Ellington

Glacier's Abi Fiske

Glacier's Abi Fiske takes off in the triple jump at the ARM Invitational Saturday in Whitefish. (Matt Baldwin/Whitefish Pilot)

Whitefish's Luke May

Whitefish's Luke May grimaces as he prepares to throw the javelin at the ARM Invitational Saturday in Whitefish. (Matt Baldwin/Whitefish Pilot)

TRACK: Three records fall at ARM Invitational

WHITEFISH — The first of a few large track meets in the next few weeks, a trio records fell on Saturday at the Whitefish ARM Invitational as near ideal conditions graced Whitefish High School.

SOFTBALL ROUNDUP: Glacier's Williams stifles Helena schools; Flathead swept

Wolfpack move to 8-2 in conference play with narrow wins

Ali Williams allowed only a solo home run in two complete games and the Glacier Wolfpack secured a pair of key Western AA conference wins Saturday afternoon at Kidsports Complex, defeating Helena High 2-0 and Helena Capital 2-1.

TENNIS ROUNDUP: Rain rules Missoula invite; Libby sweeps Ronan

MISSOULA — Rain washed out much of the action for Flathead, Glacier and the other schools at the Missoula Invitational tennis tournament on Saturday at Fort Missoula.

RUGBY: Black and Blue clean up against Mud Dogs

By JOSEPH TERRY

TRACK: Flathead's Krantz leaps to victory at Skor-Dekam

HELENA — Flathead senior Keaton Krantz cleared 20 feet, 6 1/2 inches to win the long jump at the Skor-Dekam Invitational at Vigilante Stadium on Saturday.

COLUMN: Bureaucracy, anarchy and the lost Constitution

Anarchy and bureaucracy are virtual opposites, but they are also in a very real sense best friends that feed off each other in unexpected ways.

Rolland 'Ron,' 'Rolly' Haskell, 87

Bobbie Krogstad, 60

Janessa Jaimes Wagar, 23

Fly shop moving to Main Street in Kalispell

Jim Braun, from left Kasee Braun, Tim Braun and Lex Braun, front, stand outside of the Mystique Fly Shop on Main Street in Kalispell on Thursday. The Brauns plan to open the family-owned fly shop in May. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

Park visitors spent $199 million last year

Glacier visitor spending supports 3,474 local jobs

Whitefish woman visits all 411 sites

Glacier softball

Glacier coach Andy Fors gives Alivia Atlee a high-five after the third baseman hit a two-run home run during the bottom of the sixth of the Wolfpack's 2-0 victory over Helena Bengals at Kidsports on Saturday, April 30, 2016. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

Teens convicted, sentenced for C.F. school vandalism

One teenager was convicted Wednesday and another was sentenced Thursday for their roles in a vandalism incident where walls were spray-painted and windows were shot out at Columbia Falls High School.

Attorney offices studied for jail expansion

Flathead County has hired a Denver firm with expertise in jail architecture to explore the feasibility of converting the current County Attorney’s Office space into an overflow addition for the county jail.

LAW ROUNDUP: Resident claims knocker unhinged

Majestic Valley zone change OK'd

The Flathead County commissioners on Wednesday gave a green light to future commercial development south of Majestic Valley Arena.

Bigfork couple scrap effort to hold weddings

The owners of a rural Bigfork ranch have halted their pursuit to hold weddings on their property after the Bigfork Land Use Advisory Committee on Thursday weighed in on a three-year-long neighborhood conflict.

More than just keepers of books

The Glacier High School Library is more than a one-stop shop for finding information from different sources.

Holocaust survivor to speak at local high schools

Holocaust survivor Peter Metzelaar of Seattle will be in Kalispell early next month to share his story of survival with high school students and the public.

Victorious and smiling at the Special Olympics

Jesse Brown of the Kalispell Krushers celebrates after crossing the finish line of the 50-meter dash during the Special Olympics Montana Glacier Area Games at Legends Stadium in Kalispell on Friday. More than 200 athletes competed in the games, which included track and field events, golf, tennis and softball throw, bocce, power lifting, cycling, aquatics and bowling.

David Lee Danner, 73

David Lee Danner, 73, passed away unexpectedly at his home in Ronan on Feb. 27, 2016.

James Leon Tuten, 71

Memorial services for James Leon Tuten, 71, of Cairo, Georgia, will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, May 7, at Pine Park Baptist Church, Cairo. The Rev. Gordon Cloud and the Rev. Jimmy Burt will officiate. Services will conclude at the church. Private interment will be in Pine Park Baptist Church Cemetery. Mr. Tuten passed away at his home in Grady County on Thursday, April 28, 2016.

Softball: Offensive woes sink Libby in losses to Ronan, Frenchtown

FRENCHTOWN — Ronan jumped out to a quick 7-1 lead after three innings to down Libby 13-3 on Friday at the Frenchtown Invitational softball tournament.

Potkonjak shoots 69 to win Libby Invitational

LIBBY — Joseph Potkonjak shot a 3-under 69 to claim medalist honors at the Libby Invitational golf tournament on Friday at Cabinet View Golf Course.

Sentinel girls nip Columbia Falls in tennis

MISSOULA — Emily Getts, Molly Schmit and Harley Molchan were all winners at Nos. 1-2-3 singles, respectively, for Class A Columbia Falls in a girls tennis dual with Class AA Missoula Sentinel on Friday, but the Spartans squeezed out the win 4-3 by sweeping doubles play and winning at No. 4 singles.

LAW ROUNDUP: Plunderers make off with gun, money

A man reported to the

David Lee Danner, 73

Sun Road open to Avalanche for motorists

Glacier National Park’s Going-to-the-Sun Road is now open to vehicles as far as Avalanche Campground on the road’s west side.

Tremors at Silverwood theme park!

2016 Arbor Day

Steve Varro, an engineering tech and geographical information specialist with Kalispell Public Works shows third graders in Brooke Sampson’s class a level rod used to determine differential elevations at the City of Kalispell Arbor Day Celebration in Lawrence Park. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Red bus ride

Students load onto a red bus as they prepare of head into Glacier National Park on Friday morning, April 29, at Lakeside Elementary.

School calendar, April 30

• Bigfork community members, businesses, current or future high school students, alumni, family members, teachers and faculty are invited to purchase an engraved brick from the Bigfork High School senior class. The customized bricks will be incorporated into the high school renovation. Today is the deadline to purchase bricks. Bricks are $50 each and will include two lines with 22 characters per line counting spaces and punctuation. Proceeds will fund the senior class party. For more information call Amy Campbell at 250-2421 or email BigforkSeniors@yahoo.com.

Holocaust survivor to speak at local high schools

More than just keepers of books

Glacier High School Librarian Lisa Lykins helps junior Cecilia Williams look up books for her research project at the library on Friday. Glacier High School Library was recently recognized by the Montana Library Association for integrating the school library program with the school's curricular goals. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Jim Braun, from left Kasee Braun, Tim Braun and Lex Braun, front, stand outside of the Mystique Fly Shop on Main Street in Kalispell on Thursday. The Brauns plan to open the family-owned fly shop in May. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Ronnie Anderson is kissed by his aunt Lynette Erickson after finishing a race at the Special Olympics Montana Glacier Area Games on Friday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

Victorious and smiling at the Special Olympics

West Valley Warrior Brady Streitmatter hugs his coach Molly Roe after finishing the 50-meter race during the Special Olympics Montana Glacier Area Games. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

LETTER: Homelessness in D.C. needs to be U.S. priority, not refugees

Having recently returned from a trip to Washington, D.C., I can certainly say that the old axiom “Charity begins at home” should really have meaning to anyone serving in the Congress of the United States and the president himself.

LETTER: Banishment is a two-way street

Once again, another egregious offender is banished to this place. The new policy of the Blackfoot Reservation has sent us yet another of their unwanted citizens. Under their new policy, the Blackfoot Council in Browning has decided to throw away its drug dealers by banishing them from the Rez. So we get them.

LETTER: Assimilation not likely to happen

Here is your laugh of the day! Muslims to assimilate into the U.S. society without incident! Really? Assimilation has worked so well in the past. I am sure the Aztecs with the Spanish, Native Americans with Europeans, Montanans with the Californians? What Californians? Yes the very people that came, built fancy homes, raised property prices, gated their communities to keep out the very people they came here to live with! Get the picture?

LETTER: Zinke's approach not right for Columbia Falls

We are writing in response to Rep. Zinke’s latest letter on the cleanup of the CFAC site outside of Columbia Falls. Rep. Zinke continues to push the idea of state control despite the fact that Glencore stopped talking to the state over a year ago. At that point the EPA stepped in, and since then Glencore has actually started to take some steps toward a cleanup.

LETTER: Thoughts about annexation

Pursuit of annexation of surrounded properties or property that can only be accessed by going through the city (any city) is reasonable. The benefits of city infrastructure extend beyond sewer and water and are often enjoyed by these property owners.

OPINION: Honor ranchers for stewardship of environment

Montana ranchers depend on the health of their land and its resources to make a living and support their families. That means that to most of us, working to protect and improve the environment just makes sense.

EDITORIAL: Veterans Choice gets a checkup

The much-ballyhooed program called Veterans Choice is giving veterans headaches rather than choices, so it’s justified to see Congress moving to fix the program.

Glacier plows reach Big Bend

After a streak of warm weather caused avalanches to halt snowplows on Glacier National Park’s Going-to-the-Sun Road, crews were able to clear snow from Haystack Creek to Big Bend this week.

National group honors school French program

Glacier High School was recently recognized as an Exemplary French Program by the American Association of Teachers of French.

Man admits attacking mom with bear spray

A Marion man admitted on Wednesday that he attacked his mother with bear spray on March 4.

Bigfork center gets new start

The Bigfork cultural center is moving back to its roots in art after being known as a museum for decades.

Repairs proposed for Veterans Choice Program

A bipartisan bill unveiled Thursday in Congress aims to fix a troubled attempt to streamline access to health care for military veterans.

Public dock proposed on Wild Horse Island

Montana State Parks is asking for comments on what would be the first and only public dock on Flathead Lake’s Wild Horse Island.

Man admits shooting at other Bigfork hunters

A Columbia Falls man was given a one-year deferred jail sentence on Wednesday for shooting toward other duck hunters on opening day last year.

Sun Road plows

Glacier National Park plow crews work April 19, 2016 at Grouse Point on the west side of Going-to-the-Sun Road.

TRACK: Glacier dials back at host meet

Glacier quad a light day during heavy work week

With three track meets in five days for Glacier’s athletes, Thursday’s quadrangular with Bigfork, Eureka and Ronan at Glacier High School was a relaxed affair.

VIANO COLUMN: A city boy in the wilderness

I’m as city as it comes, if I’m going to be honest about it.

SOFTBALL ROUNDUP: Big Sky edges Glacier in marquee diamond rematch

Late single leads Eagles to 1-0 win

MISSOULA — Big Sky senior Macey Newbary picked up just the third hit of the day for her team, hitting in teammate Natalie Schwab in the bottom of the sixth inning to edge Glacier 1-0 in a Western AA softball game on Thursday.

TENNIS ROUNDUP: Libby boys romp against Glacier JV; Bigfork splits with St. Ignatius

LIBBY — The Libby boys cruised to a 6-0 dual tennis win over the Glacier JV on Thursday afternoon while the two schools battled to a 3-3 tie in girls play.

Conrad Burns

Conrad Burns died Thursday at his home in Billings at the age of 81. (AP photo)

RUNNING: Bigfork's Hughes wins excellence award

Flathead grad an All-American athlete at CSU-Pueblo

PUEBLO, Colo. (April 26, 2016) – Colorado State University-Pueblo cross country and track standout Bailey Hughes, a junior from Bigfork, was the recipient of the 2016 Threlkeld Prize for Excellence at CSU-Pueblo, Wednesday, which is presented to a graduating senior who demonstrates excellence in academic and co-curricular activities as well as in service to the university and to the community.

Former Sen. Burns dies at age 81

HELENA (AP) — Former Montana Sen. Conrad Burns, a former cattle auctioneer whose folksy demeanor and political acumen earned him three terms and the bitter disdain of his opponents, died Thursday. He was 81.

LAW ROUNDUP: Rollover near Lakeside prompts air rescue

Bigfork center gets new start

New Director of the Bigfork Art and Cultural Center Valerie Vadala on Wednesday, April 20.  (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Glacier's Aaron Robinson

Glacier senior Aaron Robinson clears the final hurdle during his victory in the 110-meter hurdles at the Glacier track meet on Thursday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

Glacier's Taylor Salonen

Glacier senior Taylor Salonen sprints to the finish line during the final leg of the 4x100-meter relay during the Glacier track meet on Thursday. The Wolfpack finished second in the race. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

Eureka's Owen Davis

Eureka's Owen Davis chucks the shot put during the Glacier track meet on Thursday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

A beer made just for Glacier National Park

David Brendgard brewing the new Lone Walker Ale on Thursday, April 28, at Flathead Lake Brewing Company in Bigfork. The beer will be available this summer at the Flathead Lake Brewing Company and on as a draft beer at the lodges in Glacier National Park. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Bears at a trap

Grizzly trapping starts next week in Glacier Park

Glacier National Park is asking visitors to avoid areas where wildlife officials have installed bait stations and traps for an ongoing grizzly bear population monitoring project.

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Flathead High School Construction Class students Sam Marty, from left, Boyd Hicks and Nathon Soehl shovel away the excess asphalt from paving drive way from the student-built house on Thursday. The three-bedroom, three-bath house in west Kalispell is the first house the class has built. There will be an open house May 10 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Flathead High School Construction Class students Justyn Gannon, front, and Zephrey Holloway dig holes for the sprinkler system at the student-built house in west Kalispell on Thursday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

LETTER: Work now to prevent oil-train derailments

The oil trains snaking over Marias Pass and following the Middle Fork down into the Flathead Valley are a disaster waiting to happen. If there’s a spill, we’ll end up with toxic, volatile Bakken crude gushing down the Middle Fork and befouling the Flathead River and Flathead Lake. The entire hydrological system downstream of the spill — the surface water and groundwater that we all depend upon — would be contaminated.

LETTER: The left finds a new way to launder money

The Obama administration has announced that the likeness of former president and 1812 war hero (who allowed the United States to continue as a nation) Andrew Jackson is being removed from the $20 bill.

LETTER: Pam Holmquist is 'a keeper'

Commissioner Pam Holmquist is A KEEPER! Not all incumbent election-seekers are. Please join me in supporting her for Flathead County commissioner in the upcoming primary election.

LETTER: Governor, please take a bus!

In response to Gov. Bullock’s spokeswoman’s statement regarding his use of state-owned aircraft for political purposes, where Ms. Ronja Abel states he has used the aircraft “less on average” than any previous governor, is it a defense to state that “I’m not as big a crook as the last guy?” Take the bus next time. —Dan Cromer, Kalispell

LETTER: Linden for SD5 school board

As many of your readers are aware, the District 5 School Board elections are going on now and ballots are due May 3.

LETTER: How Ted Cruz sealed his doom

John Kasich and Ted Cruz stumbled.

EDITORIAL: Lawrence Park just got better

Lawrence Park is a treasure in so many regards that people probably get tired of us recommending it to our readers and thanking the city and the many volunteers who have made it the gem it is.

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TWIF 042816

Young murderer up for parole again

A man who shot and killed his father in Ferndale on May 20, 1998, is expected to go before the Montana Board of Pardons and Parole today or Friday.

Mack Days still on record pace

Even with the lowest weekend total so far, the Spring Mack Days fishing tournament on Flathead Lake is still on pace to set an all-time record for the number of lake trout caught.

Youths learn wilderness skills

Last Saturday, 15 young equestrians showed off their newfound backcountry packing skills, practicing the timeless techniques required to guide stock animals deep into the wilderness.

Warriors warm up for West Valley

It’s time to cheer on the Flathead Valley’s newest Special Olympics team from West Valley at the spring area games Friday in Kalispell and Whitefish.

Rail park to undergo environmental study

Work on the Glacier Rail Park will be delayed by an environmental assessment, the Flathead County Economic Development Authority announced Wednesday.

Five candidates running for three trustee seats

Kalispell Public Schools has two contested trustee races in the elementary district.

Three vie for two fire district seats

Three candidates are running for two spots open on the Evergreen Fire District Board.

Garfield Nicholas Servo, 82

Garfield Servo passed away at home in his sleep on April 24, 2016, after a brief battle with cancer and heart failure. Much thanks to his daughter Karen for caring for him during his last 11 months so he could stay home.

Glacier Symphony and Chorale welcomes cellist Robert deMaine

Celebrating cello

The Glacier Symphony and Chorale will welcome cellist Robert deMaine to the Flathead Valley this weekend. DeMaine, currently the principal cellist of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, will be the featured artist at the season finale concerts “American Cello Master, Ravel and Borodin.”

COLUMN: Fishing picks up with change in weather

Wow, did that weather last week kick the fishing into gear across the valley!

Robert S. 'Bob' Warren, 71

Robert S. “Bob” Warren “went home to be with his Savior” on April 16, 2016, his 71st birthday.

Norman C. Hill, 77

Norman C. Hill, 77, died Monday, April 25, 2016, in Kalispell, surrounded by his loving family.

This Week in the Flathead | April 28 - May 4

TERRY COLUMN: Why the rush for throwers?

When the first round of the NFL draft kicks off Thursday, there’s an almost certainty that quarterbacks will be taken with the top two picks.

WEDNESDAY BRIEFS: Pair of locals make college commitments; MSGA season begins Friday

LAW ROUNDUP: Deputies unable to locate naked man

Garfield Nicholas Servo, 82

Robert S. 'Bob' Warren, 71

Young murderer up for parole again

Nate Chute/Daily Inter Lake Terry Olson sits in court on Thursday.

Youths learn wilderness skills

Anna Tretter rides her pony Tilly while leading Buck around the arena during the Northwest Montana Backcountry Horsemen 4-H packing clinic at the Flathead County Fairgrounds Saturday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

Robert deMaine

Robert deMaine will join the Glacier Symphony and Chorale this weekend for two concert performances.

Warriors warm up for West Valley

Dominick Meyer of the newly-formed West Valley Warrior Special Olympics team sprints down his lane as his coach Molly Roe and teammate Brady Streitmatter watch during practice at the school on Tuesday. Meyer and Streitmatter will be competing in Special Olympics Montana Glacier Area Games this Friday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

Rollover near Olney

First responders from the Olney Volunteer Fire Department and the Montana Highway Patrol respond to the scene of a one vehicle rollover accident on U.S. 93 north of Olney on Wednesday afternoon, April 27. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Pedestrian Tunnel

A roller goes down a pedestrian tunnel near Glacier High School during a paving project for the U.S. 93 Bypass on Wednesday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Dominick Meyer of the newly-formed West Valley Warrior Special Olympic 's team sprints down his lane as his coach Molly Roe and teammate Brady Streitmatter watch during practice at the school on Tuesday. Meyer and Streitmatter will be competing in Special Olympics Montana Glacier Area Games this Friday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Brady Streitmatter celebrates after throwing a tennis ball as his coach Molly Roe cheers him on during the West Valley Warriors Special Olympic team's practice on Tuesday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

Violent robber now facing new charge

A repeat offender is back behind bars four days after the U.S. Marshals Service issued an alert asking for help locating him for violating federal probation for a 2011 armed robbery in Happy Valley.

LOCAL ROUNDUP: Gather your team for Scrabble event

Wordsmiths around the Flathead Valley are invited to play Scrabble for Literacy Volunteers of Flathead County on Saturday, April 30, in the Arts and Technology Building at Flathead Valley Community College.

Glacier Bancorp plans to buy Missoula bank

Glacier Bancorp is acquiring Treasure State Bank, a community bank in Missoula.

Hungry Horse woman denies federal meth-dealing charges

A Hungry Horse felon with a history of drug use has denied dealing methamphetamine after being charged in federal district court with four felonies.

City proposes rules to allow short-term rentals

Short-term residential rentals may be appearing in Kalispell, but they are operating illegally for now, city officials said Monday.

Study tracks visitor spending patterns

High- and low-spending travelers vacationing in Montana are coming for the same activities but arrive here by different means and stay in different places, according to a report released Monday.

More trail work ahead in burned forest areas

There’s less than a month left before the remote Spotted Bear Ranger Station opens for business in the heart of the Flathead National Forest, but many trails still need significant repair after last year’s fire season.

Bypass tunnel to be paved today

Crews on the Kalispell U.S. 93 bypass project will pave the pedestrian tunnel today near Glacier High School.

Sharon Godfrey Hufstetler, 77

On April 22, 2016, we said goodbye to our beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, wife and friend, Sharon Godfrey Hufstetler. She passed peacefully in her own home under the constant and loving care of her husband Glen.

Lauren Kay Donohue, 24

Lauren Kay Donohue, 24, passed away at her home on April 22, 2016, from complications of Addison’s disease. Lauren was a beloved daughter, granddaughter, sister, niece and friend.

Matthew Allen Hobus, 36

On April 21, 2016, Matthew Allen Hobus, 36, “was called home to be with the Lord.”

Margaret June (Turley) Maskill, 88

Margaret June (Turley) Maskill, 88, of Rochester, Michigan, passed away on April 18, 2016.

SOFTBALL: Flathead rallies for third straight win

Bravettes score six unanswered, tame Wildkats

COLUMBIA FALLS — Flathead coach Tasia Gates bounced out of the dugout and gave two muffled pumps of her right fist when the final out nestled in Kylee Meredith’s glove. The rest of the Bravettes just smiled.

TENNIS: Flathead, Whitefish split dual at FVCC; Polson sweeps Columbia Falls

Whitefish and Flathead worked to a split in a nonconference tennis dual on an overcast Tuesday at the Flathead Valley Community College tennis courts.

SOFTBALL ROUNDUP: Glacier blasts Broncs in battle of state champs

FRENCHTOWN — Glacier put Frenchtown away late in a battle of defending state champions on Tuesday, routing the Broncs 10-1.

TRACK & FIELD: Glacier's Annie Hill blazes to two Top 10 meet records

MISSOULA — Glacier’s Annie Hill set a pair of meet records as the top runners in the western half of the state gathered for the Russ Pilcher Top 10 meet on Tuesday.

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Flathead vs. Columbia Falls

Flathead second baseman Abbie O'Brien touches the bag before Columbia Falls' Kerry Lanners can slide in for the third out in the sixth inning of the Bravettes' 7-4 win on Tuesday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

Flathead sophomore Kaileigh Denna

Flathead sophomore Kaileigh Denna slides into third as Columbia Falls third baseman Katie Price waits for the ball during the seventh inning in Columbia Falls on Tuesday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

LAW ROUNDUP: Successful gobbler hunt causes concern

Lauren Kay Donohue, 24

Matthew Allen Hobus, 36

Sharon Godfrey Hufstetler, 77

Kalispell Deer

Deer forage for lunch on Monday afternoon, April 25, in a yard in Kalispell. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Big Brothers Big Sisters annual fundraiser

Rylan, 10, hops on the back of his “big brother” Leif Castren of Kalispell at Lawrence Park on Thursday, April 21, in Kalispell. Rylan has been in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program since 2014. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Big Brothers

Monday Profile: Tracy Johnson

Tracy Johnson, the new executive director of the Hockaday Museum of Art in Kalispell, will begin her tenure on Tuesday, May 3.

Tuition raise at Flathead Valley Community College

A student walks into Ross Hall, the Science and Technology building on Tuesday morning, April 26, at Flathead Valley Community College in Kalispell. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Flathead Valley Community College

Restocking Dry Bridge Pond

Clay Anderson and Mark Anderson and Mark Deleray of Fish, Wildlife and Parks help unload the larger fish from the Jocko River Trout Hatchery to give out to a line of students from Hedges Elementary on Tuesday, April 26, at Dry Bridge Pond in Kalispell. Students helped restock the pond with 50 fish from Jocko River and 500 smaller fish from the Creston National Fish Hatchery. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

FVCC tuition, fees going up this fall

Tuition, fees to rise $5.30 per credit

Flathead Valley Community College students will experience an increase in their college expenses this fall.

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Cody Carson rides Buck while leading Nacho around the arena during the Northwest Montana Backcountry Horsemen 4-H packing clinic at the Flathead County Fairgrounds Saturday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Parker Cameron secures a mantie pack on Snoopy during d the Northwest Montana Backcountry Horsemen 4-H packing clinic at the Flathead County Fairgrounds Saturday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Anna Tretter rides her pony Tilly while leading Buck around the arena during the Northwest Montana Backcountry Horsemen 4-H packing clinic at the Flathead County Fairgrounds Saturday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

High court delays enforcement of medical pot ruling

HELENA (AP) — The Montana Supreme Court said Monday it will delay enforcement of the severe medical marijuana restrictions it has upheld until Aug. 31.

Seniors craft blankets for shelter

Prestige Assisted Living residents made and donated 24 blankets to the Flathead County Animal Shelter as a way to connect with community members outside of their senior community.

Defiant defendant gets four-year term for sex assault

A Flathead County man is headed to Montana State Prison for molesting a young girl, although he has maintained that he is innocent of the crime.

LETTER: More deserve punishment

In the case of Brandon Newberry, his punishment should be exactly what he did to Forrest Groshelle and then some.

LETTER: Regier has earned title of legislative leader

Keith Regier is the best choice for Senate District 3. I have had the honor of serving with Rep. Regier. He is dedicated and capable.

LETTER: How are we to know which Muslims will be good neighbors?

Bill Cox’s letter (April 15 Inter Lake) is still making me crazy.

LETTER: Don't be silenced by Syrian refugee supporters

On a cold, icy March day a team of concerned citizens gathered in front of the Missoula County Courthouse to ask officials to more carefully discuss refugee concerns before allowing further immigration. The rally was followed by similar events throughout the state. Hosted by people of many races and ethnic heritages, the rallies were quiet until an anti-discussion group tried to halt discussion.

Forest to close down Swan Valley roads

The Flathead National Forest has finalized a plan to restore two watersheds in the Swan Valley to improve bull trout habitat.

State board still working on dairy fees

Still without a plan to fund its dairy inspection program, the Montana Board of Livestock will hold a work session Friday in Helena to discuss how to keep the program afloat until a long-term fix can be established during the next legislative session.

River's Edge Park

A view of a small pond within River’s Edge Park on Sunday evening, April 24, in Columbia Falls.

C.F. students sweep state poster contest

Columbia Falls High School students swept the computer-generated division of a state wildfire prevention art contest for kindergarten through 12th grade.

Active Seniors

Margaret Lenoch, 84, works to complete a blanket in time to drop it off at the Flathead County Animal Shelter on April 21. Lenoch and five other Prestige Assisted Living residents made 24 blankets to donate to the shelter.  

Charles Lowell Marvin, 81

Charles Lowell Marvin died peacefully at home with his wife and boys at his side on Saturday, April 23, 2016, at the age of 81.

Glenna Jo Albiston Harris, 73

Glenna Jo Albiston Harris, 73, was born in Soda Springs, Idaho, to George and Fern Albiston on June 11,1942.

Mary Louise De Pue, 93

Former longtime Flathead Valley resident, Mary Louise De Pue, 93, died Sunday, April 17, 2016, in Kalispell, surrounded by loving family.

Unwanted Facebook posts investigated

The

Man sent to prison for child molestation

A Flathead County man is headed to prison after being convicted of sexually assaulting a young girl and admitting a problem handling sexual urges that led him to inappropriately touch at least two other women.

Swan River School gets soccer grant

Swan River School is the recipient of a $10,000 grant from the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s Safe Places to Play program. The school was one of nine organizations nationwide that received grants.

Kalispell starts cost-share tree program

The Kalispell Parks and Recreation’s Urban Forestry Division officially launched a tree planting program on Monday.

Flathead County gets 'C' for pollution increase

For the second year in a row, Flathead County has seen an increase in air pollution, according to a study released by the American Lung Association on Wednesday.

Columbia Falls man earns award

FINDING SUCCESS IN SERVICE

Zach Levitt, 31, of Columbia Falls, is on his way to becoming a high school history teacher.

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Spring Brides 2016 Cover

Activity Guide 2016 Cover

Parks and Rec 2016

FVCC brewing program expanding

The first college brewing program in the state is moving out of a forensics lab at Flathead Valley Community College and into a newly built microbrewery.

Kalispell City Council to discuss zoning amendments

The Kalispell City Council work session tonight, Monday, will examine zoning ordinance amendments brought by the city planning department.

Legion baseball: Lakers AA gain split; Twins B post 2 tourney wins

HAMILTON — The Kalispell Lakers AA split an American Legion baseball doubleheader with the Bitterroot Red Sox A on Sunday.

Missing furniture: Theft or storm casualty?

A Flatwater Drive resident called the

Man accused of tampering with crime victim

A man is facing a felony charge after allegedly trying to get the child victim of a reported sexual assault to recant her statements about the incident ahead of an upcoming trial.

Monday Profile: Zach Levitt

Zach Levitt, a Flathead Valley Community College student, was recently awarded the Montana Campus Compact's Montana Athletes In Service Award.

Brewing program expands

Hilary Robinson and Justin Eaton fill out brewing logs at Flathead Valley Community College.

Flathead judge banishes sex offender

Flathead District Court Judge Robert Allison banished a sex offender from Flathead County on Thursday, after he was convicted of a second felony involving alleged sexual misconduct with children.

Bigfork ranch owners again seek permit for weddings

A Bigfork couple whose commercial wedding facility was shut down three years ago because of a zoning violation is once again seeking a permit to resume holding weddings.

Spring Brides 2016

Ten Lakes travel plan open for comments

The Kootenai National Forest is accepting public comments on its proposed Ten Lakes Travel Management Project, which would guide motorized recreation rules in and around the Ten Lakes Wilderness Study Area.

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LETTER: Regier is constitutional conservative

I hope you folks in the Flathead will vote to keep Keith Regier in the Legislature as he seeks a seat in the Montana Senate.   

OPINION: Republicans who run as Democrats and vice versa

If moderate Republicans have the desire to be elected to public office, they must first win the primary contest. Unfortunately for them, they cannot defeat conservative Republicans in a primary election in Montana. This leaves them no alternative, if they wish to serve in government, but to run as a Democrat and win the Democratic Party primary election, followed by winning the general election on the Democratic ticket.

LETTER: Derek Skees treasures freedom

Montana and our constitutional republic are in great danger because of out of control spending and loss of freedom. Montana must have a balanced budget because it is required via our state Constitution. If there is not enough money to fund the budget at the end of the session, legislators must raise taxes or cut spending.

LETTER: Kaltschmidt touted as 'a unifying force'

Life is full of choices — more so than ever at election time. Sometimes these choices are difficult, especially at the local level when all participants are known and the choice is between two honest, well-meaning people.

LETTER: Don 'K' will be part of solution

I’ve known Don “K” for many years. I’ve watched him grow his business and seen his contributions to our community. Many of our private, public and non-profit groups have received help and donations from Don “K” over the years.  

LETTER: Regier is experienced and effective

Keith Regier is one of my heroes in the Montana Legislature. He serves his constituents and the state of Montana with passion and honor. Through hard work and consistent values he earned his leadership position in the House of Representatives.

LETTER: GOP's delegate selection should follow primary

The Montana Republican Party should reschedule its delegate Selection Committee meeting to after the primary.

LETTER: School board candidate offers more information

I want to thank the Daily Inter Lake for publishing the article on the local school-board elections.

Wait times still lengthy for VA patients

More than a year after the federal Veteran Choice program was rushed into existence to serve veterans facing long waits to see a doctor, Montana vets say their access to health care is even further out of reach.

OPINION: It's not refugee resettlement; it's jihad!

This writer can no longer tolerate the deception being promulgated by the occupant of the White House. It is my firm belief that the occupant of the White House is at the very least a Muslim sympathizer. We also have a feckless Congress and a corrupt judiciary that refuses to investigate the occupant of the White House, resulting in a usurpation of the office of the president by a person who cannot possibly be a natural-born citizen as required by the U.S. Constitution.

LETTER: Don't believe the propaganda about state lands

The onslaught of the far-left propaganda machine relative to the transfer of federal lands to state control has started in earnest! I am specifically referring to the far-left guest opinion by Brian Sybert of the Montana Wilderness Association.

LETTER: Vote to re-elect Holmquist as commissioner

I urge everyone in Flathead County to vote for Pam Holmquist for Flathead County commissioner in the upcoming June primary election.

Aimee Marie Williams, 32

Aimee Marie Williams, 32, passed away Tuesday, April 19, 2016, in Butte.

Richard King, 90

Richard King “was called peacefully to heaven” April 11, 2016, to be with his wife, Martha and his grandchildren, Trista King and Chris Weaver.

Lois Elaine Dye Smith, 89

Lois Elaine Dye Smith, our beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully from renal failure on April 19, 2016, in Payson, Utah. She was 89 years of age.

Reuben Alexander Nelson, 102

Reuben Alexander Nelson passed away on February 6, 2016, with family by his side, at the age of 102. He was born at home on June 19, 1913 in Outlook, Montana, to John and Hazel Madill Nelson.

Charlotte Elaine 'Choc' Trust, 94

On March 24, 2016, our wonderful, loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and very special friend, Charlotte Elaine “Choc” Trust, “went home to our heavenly father.”

Pitting Minnesota against Montana: A match made in heaven?

What does Minnesota have that Montana doesn’t?

EDITORIAL: Whitefish 'doughnut' battle over - or is it?

After eight long years and two rounds of litigation involving the Montana Supreme Court, the battle of the “doughnut” area around Whitefish is finally over.

Robert Eugene 'Bob' LeBlanc, 87

Robert Eugene “Bob” LeBlanc, 87, left this world in Kalispell “to join his wife, Lorraine, in Heaven” on April 15, 2016.

TRACK ROUNDUP: Columbia Falls sweeps Iceberg Invite

Hill, Aragon blaze track in Great Falls

COLUMBIA FALLS — Columbia Falls won both team titles and posted some big numbers on Saturday at its Iceberg Invitational at Columbia Falls Junior High School.

SOFTBALL ROUNDUP: Flathead wins second straight; Libby hammers Drummond

MISSOULA — Flathead finally broke through for win No. 1 Thursday afternoon against Glacier.

Columbia Falls' Tanner Dana

Tanner Dana of Columbia Falls gets out in front in the 100 meter finals at the Columbia Falls invitational Saturday. Dana would win the race. In the background is teammate Stephen Lindsey. (Chris Peterson/Hungry Horse News)

BASEBALL: Kalispell Lakers paddle Belgrade; Twins B team rolls, too

The Kalispell Lakers AA had just three hits in the second game of their American Legion doubleheader with the Belgrade Bandits.

TENNIS ROUNDUP: Columbia Falls splits, Whitefish sweeps

COLUMBIA FALLS — Columbia Falls swept singles play in a girls Class A tennis dual with Stevensville on Saturday and also posted wins at No. 1 and 3 doubles for a decisive 6-1 victory.

GOLF: Record round propels Libby's Johnston in Thompson Falls

THOMPSON FALLS — Ryggs Johnston of Libby shot a tournament record 68 to win the Thompson Falls Invitational at River’s Bend Golf Course on Saturday.

Longtime criminal sent to jail for failure to register

Being a victim of mail theft was not enough of an excuse to get a Flathead felon out of having to serve time for failing to register as a sex offender twice.

COLUMN: Minimum wage or maximum deception?

Every April for the past three years, I have devoted a column to debunking the phony statistics and false economics behind the liberal assault on reality called Equal Pay Day.

Reuben Alexander Nelson, 102

Lois Elaine Dye Smith, 89

Aimee Marie Williams, 32

Richard King, 90

Robert Eugene 'Bob' LeBlanc, 87

Charlotte Elaine 'Choc' Trust, 94

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Flathead Valley Community College Botany Professor Mirabai McCarthy looks up as a bird passes as her and Solange Martin identify the shooting star flower during the FVCC BioBlitz at the college on Saturday. During the second annual blitz participants identified as many plants and animal life on the campus.(Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks' John Fraley shocks the Stillwater River as Flathead Valley Community College ecology student Brett Handford nets the fish during the second annual BioBlitz. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Glacier ninth-grader Gage Southland inspects a caterpillar nest during the second annual BioBlitz at Flathead Valley Community College on Saturday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

Man arrested for allegedly threatening father with spear

A Columbia Falls man was jailed on multiple charges Wednesday for allegedly threatening his father with a fishing spear.

Whitefish woman challenges concealed carry law

A Whitefish woman has filed a lawsuit in federal court challenging the constitutionality of a state law that prohibits legal permanent residents from obtaining a concealed carry permit.

Conservation fund closer to permanent status

The Land and Water Conservation Fund, which has provided more than half a billion dollars in federal funding to Montana during the past 50 years, would be permanently reauthorized under a sweeping energy reform bill passed by the U.S. Senate Wednesday.

Kalispell Boulder Project completed

Kalispell residents can now climb high without heading into the hills for a full-day commitment.

DAYBOOK, April 23

William Campbell, 75

To sum up the life of Bill Campbell, who died peacefully in his sleep last week with his family by his side, is a daunting and fundamentally impossible task — Bill’s life and accomplishments were so vast and varied that even those who knew him best were only lucky enough to have witnessed a portion of them. Tributes to his astonishing legacy in Silicon Valley have already been pouring in, and rightly so. It is a legacy that is difficult to fathom. He had a hand in almost every consequential technology company of the past 30 years, either through direct relationship or through his coaching and mentoring of the company’s key players, (and, in the case of Intuit, Claris and Go, through his own tenure as CEO). From Apple to Google to Amazon to Twitter, from his mentorship of the iconic venture capitalists who helped shape the Valley to his under-the-radar involvement with legions of nerdy and unsexy companies barely known outside the tech community, but whose presences and innovations changed the technology landscape — Bill was always there, all smiles and hugs, his essence embedded in the company’s DNA, pushing everyone involved to be better managers, more creative, and, most importantly, better people, to be the most authentic and truest versions of themselves. He is probably best known for being “the Coach,” a mentor to legends; as the legends themselves would be the first to tell you, he was so much more than the sum of those he advised. He was himself a legend. He was the legend.

SOFTBALL: Williams perfect in Glacier rout of Hellgate

Senior strikes out 16 in first perfect game in school history

Perfect looked pretty routine for Glacier pitcher Ali Williams.

SOFTBALL ROUNDUP: Libby drubs Eureka in conference showdown

LIBBY — Kahlyn Hageness and Lindsey Walker checked Eureka on three hits, Haylee Cannon went 4 for 4 and Jordan Turner drove in four runs as Libby posted an 18-0 Western B softball victory on Friday.

TRACK ROUNDUP: Perrin, Robinson event winners at Swede Dahlberg

HELENA — Flathead and Glacier had just one event winner on Friday at the Swede Dahlberg Invitational track meet at Vigilante Stadium.

FOOTBALL: Whitefish's Crittenden a Little Sullivan finalist

Award presented May 7 in Kalispell to Montana’s best male, female athlete

Derek Crittenden of Whitefish is a finalist for the Montana AAU Little Sullivan Award.

LAW ROUNDUP: No one's got mail!

Someone turned in strewn mail to the Postal Service at the direction of

Many Glacier, Chief Mountain roads open

Glacier National Park’s Many Glacier and Chief Mountain roads have opened to vehicle traffic for the season, the park announced Friday.

Officials ID fatal crash victim

Authorities have identified the person killed in a Thursday afternoon fatal collision on Montana 35 as a Bigfork man.

Man denies driving drunk with child

A man denied driving drunk with a child in the vehicle in Flathead District Court on Thursday.

Ali Williams

Glacier pitcher Ali Williams winds up during her dominant performance against Missoula Hellgate on Friday. Williams struck out 16 in her perfect game. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

Glacier softball

Glacier freshman Kate Trunkle hangs a K after Ali Williams struck out another Missoula Hellgate hitter during the Wolfpack's 8-0 victory. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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SHORELINE CONSERVATION

Montana Conservation Corps field leader Tim Lawrence plants a buffaloberry shrub during a wetland restoration project at Diamond B Ranch on Friday.

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Glacier High School Librarian Lisa Lykins helps junior Cecilia Williams look up books for her research project at the library on Friday. Glacier High School Library was recently recognized by the Montana Library Association for integrating the school library program with the school's curricular goals. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Glacier High School Librarian Kerrie More helps ninth-grader Makiah Stephan with a poetry assignment on Friday. The Montana Library Association recently named the Glacier High School Library the 2016 School Library Information and Technology Program of the Year. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Kalispell Boulder Project chairman Jandy Cox releases the lift straps from a boulder that was moved into place by a crane at Lawrence Park on Friday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Crane operator Chuck Harmon moves the second boulder as City of Kalispell's Josh Britton guides it at Lawrence Park on Friday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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City of Kalispell's Josh Brinton removes the lift straps from the second boulder that was put in place at Lawrence Park on Friday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

Kalispell college student named Truman Scholar

Award is U.S.’s most prestigious undergrad scholarship

Avalanche hampers park plowing

The warm, sunny weather isn’t helping the plow crews clearing snow along Glacier National Park’s Going-to-the-Sun Road, where they were forced to turn around Thursday after encountering a 30-foot-deep avalanche near Haystack Creek.

Job fair a magnet for local workers

Hundreds of job seekers filtered into the Flathead Valley Job Fair on Thursday to meet with employers hoping to fill roughly 1,000 job openings around the valley.

Glacier visitor spending at all-time high

Glacier National Park generated an estimated $199 million in visitor spending for its gateway communities last year, according to a report released by the National Park Service.

Marilyn Louise (Gamble) Jones, 81

Marilyn Louise (Gamble) Jones, 81, passed away on Tuesday, April 19, 2016, under hospice care at her home with her loved ones by her side.

Inez Louise Cummings Soule, 90

Inez Louise Cummings Soule, 90, died Tuesday, April 19, 2016, in Kalispell where she was a resident at Heritage Place Healthcare Community.

William Robert 'Bill' LaValley, 93

William Robert “Bill” LaValley, 93, of Columbia Falls, died April 11, 2016, at his home at high noon with his family by his side.

Robert Allen Zunick, 45

Robert Allen Zunick, 45, passed away April 8, 2016, at his home in Kalispell from cancer.

Charles Leroy Garvin, 81

Charles Leroy Garvin, 81, of Spokane, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 14, 2016.

CROSSTOWN SOFTBALL: Flathead stuns Glacier

Wolfpack dominates first game before Bravettes claim first win of the season

Kaileight Denna didn’t know if it was fair.

VIANO COLUMN: Braves, Bravettes breeding success

All good chefs like to eat.

GIRLS BASKETBALL: Sullivan tabbed as new Glacier coach

Russell Elementary principal takes over for Salonen after seven seasons

Glacier High School has hired Bill Sullivan, principal at Russell Elementary School, as its girls basketball coach pending approval from the school board.

SOFTBALL: Polson beats Columbia Falls; win streak at 7

POLSON — Polson pushed its winning streak to seven straight Thursday evening by downing Columbia Falls 8-6 in Northwestern A softball.

TENNIS: Polson dominates Stevensville

STEVENSVILLE — Polson tennis dropped one match in a sweep of Stevensville on Thursday.

GOLF: Stetzner sizzles at Old Works; Libby's Johnston settles for 2nd

Caleb Stetzner shot a personal best, along with a school record, 6-under 66, to easily claim medalist honors at the Anaconda/Deer Lodge Invitational on Thursday at Old Works Golf Course.

LAW ROUNDUP: Box of explosives turned in safely

Someone called

William Robert 'Bill' LaValley, 93

Inez Louise Cummings Soule, 90

Charles Leroy Garvin, 81

Students earn journalism awards

Kalispell, Bigfork and Whitefish high school journalism students were well-represented in the recent Montana Journalism Education Association contest, getting 19 awards.

Kalispell college student named Truman Scholar

Job fair a magnet for local workers

U.S. Army veteran Ivan Murdoch takes a card from Home Depot's Oscar Coronado during the Flathead Valley Job Fair at the Flathead Valley Community College on Thursday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

Crosstown softball

Glacier's Meg Hornby is tagged out by Abbie O'Brien for the final out of Flathead's 3-2 crosstown win on Thursday at Boyle Field at the Conrad Complex. (Aaric Bryan/The Daily Inter Lake)

One dead in Montana 35 crash

A man is dead after a logging truck and a pickup truck collided on Montana 35 Thursday afternoon south of Creston.

Fatal wreck MT 35 near Creston

A fatal wreck involving a pickup truck and a logging truck spread across MT 35 on Thursday afternoon, near Creston. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

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U.S. Army veteran Ivan Murdoch takes a card from Home Depot's Oscar Coronado during the Flathead Valley Job Fair at the Flathead Community College on Thursday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Flathead Valley Community College Human Resource Analyst laughes after handing out a business card during the Flathead Valley Job Fair at the College Thursday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

Bigfork Art and Cultural Center

Beth Woods of Bigfork and her son Brian, 1, visit the Big fork Art and Cultural Center on Wednesday, April 20. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Cherry Blossoms in bloom

Thousands of cherry blossoms fill the trees at Bigfork Orchards on Wednesday afternoon, April 20. According to orchard owner Fritz Groenke 8 out of 10 blossoms are in bloom. “This is a great time for a drive down the East shore,” said Groenke. “It couldn’t get much better.” Groenke also said the orchards in Polson are about five days ahead of the more northern trees in Bigfork. He predicted that petal fall would be happening over the next week. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

LETTER: Vote for Regier

I hope you folks in the Flathead will vote to keep Keith Regier in the Legislature as he seeks a seat in the Montana Senate.   

LETTER: Big government, less freedom?

For those of you who admire Bernie Sanders and embrace greater government control of your life, consider an incident which befell my wife at Glacier Park International Airport this past week.

LETTER: Muslims already have curtailed U.S. freedoms

Bill Cox’s letter about Muslim immigration (“Ignore the Muslim bashing,” April 15) exhibits historical ignorance. He writes, “Muslims constitute about 1 percent of the U.S. population … The idea that such a tiny minority aims to replace our legal structure with shariah law is wildly unrealistic. Belief that it would uproot our culture or institute a Muslim tyranny in the United States is preposterous. These charges are outrageous, and anyone impressed by them must be very gullible.”

Teen pleads not guilty in Essex crash

A Cut Bank teen has denied driving drunk and causing a crash that left him another person seriously injured on Oct. 28 near Essex.

Mushroom limits in place on tribal land

While morel mushrooms will soon begin emerging from the forest floors, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes remind local harvesters that only tribal members may harvest the fungi within the Flathead Indian Reservation.

Lawsuit challenges federal bull-trout recovery plan

The Alliance for the Wild Rockies and Friends of the Wild Swan filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court Tuesday, challenging the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s recovery plan for bull trout, which was finalized last September.

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EDITORIAL: School elections sure sign of spring

It feels like an early summer is on the way this week, with unseasonably pleasant weather, but the upcoming school elections are a reminder that it’s still April and school districts need you to focus on their various levy requests and trustee elections.

Kalispell attorney denies misconduct

A Kalispell attorney denied any wrongdoing Wednesday after being accused of seven counts of professional misconduct by the state Office of Disciplinary Counsel.

The Diamonds bring 'Bandstand Boogie' to Kalispell

Flathead Valley LIVE on Stage will close this season with The Diamonds: “Bandstand Boogie” on Monday, April 25, at 7:30 p.m.

LETTER: Local attorney disputes claims of wrongdoing

This Week in the Flathead | April 21-27

TERRY COLUMN: Taking the long way around

For many high school athletes, opportunities to extend their playing career beyond the prep level are limited.

SOFTBALL: Glacier, Flathead softball set for Thursday doubleheader

Bravettes look for first win against vulnerable champs

One team’s the defending Class AA state champion and the other hasn’t won a game all season.

WEDNESDAY BRIEFS: Gus Thompson game Saturday; college golf tourneys feature locals

ALERT strives to keep service affordable

Annual fundraising banquet coming up

Dr. Jack Davis was making his rounds at Kalispell General Hospital when a nurse pulled him aside and said there had been another logging accident. It was in a remote area along the Hungry Horse reservoir and crews were working to evacuate the unconscious man.

Missing Kalispell man believed dead

Authorities in Idaho are still patrolling the banks of the South Fork of the Clearwater River in hopes of finding the body of a Kalispell man who went missing April 9.

Man goes to jail after fight with wife

The Diamonds

Refugee talk at college canceled

After the main speaker had a change in schedule, Flathead Valley Community College’s international student club, Global Friends, has canceled today’s roundtable discussion on the global refugee crisis.

Whitefish board looks at west-side subdivision

A proposed subdivision on Whitefish’s west side tops the Whitefish Planning Board agenda on Thursday.

LOCAL ROUNDUP: Bibler tours offered next month

Tickets are now on sale for the Bibler Home and Gardens Spring Weekends and Mother’s Day Brunch.

Top Glacier language students honored

Glacier High School’s International Language Department inducted 26 new members into the National Spanish and French honor societies April 18.

Thief granted early release from probation

A West Glacier man sentenced in 2013 for embezzling money from a medical response unit was granted early release from probation on Thursday.

Sara Shellene Noziska, 40

Sara Shellene Noziska, 40, “went to join our Heavenly Father” on March 6, 2016, peacefully in Kalispell.

Harry Leland Jones, 97

Harry Leland Jones, 97, passed away at his home in Kalispell.

Kathryn Larkin Christopherson, 62

Kathryn Larkin Christopherson lost her battle with cancer on April 15, 2016, at the age of 62.

Annie Marie Norheim Bishop, 90

Annie Marie Norheim Bishop, 90, passed away Friday, April 15, 2016, at the family home in Evergreen. Through her many roles from daughter to great-grandmother, Annie steadfastly practiced her core beliefs of unconditional love and acceptance and social justice through her constant loving presence and endless good humor.

Emma 'Jane' Wheeler Fulton, 100

Emma “Jane” Wheeler Fulton, 100, was born November 21, 1915, to George and Anna Poole on Fourth Avenue East North in Kalispell. She passed away peacefully at home on April 17, two city blocks from where she was born.

1,500-foot seawall sought on North Shore

Several property owners along the North Shore of Flathead Lake are requesting permits to construct a seawall and walkway along the shore, stating in county permit applications that it is needed to prevent further erosion of their properties.

Richard Lee 'Dick' Chittim, 59

Richard Lee “Dick” Chittim passed away at his home in Corvallis, Oregon, in the early morning hours of April 9, 2016.

Donald Lee Bilbro, 60

Donald Lee Bilbro, 60, passed away April 2, 2016, in Moab, Utah, of congestive heart failure. He was born in Conrad to Walter D. and Bertha M. “Micki” (VandenBos) Bilbro on March 19, 1956, the first of five children. He graduated from Valier High School in 1974, married Debra Arnst and joined the Army. Their son David was born in 1975.

CROSSTOWN TRACK: Hill, Sherman set meet records

Glacier girls, Flathead boys take team titles at dual

The Glacier girls and Flathead boys ran away with the crosstown track dual on Tuesday at Legends Stadium.

TENNIS: Glacier sweeps crosstown clash

Wolfpack girls edge Bravettes, boys roll 8-0

Coming off three-set battles earlier in the afternoon and with a long day of tennis easing into night, Glacier’s Tessa Howe and Flathead’s Claire Bradley fought dwindling sunlight — and each other — with crosstown bragging rights on the line.

SOFTBALL ROUNDUP: Ronan drops Loggers, Whitefish routed

RONAN — The Libby softball team hung tight with Ronan through three innings of Western B/C play on Tuesday, but fell apart late, losing 11-1 in six innings.

Crosstown Track

Flathead sophomore Bobby Lowry and Glacier sophomore Drew Turner are neck-and-neck as they sprint toward the finish line during the 4x100-meter relay of the Crosstown Track Meet at Legends Stadium on Tuesday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

Crosstown Tennis

Flathead's Ridge Lembka stretches for a ball during a singles match against Glacier's Spencer Johnson at Flathead Valley Community College on Tuesday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

LAW ROUNDUP: Wallet stolen with a big wad inside

Harry Leland Jones, 97

Kathryn Larkin Christopherson, 62

Annie Marie Norheim Bishop, 90

Donald Lee Bilbro, 60

Richard Lee 'Dick' Chittim, 59

Newberry Sentencing

Cindy Juntunen, Forrest Groshelle’s grandmother, cries openly in court after reading her letter to Judge Heidi J. Ulbricht with sentencing requests on Tuesday, April 19, at Flathead County District Court in Kalispell. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Newberry

Child killer gets 40 years in prison

An Evergreen man was sentenced Tuesday to 40 years in Montana State Prison for killing a 2-year-old boy on Feb. 18, 2015.

Attorney accused of professional misconduct

Kalispell lawyer hired as new Libby city attorney

David Tennant

Rich Hayes

Rich Hayes, a former service member of the United States Army and a Vietnam Veteran stands in the Montana Veterans Home Cemetery in Columbia Falls on Monday morning, April 18. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

LETTER: Keep Regier in Legislature

Please vote for Keith Regier, Republican candidate for District 3 state Senate in the June primary.

Spring Day Chores

Boone Skibsrud splittings logs for his immediate and extended family on a bright spring day, April 18, on Willow Glen Drive in Kalispell. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

LETTER: Don 'K' for political change

The Montana Legislature could work a lot better. I know from having served in it.

LETTER: Real Muslims won't really assimilate?

During the week of April 25-30, SALAM, Standing Alongside America’s Muslims, and the Jeannette Rankin Peace Center will host Celebrate Islam Week in Missoula.

LETTER: Every day is Earth Day

The recycling community is well aware that April 22 is Earth Day. It’s a day that recycling businesses, organizations, and savvy schools advertise their products and/or sponsor events to celebrate taking care of the earth, and hopefully, positively impact others to do likewise. It is a day that celebrates preserving a clean environment for the future. But, shouldn’t that be everyone’s responsibility, every day?

Majestic Valley seeks zone change

A zone change that would allow a hotel, restaurant and other mixed uses south of Majestic Valley Arena will be considered by the Flathead County commissioners on Wednesday.

Judge weighs whether caps on donations are justified

HELENA — What Montana officials call evidence of corruption that justifies the state’s low campaign contribution limits is really just democracy in action, an attorney for individuals, groups and political organizations trying to strike down the limits said Monday.

Verdie E. Smith, 79

Verdie E. Smith passed in Billings on April 16, at the age of 79.

Richard L. 'Dick' Barron, 78

Richard L. “Dick” Barron, 78, passed away in the presence of his loving family on April 16, 2016, due to complications following surgery.

Legion baseball: Lakers AA roll over Rangers A

The Kalispell Lakers AA scored in every inning but the first to whip the Kootenai Valley Rangers A 21-4 on Monday night in American Legion baseball action at Griffin Field.

Flathead, Glacier meet for 9th time in crosstown track

Glacier will be going for its third straight sweep in the crosstown track meet with Flathead today at Legends Stadium.

LAW ROUNDUP: Police chase ends with two in custody on school grounds

After an initial call from a west side neighborhood watchman,

Verdie E. Smith, 79

Bigfork folks share history during series

SCHOOL ELECTION: Levy votes, trustee choices face some voters

Film helps emphasize fraud prevention

Evergreen: Sprouts Club Drop In Playcare and Playhouse

Brittany Rech prepares snacks for kids at Sprouts Club Drop In Playcare and Playhouse on Monday morning, April 18, in Evergreen. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Evergreen section: Papa Murphy's

Alex Kuchenski makes a Signature Cowboy pizza on Monday, April 18, in Evergreen. The Cowboy has red sauce, pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, black olives, herbs and cheese. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Evergreen: TJ Wendt

State Farm Agent TJ Wendt in his office on Monday, April 18, in Evergreen. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

College to hold roundtable on global refugee crisis

Flathead Valley Community College’s international student club Global Friends has invited the public to a roundtable discussion on the ongoing European and global refugee crisis.

FJ April 2016 Cover

FJ April 2016

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At 15, girl has keen interest in politics

Her first foray onto the campaign trail may have been a brief one, but 15-year-old Republican Laura Hartland says the experience running for Montana House District 10 this year was a valuable one.

Needed to combat crime: jail space, treatment

Leaders in the local criminal justice system seemed to agree at a Thursday night panel that more county jail space and increased access to local drug treatment are the best ways to combat crime in the community.

Daughters of American Revolution share rich history

Patriotic endeavor

Members of the Daughters of the American Revolution will bring a lot of history with them as they gather in Kalispell this week for the annual state conference.

Council moving forward on rail-park objectives

The Kalispell City Council will hold a public hearing tonight on adopting the Glacier Rail Park Development Plan and establishing a Targeted Economic Development District in the rail park.

Whitefish council considers housing project

A 41-unit housing development planned on U.S. 93 South will be considered during a public hearing tonight at the Whitefish City Council meeting.

Business mistaken for bathroom

A Central Avenue business owner called the

Kalispell man reappointed to Youth Justice Advisory Council

A Kalispell man headed to Helena recently to begin a second term on the Montana Board of Crime Control’s Youth Justice Advisory Council.

No tuition waivers for children of school employees

After receiving further legal guidance, Kalispell Public Schools trustees will not consider waiving tuition for out-of-district students whose parents are district employees.

Patriotic endeavor

Catherine Lane is the state regent for the Daughters of American Revolution. The Daughters of American Revolution will hold their state convention in Kalispell April 21-23.

OPINION: Free colonoscopies? Don't believe it

While John Morrison’s letter encouraging legislators to cover colonoscopy costs is heartfelt and his personal loss tragic, he is mistaken. As one who would benefit from expansion of government-mandated reimbursement, I urge you to reject it.

OPINION: Who ya gonna vote for?

The great American political circus is currently touring the USA, and quite a show it is. I hope all Montanans will take the opportunity to view at least a few episodes. It is very entertaining, quite educational and will afford you some insight into the character, morals and beliefs of the performers, one of whom will be our next president, the most important position on the face of planet Earth.

OPINION: Risks of bottling plant need to be fully assessed

The comments and opinions expressed herein reflect those of most residents and/or business owners who will be affected ultimately by the operation of a water bottling plant located on Egan Slough along the Flathead River. The information in the news presents this bottling plant as “proposed,” but in fact the building is already in place, the well is already drilled and the bottling plant “turnkey” ready, simply waiting for the final permitting process by the DNRC.

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LETTER: The myth of 'separation'

The myth of separation of church and state has been going on for years, ever since the phrase was mentioned in Everson v. Board of Education (1947).

OPINION: Puerto Rican 'rescue' would set dangerous precedent

Congress is trying to figure out how to ease Puerto Rico’s fiscal crisis. Most Americans aren’t following this debate. But they should, because whether — and how — Congress intervenes in Puerto Rico will set the stage for how it responds to dozens of U.S. states and cities that are rapidly approaching their own fiscal crises.

LETTER: Uranium and Malheur, the untold story?

In the opinion page on Feb. 25, Gene Lyons seems to know the Bundy boys are the only villains at the Malheur Wildlife Refuge.

LETTER: Regier for Senate

It is my great pleasure to endorse Rep. Keith Regier as candidate for Montana’s Senate District 3.

Buzz surrounds new bee business

There’s a buzz in the air, and it’s growing louder each day. As bees begin to swarm gardens and fields nearby, the owners at Tamarack Apiaries say their new store is a hive of activity.

OPINION: Don't expand jail until after vote on marijuana

There is presently a big push to increase the number of beds for prisoners in Flathead County. I believe we should stop and think before we spend the money.

LETTER: Islamic propaganda?

“Celebrate Islam Week” is being celebrated in Missoula, April 25-30. It is alarming to see St. Paul Lutheran Church and Hellgate High School as sites for these one-sided presentations by a University of Montana professor.

Job Fair April 2016

Whitefish gears up for more annexation

West Lakeshore Drive next on city’s agenda

City wins suit over annexation

The city of Whitefish has prevailed in a legal dispute over the city’s legal right to annex a number of properties along the east shore of Whitefish Lake.

Webcam chronicles daily life of osprey pair

There’s love in the air in Evergreen.

Glacier planning prescribed burns

Glacier National Park has planned two prescribed fire projects along the Inside North Fork Road area during the next month.

Violent Bigfork man's suspended sentence revoked

A 34-year-old Bigfork man on probation for threatening a state trooper in 2012 had a suspended sentence with the Montana Department of Corrections revoked on Thursday.

Architecture firm gets contract to study Muldown School

Whitefish School District has hired the architectural firm L’Heureux Page Werner to complete master planning for the elementary district.

Cuts in forest trail budgets on hold

After facing significant cuts to their budgets for trails over the next three years, national forests in Montana have had the funding restored to previous levels — for now, at least.

Fred Mandl, 72

Fred Mandl, 72, was born in Boston on April 7, 1944, and passed away in Kalispell on April 7, 2016.

EDITORIAL: Don't mess with bus-shelter rules

In the world of local government, public-private partnerships are those proverbial win-win relationships. They are partnerships that allow counties and cities to provide services they might otherwise not be able to afford.

Joyce Ann Ray, 71

Joyce Ann Ray, beloved mother, wife, sister, grandmother and friend, lost her courageous battle with cancer on April 5, 2016. She passed away peacefully in Kalispell. The power of love from her family and friends, stronger than any chemotherapy drug, extended her life a year longer than expected.

Herbert S. Yarus, 90

On April 10, 2016, Herbert S. Yarus, 90, passed away peacefully in Kalispell. Herbert was being visited and comforted by family members and friends at the time of his passing. He was 90 years old. He had been lovingly cared for by his wife.

COLUMN: Foundation goes distance to promote our skiing heritage

The not-so-lazy days of winter at Whitefish Mountain Resort have seen their final ski and snowboard action for 2016, capped off, as always, with the wacky Pond Skim on April 9.

TENNIS: Glacier rolls over all three Missoula schools

Flathead girls win twice

In the first eight seasons of Glacier tennis, the Wolfpack had never beaten Missoula Hellgate in a dual.

TRACK & FIELD: Flathead's Perrin, Glacier's Hill break records in Missoula

MISSOULA — Two of the area’s best distance runners tracked down some big records as some of the state’s best athletes gathered for the Missoula County Public Schools Invitational track and field meet on Saturday.

GOLF: Libby's Ryggs Johnston wins again

Bigfork boys claim team title

PLAINS — Ryggs Johnston carded a 68 to edge Caleb Bates of Thompson Falls by a stroke for medalist honors at the Plains Invitational golf tournament on Saturday.

SOFTBALL ROUNDUP: Glacier splits, Flathead loses two in Helena

HELENA — Glacier had to settle for a split with the Helena schools on Saturday in Western AA softball action.

TRACK & FIELD: Eureka boys shine at invitational

Bigfork girls edge Lions for girls title

EUREKA — A few local athletes piled up the podium on a fast day at the Eureka Invitational track meet on Saturday.

RUGBY: Whitefish's Heavirland scores first try for U.S. National Team

Whitefish star helps Eagles top Fiji, advance at Canada 7s

LANGFORD, British Columbia — With her family in attendance, Whitefish’s Nicole Heavirland scored her first try for the U.S. National Team as the Eagles Sevens advanced to the Cup round at the Canada 7s tournament on Saturday, the fourth leg of the HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series.

RUGBY: Black & Blue thump Helena Hooligans, 47-0

The Kalispell Black & Blue continued their dominant start to the 15s season, beating Helena 47-0 at Evergreen Junior High on Saturday to take a bit of revenge against the Hooligans.

LAW ROUNDUP: Job interview more important than crash?

A woman called

COLUMN: Montana, no limit (on state slogans)

“The Sky’s the Limit.”

Fred Mandl, 72

Joyce Ann Ray, 71

Sunday Business: Tamarack Apiaries

Build-your-own bee box supplies line the shelves at Tamarack Apiaries on Friday, April 15, in Kalispell. The store opened on March 1. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Osprey webcam

Glacier's Hunter Danz

Glacier #1 doubles player Hunter Danz backhands a ball during his match with partner Ben Wright against Hellgate's Ino Caina and Nate Jourdonnais. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

Glacier's McKenna Tinseth

Glacier #1 singles player McKenna Tinseth crushes a return in a match against Big Sky's Shayla Johnson at Flathead Valley Community College on Saturday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

Flathead's Rayna Darrow

Flathead #2 singles player Rayna Darrow reaches for a ball in her match against Missoula Sentinel at Flathead Valley Community College on Saturday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

Stillwater student receives Carson honor

Eighth-grader Julia Wynne has been awarded a $1,000 college scholarship through the Carson Scholars Program.

Get into Glacier Park free until April 24

Beginning today, getting into Glacier National Park is free to all visitors for National Park Week, which ends April 24.

Mail collected late on Monday, April 18

With the deadline for filing income tax returns rapidly approaching, the U.S. Postal Service is bracing for last-minute filers.

Snow douses wilderness fire

The Elk Hill Fire on the eastern edge of the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex was declared fully contained on Friday after 10 inches of snow fell in the area.

Learning the art, science of glass

A Whitefish High School unit on glass was cast in chemistry ending on an artistic note.

Trinity students enjoy Skype chat

Friday was a special birthday for Air National Guard Maj. Jessica McClarty, who Skyped from Qatar with her daughter’s third-grade class at Trinity Lutheran School in Kalispell.

Park drafting major fish, aquatic plan

Comprehensive effort aimed to protect native species

Bettie Lou Hansen, 77

Bettie Lou Hansen, 77, “our beloved sister, aunt and friend went home to be with the Lord” on April 12, 2016.

MHSA proposes changes to rule that benched Flathead wrestler

HELENA — The Montana High School Association’s executive board proposed additions to a rule that denied a Flathead wrestler a shot at a state championship at its quarterly meeting earlier this week.

TENNIS: Polson sweeps at Cut Bank Invitational

CUT BANK — Indoors or outdoors, it didn’t matter for Polson on Friday as they swept four matches at the Cut Bank Invitational while dancing around bad weather.

Bettie Lou Hansen, 77

Stillwater student receives Carson honor

Learning the art, science of glass

Whitefish senior Bergen Carloss attempts to make a smiley face out of glass during a chemistry field trip to Farenhite Glass Works in Happy Valley. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

College gets $424,590 biotech grant

The National Science Foundation has awarded Flathead Valley Community College a $424,590 grant to enhance the biotechnology curriculum in Northwest Montana high schools as a way to attract more students to the growing field.

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Whitefish junior Kate Doorn stretches glass as Farenhite Glass Works' Eric Klein holds during a chemistry field trip to Klein's studio on Friday. The chemistry class studied glass in February. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Whitefish senior Emily Lawrence works with glass as Farenhite Glass Works' Eric Klein twirls it during a chemistry field trip to the studio on Friday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Whitefish senior Bergen Carloss attempts to make a smiley face out of glass during a chemistry field trip to Farenhite Glass Works in Happy Valley. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Whitefish chemistry teacher Todd Spangler puts a piece of glass into the reheating furnace during a field trip to Farenhite Glass Works. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Whitefish science teacher Todd Spangler uses tweezers to stretch glass during a demonstration for his chemistry class on Friday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

Sunday Business: Tamarack Apiaries

Build-your-own bee box supplies line the shelves at Tamarack Apiaries on Friday, April 15, in Kalispell. The store opened on March 1. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Military Child Month

Family Assistance Specialist for the Montana National Guard Lee Fretwell presents a flag to Madison Gilchrist and Joann Cutler’s third grade class on Friday morning, April 15, at Trinity Lutheran School in Kalispell. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake) 

OPINION: Taxes and truth, another look at some claims

I read with great interest Tom Shaughnessy’s response to my original letter in the Daily Inter Lake titled “Other People’s Money.” Let’s look at a few of the points of disagreement we seem to have, which he enumerated in his response titled “Republicans Have No Problem Stealing Other People’s Money.”

LETTER: Thanks, Sen. Daines for your Montana values

Mr. Craig McClure, the Lake County Democrat Central Committee chairman, wrote a letter recently that criticized Sen. Daines for his opposition to holding hearings and votes on Obama’s anti-gun anti-Second Amendment Supreme Court nominee Justice Merrick Garland.

LETTER: Keep Mary Tepas on school board

I am writing to urge the Kalispell community to re-elect Mary Tepas to the School District 5 Board of Trustees.

LETTER: Ignore the Muslim bashing

The unbroken torrent of letters in the Inter Lake from virulent Islamophobes suggests an orchestrated campaign of propaganda to demonize Muslims.

LETTER: Against no group, but for the safety of our citizens

The federal government wants Montana to take its share of Syrian refugees. Being a nation of immigrants, and sympathetic to the cause, we just want to be sure these are legitimate asylum seekers from a war-torn country.

Rep. Zinke doubles Juneau fundraising

HELENA (AP) — U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke’s re-election campaign said it raised more than $783,000 during the first three months of the year and had more than $1 million to spend against his Democratic opponent, Denise Juneau.

College plans second BioBlitz on April 23

The Flathead Valley Community College biology and natural resources departments are working together to survey the biological diversity of the campus for the second year in a row.

Weather slows plow work

Poor weather conditions have stymied plows heading up Glacier National Park’s Going-to-the-Sun Road during the last couple of days.

Full slate of Earth Day events planned in Whitefish

Celebrate Earth Day on Saturday, April 23, with three family-friendly events in Whitefish:

EDITORIAL: Student shows app-etite for excellence

A young lady with an appetite for civic involvement earned a spot next to Gov. Steve Bullock Tuesday thanks to her development of an app to fight hunger across Montana.

Viola 'Vi' Dedman, 96

Viola Dedman, 96, passed away Tuesday, April 13, at Bee Hive Homes in Columbia Falls.

Audrey Stacy, 73

Audrey Stacy, 73, of Columbia Falls, passed away on Thursday April 7, 2016.

VIANO COLUMN: Pistorese chasing the dream

Kalispell native begins 2nd pro season

To get to where Joe Pistorese is today borders on the impossible.

SOFTBALL ROUNDUP: Polson rallies by Hamilton, Eureka hammers Whitefish

HAMILTON — Polson scored five runs in the top of the seventh to rally by Hamilton 11-7 in a Class A nonconference softball contest on Thursday afternoon.

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Flathead's Austin Gabbert lands a jab on Whitefish's Trey Baumgartner during the seventh annual Crosstown Boxing Smoker at the Trade Center at Flathead County Fairgrounds on Thursday. Gabbert won by unanimous decision. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Flathead's Isaiah Burkhalter, left, and Glacier's Adam Bartlett exchange blows in the corner during the seventh annual Crosstown Boxing Smoker on Thursday. Bartlett won on split decision. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

LAW ROUNDUP: Only 'relations' here are the bad kind

A man called

Viola 'Vi' Dedman, 96

Audrey Stacy, 73

Glacier Park snow

Monday Profile: Laura Hartland

Portrait of Laura Hartland in the office space she shares with her father on near Echo Lake.

Great Grey near Echo Lake

A Great grey owl perched on a fence post along Montana 83 near Echo Lake on Thursday, April 14. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Grizzly pioneer Chuck Jonkel dies at 85

MISSOULA — Pioneering grizzly bear expert and advocate Chuck Jonkel has died.

It's time to be more aware of bears

As warmer weather and longer days lure grizzlies and black bears out of their dens, state wildlife officials are asking people to remove outdoor attractants and remember to carry pepper spray when out in bear country.

Sex offender asks Supreme Court to withdraw plea

A Flathead County felon has asked the Montana Supreme Court to let him withdraw his 2012 Alford plea to felony failure to register as a sex offender.

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Price tag lowered for big sewer project

A major Kalispell sewer project may cost $4.7 million less than expected.

Late influenza outbreak may be waning across Flathead County

After a late surge of influenza, Flathead County’s outbreak of the illness appears to be diminishing.

Residents weigh in on future of vintage bridge

A crowd of Bigfork residents and state transportation officials met Tuesday to discuss whether to repair or replace the town’s century-old steel bridge to ensure the crossing meets safety standards.

Core Area gets three-year waiver period for zoning fees

The Kalispell City Council plans to provide a three-year period for businesses within the Core Area to rezone their property for free.

Daybook, April 14

This Week in the Flathead | April 14-20

Roger Clarence McKinley, 64

Roger Clarence McKinley was born at Ada, Oklahoma, on Aug. 21, 1951, to Clarence Clayton McKinley and Sarah Alice Adams McKinley. He passed away on April 9, 2016, at his home on Murr Creek Road, near Marion, with his wife of 33 years, Joanne, at his side.

Della Davis, 53

Della Davis, 53, of Missoula, passed away suddenly on Thursday, April 7, 2016, in Hamilton.

Prudence A. 'Ann' Wilson, 90

Prudence A. “Ann” Wilson, 90, passed away in Kalispell on April 12, 2016.

Beatrice Gunderson, 88

Beatrice Gunderson, 88, died Monday, April 11, 2016, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Murder at the Mansion

The Conrad Mansion Museum in Kalispell is a unique historical site, offering tours, educational programming and special events to the community throughout the year.

FEATURED: Running down a dream

Perrin continues distance tradition as Braves shoot for another title

Flathead senior Jake Perrin is doing his part to extend the distance running renaissance that has stormed the Flathead Valley over the last few years.

TERRY COLUMN: Get the lead out, Montana

The basketball season is over in Montana but the games are just beginning.

'Death by Chocolate'

"Death by Chocolate" cast members gather outside the Conrad Mansion Museum in Kalispell. “Death by Chocolate,” an interactive fundraiser and theatre experience, will take over the Mansion on April 29 and 30.

LAW ROUNDUP: Mom upset about abuse, missing ring

A woman called

Della Davis, 53

Roger Clarence McKinley, 64

Search still underway for missing camper

A search was still underway Wednesday afternoon near Grangeville, Idaho, for a Kalispell man who vanished during a weekend camping trip.

It's time to be more aware of bears

Residents weigh in on future of vintage bridge

State GOP to drop out of suit over closed primary

The Montana Republican Party has decided to drop out of a federal lawsuit meant to force the closure of the state’s primary elections.

Jake Perrin

Flathead's Jake Perrin pushes to the finish line to win the 1,600-meter at the Class AA state track and field championship at Legends Stadium in this file photo. Perrin announced his commitment to Gonzaga University on April 13, 2016. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

Kalispell Police unveil online crime mapping

A month after community members asked Kalispell Police Chief Roger Nasset for a more detailed accounting of crime in the city, his department rolled out an interactive online map.

Kombucha jar

A detail shot of the SCOBY (Symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast) used in the kombucha tea brewing process. (Seaborn Larson/Daily Inter Lake)

Kombucha kegs

A few mini-kegs of kombucha sit in the walk-in freezer at Canvas Kombucha Brewing's kitchen in the Apple Barrel. (Seaborn Larson/Daily Inter Lake)

Canvas Kombucha

From left, Aaron Roberts, Shannon Rubou and Rebekah Alcott, of Canvas Kombucha Brewery, received their state license to brew kombucha in a commercial kitchen on Tuesday. (Seaborn Larson/Daily Inter Lake)

New brewery brings kombucha tea to the Flathead

Crime Mapping

Kalispell’s new crime mapping tool went online Tuesday. To view the map, go to www.kalispell.com/police and click on “Crime Statistics Map.”

Mary Granger

Flathead County Emergency Medical Services Manager Mary Granger is retiring from her manager position, but will still be a paramedic. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

Whitefish loses court appeal over gated roads

Grouse Mountain Estates Homeowners Association has the right to install gates and close its private subdivision roads to vehicular traffic, the Montana Supreme Court ruled Tuesday.

Man accused of driving drunk with child in vehicle

A man is facing felony criminal child endangerment charges after allegedly driving drunk with a young child in the vehicle.

Fire shows little growth; new team takes over

A Type 2 incident command team on Tuesday took over operations on an unusually early wildfire burning on the eastern edge of the Bob Marshall Wilderness.

Man accused of stealing from Burger King

A man has been charged with stealing thousands of dollars from Burger King in Evergreen.

Whitefish woman earns state tourism honor

Longtime Whitefish outdoorswoman and community promoter Jan Metzmaker was named the Tourism Ambassador of the Year on Monday at the Governor’s Conference on Tourism in Kalispell.

App crafter focuses on hunger fight

What could a high-schooler do — that hadn’t been done before — to help fight hunger across Montana?

Posse takes look at early logging

The Northwest Montana Posse of Westerners meets Monday, April 18, at the Red Lion Hotel Kalispell for a program on “Early Logging in the Flathead.”

Governor foresees growth for state tourism

The tourism sector of the Montana economy is stronger than ever and poised for continued growth, Gov. Steve Bullock said Tuesday in Kalispell.

Norma E. Hanson, 87

Norma E. Hanson, 87, of Whitefish, “went home to be with the Lord” on April 8, 2016.

Edward Vern Clark, 82

Edward Vern Clark passed away April 9, 2016, quietly at his Kalispell home, at the age of 82.

SOFTBALL: Wolfpack whip Sentinel, Big Sky

As far as Glacier softball coach Andy Fors was concerned, it was about time.

TRACK & FIELD: Fast times at Flathead Mini

The sunshine and warm temperatures of the last week never showed up, but it didn’t slow down the athletes at the Flathead Mini Invite on Tuesday, with 13 boys and 12 girls setting qualifying marks or bettering their marks from earlier this month.

SOFTBALL: Bravettes battered in sweep

Flathead surrenders 27 runs, 28 hits in pair of losses

With injuries starting to heal and the lineup back at full strength, Flathead’s offense found its groove in the second game of a Tuesday afternoon doubleheader and put up seven runs on 11 hits.

BOYS BASKETBALL: Green out as Whitefish coach

Led ’Dogs to sweep of rival C-Falls, was 16-26 in two seasons

WHITEFISH — Whitefish boys basketball coach Curtis Green is stepping down after two seasons leading the team.

TENNIS: Whitefish dominates Columbia Falls in dual

It was all Whitefish in a dual tennis outing Tuesday with Columbia Falls.

TUESDAY BRIEFS: MHSA finals sites announced; youth softball season starts Saturday

HELENA — The Montana High School Association executive board finalized the state tournament schedule for the 2016-17 and most of the 2017-18 seasons at the group’s April meeting on Tuesday, with Kalispell set to host the Class AA state soccer tournament this fall and Class AA golf and tennis tournaments in the 2017-18 school year.

Rose O. Houseman, 81

Edward Vern Clark, 82

Howard Greene, 96

Former Whitefish coach Curtis Green

Former Whitefish coach Curtis Green looks on from the bench in this file photo. Green has resigned as the Bulldogs' coach after two seasons at the helm (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

Glacier softball

Glacier's Christina DuFour slides under the tag of Missoula Big Sky's Morgan Johnson to give the Wolfpack a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth at Kidsports Complex on Tuesday, April 12, 2016. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

Glacier pitcher Ali Williams

Glacier's Ali Williams winds up for a pitch against Missoula Big Sky at Kidsports Complex in this file photo. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

Norma E. Hanson, 87

 Norma E. Hanson, 87

App crafter focuses on hunger fight

Flathead junior Sophia Skwarchuk speaks about the app she coded MontanaEats as Montana Governor Steve Bullock listens at the ImagineIf Library in Kalispell on Tuesday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

Whitefish woman earns state tourism honor

Logging in 1900

Flathead Softball

Flathead's Kylee Meredith is tagged out by Missoula Big Sky's Morgan Johnson as she slides into home during the bottom of the second inning of the Bravettes' 12-0 loss at Gene Boyle Field on Tuesday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

Person of Interest

Kalispell Police asked for help finding this individual in connection with a possible theft.

No sign of missing Kalispell man

Searchers on Tuesday continued to look for a Kalispell man missing in Idaho during a camping trip.

Church buys Montana Building in downtown Kalispell

Fresh Life Church on Tuesday closed a deal with the Gentry Family Limited Liability Partnership to acquire the Montana Building in downtown Kalispell, according to building Manager Ron Profitt.

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Maria JK Hars and Brian Olson stand in front of the first tiny home they are building on Friday, April 8, 2016. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Flathead junior Sophia Skwarchuk speaks about the app she coded MontanaEats as Montana Governor Steve Bullock listens at the ImagineIf Library in Kalispell on Tuesday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

LETTER: Don Kaltschmidt will make ideal state senator

Please vote for Don “K” Kaltschmidt, Republican candidate for District 3 State Senate in the June primary.

LETTER: Keith Regier is a trustworthy work horse

As majority leader during the last legislative session, Rep. Keith Regier was the work horse for the House. He had 31 bills drafted at the beginning of the session and introduced 15. The other 16 were not needed during the session. He personally carried 11 of the bills. Other legislators carried the other four. Eight of the bills Regier carried passed the House and Senate, but two were vetoed by the governor. Republicans held the line on increased spending, but could not get their two tax-reduction bills through.

LETTER: Post-fire logging won't help forest

As impressive as forest fire smoke columns can be, research shows that only 5 percent of the carbon in big trees is released by fire. That’s because it is the needles, some branches and bark that is actually burned. Most of the carbon remains stored in the unburned tree trunks.

LETTER: Elusive wolverine gets boost from elusive science

Recently, federal Judge Dana Christensen pled a fervent case for the preservation of the wolverine — victim, it would appear, to the ravages of another elusive, mystically misunderstood creature: “climate change.”

'Sky's the Limit' for tourism: New Montana campaign outlined

The state’s newest tourism campaign focuses on telling Montana stories to draw in visitors — and the dollars that come with them.

Many Glacier revamp enters final phases

$13 million in work gets underway at historic park hotel

Rose Crossing zoning changes proposed

A proposal to change the zoning and create smaller lot sizes on rural land along Rose Crossing north of Kalispell tops the Flathead County Planning Board agenda on Wednesday.

Sunrise in Glacier National Park

The first rays of sunrise light up peaks in Glacier National Park on Sunday morning, April 9. This photo was taken while flying with Jordan White of Two Bear Air in the new MD 530 FF helicopter. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

C-Falls netters battle Bigfork, Ronan in duals

COLUMBIA FALLS — Columbia Falls tuned up for tennis battles with Whitefish by playing Ronan and Bigfork on Monday in dual action.

Shoulder surgery ends PBR season for Matt Triplett

Columbia Falls bull rider Matt Triplett will miss the remainder of the Professional Bull Riders Built Ford Tough Series season.

Campbell's HR sparks C-Falls in 6-3 victory over Glacier

COLUMBIA FALLS — Morgan Campbell belted a solo shot to left field in the sixth inning to break a 2-all tie and lift Class A Columbia Falls to a 6-3 victory over Class AA Glacier on Monday in softball.

Burke Despain

Kalispell man still missing in Idaho after three days

The Daily Inter Lake

Man practices for 2017 Masters

An allegedly intoxicated man was seen chipping golf balls across Nucleus Avenue.

Many Glacier Hotel

Dorothy Louise Erickson, 83

On April 1, 2016, we said good-bye to our wonderful, loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Dorothy Peterson “Dot” Erickson.

Rodney Wayne Amundson, 59

Rodney Wayne Amundson, 59, “went to meet our heavenly Father” on April 2, 2016.

Paul J. Cebulla, 60

Mary Lena Bauer, 99

Glacier Fly Over with Two Bear Air

A sunrise view of Waterton from Glacier National Park on Sunday, April 10. Photos were taken while flying with Two Bear Air. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Former pilot pens second Vietnam book

After flying fighter jets in Vietnam, Pete Hendricks created a home by building a cabin in the woods of the Flathead Valley.

Early wildfire a surprise to veteran ranger

Forest fuels east of the Continental Divide are already drier than a typical August and are driving the rapid growth of a 1,000-acre wildfire in the Bob Marshall Wilderness.

Square dancing at the Kalispell Senior Center

Evelyn Laber of Kalispell dancing at the monthly square dance at the Kalispell Senior Center on Saturday evening, April 8. Laber has been dancing for more than 60 years. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Elk Hill Fire

Grizzly deaths decline in 2015

On the heels of the federal government’s proposal to delist the grizzly bear population in the Yellowstone National Park area, this year’s annual report on Glacier National Park and the surrounding region shows the population continuing to hit its recovery targets.

Three local students honored at MSU

Three Flathead Valley students were among 13 young women recently honored by the Montana State University Women’s Center for their community activism and leadership.

Pete Hendricks

MSU awards

Hearing Aid Institute

Corey Van De Riet working at the Hearing Aid Institute on Monday, April 11, in Kalispell. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

New Brewing Program at Flathead Valley Community College

New equipment in the new brewing facility at Flathead Valley Community College on Friday, April 7, in Kalispell. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

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Stroke education campaign appears to be working

Since state officials initiated a stroke education effort in Flathead County, Kalispell Regional Healthcare has reported a rise in stroke patients entering its emergency-room doors.

When woodwork becomes artwork

Somewhere in the hills near Glacier National Park, heavy timbers dull the sounds of saws and sandpaper inside the Wild Sky Woodwork shop.

New rheumatology clinic offers ultrasound imaging

North Valley Hospital’s newest clinic is believed to be Flathead County’s first rheumatology clinic that uses ultrasound imaging to diagnose arthritis.

Track: Hill second in 3,200 at Arcadia Invitational

ARCADIA, Calif. — Annie Hill, a standout distance runner at Glacier High School, finished second in the women’s 3,200-meter run Saturday evening at the 49th annual Arcadia Invitational track and field meet with a time of 10 minutes, 14.14 seconds.

Legion baseball: Lakers take 2 from Bitterroot Red Sox

The Kalispell Lakers AA opened the American Legion baseball season Sunday afternoon at Griffin Field by sweeping the Bitterroot Red Sox A 6-5 and 5-1.

Officers assist in needle disposal

A Central Avenue bartender called the

Bigfork warden graduates from state academy

Chris Neu of Bigfork was among seven Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks game wardens who graduated March 25 from the Montana Law Enforcement Academy in Helena.

Wild Sky Woodwork

Joe Gallagher of Wild Sky Woodwork takes a measurement while making a waterfall shelf at his shop in West Glacier on Friday.

Man denies fed drug charges

A Lakeside man has denied delivering methamphetamine in Flathead County and elsewhere in Montana in 2015.

Kalispell council to hear update on sewer project

The Kalispell City Council work session Monday night will hear a project update on a $14 million multi-year sewer project.

Taking a bite out of morel madness

Forests rule out commercial pickers

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County finalizes Whitefish 'doughnut' zoning: end of eight-year battle

The Flathead County commissioners on Thursday put their final stamp of approval on the Rural Whitefish Zoning District that now officially imposes county zoning in the former “doughnut” area surrounding Whitefish.

OPINION: Energy policy or social engineering?

Clean Power Plan = De-industrialization in disguise

OPINION: Ungrounded denial of climate-change consensus

In the words of the popular saying, “Denial ain’t just a river in Egypt.” It’s also a major problem facing irrational people who cannot or won’t accept the logical conclusions derived from scientific evidence.

OPINION: A new inconvenient truth for Al Gore: The world didn't end

The world was supposed to end in January.

Boy claims father tried to drown him

Flathead County Sheriff Chuck Curry said on Friday his office is investigating whether or not a father might have tried to drown his 8-year-old son the day before.

OPINION: A life fighting to get water means it is a precious resource

Water, water — what a problem!

LETTER: Mountain bikes don't belong in wilderness areas

Mountain bikes should never be permitted in wilderness.

Rule change could jeopardize bus shelters

A proposed state rule change to prohibit advertising on the outside of bus shelters in the state highway right of way could eliminate most shelters used locally by Eagle Transit passengers.

LETTER: Neighbors not being neighborly in water fight

I have watched and watched my friend Lew Weaver be attacked and have his neighbors turn on him like animals. The time has come to voice my opinion on the kind of people that would turn on their neighbor.

LETTER: Whitefish did right thing in passing non-discrimination ordinance

When the Whitefish City Council unanimously passed a non-discrimination ordinance I realized that we, as a city, had accomplished something extremely important — that we had taken an enormous step in defining who we are as a community and making clear to all that we do not condone discrimination.

COLUMN: Downsizing trend prompts decisions about stuff

If there were any doubt America is the land of extremes, the recent trend in downsizing homes is proof that once again the pendulum is shifting in a big way.

Byron Henry Goe Jr., 74

Byron Henry Goe Jr., Army veteran and former resident of Columbia Falls, died on March 16, 2016. He was 74 years old.

Willard W. 'Bill' Hallstrom, 76

Willard “Bill” Hallstrom, 76, died in his home on April 7, 2016, in Kalispell from pancreatic cancer.

Paula Altenburg, 87

Paula Altenburg, beloved mother, grandmother, wife and friend, passed away on Monday, April 4, 2016, in Kalispell, surrounded by family who will miss her dearly.

EDITORIAL: Invasive species efforts are vital

Just two days after a check station for boats opened recently in Pablo, state wildlife officials found a pair of boats containing an invasive species of mussels headed north along U.S. 93.

Frank E. Lochridge Jr., 91

Frank Lochridge passed away on April 1, 2016, in the presence of his loving caregivers at the Living Center in Stevensville. He was 91 years old.

SOFTBALL ROUNDUP: Glacier's Williams tosses no-hitter in win

Glacier senior pitcher Ali Williams started the home season with a loss, but quickly got back to her winning ways, throwing a no-hitter against Great Falls High in a split on Saturday at Kidsports Complex.

TENNIS ROUNDUP: Glacier in fine early-season form

No dual losses for Wolfpack in court action at Playfair Park

MISSOULA — Glacier turned in a strong day on the courts Saturday at Playfair Park.

TRACK ROUNDUP: Bigfork girls, Columbia Falls boys post team wins

BIGFORK — Logan Morley ran a pair of blistering races for the Vikings but it was the Bigfork girls who stole the show, winning the team title at the Bigfork Invitational on Saturday.

Two injured in truck crash

Two people were injured after the Dodge pickup truck they were driving was hit by a southbound semi tanker truck Saturday morning on Montana 206.

Ronan recycling plant fire brought under control

Firefighting teams were released Saturday morning from a large fire at a tire recycling plant that spewed smoke into Ronan on Friday.

Lead not big problem in Montana water

Six small Montana water systems have reported lead levels above federal standards in the past three years, a review of Environmental Protection Agency records shows.

LAW ROUNDUP: Man, woman allegedly fight over dope

COLUMN: Changing the rules on refugees - Are you surprised?

See if you recognize the irony in the following statement: “If I didn’t know better, I would think that our government was out to get us.”

Byron Henry Goe Jr., 74

Frank E. Lochridge Jr., 91

Willard W. 'Bill' Hallstrom, 76

Paula Altenburg, 87

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TJ Habel, dressed as Speed the Gorilla, attempts to make it across the pond during the opening round of the Whitefish Mountain Resort Pond Skim on Saturday. Danner Pickering won the ski division and hugh black won the snowboarding division. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Danner Pickering makes it across the pond going backwards during the Whitefish Mountain Resort 2016 Pond Skim on Saturday. Pickering won the event. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Adam Cazell, dressed as baby Trump, wrecks during the second round of the Whitefish Mountain Resort 2016 Pond Skim on Saturday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Claude Boiteau, dressed as an Easter egg chariot, crashes during the second round of the Whitefish Mountain Resort 2016 Pond Skim. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

FVCC Stumpjumper Days

Flathead Valley Community College’s Christian Vestal competes with Seth Probert (not pictured) in the men’s double buck on Saturday, April 9. They took third in the event. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Highway Ads

Morning commuters drive past a bus stop near Starbucks on U.S. 93 on Friday morning, April 8, in Kalispell.  (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Committee recommends three new schools in $61.2 million expansion

A school facility planning committee is recommending the Kalispell School District build two elementary schools and another middle school to address overcrowding.

Students trace old school's past

Edgerton Elementary first-graders opened the portal to a time machine during a field trip Tuesday and Wednesday at the Museum at Central School in Kalispell.

Daybook, April 9

Students excel at state ag, leadership events

State results are in and Flathead FFA continues to shine.

Republicans tackle issues at GOP event

Flathead Republican candidates for county and state primary races got a chance to build support on Thursday night while going head-to-head on issues relevant to Flathead Valley voters.

Natasha 'Tasha' Victoria Belston, 9

On March 24, 2016, “we lost our warrior Natasha Victoria Belston as she left her cocoon and became a beautiful butterfly.”

FEATURED: Cutting their teeth

FVCC’s Stumpjumper Days logger sports competition returns

The unpaved road to get there leads directly past a ‘dead end’ sign.

TRACK & FIELD: Glacier rules dual with Great Falls

Girls win 14 of 17 events, boys 10 to start track season

Glacier, after four weeks of practice, finally has some times and marks to work with.

RUGBY: Whitefish's Heavirland helps power Team USA to sweep

Whitefish scrum half nearly scores try in first sevens start for national team

KENNESAW, Ga. — Whitefish’s Nicole Heavirland saw time in two games, including her first start, for the U.S. National Rugby Sevens Team on Friday at the HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series at Fifth Third Bank Stadium on the campus of Kennesaw State University.

BOXING: Kalispell's Guzman wins first pro bout

Bloodied, bruised and exhausted, Kalispell’s Kenny Guzman climbed out of the ring after winning his professional debut and was greeted by, well, just about everybody.

SOFTBALL ROUNDUP: Polson ups win streak to three

BELGRADE — Polson posted a pair of easy victories on Friday during first-day action at the Belgrade Invitational softball tournament.

TENNIS ROUNDUP: Polson girls edge Dillon; Wildkats come up short

POLSON — Tessa Nunlist’s 6-3, 6-1 win at No. 4 singles gave Polson a 4-3 dual win over Dillon in a Class A girls tennis matchup on Friday.

TRACK & FIELD: Great Falls CMR sweeps duals with Flathead

GREAT FALLS ­— That Flathead track teams were swept in a dual against Great Falls C.M. Russell on Friday, getting edged in the point count despite some impressive performances.

LAW ROUNDUP: Stranger hurls book at man

Ronan recycling plant fire spews smoke

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency representatives from Colorado arrived in Ronan just before 5 p.m. Friday afternoon to assess air quality in the Mission Valley after a fire at a tire recycling plant spewed heavy smoke into the air.

District Music Festival

Flathead senior Christine West gets a few tips from Missoula vocal instructor Angela Wilkes after her performance of “Sure on this shining night” by Samuel Barber at the District Music Festival on Friday afternoon, April 8, at Flathead High School. In the background is West’s accompanist, Cathy Helder. Helder has been West’s voice teacher for six years. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Natasha 'Tasha' Victoria Belston, 9

Natasha ‘Tasha’ Victoria Belston, 9

Students trace old school's past

Museum at Central School Executive Director Gil Jordan dressed as Sidney Edgerton speaks to Katie Armstrong's first-grade Edgerton Elementary class about Edgerton's life during a tour of the museum on Wednesday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

Glacier's Scout Willcut

Glacier's Scout Willcut clears a hurdle during the 300-meter race at a meet against Great Falls on Friday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

Glacier's Courtney Mitchell

Glacier's Courtney Mitchell hurls the discus during a meet against Great Falls on Friday at Glacier. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

Highway Ads

Morning commuters drive past a bus stop near Starbucks on U.S. 93 on Friday morning, April 8, in Kalispell.  (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

LETTER: Vets getting runaround?

Do you remember when Congress passed the Veterans Choice bill? Well, it may sound good but here is what I think about it. It’s just another thing that the government can’t get right.

LETTER: What if Trump got elected? Would GOP heads explode?

Consider this just for fun: Regardless of all his bluster, absurd rhetoric, harsh retaliation when challenged and rather strange way of answering whatever the question is with comments on how great he is; regardless of all this, Donald Trump could sail through the Republican primary, go on to win the general election and find himself sitting in the Oval Office in January 2017. This could happen.

OPINION: Be afraid of Islam - here's why

I had to write in response to Kristina Garber Wilfore’s op-ed piece entitled: “Don’t be afraid — County wrong to take a stand against resettlement of Syrian refugees.”

LETTER: A practical solution to climate change?

We are being told that the vast majority of scientists believe that humans are increasing carbon dioxide levels in our atmosphere and therefore bringing about destructive climate change.

EDITORIAL: Habitat chips away at homelessness

We tip our hat to Habitat for Humanity of Flathead Valley as the nonprofit begins building its 50th home here in the valley. This worthy organization has built relationships with volunteers throughout the valley as it has shepherded the construction of affordable homes since the Flathead branch of the international organization began in 1989.

Man sentenced for hurting girlfriend, driving drunk

In Flathead District Court on Thursday, a Columbia Falls man admitted physically abusing his girlfriend and driving drunk.

Board OKs parole plan for cocaine trafficker

A Canadian man served nine months in jail and prison for trafficking more than $1 million worth of cocaine through the Flathead Valley before being approved for release by the Montana Board of Pardons and Parole.

Brewery goes big

Flathead Lake Brewing Co. in Bigfork on Thursday added a pair of new tanks to its arsenal of brewing equipment, effectively increasing the brewery’s capacity by 25 percent.

John 'JT' Polotto, 57

John “JT” Polotto passed away in Tucson, Arizona, on March 23, 2016, from brain cancer, with his wife Dawn and brother Mike by his side.

GOLF: Libby's Ryggs Johnston fires 68 to win Hullett Invitational

First prep win for state junior champion

BIGFORK — Libby freshman Ryggs Johnston took advantage of sterling course conditions at Eagle Bend Golf Club to earn his first prep victory, shooting a 4-under-par 68 to win the Steve Hullett Invitational by four strokes on Thursday.

VIANO COLUMN: Baseball fans, it's time to panic

The San Diego Padres will never score a run.

Steve Hullett Invitational Tournament

Bigfork sophomore Rachel Whitney tees off in the Steve Hullett Invitational tournament on Thursday April 7. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

SOFTBALL ROUNDUP: Libby, Columbia Falls light up scoreboard in wins

THOMPSON FALLS — Libby piled up nine runs in the fourth and fifth innings to end its Western B/C softball game against Thompson Falls early on Thursday, beating the Blue Hawks 12-0.

TENNIS: Libby boys, girls sweep Troy in dual action

LIBBY — Libby dominated a Class B tennis outing with Troy on Thursday.

LAW ROUNDUP: Bicyclist says he's OK after crash

A man called

New tanks at the Flathead Lake Brewing Company

Stacks of cans of the Flathead Lake Brewing Co. Centennial IPA. According to Director of Brewery Operations David Brendgard the brewery will be releasing their Two River Pale Ale in cans starting in May. They are also in the process of making an aromatic ale exclusively for Glacier National Park called Lone Walker. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

John 'JT' Polotto, 57

Serial child rapist sentenced to 100 years in prison

Flathead District Court Judge Robert Allison on Thursday granted a serial child rapist’s request to be sent to prison for the rest of his life.

Jason Franks

Flathead suffers late outbreak of influenza

The number of confirmed influenza cases in Flathead County his spiked with a spring surge of the illness.

Foster kids outpace available families

Montana is facing a swelling number of children entering foster care with a limited number of homes in which to place them.

Randall Deffert

Randall Deffert

Foster parents

Ex-Glacier worker accused of stealing, pawning chain saw

A former Glacier National Park maintenance worker is facing federal felony charges after allegedly stealing and pawning a chain saw that belonged to the federal government.

OPINION: Lawsuit could still stop water compact

The Flathead Joint Board of Control for the 128,242 acre irrigation project on the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Reservation filed suit against the state of Montana to void the vote on the water compact.  

LETTER: Can you really vote for Hillary?

I see in the paper and on TV that Hillary supporters are in full swing rioting and causing a public display of disapproval of Trump. Ask yourselves why anyone would want a Clinton in office after a 30-year history of criminal activities while in public office. Would that be better than Trump or anyone else for that matter?

LETTER: Lew Weaver is 'man of integrity'

Residents of the Flathead Valley, I don’t live in your wonderful area, but I visit there every summer. I reside in southern California. I’m aware of the controversy in the Creston area concerning the proposed Montana Artesian Water Company on Egan Slough Road. Lew Weaver and his wife, Larel, are seeking permits to establish the company and sell bottled water.

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Crow Tribe war chief remembered as 'great man in two worlds'

BILLINGS — Prominent state leaders and tribal officials in ceremonial headdresses crowded around the flag-draped coffin of the last surviving war chief of Montana’s Crow Indian Tribe.

Montana standoff suspect arrested

PORTLAND, Ore. — Federal authorities have arrested a 27-year-old Sanders County man charged with taking part in the armed occupation of an Oregon wildlife refuge.

COLUMN: It's time to indulge in some springtime fishing

Springtime in the Rockies! Wasn’t last weekend a dandy? Warm and sunny spring days made it impossible to stay inside. I had a ton of chores to do in my Kalispell yard, but I could not resist the call of my cabin and fishing boat. So JoAnn and I packed our gear and headed for a weekend at our cabin.

Hospital union won't mean lost jobs

Hospital leaders stressed Wednesday that employee layoffs would not be part of the upcoming affiliation that puts North Valley Hospital under the oversight of the Kalispell Regional Healthcare System.

This Week in the Flathead | April 7-13

Trio announces tour stops in the Flathead Valley

Dining with Duchess

It’s a rare treat to sit down to a fine meal in fine company and to keep those seats through a delightful evening of entertainment. And it’s even better when the entertainment is Duchess, a trio of women from New York City, with three beautiful voices, whose joy it is to sing in harmony, and make them one. It will be an evening reminiscent of dinner and a show at a famous big city night club such as Café Carlyle or The Oak Room.

EDITORIAL: Put restraints on government, not parents

There was never any doubt what the 2015 Legislature intended when it approved a law that allows tax credits for donations of up to $150 to private school scholarships or to innovative educational programs in public schools.

Two cats perish in house fire

No people were injured but two cats died at a house fire on Wyoming Street in Kalispell on Wednesday night.

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Firefighters work to make sure a house fire is out at 535 Wyoming Street on Wednesday. No one was injured in the fire. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

Kalispell fire

FEATURED: Game, Getts, Match

Wildkats senior looks to claim school’s first singles title since 1997

Emily Getts, a 17-year-old tennis star for Columbia Falls High School, has a happy-go-lucky attitude when it comes to her net game.

Columbia Falls' Emily Getts

Columbia Falls senior Emily Getts poses at the Flathead Valley Community College tennis courts. Getts is one of the top girls’ singles tennis players in the state and is making a run at the state title her senior season. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

TERRY COLUMN: Reaching the unreachable

Records are made to be broken, or so the saying goes.

Fugitive arrested in Kalispell

The U.S. Marshals Service has announced that it arrested Charles B. Smith in Kalispell on Wednesday based on a felony warrant for two counts of sexual intercourse without consent.

Beatrice 'Bea' Ann Jirges Fichter, 76

LAW ROUNDUP: Good Samaritan turns in found cash

A generous person found approximately $1,000 in a car rental at the airport and turned it in to

Joe Medicine Crow

A portrait of Joe Medicine Crow in full headdress stands next to his casket during his funeral service at the Apsaalooke Veterans Cemetery near Crow Agency, Mont., Wednesday, April 6, 2016. Medicine Crow was the Crow Tribe's last surviving war chief and a widely-renowned historian. Medicine Crow, who died April 3, 2016 at 102, spent decades cataloging Crow history and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama in 2009. (AP Photo/Matt Brown)

Man denies using bear spray against his mother

A man has denied spraying his mother with bear spray.

Duchess

Habitat for Humanity Ground Breaking

Korey Davidson, left, helps his son Brendan dig while the rest of the family Ryan, Mary, holding Mason and Brieana dig for the Habitat for Humanity of Flathead Valley ground breaking ceremony in the Spring Creek Estates in West Kalispell on Wednesday. The home, which is scheduled to be finished in December is the 50th home to be built through Habitat for Humanity of Flathead Valley. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

Hiker-biker season begins in Glacier

With sunny skies and warm weather in the forecast, Glacier National Park’s Going-to-the-Sun Road is open to hikers and bikers as far as the popular Avalanche Creek trailhead.

Little girl lands big fish at Swan Lake

Alona Johnson, a 6-year-old from Columbia Falls, had the catch of her life at Swan Lake last weekend when she reeled in a 45-inch pike weighing 27.5 pounds.

Flathead Bank acquired by First Interstate

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Neil Meyer stores a 1929 Ford Model A Roadster in his doghouse. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Dixie Meyer feeds her horses at their farm at Salmon Prairie in the Swan Valley on Tuesday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Lake)

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Dixie and Neil Meyer stand on their 350-acre land in the Swan Valley. The Meyers made the land a conservation easement and were awarded the Montana Neighbor Award. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Dixie and Neil Meyer stand on their 350-acre land in the Swan Valley. The Meyers made the land a conservation easement and were awarded the Montana Neighbor Award. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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The Montana Neighbor Award sits in Neil and Dixie Meyer's cabin the cabin they built on their land on Salmon Prairie in the Swan Valley. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Neil Meyer carries a pitchfork after feeding the cows and horses on his farm in the Swan Valley. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

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Dixie Meyer rolls a bale of hay and Neil spreads it as they feed their cows on Tuesday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

FVCC's Seth Probert

Flathead Valley Community College Logger Sports Seth Probert splits a log while practicing the vertical chop at the Logger Sports Arena at the school on Monday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

FVCC coach Anne Beall

Flathead Valley Community College Logger Sports Coach Anne Beall. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

FVCC's Erin McGowan

Flathead Valley Community College Logger Sports Captain Eric McGowan cuts through a log while practicing the single buck at the school on Monday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

Scouting abuse case returned to District Court

A District Court jury will hear a case against the Boy Scouts of America brought by women who were raped by a Kalispell scout leader in 1974 and 1975.

Sidney Edgerton

Museum at Central School Executive Director Gil Jordan dressed as Sidney Edgerton speaks to Katie Armstrong's first-grade Edgerton Elementary class about Edgerton's life during a tour of the museum on Wednesday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

David Clarke Jr.

Top police commentator visits Flathead Valley

An appreciative Flathead Valley crowd on Tuesday heard Milwaukee Sheriff David Clarke Jr. talk about the role of the Constitution and law enforcement issues in the country.

Montana prepared to address bat disease

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, partner agencies and other organizations are prepared for white-nose syndrome, should it turn up in Montana’s bat population.

Bigfork teen sentenced for a string of crimes

A Bigfork teen is headed to boot camp after committing a handful of crimes that include a car chase, writing bad checks, going on a burglary spree and stealing a vehicle.

Rail-park area declared infrastructure-deficient

The Kalispell City Council on Monday declared the Glacier Rail Park as infrastructure-deficient, the next step in establishing a new funding mechanism in the area.

Theodore F. 'Ted' Wirkus, 88

Dad was born on Jan. 27, 1928, (or 28-27-1 as he liked to tell people) in Minto, North Dakota, to Frank and Johanna Pokrzywinski Wirkus.

Barbara A. Dupont, 77

Barbara Ann Graham Dupont passed away on Tuesday, March 29, 2016. She will be remembered by everyone who knew her as wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandma, “Meme” and friend.

SOFTBALL: Polson earns first win, shuts out Flathead

Pirates claim victory behind pitching, defense

Camas Renault delivered a two-run second inning single and combined with Haley Fyant on a seven-hit shutout in Polson’s 4-0 win against Flathead at a brisk Boyle Field at the Conrad Complex Tuesday night.

TRACK & FIELD: Flathead makes splash in Whitefish dual

Six set state qualifying marks in season opener

Three Flathead athletes won multiple events as the Braves and Bravettes kicked off the season in a dual against Whitefish on Tuesday at Legends Stadium.

SOFTBALL ROUNDUP: Libby wins third straight, Columbia Falls rolls

LIBBY — Madisen Monigold went 4-for-4 with five RBIs and Libby ripped off its third straight win, clobbering Troy 21-2 in Western B/C conference play on Tuesday night.

GOLF: Libby's Jonny Cielak wins Eureka Invitational

Loggers senior earns second straight victory

EUREKA — Libby senior Jonny Cielak won his second straight tournament to start the Class B golf season, shooting a 1-over-par 72 at Indian Springs Ranch to win medalist honors at the Eureka Invitational on Tuesday.

Bravettes softball

Flathead shortstop Abbie O'Brien fires to first base as Polson's Laurel Bitterman (6) slides into second during an attempt at a double play in this file photo. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

Flathead's Trae Vasquez

Flathead's Trae Vasquez crashes down in the sand during the long jump at a track meet against Whitefish at Legends Stadium on Tuesday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

Whitefish's Johnny Perez, Jr.

Whitefish senior Johnny Perez, Jr. clears the bar at 5 feet, 10 inches during a meet against Flathead on Tuesday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

LAW ROUNDUP: Thief slowly empties bank account

Man sentenced for thefts from businesses, homes

A Kalispell man will serve two years with the Montana Department of Corrections for stealing $20,000 worth of merchandise from Cabela’s, partaking in a burglary ring near Beaver Lakes and stealing fuel cards.

Barbara A. Dupont, 77

Theodore F. 'Ted' Wirkus, 88

Daybook, April 6

Invasive mussels found on two boats

Just two days after the region’s third check station for boats opened in Pablo, state wildlife officials on Friday found a pair of boats containing an invasive species of mussels headed north along U.S. 93.

Mussel removal

FVCC student honored by national group

The national nonprofit Campus Compact has selected a Flathead Valley Community College student to receive the 2016 Newman Civic Fellows Award.

Drunken driver gets 10 years for fatal crash

Just before he was sent to prison for 10 years Tuesday, a Columbia Falls man apologized for driving drunk and killing a Nebraska cardiologist on June 6, 2015.

Bison homecoming

Bison from Canada arrive at Blackfeet reservation

BROWNING — Neither honor songs, well-behaved children nor a vigorous poke with a stick would convince a truckload of bison yearlings to explore their new home on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation.

Plea agreement covers drug charges, bail jumping

Authorities have decided not to bring charges against a man for fleeing from law enforcement officers and leading them on an air chase in the Leisure Island area on Oct. 9, 2015.

OPINION: Why I-180 is unfair and unreasonable

Professor Steve Running recently penned an opinion piece in the Daily Inter Lake in which he asked readers to sign petitions to place proposed Initiative 180 on the ballot. He began with a lengthy discussion of something he knows a great deal about — climate change — and ended with a call to support I-180, something he clearly knows little about.

LETTER: Malheur occupiers ought to pay damages

After reading the April 4 article on the occupation of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, it became obvious that those people who were part of the stand off should not only serve jail time but pay for all the costs associated with it.  

LETTER: Moving Pond Hockey Classic to January

Canceling the 2016 Montana Pond Hockey Classic in February was one of the most difficult decisions of my career. Faced with the whims of Mother Nature and unseasonably mild temperatures, the Kalispell Convention and Visitor Bureau and our partner Pond Hockey Classic risked disappointing hundreds of players, our local sponsors and the community. And Kalispell’s hoteliers, restaurants and shops would not experience the economic benefit they were counting on in the off-season. But on the other hand, we risked players on unsafe ice.

Local educators help develop plan for new law

Six Flathead Valley educators and administrators have been appointed to Office of Public Instruction work groups to help develop Montana’s education accountability systems in response to the newly authorized education law known as Every Student Succeeds Act.

Woman finds surprise gun, gloves

Miranda L. Martinez, 20

Hollie Genevieve Hoover, 101

Hollie Genevieve Hoover passed away at the age of 101, on March 29, 2016, in Deer Lodge, with her family by her side.

Patti Dimler-Hulett, 74

Our loving mother, Patti Dimler-Hulett, 74, passed away March 26, 2016.

Man sentenced for child porn, drug possession

A Kalispell man was given a probationary sentence on Thursday for possessing child pornography and drugs in 2014.

Woman to serve probation for chase, crash

A woman was sentenced for stealing a delivery vehicle on Aug. 20, 2015, leading authorities on a chase and crashing the vehicle.

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Pete G.C. Hendricks, of Bigfork, found his peace after flying fighter jets in Vietnam by moving to the Flathead Valley. He found closure in writing about the experience of being a combat surviver by writing his two books, “The Second War” and “To Any Soldier", which he co-authored with Kathryn Watson Quigg and released this winter. (Katheryn Houghton/Daily Inter Lake)

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Pete G.C. Hendricks, of Bigfork, found his peace after flying fighter jets in Vietnam by moving to the Flathead Valley. He found closure in writing about the experience of being a combat surviver by writing his two books, “The Second War” and “To Any Soldier", which he co-authored with Kathryn Watson Quigg and released this winter. (Katheryn Houghton/Daily Inter Lake)

County commissioners reject bridge changes

Flathead County commissioners on Monday unanimously rejected a request for several changes to the controversial bridge connecting Dockstader Island to the North Shore of Flathead Lake.

Dockstader Island bridge

Habitat begins work on 50th Flathead Valley home

Habitat for Humanity of Flathead Valley will break ground Wednesday on its 50th home in the Flathead Valley.

County starts lifting spring road limits

Flathead County will begin lifting its spring load limits for trucks on most valley-floor roads starting Wednesday.

Judge says climate change threatens wolverines

The Obama administration brushed over the threat that climate change poses to the snow-loving wolverine when it denied protections for the elusive predator also known as the "mountain devil," a federal judge ruled Monday.

Blacktail wraps up snow season

Blacktail Mountain Ski Area has closed for the season and Whitefish Mountain Resort will be open one more week.

Russell J. Ritter

Frank Wendell Phillips

Watermilfoil removal efforts successful at Beaver Lake

Efforts to remove Eurasian watermilfoil from Beaver Lake west of Whitefish indicate the aquatic invasive species may be completely eradicated from the lake within the next few years.

Actor finds home, purpose in the Flathead

There’s not much that local actor Mikey Winn won’t do on stage.

Steve Blouin

Julius 'Jiggs' Burton Hill

Robert 'Dr. Bob' Shapiro

Earl W. Brown

Browning burglar given probation for 2015 Essex crimes

A Browning man was given a probationary sentence and stern lecture from Flathead District Court Judge Robert Allison on Thursday for his involvement with break-ins and burglaries that occurred in Essex on May 16-18, 2015.

Boot camp recommended for two-time sex offender

It has been proposed that a Columbia Falls man convicted last week of a second instance of having inappropriate sexual contact with a minor should be sent to boot camp as punishment for his crimes.

Profile: Mikey Winn

Portrait of Mikey Winn at the O’Shaughnessy Center in Whitefish on Tuesday, March 29. Winn is currently preparing for Tribes at the Whitefish Theatre Company but is a well known face in the arts community based on his work with the Alpine Theatre Project, the Viscosity Theatre Cabaret and others. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Daybook, April 4

Lawsuit challenges Montanore Mine approval

Environmentalists are challenging U.S. Forest Service approval of a $500 million copper and silver mine in Northwest Montana, citing concerns from state officials that it could drain surrounding waterways and potentially harm a species of trout protected under federal law.

Whitefish studies sewer options for Lion Mountain

A preliminary engineering report that outlines septic and sewer alternatives for Lion Mountain and possible incentives for utility connection and annexation is the focus of a Whitefish City Council work session tonight.

Kalispell council to consider new economic development district

The Kalispell City Council is considering the creation of an economic funding mechanism for the Glacier Rail Park and will vote tonight to schedule a public hearing for April 18 on the proposal.

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At Home April Cover

Woman takes abuse for noticing young drunk

An upset woman on Fourth Avenue West told

Frank Vitale

Frank Vitale trims the hooves of a horse at his ranch east of Kalispell. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Apprentice packing program passes torch to the next generation

Frank Vitale was deep in the backcountry along with a pair of fellow wilderness packers last summer when the campfire talk turned to the future of their profession.

DIL 040316

Bridge changes sought: Dockstader owners ask county for amendment

The developers of the controversial bridge linking Dockstader Island to the north shore of Flathead Lake will seek an amendment to the unfinished project Monday from Flathead County commissioners.

Col. Falls community market poised to expand

The hillside above O’Brien’s Liquor Store has been transformed with the demolition of a century-old house and two other buildings on the property.

OPINION: Global warming will have huge impact on Montana's economy, outdoor heritage

Our climate is changing and global temperatures are soaring. NASA climate data shows that January 2016 was the hottest month ever recorded — until February broke January’s record.

OPINION: Parsing the non-existential threat from the non-Islamic State

What do 9-11, Benghazi, the Paris massacre, San Bernardino and the Brussels bombings all have in common?

LETTER: Religious beliefs won't protect us

I used to think that the president was just not that competent regarding protecting the country from terrorists. After reading about the president’s Easter message on Page A10, March 31, in the Daily Inter Lake, I now see that the president is using his deeply held religious beliefs to shape his policy. (“Obama says terrorists are trying to ‘weaken our faith.’”)

LETTER: Jesus wouldn't put us in danger

Some people who want to allow more Muslim refugees in this country say they are doing what Jesus would do. Well, let’s take a look at the facts:

LETTER: Many issues to be studied in bottling plant

Regarding the permit application by property owner Lew Weaver for a bottling plant, below are issues that clearly need to be legally resolved before being “rubber stamped” with an OK. If not, Montana taxpayers will be left holding the bag for the costs associated with this private business owner’s operation. Not to mention the very real potential for “water wars” between neighbors, farmers, ranchers.

At Home April

LETTER: The Donald shows lack of serious thinking

Amazing! The self-declared darling of the “practically not educated at all” may have finally stuck his foot so far down his throat (or elsewhere) that even his blind followers, especially the women, may wise up and abandon him ... maybe.

FVCC board sticks with current trustees after none

The Flathead Valley Community College Board of Trustees unanimously voted to cancel upcoming elections for four trustee seats, citing not enough candidates applied for the positions.

OPINION: Grizzly bear facts - not fiction

In January, I submitted an op-ed to the Inter Lake titled “The Grizzly Killing Fields” questioning the haste of the states in dividing up grizzly hunting quotas while the bears were still listed as “threatened.” I questioned the need, effectiveness and wisdom of hunting the state animal because of the following:

Repair or replace? State, county ponder best fix for iconic Swan River Bridge

The Montana Department of Transportation and Flathead County are in the initial stages of a feasibility study to determine whether Bigfork’s historic Swan River Bridge will be repaired or replaced.

Salish Kootenai College opens student health center

The Salish Kootenai College is set to open its first Student Health Center next week as a joint effort with the Salish and Kootenai Tribal Health Department.

OPINION: Montana's convention delegation could be pivotal

“Brokered” political conventions are neither good nor bad. Sometimes they are simply necessary. That could be the case with the Republicans this year, as it was in 1952 and 1976.

OPINION: Helping Montana's workers, combine startup success with better wages, free college

Jobs and better jobs will be an important issue in the upcoming gubernatorial campaign.

Restoring a Glacier Park landmark: Lake McDonald Lodge renovation costs $3 million

In March, the banging of hammers and the high-pitched whine of electric drills rang out on the normally tranquil northeast shore of Lake McDonald, where one of Glacier National Park’s most iconic buildings has stood for more than a century.

EDITORIAL: School preparation could save lives

“Be prepared” is the motto of the Scout movement, but it is good advice in all endeavors, so we were glad to see a number of schools and agencies participating in “active resistance” training at Flathead High School last week.

Steve Blouin, 54

Steve Blouin, 54, passed away Wednesday, March 30th, 2016.

Robert 'Dr. Bob' Shapiro, 92

Dr. Robert “Dr. Bob” Shapiro died peacefully on Tues., March 29, 2016.

Earl W. Brown, 82

Earl W. Brown, 82, passed away March 20, 2016, at his home on Foothills Road. He was born May 28, 1933, in Kalispell.

Russell J. Ritter, 83

Russell J. Ritter, the former mayor of Helena and president of the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation, passed peacefully at his home in Helena on the morning of Thursday, March 31, at the age of 83.

Frank Wendell Phillips, 86

Frank Wendell Phillips, 86, passed away on March 29, 2016, at the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls.

RUGBY: Black and Blue rip Bitteroot Warriors

The Black and Blue rugby team opened the high school season Saturday by dominating a big, talented Bitteroot Warriors squad 25-7.

SOFTBALL ROUNDUP: Glacier goes 3-1 at Great Falls Jamboree

Libby sweeps two conference games at St. Ignatius

GREAT FALLS — Glacier opened its defense of the Class AA state championship with a 3-1 showing at the Great Falls Jamboree on Saturday.

TENNIS ROUNDUP: Glacier boys, girls beat C.M. Russell; Polson sweeps pair

GREAT FALLS — Glacier and Flathead opened the tennis season with dual action in the Electric City versus C.M. Russell and Great Falls High.

TRACK & FIELD: Clairmont, Corrigan lead Polson at Gene Hughes Invitational

CORVALLIS — Polson had two individual winners on Saturday at the Gene Hughes Invitational track meet.

SATURDAY BRIEFS: Straight Blast fighter wins silver, clinics on tap at Buffalo Hill

Leah Taylor, a coach at Straight Blast Gym of Montana Kalispell, won a silver medal in the medium heavy women’s black belt division at the Pan American Championships in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu last month at the University of California-Irvine.

COLUMN: Will Trump survive abortion minefield?

There are some things you just don’t say.

Lake McDonald Lodge

Lake McDonald Lodge in Glacier National Park is undergoing a $3 million renovation. Here the main lobby is shown with white protective sheets draped over animal mounts and other historic icons. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Allen Slater at Flathead High School

Flathead High School senior Dani Skonord, an alto sax player talks with Allen Slater before the start of class on Friday, March 25. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Allen Slater

Allen Slater conducts a class on Friday, March 25, at Flathead High School in Kalispell. Slater will be retiring at the end of the school. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Black and Blue Rugby

Black and Blue Rugby Club's Tilor Mercier runs away from a pair of Hamilton Warrior defenders during the Black and Blue's 25-7 victory at Evergreen Junior High in this April 2, 2016 file photo. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

Math contest winners announced

Results are in for the Montana Council of Teachers of Mathematics Math Contest for middle and high school students.

Daybook, April 2

The Music Man: Longtime FHS band teacher ready to march into retirement

What has kept Allen Slater motivated to teach for 37 years is the opportunity to show students the beauty in music, and in life.

GOLF: Libby's Jonny Cielak wins inaugural Spring Swing by two shots

Senior shoots 67 to top Loggers teammate Ryggs Johnston

MISSOULA — Libby senior Jonny Cielak shot 2-under par on the front and back nine to shoot a 4-under-par 67 for his round, holding off teammate Ryggs Johnston for medalist honors at the Spring Swing on Friday at the Missoula Country Club.

SOFTBALL: Libby's bats go cold in opener with Anaconda

LIBBY — Khalyn Hageness struck out seven in a complete game but the Libby offense was unable to muster much in a 1-0 season-opening loss to Anaconda on Friday afternoon.

Births, published April 2

LAW ROUNDUP: Egged home, stinky mailbox baffle woman

Jury to begin deliberating Bozeman Republican's dark money case

HELENA — Testimony in the trial against a Montana lawmaker accused of taking illegal corporate contributions ended Friday with a tense exchange between Rep. Art Wittich and the special prosecutor appointed to make the case against him.

Injunction blocks state from enforcing exclusion of religious schools from tax credit

A Flathead District Court judge on Friday issued a preliminary injunction that blocks the Montana Department of Revenue from enforcing a rule that would have excluded religious schools from a program providing tax credits for donations to private school scholarships.

Flathead hospitals finalize affiliation pact

The governing boards of North Valley Hospital and Kalispell Regional Healthcare System have finalized how the Whitefish hospital will operate under the Kalispell Regional’s umbrella.

SpringHills Suite Marriott

Cement is poured and sheetrock is moved at the SpringHills Suites Marriott on Reserve Drive on Friday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

Creston Auction Preparation..jpg

Dale Stere removes a pedal car made in the mid 20th century from a trailer at the Creston Auction site on Friday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)

Avalanche danger 'considerable' this weekend

With warmer temperatures forecast through the weekend, the Flathead Avalanche Center issued a “considerable” avalanche danger warning for elevations above 5,000 feet Friday morning.

LETTER: Can you really put your family's safety at risk?

Americans are mostly very generous by nature. Our heritage and freedom was obtained by being staunch in our ideals and giving of our resources so that others may enjoy freedom and security as we do.

LETTER: Who does Sen. Daines represent?

Voter polls in Montana and across the country show that the majority of voters (including Democrat, Republican and independents) feel the Senate should hold hearings and vote on President Obama’s Supreme Court nominee. Regardless of the wishes of a majority of our citizens, Sen. Daines continues to oppose any hearings or votes on a nominee this year.

LETTER: What's missing at the (...) Bison Range?

A few stories have been published in a couple of Montana newspapers saying that talks are underway to “transfer” the Bison Range from the National Wildlife Refuge System into a tribal “trust” status.

LETTER: Editor's column worth $2 million

The “Editor’s 2 cents” column was worth $2 million in Easter Sunday’s paper.

LETTER: Thanks to all who helped with the science fair

The Flathead County Science Fair committee would like to thank the Flathead Valley community for helping out with the science fair this year. It is the support of the whole community that leads to a successful event like this, which can change the lives of our area students. Many of our local kids went on to the State Science Fair in Missoula, and put on a good showing there as well.

EDITORIAL: Montana tribe welcomes bison home

The grand arc of history can be quite satisfying when it results in a just compensation for a wrong done decades or even centuries before.

Employee housing plan moves forward

Glacier National Park announced Thursday it is moving forward with a plan to develop new employee housing in Many Glacier and East Glacier.

Kalispell angler hits perfect score at Spring Mack Days

Jason Mahlen of Kalispell became the second angler in as many weeks to hit a perfect score during the Spring Mack Days fishing tournament last weekend.

Facebook useful for private investigator

A Kalispell private investigator who has helped develop security standards in other countries and appeared on a reality TV show says Facebook has become his new best friend in tracking down the people he pursues.

Kalispell Chamber leads trip to China

The Kalispell Chamber of Commerce’s trip to China takes flight next week with 200 Kalispell residents participating in the cultural and trade excursion.

Ben C. Tempel, 83

Ben C. Tempel died at home on March 24, 2016.