Ellington

Moodie, Bishop Labor Day Tournament golf leaders

Sarah Moodie of Vancouver, British Columbia, held on to her lead, but the men have a new name on top of the leaderboard after second-round action at the 77th International Labor Day Tournament at Buffalo Hill Golf Club on Sunday.

Council considers growth policy

On Tuesday night, the Kalispell City Council will consider a resolution of intent to adopt a Growth Policy that the city planning board has been reviewing and updating over the last year. 

Whitefish seeks to broaden false alarm law

Citing false burglar, hold-up and fire alarms as an ongoing challenge for first responders, the city of Whitefish has proposed a broader city law to deal with false alarms.

Tireless volunteer wins first Wheels to Thrive car

There’s no such thing as a free lunch, economists say. But for the Flathead’s Jesse Mahugh, there may be such a thing as a free car.

Rain can't dampen air-show fun

Despite early showers and warnings of thunderstorms, the second day of the Mountain Madness Air Show took off Sunday with only slight delays as the weather improved.

Daily Inter Lake, Kalispell, c. 1915-1918

The Daily Inter Lake was located at 131 First Avenue East from 1891 to 1931. The building was converted from this wood building to brick in 1919. The paper was founded in Demersville as a weekly in 1889 by. C.O. Ingalls and moved to Kalispell in 1891. It became a daily newspaper in 1908. (Courtesy of Stumptown Historical Society)

125th anniversary of Inter Lake: From 1889 in Demersville to 2014 in Kalispell

I had been working at the Daily Inter Lake for about five years in 1989 when the Inter Lake celebrated its 100th anniversary.

A guiding light: Whitefish counselor goes the distance to help students

During the final oral examination for her master’s degree, Barb Mansfield was asked, “How would you handle a student that you really, truly hated?” 

Stolen phone gets dumped in garbage

The

Mountain Madness Airshow 2014 Day 2

The Thunderbirds begin to prep for their show on Sunday at the Mountain Madness Air Show at Glacier Park International Airport. (Sally Finneran/Bigfork Eagle)

Barb

Barb Mansfield will start her 18th years as a member of the counseling staff at Whitefish High School this September. "I'm always proud of them," Mansfield said of her students. "When they come back to visit and they've achieved what they wanted, it makes me happy."

Mahugh

Jesse Mahugh, center, accepts a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt from Travis, Loren and Denise Sallee, owners of Loren's Auto Repair in Kalispell. Mahugh is the first winner of the Wheels to Thrive program the auto body shop started to give back to the community.

DIL 8-31-14

Fast start for Glacier runners

LIBBY — Freshman Annie Hill of Glacier had an impressive varsity debut on Saturday at the Libby Invitational cross country meet.

Crowded leaderboard at Labor Day Tournament

Brian Beach of Missoula, Cody Sherrill of Kalispell, Justin Dorr of Spokane and Kyle Mossfeldt of Whitefish all shot 6-under 60s Saturday to tie for the top spot on the leaderboard at the 77th International Labor Day Tournament at Buffalo Hill Golf Club.

Flathead boys spill Billings Skyview in soccer

HELENA — Flathead opened the Class AA boys soccer season Saturday beating Billings Skyview 3-1 while losing to Billings Senior 3-0.

Glacier, Flathead spikers start 2-0

Glacier volleyball started its season off with a pair of sweeps in its opening set, beating Great Falls High and C.M. Russell in three sets on Saturday at Flathead.

Becker nets 6 goals; Glacier beats Butte, G-Falls in soccer

GREAT FALLS — Glacier junior Colton Becker scored six goals and assisted on a seventh to lead Glacier to its first two soccer wins of the season at the Great Falls Jamboree on Saturday.

C-Falls, Libby win football openers

LEWISTOWN — Columbia Falls quarterback Dakota Bridwell passed for 309 yards and five touchdowns, three going to Ty Morgan, as Columbia Falls crushed Lewistown 47-7 in the Class A football opener for both schools.

Football: Whitefish trips Havre

HAVRE — Luke May threw three touchdown passes and ran for another as Whitefish opened the Class A football season for a third-straight year by downing Havre.

Inter Lake celebrates 125th year

Today, the Inter Lake is commemorating its 125th year as the first and best newspaper in Northwest Montana with a special section dedicated to retelling some of the history of the paper, plus reprinting some historic front pages from our early years.

Man convicted of fracturing child's skull

BILLINGS (AP) — A jury has convicted a 24-year-old Billings man of aggravated assault for fracturing the skull of his girlfriend’s 2-year-old daughter.

It may be disturbing, but it isn't criminal

A man — believed to be a mental health patient — dropped a notebook off with an employee at a Kalispell clinic, and the employee was “disturbed” by what he found. He turned it in to the

Inmate commits suicide in Lincoln County

An inmate at the Lincoln County Detention Center committed suicide on Thursday.

New heart-failure drug works better than current treatment

In a huge international study, an experimental drug for heart failure worked significantly better than the current backbone of treatment, paving the way for the biggest therapeutic advance in decades.

'There's still life after cancer'

Cancer survivors from the Flathead Valley share story of survival, inspiration, and hope

When 52-year old Sandy Jahnke crested the last rise of her hike and saw the foggy ruins of Macchu Picchu up close for the first time, she didn’t attempt to hold back from crying.

Aerial maneuvers U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Flight

Daily Inter Lake reporter Hilary Matheson flew with Thunderbird 8 Maj. Michael Fisher Aug. 29, 2014 as a preview to the Mountain Madness Air Show featuring the United States Air Force Thunderbirds. Video was captured both from an in-flight recorder, which captured audio and a GoPro, which provides stunning views of Northwestern Montana.

Global warming just eco-religion?

“Piltdown Man Hoax Is Exposed,” announced the New York Times on Nov. 21, 1953. Yet liberals like Bill Baum believe the global warming hoax because their environmental religion requires it.

Dog turns on stove, starts house fire

LACEY TOWNSHIP, N.J. (AP) — Police say a New Jersey family’s dog turned on the stove, which caught the laptop resting on the burner on fire and sent smoke through the roof.

Strategy, money, luck aid Steve Daines' ascendance

HELENA (AP) — Steve Daines has rocketed from the unknown to being the face of the Montana Republican Party and the favorite to take a U.S. Senate seat that has been in Democratic control for a century, all before completing a full term in Congress.

Does governor want to replace parents with state?

Recently we attended a two-day meeting of the Montana Board of Education in Helena. In the audience on the first day we were the only two people who were not government employees. It was a startling reality.

Girl dies, was trapped in sand

LINCOLN CITY, Ore. (AP) — Police in the Oregon coastal town of Lincoln City say a 9-year-old girl trapped when a sand hole collapsed on her has died.

California lawmakers pass first US plastic bag ban

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California lawmakers have approved a measure that would make the state the first to impose a statewide ban on single-use plastic bags.

Rally held at Ohio Walmart where cops shot man

BEAVERCREEK, Ohio (AP) — Some 200 people held signs and chanted Saturday outside a Wal-Mart where a young man with an air rifle was fatally shot by police.

EU threatens Russia with more sanctions over Ukraine

BRUSSELS (AP) — Despite tough rhetoric decrying Russia’s increasing military involvement in Ukraine, European Union leaders on Sunday stopped short of imposing new sanctions against Moscow right away.

Mountain lion cubs rescued in fire

MISSOULA (AP) — Firefighters in western Montana rescued two mountain lion cubs from the burning log under which they were hiding.

Corvette Museum to fill in sinkhole

BOWLING GREEN, Kentucky (AP) — A massive sinkhole that swallowed eight sports cars won’t be a permanent attraction at the National Corvette Museum.

Commissioner candidate says no to party politics

I have no use for party politics. For me, local politics is about the people — not parties. At the end of the day, Flathead County citizens have more things in common than they have differences. And one thing we all have in common is a daily disconnect from each other, and from our local government.

Eyes on the sky: Thousands attend first day of air show

All eyes were trained on the sky at the 2014 Mountain Madness Air Show.

Go through a loop with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds

Daily Inter Lake reporter Hilary Matheson flew with Thunderbird 8 Maj. Michael Fisher Aug. 29, 2014 as a preview to the Mountain Madness Air Show featuring the United States Air Force Thunderbirds. Video was captured both from an in-flight recorder, which captured audio and a GoPro, which provides stunning views of Northwestern Montana.

Daybook

Today, Aug. 31

Thanks for 30 great years at the Inter Lake

We’re celebrating the 125th anniversary of the Inter Lake as a newspaper in today’s edition, which got me thinking about another important milestone.

Mountain Madness Air Show 2014

Photos by Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake

Mountain Madness Air Show

View of the crowd gathered from the cockpit of a C-130 on display with members of the Air National Guard out of Great Falls, Montana on Saturday, August 30 at the Mountain Madness Air Show. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Donna Mae Larson, 74

Donna Mae Larson, 74, died Thursday, Aug. 28, 2014, at the Immanuel Skilled Care Center in Kalispell.  She began to experience the ill effects of Alzheimer's disease in 2003, and had been receiving loving and compassionate care from Home Options Private Care, the Immanuel Skilled Care Center — Bratsberg Wing, and Home Options Hospice.

Shandy Kayne Rhodes, 39

Shandy Kayne Rhodes, born April 17, 1975, near Troy, “Up the Yaak,” died at age 39 on Aug. 26, 2014, in Kalispell of natural causes. 

Braves beat Bison

There’s a new look to the Flathead Braves football team this year and it isn’t just their flashy orange jerseys.

Wilson passes Polson past Raymond

The Daily Inter Lake

Glacier gridders whip Billings West

BILLINGS — Glacier football lived up to its early expectations, making a statement in its Class AA season opener Friday afternoon by trouncing Billings West 31-7 at Daylis Stadium.

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Images from the Flathead Braves' 13-12 victory over the Great Falls Bison at Legends Stadium on Friday, Aug. 29, 2014. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Flathead's Payton Boyce attempts to run through two Great Falls' defenders during the second quarter at Legends Stadium Friday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Flathead's James Flannigan sheds the tackle of a Great Falls defender during the first quarter on Friday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Images from the Flathead Braves' 13-12 victory over the Great Falls Bison at Legends Stadium on Friday, Aug. 29, 2014. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Images from the Flathead Braves' 13-12 victory over the Great Falls Bison at Legends Stadium on Friday, Aug. 29, 2014. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Flathead 13, Great Falls 12

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Flathead running back Josh McCracken runs for a touchdown on the Braves' opening drive against Great Falls High at Legends Stadium Friday night. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Flathead Braves running back Payton Boyce is pulled down by the face mask after a long run on the Braves' opening drive at Legends Stadium Friday night. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Images from the Flathead Braves' 13-12 victory over the Great Falls Bison at Legends Stadium on Friday, Aug. 29, 2014. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Images from the Flathead Braves' 13-12 victory over the Great Falls Bison at Legends Stadium on Friday, Aug. 29, 2014. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Images from the Flathead Braves' 13-12 victory over the Great Falls Bison at Legends Stadium on Friday, Aug. 29, 2014. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Images from the Flathead Braves' 13-12 victory over the Great Falls Bison at Legends Stadium on Friday, Aug. 29, 2014. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Images from the Flathead Braves' 13-12 victory over the Great Falls Bison at Legends Stadium on Friday, Aug. 29, 2014. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Whitefish splits with Hamilton in soccer

HAMILTON — Whitefish got four goals from Shanoah Montano and three from Jared Johnson in a 8-4 win over Hamilton in the Class A boys soccer opener for both schools on Friday.

Volleyball previews: Flathead, Glacier will dominate Western AA, again

Year-in and year-out the Flathead and Glacier volleyball teams always seem to there — the state tournament.

Walking Dead Marines

In this July 3, 1968 file photo, Marines of the 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment ride on a lightweight tank-like vehicle carrying four 106mm recoilless rifles near Khe Sanh in Vietnam. The Marine Corps is holding a deactivation ceremony on Friday for the 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, a battalion nicknamed the “Walking Dead.” (AP Photo/Stone)

Marines deactivate decorated 'Walking Dead' unit

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Decades before the television show, a Marine Corps battalion decorated for extensive combat in World War II and Vietnam earned the nickname the “Walking Dead.”

Rescuers locate 20 of 24 trapped in Nicaragua mine

BONANZA, Nicaragua (AP) — Rescuers in Nicaragua raced Friday to reach at least 24 freelance gold miners trapped by a landslide, including 20 who have been located and have communicated with emergency crews.

Flying high

Hilary Matheson preparing for takeoff.

Capt. Jason Curtis - His Path

Thunderbird 6, Maj. Jason Curtis drew from his inspirational lineage to get where he is today. He will tell you to use whatever inspires and motivates you to always chase your dreams. In his words, the payoff is worth it.

Air Show Traffic

Heavy traffic is expected on U.S. 2 over the weekend for the Mountain Madness Air Show, but organizers said routes to air-show parking lots will be well marked.

Testing limits at 9 G's

FLYING HIGH

There is no doubt about it. Flying with the United States Air Force Thunderbirds was the ride of my life.

Kalispell Montana Thunderbirds Flight 2014 raw footage

Daily Inter Lake reporter Hilary Matheson flew with Thunderbird 8 Maj. Michael Fisher Aug. 29, 2014 as a preview to the Mountain Madness Air Show featuring the United States Air Force Thunderbirds. Video was captured both from an in-flight recorder, which captured audio and a GoPro, which provides stunning views of Northwestern Montana.

Montana Thunderbirds raw footage

Daily Inter Lake reporter Hilary Matheson flew with Thunderbird 8 Maj. Michael Fisher Aug. 29, 2014 as a preview to the Mountain Madness Air Show featuring the United States Air Force Thunderbirds. Video was captured both from an in-flight recorder, which captured audio and a GoPro, which provides stunning views of Northwestern Montana.

Ex-school administrator gets probation for thefts

BILLINGS (AP) — A former administrator in the Billings school district has been sentenced to six years of probation after pleading guilty to stealing electronics and selling them at pawn shops.

Leader of Bakken drug ring gets 20 years in prison

BILLINGS (AP) — A federal judge sentenced the leader of an interstate drug ring to 20 years in prison Friday for his role in a major trafficking operation that stretched from western Washington to the Bakken oil fields of the Northern Plains.

Woman hears 'wild, growly' screams coming from man in the woods

The

Daybook

Today, Aug. 30

A hero's welcome: Flathead students cheer high-flying grad

The charm and charisma of Maj. Jason Curtis captured his audience’s attention from the moment he stepped out onto the gym floor Friday morning.

Thunderbirds ready for spectacle in the sky

It's showtime!

The Air Force Thunderbirds made their presence known over much of the Flathead Valley Friday afternoon, executing a practice session for this weekend’s Mountain Madness Air Show.

Breathtaking views of Montana U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Media Flight 2014

Daily Inter Lake reporter Hilary Matheson flew with Thunderbird 8 Maj. Michael Fisher Aug. 29, 2014 as a preview to the Mountain Madness Air Show featuring the United States Air Force Thunderbirds. Video was captured both from an in-flight recorder, which captured audio and a GoPro, which provides stunning views of Northwestern Montana.

Thunderbirds practice

Five Thunderbirds draw a heart in the sky for families who have loved ones serving overseas. It is one of the maneuvers they will perform during the Mountain Madness Air Show.

Gary Whitney, 62

Gary  Whitney, 62, of Kalispell, “fell asleep” in death with his devoted wife and family by his side on Aug. 18, 2014, after a long battle with cancer.

Major Jason Curtis returns to Flathead High School

United States Air Force Major Jason Curtis addresses the students on Friday.

Flying with the Thunderbirds

Matheson meets the flight crew before her Thunderbird flight Friday morning.

Bigfork favored again in Dist. 7B; Eureka aiming for postseason play

For the last few years, Class B football in the Northwest has run through Bigfork. This season is no different.

Class A: C-Falls eyes repeat; Whitefish looks to challenge

Hopes are high for many of the Northwestern A football teams as the 2014 season starts today.

Another strong field for Labor Day golf tourney

The 77th International Labor Day golf tournament begins Saturday at Buffalo Hill Golf Club.

New coach, new approach for Flathead

With the sun shining over the Flathead Valley, a new era of Flathead Braves football is set to kick off tonight at Legends Stadium.

Expectations high, key talent back for Glacier

Glacier football didn’t lose much from the team that finished second in the state and posted the most wins in Kalispell football history.

Schnebel will bring integrity, fresh ideas to commissioner race

Stacey Schnebel will make an outstanding Flathead County commissioner.  

Split commission OKs budget

Flathead County adopted a $102.3 million budget and a $14.5 million capital improvement plan on Thursday, but the vote wasn’t unanimous.

Daybook

Today, Aug. 29

Thunderbirds zoom into Flathead

STARS OF THE SHOW

All eyes were on the sky when the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds flew into the Flathead Valley Thursday afternoon.

A sort of endorsement of Amanda Curtis

The announcement by Amanda Curtis, Democratic candidate for the U. S. Senate, that she has selected Clayton Elliott as her campaign manager raised my appreciation for the Democratic Party and all they stand for in Montana.  

Shoe gets stuck on car wash roof

Three men were spotted climbing on the roof of a car wash on East Idaho Street.

Happy no one covered Ten Commandments Park dedication

When I was a newspaper editor in Texas, we had a policy of not reporting phony bomb threats because it would bring more public nuisances and other nutcases out of the woodwork. 

Woman pleads guilty in death of husband

A Whitefish woman who stabbed her husband to death in 2013 pleaded guilty to negligent homicide Wednesday in Flathead County District Court. 

Don't you dare miss the air show

Man went from bakery job to Air Force pilot

The news media swarmed around Maj. Jason Curtis of Kalispell Thursday afternoon for a chance to interview him while other members of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds took a back seat to the “hometown hero.”

Forests add 26,500 acres of land

The U.S. Forest Service has announced a major land acquisition in Western Montana — the latest chapter in the Montana Legacy Project.

Mill cuts back after logging shutdown

The impacts of a recent court ruling pertaining to the Stillwater State Forest are beginning to take shape, starting with Stoltze Land & Lumber Co. announcing that it will curtail its sawmill operations and lay off up to 10 people by the end of September.

Government makes buy-back offers on Indian lands

HELENA (AP) — The U.S. government has offered to buy land parcels in Arizona and Montana from 4,300 American Indians who have fractional ownership interests and give the land back to the tribes.

Government workers do NOT get free health insurance

A letter published on August 21 written by Fred Hammel claiming that government workers get free health care is absolutely not true.  Mr. Hammel surely did not try to interview any government workers, nor did he research the facts.

Candidate challenges Republican opponent

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Amanda Curtis made her first campaign swing through the Flathead Valley this week, slinging some barbs at her Republican opponent, Rep. Steve Daines.

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Thunderbird pilot Jason Curtis speaks with the media at Glacier International Airport Thursday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Thunderbird pilot Blaine Jones speaks with the media during a demostration at Glacier International Airport Thursday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

The Thunderbirds

Maj. Jason Curtis

Maj. Blaine Jones

Victim identified in fatal accident at store

A Kalispell Walmart employee died four days after an accident at the store. 

Thunderbirds arrive

The Thunderbirds arrive at Glacier International Airport on Thursday afternoon, August 28, 2014.

Shandy Kayne Rhodes, 39

David Oliver Ohs, 94

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Flathead Braves' quarterback Easton Johnson prepares to throw a pass during practice on Monday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Glacier head football coach Grady Bennett speaks to his team after practice on Wednesday at Glacier High School. The Wolfpack open the season today at Billings West. The kickoff is set for 4 p.m. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Flathead Braves head football coach Kyle Samson instructs his team during practice at Legends Stadium on Wednesday. Flathead opens the season tonight at Legends Stadium at 7 versus Great Falls High. Samson is in his first year with the Braves. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Wolfpack no longer underdogs

Far different from its first seven seasons, Glacier football has a new look this fall.

Man pleads guilty in corruption case

The key players in a conspiracy to defraud the Chippewa Cree Tribe occasionally met at a Havre pawn shop to figure out ways to exploit tribal and federal contracts, decide who would receive work, and how large the contracts needed to be to cover kickbacks to tribal officials, federal prosecutors said.

Woman who left hospital denies forgery charge

ANACONDA — A 29-year-old woman who fled the Anaconda hospital after she and her newborn tested positive for methamphetamine has pleaded not guilty to a forgery charge that alleges she checked into the hospital using her sister’s name.

Yellowstone Park worker found dead

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK — Law enforcement at Yellowstone National Park is investigating the death of a woman who worked there.

Whitefish killer up for parole on Friday

A man who killed his girlfriend in Whitefish 25 years ago is up for parole — and family members of the victim are speaking out against his release.

Whitefish student gets science grant

A Whitefish woman is one of six graduate students affiliated with Montana State University to have received a 2014 National Science Foundation graduate research fellowship worth at least $32,000 a year for three years.

Board backs land buy for Bigfork green boxes site

Bigfork residents are one step closer to getting a new green-box collection site in their community.

Application withdrawn for wedding ranch permit

Ten Arrows Ranch owners Bill and Alana Myers have withdrawn their application for a conditional-use permit to operate their ranch as a high-impact recreational facility that would allow commercial weddings.

Attendance of 77,000 up from last year at fair

 Despite a couple of rainy days, nearly 77,000 people attended events and visited exhibits Aug. 12-17 during the Northwest Montana Fair in Kalispell. 

Assault may leave former reporter blind in one eye

MISSOULA — Police in Missoula are searching for a man suspected of assaulting a former Daily Inter Lake reporter, likely costing the 70-year-old man the sight in his left eye.

Man pleads innocent in shooting case

A Whitefish man has pleaded not guilty in Flathead County District Court to a felony charge of assault with a weapon.

Plane stopper

Pilots from the 389th Fighter Squadron from Mountain Home Air Force Base in Southwestern Idaho flew to Glacier Park International Airport on Wednesday morning to test an aircraft arresting cable. The cable — similar to those used on aircraft carriers to stop planes — was installed across the runway by engineers from the 219th Red Horse Squadron of the Montana Air National Guard in preparation for the arrival of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds for this weekend’s Mountain Madness Air Show. On Wednesday, the F-15 Eagle accelerated to more than 90 miles per hour, connected with the arresting cable and was brought to a stop within 900 feet.

Man who fled to Spain pleads guilty to sex crime

HELENA  (AP) — A former Montana Army National Guard soldier who fled the country to avoid trial has pleaded guilty to sexual abuse of children and bail jumping.

Obama crafts immigration rationale

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House is crafting a blame-it-on-Congress legal justification to back up President Barack Obama’s impending executive actions on immigration.

Shooting instructor killed by 9-year-old with Uzi

PHOENIX (AP) — The accidental shooting death of a gun-range instructor by a 9-year-old girl with an Uzi has set off a powerful debate over youngsters and guns, with many people wondering what sort of parents would let a child handle a submachine gun.

Dad acquitted in slaying of driver who killed sons

ANGLETON, Texas (AP) — A jury on Wednesday acquitted a southeast Texas man of murder in the fatal shooting of a drunken driver who had just caused an accident that killed the man’s two sons.

Woman accused of arson by way of burned bacon

VERNAL, Utah (AP) — A Utah woman accused of using a pound of bacon to start a fire in her ex-boyfriend’s house will stand trial on arson charges.

Cash keeps washing in from ALS challenge

In the couple of hours it took an official from the ALS Association to return a reporter’s call for comment, the group’s ubiquitous “ice bucket challenge” had brought in a few million more dollars.

Judge: Crow triple murder suspect incompetent for trial

BILLINGS (AP) — A 25-year-old man accused in a triple murder on Montana’s Crow Indian Reservation is likely to be committed to a psychiatric institution after he was found incompetent to stand trial, a federal judge decided Wednesday.

Alice Lorraine Hendrickson Tillson, 93

Alice Lorraine Hendrickson Tillson, 93, passed away Aug. 24, 2014.

Bernard Francis Carlson, 69

Man's vehicle runs into house

Just before noon on Tuesday, the

Don't forget Daines' stand on abortion

Earlier this year on local television, a serious, business-like Rep. Steve Daines voiced his contention that abortion should be against the law, and women who have had abortions should be prosecuted by the legal system.  

Eagle Transit gets A+ and a thank you

Eagle Transit gets three cheers and an A+, as does the Agency on Aging. Much gratitude and thanks. You deserve some public praise and affirmation. I don’t know what the elderly  and disabled would do without you.

Poor students need help to graduate

“Who gets to graduate?”

Rein in Obama by electing Daines

President Obama has regrettably proven to us time and again that he does not possess the leadership skills necessary to run our country. Whether it’s the IRS targeting political groups, the current situation on the southern border, the debacle in the Middle East, or the EPA destroying businesses and jobs, Obama and his administration clearly are not using the executive agencies responsibly.

Pine Grove Pond project begins Tuesday

 Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks will begin a road and path project at Pine Grove Pond north of Kalispell on Tuesday, Sept. 2. 

Swan Center gets Bear Aware Grant

The Vital Ground Foundation recently presented its first Community Bear Aware Grant to the Swan Ecosystem Center and Northwest Connections in support of the Swan Valley Bear Resources project.

Jail expansion is a top priority

Today is the day when the Flathead County commissioners will decide whether to pursue a creative plan for expanding the county jail, and by all means, they should go for it.

Judge rejects Senate leader's conspiracy claims

 HELENA (AP) — A Helena judge has dismissed claims by the Montana Senate majority leader that the governor, a state senator and two commissioners of political practices conspired to drive him out of office.

Patience Rose-Belle Caron

Patience Rose-Belle Caron, daughter of Kyle Caron and Cherysa Washington of Kalispell, was born April 26 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Samuel Svejkovsky

Samuel Svejkovsky, son of Kristen Svejkovsky of Kalispell, was born April 24 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Preparations for the Air Show

Pilots from the 389th Fighter Squadron out of Mountain Home Air Force Base in Southwestern Idaho were at Glacier International Airport on Wednesday morning, August 27, to test an arresting cable installed by engineers from the 219th RED HORSE Squadron of the Montana Air National Guard in preparation for the arrival of the Thunderbirds and the Mountain Madness Air Show. The F-15 Eagle accelerated to more than 90 miles per hour, connected with the arresting cable and was brought to a stop within 900 feet. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

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Bill Spiess draws the angels from Raphael's Sistine Madonna during a chalk art demo in front of the Pocketstone Cafe in Bigfork on Tuesday. The demo was a preview for the Chalk 'n Rock Festival on Sept. 20-21. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Bill Spiess draws an angel during a chalk art demonstration in Bigfork on Tuesday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Chalk sits on the asphalt as artist Bill Spiess demonstrates his chalk art technique in Bigfork on Tuesday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Bill Spiess takes a break from drawing to speak with the spectators during a chalk art demo in Bigfork on Monday. The demo was a preview for the Chalk 'n Rock Festival in September. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

First Day of School

Savanah Waters and other students rise to recite the Pledge of Allegiance in Tracy Ketchum's first grade class on Wednesday, August 27, on the first day of school at Elrod Elementary. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Golf: Whitefish's Schulz repeats at Missoula Invite

MISSOULA — Whitefish junior Coral Schulz won the Missoula Invitational for the second straight season, her first win as a Bulldog, on Tuesday at Canyon River Golf Club. Flathead’s Ryan Keenan finished second in the boys’ meet, tying for the best score but losing in a scorecard playoff.

Daybook

Sheriff, judges back jail plan

Flathead County Sheriff Chuck Curry said he solidly supports a proposed funding plan that would set aside money over seven years to expand the county jail.

'Learn to play in the groove'

Crown of the continent guitar festival

The Crown of the Continent Guitar Workshop and Festival is in full swing this week, and no one has the blues.

911: Remember, it's for real emergencies

 The

Judge won't move trial from Missoula shooting death

 MISSOULA (AP) — The trial of a man charged with shooting a German exchange student in his garage in April will remain in Missoula, a state judge has ruled.

Fort Shaw fire chief dies a month after crash

GREAT FALLS — A volunteer fire chief has died a month after being critically injured in a crash between a water tender and a fire truck as both vehicles responded to a grass fire west of Great Falls.

Probe: VA delays did not cause deaths

 WASHINGTON (AP) — Government investigators found no proof that delays in care caused veterans to die at a Phoenix VA hospital, but they found widespread problems that the Veterans Affairs Department is promising to fix.

Man charged in gun threat

HAMILTON — A 41-year-old Stevensville man faces charges alleging he threatened several people with a gun, fired a shot near a house and, according to his 6-year-old daughter, threw the gun out of the car while they drove over a bridge.

Man dies after being hit by train in Miles City

MILES CITY — A 50-year-old Miles City man has been killed at a train crossing in the city.

Livestock Department faces $400,000 deficit

 BOZEMAN (AP) — The Montana Board of Livestock has approved plans to leave a dozen jobs unfilled, increase fees and ask the state for more money to avoid a potential $400,000 budget shortfall.

Mom charged with hiding bullet homicide probe

 BILLINGS (AP) — The mother of a Billings man accused of killing a neighbor over a long-running dispute pleaded not guilty to lying to investigators and hiding a bullet in her shoe while detectives searched her residence six days after the March 2013 shooting.

Classes start next week in many valley schools

 Several area school districts begin classes next week after the Labor Day holiday.

Magazine spotlights Event at Rebecca Farm

 The Event at Rebecca Farm has been honored by National Geographic Traveler magazine in its “Best of Montana in Summer” listings.

Creston grizzlies captured

A family of grizzly bears recently captured along the Flathead River west of Columbia Falls Stage Road were moved back to the Flathead Indian Reservation.

Aerial fun nearly here

As this weekend’s Mountain Madness Air Show approaches, event organizers are confident the show will be one to remember.

Experts: Water compact based on sound science

HELENA — A legislative working group came to its final meeting Tuesday armed with a 100-page report that says the scientific modeling used in the state’s water-rights compact with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes is reasonable.

Ana Popovic at the Crown of the Continent Guitar Festival

Blues guitarist and singer Ana Popovic performs at the Crown of the Continent Guitar Festival on Monday night in Bigfork. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Junia Nelson, 99

After a brave battle with age, Junia Nelson passed away on Aug. 15, 2014, at 99 years, 1 month.

Beverly K. Elward, 80

Beverly K. Elward, 80, passed away on Aug. 16, 2014, at the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls.

Effie Hinrichs, 79

Fred Butler Cox Jr., 80

Back to school for Whitefish

Fourth grade teacher Shelly Snipes organizes files and supplies as she prepares for the start of school on Tuesday morning, August 26, in Whitefish. Teachers officially return to work on Thursday, August 28, giving them two days to prepare for the arrival of students on Tuesday, September 2. "It can be hard to get all this done in two days," said Snipes. "I like to feel prepared." (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

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St. Matthew's fifth-grade teacher Sydney Schroeder loads a locker full of tissues as she prepares for the start of school. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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St. Matthew science teacher Myrna Matulevich paints the ceiling of the school's computer lab on Tuesday. Matulevich also serves as the school's tech support and installed the new Google Chrome pads in the lab. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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St. Matthew science teacher Myrna Matulevich paints the ceiling of the school's computer lab on Tuesday. Matulevich also serves as the school's tech support and installed the new Google Chrome pads in the lab. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Fair-Mont-Egan second-grade teacher Mylea Olesen, left, helps sixth-grade teacher Lizzy Douglas hang a poster in her room at the school on Monday. (Aaric Bryan/ Daily Inter Lake)

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Fair-Mont-Egan second-grade teacher Mylea Olesen, left, helps sixth-grade teacher Lizzy Douglas hang a poster in her room at the school on Monday. (Aaric Bryan/ Daily Inter Lake)

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A line of bikers cruise down the Notch Trail at Herron Park during last year's 24 Hours of Flathead. (Photo courtesy Steve Person)

Fair-Mont-Egan

Fair-Mont-Egan first-grade teacher Jean White gets help decorating her room from her incoming student Ella Rohletter on Monday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

Stone Opre

Stone Opre, daughter of Tom and Olivia Opre, was born April 26 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Braxtyn Schermerhorn

Braxtyn Schermerhorn, son of Aaron and Jacolyn Schermerhorn of Kalispell, was born April 23 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Health Link 82614 Cover

Health Link 82614

Couple's park addition to be dedicated Wednesday

The Lakeside couple who donated a $3 million waterfront park to Flathead County fours years ago have developed a second phase of the park in Lakeside and will deed it to the county today.

Libby boys win C-Falls golf tourney

RONAN — Libby, with three golfers in the top 10, won the Columbia Falls Invitational golf tournament on Monday at Mission Mountain Country Club.

Golf: Glacier's Mann, Avery post best scores at Missoula Invitational

MISSOULA — It was a strong showing by Glacier, as well as Flathead, at the Missoula Invitational golf tournament on Monday at Larchmont Golf Course.

Family donates iPads to hospital

When the Eaton family gave Kalispell Regional Medical Center a call, asking if the hospital had some oncology patients who might to use  free iPads, it didn’t take long to say yes.

Six men charged with sex abuse of children

Six Kalispell-area men have been charged with sexual abuse of children and identified by the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office after they were nabbed in an undercover operation last week.

Wedding hostess charged with zoning violation

A Bigfork woman has been charged with a criminal misdemeanor for allegedly holding a commercial wedding at her ranch in violation of county zoning laws.

Kids get chance to play with giant machines

The LHC gravel pit northwest of Kalispell became a giant sandbox for many Flathead Valley children on Saturday.

Justin Allen Zeiss

Justin Allen Zeiss, 34

Karl Cilroy Wortley

Karl Cilroy Wortley, 34

Joshua Fredrick Naethe

Joshua Fredrick Naethe, 36

Daniel Anthony Hall

Daniel Anthony Hall, 33

Benjamin David Emrich

Benjamin David Emrich, 32

Christopher Paul Adams

Christopher Paul Adams, 37

Gravelpalooza

Two-year-old Maverick Bench grabs the steering wheel of a paver during the Community Action Partnership of Northwest Montana's Gravelpalooza at the LHC gravel pit in Kalispell. Children got to help drive about 20 pieces of heavy equipment during the fundraiser. "There are a lot of excited kids," said LHC owner Jeff Claridge. "They love it. They just love it. And the adults love it too." (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

Parade of Homes Cover

Mountain Madness 2014

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Two-year-old Solomon Kroll makes tractor noises as he plays in a sandpile at Gravelpalooza at the LHC gravel pit. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

Crown of the Continent Guitar Festival

Rob Quist and David Griffith playing at the Continent Guitar Festival on Sunday night, August 24, in Bigfork. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

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Whitefish man named family physician of year

Since 1990, Whitefish area residents have been able to count on Dr. Jay Erickson to treat their families.

Selling cherries with a smile for 53 years

Now Clarice Bush has even sold to Sir Paul!

It takes a lot to become an institution in a small town.

FBJ August 25

Hearing set on future of Whitefish 'doughnut'

The Flathead County commissioners will hold a public hearing Sept. 2 to move forward with establishing county zoning in the two-mile planning “doughnut” around Whitefish.

Kalispell council to talk about tribal water compact tonight

The Kalispell City Council will discuss the proposed Confederal Salish and Kootenai Water Rights Compact during a work session tonight.

Flathead County budget has plan for jail expansion

Flathead County’s $102.3 million final budget — up 26 percent over last year — includes a funding mechanism to begin setting aside money for a jail expansion.

Arrests made in child-sex sting in Kalispell, Frenchtown

KALISPELL (AP) — A Frenchtown man has been charged with felony attempted child prostitution and six others in the Kalispell area have been arrested in a child sex sting.

Homeless woman camped at Whitefish ibrary

The

Profile Clarice Bush

Clarice Bush of Bush's Jubilee Orchards in Bigfork outside her cherry stand on Wednesday, August 20, in Lakeside. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Overcrowding at the jail

Jail Commander Bill Smith makes his way through D block at the Flathead County Detention Center on Friday morning. The block, which was originally designed to hold six inmates, currently holds eight. The number of new inmates accepted begins to be restricted when the jail reaches 92 in holding. Since January of this year, the average number of inmates has been 101. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Casey

Casey Faye Armstrong Wood, 23

Casey Faye Armstrong Wood, 23, of Eureka, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2014, near Whitefish from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident. Casey was born July 16, 1991 in Kalispell, to Leona Armstrong.

DIL 8-24-14

Parade of Homes

Daybook

Jason Curtis

Maj's. Blaine Jones, Thunderbird 5, Lead Solo and Jason Curtis, Thunderbird 6, Opposing Solo, performs one of their trademark maneuvers, the Reflection Pass during the practice show in preparation for the Inland Northwest Skyfest 2014 at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Larry E. Reid Jr., Released)

Fox News and faux news: They're not the same thing

It just never ceases to amaze me how some of our neighbors do their very best to protect and serve their progressive masters.

Water is vital resource in our state

Water is the lifeblood of Montana.

A positive example from the mayhem at Ferguson, Missouri

Yes, I do write quite a few letters to the editor. And most of them involve some sort of suggestion that in order to help solve our problems locally, statewide, nationwide and worldwide that we, as a human species, need to change some of our attitudes and mind-sets.

Air show can be thrill of a lifetime

Next weekend all eyes will be on the sky as the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds thrill the crowds gathered for the 2014 Mountain Madness Air Show.

Find out about Amanda Curtis

Since the resignation of John Walsh from the Senate race and the selection of Amanda Curtis to replace him, many people have been asking, “Who is this unknown candidate, and what are her positions on many of the topics?”

The Opposing Knife-Edge Pass

Maj's. Blaine Jones, Thunderbird 5, Lead Solo and Jason Curtis, Thunderbird 6, Opposing Solo, perform the Opposing Knife-Edge Pass during the 2014 Cannon Air Force Base Air Show and Open House. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Larry E. Reid Jr.)

Police identify body as Whitefish man

PABLO — A body found near Pablo in has been identified as that of a Whitefish man.

Pilot to give talks at two local schools

Thunderbirds pilot Maj. Jason Curtis will have two school appearances on Friday.

Sheriff's divers help pull weeds

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (AP) — An eastern Idaho law enforcement dive team has been recruited to help unclog irrigation systems.

Mentors helped shape Thunderbird pilot's life

The wind beneath his wings

As one of six stars of the U.S. Air Force’s Thunderbirds squadron, Maj. Jason Curtis has all the qualities of an elite pilot.

Dulle-Baied

Billings police dog back on job after biting woman

BILLINGS (AP) — A Billings police dog that escaped from an officer’s residence and bit a woman on the chin when she tried to read his tag has been cleared to return to work.

A homecoming for Thunderbird No. 6

A career of flight for Kalispell’s Jason Curtis culminates in an air show in the         Flathead Valley where he first learned to fly.

Wandering grizzly gets to Glacier

COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho — Ethyl, the 20-year-old wandering female grizzly, has arrived at one of the greatest grizzly bear territories in the world — Glacier National Park.

Money is root of world's problems

Just “follow the money!” That advice was given to journalists Bernstein and Woodward, who tracked down Nixon’s scandal decades ago.

Don't bring garbage into your house!

Media has been used throughout the decades to manipulate. If you watch TV or movies, you should be incredibly concerned and disturbed.

The Kila Pub

A PEPPERONI MARGHERITA pizza is a special creation of head chef Boomer Inselman. “I took the menu and really made it mine,” Inselman said. The majority of the food at the Kila Pub is made from scratch.

Suspect in slaying of teacher fights competency ruling

HELENA (AP) — A mentally disabled Colorado man accused of killing a Montana teacher and burying her body is asking the state Supreme Court to reverse a judge’s ruling that he is fit to stand trial.

How to write a mission statement

As a former educator, I had my interest piqued by the article entitled “Kalispell school board works on district mission statement.”

Most Kalispell students start class Wednesday

 School will be back in session in Kalispell next week for the largest district in the Flathead Valley.

Maj. Jason Curtis

Curtis, a 1999 Flathead High School graduate, will fly next weekend as the Opposing Solo pilot for the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds at the Mountain Madness Air Show. (U.S. Air Force photo)

County school leader wins lifetime award

Flathead County Schools Superintendent of Schools Marcia Sheffels was awarded the Lifetime Achievement in Literacy Education by the Northwest Montana Reading Council.

The state's economy is expendable

The Environmental Protection Agency delivered a blunt message to Montanans this summer: We’re willing to sacrifice your economy for symbolic, and misleading, environmental policies.

No. 6

Maj's. Blaine Jones, Thunderbird 5, Lead Solo and Jason Curtis, Thunderbird 6, Opposing Solo, perform the Opposing Knife-Edge Pass during the 2014 Cannon Air Force Base Air Show and Open House.

Children chastised for playing guns

A group of kids on a street corner near Seventh Avenue West North were reported for pointing guns and “making gun noises with their mouths.” The boys were playing with airsoft guns and received a talking-to from the

Kickin' back, Kila-style

Couple opens Kila Pub on U.S. 2

Six months ago, the building was boarded up and silent.

Hedonism and beheading: Two worlds collide

The murder of American photojournalist James Foley by hooded thugs in the Islamic State ought to unite our country in a passion for justice, but it won’t.

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Images from the Community Action Partnership of Northwest Montana's Gravelpalooza at the LHC gravel pit in Kalispell on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2014. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

Gravelpalooza

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Images from the Community Action Partnership of Northwest Montana's Gravelpalooza at the LHC gravel pit in Kalispell on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2014. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Layla Lopez, 6, drives a mini excavator at Gravelpalooza. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Colton Engeland, 5, is too excited to walk and starts to run after help drive an excavator. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Images from the Community Action Partnership of Northwest Montana's Gravelpalooza at the LHC gravel pit in Kalispell on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2014. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Images from the Community Action Partnership of Northwest Montana's Gravelpalooza at the LHC gravel pit in Kalispell on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2014. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Blayke Shenefelt, 4, dumps a scoop of dirt with the help of Dan Hodge during Gravelpalooza. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Jake Ek holds his son Vance, 2, as they watch his other son Reid,6, help drive a front end loader. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Walter Gardner of Kalispell hangs from a front end loader after getting to drive it at Gravelpalooza. The 4-year-old made sure nobody helped him climbing down. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Colton Engeland, 5, is too excited to walk and starts to run as his dad Daniel Engeland takes him away from the excavator he just helped drive. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Two-year-old Maverick Bench grabs the steering wheel of a paver during the Community Action Partnership of Northwest Montana's Gravelpalooza at the LHC gravel pit in Kalispell. Children got to help drive about 20 pieces of heavy equipment during the fundraiser. "There are a lot of excited kids," said LHC owner Jeff Claridge. "They love it. They just love it. And the adults love it too." (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

Mark Wittman, 61

Mark Wittman passed away on July 20, 2014, of complications associated with long-term cancer issues. He was 61 years old.

Joyce Jacobsen Toohey, 86

Joyce Jacobsen Toohey, 86, passed away at her home in Whitefish on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2014, surrounded by her family.

Karl Dan Snyder, 87

Karl Dan Snyder, 87, passed away Aug. 20, 2014, peacefully at his home in Kalispell.  

Effie Hinrichs, 79

Effie Hinrichs, 79, died at her home in Kalispell on Aug. 16, 2014.

Mountain Madness 2014

Taste of Home Giveaway

Back-to-class time ahead next week

It’s that time of year again to get out the backpacks and set alarms because school is in session.

Judge halts change to grizzly habitat designation

A federal judge has blocked a plan to carve new roads into a 36,700-acre block of secure grizzly bear habitat within the Stillwater State Forest north of Whitefish.

August weekend: cold, snow, rain

Warnings range from flash flooding to winter weather

Mother Nature is ushering in a foretaste of winter weather, with snow expected above 6,500 feet in Glacier National Park this weekend.

Hamas kills 18 suspected informers

 GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — Gaza militants Friday gunned down 18 alleged spies for Israel in an apparent attempt to plug security breaches and deter others, a day after Israel killed three top Hamas military commanders in an airstrike likely guided by collaborators.

West condemns Russia over Ukraine convoy

 LUHANSK, Ukraine (AP) — Tensions between Russia and Ukraine escalated sharply on Friday as Moscow sent more than 130 trucks rolling across the border in what it said was a mission to deliver humanitarian aid. Ukraine called it a “direct invasion,” and the U.S. and NATO condemned it as well.

Joyce Jacobsen Toohey, 86

Karl Dan Snyder, 87

State to appeal immigrant law ruling

 HELENA (AP) — Montana’s attorney general plans to appeal a judge’s ruling that a voter-approved law that would require immigration checks of anybody applying for state services is unconstitutional.

Deputy remembered for faith, family, service

 GREAT FALLS (AP) — Mourners remembered a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and Cascade County sheriff’s deputy who was killed in a police chase last week as a man who put faith, family and service first.

Daybook

Batty business inside rural post office

A woman called the

Teacher fired for pregnancy sues school

BUTTE (AP) — A former teacher at a Montana Catholic school who was fired for being pregnant and unmarried is suing the school district.

Man calls VA fine threat over photo 'intimidation'

BILLINGS (AP) — A Billings man who transports disabled veterans says he was threatened with a $50 fine after appearing in a photograph alongside a newspaper article critical of a new Veterans Administration clinic.

Bozeman man gets prison time, must pay $369,000 for fraud

 MISSOULA (AP) — A Bozeman man who pleaded guilty to embezzling nearly $370,000 from his elderly and disabled clients has been sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison and ordered to pay restitution.

Candidate selects campaign leader for Senate run

HELENA (AP) — Amanda Curtis has selected as her Senate campaign manager a lobbyist and community organizer for an environmental group and an organization that advocates for rural voters.

Back-to-class time

Construction work affects city traffic

Motorists, beware: There is plenty of road construction to make your driving routes an adventure — and more roadblocks are on the way.

Effie Hinrichs, 79

Giant load rolls through Flathead

While you were sleeping...

A megaload of refinery equipment was successfully hauled on a roundabout trip through the Flathead Valley Thursday night, and it is expected to resume its trip to a final destination in Great Falls on Sunday night.

Mark Wittman, 61

Constance C. Christiansen, 72

Over crowding at the jail

View of the visiting rooms at the Flathead County Jail on Friday, August 22, in Kalispell. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Overcrowding at the jail

View of the visiting rooms at the Flathead County jail on Friday, August 22, in Kalispell. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Megaload moves through Kalispell

The megaload of oil-refinery equipment makes its way through Kalispell on U.S. 93 heading north as it passes Hutton Ranch Plaza just before midnight on Thursday.

Woman given 13 years for death of young child

 HAVRE (AP) — A Box Elder woman has been sentenced to just over 13 years in prison for her role in the death of her boyfriend’s 11-month-old son.

Beware of 'interruption-rich environment'

Pulitzer finalist looks at dark side of Internet

Nicholas Carr — a prolific technology writer — is not on Facebook or Twitter and he doesn’t own a smartphone.

Great Falls man charged with killing deputy

 GREAT FALLS (AP) — A Great Falls man was on a “drug-fueled rampage” when he deliberately swerved his vehicle to strike and kill a sheriff’s deputy, Cascade County officials said in charging the man with deliberate homicide ahead of the deputy’s funeral on Thursday.

Glacier road won't open all the way this summer

Glacier National Park’s Inside North Fork Road is open between Fish Creek and Camas Creek and from Polebridge to the Logging Creek Trailhead.

Senate race gets more interesting

The race for Montana’s U.S. Senate seat has been anything but boring, and now there’s a new level of interest as state Rep. Amanda Curtis has been chosen as the Democrats’ replacement for Sen. John Walsh.

Jennifer C. Lewis, 62

Daybook

Strange messages from a stolen phone

 A man called the

Out-of-state donors fund Senate campaign

 HELENA (AP) — An analysis of Rep. Steve Daines’ campaign-finance reports finds the Republican Senate candidate has received contributions from donors in 47 states, and only about a third of the contributions come from Montanans.

Grizzlies can learn to use simple tools

PULLMAN, Wash. (AP) — It may no longer be good enough to hang your food in a tree to keep it away from bears when you go camping, according to a first-of-its-kind study at the Washington State University Bear Research Education and Conservation Center.

Two arrested after pipe bomb found in garage

MISSOULA (AP) — Two people were arrested after someone reported seeing a pipe bomb in the garage of a Missoula residence.

Whitefish recycle site shut down

The city of Whitefish has closed its recycling drop-off center on Wisconsin Avenue because of illegal dumping.

Keller Williams

Keller Williams

Glacier Skate Academy offers two more ice shows

Bus Driver Tour makes Blue Moon stop

Carolyn Jellar, 68

Carolyn Jellar “went to be with the Lord” at her residence on Aug. 18, 2014.

Eureka woman dies in U.S. 93 crash

Casey Faye Wood, 23, of Eureka has been identified as the victim of a fatal head-on car crash on U.S. 93 northwest of Whitefish on Wednesday.

Evergreen stormwater drain construction

Stormwater drain construction underway on US 2 in Evergreen in the early hours of Thursday morning, August 21, in Evergreen. Construction will continue from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. through November.

Megaload poised to travel through Flathead

A large load of refinery equipment arrived in the Smith Valley area on Thursday morning.

Stormwater drain construction in Evergreen

Construction crews work in the early hours of Thursday on a storm-water drainage project on U.S. 2 in Evergreen. Work hours are 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.; the project will continue through mid-November. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Megaload arrives in the Flathead Valley

The megaload, modules headed for Calumet Refinery in Great Falls, parked at the weigh station in Smith Valley on Thursday morning, August 21. The trucks transporting the load were scheduled to make their way through the Valley late Thursday night and early Friday morning. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

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Samson's Brave new world

The first day of Flathead football practice wasn’t ideal. Both sessions of two-a-days were interrupted by rain, belying the hours of sunshine in between. The temperature, which had been in the 80s and 90s all week, dipped into the 50s after the second shower came through.

River Riders saddle up

Local saddle club humbled by national O-Moke-See success

Glacier All-Stars fall to Waterford in last World Series game

GLEN ALLEN, Va. — The Glacier All-Stars were unable to come back from a late deficit and lost their final game of the Babe Ruth 13-and-under World Series on Wednesday, 7-6 to the New England champions from Waterford, Connecticut.

'Officer, help, we're high on meth'

Two people who were admittedly high on meth requested help from a

Journalist slain

James Foley of Rochester, N.H., is pictured in Benghazi, Libya, in 2011. He was beheaded by his Islamic State captors on Tuesday.

House hopeful's jobs tour makes stop in Kalispell

Democratic congressional candidate John Lewis said Wednesday he’s pleased with the tone of his race with Republican Ryan Zinke because it has been centered on issues rather than attacks.

Picture of police officer who shot unarmed man emerges

Ferguson, Missouri

FERGUSON, Mo. (AP)  — A white police officer whose shooting death of an unarmed black 18-year-old ignited racial upheaval in a St. Louis suburb has been characterized as either an aggressor whose deadly gunfire constituted a daylight execution or a law enforcer wrongly maligned for just doing his job.

Flathead Electric warns about phone scam

Flathead Electric Cooperative is warning its customers about a scam happening in the valley.

Doctors join state leadership program

Fed up with being left out of the health-care policy discussion, several local doctors have joined a leadership program to help them steer that discussion.

Money sources vary for congressional candidates

U.S. House election

HELENA — Democrat John Lewis and Republican Ryan Zinke are taking opposite approaches in their campaign fundraising for the U.S. House, with Lewis relying heavily on individual Montana donors as Zinke depends more on out-of-state contributors.

Former teacher faces federal porn charges

 BILLINGS (AP) — A former Livingston and Billings West High School teacher and basketball coach faces charges alleging he sexually exploited children and distributed child pornography, federal prosecutors said.

Beheading spurs new attacks on Iraq militants

WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States launched a new barrage of airstrikes Wednesday against the Islamic State extremist group that beheaded American journalist James Foley and that has seized a swath of territory across Iraq and Syria. President Barack Obama vowed relentless pursuit of the terrorists and the White House revealed that the U.S. had launched a secret rescue mission inside Syria earlier this summer that failed to rescue Foley and other Americans still being held hostage.

Reward offered for resort founder's assets

HELENA (AP) — The trustee representing Yellowstone Club creditors offered a reward Wednesday to anyone who can help uncover property or bank accounts the luxury resort’s co-founder might have hidden from bankruptcy proceedings.

Abuse of power, but not by Perry

The indictment of Texas Gov. Rick Perry on felony criminal charges for threatening to veto a specific appropriation and then making good on his threat takes politics of the absurd to a new and harmful level.

Calif. wildfire destroys homes

KERNVILLE, Calif. (AP) — A wildfire northeast of Bakersfield burning in steep terrain destroyed eight homes and was threatening more than a thousand others, authorities said Wednesday.

Man charged for passing out in hot pickup truck

BILLINGS — A Billings man is charged with criminal endangerment and driving under the influence after police say they found him passed out in a running pickup while it was 88 degrees outside, endangering a 7-month-old child in the back seat.

Profile Clarice Bush

Clarice Bush of Bush's Jubilee Orchards in Bigfork outside her cherry stand on Wednesday, August 20, in Lakeside. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

John Lewis visits Fun Beverage

Brian Clark, general manager of Fun Beverage Inc., leads U.S. House candidate John Lewis, left, and others on a tour through the Kalispell warehouse on Wednesday morning.

Fatal wreck north of Whitefish

A close up view of the two vehicle accident on Highway 93 north of Whitefish on Wednesday, August 20. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Jennifer C. Lewis, 62

Jennifer C. Lewis, 62, passed away peacefully at her home in Bigfork on Aug. 16, 2014, surrounded in love by her family and friends. 

Lois Jane (Frankfurth) Lingle, 69

Lois Jane (Frankfurth) Lingle, 69, passed away Aug. 16, 2014, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center. 

Montana woman dies in crash that blocked U.S. 93

A 23-year-old Montana woman was killed and two Canadians were injured in a head-on collision Wednesday near the intersection of U.S. 93 and Farm to Market Road northwest of Whitefish. 

Girl injured by horse on Wild Horse Island

A 7-year-old girl was hospitalized Sunday after being kicked by a horse at Wild Horse Island State Park on Flathead Lake.

Glacier's Avery loses G.F. Invite playoff

GREAT FALLS — Glacier’s Teigan Avery tied for the girls’ lead after 36 holes at the Great Falls Invitational golf meet on Tuesday at Eagle Falls Golf Club, but finished second in a scorecard playoff in the season-opening tournament.

Glacier All-Stars lose, are eliminated from contention

GLEN ALLEN, Va. — The Glacier All-Stars fell again on Tuesday at the Babe Ruth 13-and-under World Series, losing 8-2 to the Southeast champions from Greenville, North Carolina. The loss drops Glacier to 0-3 at the tournament, eliminating the team from playoff contention.

Hilliard returns to Flathead sidelines

His name is still atop the Flathead football record books. This season, Lex Hilliard, a six-year NFL veteran, will be on the sidelines for the Braves.

Power outage hits GHS, West Valley

Ballmer steps down from Microsoft board

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer is stepping down from the company’s board, bringing to a close 34 years with the software giant.

State workers face health insurance cost increase

 HELENA (AP) — The health insurance plan for state employees and retirees in Montana is expected to lose $14 million this year, leading to likely increases in premiums, co-pays and deductibles in 2015, state officials said.

Mary Brekhus, 57

Mary Brekhus passed away peacefully on Aug. 14, 2014, at the Brendan House in Kalispell.  

Justine Winter

Kalispell approves budget

The Kalispell City Council on Monday approved a property-tax levy and 2015 budget, with some concerns raised about how the budget could be impacted by the 911 interlocal agreement.

Daybook

Donna Darlene Berger, 76

Donna Darlene Berger, in her 76 years, lived her life as the definition of a strong matriarchal woman. Donna, also known as Darlene, was born in Great Falls to Bernhard Roedel and Anna Case and grew up with her two brothers, Donald and Theodore Roedel.

Grayling won't get federal protections

HELENA — The Arctic grayling does not need special protections under the Endangered Species Act, federal wildlife officials said Tuesday.

Texas governor booked on abuse of power charges

 AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas Gov. Rick Perry was defiant Tuesday as he was booked on abuse of power charges, telling dozens of cheering supporters outside an Austin courthouse that he would “fight this injustice with every fiber of my being.”

Whitefish man wins $500,000 lottery prize

HELENA (AP) — A Whitefish man has claimed a top prize in the “$500,000 Big Money” scratch lottery game.

Raccoon attack

In this April 14, 2014, file photo, Charlotte Ponce stands for a photo at her home the day before surgery in Royal Oak, Mich. Ponce is celebrating the completion of two years’ worth of reconstructive surgical procedures.

Suspects charged in campground homicide case

Man sentenced for killing two sisters

BILLINGS  — A 23-year-old Billings man who pleaded no contest to stabbing two sisters to death in January 2012 has been sentenced to 100 years in prison.

Quebec train disaster report blames host of safety issues

TORONTO (AP) — The weak safety culture of a now-defunct railway company and poor government oversight were among the many factors that led to an oil train explosion that killed 47 people in Quebec last year, Canada’s Transportation Safety Board said in a new report released Tuesday.

Home construction jumps 15.7 percent in July

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. home construction rebounded in July, rising to an eight-month high and offering hope that housing has regained momentum after two months of declines.

Justine Winter: Parole denied

An Evergreen woman who as a teenager killed two people in a vehicle crash in 2009 was denied parole Monday.

Video shows Iraq beheading investigated

WASHINGTON — In a savage response to U.S. strikes on its fighters in northern Iraq, the Islamic State on Wednesday posted a video showing the beheading of an American news photographer, and it threatened to execute a second U.S. captive if President Barack Obama didn’t halt the attacks.

Health-care tax not meeting revenue goal target

WASHINGTON (AP) — An “Obamacare” tax on medical devices is falling short of its revenue target because thousands of companies aren’t paying it, according to a government audit released Tuesday.

Havre man to plead guilty to corruption case

HELENA (AP) — A Havre businessman plans to plead guilty to charges that his company overbilled the Chippewa Cree Tribe by $116,000 to recover money used to pay off tribal officials who awarded a contract to demolish the reservation’s health center.

Eastern Washington wildfires likely to smolder for months

YAKIMA, Wash. (AP) — Although the smoke is clearing from two large wildfires in Kittitas County, firefighters will be dealing with the fires for weeks to come. A few will monitor it for months, since forest fires are likely to smolder on until the first snows fall.

Argentina car crash kills three relatives of pope

 BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Three relatives of Pope Francis died and a fourth was in critical condition Tuesday after their car crashed on a provincial highway in Argentina, the Vatican and a local police official said.

Child, 8, falls to death in Yellowstone canyon

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK — An 8-year-old girl has died after falling about 550 feet while hiking in Yellowstone National Park.

House fire displaces local family

A Birch Grove Road family has been displaced after a fire hit their house last week.

Police dog gets loose, bites woman in Billings

 BILLINGS (AP) — Billings authorities say a police dog escaped from an officer’s home and bit a woman.

California wildfires

A structure burns along Highway 41 in Oakhurst, Calif., on Monday. Wildfires burning across California prompted the evacuation of 1,000 people in a central California foothill community near Yosemite National Park.

Water-ski project taking shape

Greg Alsbury already has his lot reserved in the new Rosewater water-ski community that’s taking shape off Rose Crossing north of Kalispell.

Raccoon victim finishes surgeries

 ROYAL OAK, Mich. (AP) — Now that Charlotte Ponce has her ear, she’s looking to accessorize.

Veteran rock climber killed in Yosemite fall

SEBASTOPOL, Calif. (AP) — Authorities say a veteran rock climber died in a fall while climbing alone in Yosemite National Park — just hours after proposing to his girlfriend during an earlier climb.

Teens arrested in plot for school massacre

SOUTH PASADENA, Calif. (AP) — Investigators acting on a tip unraveled a plot to carry out a massacre at a suburban Los Angeles high school, arresting a pair of students who planned to target three school staffers and kill as many people as possible, police said Tuesday.

Fire threatening 500 homes

OAKHURST, Calif. (AP) — A wildfire that forced about 1,000 people from their homes in the foothills near Yosemite National Park held steady Tuesday as humidity and calmer winds aided the fight against the second blaze around the park in recent weeks.

Dorothy 'Dottie' Grant, 72

Supply drive to benefit the Humane Society of Northwest Montana

Daphne, a Terrier mix up for adoption from the Humane Society of Northwest Montana, north of Kalispell. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Rosewater

Bill Tanner shows an artistic rendering of what the Rosewater water-skiing community will look like as he stands above one of two lakes at the development north of Rose Crossing on Tuesday.

James Joseph Dennis, 57

Homes & Real Estate Cover

Crown Guitar Festival Cover

Crown Guitar Festival

Glacier's Avery in charge at AA golf invitational

GREAT FALLS — Teigan Avery, the defending Class AA state champion, opened the 2014 golf season Monday afternoon by carding an even-par 72 at Meadow Lark Country Club.

Learn about Whitefish City Hall design on Thursday

A meeting to gather public comments about the design of Whitefish’s forthcoming new City Hall and parking structure will be held Thursday at the current City Hall, 402 E. Second St. 

Softball weekend to raise money for dialysis patients

As a softball fanatic, when Lisa Chapman heard her company was looking for a way to raise money for patients, one idea jumped to the forefront.

Conference strives to help mothers who have lost a child

A ministry that offers comfort, hope and encouragement to mothers who have suffered the loss of a child is coming to the Flathead Valley in September for a “Journey of the Heart” conference.

McDaniels, Frank lead Polson golfers at season opener

ANACONDA — Polson had three individuals open the season with solid efforts at the Old Works Invitational golf tournament on Monday at Old Works Golf Course.

Babe Ruth World Series: Glacier All-Stars fall to Phoenix

GLEN ALLEN, Va., — Phoenix, Ariz., the Pacific Southwest Regional champions, whipped the Glacier All-Stars, the Pacific Northwestern Regional champions, 13-3 on the third day of play at the Babe Ruth Baseball 13-year-old World Series on Monday afternoon.

Danny Hoerner

Danny Hoerner, 75

Carnival at the Northwest Montana Fair

Carnival rides at the Northwest Montana Fair are a swirl of lights in this time exposure photograph taken Saturday night. (Patrick Booth photo/Mystic Creek Studios)

Megaload on its way through Kalispell

Rain slightly dampens fair attendance

Unemployment rate decreases in July

Wall keeps vehicle on Going-to-the-Sun Road

Livingston woman dies in motorcycle crash

A Livingston woman died after a motorcycle vs. vehicle crash Sunday evening at the intersection of U.S. 2 and West Valley Drive west of Kalispell.

Missoula man drowns in Middle Thompson Lake

A Missoula man drowned Saturday on Middle Thompson Lake after falling off the bow of a moving pontoon boat.

Increased enrollment brings raise in budgets

 The Kalispell Public Schools board approved a $56 million budget Tuesday for the 2014-15 school year.

Budget for 2015 to be finalized

The Kalispell City Council is slated to adopt its final budget for the 2015 fiscal year and set the city’s mill levy at tonight’s meeting.

Whitefish poised to pass $40.4 million budget

 The city budget takes center stage at tonight’s Whitefish City Council meeting.

Prep golfers start with preview tourneys

Flathead and Glacier will get an early indication of how they will fare against AA competition on the links this fall as all 14 schools will be in attendance for the season golf opener today at the Great Falls Invitational.

Glacier All-Stars lose World Series opener

GLEN ALLEN, Va. — Gainesville-Haymarket rallied for a 3-1 victory over Glacier Sunday evening at the Babe Ruth Baseball 13-year-old World Series.

Attorney brings theatrical touch to Bar Association

Dressed in historic Western attire that includes a sheriff’s badge, Bigfork attorney Randy Snyder gets noticed in a big way as president of the Montana Bar Association.

RandySnyder

Bigfork attorney Randy Snyder likes to bring a little extra flair to his role as Montana Bar Association president. Aug. 11, 2014 in Bigfork, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Homes & Real Estate

DIL 8-17-14

Fair rodeo: Stock excels in last go

While the stock seemed to get the better of most of the competitors on the last day of the Northwest Montana Fair PRCA Rodeo, a few cowboys pulled out impressive late performances to get in the money.

Helena's Heller wins State Mid-Am golf

BUTTE — Even with his worst round of the tournament, Helena’s Parker Heller held off the field on the final day to win the Montana State Mid-Amateur golf championship on Saturday at Butte Country Club.

Stanley G. Buck, 78

J. Logan Rogers, 91

Kimberly Anne Emerson-Santa, 53

Kimberly Anne Emerson-Santa, 53, passed away peacefully at Kalispell Regional Medical Center on Aug. 14, 2014.

Northwest Montana Fair 2014

Kaj Haagerup, 11, of Kila, and his mother Wendy prepare Taffy for the Miniature Horse Judging on Thursday, August 14, at the Northwest Montana Fair in Kalispell. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Don't rule out impeachment

Our Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, and Constitution are documents of true power in its noblest form. They contain the concepts of God-given free will, respect of individual moral conscience, equality of all men, and the right of each human being to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. 

Home-management expert gives local seminars

 Deniece Schofield, author of five books on home management and organization, will be in Kalispell on Tuesday to present two seminars. 

Bike-seat firm sets up shop in Libby

Carbon comfort

RideOut Technologies is getting comfortable in Libby.

'Massacre' in Iraq, women and children abducted

IRBIL, Iraq — Islamic extremists in Iraq killed 80 Yazidi men and abducted their wives and children, officials and eyewitnesses said Saturday, insisting the religious community is still at risk after a week of U.S. and Iraqi airstrikes on the militants. 

Perry vows to fight indictment

AUSTIN, Texas — A defiant Texas Gov. Rick Perry on Saturday went on the offensive one day after being indicted for allegedly abusing his power with a controversial veto, denouncing the charges as “outrageous” political theatrics and predicting that he will ultimately prevail over “those who would erode our state’s constitution and laws purely for political purposes.”

District finds land for new schools

Kalispell Public Schools has entered into an agreement to purchase land as a future school site.

Ready to join the revolution

I read the article in the “Law Enforcement Roundup” in your Aug. 11 edition, and I must say that I am appalled at what was said about those “teenagers” and “Marxists” as you so eloquently labeled them. The only thing I felt was credible was the title, “A call for revolution in Whitefish.” 

A banner year for Glacier Park Int'l

Siblings shine with steers

All in the family

The first time was a charm for brothers Nate and Garrett Tutvedt, who won the champion and reserve champion awards for their market steers at the Northwest Montana Fair.

Daybook

Today, Aug. 17

Curfew, state of emergency in Missouri town

FERGUSON, Mo. — Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon declared a midnight-to-5 a.m. curfew Saturday in the city of Ferguson after fresh violence erupted overnight amid public anger over the shooting death of an unarmed young black man by a white police officer.

Faces of the fair

Carbon comfort

Couple still seeking OK to stage weddings

A Bigfork couple whose commercial wedding facility was shut down last summer because of a zoning violation once again have applied for a permit to continue staging weddings at their Ten Arrows Ranch.

Techs refurbish high school computers

Despite voter rejection of a high school technology tax levy in May, Kalispell Public Schools have been hard at work outlining and carrying out a technology plan under budget constraints.

Scouts spiff up mansion chairs

Thanks to the Boy Scouts of America Venture Crew 2933 and the Kalispell Elks Lodge, guests at the Conrad Mansion’s annual Fourth of July ice cream social celebrated in style on glistening white chairs that the Scouts refurbished.

All in the family: Siblings shine with steers

Nate Tutvedt waits to show his Grand Champion steer, Lucky, during the Northwest Montana Fair Market Stock Sale at the Flathead County Fairgrounds Saturday. The 1,382-pound steer was bought my Super One for $6 a pound. 

Senator committed to serving Montana

Public service has always run deep in my blood. Nothing is more important to me than giving my all to the people of our great state — for 33 years as a soldier, then as your lieutenant governor, and now as Montana’s U.S. senator.

U.S. Senate: Curtis gets picked as new Democratic nominee

HELENA — Montana Democrats on Saturday selected a little-known state lawmaker named Amanda Curtis as their candidate for U.S. Senate after Sen. John Walsh dropped out amid plagiarism allegations from his time at the U.S. Army War College.

In heated war of words, my money is on Mark Steyn

Fredrick 'Clint' Ellis, 55

Fredrick “Clint” Ellis, 55, of Kila was killed by a careless driver July 29, 2014, while traveling to work.

Philip Alan Coote, 78

Philip Alan Coote passed away Aug. 13, 2014, in Kalispell.

Amanda Curtis

Amanda Curtis, a state legislator from Butte, Mont. smiles after being selected as the replacement candidate in the U.S. Senate race against Republican Rep. Steve Daines, in Helena, Mont. on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014. (AP Photo/Independent Record, Thom Bridge)

Defending champ Lindholm tied for 4th at Mid-Am golf

BUTTE — Kalispell’s Logan Lindholm shot a 1-over-par 71 on Friday at the Montana State Mid-Amateur golf tournament to move into a tie for fourth place, seven shots back after the second round at Butte Country Club.

Soggy go-round at Fair Rodeo

With scattered showers earlier and flashes of lightning throughout Friday’s Northwest Montana Fair PRCA Rodeo, scores were hard to come by as the Flathead County Fairgrounds arena was soggy for every go.

Rodeo.Fair

Kevin Peterson of Kilgore, Nebraska competes in tie-down roping Friday night during second round of the Northwest Montana Fair PRCA Rodeo at the Flathead County Fairgrounds.

Police identify officer who shot Missouri teen as tensions begin to ease

FERGUSON, Mo. — Police on Friday identified the officer who fatally shot an unarmed black teenager and released documents alleging the young man had been suspected of stealing a $48.99 box of cigars from a convenience store in a “strong-arm” robbery shortly before he was killed.

Deputy shot daughter, crashed car

WINCHESTER, Va. (AP) — Authorities say a Virginia deputy sheriff shot his 16-year-old daughter after mistaking her for an intruder, then crashed his car as he rushed her to the hospital.

Heroes of '83

The Glacier Babe Ruth All-Stars in 1983 won the Pacific Northwest Regional Championship and competed in the World Series. Pictured in the front row, from left, Dan Landon, Bill Sapa, Ray Fauth, Curt Rowsey, Kevin Duff, Billy Walker and Andy Mace. Second row, from left, are Manager Bruce McEvoy, Jim Sapa, Ray Queen, Derek Willcut, Ray Johnsrud, Ken Russell, Dave Simonson, Chuck Freeman and Coach Bill LeLievre.

Heroes of '83: Manager, players recall Glacier team's trip to World Series

Bruce McEvoy would have been happy if any Montana team had made the Babe Ruth World Series. As the commissioner for Babe Ruth baseball in Montana, McEvoy, a Kalispell attorney, doesn’t have a rooting interest as long as the Treasure State succeeds.

Commissioner removes five from election ballot

 HELENA (AP) — The state will remove three legislative candidates and two candidates for county commissions from the Nov. 4 ballot after they failed to file campaign finance reports, the commissioner of political practices said.

Musical duo to perform concert in Coram

 SONrise, a gospel music duo from Dallas, Ore., will present a concert at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 20, at Canyon Community Church in Coram.

Northwest Montana Fair results

Some little critters earned some big awards at the Northwest Montana Fair this week. 

Defense wants accomplice to testify in teacher murder case

BILLINGS (AP) — Attorneys for a Colorado man accused of murdering a teacher in Montana’s oil patch asked a judge Friday to order an accomplice to appear as a defense witness when the case goes to trial.

Gov. Rick Perry indicted for abuse of power

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A grand jury indicted Texas Gov. Rick Perry on Friday for abusing the powers of his office by carrying out a threat to veto funding for state prosecutors investigating public corruption — making the possible 2016 presidential hopeful his state’s first indicted governor in nearly a century.

Great Falls deputy killed identified as Marine veteran

GREAT FALLS (AP) — The Cascade County deputy who was struck and killed during a pursuit has been identified as a 33-year-old former Marine who served in Afghanistan.

Fun time, fair time in the Flathead

Fair time brings a lot of fun for local residents, but it also brings a fair amount of trouble.

Daybook

Today, Aug. 16

Cops seek two suspects in Amish kidnapping

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — A New York sheriff says two young Amish sisters now safe at home were kidnapped from their family farm stand and police are seeking more than one person responsible.

Megaload passes Sandpoint on way to Flathead

A million-pound megaload has been rolling through Northern Idaho en route to Montana.

Parade's best

The 2014 Northwest Montana Fair & Rodeo Parade made its way down Kalispell’s Main Street Friday morning.

Crash claims life of Whitefish bicyclist

A Whitefish bicyclist died Thursday night in a collision with a vehicle in Whitefish.

The Investment Compass

Robbie F. Orr, 71

A remembrance of Robbie F. Orr, Aug. 21, 1942, to March 10, 2014.

Wilma Galloway, 84

Wilma Galloway, 84, passed away on Aug. 13, 2014, at the HealthCenter in Kalispell. 

Northwest Montana Fair Parade

The Flathead Democrats make their way down Main Street at the Northwest Montana Fair Parade on Friday morning, August 15, in downtown Kalispell. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Ana Popovic

Ana Popovic is a world-class blues guitarist and one of the Artists in Residence at the Crown Guitar Festival at Flathead Lake Lodge. 

Crown Guitar Festival fills Bigfork with music

Drum Brothers

Drum Brothers 

Drum Brothers give Bigfork performance

Port Polson Players

The cast of "Almost Maine" by the Port Polson Players.

Port Polson Players chill out with 'Almost Maine'

Three bands play for Whitefish Trail Hootenanny

Fatal collision in Whitefish

Personnel from the Whitefish police and fire departments, Flathead County Sheriff’s Office and Montana Highway Patrol respond to a fatal collision between a small sport utility vehicle and a bicyclist near the intersection of Wisconsin Avenue and Edgewood Place on Thursday night.

Rodeo: Davis' dream down to the wire

It’s crunch time for Jessy Davis.

Rodeo.Fair

Timmy Sparing of Helena tries to take down a steer in the steer wrestling competition Thursday night during the first night of the Northwest Montana Fair Rodeo at the Flathead County Fairgrounds. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Chicken herder ends up in kennel

The

Some polygamous families face eviction for not paying $100 fees

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Fourteen families who live in a community once controlled by polygamous sect leader Warren Jeffs could be evicted from their homes on the Utah-Arizona border in the coming weeks if they don’t begin paying a $100-a-month fee to authorities appointed to oversee their property.

Compact models: Miniature horses strut their stuff for fair judges

On a cloudy Thursday morning, 13-year-old Maddie Sutton of Kalispell wiped black hoof polish on her horse Blue at the Flathead County Fairgrounds.

Man on trial for explosives theft

BILLINGS — A Wyoming man told a federal judge on Thursday that curiosity spurred him to steal more than 550 pounds of explosives from a U.S. Forest Service bunker near Red Lodge last year.

Timber industry calls for end to lawsuits

MISSOULA (AP) — The timber industry is showing signs of recovery after the recession, but a Montana industry group says mills in the state are operating well below capacity because of lawsuits that have stymied logging on federal lands.

Two Amish girls abducted from roadside farm stand

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Searchers scoured a patch of far northern New York on Thursday for two Amish girls who were apparently abducted from their family’s roadside farm stand, a hunt hampered by the lack of photos of the girls for authorities to circulate among a frightened community.

Hannah Smith

Hannah Smith, daughter of Mercedes Smith of Kalispell, was born April 22 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Abigale Jordan

Abigale Jordan, daughter of Michael Jordan and Ashley Gavin of Kalispell, was born April 22 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Arizona teacher accused of being drunk in class

PHOENIX (AP) — An Arizona high school teacher who feared she was too inebriated to drive took a cab to work, then continued drinking throughout the day until students alerted administrators that she was cursing and yelling at them, authorities said Thursday.

Tot's drowning death ruled an accident

The drowning of a Creston baby has been officially ruled an accident, Flathead County Sheriff Chuck Curry said Thursday.

Our local All-Stars go national

A crew of hard-working Flathead Valley baseball players is bound for the Babe Ruth World Series starting this weekend in Virginia.

Miller Estrada

Miller Estrada, son of Damian and Heather Estrada of Whitefish, was born April 22 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Whitefish has no one to blame but itself

I must add my comments to those of Mr. Crowder regarding the recent conclusion of the “doughnut” fiasco in Whitefish. I lived and worked out of Whitefish for more than 44 years. I raised my family and saw them graduate from high school there.

Andrew Saunders

Andrew Saunders, son of Robert and Crystal Saunders of Kalispell, was born April 23 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Archer offended

In regards to Mr. Illi’s archery column, I take great umbrage at his ignorance. He infers that traditional archery is dead, and we are against the huge advances in “technology” as it relates to the sport of bowhunting. 

Grizzly bears wander farther into prairie

GREAT FALLS (AP) — Grizzly bears have been spotted along river drainages up to 35 miles away from the Rocky Mountain Front, and state wildlife officials say prairie residents should take precautions.

Visitors flock to Glacier in July

Entrance numbers break 1983 record

Glacier National Park has just completed its busiest July ever, with 699,650 people entering the park, according to the National Park Service Statistics Office.

Daybook

Kalispell man denies arson charges

A Kalispell man pleaded not guilty to two counts of felony arson Thursday in Flathead County District Court.

Ten Commandments park is a blight

My husband and I moved here about five years ago. He is retired, and while I am still working, I look forward to when we can spend most of our time together, outdoors, enjoying this beautiful valley.

Protect your dogs

As an animal lover, I have been dismayed during the recent hot weather to see a fair amount of dog owners leave their dogs inside locked cars in various parking lots with the windows slightly cracked for so called “ventilation.” Most of these cars were parked in the hot sun, not even parked in the shade. The poor animals were panting profusely, some even whimpering or barking.

Diving dangerous

I was dismayed to see the front page picture recently of someone doing a backflip off the Holt Stage bridge. It portrays an extremely dangerous activity as attractive.

Second Street to close in Whitefish

East Second Street in the Armory neighborhood of Whitefish will be closed from the alley east of Larch Avenue to Wild Rose Lane starting Monday, Aug. 18, through Sunday, Aug. 31.

GOP candidate supports change in 'doughnut'

I applaud our three commissioners for their support in the six-year legal battle for doughnut  representation and property rights. They did the right thing and it’s paid off for thousands of doughnut residents.

Crowd turns out for Bigfork green-box issue

A new Bigfork green-box site and improved recycling options attracted broad support at a community meeting Tuesday.

JetSkis2

People watch from the dock as riders on personal watercraft launch over large waves Thursday evening on Flathead Lake. Aug. 13, 2014 in Bigfork, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

JetSkis

Two riders launch off of large waves Thursday evening on Flathead Lake near Wayfarers State Park. Aug. 13, 2014 in Bigfork, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Ribbon cutting

Flathead County Commissioner Pam Holmquist cuts the ribbon during a ceremony for the improvements on the Flathead County Fairgrounds grandstands on Wednesday afternoon. County commissioners, fairground board members and fairground employees were on hand for the ceremony. Aug. 13, 2014 in Kalispell, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Hagadone Digital Division

Brian Doane in his new office on Thursday, August 14, in Kalispell. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Northwest Montana Fair 2014

Krystal Sutton, 15, of Kalispell leads Bet through the obstacle course on Thursday, August 14, at the Northwest Montana Fair in Kalispell. Sutton won the Grand Championship. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

twif081414 Cover

twif081414

TERRY: Getting the hang of rodeo

This isn’t my first rodeo. But, it’s not far removed.

Golf: Montana girls win Ryder Cup

WHITEFISH — The Montana girls held off a strong effort from their Canadian neighbors to win the 21st annual Montana-Alberta Ryder Cup on Wednesday at Whitefish Lake Golf Club’s South Course.

Rodeo stocked with talent

Rodeo fans are in for a treat this weekend, with a stacked card featuring world ranked competitors in every event at the Northwest Montana Fair Rodeo.

Rare kokanee still reach Flathead Lake

“I think that’s a KOKANEE!”

New zipline probably won't open this year

The tower is up, but a new zipline park near Bad Rock Canyon probably won’t open this summer, owner Reno Baldwin said last week.

Tyler Kellar, 19

How do we answer unbridled evil?

 A huge dose of international outrage is in order for what is transpiring in Syria and Iraq, just as a precursor to the military response that is entirely justified in stopping or at least hindering the medieval savagery of the terrorist army known as ISIS.

Dillon Erickson, 19

Daybook

Chase Wilson, 20

Government officials or American royalty?

The last man to walk out of the White House without a retirement was Harry S. Truman. Eisenhower received the first retirement of $60,000 a year and his spread out at Gettysburg; his vice president received $30,000 a year.

Is county getting moral government?

I have always been a civic-minded member of society. I have a great concern for a moral society. (I did NOT say “religious” society; I DID say “moral” society.) Please let me define my terms: concerning or relating to what is right and wrong in human behavior, considered right and good by most people, agreeing with a standard of right behavior.

Evangelists gather this weekend

Religious freedom and the First Amendment are the major topics being broached at the God and Country Evangelism Conference Friday through Sunday in Evergreen.

Smoke may give way to rainfall

At least some of the smoke that has recently been drifting into the Flathead Valley is likely coming from wildfires in Sanders County.

'Why is my car in pieces at the fire hall?'

A woman called the

Judge warns Fox, others after DUI program letter

A Libby judge who ruled that a drunken-driving prevention program is unconstitutional has warned the Montana attorney general and 11 others that he will penalize them if they contact him again about the program outside of a courtroom.

Brave riders tackle G-Force

For the 200 or more people waiting in the baking sun Wednesday for the Northwest Montana Fair’s ticket booths to open, one thing made it all worth it.

West Valley School

An excavator tears down a wall Wednesday morning on the south end of West Valley School. LHC Inc. handled the demolition and Swank Enteprises will be the general contractor on the 35,523-square-foot addition to the school.

What Republican voters want to see

I am 84 years old and have been a loyal supporter of the Republican party since I was first eligible to vote in 1952, when our party won with “Ike.”

Paul West, 19

Vandals rip out school fencing

Vandals struck Fair-Mont-Egan School sometime Tuesday night.

Not a problem with Fox News, but with Fox followers

So, I will respond to Louis Wacker’s letter of July 27th about “Bashing Fox News.” I really don’t have a problem with Fox, since our Constitution affords us the right to free speech. My argument is that the “blind followers” repeat the falsehoods and hate rhetoric and present them as fact with never any substantiation.

Old walls make way for new at West Valley

Walls of the West Valley School came crashing down as demolition work started this week.

Prolific poachers fined, sentenced

The fourth and final defendant in a Whitefish-area deer poaching case has pleaded guilty to multiple charges and been sentenced in Flathead County Justice Court.

WestValley

An excavator tears down a wall on the south end of West Valley School on Wednesday morning. LHC Inc. handled the demolition and Swank Enteprises will be the general contractor on the 35,523-square-foot addition to the school. Aug. 13, 2014 in Kalispell, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

GOLF.JuniorRyder

Kortney McNeil of Billings putts on Hole 18 of the south course Wednesday afternoon during the final round of the Montana-Alberta Junior Ryder Cup at Whitefish Lake Golf Club. Aug. 13, 2014 in Kalispell, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Northwest Montana Fair 2014

Jayden Stebbins, 12, of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, waits for customers at her booth at the Northwest Montana Fair on Wednesday, August 13. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Golf: Montana girls lead Ryder Cup

Glacier 13U just warming up

Having to travel 600 miles to make a 2,800-mile flight, the Glacier 13-and-under All-Stars will easily be the best-traveled team at the Babe Ruth World Series which starts Saturday in Glen Allen, Va. Playing with the top 10 teams from around the United States, they’ll now try to see if they’re the best overall.

Crashes keep crews hopping

The axle of a tractor trailer pup from Alberta sits in the Middle of U.S. 2 just west of Marias Pass Tuesday afternoon after the westbound truck struck a eastbound pickup truck from Texas. The pickup was heavily damaged, but the occupants apparently escaped any life-threatening injuries. Traffic was backed up about a half mile. Three Rivers Ambulance, Montana Highway Patrol, Glacier and Flathead County sheriff's offices responded to the scene.

Destiny Brewer

Destiny Brewer smiles after winning grand champion with her steer Pony Boy on Tuesday afternoon in the Senior Showman beef competition during the 2014 Northwest Montana Fair at the Flathead County Fairgrounds.

Cattle, young handlers take center stage at fair judging

Amid the sawdust, lowing of cattle and the earthy smell of the animal barn at the Northwest Montana Fair, children and prospective farmers show off their animals before taking them to market.

Daybook

Wreck on West Valley Drive

West Valley Fire & Rescue members were first on the scene of a one-vehicle accident on West Valley Drive on Tuesday afternoon. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Two House U.S. House candidates offer their ideas for veterans

HELENA — U.S. House candidates Ryan Zinke and John Lewis courted veterans Tuesday with ideas to make their voices heard and ways to reform the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in the wake of a scandal.

Wolverine proposal withdrawn

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Tuesday withdrew a proposal to list the wolverine as a threatened species, prompting an immediate threat from conservation groups to challenge the decision in court.

Is there a law about sleeping in the barn?

A woman called the

Up close: Air show offers box seating

For those who want a premium viewing opportunity for the Mountain Madness Air Show, a box seating section will be available during the show Aug. 30-31.

At least three vie for Senate candidacy

HELENA (AP) — At least three people say they want to be selected as the Democrats’ U.S. Senate candidate at a special nomination convention this weekend.

Billings rejects non-discrimination ordinance

BILLINGS (AP) — Billings city leaders rejected a proposed ordinance Thursday that would have banned discrimination based on a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity, with the mayor casting the deciding vote on a split council.

Questions remain over Bakken oil volatility

BISMARCK, N.D. — U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx did not give a definitive answer to North Dakota officials about the volatility of Bakken crude oil.

Walsh says he'll finish Senate term 'strong'

MISSOULA (AP) — U.S. Sen. John Walsh said Tuesday he plans to finish his Senate term “very strong” after withdrawing as a candidate for the seat in November’s election.

Drivers: Watch out for logging trucks

There are a few active logging projects on the Flathead National Forest and drivers on forest roads are asked to slow down and use caution.

See you at the fair!

The Daily Inter Lake will have a booth at the Northwest Montana Fair as usual, but this year in celebration of our 125th anniversary, there will be some added features.

Chalet contract renewed in Glacier

The National Park Service has decided to continue its contract with Belton Chalets Inc. for Glacier National Park’s two backcountry chalets.

Hearings to be held on wolf stamp proposal

Montana wildlife officials will hold public hearings Thursday on a proposal to create a wolf conservation stamp that would allow nonhunters to contribute $20 apiece to help in the management of the predators.

Lauren Bacall

This 1965 file photo shows actress Lauren Bacall at her home in New York. Bacall, the sultry-voiced actress and Humphrey Bogart’s partner off and on the screen, died Tuesday. She was 89.

Teen hurt in fall from Phoenix mountain dies

PHOENIX (AP) — A teenage boy who, along with an off-duty Phoenix firefighter, was critically injured while rappelling down Camelback Mountain has died.

Mechanical failure cited in crash that killed six

HELENA (AP) — Investigators have concluded a collision between a fire engine and a pickup truck that killed six people in Montana was caused by a mechanical failure in the fire engine, a state Highway Patrol official said Tuesday.

Iconic actress Bacall dies at 89

Lauren Bacall, 1965

This 1965 file photo shows actress Lauren Bacall at her home in New York. Bacall, the sultry-voiced actress and Humphrey Bogart’s partner off and on the screen, died Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2014 in New York. She was 89. (AP Photo, File)

Iconic actress Lauren Bacall dies at 89

NEW YORK (AP) — Lauren Bacall, the slinky, sultry-voiced actress who created on-screen magic with Humphrey Bogart in “To Have and Have Not” and “The Big Sleep” and off-screen magic in one of Hollywood’s most storied marriages, died Tuesday at age 89.

Beef Judging

Russ Boardman judges the Senior Showman beef showing Tuesday afternoon in the Trade Center at the Flathead County Fairgrounds during the 2014 Northwest Montana Fair. Aug. 12, 2014 in Kalispell, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Glacier U13 All-Stars

Glacier U13 All-Stars practice at field near Bigfork on Friday afternoon. Aug. 8, 2014 in Bigfork, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Patricia Irene Badger, 79

Patricia Irene Badger, 79, of Columbia Falls, passed away unexpectedly Aug. 7, 2014.

Gregory Blaine Anderson, 67

Gregory Blaine Anderson, 67, of Chelem, Mexico, formerly Marion, passed away unexpectedly in Mexico, July 19, 2014.

Roy S. Dimond, 89

Roy S. Dimond, 89, passed away on Aug. 10, 2014.

Gwenn Rambo Lee, 80

Gwenn Rambo Lee passed away on Aug. 11, 2014, at her residence in Kalispell.

Northwest Montana Fair

Rachael Newtwon, 13, left, holds her lamb, Aaron, while her mother, Honey Newton of Kalispell, right, holds her son's lamb Annabeth, as Josh Newtwon, 11, center, brushes the lambs before judging on Tuesday, August 12, at the Northwest Montana Fair. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

NW Fair and Rodeo 2014 Cover

Firm to design county's south campus building

Flathead County has chosen CTA Architects Engineers of Kalispell to design a $6 million building that will house the Agency on Aging and other county services.

Legion baseball: Twins' run ends in Alaska

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The Glacier Twins’ regional championship hopes faltered at the hands of the Cody (Wyo.) Cubs as the Wyoming state champs defeated Glacier 3-1 in close matchup, knocking them out of contention for the title at the Northwest Class A Regional American Legion baseball tournament on Monday.  

Zinke releases some Navy records on SEAL career

HELENA — Republican U.S. House candidate Ryan Zinke recently released some of his military records that show he was a highly decorated Navy SEAL during his 23-year career, but the Montana Democratic Party has called on him to release all of his records.

Emergency-preparedness class starts Sept. 8

The Flathead County Sheriff’s Office is collaborating with local fire departments to form a new program to help Flathead Valley residents “prepare for the worst.”

Signs stolen from cherry stand

A person calling the

Author extols value of work for seniors

While not yet a senior citizen herself, Linda Hunt is extremely interested in prolonging careers and active lifestyles for that age group. 

Raymond L. Ingram, 84

Raymond L. Ingram, 84, passed away peacefully on Aug. 8, 2014, at HeathCenter in Kalispell, after a short battle with cancer.

Activity picks up at Northwest Montana Fair

A steady stream of youngsters brought their animals to the fair on Monday in Kalispell.

Robin Williams hanged himself

SAN RAFAEL, Calif. (AP) — Struggling with depression, Robin Williams tried to cut his wrist and hanged himself in a bedroom of his San Francisco Bay Area home, officials said Tuesday.

Glacier visitor fires gun after son injured by rock

Glacier National Park has had a second incident involving someone discharging a firearm in the park.

Robin Williams

This June 15, 2007 file photo shows actor and comedian Robin Williams posing to promote his film, "License To Wed" in Santa Monica, Calif. Williams, whose free-form comedy and adept impressions dazzled audiences for decades, has died in an apparent suicide. He was 63. The Marin County Sheriff’s Office said Williams was pronounced dead at his home in California on Monday, Aug. 11, 2014.  (AP Photo/Reed Saxon, File)

Raymond L. Ingram

Ryan Zinke

Megaload to make midnight trip through Flathead Valley

A giant load of refinery equipment might be rolling through the Flathead Valley as soon as next week.

Fair entrants

Brothers Stephen, right, and Greg Williamson rest on their pigs as they wait to weigh in Monday morning at the Trade Center at the Flathead County Fairgrounds during the 2014 Northwest Montana Fair. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Fair

Sabrina Phillips tries to move her pig Pebbles after weighing him Monday morning at the 2014 Northwest Montana Fair. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

All-in attitude

Whitefish man zealously bikes 6,762 miles

Most people would be tired after biking 6,762 miles.

DIL 8-03-14 Cover

The road less traveled

WHITEFISH — Jim Rucker edged out Justin Barth by nearly 30 seconds to claim a first place overall finish at the 32nd Annual Big Mountain Trail Run at Whitefish Mountain Resort on Saturday.

Legion baseball: Twins survive North Medford, reach consolation finals

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The wild ride that is the Glacier Twins postseason run lives to see another day after a thrilling 13-11 come from behind victory over the North Medford (Ore.) Mavericks at The Northwest Class A Regional American Legion baseball tournament on Sunday.

Flower power

Sharon Askelson has seen a lot of changes in her native Flathead Valley over the years.

Fair Feature: Sharon Askelson

Sharon Askelson outside her home on Thursday, August 8, in Kalispell. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Potter

Mike Potter with the customized fat bike he rode during a nearly 7,000-mile trek tracing the perimeter of the United States. Potter chose the fat bike so he could ride in the snow and offroad. Potter is on his eighth set of tires since starting the trip in September of 2010. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

DIL 8-10-14

NW Fair and Rodeo 2014

DIL 8-10-14 Cover

Golf: Avery, Schulz miss cut at Big 'I' National Championship

Kalispell streets heat up for 3-on-3 basketball

Legion Baseball: Pocatello grounds Glacier in Alaska

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The Glacier Twins couldn’t capitalize on early chances, falling 15-4 to Pocatello in the second round of the Northwest Class A Regional American Legion baseball tournament on Saturday.

Bruun-Hescher

Janet Atilgan Bruun and Chad Hescher were married April 11, 2014, at Anthem Country Club in Anthem, Ariz. The ceremony was performed by Cathy Schultz.

Graham-Lundgren

Rita Graham of Bigfork and Rod Graham of Kalispell announce the engagement of their daughter, Jill Elizabeth Graham, to Mark John Lundgren, son of Mark and Darcy Lundgren of Dundee, Ore.

Father charged in Plains baby shaking death

THOMPSON FALLS — A charge has been filed against a father for the deliberate homicide of his 3-month old child, after it was determined the child was a victim of shaken baby syndrome.

God's Ten Commandments Park

Fred's Appliance moves into its new home

After watching the building go up brick by brick, the employees of Fred’s Appliance in Kalispell have moved into their new home across the street and are officially open for business. 

Skydivers gather for 47th annual Lost Prairie Boogie

The 47th annual Lost Prairie Boogie was held from Aug. 2 through today. Meadow Peak Skydiving oversees the event, which draws hundreds of skydivers, as well as spectators. The event is held at Carson Field near Marion, about 34 miles west of Kalispell.

Sandra (Ray) Mills, 69

Sandra (Ray) Mills passed away in her home on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2014, after a courageous battle with cancer.  

'To glorify God' - Group creates Ten Command- ments park on U.S. 2

An organization that has been striving to post the Ten Commandments and other religious messages across the country and the world has established a home base of sorts with a Ten Commandments park in the Columbia Heights area.

Iraq: U.S. launches four airstrikes

WASHINGTON — The U.S. military says American jet fighters and drones have conducted four more airstrikes on Islamic militants in Iraq, taking out armored carriers and a truck that were firing on civilians.

Erwin Rohde, 92

Erwin Rohde “went to be with Jesus” on July 30, 2014, after spending 10 days at St. Luke Extended Care in Ronan. 

Work to begin on Yellowstone project

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. (AP) — A $15 million project to improve infrastructure at the Yellowstone National Park gateway community of Gardiner, Montana, will begin soon.

Two make court appearance in Clark Fork River death

MISSOULA (AP) — Two suspects in the death of a transient whose body was found in the Clark Fork River in Missoula have made their initial court appearances.

Last deactivated missile silos destroyed

GREAT FALLS (AP) — Crews finished eliminating the last of the deactivated intercontinental ballistic missile silos operated by Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana.

Man jumps up and gets down on trailer wheel

The

Wounded soldier skydives with Maine first lady

Army Staff Sgt. Travis Mills and his team from the 82nd Airborne were checking out reports of improvised explosive devices in Afghanistan when one detonated underneath him.

Zinke needs to learn about Bundy

I write to share with GOP House candidate Ryan Zinke some first-hand knowledge regarding the Bundy Ranch stand off with BLM in Clark County, Nevada.

Green light the green boxes

Flathead County has many obligations to the citizens it serves. It maintains hundreds of miles of roads, provides law enforcement and fire protection and offers green-box sites and a landfill to handle the county’s trash.

A letter in support of John Walsh & against Steve Daines

Where's the outrage?

Steve Daines turns his back on his country for monetary gain, but no one gets up in arms about that, not even the Daily Inter Lake editorial board. But, on Sunday, July 27, in its editorial, the board hangs Sen. John Walsh out to dry with a 1/3 page condemnation of his plagiarism.

Fair's first responders ready for emergencies

Volunteers gathered at the Flathead County Fairgrounds recently to stage training exercises for emergency response teams in anticipation of the upcoming fair.

Luther Leaguers learned to love the mountains

Summers and reunions go hand-in-hand, and I was able to catch a double-header during my recent stay in Minnesota.

Fairness, or self-destruction? A snapshot from Kodak's good years

I would like to expand on a June column by Managing Editor Frank Miele entitled, “Searching for fairness in all the wrong places.”  

Vote the party? Then look at the party's record

I feel compelled to respond to Bob McClellan’s letter of June 3. Typically I read McClellan’s letters in full, respecting his right to his opinion which I sometimes can understand, infrequently agree with and often have to acknowledge his right to be wrong.

North Valley Refuse denies dumping allegations

North Valley Refuse is refuting allegations that it deliberately dumps recycled material from Whitefish in the landfill. While the company has launched a full internal investigation into the claims made by a former employee, it says improper sorting and contamination of recyclables is the main reason plastic, paper and aluminum end up in the county dump.

Pulitzer finalist coming to town

Nicholas Carr, a 2011 Pulitzer Prize finalist in the general nonfiction category for his book “The Shallows: What the Internet is Doing to Our Brains,” is coming to Kalispell.

Rescue sled

A RESCUE SLED, the same one that will be used at the fair, is used during a volunteer training exercise July 21. (Photo by Marguerite Amstadt)

Missing Whitefish man found dead of apparent suicide

A Whitefish man who was reported missing Friday has been found dead of apparent suicide.

Christians, Jews are easy targets, but for how long?

The absurd attacks on Israel for exercising its right of self-defense in the past few weeks have only been surpassed in foolhardy dangerousness by the world’s virtual silence about the genocide being practiced against Christians and other minority religions in the Islamic State formerly known as northwestern Iraq.

Buck Foster, 81

Buck Foster “went home to be with the Lord” on Aug. 8, 2014. 

Sally Ann DeRosa, 95

Sally Ann DeRosa passed away peacefully on July 31, 2014, at North Valley Hospital in Whitefish.

Ernest Vernon Drake, 87

Ernest Vernon Drake, 87, passed away on August 8, 2014. 

Upward Tennis

Emma Berreth, 10, takes a swing at a tennis ball in Ben Williams Park in Lakeside during Upward Tennis.

Terry 'Sean' McIntosh, 47

Terry “Sean” McIntosh, 47, passed away after a long and well-fought battle with pancreatic cancer on July 13, 2014, in Yakima, Wash.

Carol Woods, 72

Carol Woods, 72, passed away on June 17, 2014. 

Cole Thomas Genter, Ember Lee Genter and Ashlyn May Genter, newborns

Cole Thomas Genter, Ember Lee Genter and Ashlyn May Genter passed away July 24, 2014, shortly after birth at Community Medical Center in Missoula.

Legion Baseball: Twins top Wild in Northwest A Regional opening round

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The Glacier Twins got off to a hot start in the far north, beating the Fairbanks (Alaska) Wild 8-4 in the opening round of the Northwest Class A Regional American Legion baseball tournament on Friday.

Dan Anderson

Lee Adams

Sandra (Ray) Mills, 69

Ebola outbreak officially a public health emergency

LONDON (AP) — The World Health Organization urged nations worldwide to donate money and resources to stop the spread of Ebola as it declared the outbreak in West Africa to be an international public health emergency.

Fred's Appliance

Viola May Blasdel Keller, 86

Viola May Blasdel Keller, lifetime resident of the Flathead Valley, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2014, at Hidden Meadows Memory Care in Columbia Falls. 

New superintendent for Helena Flats School

Dan Anderson has been named the new superintendent/principal of Helena Flats School.

State OKs aquifer testing for proposed copper mine

Carol Woods, 72

Israel-Hamas truce over after attacks

JERUSALEM (AP) — A three-day-old truce collapsed Friday in a new round of violence after Gaza militants resumed rocket attacks on Israel, drawing a wave of retaliatory airstrikes that killed at least five Palestinians, including three children.

Minta Mae Schnur Milner, 83

Minta Mae Schnur Milner was born in Washington on Sept. 11, 1930, to Preston and Opal Bourne. 

Candidates late with finance reports

HELENA (AP) — Two dozen candidates for state and local offices face removal from the general election ballot if they don’t file campaign finance reports by next week, the commissioner of political practices said Friday.

Visiting teen offers free tennis camp for young players

Service game

Seven local youngsters lined up behind 17-year-old Peter Anderson on Wednesday to learn and practice a forehand tennis stroke at Ben Williams Park in Lakeside.

Cat wins in battle with a bat

Flathead County is going a little batty. The

Terry 'Sean' McIntosh, 47

Thompson River fires more than 800 acres

THOMPSON FALLS — The Thompson River fire complex has grown in size again and was estimated to be at 819 acres by Thursday afternoon. 

Baker Avenue to be closed

Democrats in hunt for candidate

Replacement needed after Walsh leaves Senate race

HELENA (AP) — Montana Democrats were casting about Friday for a last-minute U.S. Senate candidate to take on Republican Rep. Steve Daines, after their hopes to hold the seat in November suffered a huge blow with the withdrawal of incumbent Sen. John Walsh amid plagiarism allegations. 

Reagan aide Brady's death ruled a homicide from 1981 shooting

WASHINGTON (AP) — This week’s death of former White House press secretary James Brady, who survived a gunshot wound to the head in a 1981 assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan, has been ruled a homicide by a medical examiner, District of Columbia police said Friday. 

Daybook

Today, August 9

Help sought in finding missing Whitefish man

The Flathead County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in locating a missing Whitefish man. 

Huckleberry Days

John Schaefer displays the personalized engraving on a piece by his wife Debby Schaefer at the Camp 9 Engraving booth on Friday, August 8, for the opening of Huckleberry Days in Depot Park in downtown Whitefish. The Schaefers are from Nordman, Idaho. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Missing Salish-Kootenai member found

A 55-year-old Salish-Kootenai tribal member that was reported missing Monday has been located. 

Two arrested, more sought in homicide

MISSOULA (AP) — Missoula County sheriff deputies have arrested two people and are looking for two more believed to be involved in the death of a transient whose body was found in the Clark Fork River in Missoula.

U.S. bombs militants in Iraq

IRBIL, Iraq (AP) — The U.S. unleashed its first airstrikes in northern Iraq against militants of the Islamic State group Friday amid a worsening humanitarian crisis. The extremists took captive hundreds of women from a religious minority, according to an Iraqi official, while thousands of other civilians fled in fear.

GM issues six more recalls covering 312,000 vehicles

DETROIT (AP) — General Motors on Friday issued six more recalls totaling more than 312,000 vehicles as the company cleans up past safety issues.

Street preachers to congregate in valley next weekend

A wave of evangelism will sweep into the Flathead Valley late next week as people arrive for a street preachers convention in Evergreen.

Woman dies in Hungry Horse crash

Five other people involved in two-vehicle accident

A two-vehicle accident killed a Columbia Falls woman in Hungry Horse on Thursday afternoon. 

TEN.FVCC

Mark Cutler returns serve Friday evening during the Flathead Valley Open Tennis match at Flathead Valley Community College. Aug. 8, 2014 in Kalispell, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Flood Book Giveaway

God's Ten Commandment Park

View of the some of the signs at the God's Ten Commandment Park Visitor Center on Thursday, August 7, in Columbia Heights. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Save the Brain

Kalispell Public Schools District 5 Superintendent Mark Flatau raises the new Save the Brain flag under the state flag on Thursday, August 7, outside the Kalispell Regional Medical Center main entrance. In the background are nurse practitioner Paul Coates, center, and physician Andrew Cole, right, two of the driving forces behind the Save the Brain initiative. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Service game

Fair Feature: Sharon Askelson

Sharon Askelson outside her home on Thursday, August 8, in Kalispell. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

F/A 18 fighter jet used in Iraq mission

FILE - In this April 12, 2013, file photo, a U.S. Marine F/A-18 Hornet jet flies low pass during Philippines-US joint military exercise in northern Philippines. President Barack Obama authorized U.S. airstrikes in northern Iraq, Thursday, Aug. 7, 2014, warning they would be launched if needed to defend Americans from advancing Islamic militants and protect civilians under siege. Obama said American military planes already had carried out airdrops of humanitarian aid to tens of thousands of Iraqi religious minorities surrounded by militants and desperately in need of food and water. The Pentagon said the airdrops were performed by one C-17 and two C-130 cargo aircraft that together delivered a total of 72 bundles of food and water. They were escorted by two F/A-18 fighters. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)

Airstrikes undertaken as US re-engages in Iraq

WASHINGTON  — U.S. fighters dropped bombs on Islamic militants in Iraq Friday, the Pentagon said, carrying out President Barack Obama’s promise of military force to counter the advancing militants and confront the threat they pose to Iraqi civilians and Americans still stationed there.

Glacier 13U All Stars still short on World Series trip funds

They made the big dance, now they just have to get there.

Senior Am: Hill storms to victory

Joe Hill was off to a rough start before he even reached the first tee for his final round at the Montana State Senior Amateur golf tournament on Thursday at Buffalo Hill Golf Club.

Sheriff: Man found in Clark Fork River shot

MISSOULA (AP) — The Missoula County sheriff’s office says it has launched a homicide investigation into the death of a man whose body was found in the Clark Fork River in Missoula this week.

Russia retaliates over sanctions

Food imports from the West banned

Amadeus in Whitefish

A new day dawns in 'doughnut'

Daybook

United adds Chicago service to Kalispell

A new direct round-trip flight from Glacier Park International Airport to Chicago is set to take off this winter.

July record month for GPI airport

July was a record-setting month for Glacier Park International Airport, and 2014 is well on its way to being a record year for local air traffic.

Khmer Rouge survivors

Two Khmer Rouge leaders convicted

 PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — They were leaders of Cambodia’s infamous Khmer Rouge, the fanatical communist movement behind a 1970s reign of terror that transformed this entire Southeast Asian nation into a ruthless slave state — a place where cities were emptied of their inhabitants, religion and schools were banned, and anyone deemed a threat was executed.

Sunni militants seize Iraq's largest dam

BAGHDAD (AP) — Sunni militants from the Islamic State group seized Iraq’s largest hydroelectric dam on Thursday, giving them control of enormous power and water resources and leverage over the Tigris River that runs through the heart of Baghdad.

Oil boom, housing bust alter spending

WASHINGTON — North Dakotans, enriched by an oil boom, stepped up their spending at triple the national pace in the three years that followed the Great Recession. In Nevada, smacked hard by the housing bust, consumers barely increased their spending. 

Beer-can tossing is all the rage

The

President signs overhaul bill

Veterans health care

 FORT BELVOIR, Va. (AP) — Veterans may soon have easier access to government-paid health care under a bill President Barack Obama signed into law Thursday, the government’s most sweeping response to date to a public uproar over systemwide problems that have rocked the Veterans Affairs Department.

Cafe faces heat for added fee

(MCT) — A small cafe in Minnesota has thrown itself into a big battle over that state’s minimum wage increases, inundating the cafe with dozens of phone calls and online comments this week after it tacked on a 35-cent fee to meal tabs.

Flow of youthful immigrants slows

McALLEN, Texas (AP) — Fewer unaccompanied immigrant children are crossing the Texas-Mexico border, allowing the federal government to close the temporary shelters that it hurriedly opened to handle the surge, authorities say.

Hawaiians brace for two storms headed for island

HONOLULU (AP) — The first hurricane expected to hit Hawaii in 22 years weakened slightly Thursday as its outer edges began to bring rain and wind to the Big Island, while residents and tourists prepared for a possible one-two punch as another major storm lined up behind it in the Pacific.

Returning home: Body of missing airman found after 70 years

BILLINGS (AP) — The remains of two missing airmen have been accounted for 70 years after they disappeared when their plane went down over Papua New Guinea during World War II, U.S. military officials said.

Returning home

This image provided by Sandi Jones shows 1st Lt. William “Laddie” Bernier. (Associated Press)

Man charged with raping 15-year-old girl in Missoula

MISSOULA (AP) — A 22-year-old man with a previous rape conviction is charged with raping a 15-year-old girl whose sympathies he gained by saying he was suffering from a terminal illness.

Nurse sentenced for sex with inmate

ANACONDA (AP) — A former nurse convicted of having sex with a man in the custody of a state corrections program has been sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Elk-kill proposal advances in state

BILLINGS — State wildlife officials gave initial approval Thursday to a plan to issue elk-kill permits to landowners in parts of southern Montana as part of an effort to reduce the spread of disease to cattle.

Man pleads guilty in Bigfork burglaries

An 18-year-old Kalispell man has changed his plea after being charged with six counts of felony burglary and one count of felony deceptive practices in Februrary. 

Laotian gets suspended sentence in pot conspiracy

A Harrisburg, Oregon, man was sentenced Thursday on a felony charge of conspiracy in the criminal distribution of dangerous drugs in Flathead County District Court. 

Guatemalans visit fellow Rotarians in Libby to discuss project

LIBBY — Rotary Club has built a bridge between two cultures to bring better water for a small village in Guatemala

Glacier Conservancy scores with fund-raising efforts

The Glacier National Park Conservancy just wrapped up a big period of fundraising for Glacier National Park as the official philanthropic partner for the park.

Kalispell school board works on district mission statement

The Kalispell Public Schools board of trustees met Tuesday for a retreat with new superintendent Mark Flatau to define each other’s role and expectations for the upcoming school year.

Whitefish should get its just deserts

In regard to a recent Daily Inter Lake editorial on the Montana Supreme Court’s Whitefish “doughnut” ruling, I was extremely amused by the following statement: “Understandably, city officials say they hope they will be influential as the county moves forward with doughnut oversight, and they arguably should be.”

Water meetings cannot be secret

On June 26, the compact commission laid out a proposed framework for reopening negotiations on the Flathead Water Compact. Their document indicated that the first negotiation session would be held during the first week in July. As of the today, July 31, there have been no notices of negotiation meetings posted on the compact commission website. 

Administration fails transparency test

For the life of me, I simply can’t understand how any intelligent, rational voter can still support President Obama and his administration. 

Don't be too hard on wolves

 I wanted to write a letter concerning the hostility that so many here in Montana seem to display toward wolves. I find such an attitude somewhat distasteful. 

J.R. Keeney, 84

LostPrairie

Parachutes fill the skies Thursday afternoon during the 47th annual Lost Prairie Boogie at the Meadow Peak Skydiving drop zone at Carson Field west of Marion. More than 250 jumpers registered to participate in the jumpmeet. Aug. 7, 2014 in Marion, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Golf

Sam Manaker, 11, of Kalispell reacts after missing a putt Thursday morning during the Flathead Valley Junior Golf Championship at Eagle Bend Golf Club in Bigfork. Aug. 7, 2014 in , Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Dragonfly

A dragonfly sits on a pine tree Thursday morning at Buffalo Hill Golf Club. Thursday morning. Aug. 7, 2014 in , Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Roscoe Junior 'J.R.' Keeney, 84

“I know one thing for sure, Jesus is the only way to God” — J.R. Keeney

Camp Festival Amadeus Rehearsal

Adia Saurey of Whitefish on piano and members of the Camp Festival Amadeus orchestra rehearses on Thursday afternoon, August 7, at the Performing Arts Center. They 28 students attending the camp will deliver a free concert today beginning at noon. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Linda Hunt Profile

Linda Hunt is the author of "Work and the Older Person." (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

John H. Davis, 62

Mariella Kaprie Dalimata, 11 months

Rory Dale Abraham, 54

Rory Dale Abraham, 54, passed away July 12, 2014, in Tucson, Ariz.

Walsh drops out of Montana Senate race amid plagiarism probe

HELENA — U.S. Sen. John Walsh of Montana is dropping his campaign for office amid allegations that he plagiarized large portions of a 2007 research project he wrote for a master’s degree, a Democrat close to the former National Guard commander’s campaign said Thursday.

William Jay Buzzell Sr., 77

William Jay Buzzell Sr., 77, “left this world to be with our heavenly Father” on Aug. 5, 2014, after a long battle with renal failure and cancer.

Donald G. 'Don' Friske

Donald G. “Don” Friske, passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2014, in Kalispell.

Chris Young

Chris Young

Building 429

Building 429

For King & Country

For King & Country

Folk-indie duo plays at The Raven in Woods Bay

Whitefish Theatre Co. holding auditions for "Harvey"

Rob Quist plays Swan Valley Shintangle

twif080714

Senior Am: Schweitzer gains on defending champ Garland

WHITEFISH — The toughest course of the tournament did its job on Wednesday, separating the pack at the Montana State Senior Amateur golf tournament. Playing on Whitefish Lake Golf Club’s North Course, Bozeman’s Fred Schweitzer and Ron Garland rose to the top of the heap, taking a one-stroke lead into the final day.

TERRY: Football on its way

As much as I love summer, it’s dragging on.

Work to resume on controversial Bigfork bridge

Construction is expected to resume on a controversial private bridge on the north shore of Flathead Lake this fall, as long as it is in compliance with an original county lakeshore construction permit.

A new way of notifying for Kalispell school system

Kalispell Public Schools will connect with parents in a new way this year.

Hackers may have millions of logins

A Russian hacking ring has secured a massive trove of stolen personal data, including login information for more than 500 million email addresses, security researchers told the New York Times.

Study links new gene to major breast cancer risk

It’s long been known that faulty BRCA genes greatly raise the risk for breast cancer. Now scientists say a more recently identified, less common gene can do the same.

To Peru, with love

McKenna Wilson has never left the borders of the United States. That will change in just a few short weeks when she heads toward a volunteer experience in South America.

Report: Russia to block U.S. agricultural imports

MOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday hit back hard against countries that have imposed sanctions over the Ukraine crisis, ordering trade cuts that an official said would include a ban on all imports of agricultural products from the United States.

It beats 'rock, paper, scissors'

The Kalispell City Council may not have gone about it in an orthodox manner, but who’s to say what is the proper way to appoint a city council member from a field of 11 applicants.

Baucus papers arrive at UM

MISSOULA (AP) — A semitrailer carrying more than 900 boxes of former U.S. Sen. Max Baucus’ congressional files has arrived at the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library at the University of Montana.

Competency hearing set for triple murder suspect

BILLINGS (AP) — A federal judge in Montana has scheduled a hearing later this month that could reveal the fate of a man who was found incompetent to stand trial in a triple homicide on the Crow Indian Reservation.

Man charged after jailbreak attempt

BILLINGS (AP) — A Billings man who was arrested on suspicion of violating his probation is now charged with trying to walk out of the Yellowstone County jail booking area with two other men who were being released.

Stowaway sneaks on to plane after three tries

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A woman who took a Southwest Airlines flight from San Jose to Los Angeles without a ticket tried at least three times that day to breach airport security before she managed to board the plane, federal law enforcement officials said Wednesday.

Gas and run? Or gas and come back?

A man working at a gas station on U.S. 2 East reported a gas drive-off to the

County excludes Whitefish from planning transition

‘Doughnut’ drama

The Flathead County commissioners will allow the city of Whitefish to create a city planning board, but have declined Whitefish’s offer to help with the transition from city to county planning control in the embattled two-mile “doughnut” around Whitefish.

Flipped out

Caleb Edwards of Kalispell throws a backflip off the Holt Stage Road bridge into the Flathead River on Wednesday afternoon.

Daybook

Walsh leaving race? Senator in seclusion at Helena home

HELENA — Sen. John Walsh was taking personal time at his Helena home as his campaign canceled events and avoided questions about whether the Montana Democrat plans to remain in the U.S. Senate race amid allegations that he plagiarized a research paper.

Commissioner Cal Scott crosses party lines to endorse Democrat as successor

Flathead County Commissioner Cal Scott, a Republican, has endorsed Democrat Stacey Schnebel as the best candidate to fill his seat on the commission.

Disk Golf

From left, Kyle Sampson, Jeremy Grosswiler and Cody Hartigan, all of Kalispell, play a round of disk golf on Wednesday afternoon, August 6, in Lawrence Park. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Montana State Senior Golf tournament

Brian Cripes of Whitefish watches his tee shot on Hole 16 Wednesday morning during the second round of the Montana State Senior Golf tournament at Village Greens Golf Club. Aug. 6, 2014 in Kalispell, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Howard Sell, 82

On Aug. 2, 2014, Howard Sell of Columbia Falls died at his farm.  

River Otter

River Otter: Montana Fish Wildlife, and Parks photo

Glacier goes on gold rush

The last time Bob Rupp headed north to Alaska was to bring back a prisoner.

State's top seniors tee off in Flathead

Bigfork’s Ron Ramsey and Polson’s Steve Lucas lead the Montana State Senior Amateur golf championship after the first day of play on Tuesday at Village Greens Golf Club. The tournament, also played at Buffalo Hill Golf Club and Whitefish Lake Golf Club’s North Course, continues through Thursday.

Officials identify woman killed in I-90 crash

MISSOULA (AP) — Missoula County officials have released the name of a 32-year-old Florence woman who died in a single-vehicle rollover crash on Interstate 90 near Alberton.

Scammers posing as power company employees

Scam artists posing as power company employees reportedly have been calling people in the Flathead Valley with threats to shut off power within a couple of hours if payment is not made immediately.

Otter attack not an isolated instance

A similar incident last year killed a family’s dog

The boy injured in an otter attack Monday on Lake of the Woods is recovering after being treated at a local hospital for multiple bite wounds, and his experience has shined a light on a little recognized but not uncommon problem.

Rod Kuntz named new Kalispell councilor

After hearing brief presentations from 11 applicants for a vacant Kalispell City Council position Monday, the council appointed Rod Kuntz, a Kalispell resident since 1986 who has a variety of experience.

After 'doughnut' decision, Whitefish moving forward

The city of Whitefish is reorganizing its planning efforts in the wake of a recent Montana Supreme Court ruling that handed control of the two-mile “doughnut” around Whitefish to Flathead County.

Kalispell sewer work underway

Starting today, the city of Kalispell has contracted with LHC to replace sewer lines along the alley between East Washington and East Nevada streets.

When smoke gets in your lens

Standup paddleboarders cruise around a smoky Flathead Lake on Tuesday afternoon near Lakeside. Though there are a few fires in Montana, most of the smoke is coming from Idaho, Oregon and Washington. According to Flathead National Forest public affairs officer Wade Muehlhof, “We’re not putting up smoke here locally. It’s all coming from the west.” With hot and dry days upcoming in the forecast, Muehlhof stressed the importance of the public reducing possibilities of man-started fires by taking extreme caution with things like cigarettes and chains dragging behind vehicles. The fires in the Kalispell area were kept under two acres this past weekend. According to the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, lightning storms last Friday and Saturday lit up the night sky with an impressive show resulting in eight fires; most were west of Kalispell in the Pleasant Valley and Hubbart Dam areas. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Officials ID Polson man who died after falling at home

POLSON (AP) — Officials in Lake County have released the name of a 62-year-old Polson man who died after falling down a flight of stairs at his home.

Tribal management for Bison Range back on table

The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes announced Monday that a long-awaited study on tribal co-management of the National Bison Range has been released for public comment.

She likes car better than son-in-law?

The

Research grant to create 'superfood' plot at FVCC

Thanks to a grant from the Montana Department of Agriculture, Flathead residents may get to experience some unusual fruits.

Man's throat was slashed in fight over best branch of military

BILLINGS (AP) — A 63-year-old Laurel man who faces a deliberate homicide charge for slashing another man’s throat told police they were arguing over which branch of the United States military was better, the Army or the Marines.

West Yellowstone police chief fired

BILLINGS (AP) — The West Yellowstone town council fired its police chief after a state investigation found he selectively enforced the law, violated court orders and in some cases either did not know or chose not to follow the law.

DNA test ends a mystery of Argentina's 'dirty war'

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — The founder of Argentina’s leading human rights group said Monday that she had located the grandson taken from her daughter while a prisoner of the military dictatorship in the 1970s, one of the long-unsolved mysteries from the “dirty war” era that still haunts the country.

Well-known Flathead artist dies at 92

Marvin “Skeez” Messing, whose contemplation of the human condition led him to a life of painting, sculpting and printmaking, died Friday at Hidden Meadows Memory Care in Columbia Falls. He was 92.

'The Imminent Violent Death of a Liberal Conservative Idealist'

Messing’s painting, titled “The Imminent Violent Death of a Liberal Conservative Idealist,” was featured in a 2008 FVCC art show.

In newly released tapes, Nixon tells one-time aide story of fall from grace

YORBA LINDA, Calif. (AP) — Almost a decade after Richard Nixon resigned, the disgraced former president sat down with his one-time aide and told the tale of his fall from grace in his own words.

Shots fired in property dispute

HELENA (AP) — Shots were fired during a dispute between the owner of a trailer house northwest of Helena and a tenant.

Daines begins ag tour

Frustrated farmers told Congressman Steve Daines on Monday in Huntley that clogged rail lines, increasing federal regulations and cheap imports are hurting their business.

Daybook

UN sends warning to Islamic State

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. Security Council warned Tuesday that the Islamic State extremist group may be held accountable for crimes against humanity for its systematic persecution of minorities in Iraq.

Afghan soldier kills US general, wounds about 15

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — An American major general was shot to death Tuesday in one of the bloodiest insider attacks of the long Afghanistan war when a gunman dressed as an Afghan soldier turned on allied troops, wounding about 15 including a German general and two Afghan generals.

Attorney general's photo swiped for online dating scam

HELENA (AP) — State officials say a photo of Montana Attorney General Tim Fox was used in an online dating scam that cost an Indiana woman $150,000.

Base.TwinsLeth

Glacier center fielder Kyler Howke smiles in the outfield during the Twins loss to Lethbridge on the second day of the Sapa-Johnsrud Memorial Tournament at Memorial Park in Whitefish in the file photo from July 11. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

This Week in the Flathead: Festival Amadeus

Opening concert for Festival Amadeus at Depot Park in Whitefish on Sunday evening, August 3. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS benefit concert by Alpine Theatre Project cast

Final song from the Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS benefit concert Sunday, August 3, featuring the cast of the Alpine Theatre Project Summer Season. From left to right cast members are: Susan O'Dea, Luke Walrath, Betsi Morrison, Nicholas Ward, Amma Osei, Aaron Vega, Kendra Jo Brook, Eric Michael Krop, and Rebecca Spear. Musicians were Alex Kerckhoff, on guitar, piano player was Billy Thompson, and bass player was Matt Scharfglass.

GOLF.StateSenior

Competitors putt on the 16th green Tuesday morning during the opening day of the Montana State Senior golf tournament at Buffalo Hill Golf Club. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Marvin 'Skeez' Messing

Skeez Messing, 92, passed away on Aug. 1, 2014, at Hidden Meadows Memory Care in Columbia Falls.

Tom Denham

Tom Denham just published his first novel at the age of 81. The title “PIOT” stands for “Peace in our Time.”

Fishing Foys Lake

Roy Patton of Kalispell fishing in his favorite spot on Foys Lake on Tuesday afternoon, August 5. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Marvel Ann Logan, 85

Marvel Ann Logan, 85, passed away peacefully in the early morning of Thursday, July 24, 2014.

Octogenarian publishes first novel

Sequel planned

At 81, Tom Denham might be a bit older than most first-time authors.

Festival Amadeus Music Camp

From left, Brittany Barnes, Adia Saurey and Breanna Barnes, all of Whitefish, work on tie-dying their official Camp Festival Amadeus shirts on Monday, August 4, at the North Valley Music School in Whitefish. The personalized decoration of T-shirts is a new activity for the campers this year. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Health officials issue bat alert

Citing an increase in contact between people and bats, the Flathead City-County Health Department is advising area residents what to do in case of a bite or a scratch.

Polson man, 62, dies after falling down stairs

POLSON (AP) — A 62-year-old Polson man has died of injuries he suffered after apparently falling down a flight of stairs leading to his basement.

Man in jail over shooting on roadway

A Whitefish man with a criminal history is in the Flathead County jail after a road rage incident involving a firearm on Saturday.

Dead rabbit in mailbox wasn't 'message'?

The

Donna Jones (as she was)

Donna Jones

Donna Belle Jones, 90

Donna Belle Jones, born Dec. 9, 1923, in Lakota, N.D., passed away on Aug. 1, 2014, in the arms of her two daughters, Candy and Robyn, with her husband Rick nearby. She fought a tough battle and was a trooper to the end!

Creston toddler drowns in mop bucket

A baby girl just 10 days shy of her first birthday drowned Saturday evening after falling into a bucket of water at her family’s Creston home.

Buy Local

Stumptown Marketplace

Whitefish High School Reunion

Jack Dunne, left, a teacher in the Whitefish School system for 31 years, left, chats with his son-in-law Jack Babon of Missoula, at the celebration of all graduating classes from Whitefish High School on Friday evening, August 1, at Depot Park in Whitefish. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Festival Amadues Begins

Photos by Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake

Festival Amadeus Opening Night

View of the crowd on Sunday evening, August 3, at the opening concert for Festival Amadeus in Depot Park in Whitefish. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Mariella Dalimata

Mariella Dalimata drowned in a bucket of water in her family's home in Creston on Saturday, Aug. 2. The family is sending a warning to parents that accidental drowning can happen almost instantly and not to leave toddler unattended near water.

Farm tour ends at Terrapin Farm

The final farm tour in a summerlong series aimed at educating Montana farmers and others involved with agriculture in the state about cover cropping and crop-insurance issues will explore cover cropping on a diverse vegetable operation.

DIL 7-27-14

Council to hold hearing on Haugen Heights subdivision

 The Whitefish City Council tonight will hold a public hearing on a proposed 15-lot subdivision on Haugen Heights Road.

Montanans save nearly $30 million on prescriptions since 2010

 The Department of Health and Human Services announced last week that Montana’s Medicare patients have saved more than $29 million on prescription drugs since the Affordable Care Act went into effect.

Glacier All-Stars to play in Babe Ruth World Series

HELENA — The Glacier All-Stars are headed to the Babe Ruth 13-year-old World Series in Glen Allen, Va.

Glacier Twins State A Legion baseball champs

LEWISTOWN — AJ Wetsch took a no-hitter into the seventh inning and leadoff hitter Colton Gove drove in two runs as the Glacier Twins defeated Laurel 8-4 in the championship game early Sunday morning at the Montana/Alberta State A American Legion baseball tournament at Ryan Sparks Field.

C-Falls teacher in running for math awards

A Columbia Falls teacher is in the running for Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.

Music ambassador: violinist gives year to college program

Though Wai Mizutani has been a musician since age 5, it wasn’t until he moved to  Northwest Montana that he could play his violin with a truly joyful heart.

Daybook

Monday, August 4

Kalispell council to appoint new member

Tonight’s Kalispell City Council meeting is bound to be dominated by the process of appointing one of 11 people who have applied to finish the term of former council member Randy Kenyon.

Profile: Wai Mizutani

World-renowned violinist Wai Mizutani at Flathead Valley Community College on Thursday, July 31, in Kalispell. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

DIL 8-03-14

States have role in border defense

The states have two articles in the Constitution they can use to protect our borders. 

North Fork blocked by politics

My affiliation with the North Fork spans 35 years. As a North Fork landowner I’ve worked, hunted, fished, and cleared many miles of trails. For me, keeping the North Fork pristine is personal.

Dissatisfied with forest plan process

Compassionately, the Flathead National Forest Collaborative Management Planning sessions are over for a few months. I attended every one of them from their inception in September 2013 through the recess in late spring, and I am exhausted from the ordeal. 

Military has lost confidence in the president

On June 3, for the National Review Online, Lt. Col. Ralph Peters, U.S. Army, retired, wrote an article entitled, “Why Team Obama was blindsided by the Bergdahl backlash.” 

Montana must defend role for coal

Our border invasion has solution – in Constitution

Gov. Rick Perry of Texas recently ordered 1,000 Texas National Guard troops to the state’s border with Mexico to assist the Border Patrol in responding to the growing crisis of illegal entry.

Regional U14 Babe Ruth Baseball: Glacier, Kalispell fall in semis

COLUMBIA FALLS — The postseason streak for both the Glacier and Kalispell U14 All-Star baseball teams came to an end Saturday afternoon as each team dropped their semifinal contest in the Pacific Northwest Regional Babe Ruth tournament at Sapa-Johnsrud Field.

Legion baseball: Twins knock out Belgrade; play on

LEWISTOWN — Belgrade scored first, but it was all Glacier after that as the Twins rolled to a 14-4 loser-out victory on Saturday at the Montana/Alberta State A American Legion baseball tournament at Ryan Sparks Field.

Stumptown Marketplace

David and Amy along with their son Thomas stand in the Stumptown Marketplace after opening it to the public for the first time on Friday, Aug. 1. The inspiration for the year-round market came when they couldn't find local carrots in the fall for their daughter Emily. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

Stumptown Marketplace opens in Whitefish

Golf-club assailant heads to boot camp

Inter Lake staff shows support for advertisers

2-way street

Whitefish father, son sentenced on cocaine charges

Hospital going public to help raise money for ER expansion

Kalispell Regional Medical Center for the first time is asking for money from the public to fund a capital project: expansion of its emergency-room operation.

Traffic messes with woman's tee time

A woman called the

Jack Ryan

Mikle Dennis Lee

Jack Ryan, 83

Mikle Dennis Lee, 56

Marvin 'Buzz' Torgerson, 78

Lyle Keith Bartlett, 88

Lyle Keith Bartlett

Wesley 'Wes' John Lureau

Wesley 'Wes' John Lureau, 72

In great sorrow we announce the passing of our Dad, Wesley “Wes” John Lureau, on Feb. 4, 2014.

Daybook

Today, August 3

Pacific Northwest Babe Ruth Cal Ripken Regional Tournament

Kalispell catcher Clayton Jaques (6) makes the catch as the player from North Oregon begins his slide into home on Saturday, August 2, at the Pacific Northwest Babe Ruth Cal Ripken Regional Tournament, in Columbia Falls. North Oregon was called safe at the plate. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Evergreen Shines

From left, Jason Smith, Burly Smith and Morgan Smith, all of Kalispell, talk with former Marine Kal Jagst of Kalispell about his 1968 five ton Kaiser Jeep on Saturday, August 2, at the Evergreen "Show & Shine" Car Show. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Local teams reach semifinals

Both the Glacier and Kalispell All-Stars reached the semifinals of the Pacific Northwest Regional Babe Ruth Tournament after narrowly escaping their opponents on Friday night.

Twins oust Mariners from tourney

LEWISTOWN — The Glacier Twins and Mission Valley Mariners combined for 27 hits and 11 errors in a thrilling nine-inning loser-out baseball game at the Montana/Alberta American Legion State A Tournament on Friday afternoon with Glacier claiming an 11-9 victory to stay in the hunt for a state championship.

Firefighters continue to scour area

Area firefighters continued to chase smoke reports Thursday as a series of lightning triggered fires emerged around Northwest Montana.

Storm-water project begins on Monday

The Fourth Avenue East and Ninth Street East Storm Water System Improvement Project will begin Monday, Aug. 4, and is scheduled to last approximately 30 days. 

House rented by cat hoarder to be razed

BUTTE, Mont. (AP) — Butte-Silver Bow County health officials have determined that a rental house where officers found nearly 100 cats living in filthy conditions is not livable and ordered it demolished.

Teen in Israel at start of bombing

Joseph Wisher of Kalispell made a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Israel and was there during the beginning of the Gaza conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Yellowstone-area grizzly conflicts declined in 2013

BILLINGS (AP) — Conflicts between humans and grizzly bears in the region around Yellowstone National Park dropped last year, but that wasn’t enough to reverse a long-term trend of more potentially dangerous interactions as populations of both bruins and people increase.

Flathead Lake modeling effort intensifying

Primary productivity in Flathead Lake has climbed above its target level, according to Flathead Lake Biological Station Director Jack Stanford.

Time to boogie

Skydivers are getting ready to boogie at Skydive Lost Prairie in Marion.

'Catch-up days' part of attendance changes

Glacier and Flathead high school 2014-15 handbooks will reflect a new attendance incentive in the form of academic “catch-up” days.

Decomposing body or dead deer?

A woman called the

Daybook

Today, August 2

CNN interviews Frank Miele

CNN show looks at hunt for fugitive

Montana fugitive David Burgert featured on CNN Sunday night

Where is David Burgert?

Colt Modderman

Colt Modderman, son of Nathan and Samantha Modderman of Bigfork, was born April 17 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Robert 'Bob' Stansbery, 75

Robert "Bob" Stansbery passed away on July 31, 2014, surrounded by his loving family and friends.

Flag raising

Craig Kempthorne raises the flag on the new flagpole in front of the Flathead County Courthouse on Friday morning. "We made the bronze match the trim of the doors," said Kempthorne, owner of Flathead Flagpole Co. Aug. 1, 2014 in Kalispell, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)

Guns on display

File photo shows guns on display at Kalispell's Sportsman Ski Haus in November 2012. 

Court: Freed felons still face gun restrictions

MISSOULA (AP) — An appellate court says Montana felons can’t possess firearms after they have served their sentences if they don’t qualify for a concealed-weapons permit.

Brandt Cole

Brandt Cole, son of Andrew and Christina Cole of Whitefish, was born April 17 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Hannah Bardell

Hannah Bardell, daughter of Nathan and Gretchen Bardell of Kalispell, was born April 18 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Bain Johnson

Bain Johnson, son of James and Stephanie Johnson of Whitefish, was born April 22 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Haven Swaim

Haven Swaim, daughter of Nik Kupka and Charity Swaim of Kalispell, was born April 21 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Thomas Boyce

Thomas Boyce, son of James and Amy Boyce of Kalispell, was born April 21 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Benjamin Lucas

Benjamin Lucas, son of David Lucas and Andrea Bell of Kalispell, was born April 17 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Noah Case

Noah Case, son of Charles Case and Sarah O’Neel of Kalispell, was born April 17 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Colt Walsh

Colt Walsh, son of Lance Walsh and Amanda Van Valkenburg of Kalispell, was born April 21 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Reily Edwards

Reily Edwards, son of Rex Edwards and Emily Nielsen of Kalispell, was born April 22 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Kyzlee Stutzman

Kyzlee Stutzman, daughter of Tim and Leeann Stutzman of Kalispell, was born April 19 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Kynzlee Halgren

Kynzlee Halgren, daughter of Kirk and Kallie Halgren of Kalispell, was born April 20 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.