Hileman wins Municipal Judge job
HEIDI DESCH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 9 years AGO
William Hileman
DEPUTY EDITOR, FEATURES Heidi Desch is the Deputy Editor at the Daily Inter Lake, overseeing coverage of arts, culture, lifestyle, community, and business. Desch leads reporters in developing stories that highlight the people, traditions, and events shaping Northwest Montana, guiding content across print and digital platforms. With more than 20 years of journalism experience, including serving as managing editor of the Whitefish Pilot, Desch is a graduate of the University of Montana School of Journalism. She has received multiple Montana Newspaper Association awards, including part of the team leading the Daily Inter Lake to Best Daily Newspaper in Montana Award and the General Excellence Award in 2024 and 2025. IMPACT: Heidi’s work connects readers with stories that deepen the understanding of the community beyond daily news. | November 8, 2017 5:03 AM
Attorney Bill Hileman has been elected to serve as Whitefish’s new Municipal Court Judge.
Hileman won the race with 842 votes or 55 percent of the vote during Tuesday’s election. He won out over Whitefish deputy city attorney Kristi Curtis, who earned 621 votes or 40 percent of the vote in the race.
Hileman replaces Municipal Judge Brad Johnson, who has served as judge for 32 years and is retiring at the end of his term. He is currently a partner at the law firm Trieweiler, Hileman & Lacosta.
Attorney Tom Tornow, whose name remained on the ballot despite his previous announced that he was dropping out or the race, earned 75 votes.
Three City Council candidates were seeking election for three seats. Incumbent Andy Feury, along with newcomers Melissa Hartman and Ryan Gregory Hennen, will serve on Council. Feury received the top number of votes at 1,091, followed by Hartman at 1,063 and Hennen earned 962. There was 79 write-in votes in the race.
Election results weren’t announced until after midnight Wednesday morning. The delays was the result of counting machines not handling the folds in mail-in ballots, Flathead County election officials told the Daily Inter Lake. Ballots had to be flattened by hand to feed through the machine.
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