Ellington

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Jane Smith Barnes died peacefully on Sunday, April 23, 2017 at North Valley Hospital. She was 92. She was lovingly called Aunty Jane or Grandma by most kids in her life, related or not.

Glacier eyes 'one car in, one car out' rules to ease crowding

If the crowds of last summer continue, Glacier National Park is considering implementing a “one car in, one car out,” plan for some of its dead-end roads, Superintendent Jeff Mow said last week during a talk in Kalispell.

Smalley experiences Mack Days and a fish filleter

Fishful Faithful should know by now that I’ve never shown much interest in Mack Days.

Tennis says thanks

The Columbia Falls High School tennis season is underway, and with almost 50 student-athletes participating, I want to take this opportunity to thank the Columbia Falls City Council and specifically Don Barnhart for taking a chance on our kids and the entire tennis community in Columbia Falls.

Bikers, wilderness advocates see common ground

Working together locally counteracts the divisiveness that is splintering our nation and communities. Too many Americans are allowing pride, principles and politics to distract from the reality that we actually have a lot of common ground together. Reaching out to someone who does not agree with us takes courage and curiosity. Like many Montanans before us, we choose to respectfully sit down together and do the tough work to discover a path forward.

Thanks to the Wave

We wish to publicly thank The Wave in Whitefish for the free School to Pool swim program they offer to Columbia Falls third graders. Each year, The Wave offers swim lessons to third graders at Ruder and Glacier Gateway Elementary at no cost. What an awesome opportunity for our students. This valuable program teaches water safety to all our students so they will be safe around the many water sources in our area. We sincerely thank The Wave for their commitment to the safety of valley students through their free swim lessons. We are fortunate to live in a fabulous, supportive community.

How to yell good

Sometimes a “doubting Thomas” foolishly questions facts about stories I’ve related regarding my adventuresome youth. That happened the other day when I told about biting a hole through my tongue 67 years ago.

More on Ford School

After all of the email furor that led me to write last week’s column about the old Ford School, I decided to do a little research. Spent part of two days at the U.S. Forest Service Office talking to officials in charge of managing the property. Guess what? They had not initiated any discussion about the Ford School.

Plows chugging along on Sun Road

Glacier Park plow crews have made it 2.5 miles past the Loop on the west side and are at the Wild Goose Island Overlook on the east side of the Going-to-the-Sun Road.

Hockaday events on tap

The Hockaday Museum of Art in Kalispell invites Flathead Valley residents and visitors to their May exhibitions and events. Every Saturday at 1 p.m., learn about the exhibits from a trained docent. Participation in a guided tour is included with admission.

Bull trout catch cards prove successful

Back in 1998 when bull trout were first put on the Endangered Species List, there was a local problem. The popular bull trout fishery in the Hungry Horse Reservoir and South Fork of the Flathead was healthy.

Flathead Forest eyeing new river plan

The Flathead National Forest has plans for a new Flathead River Wild and Scenic River plan, but it will probably take years to finalize new management policies for the three forks of the river, Hungry Horse/Glacier View district ranger Rob Davies said last week.

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Elisabeth Miket Phillips

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Vera Stewart

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Paxton R. Fisher

Tennis squads split against rival Flathead

The Columbia Falls tennis teams split the bill last week against Flathead away.

Twins look solid in the pitching department

Despite losing seven of last year’s starters, the Glacier Twins A coach says he’s confident the team has the talent for some high-level baseball this summer.

Boys track squad wins Iceberg Invitational, girls second

The Columbia Falls boys took top honors at the Iceberg Invitational at home Saturday, while the girls were edged by Hamilton and took second.

Swim team coaches resign

Columbia Falls and Whitefish will need new swim team coaches next season. Both head coach Amy Caudill and Mike Nelson have resigned.

Finberg will return to coach girls hoops again

Coach Cary Finberg said last week he will return to coach the Columbia Falls High School basketball program.

CFAC pollution plume flows south to Flathead River, not town

There’s a plume of pollution in groundwater migrating from old landfills from the Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. plant Superfund site, but the flow is toward the Flathead River, not toward homes in the Aluminum City neighborhood, preliminary tests have shown.

Commissioners vote on RV Park is May 16

The Flathead County Commissioners are scheduled to vote on a proposed RV Park and cabins in West Glacier at 10 a.m. May 16.

Trump stumps for Gianforte at airport

Donald Trump Jr. flew into the Flathead Friday to rally support for congressional hopeful Greg Gianforte, touching on themes familiar to his father’s presidential campaign.

City seeks input on snow situation

After a snowier than normal winter, with several feet of snow on U.S. Highway 2 sidewalks most of the time, the city will look to the community for possible solutions.

More muscle needed against mussels, Basin Commission says

With the detection of invasive mussels last November in the Tiber Reservoir, Montana lost its status as one of the last few states free of zebra or quagga mussels.

Smalley's first big fish of the year

Back in the late ‘70s, after a day of skiing Big Mountain, we often stopped at The Place in Whitefish for broasted chicken or burgers.

Time for a traffic cop?

Last Wednesday I spent about three hours leaning against a cupboard in an office at the Flathead County Zoning Department as person after person went to the podium to display their distaste for a proposed RV Park in West Glacier.

Teacher appreciation

Prom is over, spring sports are underway, registration for next year’s classes has begun, and more cases of “senior-itis” are being reported.

Thank you, Ryan Zinke

Hallelujah! Was agonizing this week over a letter I was preparing for our Congressmen explaining why it was a personally emotional issue with me, but more importantly, a serious issue regarding public rights and the law of the land to turn the National Bison Range over to the Salish/Kootenai Indian tribe; BUT, the Thursday announcement by Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke said, “IT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.”

The Ford schoolhouse

Winter and early spring has always been the time North Forkers plan the summer’s work, anticipate Forest Service and Park activities, and gossip. In recent years, the advent of socia media and other means of communication has really increased these activities, even on remote Trail Creek.

Kolodejchuk leads Wildcats at Missoula Invite

Junior Logan Kolodejchuk led the Columbia Falls track team at the Missoula Invitational Saturday with a win in the shot put. Kolodejchuk heaved the steel ball 48 feet, 7 inches at the meet, which features some of the best athletes in western Montana.

Wildkats struggling at the plate, lose to Broncs

The Columbia Falls softball team lost to conference foe Frenchtown 7-0 on the road Friday. The game was supposed to be played on Thursday, but was delayed a day because of rain.

Freeman, Schweikert sign with UGF

Two Columbia Falls senior softball players have signed to play college ball with the University of Great Falls. Hannah Freeman and KJ Schweikert have both signed on with the private Frontier Conference Catholic college.

Kehr, Burlage sign with colleges to play hoops

Two standout basketball players from the 2017 Columbia Falls girls championship season have signed with colleges in the NAIA Frontier Conference. Peyton Kehr has signed with Montana State University-Northern and Kiara Burlage has signed with Lewis-Clark College in Lewiston, Idaho.

Matthews steps down as volleyball coach

After two stellar seasons at the helm of the Columbia Falls volleyball team, head coach Jessy Matthews announced she’s moving to Missoula to pursue other interests and to coach the Loyola Sacred Heart volleyball team.

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Mary Etta Morgan Tillman

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Maripat Hagen

Nominations sought for '20 under 40'

For the first time, Flathead County’s best and brightest young professionals will be honored in June at the inaugural ‘20 Under 40’ celebration and event. A month-long nomination period has begun and will be followed by review by a selection committee comprised of local business leaders. Young professionals can be nominated through an online form hosted on dailyinterlake.com, hungryhorsenews.com, whitefishpilot.com, and bigforkeagle.com. The nomination period will end at midnight on May 14.

Black bear visits RV Park

A black bear made itself at home Saturday in downtown Columbia Falls.

A healthy dose of nature

Glacier National Park and the Summit Medical Fitness Center invite the community to Park Prescription (Rx) Day, Sunday, April 23 at Lake McDonald Lodge from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Teen homelessness spotlighted in campaign

Homeless teens often remain faceless and nameless to the people who pass them by, but the everyday challenges they face are highlighted by Sparrow’s Nest of Northwest Montana in the third annual “Somebodies” campaign.

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Columbia Falls community has fond remembrance of Paxton Fisher

The Columbia Falls community is mourning a young life lost after teen Paxton Fisher died from complications due to cancer.

CFAC meetings this week

Monday and Wednesday, officials from the Environmental Protection Agency will answer questions from the public regarding the initial results from ongoing testing of groundwater, surface water and soil contamination at the Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. Superfund Site.

Mow to talk Wednesday night

In celebration of National Park Week, Glacier National Park Superintendent Jeff Mow will give a community presentation about challenges and opportunities the park sees in the future at the heart of the Crown of the Continent ecosystem.

Oilman challenging lease cancellation in Badger-Two Medicine

Texas oilman W.A. Moncrief has filed a federal lawsuit against the Department of the Interior, challenging the cancellation of his oil and gas lease in the Badger-Two Medicine region of the Lewis and Clark National Forest, just south of Glacier National Park.

Study looking at rare critters

Down in the basement of the Condon work center there’s a wall with paper bags tacked to it, carefully labeled, drying out.

Planning board OKs GPI RV Park on a 5-3 vote

After a marathon meeting Wednesday night, the Flathead County Planning Board voted 5-3 to approve a plan for an RV park in West Glacier. Planning board members Dean Sirucek, Rita Hall and Sandra Nogal voted against the measure, primarily on traffic and other concerns.

Deep Roots: Mayor Don Barnhart reflects on career; looks to future

More than 50 years ago, a Columbia Falls 13-year-old would jump on his bike, ride up to the job site and run a backhoe for his father.

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Folks who find themselves in trouble in the woods, mountains, rivers and streams can look to the friendly skies for help for the foreseeable future. The Two Bear Air rescue helicopter formed a foundation last fall and is now funded forever, chief pilot Jim Bob Pierce said last week during a talk in Kalispell hosted by the Glacier National Park Volunteer Associates.

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Louis Mastin Voss

Deb Mucklow retires

Almost all of the snow has melted in Columbia Falls, but not on Trail Creek. Yes, there are bare spots – south facing hills and tree wells – but many places still have two or more feet of heavy snow covering the ground. Thanks to the superb work of the Flathead County Road Department, the North Fork Road is basically bare and water-free. A mudslide on Wurtz Hill threatened to block travel on the road, but, yet again, quick action by Flathead County cleared the hazard and minimized damage. Even so, spring run-off means there will be plenty of potholes and a few frost boils to keep drivers on their toes while navigating the North Fork.

Smalley's Tips for fishing Pine Grove Pond

Pine Grove Pond opened last Saturday.

Old Weather News

How many remember any big scares about the world atmosphere getting COLDER? You would imagine that kind of thing would never be forgotten, but it has. In considering this matter it should be noted that humans keeping accurate records of long distant weather changes has only been going on a relatively short time, representing a split second in the billions of years of our atmospheric conditions. The local weather bureau is just over a hundred years old.

Thoughts on state investments

Who do you seek for advice when you have money to invest? Do you call up the local farmer, a teacher and a couple of lawyers? Most people use professionals who know markets and can give good advice on trends.

Frenchtown Invite shortened by rain

The Columbia Falls track squad competed in a rain-shortened meet in Frenchtown Saturday. Logan Stephens made a 21-4.5 first-place leap in the long jump. Ben Windauer was second in the pole vault with a leap of 12 feet and Logan Kolodejchuk took second in the shot put with a throw of 49-3.

Hoerner, Reiten named to Badlands Bowl roster

Columbia Falls senior football players Braxton Reiten and Trevor Hoerner have been selected to play for Montana in the Knights of Columbus Badlands Bowl.

Don K donation helps grandstands

The effort to rebuild the Glacier Babe Ruth grandstands in Columbia Falls got a boost last week.

Girls softball team finds its bats on the road

The Columbia Falls girls softball team had an up and down week on the road.

Schmit leads girls in tennis opener

Columbia Falls’ Molly Schmit opened her season with a 7-5, 1-6, 7-5 win over Whitefish’s Hannah Madsen in girls singles tennis action last week. Sammi Mueller also got her first victory of the season, dropping Melissa Pollard 6-2, 6-2 in No. 2 singles. In doubles, Shaelynn Turk and Anna Pickard dropped Kit Anderson and Autumn Roalson, 5-7, 6-0, 6-4. As a team, Whitefish edged the Wildkats 4-3.

In Glacier, she's a champion for quiet

A West Glacier native who has railed against noisy skies over Glacier National Park recently received the Jack Potter Glacier National Park Stewardship Award from Headwaters Montana, a local conservation group.

Park plows making good progress

Glacier Park plow crews made good progress last week. Crews on the Going-to-the-Sun Road were beyond Packer’s Roost on the west side and were heading to the Loop as of presstime.

Glacier Youth Corps taking applications

Students ages 15-17 are encouraged to apply for the Glacier Youth Corps program this summer. The program provides a hands-on conservation opportunity in Glacier National Park. Participants will live and learn in the park while performing duties like fencing, trail maintenance, habitat restoration and revegetation.

Glacier Park lake trout netting shows promise

Scientists working in Glacier National Park and at the University of Montana may have found a solution to the decades-long lake trout invasion. Over the past 30-plus years, non-native lake trout from Flathead Lake have migrated upstream into the backcountry lakes west of the Continental Divide in Glacier National Park. Glacier’s native bull trout have steadily declined in abundance, because the larger and deeper-dwelling lake trout outcompete the locals for food. In addition to consuming more prey, lake trout are less likely than bull trout to be hunted by eagles, otters, and loons.

American Rivers puts Middle Fork of Flathead on its “Most Endangered” list

A national river conservation group has placed the Middle Fork of the Flathead on its annual top 10 “America’s Most Endangered Rivers List.”

Legals April 12, 2017

No. 1612 Resolution # 338 School District Six Elementary District Intent to Impose an Increase in Levies WHEREAS, as an essential part of its budgeting process, the Board of Trustees are authorized by law to impose levies to support its budget. The Board of Trustees estimates the following increases/decreases in revenue and mills for the funds noted below for the next school fiscal year beginning July 1, 2017, using taxable valuations from the current school fiscal year as provided to the District. BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees of School District Number Six, Flathead County, Columbia Falls, Montana is estimating the following changes in revenues/mills to support the Elementary District budget for the 2017/18 school year: Building Reserve Fund: Estimated change in revenues: $164,100 increase. Estimated change in Mills: 5.82 increase. Estimated impact on a home of $100,000: $7.86 increase. Estimated impact on a home of $200,000: $15.71 increase. *lmpacts above are based on current certified taxable valuations from the current school fiscal year. Regarding the increase in the Building Reserve Levy referenced above, the following are school facility maintenance projects anticipated to be completed at this time: 1. Replace/Repair the Junior High school building roof. 2. Replace the telephone system-district-wide. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees reserves the right to modify the amount of the levy through August 24, 2017, which is the date the final budget must be adopted by the Board of Trustees. Passed and approved by the Board of Trustees of Columbia Falls School District Number Six this 7th day of March, 2017. April 12, 2017 MNAXLP

Gniadek honored for conservation efforts

Retired Glacier National Park biologist Steve Gniadek is still making his mark on the conservation world.

Yesterdays: Tumblers get ready for the big show

70 years ago

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BILLINGS — Matt Triplett is feeling good.

Plan could move Montana grizzlies to North Cascades

In a few years, some grizzly bears from Northwest Montana could have new homes in the North Cascades Ecosystem of Washington and British Columbia. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Park Service earlier this year released a draft environmental impact statement to reintroduce the iconic species back to the Cascades. At least some of the bears would come from Northwest Montana if the project comes to fruition.

There's no detour with the new Bad Rock Canyon South Fork bridge project

Crews have started clearing trees along U.S. Highway 2 in the Bad Rock Canyon in preparation for the reconstruction of the South Fork of the Flathead bridge this summer.

Four vying for three seats in SD6 school board election

School District 6 won’t float a mill levy this spring, but it will have a race for three open board seats.

MDT floats idea of berming snow on Highway 2

A temporary berm of snow in the middle of U.S. Highway 2 in the winter months? Perhaps.

Conservancy awarded for trail work and bark ranger

The Glacier National Park Conservancy was recently awarded twice for its work with the Park.

Beware of SB 236

After getting an invite to attend a Big Game Forever meeting on March 18 at Snappys, I decided I would go just to see what was up. Sen. Fielder’s husband Paul, and his friends from Utah, Big Game Forever came to present two things. First, why I should support SB 236, which is yet another attempt to modify our state’s 1972 constitution, and this Utah’s group asking for me to basically allow them to take over my duties, on a national basis, and do my wildlife work for me.

Recalling FVCC's worst year

There is much public praise these days and deserved recognition in Northwest Montana of the 50th anniversary of the very successful Flathead Valley Community College. That institution is a blessing to the entire state and a wondrous accomplishment for local proponents of higher education; however, all honest reviews of historical importance should not overlook facts like formative years having tough problems to solve.

GPI RV Park gets a green light from county planning staff, with a host of conditions

The Flathead County planning department has found that a proposed Glacier Park Inc. RV park and rental cabin facility meets county standards under the Canyon Area Land Use Regulatory System.

A meadowlark, an eagle, a duck and a skunk

It’s been a somewhat sad and interesting week in the woods.

Pine Grove Pond opens with new fishing piers

The Pine Grove Pond Fishing Access Site opens April 8 for the summer fishing season. Pine Grove Pond is a popular family fishing pond at Rose Creek Crossing.

Finberg named coach of the year

Columbia Falls girls basketball coach Cary Finberg was named the Class A girls basketball coach of the year by the Montana Coaches Association. Finberg led the team to its first state championship in 34 years.

Kats open season 0-3

The Columbia Falls softball team had a tough road opener Saturday. The Wildkats lost to Belgrade 13-0 and then to Butte Central 9-6 in Polson.

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Frederick Fekete

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John Phillip Blankenship

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Donald N. Peters

Injured hiker airlifted off Columbia Mountain

An injured hiker from Pennsylvania was recovered by Two Bear Air Sunday afternoon after wandering off the trails of Columbia Mountain and reportedly falling off a cliff.

Trump budget could wallop Empire Builder

A budget proposal by President Trump could wallop Amtrak travel across the country including on the Empire Builder.

Plows hit the Sun Road, another construction season lies ahead

Glacier Park plow crews cleared the Camas Road Saturday and have started on the Going-to-the-Sun Road on the west side.

C-Falls man faces charges from violent wreck on Highway 206

A Columbia Falls man faces trial for felony assault after he allegedly caused a collision while driving under the influence. The wreck with a tanker on U.S. Highway 206 last April resulted in life-threatening injuries to a 9-year-old in the car with him.

Legals April 5, 2017

No. 1611 NOTICE OF ANNUAL SCHOOL TRUSTEE ELECTION of Columbia Falls School District No. Six, Flathead County, Montana for Three (3) trustees to be elected for three (3) year terms in School District Six Elementary District To be held on Tuesday, May 2, 2017. Polls will be open between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. at the Glacier Gateway Elementary and between 12:00 Noon and 8:00 p.m. at the Canyon Elementary School. Registered voters residing in precincts 23 and 14 will be included in the register at the Canyon Elementary School while all other voters will be able to cast ballots at the Glacier Gateway Elementary School. A qualified registered elector of Columbia Falls School District, who will be absent from the county or physically incapacitated and unable to go to the polls on the day of the election, may request an "Application for Absentee Voter's Ballot" from the Business Office of the Columbia Falls Schools located at: 501 Sixth Avenue West (West Annex behind the Old Junior High) P. O. Box 1259 Columbia Falls, MT 59912 Phone: 892-6550, Ext. 430 The close of regular voter registration is April 3, 2017. If you miss this regular registration deadline (30 days prior to the election), you may still register for the election by showing up at the county election office to complete and submit a voter registration card up to and including on election day. The county election office is located at: 40 11th Street West #230 Kalispell, MT 59901 Dated on March 29, 2017, 20-20-204, MCA /s/ Dustin Zuffelato District Clerk /s/ Dustin Zuffelato Clerk April 5, 2017 MNAXL

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70 years ago