Friday, February 25
Cats' season comes to a close at Western A divisional tourney
It was a tough ending to any otherwise good season fo the Columbia Falls boys basketball team at the Western A divisional tourney Friday, as the Wildcats lost to Browning in loser-out action Friday morning, 61-46.
Thursday, February 24
House District 3, county commish, will see races this election season
There will be a race in House District 3 this election season. There will also be a race for county commissioner, as Jack Fallon, a Republican, will run against incumbent Pam Holmquist in the primary.
Firefighters pounce on Martha Road fire
Columbia Falls firefighters pounced on a fire at an apartment on Martha Road Wednesday morning, containing it to the contents of a bedroom where it started.
Montana's leaders weigh in on Russian invasion of Ukraine
Montana’s two U.S. Senators weighed in on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine Thursday.
Annual camping stamp for Flathead Reservation lands jumps to $100
Compared to spendy camping fees elsewhere covering just one weekend, Gillin said, the increased annual costs for CSKT camping and conservation remain minimal.
Idaho woman dies in Columbia Falls crash
An Idaho woman is dead after a one vehicle accident about midnight Monday at the intersection of U.S. Highway 2 and Nucleus Avenue, the Columbia Falls Police said in a release Thursday morning.
Wednesday, February 23
Tester touts infrastructure bill during airport tour
Montana Sen. Jon Tester visited the Glacier Park International Airport Wednesday morning to to tout the recently passed bipartisan infrastructure law — a law that could bring millions in federal funds to the airport’s expansion project.
Young archer making his mark
A Columbia Falls teen is making his mark in the field of competitive archery.
New name, new location for vital food program
In addition, Land to Hand also runs educational cooking and nutrition classes at the junior high and elementary schools under instructor Whitney Pratt.
Hamilton bound! Hill scores six in closing seconds to send Wildcats to divisional tourney
The Columbia Falls boys basketball team punched its ticket to the Western A divisional tourney last week in a dramatic victory over Ronan Friday night at home, 63-62.
Yesterdays: Avalanche roars over Highway 2 in 1982
Flathead Electric Co-op announced it had fired general manager Warren McConkey.
Ruth M. Cole
Ruth M. Cole, 89, of Columbia Falls, passed away Monday, Feb. 14, 2022. She was born on June 12, 1932 in White Sulphur Springs, to the late Ralph W. Johnson and Margaret Johnson (Eskridge).
Free the Seeds event coming up in March
Free the Seeds returns to the Flathead Valley March 5–7, for the seventh year of workshops and a free seed giveaway.
Parents make pitch for school funding of swimming
Columbia Falls could soon financially support its swim team.
School board OK’s covenants for building
The Columbia Falls School District 6 board last week approved the covenants on the old junior high school, assuring that it will be senior housing.
Bighorn sheep spotted in North Fork; about 1,300 lions in eco-region, FWP says
The Hungry Horse News once photographed a small herd of bighorn sheep at the base of Columbia Mountain in 2007.
Sylvia Anne “Bubbles” Grundstrom
Our much-loved mother, grandmother, and friend passed away on Feb. 9, 2022. She was a proud fourth-generation Montanan, born to William Boyce Miller and Grace Lee Berndt in Helena, Montana, on April 29, 1938. She was adopted at age 2 by Carl Frederick Ellefson and Adla Oldenburg Ellefson. She attended schools in Kalispell, Missoula and Hamilton, where she graduated high school.
Legals for February, 23 2022
Friday, February 18
Boys third, girls fifth at state swim meet
The Columbia Falls girls took fifth and the boys took third at the state A swim meet in Great Falls last week. Both teams took fourth in the 200 medley relay.
For Olson, it’s been a career celebrating the woods
Denny Olson has been teaching folks both young and old alike about the great outdoors for decades now. Olson, 75, grew up in Minnesota poking around the woods in that great state, graduating from the University of Minnesota with twin master’s degrees in zoology and geology.
Conger, Stephens and Chisholm qualify for nationals in speech and debate
Emma Stephens and Eddie Chisholm of Columbia Falls qualified for the national speech and debate tournament in Louisville, Kentucky over the weekend.
Thursday, February 17
Ski Joring this weekend
The annual Whitefish Ski Joring event will be back in action this weekend, Feb. 19-20.
Wolf hunting, trapping, closes in Montana outside of Yellowstone
Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks announced Thursday wolf hunting and trapping in Region 3, which includes lands north of Yellowstone National Park, has closed.
Wednesday, February 16
School looks to upgrade high school heat
Columbia Falls School District 6 is seeking bids on a project to upgrade the heating system at the high school.
Yesterdays: Pilot crashes plane in Glacier National Park
The pilot of a plane that crashed Feb. 12 at Logan Pass in Glacier Park likely became disoriented in the weather.
Kenneth S. Olson
Kenneth Shane Olson passed away Feb. 7, 2022 at Logan Health Medical Center in Kalispell.
William “Bill” Everett Sevesind
William “Bill” Everett Sevesind passed away Jan. 12, 2022, in Phoenix.
Arlie Edwin Toavs
Arlie Edwin Toavs went home to be with the Lord on Sunday Feb. 6, 2022 after battling COVID and a deteriorating heart condition.
The Blotter: A loud verbal argument broke out between a father and daughter on Crescent Drive, no use of weapons reported.
Report of a disorderly man seen walking down 9th Street was intoxicated early in the morning and seen trespassing and also throwing his shoes into oncoming traffic, no weapons.
Free meals in Columbia Falls, Canyon
Columbia Falls Community Kitchen will be serving free, delicious meals in the basement of St. Richard’s Catholic Church on Feb. 27-28 from 5-6 p.m. CFCK is nondenominational and everyone is welcome.
Why politicians lie
We’ve all heard the quip, “how do you know when a politician is lying?”
Thoughts on Interlocal news
I did not attend the pseudo Interlocal; however, folks who did reported that it was well attended – from 65 to 90 folks on the system.
More questions on SEL
An article which appeared in the Jan. 25 edition of the Hungry Horse News highlighted a group of parents and community members who are concerned about the recent introduction into the Columbia Falls School District of an educational curriculum called Social and Emotional Learning, commonly known as SEL.
North Fork Road work delayed at least another year
A $2 million project to reconstruct the upper North Fork Road has been delayed a year after the bids came in much higher than expected.
Blankenship camp could become day use only
The Blankenship Bridge area on the Flathead River is proposed to be a day use only area under the new Comprehensive River Management Plan.
North Forkers could see Camas Road access
Glacier National Park officials released a few more details on the Going-to-the-Sun Road and Polebridge Entrance reservation system last week.
Girls take conference crown with a pair of wins
They ended the season on a high note. The Columbia Falls girls basketball team dropped Ronan at home Thursday, 59-41 and beat Whitefish on the road Saturday, 37-30.
Boys and Girls Club seeking Community Development Block Grant; seeks letters of support
The Glacier Country Boys and Girls Club will soon seek a Community Development Block Grant that could go toward expansion in Columbia Falls.
Boys heading to play-in game against familiar foe
The Wildcats beat Ronan last week, 74-65 and the Whitefish Bulldogs in a come-from-behind overtime win, 51-48 Saturday.
Cloverfest coming to Columbia Falls in March
The Columbia Falls Area Chamber of Commerce will do St. Patrick’s Day big this year with Cloverfest on March 12.
Windauer takes state championship
Junior Justin Windauer took the 138-pound state A wrestling championship in Billings Saturday.
Tuesday, February 15
Martin City trailer home destroyed in blaze
A Martin City trailer home and at least two vehicles were destroyed in a Tuesday morning house fire on Central Avenue.
Monday, February 14
River talks on tap; one is Wednesday
Flathead Rivers Alliance announces a two-part live webinar speaker series ahead of the anticipated spring public comment period for the Three Forks of the Flathead Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive River Management Plan. This is an opportunity to learn about the ins and outs of Wild and Scenic Rivers and river management plans from expert regional and local managers and advocates.
Friday, February 11
Backslope Brewing looks to add employee housing
The Columbia Falls City-County planning board will take up an application by Darin and Carla Fisher, owners of Backslope Brewing, to put in dormitory-style apartments in the basement of the former State Farm Insurance Building adjacent to the brewery on Highway 2.
Montana Mice May Hold the Secret to Virus Spillover
For the past 20 years, Amy Kuenzi has spent three days of every month traveling to a ranch near Gregson, Montana, and setting out traps that contain peanut butter and oats. Her quarry is deer mice. She takes blood samples, looks for scars and fleas, and attaches ear tags.“Mice are fairly trap happy and easy to catch,” she said. “But it can be kind of a miserable job in the winter.”
Wednesday, February 9
Justin Page McPheeters
Justin Page McPheeters, 31, passed away Dec. 29, 2021. He was born June 29, 1990 in Portland, Oregon to Ronald and Darla (Hohnstein) McPheeters.
Boys go 1-2 on the week
The Columbia Falls boys basketball team went 1-2 on the week. On Thursday, they lost to Libby at home 53-44 in a game that was closer than the score would suggest.
Girls spend a lot of time on the road, get the sweep
The Columbia Falls girls got a sweep in basketball last week, playing three games in three days with hundreds of bus miles in between.
MatCats take second at divisionals
The Columbia Falls wrestling team did great at the Western A divisional tourney in Frenchtown Saturday.
From Chester to Hollywood to Columbia Falls — the multiple talents of Jean Flynn
Jean Flynn grew up on a farm outside of Chester near the Sweet Grass Hills, with five brothers. She learned to cook and bake from her mother and even at a young age had an artistic eye — decorating her room as she saw fit.
The Blotter: Dead body in a car?
Librarian called to say a male was still in the bathroom and she was ready to close the place up. A person called to say their debit card was stuck in the machine, in case someone tried to steal it.
Not thrilled by Zoom meeting
Originally I was told that the winter Interlocal would be held at Glacier Park headquarters. Also, provisions would be made for folks concerned about Covid to attend by Zoom. That seemed like a good way to go — that is the way we conduct school board meetings although I suspect some folks use Zoom just to avoid leaving the house.
How do we get answers?
The group was vocal for a very short time when a man yielded his time to another. The vice chai spoke over him saying yields would not be allowed. Madame chair allowed it this one time. Roberts Rules need to be followed.
Thin ice
So I’ve been watching the Olympics, wasting time in front of the tube watching people do things on ice and snow that, quite frankly, I have great admiration for.
Warming waters spell trouble for native trout fisheries
Warmer summers due to climate change don’t bode well for native species like bull trout and westslope cutthroat trout, a recent study by Donovan Bell, a University of Montana fish and wildlife biology doctoral candidate found.
Readers rally for library
About 25 people showed their support for the Columbia Falls Imagine IF library staff during a rally Saturday morning in front of city hall.
Women’s meeting features Gill, Hascall
Columbia Falls Women’s Connection will host a luncheon on Wednesday, Feb. 16 at 11:30 a.m. at the First Baptist Church located at 827 9th St West in Columbia Falls.
Legals for February, 9 2022
Saturday, February 5
Glacier National Park Sun Road, Polebridge reservations will be available starting March 2
Glacier National Park announced that reservations to drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road and to enter the Park via the Polebridge entrance this summer will be available on the recreation.gov website beginning at 8 a.m. Mountain Standard Time on March 2.
Friday, February 4
Glacier hopes to get a better count of resident wolverines
Biologists in Glacier National Park this winter are looking to build on the information gathered during a 2016 study as they once again measure the distribution of wolverines with the help of funding from the Glacier National Park Conservancy.
Glacier hopes to get a better count of resident wolverines
Biologists in Glacier National Park this winter are looking to build on the information gathered during a 2016 study as they once again measure the distribution of wolverines with the help of funding from the Glacier National Park Conservancy.
Thursday, February 3
Protesting vaccine requirements, truckers show up in force at border
SWEET GRASS — A large group of truckers is blocking the U.S.-Canada border with their vehicles north of Shelby this week to protest a vaccine mandate for truck drivers who travel between the two countries.
Wednesday, February 2
Another home listed for sale in Glacier Park, this one for $7 million
There used to be hundreds of privately-held parcels in Glacier. Today, there are about 113 homes and parcels, commonly called inholdings.
Cabin Fever Days coming up
The 43rd annual Cabin Fever Days is coming up in a couple of weeks, but folks interested in competing the bar stool races down Martin City’s Sugar Hill need to get their sleds registered soon.
Glacier makes big correction to September visitation numbers
Glacier National Park significantly corrected its September visitation numbers. Spokeswoman Gina Kerzman said recently that a problem with counters on the Camas Road and West Entrance, in essence, doubled the actual count.
Death notices for Feb. 2, 20222
Sharon is survived by her husband Stanley Chauss
Weyerhaeuser reports record year; stock price has more than doubled since March 2020
The year 2021 was a very good one for Weyerhaeuser. The company last week reported record net earnings of $2.6 billion.
Grapplers gear up for Divisional tourney this week
The Columbia Falls wrestling team competed at the Whitefish duals Friday, the last meet before the postseason begins this Saturday with the Western A divisional tourney in Frenchtown.
Bigfork gets the Kats again, but Lady Pirates no match
Like the boys, the Columbia Falls girls basketball team also split last week. The Wildkats lost to Bigfork on the road, 38-30, but bounced back for a conference win over Polson 61-24.
Boys drop Bigfork, but lose to Polson
The Columbia Falls boys basketball team split last week, dropping Bigfork 49-28, but losing to conference rival Polson, 58-47.
The Blotter: Rowdy fourth graders
Disorderly conduct from Fourth Graders in Glacier Gateway Elementary School front office, reports of children kicking and screaming.
Yesterdays: Employees cry foul in CFAC profit sharing deal
A story said the glaciers in Glacier National Park were “on the comeback,” according to Glacier scientists at the time. That comeback, at least in geological time, did not last long.
Swimmers do well at Missoula meet
The Columbia Falls swim teams competed in the Missoula County Public Schools meet Saturday.
Glacier Institute steps in to offer snowshoe tours; moonlight tour coming up
Emmy Sauer stops along McDonald Creek and gives a quick lesson on the lodgepole pine tree in front of her.
Interlocal coming up
On Feb. 9 the North Fork will gather for the Winter Interlocal. As always, the meeting will feature speakers from County, State and Federal agencies that have management responsibilities on the North Fork. Also speaking will be the private landowner groups and there will be opportunities for the general public to ask questions.
