Monday, April 30
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70 years ago
Friday, April 27
Weather honeymoon will end this weekend
The weather honeymoon will end by the middle of the weekend, as cold, wet weather returns to the Flathead Valley Saturday night into Sunday, with snow in the higher terrain by Sunday night, the National Weather Service is saying.
Thursday, April 26
Gun threat written on wall prompts tighter security at the junior high
Columbia Falls Junior High bolstered security Friday after someone wrote a violent gun threat on a girls bathroom stall.
School district 6 election: Kyle Rosas
Kyle Rosas is a pastor at the new Gateway Baptist church in Columbia Falls. He moved here about a year and a half ago from Memphis, Tennessee.
School District 6 election: Bruce Crockett
Bruce Crockett is a relative newcomer to the Flathead Valley, having lived in Columbia Falls for the past year and a half. Crockett, 34, is the lead pastor of the new Gateway Church in Columbia Falls, which holds its services at the Teakettle community Building on Sundays.
School District 6 election: Jonathan Foust
Editor’s note: There are five candidates running for two seats on the School District 6 Board this year. Incumbent chairwoman Jill Rocksund is running for re-election and incumbent Jim Henjum is not seeking re-election. The election is May 8. Polls are at Glacier Gateway School only this year. Absentee ballots have been mailed out. Here’s a look at the five candidates.
School District 6 election: Michael Nicosia
Michael Nicosia is no stranger to School District 6. He was superintendent for 19 years after a distinguished career fighting for state funding for schools and overseeing the construction of the junior high school. Nicosia said he’s running for school board because he wants to give back to the school and the community.
Martin City man accused of murder may argue self defense
A man was shot to death outside his Hungry Horse home on April 25 and the man who pulled the trigger may argue self-defense in the case.
Wednesday, April 25
Llama-killing black bear caught in West Glacier. Was it the famous Glacier Park webcam bear? Perhaps
A black bear that killed and started to eat two llamas in West Glacier may have been the same bear that was an Internet sensation last month.
Sperry flights alone could cost $1 million
Helicopter flights to ferry supplies up into the hills to rebuild the Sperry Chalet are estimated to cost about $1 million over the course of the project, Glacier Park officials said Monday night during a meeting on the plan to rebuild the structure.
Kats down Browning 21-0 for first win of season, drop two
It was an up and down week for the Wildkat softball team as Columbia Falls lost their home opener to Libby 12-2 Wednesday before bouncing back with a 21-0 win over Browning at home Friday afternoon and then suffered a 23-11 loss to Polson at home Monday.
Wildcats second at home track meet, Kats fourth
The Columbia Falls track teams battled the elements at home Saturday as the school hosted its annual Iceberg Invitational track meet.
At junior high, interest in gardening grows
The junior high food program has been going gangbusters again this year and the school is hoping the community will come and help spruce up the garden this Saturday.
Parks' deferred maintenance deserves action
The week of April 21 through 29 marks National Parks Week, a time to celebrate the natural wonders and unique cultural heritage our Parks protect and put on display. This year’s National Parks Week couldn’t come at a more opportune time—that’s because right now proposals in Congress to dedicate funding for deferred maintenance in the National Parks are gaining momentum. It is appearing likely that Congress will this year solve one of the most pressing issues affecting the future of our National Parks.
McManus made us laugh
Me: (snickering)
The McManus legend lives on
He was at least among the top two “outdoor humor writers” I have ever read. Patrick F. McManus died this month in his native state of Idaho. He grew up in the boondocks, there with his sister, “The Troll.” He taught in a state college, but he became known around the world for his columns in Outdoor Life, other national magazines and the many books that grew from those columns.
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Arbor Day
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April 17
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Lucille Edna (Hempel) Jensen “Lucy”
Church welcomes stained glass windows
St. Richard’s Catholic Church in Columbia Falls is getting new stained glass windows that depict both saints and the life of Jesus.
With new trail, two city parks are now a short walk away
Columbia Falls now has a trail that will allow folks to walk from Columbus Park to River’s Edge Park without having to follow a circuitous route along city streets.
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In a room full of computers with peers their own age, two young women typed away, sometimes giggling at their screens.
Wilderness trout project coming to an end
The South Fork westslope cutthroat trout project comes to a close later this summer when biologists from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks re-stock Sunburst Lake in the Bob Marshall Wilderness with westslope cutthroat trout that are native to the drainage.
As birds celebrated, declines seen in some species
Besieged by commercial hunting, habitat loss and a host of other ills, migratory birds in the late 1800s and early 1900s in the U.S. and Canada were in steep declines.
Friday, April 20
Park plows 19 miles up west side of Sun Road; on east side, Two Medicine Valley saw several more feet of new snow in past week
Glacier National Park plow crews in the past week are now at the 19-mile mark on the west side of the Going-to-the-Sun Road, but on the east side, they continue to struggle with new snowfall.
Thursday, April 19
Wilderness pioneer Stuart Brandborg dies
Wilderness advocate Stuart Brandborg of Hamilton died April 15. He was 93.
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70 years ago
Wednesday, April 18
Kats softball falls short against Stevensville, Corvallis
The Wildkats came up short in a pair of road games last week against Stevensville and Corvallis.
Council approves new drive-through coffee shop
Columbia Falls will soon have a new drive-through coffee shop as the city council unanimously approved a conditional use permit Monday for Three Byrd’s Properties to place one adjacent to O’Brien’s Liquor and Wine.
Gutting the Migratory Bird Act
The snowy winter has proven to have a silver lining this spring if you’re a birder. Areas that are normally dry are flooded. Wetlands that have been suffering the past few years are now full.
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Thomas (Tom) Gallery
Park plows are beyond Avalanche Creek; snow keeps piling up on east side
Glacier National Park plow crews are expected to be beyond Avalanche Creek this week, as they head into the drift at the Red Rock slide. Red Rock is a large avalanche slide that crosses the highway about a half-mile from Avalanche Creek. It’s the first avalanche chute crews dig through each spring.
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Richard C. Daniels
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Donald “Don” Harry Emmert
Tennis teams open season against tough competition
After a number of weather delays, the Columbia Falls High School tennis season finally got underway last week as the Cats took on Stevensville and Whitefish.
Three qualify for state in first two track meets for Cats
The Columbia Falls track teams got their first taste of competition last week as the Cats and Kats traveled to Kalispell for the Mini-Invitational Tuesday before heading to Missoula Saturday for the MCPS Invitational.
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Big Band Jazz
FWP: Poachers cut out the best cuts of game, left the rest to rot
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks game wardens are asking for help from the public on several incidents of poaching between Columbia Falls Stage Road and Highway 206.
Thoughts on flooding
Every year at this time, folks like to start worrying about the possibility of a flood. This is especially true when the snowpack is 130 percent of normal or more, like it is now.
The Yenne Rocks
The history of Glacier National Park! The history of Flathead Lake and County! Yeah! The early days of our whole area are interwoven with the famous “Yenne Family.” Heaven know we media folks have covered the Yennes time and time again, including in this column. Seems like it is very often something happens to remind me of my old trail buddy, Bill. It happened again last week.
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April 10
Why the technology levy matters
I started my teaching career at Ruder Elementary in 1995. I have always felt fortunate to be a part of the School District 6 team and of the Columbia Falls community where a solid education is valued. In my 22 years, I have seen our district grow and change with the times, with some of the more obvious changes being the addition of and continual upgrades to technology.
Scientist recognized for telling Glacier's evolving story
For decades now, U.S. Geological Scientist Dan Fagre has been telling the evolving story of climate change in Glacier National Park to anyone willing to listen — from the local press to international outlets to world leaders.
Jones book a coffee table classic
Renowned Troy wildlife photographer Don Jones has a released a new book “Wild Montana.” The photo book features a host of Montana’s wildlife and birds, all of them taken in the field of wild animals — unlike other wildlife photography books, none of the photos are of game farm or captive creatures.
Tuesday, April 17
Glacier releases formal plan for Sperry Chalet rebuild
Glacier National Park released an environmental assessment Tuesday for the rebuilding of the Sperry Chalet dormitory with a two-year timeline for reconstruction.
Friday, April 13
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70 years ago
Thursday, April 12
Glacier Park fees will go up this summer, but not as much as first imagined
The Department of Interior has backed off a steep increase in entrance fees to large national parks like Glacier National Park in favor of a more modest $5 increase in weekly fees for vehicles and a $10 increase in the annual Park pass.
Wednesday, April 11
City sewer upgrades also in the works
Columbia Falls is eyeing about $2.8 million in upgrades to its sewage treatment facility and accessory equipment in the next couple of years. The cost to average users, however, could be less than $1 per month.
Famous bear still hanging around den; grizzlies roaming near town
A black bear that’s become an international sensation continues to hang around its home high in a cottonwood tree in Glacier National Park.
Track team will lean on youth this season, particularly girls
The Columbia Falls track teams can’t wait to take the field.
Mayor raises concerns about fish pond impacts
Mayor Don Barnhart wants the city to take a closer look at a proposed fish pond for River’s Edge Park. He brought up his concerns at the April 2 city council meeting.
Flathead Electric plans modest rate increase
Flathead Electric Co-op Monday announced that average members would see about a $1 per month increase in their electric bills starting in June.
Delegation not listening on WSAs
Lately we’ve heard a lot from our politicians about public lands and specifically Wilderness Study Areas. I’ve worked on public lands challenges, and wilderness protection, for nearly six years in Northwest Montana. This is a topic I know something about.
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Lorne Howe, 61
Forest looks to move Polebridge boat ramp
The Flathead National Forest is proposing a new boat launch ramp on the North Fork of the Flathead near Polebridge. The current boat launch has problems for floaters because the river dynamics have changed over time — an eddy that once allowed a safe stop is now gone.
If it ever dries out a little, Forest has prescribed burns planned
The Flathead National Forest is planning to conduct spring prescribed fire projects, when weather, fuel conditions, and air quality become favorable. Smoke will be visible from various places in the Flathead Valley depending on the location of the burn units and weather conditions.
Thoughts on cars
George is out this week, so we bring you this column from 2005...
Late season ice
If there’s any silver-lining in the cold-windy-snowy-sunny-rainy-squally-grauply, typically April weather we’re having, it’s a few more days of ice fishing.
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Chris P. Weiand
Public: Preserve Sperry Chalet history, if possible
Public sentiment toward rebuilding the Sperry Chalet runs toward preserving the existing structure, rather than replacing it with tents or a new chalet.
Lundgren driving force behind church in Glacier
Margaret Lundgren, a fixture in the Glacier National Park and West Glacier communities for decades died late last month. She was 95.
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Preschool
Miss Montana visits Deer Park with a message of kindness
Miss Montana Maddie Murray visited Deer Park School last week, bringing with her a message of kindness to others.
Deer Park eyes a scaled-down building project
Deer Park School will put a scaled-down school expansion project up to voters in May. The new $1.8 million project would add three more classrooms, a multipurpose room and a new office complex.
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April 2
Legals April 11, 2018
No. 1636 Notice is hereby given by the undersigned Clerk of Columbia Falls School District No. Six, Flathead County, State of Montana that the Annual School Election will be held on Tuesday, May 8, 2018, at the following polling place(s): Glacier Gateway Elementary School located at 440 4th Avenue West, Columbia Falls, MT 59912. The District will NOT be operating a polling place at Canyon Elementary this school year because of minimal voter turnout at this site in the past few years. Electors will consider the following issues at the election: Mill levy proposition to finance the school's Elementary District Technology Acquisition and Depreciation Fund Proposition: fill two positions for three year terms on the school board of trustees The polls will be open between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on the day of the election. A qualified registered elector who will be unable to go to the polls on the day of election may request an Application for Absentee Voter's Ballot from the school district clerk/election administrator's office located at: 501 6th Avenue West, Columbia Falls, MT 59912. 406-892-6554 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 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 district voting location on election day to pick up and vote a ballot. The county election office is located at: 40 11th Street West, Suite 230, Kalispell, MT 59901. 406-758-5535 A late registrant may obtain a ballot on election day at the following location: Glacier Gateway Elementary School - 440 4th Avenue West, Columbia Falls MT 59912 DATED this 5th day of April, 2018 District Clerk: Dustin Zuffelato By: /s/ Dustin Zuffelato April 11, 2018 MNAXLP ________________________
Thursday, April 5
In Glacier, Two Medicine, Chief Mountain, Camas roads plowed, Sun Road underway
Despite a snowy spring, Glacier National Park plow crews have been making progress in the past couple of weeks. The Two Medicine Road is plowed into the valley to the camp store and the Chief Mountain Road is plowed as well.
Columbia Falls Academic Endowment fundraiser coming up
The Columbia Falls Academic Endowment fundraiser is Thursday, April 19 at the Cedar Creek Lodge.
Wednesday, April 4
No headline
70 years ago
Massive spending bill helps Park Service construction budget
A $1.3 trillion government spending bill passed late last month could provide the necessary dollars to rebuild the Sperry Chalet. It also changes the way fighting massive wildfires is funded, as to not deplete the Forest Service’s budget.
C-Falls water upgrades could cost a homeowner about $2 more a month
A plan to upgrade the Columbia Falls water system will cost the average homeowner a little more than $2 a month, according to an engineering firm working on the project.
Public hearing on coffee drive through
Columbia Falls could soon have another drive-through coffee shop. The city-county planning board will hold a public hearing on a conditional use permit at 6:30 p.m. April 10 at the city hall on a request by Three Byrds Properties to build a small drive-through coffee shop adjacent to O’Brien’s Liquor and Wine.
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Margaret Mary Coates Lundgren
State record rainbow bigger than the record pike? True or false...
Here’s another quiz about fishing in Montana. All questions are true-false. Good luck guessing.
Bears should be protected
Letter written to Gov. Matt Mead of Wyoming...
Teacher experiencing new cultures in Saudi Arabia
Joshua Byrd is a stranger in a strange land.
Ceremony honors Vietnam veterans
“Not everyone who lost his life in Vietnam died there. Not everyone who came home ever left there. Freedom is not free.”
New bill helps forests
With dysfunction in Washington, D.C. near an all-time high, it’s nice to see the Montana delegation help lead the way to a badly needed deal to help our federal forests. Last week, in spite of a four-inch “blizzard” in our nation’s Capitol, a deal was reached that will truly help Montana avoid another smoke-filled summer, and hopefully start bringing the health of our forests back from the brink.
Nonresident spending in 2017 was up 8.1 percent
Nonresident visitors spent $3.36 billion in Montana in 2017, despite wildfires that fouled skies with smoke for about a third of the summer, according to a recent analysis by Kara Grau of the University of Montana’s Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research.
April Fools' Business
Unmitigated seriousness is always out of place in human affairs.
'Salvaging' the old homestead
I have always had an interest in the history of the North Fork, especially the homestead era. The early homesteaders had to be tough and resilient to eke out a living, even with 160 acres of “free land.”
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Whenever I go east of the Divide it’s fun to listen to the local radio stations. On one trip, I listened to a Class C basketball game. This time around, I listened to a “rock” station out of Havre, 610 AM, which had an eclectic mix of tunes, some of which I haven’t heard in decades. They also had a feature called “Tradio” where people called in to either sell something or trade for something.
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March 27
History: The stories behind the stumps
As the Flathead Valley was growing, and area towns were developing, there was a serious yet good-natured competitiveness that existed between the towns, each town wanting to be the center of attention in the blossoming mecca of the Flathead.
NVH gets 3-D mammography machine
A patient getting a mammogram at North Valley Hospital would be unlikely to notice that the hospital now has a new a digital breast tomosynthesis machine, but healthcare providers say the new technology is meeting their goal of providing the best care possible.
Tuesday, April 3
More snow will likely come Thursday; Badger Pass SNOTEL site back online
A shot of cold air brought a couple of inches of fresh snow to Columbia Falls Sunday night through Tuesday and it could get worse before it gets better, the National Weather Service is saying.
