Ellington

Phloris Yvonne Kartheiser

Phloris Yvonne Kartheiser, 87, of Columbia Falls, passed away peacefully at home on Sept. 25, 2021.

Girls drop Pirates, Loggers and Valkyries

The Columbia Falls girls soccer team took care of business last week, dropping Polson 10-4 and Libby 10-0 at home.

Boys soccer takes care of business against Pirates, Loggers, Vikings, Bulldogs up Saturday

The boys put up some stellar soccer scores last week, as they beat Polson 10-0 and Libby 8-0 at home. Then on Tuesday, the Cats dumped Bigfork, 6-0.

Patricia Carol Rhodes

Patty Rhodes was born Sept. 4, 1946 in Plentywood and died Sept. 2, 2021. She moved to Coram in 1964. She worked for Benny Olsen in Coram at the Knotty Pine Cafe for several years.

Dennis Kimzey

Dennis Kimzey, 77, of Hamilton, Montana, died Sept. 16, 2021, at home with his faithful wife of 53 years by his side after a long and inspirational battle with Parkinson’s Disease.

Jessica F. Mack Lesker

Jessica was born Dec. 15, 1979 and left this world Sept. 9, 2021. She loved crafting, baking, then recently started gardening, and canning. Her favorite thing of all though was being with her family.

Spikers drop games to Ronan, Polson

The Columbia Falls volleyball team lost a close match to Ronan Thursday. The Wildkats had a two set lead, but couldn’t close the match out, 25-22, 25-17, 12-25, 15-25, 8-15.

More housing slated for Diane Road, caretaker house approved, too

More housing could soon be coming to Diane Road. The Columbia Falls city council last week approved a conditional use permit application by Adam Gardner at 10 Diane Road for two six-plexes on the property.

Thinclads win at Thompson Falls on mustache day, take second at Whitefish

The Columbia Falls girls won the Thompson Falls Invitational cross country meet last week. Siri Erickson took first and Hannah Sempf second in the win. Julia Martin was ninth to round out the top 10.

Thinclads win at Thompson Falls on mustache day, take second at Whitefish

The Columbia Falls girls won the Thompson Falls Invitational cross country meet last week. Siri Erickson took first and Hannah Sempf second in the win. Julia Martin was ninth to round out the top 10.

Sports notes: Big football game against Polson this Friday on the road

The Columbia Falls football team is on the road for the big conference matchup against Polson Friday night. The Pirates are coming off a 49-14 victory over Libby, while the Wildcats had a scheduled bye.

Fifty years ago, football team came oh-so-close

The Columbia Falls football team in 1971 came one point away from making the state playoffs and a perfect regular season.

Three killed in Amtrak wreck near Joplin

Investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Railroad Administration have descended on a remote stretch of railroad track west of Havre this week trying to figure out why Amtrak’s Empire Builder passenger train derailed Saturday, killing three and injuring scores more.

Convicted rapist heading to prison

Convicted rapist Kaleb James Arends had more than one opportunity at reform, but after his latest probation violation he will now spend time in prison.

More details emerge in stabbing incident

More details have emerged in a Columbia Falls stabbing incident that happened earlier this month.

The Blotter: A person was told to return shopping carts or he would be charged for theft

Loud music at Glacier Lanes.

West Glacier Vision plan will see refinement in coming weeks

The West Glacier Vision plan is nearing its final stages and will go through some final edits in the coming months, planning team member Monica Jungster said recently.

Columbia Falls resort tax takes effect October 1

People will pay a little more for some items as the city of Columbia Falls’ 3% resort tax goes into effect on Friday (Oct. 1).

At school board meeting, a debate on counseling

A Columbia Falls school board member and a couple of parents weren’t happy about school counseling classes some students are taking, but other school board members pushed back on the notion that schools shouldn’t counsel students.

It was the hottest summer ever, and Glacier’s trees are showing stress

Summer 2021 will go down as the hottest ever in recorded history, and some of Glacier National Park’s trees are suffering because of it.

Yesterdays: Nixon visit was one of the biggest events ever in valley

About 18,000 people came out to see President Richard Nixon, who stopped by en route to Anchorage, Alaska to meet with Japan emperor Hirohito.

Legals for September, 29 2021

Rangers put down black bear hit on Sun Road. Motorist didn't report the collision

Glacier National Park officials had to put down a black bear Sept. 23 after it was hit by a car on the Going-to-the-Sun Road.

Yesterdays: Engineer killed in head-on train collision

Two Burlington Northern freight trains collided head-on one mile west of Belton. Killed was engineer Melvin E. Dortch, 49, of Whitefish on impact.

Cats hammer Loggers for Homecoming

Special teams. Defense.Offense. It was all clicking for the Columbia Falls football team Friday night as the Wildcats hammered Libby for homecoming, 48-0.

Endowment to hold film festival fundraiser

The Columbia Falls High School Academic Endowment will host a live and virtual Wild and Scenic Film festival in Columbia Falls on Oct. 16.

Charles Wilbur Hornbacher

On Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021, Charles Wilbur Hornbacher, died at home after enjoying a last visit with his wife Norma and daughter Stephanie. Chuck, a builder, a dreamer, an armchair philosopher, and a curmudgeon with a big heart, was born in Rogers City, Michigan on Feb. 22, 1942 and was raised by his aunt and uncle and special cousins whom he loved like siblings. He also loved his sister, Jean Toth.

Feds say they’ll review listing of wolves after laws passed to make killing them easier

On opening day of Montana’s expanded wolf-hunting season, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said it has decided to conduct an in-depth status review to determine whether state management plans aiming to aggressively reduce wolf populations threaten the recovery of gray wolves.

Air tour plan needs a time frame

For the last 20 years the Federal Aviation Adminitration has ignored Glacier National Park’s efforts to prohibit commercial overflights.

North Fork nudist

Last week I said I was keeping my eyes open watching for nudists. That was looking to the present and the future. I should have been looking to the past. Forty years or more ago there was a lot of talk about a North Fork resident who worked in his garden naked.

Glacier visitation down slightly over 2019

Tickets or not, it was still a very busy summer in Glacier National Park, though not as busy as 2019, the last year the park was fully open.

Homecoming royalty, in pictures

2021 Homecoming royalty

Dixie Joan Wegner (Beebe) Riley

Dixie Joan Wegner (Beebe) Riley, 86, of Columbia Falls passed away at home on Thursday, Sept.16, 2021. She fought a long illness with courage and strength, often using humor to keep up the good fight until the Lord finally came calling.

Thinclads do well at massive Mountain West Classic in Missoula

The Columbia Falls girls cross country team took 13th at the Mountain West Classic in Missoula. They were the second-ranked class A school at the massive meet, which draws teams from across the state and Idaho.

Hungry Horse woman admits to meth trafficking in valley

A Hungry Horse woman accused of distributing pounds of methamphetamine in the Flathead Valley for about a year has admitted to trafficking the drug, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.

Grants boost city sewer project, Railroad Street will see sidewalk

The city recently learned it will receive a $981,222 Montana Transportation Alternative grant for a sidewalk/ bike path from Fourth Avenue West at Glacier Gateway Elementary all the way up Railroad Street.

The Blotter: A man was in distress after “huffing” Dust Off.

A man was in distress after “huffing” Dust Off.

Columbia Falls businessman critical of high speed chase

A Columbia Falls businessman says that police in pursuits on Highway 2 should drive more slowly than they do now, particularly in the wake of a high speed chase a few weeks ago where a man stole a pickup and led Flathead County Sheriff’s Deputies through town.

Ruis offers school district $550,000 for old junior high; deal moving forward

Columbia Falls School District 6 is poised to go forward with a proposal by developer Mick Ruis to turn the old Columbia Falls junior high school into senior housing.

Roundabouts, improved intersections, quiet zones all part of transportation plan

A roundabout at Talbott Road and Fourth Avenue West. More bike paths and pedestrian-friendly street crossings. Narrowing Nucleus Avenue from three lanes to two. Create a “quiet zone” through the city where freight trains no longer routinely blow their horns.

Bad Rock Canyon project will see ethnographic study

The Montana Department of Transportation will pause the Bad Rock Canyon U.S. Highway 2 project until an ethnographic study can be completed. MDT has been planning some sort of widening project for Highway 2 through the canyon for years.

Spikers drop Browning and Bulldogs at home

The Columbia Falls volleyball team had a great week, dropping Browning Thursday at home in straight sets, 25-14, 25-22, 25-16 and rival Whitefish Saturday in straight sets as well, 25-15, 25-14,25-21.

Countywide Covid-19 cases stay around 1,000

The number of Covid-19 cases in Flathead County continues to hover around 1,000. As of Monday, the number of known active cases in the county was 1,033, but county health officials recently noted they don’t have the staff and resources to contract trace all the known cases in a timely manner.

Legals for September, 22 2021

Patricia Joy Kartheiser Cheff

Patricia Joy Cheff, 85, passed away with her children by her side at Buffalo Hills Retreat in Kalispell, Montana. Pat was a beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt and grandmother.

The Columbia Falls Homecoming Parade, in Pictures

The 2021 Homecoming Parade.

Girls show their moxie at Flathead Invite

Hannah Sempf took second and Siri Erickson took third as the girls cross country team took third overall at the Flathead Invitational Friday at Rebecca Farm in Kalispell.

Deer Park School welcomes new principal

Deer Park School has a new principal. Sheri Modderman has taken the helm of the rural school south of Columbia Falls after longtime principal Dan Block retired at the end of last school year.

Robert Herman Arends

Robert Herman Arends, 82, of Columbia Falls, passed away Sept. 11, 2021 at Logan Health.

Residents back city council, say Flathead River is a great asset

Columbia Falls resident Michael Burr backed the city in maintaining and enhancing the Kreck Riverside Park.

Spikers fall to Havre

The Columbia Falls volleyball team had a rough time on the road against Havre, losing in straight sets, 25-8, 26-24 and 25-11. Jazzy Marino had six kills in the loss. Grace Gedlaman had three aces and Isabel Brandeberry had seven digs.

Schweikert has three TDs in win over Chiefs

The Columbia Falls football team thrashed Ronan 42-6 on the road last week to go 2-0 on the season.

Ribbon cutting coming up

Join the Columbia Falls Area Chamber of Commerce at Glacier Family Chiropractic & Wellness on Wednesday, Sept. 22 from 4-4:30 p.m. for an official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.

The Blotter: A woman said she was punched in the face by a friend of the neighbor

Four teens fighting on Highway 2. Teen drivers reported speeding on 13th St. West.

Community events on tap

Girls basketball registrations for Grades 1-6 are now available. Once registration closes on Sept. 20, there will be time needed to determine the number of teams for each age group and create a schedule.

Yesterdays: Dam the Middle Fork near Essex was the plan

A plan to divert water from the Middle Fork of the Flathead to the Hungry Horse Dam was announced. It would require a series of dams on the Middle Fork and then a tunnel under the mountains about 7 to 9 miles long that would divert water to the Hungry Horse Reservoir.

GATRs abound in North Fork

What a glorious week! Warm and sunny, then the smoke from the west returned and the week ended with a heavy night rain.

Farewell to Monica and her cubs

Four female grizzly bears — a sow known as Monica, along with her three yearling cubs — were killed in the North Fork last week. The tragic loss of these magnificent animals is particularly heartbreaking because it happened in a place I’ve called home for decades; but their story is, unfortunately, not unique.

No charges in North Fork grizzly deaths

No charges will be filed in the death of four grizzly bears up the North Fork that got into a trailer that was used to store garbage on private property Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Region 1 spokesman Dillon Tabish said.

FWP gives Bad Rock WMA first approval

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Monday said it would recommend the state purchase 772 acres of forestland along the Flathead River just east of Columbia Falls to protect public recreation access, fish and wildlife habitat and water quality.

City OK’s budget, slight tax increase possible for most

The Columbia Falls city council last week approved a $17.767 million budget, which is up by about $4.3 million over last year.

Residents want their pickleball

During a public hearing last week, several members of the public supported the city of Columbia Falls in its efforts to apply for a new Montana Department of Commerce’s Community Development Block Grant Program CARES grant.

Soccer: Boys lose to Whitefish, beat Bigfork and Stevi

The game was closer than the score would ever suggest.

Soccer: Girls blank Bigfork, Stevi, but lose to Bulldogs

The Columbia Falls girls soccer team had a great start to the week, dropping conference rival Bigfork at home Thursday, 6-0 and Stevensville on the road Saturday, 4-0. But on Tuesday they were blanked by conference rival Whitefish, 4-0 at home.

Marie Berta

Marie Berta (Nguyen Thi Bê), 71, of Columbia Falls, Montana was born on Dec. 3, 1949, and grew up in Vung Tau, Vietnam. God called Marie home on Sept. 8, 2021, where she was reunited with the love of her life. Her beloved husband of 50 years, James Edward Berta passed away in 2015, and Marie looked forward to reuniting with him in heaven.

Legals for September, 15 2021

Thoughts on masks

The Montana Nurses Association has referred to the recent emergency rule from Montana DPHHS regarding not masking in school as “promotion of junk science.” One might be wise to use caution as well as introspection in using such a bold statement.

Thoughts on masks

The Montana Nurses Association has referred to the recent emergency rule from Montana DPHHS regarding not masking in school as “promotion of junk science.” One might be wise to use caution as well as introspection in using such a bold statement.

Columbia Falls man charged in stabbing incident

Kenneth Goldsberry, 31, has been charged with attempted deliberate homicide, tampering with a communications device and misdemeanor theft.

Woman's body recovered in Glacier Park

A Two Bear Air helicopter crew on Tuesday afternoon recovered the body of a 34-year-old woman who went missing last week during an apparent solo hike in Glacier National Park.

Fines justified in North Fork bear case

Biggest news this week on the North Fork is the grizzly Monica and her three yearling cubs. The family of bears has been seen and photographed by most local residents as they wandered through yards up and down the North Fork.

Sempf champ at Cut Bank

The Columbia Falls girls cross country team had another great showing at the Cut Bank Time trials Friday.

Spikers drop Stevi in 5

The Columbia Falls volleyball team came back to beat Stevensville in their home opener Saturday in five sets, 27-25, 15-25, 27-29, 25-23, 15-11.

Girls thrash Lockwood, but come up empty against Laurel

It was an up and down weekend for girls soccer.

Nonresident spending was down last year, but this year looks to be a boon

Even with the pandemic, 2020 spending was robust in Glacier Country, the annual study by the Institute of Tourism and Recreation at the University of Montana found.

Community events: Firemen's Ball coming up

The 46th Annual Coram-West Glacier Firefighter’s Ball is Saturday, Sept. 11, at 7 p.m. at the Dew Drop Inn in Coram, which is newly remodeled. The Don Lawrence Orchestra, live big band dance music will play. There are lots of prizes up for grabs in live and silent auctions, and drawings.

Yesterdays: Woman beats away bear with her binoculars

A bell that was in the former Canyon View School was packed up and sent to Bozrah, Syria, to a church there that needed a bell.

Glacier looks to limit and eventually phase out air tours

Glacier National Park last week released a draft air tour management plan that would curb commercial “sight seeing” tours over the park to 144 annually and, eventually phase out tours altogether.

Four North Fork grizzlies put down; feasted on garbage stored in trailer

In the North Fork, grizzly bear management specialist Tim Manley had to kill a productive 20-year-old sow grizzly named Monica and her three yearling cubs after they repeatedly got into garbage and broke into vehicles.

Legals for September, 8 2021

Woman's body found in Glacier National Park

A woman who had been missing in Glacier National Park was found dead Sunday. Jennifer Lee Coleman, a 34, of Virginia was believed to be hiking around Logan Pass on Aug. 30 or 31. She was supposed to check out of the West Glacier KOA Aug. 31 but never returned. She was reported missing Sept. 1. Her car was found at the Logan Pass parking lot.

Columbia Falls brewery part of class action lawsuit claiming overcharges by Secretary of State's office

A Columbia Falls business and seven others across the state have filed a class action lawsuit claiming the Montana Secretary of State’s of Office is double charging businesses for fees, sometimes without their knowledge.

Logan Health now releasing weekly coronavirus numbers

Logan Health in Kalispell will now release a weekly Covid-19 census of its patients as the coronavirus continues to surge across the state and Flathead County.

Mule deer on the move: Study finds that they'll travel more than 50 miles to summer and winter ranges

The mule deer of Northwest Montana are largely travelers, sometimes migrating as much as 50 miles from their winter range to the summer range, a three-year study by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks found.

Sun Road reservations end Monday

Glacier National Park’s ticketed entry to drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road ends on Sept. 6. The road on the west side, however, is slated to close in early Oct. 1 for road and utility work.

Traffic down, a little

All fire restrictions have been lifted. That means campfires are legal and outdoor activities around a cheerful fire are back on the agenda. If it is not raining — or even if it is. No official that I know has been willing to say.

Opinion: Toadlets

So the boy and I hiked up to a high mountain lake over the weekend. The hike was a long one — 17 miles one way and about 3,000 feet of elevation gain, give or take a step or two.

Schools see rise in enrollment; Ruder Elementary a hit with students

Columbia Falls schools opened their doors Aug. 26 and the new remodeled wing and playground of Ruder Elementary School proved to be a hit.

Yesterdays: Oil drilling camp at Polebridge

Pacific Petroleum was planning on drilling up Sage Creek in the Canadian Flathead for oil. It was building a camp and Polebridge was its headquarters, though the Polebridge Mercantile at that time was known as Rover’s store.

Girls thump Lone Peak, boys tie in soccer openers

The Columbia Falls soccer teams made the long haul down to Big Sky last week to play Lone Peak high school.

Cats thump Stevi in home opener

Lightning delayed the start of the football opener — the first weather delay in decades. No matter.

Badly wounded, would Penrose survive?

Penrose’s movement drew a renewed attack from the grizzly.

Glacier Distilling announces 10-year whiskey

Glacier Distilling Company of Coram has announced the upcoming release of a 10-year-old expression of its award winning “North Fork” rye whiskey.  It will be the first bottling of a 10-year-old whiskey 100% distilled, aged and bottled in Montana.

Thanks for trail support

Many thanks to everyone who attended, donated, sponsored and participated in Gateway to Glacier Trails recent Pints for Paths fundraiser at Heaven’s Peak. Because of you, we were able to raise $7,782.75 to help build local trails.

FVCC college center can host crowds of up to 1,000

As the fall semester began last week at Flathead Valley Community College, a large-scale project expected to enhance student learning and provide greater opportunities for community usage continued to take shape on the edge of campus.

Please recycle batteries

The Flathead County Landfill has recently been dealing with a rash of fires that some suspect are caused by certain types of rechargeable batteries mixed in with conventional household waste.

County reduces mill levy in 2022 budget

Flathead County’s budget has been completed, according to county administrator Pete Melnick. The $117.6 million spending plan looks to hold the line on taxes, largely through growth in the housing market, Melnick noted in a budget message to county commissioners Monday.

Waterton-Glacier science and history week coming up

Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park is hosting a second virtual Science and History Week live webinar series Sept. 13 to 16 at noon Mountain Daylight Time.

Fair had near record numbers

A little rain and an ongoing pandemic didn’t stop the Northwest Montana Fair and Rodeo from reaching a near-record level of attendance.

Spikers do well at tip-off tourney

Columbia Falls volleyball did pretty well at the Western A tipoff tournament over the weekend, taking third in the north behind Polson and Ronan.

Girls tie for title at Libby Invitational

The Columbia Falls girls cross country team tied for the title with Couer d’Alene at the Libby Invitational Friday. The Wildkats were led by Siri Erickson and Hannah Sempf, who took first and second respectively.

Starbucks coming to Columbia Heights

A new Starbucks coffee shop is opening at the Glacier Basecamp Lodge in Columbia Heights.

Legals for September, 1 2021