Sunday, January 29
Columbia Falls speech and debate team wins state A title, its 23rd
The Columbia Falls speech and debate team ran the table, coming away with its 23rd state class A speech and debate championship.
Friday, January 27
Columbia Falls home damaged in Friday house fire
Columbia Falls firefighters at this hour were on the scene of a house fire at the north end of Fourth Avenue West.
Developer pulls River Highlands application, again
The developers for a massive subdivision just east of the Flathead River have once again withdrawn their application.
Thursday, January 26
Hungry Horse artist Oberling gets suspended sentence, time served, in electrocution case
Hungry Horse artist and convicted felon Nicholas H. Oberling painted himself as the victim at his Wednesday sentencing in Flathead County District Court, even as his former partner accused him of continuing to harass her from behind bars.
Wednesday, January 25
Snowstorm expected Thursday into Saturday, starting in Glacier
The region could see 10 inches or more of snow Friday into Saturday as old man winter returns to the Flathead Valley this weekend.
A ‘dash’ through the Bob
In 1975, while taking classes at the University of Montana’s Flathead Lake Biological Station at Yellow Bay, I planned a day trip into Jewel Basin around that strategy.
Thoughts on Homeless
This week, our county commissioners called for the community to share their experiences with the homeless.
Gray water
So a few months back I went to the doctor and he looked at me with a furrowed brow and said I needed a colonoscopy.
Thoughts on Homelessness
Recently the Flathead County Commissioners penned a letter to the public condemning homelessness and in particular the City of Kalispell’s handling of homeless services.
Oppose River Highlands
Jan. 30th could be a pivotal point in the future of the community of Columbia Falls.
The woods are full of small trees, can they be made into homes?
A few weeks ago Pat Clark and his team at Wooden Haus Supply and Stoltze Timber Systems put up the new Uptown Hearth Bakery addition in Columbia Falls in six days.
Glacier National Park reservations available Feb. 1
The first block of reservations to access Glacier National Park’s Going-to-the-Sun Road and the North Fork will become available next week.
Council green lights Tamarack Meadows
The Columbia Falls City Council last week approved a large subdivision at Meadow Lake Resort, with amended conditions.
Yesterdays: 88 Yellowstone elk released in Flathead NF
Fair weather in the high 30s to low 40s allowed for an early start to home building projects for the year, as well as an abundance in elk sightings in Glacier National Park.
Weaver to retire at the end of the month after distinguished career
Rick Weaver, the longtime regional publisher at Hagadone Media Montana, will retire at the end of January.
Essex may have to live with bad phone service
CenturyLink customers in Essex may soon see a stop-gap solution to outages and poor phone service there, but the plan proposed by the telecommunications giant raises as many questions as it answers.
The Blotter: Woman snooping through cars at the Nite Owl
Reports of disorderly conduct from a man walking around 7th Street, carrying a plastic bag and leaving trash and a mess in the bathroom at Mountain View trailer courts.
Commissioners blame shelters for homeless problem
Flathead County commissioners issued a letter last week criticizing homeless services organizations and calling upon residents to deny homeless people help or support.
Nicholas Jurkovich, 90
Nicholas G. Jurkovich died Jan. 13, 2023 in Columbia Falls.
Torpen achieves Eagle Scout rank, highest honor in scouting
Columbia Falls Boys Scout Treyson Torpen has received his Eagle Scout rank, the highest in scouting.
Joe Rogers, 81
Joseph Sullivan Rogers of Coram, Montana, died peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Dec. 30th, 2022.
MatCats take crown in Lewistown
The Columbia Falls wrestling team won the Class A duals in Lewistown over the weekend.
Girls fall short against Browning, but beat Loyola
The Columbia Falls girls basketball team settled for a split over the weekend at home, losing to Browning Friday 52-39, but bouncing back to beat Loyola Sacred Heart the next night, 61-59 in overtime.
Boys lose to Browning in OT, but bounce back against Loyola
The Columbia Falls boys basketball winning streak ended last week as they lost to Browning on the road in overtime Friday night 83-79.
Snowstorm expected in coming days
The region could see 10 inches or more of snow Friday into Saturday as old man winter returns to the Flathead Valley this weekend.
Monday, January 23
Columbia Falls Speech and Debate wins Western A title
The Columbia Falls speech and debate team won the Western A Divisional title over the weekend, easily outpacing the competition.
Wednesday, January 18
West found guilty for robbing a local pharmacy
A jury found a man arrested for holding up a Columbia Falls pharmacy for prescription drugs last year guilty of multiple felony charges in Flathead County District Court on Dec. 21.
Historic Glacier cabin seeks Preservation Grant approval
The Glacier National Park Conservancy is on the list to receive a Montana Historic Preservation Grant for preservation of the Wheeler Cabin in Glacier National Park.
Rep. Mitchell sponsors bill for new veteran’s cemetery
A bill that would create a new state Veterans Cemetery in Columbia Falls passed the House last week.
Sapa Farm will host upcoming Skijoring Event
Skijoring is coming to Columbia Falls. The annual Whitefish Skijoring competition is Jan. 28-29 at the Sapa family farm off Highway 2 near the Blue Moon this year.
Three-part Glacier Park speaker series
The Glacier National Park Volunteer’s Association is holding a three-part winter speaker series in January, February and March.
Clear night skies return to Lake McDonald
A light that was compromising the dark skies at the foot of Glacier National Park’s Lake McDonald will be taken down.
Opposition to speed bumps
To the editor: In regards to your sleep issues and subsequent ‘ideas’.
Thoughts on gun control
A new year brings with it new hope for a new beginning.
Defend your water rights, deadline Feb. 9, 2023
Objections to the Preliminary Decree (CSKT Water Compact) must be received by the Montana Water Court in Bozeman by Feb. 9.
Boys’ winning streak continues on the road
The winning streak continues. The Columbia Falls boys basketball team walloped Whitefish on the road Thursday 63-28 and then dropped Ronan 64-57 to extend its record to 8-1 overall and 4-0 in conference.
Kats crush Bulldogs; tight win over Ronan
The Columbia Falls girls basketball team came away with a pair of key conference wins last week.
Grapplers sweep Bigfork at home dual
Justin Windauer won the 152-pound championship to lead the Wildcats at the Jug Beck Rocky Mountain Classic in Missoula over the weekend.
Thelma L. Ruffatto-Hollingsworth
Thelma L. Ruffatto-Hollingsworth, 98, died on December 25, 2022, at her home in Columbia Falls.
Allen A. Jacobson
Allen A. Jacobson, 87, of Columbia Falls, passed away peacefully on Jan. 8, 2023, one day after what would have been the 66th wedding anniversary to his wife, Sharon Rae Hileman Jacobson.
Swim team takes 4th overall in Missoula, first in A
The Columbia Falls swim team was fourth in Missoula over the weekend, and first among the class A/B schools at the meet.
Clara Ann Volesky
Clara Ann Volesky, 94, died peacefully at her home on Jan. 8, 2023 from natural causes, surrounded by her family.
Death Notices for Jan. 18, 2023
Mark Cech and Alan John Fuzesy
Michelle Gentry
Michelle Gentry of Whitefish, passed away Jan, 9, 2023. She was born Jan. 2, 1959 in Meeker, CO to Anne Gentry (Watt) and the late J Gentry.
Yesterdays: Columbia Falls Lions Club is born
Seventy years ago the Columbia Falls Lions Club received its charter.
Thursday, January 12
Students, staff in new school, but still more work to be done
Students and staff are happily in the new Glacier Gateway Elementary School, but there’s still plenty of work to do on the project.
Wednesday, January 11
Putting construction traffic down private road untenable
Development is inevitable and the proper planning of development is critical. After attending the Columbia Falls City Council meeting on Jan. 3 regarding the proposed Tamarack Meadows subdivision, it’s clear the City Council and Schellinger Construction have an opportunity to exercise leadership in critical thinking and planning for the benefit of the community. The plan is not ready for approval and needs refinement.
Yesterdays: Fire destroys Mobil Station in Hungry Horse
50 years ago Jan. 12, 1973 A fire destroyed the Mobil gas station on Highway 2 in Hungry Horse as well as Cliff Nelson’s apartment home. The Nelsons had four young boys at the time.
Three standout women elected to Hall of Fame
Three female athletes have been inducted into the Columbia Falls Athletic Hall of Fame — Cheyanne Johnston-Heinz, Hannah Sempf and Maddie Robison.
C-Falls career criminal behind bars, again
A Columbia Falls man with a long criminal record is being held on federal charges of prohibited person in possession of firearm, armed career criminal.
Meadow Lake ski event this weekend
Glacier Nordic Club and Meadow Lake Golf Course have partnered to bring groomed cross country ski trails to Columbia Falls once again. The previous 6k of trails have grown to 9k, and Chet Hope Youth Ski League has grown to run on Monday evenings at the Columbia Falls venue.
Speech and debate takes seventh straight A school title
The Columbia Falls speech and debate team continued its roll this week, with its seventh straight first-place finish among class A schools as it competed in Corvallis last weekend.
Nomad GCS announces it is expanding operations to Libby
Libby got a much-needed shot in the arm with the recent announcement that Nomad GCS is coming to town. The 21-year-old company based in the Columbia Falls is expanding its operations into Lincoln County because of the demand for its products and what it says is a skilled and driven workforce.
Boys continue winning streak as they’re road warriors this month
The Columbia Falls boys basketball team started the year on the right foot, dropping conference foe Libby 77-46 Thursday and Class B Shelby 77-28 on Saturday.
More concerns about Tamarack Meadows
The planning board rejected the River Highlands development just less than six months ago. The recurring themes for denial were “the character of the neighborhood,” “the impact on the Flathead River,” and what seemed to be the biggest of all, “safety and traffic.”
Opposes River Highlands
1. We don’t need it. The City has already approved the 102 unit Garnier Heights subdivision, 24 condo units on Nucleus, two 6 plexes on Diane, and the tentative approval of 103 lots in Meadow Lake. There are also individual homes being built in the area. There is no need for density housing.
Girls hoops start off year on a high note
The Columbia Falls girls basketball team opened 2023 on a high note, dropping Libby at home Thursday, 65-26 and then beat Class B Shelby on the road, 69-54, Saturday.
Late night ideas
You ever have a long day and then get in bed and start working on problems you have absolutely no good reason to work on? Or ideas that just have to be explored at 2:47 a.m.?
Authentic New York City bagels come to Columbia Falls
Authentic New York bagels and pastries are now available in Columbia Falls. Les Kleinman opened Brooklyn Bagels on Nucleus Avenue in the new Ruis building late last week.
Man tries to break into high school
A Whitefish man faces charges of assault with a weapon, criminal mischief and burglary after he allegedly tried to break into the Columbia Falls High School about 9:30 p.m. Friday night.
Denis Twohig
Denis Twohig, 83, died Jan. 6, 2023 in Columbia Falls, Montana. Denis is survived by his wife Shirley and son Jim.
The Blotter: Man accidentally shoots himself?
Report of a known felon on the run out of Missoula and known to carry weapons was seen leaving Murdoch’s on Highway 2; employee claims he stole a Dewalt battery.
Grapplers win Ronan title
olumbia Falls wrestlers took the championship at the Western Montana Ronan Invitational on Saturday.
Swimmers take title in Polson
Both the Columbia Falls boys and girls swim teams took home titles at the Polson Invitational Jan. 6, with a host of first-place finishes.
James Lyle Ruterbories, 102.9
James Lyle Ruterbories was born Feb. 24, 1920 on the family farm in Clearwater, Nebraska, to John Herman Ruterbories and Mary Elisabeth Ruterbories. Lyle was the third-born son, and he had two older brothers, Daryl and Don, along with a younger sister, Bernice.
Planning board rejects River Highlands, again
For the second time in five months, the Columbia Falls City County Planning Board Tuesday night voted down a request for a massive subdivision just east of the Flathead River adjacent to River Road.
Friday, January 6
Denis Twohig, a founding father of the Glacier Mountaineering Society, dies
“While we know that climbing demands much, in return it has much to offer. As a recreation it could hardly be a healthier activity,” he said
Alleged car thiefs caught after chase, trying to flee in woods near Essex
Two people are behind bars after allegedly stealing a pickup from Meridian Road in Kalispell on Jan. 5 and leading local authorities on a chase that ended on foot some 60 miles away near Essex.
Thursday, January 5
Spotted Bear Mountain logging gets a green light
Forest trims about 35 acres of logging from final plan
Skiers stranded on chairlift for hours after power failure
Passholder and Whitefish resident Nathan Dugan had only just boarded the “Big Mountain Express” chairlift at Whitefish Mountain Resort when it broke down Dec. 28.
Yesterdays: Rare fisher caught in trap
The Environmental Protection Agency wouldn’t sign off on an air pollution plan for the Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. plant until the company provided better data on what it was actually discharging.
Book Review: It's A Wonderful Wilderness Life
Floating in cheap rafts in an “impassable” canyon. Snorkeling for native cutthroat trout. Traveling more than 40 miles through the woods in a day. And a heartfelt tribute to a friend who died in a plane crash. Those are just a few of the tales told in Kalispell author John Fraley’s new book, “My Wilderness Life, One Man’s Search for Meaning in Montana’s Backcountry.”
Columbia Falls first paid firefighters look forward to serving community
Jade Thomas, Ryan Smith and Brad Peterson saw their first day on the job Dec. 27.
Lessons from fire
Another house fire! This week the nearly new Barge home at the junction of the North Fork Road and Moose Creek Road was severely damaged by a fire which started in an upstairs wall and spread into the attic.
Mitchell ready for session
The 2023 legislative session is shaping up to deliver on the Montana Values that House District 3 voters overwhelming endorsed in November.
More thoughts on River Highlands
The Columbia Falls City-County Planning Board will once again be considering the River Highlands Planned Unit Development and Preliminary Plat request on Jan. 10, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. at the Columbia Falls Junior High School. Our community turned out in great numbers on Aug. 9, 2022 to participate in the public hearing that ultimately resulted in the Planning Board voting to deny the zone change, PUD and Preliminary Plat.
Opinion: Growing pains, self inflicted
I’ve been to some contentious planning board and city council meetings in the past few months as Columbia Falls sees and feels the pain of growth.
State grizzly bear plan has little tolerance for wayward bears
Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks recently released a draft environmental impact statement for the management of grizzly bears if they are delisted from the Endangered Species Act. Grizzlies have been listed as a threatened species since 1975.
Wednesday, January 4
Sharon Gilham Williams
Sharon Gilham Williams, 80, died Dec. 28, 2022 in Salt Lake City
Jeffrey L. Secord
On Feb. 10, 1958, a mischievous angel with a wicked sense of humor was born to Gladyce and Leonard Secord in Kalispell. Jeffrey Len Secord had a full and fun life but flew from this earth on Oct. 25, 2022, after a courageous battle with malignant melanoma.
Charlette Enquist-Moran, 74
Charlette Marie Enquist-Moran, 74 ,died on Monday, Dec. 26, 2022 at Northern Montana Hospital of natural causes.
Council postpones vote on Tamarack Meadows subdivision
After a lengthy public hearing Tuesday night, the Columbia Falls City Council voted to postpone a vote on the Tamarack Meadows subdivision at Meadow Lake Resort.
