Ellington

Valery Salo

Valery Salo, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, went home to heaven on Nov. 17, 2021 at the age of 64.

Logan Health to require vaccination for all employees

Logan Health is requiring its entire staff to have received at least once dose of the Covid-19 vaccine by Dec. 6 in order to comply with a federal rule announced earlier this month.

Tester touts infrastructure bill

As a farmer, I know firsthand that good things take time.

The Blotter: Female ate three bowls of soup, refused to pay.

A male with a black dog and blood on his face wearing a Hawaiian shirt was seen running down Railroad St, attempting to flee a vehicle collision.

The evil Left?

I plan on putting solar panels on my house at some point. The prices (at least they had a few months ago) have come down so much that the return on investment is roughly 10 years or so.

Defends Chisholm

This letter is in response to Judy Territo’s op-ed posted to the Hungry Horse News website on Nov. 17.

EPA proposed action on CFAC cleanup delayed until next year

Beth Archer, community involvement coordinator for the EPA said they expected to have a proposed action out for public review this fall, but right now there is no contractor support to examine the feasibility study. They hope to have a contractor on board soon and have the proposed action released by the first or second quarter of next year.

Vaccine clinic for kids coming up soon

Due to the overwhelming demand for the new pediatric dose of COVID-19 vaccine, the Flathead City-County Health Department is hosting an appointment-only clinic for children aged 5 to 11 at the Flathead County Fairgrounds on Dec. 1 from 10 am to 5 p.m.

Yesterdays: Snowmobiling in Glacier

Snowmobiling in Glacier was a “self registration” affair. The Park at the time had 75 miles of unplowed roads open to snowmobiles, from Apgar to Kintla Lake.

Night of Lights next week

After a year’s hiatus, the Night of Lights parade will roll down Nucleus Avenue Dec. 3. The parade lineup and judging is at 5:15 p.m. and the parade itself starts at 6:30 p.m.

A jaunt to Snyder Lakes

Last week, we saw heavy winds, gusting over 50 miles per hour race across the valley, and Glacier National Park was hit especially hard, with downed trees covering its winding forest trails.

Community events: Santa at club

Santa Claus will be at the Boys and Girls Club across the road from Glacier Gateway Elementary from 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 11, Anyone can come and visit with Santa at this free event. There will be refreshments and activities for children.

Girls basketball team should be solid again this year

The girls basketball team should be a scrappy, defensive-minded squad this season, coach Cary Finberg said.

Making her Mark:Finberg-Roberts had a stellar career at Providence. Now she’ll return home to teach, coach

She was a standout athlete during her career in Columbia Falls. Now Cydney Finberg-Roberts has also made her mark in the college ranks.

Cats win speech and debate tourney

The Columbia Falls speech and debate team placed first among Class A schools at its home meet Saturday.

New pharmacy aims to lower costs to patients

Pharmacist Sam Ashe hopes to make folks lives better, one prescription at a time. Ashe and his wife Jennifer have just opened the new Beargrass Gift and Drug Store near the corner of Nucleus Avenue and Highway 2 in Columbia Falls.

Reed obtains Eagle Scout rank

Elaine Reed has finished her Eagle Scout project with the Boy Scouts of America, an updated planter box and church sign that was completed over the summer and sits outside of the Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Columbia Falls.

Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day

For the second year in a row, Columbia Falls senior Julia Martin has organized a Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day to benefit the North Valley Food Bank.

Fire an accident, not arson, fire chief says

Columbia Falls fire Chief Karl Weeks said Friday that a house fire that killed two people earlier this week was an accident, not arson.

Infrastructure bill means billions for Montana roads, bridges, national parks

Montana will benefit from the recently passed $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill, Montana Sen. Jon Tester said in a press call Monday morning.

School board declines to renew membership in NSBA; Gateway project sees steel

The Columbia Falls School District 6 last week joined the Montana School Board Association in dropping its membership to the National School Boards Association.

Speech does well, needs judges for home meet

Columbia Falls speech and debate did well at the Garden City Regionals AA tournament Friday and Saturday in Missoula.

Forest proposes logging near Spotted Bear

The Flathead National Forest last week released plans for a timber project in the area of the Spotted bear Ranger Station, with several units that are close to Trail 80, one of the main trails into the wilderness.

Mow retires, reflects on future of Glacier management

But for park superintendent Jeff Mow the accomplishment he’s most proud of is the relationship the Park Service built over the years with the Blackfeet Tribe, he said last week.

The Blotter: RV stealing electricity?

Report of someone stealing electricity with their RV on 7th St.

Conrad mansion offering Christmas Carol

The Conrad Mansion Museum is pleased to announce that A Christmas Carol Radio Broadcast will be performed next month.

James Clifford Grist

Services and burial were held in Perpignan.

Hikes: Apgar, the easy alternative

The hike to Apgar Mountain is relatively moderate, as far as Glacier hikes are concerned. It is only 2.8 miles to the lookout from the trailhead, and climbs 1,835 feet, a good early winter hike, despite the cold weather coming in.

Weyerhaeuser plants here having a solid year according to financial reports

Weyerhaeuser reported strong sales in its wood products manufacturing for the third quarter and the year to date.

GOP no friend of sportsmen

I am a 68-year-old, retired farmer, fourth generation Montanan, and a lifelong avid hunter, angler, and conservationist with a degree in Wildlife Biology and research experience on large predators.

Billie “Bill” W. Henson

Billie “Bill” W. Henson, 82 of Columbia Falls, passed away Nov. 9, 2021 at Logan Health in Whitefish.

Back to the Future

My watch doesn’t do much. It doesn’t tell me when to eat, or my heart rate or keep track of my blood sugar or my bowel movements.

Opposes Chisholm

When someone is getting married in the near future the family sends out “Keep the date” notice. On this same theme I want people to remember somehow, someway the name of the school board member, Dean Chisholm. The reason I’m sending out this advance notice is that when it comes time to vote him in again, do not vote him in.

Glacier taking ‘wait and see’ approach to wolf trapping, hunts

Glacier National Park has expressed concerns about wolf hunting and trapping in the North Fork of the Flathead, though Park biologist John Waller said the Park is taking a “wait and see” approach at this time.

In Glacier, a much different bear story

“Where’s Teddy?” Ben Pascal’s heart nearly stopped when his 5-year-old daughter Naomi asked him this simple question on their way back from a trip to Glacier National Park in October 2020. The teddy bear, a gift sent to Naomi in an Ethiopian orphanage before she even met her adoptive family, could not be missing.

Legals for November, 17 2021

Land Board approves purchase of Bad Rock Wildlife Management Area

The state Land Board Monday approved the purchase of the Bad Rock Wildlife Management area near Columbia Falls.

Fatal House Fire on Hodgson Road

Firefighters from Columbia Falls and a host of other companies were on the scene of a massive house fire on Hodgson Road at this hour.

Supreme Court upholds Bad Rock fire hall decision

The Montana Supreme Court has ruled in favor of the Bad Rock Fire Department in a suit whereby a rural Columbia Falls attorney claimed she owned the property the department’s south hall sits on.

At 95, veteran enjoys making exquisite walking sticks

As a way to pass the time during the Covid-19 pandemic, a 95-year-old U.S. Navy veteran began looking for a new hobby to keep him busy and creative. For over a year now, Vic Holmberg has been making walking sticks that he gives back to the community.

FEMA has given out $1.6 million toward Covid-19 funeral expenses

The federal Emergency Management Agency said last week that since Jan. 20, 2020, it has given $1.6 million to 316 Montana families to help pay for funeral expenses due to Covid-19 deaths.

Speech and debate wins in Hamilton

Columbia Falls took first at the Hamilton Invitational over the weekend in speech and debate. The Wildcats had first place finishes from Aiden Judge in extemporaneous, Griffin Conger in dramatic interpretation, Raphe Salmon in Lincoln-Douglas and Eddie Chisholm and Emma Stephens nabbed top honors in policy debate.

Death Notices for the week of Nov. 10, 2021

Hsiu-Chih “Suzie” Rice-Shih

Community events this week: Kavanagh featured speaker

Columbia Falls Women’s Connection will host a luncheon on Wednesday, Nov. 17 at 11:30 a.m. at the First Baptist Church located at 827 9th St West in Columbia Falls.

Forest Service says rivers plan will see delays, again

The Forest Service last week said it will release a draft plan of a Comprehensive River Management plan for the three forks of the Flathead River next spring.

Soccer names all-state, conference

Columbia Falls soccer programs were well represented in year-end all-state and all-conference honors.

Spikers fall just short of a state tourney berth

The Columbia Falls volleyball squad saw its season end at the divisional tournament last week, coming up just short of a state tourney berth.

Junior High soccer gave kids who might never have played a place on the pitch

Columbia Falls was the first school in the state to start a junior high soccer program this year and it was a stellar success, coaches said.

Can Glacier Country achieve ‘Destination Stewardship?’

The Flathead Valley has become a tourist destination sought by travelers near and far. Roads are clogged with traffic, there is increasing litter on the trails, and restaurants and shops are overwhelmed with customers far greater than what their limited number of staff can handle. There’s been a shift regarding tourism here and in other Western Montana

Hunter success rate way up over 2019

Montana’s general hunting season is hitting the midway point and the overall harvest is expected to increase with the onset of the deer breeding season in the coming weeks.

The Blotter: Harley stolen, recovered

A woman was concerned that a 6-year-old was in a bar late on a Friday night with its mother. But mom wasn’t drinking.

A new city square on Fifth Street? Perhaps

The city of Columbia Falls and developer Mick Ruis are exploring the possibility of creating a city square on Nucleus, albeit a bit smaller one, after Ruis is done developing the former block where First Citizens Bank used to sit.

Families look forward to Canada border reopening

It’s been more than 19 months since Brandy Carvey last spent a holiday with her fiancé. While it’s only a short drive from where Carvey lives with her son in Eureka to her fiancé’s home in Canada, the three might as well be living on different continents.

Slash goes to electrify homes, heat mill

Last week, a massive, but surprisingly quiet machine was working in the woods in the Crystal-Cedar area grinding up a huge slash pile into wood chips.

David Frank Kropp

David Frank Kropp, born Sept. 9, 1950 born in Tuxedo, New York, passed from complications of Covid-19 on Nov. 4, 2021. He was the son of Frank Andrew Kropp and Bernice Smith.

Royce “Jane” Fishel

Royce “Jane” Fishel, 86 of Kalispell passed away Oct. 18, 2021 at Prestige Assisted Living. Jane was born to Roy and Nellie King on Jan. 16, 1935 in Conway, Arkansas.

Glacier Park shatters September visitation records

Glacier National Park shattered visitation records for September, according to statistics released by the Park last week.

Legals for November, 10 2021

Laurel D. Stratton

Our beloved mother, Laurel D. Stratton passed peacefully in her sleep on Oct. 25th 2021 in Whitefish.

Community events: Craft sale coming up

On Saturday, Nov. 13, stop by the Pearce Center at St. Richard’s Church in Columbia Falls from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. for a wonderful variety of art, craft items, baked goods, and even frozen meals-to-go.

Speech and debate competes at Kalispell Kickoff

The Wildcat Speech and Debate team opened its season at the Kalispell Kickoff AA Tournament on Saturday at Glacier High School. The Wildcats took second among class A schools.

FWP commissioners OK Bad Rock WMA, onto Land Board

The Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission last week unanimously approved the acquisition of 772 acres of land east of the Flathead River outside of Columbia Falls last week for the proposed Bad Rock Wildlife Management Area.

The Blotter: Missing bunny found

A bunny that had been missing about a month was found by the owner, but she didn’t know how to approach the neighbors to get it, so she called police for help.

They’ve been ‘romancing the stone’ for decades

When Jan Graham was a child, her father worked for the Park Service and the family traveled a lot as her father’s job took her from park to park.

Lake Buckingham Werking

Lake Werking died at his home on Oct. 22, 2021. A fifth-generation resident of the Roaring Fork Valley, he was born in Glenwood Springs to Scott and Stormie (Lake) Werking.

Yesterdays: Elk saved, then shot next day

Five men from Hungry Horse helped rescue a five-point bull elk that was mired in mud in Ashley Creek near Kalispell. The elk didn’t live long, however. The next day an elk hunter shot the beast.

Covid-19 was third leading cause of death last year

The state Department of Health and Human Service Monday released a report saying that Covid-19 was likely the third highest cause of death in Montana in 2020 and will likely rank as the third leading cause of death this year as well.

Elmer James “AL” Ward

Elmer “AL” Ward was born July 30, 1934 in Moose Creek, Minnesota. He passed away peacefully Oct. 11, 2021 at Whitefish Care and Rehab Center. He was the fourth of 10 children born to Earl and Zella Ward: Elnora, Melvin, Elverna, Elmer, Ruth, Lillian, Veach, Lorraine, John, Carol.

Uncompromisable issues

Pregnancies and human life are older than recorded time, and so, it follows, are abortions. The procedures by which abortions have been conducted, however, have only very recently in human history been recognized in law and made safe by regulations.

Odds and ends

Received a super important email from Cabela’s the other day. Santa will be at the store at

City residents can now give, take from ‘Blessing Box’

Columbia Falls now has its own blessing box.

Group says air tour plans inadequate

An organization that brought suit against the National Park Service over air tours is saying the Park Service hasn’t done enough to curb the flights under its new plans.

City OK’s Benches subdivision final plat, amidst objections

Representatives from Citizens for a Better Flathead and the Upper Flathead Neighborhood Association asked city council Monday night to delay approving the final plat of the Benches subdivision east of Columbia Falls.

Ample snow at Sperry Chalet

Last Wednesday, I set out on my own for a hike to the Sperry Chalet in Glacier National Park, with hopes of reaching the summit of Lincoln Peak, and the hike to Sperry Glacier overlook as a backup. My plans were quickly thwarted by the amount of snow and quickly dropping temperatures.

Spikers drop Bulldogs to make it to divisionals

The Columbia Falls volleyball team beat Whitefish Monday night in five sets in a play-in game to advance to the divisional tourney.

Gridders fall short to Cowboys, 21-20

The Columbia Falls football team lost at home on Saturday to Miles City 21-20, knocking them out of the playoffs and ending a well-fought season for the Wildcats.

In a classic battle, boys come up just short

The game didn’t go their way. But it will still go down as a classic in boys state A championship history.

Winter could be colder, snowier than normal

The region should see another La Nina winter, the National Weather Service is predicting. La Nina is the cooling of ocean currents near the equator, which typically results in more storms and colder weather in the Pacific Northwest.

FWP restricts snares for wolf trapping

The Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks Commission last week tweaked the wolf trapping season and the use of snares to catch wolves.

Death notices, week of Nov. 3

Sherry Lee Neise Sherry Lee Neise, 67 of Kalispell, passed away Oct. 28, 2021 at Logan Health. Sherry is survived by her children; Robert Neise, Eric Neise, Lisa Black and Kimberly Neise. No services are scheduled. Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls is caring for Sherry’s family.

Barnhart easily wins re-election

Incumbent Columbia Falls Mayor Don Barnhart easily won re-election over two write-in candidates.

Legals for November, 3 2021