NFL players to gather in Whitefish for good cause

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.

"Thanks to the generosity of many people, we've been there for hundreds of families in their time of need," said Classic founder Doug Betters, who played for the Miami Dolphins from 1978-1987. "Not a week goes by when someone doesn't come up to me and say, 'You don't know me, but I want to shake your hand and say thanks. You helped me out in a very difficult time, and I don't know what we would have done if not for the Winter Classic.' Giving back to others is an amazing feeling like no other and something you'll remember the rest of your life."

Over its 25 years, the Whitefish Winter Classic has hosted more than 375 celebrities who have come to enjoy the Flathead Valley and help in fundraising for this great cause.

Returning this year are NFL players Colt Anderson (Minnesota Vikings), Casey Fitzsimons (Detroit Lions), Justin Green (Arizona Cardinals), Tuff Harris (Pittsburgh Steelers), Rocky Klever (New York Jets, retired), Ed Mulitalo (Detroit Lions), Haloti Ngata (Baltimore Ravens), Tyler Polumbus (Denver Broncos) and Grey Ruegamer (Seattle Seahawks). Joining them will be Monte, the University of Montana Grizzlies mascot.

New to this year's celebrity roster are Dan Carpenter (Miami Dolphins), Scott Gragg (UM offensive line coach, San Francisco 49ers, retired), Lex Hilliard (Miami Dolphins), Marc Mariani (former Griz standout) and Robin Pflugard (UM head football coach).

The Whitefish Winter Classics' four action-packed days are designed to give everyone a venue to come and participate, from taking the whole family to meet the players to an elegant VIP gala and live poker at The Lodge At Whitefish Lake and a champagne brunch at the Whitefish Lake Restaurant.

For more information, visit online at www.WhitefishWinterClassic.org or call Doug Betters at 862-8146. All proceeds benefit For the Children Inc.

STEVENSON, Wash. (AP) - Two helicopters from the Coast Guard and Washington National Guard helped in Monday's search for a 24-year-old Portland woman missing near Bonneville Dam in Washington's Skamania County.

Undersheriff Dave Cox says no fresh clues were found Monday. He says search efforts will resume this morning.

Kathrine Huether texted a friend Thursday afternoon that she was at a trailhead and going for a hike. The search began Friday, after she was reported overdue.

Cox says searchers found their first clue Sunday when a searcher found a credit card receipt with Huether's name on it about four miles north of Bonneville Dam in the Table Mountain area.

Cox says there's nothing to indicate Huether might be a victim of a crime; she's just lost.

Warm temps?melting away Wash. snowpack

SPOKANE (AP) -

Warm temperatures are melting away Washington's already mediocre snowpack, raising concerns about a drought this summer.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service says mountain snowpack was at 70 percent of average as of March 1, down from 74 percent of average a month ago.

Scott Pattee, water supply specialist, says the declining snowpack will complicate efforts to provide enough water for irrigators and towns this summer.

Most parts of the state reported below-average snowpack, with only the Conconully basin reporting above-average snowpack conditions, at 106 percent of average.