Ellington

Browning sees 4 feet of snow from storm

An historic early fall storm hammered the high country and locales east of the Divide, but the lower Flathead Valley saw high winds, but virtually no snow.

Teens nabbed in rash of vandalism, break-ins

Columbia Falls Police Chief Clint Peters said Friday that four teenagers have been charged in a rash of vandalism and car break-ins in Columbia Falls in the past few weeks.

Glacier Park closes campgrounds, Logan Pass, in anticipation of blizzard

Glacier National Park is closing roads and campgrounds in anticipation of a early fall snowstorm that’s expected to start in earnest Friday and run through the weekend.

Photo Gallery: C-Falls Homecoming Parade

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70 years ago

Kats soccer splits pair on tough eastern road trip

The Wildkats soccer team battled fatigue, rain, cold and even hail over the weekend as they traveled to the eastern side on Montana to take on top-ranked Billings Central and Laurel.

Loggers buzz Cats on the road

The gridiron Wildcats were able to keep up with the Western Division leading Loggers for a half in Libby Friday before eventually falling, 54-14.

Mustached Cats runners win Thompson Falls meet

It was a busy week of running for the Columbia Falls cross country teams as they were in action at Thompson Falls Tuesday and in Great Falls Friday.

Sperry Chalet work close to completion

The hike up to Sperry Chalet is a great day trip.

Kats perfect through first round of conference

The dominant start to the volleyball season continued for the Wildkats last week as they defeated Whitefish and Ronan to improve to 6-0 overall and remained undefeated through the first round of conference play.

Coram breaks ground on new fire hall

The Coram-West Glacier Fire Department broke ground Monday on a new fire hall at the corner of Seville Lane and U.S. Highway 2.

Columbia Falls native wins NBC comedy competition

Marty Bereta of Columbia Falls is a proud parent. His son, Joe, recently won NBC’s comedy competition, “Bring the Funny.”

Eagle watchers sought

Glacier National Park is again looking for volunteers to help document the fall raptor migration as it prepares for the second year of the Mount Brown Hawk Watch Program.

Opposes subdivision

On Sept. 10, 2019 the Columbia Falls City-County Planning Board approved a request for a Planned Unit Development and Major Subdivision, known as The Benches. This subdivision would create 48 single family residential lots and 30 resort cabins on a 55-acre property located at 7073 Highway 2, east of Columbia Falls.

Open spaces disappearing

Today I went for a walk. I walked on my sister’s property along the west fence line of the proposed Benches subdivision east of Columbia Falls. I followed a game trail through the thick cattails growing higher than my head in the wetlands scattered throughout the property.

Weathering storms

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

Thoughts on Inside Road

Until this summer, I could not imagine missing an entire summer on the North Fork. Then it happened. I missed my first Interlocal, even though when I heard about it, there were no surprises.

Top high school students sought

As the first month of school comes to a close, Kalispell Regional Healthcare and the Daily Inter Lake would like to remind you to nominate an outstanding high school student to be considered for the inaugural “Today’s Achievers, Tomorrow’s Leaders” honors. Deadline for nominations is this Friday, Sept. 27. Principals, school counselors, teachers and community members are encouraged to nominate exemplary students to receive the honor by visiting krh.org/TomorrowsLeaders or dailyinterlake.com.

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Community Dinner

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With regards to the recent school bond ballots you have received, I would like to make a pitch for voting “yes,” in favor of this bond. Like many of you, I had really hoped we could upgrade the Ruder and Glacier Gateway schools for under $20 million and not increase our property taxes substantially. After attending the meetings and hearing the architectural accounts of what we might upgrade in that price range, it made much more sense to replace the Glacier-Gateway facility and add more space to Ruder rather than applying a bandage of exterior facelifts and remodels that would only extend the life of these older facilities.

Get out the vote

Many constituents didn’t know what to think about the all mail ballot for the School District 6 bond issue in Columbia Falls. It is the first mail-in ballot in our school district, though several districts across the state have done it for years.

CFAC risk to humans, critters, very low outside of developed area of defunct aluminum plant, study says

After an analysis of more than 2,000 environmental samples in and around the former Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. aluminum plant, the risk to humans and animals outside the developed area of the plant is less than 1 in a million, an environmental firm reported last week.

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Sept. 17

Sun Road plan has no budget

Glacier National Park superintendent Jeff Mow last week clarified some key points that are proposed in its new Going-to-the-Sun Road corridor management plan.

Legals September 25, 2019

No. 1670 PUBLIC NOTICE Notice to Water Users (Pursuant to Section 85-2-307, MCA) The following application has been submitted to appropriate water in the State of Montana. THIS FOREST SERVICE APPLICATION WAS SUBMITTED PURSUANT THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOREST SERVICE-MONTANA COMPACT AS PRESENTED IN §85-20-1401, MCA. OBJECTION DEADLINE: OCTOBER 25, 2019. OBJECTIONS TO THIS APPLICATION MUST BE FILED ON AN OBJECTION TO APPLICATION, FORM NO. 611 AND MUST PROVIDE SUBSTANTIAL CREDIBLE INFORMATION. THE SPECIFIC STATUTE PERTAINING TO THESE REQUIREMENTS CAN BE FOUND AT §85-20-1401, ARTICLE VI, MCA. MAIL THE COMPLETED FORM POSTMARKED ON OR BEFORE THE SPECIFIED DEADLINE AND $25.00 FILING FEE TO THE DNRC, PO BOX 201601, HELENA, MT 59620-1601. THE FORM IS AVAILABLE ON THE DEPARTMENT'S WEBSITE AT HTTP://WWW.DNRC.MT.GOV/WRD/ DIRECT ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS APPLICATION TO THE WATER RESOURCES REGIONAL OFFICE, 2705 SPURGIN RD, BLDG C, PO BOX 5004, MISSOULA, MT 59804-5004, PHONE: 406-721-4284, FAX: 406-542-5899. Application Number: 76LJ 30104677 Owners: USA (DEPT OF AGRICULTURE FOREST SERVICE) WATER RIGHTS PROGRAM MANAGER, NORTHERN REGION 26 FORT MISSOULA RD MISSOULA, MT 59804 7203 Priority Date: DECEMBER 7, 2015 at 10:45 A.M. Purpose (use): INSTREAM FISHERY Maximum Flow Rate:22.00 CFS Source Name: CANYON CREEK Source Type: SURFACE WATER Point of Diversion and Means of Diversion: ID 1; Qtr Sec SE; Sec 27; Twp 32N; Rge 20W; County FLATHEAD Period of Diversion: JANUARY 1 TO DECEMBER 31 Diversion Means: INSTREAM Purpose (Use): INSTREAM FISHERY Period of Use: JANUARY 1 to DECEMBER 31 Place of Use: ID 1; Qtr Sec SE; Sec 27; Twp 32N; Rge 20W; County FLATHEAD Remarks: LOCATION OF DOWNSTREAM END OF REACH, NOT TO EXTEND BEYOND FOREST SERVICE BOUNDARY; LATITUDE 48.50740 N, LONGITUDE -114.14020 W DECIMAL DEGREES, IN THE NWNWSE OF SECTION 27, T32N, R20W, FLATHEAD COUNTY. LOCATION OF UPSTREAM END OF REACH; LATITUDE 48.50710 N, LONGITUDE -114.14200 W DECIMAL DEGREES, IN THE NWNWSE OF SECTION 27, T32N, R20W, FLATHEAD COUNTY. THIS WATER RIGHT IS FOR INSTREAM USE; MEANING THAT THERE IS NO DIVERSION, IMPOUNDMENT OR WITHDRAWAL ASSOCIATED WITH THE USE AND THE USE DOES NOT CAUSE A NET LOSS OF WATER IN THE SOURCE OF SUPPLY. September 25, 2019 MNAXLP __________________________

Cold, snow predicted for the weekend

If you love snow, you’ll love the weekend weather forecast.

South Fork bridge repairs start Tuesday

Crews will start work repairing the deck on the U.S. Highway 2 South Fork of the Flathead River Bridge starting Tuesday.

Glacier Park officially allows e-bikes

The National Park Service today announced it would allow electric bikes in Glacier National Park and other national parks on roads and trails where traditional bikes are allowed.

Zone change request on the table next month for Cedar Palace

Columbia Falls has at least three projects that will go in front of planning board on Oct. 15, including a zone change request for the old “Cedar Palace” which could end up being a medical clinic.

Fruity Glacier Facebook post draws a crowd

Orange peels. Banana peels. Apple cores.

Glacier visitation surges

With a fire-free summer, Glacier National park saw a surge in August visitation. The West Entrance was up 53 percent compared to last year, with 366,189 visitors going through the gates.

Airstream Blues

You see some interesting things waiting in line at the entrance to Glacier National Park. A couple of years ago I saw a bus with a brake problem that was spewing black smoke and looked like it might catch completely on fire at any moment.

Legion says thanks

We want to thank the generous support from the Flathead. Kind people at the Heritage Days 19th annual Car Show showed their support at the BBQ by donating much-needed to the groups we support. We were able to furnish four needy families and their children with all of their schools supplies and some nice clothes and shoes in time to start school. We are forever grateful to out community for its generous support. The Legion members also voted to donate $1,000 to the Flathead Community College for the Veterans’ Fund to further their education and help them in finding work.

Muth's Muse: Teacher, ranger, farmer, pens book of poems

A man who many Columbia Falls folks will remember as their notable junior high English teacher has published a new book of poems celebrating Glacier National Park.

Volleyball Kats improve to 4-0

The Wildkats volleyball teams continued it’s quick start to the season last week, downing Libby, Ronan and Stevensville to improve to 4-0.

Carol Guthrie, noted Glacier Park author, dies

Ann Fagre first met Carol Guthrie back in the 1990s. Guthrie was doing research for a book on the Going-to-the-Sun Road and was visiting the Glacier Park’s archives, where Fagre worked at the time as a technician.

Park asks folks to help with wildlife crossings on Highway 2

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

Glacier reminds folks that hunting in Park is illegal

With hunting season starting, Glacier National Park reminds hunters that hunting in the park is illegal. It is the responsibility of hunters to ensure that they are not hunting within park boundaries, even if the boundary is not clearly marked or indicated.

Cat runners second, girls fifth at Flathead Invite

Several Columbia Falls runners battled through illness Saturday as the boys took second and the girls were fifth at the Flathead Invite at Rebecca Farm in Kalispell.

C-Falls drops home opener to Whitefish, 17-14

Miscues at the wrong time led to the downfall of the Wildcats in their football home opener Friday as Columbia Falls fell to Whitefish in a hard-fought contest, 17-14.

Soccer squads down Rangers in home openers

Columbia Falls soccer fans were treated to a pair of wins in the home openers for both the boys and girls Saturday as the Wildcats defeated Park 4-1 while the Wildkats also picked up a blowout win over the Rangers, 6-0.

Fundraiser aims to assist ski patrol employee

A fundraiser is set Thursday for Mark Dundas, a Glacier National Park trail crew worker and member of the ski patrol at Whitefish Mountain Resort, who has been diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia.

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Puma talk

Please return the bin

Several years ago, the residents of Glacier Hills, a community within Martin City, realized that actions needed to be implemented to make the entrance to Glacier Hills safer.

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Sept. 10

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Diane “Laurie” Nytroen

East Glacier man faces charges in Glacier Park accident, death

An East Glacier area man accused of causing the death of one person and injuring another while driving in Glacier National Park in June pleaded not guilty in federal court earlier this month.

Smith's putting in gas station at Blue Moon intersection

Columbia Falls residents will soon have another option when it comes to fueling up their cars.

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70 years ago

Now is the time to build

For a decade or more our Montana legislature has grappled with the increasing need to renovate both Romney Hall on the MSU campus in Bozeman and the Montana Historical Society museum facility in Helena.

Legals September 18, 2019

No. 1669 SUMMONS To the following individual, BRIAN DEWAYNE AVILA CV03-19-00585 You have been sued by Idaho State University Federal Credit Union in the District Court of Idaho for the County and Case Numbers as set forth above. The nature of this case is failing to repay a loan. Any time after 20 days following the last publication of this Summons, the Court may enter a judgment against you without further notice, unless prior to that time you have filed a written response in the proper form, including the Case Number, and paid any required filing fee to the Clerk of the Court of the respective county (624 E. Center St. 200, Pocatello, Bannock County, Idaho), and served a copy for your response on the Plaintiff's attorney David K. Penrod of Penrod Swenson, PLLC., 222 N. 8th Ave., Pocatello, ID (208) 904-0075. A copy of the Summons and Complaint can be obtained by contacting either the Clerk of the Court in your respective county (Bannock County), or the attorney for the Plaintiff. If you wish legal assistance, you should immediately retain an attorney to advise you in this matter. Date: August 23, 2019 August 28, September 4, 11, 18, 2019 MNAXLP __________________________

Wildcats come up short against Bulldogs, 17-14

The Wildcats came up short at home Friday as they fell to the Whitefish Bulldogs 17-14.

Neighbors oppose subdivision east of Columbia Falls

The Columbia Falls City-County planning board Tuesday night voted to approve a new major subdivision east of the Flathead River just outside Columbia Falls, though it added several conditions that could lower the density of the project and mitigate at least some of the impacts to wetlands on the property.

Glacier plan calls for permits to park at Logan Pass

Close campgrounds at Avalanche Creek to make way for more parking if need be. Set up a permit system to park at Logan Pass. Make part of the Highline Trail a one-way route. Expand the park’s free shuttle system to include more stops with longer hours. Use an old baseball field for more parking.

Soccer squads split games in Whitefish

The Columbia Falls soccer teams came away with a split in Whitefish last week as the girls picked up a 4-3 win while the boys squad fell 5-2.

Bucket biology

So the Boy and I went into Lake Ellen Wilson in Gee ‘N Pee over the weekend. Alert readers may recall we went in there last year when the Howe Ridge Fire was cooking and it looked like Armageddon back there, with a sickly yellow sky and ash floating in the air like gray gritty rain.

$30 million school bond goes to voters next week

The Columbia Falls elementary bond request to build a new school at Glacier Gateway Elementary and significantly remodel Ruder Elementary will be in the mail next week.

Wildcats golfers 4th at Frenchtown Invitational

The Columbia Falls golf teams were in action in Missoula last week as they played in the Frenchtown Invitational Wednesday and Thursday.

Wildcat runners dominate at Cut Bank Time Trial

The Columbia Falls boys track team picked up another impressive win last week, holding off several AA schools to finish first at the Mike Reynolds Time Trial in Cut Bank Thursday.

Perry resigns, going back to college

House District 3 Representative Zac Perry has resigned. Perry, a Democrat, served in the state Legislature for five years and three sessions, at times the lone Democrat from Flathead County in the state Legislature.

Cats down Chiefs for first win of the season

A week removed from their season-opening loss to Polson, the Wildcats looked like a different football team at Ronan Friday as they cruised to a 37-6 victory against the Chiefs.

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Judith Lynn Pennington

Tours of Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. site on tap

The Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. will have an open house and driving tour of the old plant site off Aluminum Drive Sept. 18.

Coram-West Glacier firefighters ball this Saturday

The Coram-West Glacier Fire Department is having its 45th annual firefighters ball to raise money for the new fire hall in Coram at 7 p.m. Sept. 14 at the Dew Drop Inn in Coram. Ball features the Don Lawrence Orchestra.

You have to escape from this business

Dennis Mickelson and Cole Toftun are providing area residents with a chance to escape, but only a chance.

Interviewing Amory

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

Agencies do some good

Some readers think I am too critical of the management agencies. After all, we have to live with them and we can’t really control them, so we should not antagonize them. I think that attitude amounts to appeasement at its worst. Why would things get better if we ignore incompetence or stupidity? Besides, the agencies sometimes get it right and I feel they are trying to get it right even when they do something stupid.

Man dies of heart attack in Glacier

A Whitefish man died while traveling on the Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park over Labor Day weekend.

Who is responsible for hook scarring?

For several months, FWP has solicited public comments on proposals to change statewide fishing regulations, including requiring single point hooks when fishing the three Flathead forks above Teakettle FAS.

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Girls youth hoops

Bison Range plan focuses on wildlife

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has released a final Comprehensive Conservation Plan for the National Bison Range that emphasizes wildlife protection and habitat improvements to the 18,800 acres of the range’s grassland, timber and riparian areas.

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I’m writing to all of the old timers, friends, and everyone. As I see so many of my old friends and classmates slip away from us I would like to hear from others through the Hungry Horse News who remember the way it was during the depression and war.

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Gilbert W. Washburn

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Robert K. Pearce, Sr.

Legals September 11, 2019

No. 1669 SUMMONS To the following individual, BRIAN DEWAYNE AVILA CV03-19-00585 You have been sued by Idaho State University Federal Credit Union in the District Court of Idaho for the County and Case Numbers as set forth above. The nature of this case is failing to repay a loan. Any time after 20 days following the last publication of this Summons, the Court may enter a judgment against you without further notice, unless prior to that time you have filed a written response in the proper form, including the Case Number, and paid any required filing fee to the Clerk of the Court of the respective county (624 E. Center St. 200, Pocatello, Bannock County, Idaho), and served a copy for your response on the Plaintiff's attorney David K. Penrod of Penrod Swenson, PLLC., 222 N. 8th Ave., Pocatello, ID (208) 904-0075. A copy of the Summons and Complaint can be obtained by contacting either the Clerk of the Court in your respective county (Bannock County), or the attorney for the Plaintiff. If you wish legal assistance, you should immediately retain an attorney to advise you in this matter. Date: August 23, 2019 August 28, September 4, 11, 18, 2019 MNAXLP __________________________

Major subdivision planned for east of river outside Columbia Falls

By LYNETTE HINTZE

Glacier looks to pave over more of the Park in its new Sun Road plan

Glacier National Park late Friday announced the release of its Going-to-the-Sun Road Corridor Management Plan, which has been in the works for years now.

Residents want more info as Hungry Horse water increase looms

Residents say they want to see harder figures before they’ll endorse a water rate increase in Hungry Horse, but the system’s debt service is already costing the average user more than $15 a month.

C-Falls varsity squads sweep Libby cross country meet

Runners battled hot conditions to open the high school cross country season Saturday as both the Columbia Falls boys and girls squads took first place at the Libby Invitational.

Alleged drunk driver causes big wreck on Nucleus

For the third time in less than six months, an alleged drunk driver has barreled through Columbia Falls and caused an accident and property damage, though no serious injuries.

Cats stumble in season opener at Polson

The Wildcats may have come up short in their opening football game of the year at Polson Friday, but head coach Jaxon Schweikert isn’t worried.

County budget spends more, but tax bills could see a slight dip

Flathead County taxpayers could see a slight dip in their bills this year.

Kats volleyball wins Tipoff Tourney in Butte to open season

It was a great opening weekend in Butte for the Wildkat volleyball team as Columbia Falls went 6-1 to win the NW/SW Tipoff Tournament.

Wildcat golfers play busy opening week schedule

The Columbia Falls High School golf season is already in full swing as the Wildcat teams were in action in three tournaments last week.

On suffering

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

Thoughts on Howe Ridge video

I watched the video the National Park Service recently released of the Howe Ridge Fire. I also read the editorial Chris Pederson wrote concerning this same video. I share his concerns about the failure to identify any of the individuals who were involved in managing the incident, including those individuals who were responsible for the overall actions and inactions made by the park.

Teacher supports school bond

Columbia Falls Schools needs a new building and renovation. Are we being wise with this community’s money? Why do we need a new building? What about other resources? Are my kids safe at school especially with recent school shootings? What are the pros and cons? As an everyman in the Columbia Falls community, I sought answers this last year...

These Hungry Horse homes look a lot like the Shire

Walter Rowntree and Laura Reynolds hope to soon be living in a house that looks like it might fit closer into a scene from the mythical “Lord of Rings” than Hungry Horse, Montana.

Interior Secretary opens national parks to e-bikes

Electric bikes could soon be humming up Glacier National Park’s Going-to-the-Sun Road.

C-Falls library offering more than just books these days

The Columbia Falls Imagine IF library is abuzz with youngsters on a recent Thursday.

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Carol Ann Moody Loveall

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Bird talk

Golfers say thanks

On behalf of the board of directors of the Wildcat Golf Association, I would like to thank all of the community members and businesses that made our second annual tournament a great success. Congratulations to the winning team of Tom Duff, Jamie Duff, James Mitchell and Justin Hofeldt, whose scramble score of 61 won the event by 3 shots.

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Aug. 27

Clinic keeping students, teachers in school

It may be hard to find a doctor who makes house calls these days, but some North Valley Profession Center physicians are doing the next best thing, taking care of students and faculty at Columbia Falls High School as part of the North Valley School-Based Clinic.

Legals September 4, 2019

No. 1669 SUMMONS To the following individual, BRIAN DEWAYNE AVILA CV03-19-00585 You have been sued by Idaho State University Federal Credit Union in the District Court of Idaho for the County and Case Numbers as set forth above. The nature of this case is failing to repay a loan. Any time after 20 days following the last publication of this Summons, the Court may enter a judgment against you without further notice, unless prior to that time you have filed a written response in the proper form, including the Case Number, and paid any required filing fee to the Clerk of the Court of the respective county (624 E. Center St. 200, Pocatello, Bannock County, Idaho), and served a copy for your response on the Plaintiff's attorney David K. Penrod of Penrod Swenson, PLLC., 222 N. 8th Ave., Pocatello, ID (208) 904-0075. A copy of the Summons and Complaint can be obtained by contacting either the Clerk of the Court in your respective county (Bannock County), or the attorney for the Plaintiff. If you wish legal assistance, you should immediately retain an attorney to advise you in this matter. Date: August 23, 2019 August 28, September 4, 11, 18, 2019 MNAXLP __________________________

Photo Gallery: C-Falls soccer splits pair at Whitefish

The Columbia Falls High School soccer teams split a pair of games at rival Whitefish Tuesday afteroon as the Wildkat girls picked up a 4-3 win while the Wildcat boys fell 5-2.