Wednesday, April 26
Best Of Columbia Falls to Essex... 2023
Welcome to the 2023 edition of the Best of Columbia Falls to Essex, where we celebrate the businesses, people and landscapes that makes the area one of the best places not just in the U.S., but the world.
Patricia Miles, 80
Patricia “Pat” Mae Miles, 80, of Columbia Falls passed away April 18, 2023, surrounded by loved ones.
A familiar face in conservation joins wilderness foundation
Clifford Kipp will begin his new job as executive director of the Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation next month and both parties are happy about that.
James (Chip) E. Vineyard Jr., 58
James (Chip) E. Vineyard Jr. passed away at his home surrounded by loved ones on April 17th, 2023 after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
Melby has been giving back for more than 40 years
Columbia Falls Volunteer Steve Melby has been giving back to the community for more than 40 years.
Softball drubs Browning, but loses close game to Polson
The Columbia Falls softball team hammered Browning last week 20-0 in a game that lasted all of 2-1/2 innings, but they lost to conference foe Polson Friday, 8-6.
Baseball team dedicates season to coach Sapa
The Columbia Falls baseball team will go on with the season in memory of coach Bill Sapa.
Boys win Iceberg Invite track meet with strong performances
The Columbia Falls boys won the Iceberg Invite track meet on Saturday, while the girls took fourth.
Community mourns death of Bill Sapa
Memorial for beloved baseball coach, Blue Moon owner, is Saturday
In 1991 Ray Queen was playing baseball for Grand Canyon University. A familiar face was on the mound, staring him down as he stood on the plate. It was longtime friend Bill Sapa, pitching for the University of New Mexico.
Many Glacier, Chief Mountain Road open; plows at Haystack
The Many Glacier Road opened to vehicles for the season last week and the Chief Mountain Road is open as well.
Another Kapoor zone change on tap May 10
The Flathead County Planning Board will take up a zone change request from Florida developer Rishi Kapoor at its May 10 meeting.
Likes Foust, Upton
All Columbia Falls voters should have received their School Board Election Ballots. This is an extremely important election this year.
Likes newspapers
The tireless editor/reporter/janitor at the Hungry Horse News must have cloned himself in order to put out the April 19 edition.
Likes Hill, Upton
As a young teacher in our school district and mother of two going through our schools, I was always happy in the past to have other young women serving on the Columbia Falls School Board.
Likes Middlesworth, Riley
I would like to endorse Barb Riley and T.J. Middlesworth as trustees in the District 6 school board elections.
Spring arrives in earnest
Now it is finally spring on the North Fork!
The Blotter: Backyard dog targeted by darts
A person called the police reporting to have been harassed on social media. A person called reporting their daughter had been assaulted on video surveillance.
Governor signs Columbia Falls cemetery bill
A new veterans cemetery serving former servicemen and women in Northwest Montana is coming to Columbia Falls.
County recognized for solid financing
The Flathead County Finance Department again received the Government Finance Officers Association Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its budget.
Historian Dakin recalls courage of Bob Haraden
Older folks like me who worked in Glacier National Park when Bob Haraden was Superintendent, (1980-86) can’t help but feel a personal loss at his passing in early April at age 100.
In inholder case, a question of jurisdiction arises
The case of a private home built along the shores of lower McDonald Creek in Glacier National Park could come down to jurisdiction.
Yesterdays: 1993 poachers in Glacier
With five feet of April snow on the east side of Glacier, the elk had moved out of Glacier National Park.
Best friends now colleagues at OrthoRehab
Glenn Morden and Ty Morgan have been friends since high school growing up in Columbia Falls.
Legals for April, 26 2023
Monday, April 24
Head-on wreck on Highway 2
Columbia Falls firefighters and Three Rivers Ambulance responded to a head-on collision between two pickup trucks on Highway 2 in front of Flathead Homes about 8 a.m. Monday morning.
Wednesday, April 19
Odds not good for new bar in Hungry Horse
With the Dam Town Tavern closing in Hungry Horse later this spring, the odds of someone opening another full liquor license bar in town seem slim.
School District 6 Board Race: Keri Hill
I am an esthetician and the owner of two spas in the valley.
Richard Greer, 73
Richard Greer died April 6, 2023 in Springerville, Arizona.
Tennis teams split last week
The Columbia Falls tennis teams split last week.
Softball goes 2-1 on the week
The Columbia Falls softball team went 2-1 on the week.
Baseball team roughed up by Eureka at home
The Columbia Falls baseball team had a tough time against Class B Eureka last Tuesday, losing their home opener, 12-5.
Boys track does well at Kalispell Invitational
Malaki Simpson and Kai Golan went 1-2 at the Kalispell Time Trials last week in the 200 meters.
Board selects Dziowgo as new School District 6 superintendent
The School District 6 board Wednesday selected Cory Dziowgo to be the next school superintendent.
Zinke on the warpath against Glacier Park reservations
Mark Howser had a family friend that got a coveted ticket to a Taylor Swift concert.
Elk herd squeezed by development
Last December as the temperatures dipped well below zero, Luci Yeats looked out her window at the forms in the field outside of her bedroom window.
Hall likes Upton, Hill
This is a letter of support for a strong candidate for School District 6 School Board, Meagan Upton.
Billings woman likes Upton
The youth are the future of this country, and they need stability in education more than ever.
Mitchell likes Upton
I am proud to support and endorse Megan Upton for School Board.
Supports Upton
The election for School District 6 Board of Trustees is underway.
The mail takes a strange route
Seventy degrees Fahrenheit one day and then 40ºF the next accompanied by freezing or near freezing nights.
Spaghetti feed April 22
The Columbia Falls American Legion Freedom Post 72 will hold its 9th annual spaghetti feed fundraiser this coming Saturday, April 22.
FEC annual meeting is Saturday in Kalispell
Members of Flathead Electric Cooperative democratically control their Co-op and conduct its business via their annual members meeting.
Science quencher features interesting talks
The Whitefish Lake Institute is hosting a science quencher with a host of different speakers at the Whitefish Lake Lodge Friday, April 21, from 5 to 7 p.m.
Haraden, noted Glacier Park superintendent, dies at 100
BOZEMAN — Former Glacier National Park superintendent Robert Haraden died April 2 from natural causes.
Yesterdays: 1953, Midway Theater goes up
The Midway Theater Drive-In near the Blue Moon on Highway 40 was going up.
The Blotter: Bee lover spotted in ditch
A red convertible was seen speeding on Martha Road.
Glacier’s Camas Road opens
The Camas Road is now open to motor vehicles for the season in Glacier National Park.
School District 6 Board Race: Barb Riley
I was born in Whitefish, raised in Eureka, graduating from Lincoln County High School.
School District 6 Board Race: Jonathan Foust
I was born and raised in Hamilton so I’ve lived in Montana all of my life except for the times I was deployed for military service.
School District 6 Board Race: Megan Upton
Columbia Falls has been my lifetime home, where I attended School District 6, K-12.
School District 6 Board Race: TJ Middlesworth
I grew up in the Flathead Valley and graduated from Bigfork High School in 2000.
Tuesday, April 18
Bill Sapa, coach of Columbia Falls baseball team, owner of Blue Moon, dies
Bill Sapa, the owner of the Blue Moon Bar and Nite Club in Columbia Falls and the coach of the Columbia Falls High School baseball team has died, multiple people have told the Hungry Horse News.
In 5-2 vote, Columbia Falls City Council council denies 180 unit Kapoor subdivision
The Columbia Falls City Council Monday night voted against a zone change 5-2 that would have allowed a Florida developer to build an 180-unit subdivision just east of the Flathead River.
Friday, April 14
Glacier National Park's Camas Road opens to vehicles for the season
The Camas Road is now open to motor vehicles for the season in Glacier National Park. It opened earlier this week.
Wednesday, April 12
After delay, Coram Post Office seeing mail again
Coram area residents say they had to wait about three days to get their mail at the Coram Post Office, though their mailboxes were full of mail today.
James Grant, 93
James “Jim” William Grant died March 31, 2023 in Columbia Falls.
Jerry LaRoque, 80
Jerry LaRoque (1943-2023): Beloved Teacher, Coach, and Adventurer
Karen Angel Steen, 63
Karen Angel Steen died April 8, 2023 in Columbia Falls at her home.
Veterans Cemetery bill awaits Gianforte signature
A bill to create a new veterans cemetery in Columbia Falls has passed the state House and Senate and awaits Gov. Greg Gianforte’s signature.
EPA won’t clean up old town dumps
While the cleanup plan for the Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. continues, there’s still an old dump that won’t get cleaned up in the Superfund process — a town dump that once served residents of the city and other folks that lived in the Columbia Falls area.
District board issues cease and desist order on inholder home
The Flathead Conservation District formally issued a cease and desist order to the California couple building a home on lower McDonald Creek in Glacier National Park.
Community choir concert coming up
After a three year Covid-19 shut down, the Columbia Falls Community Choir is working hard and preparing for their spring concert.
The Blotter: Motorcyclist hit from behind
A driver reported seeing an intoxicated driver on Hilltop Road.
Council OK’s another casino on Nucleus; talks sewer line
The Columbia Falls City Council last week approved a conditional use permit for up to 20 gaming machines for a new casino on Nucleus Avenue.
Final thoughts on Kapoor
This letter is the last one before the Columbia Falls City Council votes April 17th on Rishi Kapoor’s 450 person subdivision on corner of River Road and Highway 2 at the bridge.
Thoughts on subdivision
It is inevitable that we are going to have growth in Columbia Falls.
More concerns on Subdivision
I am writing to express some concerns with proposed subdivisions east of the Flathead River.
Governor caters to mine company
When a Canadian mining company successfully lobbied a Montana board appointed by Gov. Gianforte to let them add more pollution to Montana’s water, it’s time to take a step back and figure out how we got here.
CFAC community rep here April 27 for introduction
The Environmental Protection Agency has announced that Karmen King, an aquatic toxicologist with the firm SKEO, will be the community technical advisor for the Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. Superfund site.
Yesterdays: 1953, first Lions Club Easter Egg Hunt
The Columbia Falls Lions Club hosted its first-ever Easter egg hunt in Columbia Falls. It was held the city park on Fourth Avenue West.
PHOTOS: Easter egg hunt, then and now
A series of the images of the Columbia Falls Easter Egg Hunt sponsored by the Lions Club, both from this past Easter and from the inaugural event 70 years ago.
Baseball team wins opener on the road against Troy, 24-0
The Columbia Falls baseball team opened up its inaugural season on the road against Troy last week, blanking the Class B Trojans 24-0.
Softball thumps Libby, edged by Glacier
The Columbia Falls softball team settled for a split last week, dropping conference foe Libby 14-3 on the road Tuesday, but losing a tight one to Kalispell Glacier 8-7 on the road Thursday.
Tennis wins single matches, but no doubles
While they didn’t win team titles, the Columbia Falls tennis teams’ top players came out on top against rival Whitefish last week in their first home meet of the season.
Track takes fifth at Hamilton Invite
The Columbia Falls track teams both took fifth at the Hamilton Invitational last week to open the season.
Light at lake is out, stars shine bright in Glacier Park
A light that was compromising the dark skies at the foot of Glacier National Park’s Lake McDonald has been removed.
Columbia Falls women will get you organized
As mothers and teachers, sisters-in-law Samantha Jones and Tabatha Venezio know the importance of organization.
Flathead Rivers Alliance seeks volunteers for summer field work
Flathead Rivers Alliance has announced its 2023 River Ambassador and River Recreation/Citizen Scientist volunteer program trainings ahead of float season to enhance river safety, stewardship and citizen science, on the three forks of the Flathead River.
Legals for April, 12 2023
Friday, April 7
School board narrows superintendent search down to two candidates; public can meet them Tuesday
Columbia Falls School District 6 has announced a Wyoming man and the current superintendent of Helena Flats School as the two finalists for the superintendent position here.
Wednesday, April 5
California couple asks for declaratory ruling in Glacier Park home removal case
The California couple who built a private home along the banks of McDonald Creek have petitioned the Flathead County Conservation District for a declaratory ruling — another step in the regulatory process that could see the matter eventually go before a district court judge.
Price graduates from military police school
Josh Price, a member of the Columbia Falls Class of 2022, recently graduated from military police school at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri on March 21.
Howard Clell Scott, 73
Howard Clell Scott died March 30, 2023 in Columbia Falls.
PHOTOS: Creston Auction
Despite gloomy weather over the weekend, Creston saw a nice crowd of attendees at the Creston Auction on Saturday, April 1.
As river use surges, private rafters raise red flags
Joe Basirico and Mike Burr have been floating the North and Middle Forks of the Flathead collectively for decades.
School board to host super candidate forum
The Columbia Falls School District 6 Board of Trustees will have a community forum with the semifinalist candidates for the superintendent position at 6:30 p.m. April 11t at the high school Little Theater.
Zinke asks Park Service to roll back reservations to 1 p.m.
Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke on Wednesday asked the Park Service to back up the non-reservation entry to Glacier National Park to 1 p.m.
Coach accused of raping boys pleads not guilty to charges
The youth coach accused of raping multiple boys participating in his private hockey program pleaded not guilty to four counts of sexual intercourse without consent in Flathead County District Court on Thursday.
Glacier bridge replacement has provisions for bird protections
Glacier National Park will start construction on a new North Lake McDonald Road bridge over McDonald Creek this month.
Accolades for Schaeffer
Columbia Falls High School wrestling coach Jessie Schaeffer was named the class A wrestling coach of the year.
Planning Board to take up zone change for horse ranch
The Columbia Falls City-County planning board will take up a zone change application that it is relatively uncommon — a landowner is seeking a zone change from Suburban Agricultural 5 (minimum 5 acre lot) to Suburban Agricultural 10 (minimum 10-acre lot).
Can we fix it? Yes we can
You know, I’ve made a career out of social faux pas — saying the wrong thing at the wrong time has always been a skill I’ve cherished.
Recalling Matt Brills
I was fortunate to meet and know many of the North Fork Homesteaders.
Thanks to the bank
I am writing this letter to you today to tell you about my experience with our Glacier Bank.
Laments the loss of trees
I watched in dumbstruck disbelief and distress when they started tearing out the trees in front of the old Columbia Falls grade school.
Renter worried
I rent in Columbia Falls, and my rent went up by 16% this year, which is almost double the rate of inflation.
The Blotter: Pregnant mother stuck in elevator
Report of a man with mental issues beating his girlfriend with a mallet on Frontage Road.
Columbia Falls grad loving life covering the Broncos every move
There are few people on the planet that know more about the ins and outs of the Denver Broncos than Columbia Falls native Henry Chisholm.
Forest Service seeks comments on Northwest Scenic Trail
The U.S. Forest Service is seeking public input regarding a management plan for a 1,200-mile hiking trail that stretches from the Continental Divide to the Pacific Ocean.
Yesterdays: 1963 chinchilla farm in Martin City
Crews from General Shea Morrison were finishing up work on the Hungry Horse Dam, drilling and filling voids with grout under the dam, which, at the time, was the fourth largest concrete dam in the world.
Demand for kids meals is still strong, Food Bank serving about 130 families
Folks who get Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program’s benefits will have less buying power this summer at the Columbia Falls Community Market.
Her quilts are on point
Jane Packer featured quilter at annual Teakettle Guild show
Jane Packer has been sewing since she was a youngster growing up in Hungry Horse.
Last Call for Dam Town Tavern
The Dam Town Tavern in Hungry Horse is seeing its final days, so last Friday I decided to give it a visit and talk to some of the patrons.
Train derailment spills cases of beer into the Clark Fork
Sunday’s Montana Rail Link derailment along the Clark Fork River near Paradise brought back memories for some Sanders County locals who recalled a similar incident more than two decades ago.
Forest Service says prescribed burns are planned this spring
The Flathead National Forest is planning to conduct spring prescribed fire projects when weather, fuel conditions, and air quality become favorable.
REAL Montana folks visit Washington, D.C.
Flathead Valley residents Shauna Dunn, Shelby George, Brian Hogue, and Cameron Wohlschlegel just returned from six days in Washington, D.C., as part of REAL Montana (Resource Education and Agriculture Leadership).
Easter egg hunt is coming up
The Columbia Falls Lions Club will hold its annual Easter egg hunt at 1 p.m. April 9 at Marantette Park in Columbia Falls.
