Things won’t be quite the same next year around the halls of Kalispell Middle School.

Veteran Principal Barry Grace is retiring this year, ending a 16-year run in Kalispell schools and a 40-year career in education, including a long stint in Columbia Falls schools.

Students and parents are bound to miss Grace, a stalwart supporter of youths who was a friend and mentor, not just a principal, to many of the youngsters at the middle school.

One of the achievements of his long career was shepherding the transition of Kalispell Junior High into Kalispell Middle School.

His smile, his warmth and his dedication to our kids will be missed.

THERE WAS sad news when we learned of the unexpected death Sunday of Sgt. Kevin White of Lakeside.

White, seriously injured five years ago in Iraq, died a mere two weeks before a home being built for him and his family was finished.

The house for the wounded warrior was to be a gift of love from his in-laws, Ann and O.T. Green, with some help from community contributions.

Sgt. White’s sacrifices for his country are duly noted.

And there’s still the opportunity to contribute to the home for his wife and 15-month-old son.

Donations can be made to: Kevin Housing Fund, in care of Flathead Bank of Lakeside, P.O. Box 769, Lakeside, MT 59922.

GOOD NEWS on the economic front in Whitefish from the Mountain Mall was reported in last Sunday’s Inter Lake. Six new businesses have signed leases at the mall, and two existing businesses have expanded, bringing occupancy up to 93 percent.

That’s nearly back up to the level from before the recession, and at least suggests that confidence may be growing in the prospects for a long-term recovery. No one wants to try to predict the future, especially the economic future, but it’s good to hear positive news from the retail and service sector.