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Whitefish Pilot
Support completing the Whitefish River Trail
DREAM Adaptive Recreation and Safe Trails Whitefish are working with partners and community members to support the City of Whitefish's efforts to complete a safe, connected paved path system through town. The main path artery, the Whitefish River Trail has segments that are missing and/or inaccessible creating a safety issue for pedestrians. Our community needs a safe and accessible way for all people, regardless of age or ability, to travel by foot, bikes, mobility devices, in our city.Currently, the Riverbend/Miles Avenue section, a key segment, is at a critical point. This section is north of Kay Beller Park under Veterans...
Boat launch inspection stations open May 1
The boat launches at Whitefish City Beach and Whitefish Lake State Park Boat will open May 1, 2024. Inspections will be available from 7:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. During the month of May, decontaminations will be available Monday through Friday by appointment only. Boaters can call 406-212-0750 to schedule an appointment. The Decontamination Station will be open with regular hours by mid-June. For more information on Aquatic Invasive Species inspections, please call 406-863-2473 or visit www.cityofwhitefish.org/173/Watercraft-Inspection-Decontamination.
Looking Back - Whitefish School Board purchases land in Happy Valley
A look back at past Pilot articles by Julie Engler50 Years AgoMay 2, 1974Whitefish voters would express their opinion, yes or no, on a requested special levy totalling $163,266.27 in the junior high P.E. facility. The purpose of the levy was to finance and maintain the educational programs presently in effect. One new program, girls basketball, would be added to the extracurricular program. The levy request amounted to $75,738.75 for the elementary district and $87,827.50 for the high school district.40 Years AgoMay 3, 1984More money was being spent by the City of Whitefish, according to treasurer Helen Doyle, than it...
Police Calls: Concrete blocks and dirt block roadways
The police calls section is presented for entertainment purposes and does not reflect the nature or the volume of the calls received by local law enforcement.April 10A GMC rear ended a black VW and continued to drive away down Highway 93. There were no injuries when a white truck hit the caller’s black Tacoma on Central Avenue and left.A resident of Baker Avenue said the noise from a dump truck unloading concrete blocks at her neighbor’s house was so loud, it “shook her house” and she would like the neighbors to be counseled.A parked vehicle was blocking a fire hydrant on...
Student Art: ‘Palm Springs’ by Lucy Olson
The art featured above is called “Palm Springs” and is a watercolor painting by Whitefish High School senior Lucy Olson in the WHS Art 1: Painting class. The Pilot periodically features art from Whitefish High School students.
Legals for May, 1 2024
NO. 2753 CITY OF WHITEFISH NOTICE OF PRESENTING TO THE VOTERS A PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE CITY CHARTER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that at its regular meeting to be held May 6, 2024, at 7:10 p.m., in the Whitefish City Council Chambers at 418 East Second Street, the Whitefish City Council will consider an ordinance presenting to the voters of the City of Whitefish a proposal to amend Article II, Section 2.01(4) of the Whitefish City Charter to allow members of the City Council to receive compensation, such as a salary, stipend, health insurance, per diem, and mileage allowance, all as set...
Choir to perform spring concert at the O’Shaughnessy
When Meghan Hodges climbed up on the piano bench beside her father and began picking out harmonies when she was just three years old, it was clear that musical talent was in her DNA.Now, Hodges serves as the accompanist for the Crown of the Continent Choir which will perform a spring concert on May 5 at the O’Shaughnessy Center. The nonprofit community choir provides free concerts and gives all donations to other nonprofit organizations in the Flathead Valley.Randy Carspecken, board chair of the Crown of the Continent Choir, is impressed with Hodges professionalism and virtuosity.“Last Sunday, we had our annual...
Whitefish School District levy to support new staff, staff salaries and expanded programs
The Whitefish School District is asking voters to consider a general fund levy in the amount of $108,337 to support staffing levels for a growing student body and to help fund increases in teacher and staff salaries.Staffing increases will help maintain proper class size ratios and academic offerings, including core classes, career and technical education, and advanced placement.The estimated tax impact of the levy is $5.88 per year for a home with a taxable value of $600,000.Ballots were mailed to all active voters on April 18. They must be received by 8:00 p.m. on May 7, either by return mail or by dropping them off at the Whitefish School District Office located at 600 East 2nd St. For questions, please call (406) 862-8640.
Thanks to all who helped with Earth Day Expo 2024
The Flathead Valley Citizens’ Climate Lobby Earth Day Expo team would like to thank the Flathead Valley community for making this year’s event a success. Through the support of the whole community, we gathered for hands-on learning and conversations on nurturing our environment and strengthening our bonds in the Flathead Valley.We would like to thank our platinum sponsors this year: Northstone Solar, Carbon Recall, and Pioneer Heating and Cooling. They, along with many other sponsors and booth purchasers provided financial support that helped us secure the Flathead Valley Community College venue and provide other valuable services to make the event...
Bulldog boys and girls defeat tennis power Polson
Both the boys and girls tennis teams for Whitefish defeated tennis power Polson on Tuesday, April 23.The girls won their matchup 5-2 thanks to solid play by both singles and doubles players. Alivia Lusko won her No. 1 singles matchup against Summer Newman of Polson 7-5, 6-1. Liesl Brust won the No. 2 matchup and Dessi Young was victorious in the No. 3 singles spot.The No. 2 doubles squad of Camry Kelch and Zoey Marzo defeated Greta Lund and Hinkley Moss 6-4, 6-0. Gretel Vine and Lizzy Holien won the No. 3 doubles matchup for Whitefish by a score of...
Whitefish sweeps team scoring at ARM Invite
Whitefish won both the boys and girls team scoring at their home ARM Invitational on Saturday, April 27, winning 14 different events.Carson Krack won the 110-meter hurdles (15.33) and the high jump (6-0). Christian Schwaderer was first in the 200-meter run (24.33), while Ethan Amick was the top finisher in the 400-meter run (51.88). In the 1,600-meter run, Whitefish’s Simon Douglas was first (4:35.51). In the relays, Whitefish won the 4x400 race (43.93).Krack was also second in the 100-meter run (11.40), while Carson Gulick was fourth in the 110-meter hurdles (16.24) and third in the 300-meter hurdles (44.88).On the girls side,...
Chairlift: The in-between time
We’ve entered the season when the chairlift doesn't spin. From the closing day of the ski hill until the opening day of the mountain’s summer activities, the lift is still. No low rumble of the motor, no gentle swing of the chair, no friendly smiles from your favorite liftie.That first few weeks after the last day of skiing, many of us feel at a loss. The chair has stopped and so too, it seems, our “normal” way of life. It’s often too cold and muddy to bike. Sometimes we can feel as idle as the chairlift.Skis, boots and poles are...
Times are a changin’ in the Flathead
Times are a changin’ in the Flathead, and whether we like it or not, growth is imminent. The City of Whitefish, like other cities in the valley, holds City Council meetings every two weeks to discuss, approve/deny resolutions reviewed by city staff, development proposals, fiscal reports, and most importantly, hear feedback from citizens like yourself. Why is it that only those citizens with NIMBY-itis come to the council meetings to air their views? What the City Council does/doesn’t do affects every citizen in Whitefish and the valley! Our civil servants and councilors who volunteer and dedicate their time, and work...
Whitefish Convention and Visitors Bureau board meeting May 13
The Whitefish Convention and Visitors Bureau (Explore Whitefish) will hold a meeting of the Board of Directors on Monday, May 13. The meeting will be held at Whitefish City Hall and begins at 2:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend. For any questions, call (406) 862-3390 or email info@explorewhitefish.com.
Early registration opens for Girl Scout summer camps
Girl Scouts of Montana and Wyoming (GSMW) is excited to announce the opening of early bird registration for its 2024 summer camps, offering over 40 diverse camp experiences tailored to girls of all ages and interests.Under the theme "Find Your True North," GSMW invites all girls from across the region to embark on a journey of exploration and empowerment. "Finding your true north means discovering your passion, stoking the fires of creativity, and learning what drives us to be the best we can be," Elizabeth Evens, GSMW's Program and Camp Director, said. The camp programs are designed to ignite curiosity, foster resilience, and create lifelong memories. Registration for GSMW camps is now open, with early bird pricing available until May 8th. Girls do not need to be a current Girl Scout to attend camp. For more information and to register, visit GSMW’s website at www.gsmw.org/camp.
Beware medicare spamming phonecalls
I want to warm locals to a large, current and ongoing phone scam.The caller identifies themselves as "...calling from Medicare in order to update your information so that you can receive the new Medicare card..." To anyone who receives a call from either Medicare or Social Security, please know these government agencies will NEVER call anyone directly; the only way they will speak with you over the phone is if YOU initiate the call. I was contacted by phone by a very nice person who wanted only to scam my personal information in order to contribute to theft and fraud. And for anyone who happens to fall for this: the process to report and protect your privacy is immense and time consuming. For all my friends and neighbors in Whitefish who are on Medicare please do this: Hang Up.Thanks.— Maureen Cleary, RN, Whitefish
Colors abound for Whitefish Middle School fundraiser
The Whitefish Middle School 2024 Color Run fundraiser raised over $31,000 for teacher appreciation, funding for 8th grade History trips and Kids in Need programs. Sixth graders (left to right) Anna Brooke Mckay, Lola Avalos, Ruby Richards and Lilliana Bowden-Smith participate in the color run (Kelsey Evans/Pilot). Aiden Dodrill, Landon James, Carlos Guzman and Elsie Snipes in full color (Kelsey Evans/Pilot). WMS student River Knudsvig throws her hands around in shock while Evalena Aurand gets doused in the face in blue. Around her, Riley Murphy, Wyatt Gemmill, Garek Bacon, Riley Bridgewater, Aiden Joy and Morgan Jenkins run past (Kelsey Evans/Pilot). Mary Flannigan and Jade Fischer take blue and orange in stride (Kelsey Evans/Pilot). "Watch this! Should I do it again?" Deana Shestak cartwheels, sending puffs of color through the air (Kelsey Evans/Pilot).
Time to pay the piper
On Aug. 25, 2021, U.S. District Court Judge Donald Molloy ruled in Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. v. Atlantic Richfield Co. that CFAC must pay 65% of the total cleanup cost, and ARCO must pay 35%. It is time for CFAC and ARCO to fulfill their responsibility and pay up for polluting Columbia Falls. Stop the dodging, delays and deferring. The cluster of cancers coming out of Columbia Falls needs to be under the microscope.Why should you listen to me? In 1990 and 1991, I worked as a registered nurse in a local medical clinic where cancer patients were diagnosed and...
My Glacier Village hosts Coffee and Conversations for Seniors in Whitefish May 8
Volunteers Needed to Support SeniorsMy Glacier Village is hosting a Coffee and Conversations event on Wednesday, May 8, 9:30 - 11 a.m. at Wild Coffee Company, located at 309 Central Avenue in downtown Whitefish. Anyone interested is invited to stop by for a cup of coffee, join the conversation and meet Village members and volunteers.The topic of conversation will be solo aging. According to AARP, more than 12% of the population 50 years and older in the United States live alone, are not married or partnered in a long-term relationship, and have no living children. In addition, it’s challenging when...
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The first edition of the Whitefish Pilot rolled off the press Jan. 23, 1904. For more than 100 years, the Pilot has provided Whitefish with local news, sports and features, and has played an integral role in documenting the city's transformation from a railroad town to a bustling resort community.
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