OIC enrollment opens for winter

COLUMBIA BASIN — OIC of Washington Utility and Rental Assistance Program started its open enrollment for the winter season on Oct. 1. To be eligible clients must live within the Upper Yakima Valley or Grant or Adams counties, fall within the income guidelines, show proof of income for the previous three months and provide proof of identification for every member of the home.

Charles L. Gates, Jr., M.D. 76

Fly fisherman, backpacker, duck hunter, golfer, runner, scuba diver and traveler, Charlie Gates was an outdoorsman and adventurer.

Maxine Mason, 81

Maxine Mason, 81 years old of Post Falls, Idaho died at home on November 18, 2022.

DEQ seeks applications for projects to mitigate lead levels in public water supplies

Up to $28 million in federal funding may be available to Montana communities seeking to update lead service lines in public water supplies.

Warren Baldwin, 99

Warren B. Baldwin, “Papa”, 99, passed away November 29, 2022 at the Schneidmiller Hospice House in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

Community briefs

Hunter and bowhunter education classes are open to registration in Libby.

Blood donors needed to avoid shortage

Blood draws set in Ronan July 13 and Polson July 18

The American Red Cross announced this week that it continues to see a concerning trend – blood donations are being sent to hospitals faster than they are coming in.

Leave the fireworks at home

As the Fourth of July holiday approaches, Idaho Panhandle National Forests officials remind visitors that fireworks are prohibited on National Forest System lands, regardless of weather conditions or holidays. Exploding targets and other pyrotechnic devices, such as Tannerite, are also prohibited on public lands administered by the Idaho Panhandle National Forests.

FWP seeks comments on projects

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is seeking public comment on several items.

Voting open for sticker design scholarship contest

Two student-created sticker designs are in the running for a chance at scholarships.

Glacier Park’s artist-in-residence programs opens for applications

The artist-in-residence program offers artists focused time to creatively explore the park’s numerous and varied natural and cultural resources and to share their work through educational programs.

Highway work continues near Kootenai Falls

Even if you are abiding by posted speed limits, you can still be traveling too fast for safety – particularly in inclement weather, low/no light conditions, or around emergency response or work zone sites.

Glacier grad heads to Kyrgyzstan

Kaitlyn Anderson, a 2015 Glacier High School graduate and University of Montana sophomore, will spend the upcoming academic year in Kyrgyzstan.

Sewer project tops Kalispell council agenda

The Kalispell City Council will get a progress report on the first phase of the West Side Interceptor project during a work session on Monday, Sept. 25.

Police offer guidelines regarding transients

As the Flathead Valley enters the full swing of spring, the Whitefish Police Department has released a set of guidelines for reporting and interacting with the area’s transient population.

Kalispell tweaks city airport lease agreement

A potential agreement for the private management and maintenance of the Kalispell City Airport will be further reviewed by the Kalispell City Council during a work session on Monday, Oct. 9.

Local group gathers goodies for soldiers

By ALEX STRICKLAND

School board wrong on drugs

The Whitefish School Board needs to educate itself on the downside of student drug testing. Student involvement in after-school activities like sports has been shown to reduce drug use. They keep kids busy during the hours they are most likely to get into trouble. Forcing students to undergo degrading urine tests as a prerequisite will only discourage participation in extracurricular programs.

Inside North Fork Road open

Glacier National Park officials announced the opening of the Inside North Fork Road to all traffic as of mid-morning Friday, July 10. The Inside North Fork Road is the Park's oldest, built in 1901 when oil was struck near Kintla Lake. The Inside North Fork Road is a 28-mile narrow, bumpy, gravel road between Fish Creek and Polebridge, providing access to some of the Park's most pristine wilderness areas.

First West Nile virus case confirmed in Montana

The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services recently confirmed the first human case of West Nile virus in Montana for 2009. The case was identified in a Lake County adult. According to health officials, the individual most likely acquired the infection in Lake County after receiving numerous mosquito bites.