Ellington

Second shooter sought in drive-by shooting

Law enforcement officials in Northwest Montana have issued a warrant for the arrest of a second man accused of being involved in a suspected drive-by shooting Monday in Kalispell.

Shooter fired more than 20 times at Kalispell home; narrowly missed child, police say

Police found more than 20 bullet casings at the scene of a suspected drive-by shooting in Kalispell last week that injured one and left multiple residences riddled with bullet holes, according to new documents filed Thursday in Flathead County District Court.

A few favorite Hungry Horse News wildlife and scenic photos from 2019

Columbia Falls teen charged in shooting incident

Officers arrested a suspect Monday in connection with a late-night shooting that injured one person Dec. 21 in Kalispell.

Holiday spirit

The late December melt-off, creating treacherous travel conditions once again, was as real as, well, impeachment, this past weekend.

Wildcats have a tough go against Wolfpack on the road

The Class AA Glacier Wolfpack were too much for the Wildcats basketball squad to overcome Thursday as the Columbia Falls team fell in Kalispell, 62-38.

Early perch ice fishing on Stillwater Lake

Last week I ice fished on Lower Stillwater Lake after hearing reports of several inches of “pretty good” ice.

Logging, thinning, prescribed burns planned for North Fork

The Flathead National Forest is proposing a new project up the North Fork that would include a mix of logging, thinning and prescribed burns on more than 8,000 acres from Red Meadow Creek north to the Canada border.

W. Glacier mini golf will maintain 'small town charm' company claims

A miniature golf course planned for the West Glacier community will maintain the “small charm of the village,” a spokesperson for Pursuit Collection said last week.

Planning board to take up vacation rental resort on Lake Five

A new vacation rental-type resort is planned for the shores of Lake Five near West Glacier, but it’s already run afoul of county and state regulators.

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Gary Walter Ray

Shuttle thoughts

The big news last week from Glacier National Park was that the Park Service would terminate its agreement with Flathead County to operate the shuttle service in the Park.

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70 years ago

Looking forward to Forest Management

As I write this column, it is four days until Christmas. Despite forecasts of a big snowstorm, it turned out to be all rain in Columbia Falls and there is no snow on the ground. Some snow (about six inches) fell on parts of the North Fork, but it was mostly wet heavy stuff followed by 40-degree temperatures and rain.

Windauer, Betram lead MatCats at Holiday Classic

Justin Windauer earned a seventh-place finish and Josh Bertram was eighth in his weight class over the weekend as the MatCats were in action at the CM Russell Holiday Classic in Great Falls.

Weyerhaeuser sells its Montana timberlands for $230 an acre

Last week Weyerhaeuser announced it would sell 630,000 acres of its lands in Northwest Montana, sending shockwaves through the conservation and local communities, as fears that public access and timber supplies would be cut off.

Weyerhaeuser deal could block access to thousands of acres of land, Lincoln County officials say

A company that’s previously sold lands to a pair of brothers known for closing public access to thousands of acres of lands across the West is the apparent buyer of about 630,000 acres of Weyerhaeuser Company lands in Montana.

Columbia Falls man admits to soliciting sex photos from minor over Facebook

A Columbia Falls man who admitted soliciting sexually explicit images of a minor girl through his Facebook account and mobile phone pleaded guilty on Dec. 16 to sexual exploitation of a child, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said in a release.

Glacier says it will have shuttle in 2020

While the future of the free shuttle in Glacier National Park remains somewhat in flux, the Park Service program won’t go into next season penniless.

City will hold public hearing on resort tax Jan. 21

The Columbia Falls City Council will hold a public hearing Jan. 21 to discuss a proposed resort tax for the city.

Wick tapped as new SD6 superintendent

After a brief executive session, the Columbia Falls School District 6 board voted to offer Dave Wick the superintendent’s position Monday night, pending negotiations with the board chairperson Jill Rocksund.

Smalley's gift ideas for 2019

I’ve used all the items in this year’s list of gift suggestions for outdoorsies on your Christmas list.

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It was interesting to read the article about the Columbia Falls trustees interviewing an “in-house” candidate for the superintendent’s position. Was I the only who thought the statement, “We’re underfunded. It’s still not at the level it needs to be,” a point to ponder?

Pursuit builds parking lot in West Glacier, mini golf course planned as well

Trees have been cleared and land has been leveled for a 90-car parking lot off Old River Bridge Road in West Glacier. A miniature golf course is also planned for behind the gas station. That was approved in January, but clearing for the project just began this fall.

Poachers and gropers

A Classic G. George Ostrom column from March 29, 1989

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Dec. 9

Pig in a pit

Over the years my wife and her father have piled a fair amount of junk in my backyard, which, to put it mildly, is a bit of a disaster.

Road advice

I have really enjoyed reading what Flannery writes about the North Fork. She carries about the same things I do for roadside emergencies, except I also carry an ax, but have never included a shot of whiskey or a sleeping bag.

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70 years ago

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Michael Allen Thole

Speech team gets seventh straight win in Class A

The Wildcat speech and debate team earned its seventh straight tournament win Saturday as they held of Whitefish to win in Hamilton. Columbia Falls held onto its winning streak against tough competition from Class A and B schools around the region.

MatCats see tough competition at Mining City Duals in Butte

The MatCats were on the road for another grueling trip last week as they picked up a win in Dillon Thursday before going 3-3 at the Mining City Duals in Butte Friday and Saturday.

Wildkats survive slow start, blow out Yellowjackets

The Wildkats survived a sluggish start to pull away for a 59-30 home win over Stevensville Saturday behind 26 points from sophomore guard Maddie Robison and 12 rebounds from junior forward Madysen Hoerner. Up by just six at halftime, the Kats used a 22-3 third quarter run to a 25-point lead heading into the fourth.

Wildcats down Stevensville 55-36 for first win of the season

The Wildcats picked up their first road win in nearly two years Saturday, downing the Yellowjackets in Stevensville, 55-36.

Chamber hands out year-end awards

Columbia Falls business and community leaders were recognized at the Chamber’s annual Christmas luncheon at the Cedar Creek Lodge last week.

Weyerhaeuser announces sale of its Montana lands

Weyerhaeuser Company on Tuesday announced an agreement to sell its 630,000 acres of timberland in Montana to a private timberland investment company for $145 million in cash.

Many Glacier will see significant road work in the next two years; parts will remain gravel for awhile

Folks heading into Many Glacier for the next two years can expect delays and in some cases, the road to the valley will be closed down entirely.

Columbia Falls firefighters respond to two fires within four minutes of each other

Columbia Falls firefighters were busy early Sunday morning after they received two major fire calls within four minutes of each other.

Purcell signs with Rocky Mountain College soccer

Hungry Horse News

County terminates shuttle deal with Glacier Park; claims 'misallocation' of funds

The wheels of Glacier National Park’s free shuttle system will officially come to a halt Dec. 31 after the Flathead County commissioners on Wednesday voted unanimously to terminate the park’s long-standing partnership with the county to maintain and operate the system, citing concerns over a substantial lack of funding from the park, shuttle safety, among other reasons.

Bonus: More Night of Lights photos

Wick interviewed for SD6 super post

Dave Wick, the affable principal of the Columbia Falls Junior High School for more than 20 years could be the new superintendent of School District 6.

Music to my ears

So me and the boy were headed up to shoot video of the Night of Lights parade and for the first time ever the “mean streets” of Columbia Falls almost got me, which is to say a car that was making a left-hand turn on a green light insisted that it had the right of way and decided to turn right in front of us as we crossed the street.

BeeHive homes opens new facility in C-Falls

BeeHive Homes in Columbia Falls opened its new facility this week. The spacious building has 19 rooms and every room has a three-quarter bath, said owner Julia Wiebelhaus.

Weber reflects on a productive career at helm of Flathead National Forest

A few years back Flathead National Forest Supervisor Chip Weber humped it up the steep ridge overlooking the Bunker Creek drainage accompanied by a host of wilderness advocates.

Under Big Sky announces 2020 lineup

The Under The Big Sky festival on Friday announced the lineup for its 2020 festival set for July.

Former county commissioner Dale Lauman dies

Former Flathead County Commissioner Dale Lauman, who was well-known not only for extensive community service that spanned decades but also for his statesmanship, kindness and compassion, died Wednesday. He was 80.

Spare the Rod

A classic G. George Ostrom column from Aug. 22, 1989...

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Toastmasters

Ice and birds

Sunday morning brought a big, bright ball into the sky, retina sizzling. Albeit traumatic, it was a welcomed change from the multiple feet of snow that arrived in the form of thick, fat rain drops splashing like the tears of my current mood into the lakes forming on the, now, sheets of ice in the yard this past week.

Soroptimists offer help with women's teeth

Members of Soroptimist International of Whitefish are once offering assistance to women who need dental health care through its Smile of Hope Dental Program.

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Dec. 3

Timber sales look to make forest more fire resistant

A total of three timber and stewardship projects are ongoing up the east side of the Hungry Horse Reservoir this winter. All told they’re expected to bring in about 16 million board feet of lumber and improve the forest health in the woods along the reservoir and near homes in the Canyon, Paul Donnellon, a forester with the Hungry Horse-Glacier View District said during a tour last week.

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70 years ago

Cats swimmers open season at Kalispell Invitational Saturday

The Columbia Falls High School swim team was in action for the first time this season Saturday in the Kalispell Invitational at The Summit.

MatCats open wrestling season at Owens Invitational in Pablo

The MatCats wrestlers were in Pablo over the weekend as they opened the season at the Owens Invitational on the campus of Salish Kootenai College.

No deer this year

What was for dinner last night? Venison? Or tag stew?

Cats drop pair to open basketball season in Frenchtown

The Wildcats basketball season opened with a pair of losses over the weekend as Columbia Falls fell to Glendive and Corvallis at the Western A Tip Off Tournament in Frenchtown.

Wildkats open season with overtime win over Glendive

The Wildkats survived a strong test from a pair of quality teams over the weekend as Columbia Falls opened the season with wins over Glendive and Corvallis at the Western A Tip Off Tournament in Frenchtown.

Speech and debate wins in Kalispell

Columbia Falls Speech and Debate competed well at the Western Montana Regional Speech and Debate Tournament in Kalispell over the weekend as the team matched its talents against 22 class AA and A team, and squeaked out a seven point victory over Frenchtown to take home the first place class A-B-C trophy.

Adams will head to Central America for Mission work

Former Wildcat soccer player Chance Adams is trading in his cleats for a plane ticket.

When it comes to giving blood, Wildcats step to the plate

Columbia Falls students are giving back to their community and helping to save lives.

Legals December 11, 2019

No. 1680 ADVERTISEMENT Columbia Falls School District is soliciting qualifications from individuals or firms interested in serving as a General Contractor/Construction Manager (GC/CM) in accordance with Title 18, Chapter 2, Part 5, MCA. The selected GC/CM will participate in a collaborative process to assist, as a partner, with the District, the Project Architect, and the other members of the design team for the planning, design, and construction for its K-8 Facility Bond Project. The Board of Trustees authorized the GC/CM procurement method for the Ruder Elementary School and Junior High School projects. Specifically, construction of new learning spaces and renovation of existing spaces at Ruder Elementary School and security improvements at Columbia Falls Junior High School. Preliminary cost estimate for the Ruder Elementary School new construction and renovations is $10 million. Preliminary cost estimate for the security/safety improvements for the Junior High School entrance is $250,000. Prospective GC/CM candidates may obtain a Qualifications packet at the Columbia Falls School District Administration Building, 501 6th Avenue West, Columbia Falls, MT 59912, or by visiting the District's website: https://cfmtschools.net/. Responses to this Request for Qualifications for GC/CM must be submitted in compliance with the requirements of the Qualification packet and will be received at the Columbia Falls School District Administration Building at the address listed above until December 18, 2019, at 2:00 pm, local time. FAX RESPONSES, INCOMPLETE RESPONSES AND RESPONSES RECEIVED AFTER THAT DATE AND TIME WILL BE DEEMED NON-COMPLIANT WITH THIS RFQ AND WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. The intent of this solicitation is to identify qualified GC/CM candidates interested in participating in a collaborative process to bring Ruder Elementary School and Junior High School Projects to fruition in a timely and cost-efficient manner. From the list of interested and qualified GC/CM candidates as determined by a selection committee established by the District, the finalists will proceed to a Request for Proposal process in accordance with Title 18, Chapter 2, Part 5, MCA. From those finalists, the District will select the GC/CM firm which is best qualified and best suits the District's needs and intent regarding the Project. It is anticipated that the selected GC/CM will initially provide Preconstruction phase services and will move forward with the provision of Construction phase services. The GCCM shall comply with all fair labor practices and must meet the requirements of all local, state and federal statutes. This Request for Qualifications does not commit the Board of Trustees for Columbia Falls School District to enter into any agreement, or to pay any expenses incurred in the preparation of any response to this request, or to ultimately procure any contract for the provision of these services. The Board of Trustees expressly reserves the right to waive any formalities and to reject any or all proposals. December 4, 11, 2019 MNAXLP __________________________

Night of Lights, in pictures

Groups file suit to stop electric bikes in national parks

Several groups want to put the brakes on e-bikes in national parks and have filed suit in federal court.

Timber sale means East Side Reservoir Road will be closed on weekdays during the winter

The East Side of the Hungry Horse Reservoir Road (Road #38) will be closed immediately to motorized traffic this winter on weekdays due to a timber sale.

City seeks public input on projects

The Columbia Falls city council wants to hear from the public on what they think the greatest needs are in the city.

Montana Wilderness Association holding annual photo contest

Montana Wilderness Association is holding its annual Picture Wild Montana photo contest, with prizes offered for the best photos taken on public lands across the state.

Resort will open, but snow depths in doubt with temps in the 40s

It’s just a few days before Whitefish Mountain Resort is set to open, but powder hounds are going to have to wait until later in the week for any news on the conditions.

Tenant says construction hours at apartments are too long, but developer says noisiest part of job will be done soon

A woman who rents at the new Highline Apartments on Bills Lane said she was probably going to break her lease because of noise at the development.

Hunting season better than last year, hearings on biennial season changes coming up

The general big game hunting season concluded last weekend across Montana, and hunters took more deer than they did last year. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks tallied more than 14,000 hunters at its five check stations across Region 1 this season. Hunters reported 1,022 white-tailed deer, including 816 bucks, as well as 105 mule deer and 56 elk.

A death in the family

There was a death in the family recently.

Forest Service finds no impacts for expansion of resort

The Flathead National Forest has released a draft decision and finding of no significant impact for the expansion of the Hellroaring Basin at Whitefish Mountain Resort.

Timber harvesting operation planned north of Olney

The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation is proposing to harvest timber on several parcels in the Stillwater State Forest.

No headline

Nov. 25

Concerned about projects

Two Forest Service timber sales are getting a lot of publicity lately because they have trail construction associated with them. These projects are located in urban interface areas. It’s not sensible to increase public access in these places. They serve as refuges for deer and elk, who have been pushed there by increasing numbers of predators. Trail traffic will trigger more confrontations with bears, especially, as happened a few years ago near West Glacier, when a grizzly attacked a biker who collided with him. Even though the bear was minding his own business, the Forest Service organized a posse to kill him. Trail advocates claim that the trails’ locations and layouts will minimize the risk of this happening again, but it will. And when it does, will they blame the bear or the biker? Have they considered the stress that trail traffic will impose on wintering, calving or fawning ungulates? Do they intend to close trails to ensure wildlife security during critical times of the year?

Glacier visitation eclipses 3 million

October was a slow month in Glacier National Park, but it was still enough to push visitation over the 3 million mark for the year.

Rotary Club's Night of Lights, Brunch with Santa coming up

The 34th annual Night of Lights parade and Brunch with Santa is coming up this weekend in Columbia Falls. The parade is 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6 down Nucleus Avenue and is sponsored by the Columbia Falls Rotary.

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Carol Gracia Dodge

DNA study reveals non-invasive way to track grizzlies

Grizzly bears are an iconic creature, most would agree, and an integral part of what makes Northwest Montana such a special place.

Wildkats to open basketball season at Frenchtown Friday

The Wildkat basketball team is ready to make another run to the state tournament this season after finishing third there the past two years.

Cats basketball looking for wins open season this weekend

The Wildcat boys basketball squad is looking to improve on a 3-17 season a year ago as they open the 2019-2020 season against Glendive at the Tip Off Classic in Frenchtown Friday.

Young MatCats squad ready to open wrestling season this weekend

Wildcat head wrestling coach Jessie Schaeffer says he is excited about the upcoming season, despite his team’s youth and inexperience. In fact, it is that youth and inexperience that has him excited.

Be careful when ice fishing this season

Every year, at least one story in this space is devoted to staying safe on the ice.

A host of concerts are on tap this month

Area schools will be hosting a number of holiday concerts over the next few weeks. Here’s a look at what’s coming up:

Columbia Falls students do well at Model UN

Every member of the Columbia Falls High School Model United Nations team picked up at least one award over the weekend as the team participated in the 55th annual Model UN Conference on the campus of the University of Montana in Missoula.

Thanksgiving at Sondreson Hall

Thanksgiving dinner at Sondreson Hall is the biggest North Fork event of the year and is filled with tradition. For many, Many years, Steve Berg and his wife were the hosts. They bought the turkeys and hams, organized the cooks, decorated the Hall and made sure the parking lot was plowed, that the generator worked and the hall was warm.

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John M. C. Tedrick

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Shirley L Sweeney

Sunshine soldiers

A classic George Ostrom column, from June, 1989...

Gordon leaves community kitchen board after 25 years

After 25 years serving the community, Tina Gordon is moving on from her position on the Columbia Falls Community Kitchen Board of Directors.

Legals December 4, 2019

No. 1680 ADVERTISEMENT Columbia Falls School District is soliciting qualifications from individuals or firms interested in serving as a General Contractor/Construction Manager (GC/CM) in accordance with Title 18, Chapter 2, Part 5, MCA. The selected GC/CM will participate in a collaborative process to assist, as a partner, with the District, the Project Architect, and the other members of the design team for the planning, design, and construction for its K-8 Facility Bond Project. The Board of Trustees authorized the GC/CM procurement method for the Ruder Elementary School and Junior High School projects. Specifically, construction of new learning spaces and renovation of existing spaces at Ruder Elementary School and security improvements at Columbia Falls Junior High School. Preliminary cost estimate for the Ruder Elementary School new construction and renovations is $10 million. Preliminary cost estimate for the security/safety improvements for the Junior High School entrance is $250,000. Prospective GC/CM candidates may obtain a Qualifications packet at the Columbia Falls School District Administration Building, 501 6th Avenue West, Columbia Falls, MT 59912, or by visiting the District's website: https://cfmtschools.net/. Responses to this Request for Qualifications for GC/CM must be submitted in compliance with the requirements of the Qualification packet and will be received at the Columbia Falls School District Administration Building at the address listed above until December 18, 2019, at 2:00 pm, local time. FAX RESPONSES, INCOMPLETE RESPONSES AND RESPONSES RECEIVED AFTER THAT DATE AND TIME WILL BE DEEMED NON-COMPLIANT WITH THIS RFQ AND WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. The intent of this solicitation is to identify qualified GC/CM candidates interested in participating in a collaborative process to bring Ruder Elementary School and Junior High School Projects to fruition in a timely and cost-efficient manner. From the list of interested and qualified GC/CM candidates as determined by a selection committee established by the District, the finalists will proceed to a Request for Proposal process in accordance with Title 18, Chapter 2, Part 5, MCA. From those finalists, the District will select the GC/CM firm which is best qualified and best suits the District's needs and intent regarding the Project. It is anticipated that the selected GC/CM will initially provide Preconstruction phase services and will move forward with the provision of Construction phase services. The GCCM shall comply with all fair labor practices and must meet the requirements of all local, state and federal statutes. This Request for Qualifications does not commit the Board of Trustees for Columbia Falls School District to enter into any agreement, or to pay any expenses incurred in the preparation of any response to this request, or to ultimately procure any contract for the provision of these services. The Board of Trustees expressly reserves the right to waive any formalities and to reject any or all proposals. December 4, 11, 2019 MNAXLP __________________________