Looking Back: Influenza epidemic sweeps through Whitefish schools
Whitefish Pilot | UPDATED 2 hours, 21 minutes AGO
This moose calf and his mom were spotted near Colorado Avenue in 1996, munching on new tree shoots. Moose watchers are reminded that the creatures, though gentle-looking, are wild animals and should be observed from a safe distance. (Patia Stephens photo
A look back at past Pilot articles by Julie Engler
50 Years Ago
Feb. 26, 1976
Incidences of influenza reached epidemic proportions in Whitefish during the month of February, according to Dr. Bruce McIntyre, Flathead County Health Officer. The “bug” infected over 30% of the Whitefish population to qualify as an epidemic. The greatest evidence of the epidemic was reflected in the school absentee record starting to rise on Feb. 2. Muldown Elementary School's absentee rate rose from a normal of 25 to 30 of its 500 students to a high of 120 during the week of Feb. 9-13. Normally, 8 to 9 students at Central School were absent. However, Feb. 9 showed a peak of 50 absences out of nearly 300 pupils.
40 Years Ago
Feb. 26, 1986
A valve in the water main line that brings water to the community from the Haskill Basin watershed and reservoir was broken in the off position. Water was pumped into a different stage tank directly from Whitefish Lake to provide water to all but a few Whitefish customers. Ordinarily, almost all the city's water supply comes from the creeks in Haskill Basin. The costly problem began with a water leak in the large main from the reservoir February 13. In order to repair the leak, the water crew had to shut down a valve in the main line. In the process, one of the valves, or both in the system, broke in the off position, according to Greg Acton, Whitefish water superintendent. “That in itself is a major problem,” Acton said.
30 Years Ago
Feb. 22, 1996
A deluge of seasonal Whitefish residents are making life tough for local police. No, not Canadians. Moose are abandoning the snow ridden hinterlands for the sumptuous hedges of Whitefish. Police responded to six moose sightings last week. The Whitefish District Game Warden, Floyd Thomas, said the moose head to town during the late winter months every year to graze on urban shrubbery and grass. “I think it's something they've just developed over the years,” Thomas said. “New people who haven't seen them get excited and call 911.” Calling the cops usually isn't necessary, Thomas said. The moose are used to people and eventually wander out of town. Leave the animals alone and there shouldn't be a problem.
20 Years Ago
Feb. 23,2006
Three hours after a public hearing on the 10-lot Karrow Glen subdivision began, the Whitefish City Council approved a preliminary plat for the 4.89-acre site by a 3-2 vote. Councilors Shirley Jacobson and Velvet Phillips-Sullivan voted in opposition. Mayor Andy Fury and Councilor John Muhlfeld were absent. The controversial project was turned down by the Whitefish City County Planning Board on Jan 19 by a 5-3 vote, despite city planning staff's recommendation for approval.
10 Years Ago
Feb. 24, 2016
All parties signed on the dotted line for the Haskill Basin Conservation easement to be a done deal. The five-year effort to keep future development out of Whitefish's main watershed was finalized last week when the Trust for Public Land, City of Whitefish, F.H. Stoltz Land and Lumber, and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks closed on the 3,020-acre conservation easement in the forest land east of town. Whitefish Mayor John Muhlfeld was involved in the deal from its impetus. He called it an historic moment in conservation that will benefit the community for generations to come.