Ellington

Initial school expansion options run from $42 million to $24.6 million

The School District Six Long Range Planning Committee got its first look as the possible costs of expansion Wednesday as the committee discussed construction and renovation possibilities for the Ruder and Glacier Gateway schools.

Weyerhaeuser still top taxpayer in SD6

Weyerhaeuser continues to be the largest taxpayer in the Columbia Falls School District 6, but as the company has shuttered mills and sold off property in the past few years, its valuation here continues to drop, school officials note.

Bruce McAtee

Bruce McAtee

Amanda Adele Tustin

Amanda Adele Tustin

Should girls teams drop the k in Wildkat? Principal says yes

For decades the Columbia Falls sports teams have spelled Wildcat with a k to differentiate between the boys and the girls teams.

Heart cancer survivor needs help

A Gofundme page has been set up for a Columbia Falls woman who is suffering from the side effects of a cancerous tumor in her heart.

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Amanda Adele Tustin

Kudos to FVCC, Owen Sowerine and the Chinook wind, 1969

Another classic G. George Ostrom column. This one George picked out from 1969...

Thoughts on Thanksgiving and hunting season

Yep, we did it again. More than 100 folks gathered at Sondresson Community Hall to celebrate Thanksgiving. Steve and Christine Berg and Mark and Margaret Heaphy did their usual great job of starting early morning fires in the stoves and decorating so the hall was warm and the ambiance was perfect.

France top country as C-Falls does well at model UN

Columbia Falls High School’s Model United Nations team recently returned from the 53rd annual Montana Model United Nations Conference at the University of Montana in Missoula.

Fundraiser for Fishel is Friday at Ruder

A spaghetti dinner fundraiser for Lindsey Fishel is this Friday at Ruder Elementary School. Fishel has been diagnosed with Guillain-Barre´ syndrome, which attacks the nervous system.

Hunters saw less success as season closes

The general big game hunting season ended with lower-than-average numbers Nov. 25, with the exception of mule deer, where numbers were more than double what hunters took a year ago.

Wilson and McKee concert at Montana House

Montana House is hosting a Celtic Christmas concert featuring Wilson and McKee, a nationally touring award-winning duo specializing in traditional Irish, Scottish and original acoustic music. Their performance is at 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1 in the Kintla Camp event room upstairs at Montana House and will last an hour and a half. They will feature Celtic Christmas music, sing-along songs and a surprise

New monuments set for Nucleus in the spring

The south end of Nucleus Avenue will have a new look next year as construction on a pair of new entrance monuments is set to begin this spring.

Zinke says new Farm Bill will help with forest management

Within minutes of the deadly Camp Fire’s ignition, several acres were ablaze as fire spotters stood by helplessly. While Capt. Matt McKenzie of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection responded quickly, fire trucks were unable to reach the blaze and helicopters and air tankers were grounded due to the timing and weather, according to a report. Within two hours, the fire tore through the towns of Concow and Paradise before it raged on, claiming thousands of structures and dozens of lives.

C-Falls resident Morrison living the DREAM

Naomi Morrison thinks she has found the perfect job.

Eleven Wildcats named to All-State football team

By JEREMY WEBER

Matcats ready to open the wrestling season in Polson this weekend

The Matcats are ready to pick up where they left off last season as they open the year in Polson this weekend.

Looking for plastic pollution in Flathead Lake

Flathead Lake researcher Xiong Xiong peers into a clear glass jar filled with water, plant matter and a thin, 3-inch-long piece of plastic. It looks like a bristle from a broom or maybe a piece of fishing line.

Heino assembling team

For the Hungry Horse News

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Senior crafts

Wish tree helps vets at Christmas

The public is again invited to participate in providing Christmas gifts for veterans residing at the Montana Veterans’ Home through the Christmas wish tree at the Kalispell Center Mall.

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Nov. 22

A tater in the eye and a dog with dementia

So I was peeling a potato the other night and I somehow managed to get potato in my eye.

Smalley already looking to spring

What is your favorite day of the year?

Citizen scientists log thousands of hours in Glacier Park

They roam the hills, traverse the passes, bust through brush and wait for hours on end in all sorts of bad weather. They’re Glacier National Park’s citizen scientists, a diverse band of ordinary folks trained to keep an eye on some of the Park’s most iconic creatures.

FWP lion meeting is this Thursday

A public information meeting on the conservation and management of mountain lion populations in Montana is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 29, in Kalispell.

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70 years ago

Legals November 28, 2018

No. 1649 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING FLATHEAD COUNTY PLANNING BOARD REGULAR MEETING The Flathead County Planning Board will hold their regular meeting on Wednesday, December 12, 2018 beginning at 6:00 PM in the 2nd Floor Conference Room, South Campus Building, 40 11th Street West, Suite 200a, Kalispell, Montana. During this meeting, the Board will hold a public hearing to consider the agenda items described below and make a recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners who will take final action. A request by the Middle Canyon Land Use Advisory Committee for a zoning text amendment to the Canyon Area Land Use Regulatory System, (C.A.L.U.R.S). The proposed amendments include adding performance standards to Chapter 4, as Section 4.1 (I), adding 'Short-Term Rental Housing' as a Minor Land Use Review to Section 6.2 (B)(9), and adding a definition for 'Short-Term Rental Housing' to Chapter 7. This agenda item was reviewed by the Middle Canyon Land Use Advisory Committee on Tuesday, October 30, 2018. 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 December 12, 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 November 28. 2018 MNAXLP __________________________

Columbia Falls eyes 3 percent resort tax

The Columbia Falls City Council during a workshop last week, took a first look at the pros and cons of a resort tax as a way to pay for emergency services and reduce property taxes to landowners.

Wildkats looking to make another trip to state

The Wildkats basketball team is hoping to make yet another trip to the Class A state tournament in Great Falls this season as the team brings back a mix of experience and youthful talent.

Wildcats basketball looking for improvement this season

The Wildcats basketball team will be looking to improve on its 5-15 record last year as they open the season at home against Stevensville Dec. 1.

Zinke says he will appeal judge's Badger-Two Med ruling

Secretary of Interior Ryan Zinke said last week he would appeal a judge’s ruling that would allow oil and gas exploration on the Badger Two Medicine.

C-Falls speech and debate team dominates home meet

The Columbia Falls speech and debate team dominated its home meet over the weekend, defeating more than 16 schools to win the meet while compiling more than twice as many points as second-place Whitefish.

About my operation

Another classic G. George Ostrom column. This one George picked out from 1972...

Fish pond work wrapping up

The excavation of a new kids fishing pond at River’s Edge Park in Columbia Falls was expected to wrap up this week.

Tail gunner to smokejumper, retired teacher saw it all

John K. “Jack” Dunne has led an interesting life, just ask him.

Wildcat plate in danger of being discontinued

The Wildcat Athletic Endowment Fund license plate is an easy way to give back to Columbia Falls athletics. But there’s just one problem: Not enough folks have bought the plate and the state is threatening to shut it down.

Smalley snags some good memories

Remember salmon snagging?

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Christmas Trees

Night of Lights, Brunch with Santa coming up next month

The annual Night of Lights parade and Brunch with Santa is coming up next month. The Night of Lights parade is 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7 down Nucleus Avenue.

Thanksgiving a community affair

Since I spent only a little time hunting this fall, it was a bit of a shock to realize hunting season is almost over. As usual, Mark Heaphy shot a nice bull elk. He is famous for hiking into the backcountry to get his meat. As a result, he bones it out and he and wife Margaret pack it out on their backs. This year was a bit different as he shot his elk within a mile of the road, so it was easier. I and my elderly friends tend to hunt areas where we can get a pickup or ATV close to anything we shoot. Needless to say, Mark’s success rate is much better than ours.

Pave the North Fork? Not so fast...

We cut firewood on Sunday, which is to say we slogged up a sizable hill where there were a couple of sizable Doug fir down and immediately pinched the saw as tight as the butt on a woodpecker.

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Nov. 14

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70 years ago

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Christine Bethea

Legals November 21, 2018

No. 1648 RESOLUTION NO. 351 DISPOSITION OF ABANDONED, OBSOLETE AND UNDESIRABLE PROPERTY A RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 6, COLUMBIA FALLS, MONTANA TO DISPOSE OF ABANDONED, OBSOLETE AND UNDESIRABLE PROPERTY THROUGH THE SALES OR OTHER MEANS, AS PROVIDED BY SECTION 20-6-604, MCA. WHEREAS, it has been determined certain personal or real property as documented in a list available in the Columbia Falls School District Business Office has become abandoned, obsolete and undesirable by School District No. 6 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Board of Trustees will dispose of this property through the sale or other means commencing on December 5, 2018, which will be at least 14 days after notice of this resolution has been made in the manner required in Section 20-20-204, MCA. PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 6 THIS 12th DAY OF November, 2018. By: /s/ Dean Chisholm Chairperson 11/12/2018 Date Attest: By: /s/ Dustin Zuffelato Business Manager/Clerk 11/12/2018 Date November 21, 2018 MNAXLP __________________________

California family looking for place to live in wake of Camp Fire

The MacDonald family was getting ready to move to Montana. They had their place up for sale in Magalia, California and they’d been looking at houses in Columbia Falls.

Grizzly cub killed near Columbia Falls. 48 less grizzlies so far this year in region, most of them dead

A male grizzly bear cub was killed in a train collision last week on the railroad tracks near Columbia Falls.

October visitation to Glacier up by 9 percent over last year

Visitation to Glacier National Park was up in October by nearly 9 percent over the previous year.

Quick shot of snow expected for tomorrow morning

The Columbia Falls and the Glacier National Park area should see a quick shot of snow on Friday, as an arctic cold front is expected to quickly spill over the Continental Divide.

C-Falls will restrict 'cryptocurrency' operations to heavy industrial zones

The Columbia Falls city council Monday voted to recommend an amendment of zoning regulations to allow cryptocurrency businesses, but only in areas zoned for heavy industry and only under a conditional use permit.

Triplett takes fifth at PBR World Finals

Columbia Falls bullrider Matt Triplett took fifth in the Professional Bullriders World Finals in Las Vegas recently.

Adams to play for Northwest University next season

Columbia Falls soccer player Chance Adams will be taking his skills to the next level as he has signed to play for the Eagles of Northwest University in Kirkland, Wash.

Wildkats go 1-2 at state volleyball tournament, Kehr All-State

Senior Wildkat volleyball player Ryley Kehr was named to the Class A All-State team after Columbia Falls went 1-2 at the state tournament in Bozeman over the weekend.

Merciful springs

We went to the big REI “grand opening” the other day, which is to say we showed up a little after 10 a.m. on Sunday morning, the third day of the event.

Wildcats fall to Hamilton in state semi-final

The Wildcats’ quest for a second straight Class A football championship came to an end at home Saturday as Columbia Falls fell to the Hamilton Broncs at Satterthwaite Field in the state semi-final, 41-27.

High school honors local veterans

Hundreds filled the Columbia Falls High School gym Friday as the school’s chapter of the National Honor Society hosted its annual Veterans Day Assembly.

British couple offers dog training in C-Falls

Man’s best friend has a new place to learn in the valley as All Day Dog Adventures has opened its doors on Elk Park Road south of Columbia Falls.

Speech and debate team second at Missoula

The Columbia Falls speech and debate team earned a second-place finish over the weekend as it competed against larger Schools at the Missoula AA meet.

Stumping for the new airport... in 1968

Another classic G. George Ostrom column. This one George picked out from 1968...

Stuck in the North Fork

Hunters are now pleased to have tracking snow in the North Fork River Valley. We have had two days where several inches of snow fell and, even with normal settling, there is a general covering of snow ranging from a couple of inches to half a foot, depending on where you hunt. That is in the river valley. In the mountains of the Whitefish Divide, it is a different story.

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Nov. 5

Doughboy statue restored at Montana Veterans' Home

The “doughboy” statue at the Montana Veterans’ Home has received a significant facelift.

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Quilts and Crafts

Go green to catch Lake Whitefish on their spawning run

Every fall many thousands of lake whitefish leave Flathead Lake to make to make their spawning trek up the Flathead River.

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Rose Roesner Anderson

Fond memories of Columbia Falls dentist who died in river accident

As a dentist, he would work on anyone’s teeth, even if they couldn’t afford to pay. As a fisherman, he had great skill. His grandson said he could catch a fish out of a mud puddle. As a father and grandfather, he pushed his children to succeed, and they did, both in sports and in life.

Gender differences in schools show more boys in special ed, trouble

Boys get in trouble more at school than girls, though more boys took tougher math classes in high school than girls.

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70 years ago

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Thomas E. Christiansen

Jack's Touch: Polzin recognized for years of superior service for Glacier National Park

If you’ve ever hiked to one of Glacier’s remote backcountry patrol cabins or one of its lookouts, you’ve seen the restoration work of Jack Polzin and his crew over the years.

Former BNSF conductor from Columbia Falls awarded $2.1 million in damages against railroad

A former Burlington Northern Santa Fe conductor from Columbia Falls was awarded $2.171 million by a jury Nov. 7 in federal court for an injury he sustained while working for the railroad back in 2015.

Mauled hunter doesn't blame grizzly bear

The grizzly snarled and slobbered as it tore first into Anders Broste’s right arm, breaking the radius and dislocating the arm, before focusing on Broste’s left ankle.

Resort looks to further develop Hellroaring Basin

Whitefish Mountain Resort is hoping to bring more skiers and runs into the Hellroaring Basin area.

Countryman reflects on career in the Navy

Tom Countryman stood on the deck of the U.S.S. John F. Kennedy watching the American bombers taking flight towards Kuwait and Iraq. It was Jan. 17, 1991 and Operation Desert Storm was just getting underway. He was a long way from his home in Columbia Falls, watching history unfold before his eyes.

Man injured in bear attack up Trumbull Canyon

A 36-year-old Whitefish man is in stable condition after being attacked by a bear while hunting.

Photo Gallery: Wildcats fall to Hamilton in State Semi-Final, 41-27

City says no to taking old aluminum ore truck

Columbia Falls will look to revise its zoning regulations to address the possibility of a cryptocurrency business setting up shop in the city’s zoning jurisdiction.

City supports trail network north of town

The City of Columbia Falls is backing a network of trails just north of town on Forest Service lands.

Tragedy on Flathead River as Dr. Allen drowns in boating accident

For the Hungry Horse News

Study: More than 6,300 floated Middle Fork in summer 2017

A new report of river usage in the Flathead River system confirms what many had long suspected: That river use on certain sections of the rivers in peak summer months gets very busy.

Columbia Falls teens steal car and gun on Halloween crime spree

Five teen-aged boys from Flathead County are facing charges after Columbia Falls Police said they stole a car and a gun during a Halloween crime spree in the city.

In years past, terrorizing chickens was commonplace on a drive

Another classic column from G. George Ostrom. This one is from Dec. 4, 1970...

Cats survive playoff thriller against Eagles

The Wildcats are headed to the Class A state semi-final game for the third straight year after surviving a tough test at home against Lewistown in the quarterfinals Saturday, 23-22.

Windauer to play soccer for Grizzlies

Junior striker Josie Windauer became the first Wildkat soccer player to sign with an NCAA Division 1 program this week as she committed to play for the University of Montana Grizzlies. Windauer scored 28 goals and had four assists for the Kats this season and was an All-State selection while helping lead the Kats to a Northwest A Conference Championship.

Kats third at divisionals, headed to state tourney

The Wildkats volleyball team will be making the trip to the state tournament in Bozeman this weekend after finishing third at the Western A divisional tournament in Whitefish last week.

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Mary Frances Olson

Hunters overall having less success than last year

Hunting season continued its slower than normal pace in week three, with 6,748 hunters reporting a total of 328 whitetail deer at Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks check stations for the season to date.

Smalley's outboard winterization tips

If my lawn mower doesn’t start first pull in the spring, I can deal with it. But if my outboard motor doesn’t start, I’m not a happy camper.

Wilson has more thoughts on North Fork grizzly situation

I was not surprised when I heard that the grizzly in Donaldson’s Meadow had been trapped and relocated. In fact, I thought it should have been done two or three weeks earlier. Now, I wonder whether it is wise to relocate a heavily habituated bear into Glacier Park where the only people are hikers with little chance to escape in an attack. Big test for bear spray – if you have time to use it.

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Oct. 30

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Margaret Hurd

Class A football results

STANDINGS

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70 years ago

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History meeting

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Anthony “Tony” McArter

Election: Perry wins another House District 3 squeaker

Incumbent Democrat Zac Perry squeaked out another win against Republican Jerry O’Neil in the House District 3 race in last week’s election.

Legals November 7, 2018

No. 1645 COLUMBIA FALLS CITY-COUNTY PLANNING BOARD AND ZONING COMMISSION There are two (2) county vacancies on this board. Applicants must reside within the planning jurisdictional area but outside the city limits of Columbia Falls. The terms each run two (2) years beginning January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2020. TO APPLY FOR ANY OF THIS POSITION: Letters of interest (please specify which board/committee you are applying for) including name, physical address, mailing address, daytime phone number and qualifications should be submitted to: Angela Phillips Flathead County Planning and Zoning Office South Campus Building 40 11th Street West, Ste. 220 Kalispell, MT 59901 All letters of interest should be received by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, November 9, 2018. For additional information and specific qualifications please call 755-8200. October 10, 24, November 7, 2018 MNAXLP __________________________

Rare caribou spotted in Northwest Montana

Residents have recently documented sightings of woodland caribou near the U.S.-Canada border. The multiple sightings include the potential for a bull and a cow in separate locations, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks spokesman Dillon Tabish said Monday.

REI Store in Kalispell opens this week

In 1935, two years after construction concluded of the Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park and two years before completion of the Appalachian Trail, Seattle-based outdoors enthusiasts Lloyd and Mary Anderson decided they needed to find a better way to buy gear to outfit their adventures.

Photo Gallery: Wildcats down Lewistown 23-22

Up by as many as 16 Saturday, the Wildcats held off a late Lewistown rally to down the Fergus Golden Eagles 23-22 in the Class A state quarter-final at Satterthwaite Field.

Photo Gallery: Divisional Volleyball day 1

The Wildkats swept past Stevensville in their first game at the Western A Divisional Volleyball Tournament in Whitefish Thursday before falling to Libby 3-1 later that evening. The Wildkats play again today at 4 p.m.

CFAC lobbying to keep BPA substation; but BPA says it's too old

The Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. is worried that an apparent plan by the Bonneville Power Administration to dismantle the power supply at the old plant could hurt the prospects for redevelopment at the site..