Ellington

River idiots

In my book, people who float the Flathead River without life jackets, in their possession, are idiots.

Many Glacier Hotel celebrates Centennial July 4

July 4 marks the centennial of the Many Glacier Hotel and folks can take tours and listen to homegrown music as part of the celebration.

Plenty to do this July 4

There's a lot to do this July 4 holiday.

Velma "Peggy" Armstrong

Velma "Peggy" Grace Armstrong, 79, passed away on June 11, 2015 at   North Valley Hospital in Whitefish.

It's a small world after all

During three years in the U.S. Army rubbing shoulders with thousands of other young men from across the country, at state-side bases, twice across the Atlantic on troop ships, riding jeeps, trucks, trains and planes over most of Europe, and living with hundreds of soldiers at Frankfurt ETO Headquarters, I only met one other guy from Montana.

Firefighters have line around Glacier Rim fire; Stage 1 restrictions now in effect

The Glacier Rim Fire is now 30 percent contained and firefighters have cut a line around most of the fire’s perimeter, fire information officer Colter Pence said.

Glacier Rim Fire 25 percent contained; human caused

Firefighters have the Glacier Rim fire 25 percent contained as of Monday morning. A Type III crew has been assigned to the fire, which has about 90 personnel fighting the 80 acre fire north of Columbia Falls near the Glacier Rim Fishing access site.

Progress on N. Fork fire, road reopens

The North Fork Road reopened to vehicle traffic Sunday morning after being shut down by a wildfire near Glacier Rim yesterday. Floaters, at least as of this morning, were allowed to use the North Fork of the Flathead in the area, but cannot stop on the river above Glacier Rim where heavy helicopters are hitting hot spots with bucket drops.

Wildfire near Glacier Rim

Firefighting crews from across the valley responded to a wildfire near the Glacier Rim Fishing Access site off the North Fork Road Saturday afternoon.

Brown fuming over state audit

State Sen. Dee Brown was highly critical of a state audit released last week that found more than 125 errors.

Volunteers critical to Glacier in summer months

Last week in Glacier National Park the birds were singing, a light breeze was blowing and a host of volunteers were trimming stalks of sedge in the Park's nursery.

A toll to drive the Sun Road? Perhaps, group says

A toll to drive the Sun Road? That's just one suggestion the National Parks Conservation Association has for the Glacier National Park as it analyzes the best way to control congestion on the historic highway.

Highs should hit 101 by Sunday

If the hills could sing, they’d be singing “How dry I am.”

Trail group thanks

Thanks to all of you who participated and sponsored the second annual Pedal and Paddle for Paths Saturday. Over 70 people enjoyed a 12 mile afternoon ride from The Coop in Columbia Falls to Blankenship Bridge. There they were treated to Sweet Peaks ice cream before boarding Glacier Raft's boats for a paddle back to Columbia Falls. All ages of riders enjoyed the adventure while raising money for Gateway to Glacier Trail, a separated bike/pedestrian trail from Columbia Falls to West Glacier.

Fly fishing TV show hosts open fly shop

Owners of Outside Media, Hilary and Shane Hutcheson, have opened a fly shop on Nucleus Avenue in Columbia Falls. Lary's Fly Supply sells outdoor apparel, Salomon trail running shoes, flies, rods, reels, bags and other fly-fishing accessories.

Twins go 4-0 on week

The Glacier Twins went 4-0 on the week. On June 16 they downed the Mission Valley Mariners 5-3 and 10-2 in a doubleheader and then they took a pair from the Cranbrook Bandits Saturday, winning the opener 6-1 and the nightcap, 8-4 in American Legion baseball.

Swimmers take second

The Columbia Falls swim team took second at the Cut Bank Invitational last week. James Role took first in the 11-12 year old 50 breast stroke with a time of 47.09 seconds.

Tyler Turkington

Tyler Turkington, a long time Park City, Utah resident, lost his life on June 8 in a tragic accident on the North Fork of the Flathead River near Polebridge. Tyler was born Aug. 20, 1984 in Houston, Texas. He moved to Salt Lake City at age 2 but spent most weekends in Park City, until becoming a full time Park City resident in 1996. Tyler was an avid skier and mountain biker. He enjoyed reading and tried to make time for a little fly fishing but always made time to help a friend whenever needed. Never one to be impressed by or desirous of the material trappings of life, Tyler's love and passion was always for the outdoors and the adventures waiting there.

David Aldrich

Family and friends are sad to announce the passing, May 27, of David Aldrich, long-time resident of Columbia falls. He was 71 years old.

Fishing Lake Francis

Years ago, to compile a statewide fishing report for a regional hunting and fishing magazine, I phoned sporting goods stores, fly shops and marinas across Montana for up-to-date local fishing reports.

About 'girl rangers'

There is one fact of modern life to which I will probably never completely adjust. You younger folks in your early 60s probably can't grasp the concept of living in a society where "the women's place was in the home." Sure! Women got the right to vote a few years before I was born but it takes a couple of generations for radical social changes to be fully accepted. I have worked hard at adapting but quite often am reminded, "It ain't easy."

Fire season in the North Fork early

I am writing this column on June 21st, the first day of summer and Lee Downes' anniversary of his 21st birthday. June is supposed to be one of the wettest months of the year, if not the wettest. It will really have to pour it on between now and the 30th for that to be true this year.

Mexican restaurant built on love

Elva Camarillo has cooked all her life - quick, flavorful, wonderful meals for her 10 children and now, her grandchildren.

Glacier is artist's backyard

Glacier National Park is home ground for artist Allen Jimmerson.

Criticism, praise, for police chief

By CHRIS PETERSON

Three survive plane crash

Three people survived a plane crash Tuesday morning at the Schafer Meadows Airstrip in the Great Bear Wilderness Area.

Bigfork woman shot in arm

Bigfork man must pay $618k for accident

Bigfork School Board approves contracts

It's a hard knock life: Annie opened Tuesday at Bigfork Summer Playhouse

Bigfork writer publishes new book of original poems

New EPA water rule worse than farmers feared

Lake County road levy much needed

Bus crash: Bigfork man pleads guilty to criminal endangerment

Community helps youth with muscular dystrophy purchase van

Teen narrowly escapes Martin City house fire

A Martin City teen narrowly escaped a fire that destroyed the family home Tuesday morning. Jacob Hagen, 15, was in bed when he heard a popping sound. He woke up and his bed was on fire. He raced out of the house and through a fully engulfed porch to safety with just minor injuries.

Train car catches fire

The lead engine of an eastbound freight train caught fire Sunday afternoon near Columbia Falls but the fire was contained without injury or widespread damage.

Full length of Sun Road open

The entire length of the Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park is now open. Motorists should be aware, however, of traffic delays east of the divide, as construction crews will be working on the road from Siyeh Bend to St. Mary this summer, primarily paving the highway. Delays could range up to a half-hour in length. Access to some trailheads will also be restricted because of construction work.

North Fork welcomes new district ranger

A little less than a month into her new job, Sharon Olson was dealing with not just one mountain lion, but two. One was dead along a trail and another had killed a deer in at the Bowman Lake campground right in front of some picnickers.

Clara Marlys Kopitzke

On Saturday, June 13, 2015, Clara Marlys Kopitzke passed away after an extended illness at North Valley Hospital with her entire family by her side.† She was born on March 30, 1925 to Ethel and Harry Nieland in Hancock, Minnesota, one of six children and was the last surviving member of the Nieland family.† She met her husband George in Minnesota and they were married when he returned from World War II, Dec. 21, 1946 in Kelso, Washington.† They spent 56 great years together raising four rambunctious boys.† She moved from Minnesota in the late 1940s to Kelso and in 1954 moved to Columbia Falls where George was employed at the Anaconda Aluminum Company.† During the war Marlys worked in the Longview Shipyard and after she was married Marlys was first of all a homemaker and mother and later spent several years working in the local Gambles Hardware store.† The last couple weeks of her life the family and friends enjoyed the stories of her life, her terrific sense of humor and her unwavering love and devotion to her family and friends.

Frances Stratton Starke

Frances Stratton Starke, 83, of Portland, Oregon passed away June 7, 2015. Frances was born to Boyd and Helen Stratton on Dec. 2, 1932 in Chinook. †She spent most of her early years in Coram, graduating from Columbia Falls High School in 1952. Francie, as she was known to her family, was a talented crocheter of afghans and hats. She was baptized at the Coram Presbyterian Church by Rev. Frank B. Hillis. Faith in God's goodness keeps hope alive. She was preceded in death by her first and second husbands, Charles Parnell and Will Starke; a daughter, Tammy, a son, Mark, †and one sister, Ginny Schock; father and mother, Boyd and Helen Stratton; grandparents, Frank and Minnie Stratton and Frank and Lena O"Neal. Surviving Francie are one son, Breck, of Portland, Oregon, †two sisters, Norma Williams and Sandy Loveall of Columbia Falls, and one brother, Frank Stratton, Enumclaw, Washington.

Lori Luce

A graveside service and celebration of life will be held for Lori Luce on Monday, June 22 at 2 p.m. at the Woodlawn Cemetery in Columbia Falls. The service will be followed by a luncheon at the Columbia Falls United Methodist Church at 117 Second St. West.

Gregory Richard Taylor

The family of Dr. Gregory Richard Taylor, known to all as "Taylor", is sorry to announce that he passed away unexpectedly at his home on June 3, 2015. He was 61 years old.

County grants fifth permit extension for bridge

Last week the Flathead County Commissioners granted a fifth permit extension for the bridge to Dockstader Island.

Small cherry crop likely to arrive earlier

The cherries around Flathead Lake will be harvested earlier than usual this year. 

Bigfork man charged for truck accident

Police say that a man who crashed a loaded concrete truck in September had been inhaling intoxicating air canisters.

Hungry Horse News wins top photo award

The Hungry Horse News garnered the Mel Ruder photograph of the year award at the Montana Newspaper Association annual awards ceremony Saturday. Photographer Chris Peterson won the honor for a photograph of a mountain goat licking salt off the railing at the Hidden Lake Overlook in Glacier National Park.

EPA begins talks with CFAC

More details emerged last week on the cleanup of the Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. plant. The Environmental Protection Agency on June 10 sent the company and former owner ARCO a draft administrative order on consent. The order is a legal agreement signed by the EPA, ARCO and CFAC that sets required corrective or cleanup actions for the plant. In short, it's a contract between the EPA and the companies, noted Michael Cirian, an environmental engineer for the EPA.

Dry spring means good fishing, for now

Well, since everyone's talking about it, maybe it's time for Fishfull to weigh in.

Remembering Mac McNeil

Cannot complain about the weather except to say it was too hot for June. The snow is mostly gone from the mountains, the river is not clear but it is green and dropping every day. It should have been a perfect week. Instead, it was a somber week-mourning mixed with new grief.

Memories Without Written Record

Young persons do not have any idea of what their life will produce in successes and failures, adventures and misadventures. Reading plans of local high school honor graduates in last week's paper leads a person to believe many of those have lives well planned. It is good to have ideas for education, but there will be twists and turns not predictable. That certainly happened to me and it's impossible to remember many facts and details. So! There is one bit of advice to everyone beginning their careers. KEEP A DIARY.

Community events

Twins go .500 at Idaho tourney

The Glacier Twins went 2-2 at the Prairie Cardinal Tournament in Post Falls, Idaho last week.

Tribes seek third funding contract to manage National Bison Range

A third attempt is under way to negotiate management of the National Bison Range by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.

Skiumah Lake

The popular misconception is one has to plan a multi-day outing to enjoy Northwest Montana's wilderness. Nothing could be further from the truth. Access into the wilderness, particularly the Great Bear Wilderness, can be had in a day hike, even an afternoon hike.

Peddles and Paths

Families are invited to pedal and paddle their way along the North Fork on June 20 to raise money for the Gateway to Glacier Trail. The Pedal and Paddle for Paths event will raise money for a bicycle and pedestrian path connecting Columbia Falls to Bad Rock Canyon, part of a larger effort to construct a trail from the Flathead Valley to Glacier National Park.

Library thanks

I want to thank the Imagine If Libraries for the great programs and service at their Columbia Falls branch. We live in West Glacier, but my daughter and I don't mind driving into Columbia Falls for story time each week. Miss Nancy, as the kids call her, has been instrumental in getting my young daughter and all the other kids who attend story time, interested in the library. She reads them fun stories, sings songs in which the kids participate and then at the end takes out a huge box of toys for them to play with. The kids have no idea that they are learning, to them it's just about having fun.

Wildcats take third at Bitterroot swim meet

The Columbia Falls swim team opened their season last week with a third place showing at the Bitterroot Invitational.

Arneson going to Australia for Downunder Bowl

Blake Arneson will be traveling to Australia later this month to play football in the Downunder Bowl. Arneson is a 6-foot-1-inch right guard for the Columbia Falls football team. On defense, the 250-pounder plays noseguard.

DEQ, CFAC enter partial cleanup plan

From the state side of things, the Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. and the Montana Department of Environmental Quality have agreed to at least part of a cleanup plan for the idled plant.

Columbia Falls City Council OKs zone change; paves way for SmartLam expansion

Over the past week Columbia Falls has cranked up the debate: Can the city cater to industry and still tout itself as the Gateway to Glacier National Park?

Dog eating bear in Glacier Park euthanized

Glacier National Park rangers captured and killed a marauding black bear at the head of Lake McDonald on June 1 after it killed and ate a 15-pound pet shih-tzu.

Teen killed in Sunday morning pursuit

A Hungry Horse teenager is dead after a pursuit by Columbia Falls Police early Sunday morning. Pierce Norman Beach, 15, was killed when the Ford  F-150 he was driving with two occupants went off River Road Junction near the South Fork of the Flathead River and struck a tree about 12:22 a.m., said Columbia Falls Police Chief Dave Perry.

Glacier National Park welcomes the 100 millionth visitor

Not knowing what the day would hold, Becky Janssen with son Pierce, 14, and daughter Gretchen, 10, decided to drive around Glacier National Park on Thursday for the first day Logan Pass was open. Park superintendent Jeff Mow welcomed the family as the 100 millionth visitor.

Demolition well underway at CFAC

Demolition of the Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. plant is underway and an auction to sell off surplus equipment is set for the end of July.

Logan Pass opens

With sunny skies and almost perfect weather, Logan Pass opened to motorists today from the west side only. Crowds were actually light for an opener, finding a parking spot at the Logan Pass parking lot was easy.

Social security is not broken

Sometimes, I admit, I am at a loss what to write about. 

Summer Playhouse shows great

Spread the Word.

Sun Road will open to Logan Pass west side tomorrow

The wait is over.

School board asks voters for $14 million

The Bigfork School District board of trustees voted unanimously on Wednesday to approve a bond request, asking voters for $14 million to renovate the high school.

Restoration project to protect watersheds

Bull trout are a fickle fish, picky about where they spawn and sensitive to change, according to Forest Service Fisheries Biologist Beth Gardner.

Butterflies raise money for cancer patients

Hundreds of butterflies will be released over Flathead Lake on Sunday in honor of those whose lives were taken by cancer.

Bridge takes away from scenery that feeds imagination

Out on the north shore of Flathead Lake there are beasts—mythical as well as regrettably real. I took this photo of the former shortly after arriving in Montana in 2010. The land and spaces around me in my new home allowed my mind and body to be free and run wild. I saw whale bones and Giger-like aliens scattered across the lowered shore line that first May. I delighted in their presence and in the time spent transferring that delight and wonder to pixels so that I could share my vision with others.

Teachings of world religions

Thursday, May 14, 2015, Kalispell Public Schools Superintendent Mark Flatau, Columbia Falls District Superintendent Steve Bradshaw and Bigfork School District Superintendent Matt Jensen accepted the local Act! for America Chapter’s  invitation to answer questions about concerns related to teachings of world religions. For that they deserve our thanks and appreciation. It was certainly not a “regular day at the office” for them. 

Auditions for Steel Magnolias set for June 14

The Bigfork Community Players announce auditions for the fall production, Steel Magnolias by Robert Harling.  

Law logs

June 2

Twins win a pair

The Glacier Twins A picked up a pair of wins over the past week.

Williams named all-American

Columbia Falls native Derrick Williams was recently named an all-American in track and field for Colorado State University Pueblo by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.

Bump in Park fees coming this fall and winter

Starting this fall, visitors to Glacier National Park will have to pay more to get in, but not as much as originally proposed.

This cake took a solid week to bake

Trevor Wyman stands proudly behind his first wedding cake. He should - it took a week to make.

Outdoors News

Lake volunteers

Robert Lingle Sr.

Robert "Bob" Lingle Sr., 86, went to be with his Lord, Oct. 4, 2014 at his home in Kalispell with his family at his side.

Robin Stempin

Robin Dale Stempin, 60, of Mililani, Hawaii, chief of Wideband Satellite Communications, Regional SATCOM Support Center, Pacific and an Army veteran, died in Mililani on May 15, 2015.

Doris Sanders

Doris Eileen (Etter) Sanders, 86, passed away May 20, 2015 at Brendan House in Kalispell.

Businesses, Glacier, talk Sun Road solutions

Glacier National Park is looking to ease visitor pressure on the Going-to-the-Sun Road, and it listened to Canyon and Columbia Falls business owners on ways to do just that during a meeting last week.

C-Falls man stumps for second Sun Road

A Columbia Falls man thinks he has the solution to easing traffic and congestion on Glacier National Park's Going-to-the-Sun Road: Build another road across the Park.

The full fish isn't much of an eater

Why aren't the fish biting? Before you shout, "Wadda ya mean, we killed the kokanee at Bitterroot Lake," let me give more information.

Love and loneliness

he quest for companionship is a huge time and money consuming business around the world. In the United States there are thousands of personal queries through just one "search organization" each weekend in many big daily newspapers. The ads seem to be on a grand scale for lonely Montanans and across the country.

Forget floods, prepare for fire

Heavy rain in the first days of June caused the North Fork River to rise, and it was definitely muddy. Even so, I think the worrywarts can stop thinking about any kind of flooding.

Planning board OKs zone change for industrial park

The Columbia Falls City-County Planning Board Tuesday approved a zone change for an industrial park on the north end of Columbia Falls that could pave the way for an expansion of SmartLam to the site.

Man dies in tractor accident

An 85-year-old Columbia Falls man was killed after a tractor rolled over him while he was working on the radiator at a home on Highway 40 Monday.

Man drowns in North Fork

A 30-year-old Polebridge and Park City, Utah man drowned Monday evening in the North Fork of the Flathead River. He was apparently “surfing” on the river with a surfboard that was to tied to a snag across the river with a rope. He was trying to get on the surfboard when he became tangled in the rope and the board and was submerged in the water, Flathead County Sheriff Chuck Curry reports.

Nebraska man killed in C-Falls crash

On June 6, Timothy R. Fangman, 68, of Omaha, Nebraska died in a head-on crash in Columbia Falls.

CFAC consultant releases cleanup plan

The Columbia Falls Aluminum Company announced June 5 that it has developed a Draft Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study Work Plan to thoroughly understand conditions at its smelter site near Columbia Falls and to explore potential remediation alternatives to address such conditions.

Fish and wildlife concerns cited in Superfund comments

The 60-day public comment period for the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposal to put the Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. site on the federal Superfund’s National Priorities List ended May 25.

CFAC presents its case against Superfund listing

The 60-day public comment period for the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposal to put the Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. site on the federal Superfund’s National Priorities List ended May 25.

Park's Camas Road placed on historic registry

C-Falls man settles against Whitefish police

Man sentenced for punching police chief

Zinke bill takes aim at 'frivolous' timber lawsuits

A bill sponsored by Rep. Ryan Zinke calls for limiting lawsuits filed by environmentalists against  Forest Service timber projects while encouraging collaboration between stakeholders and making changes to forest project and rural school funding.

Sun Road not open to vehicles this weekend

Glacier National Park’s Going-to-the-Sun Road will remain gated to motor vehicles at Avalanche Creek this weekend but remain open to hikers and bicyclists.

Construction on bridge halted by lake water levels

Rising lake levels have stopped work on the bridge to Dockstader Island.

Ferndale resident sentenced for killing grizzlies

A Ferndale man must pay $15,000 in restitution and serve three years of probation for killing three grizzly bears last May.

Closing of newspaper capital bureau a poor choice

In a recent column, Red Blue America writer Julie Ponzi discusses the recent revelation that ABC news anchor George Stephanopoulos contributed to the Clinton Foundation, and how it calls into question the notion of “objective journalism.”

Lake county asks for levy to maintain and improve roads

The Lake County road department is responsible for 1,200 miles of road, but maintaining those roads is a difficult task with old equipment in constant disrepair. 

Community players to host acting workshop

Some people are born with a talent to act and can realistically portray a character on stage or on camera, relying only on their natural talent.  

Boy rides to Logan Pass on seventh birthday

Micah Saugen, of Kalispell, recently rode his bike 15.5 miles and 3,216 feet up from Avalanche Creek to Logan Pass for his seventh birthday.

Coram man dies in crash

An18-year-old Coram man died in a head-on collision on U.S. 2 north of Evergreen on June 2.

County looking at former box store for new jail

Flathead County has made an offer to buy the former Walmart building in Evergreen for a potential future expansion of the county jail, county officials confirmed June 2.

Dry conditions could prevent full pool in Flathead Lake

A spokesman for Northwest Energy, which took over operations at Kerr Dam last November, recently said the company has notified the  Federal Energy Regulatory Commission that this year’s unusually dry conditions and early snowmelt might prevent Flathead Lake from reaching full pool by June 15.

Nathan Knoll

Nathan Paul Knoll, 54, passed away on May 30, 2015.

Tami Ray

Tami Ray, 55, passed away at Immanuel Lutheran Home on June 1, 2015,  surrounded by her loving family.

Theodore Tveidt

Theodore “Ted” Tveidt, 72, passed away June 1, 2015 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center surrounded by his family.

Trueblood named to all state team for softball

Swim team ready to hit the pool

Twins snap seven-game losing streak

The Glacier Twins A squad snapped a seven-game losing streak, downing the Bitterroot Bucs in a doubleheader Sunday in Whitefish 4-1, 2-1.

C-Falls wins smoker, 6-4

Glacier Park crews at Big Drift

Art event includes Red Bus tour

State and city settle Vets Home case

German student a no-show in court

April, May are second driest on record

New Chamber director sees economic potential

Chasing ice

School news

Deans list

Greta Hale

Greta M. Hale, 77, died May 31, 2015, in Columbia Falls.

Ethel Pier

Ethel Metcalf Pier, 89, passed away May 31, 2015, in Kalispell.

Sapphire Mountains: One of Montana's gems

Seemingly towering above the University of Montana campus, Mount Sentinel’s actual rise is only 5,158 feet. To the folks in Missoula, it is just UM’s mountain with the big M on it. But in the scheme of Montana geography, this big “hill” is the northernmost point of the Sapphire Range, an 85-mile-long massif that forms the eastern perimeter of the Bitterroot Valley.

A history of cyanide at CFAC

Man sentenced for meth sales

Deferred sentence for third bad check case

City parks inventory is first step to facilities plan

Local climber to bag peaks in the Andes

Community news

Zinke meet and greet

Outdoor news

Trail fundraiser

Thomas Taylor

Thomas Taylor, age 43, of Breezy Point, Minn., passed away May 26, 2015.