It seems appropriate — and even overdue — that Glacier National Park officials recently have expressed interest in monitoring air quality on the park’s western flank.

Some North Fork Flathead residents have made an issue of pointing out the obvious: the North Fork Road has long been sending clouds of dust boiling into the park with unmeasured effects. Dust conditions on the road may have improved in recent years, but it still is a matter that deserves attention.

An air quality monitoring station isn’t a reach, considering how park resources have been devoted to all kinds of scientific pursuits related to climate change.

And consider how Yellowstone National Park has established sophisticated air quality monitoring systems, including two stations that were purchased to measure pollution from snowmobiles. Our guess is that at certain times of year, North Fork Road dust could rival snowmobile pollution.

What about Gus?

Poor John “Gus” Thompson keeps getting forgotten. Thompson, a Kalispell man who pitched in the first World Series in 1903, was the only player not invited to the 50-year World Series anniversary celebration.

Later, Thompson, known by some as “the father of baseball in Kalispell,” had his name attached to a popular Kalispell park. But a few years ago Thompson Field was renamed Eastside Park.

Thompson, originally a lawyer, became Major League Baseball’s highest-paid player at one point, played semi-pro baseball in the Kalispell area and ran a pool hall and cigar shop on Main Street for decades.

Kalispell’s connection to the World Series — Thompson — should be commemorated somehow, if not at the park where baseball was king for many years in Kalispell, then in some other way.

Gus Thompson should not be forgotten here.

Young women shine

The accomplishments of several young talented women at state scholarship pageants have put Kalispell on the map in a good light.

Kadie Latimer was crowned Miss Montana USA last weekend, and at the same event Madyson Rigg won the Miss Montana Teen USA title. Alexa Cote was first runner-up in the teen competition, and we should note that outgoing Miss Montana USA Kacie West also is from Kalispell.

In a different competition Sierra Crandell of Kalispell was named Distinguished Young Woman of Montana.

We’re proud to have these young women representing our community, and wish them well as they advance to national competition.

Editorials represent the majority opinion of the Daily Inter Lake’s editorial board.