Ellington

Despite growing crowds, don’t expect reservations for Sun Road

In October, the Park saw a whopping 60 percent increase over the previous year, with more than 125,000 visitors turning the gates.

Yesterdays: Great Northern Railway Planned to Sell Lodge Operations

In 1960 the Great Northern Railway was planning on selling its business of owning and operating lodges in Glacier National Park.

Advocates bear spray

Randy Newberg doesn’t carry a sidearm. Clocking some 100 days every year exploring the unbound—and often bear-laden—pockets of the American landscape, Newberg says when it comes to a bear attack, he’d leave his trust in an aerosol rather than a piece of lead.

FWP looks to ban drones for fishing

The posts read in typical YouTube fashion, “I caught a monster bass with my DJI Drone!!!!”or “Catching big dumb Bluegills with a Drone!”

Bison screensavers

We drove to the National Bison Range on Sunday.

The Blotter: Cat owner refuses to pay vet bill; pet didn't mean to injure bunny

A woman didn’t think it was fair her neighbor was asking her to pay for the vet bill after her cat got into the neighbor’s rabbit hutch, scared the rabbit and it broke its leg; the cat did not mean to hurt the bunny, she said.

‘WILDERNESS WORN’

Packer Bill Workman inducted into the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame

In 1975, Bill attended Western Montana College, participating in both rodeo and wrestling. This was the only time he was not actively packing between the early 1970s and 2020.

Landowners petition FWP to ensure Teepee Lake is non-motorized

A group of landowners and stakeholders last week formally petitioned the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks commission to restrict a remote and fishless lake in the North Fork of the Flathead to manually powered boats only.

Christmas tree permits available online for Flathead National Forest

Flathead National Forest Christmas tree permits are now available online through Recreation.gov.

Glenn Robert Imsland

Glenn Robert Imsland, 80, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020 at a care facility in Peoria, Arizona.

Omar “Bruce” Reynolds

Omar “Bruce” Reynolds, 84, passed away Nov. 18, 2020 from complications of Covid-19.

Arthur Lyle Weaver

Arthur Lyle Weaver was born Sept. 23rd, 1931 in Creston to Mart and Adeline Weaver.  He passed away Nov. 16th in Kalispell of natural causes.

City will take another stab at federal grant to fix Twelfth Ave

The city of Columbia Falls is still hoping to get a federal grant to help pay for extending utilities and reconstruct Twelfth Avenue West down to the new Cedar Palace Medical Center.

County residents not doing much to control spread of virus

The positivity rate in Flathead County for coronavirus was about 35% from data collected from Oct. 29 to Nov.11 by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid.

The Gift of Life

Kidney donors will have a very happy Thanksgiving

Les Costel and Ty Shanks will be having a happy Thanksgiving this year. They both have new kidneys. Costel got his kidney from a perfect stranger. Shanks from a good friend.

Board of Adjustment OK’s variance for apartment rebuild

The Columbia Falls Board of Adjustments last week approved a variance that would allow the owners of the nine-unit apartment building that burned down in August to rebuild, albeit with a different design.

Kettle Drive goes virtual, too

The Salvation Army's funds raised through the organization’s iconic red kettles are at risk this year due to COVID-19, while requests for services are at an all-time high.

Judge finds man guilty of ripping out Ten Commandments

A man accused of vandalizing a Ten Commandments monument at the Flathead County Courthouse in Kalispell earlier this summer was found guilty Monday in Flathead County District Court.

Night of Lights canceled

The Columbia Falls Rotary and the Chamber of Commerce announced Tuesday that they have decided to cancel the annual Night of Lights parade and celebration in Columbia Falls due to concerns about spreading coronavirus.

Legals for November, 25 2020

Man allegedly hallucinating from meth when he drove into Super 1 Foods. Went to get his girlfriend smokes.

The man who drove through Super 1 Foods last week went there to get his girlfriend cigarettes while he allegedly admitted he was hallucinating from methamphetamine, according to documents filed in Flathead County District Court.

Spikers take second at state tourney

Wildkat volleyball fought their way back to a well-earned second place in the Class A state championship game after dropping the title to Billings Central in a tough 3-0 loss on Saturday.

Community news

Eleven Scouts and two adult volunteer leaders were awarded the Medal of Merit during a National Court of Honor in Bigfork last month.

Thoughts on masks

Covid isn’t Republican or Democrat, liberal or conservative, socialist or capitalist. It’s a virus.

Governor Schwinden

The recent behavior of the current President reminded me of an insightful comment made forty or so years ago by then Gov. Ted Schwinden. The Governor said, “You can really tell what a man’s made of by how he loses an election.”

ATV thoughts

I didn’t actually measure the snowfall, but my best guess is we got about a foot of powder snow in one day.

The Blotter: Shoplifter steals greeting card

A grocery store reported the theft of a greeting card, shampoo and water.

Joseph Allen McDonald

Joseph Allen McDonald, 60, passed away peacefully at KRMC, from pneumonia and other complications.

Bullock asks people to curb Thanksgiving crowds

As coronavirus cases continue to surge in Flathead County and across Montana, Gov. Steve Bullock and state medical officials are urging folks to curb their holiday plans this Thanksgiving by gathering with just immediate household and family members.

Insurance company names Columbia Falls ‘most courageous’

Columbia Falls has been named Montana’s “Most Courageous City” in 2020 by insurance website Insurify.

New swim coach is no stranger to local waters

Hayden Pierce takes the helm of the cooperative Columbia Falls and Whitefish high school swim team this fall as the squad’s newest head coach.

Book Review: ‘Heroes of the Bob Marshall Wilderness’ dishes up a plateful of Wilderness tales

John Fraley has written another fine book about the Bob Marshall Wilderness and the people who have called it home, at least seasonally, for years.

School board OK’s another $7.2 million to finish Ruder work

The Columbia Falls School District 6 board last week approved allocating $7.191 million toward the Ruder Elementary remodel and reconstruction project.

Yesterdays: Glacier visitors ice skated on glassy Swiftcurrent Lake

Editor emeritus Mel Ruder went to Many Glacier and showcased photos of people ice skating on Swiftcurrent Lake. The lake was like glass.

School hires new owner’s rep to oversee construction projects

The School District 6 Board last week approved a new contract for an owners representative for the elementary school remodel and new building projects.

Bullock tightens coronavirus restrictions

Montana Gov. Steve Bullock said Tuesday he is expanding a statewide mask mandate and tightening restrictions on businesses and public gatherings as cases of COVID-19 continue to surge during the holiday season.

Opinion: 'Kill Bill'

The following is a short excerpt from a short book I did on a long journey I took through the Bob.

FWP commission will consider ban on drone fishing

The posts read in typical YouTube fashion, “I caught a monster bass with my DJI Drone!!!!”or “Catching big dumb Bluegills with a Drone!”

Legals for November, 18 2020

Man now behind bars after driving car through Super 1 Foods

A Columbia Falls man is now behind bars after he allegedly drove his car drunk into Super 1 Foods Thursday night, narrowly missing customers inside in one of the most bizarre crimes in Columbia Falls history.

Coronavirus warning: 'This is not the time for large family gatherings'

As coronavirus cases continue to surge in Flathead County and across Montana, Gov. Steve Bullock and state medical officials are urging folks to curb their holiday plans this Thanksgiving by gathering with just immediate household and family members.

Brunch with Santa canceled; determination on Night of Lights expected next week

The Columbia Falls Rotary Club announced Thursday that it would cancel the annual Brunch with Santa due to coronavirus concerns.

Car drives through Super 1 Foods

A person drove their car into the Super 1 Foods store in Columbia Falls Thursday night about 6 p.m., went down the aisles to the back of the store and came back out the same door it went in.

Alice M. Dokken

Alice M. Dokken, of Brewster, New York, died at Putnam Ridge on Nov. 5, 2020.

City seeks input on how to spend $441,000

The city of Columbia Falls will have about $441,000 in tax increment financing monies to spend next year.

Brendan House sees an outbreak of coronavirus cases

More than half of residents infected with COVID-19 at longterm care facility

Kalispell Regional Healthcare’s Brendan House is experiencing an outbreak of COVID-19 that has infected 40 residents to date, ending the long-term nursing facility’s nearly eight-month streak of having no positive cases among residents.

Teen ID’d in Glacier Park scuba accident death in Lake McDonald

The victim of a diving accident in Glacier National Park last week was identified as 18-year-old Linnea Rose Mills of Missoula.

Opinion: Support Bad Rock WMA

The public scoping period has started for the Bad Rock Canyon wildlife Management Area, just east of the river in Columbia Falls.

Pondering things poetic

There is a touch of the poet in each of us, and that sometimes flusters me greatly.

North Fork beavers cause a problem

We have had just about everything in the last two weeks. Three nights well below zero accompanied by a half foot of snow.

Mitchell thanks voters

I would like to thank the voters of House District 3 for bestowing your faith in my candidacy, and electing me as your next Representative for House District 3.

Yesterdays: Finberg scores for Montana Golden Nuggets Pro Basketball Team

The professional team from Great Falls was part of the Continental Basketball Association.

Republicans dominate state, local elections

Abell, Mitchell and Glimm take the local seats.

Town Pump spearheading food drive

Locally, the Town Pump Charitable Foundation will match up to $12,000 for the Columbia Falls Food Bank.

Veterans Day assembly goes online

The Columbia Falls High School Veteran’s Day assembly will be held virtually this year.

Buy wreaths now for wreath event at Veterans Home Cemetery

Wreath donations are still needed.

All state, conference soccer selections

Columbia Falls High School soccer did well in post season recognition.

George Tony Hoerner

George Tony Hoerner passed away peacefully in his sleep on June 20, 2020.

Edward Peter DeReu

Ed died peacefully in his sleep Nov. 4, 2020 while at the Montana Veterans Home, which he enjoyed.

A Columbia Falls standout athlete, now administrator in Whitefish

Becoming an administrator was not always on the forefront of Tyler Jones’ mind as he progressed through his teaching career, but when the opening for the assistant principal role at Whitefish Middle School came about, he had a feeling it might be the perfect fit for himself and his family.

Columbia Falls woman seeing art world success

It only took a few high school art classes to propel Genevieve DeLorme into the realm of painting and she has no plans of turning back.

City OK’s more residential, commercial development

The city council last week approved a request by the Nitopi Family Trust of Whitefish for a mixed-use planned unit development off Fourth Avenue West.

Bike and pedestrian paths finished before snow flies

Crews were able to get a couple of local projects done before the snow flew late last week.

Kats Divisional Champs!

Columbia Falls Wildkat volleyball is headed to the state tournament after dominating the Western A Divisional championship tournament.

Boys and Girls Club receives $300,000 COVID-19 relief grant

The Boys and Girls Club of Glacier Country recently received a $300,000 state COVID-19 relief grant, interim director Mandy Anderson said last week.

Vietnam vet spent career helping bring soldiers home

He said it “felt a little lonely” to receive, but as a teenager on the wilder side who had fallen out with his parents and recently dropped out of high school, it wasn’t entirely unexpected.

Legals for November, 11 2020

Columbia Falls junior high goes to remote learning after 10 staffers impacted by coronavirus

Columbia Falls School District 6 announced the junior high would go to remote learning at least temporarily after 10 staff members either tested positive to coronavirus or were under quarantine due to a close contact with someone who had the virus.

Tester sponsors bill to protect more Montana Rivers under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act

The Act focuses on 336 miles of water from sections of 17 streams mostly located south of the Three Forks and Bozeman area in the upper Yellowstone watershed and Missouri headwaters region.

Return to winter on its way

A second winter storm of the early season is expected starting Friday, with Marias Pass expected to get the most snow, the National Weather Service in Missoula is saying.

Rapids soccer goes undefeated in first season

Flathead Rapid’s Columbia Falls U14 boys soccer team, consisting of 7th and 8th graders, went undefeated (10-0-1) this fall in the inaugural season of Montana Youth Soccer Association’s Northwest League.

In Glacier, teen dies in scuba accident, another man hospitalized

An 18-year-old Missoula woman died in a scuba diving accident in Glacier National Park’s Lake McDonald Sunday.

Griz attacks father, son and they shoot, kill, the bear

A father and son out hunting were significantly injured after they were attacked by a sow grizzly with at least one cub near Smith Lake north of Whitefish.

Daniel Adam Nelson

Daniel Adam Nelson, beloved son, adoring husband, and dedicated father, went home to be with the Lord on Oct. 22, 2020 at age 34.

Planning board to consider coffee shop

Columbia Falls could soon have another drive-thru coffee shop.

Authors, businesses, customers come together to save bookstore

Bad Rock Books supported by community to cover crucial repairs.

Scoping begins for proposed Bad Rock Wildlife Management Area

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks has opened a public scoping period on a potential proposal to acquire 800 acres of forestland near Columbia Falls to protect water quality and important fish and wildlife habitat while providing free public recreational access.

Football ends in Billings, but future looks bright, too

The Columbia Falls football team had a tough ending to an otherwise good season, losing to Billings Central, 38-6, in the opening round of the state A playoffs on the road.

Spiker divisionals set

Volleyball Western A Divisionals is set to begin this Thursday for a four-day unprecedented “traveling bracket” style tournament to accommodate coronavirus precautions.

Cats fall to Bulldogs, but future looks bright

The Columbia Falls boys soccer team finished their season second in the state after a 3-0 loss in a hard-fought game against Whitefish during the Class A Championship on Saturday.

New knee, new beginning

Columbia Falls fifth-grader Kymber Johnson receives a rotationplasty knee joint after a battle with osteosarcoma took her right leg.

The Blotter: Resident calls 911, attempting to stop constant phone scams

Someone called 911 for advice on what to do about constant phone scams.

Whitefish philanthropy helps Columbia Falls food program

More than $3.2 million was awarded to 56 Flathead Valley nonprofits recently during a celebratory virtual awards ceremony for the 2020 Great Fish Community Challenge.

Yesterdays: Porcupines plentiful enough for a bounty, populations no longer so abundant

Editor Mel Ruder called for a bounty on porcupines for the damage they did to trees and human equipment, like vehicles and ax handles.

Politics make wild North Fork that much sweeter

I am disgusted by the actions of both political parties and try to vote for the person I think will serve us best.

Small thoughts on big woods

On Sunday we went into a patch of big woods that I know of. The woods take a while to get to — you go through a patch of smaller woods before you get there.

North Valley Physical Therapy now open on Nucleus Avenue

The new North Valley Physical Therapy office on Nucleus Avenue is now open.

Abell wins county commissioner race; Mitchell HD3

Republican Brad Abell easily won the District 1 Flathead County commissioner race in Tuesday night’s election, 21,853-13,178, over Democrat Kristen Larson as results were completed about 3 a.m. Wednesday morning.

Legals for November, 4 2020

Another big land deal announced west of Kalispell

The land deals continue on huge swaths of land between Kalispell and Libby.

Scuba diver dies in Lake McDonald accident

An 18-year-old Missoula woman died in a scuba diving accident in Glacier National Park’s Lake McDonald Sunday.

Cedar Palace Medical Complex opens Monday

In 1981, Columbia Falls builder Leonard Knutson built the new headquarters for Plum Creek’s operations on 12th Avenue West in Columbia Falls.