Coram
Coram, MT · Municipal
Whitefish Pilot
City Council preview for Oct. 5, 2026
Whitefish City Council meets on Monday, Oct. 5, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall. Council meetings are also available for participation remotely through Zoom. The work sessions are also available for remote participation. For more information, visit the city’s website at www.cityofwhitefish.org or call 863-2400. Individuals are encouraged to provide written public comment to the City Clerk, Michelle Howke at mhowke@cityofwhitefish.org or deliver by 4 p.m. on Oct. 5, at City Hall in the Utility Drop Box. Items on the agenda, subject to change: - A resolution to annex .91 acres at 292 Reservoir Road. - An ordinance amending zoning regulations. - A resolution acknowledging F.H. Stoltze Land & Lumber Company’s new open lands policy. - An ordinance establishing the community housing grant committee. - Other matters that may arise between Sept. 30 and Oct. 5. There is a work session before the meeting at 5:30 p.m. to review and discuss the draft Community Wildfire Protection Plan.
Whitefish Pilot
Guest opinion: Contained pollution is an illusion
The removal of Columbia Falls’ oldest municipal water well following detection of a “forever chemical” raises important questions about plans for the large Teakettle Heights subdivision near the Columbia Falls Aluminum Company (CFAC) Superfund site. It also underscores the need to better evaluate whether all high-density developments could pollute or deplete our water supply. As someone who spent a career managing environmental, safety, and health operations at massive federal nuclear and research installations, I know firsthand that groundwater does not respect corporate property lines or bureaucratic boundaries. For years, state officials and eager developers have operated under a comforting illusion: that a clean line can be drawn on a map to neatly separate toxic industrial legacy from profitable residential growth. The recent detection of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) at nearly double the federal limit completely shatters that baseline confidence. It lays bare an uncomfortable truth that local residents have raised for years: we simply do not understand the hidden, shifting pathways of our local groundwater, and we are gambling our public health, and future water supplies, to find out. City officials rightfully acted fast to disconnect the affected municipal well after routine testing flagged the dangerous toxic compounds. Yet, the city's
NBCMontana
Northwest Montana History Museum wraps up final walking tour of season
KALISPELL, Mont. — The Northwest Montana History Museum wrapped up its final downtown walking tour of the season, giving visitors a closer look at Kalispell's unique past. The tour takes visitors about a mile through downtown Kalispell, with more than two dozen stops at around 30 historic buildings. Along the way, participants learn about Kalispell's early settlers, prominent citizens, and how the town evolved into a cultural, economic and transportation hub of Flathead Valley.
Whitefish Pilot
Meet the queens of the Great Northwest Oktoberfest
To earn a crown, one must be good at holding beer, at least when it comes to Whitefish's Great Northwest Oktoberfest hop queen pageant. Drawing back to its 19th century origins in Munich, Germany, the original hop queens were said to be the daughters of hop farmers. Today in Northwest Montana, no such royalty is required. All are welcome to try out, and individuality is embraced. "It's a pageant for people who aren't pageant people," said Megan Nuefeld, Whitefish Hop Queen VII. "It's more about the atmosphere and spirit." The pageant involves trying the best of Oktoberfest activities, like stein holding, log sawing and chicken dancing, and wearing the finest of dirndls, a folk costume. "It's not intimidating," said Ella Harrison, Hop Queen XI. "If you're considering running, just do it. It's a very open, loving and fun environment." Once crowned, a hop queen has the important job of keeping Oktoberfest lively. Embodying both tradition and spirit, hop queens "bring joy, help with competitions, interact with the crowds and dance with little kids," said Lauren Walton, Hop Queen IX. Walton is a mother of three and a veteran. She said her hop queen experience is a part of living the
KPAX
Flathead County holding special school election on Tuesday
Montana Outdoor Radio Show
A Bad Berry Year Brings More Bears and a New Emergency Ordinance to Columbia Falls
Columbia Falls is experiencing a poor berry season, prompting bears to venture into town for food. In response, the city council implemented an emergency ordinance requiring residents to secure food attractants. While enforcement begins with warnings, ignoring guidelines may lead to tickets. Long-term measures are also being considered to address the issue.
Whitefish Pilot
Photo: Whitefish Ski Museum selling brick pavers for new walkway
Walkways between the Whitefish Ski Heritage Center and Museum and the adjacent Mountain Trails park are getting an upgrade this fall. Sponsored brick pavers and concrete will be the base of a new plaza surface between the museum and the park. There will also be a new walkway connecting to the Wisconsin Avenue SNOW Bus stop. Once the plaza and walkway are completed, the Ski Museum plans to build ski lift exhibits along the walkway. Mountain Trails Park is located at 705 Wisconsin Avenue adjacent to the Stumptown Ice Den. The land was acquired by the city of Whitefish in 1984 from the Mountain Trails Saddle Club. The walkway renovation is made possible by the city of Whitefish Parks and Recreation Department, the museum and a few generous community members. Brick pavers are for sale for $125. There is no deadline but sooner is a bit easier for placement. For more information see www.whitefishskimuseum.org or contact Tim Hinderman at 406-885-2730 or tim.hinderman@gmail.com. For questions about the park contact Parks and Recreation at 406-863-2470. Whitefish Ski Heritage Musuem and adjacent Mountain Trails Park are getting a new walkway. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot) Whitefish Ski Heritage Musuem and adjacent Mountain Trails Park are
Flathead Beacon
Whitefish City Council Declines to Challenge State Law on 60-Foot Buildings Downtown
Following months of discussion, Whitefish city councilors this week opted not to go head-to-head with a new state law allowing 60-foot buildings downtown, which takes effect Oct. 1. The city council, however, directed city staff to explore ways to regulate any potential 60-foot buildings through its zoning code in hopes...
NBCMontana
Northwest Montana event to celebrate forests, recreation and wildlife
MISSOULA, Mont. — The Kootenai Forest Fair, celebrating Northwest Montana’s forests, trails, wildlife and waterways is planned for Saturday, Sept. 26, at Riverfront Park in Libby. The Kootenai Forest Stakeholders Collaborative and community partners will host the event from 2 to 5 p.m. The gathering is designed to...
Flathead Beacon
Kalispell Chamber Backs Ballot Issue to Keep Courts Nonpartisan
The Kalispell Chamber of Commerce has endorsed a ballot initiative aimed at keeping Montana’s courts nonpartisan, the nonprofit behind the initiative, Montanans for Nonpartisan Courts, announced in a Thursday press release. In the release, Lorraine Clarno, the chamber’s president, cited small businesses’ need for “fair, impartial, and consistent rulings”...
Flathead Beacon
Columbia Falls Council Approves Temporary Emergency Bear Ordinance
Columbia Falls city councilors this week unanimously approved an emergency, temporary bear ordinance to address a rise in bear conflicts in the city and the Flathead Valley that has continued throughout the summer and into the start of fall. The ordinance took effect immediately after Monday night’s vote and will...
Flathead Beacon
A Campaign Rooted in Community
After hundreds of doorstep conversations across House District 3, one thing is clear: families are working hard to build a life here in the Flathead Valley, but too many feel that life is becoming harder to afford and harder to protect. Homeowners worry that rising values will push property taxes...
Char-Koosta News
Community Spotlight: The Ronan Mill
RONAN — For Trinity Rosenbaum, opening The Ronan Mill wasn’t a sudden leap — it was a longtime idea that finally found its moment. “It was just something I had always kind of thought about, was having my own coffee shop, and the opportunity kind of fell into my lap,” Rosenbaum said.