Ellington

Forest Service orders temporary closure of Blankenship Camp

The Flathead National Forest announced Friday it was implementing an emergency closure order at Blankenship Bridge on lands it manages southwest of the bridge to motorized vehicles and camping due to high water.

Reiss exhibit opens Friday

An exhibit of Windold Reiss paintings of Blackfeet people opens Friday (May 27) at the Museum of the Plains Indian in Browning.

Glacier National Park reminds folks that Sun Road resos are required starting Friday. Many Glacier and Kintla Lake Roads now open

Vehicle reservations are required to access Glacier National Park’s Going-to-the-Sun Road and the North Fork area of the park beginning Friday, May 27.

City moving forward with bike path

If Columbia Falls upgrades its city streets in the downtown area with sidewalks, curbs and gutters, it would cost about $300,000, a preliminary analysis has found.

Yesterdays: Body of missing hunter found seven months later

The body of James Wishart was found. The 21-year-old hunter had gone missing up Doris Creek while hunting in October.

Community events: Free meals coming up

The free Canyon dinner is  5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Canyon Elementary School.

Phillip G. Sword

Phillip G. Sword, 83 of Columbia Falls, passed away May 22, 2022 at Logan Hospital in Kalispell.

Erickson sweeps distance events

Columbia Falls track squads competed in the Western A divisional tourney in Hamilton last week.

Tennis squads will send three to state

The Columbia Falls tennis team will send three players to the state tournament this year.

Kats drop Polson for first conference crown in years

Between innings in the Columbia Falls-Polson game Saturday evening, John Denver was playing over the public address. The game was tight and the Wildkats were clinging to a two-run lead. The conference title was on the line.

With paltry ERA of 1.5, Moultray leads Kats on the mound

Maddie Moultray has lived a life of softball. She started playing in kindergarten, though her first pitching experience came a few years later at a Mother’s Day tourney.

City will soon have pickleball courts at Columbus Park

Columbia Falls will soon see new outdoor pickleball courts.

Get a sneak peek at Columbia Falls Museum June 1

After years of planning, Columbia Falls now has its own history museum.

Firefighters douse garage fire

No one was hurt in the blaze and the adjacent home, which was about 15 feet from the garage, was not damaged.

The Blotter: Photographers weren't creepers, they were Aussies on vacation

Report of two people taking pictures of kids at a park, turns out they were just Australians on vacation on their phones.

Hay Creek Fire won’t see salvage sale, but could see mushrooms

The Hay Creek Fire area won’t see a salvage sale.

The joys of recycling

So I had this old dented tailgate from my pickup truck that’s been sitting around for a couple of year now.

Kudos to Manley

It is still not quite summer, but one or two sunny days makes us realize we are, at least, on the edge of summer. Grizzlies have been seen by nearly everyone. One resident who lives north of Trail Creek has already counted sixteen bears and even I have seen three.

County settles Whistlestop suit

The Flathead County Commissioners last week approved a $47,000 settlement with Friends of Lake Five that will pay for the nonprofit neighborhood group’s attorney fees.

Likes Mitchell

I know a politician when I see one.

Insurance woes?

This year Flathead County Commissioner Pam Holmquist spent $1.7 million of the taxpayers money with the county’s insurance company MACo. That is up from $1,270,000 in 2019. Of that amount $400,000-plus was for general liability insurance. That was up from $342,900 in 2019.

Truck gets stuck in river at controversial Blankenship camp

Just days after a lawsuit was filed against the Forest Service over the camp at the Blankenship Bridge, another vehicle, this time a pickup, was stuck in the river at the camp on the Flathead River Saturday.

Think about vote

Having been born to a World War II infantryman Father, and an Army nurse Mother, my life has always been one of fairly strict discipline.

Legals for May, 25 2022

Twins notched a pair of wins last week

The Glacier Twins returned to their winning ways last week after taking down both Kootenai Valley and Libby.

Glacier National Park's Logan Pass won't open before June 27 to vehicles

Folks looking to drive to Logan Pass won’t be able to get there before June 27, Glacier National Park officials said Friday.

Plane crash victims identified

Authorities on Thursday identified the two people who died in a small plane crash April 30 in the West Valley area.

Building trades putting final touches on cabin, shed

Students from the Columbia Falls buildings trades program were busy last week putting the finishing touches on a cabin and a shed for Glacier National Park.

Jon Elliott

Jon Elliott’s wandering days are a thing of the past. His life on earth ended the day after he went body surfing in Mazatlan and sipped his favorite Mexican Reposado one last time on April 29, 2022.

Suit looks to shut down Blankenship camp

The gravel bar used to be a place where the occasional local set up camp for the night at the free access site on Forest Service land. But during the pandemic when many formal campgrounds were closed, the site became popular with tourists and Montanans alike.

Glacier Twins lose to Mission Valley Mariners in 11 innings

The Glacier Twins lost a long one Friday at home 6-3 against Mission Valley in Legion baseball in a game that went 11 innings.

Track does final tuneups heading into postseason

The Columbia Falls track squads wrapped up their regular season last week with a dual against Glacier Tuesday in Kalispell and meet in Polson Saturday.

Murals in danger? Masonic Temple needs a roof. Meanwhile developers putting on the squeeze

Every once in awhile, Ric Huston’s phone will ring from a number he doesn’t recognize.

Gun raffle will support NVSR radio purchase

The North Valley Search and Rescue Association will be auctioning off a Proof Research Elevation Rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor.

Man with violent criminal history was back on streets, then subject of standoff

Prosecutors say the local man arrested following a May 10 standoff on Liberty Street in Kalispell strangled his girlfriend and stole her car in the days leading up to the confrontation with law enforcement.

The test run

So I did a test a week or so ago of the walking route I’ll have to take if I don’t have a ticket to get into Glacier.

Getts announces candidacy

My name is Andrea Getts and I want to represent you, House District 3, at the State Legislature.

Concerned about VRBOs

Our family owns a home and lives in the Wildcat Estate subdivision.

City eyes new noise ordinance

With the city growing, noise has increasingly become a problem.

Keven Allen Perry

Keven Allen Perry, age 58, of Kalispell passed away on Friday, May 6, 2022, at his home in Kalispell.

Dave Yeats

A Memorial Service for Dave Yeats, who passed away Dec. 22, 2021, will be held on Saturday, May 28, at 11 a.m. at the Columbia Falls United Methodist Church, 117 Second St West.

Tennis squads head into divisional round this week

The Columbia Falls tennis squads wrapped up the regular season last week with duals against Corvallis, Hamilton and Libby.

Wildkats drop Laurel at Butte tourney

The Columbia Falls softball team had a big regular season win over the weekend, as it blanked Laurel, 5-0 at the Laverne Combo Softball Invitational in Butte.

At high school, new cabinets showcase academics

Columbia Falls High School has a new cabinet showcasing the academic achievements of its students thanks to the efforts of the Columbia Falls Academic Endowment Fund,

Efforts to spruce up underpass are seeing progress

A group of West Glacier folks are working to spruce up the underpass to the town. Montana Department of Transportation recently repaired the sidewalks to the underpass and now it is entering a second phase, with native plants being planted along the walkway.

Remembering Walter

When a North Forker passes over the Great Divide, it is common practice for the community to hold a Celebration of Life the following summer.

Tense moments after gas leak last week near high school

A broken gas line near 13th Street West and !0th Avenue resulted in a tense few hours May 11 as home on the block had nearly 95% of natural gas in its air, Columbia Falls Fire Chief Karl Weeks said.

Legals for May, 18 2022

Glacier National Park weekend update: Bowman Lake, Two Medicine Roads open to vehicles

Glacier National Park has opened the Two Medicine Road and Bowman Lake Road to motor vehicles for the season.

Crystal-Cedar trail work starts in earnest

“I want to walk as far away as I can from a city,” said Montana Conservation Corps crew leader Graham Mincks as he pounded a piece of rebar into a log last week.

Park Service names new Glacier Superintendent

National Park Service Regional Director Mike Reynolds announced the selection of David Roemer as the new superintendent of Glacier National Park Wednesday. Roemer will begin working at Glacier in early July.

PTO goes all out for teacher appreciation

Katie Reed was one busy cook the past few weeks. The Ruder Elementary School Parent-Teacher Organization mom started cooking and freezing food back in April in order to feed the staff at the school last week — all told 70 people.

The Blotter: Pizza kick assault or fun?

Report of a 15-year-old employee being assaulted and kicked by a manager, claiming he did not make the correct size pizza, the reporting employee was not sure if it was an assault or done in jest.

Jackson picks Republicans

I only endorse candidates who have a proven background as Republicans. For the statewide elections:  I endorse Al Olszewski for Congress and Derek Skees for Montana Public Service Commission.

Elk study underway on Blackfeet lands, Glacier National Park

Folks visiting the east side of Glacier National Park and the Blackfeet tribal lands may see elk wearing collars this year.

Yesterdays: Squirrels eating Glacier Park bread

Federal laws designed to protect grizzly bears meant that about 30 miles of roads on the Glacier View Ranger District would be closed starting in July.

Primary 2022 • House District 3: Challenger Wood says she would apply critical thinking to lawmaking

Lorena Wood of Martin City will square off against incumbent Braxton Mitchell of Columbia Falls in the House District 3 Republican primary June 7.

Sempf tops 11 feet in pole vault, best mark in class A

Hannah Sempf leapt 10 feet 6 inches at a home dual track meet against Whitefish last week. She then turned around and leapt 11 feet even at the Archie Roe tourney in Kalispell Saturday, which was good enough for third place.

Community events: Review math books

Columbia Falls Jr. High is in the process of adopting new math instructional materials for the 2022-2023 school year.

Columbia Falls man accused of raping child

Prosecutors have charged a Columbia Falls man with sexual intercourse without consent for allegedly raping a child in 2020.

Endorses 30x30 plan

Montana is a state with much to offer. Spectacular wildlands offer abundant recreational opportunities that help fuel the state’s economy and provide critical habitat for numerous wildlife species.

Endorses Mitchell

As a colleague of Braxton Mitchell‘s, I know it takes building relationships in your community to get elected. When you get to Helena, you need to build new relationships with your colleagues to get things done.

Cleanup day coming up

Not much happening on the North Fork – yet. Spring continues with a mix of rain, snow, sun and mud. The potholes continue to breed and the county grader works at eliminating them. I’m not sure who is winning.

School Board OK’s teacher housing

The Columbia Falls School District 6 Board Monday night agreed to tweak a draft set of covenants for the old Glacier Gateway School to include teacher housing for the building.

Morgan, Schweikert win in doubles

Both Columbia Falls tennis teams had a tough time against rival Whitefish last week.

Kats blank Loggers, Indians; thrash Ronan on the road

Maddie Moultray pitched out of a bases load jam and Kyrah Trenkle had a homer as the Columbia Falls softball team blanked Libby 10-0 at home Friday.

Primary 2022 • House District 3: Mitchell talks nuclear power, partisan judge races, residency issues

Incumbent Republican Braxton Mitchell, 21, will look to retain his House District 3 seat this election cycle after serving his first term in the state Legislature in 2021.

City OK’s revised plan for Nucleus Avenue development

Developer Mick Ruis dropped the original plan for a boutique hotel at 540 Nucleus Avenue and instead changed it to 12 residential apartments on the second and third floors of the building, which will sit in the southeast corner of what is the city square.

Glacier Park's Camas Road, Quarter Circle Bridge Road open to vehicles

Glacier National Park has opened the Camas Road and the Quarter Circle Bridge Road to motor vehicles.

Caretaker charged for allegedly planning to steal from woman

A Columbia Falls caretaker who allegedly planned to steal from his elderly dementia patient was foiled by a surveillance camera, prosecutors say.

Forest plans roads, logging near Spotted Bear

The Flathead National Forest has released a formal environmental assessment for the Spotted Bear Project, which proposes commercial timber harvest on 747 acres, and noncommercial vegetation treatments including thinning and burning on 293 acres. Some roads (0.6 miles) would be temporary and rehabilitated following timber harvest activities.

More multi-family housing planned for Diane Road

More multi-family housing could be coming to Columbia Falls on Diane Road.

Council denies short-term rentals for apartment complex

The Columbia Falls City Council Monday voted against amending a conditional use permit that would allow a developer to potentially turn half of a proposed apartment complex into short-term rentals.

Supports Holmquist

I am always thankful for citizens stepping up to run for office. It shows their commitment to make a difference in all of our lives.

Quietly, Forest Service seeks comment on 23 special use permits

Trail running tours. ATV tours. Even a business that wants to transport docks out to private landowners on Swan Lake.

Griz takes a rest on the pavement

It is still weeks away from summer on the North Fork, but we are experiencing a full dose of spring. I can now drive into my cabin after leaving the driveway unplowed since November.

Cheff, Mumby, win school board seats

Justin Cheff and incumbent Heather Mumby won the School District 6 board race Tuesday in a mail-in ballot.

Chief Mountain Road opens

Glacier National Park’s Chief Mountain Road is now open on the east side to motor vehicles.

Track nabs a pair of second-place finishes at ARM

Both Columbia Falls boys and girls track teams took second place at the Whitefish ARM meet last week.

Moultray throws no-hitter in shutout of Blue Devils

Maddie Moultray threw a no-hitter and the Columbia Falls softball team went 2-1 on the week.

Angie’s Greenhouse will be open this season

Angie’s Greenhouse on Highway 2 in Columbia Falls opened last week, though a bit smaller than in previous years.

How and when you use power could impact your bill

For the fourth year in a row, Flathead Electric Cooperative’s Board of Trustees announced a zero percent overall rate revenue increase for all rate classes. Trustees approved a revenue-neutral change to residential rates, effective June 1 where the basic charge remains the same, energy charges will decrease slightly, and the demand charge will increase slightly.

Like most places, Glacier National Park is hiring

Glacier National Park in partnership with LC Staffing is seeking candidates to fill support positions for the Park’s free shuttle system that operates on the Going-to-the-Sun Road.

Tennis competes down south

The Columbia Falls tennis squads competed in a tournament in Corvallis and Hamilton over the weekend.

Somers birds

Flathead Audubon is offering two more field trips to the Sonny Boone Memorial Trail in Somers.

Karen Jean Scheldorf Morgan, 79

Karen Jean Scheldorf Morgan, devoted Mom and Nana (AKA Nana Montana), passed away at the age of 79 on April 26, 2022, in Bigfork surrounded by family.

The Blotter: Upset daughter causes a scene

An anger management counselor called to report an out of control 11-year-old daughter trying to abuse her mother, claiming that she was outside yelling and throwing objects on 2nd Avenue.