Page 16 - Flathead Beacon // 11.2.16

NEWS
Kalispell’s Ludden Named Finalist in CNN Hero Contest Flathead High School graduate founded First Descents 15 years ago
successful professional kayaker when he founded First Descents 15 years ago after watching his young aunt battle cancer. The nonpro t o ers free outdoor adven- tures based around kayaking, sur ng and rock climbing to young adults ghting cancer. The organization hosts weeklong camps each year. Since its founding in 2001, First Descents has taken more than 3,000 people on trips.
“I have learned more from First Descents’ partici- pants than anything else in my entire life,” Ludden told CNN. “I’ve learned how to be much more vulnerable, the importance of laughter and to not just accept each day as it comes but to go out and de ne it.”
For more information on the CNN Heroes contest, visit http://www.cnn.com/specials/cnn-heroes.
Brad Ludden, professional kayaker and founder of First Descents. BEACON FILE PHOTO news@ atheadbeacon.com DaVall Building Comes Down in Columbia Falls
BY BEACON STAFF
Brad Ludden, a professional kayaker from Kalispell who founded a nonpro t organization providing out- door adventures for young adults with cancer, is a nal- ist in this year’s CNN Heroes contest.
Ludden, 35, is among 10 nalists in the nationwide event organized by the cable news network. Each of the nalists receives a $10,000 cash prize and the winner will be named “CNN Hero of the Year” and receive an additional $100,000 for his or her cause.
Votes are being tallied on social media, including Facebook Messenger and Twitter, as well as email. The winner will be announced Dec. 11.
Ludden, a Flathead High School graduate, was a
Developer Mick Ruis plans new housing units in downtown
BY DILLON TABISH OF THE BEACON
The Big Store is no more.
Construction crews began tearing down the large vacant building, originally called the Big Store but later renamed the DaVall Building, in downtown Columbia Falls.
Mick Ruis, a prominent local developer and philanthro- pist, purchased the empty building a year ago and is replac- ing it with a three-story retail and apartment complex.
He told the Beacon he plans to lease out the rst oor to a retail business. The second and third oors will fea- ture 24 apartment units, 12 on each oor, he said. He said construction on the property would begin in spring.
Ruis is also developing an eight-unit condominium building on Nucleus Avenue next to the Park Merc Build- ing and Columbia Bar. He said he plans to submit the
Demolition of the DaVall Building in Columbia Falls. GREG LINDSTROM | FLATHEAD BEACON plans for that development next week with construction
beginning soon.
The two new developments are the latest for the
busy developer, who constructed the 25,000-square- foot Cedar Creek Lodge. Recently, he donated roughly $45,000 to pay for lighting equipment and a new score- board at the Columbia Falls High School soccer eld.
Ruis purchased several pieces of property in Colum- bia Falls in recent years and previously said he hoped to possibly develop a lineup of businesses, including a pie factory and steakhouse sports bar. In light of all of his other developments, as well as running his company, American Sca old, the largest sca olding company in the U.S., he said he has put those plans on hold.
“I think I’m going to try to see what someone else wants to do,” he said of development ideas for his other prop- erties. “I just don’t have time to manage so much stu .”
dtabish@ atheadbeacon.com
replace Barb Desch and Dejon Raines who both stepped down for personal rea- sons. Then in October, Jannelle Campbell was appointed to ll the seat Teske left vacant when he was promoted to mayor.
The new mayor said the council has focused its attention on a number of issues in recent months. In October, it passed a 2017 budget and began outlining plans for the New Year. Among Teske’s goals is a downtown beati cation pro- gram to help bring people to the heart of Libby. Another top priority is replac- ing the roof at the Libby Volunteer Fire Department. Teske said re o cials are so worried that the roof will cave in that they are no longer parking equipment under it. Right now the council is work- ing with engineers on designing a new roof and that project will go to bid soon.
“We really want to get this done as soon as possible,” he said.
news@ atheadbeacon.com
NEWS
CITY BEAT
WHITEFISH
Public Invited to Open House on Wisconsin Avenue Corridor Plan
The City of White sh is hosting an open house Nov. 9 to solicit community input into the Wisconsin Avenue Corri- dor Plan that is under development.
The event will be held at the White sh Lake Lodge from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
“The citizens of White sh and the resi- dents and business owners along Wiscon- sin Avenue are invited to participate and help determine how this very important and congested corridor will grow over the next 20 years,” Dave Taylor, city plan- ning director, said. “The plan will look at how the corridor should develop, includ- ing appropriate future land uses, motor- ized and non-motorized transportation, infrastructure, economic performance, and potential improvements. This work- shop kicks o the process and will help the steering committee outline some of the issues and possibilities to address in the plan.”
The corridor boundary extends from the intersection of Edgewood and Wis- consin Avenue north of the viaduct to the intersection of Houston Drive and Big Mountain Road.
“With this plan, we hope to develop a vision for the area and identify mar- ket opportunities that are consistent with the neighborhood character and unique landscapes within the corridor,” said Kate McMahon, lead planning con- sultant with Applied Communication of White sh.
O cials will develop the plan over the next six months in conjunction with Rob- ert Peccia and Associates, GSBS Richman Consulting, the Wisconsin Avenue Steer- ing Committee, and the White sh City Planning O ce, according to Taylor.
LIBBY
After Mayoral Resignation, Council Turns Attention to Local Issues
A month into his new job at Libby Mayor, Brent Teske said the city council is starting to refocus on issues important to the locals; xing water mains, cleaning up the streets and getting a new roof for the re hall.
Teske was appointed as mayor in Sep- tember after longtime Mayor Doug Roll stepped down following a contentious but failed recall e ort. The battle between Roll and a number of other city council members had engulfed the city board in recent months and derailed e orts to get anything done, Teske said.
“It’s night and day on the city council,” Teske said. “And it’s been really busy.”
Teske, who was rst elected to the council in 2013, is not the only person with a new position in city government. In September, Kristin Smith, owner of the local Cabinet Mountain Brewery, and Gary Beach were both appointed to
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NOVEMBER 2, 2016 // FLATHEADBEACON.COM