Monday, October 30
Weather Service: Winter should be colder, snowier, than normal; storm on its way Wednesday
With a weak La Nina setting up in the Pacific Ocean, the National Weather Service is predicting a colder and snowier winter than normal. LaNina means the ocean currents are a bit colder than normal.
Sunday, October 29
Coram-West Glacier fire hall meeting set
The Coram-West Glacier Volunteer Fire Department will host a scoping meeting Wednesday, Nov. 1 at 4:30 p.m. at the West Glacier Fire Hall to seek public input for a new station to be built on a large lot on U.S. Highway 2 at Seville Lane in Coram, next to the Glacier Grill.
Thursday, October 26
Historic fire year another day at the office for Flathead Hotshots
It was an historic fire year across the Western United States and the Flathead Hotshots were in the thick of it once again.
Wednesday, October 25
Wildcats cruise to conference crown, drub Polson, 50-6
The Columbia Falls football team wrapped up the regular season Friday night with a flourish, dropping conference rival Polson, 50-6, in a game that was all but over after the first quarter.
Cats take third at state x-country meet
Gabe Knudsen took fourth and Joe Lamb was 11th as the Columbia Falls boys cross -country team took third at the state A cross country championship meet in Helena Saturday.
Girls fall short to Rams
It was a tough end to a great season. The Columbia Falls girls soccer team had a rough time against Billings Central in the state A playoffs Saturday, losing to the Lady Rams, 3-1, on the road in the semifinal round.
Spikers drop Polson; do well at Missoula Invite
The Columbia Falls volleyball team continues to improve as the postseason begins this weekend. The Wildkats dropped Polson on the road last Tuesday to wrap up the conference schedule, 24-26, 25-20, 22-25, 25-23, 15-13. Trista Cowan had 13 kills in the win, while Kiera Brown had eight blocks and Hannah Schweikert racked up 38 assists.
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Clifford (Kicker) Oliver Wilkins
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Barbara Jean Waddell
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Jane Clarabell Robinson
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Ronald Lee Perry
Tester says he supports firefighting funding bill
Montana Sen. Jon Tester said last week that he supports a bill that would fund future firefighting efforts across the U.S., rather than drain the Forest Service budget.
Flathead weather records
Snockered friends have called me in the middle of the night to settle bar bets about local weather. So! Every 20 years I run records from the U.S. Weather Bureau.
Do bears get cold feet?
Usually, hunting season starts with sunny skies, dry grass and dry leaves. No tracking snow makes hunting tougher to shoot a deer or elk but still allows for an extraordinary day in the woods. Not this year.
Tundra rodents
My latest truck, a Dodge 2500 diesel, used to be a pretty nice rig, until, of course, I bought it. Which is to say that the guy who owned it before me took good care of it for close to 20 years and then I got a hold of it and within four months a wayward piece of firewood had put a big dent in the side and now it’s basically a work truck.
East Glacier could soon be home to a big Bigfoot Hotel
A well-known Bigfoot researcher and his investment company are on track to build a $25 million, multi-story hotel complex in East Glacier that will house the largest Bigfoot museum in the world along with a live theater, conference center, retail store, restaurant and lounge.
At 15, he's already taming bulls
A Columbia Falls sophomore is already making his mark on the bull riding world.
Youth Flint does well at the Fair
Teagen Flint of Columbia Falls has been named the 2017 Northwest Montana Fair and Rodeo Exhibitor of the Year.
In breast cancer fight, salon a great help
About seven years ago, En Vogue salon owner Andrea Marron’s aunt got breast cancer. Marron decided to hold a fundraiser, see if she could raise a couple hundred bucks for her.
Photographer has an eye for the Big Sky
Val Almos loves to capture the sky and Montana is one of the best places to do that. Almos has been an amateur photographer for 47 years now. She uses a Canon Rebel and keeps a smaller camera in her purse, just in case she’s sees something cool on her travels from her rural Columbia Falls home.
Columbia Fall city council election: Lovering wants to see Nucleus Avenue revival continue
Incumbent Jenny Lovering said she has unfinished business if elected to a second term on the city council. Lovering said one of her main focuses is on the revitalization of Nucleus Avenue.
Columbia Fall city council election: Shepard brings experience to the city council
Incumbent Mike Shepard brings a wealth of experience to the Columbia Falls city council as he seeks another four-year term.
Columbia Fall city council election: Robinson brings a wealth of knowledge from county
If elected, Paula Robinson would bring a host of government experience to the table as a Columbia Falls city councilwoman.
Columbia Fall city council election: Duffy wants the city to grow through annexation
A member of the Columbia Falls City-County planning board is one of four candidates seeking three seats on the Columbia Falls City Council.
Legals October 25, 2017
No. 1622 Notice is hereby given that in Flathead County, on November 7, 2017 a Columbia Falls City Municipal General Election will be held at the Council Chambers of Columbia Falls City Hall for voting on Mayor and Council and Municipal Judge. Said political subdivision election will be conducted by voting at the polling place and by absentee ballot. Absentee ballots are available in person or by applying by mail to the Flathead County Election Department, 40 11th St West Suite #230, Kalispell, MT 59901. The polls will be open at 7:00 a.m., and continue to be open until 8:00 p.m., on Election Day. DATED this 19th day of October, 2017. Debbie Pierson Election Administrator October 25, November 1, 2017 MNAXLP
Tuesday, October 24
Zinke proposes more than doubling Glacier Park entrance fees
The National Park Service Tuesday announced it was proposing to more than double entrance fees to several national parks, including Glacier National Park, to pay for deferred maintenance.
Monday, October 23
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Friday, October 20
West side of Sun Road set to reopen to Avalanche tomorrow afternoon
Glacier National Park is going to reopen the west side of the Going-to-the-Sun Road to Avalanche Creek at noon tomorrow, Park spokeswoman Lauren Alley said.
Wednesday, October 18
Ruis, partners, team up with SmartLam on expansion project
The former Weyerhaeuser sawmill in Columbia Falls will soon gain a new tenant as developer Mick Ruis and partners have made another significant investment in Columbia Falls.
NFLA sees increased attendance
I don’t know how many runners signed up for this years LeGrizz or how many actually finished the fifty-mile timed run. I do know they had to be cold, with wet and probably sore feet. It was a raw day Saturday with periods of rain, snow and uncertain footing. I know that there were last-minute efforts to get hot fluids to the contestants and camp stoves to keep them hot. I hope they were successful and that there were few colds and no pneumonia.
Sperry Chalet stabilization should wrap up this week
Glacier National Park construction crews were wrapping up a project this week to stabilize the Sperry Chalet for the winter. The main dormitory at the chalet complex was gutted by the Sprague Fire.
Deal may be dead, but Columbia Falls council weighs in on jail, offers help
The Columbia Falls City Council Monday night decided to forward a letter to county commissioners on the jail proposal, even though the county has pulled the plug on the land purchase.
Overheard conversations in the wild
I figure me and the kid hike about 500 to 700 miles a year, give or take a mile or two here and there. This year we’ve done eight backcountry overnighters, which doesn’t seem like it was enough.
Puns and Commercial H20
Note: George is out this week. We bring you this column from 2006.
EPA Administrator lives lavishly
Private jets, secret “soundproof booths,” and steakhouses, you would think that this is the dream life of a rich movie star- or maybe James Bond-but according to reports, this dream is a reality for EPA Administrator, Scott Pruitt. While Pruitt lives the high-life on taxpayer’s dimes, Montana communities wait. And we cannot afford to keep the communities of Columbia Falls, Butte, Anaconda, and Libby waiting any longer.
Delaney wins LeGrizz ultra
Jason Delaney of Polson was the overall winner in the LeGrizz 50-mile ultramarathon in Polebridge Saturday.
Western Divisional was a special day for the cross country team
The Western A Divisional meet in Frenchtown last week was more than just a race. It was a great walk for Kimberly Peacock.
Spikers hang tough against rival Bulldogs
The Columbia Falls volleyball team may be young, but they’re getting better every match.
Wildcats rack up the yards in rout of rival Bulldogs, 56-7
Columbia Falls racked up 28 points in the first quarter en route to a Northwestern A conference rout of longtime rival Whitefish, 56-7.
Boys fall just short in first round of soccer playoffs
The Columbia Falls boys soccer team came up just short in the first round of the state A playoffs Saturday, losing to Frenchtown 4-3 in the final three minutes of play on the road.
Girls thump Stevensville in first round of playoffs
When the Columbia Falls girls soccer team played Stevensville earlier this season, they racked up the shots, but couldn’t find the back of the net in a game that ended in a tie.
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John William Brinkerhoff
Mayoral race: Barnhart brings a wealth of experience
Columbia Falls mayor Don Barnhart said he’d like to think he’s done a pretty good job at the helm of the city for the past eight years and looks forward to serving another four years if re-elected.
Columbia Falls mayoral race: Rallis wants big changes, business tax
John Rallis has big plans for Columbia Falls if elected mayor. He’d like to expand city hall, get rid of the city manager form of government, annex properties currently outside of the city limits and become a full-time mayor.
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Edward Arthur Lindstrom
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Lucretia Ann Budak Popa
Local firm helped Efron brothers with safety on commercial shot in Glacier
A Columbia Falls firm helped in the production of a commercial that was released last week that featured Zac and Dylan Efron in Glacier National Park.
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Richard Austin Perkins
Legals October 18, 2017
No. 1621 PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE POSITION OPENINGS FOR THE COLUMBIA FALLS CITY-COUNTY PLANNING BOARD AND ZONING COMMISSION The Columbia Falls City-County Planning Board and Zoning Commission is made up of nine members - four representing the city, four representing the county and a representative from the Soil Conservation District. In the event there is no member or associate member of the Conservation District who is able or willing to serve on the board, the ninth member must be selected by the eight officers and citizen members of the board, with the approval of the Board of County Commissioners and the City Council. The term for the representative from the Conservation District would run from January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018. There are two county positions which will become vacant at the end of the year. The two-year terms will run from January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2019. All county positions are appointed by the Flathead County Commissioners. To be considered for a county position the applicants must reside within the planning jurisdictional area but outside the city limits of Columbia Falls. MIDDLE CANYON LAND USE ADVISORY COMMITTEE There are currently three (3) openings on the Committee. The applicants must reside within the land use region of the jurisdiction. One (1) term will run three (3) years beginning January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2020. One (1) existing vacancy would fill a remaining term beginning January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018 and one (1) existing vacancy would fill a remaining term beginning January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2019. For the vacancies listed above, please submit a letter of interest, including name, physical address, mailing address, daytime phone number and qualifications should be submitted to: Mary Fisher Flathead County Planning & Zoning Office South Campus Building 40 11th Street West, Ste 220 Kalispell, MT 59901 751-8200 Letters of interest should be received no later than 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 15, 2017. For City Appointments to this Board contact the Columbia Falls Planning Office at 892-4349. October 18, and Nov. 1, 2017 MNAXLP
Monday, October 16
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Thursday, October 12
Columbia Falls psychic says she does more than predict the future
Columbia Falls now has its own psychic.
Wednesday, October 11
Despite fires, Glacier Park visitation breaches 3.1 million for the year
Glacier National Park’s September visitation was down more than 19 percent over last year due to closures and wildfires, but the Park still set an overall attendance record, breaching 3.192 million visitors.
Smalley gets in some fall bass fishing
Last week, when wife Nan told me she wanted to go fishing, I kinda knew what she meant—bass fishing.
Former employees remain skeptical of tests at CFAC site
After a full year of groundwater testing, the main pollution plumes appear to be coming from two landfills and an old sludge pond at the Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. Superfund site, a hydrogeologist with Roux Associates asserted .
Support for homeless teens hits a snag at board meeting
A few years back former high school counselor Doug Cordier and a host of other community members got together to raise funds for homeless teens in the Columbia Falls areas.
Bull in camp
So we were out in the backcountry last week minding our own business, eating supper — which is to say we were having cold sandwiches because I remembered the stove and the fuel, but forgot the pot to cook anything in — when a bull moose walked passed us and laid down in a grassy spot in camp about 25 yards away.
Resolution asks Congress to address backlog at Park Service
The Columbia Falls City Council last week passed a resolution to support dedicated funding for Park Service deferred maintenance at national parks like Glacier.
In Glacier, a dead moose makes for dramatic footage
Coram wildlife photographer Sumio Harada captured dramatic footage of grizzly bears eating a dead bull moose on the shores of Lake Josephine in Glacier National Park.
Spikers drop Stillwater at home
The Columbia Falls volleyball team dropped a conference match to Libby on the road last Thursday, 25-18, 25-16, 25-22, but beat Stillwater Christian at home Saturday in a nonconference tilt, 25-13, 26-24, 25-18, 25-17.
Boys face Frenchtown in playoffs
The Columbia Falls boys soccer squad secured third place in the Northern A conference last week, beating Bigfork at home, 4-3, last Tuesday and Libby on the road Friday, 6-0. The Cats outshot the Loggers, 38-2. Auguste Emond scored four goals in the win.
Girls soccer squad on a scoring streak heading into playoffs
The Columbia Falls girls soccer squad ended the season with an exclamation point, tromping Bigfork at home last Tuesday 8-1 and walloping Libby on the road 10-2 to secure the Northern A conference crown.
Comments on bear attack
I would like to comment on the recent bear attack in the Hungry Horse area, particularly the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Park’s comments. That was close! The effectiveness of bear spray has been well documented and I do not dispute that. But really, has it’s effectiveness been tested on a bear while it is chewing on someone? I would conclude, even if FWP is reluctant to admit it, that this man was very prepared for “this” bear encounter. Seriously, if the man had both his .44 and do a can of bear spray, does FWP feel that he should, in a millisecond, before the bear drags his son off into the brush, decide “let me try this first” and opt for the spray? C’mon guys, his son was in the bear’s mouth.
Rallis campaign for mayor
The City of Columbia Falls mayoral election between Mr. Don Barnhart and me will give voters a real choice. I will serve as a full-time mayor and commit to real change, industrialization, and upgrading the business district, ask the City Council to close the city business office and transfer those responsibilities to the mayor’s office. The incorporation of the city business office and all existing and new departments will become part of my staff. The increased administrative duties and oversight of various departments will require a salaried executive secretary and hourly secretary/receptionist be added to my staff.
Cats wallop Ronan, 51-6; face Bulldogs at home Friday night
Columbia Falls crushed Ronan Friday away, 51-6, in a Northwestern A conference football drubbing.
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Traci Jo Erickson
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John William Brinkerhoff
A family matter
Almost everyone needs to be brought down once in awhile, “humbled,” to keep them on an even keel. Some of us need it more than others and I am among those who in the past often got exactly what he deserved. One of the prime personal examples was a shrewd old gentleman who once said to me, “Mr. Ostrom, I can see you understand the concept of modesty ... but it certainly isn’t a burden to you.”
X-country runs well in Helena
Gabe Knudsen took 13th to lead the Columbia Falls boys cross-country team at the 7 on 7 meet in Helena Saturday.
The Foreigner on tap at FVCC this month
FVCC’s Theatre Arts Department will open its 2017-18 season with a contemporary comedy appropriate for people of all ages. “The Foreigner” by Larry Shue has won two Obie awards and two Outer Critics Circle awards as Best New American Play and Best Off-Broadway Production. Nightly performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. Oct. 19-21 and Oct. 26-28 in the FVCC theatre in the Arts and Technology building.
Climate talk next week at FVCC
The Montana Institute on Ecosystems, in partnership with Climate Smart Glacier Country and Flathead Valley Community College, will host a Montana Climate Science Day in Kalispell on Monday, Oct. 16 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. It will feature presentations from authors of the recently released 2017 Montana Climate Assessment, a two-year effort by university faculty and students, state and federal agency researchers, non-profit organizations, resource managers, and citizens from across the state that describes past and future climate trends that affect the water, agriculture, and forestry sectors of Montana.
North Forker recalls early days, ranch in Glacier Park
Mid Connelly can look out the window of her North Fork cabin and see some of the best memories of her life stretched out before her, clear to the Canadian border.
Tuesday, October 10
County scraps Columbia Falls jail plan; back to the drawing board
Facing stiff public opposition over a proposed jail site in Columbia Falls, the Flathead County commissioners on Tuesday voided a $2.6 million buy-sell agreement with Weyerhaeuser for 24 acres of open space and an office complex called the Cedar Palace.
Monday, October 9
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Wednesday, October 4
Residents urge city leaders to oppose jail here; Columbia Falls council will opine at next meeting
About 50 people showed up at the Columbia Falls city council meeting Monday night to urge city leaders to oppose a proposed county jail here.
Flathead County jail proposal: Judges urge commissioners to consider security issues
By LYNNETTE HINTZE
Calf-killing griz caught and killed on Front
A large male grizzly bear, suspected of killing cattle, was captured this over weekend west of Dupuyer and euthanized on Monday after consultation with the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Oldest of Glacier's cedars spared from Sprague Fire
Last week out in the woods near John’s Lake in Glacier National Park a sprinkler chunked water into the trees.
FBI director says agency is involved with cyber threat case
Republican Sen. Steve Daines brought up cyber threats to Columbia Falls and Flathead Valley Schools during a hearing last week with FBI Director Christopher Wray.
Boys take second, girls third at Whitefish Invite x-country
The Columbia Falls boys took second the girls took third at the Whitefish Invitational last Tuesday.
After vandalism, a restoration follows for iconic horse
When Craig Shafer heard about the vandalism to the iconic “Hungry Horse” in the town square last week he immediately went to work on restoring the beast.
It ain't Byron
Editor’s note: George is out this week with a family emergency. We offer you this column from 2007:
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Jordan D Munoz
Spikers drop Maidens at home
The Columbia Falls girls volleyball team went 1-2 on the week.
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Albert E. Clarke
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Gayle Margaret Smith
Church retreat with Biblical novelist Oct. 14
A one-day retreat featuring renowned biblical novelist Ellen Traylor is planned Saturday, Oct. 14, at Christ Lutheran Church in Whitefish.
As season winds down, Wildcats rack up big wins
The Columbia Falls girls soccer squad continues to hammer its opponents on the offensive end, scoring 23 goals in the past week as they racked up four wins.
Boys go 2-2 on the week in soccer
The Columbia Falls boys soccer team went 2-2 on the week.
Wildcats roll over Indians, face Chiefs on the road
Running back Colton McPhee had a great game. He had eight carries for 101 and three touchdowns. He also caught a screen pass for 33 yards and a touchdown, all in the first half.
Columbia Falls senior Lybbert cracks top 25 at state golf in Sidney
Senior Logan Lybbert shot a two day score of 177 for 22nd place to lead Columbia Falls golfers at the state A tournament in Sidney last week. Lybbert carded an 85 and 92 respectively. He was followed by teammates Tyler Langton 92-88-180 (28th) and LJ Panasuk 96-90-186 (39th).
Smalley balks at $45 fee to fish Duck Lake
Forty-five dollars to fish Duck Lake for one day?
Kanzler family history
I said I would explain how I got distracted by the past and present and missed writing this column for two weeks. Actually, the present distraction was minor compared to what happened, or at least started over 50 years ago. Besides, I have always been suspicious of computers so the hacking of our schools’ computers was not a big surprise.
Talking climate
The rain is finally falling in Montana, and our southern coastal states are drying out. It’s finally time to have a serious conversation about climate change.
Letter writers zealots, he claims
According to the American Heritage Dictionary, a zealot is a “fanatically committed person” and zealotry is “excessive zeal; fanaticism”.
Say no to the jail
Imagine for a moment that Whitefish was the location of the proposed site for a new county jail. There would be a tremendous uproar about the potential for decreased property value, the lost revenue from the tax exempt land and buildings, and the negative reputation that a new jail would bring to that attractive, vibrant, successful community. Whitefish would not stand for it. Well, Columbia Falls, we are absolutely thriving right now and are progressing rapidly to be just as attractive and vibrant as Whitefish with our own unique brand of success. We certainly do not need the proposed new county jail dragging down our rising town. What we need is an UPROAR!
Coram man seeks permit to raise bobcats as pets
A Coram man is seeking a permit to raise a pair of breeding bobcats on his property so he can sell the kittens as pets. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is seeking public comment on Wade Tellesch’s application to raise and sell the cats.
Legals October 4, 2017
No. 1619 Notice is hereby given that regular* registration for the Columbia Falls Municipal General Election(s) to be held on November 7, 2017 will close at 5:00 p.m., on October 10, 2017. *NOTE: If you miss this regular registration deadline, you may still register for the election by showing up at the county election office up to and including on Election Day. Between noon and the close of business on the day before Election Day, you can complete and submit a voter registration card, but you will need to return to the local election office on Election Day to pick up and vote a ballot. ELECTION OFFICE AND MAILING ADDRESS: 40 11th St West, Suite 230, Kalispell, MT 59901 VOTER REGISTRATION FORMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE: http://flathead.mt.gov/election All active and inactive**electors of City of Columbia Falls are entitled to vote at said election. **Inactive electors may reactivate by appearing at the polling place. Council Chambers of Columbia Falls City Hall in order to vote, by requesting an absentee ballot in any election, or by notifying the Flathead County Election Office in writing of the elector's current address in the county. Persons who wish to register and who are not presently registered may do so by requesting a form for registration by mail or by appearing at the county election office.. If you have moved, please update your registration information by filling out a new voter registration card and submitting it to the county election office. DATED this 6th day of September 2017. Debbie Pierson Flathead County Election Administrator By: /s/Monica R. Eisenzimer Clerk & Recorder Manager September 20, 27, October 4, 2017 MNAXLP
Tuesday, October 3
Man killed after motorcycle wheelie goes awry
A 31-year-old Kalispell man died after performing a wheelie on his motorcycle shortly before 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30. Jordan Munoz was traveling between 60 and 70 mph on Montana 206, north of Jensen Road, when the crash occurred.
