Ellington

Ron Bond, longtime community leader, dies at 86

Bond was best known in Columbia Falls for founding and leading the Columbia Falls Community Choir for decades.

70 years ago, A Sun Road tragedy, a Sun Road miracle

Seventy years ago this month, Glacier National Park saw one of its greatest tragedies on the Going-to-the-Sun Road.

Drowning victim identified

The 28-year-old woman who drowned in Glacier National Park on Monday has been identified as a University of Kansas student who was on a tour of national parks with friends.

History book now available

Lois Walker has done it again!

A longer way for a danish

It’s a long way to Tipperary and a pretty long way to the Polebridge Mercantile up the North Fork in Glacier.

Support for Board decision

What a delight to wake up this morning to read the headlines that our County Commissioners turned down a massive subdivision development on KM Ranch Road.

Plea deal reached in drunk driving case

A Columbia Falls motorist arrested after allegedly drunkenly colliding with a family of cyclists last summer has struck a plea deal with prosecutors.

Yesterdays: Bear trees hikers at Avalanche Lake

George H. Beaton, plow foreman and William A. Whitford were killed in an avalanche while plowing the Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park.

Ronald G. Bond, 86

Ron Bond died on Saturday surrounded by his family. His mind was as sharp as ever, but over the past few months his body betrayed him.

Backcountry Horsemen of the Flathead in 50th year

The log would have largely gone unnoticed by any other horse party.

Columbia Falls teens win state fishing tourney

A pair of Columbia Falls High School freshmen fishermen have qualified for a national championship fishing tournament after winning the Montana Student Angler Federation State Championship May 21 on the Noxon Reservoir.

Cloey Ramage takes second in state tennis

Cloey Ramage took second at the state A tennis tournament in Missoula last week.

Voermans wins discus at state track meet

The Columbia Falls boys won the 400 relay at the state A track meet last week in Laurel.

Scout gives back to Columbia Falls

Columbia Falls senior Trey Rice put his welding a fabrication skills to good use earlier this year, building four new benches at Columbus Park.

‘He launched them, I caught them,’ Vets now on Memorial Wall

Juan Cantu and Karl Grein both now have their names on the veterans living memorial wall at Marantette Park, but how they both ended up in Columbia Falls is an interesting tale.

State Champs!

The Columbia Falls Wildkats won their first ever state A softball championship Saturday, beating Billing Central, 8-2, in Belgrade for the title.

Dennis Kegel, 79

Dennis “Denny” Mark Kegel died May 26, 2023 in Whitefish.

Terry L. Steele, 64

Terry L. Steele died May 18, 2023 in Columbia Falls.

James Allen “Jim” Reuter, 63

James Allen “Jim” Reuter died May 21, 2023 in Kalispell.

Bad Rock firefighters save home, but barn, shop destroyed in early morning blaze

A fire destroyed a barn and a garage with hundreds of thousands of dollars of equipment inside early this morning. Bad Rock Fire Chief Kirk Katzenmeyer said the call came in about 2:17 a.m. at the Tyler farm on Tyler Farm Lane, which is off Columbia Falls Stage Road.

Eva Jones, 87

Eva Mae Jones died May 12, 2023 in Martin City.

Track squads do well at Western A Divisional Tourney

The Columbia Falls track squads did well at the Western A Divisional meet last week.

FEC election results

Flathead Electric Cooperative’s annual election results are in.

James Allen “Jim” Reuter, 63

Jim Reuter died May 21, 2023 in Kalispell.

Park plows nearing the end

Glacier National Park plows are now at Logan Pass, going about 3 miles in the past week.

Hearing date set for Glacier National Park inholder case

The Flathead Conservation District Board Monday night set Aug. 25 as the hearing date for a home that it believes was illegally built on the shores of McDonald Creek in Glacier National Park.

Daycare closure impacts 50 families

Nature Kids Daycare last week announced it was closing its doors permanently after it ran into financial difficulty with rent and building upkeep.

Zinke introduces legislation to help communities near national parks

Montana Rep. Ryan Zinke has teamed with Mary Peltola (D-Alaska) to introduce bipartisan legislation to aid communities adjacent to national parks deal with the impacts of skyrocketing visitation.

Get off my lawn guy

Well, I’ve stooped to a new low.

Now is time to prepare for wildfire

I don’t need to report that the North Fork was filled with smoke last week.

Taking on China

With the weather finally warming up here for spring time, I’ve been spending a lot of time out on my tractor finishing up planting.

Skateboarders have already raised $400,000 for new park in Columbia Falls

The Bad Rock Skate Park Association hopes to soon do a formal land survey at Fenholt Park in Columbia Falls for a new skatepark after the city concurred with the idea.

Yesterdays: Ruder bear featured in Nat Geo

The Flathead National Forest was fighting spruce bark beetles by cutting down some spruce trees, waiting for the beetles to infest them, then spraying the down trees with ethylene dibromide to kill the bugs.

The Blotter: Bong smoker on newspaper's front lawn

A male left Super One with a bag of groceries and headed east on Highway 2 in a white Subaru.

The Comfort of Generations

Senior sews quilt made from blocks crafted nearly 100 years ago

Years ago, Madison Ypma’s great-great grandmother Ida Brock Sterling sewed together blocks for a quilt.

Ramage punches ticket to state tennis tourney

Columbia Falls senior tennis player Cloey Ramage took second at the Western A divisional tourney in Libby over the weekend.

Kats win Western A Softball title

The Columbia Falls softball team continued its tear through the season, winning the Western A Divisional title Saturday in Frenchtown, beating conference foe Polson in the championship, 11-7.

FWP seeks comments on projects

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is seeking public comment on several items.

Glacier starting bear monitoring

Glacier National Park is participating in an interagency effort led by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Park to monitor grizzly bear population trends in the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem using bait stations, automated cameras, and traps to capture and monitor grizzly bears inside the park.

Legals for May, 24 2023

Woman drowns in Avalanche Creek

A 28-year-old female from Kansas fell off a rocky overhang into Avalanche Creek in Glacier National Park and was swept into the gorge and died Monday, park officials said.

Park plows close in on Logan Pass

Glacier National Park plows have closed in on Logan Pass, going about 3 miles in the past week.

Magazine takes a closer look at Kennedy-Beard accident

The Glacier Mountaineering Society’s 2023 magazine has been released and shows a great appreciation for former Hungry Horse News editor-publisher Brian Kennedy.

Co-op approves stabproof vests for ambulance

Flathead Electric Cooperative’s Roundup for Safety Board of Directors recently awarded $16,200 to two area nonprofits.

New Badrock baseball team off to hot start

Badrock Baseball, a new North Valley travel baseball program, is up and coming and winning.

Tennis heads to Libby for divisionals this week

The Columbia Falls tennis teams wrapped up the regular season on Saturday with matches against Corvallis and Hamilton at home.

Flathead National Forest looking at 25 special use permits this summer

The Flathead National Forest is requesting public input on the issuance of 25 temporary special use permits authorizing outfitting and guiding activities and recreation events to individuals, groups, businesses, and nonprofit entities who have applied for permits through the Flathead National Forest Temporary Outfitting and Guiding and Recreation Event Special Use Permit Process.

Track squad looks sharp heading down the stretch

The girls took third and the boys took fifth as Columbia Falls wrapped up its regular season Saturday at the Nelson-Thomas ABC meet in Polson.

Baseball team finishes tough inaugural season at 8-5

The Columbia Falls baseball team wrapped up its inaugural season going 1-2 in its final week.

Softball team on a tear heading into divisionals

The Columbia Falls softball team continued its winning ways over the past week on the road, dropping Ronan last Tuesday, 7-3, then Glendive 18-3, Florence 7-1, Lockwood, 20-11 and Butte High junior varsity, 10-6 at the Laverne Combo Tourney in Butte over the weekend.

County begins work on Blankenship, Belton Stage Roads

Flathead County has started work on reconstructing and rehabilitating roads in the North Fork and West Glacier areas, it announced recently.

Rocks bring a little happiness to the world, classroom

Melissa Sweeney wants to bring a little happiness and compassion into the world, one rock at a time.

Yesterdays: 15 pound fishing limit 70 years ago

The fishing season was the hot topic, with generous limits of 15 fish per day not to exceed 15 pounds in most Montana waters and Glacier Park had a 10 fish limit not to exceed 15 pounds.

Mitchell says Legislature delivered on GOP mandate

Republican House District 3 Representative Braxton Mitchell was pleased with the way the Legislative session went.

Maas gets 80 years for murdering Wagoner

Judge Dan Wilson sentenced convicted killer Zackary Matthew Maas to 80 years behind bars Thursday, describing the 26-year-old as a threat to society and suffering from an undeservedly heightened sense of self-worth.

Montana Meth Project art contest offers big prizes

Flathead County residents entering the Montana Meth Project’s Paint the State 2023 art contest now have the opportunity to compete for major cash prizes thanks to the generous support of the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation.

Reservation system untenable

I live directly across the North Fork from the park, and am a lifelong resident of the Flathead valley.

Debt dilemma

Americans have always commonly agreed that taxes are the price of a civilized society.

Thoughts on the rescue

Everyone in the North Fork followed the story of the young man lost on the Huckleberry Lookout Trail.

Saving money with chickens!

Like a lot of people trying to save a few bucks, I too, have turned to chickens.

Supreme Court upholds zoning variance for Swiss Apartments

The Montana Supreme Court has upheld a district court ruling that allows for a nine-unit apartment complex to be rebuilt in Columbia Falls.

City looks to narrow scope of bear law

The Columbia Falls City Council Monday night mulled a new Animal Conflict Prevention ordinance, but decided to further discuss the matter rather than go ahead with a broad ordinance at the moment.

Sun Road opens to Avalanche Creek

Hikers and bikers can go as far as Bird Woman Falls Overlook

The Going-to-the-Sun Road opened to Avalanche Creek for motor vehicles Saturday morning for the season.

Glacier looks to establish native fish in Gunsight Lake

Glacier National Park on Monday released an environmental assessment to restore pure westslope cutthroat trout and bull trout into Gunsight Lake east of the Continental Divide.

East Side Hungry Horse Reservoir Road opens Monday to Spotted Bear, but West Side will be delayed due to a slump in road

The East Side Hungry Horse Reservoir Road is scheduled to open to Spotted Bear Monday, May 15.

Sun Road opens to Avalanche Creek Saturday

The Going-to-the-Sun Road will open to Avalanche Creek for motor vehicles beginning Saturday morning for the season.

City OK’s zone change for horse ranch

The Columbia Falls City Council last week approved a zone change to allow for a horse-boarding business and also approved a minor subdivision.

The Blotter: Man set kitten trap, caught a skunk

Report of a house fire involving several mobile homes on Terrace Drive.

Gateway to Glacier Trail events on tap for coming weeks

Over the next two months all are invited to a series of social and pop-up events highlighting current Gateway to Glacier Trails projects.

Fenholt Park could be home to new skateboard park

A skateboard park could soon be coming to Columbia Falls Fenholt Park.

Teachers on the front lines

School shootings and the bloody murders of totally innocent children and their teacher caretakers is a societal tragedy that Americans have become numb to. Without the common sense outlawing of the assault weapons used in most of these atrocities, the preventable horror will relentlessly continue, in our schools, most of them public schools.

The last worst place?

What comes to mind when you hear Montana referred to as the “last best place?” Do you think of the pristine, relatively untouched Smith River? Do you think of the vast Golden Triangle where family farms still operate and pass down the value of hard work to their children? Is it your hometown gathering where neighbors come together to celebrate the 4th of July?

Governor wasn’t listening on 442

Gov. Greg Gianforte recently vetoed Senate Bill 442. This legislation would use money from marijuana tax revenues to help fund county road construction and maintenance and wildlife habitat improvement, water conservation, weed management and public access.

Sevesind graduates from nuclear school

Graceanne Sevesind, a member of the Columbia Falls Class of 2020, recently graduated from Navy Nuclear A school at Naval Weapons Station in Goose Creek, South Carolina on April 7th.

Conservation District names hearing officer for inholder case as creek inches closer to home

The home sits on 2,300-square foot lot. It is hooked into Park Service sewer and water, which serves all of Apgar, a small village in the park’s boundaries.

Resort tax rebate for homeowners continues to grow

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

Wilkinsons won’t sell land to Kapoor

The owners of a ranch east of Columbia Falls say they have terminated a contract with developer Rishi Kapoor, CEO of Location Ventures to sell about 113 acres of land.

Kats drub Browning, Libby in softball action

The Columbia Falls softball team went 2-0 on the week, dropping Browning 25-0 on the road last Tuesday and Libby at home Friday 17-6 for senior night.

Historic day for Columbia Falls soccer as five sign to play college

Five members of the 2022 State A champion Columbia Falls Wildcats soccer team signed letters of intent to play in college on Thursday.

Kroger throws no-hitter against Polson

The Columbia Falls baseball team had a great week as pitcher Kellen Kroger had a no-hitter against Polson as the Wildcats won, 1-0 at home Thursday.

Tennis beats Ronan and Libby, but loses to Whitefish

Columbia Falls tennis teams had a solid week. The boys and girls swept Ronan and each beat Libby 4-3.

With opening on the horizon, Uptown Hearth is now roasting its own coffee

Matthew Bussard carefully weighs coffee beans, making sure the blend of coffee is just right before loading it into the roaster.

Track does well at Archie Roe as regular season winds down

The Columbia Falls girls track team took fourth and the boys fifth at the Archie Roe track meet in Kalispell Saturday.

Missing Glacier Park hiker found cold, but alive

After spending nearly four days in the woods of Glacier National Park’s backcountry, a 19-year-old man was found cold, but alive.

Search underway for missing hiker in Glacier

Search efforts are underway in Glacier National Park for a 19-year-old man missing since Friday.

City eyes making 'bear law' permanent; hearing at next meeting

The Columbia Falls City Council Monday night voted 6-1 to go ahead with formalizing an Animal Conflict Prevention ordinance.

Firefighters douse shed fire in Martin City

Hungry Horse and Martin City firefighters responded Thursday shortly after noon to a shed fire next to a home in Martin City.

Hill, Riley, Upton win school board election

Incumbents Barb Riley and Keri Hill retained their seats on the Columbia Falls School Board as election results were tallied Tuesday.

How to enjoy summer, an essay

I’m sorry, winter. I’ve been cheating on you.

Close call on Sun Road as rock hits fuel truck

Road opens to hikers, bikers on Friday

Glacier Park Engineering Equipment Operator Herb Ferguson recently had a close call on the Going-to-the-Sun Road.

Kapoor zone change delayed

A Florida developer’s request for a zone change has been put on hold again.

Community rep has a history with manmade disasters, dumps

When the proposed action for the Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. Superfund site is released this spring, the community will have a team with solid experience in Superfund sites and manmade disasters to answer their questions and give technical advice.

Inspired by Lake McDonald Lodge, Eddie’s gets a makeover

Inspired by the Lake McDonald Lodge, Eddie’s Cafe and Mercantile will have a new look when it opens this spring.

How to swallow a snake, whole

So a few weeks ago I was sitting in a blind at a private pond watching a great blue heron.

Make America work again

There’s dignity and honor in work.

Neighborhood Association says thanks

The Upper Flathead Neighborhood Association Board of Directors wishes to acknowledge the very difficult decisions the Columbia Falls City Council and City County Planning Board have been faced with in the past weeks and months.

Rotary thanks Backslope

A big thank you to Backslope Brewing owners Carla and Darin Fisher and their hard-working staff for their generosity, sponsoring the Columbia Falls Rotary Club as their non-profit beneficiary Tuesday, April 25.

Margaret Jo Burns “Dragonfly” 83

Margaret Jo Burns “Dragonfly,” 83 of Martin City passed away on April 24, 2023, surrounded by her family after battling cancer through one remission, she said “her cancer returned with a vengeance.”

Upcoming Community Events

Columbia Nursery and Landscape is hosting its second annual Kid’s Day along with KGEZ AM600/FM.95.5 radio on Saturday, May 6 for kids 4-8 years old from noon to 2 p.m.

Stoltze Timber Systems receives $1 million grant

Stoltze Timber Systems in Columbia Falls is receiving $1 million in U.S. Forest Service funding to support the development of a wood processing plant and allow for the implementation of new timber water crossings.

Yesterdays: 30 years ago, Oprah visits East Glacier

The Midway Drive-in Theater was set to open and the first film was “Red Mountain” starring Alan Ladd.

Dobson to take helm of First Baptist Church

The congregation of the First Baptist Church will have a new lead pastor soon, and he’s a familiar face.

Bill Sapa’s life celebrated, part of Congressional Record

A crowd of about 1,000 attended a celebration of life for Bill Sapa Saturday at the Columbia Falls High School.

East side Reservoir Road closed for snow plowing

Warming temperatures and spring snowmelt are contributing to increased water levels on rivers and lakes, and saturated soils across Flathead National Forest, especially on roads and trails.

Girls go 4-0 on the week, beat Bulldogs twice

The Columbia Falls softball team went 4-0 on the week, as the hammered Whitefish 21-0, dropped Mission 14-0, and beat Fergus County, (Lewistown) 10-7 at the Frenchtown Invitational.

Boys beat Troy, but blanked by Bulldogs

The Columbia Falls baseball team split the bill last week, thumping Class B Troy 18-2 at home Thursday, but they had a tougher time on the road Friday against Whitefish, losing 8-0.

Blickhan, Pickard win in doubles

The Columbia Falls tennis squads had a tough go against Polson last week.

Girls win Whitefish A.R.M. meet with a host of placers

The Columbia Falls girls track team had their best meet of the season so far, winning the Whitefish A.R.M. on Saturday.

Dolly Vallieres, 80

Dolly Vallieres died April 26, 2023 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center surrounded by her family.