Victor
Victor, MT · Lifestyle
Whitefish Pilot
Missing dog activates communities in valley wide search effort
A scared Collie cross was adopted and then bolted from her new owner’s car and into the woods around Whitefish about two months ago. Now, people across the valley are teaming up to bring the dog to safety. There have been about 20 reported sightings of the young dog named Rogue who is still wearing a harness and dragging a leash. In almost all of the sightings, the dog ran away when people called her or walked toward her. What makes this missing dog special is that she “went from a horrible situation, to a shelter, to being on her own in the wilderness, for close to 60 days now,” searcher Haylee Johnson said. “It's heartbreaking.” Trail camera footage placed her in the Lion Mountain area for weeks, but a recent video sighting came from Tamarack Lane near Meadow Lake Golf Club in Columbia Falls. Just days ago, she was seen at the golf driving range near Grouse Mountain, back in Whitefish, but searches think that was likely a different dog. “We desperately need residents throughout Columbia Falls, Meadow Lake, Hungry Horse and surrounding areas to check security cameras, doorbell cameras, trail cameras and any other footage they may have,”
Hungry Horse News
The 2026 Columbia Falls Homecoming Parade, in Pictures
The 2026 Columbia Falls Homecoming Parade, in Pictures The Ruder PTO float. You can never be too safe. Young football players. The weather was perfect. The cross country team rallies. Cheering cheerleaders. The drumline performs. The soccer team was feeling bubbly. Students ride on a float.
Whitefish Pilot
Local singer earns accolades on national stage
Whitefish-born musician Ethan Thompson, performing as Alt Bloom, earned a spot on Queen Latifah’s team on the NBC singing competition “The Voice” last week. Thompson sang "The Bones" by Maren Morris, accompanied by a piano. The judges on the show remarked about Thompson’s range and his ability to span multiple genres. Both country music star Riley Green and Queen Latifah expressed an interest in having Alt on their teams. “You sound amazing,” Latifah said. “When you got into some of those higher registers, all it did was show me you had more.” While he felt good energy from both judges, he chose to partner with Latifah. “I really like that Riley is very much in the music industry – still a touring artist doing his thing, and Queen is someone who's like a legend and she's done a little bit of everything,” he said. Thompson said he liked the way Latifah expresses herself on the show. He said she is honest, sweet and pure when talking to the young performers. She also sang directly to Thompson when trying to sway him to join her team and in that, she was successful. "After she turned and sang to me during that
Lake County Leader
Hemorrhagic disease again causing deer deaths on reservation
Epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD), caused by biting midge flies, has been confirmed to be the source of mortalities in white-tailed deer from the areas surrounding Polson, Ronan, St. Ignatius and Hot Springs and other areas in the Mission Valley. According to a press release from the CSKT Division of Fish, Wildlife, Recreation and Conservation, staff is continuing to monitor the situation. While it isn’t necessary for the public to report additional dead deer suspected of EHD in these areas, potential outbreaks observed in new areas of the Flathead Reservation should be reported by emailing Wildlife@cskt.org or calling the Wildlife Conflict call number at 406-275-2774. EHD is a viral disease that can affect deer, antelope and elk species. It is not contagious to humans. Outbreaks tend to occur near water sources in late-summer and early fall when certain small fly species emerge. The disease can persist in an area for up to three years after an initial outbreak and will likely subside after the first few frosts of the season. While the disease can cause significant die-offs in localized deer populations, the outbreaks are usually short-lived and not widespread. Affected areas are generally localized. CSKT advises that meat from animals that
Bigfork Eagle
PHOTOS: Bigfork celebrates homecoming with parade, royalty
Bigfork High School celebrates its homecoming with a parade through town and the crowning of royalty at the football game. Bigfork's Homecoming Parade had royalty galore on the parade route. Steve Mitchell This western royalty duo hopped into the truck for their ride in the Bigfork Homecoming Parade. Steve Mitchell Bigfork Homecoming Parade royalty rides in style. Steve Mitchell Thumbs up from this royal court duo in the Bigfork Homecoming Parade. Steve Mitchell Bigfork's JV volleyball team having fun in the Homecoming Parade. Steve Mitchell Bigfork soccer rides in the Homecoming Parade. Steve Mitchell A loyal crowd gathered for the Bigfork Homecoming Parade. Steve Mitchell The royal court gets the news of which is the King and Queen of Bigfork Homecoming. Steve Mitchell The newly crowned King and Queen at the Bigfork Homecoming game vs Columbia Falls. Steve Mitchell Bigfork Homecoming Parade had future seniors galore supporting the team. Steve Mitchell Bigfork Homecoming Parade royalty hopefuls in a Rat Rod. Steve Mitchell Bigfork's JV volleyball team in the Homecoming Parade. Steve Mitchell The Bigfork Homecoming Parade welcomes the varsity football team. Steve Mitchell The cheerleaders lead off the Bigfork Homecoming Parade. Steve Mitchell Bigfork Homecoming Parade duo from the royal
Bigfork Eagle
Black bear caught trashing Bigfork library branch waste container
The mysterious scoundrel who knocked over a trashcan outside the Bigfork branch of the Flathead County Library on Monday night turned out to be a small black bear in search of a midnight snack. A chaotic scene of garbage strewn around a fallen trash bin greeted Head Librarian Tony Edmundson when he arrived at the library early Tuesday morning. His review of security camera footage revealed a bear moseying down the sidewalk at 10:15 p.m., Sept. 21. The culprit stood up on its haunches when it reached the black plastic bin near the parking lot and wrestled with it until it knocked over. Then it nuzzled open the lid and stuck in its head to peruse the contents. Flathead County Library trustees chuckled as the head librarian recounted the tale at their Thursday meeting. "He just Yogi Bear'd down there and had a picnic," Edmundson said. "It was a mess." The bear sighting was reported to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Edmundson said, and he ordered a bear-resistant container from the library's garbage disposal contractor. Board Chair David Ingram suggested posting a clip of the tape on the library's social media page. "May be fun," Ingram said. "You know, funny
Whitefish Pilot
Guest opinion: Supporting the wind phone while questioning the pocket park
I live adjacent to the proposed pocket park, and I first learned of the project when I received a request for public comment on a floodplain development permit in April. I submitted comments by the deadline, but shortly afterward construction paint appeared for the sidewalk expansion. I was later told that the main opportunity for meaningful input on the pocket park occurred at earlier Parks Board and City Council meetings. My concern with the current proposal is that the primary justification for removing the pedestrian bridge is the unchecked erosion at the site. That bridge has long been a well‑used crossing. There are natural river design approaches that could help stabilize the eroding cutbank, such as creating a floodplain bench. The creek has naturally achieved this just downstream of the crossing. I am also concerned that adding roughly 220 square feet of new impervious surface directly adjacent to Cow Creek may unintentionally increase erosion rather than reduce it. Additionally, relocating the trash bin from Second Street to this dead‑end pocket park on the opposite side of the creek seems less practical for people who currently rely on that amenity on the well-established route. In an ideal scenario, the city would
gotodestinations.com
This Beloved Couple-Owned Restaurant Is Still Winning Hearts After 15 Years in Columbia Falls, MT
729 Nucleus Avenue, Suite F, Columbia Falls, MT 59912. Open daily, 5 PM–9 PM (Sun also open 9 AM–1 PM) Just steps from Glacier National Park in Columbia Falls, Montana, sits a restaurant built by two ski buddies who bet everything on their hometown. 🏔️. Three Forks...
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
Photo: The Springs celebrates pearl anniversary
The Springs at Whitefish celebrated its 30th anniversary in style last week. With pearl elegance attire, residents, families, team members, and community partners enjoyed a cocktail hour with harp music, followed by a lavish supper. Guests also bid on exquisite jewelry in a silent auction that raised $450 for the Alzheimer’s Association. Meghan Burns, Nicole Jemming, market president of The Springs Living, Parker Waites, Hannah Pierce, Barb Toftum, Roberta Maness, Kathy Woerner and Brenda Connelly, President of The Springs Living, enjoy the 30th anniversary celebration last week. (Photo provided)
Whitefish Pilot
Five women, five media at Whitefish Gallery Night exhibit
For the last Whitefish Gallery Night of the year, five women working in five different media will showcase recent work at Cawdrey Gallery from 5-8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 1. Alongside the originals, “affordable” giclee reproductions will be prominent, showcasing work by Digital Planet which has moved into a back space of the gallery. The artists are Erin Cassetto, Sara Forbush, Nola Mehru Jinnah, Mary Roberson and Nancy Dunlop Cawdrey. They work in watercolor, colored pencil, acrylic, oil and silk painting and their subject matter is as diverse and individual as they are. Several of the artists will be in attendance to speak with interested collectors about their medium, technique and current work. From landscapes to precisely rendered colored pencil drawings, the show showcases emerging artists as well as established artists. Digital Planet has been printing high-end giclee reproductions for almost 30 years. After scanning the original artwork and spending hours color correcting the images, Production Manager Devin Jackson and assistant Riley Coyne hand-apply four coats of a special formula of varnish, ensuring many years of archival integrity. “Many collectors have a tough time distinguishing the original artwork from the reproduction,” said gallery co-owner Nancy Cawdrey. “The scan back captures
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
Whitefish Pilot
Bavarian beer selection at Whitefish Oktoberfest is the real deal
Jürgen Knöller, owner of the Bayern Brewing in Missoula, is supplying traditional German beers for the Great Northwest Oktoberfest in Whitefish and will be accompanied by his iconic sidekick, Walter, a handsome St. Bernard. Twenty-five years after Knöller was born in Bavaria, Germany, he graduated as a master brewer and found himself in Missoula, working as the brewmaster at Bayern Brewing. He bought the company four years later and, after 40 years heading up the brewery, is planning to retire next year. His successor will be Cologne-born Bayern brewmaster, Thorsten Geuer, who has been working with Knöller for 25 years. “In my eyes, a brewery should span for more than just one generation,” Knöller said. “I've never worked for a brewery that was less than 400 years old.” His strong ties to Bavarian tradition and mastery of fine German beers are a boon to the Oktoberfest celebrations in Whitefish. It doesn’t hurt that Knöller is a big fan of the local event. “It is really the only true Oktoberfest that we have in the whole state,” he said. “There's nobody that can put anything like that on, like what the chamber and Kevin Gartland have created over the last umpteen
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.