor worries about public access

Dave Hadden keeps a pulse on the north shore of Flathead Lake from his house on Holt Drive.

Silvers-Davis

A salvation story: Rescued from the wrath of a Pacific Ocean typhoon

On Nov. 7, Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda in Philippines) hit Leyte Island and slammed into the city of Tacloban, (a city of over 200,000 people), just on the coast.

Bigfork distillery on pace to double production

The success of Whistling Andy always comes back to the same thing — passion.

Everest avalanche a reminder of risks Sherpas face

Tech levy a needed school expense

There are 3,000 digital devices in Kalispell Public Schools directly related to instruction for the 6,000-plus students in the district.

Tennis: Bigfork shines in No. 1 doubles action

BIGFORK — The Bigfork girls tied St. Ignatius and defeated Troy while the Bigfork boys lost to St. Ignatius and Troy on Saturday in dual action that featured just two singles and two doubles matches.

Another sign of the times

You can call it a symbol or you can call it a coincidence, but I had a phone call on Good Friday which gave me a perfect column for this Easter Sunday.

Bigfork Tennis

Bigfork's Lana Berg hits a shot Saturday morning during a tennis match at the Bigfork Athletic Club.

David 'Doc' Kauffman, 92

David “Doc” Kauffman, 92, passed away on Monday, April 14, 2014, at Whitefish Care and Rehabilitation.

Anna E. Caldbeck, 85

Anna E. Caldbeck, 85, passed away on Friday, April 11, 2014, at her home in Kalispell.

Dorothy F. Hewitt, 91

Dorothy Flickinger Hewitt, 91, of Kalispell passed away peacefully in her sleep Wednesday evening, April 16, 2014, at Immanuel Lutheran Home in Kalispell.  

Brosia Louise 'B' (McDivitt) Cashmore, 71

Brosia Louise “B” (McDivitt) Cashmore, 71, passed peacefully with her sons and family by her side on Friday, April 11, 2014, after a long battle with cancer.  

Wolfpack bites Flathead

Glacier junior Hunter Blalack took a unique approach in his crosstown tennis match against Flathead’s Glenn Strickler on Friday at the Flathead Valley Community College tennis courts.

Pirates navigate Cut Bank gusts

CUT BANK — Polson tennis nearly finished the day undefeated at the Cut Bank Invitational, winning both girls matches as the boys earned a split in high winds on the east side of the mountains.

Crosstown Tennis

Glacier's Kayla Harwood (left) and Kali Matheson slap hands after a point Friday afternoon during a crosstown tennis match between Glacier and Flathead at Flathead Valley Community Collge. April 18, 2014 in Kalispell, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Roger Marcellen Thibert, 75

New lift on the way at ski resort

$2.4 million in improvements being built

After another record-breaking season, Whitefish Mountain Resort plans to enter the 2014-15 season with more than $2.4 million in improvements.

Night in Morocco

Flathead Valley Community College culinary arts students provided a lavish banquet for the college’s spring fundraiser ‘Casablanca, the DInner’ on April 12.

Dumpster puppies

Owners stand with their dogs, collectively known as the “Dumpster puppies,” during a reunion on March 29 at a dog park in Manhattan for the 10 puppies who had been abandoned in the trash in the winter of 2013.

Road work ahead

Kalispell street workers perform road maintenance Thursday on First Avenue East near Fifth Street. Work on both First Avenue East and First Avenue West is expected to continue until May 16. Motorists should expect short delays with single-lane and one-block street closures.

Power company says changes would scuttle $900 million dam deal

Study finds mercury in national park fish

Federal scientists have found high amounts of mercury in sport fish caught in remote areas of Western national parks, including Glacier National Park, according to a study released Thursday.

Daybook

Young musicians rack up top ratings

District Music Festival

About 1,500 musicians participated in the District 1 Music Festival hosted by Flathead and Glacier high schools.  

Man says they're ganging up on him

A bullied Badrock Drive man contacted the

Owners of puppies thrown in garbage bin gather

Dorothy F. Hewitt, 91

eEdition for Friday, 18th of April 2014

Anna E. Caldbeck, 85

Juliette Louise Gauthier, 100

Inter Lake E-Edition temporarily unavailable

The e-Edition of the Daily Inter Lake is temporarily unavailable Friday morning.

Nepal Everest Avalanche

In this May 18, 2013, file photo released by mountain guide Adrian Ballinger of Alpenglow Expeditions, a climber pauses on the way to the summit of Mount Everest in the Khumbu region of the Nepal Himalayas. An avalanche swept down a climbing route on Mount Everest early Friday, April 18, killing at least 12 Nepalese guides in the deadliest disaster on the world's highest peak. (AP Photo/Alpenglow Expeditions, Adrian Ballinger)

Avalanche sweeps down Everest, killing at least 12

KATMANDU, Nepal — An avalanche swept down a climbing route on Mount Everest early Friday, killing at least 12 Nepalese guides and leaving four missing in the deadliest disaster on the world’s highest peak. Several more were injured.

Firm says changes would nix $900 million dam deal

BILLINGS — NorthWestern Energy would have to walk away from a $900 million deal to buy 11 hydroelectric dams in Montana if forced to make changes recommended by the state Consumer Counsel, an executive for the South Dakota-based utility said Thursday.

Libby girls take fifth at T-Falls Invite

THOMSPSON FALLS — The Libby girls track team finished in fifth place with 22 points at the Thompson Fall Invitational on Thursday. Plains won the invitational with 182 points.

Dogs 1st, Kats 2nd at track invitational

FRENCHTOWN — The Whitefish boys, led by individual winners Keaton Gove (110 hurdles, 15.40), Luke May (javelin, 178-7), Jed Nagler (high jump, 5-10), Sean Foley (long jump (20-4) and EJ Havens (pole vault (13-0), ran off with the team title at the Frenchtown Invitational track and field meet on Thursday.

Softball roundup: Loggers rally by Wildkats; Pirates roll

LIBBY — Kelsey Klin clubbed two triples and added a single and drove in three runs in four trips to plate and Hannah England had another solid effort in the circle as Libby dropped Columbia Falls 10-6 on Thursday in Northwestern A softball play.

Daybook

Flathead Electric incumbents re-elected

 Three incumbents have been re-elected to the board of trustees for Flathead Electric Cooperative.

Sen. Matt Rosendale

State Sen. Matthew Rosendale, pictured here in Havre, pretends to shoot down a drone with a rifle in his new campaign ad for Montana’s U.S. House seat.

Deal reached on calming Ukraine tensions

Wanted man escapes on foot

Job fair held at Hardin jail

HARDIN (AP) — A private corrections company that plans to turn a long-vacant southeastern Montana jail into a treatment center for Bureau of Indian Affairs inmates held a job fair to take applications for about 115 jobs.

Work day planned for Glacier Institute

The Glacier Institute is having its annual Volunteer Work Day Saturday, May 3. The day will begin at 9 a.m.

Man denies assisted living stabbing death

Nobel laureate Gabriel Garcia Marquez dies at 87

Don't ignore threat of overpopulation

It’s appalling that in recent years the only discussion of population is in countries worried that their birthrate won’t support the older people.  Meanwhile, the exponential growth rate, worldwide, is well on it’s way to the self-regulation as predicted by Malthus, i.e. famine, plague, and war. Are not humans intelligent enough to head off such natural controls?

Candidates try to stand out in crowded GOP field

U.S. House hopefuls feel forced to spend big

Inmate dies at Colorado prison

Grants sought for oil-patch infrastructure

Governor seeks $45 million for towns to keep up with Bakken boom

Ferry disaster

Relatives of passengers aboard a sunken ferry weep at a port in Jindo, south of Seoul, South Korea, Thursday.

President declares Montana disaster after flooding

Man sentenced for aiding escape

Feeding the Flathead's rich legacy

After 25 years, Community Kitchen Feeding the Flathead remains an all-volunteer program that works miracles with modest means.

What is Obama's end game?

“We are the ones we’ve been waiting for.” —Barack Obama, Feb. 5, 2008, Chicago

Vote for Fisher in SD4

Montana primary elections are quickly approaching. I would like to take this opportunity to share with Kalispell residents some of the reasons that I support our former Mayor, Tammi Fisher (R), in her campaign for Montana Senate District 4. District 4 encompasses the heart of the city of Kalispell where many of us live, work, and raise families.

Obama says 8 million sign up for health care

WASHINGTON (AP) — Eight million people have signed up for health care through new insurance exchanges and the proportion of younger applicants has increased, President Barack Obama said Thursday. The enrollments exceeded expectations and offered new hope to Democrats who are defending the law ahead of the midterm elections.

Ferry disaster: Confusion, chaos on sinking vessel

Astronomers spot most Earth-like planet yet

Court OKs Medicaid petitions

Homeowners speak up

Rejection of stabilization grant upsets people living near bluff

More than 50 people upset with the rejection of a federal slope stabilization grant confronted Flathead County commissioners Thursday morning.

Charles Cooper

This Sept. 6, 2011, file photo shows Attorney Charles Cooper speaking in a courtroom during a California State Supreme Court hearing in San Francisco.

Foy's to Blacktail gets $60,000 to acquire property

The Montana Fish & Wildlife Conservation Trust in Helena just announced it will contribute $40,000 to help Foy’s to Blacktail Trails add a 60-acre parcel to Herron Park west of Kalispell.

Lawyer's views on gay marriage evolving

Man who argued for ban helping daughter plan her gay wedding

Schools plan new course offerings

There will be several new course offerings at the high school and middle school levels in Kalispell Public Schools.

Students inducted into special honor societies

 Glacier High School’s International Language Department inducted 27 new members into the National Spanish and French honor societies April 14.

Officer who shot suspect had killed man last year

Packing workshops open to women

The Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Becoming an Outdoors-Woman program is sponsoring a horse-packing workshop May 4 near Columbia Falls.

Veterans' files returned to Hamilton center

Professor suspended over 'Thrones' T-shirt

Peeps Decorating Contest

Entries in the Peep Decorating Contest in the Accounting Office at Kalispell Regional Medical Center. According to Chris Hassler next year they want to include the entire third floor in the contest. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Shodair Children's Hospital Award

Jason Albin of Columbia Falls smiles while sitting next to his mother Michelle during a presentation naming Jason the 2104 Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Champion for the state of Montana on Thursday afternoon at the Bad Rock Volunteer Fire Department. Albin has phenylketornuria, a condition that prevents his body from being able to break down certain proteins. April 17, 2014 in Columbia Falls, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Rollover

Kalispell Police Department's Jason Parce and Kalispell Fire Department firefighter Doug Schwartz, left, inspect the scene of two-vehicle crash that left a truck on its side Thursday afternoon on U.S. 93 in front of Flathead Valley Community College. April 17, 2014 in Kalispell, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Color Me Clean

Residential Cleaning

Home cleaning to your satisfaction. From surface cleaning to deep cleaning so you can enjoy your family.

All commercial cleaning from offices to surgery rooms

Let us Clean the Pane In Your Glass

CONCRETE BEFORE & AFTER

TILE BEFORE & AFTER

COMMERCIAL TILE BEFORE & AFTER

Grizzly Floor and Tile

Brosia Louise 'B' (McDivitt) Cashmore, 71

District Music Festival

Pam Holmquist

Landslide: Public Comments

Many members of the public showed up at the time for public comments at the County Commissioners meeting on Thursday, April 17, in Kalispell, criticizing the decision to terminate the grant process and calling for greater transparency. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Landslide

Susan Storfa, one of the people who worked to get slope stabilization money, addresses county commissioners on Thursday morning in Kalispell.

Lunar Eclipse

The moon turns red during a lunar eclipse Tuesday morning over the Flathead Valley.

Kalispell Brewing Company

Maggie Doherty and Cole Schneider Wednesday afternoon at Kalispell Brewing Company. April 2, 2014 in Kalispell, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Pippin

'Pippin' a crazy, colorful night out

John Zoltek

Director takes night off from symphony for jazz guitar performance

Organ recital for University of Montana students

Elvis impersonator gives encore performance

Andrew Gromiller

Eclectic group stops in Whitefish on statewide tour

The week's highlights

Class A in flux

A lot of change happened in Montana high school athletics this week.

End of a dream, but not end of bridge-building

The last month has been hard for me. I was forced to let go of a dream. But that’s OK. We’ve all had our share of dreams that have not been realized.

Man charged with marathon hoax held on bail

Jury deadlocks in over-serving case

It's not democracy, and you can't vote away others' rights

I’m overwhelmed by the sheer volume (or mass) of people who have no clue by what system we are governed (or were intended to be governed by back when the Constitution of the United States was created by them old dudes with white wigs).

South Korean Coast Guard rescues passengers

South Korean Coast Guard members rescue passengers from a sinking ferry off the southern coast of South Korea on Wednesday. (AP Photo/South Korea Coast Guard)

Commissioners slip up on slump

The Flathead County commissioners’ recent decision to reject a sizable federal grant to stabilize a section of bluff north of Kalispell has left a lot of people scratching their heads.

Hundreds missing after ferry sinks

Bigfork man lends airboat to slide search

A Washington search-and-rescue supervisor peers into a submerged car from the deck of Stan Floyd’s airboat. Floyd said it was apparent the vehicle belonged to a young woman due to “fancy girl bling” inside the car, which also contained a half-full milkshake. What happened to the driver is unknown, but it is believed she was driving in the area when she was caught in the March 22 slide. (Photos courtesy of Stan Floyd)

Don't go along with trade deal

President Obama will be traveling to Asia soon. His goal: to pressure the other countries involved in Trans-Pacific Partnership trade talks to sign-off on a bunch of U.S. corporate demands.

Whitefish to switch to hybrid block schedule

Whitefish High School will have a hybrid block schedule involving a mix of standard and longer class periods next school year.

New SAT: What kind of questions will there be?

Judge hears arguments over 2011 pot law

So many choices for spring recreation

Spring is here! Well, sort of.

Kevin Edson charged with Marathon hoax

With his attorney, Shannon Lopez, left, beside him Kevin Edson is arraigned in Boston Municipal Court, Wednesday, April 16 2014, in Boston. Edson was arrested Tuesday near the Boston Marathon finish line carrying a backpack containing a rice cooker on the anniversary of the bombings. Edson was sent to a state psychiatric facility for an evaluation Wednesday following his initial court appearance and ordered held on $100,000 bail. He is due back in court on May 7.

Pro-Russian insurgents seize armored vehicles

Potentially violent situation defused

A

Tailor education to individuals, not to taking a test

Darlene Schottle’s guest opinion on Common Core standards for Montana shed some light on the process; however, I have two thoughts for the superintendent of schools for Kalispell School District 5.

Chief: Hand movements justified fatal shooting

Incident is fifth police shooting in Billings in 2 years

BILLINGS — An unarmed robbery suspect moved his hands six times in defiance of an officer’s orders before the officer fatally shot him during a traffic stop, Billings Police Chief Rich St. John said Wednesday.

Daybook

Man charged with aiding escape arrested in Idaho

Idaho sues timber company over fatal wildfire

Whitefish River: Boat restriction gets broad support

A proposal to designate a section of the Whitefish River as a non-motorized corridor will go before the Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission with strong backing from local residents.

2014 Flathead Valley Job Fair.

Kate Lennick, quality assurance specialist at LC Staffing, smiles while taking to a job fair attendee Wednesday afternoon during the 2014 Flathead Valley Job Fair held at Flathead Valley Community College. "It's been really steady," said Lennick. "We've been really impressed with the turnout." April 16, 2014 in Kalispell, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Precision TLC Plan

Precision Manual Therapy Plan

Precision Physical Therapy & Sports Rehab

Precision Movement and Mobility Plan

Misc eEditions

Ruth A. Bushby, 85

On the morning of April 10, 2014, Ruth Bushby died of natural causes at her home with family at her side.

Air-show tickets now on sale

Ticket sales started Wednesday for the 2014 Mountain Madness Air Show featuring the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds.

South Korea Ship Sinking

South Korean coast guard officers try to rescue passengers from a ferry sinking in the water off the southern coast near Jindo, south of Seoul, South Korea. (AP Photo)  

Hundreds missing in South Korea ferry disaster

Jumping into season

Flathead’s Matt Quist came into Tuesday’s Flathead A Invitational at Legends Stadium with some doubts.

Lorang third at Ronan

RONAN — Missoula Loyola had the medalists while team titles went to Ronan’s girls and the boys from Thompson Falls on Tuesday at the Ronan Invitational golf tournament.

Bigfork splits Loyola

MISSOULA — Bigfork split with Missoula Loyola in Class B tennis play on Tuesday at Playfair Park.

Pack grounded by Eagles, blows away Sentinel

Glacier softball shook off a tough loss to split a two-game set with Missoula Big Sky and Sentinel on Tuesday in a pair of Western AA conference games at Kidsports Complex.

Bravettes stymie Sentinel, fall to Big Sky

The Flathead Bravettes battled the Missoula Sentinel Spartans, the Missoula Big Sky Eagles and the elements on a cold and rainy Tuesday evening at Conrad Complex.

Judge stops county grant rejection

Flathead District Judge Ted Lympus on Tuesday granted a temporary restraining order stopping Flathead County commissioners from terminating a federal grant to stabilize a bluff off Whitefish Stage Road near Village Greens.

Fiscal impact of Medicaid vote questioned

Court upholds EPA emission standards

Valparaiso fire

A man walks past as a forest fire destroys homes in the city of Valparaiso, Chile, on Sunday. The fires destroyed as many as 3,000 homes and killed 15 people.

Boston Marathon bombing anniversary

Bombing survivor Erika Brannick, a teacher from Maryland, uses a walker as she prepares to cross the finish line Tuesday following a tribute in honor of the one-year anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombings. (AP Photo)

Daybook

In court

Changing outcomes at a young age

Outside the Child Development Center in Evergreen, 300 pinwheels glint in the sun for the month of April.

Statewide 'Main Street Montana' plan unveiled

A co-chairman of Gov. Steve Bullock’s Main Street Montana Project laid out the fundamentals of a state economic development blueprint at the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce meeting Tuesday, calling it a plan that is “practical and achievable.”

Unruly dogs keep deputies on run

The

India court recognizes third gender category

Oliver North to headline banquet

 Oliver North will be the featured speaker at the Montana Family Foundation’s fundraising banquet Thursday, May 15, at The Lodge at Whitefish Lake. Doors open at 6 p.m.

White supremacist in 'suicide prevention smock' when charged

Billings police officer shoots, kills robbery suspect

Ukraine military repels airport attack

Rare T. rex

A cast of a Tyrannosaurus rex discovered in Montana greets visitors as they enter the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History in Washington on Tuesday. (AP Photo)

Solemn tributes mark grim anniversary

Boston strong

Poster deadline will be May 1 for Huckleberry Days

The Whitefish Chamber of Commerce reminds the public that the Huckleberry Days Arts Festival poster contest entry deadline is approaching. Poster submissions are due to the Whitefish Chamber by 5 p.m. May 1.

Street work starts on city avenues

Major street work begins this week in Kalispell on First Avenue East and First Avenue West.

Chilean leader to relocate Valparaiso fire victims

Missoula hospital adding birth, newborn services

SI Defense Inc. provides rifles for top Army Rangers

SI Defense Inc. in Kalispell supported this year’s Best Ranger Competition April 11 to 13 at Fort Benning, Ga., by presenting the winning team with two custom AR308 rifles.

Billings rapist convicted

Rare T. rex rests its bones at Smithsonian

WASHINGTON — After a grueling 48-hour drive from Montana, the capital’s latest transplant — a 38-foot long, 66 million-year-old Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton — got to rest its bones Tuesday at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History.

Blood moon

The moon turns red during a lunar eclipse at 1:17 a.m. Tuesday as seen from Big Mountain. The phenomenon is known as a “blood moon.”  (Brenda Ahearn photo/Daily Inter Lake)

Eclipse produces spectacular 'blood moon'

Sky-gazers in North and South America were treated Tuesday morning to a full lunar eclipse.

Track

Flathead’s Chance Kittle and Glacier’s Brock Sandry battle it out during the 1600-meter run Tuesday afternoon at Legends Stadium. Kittle edged Sandry by .01 seconds for second place. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Martha Rethmeier, 90

Martha Rethmeier, 90, passed away on Saturday, April 12, 2014, in Kalispell.

Erik Alan Johnson, 44

On Feb. 22, 2014, Erik Alan Johnson passed away in Magnolia, Texas.

Mitsuru 'Mits' Saimo, 89

Mitsuru "Mits" Saimo, 89, of Missoula, passed away at St. Patrick Hospital on Monday, April 14, 2014.

David Wayne Mentzer, 65

David Wayne Mentzer, 65, passed away on April 9, 2014, in Kalispell at Brendan House in Kalispell.

Signs of Spring

Daffodils begin to bloom in downtown Kalispell on Tuesday, April 15. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Lunar Eclipse

The moon turns red during a lunar eclipse Tuesday morning over the Flathead Valley. TOP: (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake) SEQUENCE: (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Blood Moon over Whitefish

The moon turns red during a lunar eclipse at 1:17 a.m. Tuesday as seen from Big Mountain. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

SpinGo Events widget

Kyle Samson

Riebe's Machine Works Inc

More opportunities available for wilderness work

 This summer, the Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation has expanded its annual offering to 40 “Volunteer Vacation” projects.  

Samson to coach Flathead football

Kyle Samson, the assistant head football coach and offensive coordinator at Montana State University-Northern, has been named the head football coach at Flathead High School.

Libby to drop down to Class B

On a 5-2 vote Monday evening, the Libby school board approved moving its high school sports programs, except soccer, from Class A to Class B for the 2015-16 school year.

Softball: Columbia Falls rolls by Whitefish

The Daily Inter Lake

Firm gets $5.5 million contract for dam work

 The Bureau of Reclamation awarded a $5,531,000 contract on April 9 to Koontz Electric Co. Inc. of Morrilton, Ark., to replace the switchgear at Hungry Horse Dam. 

Megyn Bogut

Megyn Bogut, daughter of Scott and Karyn Bogut of Columbia Falls, was born Feb. 17 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Specialists the top recipients of Medicare money

Federal health officials released a huge database last week of Medicare payments to individual health-care providers, including $163 million paid in Montana in 2012 to nearly 3,300 providers.

AnnaMarie Runions

AnnaMarie Runions, daughter of Will Runions and Rebecca Wessels of Columbia Falls, was born Feb. 15 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Liam Irlbeck

Liam Irlbeck, son of Jessica Irlbeck of Kalispell, was born Feb 14 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Everest Hugh Johnson

Everest Hugh Johnson, son of Michael and Maranda Johnson of Kalispell, was born Feb. 16 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Kallie O'Lexey-Lawson

Kallie O’Lexey-Lawson, daughter of Jake Lawson and Kristina O’Lexey of Kalispell, was born Feb. 16 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Two fined for shooting trumpeter swan

Two men have been fined for shooting a trumpeter swan with a high-powered rifle earlier this year.

Whitefish lodge wants marina expansion

Senior prom for assisted-living residents

'Rolling disturbance' in Columbia Falls

Ryan Zinke keeps up record fundraising pace

No charges to be filed for avalanche

MISSOULA — The Missoula county attorney says he won’t file charges against four young men who were snowboarding or sledding on Mount Jumbo when an avalanche struck a Missoula neighborhood, killing one person and injuring two.

Man guilty of killing girlfriend in Alaska

A Flathead Valley man now has been convicted of killing two girlfriends in incidents in two states 12 years apart.

Montana Life: Welcome to Casablanca

Couples take to the dance floor following the Moroccan-themed feast at the Flathead Valley Community College spring fundraiser "Casablanca the Dinner" on Saturday, April 12, in Kalispell. Live music for the event was provided by Erica von Kleist with the Gringos Del Soul Trio. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Ryan Zinke Open House

Ryan Zinke, candidate for the at-large seat for the U.S. House of Representatives, holds an open house at his headquarters in Kalispell on Monday, April 14. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Isla Ann Baldwin

Isla Ann Baldwin, daughter of Matt and Sadie Baldwin of Whitefish, was born Feb. 13 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

One-man operation

Filmmaker gaining expertise in all aspects of craft

 It took years and multiple attempts at different careers before Dusty Jones found his place behind the camera lens.

Bear mauls woman in Florida

LAKE MARY, Fla. — After a bear mauled a woman in the driveway of her suburban Florida home, dragging her four feet before she escaped, wildlife officials said Monday that they had killed five of the animals, who had become dangerously accustomed to humans.  

Man charged with fourth drunk-driving felony offense

 A Kalispell man, formerly of Libby, has been charged with his fourth offense of drunk driving after allegedly being stopped for driving without lights on the night of April 5.

Two women speak out on alleged murder plot

Victim advocates support former wife of suspect

 A pair of women are speaking out after one of the women’s ex-husband allegedly tried to hire his cellmate in the Flathead County Detention Center to murder both of them.

'A taste for helping'

Ministry has been feeding the Flathead for 25 years

A ministry that began by feeding 18 hungry people one evening in 1989 continues to serve those in need of a meal in the Flathead Valley.

James Ellis

James David Ellis

James David Ellis, 89

James David Ellis, 89, passed away peacefully at home in Kalispell on April 10, 2014, after a battle with cancer. He was born in Harlem, Mont., on March 22, 1925, and he graduated from high school in Harlem. 

Dusty Jones

Dusty Jones is the owner and sole filmmaker for his Kalispell business, Film Saints Productions.

25th Anniversar of Feeding the Flathead

Feeding the Flathead Director Naomi Davidson on Thursday, April 10, in the Central Christian Church in Kalispell. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Weather shortens duals for Flathead, Glacier netters

The Daily Inter Lake

Weather cancels high school tennis, softball, track events

High school softball, track and tennis events were postponed early Saturday morning due to a spring snow storm, high winds and cold temperatures.

Softball roundup: Libby whips Thompson Falls

LIBBY — Hannah England and Staci Regh combined on a no-hitter and Brooke Rosling went 5 for 5 at the plate and drove in four runs as Libby crushed Thompson Falls 30-0 in nonconference softball play on Saturday.

Felix-Saubert

Tom and Marilyn Saubert of Kalispell announce the engagement of their son, Chris Saubert, to Jade Felix, daughter of Lynette and Dustin Dahl of Bismarck, N.D., and Joel Felix of Helena.

Mineral County to Forest Service: Cut more timber

SUPERIOR (AP) — They’re frustrated and disgruntled here in Mineral County, and they’re not big fans of the United States Forest Service.

Iran refuses to name new envoy to UN after U.S. visa refusal

Miele column brings ironic enjoyment

I really enjoyed Frank Miele’s recent climate column in the Daily Inter Lake. According to Mr. Miele, climate science is part of a “campaign to marginalize conservatives and their traditional values.” Belief in climate science is “insidious, dangerous and potentially world-altering.” Our climate is changing, but “we don’t know why.”

HEART Locker offers teen necessities

Help for homeless kids

In one year, Ronda Stevens, the Kalispell Public Schools and Evergreen School District Homeless Education liaison, has filled a void to empower and support students who are homeless or in need.

'There is hope; we need the whole community'

A majority of homeless teens face seemingly insurmountable obstacles and there is hope to help them, but it takes the support of an entire community, according to Tumbleweed Executive Director Sheri Boelter.

Housing density reduced in new Second Street proposal

A proposal to create a subdivision along East Second Street has returned with a new design that calls for less than half the number of housing units originally proposed.

Gianforte to be part of Carroll College business program

Greg Gianforte and Carroll College are teaming up to develop an entrepreneurship program to help students start new businesses.

A non-Republican asks you to vote for one

It doesn’t appear that a Democrat can win the District No. 1 county commissioner general election with the climate of a disadvantage of a 70-30 voter split for the Republicans. This seat will, ultimately, be decided by which Republican wins the June 3 primary battle between Cal Scott and Phil Mitchell.

Agency holds meeting on CFAC study

A special public meeting will be Tuesday for Environmental Protection Agency representatives to release results from their study of the Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. plant site.

Megaloads are a real big problem

Megaloads through Kalispell? Really?

Help prevent child abuse: Through the eyes of one child

Looking out the window, and cautiously waiting for the moment when his father gets home, the fear begins to set in. Many recurring questions start to develop in his head: “What will he do this time? Was it my fault? Will it hurt?”

Uniformed men occupy Donetsk police headquarters

Unrest in Ukraine

Bring back tours of the landfill

It was a chilly day, spring of 1998, when the sixth-grade class of Kila School took the most fascinating of all field trips, to the county landfill. It stank, it was noisy, it was cold but each one of those kids remembers that day and when they learned where their trash ends up. It was exciting and educational; motivating and meaningful. We must teach our children the impact each of us has on our valley. It is hard to push responsibility on a 12-year-old, but they get it when they visit the county landfill.

County nixes slope stabilization

‘Why get this far and back out?'

A group of Evergreen homeowners wanting to stabilize a bluff off Whitefish Stage Road seem to be back at square one after the Flathead County commissioners pulled the plug on their four-year effort to get federal money to stabilize a section of the bluff that collapsed in 2010.

New market being built in Whitefish

The building is still largely under construction, but when owner David Gatton gives a tour of the Stumptown Marketplace it’s easy to see his vision for a bustling market with a variety of food and craft vendors.

Is anger the key?

I have been reading all of these letters to the editor about the abortion clinic attack; finally I have to take a stand.

A conservative asks: Is the Republican Party suicidal?

Leave it to the Republican Party to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

Clinic attack letter headline updated

In response to the attack on Susan Cahill’s clinic, the April 4 edition of The Daily Inter Lake published a letter to the editor by an R. Curtis Schroeder of Kalispell. The title given to the letter was  “Eternal struggle seen as present today.”

Attack doesn't meet hate-crime test

The prosecution of Zachary Klundt for his alleged role in the destruction of the All Families Healthcare clinic in Kalispell will be pursued only as a business burglary, not as a hate crime.

Back to the USSR: Putin schools Obama in geopolitics

“Russia as I indicated is a geopolitical foe... time and time again I have clear eyes on this. I’m not going to wear rose-colored glasses when it comes to Russia or Mr. Putin...” —Mitt Romney, 2012

Pussy willows are nostalgic part of spring

There’s no other plant that evokes past memories of spring for me than the pussy willow.

Why we should go slow on compact

I am seeing letters, opinions and discussions going back and forth on the potential impacts of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Water Compact. One of the latest letters implied that although the current agreement may not be acceptable to all and some may be unhappy, the compact may be acceptable enough.

New drugs cure hepatitis C, research finds

Twenty-five years after scientists first identified the hepatitis C virus, doctors are declaring victory over an infection that afflicts more than 3 million Americans and kills more of them than HIV.

Shelter to open for Wyoming slide evacuees

Bicycle thief strikes during birthday

Character sketches: Kalispell artist finds his niche in book illustrations

By day, Shane Morgan is a busy family man, a father of two who works full time for a computer network cabling and telephone interconnect company.

Learn more about autism: It's not contagious

April is National Autism Awareness month, which raises the question — what is autism?

Equal time for common sense on 'equal' pay

I’ve written a couple of columns in a row on some of the more blatant attempts by liberals to shut down free and fair debate on topics ranging from climate change to Christianity.

Bruce Wayne Piasecki, 62

Bruce Wayne Piasecki, 62, passed away Jan. 18, 2014. He was born Sept. 24, 1951, the son of Ann and Anthony Piasecki of Holland, Ohio.

Sports Snow Day

Snow lightly covers the benches in the dugout at the Conrad Complex Saturday morning. Sporting events around the Flathead Valley were either postponed, or not completed, because of the weather. Flathead’s softball games with Great Falls C.M. Russell and Great Falls High at the Conrad Complex were canceled.

25th Anniversar of Feeding the Flathead

Kristi Sanders of Kalispell helps prepare plates on Thursday, April 10 at the Feeding the Flathead dinner at the Central Christian Church in Kalispell. Sanders has been a volunteer for two years. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Flathead Business Journal: Beer and Wine

Detail of a mug Wheatfish Wheat Lager, one of the flagship beers of the Great Northern Brewing Company, on Wednesday, April 9, in Whitefish. This beer was awarded the silver medal at the Great American Beer Festival, the nation's largest beer festival held annually in Denver, Co. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Stumptown Marketplace

David and Amy Gatton along with their children Emily, 5, and Thomas, 6 months, stand in front of the new Stumptown Marketplace on Spokane Avenue downtown. The market is set to open in June and expected to house a number of food and retail vendors.

Barbara Joan Singer, 80

Our beloved mother Barbara Joan Singer passed away in the arms of family from a rare cancer on Sunday, March 2, 2014, in Mesa, Ariz.

William 'Bill' Robert Repnak, 83

William “Bill” Robert Repnak, 83, passed away at his home in Lakeside on April 8, 2014, from a degenerative heart condition. With the wonderful help of Hospice, his family was able to care for him during his final days and were with him at his bedside when he peacefully passed away.

Polson tennis tops Dillon

POLSON — Polson swept singles action and won at No. 1 doubles in both girls and boys play Friday to defeat Dillon by 5-2 scores in a Class A nonconference tennis dual.

C.M. Russell bests Flathead in dual

GREAT FALLS — Sylas Schutt and Emma Andrews were double winners for Flathead in a season-opening track dual with Great Falls C.M. Russell on Friday.

Glacier sweeps Bison on the track

Sophomore Sam Nelson’s first effort in the discus on a blustery, overcast Friday afternoon for Glacier High School in a home track dual with Great Falls was not one of those memorable moments.

Pack, Kats draw in the dark

COLUMBIA FALLS — It took nine innings to finish the nonconference softball game between Glacier and Columbia Falls on Friday night, and neither team walked away a winner as the contest ended in a 7-7 tie  when the game was called for darkness.

Autism Awareness Month

Travis Steffler, 5, puts his hands together during a yoga session Thursday afternoon at the Child Development Center in Evergreen. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Glacier Track

Glacier junior Keyawna Larson competes in the javelin Friday afternoon during Glacier's track dual against Great Falls High at Glacier High School. April 11, 2014 in Kalispell, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Glacier vs Columbia Falls Softball

Glacier Kayla Russell fields a ball Friday evening during Columbia Falls' tie with Glacier at Columbia Falls High School. The score was 7-7 when the game was called due to light after nine innings. April 11, 2014 in Kalispell, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Glacier plows at Red Rocks Point

A Glacier National Park plowing crew is working on a slide at Red Rocks Point just past Avalanche Campground on Going-to-the-Sun Road.

William 'Bill' Robert Repnak, 83

Top FFA performers head to nationals

 The Flathead FFA Chapter had several state champions at the FFA State Convention in Great Falls.

High court hears 'doughnut' arguments

Attorney Terry Trieweiler represented the city of Whitefish in the “doughnut” lawsuit during a hearing before the Montana Supreme Court.

Hardin jail eyed for regional inmate facility

Sebelius resignation, successor announced

Bitterroot River closed near dam

FBI says inmate helped orchestrate kidnapping

Serbia experts use heavy machinery to move mammoth

Mystery parakeet rescued from aluminum plant

An unlikely intruder was found by security guards on the Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. property Thursday.

Belligerent bruiser busted on train

A 42-year-old registered violent offender with a prior conviction for second-degree murder was arrested by a

Killer of four dies at Montana State Prison

District Music Festival involves 1,500 students

Music lovers have had the opportunity to hear the complete spectrum of Northwest Montana high school music during the District 1 Music Festival at Glacier and Flathead high schools.

Daybook

Alaska shooting case goes to jury

Justices hear 'doughnut' case

Newlywed killing: Murderer appeals sentence

The Associated Pressand The Daily Inter Lake

Barbara Joan Singer, 80

College visit turns tragic for students

High court hearing

Montana Supreme Court Justice Laurie McKinnon makes a comment about the “doughnut” lawsuit during oral arguments Friday at the University of Montana in Missoula.

Esther Marie Poor, 79

Leland 'Lee' Dale Hodges, 83,

HEART Locker

Ronda Stevens, Homeless Education liaison for Kalispell and Evergreen schools, stocks the HEART Locker on Thursday.

Slumping hillside

Landslide

Homeowner Scott Gearhart stands along a section of the bluff marked by stakes used to track the rate of ground movement on Wednesday, April 9, in Evergreen. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Judge finds no crimes in treasurer's office

District Music Festival

From right, Cassie Cislo, Vicki Hiza and Baron Pulitzer of the Bigfork High School Choir perform “Ave Maria” at the District Music Festival on April 11 at Flathead High School. The choir earned “excellent” ratings for both performance and sight reading.

Ed Corrigan

Flathead County Attorney Ed Corrigan in court on March 27, in Kalispell.

California bus crash and fire

Massive flames engulf a tractor-trailer and a tour bus just after they collided Thursday on Interstate 5 near Orland, Calif. At least 10 people were killed in the crash.

California bus crash

Massive flames engulf a tractor-trailer and a tour bus just after they collided Thursday on Interstate 5 near Orland, Calif. At least 10 people were killed in the crash.

Lows scores hard to find at Bigfork Invitational

BIGFORK — Low scores weren’t easy to find, but a few golfers were able to get the better of Eagle Bend Golf Club on Thursday at the Bigfork Invitational.

Fight night packs house

The fifth annual Crosstown Boxing Smoker was a smashing success Thursday night as 28 Flathead Valley high school students squared off in the ring with the proceeds going to the area’s wrestlingd programs.

Whitefish girls, boys top C-Falls in net dual

COLUMBIA FALLS — Columbia Falls won No. 1 singles and doubles, but Whitefish won all the rest to post a 5-2 dual victory in girls tennis action on Thursday.

Fifth Annual Crosstown Smoker

Flathead’s Ashlie Wise (right) lands a punch on Columbia Falls’ Krystan Jones Thursday night during the fifth annual Crosstown Smoker at the Flathead County Fairgrounds Trade Center. Wise won by unanimous decision. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Bigfork Invitational

Bigfork’s Ryder Trent watches a shot from the 12th fairway Thursday afternoon during the Bigfork Invitational at Eagle Bend Golf Course. Trent shot a 95.

Soft road conditions prompt forest load limits

 Warm weather, melting snow and spring rains are creating soft road surfaces and spring break-up conditions on many Flathead National Forest roads.

Group sues over mine expansion plan

Plan would leave pit open at site near Whitehall

Hutterite colonies report pig virus

Couple sells Canyon RV after 24 years

Steve and Dee Brown have sold the Canyon RV and Campground to Xanterra, which plans on making the site a corporate retreat and employee housing.

Baucus donates Senate papers to UM archives

Volunteers back out of Butte's Knievel Days

Two men plead guilty to poaching

Two of the four young men from Columbia Falls charged with poaching 19 white-tailed deer near Whitefish in 2012 have pleaded guilty to reduced charges and were sentenced in Flathead County Justice Court.

St. Ignatius boy found safe after alert issued

Roofer dies in fall while working in Florence

A vote for Fisher

I’ve known Tammi Fisher for a number of years now and what has struck me most are two things; what she has been able to overcome, and what she has been able to achieve at such a young age.

Patricia Kaye Christopherson, 81

Butte's Knievel Days

In this July 28, 2006 file photo, daredevil Evel Knievel and his son and fellow daredevil Robbie embrace at the top of the landing ramp prior to Robbie’s successful 180-ft jump during the fifth annual Evel Knievel Days in Butte.

Lawyers questioned on Utah gay marriage ban

Protect our access to public land

Although it’s far away in the middle of Montana, another case of private landowners trying to block public access has cropped up and it’s worthy of statewide scrutiny.

Keystone Pipeline: Tester, Walsh part of group urging Obama to OK project

Did Snowden's espionage play role in Ukraine?

Edward Snowden walks out of work with top secret NSA information and Obama becomes hysterical. He screams treason and does a worldwide hunt to drag this computer-nerd back to the States, while publicly threatening to incarcerate him if he is ever caught.

Driver in deadly crash at day care in custody

Bears get active as seasons change

Bears are on the move in Northwest Montana and they are already keeping Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials busy.

Man makes aggressive advances

A woman contacted the

Massive herd of elk in Montana

Huge herd of elk crossing the road in Bozeman, MT near Yellowstone. I have never seen a herd this big. Poor little guy at the end...leave no elk behind.

High school stabbings: Defense to be based on suspect's mental health

Reader asks: What is really a hate crime?

When I read the letter in the March 28 Daily Inter Lake by Philip Crissman, “Was it a hate crime? You decide,” I could hardly believe anyone could overlook the glaring double standard in the thinking of those who support Susan Cahill.

Woman dies in Stanford-area house fire

 GREAT FALLS — Officials in central Montana say a Stanford-area woman has died of smoke inhalation in a house fire.

High school stabbings

Brett Hurt, 16, a sophomore at Franklin Regional High School in Murrysville, Pa., and a victim of the stabbings that took place there on April 9, talks about the attack during a news conference as his mother Amanda Leonard looks on, Thursday, at Forbes Regional Hospital in Monroeville, Pa.

Teenager stabs 22 at high school

Parents and students embrace along School Road near Franklin Regional High School after 22 people were stabbed by a knife-wielding teen at the school on Wednesday.

What about the U.S. debt crisis?

Responding to John Lewis’s letter of March 23 to the editor, on the subject of Medicare and the national debt:

Iron works: Local artist to recycle Old Steel Bridge

The section of the Old Steel Bridge that has been resting on the Flathead riverbank — overgrown with brush — for the last six years has finally been sold and will be moved in the next couple of weeks.

Stocking the pond at Dry Bridge Park

Jim Vashro, a volunteer, helps load Arlee Rainbow Trout into buckets for the Hedges Elementary 4th graders on Thursday afternoon, April 10, at Dry Bridge Park in Kalispell. Approximately 2000 fish were released into the pond from three hatcheries: the Creston National Fish Hatchery, the Murray Springs Trout Hatchery in Eureka, and the Jocko River Trout Hatchery in Arlee. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Old Steel Bridge sold

Jeffrey Funk, a blacksmith/artisan who lives near Echo Lake, lights a cutting torch on Thursday for preparation work to take down the Old Steel Bridge.

Esther Baker, 75

Missing 2-year-old boy found safe

HELENA — The state Justice Department says a 2-year-old St. Ignatius boy has been found after authorities issued a missing and endangered child alert for him.

Shane Morgan

Shane Morgan displays a sketch he did of a set for a Christmas production at the Christian Center. That event helped open the door for Morgan’s work as an illustrator.

African Children's Choir

Voices of Africa: Children's choir to sing in Kalispell

Gossamer

Wolfpack Theatre explores power of dreams in 'Gossamer'

The week's highlights

Bigfork warms up to golf season

After a long winter, the Bigfork golf team is thawing out

Crosstown Boxing Smoker bouts released

The final card has been released for tonight’s fifth annual Crosstown Boxing Smoker presented by the Flathead Wreslting Association and Glacier Wrestling Association at Flathead County Fairgrounds Trade Center.

Stillwater's Topp retiring

Stillwater Christian School girls basketball coach Denise Topp announced her retirement on Wednesday after seven years leading the Cougars. She finishes her career at SCS with a record of 121-40, including a state tournament record of 19-3.

Jada Mae Long and Sky-Lilly Eva Long

Jada Mae Long and Sky-Lilly Eva Long, daughters of Stephan Parks and Amber Long of Kalispell, were born Feb. 4 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

College trustee race uncontested

Citing a lack of candidates, the Flathead Valley Community College Board of Trustees has the option to cancel the election for one of the board positions.

Judge upholds $41 million judgment against Blixseth

Amanda Lennick

Heartbleed bug causes big security headache

Has Rep. Daines already lost touch?

Congressman Daines has been sending me a bunch of asinine mail and telephone messages for months now. I have sent him a letter asking him not to bother me. He continues to send me correspondence and recorded messages that are pure nonsense.

Park group rolls out strategic plan

Shared vision

The Glacier National Park Conservancy has rolled out a strategic framework for working with the National Park Service, and several of the organization’s leaders say it represents a commitment to a long-term partnership.

Micah Erickson

Micah Erickson, son of Jeremiah Erickson and Amber Bowers, was born Feb. 5 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Serial assailant pleads guilty to endangerment

A Kalispell man faces a 10-year suspended sentence after pleading guilty to felony criminal endangerment.

Hearing set on Crow murder

It's a hot perch bite in Polson Bay

To most people, early April means tax time. But to savvy anglers in the Flathead Valley, it means something much more important: perch at East Bay on Flathead Lake.

Lawmakers may change selection of election cop

Energy exports editorial was a rant

Your March 27 editorial concerning energy exports seemed like a rant. The policy arguments among environmentalists, industrialists and  the right wing do have a tendency to get distorted. There is practical reality involved.

Large man's shortcomings on display

The

Great minds and mediocre minds

Thanks to Mr. Miele for his “2 cents” column of March 16. Our Declaration of Independence, our “Constitution and Bill Of Rights were given to us by a few people experiencing true moments of genius. These works have offered us nearly perfect directions for the creation, founding and development of a nation that has been a living example for how it should be done. Empowering moments of genius are rare and the results of those moments must be cherished, followed and used.     

Daybook

Mother gets probation for parenting interference

State investigating missing money

Local chapter of Ducks Unlimited makes Top 100

The Flathead Valley chapter of Ducks Unlimited made the Top 100 list as one of the national organization’s best fundraising chapters for 2013.

Does LBJ hold key for Obama?

“Well, what’s the hell’s the presidency for? So asked President Lyndon Johnson as he sat with key advisers at his kitchen table.  They were working on Johnson’s speech to Congress right after Kennedy’s assassination. From Gary Younge’s  Guardian report: The nation was still in grief and Johnson was not yet able to move into the White House because Kennedys’ effects were still there.”

Woman murdered in California

A former Columbia Falls woman was shot to death in Richmond, Calif., last month.

New gardener at the Conrad Mansion

Dave Leger, the new gardener for the Conrad Mansion, clears up the winter debris Tuesday as he prepares the grounds for planting season. This is Leger’s second week working for the mansion.

Women testify about terror of home attacks

Charter seeks property tax reduction

Cable firm wants voters to OK ballot measure

Annexation needed for rail park

A proposed annexation of a 40-acre Flathead County Rail Park just east of Whitefish Stage Road seems to be a necessary step for continuing momentum that has been built toward the park’s development.

Woman guilty in stiletto heel killing

Ana Lilia Trujillo as found guilty Tuesday of killing her 59-year-old boyfriend, Alf Stefan Andersson, at his Museum District high-rise condominium in June 2013. (AP Photo)

Concession company buys RV park

Couple sells Canyon RV after 24 years

After 24 years in the RV campground business, Dee and Steve Brown are looking forward to doing something different.

Tammie Baker

Bruce Wayne Piasecki, 62

Golfing

Village Greens

Driving Range

High School Stabbings

A police officer stands by the scene outside Franklin Regional High School where 20 were stabbed by a knife wielding suspect on Wednesday, (AP Photo)

20 stabbed at Pennsylvania high school

A male student armed with two knives went on a stabbing rampage inside the science wing of a Pennsylvania high school Wednesday morning, injuring at least 20 people, several who suffered life-threatening injuries, officials said.

SpinGo Events

Former Griz hoops player faces drug charges

BILLINGS — A Kalispell physical therapist and former University of Montana basketball player faces federal drug charges.

Soccer: Glacier tabs new boys coach

Basketball: Polson parts with Pluff

Football: Flathead narrows coaching search to four

Flathead has narrowed its football coaching search to four finalists, with each to be interviewed on Saturday.

Softball: Pirates shutout C-Falls

COLUMBIA FALLS — The highly anticipated softball match up between Polson and Columbia Falls— who respectively finished second and third at last year’s state tournament—lived up to expectations as the Lady Pirates broke through in the top of the sixth inning to claim a 3-0 Northwestern A road victory on Tuesday evening.

Judge says relocated bison still count as 'wild'

Schools sponsor technology forum

Kalispell Public Schools is hosting a community forum next week to discuss the use of technology in the classroom.

Doctor's license suspended after clinic raided

Shipping store gets Whitefish zoning OK

The UPS Store will be allowed to stay at its new location.

Receding ice

Ice on Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park is receding as the weather warms.

Scholarship fund honors victim of mudslide

As a kind and patient nurse, Amanda Lennick is remembered fondly by all she encountered, even as the wounds of losing her remain open.

Agency says GM missed deadline for switch data

 DETROIT (AP) — A government safety agency is fining General Motors $7,000 a day, saying the company failed to fully respond to its requests for information about a faulty ignition switch by an April 3 deadline.

Man in standoff with police kills himself

In court

Woman guilty in stiletto heel killing

Osprey coaxed back to nest

Columbia Falls vs. Polson

Polson senior catcher Jaylin Kenney (left) tags out Columbia Falls senior Tiffany Hummer (5) at the plate in the third inning Tuesday night during the Wildkats' loss to Polson at Columbia Falls High School. April 8, 2014 in Kalispell, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Tim Murphy

Cedar trees in Seattle, part of the Pacific Temperate Rainforest

Mission Ridge

Barnard Griffin Winery, Richland, WA

Downtown Rosalyn, WA, the setting of Northern Exposure

"Salmon Waves" at the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks in Seattle, WA

Smokey Creek, ID

Floating Green

Paddleboarding Yoga, Lake Coeur d'Alene

The Aftershock at Silverwood Theme Park

Kids at Camp Sweyolakan on the Coeur d'Alene Lake

Picking up cherries at a farmers market in Montana

Pray Lake and Sinopah Mtn in Two Medicine, Glacier National Park

Snowy Mountain Ski Lift in Montana

John Margaris, 89

Tammie Lynn Baker, 43

Tammie Lynn Baker, 43, formerly of Columbia Falls, “was welcomed to heaven” on March 20, 2014, as a result of a crime in Richmond, Calif.

Zipline at Big Mountain Resort in Whitefish, MT

Fly-fishing on Smith Lake, Montana

Coolsculpting®

Coolsculpting® is the non-surgical body contouring treatment that freezes and naturally eliminates fat. Developed by Harvard scientists, Coolsculpting is FDA-cleared, safe and clinically proven.  We will develop your customized Coolsculpting treatment plan so you can SAY GOODBYE to stubborn fat.

After two Fraxel Treatments. One 1927 Laser and one 1927/1550 Laser.

Lodging

Grooming

Rustic Ridge Kennels Dog Lodging / Grooming

Montana Life: CoMotion Dance Project

Writer, producer and choreographer Karen Kaufmann, right, and CoMotion dancers perform "Fire Speaks the Land" on Thursday, March 27, at the Whitefish Performing Arts Center. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Painting Lions Park

Matt Stone, store manager at Sherwin-Williams, gives a new two-toned paint job to the pavilion at Lions Park on Tuesday, April 8, in Kalispell. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Entry Door

Flooring

Fir, larch, birch, pine RBM flooring...

Rbm Lumber Inc

Perkins

Mountain West Bank

Massage Training Institute Montana

Pabco Shingled-Home

Spray Foam Insulation

Fiberglass Batt & Blown Insulation

Home Energy Audits

Acoustic Ceiling Installation

Home Performance Contracting

BIBS Installation

Delivery Truck

job fair 2014 cover

Job fair 2014

Man in Havre standoff commits suicide

Hearing coming up on Whitefish River restrictions

People with opinions about boating on the Whitefish River are invited to a special Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission hearing Thursday.

Ebola outbreak could last for months

Conservation group sues for bear information

Okla. senator explains 'hold' on North Fork legislation

Bozeman council approves funding for sports fields

Ukraine tries to quell pro-Moscow uprisings

Local woman makes cut for judge job

Lawmakers rarely hire veterans

 WASHINGTON (AP) — Members of Congress often urge federal agencies and the private sector to hire military veterans, but a survey suggests they rarely follow that advice with their personal staff.

U.S. will cut deployed nuclear missile force by 50

Man denies charge of trying to kidnap teen girl

Walsh raises $946,000 since January in Senate run

Senate candidate finds bag with $12,000 inside

Crosstown Boxing Smoker on Thursday

Greg Pisk is expecting the annual Crosstown Boxing Smoker, now in its fifth year, to be the biggest one to date.

Suspect contests five-year-old rape charge

A former Flathead County resident has pleaded not guilty to sexual intercourse without consent and sexual assault involving an alleged incident five years ago.

Timothy L. Gilmer Sr., 50

Timothy L. Gilmer Sr., 50, of Delphos, Ohio, died at 9:23 a.m., Saturday, April 5, 2014, in the emergency room of St. Rita’s Medical Center in Lima, Ohio after a sudden illness.

Edith Brown

Edith (Steck) Brown, 77

Edith Brown later

Conference looks at grizzly encounters

Record numbers hit the slopes in Whitefish

Timothy Gilmer

Local senior facilities earn five-star ratings

Assault leads to chase by deputy

Sidewalk surfacing

Crews from Sandon Construction work on the new sidewalk Monday afternoon along the east side of U.S. 93 between Conway Drive and Sunny View Lane in Kalispell. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Amanda Lennick

Amanda Lennick, 31

Zoe Mauro

Zoe Mauro, daughter of Victor Mauro and Hailey Dahlen of Kalispell, was born Feb. 3 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Jackson Baumgardner

Jackson Baumgardner, son of Austin Hinch and Shannon Baumgardner of Kalispell, was born Feb. 2 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Variance approved for north-shore beach

The Flathead County commissioners recently approved a major lakeshore variance that allows construction of a gravel beach to protect a property on the north shore of Flathead Lake.

Laughing Horse Lodge

Kenco Security

J2 Office Products

Green Nissan

MT Police Standoff

A Border Patrol officer approaches a man with a gun early Monday in Havre. The incident began shortly after 11 p.m. Sunday after police were summoned to deal with an incident involving a pistol at a local tavern. (AP Photo/Havre Daily News, Eric Seidle)

Standoff drags on in downtown Havre

HAVRE — A man who reportedly held a gun to the stomach of a Havre bar patron has engaged police in an hours-long standoff during which officers were trying to convince him to put down his weapon.

Whitefish Lake Home

Premier Iron Horse Lot

Custom Farmhouse and Guest House

Glacier Sotheby's International Realty

Glacier Bank

parks and rec 4714

Gardner Auction

Flathead County Animal Shelter

Flathead Glass Works

Fibertech Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning

Ministry plans to build women's shelter

Peggy Christensen is taking another leap of faith with A Ray of Hope, this time with plans to build a shelter for women and children in Kalispell.

Express Personnel Services

Evergreen Disposal Inc

Week in Pictures: March 31 - April 6

Decision expected on Whitefish hotel project

The Whitefish City Council tonight will decide whether to allow the construction of a 76-room Hampton Inn & Suites planned off U.S. 93 South.

Annexation of land to be considered

The city of Kalispell could become 18.5 acres larger if the City Council approves the annexation of a parcel of undeveloped property north of Kalispell.

C. Falls considers downtown zone changes

The Columbia Falls City Council tonight will consider a number of changes to zoning regulations in the city’s central business district aimed at improving the downtown business climate.

Head brewer gets back to roots

David Brendgard had a big year in 2013.

Rosella B. Ober Schultz, 91

Rosella B. Ober Schultz, 91, of Polson, died Friday, April 4, 2014, at St. Luke Extended Care of natural causes.

Plans for a new women's shelter

Delta Brennan, a volunteer with a Ray of Hope is in training to be the director of the proposed shelter. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Profile: David Brendgard

Flathead Lake Brewing Company Lead Brewer David Brendgard at the still under construction facility in Bigfork on Thursday, March 13. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Eureka boys, girls dominate track invitational

EUREKA — The Eureka girls won 13 of 17 events and the Eureka boys had the best times, distances or height in seven events to dominate the Eureka Invitational track meet on Saturday.

Tennis: Flathead, Glacier net points in dual openers

Flathead and Glacier opened their tennis seasons to some success, hosting Great Falls High and Great Falls C.M. Russell on a blustery Saturday at Flathead Valley Community College.

Evans, Hashley, Epperly to play in Montana-Wyoming All-Star Basketball Series

Christian Evans of Bigfork and Cassi Hashley and Evan Epperly of Glacier have been selected to compete with the Montana squad in the 39th annual Montana-Wyoming All-Star Basketball Series this summer.

Softball: Libby gives coach Thompson win No. 200

LIBBY — The Libby Loggers softball team picked up two wins on Saturday, defeating Idaho’s Timberlake 10-0 and Sandpoint 13-2 in nonconference action at the Libby Invitational.

Employee goes batty after being dismissed

The manager of an Airport Road business contacted the

Vintage ski days a big boost for museum

The inaugural Hellroaring Ski Heritage Days swooshed into the history books last month with a smashing gala and weekend of retro events at Whitefish Mountain Resort.

'Fire Speaks the Land'

Missoula student wins Montana Geographic Bee

Heritage Act is refreshingly bipartisan

For over 60 years, the Montana Outfitters and Guides Association has served as an important voice for the outfitting industry and as a key partner in decisions that effect the management of public land and wildlife resources. We are proud to represent over 200 member businesses across the state that offer a wide variety of outfitting and guiding services. Together, these businesses play a vital role in Montana’s tourism economy and help maintain the culture and traditions of ethical sportsmanship.

Broken promises: What will our response be to Putin's Sudetenland?

In 1938 Adolf Hitler accused the Czechoslovakian government of maltreating German-speaking Czechs living in its area referred to as the “Sudetenland.” Seeking to avoid conflict, diplomatic efforts to deal with Hitler resulted in an agreement orchestrated by Neville Chamberlain of Great Britain to cede part of Czechoslovakia — without its consent — to Germany. The deal was agreed to by France along with the UK. Hitler saw diplomatic weakness and quickly moved his troops into the Sudetenland.

Obamacare... by the numbers

The Obama administration and some leading Democrats took something of a victory lap last week after revealing that they had achieved a target of “enrolling” about 7 million people in Obamacare by Monday’s open enrollment deadline.

Clinic attack must be fully prosecuted

As we have all observed from 9/11, jihadists are intent on destroying communities that don’t share their singular vision. But healthy communities are made up of many points of view, which is why I understand and respect both points of view on the emotional abortion issue.

Fullerton-Roberts

Tom and Sandy Fullerton of Kalispell announce the engagement of their daughter, Deven Theresa Fullerton, to John Stephen Roberts Jr., son of Stephen and Trish Roberts of Williamsburg, Va., and Susan Roberts and John F. Watlington of Richmond, Va.

Teachers sound off in Whitefish survey

Whitefish teachers have a new three-year contract, but that doesn’t mean they’re all satisfied with the way schools are operating.

Consumer economist questions dam purchases

Thompson-Streich

NRA's quest to expand gun rights takes it to court

The San Diego County sheriff denied Edward Peruta a permit to carry a concealed weapon. Christopher Haga’s gun collection was seized, and he was charged with crimes after he was mistakenly linked to a theft of assault weapons from a Fresno-area military base.

Skim spectacular seals ski season

Brandon Kelman comes in like a wrecking ball dressed as Miley Cyrus Saturday afternoon during the Ninth Annual Whitefish Mountain Resort Pond Skim.

Equality for women ... in the Legislature

One hundred years ago in Montana a great discussion, as great as the state itself, was taking place. To the citizens of the state was put forth the idea that women should have the right to vote. The state had been in existence for 25 years, and the nation a century longer, yet women were considered less qualified than former slaves in having a say electing those to public office. By the end of Election Day 1914, the majority of men decided on the side of liberty and equality, and gave the women of the state the right to vote six years before it would become federal law. In the first election where women were allowed to vote, Montanans challenged themselves and the nation in revolutionary fashion by electing the first woman, Jeanette Rankin, to the U.S. Congress in 1916.

Winkler-Watkins

Mike and Deb Winkler of Joliet, together with Todd and Roxy Watkins of Kalispell, announce the engagement of their children, Laura Winkler and Beau Watkins.

Health-care law helps add 3 million to Medicaid

A look at heroin deaths, treatment in Montana

Archbishop to sell Atlanta mansion

Are speech police now part of Montana politics?

Throughout history, totalitarian regimes employed police to monitor the speech of their own citizens. They knew that controlling government required controlling dissent. Any dissent was prosecuted, because they believed controlling speech would also control the real threat…thought.

Middle class status slipping for many

Plea not to recall water district commissioners

After years of negotiation the CSKT Water Compact was created.  None of the parties at the table got everything they wanted but it was something they could live with. The Water Use Agreement for irrigators was also a hard fought negotiation. In the end the Flathead Joint Board had been part of two long hard negotiations that resulted in the project being turned over to the irrigators and the Water Use Agreement. The past commissioners felt they had done their job and protected our project irrigation water.  

Ex-commissioner supports Pierson for clerk and recorder

I am writing this letter in support of Debbie Pierson a Republican candidate for Flathead County clerk and recorder on the June 3 primary ballot.

Annexation sought for rail park

The Flathead County Economic Development Authority has asked the city of Kalispell to annex its 40-acre Flathead County Rail Park east of Whitefish Stage Road just outside Kalispell.

Daybook

Eisenzimer-Krueger

Stephanie Marie Eisenzimer and Trent Allen Krueger were married Dec. 31 at Flathead Lake Lodge in Bigfork. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. Debbie Wacker.

Dahlen-Campbell

Brittany Dahlen and Corey L. Campbell were married June 11 at Beaches Resort in the Turks and Caicos Islands of the Caribbean.

'Doughnut' case to be heard in Missoula

University of Montana School of Law hosts public session

Whitefish residents will have a rare opportunity to hear oral arguments in the “doughnut” lawsuit when the Montana Supreme Court holds a session on Friday at the University of Montana in Missoula.

Four bad things that have been plaguing our country

Behold the three most dangerous things facing our country — and now there are four!

The freedom not to question climate change

The campaign to marginalize conservatives and their traditional values has many facets. Last week, we talked about the efforts in academia to restrict access to people whose beliefs are not in tune with modern liberalism, but that is just one small component of an ongoing multi-front war.

Whitefish Mountain Resort Pond Skim

FHS/GHS vs CMR/GFalls

Flathead senior Connor Roetigg eyes the ball as he prepares to return a serve Saturday afternoon during his No. 1 singles match against C.M. Russell’s Asad Khattak at Flathead Valley Community College. Khattak won 7-5, 7-5.

Creston Auction

An auctioneer takes a bid Saturday morning during the 48th Annual Creston Auction. April 5, 2014 in Creston, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

A. Blanche Hoyt, 98

Arvelva Blanche (Howell) Hoyt was born July 8, 1915, at Columbia Falls, the fifth of 11 children born to Elmer C. and Minnie M. (Johnston) Howell.  

Les Mahugh, 87

Les Mahugh, 87, passed away on March 29, 2014, surrounded by his loving family and Rev. Ron Pierce.

Phyllis Clark, 83

Phyllis Clark, 83, passed away after a long illness on April 3, 2014.

Ruth Lovering Ruggles, 77

Surrounded by family, Ruth Lovering Ruggles, 77, precious daughter of Forrest and Louisa (Barnum) Lovering, “quietly slipped into heaven” April 3, 2014.

Shirley Buker Kent, 78

Shirley Buker Kent, 78, passed away on Feb. 2, 2014, at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula.

Rozella M. Ridenour, 90

Rozella M. Ridenour, 90, passed away in her sleep on Tuesday, April 1, 2014, at the Brendan House in Kalispell.

1969 Flashback: Braves were heavy favorites; had a size advantage inside

Big 32 finale a game for the ages

Laurel capped perfect season in 1969 with overtime victory over Flathead

Groups sue over bull trout recovery plan

Man sentenced for offering to kill 'for a small fee'

Study says mine won't harm bears

Montanore

Companion of suspect heads to prison for 3 years

A Kalispell man arrested with a woman during a standoff in Spokane County, Wash., has been given a three-year prison sentence after violating his sentences in two prior cases.

Judge refuses to dismiss case in child's death

Daybook

Spc. Ivan Lopez

AP photographer killed, reporter wounded

Neighbor part of barking-dog problem

A Foothill Road woman, reported by her neighbors for having a dog that barks all the time, told a

Idaho planning to poison 4,000 ravens

NorthWestern Energy to build new headquarters

Judge to strike down Ohio ban on gay marriage

Number of missing in mudslide drops to 15

Yellowstone bison not fleeing volcano

U.S. finally regains jobs lost in recession

Students probe landscape for scientific study

Flathead High School International Baccalaureate students studying biology, environmental systems and societies and physics recently collaborated to design labs that explored issues around the Flathead Valley.

Fort Hood gunman had argument with other soldiers

Wolf census steady

Gray wolves in the U.S. Northern Rockies are showing resilience even as states adopt increasingly aggressive tactics to drive down their numbers through hunting, trapping and government-sponsored pack removals.

Desperate hunt is on for Flight 370 'black boxes'

Teen charged over bomb threats

Man sentenced for son's death

Fire destroys Truman Creek home

Firefighters from six local departments respond to inferno

A Flathead County couple’s house was destroyed in a raging inferno Friday morning.

Wilma Ellen (Sorenson) Corneliuson, 92

A. Blanche Hoyt, 98

Phyllis Clark, 83

Animal Clinic of Kalispell

Truman Creek Road Fire

Thick smoke blocks the sun as fire crews respond to a fully-engulfed home Friday morning on Truman Creek Road near Kila . April 4, 2014 in Kila, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Double Star

Trucking

Geologists: Rock slides could hit Utah homes

Governor releases development plan

Senate panel approves Little Shell recognition

Principal promoted to Bigfork superintendent

Matt Jensen will be promoted to superintendent of Bigfork schools.

Daybook

Marten move weighed for Belt Mountains area

Man who made bomb threat sentenced for fourth DUI

A Kalispell man has been sentenced to a treatment program and eight years of probation after driving drunk, which also violated his prior sentence for making a bomb threat at an Evergreen bar.

Skydiver's death mars record-breaking try

Police suggest no charges in avalanche

Senior center art mentor steps down

For a decade, Kalispell Senior Center members with an artistic streak have been painting and drawing under the watchful eye of Barb Abbott.

Creston Auction and Country Fair this weekend

If it’s spring, it must be time for the Creston Auction and Country Fair.

Matt Jensen

Matt Jensen poses for a portrait outside the Bigfork School Tuesday. Jensen will start July 1 as the new school district superintendent.

Mystery emerges in effort to ID mudslide remains

North Fork bill stalled in Senate

An attempt to pass the North Fork Watershed Protection Act in the U.S. Senate was turned back on Thursday in Washington, D.C.

Woman sues employer after work hours get cut

Ex-legislator guilty of corruption

Bakken oil production: 1.1 million barrels a day

Air-tanker bid protests upheld

Senate finds CIA illegally interrogated terror suspects

Florida Legislature OKs 'warning shots' bill

Billings attorney faces censure, suspension

Was Harvey Wallbanger intoxicated?

The

Hockey: Nationals name new coach

WHITEFISH — The Glacier Nationals hockey team announced Kyle Bailey as its new head coach on Thursday, replacing Joakim Falt to become the second head coach in team history. He will head the team as it transitions from the former America West Hockey League to the North American Tier III Hockey League (NA3HL) in 2014-15.

Live Music

Breakfast Burrito

Fresh Baked Coffee Cake

The Forge

Reuben

The Hodges Case

The graves of Kiera Marie Pulaski and Darby Walter Hodges in the Conrad Memorial Cemetery on Tuesday, March 25, in Kalispell. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Dollar Rent A Car

Ivan Lopez killed three people and wounded 16 others

Army Spc. Ivan Lopez killed three people and wounded 16 others at Fort Hood, Texas, on Wednesday before killing himself.

Dan Gordon Fleck, 50

Plans for a new women's shelter

The house at 106 5th Avenue West may be demolished to make room for a new shelter for women and children in Kalispell. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Debra 'Debbie' Sue Denzer, 60

Jonianita 'Joni' Morelli, 52

2014 Visitor Guide

Special Event

Brannigan's Pub

Visitor guide 2014 cover

Visitor Guide 2014

Brannigan's

Waxing moon

A waxing crescent moon is seen through the trees Tuesday night from Kalispell.

Gunman showed no prior violent signs

Baseball back in season

I never know how much I miss baseball season until it comes back around.

Fort Hood

Krystina Cassidy and Dianna Simpson attempt to make contact with their husbands who are stationed inside Fort Hood, while standing outside of the Bernie Beck Gate on Wednesday in Fort Hood, Texas. (AP Photo/ Tamir Kalifa)

Valid water treaty may protect Montana later

A thought about water negotiations from one who well remembers the proposal to raise Flathead Lake. In not too many years the farmers of California and the Southwest together with the citizens of Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Phoenix will be pounding on doors in Washington, D.C., demanding our water.

Course focuses on owls in Mission Valley

 The Glacier Institute will offer its Owls of the Mission Valley course on Saturday, April 12. Instructors will be Matt and Jessica Larson from the Owl Research Institute.

Man and woman arrested for assault

Poll: Legal marijuana inevitable

2014 job fair to feature more than 70 employers

 Job seekers or people considering career changes will have an opportunity to network with over 70 employers actively seeking applicants for job openings at the 2014 Flathead Valley Job Fair.

Quake causes little damage

Three Forks man pleads guilty to sexual assault

Cheers to our many local beers

Three cheers for Great Northern Brewing Co., which is in the throes of a major expansion project at the downtown Whitefish brewery. This week, crews rolled out the old tanks and replaced them with bigger ones that will allow a 50 percent increase in beer production capacity.

Mother acquitted of homicide

Kalispell driver challenges vehicular assault charge

A Kalispell man has pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of negligent vehicular assault after a crash late last year.

Montana values help create jobs

When I wanted to start a global business in Bozeman, many people told me it was impossible. They just didn’t know Montanans like I do. We don’t give up easily. If there’s one thing I’ve found as I raised my family and grew my business here, it’s that the love of freedom and individual liberty really count for something in Big Sky country.

Elderly man accused of slashing wife

An elderly Kalispell man has pleaded not guilty to a felony charge after allegedly cutting his wife.

Man convicted of drug conspiracy

A Harrisburg, Ore., has been convicted of conspiracy to distribute dangerous drugs.

Support Mitchell for commissioner

I am a conservative who served with Phil Mitchell on the Whitefish City Council.  

Billings man on trial for home invasion rapes

Happiness is a new fishing boat

I am as giddy as a kid with a brand-new all-day sucker.

Gianforte to speak at two graduations

Legal marijuana inevitable

A marijuana plant grows at the River Rock growing facility in Denver. (AP photo)

Asphalt plant denies charges in worker death

High court loosens reins on campaign donations

Former CIA official: No politics in Benghazi memo

Sex-assault suspect pleads not guilty

A Marion man has pleaded not guilty to a pair of felony sexual assault-related charges.

Daybook

Sex-abuse suspect pleads not guilty

‘She is 11 ... back off’

A developmentally disabled Whitefish man has pleaded not guilty to felony sexual abuse of children after allegedly having a sexual video-chat tryst with an 11-year-old girl.

Tech-levy tax impacts revised

The proposed technology tax levies for Kalispell Public Schools will have a slightly smaller impact on taxpayers than previously indicated.

Fort Hood gunman kills three, wounds 16

Shooter eventually kills himself

Construction on Columbia Falls Stage Road

Thirst trucks will bring 10 cubic yards each of fill material to deal with the hole forming on the west side of Columbia Falls Stage Road. Construction began on Wednesday, April 2, east of Kalispell and continues today. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Gary Lynn Hanson, 67

Debra 'Debbie' Sue Denzer, 60

The Forge

Cassidy

Creamsicle

Janine

Dr. Meg Gordon

Dr. Jevon Clark

Animal Clinic of Kalispell

Barb Abbott

Barb Abbott is retiring as art teacher at the Kalispell Senior Center.

High court voids overall contribution limits

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court struck down limits Wednesday in federal law on the overall campaign contributions the biggest individual donors may make to candidates, political parties and political action committees.

Smith, Schulz national coach of the year finalists

Two highly successful spring sports coaches from Northwest Montana are finalists for National High School Athletic Coaches Association Coach of the Year awards.

Entrepreneur sees Flathead's business potential

'It can happen here'

When serial software entrepreneur Greg Gianforte started RightNow Technologies in Bozeman 17 years ago, the naysayers told him all the reasons he’d never make a go of it.

Health care sign-ups surge but questions remain

State seeks new home for quarantined bison

Commissioner says Senate leader broke campaign law

Daybook

Megaloads may come through Kalispell

It’s possible megaloads could be rumbling through Kalispell soon.

You're going where for spring break?

An Airport Road woman contacted the

Mountain snow keeps piling up

Visitors take pictures near Lake McDonald Tuesday afternoon in Glacier National Park. Snowpack is well above average in the high country.

Lake County jail officer suspended after arrest

Columbia Falls Stage Road may have to be rebuilt

A sizable slump along Columbia Falls Stage Road may force Flathead County to rebuild a portion of the road to the east.

Montana: Author should be denied records request

Group accuses state of warehousing mentally ill

Glacier National Park/North Fork

Tourists walk on the frozen Lake McDonald Tuesday afternoon in Glacier National Park. April 1, 2014 in Glacier, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Greg Gianforte visits with students from around the valley

Greg Gianforte talks with students on Tuesday afternoon at Sykes’ in Kalispell. Gianforte also met with local business leaders and talked about his plan to create better-paying jobs in Montana.

New tanks at the Great Northern Brewing Company

A section of Railway Street was closed to traffic on Tuesday, April 1, at the Great Northern Brewing Company in Whitefish. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Arthur Scott Anderson, 74

Commercial

Land

Residential

Roberta Wills, 79

Wayne Marvin Gabriel, 64

Wayne Marvin Gabriel, 64, of Wilmot, S.D., died Saturday, March 29, 2014, at his sister's home in Aberdeen, S.D., after a brief battle with cancer.

Waterfront

Elisa M. (Boucher) Thompson, 50

Classifieds

KwaTaqNuk Resort

Stunning Views

Casino

Western Montana's largest gaming facility has the highest payouts in the region, along with the most beautiful view of any casino. Approximately 200 of the most popular video gaming machines can be found at KwaTaqNuk Resort & Casino. KwaTaqNuk provides the friendliest gaming atmosphere in along the shores of Flathead Lake Montana.

111 Guest Rooms, 1 Executive Suite

In room hair dryers, Keurig coffee makers, iron/board, free wireless internet, data port.

Patio

Check out our new patio fire pits and furniture! Also, keep your eyes open for our new KwaTaqNuk Patio Lounge coming soon!

Week in Pictures: March 24-30

Herbal product maker unveils expansion plan

With plans to double the company’s growth over the next three years, Mountain Meadow Herbs has asked Flathead County to apply on the company’s behalf for a low-interest loan to help finance “bigger and faster” production equipment.