Ellington

State AA golf preview: Avery aims for 3rd straight title

On her way to one of the most decorated prep golf careers in state history, Glacier senior Teigan Avery has made the second day at the state tournament interesting.

State A golf preview: Schulz, Whitefish shooting for crown

Whitefish senior Coral Schulz hasn’t shied away from the spotlight in her impressive high school golf career.

TERRY COLUMN: Sometimes blowouts happen

The sportsmanship police arrived before the game had even finished.

Friends with the enemy: Flathead, Glacier soccer rivals build friendship off the pitch

Flathead’s Carter Warnell spent 80 straight minutes chasing star Glacier striker Colton Becker around the pitch during the schools’ first crosstown match, a grueling, rain-soaked, foul-filled 2-2 draw on September 3.

Marilyn T. Frey, 69

Alana K. Stout Lee, 70

Robert N. Carter Jr., 53

No good deed goes unpunished

A man called the

Land and Water Fund goes dormant overnight

For the first time in 50 years since its passage, Congress has not reauthorized the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund.

Walmart jail plan thwarted

Flathead County’s tentative deal to buy the former Walmart building and property has fallen through because the owner has received a higher offer for the former box store and 14-acre site in Evergreen.

Crosstown Soccer

Flathead's Carter Warnell and Glacier's Colton Becker have been playing soccer together since childhood. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

Grizzly injures Glacier Park hiker

After being attacked by a grizzly bear in Glacier National Park on Tuesday, a hiker is recovering from minor injuries, according to park officials.

Construction of the West Valley Loop

Flags mark the path of what will be the West Valley Loop on Wednesday, September 30. Students from the University of Kentucky are working with students from West Valley School to build the path which is expected to be complete by Monday when the team from UK will head for home. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Fall Color

Close detail of a dried leaf along Witty Lane in Columbia Falls on Wednesday, September 30. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Squirrel stare

Disc Golf

Dave Engle hurls a disc while playing disc golf with Cody Morrison at Lawrence Park on Wednesday. The two play disc golf at the park about five times a week. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

Eisinger helps Glacier Conservancy

For the sixth year in a row, Eisinger Automotive Group in Kalispell has provided financial support to Glacier National Park through the Glacier National Park Conservancy. While federal funding provides for Glacier’s day-to-day operations, private support from businesses and individuals is necessary for many of the vital projects and programs throughout the park.

Recycling drive planned Saturday at fairgrounds

The semi-annual Trees to Paper to Trees recycling drive will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3.

Hildner: Managing growth a challenge for Whitefish

Richard Hildner has relished his time serving on the Whitefish City Council and he would like to remain in the position to continue working on the issues facing the city.

Daybook

Bess (Rogers) Neufeld, 92

Bess (Rogers) Neufeld of Kalispell, passed away on Sept. 27, 2015, at Immanuel Lutheran Home.

Beulah A. (Bylsma) Erickson, 89

Beulah A. (Bylsma) Erickson “stepped into the presence of Jesus” on Sept. 24, 2015, at age 89.

Isabell Metcalf, 90

Isabell Metcalf, born July 15, 1925, passed away peacefully at her home in Libby on Sept. 28, 2015.

Glen Harlow Aasheim, 74

Glen Harlow Aasheim, M.D. (retired), died Sept. 14, 2015, at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, of complications associated with CNS vasculitis.

Increased fire activity, smoke from Kootenai

The Kootenai National Forest ordered a Type I hotshot crew to help knock down wildfires near the Idaho border on Tuesday.

Girls soccer: Whitefish JV blanks Stillwater Christian

The Daily Inter Lake

Volleyball: Thompson Falls beats Libby

The Daily Inter Lake

Fairview man denies killing Kalispell woman

SIDNEY (AP) — An Eastern Montana man has denied allegations that he killed his former girlfriend in February 2013 and hid her body.

Popeyes restaurant pops up

The new Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen restaurant arrived in Kalispell by truck on Monday night, in preconstructed pieces of walls and flooring.

Kalispell man dies in motorcycle crash on Farm-to-Market

A Kalispell man died at the scene of a motorcycle crash on Farm-to-Market Road Sunday evening.

Offender registry, speed limits among laws taking effect

HELENA (AP) — Higher speed limits and new sex-offender registration requirements are among the 165 new laws that will take effect Thursday in Montana.

Isabell Metcalf, 90

Bess (Rogers) Neufeld, 92

Glen Harlow Aasheim, 74

Burglary suspect admits meth use

A woman was taken to jail by

LETTER: ACT for All is working

Kudos to the Office of Public Instruction for implementing the ACT for All program. It is of great benefit for ALL high school juniors in the state of Montana to take the ACT in order to access their readiness for higher education, which in turn may open the door to college and financial aid for many.  

LETTER: What are Democrats thinking on Iran, Planned Parenthood?

The esteemed U.S. Senate and House Democrats recently have voted or will vote en bloc. What are the Democrats thinking? On two issues in particular, one wonders if those Democrats who go that way are trapped in a “cult of death”? The word “culture” would be nicer, but “culture” implies civilized, not barbaric.

LETTER: Thanks for support of ranch charity

Thank you to each and every one of the 21 souls thus far who responded to my plea for support for the All Mosta Ranch Montana. And thank you to the Inter Lake for publishing my letter so promptly because help was needed quickly.

LETTER: Legislator notes problems with Medicaid expansion

The Legislature passed the biggest increase in entitlement spending in the state’s history in the recent session. It’s called Medicaid expansion, part of Obamacare. It’s projected to cost $430 million over first two years.

Grant pays overtime to patrol peak traffic times

High traffic and holiday weekends come with an increased crash risk, but a state grant aims to help crack down on problem behavior to reduce risk.

Early voting starts Oct. 14

Early voting for the upcoming municipal election in Flathead County starts Oct. 14.

Man jailed for ramming wife, child with vehicle

A Kalispell man is accused of running his truck into his wife’s car on Friday, sending both the woman and her daughter to the hospital.

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Fall Fishing

Eljay Running Crane fishes for whitefish on the Flathead River near the Old Steel Bridge on Tuesday. Running Crane caught a couple of trout, but couldn't find what the whitefish were biting on. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

New Popeye's in Kalispell

Construction of the new Popeye's in Kalispell, on US 93 south of the courthouse, is underway on Tuesday morning, September 29. The walls of the building were delivered Monday night and according to owner Denny Rehberg the exterior of the building will be completed today. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Renovations

From left, Chris Annunziato and Joseph Sena, members of Selah Fellowship in Whitefish, volunteer their time painting the building on Monday afternoon, September 28, in Whitefish. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Columbia Falls woman dies driving wrong way on interstate

The Montana Highway Patrol was investigating Tuesday afternoon why a 57-year-old Columbia Falls woman was driving the wrong way and caused a double fatal crash the previous day.

Jean A. Turnage remembered as effective statesman

Jean A. Turnage, a former chief justice of the Montana Supreme Court and long-serving Republican leader in the state Senate, died Sunday at St. Luke Extended Care in Ronan.

Missing Kalispell hunter found dead

The body of a Kalispell hunter was found Sunday afternoon in Beaverhead County, a week after he was first reported missing.

Woman attacked in residence by bear

An elderly woman was attacked and severely injured by a black bear late Sunday afternoon inside her residence west of Kalispell, authorities said.

Smoky skies may return to Flathead

Despite the decline in Northwest Montana’s wildfire activity in the past few weeks, the Flathead Valley could be in for smoky conditions today as fire activity further west appeared to pick up Monday.

Lunar Eclipse from Glacier National Park

The lunar eclipse nears it's maximum point at 8:24 p.m. as seen from West Glacier on Sunday.

Caller reports possible suspect

Jean Allen Turnage, 89

Jean Allen Turnage, 89, family man and devoted public servant, died peacefully Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015.

Mary Alice (Sappington) McClure, 82

Arson suspected in Melby's fire

A fire destroyed a Columbia Falls home interior store Sunday morning may have been arson, authorities said Monday.

Autumn Walk

Ashley Wenz of Somers takes her dogs Max and Kiva for a walk in Somers on Monday afternoon, September 28. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Polson woman charged with drug crimes

A Polson woman is facing federal charges for allegedly distributing methamphetamine.

Building blitz helps Bench family

A building blitz Sept. 18 through 20 helped erect a home for Whitefish Chief Building Official Virgil Bench, who is undergoing cancer treatment. But the job’s not done yet, said Tyler Frank of Malmquist Construction.

Accident in Evergreen

A two vehicle accident slowed traffic on US 2 on Monday, September 28, in Evergreen. According to Evergreen Fire and Rescue there were minor injuries, but none of the parties needed to be transported to the hospital. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Jeff Arcel reflects on a life of art and music

‘We should create things’

Jeff Arcel has spent his life creating. He has seen success as an artist, musician and businessman, and said living life as all three — not to mention husband and father — for him, comes down to one thing:

Participants sought for air-quality research in Lake County

The University of Montana and the Center for Environmental Health Services are looking for Lake County residents as far north as Polson to participate in a research study over the next two years.

Lunar Eclipse from Glacier National Park

The bride crossing the Middle Fork Flathead River in West Glacier was a popular viewing point for the lunar eclipse on Sunday night, September 27. In the foreground, Martin and Kate Triplett of Great Falls, watch as the full moon, in left of the frame, takes on a red cast as it crosses through the shadow of the earth at 8:37 p.m. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Glacier Campfire

Rommie Minhaz and Oogi Tumur of Calgary enjoy the warmth of a campfire in West Glacier on Sunday, September 27. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Missing Kalispell hunter's body found in Beaverhead County

Births, Published Sept. 28, 2015

Business calls about irate client

A business on Financial Drive called the

New wildfire reported in Mission Mountains Wilderness

A 100-acre fire in the Mission Mountains Wilderness was discovered late last week after dry weather allowed it to flare up.

Scientist works to develop lake model

POLSON — As the days shorten and the temperatures drop, Flathead Lake is beginning its fall “turnover,” an annual process in which cold, dense water begins mixing nutrients into the more biologically active layer of warm water on top as lake temperatures even out.

Nonprofit awarded $1.65 million for community purchases

A Missoula-based nonprofit is using federal grant money to try to protect low-income neighborhoods in Montana from being lost to commercial development.

Melby's fire building demolished by fire

A crane sifts through the wreckage of the Melby's Home Interiors building on U.S. 2 Sunday afternoon. The building was razed by fire. (Ryan Murray/Daily Inter Lake)

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LETTER: Time for better approach to fire

The smoke that has diminished and our air has finally cleared as nature has finished its natural course of clear-cutting and selective-cutting our forests.

Alliance cites fears of federal tribal policy

The Red Lion Hotel in Kalispell was the site of a controversial group’s annual conference on federal Indian policy on Saturday, as well as a protest accusing the organization of bringing a campaign of racism to Northwest Montana.

First-ever Craft Beer Relay planned in Bigfork

On Saturday Oct. 3, two rapidly growing trends will collide at Flathead Lake Lodge in Bigfork at the first ever Craft Beer Relay.

Plum Creek donates lumber to Habitat project

Plum Creek recently donated nearly 1,000 manufactured lumber studs to Habitat for Humanity of Flathead Valley.

Area journalism students earn scholarships

Students within the University of Montana School of Journalism recently earned scholarships for their excellence, commitment and professional potential. Here is a list of scholarships with a local connection:

LETTER: Mayor wrong in fight with dedicated board member

I’ve known Karlene Osorio-Khor for years. She is a community leader, a consummate volunteer and a candidate for City Council. I watched last Monday night’s City Council meeting. Contrary to the statement given by Mayor Mark Johnson to the newspaper, I did not see or hear any “antagonistic” words or attitudes from her as she spoke to the council. It is a sad day when Mayor Johnson has to resort to the tactics he has taken in order to suppress a difference of opinion.

Daybook

EDITORIAL: Gateway campaign a success story

Once again, generosity was on full display in the Flathead Valley as an anonymous donor stepped forward to help finance the $2.4 million purchase of the Gateway West Mall building.

Credit union reaches half-century mark

Park Side at 50

Fifty years ago, when the Park Side Credit Union first opened its doors in the Flathead Valley, there was little doubt the financial operation would thrive in a rapidly growing business community.

OPINION: Why vote yes for the Bigfork High School bond?

I think instead of focusing on the he said/she said or on who was or who was not on the planning committee, we should be focusing on the facts surrounding the Bigfork High School bond proposal. 

Health clinic proposed for the Canyon

The Flathead City-County Health Department hopes to open a health clinic in Hungry Horse, the first of its kind in the area.

Dollar Tree to join other anchors at Whitefish mall

Whitefish’s Mountain Mall has secured another anchor tenant for the remodeled shopping center.

Fire destroys Melby's

Melby's Home Interiors in Columbia Falls destroyed by fire

Owners upbeat despite loss: ‘No lives were lost and no firefighters were hurt’

Elizabeth Ellen (Stockard) Beekman, 86

Elizabeth was an only child born to Rudy Dudley Stockard and Margaret Ellen (McCallie) Stockard in Whittier, California, in 1929. She was raised in Buena Park, California, and graduated from Fullerton High School at the age of 16, in 1945.

OPINION: What we can do to prevent fires rather than fighting them

An epistle on fire

Dear Son: Sorry that I missed seeing you and your New Mexico Apache Kid Fire Use Module when you drove by Whitefish after you were released from your fire the other day. Thanks for the long days you put in and hard, hazardous work you guys do. It has been a long fire season for you and could be even longer if your crew gets dispatched back to California again. Stay focused. Your mom and I are proud of you, but we worry about you.

Lee Allen Dyrdahl, 77

Lee Allen Dyrdahl, 77, passed away at home on Sept. 23, 2015, after a brave three-year battle with lung cancer.

OPINION: Breathing new life into the Dragon Boat Festival

Every year I go into the Montana Dragon Boat Festival feeling excited with a touch of nervousness. Will the weather cooperate? Will everything come together as planned? Are we prepared for the number of people who will show up to paddle and watch the races? Will visitors have a good time and mark their calendars to come back next year?

Wayne George Sherwood, 62

Wayne George Sherwood, 62, “joined our heavenly Father” on Sept. 9, 2015, in Kalispell.

Jim F. Ault, 86

Jim F. Ault, 86, “was called home to his Lord and his beautiful daughter Christine,” on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2015.

Supermoon plus eclipse equals rare sky show tonight

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Get ready for a rare double feature, starring our very own moon.

Dana A. (DeRosier) Cameron, 57

Dana A. (DeRosier) Cameron, 57, “was received in the Lord’s hands” on the morning of Sept. 15, 2015, at the Kootenai Health in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, due to battling a long-term illness.

OPINION: Don't forget Justine Winter was a child when she took lives

I’m writing in response to the letter regarding the release of Justine Winter.

OPINION: Defunding Planned Parenthood would actually increase abortions

In his guest opinion on Sunday, Sept. 20, John O’Neil suggested that people write to their congressmen telling them to defund Planned Parenthood and end the “killing of babies...” (because) “It has been scientifically proven that life begins at conception.”

Soccer roundup: Polson tops Libby boys, girls

LIBBY — Connor Lanier punched in a goal at 78 minutes to break a 1-all tie and give Polson a 2-1 Northern A boys soccer victory on Saturday over Libby.

Dana A. (DeRosier) Cameron, 57

Jim F. Ault, 86

Elizabeth Ellen (Stockard) Beekman, 86

Lee Allen Dyrdahl, 77

Volleyball roundup: Eureka battles back to tip Libby

EUREKA — Eureka bounced back from an extra points first-set loss to beat Lincoln County rival Libby in four sets 26-28, 25-16, 25-19, 25-15 in a District 7B conference volleyball match on Saturday.

Wayne George Sherwood, 62

Lawrence 'Larry' A. Barthel, 88

Man makes threats, claims he's ex-Secret Service agent

West Valley unveils expanded, up-to-date school

The first thing one notices when walking into the new addition of West Valley School is the natural light, bright colors and all the extra room — 36,000 additional square feet.

Columbia Falls sweeps Whitefish in soccer

COLUMBIA FALLS — The goals came quickly for O’Brien Byrd’s squad Saturday afternoon.

Golf titles for Schulz, Whitefish girls, boys

BUTTE — Whitefish nearly swept all the golfing honors at the Western A divisional tournament on Saturday at Fairmont Hot Springs.

Gray paces Whitefish runners to victory

FRENCHTOWN — Barrett Gray set a fast pace in leading the Whitefish girls cross country team on Saturday at the King Ranch Invitational.

Park Side teller

COLUMN: Obama's pen strikes again

The most important story of the past two weeks was not the visit of Pope Francis to Congress. It was not the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to the White House. It was not the resignation of John Boehner as speaker of the House. It was not the debate over whether a Muslim should be president of the United States. It was not the invasion of Europe by Middle Eastern refugees. It was not even the war between Donald Trump and Fox News.

COLUMN: Family history well worth the time and effort

I just got a new book in the mail and I’ve been poring over it for days. It’s not a best seller by any means, but to me it has great sentimental and historic value.

Suspected burglar caught in storage unit

An increased focus by Flathead County Sheriff’s deputies on catching the culprits of a rash of recent storage-unit thefts enabled officers to nab one suspected thief Thursday night.

Fifth man sentenced in sex sting

A Kalispell man was set free on a 15-year, all-suspended prison sentence Thursday night, with plans to move to Thompson Falls, register as a sex offender, and enter sex offender treatment.

Columbia Falls soccer

Whitefish's Avery Hirsch (left) and Columbia Falls' Miguel Garate battle for the ball during the Wildcats' 6-4 victory at home on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015 in this file photo. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Whitefish's Avery HIrsch and Columbia Falls' Daniel Carr get tripped up going for the ball during the first half on Saturday in Northern A soccer play in Columbia Falls. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

Whitefish alumnus shares insight about work in South America

Whitefish High School Spanish and world literature students this week did something they hadn’t done before — sip terere from a communal, cup-shaped cow horn called a “guampa” through a filtered metal straw called a “bombilla.”

Kalispell trustees consider special-ed committee

The Kalispell Public Schools Board of Trustees may create a committee focusing on topics related to special education.

Daybook

Births, Published Sept. 26, 2015

Jane Marie Hollingsworth Rodriguez, 47

Jane Marie Hollingsworth Rodriguez, 47, died on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015, unexpectedly at home in Rexford.

Officials urge public to get flu shots

Despite glimmers of an earlier-than-usual flu season in Montana, local health officials say there is still time to prepare before the brunt of the illness arrives in the Flathead.

Cross country: Glacier's Annie Hill wins again, this time in Great Falls

GREAT FALLS — Make it four races and four wins for Glacier’s Annie Hill in 2015.

Soccer roundup: Eystad nets four goals for Stillwater Christian

HELENA — Hansen Eystad, a sophomore forward, scored two goals in each half to power Stillwater Christian School to an 8-0 victory over Helena Christian School on Friday in boys Montana Christian Athletic Association soccer play.

AA football: Wolfpack burns Hellgate, 77-8

There wasn’t much of a contest for Glacier on Friday night against Missoula Hellgate at Legends Stadium in a 77-8 Class AA football victory.

AA football: Braves stalled in Bozeman

BOZEMAN — For the first time all night, the Braves offense had found its footing.

Glacier golfers Crosstown Cup champions

Glacier won the first Crosstown Cup golf outing on Friday, defeating Flathead in the final test of the regular season for both teams before next week’s Class AA state tournament in Helena at Bill Roberts Golf Course.

May guides Whitefish past Corvallis

CORVALLIS — Luke May ran for three touchdowns and passed for two more as Whitefish (4-1) blasted Corvallis 55-7 in Class A football play Friday night.

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Olivia Malchi yells to the crowd as the float goes down First Avenue toward Legends Stadium during the Glacier Homecoming Parade on Friday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Nathan Mayhak plays the bar euphonium as the Glacier band marches during the parade. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Shelby Odell cheers during the Glacier Homecoming Parade on Friday before the Wolfpack's blowout of Missoula Hellgate. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

Glacier football

Glacier's Scout Willcut is chased by Missoula Hellgate's Andrew Heng after catching a long pass during the first quarter of a Sept. 25, 2015 game at Legends Stadium. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake, file)

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Glacier wide receiver Noah Lindsay is pulled down by Missoula Hellgate's Brooks Washatko after hauling in a long pass during the first quarter of the Wolfpack's rout at Legends Stadium on Friday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

Pope Francis visits UN, ground zero

NEW YORK (AP) — Sweeping through the landmarks of America’s biggest city, Pope Francis on Friday offered comfort to 9/11 victims’ families at ground zero, warnings to world leaders at the United Nations and encouragement to schoolchildren in Harlem as he mixed the high and low ministry so characteristic of his papacy.

More volunteers headed to look for Kalispell hunter

Authorities hope that reinforcement volunteers expected to arrive in Wisdom over the weekend will be able to help with a final push in the search for a missing Kalispell man who has not been heard from in more than a week.

Expanding the Green Space

Hospital adds park-like area on U.S. 93

Drivers on U.S. 93 may notice a new green space while heading up Buffalo Hill, and that’s just the point.

Car chase ends in crash, power outage

No one was injured, but about 100 Flathead Electric Cooperative members were left without electricity after a person chasing a suspected car thief crashed a vehicle into a power pole off Conrad Drive early Friday morning.

Jane Marie Hollingsworth Rodriguez, 47

SWAT operation ends without incident

A suicidal man was taken into custody by

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Jake Cirincione watches his approach shot on the final hole of match play at Village Greens during the Crosstown Cup on Friday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

Flathead golfer Liz Lorentz

Flathead's Liz Lorentz watches her tee shot on the fifth hole at Village Greens during the inaugural Crosstown Cup on Friday, Sept. 25, 2015. Lorentz was the Bravettes' top finisher at the 2015 state tournament. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Kalispell Public School Enrollment

From left, James Hubbs gets some direction from third grader teacher Tereza Hanson, as fellow students AJ Murphy, Zoe Bortz, and Shaun Butters work on their assignments on Friday, September 25, at Peterson Elementary. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Peace Corps volunteer returns to Whitefish High School

Emily Joy, a Peace Corps volunteer, shows students at Whitefish High School how to make Chipa Guazu, a staple of daily in Paraguay, on Friday, September 25. Joy is currently midway through a 27 month commitment to the Peace Corps and serving in Paraguay. She spoke with the students about reasons to consider serving in the corps like compassion, and the life and educational opportunities. She also shared a slideshow of her assignment thus far. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Harvest at Whitefish Lion's Farm to School garden

From left, Kaiah Moore, Luci Ridgeway, Max Grimes, and Carl Quigg-Roy were among the seventh and eighth grade students who helped harvest the Whitefish Lion's Farm to School garden on Wednesday, September 16. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Conference focuses on federal Indian policy

Forum features Whitefish council candidates

The Whitefish Pilot and the Whitefish Chamber of Commerce are co-hosting a candidate’s forum with the candidates running for Whitefish City Council on Wednesday, Sept. 30, at the Whitefish Community Center, 121 E. Second St., just east of the Veterans Memorial Bridge.

LETTER: Support solution for Bigfork school

To the voters in Bigfork High School District 38:

Whitefish Theatre Co. gets major project grant

The Whitefish Community Foundation has awarded a Major Community Project Grant of $25,000 for the Whitefish Theatre Company’s Act II Campaign. This is the 12th major grant funded through the foundation’s program that started in 2010 and the second time it has been awarded to a Whitefish Theatre Company project. The funding will help the theater company finish raising the $1.25 million campaign goal and meet the matching challenge it was awarded from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust.

OPINION: Human rights activists oppose 'Equal Rights' conference

With the school year back in swing and summer fading in Western Montana there are plenty of educational events worth exploring this fall. There is one, however, that should not only be avoided but make us take attention and work to counter the bigotry that motivates its occurrence.

LETTER: Parole board wrong to let out Justine Winter

I am outraged that the parole board is letting Justine Winter out after only four years. That was no accident — it was deliberate and was proven to be. Furthermore, she killed three — not two — you have to count the unborn child — it is dead, too.

LETTER: It's past time to work on collaboration

Fall is coming to Montana.

Taste of Home Cooking School returns on Tuesday, Sept. 29

Speaker Boehner to resign at end of October

WASHINGTON (AP) — In a stunning move, House Speaker John Boehner informed fellow Republicans on Friday that he would resign from Congress at the end of October, giving up his top leadership post and his seat in the House in the face of hardline conservative opposition.

Vallely, Molen to speak to Act! for America tonight

The local chapter of Act! for America is celebrating its first anniversary with a special meeting tonight.

Richard E. McKnight, 86

Richard E. McKnight, 86, of Kalispell, “met his Lord” Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2015, surrounded by his family.

Kalispell mulls traffic priorities

Urban road improvements to improve traffic flow were discussed Wednesday as Kalispell’s Technical Advisory Committee met with state highway officials

Daybook

Shirley May Simons Johnson, 65

Shirley May Simons Johnson was born in Kalispell on May 1, 1950, to Kenneth and Rosamay Simons. She attended grade school in Lakeside and Somers, and graduated from Flathead County High School in 1969. She also attended Flathead Valley Community College.

Perry Wilburn Padgett Jr., 84

On Sept. 15, 2015, Perry Wilburn Padgett Jr. passed away peacefully in his home, at the age of 84. His final days were spent surrounded by the care of his loved ones.

Betty Billuni, 93

Sarah Rebekka (Borst) Billuni-Conzelman passed away Sept. 21, 2015 in San Marcos, California.

AA football: Ridgway, Flathead defense face huge test at Bozeman

Jacob Ridgway stands out on the practice field.

AA Football: Glacier hopes scoring trend continues against Hellgate

The Glacier football team figured something out last week.

Volleyball roundup: Stillwater rolls; Glacier, Flathead also win

Stillwater Christian School took three quick sets on its home floor to cruise past Flathead Valley Homeschool 25-14, 25-14, 25-11 for a Montana Christian Athletic Association volleyball victory on Thursday evening.

Soccer roundup: Bravettes blank Hellgate

Sadie Wilson and Alex May both scored a goal and Shayenn Thompson and Jaymee Siler were credited with the assists as Flathead blanked visiting Missoula Hellgate 2-0 in Western AA girls soccer play on Thursday.

Parents take son to police station

Parents brought a 9-year-old boy to the

Stillwater Christian vs. Flathead Valley Homeschool

Stillwater Christian's Alisa Venman tips the ball over the net during the first game against Flathead Valley Homeschool at Stillwater Christian Thursday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

Man admits cutting mom's brake lines

On Thursday a Kalispell man admitted to cutting his mother’s brake lines in June after getting into an argument.

Summit looks at work-force housing crisis

Finding work-force housing in the Flathead Valley, particularly in the Whitefish area, remains a challenge, business leaders acknowledged during a housing summit Thursday in Whitefish.

Richard E. McKnight, 86

Shirley May Simons Johnson, 65

Betty Billuni, 93

Glacier grad named National AP Scholar

Among the 40 Glacier High School students to receive Advanced Placement Scholar Awards, one student was named a National Advanced Placement Scholar.

Man jailed on seventh DUI charge

A Whitefish man is facing a seventh charge of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Local school superintendents honored

Two area superintendents were among the list of Regional Superintendents of the Year named by the Montana Association of School Superintendents.

Two more charged in drug bust for possessing, distributing meth

A Flathead County man and woman pleaded not guilty Sept. 16 to federal felony drug charges as part of an investigation conducted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Northwest Drug Task Force that already had resulted in charges being filed against two men earlier this year.

FVCC students receive Community Pride awards

Whitefish Credit Union announced the 2015 Community Pride Scholarship recipients this week with five Flathead Valley Community College students who are earning their associate degrees.

Former Flathead coach Fred Febach

Longtime Flathead boys basketball coach Fred Febach (pictured) resigned in September after 12 years at the helm. Tuesday, the Braves named the three finalists vying to replace him.

Jacob Beagley

Boys basketball: Febach steps down as Flathead coach

After 12 seasons as the boys basketball coach at Flathead High School, Fred Febach has stepped down.

Fred Febach

Longtime Flathead boys basketball coach Fred Febach stepped down Thursday after 13 seasons at the helm of the Braves' program. (The Daily Inter Lake)

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LETTER: Do own research on Bigfork levy

I could start by giving you my reasons on why the Bigfork High School bond should pass, but that would just be my opinion. I will ask this of you, Bigfork residents — form your own opinion and not that of hearsay. Just like in next year’s presidential race, you wouldn’t vote for a president based on someone else’s opinion. 

OPINION: Islam danger: Beware of wolf in sheep's clothing

Who could argue against Fethullah Gulen’s recent article in the Wall Street Journal that, on the surface, professes the need to denounce terrorism, defend human rights, and promote education? Certainly not any American enjoying the fruits of our Judeo-Christian culture and with a clear sense of right and wrong.

Daines looks for Senate allies for forest funding

Pointing to this summer’s historic fire season in his home state, Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., says he is working to advance a bill in the Senate that would attempt to increase forest fuel treatment and harvest while making federal emergency funds available to the Forest Service for wildfire suppression.

LETTER: Do without eggs?

McDonald’s pledge last week to start using cage-free eggs is only a small step in preventing staggering suffering endured by millions of birds.

Archie Bon Kirkland, 94

Archie Bon Kirkland, 94, of Kalispell, passed away Sept. 21, 2015, in Kalispell.

Park usage proposal riles North Fork neighbors

The North Fork community got fired up over the past week over rumors that Polebridge Mercantile owner Will Hammerquist proposed to lease a Flathead County park. The proposal has since been rescinded.

This Week in the Flathead | Sept. 24-30

Melinda Marie Mackley, 32

Melinda Marie Mackley was born on May 13, 1983, in Spokane and “departed from Whitefish for eternal peace and happiness with her Creator” on Sept. 12, 2015.

Trail of Cedars closed today for repairs

The paved portion of the Trail of the Cedars in Glacier National Park will be temporarily closed today as crews finish repaving the popular nature trail.

Daybook

EDITORIAL: Oktoberfest: You're invited!

You don’t have to drink beer and you don’t even have to know how to polka to have a good time at the Great Northwest Oktoberfest that starts today in Whitefish. There are plenty of family-oriented activities and audience participation contests, or you can simply sit on the sidelines and watch the crowd go crazy.

EDITORIAL: Pope's message touches America

Every major news organization has been documenting every minute of Pope Francis’ time in America, and with good reason. The charismatic leader of the Catholic Church has come to our country bearing not only good will for Americans but also to address a number of global issues, from poverty to climate change.

Perry Wilburn Padgett Jr., 84

TERRY COLUMN: Flathead Braves building a winner

Flathead has been in this position before.

Bid summer adieu

Kalispell man caught after helicopter chase

Suspect had walked into woman’s home

A Kalispell man is behind bars after leading Flathead County Sheriff’s deputies on a foot and air pursuit Tuesday afternoon.

New clues in search for hunter

Search teams in Beaverhead County were hopeful they might locate a missing Kalispell man on Wednesday, after evidence of a lean-to and campsite were found outside of Wisdom where authorities believe the man was hunting.

The plane! The plane! Lake landings legal

A woman was unhappy after

Perry Wilburn Padgett Jr., 84

Melinda Marie Mackley, 32

Archie Bon Kirkland, 94

Welcome to The Met

The Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center Plaza in New York City at dusk.

'Il Trovatore'

A scene from Verdi’s “Il Trovatore" at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City.

COLUMN: Food-storage rules tightened for broader area

Most hunters do their best to follow the increasingly complex rules associated with hunting. But I’ll bet that most hunters who camp out, either in a tent or RV, will unknowingly violate the law this fall.

Fall Mack Days tourney starts Friday

The 2015 Fall Mack Days fishing tournament starts this weekend, kicking off 45 days of competitive angling on Flathead Lake.

Stillwater students excel at AP exams

Stillwater Christian School achieved a 100 percent pass rate for students who took Advanced Placement exams — a first for the school.

Migwi

Teen who died was Merit semifinalist

As schools were notified of National Merit Scholarship semifinalists, Stillwater Christian School received a letter in recognition of Tabitha Migwi.

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A firefighter enters the garage as they work to put out the fire on the eastside of Kalispell Wednesday morning. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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A pair of cyclist ride past an Aspen stand on the Great Northern Historical Trail west of Kalispell on Wednesday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Leaves on a branch turn yellow on the shore of Ashley Lake on Wednesday, the first day of fall. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

Boating Weather

A perfect day for boating on Flathead Lake on Wednesday afternoon, September 23, seen from West Shore State Park south of Lakeside. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Garage Fire in Kalispell

From left, Kalispell firefighters Ian Miller, Captain Rob Cherot and Tim Gaston cut into the roof of a garage to see if a fire had spread beyond the unit where it began on Wednesday morning, September 23, in downtown Kalispell. The fire took place in the alley between 1st and 2nd Street East and between 5th and 6th Avenue. Firefighters from Evergreen Fire and Rescue were also on scene to assist. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Mayor stands by appointment policy

On Monday, City Council candidate Karlene Osorio-Khor questioned Kalispell Mayor Mark Johnson’s statements in early August that he would not be re-appointing anyone to a city board who sued or threatened to sue the city.

Chamber panel kicks off month-long Manufacturing 'Day'

As if bragging about the robustness of the manufacturing sector in the Flathead, the local Manufacturing “Day” kicked off on Tuesday at the Kalispell Chamber luncheon and will conclude exactly one month later with the annual Timber Tour.

Kalispell council keeps parking fine at $10

The Kalispell City Council on Monday decided to retain $10 parking fines throughout the city, throwing out a proposal to raise fees outside of the downtown district.

Collage Bound Cover

Oktoberfest 2015

Thomas J. Cichowski, 71

Thomas J. Cichowski passed away in his Kalispell home Thursday, Sept. 17, 2015.

Charles Michael Pyles, 53

Charles Michael Pyles, 53, “gained his angel wings” unexpectedly on Sept. 20, 2015.

Susan D. Henderson, 62

Susan D. Henderson, of Kalispell, passed away at the age of 62, after a short illness at Kalispell Regional Medical Center on Sept. 12, 2015, surrounded by her loving family.

Live opera broadcasts set to start fall season in the Flathead Valley

Welcome to The Met

Now that summer is over, we can look forward to a wonderful new season of operas broadcast “Live in HD” from The Metropolitan Opera in New York City and shown at the Whitefish Performing Arts Center in Whitefish and Cinemark Signature Stadium 14 Theatre in Kalispell. The Met has chosen a terrific lineup of greatest hits and lesser-known gems for their HD season, all outstanding musical settings of stories of romance, loyalty, tragedy, seduction, betrayal, murder, revenge — the emotions that make us human.

Charles Arthur Cunningham Jr., 74

Charles Arthur Cunningham Jr. “went to the heavens to spend eternity with his beloved wife and dogs” on Sept. 19, 2015, with family in attendance in Portland, at the age of 74.

Daybook

Sharon J. Staley Knudson, 76

Sharon J. Staley Knudson, 76, passed “into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior” on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2015, at the Libby Care Center.

Dorothy Fern (Ballenger) Gress, 86

Dorothy Fern Gress, 86, passed away peacefully on Friday, Sept. 18, 2015, at HealthCenter Northwest of natural causes, with her family by her side.

Kalispell Stammtisch founder taps into German fun

Oktoberfest aficionado

It’s easy to find Fritz Baake at the Great Northwest Oktoberfest.

Richard C. Holmes, 82

Richard C. Holmes, 82, passed away on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015, at Genesis Health Care in Whitefish, where the staff provided him with the best possible care.

Volleyball: Flathead pounds Pack, wins first crosstown match since 2012

Flathead’s front line recorded 20.5 blocks to lead the Bravettes to their first crosstown volleyball win since 2012, 25-16, 27-25, 22-25, 25-19 against Glacier on Tuesday night.

Soccer roundup: Bigfork edges Whitefish, Polson routs Columbia Falls

BIGFORK — Bigfork goalkeeper Ben Russell made 14 saves to preserve a narrow 2-1 Northern A conference victory for the Vikings against Whitefish on Tuesday.

Cross country: Eureka sweeps Libby dual meet

FORTINE — Taylor Harpe edged Libby’s Lauren Thorstenson at the finish line to win the Libby-Eureka cross country dual and lead the Lions in a sweep on Tuesday at Meadow Creek Golf Course.

Flathead senior Jourdon Schultz

Flathead libero Jourdon Schultz digs out a ball during the Crosstown match against Glacier. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

Flathead girls volleyball

Flathead's Alyssa Wisher (19) celebrates a kill during the fourth game with her teammates during the crosstown match against Glacier at Flathead on Tuesday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

Charles Michael Pyles, 53

Thomas J. Cichowski, 71

Charles Arthur Cunningham Jr., 74

Dorothy Fern (Ballenger) Gress, 86

Thieves target car stickers, news boxes

A man reported to

Richard C. Holmes, 82

Susan D. Henderson, 62

Sharon J. Staley Knudson, 76

Search continues for missing Kalispell hunter

Family and friends of a track coach and avid outdoorsman have poured into Beaverhead County, hopeful that he will be returned home to Kalispell after he went missing over the weekend.

Kalispell man charged in violent robbery

A Kalispell man has been caught and charged for allegedly injuring a woman and stealing her purse during a robbery at a Columbia Falls grocery store.

Bigfork Playhouse's lease increase worries producers

A new contract that more than doubles lease payments for the Bigfork Summer Playhouse and shaves a month off the time the theater company can use the Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts has Playhouse producers concerned about the fate of their program.

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Flathead's Ryan Keenan smashes a drive from the 18th tee at the Northern Pines Golf Course during the Kalispell Invitational on Thursday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Glacier's Tommy Mann hits hit ball out of the rough on the 16th hole at Northern Pines during the Kalispell Invitational on Thursday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Flathead's Seth Adolph carries Missoula's Big Sky's Tyler Glenn in the end zone to start the scoring for the Braves at Legends Stadium on Friday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Glacier's Teigan Avery launches a drive on the 13th hole of the Buffalo Hill Golf Club during the Kalispell Invitational on Friday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Whitefish's Coral Schulz lofts a shot on the 14th hole at Buffalos Hill Golf Club during the Kalispell Invitational on Friday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Glacier's Colton Becker fights off Big Sky's Walker Fromm to get to the ball during the Wolfpack's 6-1 blowout at home on Saturday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Glacier's Destiny Dachs and Big Sky's Nicki Nimlos battle for a head ball during the second half at Glacier on Saturday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Glacier's Nikki Krueger stretches out to tip the ball over Helena Capital's Savannah Perschon during the Wolfpack's 5-game loss at home on Saturday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

Sports in the Flathead, Sept. 18-20

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Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts

Exterior of the Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Construction on Electric Avenue

Construction has Electric Avenue temporarily closed to through traffic in downtown Bigfork. Construction is expected to continue into October. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Gateway Community Center purchased for $2.4 million

‘Truly a miracle’

Fritz Baake

Photo courtesy of Fritz Baake.

Celebrating with one mile per year

For her 60th birthday, Karen Jones did something perhaps a little different from the average.

Glacier HOGs raise money for veterans

When not cruising down the highways, the Glacier Harley Owners Group spends time thinking about and helping those who took up arms for the United States.

OPINION: On BHS levy issue, Les(s) is more

OPINION: Media elite anoint Fiorina, so beware!

Pharmacies get money to install Medsafes

As part of a new initiatve to reduce prescription drug abuse in Montana, State Attorney General Tim Fox has awarded grants to 13 Montana pharmacies, including two local ones.

'Weird stuff' a real emergency

The

Woman jailed for ax threat

A woman was jailed Monday in Flathead County Detention Center and is awaiting arraignment for felony assault with a weapon charges after she allegedly threatened people with an ax on Sunday.

OPINION: The last thing we need is a bomb thrower for president

OPINION: Bigfork runner gets credit for good citizenship, too

Featured quilter loves to sew 'every single day'

Quilt queen

The signs of addiction are evident throughout Sally Glutting’s home.

Robert Stanley Lynch Jr., 65

Robert Stanley Lynch Jr., 65, passed away peacefully at his home in Bigfork on Sept.13, 2015.

Local schools scoring well on ACT test

Most Flathead Valley high schools are doing better or comparable to the rest of the state in the percentage of 2015 graduates who are college-ready, according to ACT results.

Kalispell hunter reported missing near Wisdom

The Beaverhead County Sheriff’s Office and Search and Rescue began a search on Sunday for a Kalispell man who is overdue from a hunting trip west of Wisdom.

Landfill fire sparked by embers

A Sunday night fire at the Flathead County Landfill north of Kalispell didn’t cause any damage, but serves as a reminder that barbecue and wood-stove ashes can rekindle and catch garbage receptacles on fire, waste management said.

Grant helps local youth mental-health services

With a significant grant to Stillwater Therapeutic Services in Kalispell, Gov. Steve Bullock and the Montana Legislature took a stand for youth mental health services.

State agency rolls out program to attract investment, work force

The Governor's Office of Economic Development is unrolling a new program in hopes of attracting outside employees, companies and investment into the vast Montana economy.

Woman who killed 2 to be paroled

Four years, three months, and 15 days after she was sentenced to 15 years in jail for intentionally crashing her car into another vehicle and killing two people, Justine Winter was granted parole by state officials Monday.

Sunset Silhouette

Annalise Lamothe of Temecula, California, left, and Austin Orr of Kansas City, enjoy strawberries and sunset at the docks near Volunteer park on Sunday evening, September 21, in Lakeside. Lamothe and Orr are both in Montana attending a Youth With a Mission training. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

FBJ Sept 21

Collage Bound 2015

Kalispell's Blair wins Two Bear Marathon

Runners from Kalispell finished in the top four spots for the women at the 11th annual Two Bear Marathon on Sunday near Whitefish.

Whitefish poised to adopt new flood-plain maps

Two public hearings on tonight’s Whitefish City Council agenda deal with adopting new flood insurance rate maps for the city and amendments to Whitefish flood-plain regulations.

Journey just beginning for new Glacier Bank president

Randy Chesler has the opportunity of a lifetime.

Kalispell City Council to examine parking fees

The Kalispell City Council tonight will consider parking-ticket costs.

Police called for pilfered patio pillows

A homeowner on Central Avenue called the

Teen adjusts to life with a prosthetic limb

A year after surviving a traumatic car crash and subsequently losing his left leg, Whitefish teenager Skyler Schwegel is adjusting quickly to life with a prosthetic.

Whitefish to privatize Ice Den management

A recent decision by the Whitefish Park Board to privatize the management of the Stumptown Ice Den will be the focus of a Whitefish City Council work session today.

Monday Profile: Randy Chesler

Randy Chesler began the job as president of Glacier Bank in early August. He's since met the key bank presidents and investors from Washington State to Baltimore. At the end of 2016, he'll take on Mick Blodnick's title as president of Glacier Bancorp.

Road to recovery

Skyler Schwegel does a drill with his physical therapist Beth Gunlikson to help him improve his stability at The Summit on Tuesday. Schwegel goes to physical therapy four to five times a week.

DIL 092015

Glacier Homecoming 2015

At Home Flathead September

Job Fair

Soccer roundup: Glacier boys keep rolling

Tyler Combs netted a hat trick to lead the Glacier boys soccer team to a comfortable 6-1 Western AA victory over visiting Missoula Big Sky Saturday afternoon.

Volleyball roundup: Capital nips Wolfpack, Flathead edges Helena

Glacier let a lead after three sets slip away Saturday afternoon as Helena Capital rallied to down the Wolfpack 17-25, 25-23, 18-25, 25-15, 15-13 in Western AA volleyball play at Glacier High School.

Glacier's Annie Hill

ANNIE HILL, a sophomore at Glacier High School, won the Mountain West Classic cross country meet on Saturday for a second-straight year. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake file photo)

Glacier's Nikki Krueger

Glacier’s Nikki Krueger (23) stretches to get a hand on the ball and tips it over Helena Capital’s Savannah Perschon during Western AA volleyball action Saturday afternoon at Glacier High School. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

Glacier's Destiny Dachs

Glacier’s Destiny Dachs (right) and Missoula Big Sky’s Nicki Nimlos battle for a header during second half Western AA soccer action at Glacier High School on Saturday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

Glacier's Colton Becker

Glacier’s Colton Becker fights off Missoula Big Sky’s Walker Fromm to get to the ball during Saturday afternoon’s Western AA soccer match at Glacier High School. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

LETTER: With prophecy come to fulfillment soon?

America is still full of idiots! I say this because I believe that soon, very soon, the market is going to collapse. When this happens, Americans are going to get a crash course in human nature. America, along with the other world powers, will be formed into a one world currency and government. The world will rapidly be evolved into a cashless global society.

OPINION: Talking to those who are burdened by guilt over their role in abortion

When I walk around our town and in and out of stores I am quite often wearing a shirt with a message: “ABORTION IS MURDER.” Some folks walking by have a tendency to turn away after noticing the message and it makes me wonder, “What’s on your mind?”

LETTER: Planned Parenthood?

We have all heard the phrase “follow the money.” It is now readily apparent that Planned Parenthood is in it for just that. Assassins, those who get paid to kill someone, do it for two reasons — they like the work, and the money. The abortionists at Planned Parenthood are the same.

Counties get money for health services

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded funding for local primary care expansion and for facility investment in Montana, according to a new report.

OPINION: Supervisor grateful for all the help during Kootenai Forest fire season

The 2015 fire season was unprecedented on the Kootenai National Forest. When the fires broke out on Aug. 10 and 14, we wondered if a fire season this big would be the result. Conditions were ripe for the extreme fire activity we observed, due to the minimal winter snowpack, lack of spring rains and little to no precipitation over the last couple of months.

Ranger says thanks to the Flathead

The Bear Creek and Trail Creek Fires have been burning for over a month on the Spotted Bear Ranger District. During some very stressful times, the local Flathead community has stepped up and supported the firefighters, fire managers and personnel assisting with fire operations.

OPINION: Conservatives just want to reclaim GOP from pretenders

I read former Kalispell Mayor Tammi Fisher’s misrepresentation and fabrication of reality titled, “Moderates being run out of GOP” in the Sept. 10 edition of the Daily Inter Lake.

FVCC to hold free lecture

In recognition of National Surgical Technologists Week, the Flathead Valley Community College surgical technology program will host a free community lecture on organ, tissue and cornea donation at 6 p.m. Sept. 24. The presentation is open to the public and will take place in rooms 123C and D of the Learning Resource Center.

LETTER: Commissioner takes issue with claims about water compact

Verdell Jackson’s letter submitted to this paper was a misrepresentation of state water law, the terms in the Salish and Kootenai water compact, and water management of true irrigated farm operations.

OPINION: Rankin should replace Jackson on the 'twenty'

We are often reminded that “elections have consequences.” It certainly appears that was the case in Montana when on her way to being the first woman elected to Congress, the ego of one of Jeannette Rankin’s 1916 primary election opponents was so damaged by his loss to a woman, that he committed suicide. Really.

Man says Canadians to blame for fights

A man on Central Avenue told the

Video explores climate change in Glacier Park

 A new video, “A Changing Landscape: Glacier’s Warming Climate,” explores current research on Glacier National Park’s melting glaciers and how the park’s ecosystem is responding to climate change.

OPINION: Aerial observer says fire response was fast, effective

The truth can sometimes be elusive, from afar. But sometimes one gets a “ringside seat” to the truth of events. Having had such a close-up view, I would like to respond to the several “let it burn” comments I have been reading lately in the Inter Lake, regarding the Flathead National Forest’s supposed response to the recent wildland fires in this historic fire season of 2015.

Flowers, forbs, fauna to follow fires

After the burn

A week after an inch of rain finally put the brakes on the fast-spreading Bear Creek and Trail Creek fires on Flathead National Forest, broad swaths of the forest looked like a blighted moonscape — charred, limbless snags rising from the blackened ground that was pockmarked by stump holes where whole Douglas firs and ponderosa pines were reduced to ash.

COLUMN: Mansion benefits from surprise markdown

The generosity of the local community and businesses raised the roof on the Conrad Mansion this summer.

Plaintiffs defend challenge to dam sale

Plaintiffs in a lawsuit over the transfer of Kerr Dam to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes say they were dismayed that initial media coverage of their legal battle chose to focus on national security issues rather than their ongoing work to protect the public’s interest as it pertains to water rights and usage.

Fourth man in sex sting sentenced

A Kalispell man was sentenced Thursday to a suspended sentence of 15 years in Montana State Prison for felony sexual abuse of children.

Posse presents 'Real Conrad'

Northwest Montana Posse of Westerners presents a program titled, “The Real Charley Conrad” by Richard L. Hardesty of Hungry Horse Monday, Sept. 21, at the Homewood Suites by Hilton, 195 Hutton Ranch Road in Kalispell.

Births, Published Sept. 20, 2015

LETTER: Professionals did great job fighting Bear Creek Fire

I own and operate a guest ranch in the Spotted Bear area. As many of you know, we have recently been in the heart of Montana’s biggest fire, the Bear Creek Fire.

Glacier Park rangers kill food-habituated black bear

Glacier National Park rangers on Thursday killed a food-conditioned black bear near Lake McDonald Lodge.  

Conrad

EDITORIAL: Planning for future not a bad thing

Land-use planning and zoning are rarely neutral subjects.

COLUMN: Actually, there IS more to fear than fear itself

It was the great historian Arnold Toynbee who said “Civilizations die from suicide, not by murder.” That puts it very well, and takes the blame off the Islamists or the Mexicans, and puts it squarely on ourselves. If this country, this civilization is going to perish, then it will be because we sacrificed our values, and laughed at our principles — not because a few thousand terrorists or a few million Mexicans crossed our borders.

Downtown group sets goals for city

From beautification to entertainment, the Downtown Business Improvement District has several ideas to improve Kalispell.

Greg Beck

Violet I. Hansen, 93

Edna Yvonne Gwynn, 83

Daniel Hall

Trail creek recovery

Bigfork High School Jazz Ensemble

Sky Thoreson, Bjorn Thorness, a junior, and other members of the Jazz Ensemble warm up on Tuesday morning, September 15, at Bigfork High School. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

AA football: Resurgent Flathead bombards Big Sky, improves to 3-1

It’s been a long time since the Flathead football program looked like this.

AA Football: Glacier airs out Great Falls in shootout win

GREAT FALLS — Caught in a shootout in the first half, Glacier pulled away late behind an impressive performance from its offense, beating Great Falls High 53-36 on Friday night at Memorial Stadium.

Golf: Avery, Keenan wire-to-wire winners at Kalispell Invitational

When it comes to the Kalispell Invitational golf tournament, Teigan Avery has been simply amazing.

Football roundup: Columbia Falls, Whitefish win big on homecoming

COLUMBIA FALLS — Dakota Bridwell threw seven touchdown passes and ran for another score as Columbia Falls (2-1 overall) whipped Browning 54-8 in Class A nonconference homecoming football action Friday night.

Volleyball roundup: Bravettes win in five sets, Wolfpack fall to Helena

Flathead battled back to drop visiting Helena Capital 25-13, 25-18, 28-30, 15-25, 15-7 in a wild Western AA volleyball match on Friday afternoon.

Hunting season open for burglars

A deer head mount and guns were taken from a home on Montana 206 near Columbia Falls, and

Glacier plans homecoming festivities

It’s time again for students and alumni to rally around the Glacier High School Wolfpack for homecoming Monday through Saturday.

Company rebuilds after fire

Nine months after a fire burned down the main powerhouse structure at Algae AquaCulture Technologies, reconstruction has begun at the site on F.H. Stoltze Land and Lumber Co. property west of Columbia Falls.

Hungry grizzlies are busy across NW Montana

Grizzly bear activity and conflicts have seen an expected increase this month as the bears forage for food before hibernation.

Spotted Bear areas reopen to public

More areas of the Spotted Bear Ranger District are reopening to public use following this summer’s fires.

GPS claims won't fly with judge

Flathead District Judge David Ortley refused Thursday to lower bail and release Justin Westermeyer, 28, of Kalispell as he awaits trial for allegedly stabbing a man in February.

Young killer of two faces parole hearing Monday

An Evergreen woman who as a teenager killed two people in a vehicle crash in 2009 is set to go before the state parole board in Billings on Monday for possible release.

Jazz ensemble makes a comeback

Jazz band is making an encore at Bigfork High School.

Man charged for sexual assault of two children

A Kalispell man was jailed Wednesday for allegedly assaulting two young children while they played in Lawrence Park in August.

Fourth-graders to get free entry to Glacier Park

 Glacier National Park is taking part in the Every Kid in a Park program where fourth-graders can now receive free access to federally managed lands during the 2015-16 school year.

Flathead Volleyball

Flathead's Seth Adolph

Flathead's Seth Adolph carries Missoula Big Sky's Tyler Glenn into the end zone to start the scoring for the Braves at Legends Stadium on Friday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

Bigfork High School Jazz Ensemble

Robert 'Bob' Ring, 78

motorcycle accident

Emergency responders transport the driver of the motorcycle to the Kalispell Regional Medical Center after a two-vehicle accident on Idaho Street in front of Taco Bell. The motorcycle ran into the back of a truck. The accident is still under investigation. The motorcyclist had non-life threatening injuries.

Justine Winter

Whitefish's Coral Schulz

Whitefish's Coral Schulz lofts a shot on the 14th hole at Buffalo Hill Golf Club during the Kalispell Invitational on Friday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

Glacier's Teigan Avery

Glacier's Teigan Avery launches a drive on the 13th hole of the Buffalo Hill Golf Club during the Kalispell Invitational on Friday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

adult male grizzly

Chef Guy Klinzing

Taste of Home cooking school tickets still available

Fall Home cover

Fall Home

Golf: Locals in the lead at Kalispell Invitational

Flathead’s Ryan Keenan and Glacier’s Teigan Avery are hoping to make it two golf titles in two weeks in two different cities.

AA football: Wolfpack head to Great Falls riding road winning streak

After a rough start to the football season, Glacier needed to get away for a bit.

AA football: McCracken carrying Braves into matchup with Big Sky

When Josh McCracken comes off the field, his position coach sees someone familiar.

Soccer roundup: Glacier, Flathead boys post impressive wins

Three times last season Glacier and Missoula Hellgate met on the pitch, and all three times the result was the same.

Volleyball roundup: Frenchtown drops Whitefish, Bigfork earns win

FRENCHTOWN — Whitefish evened its Northwestern A volleyball mark Thursday evening by defeating Frenchtown 25-19, 25-19, 26-24.

Glacier fees increase on Nov. 1

 Glacier National Park entrance fees will increase on Nov. 1.

OPINION: Bigfork High School levy is not the answer to better education

On Sunday, Aug. 30, Maureen Averill, who was chairman of the Bigfork School Board for several decades up until a couple of months ago, made some comments in a letter to the Inter Lake.

Woman wonders if someone hid a body

Officers with the

Glacier road job in full swing

Reconstruction to affect area near St. Mary entrance

 Reconstruction work on the east side of Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park will affect the St. Mary entrance area next week.

Outdated plan complicates zoning effort

Evergreen

A push by Evergreen business leaders to create special zoning to boost commercial development is complicated because the applicable master plan for that area is nearly 30 years old.

Shuttle to Glacier has slow inaugural season

The new summer shuttle service between Whitefish and Glacier National Park didn’t quite live up to initial expectations.

County, city may collaborate on plan for new gym facility

The beginning of a partnership between Flathead County and the city of Kalispell is in the works for a multi-use recreational facility.

Woman pleads guilty to fifth DUI

A Kalispell woman pleaded guilty Thursday to her fifth offense of driving under the influence of alcohol and admitted that she broke conditions of parole she was serving for a previous felony DUI charge.

Local deacon to share altar with Pope Francis

When Risen Christ Parish Deacon Floyd McCubbins was asked if he wanted to assist while Pope Francis says Mass in Philadelphia later this month, one might say he consulted a higher power: He asked his wife.

Two sentenced, one man charged in drug cases

Two Mexican men are headed to federal prison for dealing thousands of dollars worth of methamphetamine at multiple sites across Western Montana and nearby states and a Marion man who served as an informant is awaiting trial on drug charges.

LETTER: Does this explain Trump popularity?

I just ran across probably the best comment ever on what is motivating people to support Donald Trump in the primary. It comes from Jim Hightower, national radio commentator, writer and public speaker. Here is what he wrote in an article entitled: “The Money Primary.” This is good stuff.

EDITORIAL: Bypass at last: Can you believe it?

There are many Flathead Valley residents who thought they would never live long enough to see a bypass around Kalispell completed. All we can say is: Will wonders never cease?

Mahlon Keith Randall, 70

Kimberly Rae Luke, 49

Teri Gaffaney Pedersen, 66

Teri Gaffaney Pedersen was born March 27, 1949, and died Sept. 11, 2015.

Skunk with rabies leads to Missoula pet quarantine

 MISSOULA (AP) — Missoula County is under a 60-day quarantine after a rabid skunk was captured northwest of Missoula in an area where a woman had been bitten by a skunk, the Department of Livestock said Thursday.

Floyd McCubbins

APTOPIX Chile Earthquake

A car is surrounded by debris in a flooded street after an earthquake-triggered tsunami hit Concon, Chile, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2015. Several coastal towns were flooded from small tsunami waves set off by late Wednesday's magnitude-8.3 earthquake, which shook the Earth so strongly that rumbles were felt across South America. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix) CHILE OUT - NO USAR EN CHILE

APTOPIX Fatal Flash Floods

Search and rescue team members carry a body after it was found along Pine Creek, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2015, in Zion National Park, near Springdale, Utah. Authorities are searching for other hikers killed in flash flooding that swept through a narrow canyon at Utah's Zion National Park. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

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Flathead's Ryan Keenan smashes a drive from the 18th tee at the Northern Pines Golf Course during the Kalispell Invitational on Thursday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Glacier's Tommy Mann hits hit ball out of the rough on the 16th hole at Northern Pines during the Kalispell Invitational on Thursday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

Mountain Valley Foods

Evan Hendrickson, from left, Lorien Johnson, Ananda Johnson, Larry Johnson, Patricia Johnson and Hailey Hendrickson work as a family to make Mountain Valley Foods a successful business. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

Fall Color

James Bradshaw rakes leaves from his lawn on Thursday morning, September 19, in Kalispell. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

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This Week in the Flathead | Sept. 17-23

Dean and Riley announce debut EP release

Crashing through clouds

Kyle Dean and Amelia Riley Thornton’s partnership is built on love.

TERRY COLUMN: Calming down the coaches

Old school coaching doesn’t have to include making a fool out of yourself.

Baseball: Suspension won't stop Kalispell's Pistorese

Joe Pistorese knows he made a mistake.

Kalispell's Joe Pistorese

Everett AquaSox relief pitcher Joe Pistorese throws during a game this summer in Everett, Wash. Pistorese, a 2011 Flathead High School grad, had a stellar rookie season in the minor leagues. (Shari Sommerfeld/Everett AquaSox)

Benefit planned for injured climber

Nearly three months after Jack Beard’s near-fatal tumble in Glacier National Park, a family-friendly event Sept. 26 is being staged to raise money for the well-known climber’s recovery.

Harassment call ends in immigration arrests

The U.S. Border Patrol took custody of four undocumented immigrants after a woman told the

Three guns stolen before deputy interrupts heist

Smash and grab Stolen vehicle driven through store doors

A thief made off with three guns after stealing a minivan from a Mexican food restaurant in downtown Kalispell Monday night and driving it through the front doors of Frontier Guns and Ammo in Evergreen.

OPINION: It's time for equal rights for crime victims in Montana

It is something that we all try to avoid, that none of us want to think could happen to us, our friends or family members. Yet there are thousands of people across our state who face the daily challenges of being a victim of crime.

Tech firm closing Libby facility

Applied Materials change will affect 17 workers

Applied Materials has decided to close its Libby facility on Oct. 1 after 15 years of operation.

Judge sides with family in lawsuit over death of exchange student

A federal judge has dismissed from liability the Columbia Falls host family of a 16-year-old German exchange student who died in a skiing accident in 2010.

Judge drops part of online threat case

A Flathead District Court judge has dismissed one of two charges pending against a Kalispell man accused of making online threats that claimed he wanted to shoot Kalispell school children and kill Jewish people.

Bigfork bond ballots head to voters

Voters will decide the fate of a $14 million bond request to build an addition and renovate Bigfork High School.

By Seaborn Larson/The Daily Inter Lake

A roundup of hopeful entrepreneurs, designers and developers is returning to the Flathead Valley for its second helping of a Google-affiliated startup workshop.

Salvation Army to close Polson thrift store

A thrift store in Polson that is operated by the Salvation Army’s Kalispell corps will close Sept. 26 because the store is losing money.

Running trio tackles 600-mile mountain route

Whitefish photographer Steven Gnam will join The North Face athletes Mike Foote and Mike Wolfe this month in an attempt to run from Missoula to Banff, Alberta, in what they are calling the Crown of the Continent Traverse.

LETTER: Thanks for help making dreams come true at Lawrence Park

“A Park of Dreams...  build it and they will come” is a reference proven true when speaking of Lawrence Park.

Dean and Riley

Guitarist and singer/songwriter Kyle Dean and violinist and vocalist Amelia Riley Thornton are country-folk duo Dean and Riley.

EDITORIAL: Libraries keep on innovating

It’s wonderful to see the upgrades that have been made in our local libraries over the past couple of years.

Kokanee tips and perch kudos

In my last column, I was sharing some information about our abundant kokanee salmon and trolling for them in the fall, arguably my favorite time to fish the Flathead Valley.

Frontier Guns and Ammo

Man threatens stabbing over a cigarette

Michael Leslie Shannon Willis, 42, is in jail in Flathead County awaiting arraignment for felony assault charges after allegedly threatening to stab a man who wouldn’t let him bum a cigarette.

High-risk sex offender faces new felony charge for failing to register

A Columbia Falls man is in the Flathead County Detention Center awaiting arraignment for a third felony charge of failure to register as a sexual offender.

Florence G. Lockwood, 86

It is with sad hearts that the Lockwood family announces the death of Florence G. Lockwood, born March 24, 1929, and passed Sept. 10, 2015, at 86 years young.

Hazel M. Nau, 93

Hazel M. Nau, 93, died Sept. 14, 2015, surrounded by her family and loved ones. With love and broken hearts we say farewell to our mother — a loving, caring and giving person.  

Vernon Johnson, 93

Vernon Johnson lived on this earth for 93 years. Most of his life was spent being a cowboy and a farmer; however, people were drawn to Dad because he was a man of such humble integrity. He didn’t preach virtues or the things he believed in, he lived them. Those who knew him appreciated his subtle humor, his way of simplifying things, and respected the way he lived his very full life.

Bertha N. Rossol, 78

Bertha N. Rossol, 78, passed away in Kalispell on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2015.

Phyllis Jane (Kauffman) Swallow, 74

Phyllis Jane (Kauffman) Swallow, 74, passed away peacefully on Sept. 14, 2015, following an extended illness.

David Joseph Lenio

Appeals court to hear Glacier Park murder case

A federal appeals court will hear arguments in the case of a Kalispell woman who pleaded guilty to pushing her new husband to his death from a cliff in Glacier National Park.

Renovations at West Valley School

The "fuel up" kitchen area is still under construction at West Valley School. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

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Flathead's Jace Darrow jumps over the tackle attempt of Big Sky's Rylan Compton during the first half on Tuesday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Flathead's Shaye Thompson takes a shot between Big Sky defenders Kayla Farago (6) and Casey Nelson (4) during the first half on Tuesday. Thompson's shot bounced off the goalpost. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Flathead vs. Missoula Big Sky

Algae AquaCulture

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Man charged with killing Alberta man, daughter

Toddler’s body located in rural area

BLAIRMORE, Alberta — An Alberta man has been charged with killing a man and his 2-year-old daughter.

Featured: Miracle League soccer offers unique opportunities

Standing in the middle of a baseball diamond buzzing with running, screaming and laughing kids, a bunch of beat up, hand-me-down soccer balls and a few patient parents, Jennifer Johnson admits she doesn’t know much of anything about the beautiful game.

Soccer roundup: Braves blow by Big Sky

The Flathead boys got off to a strong start, earning its first win behind a couple of strong performances on Tuesday afternoon, beating Missoula Big Sky 3-0 in a Western AA conference soccer game.

Volleyball roundup: Flathead falls at Missoula Sentinel

MISSOULA — Sentinel took charge early in the opening set on its way to a Western AA volleyball conference sweep of Flathead on Tuesday night.

Daybook

Man who killed teacher back in jail on drug charges

A man out on parole after serving part of a 10-year sentence for driving drunk and killing a beloved Somers teacher in a 2006 crash is back in jail, this time on drug charges.

Bozeman team tops Dragon Boat Festival

The Bozeman Vikings won first place in the Mixed A Division with a time of 1 minute, 13.82 seconds in the championship race Sunday at the Montana Dragon Boat Festival at Lakeside.

No tow big enough for this trailer

The

Color run attracts 440 participants

More than 440 runners signed up to walk or run in the Whitefish Community Foundation’s Great Fish 5K Color Run and Fair on Sept. 12.

Man who skipped sentencing found in California

A Whitefish man with a history of gun-related crimes is awaiting extradition from California to Flathead County after he skipped town while awaiting sentencing for an Aug. 2, 2014, incident where he fired a gun at a motorcycle.

Hungry Horse mom chooses advocacy after son's suicide

Denise MacDonald got a text message from her youngest son at 2 p.m. Aug. 12, 2011, that confirmed her worst fear.

Festival venue gets mostly good reviews

Last weekend’s Montana Dragon Boat Festival featured favorable weather, teams and spectators from around the country and a new venue at Volunteer Park in Lakeside.

Flathead Braves boys soccer

Flathead's Jace Darrow jumps over the tackle attempt of Big Sky's Rylan Compton during the first half on Tuesday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

Flathead Braves girls soccer

Flathead's Shaye Thompson takes a shot between Big Sky defenders Kayla Farago (6) and Casey Nelson (4) during the first half on Tuesday. Thompson's shot bounced off the goalpost. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

Miracle League soccer

Hope Schock dribbles the ball during Miracle League soccer practice on Tuesday at Kidsports Complex. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

Gordon Gilman Nesten, 86

Gordon Gilman Nesten, 86, passed away peacefully Sept. 13, 2015, surrounded by his loving children, due to complications of pneumonia at the Brendan House.

Carolyn Ramberg Rosenbaum, 78

Carolyn Ramberg Rosenbaum “went to be with the Lord” on Sept. 1, 2015.

Vernon Johnson, 93

Marvin L. Marcy, 71

Marvin L. Marcy, 71, “went to be with the Lord,” surrounded by family and friends on Sept. 13, 2015.

Margureite Hermoine Hervol Hader, 88

Gordon Gilman Nesten, 86, then

Gordon Gilman Nesten, 86, recent

Color Run

Wildfires across Montana have covered 334,000 acres

HELENA — Montana’s fire season has grown to the second-largest so far this decade after lightning storms last month ignited a rash of fires that spread rapidly amid bone-dry conditions.

Officers stop vans in search for missing Canadian girl

Authorities in Flathead County stopped several white vans Monday night and Tuesday morning searching for a vehicle believed to have fled the scene of an abduction-homicide in Alberta.

Bigfork High School Bond Request

View of the Science Lab at Bigfork High School. According to Principal Alan Robbins one of the goals of the bond would be to have a more comprehensive science lab with more space and better ventilation. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Bigfork High School

California Wildfires

This Monday, Sept. 14, 2015, photo shows the remains of Barbara McWilliams' home, according to the The Press Democrat, in the Anderson Springs community in Middletown, Calif. McWilliams was found dead in the ruins of her home that was destroyed by a wildfire according to Lake County Sheriff Brian Martin. (Kent Porter/The Press Democrat via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT

APTOPIX Fatal Flash Flooding

A vehicle rests in debris after a flash flood Monday, Sept. 14, 2015, in Hildale, Utah. Authorities say multiple people are dead and others missing after a flash flood ripped through the town on the Utah-Arizona border Monday night. (Mark Lamont via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT

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Skyler Shwegel works on his balance during a physical therapy session at The Summit on Tuesday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Skyler Schwegel takes a break from his physical therapy session at The Summit on Tuesday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Skyler Schwegel takes a break from his physical therapy session at The Summit on Tuesday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Skyler Schwegel does a drill with his physical therapist Beth Gunlikson to help him improve his stability at The Summit on Tuesday. Schwegel goes to physical therapy four to five times a week. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

Jeremy Presta

Out of Darkness

Retired judges return to courtroom

Two former District Dourt judges have returned to the bench to fill in for retired Flathead District Judge Ted O. Lympus.

Goguen keynotes high-tech summit

Expansion of computing power is driving major changes in the technology market, Michael Goguen told a jobs summit on Monday.

Smell interferes with nap time

A Baker Avenue resident called the

FVCC trustees select new board member

Taking just a few minutes to deliberate, the Flathead Valley Community College Board of Trustees voted in Jeremy Presta as a new board member on Monday afternoon.

Changing Colors

A view of fall colors over Red Meadow Lake on Sunday, Sept. 13, north of Whitefish.

Whitefish plans new school greenhouse

Building a greenhouse that will become an outdoor laboratory for students and a hallmark of experiential learning at Whitefish High School is coming to fruition.

Pair write book on eating disorders

Two local women have spent years collaborating on a book designed to help those who are suffering or have loved ones suffering from the effects of eating disorders.

Yellowstone surpasses 3 million visitors in 2015

Yellowstone National Park remains on track to have one of its highest number of annual visitor counts on record.

David Ray Loveless, 67

David Ray Loveless, 67, passed away Sept. 8, 2015, at the Whitefish Rehabilitation Facility where he was recovering from a broken hip.

Susan Louise 'Crazy Susie' Peterson, 56

Daniel Joseph Stanton, 47

Andrew William Bowman, 30

Flathead Business Journal: Carlburg Pottery

A detail of tools of the trade in Tim Calrburg's studio on Thursday, September 10, in Kalispell. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Rollover wreck on Highway 93

View of a rollover wreck on U.S. 93 north of Olney on Sunday night, September 13. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

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Judge wants state court to consider Ronan police case

A federal judge has recommended that parts of a federal lawsuit filed last year against the Ronan Police Department and other city of Ronan officials be dismissed and hashed out in state court.

Man accused of fifth DUI

A Kalispell man pleaded not guilty Friday to a fifth charge of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Police respond to 'meltdown'

A caller told the

'I feel a huge responsibility to pass on the art'

Journey to mastery

A 10-year journey to the top echelon of her art is just the beginning for Kalispell’s Tina Malkuch.

Lake gets low

Mud flats in Monk's Bay are revealed as the water level of Whitefish Lake approaches an all-time low this summer.

Glacier View Ranger District opens area for firewood

Starting Sept. 18, the Glacier View Ranger District of Flathead National Forest will open approximately 7.5 miles of road for personal-use firewood gathering in the McGinnis Creek drainage.

Vietnam Veterans of America to make local donation

The Northwest Montana Chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America will present a donation to the Veterans Association at Flathead Valley Community College on Sept. 15.

Man accused of embezzlement

A Kalispell man has pleaded not guilty to embezzling money from a local real estate company.

James Patrick Manley, 68

Cross country: Hill runs away at Flathead Invitational

For Glacier’s Annie Hill, it was strictly a pace race.

Volleyball: Glacier, Flathead duel at Great Falls Invitational

GREAT FALLS — Glacier won three of four matches and Flathead two of three matches on the final day of the Electric City Invitational volleyball tournament.

Baseball: Smith, Wetsch, Winslow named to American Legion All-State

Vinny Smith and AJ Wetsch of the Glacier Twins, along with Libby’s Jared Winslow, were named to the American Legion baseball Class A All-State team, while six other players from the Northwest earned All-Conference honors, it was announced Saturday.

Soccer roundup: Glacier, Flathead boys fall in Helena

HELENA — Flathead held a 2-1 edge at the half on goals by Kaleb Frame, but Helena Capital added two in the second half to pull out a 3-2 Western AA boys soccer victory on Saturday.

Spirit Skate Shop

'Real skate shops are a dying breed'

For a decade, one small shop in Kalispell has maintained the spirit of skateboarding.

Car fire in Canyon considered suspicious

The

Gordon Lytle, 58

Gordon Lytle, 58, of Kalispell, passed away Sept. 10, 2015.

Jesse David Peterson, 30

Jesse David Peterson was born July 24, 1985, in Sonora, California, and passed away Aug. 24, 2015, near Columbia Falls.

Kent A. Smith, 58

Kent Alden Smith left this life at 2:30 p.m. on Sept. 4, 2015, with his wife Diane by his side at their home in Bigfork. Kent fought a courageous battle against cancer for the past three years and leaves behind a stepson, Taylor Glantz, and two grandchildren.

Crowds thrilled by dragon sightings

The fourth annual Dragon Boat Festival was teeming with spectators and teams alike Saturday at the event’s first year in Lakeside. Volunteer Park was filled with food trucks and team tents, while the beach was lined with lawn chairs and bare feet.

After the fires, massive cleanup underway

A long-awaited slowdown on the Bear Creek and Trail Creek fires has finally allowed Flathead National Forest workers to begin the monumental task of rehabilitating backcountry trails in the Spotted Bear Ranger District.

Shooting suspect jailed again week after plea deal

Less than a week after he agreed to plead guilty to shooting two people at a Marion bar, a Eureka man was back in the Flathead County Detention Center for allegedly distributing drugs.

Landowners seek long-term fix for erosion

Rusby Seabaugh stands at the edge of his property near Lower Valley Road on a warm August morning, peering down from the bank to the slow-moving bend along the lower Flathead River.

Daybook

LETTER: House majority leader defends role in Republican Party

In her letter to the editor on Sept. 10 (“Moderates being run out of GOP?”), Tammi Fisher made some erroneous and unsubstantiated comments about Sen. Matt Rosendale and me.

LETTER: Clean Power Plan wins endorsement from physician

There are many reasons to get behind the new federal rule requiring states to reduce dangerous carbon pollution from existing power plans. The one that tops my list as a physician (and should top yours) is health.

LETTER: America today is a nation in crisis; who will lead?

America was once a self-sustaining nation by manufacturing, commodity producing and inventing. We are now beholden to other nations to supply many of our basic needs. Will the next election help or hinder our slide into the one world order, global economy?

OPINION: Remember 9/11 and continue to fight those who target us today

On the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, America suffered a great loss and was pushed to her limits.

OPINION: Managing forests needs to change

Some 50 odd years ago, a small group of young college professors who were disciples of the famous naturalist John Muir and his followers, started a new environmental movement to save the trees.

EDITORIAL: Smart911 could be a life-saver

An important campaign is under way that could help save lives, maybe even yours, and it comes with a remarkably low price tag.

Robert 'Bob' John Zanon, 86

Robert “Bob” John Zanon, 86, “passed to the Lord in heaven” Thursday morning, Sept. 10, 2015, in Portland, Oregon.

OPINION: Can tribes be exempt from Obamacare?

As President Reagan once said, “There you go again!”

John F. Foyse, 68

John F. Foyse, 68, born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, on Sept. 12, 1946, passed away peacefully on Sept. 9, 2015, at the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls.

Robert Mack Cox, 79

Robert Mack Cox, 79, left us on Sept. 7, 2015, to begin a new journey. Granddaughter Mackenzie Bond said it best when she said “Papa is fishing with Jesus now.”

OPINION: What will Western Montana look like under the compact?

The Flathead Irrigation Project on the CSKT Reservation was built by the federal government to make the reservation productive. Dry land farming was not sustainable without irrigation. The same situation exists in the Flathead.

J. Byron Christian, 78

J. Byron Christian was born in Shelby Jan. 28, 1937, and passed Sept. 8, 2015, following a brief illness in Polson.  

Rowland Thomas 'R.T.' Adkins Jr., 83

Loretta Agnes Buller, 77

On Sept. 10, 2015, our loving and beautiful mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, Loretta Agnes Buller, left this world to begin her next chapter. She spent the final two years of her life in the Memory Care Unit at Heritage Place in Kalispell, Montana. “With a healed body and soul, she joins her husband and son who rejoice at the gates of Heaven. Our grief is great but we celebrate their unity.”

OPINION: City and county need to fight weed invaders

Montana is a very unique and beautiful place. We are blessed with millions of acres of tree-covered mountains, clear clean lakes, rivers, streams and breathtaking vistas of vast prairies and limitless skies. Flora and fauna abound, enough so that we can sustain filling our larders with fish, berries and game animals to help feed our families.

Columbia Falls OKs $7.6 million budget

The Columbia Falls City Council on Tuesday approved a $7.568 million budget.

COLUMN: In hindsight, our 'good old days' were hazardous

While I was trolling the Internet for story ideas recently, I came across a humorous article I could certainly relate to: “28 Reasons Children of the ’70s Should All Be Dead.”

COLUMN: Reflecting on fire season

This weekend for the first time in a long time, we in Northwest Montana can breathe a sigh of relief, and then breathe in fresh clean air that doesn’t smell of smoke.

Bigfork High School August tour

A broken window is seen during a tour of Bigfork High School July 30. Bigfork School District is asking voters to approve a $14 million bond in a mail ballot election. Of the $14 million, about $5.4 includes deffered maintenance.

Montana Dragon Boat Festival

Photos by Brenda Ahearn and Seaborn Larson/Daily Inter Lake

Building footbridge

Bigfork High School woods students Gabriel Melkioty, left, and Matt Farrier carry wood decking to build a new footbridge at the Flathead Waterfowl Protection Area. (Hilary Matheson/The Daily Inter Lake)

AA Football: McCracken, Flathead run over Great Falls

Josh McCracken ran for 214 violent yards and Flathead pounded previously undefeated Great Falls, 41-12 Friday night at Legends Stadium.

FB Roundup: Whitefish corrals Browning, Polson edges Corvallis

BROWNING — Chris Park scored three touchdowns in the first half and Whitefish cruised to a 47-8 nonconference Class A football victory over Browning on Friday night.

#32 Josh McCracken

Flathead senior running back Josh McCracken (32) carries a Great Falls defender with him on this first-half run Friday night at Legends Stadium. Flathead improved to 2-1 on the Class AA football season with a 41-12 victory in its home opener. (Kat Gebauer photos for the Daily Inter Lake)

AA Football: Glacier slips by Capital, 7-3

HELENA — On his only carry of the night, Glacier senior Jacob Willich scored on a 6-yard touchdown run. The Wolfpack defense took over from there, holding Helena Capital to a field goal in a 7-3 Class AA football victory on Friday at Vigilante Stadium.

Glacier wins volleyball pool at Electric City Invitational

GREAT FALLS — Glacier posted an 11-3 mark in pool play during the opening session of the Electric City Invitational volleyball tournament on Friday.

Soccer roundup: Five goals, 3 assists for Nicholson in Whitefish blow out

WHITEFISH — Haley Nicholson continues to pile up the offensive numbers for the Whitefish girls soccer team.

Woman dies in custody

The Montana Criminal Investigation Bureau is investigating the death of a Kalispell woman who died in jail on Thursday morning.

Bypass job starts Oct. 12

LHC Inc. is ready to get rolling next month on the final sections of U.S. 93 Alternate Route on the west side of Kalispell.

Shop class replaces old footbridge

Project restores crossing at waterfowl area

When wildlife biologist Beverly Skinner’s only option to cross an old irrigation canal within the Flathead Waterfowl Protection Area was a collapsed footbridge, she worked with Bigfork High School students to get it replaced.

Dragon-boat festival banner stolen

Law enforcement roundup

 A 38-foot-long banner advertising this weekend’s Montana Dragon Boat Festival was stolen from Lakeside. The banner cost the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce $650.

OPINION: Judicial 'solution' would just result in judicial gridlock

 Although I never would have believed I would agree with P. David Myerowitz on anything, I must agree with him on one point he addresses in his Aug. 11 letter: “Politically motivated judicial activism” (i.e., judges basing their judicial decisions on their political biases, rather than on the U.S. Constitution and the Supreme Court precedents that have interpreted it) is bad.  

Activist touts challenging authority

James O’Keefe

Conservative activist James O’Keefe told a Bigfork crowd on Thursday that the American media need to hold hypocritical public officials accountable, even if it means employing unorthodox antics or undercover recordings to do so.

Three schools celebrate homecoming

 By HILARY MATHESON

Butte Invitational golf: Keenan, Avery finish on top

BUTTE — Flathead’s Ryan Keenan and Glacier’s Teigan Avery closed strong during second-round play at Butte Country Club to earn medalist honors and boost their respective teams to second-place finishes on Friday at the Butte Invitational.

Fast times, tight races for Flathead Invitational cross country

Top runners, picturesque setting and with a summer-like weather forecast that includes plenty of sunshine to match temperatures near the 80-degree mark, it sure looks like the Flathead Invitational has all the ingredients to be a very special event today.

Peter Philip 'Phil' Mohan, 36

Daybook

Suspect in Great Falls homicide appears in court

GREAT FALLS (AP) — A man charged with killing a Great Falls man and fleeing, setting off a three-day manhunt in the hills north of Helena, made his initial appearance in District Court in Great Falls.

APTOPIX Sept 11 Anniversary

Retired New York City firefighter Joseph McCormick visits the South Pool prior to a ceremony at the World Trade Center site in New York on Friday, Sept. 11, 2015. With a moment of silence and somber reading of names, victims' relatives began marking the 14th anniversary of Sept. 11 in a subdued gathering Friday at ground zero. (AP Photo/Bryan R. Smith)

9/11 victim relatives mark date with grief, appeals

NEW YORK — During years of going to ground zero every Sept. 11, Tom Acquaviva has seen crowds diminish at the ceremonies commemorating the terror attacks. But his determination to participate hasn’t.

Officials try to catch wandering grizzly

COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho (AP) — A grizzly bear trapped and released in Montana has wandered into northern Idaho where state and federal officials are trying to recapture it due to concern it has lost its natural wariness of humans.

O'Keefe

James O'Keefe, President of Project Veritas Action, waits to be introduced during a news conference at the National Press Club in Washington, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2015. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Margaret 'Margy' Ann Allers Juenke, 66

Margaret “Margy” Ann Allers Juenke, 66, loved her family dearly, “but left to go sing in the angels choir and see her family members, parents, Bud and Elli; brother, Jack, and sisters, Shawnee and Terry,” on Sept. 8, 2015.

Euna Fay Hodge, 93

Bill Hodge “ran unencumbered, to meet his much-loved and missed wife, Euna Fay Hodge, “when he met her at the gates of heaven,” early on the morning of Sept. 9, 2015.

Footbridge

Woods students in Steve Melkioty's class built a new footbridge on the Flathead Waterfowl Protection Area Wednesday. The area is frequently used by hunters. (Front row to back) Craig Cheroske, Ethan Olson, teacher Steve Melkioty, Kyle Saxton, Charlie Haug, Christian Bencomo, Richard McManaway, Matt Farrier, Tyler Betrus, Oliver Martinez, Kyle Cumming, Brayden Haugan, Gabriel Melkioty, Michael Mischke, Brady Pressentin and Garrett Murray.

Profile of Tina Malkuch

Tina Malkuch, of the International Shotokan Karate Federation of Montana, in the dojo, on Friday, September 11, in Kalispell.

Monday Profile: Tina Malkuch

Tina Malkuch, of the International Shotokan Karate Federation of Montana, in the dojo, on Friday, Sept. 11, in Kalispell.

American Legion: 9/11 Ceremony at Depot Park

Avery, Schulz prep stars on, off the course

Glacier’s Teigan Avery and Whitefish’s Coral Schulz have a lot in common.

Ronan Invitational cross country: Whitefish girls finish 2nd

RONAN — The Whitefish girls finished second with Eureka checking in third and Columbia Falls fourth at the Ronan Invitational cross country meet on Thursday at Mission Mountain Golf Course.

Polson's McDaniel, Whitefish's Holly Hileman medal at golf triangular

COLUMBIA FALLS — Polson’s Carson McDaniel and Whitefish’s Holly Hileman earned medalist honors at the Columbia Falls golf triangular on Thursday at Meadow Lake Resort.

LETTER: Don't turn away those who can help during wildfires

It is a shame that our national forests and national parks get closed after the department heads allow fires to burn and then aren’t reopened when they should be.

Fire hits two old vehicles but kept from structures

Firefighters were able to save a shed and chicken coop threatened by a car fire on Wednesday night.

LETTER: Zinke is right about forest management

I applaud Rep. Ryan Zinke for his efforts to achieve a common sense approach to forest health rather than the all-or-none approach of environmentalists AND some loggers. The extreme views of either no logging at all on national forests — even salvage of dead trees — or clear cutting represent the polar opposites of a problem that is easily solved with intelligent compromise.

Injured worker in stable condition after fall

Discount Tire media officials say a man has been upgraded to stable condition after falling from an overturned scissors lift on Sept. 4 at a construction site in north Kalispell.

LETTER: Gun control would encourage crime and hamper liberty

Gary Vinson (Sept. 6 letter) thinks more gun control is the answer to our country’s descent into degeneracy. He’s fallen for the siren call of those who would have us legislated into slavery. His reasoning, such as it is, advocates the abolition of the balance of fear that keeps government from becoming that which our founders strived to prevent.

Parade of Homes winners named

Some of the finest homes in Northwest Montana will be showcased during the Flathead Building Association’s annual Parade of Homes today through Sunday.

Officials investigate jail death

The death of an inmate Thursday at the Flathead County Detention Center is being investigated.

LETTER: Badger-Two Medicine is no place to drill

The Blackfeet call it “Mistakis,” the Backbone of the World. The Continental Divide snakes its way through this land also known as the Badger-Two Medicine. It is the cornerstone of the Blackfeet creation story.

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Road encounter results in sore nose

A man told

Ronan nonprofit wins crime-prevention award

 The Montana Board of Crime Control has recognized a Ronan-based nonprofit for its outstanding services in regard to public safety-related issues.

Concerns raised over county zoning plan

Whitefish ‘doughnut’

A flood of last-minute comments about Flathead County’s proposed zone changes in the “doughnut” area around Whitefish has prompted the county Planning Board to call a special meeting Sept. 23 to further consider the changes.

EDITORIAL: Honor 9/11 dead by staying strong

Today we again honor the memory of those lost in the terror attacks of 2001.

County lifts fire restrictions

 The Flathead County commissioners on Thursday lifted all fire restrictions within the county.

Uncleaned chimney leads to fire

After firefighters tackled their first chimney fire of the season on Monday, Somers Lakeside Volunteer Fire Department Chief Tom Havens encouraged people to clean their chimneys before cold weather arrives.

OPINION: FWP 'listening' session did not 'hear' me

I attend most of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks’ public meetings and did so again for the “listening” session that was held in Kalispell on Aug. 12. This was a traveling show that went around the state designed to delude the general public that Fish, Wildlife and Parks is giving credence to the citizenry’s opinions on the job they are doing. It was a self-serving public relations exercise.

AA football: Glacier hoping to turn it around at Helena Capital

After two tough losses to start the season, there is no time to mope for the Glacier football team.

AA football: Senior tackle Wright leads Flathead into home opener

What did Flathead offensive line coach Jesse McFarland think the first time he saw 160-pound Anthony Wright?

Fugitive found after 3-day manhunt

HELENA — Montana authorities found an exhausted and suicidal fugitive holed up in an abandoned homemade trailer littered with rat droppings, ending a three-day search for the man accused in a shooting death, officials said Thursday.

Campground closes due to bear activity

Citing the arrival of hungry bears seen wandering the area, Glacier National Park has temporarily closed St. Mary Campground, located on the park’s east side.

Jeanette Kay Fincher, 63

Jeanette Kay Fincher left this world at age 63 on Sept. 7, 2015, with her family and loved ones at her side in Kalispell.

Iva Mae Howell Asmus Stryker, 98

Iva Mae Howell Asmus Stryker’s journey on this planet came to an end on Sept. 5, 2015. She was 98-plus years young.

Profile: Sally Glutting

Sally Glutting of One Loose Thread working on quilts in her home studio on Wednesday, September 9, in Kalispell. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Quilt Queen

Sally Glutting of One Loose Thread in her upstairs studio at her home in Kalispell.

KMS Cookie Project for Firefighters

Bodo Brown measures out ingredients to make cookies for firefighters on Thursday, September 10, at Kalispell Middle School. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

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Second man dies after Libby crash

A second man has died from injuries sustained in a crash Sunday evening on Pipe Creek Road north of Libby.

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Street art festival returns to Bigfork

Chalk 'n' Rock

Bigfork, with the second year of the Chalk ’n’ Rock Festival, is following in a tradition that began during the middle ages in Italy. The festival will take place Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 19 and 20, when Bigfork’s Electric Avenue becomes the canvas for a number of Madonnari, or street painters, who will decorate the street with large chalk renderings.

TERRY COLUMN: Despite slow start, not time to panic for Glacier football

Glacier football isn’t used to this position.

Investment boosts tech firm goal with Flathead investor

With major help from a Northwest Montana investment fund, IgniteFeedback of Bozeman has raised more than $300,000 toward its startup goal.

School growth rate jumps to 3 percent

The challenges of rising enrollment and elementary overcrowding came to the forefront of a Kalispell Public Schools facility planning committee meeting last week.

Wildfire wrapup: 225,024 acres

Although fire season is not officially over, it has been knocked back substantially by recent rains and lower temperatures.

Driver dies from injuries in Pipe Creek Road crash

Tyler Ruhter, 31, died Wednesday at Kalispell Regional Medical Center from injuries sustained in a vehicle crash Sunday near Libby.

Columbia Falls library getting upgrade

The ImagineIF Columbia Falls Library is getting a facelift that includes a revamped children’s area, updated technology lounge, new shelving and other improvements.

EDITORIAL: Time to tame your inner dragon

Lakeside is ready to put its hospitality on full display this weekend as the Montana Dragon Boat Festival takes place along the west shore of Flathead Lake.

Printers used by counterfeiter forfeited

A federal judge has authorized forfeiture of printers used by a Kalispell man to make counterfeit currency.

Fundraising aims to 'Save Gateway'

$1 million sought

A fundraising campaign launched Tuesday aims to raise $1 million by Sept. 30 to purchase the Gateway Community Center and complete renovations within the facility.

Daybook

LETTER: Moderates being run out of GOP?

It appears the Montana Republican Party has been hijacked. I am deeply disturbed that Matt Rosendale and Keith Regier have the audacity to propose a “cleansing” of the Montana Republican Party of those members and elected officials deemed too “moderate” to be Republican.

LETTER: Protect region's unique qualities

A recent 6,700 mile roadtrip to explore business/relocation areas out West brought us through Kalispell. Sixteen years ago I moved from Colorado to North Carolina, seeing wealthy outside influences then coming to Colorado to change that state internally to a place which those transplants left, forcing many locals to leave due to higher costs of living, increased taxes, and increased cost of goods and services and increased crime rates.

LETTER: Courts don't hold supreme power

I was pleasantly surprised when a current presidential candidate actually expressed an understanding of the proper constitutional role of the judiciary. He said “The Supreme Court cannot and did not make a law. They only made a ruling on a law. Congress makes the laws.”

Six students receive National Merit status

 Six students from Glacier and Whitefish high schools were named National Merit Scholarship semifinalists.

Wallet $300 lighter when returned

Robert Harvey Silvert, 80 then

Robert Harvey Silvert, 80

Robert Harvey Silvert, known to friends and family as “Rob,” passed away at home peacefully on Friday, Sept. 4, 2015, at the age of 80 years.

John Lewis Whisenand, 61

John Lewis Whisenand, 61, of Whitefish, formerly of Eagan, Minnesota, passed away at home on Sept. 8, 2015, surrounded by his loving family after a two-year battle with cancer.

Frances M. Kuster, 88

Frances M. Kuster, 88, of Kalispell, passed away Sept. 8, 2015.

'Teepee in the Desert'

“Teepee in the Desert” by Colt Idol won first prize at the 2014 Chalk ‘n’ Rock Festival.

Wreck on Highway 93 and Farm-to-Market Road

The driver of a Budweiser truck and Whitefish firefighter Captain Joe Rendahl look over the remains of a Ford F250 truck following a collision on Wednesday, September 9, north of Whitefish. The driver of the truck was extricated and taken to an area hospital for treatment following the crash. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Wreck on U.S. 93 and Farm-to-Market Road

Manhunt locates murder suspect in shed near Helena

HELENA — Montana law enforcement say a fugitive suspected of killing a man in Great Falls has been captured after a three-day manhunt north of Helena.

Gateway Community Center

Fundraising campaign to purchase the Gateway Community Center launched on Tuesday, September 8

Interior view of the Gateway Community Center in Kalispell on Wednesday, September 9. On Tuesday a fundraising campaign was launched which aims to raise $1 million by September 30 to purchase the building and complete renovations. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Blue Sky Morning

Early morning light catches bales of hay creating a stark contrast between in the yellow hay and the blue of the clear skies on Wednesday morning, September 9, just south of Whitefish. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Golf: Schulz, McDaniel medal at Polson

POLSON — Carson McDaniel of Polson and Coral Schulz of Whitefish claimed medalist honors at the Polson Invitational on Tuesday at Polson Bay Golf Course.

Bus driver dies in rollover crash

A driver at the wheel of an empty school bus died in a rollover crash Tuesday morning near Whitefish.

Most fire restrictions removed

With the exception of Flathead County, all fire restrictions in Northwest Montana have been lifted after the Labor Day weekend brought drenching rains and a drop in temperatures.

Dragon boats hit the water this weekend

One of the biggest community events of the summer involves watching 42-foot dragon boats, powered by 22-member crews, skimming across Flathead Lake.

Man not sure why he's walking target

A man on East Lakeshore Drive near Whitefish reported to the

Henry 'Huck' Baumgardner Cross III, 64

Henry “Huck” Baumgardner Cross III, 64, passed away surrounded by his family on Sept. 4, 2015, in Whitefish.

Elizabeth Grondin Taylor, 76

Elizabeth Grondin Taylor, 76, died Sept, 2, 2015, after a brief illness, with her loving family by her side.

Steve M. Stevens, 74

Daniel H. 'Dan' Mason

Daniel H. “Dan” Mason, 70, passed away Aug. 19, 2015, in Kalispell.

Glacier still on record pace for visitors

Despite fires, smoke, Glacier visitor count ahead of last year

Visitation took a hit from the vista-obscuring smoke that drifted through Glacier National Park last month, yet the park’s latest statistics still put it on pace to surpass the record 2.3 million visitors last year.

Massive manhunt seeks Montana murder suspect

HELENA — Police are searching for a man charged in a Great Falls homicide who may be wandering armed and barefoot, and possibly cold and hungry, in the hills north of Helena.

School bus crash

Mars simualtion geodesic dome

The geodesic dome Carmel Johnston will be living in for the next year is referred to as the HI-SEAS Habitat. The habitat is 36 feet in diameter with approximately 878 square-feet of useable space (993 square feet total). The habitat includes a kitchen, dining room, bathroom, a lab, exercise area and common workspace. A second-floor loft is where the crew sleeps in six small rooms large enough for sleeping. A steel shipping container attached to the habitat serves as a workshop. Electricity is dervied from solar panels. An overcast day pictured means crews have to closely monitor how much energy is available and expended for daily activities. (Photo courtesy of Carmel Johnston)

HI-SEAS dome

Crew members get to work right away in the Hawaii Space Exploration Analog and Simulation (HI-SEAS) Habitat located on the slope of a Hawaiian volcano. They will spend the year living in the habitat in order to gain a better understanding of the possible physical and mental impacts of space travel. (Photo courtesy of Carmel Johnston)

Mars simulation past HI-SEAS

Planting HI-SEAS

Carmel Johnston and Tristan Bassingthwaighte plant what they hope will become fresh produce for eating. Johnston's research will entail growing plants without soil such as aquaponics and biponics systems. She will also look at experimenting with Martian regolith simulant, which essentially is rocky material. (Photo courtesy of Carmel Johnston).

Johnston, Gordon Labor Day champs

Ryggs Johnston capped off a nationwide amateur summer tournament schedule with a victory while Kali Gordon celebrated her birthday, a few days late, by claiming her second title at the 78th International Labor Day Tournament on Monday at Buffalo Hill Golf Club.

Cool, wet weather helps fire crews

A week of wet weather has given reason for fire restrictions across the region to be lifted or lessened.

Where people go, mountain goats follow

Hike the Hidden Lake Overlook Trail in Glacier National Park during the summer and you’re almost assured of seeing a mountain goat.

Whitefish PEO chapter celebrates anniversary

Scrapbooks and memorabilia showcasing 100 years of philanthropic service by the Whitefish PEO Chapter D were on display Aug. 18 as members celebrated the chapter’s centennial.

Fundraising begins for Smart911 services

Emergency officials say upgrading to a sophisticated 911 system in Flathead County will help both emergency personnel and civilians respond better in the event of both minor personal incidents and major community disasters.

Not everyone likes poetry

A man reportedly has been spending time in a Kalispell business’s community room taking naps. He claimed he was a poet when asked about his business there and began reciting suggestive poetry to female employees. The

Medicare change could cause problems for amputees

Amputees could find themselves in trouble if a recent proposed change to Medicare goes through.

Two injured in crash near Libby

Two people involved in a car crash near Libby were flown to Kalispell to deal with life-threatening injuries sustained Sunday evening. Alcohol was a factor in the crash.

Man changes plea in bar shooting case

A 27-year-old man has pleaded guilty to two amended counts of criminal endangerment for shooting two people outside a Marion bar in June.

Blackfeet watercraft inspections begin

Beginning Sept. 8, the Blackfeet Watercraft Inspection Station seven miles west of Browning on U.S. 2 will be open Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Glacier's goats

A nanny goat and her kids feed in Glacier National Park.

'Buzz Your Fuzz' event honors former Whitefish official

Former Whitefish Finance Director Mike Eve, who died of cancer in 2009, was the memorial focus once again at the fifth annual “Buzz Your Fuzz” event to benefit two cancer research centers.

Labor Day Golf: Lindholm, Johnston, Avery on top

Kalispell’s Logan Lindholm now finds himself sharing the lead while Teigan Avery, a senior at Glacier High school, moved in front by four shots during second-day action Sunday at the 78th International Labor Day Tournament at Buffalo Hill Golf Club.

Kalispell council to refinance City Hall loan

The Kalispell City Council will consider Tuesday whether to refinance loans through the Montana Board of Investments for the purchase and renovation of City Hall.

Kalispell man works to make new trail system a reality

Since becoming a nonprofit 10 years ago, the organization behind the trail system that will connect Herron Park and Foy’s Lake with Blacktail Mountain is nearing completion of its goal.

Local scientist heads up research team

Makings of Mars

At 3:15 p.m. on Aug. 29, Whitefish resident Carmel Johnston began a year in relative isolation on a barren slope of the Mauna Loa volcano in Hawaii.

Garbage, recycling to take center stage in Whitefish

Garbage and recycling — including discussion of mandatory curbside recycling with monthly charges — dominates the Whitefish City Council work session agenda on Tuesday.

County wins growth policy lawsuit

A Flathead District Court ruling in a lawsuit brought by Citizens for a Better Flathead against Flathead County over growth policy amendments favors the county’s actions and procedures.

Man causes problems for businesses

A business on Central Avenue called the

Kalispell teacher wins music composition award

James Stanard, a Kalispell vocal teacher and the former director of the Glacier Chorale, recently won an international music composition award.

Carmel Johnston

Carmel Johnston, 26, of Whitefish, is currently serving as crew commander of a year-long Hawaii Space Exploration Analog and Simulation (HI-SEAS) mission, a research project of the University of Hawaii.

New law covers cottage food sales

Montana’s new cottage food law is now in effect, allowing entrepreneurs to sell customers low-risk foods made in their kitchen.

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Golf: Lindholm leads Labor Day Tournament

Logan Lindholm shook off the rain, ignored the chill — temperature in the mid40s — to post the best round Saturday at the 78th International Labor Day Tournament at Buffalo Hill Golf Club.

Volleyball roundup: Lady Knights nip Glacier in five sets

MISSOULA — Nikki Krueger had 14 kills and Glacier won the first set, but Hellgate rallied back to top the Wolfpack 16-25, 25-23, 26-24, 19-25, 15-11 on Saturday.

Cross country: Hill sets blistering pace at Libby

LIBBY — Annie Hill of Glacier opened the high school cross country season with a blistering time at the Libby Invitational on Saturday.

Soccer: Hellgate tops Braves, Bravettes

MISSOULA — Ryan Sayler scored two goals while Peter Vandam had a goal and an assist as Missoula Hellgate blanked Flathead 4-0 in Western AA boys soccer action on Saturday.

Groups dodge blame for burned timber

Two environmental groups say they’re not to blame for timber-sale areas that burned up in fires near the Bob Marshall Wilderness.

Polson fire service operation splits up

Polson’s joint fire service operation split into two separate entities Wednesday, and the heads of each organization have differing opinions about how it will impact the community.

Farmland case court date changed

A court hearing over Flathead County’s recent zone change allowing smaller lots on farmland near Whitefish has been rescheduled to Oct. 5.

Neighbors sue over parking

A new parking district does little to alleviate problems faced by people who live near Flathead High School and should be declared unconstitutional, a newly formed neighborhood association claimed in a lawsuit filed Thursday against the city of Kalispell.

OPINION: It's time for a change: Trump/Palin 2016

Americans are looking for someone who can address the problems straight with no spin and who puts America first and its enemies last. Some claim Mr. Trump will embarrass America with his outspoken rhetoric. Or that because he has never held public office, Mr. Trump will destroy America’s democratic system.

Encore: The 'story of a Steinway'

I have never written a letter to the editor and am uncomfortable throwing out my thoughts for the masses to read. However, I find myself in a situation, after much thought, where I must speak.

LETTER: Where do you turn?

This is to let widows know what happens to you when your husband — who served his country being a Navy SEAL in Vietnam — suddenly drops dead.

OPINION: 'Tribes are ready for transition'

Three years ago, the company known in English as Energy Keepers, Inc., was created to manage the conveyance, and then subsequently operate, the Kerr Hydroelectric Project. Energy Keepers, a federally chartered corporation of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, has been full steam ahead ever since that fall day in 2012.

Ceremony planned at Benghazi memorial in Bigfork

A monument built as a memorial to those killed in the attack on the U.S. Embassy in Benghazi, Libya, in 2012, will be the backdrop for a ceremony planned on Friday, Sept. 11, to honor all fallen heroes.

EDITORIAL: The ironic persistence of Ron Smith

Pardon our dismay.

LETTER: Police officers, remember we care about you

 In today’s violent anti-police climate, we just wanted to write a letter to our local police officers and their families, representative to ALL the wonderful and brave police officers in this nation — a letter that I hope you will pass on and share with police across this nation.

OPINION: Questions for Tester before he votes for Iran deal

Kudos to Mr. Nick Chickering of Whitefish and any other concerned Americans who have taken the time to write letters of dissent to Sen. Jon Tester regarding the so called Iran Agreement. I, too, wrote to the senator about the issue and received a like response for my concerns.

Wild Wings opens this week

Buffalo Wild Wings opens Sept. 9 in north Kalispell at the former location of the Sizzler.

LETTER: Ten Commandments Park vandals can never win

The people who continue to vandalize the Ten Commandments Park in Columbia Falls must realize one thing. By showing their hatred for the park, they only strengthen the faith of people who support the park. Christians are used to being condemned and criticized for their faith. It’s been happening for nearly 2,000 years. People call Christians “bigots” and “haters” because of their faith in Jesus. That condemnation only makes Christians stronger.

LETTER: Gun control just may be necessary after all

Being a squinty-eyed, wary old outdoorsman, let alone a lifelong Montanan, it’s painful to make the transition to a new mindset; a grudging, grinding, gagging acceptance that our nation needs some calculated, calibrated measure of gun control.

'A lot of that land is burnt to black toast'

Nearly 100,000 acres have burned this summer in the Flathead National Forest’s Spotted Bear Ranger District, and the resulting land closures are taking a heavy toll on outfitters whose livelihoods depend on late summer and early fall access to the Bob Marshall Wilderness.

OPINION: Money & politics shouldn't mix

It’s the political season. Not sure why it has to be so long. And it brings the usual discourse. Blame. All the bad things are because of the opposition and all the good things are because of us (depending on who “us” is). The circus goes on.

9/11 community walk begins at American Legion

Fourteen years after the terror attacks on America, citizens of the Flathead Valley will come together in a commemoration ceremony to honor the victims of Sept. 11, 2001.

OPINION: 'We must reflect on our history and look forward'

After 80 years, Kerr Dam switches to tribal control Historic transfer

 I have the good fortune of being Tribal Council chairman during the long-awaited Sept. 5 date when the Confederated Salish, Pend d’Oreille and Kootenai Tribes take possession of Kerr Dam. This day has been coming since 1985, when the option to purchase and operate the hydroelectric facility was secured by our predecessors.

Troy celebrates 100 years with apple pie bake-off

The city of Troy is planning a centennial celebration from 2 to 6:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11, on the lawn of the Troy Museum.

City plans targeted economic district

A plan to create a targeted economic development district in a northside industrial park is the focus of a special meeting of the Columbia Falls Planning Board on Wednesday.

Man can't decompress with noise

A very agitated man on Seventh Avenue East was upset that he didn’t get the peace and quiet he needed to barbecue due to a neighbor’s “giant” compressor.

Charles Richard 'Dick' Wilson, 81

Charles Richard “Dick” Wilson was born Dec. 9, 1933, in Kalispell, and passed peacefully after a lengthy illness on Aug. 28, 2015, at his lakeside home in Bigfork.  

Daybook

Sunday

Youths learn Border Patrol tactics

The Boy Scouts Grizzly Base Camp near Bigfork served as the backdrop to the inaugural U.S. Border Patrol Explorer Academy in the Flathead Valley.

COLUMN: Food bank grows to help community

The North Valley Food Bank has been expanding ever since it started in 1977 in June Munski-Feenan’s garage in Whitefish.

COLUMN: Refugee horrors are not new, and not easily solved

It could have been called “On the Beach at Bodrum.” The photo showed a uniformed Turkish police officer carrying the lifeless body of a 3-year-old Syrian boy who drowned attempting to reach Greece with his refugee family.

Workplace issues discussed at brown-bag session

The fall Brown Bag Series continues on Wednesday with a program about “emotional intelligence competencies” from 12 to 1 p.m. at the Flathead Valley Community College Arts and Technology Building in room 139.

Pat Clanton's truck

Soccer roundup: Wildkats blank Rangers

COLUMBIA FALLS — Senior forward Ellie Johnson scored two goals and assisted on two more to guide Columbia Falls to a 4-0 Class A nonconference girls soccer victory over the Livingston Rangers on Friday.

Avery 2nd, Glacier 3rd at golf invitational

BUTTE — Teigan Avery finished second and the Glacier girls were third at the Butte Invitational golf tournament on Friday.

Football roundup: Dillon nips Whitefish with late TD, conversion

WHITEFISH — Troy Anderson connected with Nate Simkins on three scoring passes to lift Dillon over Whitefish 22-21 on Friday night in a thrilling Class A nonconference football game at Memorial Field.

AA football: Soggy 2nd half dooms Braves at Helena

HELENA — The second half kickoff brought with it change in the weather.

AA football: Bozeman bumps Glacier

Missed opportunities marred any hope for Glacier to build momentum in a 24-10 loss to Bozeman on Friday at Legends Stadium. The loss drops Glacier to 0-2 for the first time since its inaugural season in 2007.

From Philadelphia to Bigfork

County stuck on fire restrictions

Flathead County will keep its Stage 2 fire restrictions for now because the county commissioners on Friday were at an impasse over how to proceed with lifting the restrictions.

Bigfork burglar ordered to pay restitution serve jail time

A 19-year-old Kalispell man was sentenced Aug. 27 to 77 days in the Flathead County Detention Center for burglarizing six Bigfork businesses in February 2014 and injuring a person in a car crash five months later.

Forest eases limits

The rainy Labor Day weekend is coming with a silver lining, as Glacier National Park and the Flathead National Forest have rolled back some campfire restrictions, and some southern portions of the wilderness have reopened to the public.

Prayerful sign not a crime

Woman denies stealing Jeep, leading chase that ended in crash

An Evergreen woman has denied stealing a vehicle and leading law enforcement on a 100 mph chase from Evergreen to Nyack on Aug. 20.

Whitefish U.S. 93 rebuild completed in Whitefish

Reconstruction of the second phase of U.S. 93 west of Whitefish wrapped up Friday, with Schellinger Construction completing the project on time.

Man injured in fall from scissors lift

A man was transported to Kalispell Regional Medical Center Friday morning after falling from a scissors lift.

New park OK'd north of Waterton

A new provincial park will be established next to Waterton Lakes National Park in Canada, the government announced on Friday, adding another 250,000 acres to the Crown of the Continent’s protected areas.

Kalispell firefighters put out two car fires

Kalispell Fire Department on Friday morning put out two car fires, including one that is under investigation by the Kalispell Police Department.

Music fellowship brings teen to Crown of Continent Guitar Festival

LETTER: Funding Planned Parenthood not 'right thing to do'

I read with interest the Sunday letter from Susan Cahill as it relates to Planned Parenthood. She states the video which has caused so much controversy about abortions was “...edited in order to make Planned Parenthood look as though it was conducting callous and possibly criminal activities.”

Kerr Dam

Late filing tries to block Kerr Dam transfer

A lawsuit seeking to block Saturday’s transfer of Kerr Dam to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes makes the unusual assertion that the transfer could lead the Turkish government to seek raw nuclear materials on U.S. soil to blow up the dam or other targets.

Volleyball roundup: Eureka, Whitefish earn wins

EUREKA — Eureka stormed back after dropping the first set to best St. Ignatius 23-25, 25-21, 25-10, 25-20 on Thursday in the nonconference Class B volleyball opener for the Lions.

AA football: Kindred quarterbacks lead Flathead revival

When Flathead coach Kyle Samson talks about his junior quarterback, you could swear he was talking about someone else.

AA football: Glacier hopes to limit mistakes, bounce back

Missing timing plays, lining up in the wrong alignments and blown coverages all added up against Glacier in its first home loss since 2012 last weekend against Helena High.

Boys soccer: Wild crosstown match ends in draw

It was loud, it was wet and it was physical.

Girls soccer: Bravettes edge Wolfpack, 2-1

Flathead’s game-winning goal in its 2-1 girls soccer crosstown win over Glacier felt inevitable during a blustery first half that saw the Bravettes get quite a few one-on-one looks at a shot on goal.

LETTER: Thanks to court for statue ruling

Hooray for the 9th Circuit panel’s decision to retain the Big Mountain Jesus. On Monday, it upheld Judge Christensen’s dismissal of the “Freedom From Religion” lawsuit demanding the statue be removed.

Treehouse retreat OK'd near Whitefish

A treehouse retreat planned near Whitefish drew some neighborhood opposition but won approval Tuesday from the Flathead County Board of Adjustment.

Crown of the Continent musicians shine

Power of music

The sixth annual Crown of the Continent Guitar Workshop and Festival descended on the Flathead Lake Lodge in Bigfork this week.

Back to school with the governor

Columbia Falls visit focuses on career training

Thursday was an atypical first day of class for Columbia Falls High School when Gov. Steve Bullock stopped by on his Back to School Tour.

OPINION: Congressman: A wilderness bill will not put out wildfires

Right now, there are more than 25 active wildfires in Montana, burning over a hundred thousand acres of our cherished national parks, forests and grasslands. Just last week Essex was evacuated as the Sheep fire raged. This is in part because of the dry and hot weather we’ve had, but even more so due to decades of poor management of our federal forests.

Man causes commotion at school

Tribes celebrate dam change with community event

The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes invite the community to a event Saturday to commemorate the tribal acquisition of Kerr Dam near Polson.

LETTER: Join Freedom March on 9/11

I am writing in regards to the up and coming 9/11 (Patriots Day) Freedom March. It’s at 1:30 p.m on Friday, Sept. 11. We all gather at the American Legion Post 137 at the corner of Fourth Avenue East North and Washington Street and walk to Depot Park at the memorial.

Fires cool down

Crews leaving, areas reopening

Cool, rainy conditions in the Fortine area were favorable enough on the Marston Fire that the fire management team and Flathead and Kootenai national forests have lifted most of the land closures in the Whitefish Range.

LETTER: Tell Sen. Tester to dump Iran deal

Under President Obama, two of the biggest disasters ever perpetuated  on the American public are Obamacare and the Iran nuclear deal.

EDITORIAL: Essex spared; fires slowed; enjoy!

It’s difficult to know yet how much the summer fire season affected the local economy, but there’s no doubt many businesses were impacted by the heavy smoke that kept people indoors for days on end over the past several weeks.

Whitefish, Libby split in soccer play

WHITEFISH — Kess Nelson had seven goalie saves, Haley Nicholson scored two goals and Kellie Brown added another as Whitefish opened Northern A soccer play with a 3-0 victory on Thursday afternoon at Smith Fields.

Golf: Avery opens with 76 at Butte

BUTTE — Teigan Avery is off to a strong start at the Butte Invitational golf tournament.

William D. 'Billy' Roberts, 47

William D. “Billy” Roberts, 47, passed away Aug. 31, 2015, in Kalispell.

Daybook

Execution drug trial ends with witness dispute

HELENA — A trial to determine the legality of an execution drug concluded Thursday after attorneys for Montana’s two death-row inmates disputed the credibility of the state’s key medical witness.

Allan James Molzhon, 83

Allan James Molzhon, 83, passed away on Monday, Aug. 31, 2015, at the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls.

Governor Visits Columbia Falls High School

Governor Steve Bullock visits Columbia Falls High School on Thursday September 3, as part of the third annual Back to School Tour. At right is President of Flathead Valley Community College Jane Karas who discussed the number of college credits high school students are now capable of earning before graduating high school. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Monday Profile: Cliff Kipp

Cliff Kipp with his son on Thursday, Sept. 3, in Kalispell.

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Tom Brady

A judge ruled in favor of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady in the "Deflategate" scandal, throwing out his four-game suspension. Here Brady is seen leaving federal court Monday, Aug. 31, 2015 in New York. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

This Week in the Flathead | Sept. 3-9

Welcoming Peter Nero

Hailed as one of the premier interpreters of Gershwin, pianist Peter Nero will be performing an all-Gershwin program at the Whitefish Performing Arts Center on Saturday, Sept. 12, at 8 p.m.

TERRY COLUMN: Braves focused on future

First impressions are the most lasting.

BOYS SOCCER: Flathead, Glacier growing into rivalry

By Andy Viano

GIRLS SOCCER: Wolfpack, Bravettes ready for early tussle

By Andy Viano

GOLF: Schulz, McDaniel top Columbia Falls Invitational

RONAN — Whitefish senior Coral Schulz shot a 5-over-par 77 to run away with medalist honors as her Bulldogs team outpaced the field at the Columbia Falls Invitational golf tournament at Mission Mountain Golf Club on Wednesday.

Area bow hunters will have to maneuver around fire closures

As massive wildfires continue to burn throughout Northwest Montana, hunters getting a jump on the upcoming bow season may have to alter their plans due to fire-related closures.

Story of son's possible demise varies

COLUMN: Best time of year at hand for kokanee

In his excellent book, “Kokanee — A Complete Fishing Guide,” author Dave Biser recalls his first experience with catching a kokanee.

Border collie to be trained to push goats away from parking lot

Glacier National Park is looking to use a trained border collie next summer to shoo mountain goats and bighorn sheep out of the Logan Pass parking lot and other congested parking areas near the pass.

Firm plans $52 million in projects

Immanuel Lutheran

Immanuel Lutheran Communities is planning $52 million in expansion projects in Kalispell.

Glacier Park fire traced to lightning

Fire investigators have determined that lightning caused the 18,845-acre Thompson Fire in the Nyack drainage in the south-central area of Glacier National Park.

Conservative activist James O'Keefe will speak in Bigfork

James O’Keefe, the conservative activist best known for running video stings against liberal causes, will speak in Bigfork on Thursday, Sept. 10.  

Commissioners approve industrial zone change

The Flathead County commissioners on Tuesday gave final approval to a master plan amendment and zone change from residential to industrial for 2.1 acres along Whitefish Stage Road.

Peter Nero

Pianist Peter Nero will perform at the Whitefish Performing Arts Center on Sept. 12.

Crowds pouring into national parks

Visitors heading to the Grand Canyon lately know they are going to get two things when they arrive: breathtaking views and long waits, whether it is to get into the national park itself or to find a parking spot inside. A few frustrated tourists have even turned around and left.

Glacier boys soccer

Glacier girls soccer

Montana Life: To Honor the Four Memorial

Jeremy Mahugh, a former Navy SEAL and director of special projects for Deliver Fund. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

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With nobody using the waterslides at the moment, Big Sky Waterpark lifeguards Cody Maynard and Maija Ames talk to each other on Wednesday. This Monday will be the last day the waterpark is open for season. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Gwen Oldham, visiting from California, is splashed with water as she rides down the Shredder Extreme at Big Sky Water Park on Wednesday. The waterpark will be open through Monday.

Crown of the Continent Guitar Festival

Jared Meeker demonstrates a "rolling" technique to improve speed when playing the pentatonic scales during his Personalize Rock and Blues class at the Crown of the Continent Guitar Festival on Tuesday, September 1, in Bigfork. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Crown of the Continent Guitar Workshop

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Glacier goalie Amy Braig is crashed into as she makes a save on a corner kick against Missoula Sentinel on Tuesday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Colton Becker, 6, is celebrates with Ben Wright after Becker scored in the opening minutes against Missoula Sentinel at Glacier on Tuesday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Glacier vs. Missoula Sentinel

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While Carmel Johnston hasn't yet donned a space exploration suit during the Hawaii Space Exploration Analog and Simulation (HI-SEAS), she is pictured in this photo taken last year in Utah during a ------. (Photo courtesy of Carmel Johnston)

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Whitefish soil scientist Carmel Johnston, 26, is the crew commander for the fourth mission of The Hawaii Space Exploration Analog and Simulation (HI-SEAS). Pictured is the crew en route to their "habitat," a solar-powered geodesic dome located on the slopes of the Mauna Loa, a volcano in Hawaii (from left to right) Johnston, Chief Scientific Officer and Crew Physicist Christiane Heinicke; Chief Engineering Officer Andrzej Stewart; Health Science and Habitat Journalist Sheyna Gifford; Crew Biologist Cyprien Verseux and Crew Architect Tristan Bassingthwaighte. (Photo courtesy of Pete Roma)

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Evening meal

A buck pauses from grazing in a field along KM Ranch Road on Monday evening, August 31. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Boys Soccer: Wolfpack outlasts Spartans

With nearly all of a four-goal lead frittered away, Glacier goalkeeper Ryker McIntyre stared down a streaking Missoula Sentinel forward barreling in with the equalizer on his foot.

Girls Soccer: Sentinel blanks Glacier 4-0

Missoula Sentinel scored three times in the first 28 minutes and cruised to a 4-0 win Tuesday night at Glacier in the season opener for both teams.

Man charged for massive Aug. 5 fire

Flathead Valley endures driest summer ever

1.09”

After three months of intensely hot, dry weather, summer 2015 has gone down as the driest in the Flathead Valley’s history.

BeeHive Homes design includes fire sprinklers

The new Kalispell BeeHive Homes memory care and assisted living facility will  include fire sprinkler systems, according to Kalispell City Plans Examiner Rick Parker.

County repeals Whitefish plan

The Flathead County commissioners voted Tuesday to repeal a 1996 Whitefish City County Master Plan for the “doughnut” area around Whitefish.

Hurt hikers plucked from Glacier cliff

Two missing hikers were rescued Tuesday in Glacier National Park after they were injured on a hike Sunday.

Fires at a glance

Major fires burning across Northwest Montana:

Izaak Walton Inn 'back in the saddle'

The historic Izaak Walton Inn opened for business again Monday afternoon after a fire evacuation order for the Essex area was lifted earlier that morning.

Lakeside on track for green-box work green-box site

New Bigfork site to open next month

The Flathead County Solid Waste District is moving forward with an expansion of the Lakeside green-box garbage collection site and a special fee district to pay for it.

Child held out of vehicle window?

The

Columbia Heights billboard park vandalized again

Vandals caused thousands of dollars in damage at the Ten Commandments Park in Columbia Heights on Sunday night.

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Glacier goalie Amy Braig is crashed into as she makes a save on a corner kick against Missoula Sentinel on Tuesday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Colton Becker, 6, is celebrates with Ben Wright after Becker scored in the opening minutes against Missoula Sentinel at Glacier on Tuesday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

Daybook

Theodore 'Ted' Holmquist, 66

E. Marceen Peterman, 89

E. Marceen Peterman “knocked on the Pearly Gates,” Aug. 27, 2015. “Heaven received an angel and a prayer warrior that day.”

Channing 'Sully' Sullivan, 80

Sharron Frach Hawk, 71

Sharron Frach Hawk, 71, of Kalispell, passed away Aug. 21, 2015, in Kalispell.

Fire causes minimal damage to local motel

A Monday evening electrical fire left one room of Super 8 Kalispell minimally damaged, but did little to hamper overall operations, fire officials and hotel management said.

Injured hikers plucked from Glacier Park cliff

Two missing hikers were rescued Tuesday in Glacier National Park after they were injured on a hike Sunday.

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A fire started inside of Brandan Cames' workshop barn Tuesday morning, destroying the entire structure and several items inside, including an H1-Hummer, snowmobiles, a Harley Davidson motorcycle and several acetylene tanks that fanned the blaze. (Seaborn Larson/The Daily Inter Lake)

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The wooden two-story barn burned down in an hour as fire crews from around the western Flathead Lake area rushed to refill their tanks from sites in Elmo and Dayton. (Seaborn Larson/The Daily Inter Lake)

Goolge New Logo

This image provided by Google show's the company's new logo. Google is refining its famous logo as it prepares to become a part of a new holding company called Alphabet. The revised design unveiled Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2015 features the same mix of blue, red, yellow and green that Google has been using throughout its nearly 17-year history, though the hues are slightly different. (Google via AP)

Three Dead-Idaho-Sentencing

Adam Dees confers with defense attorney Tony Geddes at his sentencing, Friday, Aug. 28, 2015 in Boise, Idaho. Dees, a 22-year-old man will spend the rest of his life prison for killing a former Arizona power company executive, his wife and their adult son at a Boise home. (Katherine Jones/Idaho Statesman via AP) LOCAL TELEVISION OUT (KTVB 7); MANDATORY CREDIT

Hungary Migrants

Migrants demonstrate at the Keleti Railway Station in Budapest, Hungary, Tuesday, Sept.1, 2015, after the police stopped them from getting on a train to Germany and evacuated the station. (Tamas Kovacs/MTI via AP)

Barn fire

Fire near Proctor destroys barn, vehicles

A barn workshop on Bower Lane near Proctor caught fire Tuesday morning and flames quickly destroyed the two-story wooden structure and its contents.

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Bigfork running back Matthew Farrier speeds down the sideline for a 36-yard gain during the third quarter on Monday in Bigfork. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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The Bigfork Viking defenders drag Florence's Bridger Dragoo down to the ground during the third quarter of the Vikings' 18-13 loss to the Falcons in Bigfork on Monday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Class B football: Florence trips Bigfork

BIGFORK — Two fourth-quarter touchdown receptions by senior wide receiver Bo Zeiler rallied Florence to an 18-13 Class B nonconference football victory over Bigfork on Monday.

Bigfork 13, Florence 18

Images from the Bigfork Vikings' 18-13 loss to the Florence Falcons in Bigfork on Monday, Aug. 31, 2014 (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

Crown of the Continent Guitar Festival

Jon Herington, lead guitarist of Steely Dan, performs at the Crown of the Continent Guitar Festival on Monday, August 31, in Bigfork. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)