Ellington

County will have flu shot clinic Tuesday

The Flathead City-County Health Department will be setting up their annual flu clinic on Tuesday, Oct. 2 from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. at the Flathead County Fairgrounds.

With snow expected, Glacier closing down campgrounds, services, for the winter season

The National Weather Service is calling for snow in higher elevations of Glacier starting tonight through the weekend, with snow levels dropping to 4,000 feet. The east side of Glacier is expected to see moderate snow accumulations Saturday night, while the west side could see a slushy rain-snow mix, with highs on both sides of the Divide in the upper 30s and mid 40s.

Voids found under sidewalks

Columbia Falls got an unwelcome surprise when it started a project to rebuild intersections on Nucleus Avenue — the sidewalks next to the Nord Building have voids of nothingness beneath them along Sixth Street that will eventually have to be filled.

DEQ notes that potliner removal at old CFAC site is now complete

One small piece of what promises to be a prolonged and extensive cleanup of contamination at the Columbia Falls Aluminum Company site has been resolved, according to the Montana Department of Environmental Quality.

Soccer teams win two, ready for rematch with Whitefish

The Columbia Falls soccer teams will be looking to keep their momentum rolling this week as they play a much anticipated rematch with rival Whitefish Thursday.

Thoughts on rescues

Editor’s note: George Ostrom is still recovering from an illness. We bring you this column from 2009...

Howe Ridge Fire will see investigation

The Howe Ridge Fire will undergo a greater investigation, Glacier Park spokeswoman Lauren Alley confirmed recently.

Biel awarded for work in Glacier Park

Glacier National Park Natural Resources Program Manager Mark Biel has earned the 2017 National Park Service Director’s Award for Professional Excellence in Natural Resource Stewardship. Biel won the regional award last November and competed with finalists from six other regions for the national award.

Wildcats blow out Libby for homecoming win

Columbia Falls running back Colten McPhee reached the end zone six times Friday evening as the Wildcats celebrated Homecoming with a lopsided 62-15 victory over the Libby Loggers.

Kats volleyball sweeps Polson, blows past Browning

The Wildkats volleyball squad made short work of both of their opponents last week as they swept Polson and Browning.

C-Falls sending three to state golf tourney

Three Columbia Falls golfers will be making the trip to the State Golf Tournament in Hamilton this weekend after finishing in the top-30 at Divisionals in Libby Saturday.

Be the first to cross the new South Fork Bridge and help fire departments

The U.S. Highway 2 bridge over the South Fork of the Flathead River is nearing completion and you could be the first person to walk or drive across the structure. The Hungry Horse and Martin City fire departments are holding a raffle and the winner gets to be the first person to cross the bridge once its completed.

Cross country teams second in Thompson Falls

It was a week of second-place finishes for the Columbia Falls cross country teams as both varsity squads and both junior varsity squads were runners up in Thompson Falls.

The good ol' days, fishing on the reservation

One day last week was just like the good ol’ days on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation.

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Toastmasters

Class A Football Results

STANDINGS

AT HOME IN THE WOODS

For most people, wilderness is a place to visit. For Fred Flint, wilderness is often home.

Author sends book to Trumps, gets letter in return

A Hungry Horse woman recently received a letter from President Donald Trump and first lady Melania after she sent her book to the president’s office.

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Douglas Ervin Miller

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Jane Marie Parker

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Sept. 18

What happened, Grand Old Party?

Can you guess which U.S. President said this in his inaugural address?

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Raymond “Fred” Mehring

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70 years ago

Judge reinstates oil, gas leases on Badger Two Medicine

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — A judge reinstated an oil and gas lease on land in northwestern Montana considered sacred to some tribes in the U.S. and Canada — a ruling that could test the depths of the Trump administration’s support for the energy industry.

Judge stops griz hunt, puts Yellowstone bruins back on ESA

There will be no grizzly bear hunt. A federal judge Monday restored Endangered Species Act protections for the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem grizzly bear population.

FWP looking for tips on poaching cases near Whitefish

State game wardens investigating the illegal killing of a deer and a bull elk west of Whitefish are asking the public for help identifying the poachers.

Business owners not big fans of snow berms on Nucleus

A host of businesses owners showed up at the city council meeting last week to talk about sidewalk and highway snow removal, but a representative of the Montana Department of Transportation apparently forgot the meeting.

West Glacier cell tower OK'd

A 108-foot cellular communications tower will be allowed near West Glacier within view from U.S. 2, the Flathead County Board of Adjustment decided earlier this month.

A host of prescribed burns planned for area

Folks may see plumes of smoke in the next few weeks as a host of prescribed burns are planned for the area the Forest Service recently announced.

Yesterdays: TV on Teakettle

70 years ago

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Story and photos by Chris Peterson

For the outdoor enthusiast, the Great Bear has a lot to offer

It was just a rustle in the leaves below the trail, something that barely caught our attention. It was a subtle noise, but one that suggested something in the bushes below that was bigger than just a squirrel or a chipmunk.

Kats soccer splits pair, boys drop two

By JEREMY WEBER

Wildcats cruise past Yellowjackets 55-14

Going into Friday night’s matchup in Stevensville, many might have expected a close game between the Wildcats’ top-ranked run defense and the Yellowjackets top-ranked running offense, but it was all Columbia Falls as the Wildcats cruised to a lopsided 55-14 victory.

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James (Jim) Garrison

Cross country team does well at Polson, Kalispell

The Columbia Falls cross country team had another strong showing in Polson Saturday as the boys were first at the Mission Shadow Duels Invitational, one week after coming in fourth at the Flathead Invitatation at Rebecca Farm in Kalispell.

A North Fork fire experience

Saturday, August 11, 2018: Lightning punctuated local radio chatter as our neighbors tried to pinpoint strikes from the predicted dry storm. For now, darkness shrouded the forest as duff incubated the embers.

Wildcats golf 10th in Kalispell

The Wildcat golf team came away with a 10th place finish last week as it played at the Kalispell Invitational Wednesday and Thursday.

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Chamber meeting

Warden who survived griz attack recognized for service

Longtime Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks warden captain Louis Kis was recently given the outstanding service award by the North American Wildlife Enforcement Officers Association.

Post fire thoughts

So far, so good. Nothing in this week’s weather, or in the seven-day forecast, has caused the fire danger to increase. Our fires are not dead out, but do not pose much of a threat to make a run.

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Sept. 10

September fishing is the time for water boatmen

If you really want to catch nice trout while fishing in a lake in September, you’d better have a great pair of legs.

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Howard Haldeman Steel

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Jean Cockrell Krueger, 89

Council OK's subdivision at former Plum Creek sawmill, planer, site

The Columbia Falls City Council approved a new subdivision Monday night that has the potential to bring a host of new businesses to the city.

Columbia Falls Homecoming parade, in pictures

Snow removal topic of city council meeting

Snow removal on U.S. 2 and Nucleus Avenue in Columbia Falls will be discussed at the Columbia Falls City Council meeting today.

Park reopens west side of Sun Road to private vehicles

The west side of the Going-to-the-Sun Road has reopened to private vehicles. The road has been closed since Aug. 12 due to the Howe Ridge Fire. Rain and cooler weather has quelled fire activity.

The “emerald triangle” survived the Howe Ridge Fire

This week could mark the end of the line for the Howe Ridge Fire in Glacier National Park, as rains are expected tonight into Sunday and next week could be showery as well, with cool daytime temperatures with highs in the 50s and 60s.

Next week is Columbia Falls High School homecoming

Next week is homecoming in Columbia Falls. Here’s a look at the events on tap:

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Ernest Walter Luke

Legion says thank you

This year at the Heritage Days 8th annual car show, the American Legion served 273 people at the BBQ, raising $1,000. This money will be used for charities. At our last meeting, we voted to send $500 to the FVCC Schlarship Veterans Fund. We also voted to donate $500 to the Columbia Falls Boys and Girls Club.

Many welcome grading of North Fork Road

Pave the Road? Dust hung over my field at Hay Creek like fog in the evening. The North Fork Road has been improved since I first travelled over the Forest Service one lane road with turnouts. The road was paved to Canyon Creek in 1971. The roadbed was improved for paving to the Camas Creek Glacier Park entrance. Paving was considered an invitation for more traffic and development. Now we see as many vehicles in one hour of daylight as we previously saw all day.

North Fork appears safe from fires

I am fully aware that the fire season is not officially over. We could still have some hot, windy weather and thunderstorms. Even so, I believe the Coal Ridge and Whale Butte fires, still not 100 percent contained or out, are no longer a threat to North Fork residents. The Forest Service plan of attack was good and effective. In fact, the North Fork Landowners Association has asked me (as president) to convey the thanks of owners to District Ranger Rob Davies, Forest Supervisor Chip Weber and especially Southwest IC John Pierson for the great work of the Forest Service. We greatly appreciate the two public information meetings held at Sondreson Hall as well as their effective firefighting skills.

Piddling for profit

Editor’s note: George Ostrom is under the weather this week. We bring you this column from 1987...

Wildcats destroy Dillon, down Beavers 48-20

If the Wildcats had any lingering doubts coming off their season-opening loss to Hamilton, they didn’t let it show Friday as they dominated the visiting Dillon Beavers en route to a 48-20 blowout victory.

Wildkats crush Ronan at home, sweep Stevensville

The Wildkat volleyball team dominated their competition last week, picking up sweeps against Ronan and Stevensville.

Soccer teams close out busy week

The Columbia Falls soccer teams had a busy week as they played at Frenchtown Tuesday before traveling to take on Belgrade Friday and Park High in Livingston Saturday.

Class A football results

STANDINGS

Scientists cite climate as cause of expanding fire season

Climate change is a driving factor in the current wildfire in the western U.S., a pair of leading experts said in a teleconference hosted by the National Wildlife Federation Wednesday.

Blankenship Rural Fire receives $20,000 grant

The Blankenship Rural Fire District near Columbia Falls will receive grant money for its operations and safety.

Local company an industry leader in manufacture of firearm actions

Precision is the name of the game at Defiance Machine in Columbia Falls.

City council raises mill levy to balance budget

Columbia Falls residents will be seeing a tax increase of nearly $18 on a $200,000 home after the City Council approved a resolution last week to levy 226.97 mills, 6.55 mills more than it did a year ago.

Boosted by grants, teachers hoping to fill classrooms with books

Someday soon, Columbia Falls junior high teacher Leslie DiMaio hopes to have most of the walls in her classroom covered in books.

Coffee and more available at new C-Falls shop

Starting this week, Columbia Falls residents will have a new place to get their coffee fix as Copper Mountain Coffee opens its doors at 830 First Ave. West in the southwest corner of O’Brien’s Liquor Store.

Legals September 12, 2018

No. 1644 PUBLIC NOTICE FOR SALE OF STORAGE UNIT CONTENTS. On September 14th, 2018 beginning at or about 2PM, Glacier Center of Coram, pursuant to MCA 70-6-420, will sell at public auction to the highest bidder the contents of the following abandoned storage units to satisfy back rents and late fees: Units 4 & 24 Robert Walker Units 7, 18, & 19 Gary Fahrenbach Unit 12 Mysterie Callihan Unit 21 Dennis Beard Unit 22 Todd Olsen Unit 27 Kris Welch Unit 36 Robert LaRoque Unit 38 Jamie Thornhill September 12, 2018 MNAXLP _________________________

Legals September 5, 2018

No. 2443 NOTICE OF HEARING ON PROPOSED BUDGET ADOPTION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of County Commissioners of Flathead County, Montana, acting in the absence of a Fire District Board of Trustees of Hungry Horse Fire District, has completed the Proposed Budget for the 2018-2019 fiscal year and that said budget is on file in the Flathead County Finance Office, 800 South Main, Room 214, Kalispell, Montana. This document is open to public inspection. The Board will meet on the 11th day of September 2018 at 9:30 a.m. for the purpose of holding a public hearing, fixing the final budget, and making appropriations. Said meeting is to be held in the Commissioners' Chambers, located on the third floor of the County Courthouse at 800 South Main in Kalispell, Montana. Any taxpayer or resident may appear at the hearing and will be heard for or against any part of the proposed budget amendment. For further information, please contact Amy Dexter, Finance Director, 800 South Main, Room 214, Kalispell, Montana 59901, Telephone (406) 758-5538. Written comments are encouraged and will be reviewed by the Commissioners prior to the hearing if received by the Flathead County Commissioners' Office prior to the hearing. DATED this 20th day of August, 2018. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Flathead County, Montana By: /s/ Pamela J. Holmquist Pamela J. Holmquist, Chairman August 29, September 5, 2018 MNAXLP _________________________

Two more grizzlies killed recently; one a collared sow hit by a car

Two more grizzly bears died recently, according to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

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Aug. 28

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End of life class

Canvas Church coming to Columbia Falls this week

Columbia Falls welcomes a new church this week. Canvas Church, which has about 4,000 members valleywide, is remodeling the former Assembly of God Church on Third Avenue West.

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Helen Irene Coverdell

Class A football results

STANDINGS

Enrollment up across the board as school starts

School District 6 saw robust enrollment as school started last week.

Cats fall to Hamilton in season opener

It was a tale of two halves for the Wildcats in their season opener Friday as Columbia Falls fell to visiting Hamilton in a state final rematch, 35-24.

Cats golf team earns fourth in Ronan and Corvallis

The Wildcat golf team had strong showings in two tournaments this week as they competed at Corvallis and Ronan.

Federal judge stops grizzly hunt, for now

U.S. District Court Judge Dana Christensen last week issued a temporary restraining order to stop a grizzly bear hunt near Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming and Idaho.

A look at the history of Wheeler and Kelly's camp

The loss of most of the structures at Kelly’s Camp and the Wheeler Camp to the Howe Ridge Fire mark another chapter in the history of early settlement at Lake McDonald.

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Janette A. Nicklaus, 80

How to pay for huckleberries

Editor’s note: George Ostrom is under the weather this week. We bring you this column from 2004...

Miscommunication

So the other day I was talking to this guy and he said it must be pretty exciting to cover these fires and I said, with no great effect, “Nah, not so much.”

C-Falls soccer teams sweep visiting Bigfork

The Wildkat soccer team put on an impressive offensive show in its first outing of the season Thursday, scoring seven first-half goals en route to a 10-1 victory over visiting Bigfork.

At Sperry camp, a unique toilet

Backcountry campers at the Sperry campground in Glacier National Park will have to do a bit of pedal pushing after they have a poo.

Kats come up short in Libby

The Wildkats volleyball team put up a good early fight in Libby Friday but had trouble down the stretch as they fell to the Lady Loggers in four sets 16-25, 27-25, 25-27 and 9-25.

Cross country squad does well at Cut Bank Trials

The Columbia Falls cross country team had a good start to the season Friday as it competed at the Cut Bank Time Trials. The unscored meet featured four Class AA schools, several Class A, B, and C schools, and a team from Canada.

Glacier to offer limited free shuttle service on the west side of Sun Road to Logan Pass

Starting Sept. 7, Glacier National Park will start offering shuttle rides up the Going-to-the-Sun Road on the west side to Logan Pass.