Thursday, July 17, 2025
68.0°F

Whitefish seeks comment on city's COVID response

MATT BALDWIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 years, 8 months AGO
by MATT BALDWIN
Matt Baldwin is regional editor for Hagadone Media Montana. He is a graduate of the University of Montana's School of Journalism. He can be reached at 406-758-4447 or mbaldwin@dailyinterlake.com. | October 26, 2020 12:00 AM

Whitefish City Council is seeking feedback from community members about how the city should respond to the recent surge of COVID-19 cases in the valley. Options being considered are tighter restrictions for Halloween weekend, as well as a potential return to some guidelines under Phase 1 of the state’s reopening plan.

"The City Council and I are non-partisan volunteer elected officials and are committed to governing our small town with transparency and public input,” Mayor John Muhlfeld said in a press release. “During these challenging times, public input is paramount in our decision making process when considering public safety measures for the benefit of all of our citizens."

The press release added that city is “disappointed in the Flathead City-County Health Department's recent decision to vote against additional community health measures while COVID-19 cases increase.”

"The community must unite and step up our game when times are tough. Thank you to those following state directives by wearing a mask, distancing, decreasing your business capacity, quarantining when necessary to avoid exposing others, and changing the way you work, socialize, play and eat," Muhlfeld commented. 

The City Council will meet today, Oct. 26, during an emergency meeting to discuss potential Halloween weekend restriction options. A proposed emergency ordinance could limit capacity at 50% for Whitefish restaurants and bars and limit the size of social gatherings on Friday, Oct. 30 and Saturday, Oct. 31, if approved by City Council.

The meeting is set for 7:10 p.m., remotely through WebEx. For more information on logging in to the meeting, visit the city’s website at www.cityofwhitefish.org or call 863-2400.

The city is also asking for public comment at the Nov. 2 public hearing on COVID-19 community measures, including consideration of re-establishing some of the restrictions and guidelines in the state’s Phase 1 directive.  

According to the city, examples of restrictions and guidelines under Phase 1 would be:

• Limiting bars, restaurants and casinos to 50% capacity, and closing no later than 11:30 p.m. 

• Avoid gathering in groups of more than 10 with proper social distancing.

• Encourage telework.

• Close common areas.

• Accommodate alternate work schedules and make special accommodations for members of a vulnerable population or those with vulnerable household members.

For both meetings, comments can be sent via email to mhowke@cityofwhitefish.org by 4 p.m. each Monday, or the public can sign up to participate in the virtual meetings.

MORE LOCAL-NEWS STORIES

ARTICLES BY MATT BALDWIN

Canada smoke invades Flathead Valley as potent rainstorm approaches
July 14, 2025 noon

Canada smoke invades Flathead Valley as potent rainstorm approaches

Smoke from wildfires in Canada and Idaho barreled into Montana on Monday afternoon, rapidly degrading air quality across the Flathead Valley ahead of a major shift to cold and wet weather.

Fire near Plains grows to 1,000 acres
June 2, 2025 3 p.m.

Fire near Plains grows to 1,000 acres

A wildfire that cropped up Saturday in Sanders County quickly expanded its footprint to about 1,000 acres by Monday.

Feds drop trademark claim against Range Riders
May 13, 2025 11 a.m.

Feds drop trademark claim against Range Riders

The federal government has dropped its complaint against the Glacier Range Riders baseball team's use of an arrowhead logo that is similar to the National Park Service emblem, team officials said Tuesday.