Ellington

Forest releases draft comprehensive river plan for Flathead River's Forks

The Flathead National Forest Wednesday released a draft proposed action on how federal agencies will manage the three forks of the Flathead River system for about the next 10 years — a plan that could include permits for some sections of rivers.

At first go, a national title for a girl and her horse

Some people are just born to ride. Just ask friends of the family of Violet Erickson.

Groups cry foul in Pendley case

An attorney for an oil company that is suing the federal government to drill for oil and gas in the Badger-Two Medicine region just south of Glacier National Park was recently named Deputy Director of Policy and Programs for the Bureau of Land Management, drawing charges that there’s a clear conflict of interest in the case.

James Erickson

James Erickson

Hockaday Museum to host Women Artists exhibit

The Hockaday Museum of Art in Kalispell will host a new exhibition of pieces by female artists beginning next month.

The lake Whitefish are biting in Flathead Lake

If you are wondering if the lake whitefish are biting in Flathead Lake, the answer is YES!

Glacier FEAST to host farm dinner

The Flathead Valley’s newest non-profit collective, Glacier FEAST (Farmers and Eaters Advocating Sustainability Together), plans to announce its launch with a “Join us at the Table” farm dinner Saturday, Aug. 17 at Two Bear Farm.

2019 Boogie to the Bank draws 283 runners

After a close race last year, the finish at this summer’s Boogie to the Bank was not quite as dramatic as Columbia Falls runner Marcelo Laguera won the 10K race by nearly four minutes.

With new fire truck, department can reach tall structures

Columbia Falls will soon have its new fire truck in service.

Exotic creatures featured in Hungry Horse Museum

Mark Petersen is hoping to share his love of exotic animals with the millions of visitors that come Glacier National Park each year.

A few thoughts on the week that was

It’s been an interesting week.

Egg money

A classic George Ostrom column, from November, 1969...

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Hunter ed

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Victor Eugene Cordier

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Arleen Alice Macal

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Wilma M. Morris

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Michael Perkins

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Richard “Rick” Klein

Couple more grizzlies moved to Cabinets

Two more grizzly bears from this area have been moved to the Cabinet-Yaak ecosystem near Libby to bolster populations there.

Marmot-eating bear moved from Rising Sun camp in Glacier

Glacier National Park recently moved a family of black bears from the Rising Sun campground area after the bruins killed a marmot near the auto campground and were getting pretty close to people.

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July 23

MudMan, other assets, now for sale

By KIANNA GARDNER

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70 years ago

Artist-in-Residence shows dark, moody side of Glacier

Amory Abbott’s artwork of Glacier National Park captures how the park often looks outside of the two months of summer — dark and moody and impressive.

Longtime West Glacier RV Park, restaurant changes hands

The new owners of the Moose Creek Resort are living their dream.

Ten Commandments Park struck by vandal, again

For the fourth time in as many years, the God’s Ten Commandment Park in Columbia Heights was the target for vandals early Monday morning as a lone individual snuck onto the property to spray paint anti-Christian messages and destroy property.

A few favorites from Heritage Days (so far)

Gov. Bullock names grizzly council

Gov. Steve Bullock today announced that he has appointed 18 Montana citizens to the Grizzly Bear Advisory Council to facilitate a statewide discussion on long-term grizzly bear management and conservation. Bullock also issued an executive order to guide the council’s deliberations.

Wildfire burning south of Ronan

Folks traveling south on Highway 93 will likely see a wildfire burning. The Lake County Leader reports that a large burnout operation will take place today in an attempt to contain the lightning-caused Moss Ranch Fire 14 miles southwest of Ronan, on the Flathead Indian Reservation.

Heritage Days is all this week: Lineup of events, and a photo gallery through time

Columbia Falls celebrates Heritage Days with car shows, rodeos, basketball tournaments, parties and the big parade on Saturday. This year’s theme is “There is no place like home.”

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If you’ve ever wondered how many Heritage Days buttons there are, Columbia Falls collector Andy Grundstrom can tell you: 84.

Rocky Mountain Riders Saddle Club is 70

Seventy years ago a group of Columbia Falls horse enthusiasts got together to form the Rocky Mountain Riders Saddle Club.

Short-handed swim team takes second in Chester

The Columbia Falls Swim Team had a strong showing in Chester over the weekend, taking second with only 32 of its 65 swimmers in action.

Glacier Twins fall in district championship game

Up 4-2 in the top of the seventh inning of Monday’s West A District Championship game, things were looking good for the Glacier Twins.

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Jerry Edward Thomas

Highlights from the audit committee

The Legislative Audit Committee met last month to hear performance and financial audits on several agencies of state government. This committee was written into the Montana Constitution 50 years ago to make sure the taxpayers were getting good government with efficiencies and taxpayer savings through the process.

At least 12 people have gone missing in Glacier Park, and were never found

Glacier National Park announced last week it would scale back the search for Mark Sinclair.

Rangers searching for 'golfer'

Yes, it’s crowded in Glacier National Park.

Walking 4,400 miles to promote foster care reforms

Glenn Koster is nearing the finish line.

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July 16

Cooney makes his case

My name is Mike Cooney and I’m running to be your next governor.

Community events

Lions concert

A missed opportunity with damselflies

The metamorphosis of damselflies from squiggly little, greenish nymphs to graceful, beautifully-blue adults is an annual event on many area lakes.

Mary Ellen (Ferguson) Strait

Mary Ellen (Ferguson) Strait

Bugle Boys: The Fields family is all about elk

If you were to walk by Josh Fields’ house in Columbia Falls on any given day, you might just hear the bugle of an elk or the mew of a cow.

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Geneva U.

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James David

DUI case illustrates weakness in the law

The alleged drunk driver who crashed through a fence and nearly hit three children at Horine Park on June 11 pleaded not guilty to DUI and reckless endangerment charges in Flathead County District Court recently.

Forest Service eyes logging project in the North Fork

The Forest Service has begun preliminary surveying and other groundwork on a timber project in the upper North Fork. A formal plan for what the Forest Service is calling the Frozen Moose project would look to thin timber from Red Meadow north to the border, noted project manager Sarah Canepa.

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A plan to improve the upper end of the North Fork Road and the road to the Polebridge Ranger Station is still in the works, Flathead County Public Works Director Dave Prunty told North Forkers at a recent meeting.

Sun Road reconstruction was far from a sure thing

I’d like to congratulate Glacier National Park on completing the Going-to-the-Sun Road rehabilitation.

Legals July 24, 2019

No. 1662 RESOLUTION NO. 363 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 August 9, 2019, 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 15th DAY OF JULY, 2019. Dated July 15, 2019 /s/ Jill Rocksund Chairperson Attest: /s/ Dustin Zuffelato Business Manager/Clerk July 24, 2019 MNAXLP __________________________

MudMan shuts down abruptly after allegations by interns

Whitefish-based Potter’s Field Ministries is closing its MudMan Burgers restaurants and food trucks, and its ministry internship program amid allegations of abuse against the ministry’s interns.

City applies for $11.7 million grant to overhaul key streets

Columbia Falls city leaders are hopeful an $11.758 million federal grant will help it rebuild some main streets that serve the schools and the walking community.

In Glacier, visitors spend an evening with some flying friends: bats

Locals and tourists got the chance to get up close and personal with some Glacier National Park wildlife last week, but it wasn’t bears, wolves, moose or mountain goats — it was bats.

Whitefish woman awarded $14M after neo-Nazi 'troll storm'

Federal Magistrate Judge Jeremiah Lynch issued a ruling Monday recommending that Andrew Anglin, publisher of a major neo-Nazi website, should pay more than $14 million in damages to Tanya Gersh of Whitefish, who received a relentless barrage of antisemitic threats and messages from Anglin and his followers.

As North Fork crowds grow, float permits loom

If the upward trend of visitors continues, federal land managers could implement a permit system to float the upper end of the North Fork of the Flathead River, Hungry Horse-Glacier View district ranger Rob Davies reiterated during a meeting with locals July 10.

Fishing with the grandson

“Who wants to go fishing? I asked.

Wilson is on the mend

Longtime North Fork columnist Larry Wilson had a heart attack on July 4. He was taken to the hospital and a few days later had quadruple bypass surgery. He is now recovering in Kalispell Regional Medical Center; will soon be transferred to Brendan House as this is being written, and is expected to make a full recovery.

The 'seasons' of Glacier

A G. George Ostrom column, from August, 1971...

Traffic is getting to her

Summer is here and I know all of us in the valley are aware of the influx of people from out of town that support our local businesses, our national park, and our communities. I also think most of us are aware of the increased traffic that is on our roadways. But for some reason this summer, this influx of traffic has seemed to have turned downright out of control to me.

Family invites public to Little Library 'open house'

The Lilienthal family has converted an old newspaper box into a free little library in their front yard. Painted bright blue and yellow and adorned with old toys, figures and knickknacks, the box has free books for whoever wants to read one, from children’s books to older titles.

Babe Ruth All-Stars dominate state tournament

The Glacier Babe Ruth 15U baseball All-Stars will be headed to the regional tournament in Camas, Wash. next week after earning a state title on their home field Saturday.

Columbia Falls Swim Team takes first at Conrad meet

The Columbia Falls Swim Team earned another first place finish over the weekend as 40 swimmers brought home the championship trophy from the Conrad Meet.

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Christa Kloetzke

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Rebecca Gilham

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Annalee McGlothlin

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Community Market

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70 years ago

Timber sale set to begin near Hungry Horse

A timber sale near Hungry Horse is the first on the Flathead National Forest under the Good Neighbor Authority program.

HOME SAFE HOME: Now is the time to prepare your property for wildfire

At a recent talk to media folks, a fire manager recalled a story of a squirrel nest in a tree at a home. A wildfire was bearing down the residence, which had done several measures to protect it from wildfire.

St. Mary slower in June, but west side up as Glacier visitation numbers released

Visitation to Glacier National Park was down slightly in June over the previous year by 2.2 percent and is down about 3.6 percent overall.

Man who dodged Hungry Horse murder charge gets 12 years on drug charges

A man accused of shooting a Hungry Horse man to death but was never convicted, will get federal prison time on an unrelated drug charge.

A week later, no sign of missing man in Glacier

After an extensive search that included a high-tech helicopter and drones, searchers still haven’t been able to find a man who went missing last week in Glacier National Park.

Glacier hosting alpine bird count

To celebrate the birds of Glacier National Park’s alpine areas, the Crown of the Continent Research Learning Center and park wildlife staff are hosting the second Alpine Bird BioBlitz on Friday, July 19.

Buying shoes in 1911

This week G. George Ostrom has selected a classic column from August, 1971.

Youth mountain bike racing teams forming

Area kids will soon get the chance to improve and showcase their mountain biking skills as the Flathead Valley is in the process of putting together a racing team.

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We were hiking a trail in Glacier National Park and there it was — a wolf, staring back at us. The encounter lasted 15 seconds, maybe even less, as the wolf turned and disappeared into the brush like a shadow.

C-Falls physical therapist helping get dogs back on their feet

After working with people as a physical therapist for more than 25 years, Stacy Upton decided to make a change.

City department head salaries set

The Columbia Falls City Council last week set the 2019-20 salaries for the city’s department heads and non-union employees.

Grad returns to Columbia Falls to help feed the hungry

Andrea Getts is glad to be back home.

Babe Ruth All-Stars on a roll heading into this weekend's state tournament

The Glacier Babe Ruth Baseball All-Stars are on a roll.

Twins go 3-2 at Keith Sell Tournament

The Glacier Twins got their fair share of baseball last weekend, competing in Helena at the five-day Keith Sell Tournament.

Lonestar to headline Twins Concert Series

Country music group Lonestar will be the featured act at the second annual Glacier Twins Concert Series on Friday, Aug. 2.

Might want to pass this hike up, then again, maybe not

With the tourist season in full swing, now is the time for the local hiker who wants some solitude to seek greener pastures. Of course, greener pastures typically come with a lot of work, and a recent jaunt into the Swan Front was no exception.

New waterfowl regs see changes

Waterfowl and webless migratory bird regulations are complete for the 2019-20 hunting seasons. The regulations are online at http://fwp.mt.gov/hunting/regulations, and hard copies will be available soon at license providers.

USS Montana crew visits Glacier Park

When the USS Montana takes its first dive into the depths of the ocean in a couple of years, a scene of Glacier National Park will go with it.

With walleyes, patience my friend

“It ain’t over, till it’s over” --Yogi Berra

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July 2

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Community Market

Pull weeds in Glacier Park

The Crown of the Continent Research Learning Center and Glacier National Park invite volunteers for a day of hands-on learning during the annual Noxious Weed Blitz on July 18. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in West Glacier.

Disagrees with Forest on races in bear country

Flathead Forest Supervisor Chip Weber ignores the advice of his own staff and grizzly bear experts, suggesting we consider all recreational activities to have an equal basis of risk when deciding whether to promote them. His staff and other bear experts note in their Board of Review recommendations against trail running and mountain biking that negative encounters between bears and bikers are “disproportionately high” compared to those with hikers.

Car plummets off Sun Road near Packer's Roost

Three people were injured when a vehicle went off the Going-to-the-Sun Road Monday near Packer’s Roost in Glacier National Park about 5 p.m., in what was a very busy day for park rangers.

Club gets $1 million-plus grant

The Boys and Girls Club of Glacier Country recently received a more than $1 million federal grant to start programs for junior high and high school students in Columbia Falls.

The Polebridge 4th, in pictures

Glacier seeks help in mapping wildlife crossings on Highway 2

Glacier National Park asks local residents to join an effort to record evidence of wildlife crossing over roads and rivers in the U.S. Highway 2 corridor.

Forest OKs controversial Whitefish ultra-marathon

The Flathead National Forest on Tuesday approved a special use permit allowing the Whitefish Trail Ultra-Marathon. The race is set to take place in October and would occur partially on forest service land.

C-Falls Swim Team takes first place at home meet

The Columbia Falls Swim Team was at full strength of the weekend as they picked up first place at their home meet at Pinewood Park.

Man robbed of cell phone at gunpoint

A Kalispell man has been arrested and charged with several felonies after he allegedly robbed a person and led law enforcement officials on a high-speed chase that started in Columbia Falls.

Sheriff says he'll set up mobile jail in Hungry Horse on July 4th

Folks are reminded that fireworks are illegal in Columbia Falls as well as state, National Forest and National Park lands this Fourth of July.

Looking forward to July 4

Also, as usual, parking is apt to be a nightmare with folks attending the parade and complicated by folks trying to get out of the Park who have never heard of the parade. Most of these folks are friendly and just watch the parade and enjoy the festivities, while a few get a little ugly in their anxiety to get back to town or float, or worst case, catch an airplane. They are all treated the same. They just have to wait until the parade is over and work their way through the traffic jam.

Three small housing projects on planning board plate

The Columbia Falls planning board will take a look at several small projects at its July 9 meeting.

Sperry work underway

Work began Sunday on the second phase of reconstruction of the Sperry Chalet.

Lions give a scare on Whitefish Trail

Hungry Horse News

Glacier celebrates the end of major Going-to-the-Sun Road contract

In a sometimes emotional ceremony, Glacier National Park recognized the completion of the long term contract to reconstruct the Going-to-the-Sun Road last week.

Logan Pass Visitor Center gets new coat of paint, to mixed reviews

Love it or hate it, the new paint on the Logan Pass Visitor Center this summer adheres to the original color scheme of the building when it was completed in 1966.

Talk on new Wheeler book at Montana House

The Montana House in Apgar will host guest author, Marc C. Johnson, for a presentation and book reading of his latest work, “Political Hell-Raiser, The Life and Times of Senator Burton K. Wheeler of Montana,” on Saturday, July 13, at 7 p.m.

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Community Market

Gateway to Glacier Trail Group, explained

Perhaps the phrase “build it and they will come” should be credited to a few fine residents of the Canyon rather than the 1989 movie “Field of Dreams.” It was a small group of local residents in the mid 1980s that made the leap of faith that built what is now known as the Path to Glacier, well before the current boom of alternative transportation. A 3.5-mile section of paved multi-use trail linking the communities of Coram, Martin City and Hungry Horse has become a cherished pedestrian/cycling artery winding its way to the entrance of Glacier National Park.

Risk and recreation on wildlands

For several years there has been an active dialogue regarding risks associated with recreation in wildlands and concern for the safety of people who choose to do so. Much of this discussion has been focused on interactions between grizzly bears and humans when running or mountain biking on trails. There is strong and expanding interest from the public in partaking in these activities (and many others) on the Flathead National Forest and other forested public lands. There are several proposed trail additions and events on the forest that have been the subject of much discussion. Public understanding could benefit from a broader discussion around these subjects than has been occurring.

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June 25

Police looking into rash of vandalism in C-Falls

Columbia Falls police are looking to a number of incidents involving vandalism to area murals in which spray painters left a series of graffiti messages throughout town.

City considering upgrades to River's Edge Park

Columbia Falls residents got their first look at three proposed plans for the future of River’s Edge Park recently as the City and the WGM planning group hosted a meeting on the subject June 20.

Highway 206 to see an overhaul

One of the main roads to Glacier National Park is getting a facelift.

Twins have a rough outing

It was a tough go for the Twins on Sunday, who fell twice to the Bitterroot Red Sox by a combined two runs.