Local Briefs

Gift ideas for the outdoorsy

For many years, this space has offered gift selections for the outdoorsies on your Christmas list.

Grocery Outlet, serving its community

Since its grand opening in October, Grocery Outlet: Bargain Market has made its presence widely known as a community staple.

The Latest: Aid group reports first case in rebel-held Syria

BEIRUT — A Syrian group that helps deliver assistance in the rebel-held part of the country’s northwest is reporting the first case of coronavirus in the region that borders Turkey.

Classes bring flavor to cooking in Lakeside

Classes bring flavor to cooking in Lakeside

TeleTech to add 100 jobs by March

TeleTech will add up to 100 jobs at its Kalispell center by March, the company announced Wednesday.

New 'water trail' at Priest Rapids pool by 2016

New canoe and kayak launches with trails to and from parking lots

BEVERLY - The Grant County PUD will build new riverbank launch spots for canoes and kayaks along the shoreline of the Priest Rapids Recreation Area.

HATRED: Merchants of fear keeping busy

I would like to respond to a letter titled "Islam: Look deeper for truth" where a Hans Neumann responded about an item earlier about that proposed community center in New York two blocks away from the site of the World Trade Center.

IDFG has perfect Christmas gift idea

To get ahead of the early spring arrival of Idaho's state bird, the mountain bluebird, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game is offering a limited number of bluebird nest boxes for $5 each.

LETTER: Remembering Pete Darling's contributions

Pete Darling’s funeral in Columbia Falls was Feb. 9. Pete touched the lives of hundreds of low income youth back in the 1970s and early 1980s through his employment with the U.S. Forest Service.

Fire District improves fire suppression ratings

East Side Fire District is pleased to announce an improvement in the Public Protection Classification (PPC) rating for designated member properties within the District.

FRANKLIN COUNTY

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Law roundup: Man calls 911 to fuss about accusation

A man reportedly called 911 because he was upset that he was accused of trespassing at a construction site and said that there was a dog loose in the area.

Fire District improves fire suppression ratings

East Side Fire District is pleased to announce an improvement in the Public Protection Classification (PPC) rating for designated member properties within the District.

Beware of hinky credit card settings and check scams

ABU & COF COULD COST YOU: A consumer called me recently with a new wrinkle that every credit or debit card user needs to be aware of. The story is this: The consumer spotted a couple of charges on his credit card that were fraudulent. He immediately notified his financial institution, placed the charges “in contest” and asked that his card be immediately cancelled and a new card issued. No problem. He received his new card. At the next billing cycle, he noticed new fraudulent charges FROM THE SAME fraudulent source.

Bikes, bikes, bikes

Amsterdam, what a place. There are bikes everywhere. Rickety old bikes, cruisers, the Range Rover variety, and bikes with big carriers in the front to hold lots of children - or an occasional girlfriend as you take her out on a date. I have never seen so many bikes. There are more bikes than people to ride them in The Netherlands. I use to think their tulips were what fascinated me in Holland, but it seems that the Dutch people go everywhere by bike: to the market, to work, to shop, to the park and to visit friends for dinner; and this level of activity of exercise on a daily basis fascinates me.

LaVerne M. Sperle, 85

LaVerne M. Sperle, 85, passed away Dec. 19, 2014, surrounded by his wife and children, at their home in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

Gladys Milam, 100

Gladys Milam, 100, passed away on Friday, Dec. 18, 2009, at the Immanuel Lutheran Home in Kalispell. She was born on Dec. 19, 1908, in Baudette, Minn., to Ingvald and Henrietta (Lorenson) Sands. She spent her childhood years in Baudette, where her parents owned and operated a hotel. She married Theodore Stahlberg on Jan. 7, 1928, in Warren, Minn. To this union, four children were born. They migrated from northern Minnesota to Montana in October 1945. Dissolution of that union transpired in 1949. She resided in Somers with her four children from 1946 until 1959, at which time she married Glover Dub Milam and moved to Kalispell. They owned and operated Milam Greenhouses from 1959 until 1970. Due to her green thumb, her kids used to tease her that customers should come to the house to purchase plants rather than the greenhouse. Having had no training in flower arranging or commercial growing, she was thrown into the midst of greenhouse and flower shop work and learned it quite rapidly how to do everything that was entailed in running the business. She loved flowers and working in her garden. She attended the Assembly of God Church for many years. She was preceded in death by four sisters and three brothers. She is survived by her four children, Darlene Allik of Polson, Robert Stahlberg of Columbia Falls, Gerald Stahlberg of Kalispell, and Diane Erickson of Kalispell; 17 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; and 12 great-great-grandchildren; and one sister. Funeral services for Gladys will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 29, at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Chapel, with Pastor Darrell Newby officiating. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until service time at 1 p.m. Burial will follow services at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery. Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Gladys family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to view Gladys guest book, offer condolences and share memories.

Genevieve Gen Dorothy James, 86

Genevieve Gen Dorothy James, 86, of Billings, passed away on Monday, May 10, 2010, in Lakeside. She was born in Houghton, Mich., to George I. and Eunice (Kelly) Jeffery and was the fourth of 11 children born to this union. At an early age she moved to Butte, attending McKinley and Butte High Schools. In 1944, she met and later married James Jerry James, while Jerry was home on leave, while serving in the Pacific during World War II. From this union three children were born, Jerry, Randy and Laurie. Gen worked for many years in Butte at Paumie Dry Cleaners as a silk presser, and in the Butte School District Hot Lunch Program. She enjoyed cooking, especially baking; as well as bowling, shopping, traveling, spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and her occasional bottle of Miller Light. She is survived by her children, Jerry and Sharon James, and Laurie and Ray Guccione; grandchildren, Dan and Bree James, Alicia James and fiance John Softich, Jon Guccione and Chelsey Buscho, and Jeffery Guccione; great-grandchildren, Piper James and Jameson Guccione; brother, Don and Betty Jeffery; sisters, Mary and Clyde Kelley, and Jeanie Cleveland; and special friend, John Jack Price; along with numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years; son, Randy; brothers, Willard, Jack, Robert and Sonny; and sisters, Marbel, Eva and Lorraine. She was Butte tough up to the day of her death! Tap er light, Mom! Visitation is scheduled for 5 to 7 p.m. today, May 12, at Duggan Dolan Mortuary in Butte with interment scheduled for 2 p.m. at Mountain View Cemetery; a reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in Gen s name to Home Options Hospice, 430 Windward Way, Suite 101, Kalispell, MT 59901; or Riverstone Health, P.O. Box 1562, Billings, MT 59103; or the charity of your choice.