Ellington

Lybbert leads golf team

Columbia Falls, led by Logan Lybbert, had the top four scorers at the Columbia Falls Invitational golf tournament on Monday at Glacier View Golf Course.

Wanner, Peacock lead harriers at Libby Invite

Sage Wanner won the Libby Invitational Saturday to open up the cross-country season for Columbia Falls. Wanner clocked a 15:53 in the win. As a team, the boys took fourth.

Spikers perfect at tip-off tourney

The Columbia Falls volleyball squad went 10-0 at the Northwest vs. Southwest Tip-Off tournament in Whitefish, taking the championship in the two-day tourney.

Girls soccer team batters Stevensville in opener, 7-0

They were down several players. It didn’t matter. The Columbia Falls girls soccer team hammered Stevensville 8-0 at home Saturday. The Kats had a slim squad as a couple of players have injuries and others didn’t have enough practices to play. So coach Greg Trenerry had just two subs on the bench.

Cats hammer Stevensville

The Columbia Falls boys soccer team hammered Stevensville in its home opener Saturday, 7-0. The Cats are much improved over last year, both offensively and defensively.

Cats wallop Blue Devils in opener

It took them awhile to get going, but once they did, it was all over. The Columbia Falls football team hammered Corvallis at home Friday night, 48-14.

Keep bikes out of wilderness

By now you have probably heard from both sides of the debate on allowing mountain bikes into federally designated Wilderness. They are too fast, they will scare my horse, bikers play loud rap music. On the other side, bikers argue that they are low impact, human powered and can bring much needed funding for trail maintenance in these areas. Both arguments have valid points. But let’s just push pause here and think about it.

Thanks for making festival possible

Dear Columbia Falls,

Getting ready for fall in the North Fork

Another interesting week weather-wise on the North Fork. While fires have exploded near Thompson Falls and Hamilton, we have remained fire free on the North Fork. Cool temperatures have helped and with no fires burning, the winds did little damage. Cool weather probably reduced floating on the river but other activities were pretty much enjoyment as usual.

Map app is the cat's meow for sorting out land ownership

“Ya, just head up that dirt road a spell and you can start hunting beyond those brown cows. My land goes on for another mile or so.”

About 'home made' widows

Chiefly because of the greatly increased use of drugs, especially METH, there is a corresponding surge in domestic violence. That affect on local law enforcement was brought home this week by Flathead County and Kalispell budgets increasing the number of law officers to be hired soon. The damage to society is increasing the problem of abused and neglected children but also mistreatment of wives and girlfriends with the prospect of violence by females against their chosen house mates.

Thanks for successful drive

The Board Members of Love in the Name of Christ (Love INC) wish to offer our most sincere thank you for the success of our first annual “Back to School Backpack Program.”

Lakeside fire in mop-up mode; Copper King smokes up lower end of valley

A fire that sprouted up near Lakeside off Bierney Creek Road is now in the mop-up stage and is expected to be fully contained by Sept. 5. The human-caused Bierney Creek Fire started Aug. 22 two miles west of Lakeside, surrounding some homes and threatening 75 structures.

Cops kill persistent lion in Whitefish

Whitefish Police shot and killed a mountain lion outside a home on 6th Street Sunday night.

Jewell talks climate change, crowds on Park Service 100th in Glacier

With golden-mantled ground squirrels scampering at her feet, Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell extolled the virtues of the National Park Service and the threats places like Glacier National Park face from climate change on the 100th birthday of the Park Service last week.

Fifth wheel trailer destroyed by fire near airport

A fifth-wheel trailer on Grigg Road was consumed by fire on Tuesday afternoon.

Grizzly bites berry picker in Glacier Park

A Glacier Park employee was bitten by a grizzly bear while picking berries in the Swiftcurrent Valley Saturday in Many Glacier. Park spokesman Tim Rains said the woman was about a quarter-mile off trail near Red Rock Falls when she had a surprise encounter with the bear, which bit her in the hands and the back of her legs about 7 p.m.

Bike path paving set for week after Labor Day

In a few weeks cyclists will have a new off-highway route to bicycle from Coram to West Glacier. LHC construction has been grading in the new bike path, which will hook up with an existing path that runs from Hungry Horse to Coram.

No injuries in rollover on Highway 206

Three individuals walked away from a rollover accident involving two vehicles Thursday morning on Highway 206 in Columbia Falls.

At alumni picnic, Anderson recalls escaping two forms of death on Sun Road

Back in 1953, Roger Anderson was one of the first avalanche spotters on the Going-to-the-Sun Road. He started his Park Service tenure on trail crew, but some of the early workers pulled road crew duty as well.

Anna Creek Cabin available to rent

The Hungry Horse Ranger District has announced the Anna Creek Cabin is available to rent by the public. This cabin is the only rental cabin in the Hungry Horse Reservoir area and provides an excellent base for multiple recreational opportunities. The Anna Creek Cabin rental season is June 1 through Oct. 31.

First-year steer sweeps competition

In her first year showing a steer, a Columbia Falls teen hit the mark.

Peck shoots 85 at WF

Logan Peck shot an 85 and the Columbia Falls boys golf team took second behind Polson last week at the Northwest A Kickoff Tourney at the Whitefish Lake Golf Club.

Volleyball team should be in the mix at state again this year

Losing just one senior to graduation, the Columbia Falls volleyball team should be right in the mix for a state A title again this year. But the Kats aren’t resting on their laurels.

Cross country squad has mix of veterans and young talent

The Columbia Falls cross country teams have a good mix of young talent and veteran experience, notes first-year head coach Jim Peacock.

Cats '100 percent' better

The Columbia Falls boys soccer team is much improved over last year and has just one goal: Make it to the state final in the playoffs, said coach O’Brien Byrd.

Girls soccer has young talent

The Columbia Falls girls soccer team lost eight starters to graduation, but the team should be pretty solid again this year as a host of new talent is coming up through the ranks.

Football team solid on both sides of the line

Coach Jackson Schweikert has high hopes for this year’s Columbia Falls football team.

Questions Park bear policy

What is the job of a Glacier National Park ranger? Is it to help provide visitors with a memorable vacation experience?

Ousted chief files suit

Former Columbia Falls Police Chief Dave Perry has filed a wrongful discharge lawsuit against the City of Columbia Falls, claiming city manager Susan Nicosia wanted to “get rid” of him.

Weyerhaeuser closure on tax rolls may not be as severe

Weyerhaeuser’s closure of two mills in Columbia Falls could have a tax revenue impact of about $48,000 if the company liquidates the mills and tears down the buildings, an analysis by city manager Susan Nicosia found.

Laid off workers entering good job market

Workers who lost their jobs last week as Weyerhaeuser shut down its sawmill and plywood plant in Columbia Falls won’t be facing a weak job market.

Thoughts on tipping

So how do you feel about tipping?

On fires, and aftermath

A few weeks ago, probably a month now, really, I drove up to Gorge and Bunker creeks to look at the aftermath of the Bunker Creek Fire.

Making your home safer when the big one comes

Every year weather on the North Fork is unique. This summer has not been all hot and sunny. Timely rain showers, some really heavy, have kept wildfires at bay. Unlike southwest Montana, where there have been several fairly large fires, we have been spared. I am not aware of any fires on the North Fork and light, intermittent rain this week helps to hold down the fire danger. If everyone is careful, that could continue into the fall.

Remembering the Kootenay Ram

The subject of bighorn rams comes up often in Montana. There have been at least three recent magazines featuring photos of extremely large rams carrying horns that have to be compared to “Krag the Kootenay Ram” made famous years ago by noted author Ernest Thompson Seton. One of those photos on the cover of Sports Afield was taken by my friend who may be the leading wildlife photographer currently in North America, Donald M. Jones, of Troy.

Sun Road work underway

Repair work recently began on three segments of the rock guard wall along Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park between Triple Arches and Oberlin Bend.

Essex home destroyed by fire; Lakeside has a 25-acre blaze, too

An Essex home was completely destroyed by fire late Monday afternoon. The fire consumed the home of Fred and Kathy Fekete on U.S. Highway 2 near mile marker 176 and may have been caused by a generator that turned on after the power went out due to a powerline fire earlier in the day.

Jewell to visit Glacier Park next week

U.S. Secretary of Interior Sally Jewell will be in Glacier National Park next week for the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service. Jewell is expected to visit the Park on Thursday morning, which is also the birthday of the Park Service.

A cultural connection

A couple years back Greg Schatz and his wife, Deborah, were giving a horse packing demonstration at a Montana Wilderness Association event. In the background there was an older fella watching the Columbia Falls couple, leaning up against a tree.

Deadication Festival coming to Columbia Falls

The Deadication Festival will come to Columbia Falls Aug. 27 with a host of cool bands and even a little yoga in between. The one-day event will be held in Marantette Park from noon to 9 p.m.

Utah senators want to allow bikes in Wilderness

While hikers and horses for decades have been the lone travelers in the backcountry, a new bill could put the brakes on a longtime ban on mountain bikes in wilderness areas.

County sets up surplus auction site

The Flathead County commissioners have approved the launch of a surplus auction website, http://flathead.mt.gov/surplus.

Glacier celebrates NPS centennial week

Visitors to Glacier National Park can get into the Park for free from Aug. 25-28 in celebration of the Park Service centennial. The actual birthday is Aug. 25.

Lights will go up on soccer fields next month

Columbia Falls High School soccer will soon be played under the lights. For the past five months, boys soccer coach O’Brien Byrd has been working diligently to have lights installed at the Flip Darling Fields.

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After living a joyous, love-filled life, Harold H. Turner went home to Heaven Friday, Aug. 12, 2016. He spent 87 years as a beloved son and brother, husband, dad, “papa,” and friend.

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Jhovee Allen LaCasse, 29, sunrise Feb. 26, 1987 to sunset July 24, 2016.

North Fork Views: Big yard sale up the North Fork

The three main community organizations, the Landowners, Preservation Association and the Compact have all held their annual meetings and elections. As expected, there were no significant changes as all three presidents were re-elected: Randy Kenyon, NFLA, Debo Powers, NFPA and Don Sullivan, North Fork Compact.

Wildcat golf season kicks off fall sports this week

The Columbia Falls golf team starts its season Wednesday with a tournament in Whitefish. The Wildcats have 12 boys, and three girls, said head coach Gene Marcille.

Bike path history, explained

I’d like to refresh our memories about a proposed Bike Path coming through the Canyon to West Glacier. Indeed, Glacier National Park was considering extending the path to Apgar and Lake McDonald.

Solving stress

Stress-stress-stress! That’s a constant subject nowadays. The way it seems to work out, rich folks got to psychiatrists, government employees get free stress clinics, and regular folk drink beer and whiskey. Sadly! Some, at all social levels, go off the deep end on drugs; however, recent studies say some stress is necessary to motivate a person in solving everyday situations.

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As federal wildlife managers prepare to move grizzly bears off the Endangered Species List in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, opposition to delisting the iconic — and to many, sacred — animal has continued.

Man gets suspended sentence in Essex thefts

An Essex man was sentenced on Aug. 3 to 10 years in state prison, all suspended, by Flathead County Court judge Robert B. Alison. Leif Ness, 45, had previously pled guilty to accountability to burglary and theft, both felonies in a plea bargain.

The seven-year whitefish itch is finally scratched

It’s been at least seven years since I’ve heard someone say, “Hey, Smalley, you were the one who kept saying, ‘Throw it in the cooler; I could take a few more.’”

Thanks for community support

On behalf of the Wildc/kat Athletic Endowment Association I would like to extend a big thank you to the Columbia Falls Community for your attendance and support at the WAEA auction, barbecue, and golf fundraisers. Once again the Wildc/kat supporters have made our event a huge success.

Congressman Zinke Is Leaving Men Behind

Several months ago, I tied a suicide bombing in Iraq to the belief system among some of the new militia movement in the West. What I left out in that account, and that has now roared to the forefront of the moment, is the American soldier who died in that attack. His name was Humayun Khan, an Army Captain at the time, who gave his life to save so many others. That he, and his immediate family, end up inexorably tied into this bizarre Presidential cycle has taught me a lot about what leadership means in this moment.

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60 years ago,

For the love of donkeys

It’s hard to miss Judy Johnson and her miniature donkey, Molly, parading around, whether in the Heritage Days parade or the Night of Lights.

C-Falls family kayaks around Flathead Lake for Special Olympics

Brian McGough of Columbia Falls really knows Flathead Lake.

While in China, another 'Hungry Horse' is revealed

On a recent trip to China, Bob Brown came across a restaurant that was very close to home.

FWP: Griz killed Treat

An approximately 20-year-old male grizzly bear killed Flathead National Forest law enforcement officer Brad Treat near West Glacier in June, according to a Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks investigation released last week.

End of an era: Columbia Falls mills close Friday

Weyerhaeuser will end production at its Columbia Falls plywood plant and sawmill Friday, the company has announced, marking the end of an era in Columbia Falls.

Correct Boogie results listed

Hungry Horse News

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Esther Anderson Chrisman, 89, of Kalispell passed away on Saturday July 30, 2016 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center of natural causes after a brief illness. She was born on July 12, 1927 to Ole and Carrie Anderson in Leland, Illinois.

Esther Chrisman, in remembrance

The North Fork was saddened this week by the passing of Esther Chrisman, 89. She and her late husband, Baird, came to the North Fork to visit their close friends Orville and Helen Foreman in the 1950s and by the end of the decade purchased the Monahan and Talley homesteads and spent many summers here with their children Kari and Allen. Inevitably, the kids fell in love with Montana and as adults moved west from the family home in Illinois.

City judge receives national award

Columbia Falls city judge Susan “Tina” Gordon became a judge to help people, plain and simple.

Tips for dog days fishing

Gotta be honest. There are better months than August to catch trout in local rivers.

Brown: American politics in China

Retired University of Montana Professor Harry Fritz and I recently returned after delivering a series of lectures on the U.S. political system at Nankai University in Tianjin, a city of 12 million people near the Chinese capitol of Beijing. This was my fourth trip to China.

Bob Schuster, Glacier Park ranger, in his 50th year

Bob Schuster is celebrating his 50th summer as an interpretive ranger at Glacier National Park.

Nowadays and old days

Going up to the Veteran’s Home on a recent Sunday, I saw good citizens along Highway 2 filling sacks with litter. Made me dig out a 2006 column...

The Boogie blunder explained

My apologies to the 2016 Boogie to the Bank runners. When I wrote the original story, I went to the Competitive Timing website, which had the race results, clicked on the “Boogie tothe Bank” link at the top of the page and downloaded the results.

Glacier shatters visitation record for July

Glacier National Park shattered the park record for recreational visits in July set last year. Park visitation was at 818,481 people last month — up about 14 percent from last year’s record of 689,000 in July.

Hockaday showcase event features 27 women artists

The Hockaday Art Museum in Kalispell is hosting “A Timeless Legacy— Women Artists of Glacier National Park” on Aug. 13.

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A 60-year-old man from Columbia Falls died in an ATV wreck on Sunday and was identified Monday as Daniel Weber. The accident happened northwest of Whitefish, KPAX news reported. At around 2:30 p.m. the vehicle lost control while traveling 35 mph eastbound on Good Creek Road. Montana Highway Patrol said the driver over corrected, causing the ATV to exit the eastbound side of the roadway and down an embankment.

Downpour floods Lake McDonald Lodge lobby

Glacier National Park’s Lake McDonald Lodge saw flooding in the lobby Sunday evening after thunderstorms dropped heavy rain on the 100-plus-year-old structure.

Test

Learning about climate change, through dance

How best to educate people on climate change is a pervasive question. For the dancers of CoMotion Dance Project, their performance, “Changing Balance, Balancing Change” points to kinesthetic learning as the best way.

Grizzly augmentation showing promise in Cabinet-Yaak

On July 25 a male grizzly bear up the South Fork of the Flathead wandered into a live bear trap. He woke up a few hours later more than 100 miles away at Spar Lake in the Cabinet Mountains.

City going after federal grant for industrial park

There may be a silver lining in the recent Weyerhaeuser layoffs. Columbia Falls now qualifies for a federal U.S. Economic Development Administration grant and the city plans to pursue one as soon as possible, city manager Susan Nicosia told the Columbia Falls city council Monday night.

Whitefish officer to help with city police chief duties

The City of Columbia Falls has begun advertising for a new police chief, but until it hires a new one, Whitefish Assistant Police Chief Mike Ferda will help run the department.

Twins fall just short at state

The Glacier Twins A squad fell just short of a bid to win a state championship, losing 9-7 to the defending champion Bitterroot Red Sox in the Montana/Alberta American Legion Class A state baseball championship on Monday at Centene Stadium in Great Falls.

Daines: Obamacare a train wreck

Obamacare continues to be a train wreck in Montana.

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Reggie Dunkin, aka ‘Mountain Man’

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Scott Matthew Downing

3-on-3 tourney had great numbers

The Columbia Falls Heritage Days 3-on-3 Chamber of Commerce basketball tournament had a record 57 teams this year.

Familiar names take Boogie to the Bank titles

Some familiar names took the top spots at the annual Glacier Bank Boogie to the Bank race during Heritage Days Saturday.

Forest opts for smaller salvage sale for Trail Creek

The Flathead National Forest has opted for the smaller alternative to salvage some of the trees that burned in the Trail Creek fire last summer.

N. Fork has plenty of business at hand

North Fork Views

About Diaries

Have never kept a personal diary, which I often regret. Did keep logs required by Army or smokejumper duties; however, this column has turned out better than a diary because it shared the last fifty years as Iris and I raised four kids, had various careers, along with so many local and worldwide experiences. High point for this year’s 88th birthday was a picnic at the Veteran’s Home with just me and my children ... only us, Shannon, Heidi, Wendy, and Clark, with an Iris-baked cake. Never had that situation since they grew up years ago. It was a wonderful afternoon.

Renowned Glacier Park artist opens gallery in Hungry Horse

Drive into Hungry Horse on a nice summer day and you just might see Nick Oberling out in the lawn, painting his latest work.

Smalley's adventures on the Bighorn River

As noted in this space last week, I recently attended the national convention of the Outdoor Writers of America Association in Billings.

Glacier's piano man

Composer Mike Rihner works in rarefied air in the summer months — he’s the pianist in the hallowed halls of the Glacier Park Lodge.

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The questions I had when signing up to be a delegate in May to the Republican National Convention were laid to rest when I arrived in Cleveland last week.