Ellington

Three seek spots on FVCC board

Three candidates are running for two positions on the Flathead Valley Community College Board of Trustees, including incumbents Kelly Dowling Stimpson and Peter Akey, and challenger Eric Fulton, a tech entrepreneur from Whitefish.

Columbia Falls schools won’t reopen

The School District 6 board of trustees voted Wednesday night to continue remote teaching through the end of the school year due to concerns about coronavirus, with a few exceptions for students who need one-on-one support.

Glacier Park will open, but not until state reaches Phase III. Superintendent says park should be ready by mid-June

“The park will open this summer,” Glacier National Park superintendent Jeff Mow said in an interview Wednesday.

Gov. Bullock looks to ramp state up to 60,000 tests per month

Montana Gov. Steve Bullock said he wants to ramp up to 60,000 novel coronavirus tests per month. In addition to testing people who have shown symptoms of coronavirus, he also wants to begin testing staff and residents at nursing homes and assisted living centers, as well as tribal communities.

ATV, bike outfitters seek hundreds of days of N. Fork permits

Businesses are looking for permits for hundreds of “service days” to guide ATVs and bike riders in the North Fork of the Flathead as well as other ranger districts on the Flathead National Forest.

The Blotter: Man in trenchcoat spooks jogger

April 21

Climate change, habitat loss threaten iconic bird species

Etched in the early score of Beethoven’s “Pastoral Symphony” are the names of several birds whose songs are reminiscent of various instruments in the piece’s second movement. A flute trill echoes a nightingale’s harmony, which is soon followed by a quail-inspired oboe and both instruments are later joined by a clarinet, which the composer labeled on paper as sounding similar to a cuckoo.

Crews hoping to get into the woods, eventually

Getting crews back into the woods will be a little more complicated this year due to the coronavirus. The Montana Conservation Corps, which does a significant amount of trail and other work both for the Flathead National Forest and Glacier National Park will have about half as many programs as a typical year.

MHSA officially cancels spring sports season

The 2020 high school spring sports season is canceled, the Montana High School Association announced last week.

Swank named special education teacher of the year

Columbia Falls teacher Michelle Swank was recently named the teacher of the year by the Montana Council of Exceptional Children.

Skunked

When I bought the hiking shoes a few months ago, the nice saleslady asked me if I wanted the correct treatment for the leather.

Fred “John” Foster

Fred “John” Foster passed away on April 16, 2020 in Columbia Falls. He was 77. He was born in Havre on Feb. 9, 1943 to Fred J. Foster and Nora May Laroque. He was a longtime resident of Martin City, and went to school in Columbia Falls. He served his country in the U.S. Navy stationed in San Francisco, California. He enjoyed league bowling for many years.

Ruth Joanne Allum Bullock

On April 22, 2020, after a long fight with various medical issues, Ruth Joanne Allum Bullock, 80, joined her husband John Harvey Bullock Jr. and sons John Harvey Bullock III and James Floyd Bullock in heaven, along with her parents Clarence and Dorthea Allum; brothers Ray, Ben, Dick and Ed; sisters Hazel Westfall, Betty Fenner, Verna Larson; and half-sister Gertrude Fairchild.

Raymond Robert Sorenson

Raymond Robert Sorenson was born in Malta Dec. 9, 1940 to Richard R. and Mary Craft Sorenson and died on April 20, 2020 in Columbia Falls at home with family at his side.

Yesterdays: J. Edgar Hoover on the front page of the Hungry Horse News

70 years ago

Social distancing, with plants

The halls of Columbia Falls High School remain still during the coronavirus crisis, but tucked away on the southern side of the building, a small corner of life continues without interruption.

Legals for April, 29 2020

Forest Service hiring firefighters

The U.S. Forest Service is recruiting 1,000 fire jobs nationwide, including 500 permanent and 500 temporary jobs, the agency has announced.

Self-employed now eligible for unemployment

Self-employed folks are now eligible for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, Laura Gardner, manager of the Kalispell Job Service said last week.

Forest Service looks to allow bike guiding, ATV tours in the North Fork

The Flathead National Forest is looking to allow expanded guiding and outfitting in the North Fork of the Flathead and in the Tally Lake Ranger District, offering special use permits for bike, van and ATV guided tours on open roads and trails in the area.

Deer Park School gets grant for new bathroom, but it needs a contractor

The Deer Park School District was recently awarded a $174,000 Montana Department of Commerce grant to remodel the bathroom in its old school.

Reopening Big Sky: The details

Following is Gov. Steve Bullock’s three-phased plan for reopening the state. The plan details the factors that will determine when it is appropriate to move to the second phase.

Bullock announces plan to gradually reopen ‘Big Sky’

Montana Gov. Steve Bullock Wednesday announced a plan to gradually reopen the state, including schools, but people who visit from out-of-state will still be subject to a 14-day quarantine in the first phase of reopening.

School board race: Barb Riley

Editor’s note: This year four people are running for three seats in the School District 6 board election. The following are their views on education and serving on the board. Ballots were mailed out to registered voters last week. There is no walk-in vote due to concerns about spreading novel coronavirus.

The blotter: That mountain lion is spotted again

April 13

Survey of Montanans finds that public lands are ‘critical’

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, a survey of Montana voters shows that they consider public lands to be more critical than ever to the state’s economy and quality of life.

Paranoid Pete and other tales

“What’s up Paranoid Pete?” I asked. “You look a little flush.”

The week in coronavirus news: More than 11,000 tested

It was an up and down week on the coronavirus front, as Gov. Steve Bullock is expected to announce in the next few days a way to ease some of the restrictions in the state.

School board race: Dean Chisholm

Editor’s note: This year four people are running for three seats in the School District 6 board election. The following are their views on education and serving on the board. Ballots were mailed out to registered voters last week. There is no walk-in vote due to concerns about spreading novel coronavirus.

School board race: Keri Hill

Editor’s note: This year four people are running for three seats in the School District 6 board election. The following are their views on education and serving on the board. Ballots were mailed out to registered voters last week. There is no walk-in vote due to concerns about spreading novel coronavirus.

School board race: David Shaffer

Editor’s note: This year four people are running for three seats in the School District 6 board election. The following are their views on education and serving on the board. Ballots were mailed out to registered voters last week. There is no walk-in vote due to concerns about spreading novel coronavirus.

Teen charged with rape of disabled girl

A Columbia Falls teenager has been accused of a sex crime against a developmentally disabled female.

Every night, they give a holler

At 8 p.m. sharp friends Virginia Vandeveer and Bev Sorensen step out of their respective apartments at Timber Creek Village Assisted Living Center and then howl to the heavens.

The end of the beginning

Finally, there is some good news about the coronavirus. New infections are dropping and fatalities have leveled off.

With snow cleared, Many Glacier Road work is now underway

Crews from Missouri River Contractors of Helena have begun work on the Many Glacier Road in Glacier National Park.

Ruder project could get started sooner if schools stay closed

Work on Ruder Elementary School could begin a month or so sooner, depending on directives on school closures by Gov. Steve Bullock in the next few days.

Larry William and Helen Rosetta Netzel celebrate 50th

Larry William and Helen Rosetta Netzel (Carpenter) of Marion are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary on April 25. They were united in marriage on April 25, 1970 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Kalispell. Larry was born in Clintonville, Wisconsin and Helen in Kalispell.

Quiet virtues

The trail is nondescript. It’s not a trail, really, but an old logging road. It has one of those signs on it that says “no motorized use” that snowmobilers ignored all winter, based on the tracks.

Alyce Elaine Riley

Our beautiful Alyce Elaine Riley, 77, passed away April 12, 2020. She was born in Glasgow in 1942.

Rodney E. Childers

Rodney E. Childers, 60 passed away on April 13, 2020 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Doctor’s claims raise questions of accuracy, public safety

While a Kalispell physician is openly questioning stay-at-home and other restrictions during the novel coronavirus outbreak in the state, some of her claims don’t appear to be factually accurate.

Don K and Subaru donate $12,000 to the C-Falls backpack program

Don K and Subaru recently presented over $12,000 to the Columbia Falls chapter of the Backpack Assistance Program.

Study: Younger folks got the virus just as much as older folks

A statewide interim analysis of the state’s 377 known COVID-19 cases through April 10 has found that about 45 percent of the people diagnosed with the illness have recovered and 53 percent are considered recovering.

Town Pump donates $12,000 to Food Bank

The Town Pump Charitable Foundation recently announced it gave $12,000 to the Columbia Falls Food bank.

Legals April 22, 2020

No. 1689 Public Notice Special Education Records Destruction 04/17/20 The Columbia Falls Schools will soon destroy special education records of former students born in 1993. Former students may contact the Columbia Falls School District Six Special Services office within sixty days of this notice if they wish to review the files or receive the information contained in them. The data to be destroyed shall include information collected for identification, location, evaluation, and other items directly related to special education services which the student had received. Parents of students still in school but not in special education for at least five years may also request that their children's records be destroyed. Parents of these students also have the right to inspect the special education records and obtain the information contained in those records before they are destroyed. Persons having questions about this process or those persons wishing to request records may contact: Terri Burghardt, Director of Special Services 406-892-6562 Option 2 April 22, 2020 MNAXLP __________________________

Legals for April, 22 2020

An interview with Dr. Ann Bukacek, who claims the coronavirus stay-at-home order is too restrictive

Editor’s note: The following is an email interview with Dr. Ann Bukacek, a Kalispell physician and vice chair of the Flathead City-County Health Board. Dr. Bukacek answered these questions prior to a health board meeting this week, which has caused some to seek her removal from the board. The “talk” in the questions is referring to one she gave questioning the accuracy of covid-19 death statistics at the Liberty Fellowship Church.

Glacier Park plows making progress, but park remains closed to public

Glacier National Park plow crews are making progress on plowing the Going-to-the-Sun Road. The goal is to make it to the Loop by week’s end, a park official said, citing an email update from the plow crews. Crews are through the West Side Tunnel.

Banks handling a rush of emergency coronavirus loans

Local businesses and nonprofits are taking advantage of a federal loan program designed to keep them running during the coronavirus pandemic.

Xanterra getting Glacier National Park lodges ready, but also being patient

Xanterra Parks and Resorts is still getting the lodges in Glacier National Park ready for opening this summer, Marc Ducharme, general manager for the Glacier division said last week.

Tester: ‘We need to step it up big time’

Montana Democratic Sen. Jon Tester blasted the federal response to the COVID-19 virus outbreak in Montana during conference call with reporters last week.

FWP seeking comments on Lost Trail conservation easement

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is seeking public input on a potential proposal to acquire a conservation easement on approximately 7,274 acres of productive timberland near Marion in Flathead County owned by Southern Pine Plantations.

The Blotter: Sno-Cat bites the bullet

April 6

City staff had training before hackers hit, even did test meeting

Columbia Falls city manager Susan Nicosia said last week that herself and city staff went through training before last week’s Zoom meeting, even going so far as to have some test meetings beforehand.

More hunting could be had at local refuges

The federal government has made a proposal to increase hunting and fishing chances on wildlife refuges across the country, including two in Western Montana.

Expect delays in Bad Rock Canyon as MDT crews start drilling

Motorists can expect delays in the coming weeks while traveling through the Bad Rock Canyon. Crews will be drilling in the Flathead River as well as the highway doing exploratory work for eventually widening the road through the canyon.

Virus life not much different

The coronavirus has not really made my life much different. We always keep the fridge and the freezer filled with enough groceries for a couple of weeks. Only fresh produce and milk are needed more often and it’s not too difficult to stretch that out.

Beverly Jean Sublett

Beverly Jean Sublett, 82, of Columbia Falls, passed away Thursday April 2, 2020.

Local woman makes it home safe and sound from Peru during crisis

Head pounding and muscles aching from her 30-hour trip, Brooke Sample looked out the window of her Canadair regional jet as it approached the runway at Glacier Park International Airport in Kalispell the evening of March 31. She had never been so happy to be home.

Local scouts making masks for hospital

Intrigued by the creative possibilities available with a 3D printer, Trey Rice saved up his Christmas and birthday money to purchase one in late February. The Columbia Falls freshman had the machine only a month — during which he got to play with making earbud and cell phone cases — before he began using it non-stop to produce reusable N95 mask shells for Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Yesterdays: Glacier plants 1.435 million fish

70 years ago

In trying times, Nelson takes the helm of Glacier Institute

It wasn’t that long ago that Anthony Nelson was brushing the teeth of his favorite hippopotamus or feeding endangered African penguins.

Legals April 15, 2020

No. 1688 NOTICE OF SCHOOL DISTRICT TRUSTEE ELECTION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the Board of Trustees (the "Board") of School District No. 6 (Columbia Falls), Flathead County, Montana, that pursuant to a certain resolution duly adopted by the Board on February 10, 2020, an annual Trustee election of the registered voters of the Elementary School District will be held by mail ballot election on May 5, 2020 for the purpose of electing Trustees to fill the three year expiring terms of current Elementary District Trustees Barbara Riley, Dean Chisholm, and Keri Hill. The election will be conducted by the District Clerk solely by mail ballot. Ballots will be mailed to all eligible registered voters in the Elementary School District on April 15, 2020, and must be returned by each voter, by mail to the District Clerk, Columbia Falls Public Schools Administration Office, P.O. Box 1259, Columbia Falls, MT 59912, or in person to the District Clerk, Columbia Falls Public Schools Administration Office, located 501 6th Ave West, in Columbia Falls, Montana, during shortened business hours (9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.), weekdays (exclusive of holidays), April 16, 2020 through May 4, 2020, or between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Election Day, May 5, 2020. On Election Day, May 5, 2020, the only place for deposit of voted ballots will be the office of the District Clerk, Columbia Falls Public Schools Administration Office, located 501 6th Ave West, in Columbia Falls, Montana, which will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and all ballots must be in the office of the District Clerk by 8:00 p.m. in order to be counted. All ballots will be tallied in accordance with Montana law with the preliminary results, if known, expected to be released after 8:00 p.m. on that day. A qualified voter who will be absent from the Elementary School District during the time the election is being conducted may: (a) vote in person in the office of the District Clerk as soon as the ballots are available and until noon on May 4, 2020; or (b) make a written request prior to noon on May 4, 2020, signed by the applicant and addressed to the office of the District Clerk requesting the ballot be mailed to an address other than that which appears on the registration records. All ballots to be mailed will be mailed no later than April 27, 2020. An elector may obtain a replacement ballot if his ballot is destroyed, spoiled, lost, or not received by the elector by personally appearing at the office of the District Clerk and by: (a) signing an affidavit form stating the reason for the request for replacement; and (b) if the reason given for replacement is "spoiled ballot," by returning the spoiled ballot to the office of the District Clerk. Ballots may be returned in person at the place of deposit listed above, or returned by mail. If returning by mail, please use the then-prevailing first-class-postage price or one Forever Stamp. Postmark date does not apply; ballots returned by mail must be received by the 8:00 p.m. Election Day deadline to be counted. Please note, all electors, as defined in MCA 20-20-301, are those who reside within the Elementary School District and are registered to vote by the close of registration on April 6, 2020. For electors who miss the close of registration deadline, late registration is available through the office of the Flathead County Election Administrator until noon on May 4, 2020, and will resume on Election Day, May 5, 2020, from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. DATED this 27th day of March, 2020. /s/ Dustin Zuffelato District Clerk April 15, 2020 MNAXLP _________________________

Legals for April, 15 2020

In passing: Iversen, former superintendent of Glacier, banned snowmobiles in the Park

Former Glacier National Park superintendent Phillip R. Iversen died April 7 at his home in Kalispell with his family by his side.

First Flathead County COVID-19 related death announced

The first related death from the COVID-19 virus has been recorded in Flathead County, the city-county health department reported Monday morning.

FWP kills wounded sow grizzly that bit hiker

A hiker is recovering after fending off a bear attack with his pistol Wednesday evening in the prairie east side of the Bob Marshall Wilderness.

Warning: Disease carrying ticks out in full force in local woods

A lot of folks are out recreating in the woods during the novel coronavirus outbreak — even with Glacier National Park closed, there are still millions of acres to hike, fish, float, hunt and recreate on while keeping a safe distance.

Job Service here to help folks with unemployment questions

The Job Service in Kalispell is here to help folks with questions about jobs and unemployment benefits, director Laura Gardner said.

City will delay resort tax if it passes

The Columbia Falls City Council Monday night voted to delay an implementation of a proposed 3 percent resort tax until October 2021.

Teaching without a classroom proves challenging

Just a few weeks ago, Columbia Falls Junior High teacher Leslie DiMaio could dim the lights in her seventh-grade literature classes and her students could find a comfortable chair and sit down and read a good book or story.

Woman charged for hitting girl at Olney bus stop

The driver of a vehicle who slammed into a little girl getting off a school last year has been charged with criminal endangerment.

Another arctic blast expected Friday into Saturday

Another blast of arctic weather will hit the Flathead Valley late Friday into the weekend with cold and snow and lows down to about 10 degrees by Saturday night.

Job Service here to help folks with unemployment questions

The Job Service in Kalispell is here to help folks with questions about jobs and unemployment benefits, director Laura Gardner said.

Warning: Disease carrying ticks out in full force in local woods

A lot of folks are out recreating in the woods during the novel coronavirus outbreak — even with Glacier National Park closed, there are still millions of acres to hike, fish, float, hunt and recreate on while keeping a safe distance.

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Beverly J Sublet

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Barbara K Burch

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Tuesday, March 31

Lions Club plans Easter Egg hunt, with proper precautions

The Columbia Falls Lions Club Easter egg hunt should go on Easter Sunday, albeit in a closed fashion due to concerns about the novel coronavirus.

Bullock implores folks to heed stay-at-home order

Montana Gov. Steve Bullock reiterated the importance of social distancing as Montana enters its third week since the first novel coronavirus cases were found in the state.

Zero percent business loans available

Montana West Economic Development and the City of Columbia Falls have teamed up to create a local business loan program due to the novel coronavirus outbreak.

Hospital preparing for COVID-19 peak: 'This isn't New York City where the cow has already left the barn.'

Kalispell Regional Healthcare officials said Wednesday current medical research suggests Montana’s coronavirus outbreak most likely won’t peak until late April. To further prepare for that reality, local health-care leaders have ordered additional ventilators and are exploring the hospital’s ability to expand bed capacity.

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70 years ago

City council meeting marred by obscenity from hackers

A city council meeting Monday night by Zoom videoconferencing was repeatedly sabotaged by hackers, who yelled out racial slurs, made pornographic references, swore and were generally disruptive.

Barbara K Burch

Barbara K Burch, 64, of Kalispell died March 29, 2020 in Kalispell. Barbara is survived by her husband Scott and her children Samuel Scott Burch and Sara Ann Burch. Services are pending arrangements. Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.

The Blotter: Father discharges gun in living room, oops

Tuesday, March 31

1918 flu swept through North Fork

It is a lot easier to practice “social distancing” on the North Fork than it is in town. Up here we can always go for a walk, play with the dog outside, or even sit on the riverbank and watch for geese. As an old guy I have never experienced anything like this coronavirus. Nor have the few folks older than I am. However this is not the first pandemic to affect the whole country and the world -- even the North Fork.

Grocery stores encourage curbside pickup; Smith's limiting number of people in stores

As critical elements of an essential service, grocery store employees are providing an indispensable amenity to the public at great risk to themselves. To that end, grocery store management has been encouraging people to participate in curbside pickup or grocery delivery to keep everyone, customers and staff alike, healthy and happy during the coronavirus pandemic.

Hang in there

For those of us old enough to remember or to watch reruns of the 1950s classic Dragnet, we can easily recall Sgt. Friday’s quote, “Just the facts, ma’am.” That quote became locked into America’s lexicon, highlighting a simple ask of all of us to be honest with each other. The facts unfolding before us regarding COVID-19 are no different.

Event next next month gives a big boost to local non-profits

The Whitefish Community Foundation has announced it will join the global giving day to help unleash generosity and connect donors with nonprofits that are suffering operationally during the COVID-19 crisis. The annual Giving Tuesday will be renamed A Day of Giving and Unity and will be a 28-hour campaign beginning at 8 a.m., Tuesday, May 5 and ending at noon on May 6.

Somers Beach comment period extended

The comment period for the proposed Somers Beach state park along Flathead Lake’s north shore has been extended to Wednesday.

Primary will be mail-in ballot

Montana’s June 2 primary will be conducted by mail in an effort to limit the spread of the coronavirus. Same-day registration and voting will still be allowed while a new law could mean election results will be available earlier than usual, officials said.

We've been here before: The Spanish flu struck Columbia Falls in 1918. The story is eerily similar to today

Helen Carroll made a trip to Libby when she was 16 years old.

Glacier Distilling making hand sanitizer, and a little whiskey

Glacier Distilling Company in Coram is diverting a portion of its whiskey production towards producing ethanol for hand sanitizer.

LC Staffing awarded Glacier Park shuttle contract

LC Staffing will run Glacier National Park’s shuttle operation from its Columbia Falls office, the company and the Park Service announced last week.

Yesterdays: Old cars used to manage riverbanks

70 years ago

Lions Club plans Easter Egg hunt, with proper precautions

The Columbia Falls Lions Club Easter egg hunt should go on Easter Sunday, albeit in a closed fashion due to concerns about the novel coronavirus.

Bullock implores folks to heed stay at home order

Montana Gov. Steve Bullock reiterated the importance of social distancing as Montana enters its third week since the first novel coronavirus cases were found in the state.

Glacier Park will continue to plow roads, visitors or not

Glacier National Park is proceeding with snowplowing as planned, Jim Foster, chief of facilities management for the park, confirmed in an email Wednesday.

Hospital preparing for COVID-19 peak: ‘This isn’t New York City where the cow has already left the barn.’

Kalispell Regional Healthcare officials said Wednesday current medical research suggests Montana’s coronavirus outbreak most likely won’t peak until late April. To further prepare for that reality, local health-care leaders have ordered additional ventilators and are exploring the hospital’s ability to expand bed capacity.

Weyerhaeuser closing plywood plant for a week

The COVID-19 virus is having an impact on Weyerhaeuser.

Weyerhaeuser closing plywood plant for a week

Weyerhaeuser closing plywood plant for a week

Company that bought Weyerhaeuser lands assures it will stay in block management program

The company that purchased 630,000 acres of Weyerhaeuser timberlands in Montana said it fully intends to keep the property in the state’s block management program, which allows hunting and other access to the public.

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Tuesday, March 24

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Gov. Bullock issues stay-at-home order, though folks can go outside

Gov. Steve Bullock on Thursday announced a statewide stay-at-home order to combat the spread of COVID-19 virus.

Weyerhaeuser announces Montana land sale finalized

Weyerhaeuser announced late Thursday it had closed the sale of 630,000 acres of Montana timberlands to Southern Pines Plantations for approximately $145 million in cash.

Firefighters quickly knock down Columbia Falls house fire

Columbia Falls firefighters quickly knocked down a house fire Sunday about 5:46 p.m. on Ninth Avenue West.

Glacier National Park closed for foreseeable future

Glacier National Park rangers were sweeping roads and clearing campgrounds late Friday after the park announced it would close after consulting with state, local and tribal officials due to concerns over the COVID-19 virus.

Lincoln County man first to die of COVID-19 in Montana

G. Scott Tomlin said he was not able to speak to his 77-year-old father, Jim Tomlin, in his final days, a reality that made the loss of his father to COVID-19 especially painful.

Flathead National Forest closes campgrounds, cabins; trails open

The Flathead National Forest has closed its developed campgrounds and rental cabins due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Tester, Daines, support $2.2 trillion Covid-19 relief measure

Montana’s Senators both touted a massive $2.2 trillion spending bill designed to provide economic relief for individuals and businesses suffering huge losses from the COVID-19 virus outbreak.

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Chris E Mundel

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70 years ago

Yesterdays: Hungry Horse Dam starts pouring concrete around the clock

70 years ago

Wildcat soccer program adapts during virus crisis

When schools closed, along with organized spring sports, the Columbia Falls Soccer program rallied to create a solution to keep students active and engaged during the novel coronavirus outbreak.

The Blotter: Hungry Horse house covered in ‘white goo’

Tuesday, March 24

Some restaurants adapt, others shutter during pandemic

Local restaurants have either closed entirely or are only offering takeout due to dine-in closures ordered by Gov. Steve Bullock due to the novel coronavirus outbreak. In addition, some establishments have stopped taking cash.

Columbia Falls Food Bank faring well so far

The Columbia Falls Food Bank is feeling flush.

Seniors say thanks

The North Valley Senior Center, site managers and staff would like to thank the many businesses and people of our community for stepping forward in this time of need.

And we get to live here

It seems there is only one topic. Coronavirus. Personally, I am sick of all TV news. The talking heads give us only the bad news. Then they go into a long litany of “what ifs.” The real news about the coronavirus is we don’t have any real answers. Since we don’t have answers, my philosophy is to let our medical community tell us what we can do now, and let them advise us on what to do as they get answers.

Judged by a Jalopy?

A classic G. George Ostrom from May 19, 2005.

Want to help hospitals? Here's how

Kalispell Regional Healthcare has launched Project PPE (personal protective equipment) and has supplied information about how the public can help KRH health-care workers.

Police outfitted with emergency medical bags thanks to FEC grant

The Columbia Falls Police Department has moved towards equipping its officers for more advanced on-the-scene medical care. The department recently purchased first responder medical bags for each of its six patrol cars through funding from a Flathead Electric Co-op Roundup for Safety grant.

City council will hold public hearing on Ruis development via video conferencing

The Columbia Falls City Council plans to go ahead with a public hearing scheduled for the Mick Ruis development on Nucleus Avenue at its April 6 meeting.

Schools will start remote classes this week

Columbia Falls School District 6 began gearing up to teach students remotely this week as the novel coronavirus has shuttered schools for what school leaders expect will be at least the month of April and likely longer.

Southern Pines will maintain public access

The company that purchased 630,000 acres of Weyerhaeuser timberlands in Montana said it fully intends to keep the property in the state’s block management program, which allows hunting and other access to the public.

Bears awake, lion sighted in River's Edge Park

“Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!” Dorothy exclaims in the Wizard of Oz.

Chris E Mundel

Chris E Mundel, 51, passed away suddenly on March 1, 2020. Chris was born in Whitefish. He was a lifelong resident of the Flathead Valley and true Montana native.