Winter Classic celebrates 25 years of giving

The Whitefish Winter Classic will celebrate its 25th anniversary on Thursday through Sunday, March 12-14. Over the years, the organization has raised more than $1 million to assist Flathead Valley children with non-covered medical costs.

A plan to get Montana back on track

In Montana, summer's arrival and departure is marked by two important holidays — Memorial Day, honoring our nation's servicemen and women, and Labor Day, honoring the contributions of the American worker to our nation's success and prosperity. The law creating Labor Day was passed in 1894, which is the same year hardscrabble homesteaders established Flathead County.

First Best Place board votes to dissolve

A chapter in the history of philanthropy in Columbia Falls came to an end last week when the board of directors of First Best Place voted to dissolve the group.

Glacier All-Stars win state Babe Ruth tourney

The Glacier All-Stars won the state Babe Ruth 13U tournament on Saturday, defeating the Bitterroot All-Stars 5-4 in eight innings in the final game at Sapa-Johnsrud Field in Columbia Falls.

Swan River schools dip into reserves

The Swan River School Board adopted a budget amendment to use roughly $20,000 from their reserve funds for teaching equipment, repairs around the building and expenses that aren't already in their budget at their Feb. 7 meeting.

Man gets 10 years after charged with DUI No. 5

A 48-year-old Columbia Falls man was sentenced to 10 years with the Montana Department of Corrections after a prior sentence for felony criminal mischief was revoked and he was charged with DUI No. 5 while undergoing alcohol treatment.

C-Falls student appears in Super Bowl ad

New Blackfeet check station finds zebra mussels

A new check station set up on U.S. 2 near Browning in the Blackfeet Indian Reservation is credited with stopping a boat from Minnesota bearing adult zebra mussels headed for Whitefish Lake.

Valley View recognizes respectful students

It is a great time to be in Bonners Ferry with the leaves turning, snow in the mountains, and the smell of wood stoves burning. This little dot on the map we all call home is a special place with so much to offer. I know personally, I really enjoy the various recreational activities, the beauty, and the people. With that said, it really is the people that make our community a great place to live. Here at Valley View it is no different. The individuals that decide to make a career here are amazing in so many ways. They are constantly making personal and professional sacrifices daily for the betterment of our students. The level of support and buy-in for each individual student is rare. The team here is outstanding and there are many reasons for that, but what I credit it to the most is that people here are professional and enjoy children. They have found their calling in life and it shows! It also helps that many of us have our own children, grandchildren, nieces, or nephews in the building. This creates an atmosphere where the entire team continuously strives for safety, personalized education, and an array of positive lifelong memories. VVES is a great place to be and I hope that more individuals in this community will consider volunteering and or visiting us on a regular basis.

Letter to the Editor: “Wake UP! Stand Up! Don't be Bullied by the ITD”

Wake up! Stand up! Don’t be bullied by ITD!

Davall Building comes down; dated back to 1890s

A piece of Columbia Falls history was torn down last week. Owner Mick Ruis had the old Davall Building taken down after it couldn’t be salvaged.

THS seniors awarded local and state scholarships

The Western News

The Western News

Troy Jr./Sr. High School held their annual academic awards assembly on Wednesday, May 21 honoring the graduating seniors.

LPOSD welcomes new board chair

PONDERAY — As of last Tuesday, the Lake Pend Oreille School District board of trustees has a new chairman.

Daniel Keith Woods, 50

Daniel Keith Woods, 50, left this world for a better place May 13, 2010, from his home in Kalispell, after a short battle with cancer. Dan was born in Basin, Wyo., to Glenn Lloyd and Rose Marie (Schneider) Woods. Dan attended school and graduated in 1977 in Libby. He continued his education at trade schools in Havre and Helena as an auto body technician. Dan moved to the Flathead Valley in 1982. In 1983, Dan met and fell in love with Mona Ayers. They were married in 1987. Dan worked at Brieske s Collision Repair for several years, and then at Able Body Repair for 16 years. Dan s voice can be heard on the radio as the voice of Able Body Repair. As a child, Dan s mischievous ways bewildered his mother, as well as his siblings, who loved him all the more because of it. When Dan was in high school, he participated in choir, football and woodworking. After marrying Mona, he enjoyed time with her and their sons, Tony and Nathan. This included anything outdoors, hunting and fishing, camping, floating the South Fork with his friends and family, playing pool and rebuilding vehicles. It was said by many that Dan should have done stand-up comedy, as he always had a quick wit that made every gathering memorable, sharing stories that usually had a Mona-ism or two. He had a gentle way that made him so endearing to everyone who knew him. He leaves many laughable memories and will be greatly missed. Dan is preceded in death by his father, Glenn; mother, Rose; brother, Brian Woods; sister, Maria Marozzo; and nephew, Zachary Newman. Dan is survived by his wife, Mona; and sons, Tony and Nathan; sisters, Carol Woods of Las Vegas, Joanne and Larry Newman of Libby, Diane and David Van Buren, and Julie and Bob Komenda of Marion; as well as brothers, Tom and Mori Woods of Butte, Mike and Ginny Woods of Missoula, Jerry Woods of Polson and Tony Woods of Kalispell; and numerous nieces and nephews. A celebration of his life will be held at 4:30 p.m. May 28, at the Eagles Lodge. The family suggests donations can be made to the Dan Woods Memorial at the Whitefish Credit Union. Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Dan s family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and view Dan s tribute wall.

Community raises $30,000 for shelter

Only a few weeks after the Flathead County Animal Shelter went to the public for fundraising help for new projects, more than $30,000 has been raised.

Shine a light on the 'dark money'

Once again, Montanans are seeing encouraging cooperation between the Republican-controlled Legislature and Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock on significant legislation to bring some sunlight to the state’s dark campaign finance picture.

Man calls in 1-900-number complaint

A Foothill Road man complained to the

Schweitzer dares to be himself

Politics these days is too much about political correctness, which is why it was refreshing for the governor of Montana recently to show up at a meeting with the editorial board of the Inter Lake with a gun.

Neighbor becomes power hungry

One Grigg Road neighbor was reportedly making a power move on another. A resident told the