800 expected for speech meet

Community members needed as judges

Flathead and Glacier high schools are still looking for community members as judges for Friday and Saturday’s Western Regional Speech and Debate Tournament in Kalispell.

Commissioners turn cold shoulder to Mac request

Flathead County commissioners were not receptive to a request that the county's information technology department begin supporting Apple products that the Flathead City-County Health Department would like to purchase.

Bragging rights at stake in Crosstown Cup

Bragging rights are on the line this week in the Flathead Valley.

Local students spend spring break focusing on science

Spring break didn’t stop several Flathead Valley student scientists from demonstrating their know-how at the Montana Science Fair.

Geoffrey Stephen Hughes, 69

Geoffrey Stephen Hughes, Geoff, passed away on Jan. 19, 2010, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center after a long battle with lymphoma. Geoff was born May 17, 1940, in The Bronx, N.Y., to Gerard and Mary Hughes. He grew up in The Bronx and attended high school at Fordham Prep where he graduated in 1957. He was a champion soccer player and a member of the Fordham Rams varsity basketball team, as well as an avid jitterbugger, winning many contests with his dance partner and cousin Alice Hughes. He spent three years serving his nation at sea as a merchant marine, and in 1966 he graduated with his Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, Fla. While at JU he met Fran Davis who became his wife Dec. 27, 1966. Geoff and Fran moved to Montana in 1969 to enroll in graduate courses at the University of Montana, during which time he and Fran welcomed their first child, a daughter they named Kristin. Geoff graduated with his master s in organic chemistry in 1972 and worked for a few years at American Chemet lab outside of Helena. While in Helena, Geoff welcomed his second child, a son he and Fran named Shannon. In 1975, Geoff moved his family to Kalispell so he could work for the state s Water Quality Research Department, assisting with the implementation of the Clean Water Act, and later worked for the city of Kalispell s water department. Geoff finished his work for the government in 1984 and found his calling in teaching chemistry at Flathead High School. He was the chairman of the science department, oversaw the school s astronomy club and later was the official score keeper for various sports; though he was best known as Periodic Table Man and in his final years at the high school as the Voice of the Braves, announcing the high school s volleyball, basketball and football games. In 1998 President Bill Clinton honored Geoff with the Presidential Award, recognizing him as the top high school science teacher in the state of Montana. Geoff retired from Flathead High School in 2000 and joined the faculty at the Flathead Valley Community College in 2002 where he taught chemistry and took up pottery until he passed away. Geoff loved to be outdoors and his passion was hiking and camping in Glacier National Park where he also sat on the board of the Glacier National Park Associates, a volunteer coordinating organization. Other regions he enjoyed exploring included the Jewel Basin and the Great Smoky Mountains, North Carolina, where he and Fran shared a home with her sister Hope. Geoff had a love for playing golf and was a member at Buffalo Hill Golf Course where they allocated the day s second tee-time to his foursome. Geoff was an avid traveler, chef extraordinaire and comedian. He enjoyed spending time in Europe, hiking in Switzerland and Germany with his wife and friends, exploring the local traditions and cuisines throughout the region. He was known by his friends as the best host because his sense of humor coupled with his passion for food allowed him to cook various meals from around the globe and pair each course with an appropriate joke or anecdote, often utilizing accents to emphasize the humor. Geoff is survived by his wife, Fran, of 43 years. He is also survived by daughter, Kristin; son, Shannon; daughter-in-law, Karin; and grandsons, Taylor and Hunter; brother, John; and sister, Marianne. Also surviving Geoff are sisters-in-law, Hope Gedeon and Barbara Hughes; and brothers-in-law, Tom Davis and John Kelly. Services will be held at 11 a.m. today, Jan. 20, at Epworth United Methodist Church in Kalispell. In lieu of gifts, the family has asked that donations be made to one of Geoff s favorite non-profit organizations: Glacier National Park Associates, P.O. Box 91, Kalispell, MT 59903; The Junaluskans, P.O. Box 87, Lake Junaluska, NC 28745; Epworth United Methodist Church, 329 Third Ave. E., Kalispell, MT 59901.

A so-so day in AA for Glacier, Flathead at state volleyball

BOZEMAN — Billings bested Kalispell in both Class AA winners-bracket quarterfinals at the state volleyball tournament Thursday evening at Brick Breeden Fieldhouse.

Free mammograms offered today at Health Department

The Flathead City-County Health Department will provide free mammograms today on the Winkley Mobile Mammography Coach in partnership with the Montana Cancer Screening Program and Save A Sister Initiative.

Best of the Flathead

Staff at Don K gathers for a group shot on Tuesday, July 15, in Whitefish. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Glacier High continues speech season undefeated

Glacier High School speech and debate team bested the competition in Bozeman this weekend, continuing an undefeated season.

Letters to the editor Oct. 19

Letters to the editor Oct. 19

Letters to the editor Oct. 17

Letters to the editor Oct. 17

Flathead lawmakers lead effort to draft Rosendale for Senate race

A bevy of conservative state lawmakers threw their support behind U.S. Rep. Matt Rosendale as the best person to oust incumbent Sen. Jon Tester in 2024 last week, though Rosendale has yet to formally announce his candidacy.

Horror film 'Paper Dolls' gets Whitefish screening

Bigfoot finally makes its film debut in Whitefish.

AA Football: Major challenges await Flathead Braves in final three weeks

There have been almost nothing but good vibes in and around the Flathead football program this fall.

Dorm gives FVCC new recruitment tool

Wednesday evening marked the newest milestone for Flathead Valley Community College, with the ribbon-cutting ceremony and official opening of Founders Hall.

'The best people in the world'

It is customary at this time of year for editorialists to count not just their own blessings, but those of the community. Even in the bleakest of times, it seems the message of Christmas provides hope and good cheer.

Fiesta Days' chili cook-off is today

Whitefish heads south of the border for Fiesta Days. Come sample the best chili in town and vote for your favorite. The chili cook-off is from noon to 2 p.m. today downtown on Central Avenue. The cost is $3.50 a cup for all you can eat.

Parade's best

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

Commissioner Cal Scott crosses party lines to endorse Democrat as successor

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

Flathead Business Watercooler

Business events, trainings and seminars