Ellington

Heritage Days parade, in pictures

Two killed in fiery wreck on U.S. Highway 2 last week

Authorities say speed was a factor in a fiery crash Thursday afternoon on U.S. 2 near Columbia Falls that left two people dead.

Two killed in fatal accident on Highway 2

A fatal head-on crash shut down U.S. 2 north of Glacier Park International Airport on Thursday afternoon.

After North Fork gun incident, Columbia Falls man behind bars

By SCOTT SHINDLEDECKER

Bad wreck closes portion of Highway 40 Thursday morning

Highway 40 about a half-mile west of the Blue Moon intersection was shut down Thursday morning after a Jeep apparently sideswiped a tractor trailer truck, spun around and struck the guardrail head-on.

Motorcyclist dies on Sun Road

On Friday, July 20 at approximately 10 a.m., a 78-year-old man of Martinsburg, Pennsylvania died while traveling westbound on the Going-to-the-Sun Road. He was 1.7 miles east of Apgar Village, traveling with friends.

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Robert Donald Friess, 74, of Columbia Falls died at his home on July 25, 2018. Bob is survived by his wife, Susan Friess, and his four children, Logan, Brian, Lindsay, and Daniel. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, July 30, at Easthaven Baptist Church in Kalispell.

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Local band Gimmic is announcing the release of their first album with a live performance at their launch party this Friday, July 27 at 7:30 p.m. in Whitefish’s Depot Park downtown.

Columbia Falls sees another surge in growth

Columbia Falls had another surge in growth and improvements to the Nucleus District over the past year, with more development on the horizon.

Wildcat Athletic Endowment Auction has a host of great items up for bid

The Wildcat Athletic Endowment Auction is set for Friday night with great items available. Here’s a list of all the great stuff.

Columbia Falls men recalled building Hungry Horse Dam, 70 years ago

Seventy years ago, work on the Hungry Horse Dam began in earnest, with an official groundbreaking on July 10, 1948.

Glacier View Golf Course celebrating 50 years

Nestled in a bend in the Middle Fork of the Flathead River, the Glacier View Golf Course in West Glacier has been entertaining golfers with its luscious greens and spectacular views for 50 years. Situated at the west entrance of Glacier National Park, the panoramic mountain views can be distracting.

Glacier to study goats amidst a warming world

Visitors to Glacier National Park might soon see ear tags and collars on select mountain goats in the backcountry this summer, as the Park begins a three-year study to see how a changing climate might be impacting the population.

Thoughts on crowds

Last week we had a story about the crowds on trails along the Sun Road — 50,000 people hiked the Hidden Lake Trail last July alone, Avalanche Lake Trail saw 42,000, the Highline Trail 30,000 and Iceberg Lake Trail had 20,000 visitors.

'Fixing' things

Editor’s note: George is out this week, so we bring you a column from 2009...

Fire danger ramps up

Interagency Wildland Fire Managers have made the decision to raise the fire danger for the Flathead to “high.”

Swim team earns third at Fort Benton

The Columbia Falls swim team earned a third place finish in Fort Benton over the weekend, despite being shorthanded.

For the love of fishing

Will Loveall looks out the window of his dining room.

Twins down Lakers to push winning streak to 11 games

It’s all wins for the Twins, who closed out the regular season on an 11-game winning streak.

As Columbia Falls family fights cancer, Amazon closes their account

Sophia Moss is happy to have her Kindle back.

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Ronald N. McCully

City searching for public works director; top salaries set

Columbia Falls is looking for a new public works director. Grady Jenkins recently told city manager Susan Nicosia that he would step down and take a position at the city’s sewage treatment plant — a job that he held for years before becoming the city’s public works director.

Improvements planned for Nucleus

There’s some good news out of the Columbia Falls preliminary budget, city manager Susan Nicosia told council last week. For one, the city won’t look to increase the special street and lighting assessments this year.

Hensler new FWP Region 1 fisheries manager

By SCOTT SHINDLEDECKER

Area opening up next week for firewood gathering

The Flathead National Forest will open roads for personal use firewood collection from July 30–Aug. 30 in the Hungry Horse Ranger District.

Tester pushes for vote on C-Falls native as Undersecretary of Defense

Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., this week urged Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to schedule a vote on Columbia Falls native Anthony Kurta, President Trump’s nominee to be Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness.

History topic of next river meeting

The Flathead National Forest, in coordination and partnership with Glacier National Park, will hold its third public meeting July 25 as it prepares a Comprehensive River Management Plan for the three forks of the Flathead River.

Former Basin Commission members form own watchdog group

After a public falling out with the state Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, some former members of the Flathead Basin Commission have formed their own watershed watchdog group.

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Community Market

The elk hair caddis is all you need

All those little brown bugs in my driveway, that I find very morning under the yard light, tell me the caddisflies are hatching.

Report from the Interlocal

We have been holding Interlocal Meetings for over twenty years now and, in my opinion, the one this week was one of the best ever. Not because I chaired the meeting in my usual inept way.

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Larry Xavier Blumer

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July 17

The long, buggy, way to Arrow

Rogers Lake in Glacier National Park doesn’t see a lot of people and for good reason: There’s no trail to it.

Legals July 25, 2018

No. 1642 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING FLATHEAD COUNTY PLANNING BOARD REGULAR MEETING The Flathead County Planning Board will hold their regular meeting on Wednesday, August 8, 2018, beginning at 6:00 PM in the 2nd Floor Conference Room, South Campus Building, 40 11th Street West, Suite 200, Kalispell, Montana. During this meeting, the Board will hold a public hearing to consider the agenda item described below and make a recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners who will take final action. A request from DJS Farms, Inc. with technical assistance from Sands Surveying, Inc. for a Major Land Use Review for a 'Guest Cabins' that will include four guest cabins, two existing and two new guest cabins, within the Middle Canyon Region of the C.A.L.U.R.S (Canyon Area) Zoning District. The proposal includes replacing a single family dwelling, which was torn down in 2017, with a small cabin and a new cabin on approximately 9.5 acres. In the future, the applicants may wish to replace a 'bunkhouse' with a small cabin. Access would be from Sloan Lane in West Glacier. The property is located at 635 Sloan Lane and can legally be described as COS 16470-A Tract D, in Lot 5 and 6 in Section 34, Township 32 North, Range 19 West, P.M.M., Flathead County, Montana. This item will be reviewed by the Middle Canyon Land Use Advisory Committee on Tuesday, July 31, 2018 @ 7:00 pm in the gymnasium of the West Glacier Elementary School, 160 Old Bridge Road, in West Glacier. Documents and maps pertaining to these agenda items are on file for public inspection in the Flathead County Planning and Zoning Office, South Campus Building, 40 11th Street West, Ste. 220 in Kalispell. All decisions made by the Planning Board are considered recommendations and will be forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners for final action. Please check the County Commissioners page of the County website, http://flathead.mt.gov/commissioner, or contact the Commissioners' office for the scheduled date and time of a particular item. Interested persons are encouraged to attend the hearing and make their views and concerns known to the Board. For additional information contact the Flathead County Planning and Zoning Office at (406) 751-8200. Written comments are strongly encouraged to be submitted and should be received by the Flathead County Planning & Zoning Office no later than August 8, 2018 @ 5:00 p.m. Please note agenda items are subject to change without notice. Any modifications to agenda items will be posted on the county website, http://flathead.mt.gov/planning_zoning/events.php Please note agenda items are subject to change without notice. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation by contacting Elaine Nelson at the Flathead County Commissioner's Office at 758-5503 or TTY (800) 335-7592, or call Montana Relay at 711. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation. /s/ Mark Mussman Mark Mussman, CFM® Planning Director July 25, 2018 MNAXLP __________________________

Griz falls onto Glacier Park's Sun Road, has to be euthanized

A female grizzly was euthanized by Park rangers on July 15 after it apparently fell on the Going-to-the-Sun Road near Rimrocks, not far from Logan Pass.

Sherry Martin

Sherry Martin

Columbia Falls welcomes two new police officers

There are two new officers at the Columbia Falls Police Department and one of them should be a familiar face to many residents.

Concerns about Sperry fire

This letter is written in response to the Review of Fire at Glacier National Park’s Sperry Chalet released by the National Park Service on June 21, 2018. The report was reactive in nature and stressed both what could have been done better and what was done well. It has repeatedly been shown proactive decisions and actions coupled with reactive ones will usually combine to increase the probability of success and to decrease the chance of failure.

Glacier Twins put together five-game winning streak

The Twins are heating up as the district tournament approaches, closing out last week on a five-game win streak.

50,000 people hiked the Hidden Lake Trail last year, in July alone

Glacier National Park’s high country trails are seeing tens of thousands of visitors a month, according to data presented from a group of researchers during talk last week.

Heritage Days lineup of events is now set

Next week Columbia Falls celebrates Heritage Days, with class reunions, car shows, concerts, and parties all week long and a big parade on Saturday. This year’s theme is “Then and Now.”

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July 12

County cites legal opinion for not spraying Mosquito Flats

After a legal opinion by the county attorney’s office, the Mosquito Flats neighborhood in Columbia Falls won’t see any mosquito fogging this summer.

Science and history day is next week in Waterton

With talks on a host of different topics — from trees after fire to the Many Glacier Hotel, Glacier Waterton Lakes International Peace Park is again hosting its annual science and history day July 24.

Louann Mohn leads senior pinochle card party

Louann Mohn was the top pinochle player at the North Valley Senior Citizens Center on July 2nd with 7,810. Jerome Sand was second with 7,740. Mamie Parpart was third with 6,820. Jane Beranek melded a round robin. Evelyn Laber and Dixie Yaeger melded 300 pinochle. Jean Voermans won the door prize.

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Darleene Dukleth

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Community Market

Poll: Public favors public land protections

A University of Montana poll done last month found there’s strong support for national monument status for the Badger Two Medicine region near Glacier National Park.

Sparrow's Nest receives donation from visiting Long Islanders

Sparrow’s Nest of Northwest Montana is a little closer to completing the renovation of their Kalispell facility this week after receiving a donation from an unexpected source.

Historic Crooked Tree Motel and RV Park up for sale

One of the oldest motels and RV parks in Hungry Horse has a spacious new lobby and home. It’s also for sale.

Smalley's boat launch etiquette

Early this summer, I pulled my 12-foot aluminum boat to the launch area of McWinegar Slough to fish for whatever was biting.

Worries about fire

The long, wet, cold spring lured us into thinking that at least it would reduce the danger of a major fire season. Now, it looks as if the opposite could be true.

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Kenneth Gerald Fetters

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Gregory Richard Taylor, Debra Ann Taylor

Swimmers host home meet, take second in Plains

The Columbia Falls swim team was at home over the weekend as they hosted a meet at the Pinewood Park Aquatic Center.

A tribute to Ostrom

Yes, this is where George Ostrom’s column belongs, but this is not George’s column. Twenty years ago, Kalispell was the scene of one of the biggest public birthday parties ever held in the valley. It was quite a party. Even a banner over Main Street. The occasion – the 70th birthday for George. He will reach another milestone next week: 90 years old on July 24.

C-Falls artist pens children's book

When Vernon Anderson was a kid, he remembered reading books that were “biographies” of animals — deer, moose, bears, and the like.

Academy graduates three from C-Falls

The commencement ceremony for the 38th class of the Montana Youth Challenge Academy was last month at the campus of Montana-Western in Dillon. Among the 113 graduating cadets were Columbia Falls residents Jordyn Buck, Skyler Warner and Hunter Collins.

Many Glacier camp reopens to tents

Glacier National Park has reopened the Many Glacier frontcountry campground to tents, after attempts to capture a rogue grizzly bear were unsuccessful.

Planning Board approves new apartment complex

The Columbia Falls city-county planning board Tuesday approved plans to move forward with the construction 207-unit apartment complex on 13.83 acres at the end of Bill’s Lane. The vote was unanimous, with member Anna Stene absent.

Bowman Lake road will see construction closures starting July 17

Glacier National Park’s popular Bowman Lake Road will undergo construction this summer starting July 17. As a result. motorists can expect to see traffic restrictions.

Construction of new grandstands underway

The framework is set and construction continues at the Sapa-Johnsrud Baseball Field in Columbia Falls as crews work to replace the grandstands that were lost in a fire more than two years ago.

After tough journey, Peacock released from hospital

Columbia Falls teen Kimberly Peacock has been cooking some gourmet meals lately. It’s a great feeling, her father, Jim said. Kimberly was recently released from a Denver hospital after being isolated in a room for 70 days following a bone marrow transplant.

City council OK's modest water, sewer rate increases

The Columbia Falls City Council last week voted to approve modest sewer and water rate increases. For the average homeowner, the rates will rise $3.50 combined.

Rare albino fawn spotted in Glacier Park's North Fork

They say the early bird gets the worm.

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Phyllis Anne Gregori

Ruling allows city suit to move forward

The City of Columbia Falls lawsuit against Badger Drilling Co. and its insurance company can move forward, Flathead County District Court Judge Heidi Ulbricht ruled late last month.

Four days in the 'Bob'

Back 90 years ago, a young Forest Service employee named Bob Marshall started out from the Black Bear Ranger Station in the South Fork of the Flathead, went up Helen Creek to Pagoda Pass, down to Brushy Park along the White River and then bushwhacked up the backside of the Chinese Wall and climbed the ridge to Salt Mountain.

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Community Market

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July 3

Smalley on the North Fork

It’s been awhile since I’ve used a photo of me and a nice fish in this space.

Thoughts on the parade

The fact that there is a Fourth of July Parade at Polebridge is not really new news. The Parade is an annual affair which really has not changed much over the years. The parade is pretty short compared to other parades. The shortness is somewhat mitigated by the fact that the parade starts at the Merc, goes out to the North Fork Road (approx. ¼ mile), turns around and returns to the Merc where it ends. Floats are pretty similar from year to year.

Daniell, longtime doctor retires

Dr. Suzanne Daniell likens the role of an internal medicine physician to that of a detective.

Glacier hosting alpine bird Bio Blitz later this month

To celebrate the “Year of the Bird” and the array of birds in Glacier’s alpine areas, the Crown of the Continent Research Learning Center in Glacier Park will host its first Alpine Bird BioBlitz. Participants will work alongside expert birders to document and learn about 12 of Glacier’s alpine bird species.

Fire prevention helps economy

Nature is one of Montana’s greatest treasures, and wildfire occurs each summer only because we’re so fortunate to live amid millions of acres of unspoiled forests and prairies. Although wildfire plays a natural role in ecology, there’s no doubt it can also be devastating to our health, safety, property and livelihood. That’s why it’s so important to do everything possible to minimize its impacts.

By 8 a.m., hundreds hitting Logan Pass Trails

Large crowds have not deterred tourists from Glacier Park so far this summer as the park continues to see increased visitation after setting a new record in May.

Kalispell filmmaker returns to Flathead; looking for people

Kalispell’s Britni West has once again decided to bring her love of filmmaking back home.

Times for Rhymes

Got trail trouble this week up near the wilderness up by Seeley Lake. An outfitter had to euthanize a mule on popular trail number 35 going into the Bob Marshall.

Columbia Falls swim team earns second at Cut Bank meet

The Columbia Falls swim team had another successful weekend June 30 and July 1 as the team finished second at the Cut Bank Invitational, missing first place by only two points.

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70 years ago

Whitefish man allegedly stabs father to death

A Whitefish man accused of killing his father in a Monday-evening dispute had a difficult past, including being diagnosed with schizophrenia, court documents state.

Legals July 11, 2018

No. 1641 NOTICE OF PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD Proposed Health Insurance Rates for 2019 The Commissioner of Securities and Insurance will receive public comment regarding recently filed rates by Montana health insurers. The comment period provides the public the opportunity to participate in government by expressing any comments that the public may have regarding the proposed 2019 rate changes for health insurance. Information on the proposed 2019 Montana Health Insurance rates can be found on the CSI website, www.csimt.gov. Comments can be emailed to csipubliccomment@mt.gov or by letter/hand-delivery to 840 Helena Ave, Helena, MT 59602 through July 27, 2018. The rate review process established by the Montana Legislature in 2013 authorizes the office of the Insurance Commissioner to review health insurance rates. If the Commissioner finds a rate increase to be excessive, inadequate, unfairly discriminatory, or unjustified, the insurer may voluntarily amend the rate increase. If the insurer maintains the initially filed rate over the Commissioner's recommendation for adjustment, the Commissioner will issue a public finding announcing the deficiency and the reasons why the rates are unsatisfactory. July 11, 2018 MNAXLP __________________________

Couple killed in Plains wreck

A former Columbia Falls man and woman were killed July 7 in a single vehicle accident on Montana Highway 28 near Plains.

FWP asks folks not to build dams across creeks

As summertime temperatures heat up and the chance to cool down in the water arrives, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is reminding people that building dams in creeks and streams can have negative consequences for fish. This is especially true for species such as bull trout, which ascend small tributaries in late-summer to spawn.

Ideas sought for how to best fund AIS inspections moving forward

Potential funding options for Montana’s Aquatic Invasive Species Program were presented at a recent meeting of the Upper Columbia Conservation Commission (UC3) at the Flathead Lake Biological Station on Flathead Lake.

Koch leads senior cards

Andy Koch was the top pinochle player at the North Valley Senior Citizens Center on June 25th with 7,640. Marvel Lucas was second with 7,220. Judy Nelson was third with 7,100. Jean Voermans and Jerome Sand melded 300 pinochle. Marie Trodick won the door prize.

Planners sought for elementary upgrades

Dear Members of the School District Six Community:

Residents had it with mosquitoes, want spray

Mosquito Flats is living up to its name and city residents want something done about it. The mosquitoes are so bad in the neighborhood along River’s Edge Park that people can’t go outside, Columbia Falls city councilmembers complained Monday night.

Waterton Lakes National Park: Beauty rising from the ashes

I didn’t know what to expect as I drove into Waterton Lakes National Park Thursday. I had visited the park twice before with my father, but that was before the Kenow Wildfire had burned a large portion of the park last fall.

Fundraiser set for C-Falls woman needing lung transplant

A Columbia Falls family is asking for help as a woman with a rare disease seeks a lung transplant.

Sperry Chalet rebuild starts July 9; dining hall will be open

Reconstruction of the Sperry Chalet will start July 9, Park spokeswoman Lauren Alley said last week.

Columbia Falls swim team competes at Chester Meet

The Columbia Falls Swim Team was in action in Chester last week as Nathan Niles led the way with first and second-place finishes. Niles won the 50-yard breaststroke (11-12) with a time of 52.64 seconds and was second in the 200-yard freestyle with a time of 3:37.96.

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Waterton Lakes National Park recovering after Kenow Wildfire

Waterton Lakes National Park is on the road to recovery after the September 2017 Kenow wildfire, which burned nearly 40 percent of the park’s surface and 50 percent of its vegetation.

Timber project planned for reservoir

A timber project on the east side of the Hungry Horse Reservoir has been resurrected after being mothballed for about six years.

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Doris L. Stempin

Foundation comes up big for Vets Home bus

Veterans from the Montana Veterans Home will now have the chance to travel in a new passenger bus as the result of a fundraising effort that was pushed to its goal by the Whitefish Community Foundation.

In memory of doctor, an education award

The late physician Jon Torgerson is being honored with the creation of an annual continuing education award at North Valley Hospital.

Personal hygiene tips

Because of very busy days, I am doing a special Fourth of July column. Bracing myself for my 90th birthday later this month, where plans are for a grand opening signing of my new “Yum Yoodle Snook-Wild Beastie Book” on the same day as the Moose City Corporation’s annual meeting. However, this very week is a visit from great grandson Novi and his mom.

Rotary Club Falls Fest features great music

The Rotary Club of Columbia Falls is proud to present the 4th annual “Falls Fest” on Saturday, July 28 at Marantette Park held in conjunction with the Heritage Days celebration. This outdoor concert features two fabulous acts: local Latin salsa band, Cocinando, and headliner, Jacque Jolene and the Last Chance Band, which plays country rock.

Illusions of summer and celebrations

Just when I think it really is summer, the weather turns cold again. Last Thursday we had a real gully washer, and today (Friday) the mountains have a cap of dull gray clouds and it is downright chilly and the only real outdoor activity seems to be mosquitoes whining in ever bigger swarms.

Fishing Tiber

Fishful Faithful may remember a recent column where I admitted that the secret for catching walleyes in Lake Francis, near Valier, has remained hidden from me.

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70 years ago

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Community Market

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June 20

Daines says Farm Bill helps timber

U.S. Sen. Steve Daines is looking to help stimulate Montana’s timber industry with several proposed amendments to the Senate Farm Bill. The bill, which passed out of the Senate Agriculture Committee (on which Daines sits) on a 20 to 1 vote, passed the Senate.

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James P. Coulson

County will see $840,000 more in PILT payments

Flathead County will receive $3.4 million this year from the federal government under a long-running program that compensates local governments for nontaxable federal land.

Forysth denied parole

By SCOTT SHINDLEDECKER