
Opinion: 16 miles for two fish
So last week we took a couple of days and hiked seven hours and over 16 miles to catch a couple of fish up the North Fork, one which came unhooked almost immediately and the other which quite honestly, didn’t fight all that hard.

CFAC damage assessment could reap rewards; But residents raise a host of concerns, including forever chemicals
Forever chemicals. Concerns about future residents and development, and plenty of “what ifs?”
City OK’s light industrial park; water well is down
The Columbia Falls City Council approved a minor subdivision for a light industrial park on Meadow Lake Boulevard.
What’s the point of being a Senator if you don’t have guts?
More than half a century ago, when I was a young, enlisted man stationed at the Bureau of Naval Personnel in Washington D.C., I contacted former Montana Senator Burton K. Wheeler. I introduced myself and asked him if I could have a visit with him. He replied that he would love to have a visit with me and invited me to join him for dinner at his home. I borrowed a car and located his address in a trendy neighborhood of spacious brick houses which I remember was located on Fox Hall Road.
Hopes for a quieter Lake McDonald
I am writing not with complaint, but with a quiet wish — for the future of Glacier, and for the stillness that lives within Lake McDonald.
Urges people to get involved with CFAC damage program
The May 28th Hungry Horse News included an informative story about the Natural Resource Damage Program and Assessment Plan in regard to the Columbia Falls Aluminum Plant. As stated, the Natural Resource Damage Program is part of the Superfund law but is a separate program, actually a state program housed in the Montana Dept. of Justice. While the Superfund cleanup plan deals with remediation of the toxic waste, the NRDP focuses on restoration of the natural resources damaged by the operation of the Plant.
Prospect of public land sales raise concerns locally
A Senate version of the “Big Beautiful” budget bill calls for selling off about 3 million acres of public lands in the west.
No race for mayor, but there is for Columbia Falls council
There will be no race for mayor this upcoming Columbia Falls city election, but five candidates will vie for three open seats on the city council.

Park Side celebrates new Columbia Falls branch
The new branch of Park Side Credit Union in Columbia Falls had its ribbon cutting last week. The bright and spacious new building replaces the credit union’s old home on Highway 2 about a half mile to the east.

Scrambling up the Razor’s Edge
Packing a bag in the tranquil morning, my eyes peered to the end of the Cut Bank Valley where Razoredge Mountain in Glacier National Park, my objective for the day, stood majestically many miles away.
Twins get a second win on the season
The Glacier Twins packed in a busy stretch of American Legion baseball this past week, earning a split in a road doubleheader at South Valley on Wednesday before battling through two tough games against powerhouse Bitterroot on Saturday.
Swimmers home this week
The Columbia Falls swim team took second in Chester, last weekend. It was a grueling weekend with temperatures in the low 40s with constant rain, but the kids stepped up really well, coach Kyle Babcock noted.

For young bullrider, it’s been a life of eights
The rodeo has always been in Octavius Christianson’s blood. From the moment he was born at 8:08 in the evening, he weighed eight pounds, eight ounces. Hence, his parents named him Octavius: the Latin number eight.

Glacier Park sees busiest May ever
Visitation to Glacier National Park was up significantly in May over last year, with most of the gains being at the Goat Lick and Two Medicine. It was the busiest May on record, with 238,766 visitors.
Compensation board denies pay increase for Sheriff deputies
Flathead County Sheriff Brian Heino would like to see deputies’ wages increase to improve recruitment and retention of staff.

Yesterdays:The forgotten Flood of '75
Flooding hit the Flathead with major damage to the railroad and U.S. Highway 2 and parts of Kalispell that are now Evergreen. Columbia Falls was largely spared, though Roy Lindsey, a former mayor of Columbia Falls, saw his garage badly flooded. Still, he said it was far better than in 1964, when the water went up to the top of the windows of his house.
Columbia Falls Scholarships
Apani Awua: Flathead Valley Community College Honors Scholarship, GI Bill Certificate of Eligibility Education and Training, Seattle University Merit Based Scholarship and Seattle University Grant.

Ralph Lee Burtsfield, 85
Ralph Lee Burtsfield, 85, passed away Monday, June 16, 2025, at The Retreat at Buffalo Hill.

Dale Edward Barr, 90
Dale Edward Barr, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend died peacefully on June 6, 2025, at the age of 90. Born on Aug. 2, 1934, in Hutchison, Kansas to Stanley and Olive Barr. Dale spent his final year at the Montana Veteran’s Home in Columbia Falls surrounded by his family and caregivers, whom he cherished deeply.
Death notices for June 25, 2024
Hailey Green died June 13, 2025 in Columbia Falls.