Thursday, January 31
Kats cruise past Libby at home, 62-41
Hannah Schweikert knocked down five threes and scored a game-high 18 points for Wildkats Thursday as Columbia Falls cruised past Libby at home, 62-41.
Wednesday, January 30
Kats get lopsided wins against Ronan, Corvallis
The Wildkats basketball team made short work of their competition last week, downing Ronan by 37 Thursday before defeating Corvallis by 15 Saturday.
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Jan. 15
Triplett set to represent U.S. at Global Cup event
Columbia Falls bull rider Matt Triplett is once again set to represent his country as the United States hosts this year’s Professional Bull Riders Global Cup event in Arlington, Texas next month.
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The Wildcat swim team got its last warmup before state over the weekend as Columbia Falls competed at the large Missoula Invitational Meet.
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The MatCats wrestling team was well short of full strength Friday as they wrestled against Whitefish and Thompson Falls at the Whitefish Tournament.
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Wilderness speaker series starts up in February
The annual Wilderness Speaker Series is at the Flathead Valley Community’s College’s Art and Technology Building, in room 139. Lectures are February through April, from 7 to 8:15 p.m. There is no charge.
Messages from my money
This week we bring you a column George Ostrom picked out from 1996 ... a national award winner...
Wildcats win pair of thrilling home games
It took overtime and a buzzer-beating three pointer, but the Wildcats basketball team picked up a pair of home wins last week, defeating Ronan 58-55 Thursday and Corvallis 48-47 Saturday.
Forest plan record of decision released
Like Glacier National Park, the Flathead National Forest is once again in business after the longest government shutdown in history.
Thoughts on school expansion
I have been reading of interest the suggestions by the building committee regarding School District Six. I did apply to be on this committee and either there was a lack of communication, or it was overlooked. There has been little if any inclusion of the Canyon School structure in the proposals. Some of the spaces are being used by the County Health Dept. but most of the school is empty. Why would this empty school be overlooked? Is it still the old attitude of busing the Canyon kids but never in reverse? The road goes both ways. Why cannot this school be used for preschool through 4th or 5th grades and filling in the numbers with children from Columbia Heights area if necessary? Same distance … new bridge. Why would taxpayers support NEW building projects when a relatively new building with a gym is left empty?
Thoughts on the deer population
There is still a lot of discussion about why there was such low hunter success last hunting season. First of all, it is necessary to look at deer numbers. Obviously there were fewer deer, but elk numbers are not quite so clear.
They're saying good-bye to the big yellow buses
This year will mark the end of an era for Columbia Falls schools as District 6 says goodbye to a pair of longtime employees in bus driver Walt Crawford and mechanic John Anders.
Reopening Canyon School isn't as easy as it sounds
The future of elementary education in Columbia Falls is an uncertain one. As School District 6 continues to debate the possibility of refurbishing older facilities and building new ones, the question of what to do with the largely unused Canyon Elementary in Hungry Horse continues to linger.
Whitefish Lake falls to near record low levels
Whitefish Lake is known to fluctuate throughout the year dropping in winter, but a recent measurement of the lake’s water level show it approaching the record all-time low level.
Symposium talks focus on problems across the pond
Flathead Valley Community College’s 2019 Honors Symposium opens Feb. 21 and will feature a series of five Thursday evening lectures that will address this year’s theme of “Europe at a Crossroads: Social and Political Threats to European Unity and Why They Matter.”
Community events
Baseball workouts
At midway point, city budget is in good shape, director notes
Midway through the fiscal year, the city of Columbia Falls financial health is solid, city finance director Sandy Carlson told the city council last week.
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Steve C. Jacobi
Fiber optic to Nucleus Avenue?
Columbia Falls residents had several ideas for how the city could spend some of its TIF monies, but the most common one didn’t have anything to do with sidewalks or street lights or bike paths — it was the Internet.
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70 years ago
Tuesday, January 29
Kats blow out Lady Pirates at home, boys fall in Polson
The Wildkats basketball led wire to wire at home Tuesday as Columbia Falls cruised past the Lady Pirates of Polson, 70-18.
Wildcats state champs after math error found in speech and debate results
Editor’s note: Due to an editing error, this story was inadvertently truncated in the last issue. Here it is in its entirety.
Monday, January 28
Glacier getting back to normal as shutdown ends
Glacier National Park should get back to normal this week after more than a month-long government shutdown.
Saturday, January 26
Buzzer beater lifts Cats past Corvallis, girls win in blowout
The Wildcats used a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback and buzzer beater to get past Corvallis at home Saturday, downing the Blue Devils 48-47.
Friday, January 25
Government shutdown ends at least for awhile; Tester part of negotiating team
President Trump late Friday said he would end the partial federal government shutdown until at least Feb. 15, which will reopen government services while Congress tries to hammer out a deal on southern border security.
Thursday, January 24
MatCats drop pair at Libby
It was a tough week for the MatCat wrestlers on the road as they dropped a pair of duals at Libby Tuesday.
Wildcats fall to Browning, Hamilton
It was another tough week for the Wildcat basketball team as they fell at home to Browning 67-37 Thursday before dropping a game on the road at Hamilton Saturday, 78-40.
Wildkats split pair of physical matchups
It was a bruising week for the Wildkats basektball team as they split a pair of physical games against Browning and Hamilton.
Wednesday, January 23
Fewer tourists in 2018, but they spent more money
Traveler spending in the Treasure State increased in 2018 while the number of visitors dropped slightly.
Skijoring in Whitefish this weekend
Skiers grab your skis, riders grab your horses, and spectators get ready to watch the fun — it’s time for the annual skijoring competition.
Thoughts on habitat
I ask you this: Why is it that when I want to take a photo of a trophy-sized deer, elk, moose, bighorn of mountain goat, I go to Glacier National Park?
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Harold R Schaefer
AIS inspectors were busy last year
Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks’ aquatic invasive species program had a record number of watercrafts inspected, a record number of water samples analyzed and no mussel larvae or adult mussels detected in 2018.
Glacier Institute has new home on Nucleus
The Glacier Institute is now calling Columbia Falls home. The nonprofit organization provides educational programs in Glacier National Park and the Flathead National Forest purchased the former Whitefish Credit Union on Nucleus Avenue late last year and started moving into the building last week, said executive Director Joyce Hassard.
Grandparent unhappy with comments at concert
A longtime Columbia Falls resident and civic leader wasn’t too happy with the message he received at a recent school elementary school concert.
Dog owners should be cautious near ice
One night last week, on a local news program, I saw a story about a Bozeman UPS driver who entered an icy pond in an effort to rescue a struggling dog trapped in the ice.
Dowler to play police benefit concert Friday
Country and rock musician Luke Dowler will perform Jan. 25 at the Columbia Falls High School’s Little Theater. The concert is a benefit for the Columbia Falls Police Association and proceeds from the event go to support scholarships and the department’s annual shop with a cop program.
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Thomas G. Sluiter
Clark to take over as Wildkat head soccer coach
The Wildkat soccer team will have a familiar face leading the squad next season as Thomas Clark takes the reigns of the girls soccer program.
Teaching is a family affair
For one Columbia Falls family, the hallways and classrooms of School District 6 have become like a second home.
Reporting on 'reports' in 1968...
This week we bring you this classic G. George Ostrom column he selected from 1968...
A pox on both political parties
The shutdown continues. Democrats blame Republicans. Republicans blame Democrats. The fact is rich, empowered folks on both sides are failing to do their jobs and forcing ordinary folks on both sides to pay the price. How dare they require middle class workers to work without being paid? How dare they “furlough” thousands more without pay?
Speech and debate primed for another run at title
The Wildcat speech and debate team will be sending 24 competitors to this weekend’s state meet after picking up a second place finish at divisionals in Whitefish Saturday.
Tuesday, January 22
Wildcats edge Ronan in overtime, 58-55
The Wildcats basketball team got 15 points each from Drew Morgan and Sam Hovde Tuesday as Columbia Falls edged Ronan for it’s second win of the season, 58-55.
Monday, January 21
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Ashley Marie Nishiyama began blessing us with her life beginning April 1, 2002. Ashley blessed us for 16 years until Jan. 17, 2019. Her celebration of life will be held at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 23, at 1890 U.S. 93, Kalispell, Montana.
Woman shot at in Coram; suspects sought
A shooting occurred at a Coram residence early Friday morning and authorities are seeking two suspects.
Saturday, January 19
Wildkats hold off Hamilton, boys fall on the road
The Wildkats basketball squad picked up a 39-21 win over Hamilton at home Saturday in a contest that seemed more like a football game at times.
Friday, January 18
Wildkats fall in overtime at Browning, boys lose at home
A heroic Wildkat comeback come up just short in Browning Thursday as Columbia Falls lost to the Lady Indians in overtime, 70-67.
Thursday, January 17
Avalanche warning issued: Stay out of avalanche terrain
The Flathead Avalanche Center has issued a backcountry avalanche watch for the Swan, Whitefish, Flathead Ranges and Glacier National Park as a winter storm is expected to dump additional snow combined with wind on a very fragile snow base.
Wednesday, January 16
Committee narrows down Columbia Falls Elementary school projects to two options: $29 million and $34 million
The School District Six Long Range Planning Committee narrowed its construction and renovation possibilities for the Ruder and Glacier Gateway elementary schools down to two Tuesday.
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Robert “Jess” Borst
Allegiant to offer direct flight to Phoenix
Hungry Horse News
Two tough winters hurt deer numbers, but hunters also cry wolf
Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks Region 1 will ask for “emergency” whitetail doe take restrictions in the Thompson Falls and Swan Valleys after deer populations have dropped dramatically after two bad winters.
Public hearing on vacation rentals next month
The Flathead County Commissioners will hold a public hearing at 10 a.m. Feb. 27 on regulations to vacation rentals in the middle Canyon area, including West Glacier.
Youth wrestlers do well at tourney
Columbia Falls had 15 youth wrestlers in action Saturday as Helena hosted the Helltown Throwdown Tournament.
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70 years ago
MatCats battle in Polson, Missoula
The MatCats wrestling team faced some tough matchups last week as they wrestled at Polson Thursday and at the Jug Beck Rocky Mountain Classic in Missoula Friday and Saturday.
City seeks input on TIF funds
In 2015 the City of Columbia Falls set up a tax increment financing district for the business district along U.S. Highway 2 and downtown Nucleus Avenue.
Cats set new bests at home swim meet
The Wildcat swimmers were in the pool for their home meet Saturday as The Wave in Whitefish hosted the annual Cat/Dog Invitational.
Speech and debate wins close tourney in Polson
The Columbia Falls speech and debate team picked up another win in a close meet Saturday, scoring 145 points to win the Pirate Palooza Tournament in Polson. Whitefish was second with 120 points while Polson was third at 79.
Smalley has some magazine madness
A couple months ago I found a large envelope in my mailbox warning me in large black letters, “Do Not Bend.”
About kids and guns, in 1964
This week we bring you this classic G. George Ostrom column he selected from 1964...
New officer has east L.A. roots
Columbia Falls’ newest police officer is well on the way to his goal of making 1,000 traffic stops in his first six months on the job.
Mule deer study shows the critters move long distances over a year
Preliminary data from a 2-1/2-year long mule deer study is showing some interesting facets in the animals’ behavior and movement across the landscape in Northwest Montana.
Remembering Tom Sluiter
Sad news on the North Fork this week as we were informed of the unexpected death of Tom Sliuter.
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Jeanette Klein
Wildkats 10-0 after blowout win in Whitefish
The Wildkats basketball team seemed to be hitting on all cylinders in Whitefish Thursday as Columbia Falls cruised past the Lady Bulldogs 61-27 to improve to 10-0 this season.
Woman tries to avoid arrest by taking a bath
A Flathead County woman is accused of punching a deputy sheriff in the face during a recent incident in Coram.
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Women meet
Wildcats fall on the road in Whitefish, 60-45
A slow start helped doom the Wildcats basketball team on the road Thursday as Columbia Falls fell to the Bulldogs in Whitefish, 60-45.
Bennett says support for new $5.5 million Boys and Girls Club strong
Freedom Bank President Don Bennett again pitched a new community center and Boys and Girls Club facility to the School District 6 School Board Monday night.
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Jan.8
Weyerhaeuser honors Nagel with $2,000 donation to Wildcats
The Columbia Falls High School athletic program got a boost to its budget recently as Weyerhaeuser made a $2,000 donation in the name of volunteer coach Chris Nagel.
They earn their turns doing snow surveys the old-fashioned way
Northwest Montana has a host of remote stations that keep track of the region’s snowpack.
Zinke takes private sector job, says glad to be out of the swamp
By MATTHEW BROWN
Monday, January 14
North Forker protects property through easement
Another key parcel of the North Fork of the Flathead will be protected from subdivision through a conservation easement.
Noted FWP biologist Thier retires
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Wildlife Biologist Tim Thier has had a distinguished career working with animals and birds in the western United States, but when he approached a impromptu checkpoint manned by Mexican Federal Police in Chihuahua while searching for grizzly bears nearly 40 years ago, he wasn’t sure how long, or if, that career would last.
Friday, January 11
Basketball teams split games at Whitefish
It was an up and down night for Columbia Falls basketball fans in Whitefish Thursday as they boys fell to the Bulldogs, 60-45, while the Wildkats picked up a 61-27 victory.
MatCat wrestlers come up short in Polson
The MatCat wrestling team came up short on the road at Polson Thursday, falling to the Pirates, 48-24.
Thursday, January 10
Bengtson wins a pair of races at Glacier Glide
Locals did well in Glacier Nordic Club’s Glacier Glide ski races recently.
Wednesday, January 9
Yoga, massage, what could be better?
Kelsey Holmes is bringing a new type of massage therapy to Columbia Falls as Kelsey’s Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork on Nucleus Ave. —recently offering yomassage classes.
Rebuilding Kelly's Camp will come with challenges
On a sunny day in December the North Lake McDonald Road is quiet. Chickadees flit in the trees that weren’t burned to a crisp by last summer’s Howe Ridge Fire in Glacier National Park.
History society will feature Flint; elects new officers
The Columbia Falls Historical Society has elected new officers for 2019. Serving as president will be Peg Sorensen. Other officers are Dorothy Downen, vice-president, Lois Smith, secretary, and Steve Skyberg, treasurer.
Dog scofflaws more common in Glacier as shutdown drags on
As the partial government shutdown enters its third week, Glacier National Park has been going to the dogs — literally. Some visitors have been ignoring longstanding rules on walking dogs in the Park.
Fishel says thanks
My name is Lindsey Fishel and I just want to send out a much appreciated thank you to everyone that supported me through my recent illness. On Nov. 11, I was diagnosed with Guillian Barre Syndrome. This syndrome happens when our antibodies attacks our nervous system instead of a virus in our body. I woke up that morning with heaviness in my legs and arms and by 6 p.m. that evening was submitted to ICU. Within two days I was completely paralyzed and had to be intubated so I could breathe. With the help of my family and friends many things were put in place to help with medical and financial needs. The school district hosted a spaghetti feed in which many community members attended to help raise funds for our family. Along with the spaghetti feed, a GoFundMe account was also set up, and other generous donations were given.
Middle Fork trip a highlight of '18
My most memorable fishing trip in 2018 was a rafting/fly fishing trip on the Upper Middle Fork of the Flathead River with my son Kyle.
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Wanda J Hobbs
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Kenneth John Pemberton
After grizzly attack, a slow recovery
Injuries included a broken radius bone in his right arm, a dislocated right wrist, a fractured thumb, a broken fibula in his left leg, multiple ligament tears in his left ankle and knee, muscle tears and numerous puncture wounds from bites.
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Women meet
Please leash dogs
To any and all dog walkers in Columbia Falls ... River’s Edge Park is a great resource for all folks in Columbia Falls. Beautiful setting, nice open spaces, a nice stroll to the river, and a great place to take your pooch for a walk! I appreciate that dog waste bags are supplied to visitors and that there are garbage cans for our use, too. But fellow dog owners must also follow the rule of all dogs must be on a leash!
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70 years ago
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Dec. 31
Blankenship buys new fire truck
The Blankenship Fire District covers a huge area, from the small community of Blankenship along the North and Middle Forks of the Flathead River, 50 miles north to the Canada border.
Kats roll in blowout wins, boys drop two
It was an up and down week for Columbia Falls basketball as the Wildkats picked up a pair of blowout wins on the road while the boys dropped a pair of home games.
MatCats finish third at Western Montana Duals
The Columbia Falls MatCats wrestling team went an impressive 51-19 in Ronan over the weekend to finish third at the 2019 Western Montana Duals.
Speech and debate wins again at Corvallis meet
The Columbia Falls High School speech and debate team started 2019 with a win as they earned first place at the Corvallis Invitational over the weekend.
Gifts of Love visits Montana Veterans Home
Residents of the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls got a special treat right before Christmas as they were paid a special visit by a “wheelchair angel” as part of the Moving Forward Adaptive Sports Gifts of Love Program.
Wildcat swimmers take seventh in Kalispell
The Wildcat swim team set 13 new personal bests and qualified for state in nine events Saturday as the competed at the Kalispell Invitational at the The Summit Saturday.
Making money watching the news in 1968...
This week we bring you this classic G. George Ostrom column he selected from 1968...
Eight Wildcats selected for annual Shrine Game
Eight members of the Wildcats football team will be representing Columbia Falls in the 73rd annual Montana East-West Shrine Game this summer.
C-Falls students second in business challenge
Five Columbia Falls High School students will get the chance to compete for college scholarships in the fall after finishing second in this fall’s Montana High School Business Challenge.
Monday, January 7
Snowmobiler killed in avalanche near Choteau; snow biker buried in Swan Range
A snowmobiler who died in an avalanche Jan. 5 near Choteau was not wearing an avalanche beacon, according to information in a preliminary report from the Flathead Avalanche Center.
Saturday, January 5
Cats lose to Pirates, 47-44
The Columbia Falls boys basketball team fell just short against Polson Saturday night at home, 47-44.
Man with dementia who wandered away from home found OK
A Columbia Falls man with dementia who wandered away from his home was found safe Friday after an extensive search.
Friday, January 4
Flathead National Forest releases its new Forest Plan
The Flathead National Forest quietly released the final environmental impact statement for its new Forest Plan during the holiday season.
Thursday, January 3
Wildcats fall at home to Libby, 55-36
The Wildcats basketball team could not overcome another slow start Thursday as they fell at home to the visiting Libby Loggers, 55-36.
Deer meetings next week in Kalispell
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is hosting four upcoming public meetings to discuss deer populations and potential future management strategies for hunting seasons in northwest Montana.
Homicide charge dropped in Hungry Horse shooting; law enforcement not happy about it
A charge of deliberate homicide against a Martin City man was dismissed Monday by Flathead County District Judge Heidi Ulbricht.
Wednesday, January 2
An aging population means no North Fork beach party this year
I hate to admit it, but the older I get, the less I like change. Thus, I really like both Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners at Sondreson Community Hall. Typically, from 80 to 100 people are present for Thanksgiving and about 60 attend Christmas dinner. That was just what happened this year (104 and 62) and it is appropriate. Thanksgiving should be a community event, and on the North Fork it is. Christmas is a more private celebration. For some, it is a solemn religious event, but for more it is a time of giving and receiving from caring friends, neighbors and family.
Peacock named cross country coach of the year
In just his third year as the head cross country coach at Columbia Falls High School, Jim Peacock was recently named the 2018 Montana Coaches Association Class A Cross Country Coach of the Year after guiding the Wildcats to a state title last season.
City had $16 million in building permits for 2018
Columbia Falls saw significant growth in 2018. Commercial building permits were $8.98 million and residential building permits were $6.969 million.
Nucleus transformation and growth top local story of 2018
Another year has come and gone, here’s a look at what we feel were the top 10 local stories of 2018.
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Frank Edwin Mast
Brave Dog Knits doing well on Nucleus; Genesis Kitchen coming soon
Sheri Lynn and Dave Cohen had no intention of opening a yarn shop in Columbia Falls last summer.
Ostrom was a chronically chronicler back in 1971
This week we bring you this classic G. George Ostrom column he selected from 1971...
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Dec. 18
State titles highlight C-Falls sports in 2018
It was another strong year for Columbia Falls sports teams as the Wildcats and Wildkats brought home three state championships and had strong showings in several sports.
Seven inducted into Wildcat Athletic Hall of Fame in 2018
Seven Columbia Falls athletes were the centers of attention Dec. 22 as they were inducted into the Wildcat Athletic Hall of Fame at halftime of the boys basketball game against Bigfork.
Yesterdays: Snowmobile Days in Columbia Falls
70 years ago
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Dr. John Douglas Opalka
Treadwell reflects on tenure at wilderness foundation
Carol Treadwell knows what she won’t miss about her job.
Tuesday, January 1
New $13.2 million bridge will undergo repairs to fix footprints
The newly completed $13.2 million South Fork Bridge has some footprints in its concrete deck. As such, the bridge will have to undergo repairs this spring, the Montana Department of Transportation has announced.
County attorney files motion to dismiss homicide charge in Hungry Horse case
The Flathead County Attorney’s Office filed a motion Monday to dismiss the homicide charge against James Quen of Martin City in the shooting death of Bradley Allen Winters, citing a lack of forensic evidence and a lack of cooperation by a critical witness who failed to respond to a subpoena.
