Changing times: Good, bad and ugly

There's a yin and yang in the Flathead's booming economy.

Flathead runners on the road to Yakima

The Daily Inter Lake

Growth policy should be adopted

As the Flathead County Planning Board struggles through its review of the county's draft growth policy, a critical deadline is looming.

Sept. 20 celebration marks anniversary of Wilderness Act

 On Sept. 20 in Kalispell, the Go Wild! Flathead Wilderness event will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act.

First Night a worthy tradition

The fun will be almost nonstop on Monday night.

Job fair features more than 100 employers

The event includes two segments – high school career exploration and a job fair.

Wins for C-Falls girls, Whitefish boys

COLUMBIA FALLS —

Clarity level of Flathead Lake leads Montana

Flathead Lake Biological Station director Jim Elser delivered his State of the Lake address during the bio station’s recent open house, honing in on the blueness of the lake as it relates to water quality.

Bravettes state bound

Drill Hellgate 62-44 in Western AA playoff game

Perrin eyes title, perfect year

Flathead’s Ben Perrin will try to continue his undefeated senior season at the MHSA All-Class State Cross Country Meet in Missoula today at the University of Montana golf course.

Program offers a guide for troubled youths

Raising a teenager is rarely easy.

Warren C. Sparks Sparling, 91

Warren C. Sparks Sparling, 91, passed away early Sunday morning, July 18, 2010, at his home in Kalispell. He was born on June 22, 1919, in Kalispell, to James and Bernice (LaRue) Sparling. Warren attended Kalispell schools, graduating from Flathead County High School. He married his high school sweetheart, Adeline Larson and together they had one son, Robert David Sparling. Warren served in the military as a lieutenant in the Army during World War II. He was a partner in the family business of the American Timber Co., for most of his career. Warren was very involved in Bethlehem Lutheran Church, singing tenor in the choir for many years, and serving as the congregation president. Playing his guitar, he formed and led a boys choir at the church and was a faithful supporter of the outreach in his giving. Another outreach of his giving was to the Lutheran Bible Institute of Issaquah, Wash., where he served on the board. It is now known as the Trinity Lutheran College of Everett, Wash. Warren and Adeline loved to travel and went on many cruises and trips. They loved to fish and spent time with their son, Bob, and his wife, Sharon, salmon fishing on Vancouver Island and also on golfing trips in Oregon. Bob and Sharon went on some of their cruises with them. Their grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought much joy to their lives. Papa Hataburn as he was affectionately called by his family was always teasing, making up stories and singing songs. His families have many wonderful memories of times at the Flathead Lake cabin. Christmas always found Warren with his Santa uniform and a bag of gifts. Adeline passed away suddenly two days after Christmas this past year and life hadn t been so good for him since then. His Home Option s care givers (who have become like family) tried their best to bring joy into his days and we are so thankful to them. We are also grateful to Sharon Askelson for her care of their home and yard and loving care to their needs for 20 years. Warren is survived by his son, Robert Sparling, and wife, Sharon, of Tacoma, Wash.; granddaughter, Kathy Lumsden, and husband, Terry, of Olalla, Wash., and their two children, Jennifer and Thomas; granddaughter, Jill Scherrer, and husband, Scott, of Post Falls, Idaho, and their daughter, Stephanie; grandson, Bruce Sparling, and wife, Cindy, of Tacoma, and their two children, Jack and Isabel. He is also survived by a sister, Ruth Darnell, of Gig Harbor, Wash.; a brother-in-law, Hollister Larson, of Kalispell; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services for Warren will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 24, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church with Pastor Debra Abbott officiating. Preceding the service, a brief graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. for family and friends, at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery. The family suggests memorial gifts be given to the Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp, 603 S. Main St., Kalispell, MT 59901. Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Warren s family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to view Warren s tribute wall and offer condolences.

Tourist traffic building

Bed tax revenue on course for record-breaking year

After 2012’s record-breaking year for bed tax revenues in Montana, the state saw more than a $1 million increase for the first three quarters of 2013.

Ramona Jeanine (Shepherd) Bauer, 59

Ramona passed away suddenly on Saturday, March 6, 2010, near Libby. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 13, in the Commercial Building at the Flathead County Fairgrounds. Ramona was born Sept. 24, 1950, in Oakland, Calif., to Lucile and Henry Shepherd. She and her family moved to the Flathead Valley in 1968, where she finished up her senior year at Flathead High School. She married Dan Bauer on June 7, 1969. They had four children, Shannon Leroy, Lisa Jeanine, Danielle Leah and Chad Levi. She was baptized as one of Jehovah s Witnesses in August 1968 in Spokane. She was a member of the Whitefish Congregation of Jehovah s Witnesses. Ramona was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend. She took each of these roles very seriously and made each one of us feel loved, special and protected. One of her greatest loves was her grandchildren. Her eyes lit up whenever she saw them or talked about them. She was a gifted artist, many of her beautiful paintings still hang in her family and friends homes. Ramona was an expert gardener, planting a huge vegetable garden every year and canning the produce. She also had a beautiful flower garden, full of many varieties of flowers. She loved going hunting and camping every year with her dear family and friends at Spotted Bear. She loved puzzles and games, especially her crossword puzzles. She was a very self-sacrificing person; she never told anyone no and never complained, no matter how difficult the situation may have been. So many people relied on her generous and kind spirit. She always had a smile on her face and a phone to her ear, sometimes both ears. She had a wonderful, contagious laugh and such a lovely smile. She always looked for the good in others, and for the best side of any situation. She was a beautiful, loving, kind, bright light in our lives. Words cannot express how much we loved her, how much we will miss her. Ramona had strong faith in the promised hope of the resurrection. (John 11:25, John 5:28, 29) She talked often about seeing her son, Shannon, again. She kept that day always in her mind. Ramona is survived by her husband of 41 years, Dan Bauer, of Columbia Falls; daughters, Lisa and husband, Charly, Ayidomihou of Columbia Falls, Danielle and husband, Jeff, Sanders of Kalispell; son, Chad and wife, Joanna, Bauer of Kalispell; grandchildren, Katie Ulrich, Coltin Dodge, Furious Sanders, Peyton Sanders, Jordan Bauer and Dylan Bauer; mother, Lucile Shepherd, of Columbia Falls; brother, Leonard Shepherd, and wife, Sandy, of Hamilton; sister, Irene Crow, of Kila; father-in- law, Roy Bauer, and wife, Flossie, of Columbia Falls; as well as numerous nieces and nephews, cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by her son, Shannon Leroy; and her two grandchildren, Jeremy Dodge Sanders and Jade Helen Ulrich. A fund has been established at the Whitefish Credit Union for donations.

Russell a wise choice to lead health department

It’s been a tumultuous year for the Flathead City-County Health Department and the Board of Health as the two entities have been on the front line of navigating the COVID-19 pandemic here at home. And it’s no secret the situation is becoming dire.

Skijoring championships planned for Lakeside

A new skijoring event has been added to the Flathead Valley’s winter outdoor itinerary and will take place Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 on a private airstrip at The Lakeside Club in Lakeside.

Class AA Football Preview: Flathead heads to Helena

TODAY: Flathead (2-7) at No. 4-ranked Helena High (6-3).

Flathead stumbles in state opener

Bravettes drop first match at Class AA state volleyball tournament; play today

BOZEMAN —Everything going their way.

Salute to Gipe; farewell to Ross, Mercord

Public service in the Flathead has attracted many dedicated citizens over the years, but few have been as well-liked as Howard Gipe.

Jobless rate nears 3-year low

After years of stubbornly high jobless numbers in Flathead County, the pendulum finally may be swinging the other way.