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Whitefish Pilot
Major expansion proposed for The Springs senior housing development
The Springs at Whitefish is planning a major expansion to its senior housing development on River Lakes Parkway that would include 120 additional units.The company is seeking approval to build the project on vacant land to the south of its current facility. The Whitefish Community Development Board is set to review the project at its May 16 meeting.A new three-story building would include 80 independent living units that would be connected to the existing building at the ground level.Also proposed on the property is a separate two-story building with 44 "active adult" multi-family units varying in size and number of...
Whitefish baseball goes 1-2 on the week
Whitefish out-hit Bigfork but fell 6-5 in West Division action on Tuesday, April 23. The Vikings turned five hits into six runs, while the Bulldogs had seven hits.Mason Lewis went the distance for Bigfork, allowing just two earned runs and striking out five. Brady Howke struck out seven in four innings of work for Whitefish, while Otto Klein struck out four in the final two innings.The Vikings led 3-2 after three innings before Whitefish took a 4-3 lead in the fourth. Bigfork tied the game up in the fifth and added two more go-ahead runs in the sixth.Whitefish committed six...
Debo Powers is the clear choice for HD 3
Montana needs state legislators who represent all of us. Debo Powers is that candidate. I have known Debo for over 20 years and served in various capacities with her in local and regional organizations. Debo has been a full-time resident of HD 3 for many years and as such is uniquely qualified to serve as our representative in the Montana Legislature.Her proven track record includes helping to build consensus among multiple interest groups as a member of the successful Whitefish Range Partnership, demonstrating her ability to develop consensus between polarized points of view. As a professional educator and ultimately a...
Arbor Day tree planting a success
In honor of Arbor Day, students from the Whitefish High School agriculture group paired up with Whitefish Parks and Recreation Department volunteers to plant four new trees at the Dave Olseth Memorial Skatepark in Armory Park. Students Astir Pulsifer, Lanie Fyall, Iris Hunt, Nick Bruce, Wyatt Akey and Brendan Bogut lead the effort. They were guided by agricultural teacher Chris Bickford, arborist Philip Hodge and volunteer Dan Cassidy.The City of Whitefish was awarded a $850 Arbor Day Grant from the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation to help purchase the trees. Students Wyatt Akey, Nick Bruce and Brendan Bogut plant trees in celebration of Arbor Day (Kelsey Evans/Pilot). Students Astir Pulsifer, Iris Hunt and Lanie Fyall after planting the first of four trees on Arbor Day 2024 (Kelsey Evans/Pilot). Astir Pulsifer adds support to a freshly-planted tree at Dave Olseth Memorial Skatepark on Arbor Day (Kelsey Evans/Pilot).
Roundup for Safety assists 13 community safety projects
KALISPELL, MT – On April 11, Flathead Electric Co-op's Roundup for Safety Board awarded $52,174 in grant funds supporting 13 community safety projects. The Columbia Falls Fire Department (CFFD) requested $10,000 towards the purchase of a respirator fit tester. This device tests firefighters’ masks to ensure proper, safe fit. “We wear these masks when we enter structure fires,” explained Fire Chief Karl Weeks, “and the fit tester makes sure that dangerous gases don’t enter our masks as we work. Those gases are a short-term and long-term hazard for firefighters, as they respond to emergencies, and further down the road.” Each firefighter...
Montana Coffee Traders' 'Ethiopia Mulish' is officially 'Good Food'
Tasting events for Good Food Award winning blendMontana Coffee Traders received a Good Food Foundation Award for its Ethiopia Mulish at the 14th annual Good Food Awards Weekend, hosted on April 29 in Portland, Oregon, for selecting and roasting an earthly Ethiopian bean produced by Faysel Abdosh.In 2014, Faysel established the Mulish Washing Station in the Guji zone of southern Ethiopia to support the coffee farmers in the region. Built to support and ease the transport of ripe coffee beans from the region, the Mulish washing station receives coffee cherries from 880 Guji smallholder farmers.Dubbed the “Oscars of the food...
Jon Tester: man of irony
Although this election season is quickly souring as more and more personal attacks are launched on both sides of the aisle, I've decided to focus on the actions of both candidates. What I've discovered is that between Jon Tester and Tim Sheehy, one of them has two faces.Our current Senator seems to have a split political personality—one he presents in D.C. and one he presents back here in our great state.He talks a great deal about fixing the southern border but has ignored H.R. 2, which passed almost a year ago. More recently, he voted against investigating Secretary Mayorkas, whom no one can deny has failed in his chief responsibility of protecting the American citizens and our border.Tester even has the gall to say, "The American people are sick of D.C. politicians pulling stunts with our border security;." this coming from the Evel Knievel of political stuntmen. I have personally met both men which makes me feel qualified in the choice I make. This November, I am going to choose change, and I hope you all do as well.— Geof Gratny, Kalispell
Whitefish High School ranked No. 2 in Montana
Whitefish High School has earned the No. 2 spot in Montana in "2024 Best High Schools,” which U.S. News released in a new report. Rankings are based on areas like college readiness, college curriculum breadth, state assessment proficiency, and graduation rates. Nearly 18,000 schools were ranked nationwide, and 171 high schools across Montana.Bozeman High School was ranked No. 1, with Glacier High School in Kalispell coming in at No. 3.According to the scorecard, Whitefish boasts a graduation rate of 90-94%, a reading proficiency of 62% and a math proficiency of 42%. The AP participation rate was at 40%. “We continue to have...
Robert Fletcher, 60
Robert J. “Bob” Fletcher September 5, 1963 – March 31, 2024It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Robert J. “Bob” Fletcher. Bob passed away unexpectedly on March 31, Easter morning, in Santa Barbara, California at the age of 60. We are devastated by his sudden loss.Born September 5, 1963 in Redding, California Bob was raised in Beaverton, Oregon. He was a graduate of Beaverton High School and the University of Oregon and spent more than 30 years in the cellular phone industry, first with Portland Paging, and then Verizon, before retiring in 2023.With his life partner, Julie...
6th Annual Hit the Trail Challenge
Explore and log your miles on the Whitefish Trail this May to get outside, be healthy and contribute to preserving our local trails!Join us for the 6th Annual Hit the Trail Challenge this May! This month-long community event is aimed at collectively exploring and celebrating the Whitefish Trail by running, hiking and riding as much as possible. For every mile you cover on the Whitefish Trail and report to Whitefish Legacy Partners, $1 will be donated to support the trail. Throughout the month, we will tally up all the miles and share weekly updates to celebrate everyone’s achievements. Plus, there are...
Whitefish Theatre Company receives National Endowment for the Arts grant
The Whitefish Theatre Company is pleased to announce it has been approved for a $10,000 Challenge America award from the National Endowment of the Arts to support two live performances of Jesús Muñoz Flamenco, an electrifying dance and music ensemble. There will be one evening performance for the public and one free outreach performance in the afternoon for Flathead Valley elementary students. The Whitefish Theatre Company’s project is among 257 projects across America totaling $2,570,000 that were selected to receive fiscal year 2024 funding in the Challenge America grant category.“The NEA is delighted to announce this grant to the Whitefish...
Kelsey Evans named new Pilot Editor
Kelsey Evans has joined the Whitefish Pilot as its new editor.Evans comes to the Flathead Valley after serving as editor for the University of Idaho College of Natural Resources in Moscow, Idaho."We're pleased to bring Kelsey on board to lead Whitefish's award-winning local newspaper,” said Matt Baldwin, regional editor for Hagadone Media Montana. “Kelsey has a strong sense of community journalism, and is eager to learn more about Whitefish and the folks who call this special place home.”Evans has a comprehensive background in communications, with experience as an English professor, sustainability officer, and as a marketing and development assistant. She...
Looking back: Old-fashioned band concert in Depot Park
A look back at past Pilot articles by Julie Engler50 Years AgoApril 25, 1974Stump Town Follies began with an old-fashioned band concert in Depot Park and ended with a pancake breakfast and horse show. Plans included merchants on Central Avenue using the space on the sidewalks in front of their stores for sales and displays. The street was blocked off between Railway and Fourth Streets and additional displays were placed in the streets. An art auction at the Orpheum Theater was planned. The U.S. Army sent a precision drill team from Ft. Carson in Wyoming to perform. Girl Scouts from...
Police Calls: Behaving strangely is not against the law
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 3A reckless driver in a green Toyota was seen on Highway 93 swerving and flipping people off.Someone locked his keys in his truck but was quickly able to get in.April 4There was an apparently intoxicated man on Fourth Street.Someone hit a parked car and left all their information for the driver.A drunk roommate caused issues.April 5An agitated male on Railway Street was moved along.The caller thought there needs to be extra patrol or a...
Student Art: ‘Coffee Talk’ by Maxine Martin
The art featured above is called “Coffee Talk” and is a stoneware clay mug with glaze by Whitefish High School junior Maxine Martin in the WHS Pottery class. The Pilot periodically features art from Whitefish High School students.
A call to stop cruelty inherent in treatment of circus animals
An elephant escaped from Jordan World Circus on April 16, 2024, in Butte, Montana, and ran across multiple lanes of heavy traffic before being recaptured. Today, Laura Hagen, director of captive wildlife at the Humane Society of the United States released the following statement: “Viola, the elephant who escaped from Jordan World Circus, belongs to the Oklahoma-based Carson & Barnes Circus, which owns more than 20 elephants. This is the third time she has escaped the cruel and abusive captivity of the circus, endangering herself and members of the public. Her escapes have taken place in multiple states. In 2014, she was...
Whitefish Community Foundation to Host Community Grant Awards Celebration
Whitefish Community Foundation invites the public to its annual Community Grant Awards Celebration on May 2 at the O’Shaughnessy Center.Whitefish Community Foundation received a record number of Community Grant applications this spring from nonprofit organizations in Flathead, Lincoln and Glacier counties. The foundation’s Grants Committee reviewed more than 70 applications representing over $600,000 in requests. Foundation board members will present grant awards to the successful applicants at the celebration.“This year's applications confirm that local nonprofits are tackling a wide range of challenges in our communities,” Whitefish Community Foundation Director of Programs Lynnette Donaldson said. “Above all, the Grants Committee was...
Apartment project highlights fee in lieu versus affordable housing units
The Whitefish Community Development Board voted to recommend approval for a conditional use permit for a 21-unit multi-family development on Iowa Avenue. The applicants, JLA Whitefish, LLC., are proposing the building on two lots totaling about half an acre at 7 and 23 Iowa Avenue. The property is bordered by Edgewood Place to the south and Iowa Avenue to the west. The property is currently zoned WR-4, higher density residential.The multi-family building would include three one-bedroom units, six two-bedroom units and 12 studio units, according to Whitefish Housing Coordinator Luke Sponable.Sponable said the applicants qualify for Legacy Homes Program incentives because...
Legals for April, 24 2024
NO. 30269 The MT DNRC-Stillwater State Forest Unit is in the application process of obtaining new opencut gravel permits for an existing gravel pit operated by the MT DNRC. The Whitefish Lake Pit is an active gravel pit, located in Flathead County; Section 32, T32N, R22W. For more information, please contact the Stillwater State Forest Unit Office at (406) 881-2371. April 14, 21, 2024 MNAXLP __________________________
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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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