Ellington

Fire destroys trailer home, vehicles

Columbia Falls firefighters and several other fire companies at this hour were on the scene of a trailer home fire at the North Fork Trailer Park.

Heavy rains expected Sunday into Monday

The National Weather Service in Missoula is predicting the high country along the Continental Divide could see as much as 4 to 5 inches of rain by next Tuesday.

Sun Road won’t open to Logan Pass by July 4; east side entrances to remain closed through remainder of tourism season

Glacier National Park’s Going-to-the-Sun Road will not be open to vehicles to Logan Pass by the July 4 holiday, park spokeswoman Gina Kerzman said.

Blackfeet propose permanent protections for Badger Two Medicine

The Blackfeet Tribe Thursday announced draft federal legislation that will permanently protect the 130,000 acre Badger Two Medicine Region just south of Glacier National Park near Marias Pass.

Searchers recover body of man in Flathead River

Flathead Valley search and rescue teams on Wednesday morning recovered the body of a man who likely drowned in the Flathead River Tuesday near the old Columbia Falls Aluminum Company plant. The man was identified as Dennis Bee, 52, of Whitefish.

Twins go 1-2 in tourney cut short by health department

The Glacier Twins went 1-2 in the Missoula AA tournament last week before the event was cut short due to coronavirus concerns.

The Class of ‘46

A classic G. George Ostrom column from 2006.

Elk Mountain: Straight up and away from the crowds

The tourists are back in full force, Sun Road open or not.

City settles sinkhole lawsuit

The City of Columbia Falls has settled a longstanding lawsuit with Badger Direction Drilling over a water line installation that ended up causing a sinkhole in U.S. Highway 2.

Opinion: 60 on the North Fork Road?

It is supposed to be summer but it seems to me there have been precious few bluebird days. Clouds have been the norm and we had a hail storm this week that left drifts of hail in a variety of spots. Heavy enough that it took nearly 24 hours for them to melt.

Council talks goals, gives kudos to police department

The Columbia Falls City Council went over its goals for the upcoming fiscal year last week, an exercise it does annually. One of the top goals was to finish up projects that have already been brought up before, but never completed, or in some cases, never started due to lack of funds.

Frontline workers can get free coronavirus tests

The Flathead Community Health Center has started free coronavirus testing for folks who work in high-risk jobs but are asymptomatic.

Ernest ‘Ernie’ Edwards

Ernest ‘Ernie’ Edwards age 80 passed away on June 21, 2020.

The Blotter: Too loud at the bar

Monday, June 15

Julie’s Park: She loved kids, she loved parks

On a quiet patch of ground in Riverbend Estates, a longtime city councilwoman will be remembered.

Martin City man accused of threatening CPS worker

A Child Protective Services employee called the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office June 10 to report she and other employees had received threatening voicemail messages from a man identified as Tyler Scott Smith, 31, of Martin City, according to court documents.

Authorities looking for Damien Hill

Flathead County law officers are seeking a man who was convicted of negligent homicide more than a decade ago.

Whitefish cancels fireworks

The annual fireworks show over Whitefish Lake on the Fourth of July has been canceled.

Amtrak to trim service

Amtrak will cut its passenger train service on the Empire Builder to just three days a week starting in October, due to ridership declines from the COVID-19 pandemic, the company said this week.

In the wilderness, girls learning life lessons

This year marks the fifth anniversary for Girls in The Bob – a program of the Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation designed to introduce young women to wilderness and public lands stewardship.

Meadow Lake Grille reminds folks it’s open to the public

The Meadow Lake Grille at Meadow Lake Resort would like to remind folks that the eating and drinking establishment is open to everyone.

Thomas Henneberg

Tom Henneberg of Columbia Falls passed away Sunday, June 14, at the age of 82. Tom was born April 21, 1938, in Ellendale, North Dakota, to Richard and Irene Henneberg. He was the third of six children. He grew up in McIntosh, South Dakota, and attended and graduated college at Northern State University in Aberdeen, South Dakota. He obtained his master’s degree from Montana State College. In 1960 Tom married Betty Jo Burke. They moved to Havre to begin their careers as educators, moving to Terry and Hinsdale as well, before settling in Columbia Falls in 1970, where Tom was the high school principal for eight years.

Sky Eco Rentals expands to new location in Coram

Sky Eco Rentals has greatly expanded and now has a new location in Coram at the former general store adjacent to the North American RV Park off Highway 2 in Coram.

Yesterdays: Big news in waerton? A new swimming pool

70 years ago

Searchers looking for person in Flathead River

By SCOTT SHINDLEDECKER

Daines said he supports increasing fine for illegal wilderness landings

Montana Republican Sen. Steve Daines said he will introduce a bill that would increase the maximum fine for landing any unauthorized aerial vehicle in designated wilderness areas in national forests to $20,000.

County Health Department says there’s evidence of community spread of coronavirus in Flathead

Flathead City-County Health Department has found evidence of community spread of COVID-19 in Flathead County, it said in a release Friday.

Great American Outdoors Act passes Senate

A bill that would fully fund the Land, Water and Conservation Act and would address the backlog of maintenance projects in national parks passed the Senate Wednesday with bipartisan support.

Bullock encourages Montanans to remain vigilant against coronavirus

Gov. Steve Bullock Wednesday urged Montanans to wear face masks where socially distancing wasn’t possible, as the state’s number of positive coronavirus cases creeps up.

Court upholds cancellation of Badger Two Medicine oil and gas lease

A federal appeals court in Washington, D.C. upheld the cancellation of the last remaining federal oil and gas lease in Montana’s Badger-Two Medicine region adjacent to Glacier National Park on Tuesday. The historic decision protects lands and waters sacred to the Blackfeet and critical for wildlife habitat, advocates for the region noted.

Windauer recognized by Kalispell Regional Healthcare

Columbia Falls senior Josie Windauer was recently named a “Today’s Achievers, Tomorrow’s Leaders,” selection by Kalispell Regional Healthcare.

Conservancy looks to restore historic park structure

Conservancy looks to restore historic park structure

Glacier National Park Conservancy recently applied for a state grant totaling nearly $500,000 that would go toward the restoration of the historic Lulu Wheeler Cabin on the eastern shore of Lake McDonald.

Armed robber gets jail time

A Columbia Falls teenager with a criminal history recently was sentenced earlier this spring to serve time in a Montana Department of Corrections facility for an armed robbery he committed last year.

School projects underway

Construction projects on School District 6 schools will ramp up in the coming weeks and months. Last week the school board OK’d about $3.77 million in funds to contractor Swank Enterprises to get the Ruder Elementary School project rolling.

Columbia Falls Rotary helps with ‘Tippy Taps’ in Guatemala

Have you heard the one about a pandemic, a friendship, and an international service organization? It’s neither a punch line nor a joke, but a story about quiet yet important humanitarian work being done in the midst of an economic and health crisis by community leaders in Columbia Falls.

Rafting and social distancing, companies take precautions

Local rafting companies are taking steps to socially distance parties while heading down Northwest Montana’s waterways this summer due to concerns about the coronavirus. Public health officials are also setting up surveillance testing in West Glacier to test employees who come in close and frequent contact with guests as the summer tourist season comes into full swing in the next few weeks.

Polebridge Merc will be open on July 4, but still doesn’t look like there will be an organized parade

The Polebridge Mercantile will be open for the July 4 weekend, owner Will Hammerquist said.

Opinion: Dead grizzly in the river! Wait a minute...

I got a call a few weeks ago now from a guy who was pretty excited about a picture he took.

Revoke pilot’s, fishing licenses

Unfortunately for Sara and Sam Schwerin in their attempts to fly fish the South Fork Flathead from the comfort of their helicopter door, have only managed to display their privileged and entitled attitudes to all of us real Montanans.

Researcher looking at climate change impacts on Middle Fork

While the climate as a whole is changing, Claire Rawlings Gilder wants to examine the ways just one part of our world is changing with it — our rivers.

Meadow Lake golf course has new owners; ribbon cutting next week

The new owners of the Meadow Lake Golf Course want people to know it’s not a private course. Tom Waters and his wife, Gerlinde, purchased the course from longtime owner Peter Tracy last August. This year they’ve set about making it a place that’s friendly to locals and visitors alike.

Thomas Henri Lefebvre, 79

Feb 18, 1941- May 28, 2020

Coronavirus and North Fork life

COVID-19 remains a potent thing on the North Fork. There have been church services each of the last two Sundays. In each case there were just under 20 people in attendance, counting lay minister Dan Sullivan. Chairs were well spread out in pairs but no one was wearing a mask. First NFLA business meeting was a contrast on Sunday evening.

Helicopter owners should face serious consequences

The Hungry Horse News reported that, “Two horsemen on a recent trip into the Bob Marshall Wilderness said they found something they never expected: A couple fishing on a sandbar of the South Fork of the Flathead after allegedly landing a helicopter there.” It was May 16, the opening day of fishing season. The owner of the helicopter, Sara Schwerin, is a former NYC banking executive now living in Montana. When questioned by the horsemen “what makes you think that’s OK to park in the Wilderness?” Sam Schwerin stated “we are below the high water line. It’s OK. Please move along ….”

With rains and sun, Glacier blooming

It may have been a soggy start to Glacier National Park’s reopening to visitors last week, but all that rain has proven largely beneficial to Glacier’s plants.

Summer program provides meals for kids

On a sunny day in Coram last week, a group of youngsters eagerly waited for the bus to arrive.

Community Market sees leadership change

The Columbia Falls Community Market has seen a change in leadership. President O’Brien Byrd has stepped down and will no longer be involved in the market.

East Glacier man sentenced in DUI death case

An East Glacier Park man convicted after a drunken driving crash killed one passenger and seriously injured a second passenger in Glacier National Park last year was sentenced earlier this month to 18 months in prison and three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

Covid-19 returns to Flathead

Exactly two months after Flathead County had its last reported positive case of COVID-19, the virus has returned to the county, with the Flathead City-County Health Department on Saturday receiving notice from the state of one new confirmed case in Flathead County. On Monday, a second case was reported, a male in his 70s.

Mayor, councilman, recognize resort tax support

Councilman Darin Fisher and Mayor Don Barnhart both thanked the community for its support of the city’s 3 percent resort tax.

Man fined $500 for illegal heli-fishing trip in Bob Marshall

The pilot of a helicopter that landed in the Bob Marshall Wilderness illegally and went on a fishing excursion with his wife was fined $500 in federal court, far less than what wilderness advocates were seeking.

Glacier will lift west entrance restrictions Monday; Sun Road will open to Avalanche Creek on Monday, too

Glacier National Park will lift some entrance restrictions starting Monday. The west entrance gate will no longer close at 4:30 pm. and the Going-to-the-Sun Road will open to Avalanche. The Avalanche campground will be available for day-use parking. The restroom at the shuttle stop will also be available.

Glacier Park plows at Big Drift

Glacier National Park plow crews reached Logan Pass this week and have started clearing the Big Drift, according to a park spokesperson.

Man charged after alleged stabbing at the Silver Bullet Bar

A Columbia Falls man faces an assault with a weapon charge after he allegedly stabbed another man in the neck at the Silver Bullet Bar.

Loving the outdoor graduation

Hats off to the staff at the Columbia Falls High School. I thought the outdoor graduation was great and while skies were threatening, the weather held off just long enough.

An address to eighth graders

Editor’s note: This is Kathleen Bellon’s address to Columbia Falls eighth graders. Bellon, who attended Columbia Falls schools until eighth grade, will attend Harvard University in the fall.

Harvard bound: Kathleen Bellon

Kathleen Bellon’s passion for science started at a young age. In second grade at Glacier Gateway Elementary her teacher Mary Ellen Getts urged her to enter the science fair.

Columbia Falls Junior High year-end awards

The Columbia Falls High School recently held its annual year-end junior high awards ceremony. Quinn Clark was named the most outstanding eighth grader. There were 15 nominees.

Harvard bound: Marissa Getts

Marissa Getts hopes to make the world better someday through urban planning. To that end, she will study at the Harvard Graduate School of Design beginning this fall.

Wilderness advocates seek stiff penalty for heli-fishing trip

Wilderness advocates are seeking a stiff penalty for a wealthy Bozeman couple that admitted they landed their helicopter in the Bob Marshall Wilderness on opening day of trout season.

Laurence Jason Mack

Laurence Jason Mack, 70, of Kalispell, passed away suddenly on May 29, 2020 at North Valley Hospital in Whitefish. Laurence was born to William and Miriam (Fredenberg) Mack on July 23, 1949. He married Jeanette Kelsey in 1973 and together they had three children. He has been married to Marcy Van Alstine since August 1998. He was drafted into the Army and served in the Vietnam War as an MP. He worked at Plum Creek fiberboard for many years and then through the Electrical Union he could no longer work due to his physical disabilities.

Heritage Days 2020 canceled

Columbia Falls Heritage Days has been canceled, Shirley Reynolds, president of the Heritage Days committee said Monday.

The Blotter: Neighbor blocks drive with boulders

Monday, June 1

Polebridge parade all but canceled

For all intents and purposes the Polebridge Fourth of July Parade is canceled. That does not mean everyone agrees with the cancellation. However, the WWII airplane flyover is canceled, there will be no Porta Potties, no reviewing stand, no prizes, no Rob Fisher to lead the parade, no veterans reading and that pretty much takes the guts out of the whole thing. To top it off, the Polebridge Mercantile will be closed on the Fourth, which means no baked goods.

Harvard bound: Meredith Stolte

Columbia Falls native Meredith Stolte has been accepted to Harvard graduate school. Stolte will pursue a master’s degree in religious studies. She received her undergraduate degree in religion and psychology last spring from St. Olaf’s College in Minnesota.

City will install a third water well this summer

The Columbia Falls City Council last week approved a contract for a new water well to bolster the city’s water supply.

Susan Sindt

Susan Sindt, 75, passed away June 3, 2020 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center. She is survived by her husband Steve Gniadek. Private graveside services will be held at Fairview Cemetery. Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls is caring for Susan.

Jack Pletcher, 80

Jack Pletcher passed away at his home surrounded by family in the early morning hours of Friday, April 3rd, 2020.

Skiumah, a quick respite from the world

If you spend too much time reading and writing the news nowadays you’ll end up with some mental issues if you don’t take a break.

Glacier reopens

Daniel Carlson and his family sat in their motorhome at the west entrance to Glacier National Park Monday morning. They were the first visitors, aside from a few that decided to go around the gate, to enter the park in its reopening after being closed since March 27 due to concerns about spreading the novel coronavirus.

Poacher shoots, kills, ‘Yogi’ bear

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Blackfeet Fish and Wildlife Department are seeking information on the illegal shooting of a female grizzly bear. The GPS-collared bear was last known to be alive on May 11, 2020. Law enforcement agents believe the bear was killed on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation on or around May 12 near Boarding School Road.

Firewood permits are free

Firewood gathering will remain free on the Flathead National Forest and other area forests, but wood gatherers will have to get a free permit.

Fees rise for rental cabins, some campgrounds

The Flathead National Forest recently announced that fees for its rental cabins and some of its campgrounds will be going up.

Dennis (“Denny”) Leon Mangold

Dennis (“Denny”) Leon Mangold peacefully passed away on Friday, May 22nd, 2020 in Kalispell.

Yesterdays: Man plummets 600 feet into North Fork, bruises hip

70 years ago

Boys and Girls Club giving away food boxes

The Glacier Country Boys and Girls Club is helping out the community with food during the coronavirus crisis.

Glacier Park gives more details into Monday’s reopening

Glacier National Park is lending more details into Monday’s reopening. The gates at the west entrance will open at, or possibly before, 8 a.m. The park has been closed since late March due to the coronavirus crisis.

Glacier Park gives more details into Monday’s reopening

Glacier National Park is lending more details into Monday’s reopening. The gates at the west entrance will open at, or possibly before, 8 a.m. The park has been closed since late March due to the coronavirus crisis.

Severe thunderstorms could rock the area again today; weather looks iffy for graduation, Glacier Park reopening

The Flathead Valley could see another round of severe thunderstorms tonight with high winds, the National Weather Service is warning.

Oatie, high water and a search

Beautiful sunny weather for most of this week. I really enjoyed getting out on my ATV with temperatures in the mid-70s on the North Fork. That ended Saturday night with a massive thunderstorm about midnight. Now, on Sunday morning, we are seeing periods of heavy rain and there are now BIG puddles in my lane with prospects of more to come.

Public hearing on four-plex is next week

The Columbia Falls City-County planning board will have a public hearing at 6:30 p.m. June 9 to consider a planned unit development in the city for a four-plex housing unit.

City council gives kennel a green light

The Columbia Falls City Council Monday night approved a conditional use permit for a new dog kennel business on Rogers Road.

MudMan founders could owe more than $150,000 in wage claims

The founders of MudMan Burgers and two nonprofit organizations associated with the local restaurant chain have filed a redetermination request with the state for multiple wage claims brought against them last year.

The Blotter: Neighbor throwing eggs into yard

Wednesday, May 27

Russell Sindt

Russ was born in Hot Springs and moved to Columbia Falls in 1960, where he continued to live until his death.

Wilderness travel: High water, downed trees, in other words typical for early season

Rough roads, high water, down trees and plenty of snow in the mountains.

Gaiser says thanks

As this disrupted and unprecedented 2019-20 school year comes to an end, I want to express my sincere gratitude to the staff, students and parents of Columbia Falls High School District 6.

Jeffery Paul Groschupf

Jeffery Paul Groschupf, 63, died Wednesday, May 6, 2020. Jeff is survived by his parents, Jim and Perk, his sons Andre and Micah; Andre’s wife Heather and their daughter Rosella.

Yesterdays: Sewage spilled into Lake McDonald

70 years ago

Class of 2020: Schmidt looks to career in surgery, will study at Dartmouth

Claire Schmidt has been a dancer since she was young. But a recent knee injury just may have helped get her into an Ivy League School.

Class of 2020: When she was down, nurses lifted her up, now she will be one

Columbia Falls senior Kimberly Peacock spent a solid year of her high school career battling cancer.

Class of 2020: Conger will study at Stanford, with focus on environment

Columbia Falls senior Laney Conger said the landscape that surrounds her was definitely an influence in her future career choice. She’ll graduate tops in the Class of 2020 with a weighted grade point average of 4.26.

Class of 2020: Pickard has been great at drumming up success in life

Columbia Falls senior Anna Pickard enjoys playing drums. The skill turned out to be a good way to vent a little energy during the coronavirus crisis that clipped off her high school career.

Legals for June, 3 2020

Columbia Falls voters pass resort tax

Columbia Falls city voters approved a new 3% resort tax in the primary election, 610-500.

Glacier Park will reopen June 8, but only until 4:30 p.m. to start

For the Hungry Horse News

Historic storm wipes out power to many, damages homes across Flathead

Violent thunderstorms Sunday morning knocked power out to about half of all Flathead Electric Co-op customers as a strong cold front blew through the valley.