Saturday, June 30
At Many Glacier, a food-conditioned grizzly eats trout off a table; hard sided camping only now
Glacier National Park announced today that the Many Glacier campground would go to hard-sided camping only after a grizzly bear jumped up on a picnic table there Friday about 10:30 a.m. and ate two trout being prepared for a meal, even though the campers sprayed it with bear spray.
Friday, June 29
Fire season outlook calls for warmer, drier, summer; though July and August rains a big factor
If past seasons are any indication of future events, the Northern Rockies have a 50-50 chance of an active fire season in 2018.
Wednesday, June 27
Clip and save this
Montana historian John Fraley has recently retired from the Montana Fish and Game Department and is coming out with another of his captivating books about settling the last real wilderness section of the lower 48 states. To provide some substantial historical background for those interested in history, we are running a piece written about 40 years ago:
Head-on wrecks and thunderstorms
What a neat week. Sunny and warm until Thursday with only mosquitoes and fast drivers with rafts to cuss at. Things started to change on Wednesday with a horrible head-on crash late in the afternoon.
Twins take bronze at Ed Gallo Tournament
The Glacier Twins showed off at their own Ed Gallo Tournament with an 18-2 blowout over the Olympia Raptors on Sunday.
Ten Lakes: A look at the Wilderness Study Area
Montanans have long debated public lands and its use.
Another rough trip to Lake Francis
“Well, that’s my token appearance at Lake Francis for this year,” said my fishing partner Joe as we pulled out of the parking lot, heading back to the Flathead Valley.
Grizzly committee looking for consistency in food storage orders
As the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee wrestled with a conservation plan during their summer meeting in Polson last week, they also contemplated how to deal with another problem: The diverse and often confusing variations in food storage orders issued on public lands in grizzly country.
Bed tax audit raises concerns
Summer is upon us and traffic is indicating what most already know — it’s going to be another great tourism season in northwest Montana. Recent headlines show that many cities are trying to mitigate the crush and diversify their venues so that it doesn’t happen all at once.
C-Falls Swim team takes second at Bitterroot Invitational, fifth in Shelby
The Columbia Falls swim team has already been in action three times this summer, swimming at meets in Shelby, Hamilton and Chester.
Logan Pass opens for the season
The Going-to-the-Sun Road over Logan Pass opened for the season on Saturday. The opener was less than dramatic, however.
Fewer junior high kids in summer school this year
End of year reports from all campus were heard by the School District 6 board last week as they held their regular monthly meeting Tuesday evening.
Power of the pedal could ease migrant crisis
While the world watches refugees from Central America come to the U.S. seeking asylum, a Columbia Falls man says a non-partisan and simple approach to the problem could help empower them in their homeland.
Bear that attacked woman in Cabinets was a griz, and an old one
The bear that attacked a researcher in May was a 24-year-old grizzly, according to a report issued last week from the Wildlife Human Attack Response Team of Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks.
Heavy rains caused flooding near Augusta, closing popular roads, trails into the Bob Marshall
Up to 8 inches of rain fell on the Rocky Mountain Front last week near Augusta, causing flooded roads and trails, while some people had to be flown out of the wilderness because they were trapped.
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Bookmobile
C-Falls athletes named to Academic All-State list
Columbia Falls picked up 38 Academic All-State selections for the fourth quarter of the 2017-18 school year, led by 14 from the junior class.
Affordable apartments coming to Columbia Falls?
A Missouri company is proposing a high density affordable apartment complex in Columbia Falls. Brent Brown of Greenway Capital and partners Dusty Emmert and Jill Cooper were in town last week to pitch the project to the chamber of commerce and neighbors.
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70 years ago
Monday, June 25
ViZn Energy hires back about 75 percent of Montana workforce
ViZn Energy, a Columbia Falls-based industrial-size battery manufacturer, has rehired much of the approximately 60-employee workforce it had furloughed on March 16.
Thursday, June 21
Sprague Fire investigation completed
A “lessons learned” report released last week commends the firefighters who fought the Sperry Chalet blaze, noting they worked tirelessly in an ember storm stoked by high winds from the Sprague Fire last summer, but it also found that firefighters thought they could have hemmed in the wildfire in Glacier’s backcountry early on.
Lumber prices surge, then settle a bit
Lumber prices have surged in the past six months, which is good news for suppliers, but means higher home prices for consumers.
Hike to Sperry Chalet forever changed by Sprague Fire
The hike to Sperry Chalet was never a favorite of mine for a lot of different reasons.
Wednesday, June 20
Grizzly committee delays endorsement of conservation strategy; will give public more time to review the plan
The Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee Tuesday delayed a decision on whether to endorse a new strategy that would guide the recovery of the grizzly bear population in Northwest Montana.
Heavy rain along Rocky Mountain Front leads to flooding
HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Heavy rain falling along the Rocky Mountain Front over the last several days triggered flooding in the town of Augusta, closed all roads into the town and trapped a horseback party in the Scapegoat Wilderness.
Glacier Twins baseball had an up and down tourney in Belgrade
Despite coming off two straight wins, the Glacier Twins baseball team couldn’t finish against Cody, Wyoming, in the final game of the Belgrade tournament on Saturday.
Close calls on the famed Rock Creek, as it lives up to its name
Recently we floated a section on Rock Creek, east of Missoula.
Tally Lake District welcomes new ranger
As the new Tally Lake District Ranger, Bill Mulholland says he enjoys wearing a variety of hats.
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70 years ago
North Fork news
OK, it is summer even if not officially until later this month. It has to be summer if dust abatement is being done by the county. The most ever north of Polebridge thanks to increasing numbers of private landowners signing up for the county cost sharing program. In some stretches a mile or more has been done. This will not only reduce dust but it holds the dirt and small rocks in place so the road remains much smoother all summer. Now it would be nice if the Forest Service would join the program.
Cats and some neighbors stop mosquito spraying
Columbia Falls’ Mosquito Flats neighborhood lived up to its name this spring. At times, there were clouds of the biting insects in the city River’s Edge Park, as the park was inundated with flood water from the Flathead River, leaving pools of mosquito-loving water behind.
Electric bikes are fun, but illegal behind most gates
You know what it’s like, the feeling in your legs as you grind up a hill on a bicycle. The burn that never ends.
Faith, friendship and the art of the 'tag'
The voices are growing louder and the footsteps coming nearer as Father Sean Raftis sits crouched in the trunk of a car ready to pounce as soon as the compartment opens. What kind of desperate situation is this? What would bring a Catholic priest to prepare such an ambush? It’s quite simple, Raftis does not want to be “it” for another year.
Celebrating the Mountains
Sheena Pate may have grown up in the hills of Texas, but she always knew that the mountains were home.
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Jill Yvonne (Anders) Sparber
Mountain goats take up residence in Sperry ruins
The first “guests” of the season were at the remains of the Sperry Chalet last week — the furry four legged variety. The mountain goats which have long called the “lawn” of the chalet home, have also taken up residence in the remains of the chalet. They could be seen standing in the vacant windows, running through the stone structure last week.
Ogling - the uncurable sin
It wasn’t long ago when I recalled in a column here about a past event wherein the Flathead County Commissioners ruled that “starting immediately” all women in the courthouse should wear clothing that came down over the knees. The ruling lasted about one day before being canceled amid great local fun and laughter. My column about the situation referred to the commissioners as Larry, Curly and Moe.
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Jimmie L. Blanchard
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Russell Roger Rocks
Thoughts on Williams, Rankin
In a minor upset, Montana Democrats have chosen Kathleen Williams to unseat Republican Congressman Greg Gianforte. Maybe in the “year of the woman,” Williams will have greater success than recent Democratic nominees for the same office, Nancy Keenan and Denise Juneau.
The bathing bear
“Did you see where that grizzly had been digging along the trail?” I said to the guy who was now hiking in front of us.
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June 13
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Community Market
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Betty Friske Brown
Tuesday, June 19
Canine creature was in fact, just a wolf
The canine creature shot in Montana a month ago that captured the curiosity of the nation is indeed a gray wolf, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks confirmed Monday.
Wednesday, June 13
Grizzly bear near Carter eats insecticide, dies
A grizzly bear in north central Montana died Monday after getting into insecticide in an open garage.
Next river meeting is June 20 in Kalispell
The next comprehensive river management plan for the three wild and scenic sections of the Flathead River is June 20 in Kalispell.
Blowdowns, washouts making backcountry travel challenging
Backcountry travel in the Bob Marshall and wildlands adjacent to it is proving challenging this spring, the Flathead National Forest is saying.
Exchange students enjoy C-Falls experience
Jakob Iken and Sebastian Hogvall have enjoyed their time away from home.
Nelson, Voermans lead senior cards
Judy Nelson was the top pinochle player at the North Valley Senior Citizens Center on June 4 with 6,680. Jean Voermans was second with 6,560. Juli Hooker was third with 5,880. Gary Luce melded a round robin. Andy Koch melded 300 pinochle. Jeff Fredenberg won the door prize.
Robison named most outstanding eighth grader
The Columbia Falls Junior High recently held its year-end awards ceremony. The top award — most outstanding eighth grader, went to Maddie Robison.
Film about C-Falls Algae Aquaculture on tap
The award-winning documentary “The Need To Grow” will be shown in Whitefish. The film takes a look at activists and innovators in the food movement including the Flathead Valley’s Algae AquaCulture Technologies.
Glacier Twins split a pair against Kalispell Lakers last week
The Twins finished even with the Kalispell Lakers A last week, splitting a pair of high-scoring games.
A Belly full of Glacier
You know you’re in shape for the hiking season when you’re chugging up the hill out of the Belly River Valley in Glacier National Park and you still feel pretty good, which means you’re not puking a lung out of your ear.
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Clayton Edward McLaughlin
High school golf team looking for players
Though the school year is barely over, now is the time for Columbia Falls students interested in being on the golf team in the fall to start working on their swing.
Masons seeks possible help from TIF fund for paving
The Masonic Lodge on Nucleus Avenue is a landmark building, with its murals depicting the early history of the area an attraction unto itself.
Hearing on modest city sewer and water rate hike is July 2
Columbia Falls city water and sewer rates are going up, but by a modest amount for the average homeowner.
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Community Market
Killer trucks, skeeters and summer
This last week, it has seemed almost like summer is here. The river is well below flood stage and green instead of muddy and I met 10 raft trailers on the road Tuesday. Also, one red belly dump truck who was driving like he was paid by the mile and not by the hour. Hope he slows down or finishes his North Fork job before someone gets hurt or killed. He was going too fast to get his license number.
The truth about nonsense
Have often quoted Plato, who said “Unmitigated seriousness is always out of place in human affairs.” I am a believer, so for maybe 20 years I’ve played around with the idea of a poetic nonsense children’s book where-in I’ve written “fun fun” poems about wild animals with fitting photos. Eureka! With nagging and encouragement of my two daughters, the deed is done. The “Yum Yoodle Snook – Wild Beasty Book” is now being printed back in Minnesota for release this summer through me and Far County Press.
You'll catch more trout if you keep that line nice and straight
Keeping the fly line straight is one of the most important keys to catching fish.
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June 6
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70 years ago
Tuesday, June 12
Sperry contract awarded to Great Falls firm
The National Park Service Tuesday announced the award of a $4.08 million contract to Dick Anderson Construction out of Great Falls to begin rebuilding the historic Sperry Chalet Dormitory in Glacier National Park. The chalet was gutted Aug. 31 2017 during the Sprague Fire that burned thousands of acres in the park. Construction will be completed in two phases, beginning this summer and continuing into 2019.
Former Glacier Park employee pens a fine first novel
Back in 2003, Jackson Ellis worked at the West Entrance in Glacier National Park. He recalled spending most of the summer dealing with the smoke, turning tourists away at the gate as the Park that summer suffered through an historic fire year.
Monday, June 11
Former county commissioner Joe Brenneman dies
Former Flathead County Commissioner and fourth-generation Creston farmer and rancher Joe Brenneman died Sunday at Health Center Northwest in Kalispell. He was 60.
Thursday, June 7
Work crews have nearly cleared Going to the Sun Road
Glacier Park plows crews from the east and west sides of Logan Pass met at Big Drift Thursday afternoon, making the first clear path across the extent of the Going to the Sun Road.
Regional EPA director addresses CFAC concerns
Local officials were able to get some of their questions answered about the Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. Superfund site Tuesday as they got the chance to sit down with the Regional Administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 8, Doug Benevento and project manager Mike Cirian at the CFAC facility.
Wednesday, June 6
Railroad historian McCready dies
Local historian Kevin McCready died May 22.
Only a few 'select' firms got a crack at Sperry Chalet rebuild
Only a few select firms were solicited to bid on the first phase of Glacier’s National Park’s plan to rebuild the Sperry Chalet.
Kokanee salmon are hitting right now and they taste so good
Five Reasons to Like Kokanee Salmon
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I was lying in bed and they were still landing on me: mosquitoes. Hundreds and hundreds of mosquitoes landing on my arms and my face, into my ears and even worse, biting my back in a place where I couldn’t get at them.
Legislators should help solve problems
Whether your family has lived in Big Sky Country for decades or you’re a first-generation Montanan, all of us are united by the promise of our Montana values: hard work, rugged independence, and a commitment to join together and lift each other up in the face of adversity.
Small horses bring big smiles to Timber Creek Village
The residents of Timber Creek Village Assisted Living in Columbia Falls were treated to a pair of special visitors Saturday as two miniature horses from Dagnoli Quarter Horses brought smiles to everyone’s faces.
Cantus celebrate 25th
Lisa and Juan Cantu will celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary at 6 p.m. June 9 at 6305 Highway 2 in Columbia Falls. Food will be served and friends are encouraged to attend.
GNP should take dust seriously
Years ago, concerned about the dust from the North Fork Road that I saw crossing the North Fork river and onto the glaciers — I asked GNP officials how many air quality monitoring stations they had.
Dems visit fly shop
Montana’s highest ranking Democrats were in Columbia Falls last week to talk to business owner Hilary Hutcheson on legislative issues.
Dealer donates rig for Bookmobile
Columbia Falls now has its very own Bookmobile. After using various rigs the first three years, the program now has its own rig. Joe’s Auto Sales owner Brad Peters last week donated a 2003 Chevy Suburban to the program, which distributes books free of charge to youth during the summer months.
Microsoft exec, Columbia Falls grad, offers sage advice to graduates
Fred Jordan says there’s four things in life that will be the keys to your success, your mouth, your mind, your heart and your a--.
State Parks, Forest Service also dealing with crowds
Glacier National Park isn’t the only land agency dealing with crowds. The Flathead National Forest and Montana state parks also have their fair share of visitors as well.
About 'talking dirty'
I just finished reading an interesting study by a leading university that determined many people who cuss when frustrated are actually better adjusted to easing their distress and tension. In other words, some of that is healthy. The big problem is where we draw the lines. There are some acceptable cuss words besides “oh darn” and “shucks.”
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May 29
Cyclist dies on Sun Road
A cyclist died of natural conditions while biking the Going-to-the-Sun Road on May 25.
Columbia Falls native battling rare autoimmune affliction
A Columbia Falls native is battling an autoimmune disease that has left her temporarily paralyzed from the waist down and has also impacted her throat and speech.
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MSU Honor roll
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70 years ago
Local legend Doody inspiration of new restaurant in Coram
Locals and travelers have a new place to eat and drink in Coram with the opening of Josephine’s Bar and Kitchen recently.
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Lucretia Ann Budak Popa
Brodehl, Heino win primaries
Randy Brodehl has won the Republican primary for Flathead County Commissioner and Brian Heino won the primary for Flathead County Sheriff.
Rosendale, Williams win primaries
HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Montana State Auditor Matt Rosendale will challenge Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Tester in November as Republicans look to take back Tester’s seat and complete a sweep of Montana’s congressional delegation.
Friday, June 1
Park plows at Logan Pass, Big Drift
Glacier National Park plow crews have reached Logan Pass and are working on the Big Drift on the Going-to-the-Sun Road. The Big Drift is a large snow drift, often 50 feet deep or more, just east of Logan Pass.
Mow says social media changing Glacier Park visitation
Standing beside a photo of a hiker jumping in the air off a floating ice slab on Iceberg Lake, Glacier National Park Superintendent Jeff Mow says visitation is changing in the park.
