Ellington

Glacier crews have started plowing roads on east side; Camas Road soon

Glacier National Park plow crews have started clearing some roads on the east side of the Park. Crews started plowing the Two Medicine and Chief Mountain Roads earlier this week and will start plowing the Camas Road within a few days.

Zinke asks Park Service director to move back reservation requirement in Glacier 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.

Wildland firefighters banquet is coming up

The public is invited to the third annual Flathead Wildland Firefighters Banquet to help support the many federal, state, local, contract, and volunteer firefighters that train and work to protect public and private lands.

Man who allegedly ran over trooper pleads not guilty

A man with seemingly nothing to lose, Jason Allen Miller reportedly told a female passenger in his truck that he was not going back to prison shortly before he allegedly ran a Montana Highway Patrol trooper over last month near Rexford.

The Blotter: Disgruntled painter vandalizes building

Report of a disgruntled painter writing “pay the painter” all over a building on 1st Avenue after not receiving payment for work in a timely manner.

Yesterdays: Columbia Falls grade school sees growth

An 11-classroom grade school as well as an auditorium-gym-assembly hall was going up next to the Columbia Falls High School as the town was seeing growth.

Questions about affordable housing

I am writing to express my concerns about the proposed zone change in Columbia Falls.

PHOTOS: Columbia Falls schools musicals

A series of photos by the Hungry Horse News showcasing Columbia Falls students on stage in a busy week of musical performances.

Softball team off to a good start

The Columbia Falls softball team dropped Plains 14-2 in Polson to open the season Saturday.

Tennis full to the brim with nowhere to play

The Columbia Falls tennis team has great numbers this year. But like all sports right now, it needs to stop snowing so players can get some court time in.

FWP prepares new Wolf Management Plan

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks will prepare an environmental impact statement and conduct public scoping on a proposed action to develop a new wolf management plan.

Council approves townhomes on Fourth Avenue, supports paving N. Fork Road

The Columbia Falls City Council last week approved an amended planned unit development at 812 4th Ave West which will become all housing units, rather than a mix of housing and commercial space.

Dorothy L. Karper, 91

Dorothy L. Karper, 91, of Columbia Falls, formerly of Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, March 22, 2023.

Barbara Jean Hinsz, 82

Barbara Jean Hinsz of Columbia Falls, crossed over March 20, 2023. of Columbia Falls, crossed over March 20, 2023.

Vickie Lee Hanson, 63

Vickie Lee Hanson went to be with the Lord on her birthday, March 17, 2023

Listen to the experts

On Monday, March 20, I attended the Columbia Falls City Council meeting on whether the council would approve or deny requests by a developer for a zone change and a planned unit development on the east edge of the Flathead River and Columbia Falls.

High school classrooms should soon see more fresh air

The School District 6 School Board last week voted to go with a new system that will greatly improve the ventilation in classrooms at the Columbia Falls High School.

Hope this isn’t city’s legacy

On the evening of March 20, 2023, I approached the microphone at the Columbia Falls City Council meeting, during the time allotted for public comment on non-agenda issues.

Of wildlife, wetlands and rivers

I am writing to you today to express my concern about the proposed zone change that could potentially destroy our pristine river, wildlife corridor and wetlands in Columbia Falls.

Columbia Falls man accused by more youths of rape

Prosecutors say a third young boy has come forward with allegations that a youth hockey coach from Flathead County raped him by inserting an unknown object in his rectum, an incident they believe occurred at a Butte hotel in January 2021.

Council will take up Kapoor subdivision on April 17

The Columbia Falls City Council will take up a 180-unit subdivision proposed by a Florida developer at its April 18 meeting at 7 p.m. city manager Susan Nicosia said Monday.

Rosendale introduces bill to delist region’s grizzly bears

Montana Congressman Matt Rosendale has introduced legilation that would remove the grizzly bear from the Endangered Species List in the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem, which includes Glacier National Park and the Bob Marshall Wilderness.

Legals for March, 29 2023

Board sets deadline for decision on McDonald Creek home

The Flathead Conservation Board gave a San Diego couple until April 3 to either apply for a permit to remove a house built along the banks of McDonald Creek in Glacier National Park or seek a declaratory judgment in the matter.

Jellison Road home ruined in Sunday morning fire

Columbia Falls firefighters responded to a house fire on Jellison Road early Sunday morning.

Nonprofit looking for goat yoga instructor, volunteers

Farming for the Future Academy is seeking a Goat Yoga instructor for summer programs.

Richard Hillstrom, 84

Richard L. “Dick” Hillstrom was born April 23, 1938 on a farm near Lyons, Nebraska to Ruth Sears Hillstrom and Roy Hillstrom.

Richard Hillstrom, 84

Richard L. “Dick” Hillstrom was born April 23, 1938 on a farm near Lyons, Nebraska to Ruth Sears Hillstrom and Roy Hillstrom.

Dora Richards, 91

Dora Jean Richards died March 16, 2023 in Kalispell.

Linda McCully, 70

Linda McCully died March 18, 2023 in Martin City.

Police remove man from dais during meeting

The Columbia Falls City Council meeting had a moment of drama Monday night, when resident Matt Padgett claimed city councilman Darin Fisher should recuse himself from voting on a subdivision east of the Flathead River proposed by Location Acquisitions.

Columbia Falls man found guilty of murder

After a little more than three hours of deliberation, a jury found Zackary Matthew Maas guilty of deliberate homicide Thursday evening.

Community choir back on stage

Concert is April 15

After a three year COVID shut down, the Columbia Falls Community Choir is working hard and preparing for their Spring Concert.

Private lands in Glacier should have zoning

Last week’s story on a home built on the banks of McDonald Creek by John and Stacy Ambler certainly struck a nerve on social media, reaching about 722,000 people as of Monday, according to Fakebook.

Thoughts on North Fork Road

I am writing this column on the official first day of Spring. As usual it is much more springlike in Columbia Falls than it is on the North Fork.

Food bank thanks

The Columbia Falls Food Bank would like to thank Laura from the Columbia Falls Chamber of Commerce for spear heading the food drive held recently.

Mitchell on session

Montana’s future should be determined by Montanans who have Montana Values and live the Montana way of life. That’s what the Montana legislature has been working to do during the first half of the 2023 legislative session.

Thoughts on rentals

Housing and growth are undoubtably the most popular, and heated, topics of discussion in the Flathead Valley right now.

Planning board greenlights casino, talks parking problems

The Columbia Falls City-County Planning board Tuesday unanimously approved a conditional use permit for up to 20 gaming machines at a new bar and casino on Nucleus Avenue.

Vote now for Best of Columbia Falls area

The Hungry Horse News has launched its second annual The Best of Columbia Falls to Essex in partnership with the Columbia Falls Area Chamber of Commerce.

Subdivision trims lots to accommodate stream, wetlands

The Garnier Heights subdivision off Meadow Lake Boulevard will have four fewer lots than originally approved by the Columbia Falls City Council.

Girl Scout cookies are still available

If you didn’t have the opportunity to pre-order your Girl Scout Cookies — no worries — you can still purchase your favorites at Girl Scout Cookie Booths across Montana and Wyoming beginning Friday, March 24.

Yesterdays: Aluminum Co. drills a new well

A water well at the Anaconda Aluminum Co. site hit water in gravel between 94 and 108 feet under the surface.

Biking the Sun Road to open May 5

Glacier National Park Monday said it expects folks will be able to drive to Lake McDonald Lodge by 6 a.m. May 5, though the Going-to-the-Sun Road will be rough as it’s under construction.

The Blotter: Girl attacked by dogs

A man was contacted by police after threatening a neighbor’s cat; claimed he was not really going to shoot the cat, but expressed frustration because his son was allergic and the cat was getting too close to his house; would take it to the animal shelter if it happened again.

Family finds themselves victims of mold

About four years ago Pastor Nick Picklesimer’s wife, Sarah, started getting sick with respiratory problems — she was having trouble breathing and whenever she caught a cold it would take weeks to get over it, while other people she knew would be back on their feet in a few days.

Baseball season underway, but in the gym

The Columbia Falls inaugural baseball team should be solid right out of the gate.

Council postpones decision on subdivision

After a meeting that went past midnight Tuesday, the Columbia Falls City Council did not make a decision on a proposed 180-unit rental complex on lands just east of the Flathead River.

Florida developer paid $18,000 for University of Montana BBER housing study; was allowed review of it as well

A Florida developer paid $18,000 for a housing study analysis of the Flathead Valley completed by economist Patrick Barkey.

Best of Columbia Falls to Essex is underway

The Hungry Horse News has launched its second annual The Best of Columbia Falls to Essex in partnership with the Columbia Falls Area Chamber of Commerce.

Hikers, bikers should have Sun Road access by mid-May

Hikers and bikers should have access to the Going-to-the-Sun Road by mid-May, Glacier National Park spokeswoman Gina Kerzman said last week.

The Building is his Canvas

Grand vistas that many would recognize. Striking portraits. Wildlife on the move through the Montana landscape.

Still time to file for school board election

Five people are running for three open seats on the Columbia Falls School District 6 board in this spring election.

Old Gateway School sale closes March 31

Columbia Falls School District 6 earlier this month approved the final purchase and sale agreement of the old Glacier Gateway Elementary School to Ruis Gateway LLC, owned by Columbia Falls developer Mick Ruis.

Yesterday: Mysterious flash across the night sky

Seventeen companies were bidding on the contract to construct the Anaconda Aluminum Co.

Mayor wants Columbia Falls residents to speak up at hearing

Columbia Falls Mayor Don Barnhart said he hoped that “citizens of Columbia Falls” attend an upcoming public hearing on a proposed subdivision east of the Flathead River next week.

James “Jim” Cornelius Putnam, Jr., 94

James “Jim” Cornelius Putnam, Jr. died March 11, 2023 in Whitefish.

Jose Urrea, 72

Jose Urrea, died March 3, 2023 in Kalispell at the Brendan House.

Woman sentenced in dog shooting case

The Flathead Valley woman who became the target of international outrage last year after allegedly shooting a dog she mistook for a wolf and then boasting about it on social media received a six month deferred sentence recently.

Pancake supper

A pancake supper is planned at the North Valley Senior Center in Columbia Falls from 4 to 7 p.m. March 31.

Night at the Movies

The Columbia Falls High School Choir will have a “Night at the Movies” concert featuring songs from the stage and screen at 7 p.m. March 21 at the Columbia Falls Little Theater.

Women meet

Columbia Falls Women’s Connection will host a luncheon on Wednesday, March 22 at 11:30 a.m. at the First Baptist Church located at 827 9th St West in Columbia Falls.

Little Cat track

Little Cats track for grades 1-6 is now taking registrations through April 10.

Cats have rough go at State

Two bad quarters were the difference for Columbia Falls at the state A basketball tourney in Butte last week, as they lost to Butte Central, 53-44, in the opener Thursday and then to Glendive, 62-49, in loser-out action Friday.

Garner senior fraud talk coming up at FVCC in April

The public is invited to the second annual Senior Fraud Protection Summit on April 1 to learn about how to protect against fraud scams that target seniors.

Gianforte signs property tax relief bill

Flanked by dozens of Republican lawmakers on the steps of the state Capitol, Gov. Greg Gianforte signed a tax cut, rebate and spending package totaling more than $1 billion Monday.

Art, furniture, lighting, clothing, Coyote a unique shop

An eclectic new shop has opened on Nucleus Avenue next to Brooklyn Bagels.

The Blotter: Too many dogs in city limits

A homeowner on Columbia Drive was concerned about their neighbor’s dogs barking, they had at least eight dogs which is beyond the city ordinance of four.

Thoughts on griz delisting

Enos Mills first called for protection of grizzly bears in his 1919 book “The Grizzly,” as he watched them being exterminated from Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and California.

Mailer, website, is developer, not them

Columbia Falls and surrounding residents have been targeted with a mailer from FlatheadforSensibleGrowth.com.

What’s leaking under our river?

Municipalities throughout the United States are choosing to take the plunge and run utility lines under their rivers. Although intentions may be good, there are real risks associated with these types of decisions.

The future, and past, of the North Fork

A relatively new North Forker recently asked me if we are experiencing a “normal” winter.

Details, missed

So the other day the boy and I tried to ski and it was a miserable affair.

Cleanup of Kaiser Mead plant lends clues into CFAC future

The cleanup at the former Kaiser Mead aluminum smelter near Spokane, Washington could provide insight as to how the Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. plant is ultimately cleaned up as well.

Hikers, bikers should have Sun Road access by mid-May

Hikers and bikers should have access to the Going-to-the-Sun Road by mid-May, Glacier National Park spokeswoman Gina Kerzman said last week.

Board orders California couple to remove home in Glacier Park

Rules home violates state stream protection law

The Flathead Soil and Water Conservation District Board Monday night found a home that’s under construction along the banks of McDonald Creek is in violation of state law and ordered it be removed by Nov. 1.

PHOTOS: Cloverfest 2023

Scenes from the second annual Cloverfest 5k, fun run and St. Patrick's Day celebration held Saturday March 11 at the Coop.

Legals for March, 15 2023

Columbia Falls man dies after being hit by vehicle at Blue Moon intersection

A Columbia Falls pedestrian is dead after he was hit by a vehicle at the Blue Moon intersection of Highways 2 and 40 about 2:07 a.m. Saturday morning.

Snow expected Friday into Saturday, could be heavy in Glacier and higher terrain

The region should see a wintry blast before a marked improvement next week.

Former Mayor, commissioner, responds

Recently there was an article in the local newspaper criticizing community involvement in local planning efforts, listing a “myriad of problems with community input.”

Housing Future?

Cedar Pointe attracts a host of investors, including a company from Guam

The Cedar Pointe subdivision in Columbia Falls could be a harbinger of things to come in the Columbia Falls housing market.

Heritage Days Committee says it could use some help

After more than 30 years organizing Heritage Days, Shirley Reynolds said she and her fellow volunteers could use a little help.

Florida developer eyes another big farmland tract adjacent to Bad Rock Wildlife Management Area

Seeks zone change from county

A developer out of Florida is asking Flathead County for a zone change from SAG-10 (suburban agricultural) to R1 (residential) on about 112 acres of farmland west of Columbia Falls.

Democracy isn’t pretty, but it’s better than the alternative

I don’t often read the editorial pages of the Daily Inter Lake, namely because they get a lot of opinions on subjects or topics we don’t always cover.

A jaded eye toward public involvement

In conversations about government, it’s almost cliche to say, “The government closest to the people works best.”

Yesterdays: Girl scouts cowboy camp in snow storm

70 years ago, The county plows had made it to Polebridge.

The Blotter: Car theft and assault with bat in Martin City

Report of a vehicle hitting a deer on Hilltop Road.

Company touts ‘biochar’ as alternative to simply burning slash piles

Forest management activities are a major part of life in Northwest Montana; they create valuable products like lumber and employ many across the region.

School receives email threat

The Columbia Falls High School had an increased law enforcement presence Monday morning after the school received a threatening email late Sunday night.

New shop on Nucleus features local, regional artists

Nucleus Avenue has a new art shop with deep roots in the valley.

The Rocky Hoerner Picture Show

Rocky Hoerner has been drawing and painting 50 years, at least.

Bozeman Bound

With a 9-point lead in the fourth quarter, it looked like Columbia Falls boys basketball team would cruise to victory over Havre in the state A play-in game Saturday at the Butte Civic Center.

PHOTOS: shots of students in Columbia Falls

From Bleed Blue week to the science fair, students express themselves in class and around the community last week in Columbia Falls.

Girls have rough go against Laurel in play-in game

It was a tough ending to an otherwise good season, as the Columbia Falls girls basketball team lost to Laurel in the state A play-in game Saturday in Butte, 74-45.

Mary Robertson, 61

Mary Robertson of Hungry Horse passed away on Feb. 19 shortly after a diagnosis of stage 4 metastatic cancer.

Floyd McClanahan, 84

Floyd “Red” McClanahan, of Columbia Falls, passed away on Thursday, March 2, 2023, at the age of 84.

Loyal Howard Chubb, 85

Loyal Howard Chubb, 85, passed away Feb. 17 from a long battle with Alzheimer’s.

Donald Duane Sedgwick, 91

Donald Duane Sedgwick died March 25, 2023 in Whitefish.

Legals for March, 8 2023

Columbia Falls High School boosts police presence after threatening email received. Helena and Bozeman also saw threatening emails as well

The Columbia Falls High School has an increased law enforcement presence Monday morning after the school received a threatening email late Sunday night.

Arrests made after motorcycle gang brawl

Flathead County authorities announced Friday the arrest of two men thought to be leaders of the local chapter of a motorcycle club linked to last month’s brawl in the Majestic Valley Arena.

Nucleus Avenue could see two new sports bars in coming months

Columbia Falls could soon have two sports bars.

Congressman Zinke says Glacier National Park reservation system locking out locals

Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke has concerns about Glacier National Park’s reservation system, claiming it locks out locals. Instead of ticketed entry, the Republican is suggesting investment in a more robust shuttle system that accesses the entire park.

Woman has to give up her rifle for six months in dog shooting case

The Flathead Valley woman who became the target of international outrage last year after allegedly shooting a dog she mistook for a wolf and then boasting about it on social media received a six month deferred sentence Tuesday.

Girls take fifth, will have play in game

Their season isn’t over just yet.

Glacier moves wilderness reservations to Recreation.gov

Glacier National Park announced Thursday the launch of a revamped permitting system for backcountry campsites.

Avalanche Campground will reopen after three-year hiatus

Glacier National Park said it is re-opening Avalanche Campground in Spring 2023 after being closed since 2020.

Opinions differ, but folks cordial at growth workshop

Columbia Falls has filled up. Where and how it will grow in the future — and still be a place where a blue collar worker can have a home and raise a family — remains a concern among many residents.

City resort tax tops $1.1 million; properties will see rebate

Columbia Falls property owners should see a significant property tax reduction in upcoming bills as a windfall from the 3% resort tax.

Senate Bill would front load planning process in Montana

Abell: ‘If you implement zoning, they’ll hang all three of us in the courthouse yard’

Montana lawmakers got an initial look last week at a major land planning bill that aims to overhaul how development decisions are made in and around Montana’s fast-growing urban areas.

William George Armstrong, 89

Early on the morning of Feb. 19th, William G. (Bill) Armstrong, age 89, passed away surrounded by his loving family at this Tamarack Lane home.

Yesterdays: 2,000 cattle shipped to Wyoming

The Hoerner brothers had offered to donate a full block of land for a new hospital in Columbia Falls near the Little Bemidji section of Columbia Falls and the 38 acres of homesites purchased by the Anaconda Aluminum Co.

A leap of faith makes for a good essay

Have you ever had those fears that kept you from doing so many things?

Amending the constitution, thoughtfully

2022 was the year of celebrating the fiftieth birthday of Montana’s Constitution – its visionary provisions and the unique bipartisan approach adopted by the citizen delegates who wrote it.

Love your neighbor as yourself

I feel grieved at the community response to the triumvirate commissioners’ letter, which condemned enabling the homeless, yet also seemed to shame any other assistance.

Free the Seeds returns to FVCC

Free the Seeds returns to Flathead Valley Community College on Saturday, March 4 for an eighth year of interactive workshops, activities, seed sharing and more.

The Blotter: Manager assaulted at Jiffy Lube

Report of a motor vehicle accident in front of Hanson’s Hardware, no injuries.

Second annual Cloverfest on March 11

The Columbia Falls Chamber of Commerce will hold its second annual Cloverfest on March 11.

Mountainfilm on Tour will visit Flathead Valley

Mountainfilm on Tour brings a selection of culturally rich, adventure-packed and incredibly inspiring documentary films curated from the Mountainfilm festival in Telluride, Colorado.

Bill would provide benefit to peace officers injured or killed in line of duty

Montana State Attorney General Austin Knudsen said Sunday his office plans on prosecuting Jason A. Miller, 41, to the fullest extent of the law.

Boys take fifth, play in game for shot at State

Like the girls, the Columbia Falls boys basketball team will have one last shot at a state tournament berth.

Legals for March, 1 2023