Ellington

Congress reaches budget deal; Glacier Park will remain open

Visitors will be able to go to Glacier National Park on Sunday, as Congress reached a deal on funding the federal government for another 45 days late Saturday, in Washington, D.C.

Unless Congress reaches last minute budget deal, Glacier National Park will shutdown Sunday

If Congress can’t reach a budget deal by tomorrow, Glacier National Park, along with hundreds of other national parks cross the U.S., will shut down at 12:01 a.m. Sunday morning.

Weather closes vehicle access to Glacier's Logan Pass

Glacier National Park announced late Thursday that the Going-to-the-Sun Road is closed between Avalanche Creek and Jackson Glacier Overlook to motor vehicles because of the weather.

Cross country teams win in Thompson Falls

The Columbia Falls girls cross country team won the Thompson Falls Invitational last week.

Cats drop Stillwater Christian, Bigfork forfeits

The Columbia Falls Wildcats boys soccer team was supposed to play Bigfork for their Homecoming match on Saturday, but due to a forfeit, took on the 8-0 undefeated Stillwater Christian School Cougars in their place. After an intense, hard-fought game, the Cats walked off the field with a 2-1 victory.

Cats get back on winning track, thump Polson

The Columbia Falls football team got back on the winning track for Homecoming last week, downing Polson 42-0 for a key conference win.

Yesterdays: State looked at Glacier grizzly relocation

The state of Montana was exploring the idea of moving some grizzly bears from the Glacier Park area to the Cabinet Mountains.

Two lot subdivision proposed

The Columbia Falls city council will take up an application for a two-lot subdivision at 269 Rocky Lane at its Oct. 16 meeting.

Waterton-Glacier hosts science and history week

Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park is hosting its Annual Science and History Week through a live webinar series offered Oct. 3 to 6 at noon MDT on the Microsoft Teams webinar platform.

At 71, he’s a basketball world champion

A Columbia Falls native is a world basketball champion at the tender age of 71.

MDT administrator says improvements coming, but it will take some time

Trouble at traffic lights, bad intersections and speed limits were front and center at last week’s city council meeting as Montana Department of Transportation District 1 Administrator Bob Vosen met with the Columbia Falls city council.

Opinion: Testing tents in lousy weather

We’ve been going through tents this summer, which Is to say we’re testing our third one.

Council OK’s city manager, department head salaries

The Columbia Falls city council last month approved a one-year contract for the city manager and for department heads for the 2023-24 fiscal year.

Firefighting is expensive, but investment pays dividends

Trucks that cost $600,000 to $1.25 million. Heavy duty washing machines that cost $6,000. And self-contained breathing units that cost between $6,000 and $8,000 apiece. Municipal firefighting is an expensive proposition, the Columbia Falls city council learned recently as city manager Susan Nicosia and fire chief Karl Weeks gave insight into future capital expenses over the next 20 years or so.

Bob Marshall expansion? Maybe

Two Montana land bills made it out of a key Senate conference committee last week, opening up the possibility of full Senate vote in the future.

Nine rescued off Dragon’s Tail

A group of nine hikers were rescued last week after getting stuck on a mountain near Logan Pass in Glacier National Park.

Wildcats Homecoming 2023

Photos from Columbia Falls High School's Homecoming Week, Sept. 18-23.

Locals do well in long distance races up N. Fork

Vanessa Whattam of Missoula won the Cedar Creek Marathon on Saturday in Columbia Falls. She clocked a 3:12.08.

Spikers lose to Bulldogs

The Columbia Falls volleyball squad lost to Whitefish last Thursday, 21-25, 25-21, 21-25, 16-25.

Three Wildcat golfers qualify for state tourney in Sidney

Three Columbia Falls golfers qualified for the state tourney last week after competing in the Western A tourney in Whitefish Thursday.

Girls soccer ties Bigfork for second time this season

The Columbia Falls Wildcats girls soccer team tied the Bigfork Valkyries for the second time this season, this time in the Cats’ Homecoming game with a score of 2-2.

Road rage incident ends in arrest

A 29-year-old is behind bars after an apparent road rage incident in Columbia Falls over the weekend that allegedly nearly ended in gunfire.

Wildcats Homecoming Parade

Photos of the 2023 Wildcats Homecoming Parade down Nucleus Avenue on Wednesday, Sept. 20.

Forest announces prescribed burns as fall weather approaches

The Flathead National Forest is planning to conduct fall prescribed burning, when weather, fuel conditions, and air quality become favorable.

City takes look at diagonal parking on Fifth

Since the city of Columbia Falls put in diagonal parking on Fifth Street, some motorists have expressed concern on whether two cars can pass each other on the street just off Nucleus Avenue.

The Blotter: Third Ave dog poo battle

A disorderly was reported on Third Avenue, where the caller had been walking their dog and it defecated in the road; they went inside to get a bag, and a man driving a gold lifted truck with a Confederate flag on the back started yelling in the street. The caller was concerned he may be after them.

Volunteers invited to Hawk Watch in Glacier Park

Glacier National Park will host its annual Mount Brown Hawk Watch Program on Oct. 14 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. near Lake McDonald Lodge.

Football suffers rare OT loss to Whitefish, 20-14

The Columbia Falls football team lost to Whitefish 20-14 in overtime on the road Friday.

Cats lose to Whitefish, thump Libby, beat Polson

Columbia Falls boys soccer recovered from their first loss of the season, 4-3, against Whitefish last week, with a 9-2 win over Libby on Thursday.

Girls soccer loses to Whitefish, shutout Libby, but hammer Libby, Polson

Columbia Falls Wildcats girls soccer coach Thomas Clark remembered Whitefish as always being a team able to control the run of play. After the Wildcats’ first loss of the season, 4-2, to Whitefish last week, Clark was proud of the effort — reflecting on his team’s ability to control the run of play for large stretches of the game.

Spikers have one of best matches of season as they drop Ronan

In one of their best matches of the season, the Columbia Falls volleyball team dropped Ronan at home in straight sets, 25-12, 25-17, 25-19.

Swap meet, more, coming up this weekend in Columbia Falls

On Saturday, Sept. 23, boaters, trail runners, and winter recreationists and anyone else interested are invited to gather at Marantette Park in Columbia Falls for an afternoon of community activities.

End of an Era

It’s the end of an era in Columbia Falls. The Klothes Kloset thrift store at the north end of Nucleus Avenue will close in December, after about 70 years of giving back to the community.

Judge upholds police search in rape case

A district court judge last week upheld the police search of a Columbia Falls man’s home who has been charged with sexually abusing children in the community.

In Glacier National Park, this toilet melds into the landscape

Over the years, Glacier Park has added a host of bathrooms along the Going-to-the-Sun Road at several pullouts.

County approves buying land for septage facility

Flathead County will purchase 36.9 acres in Lower Valley with the intention of developing a regional septage treatment facility on the site.

City looks to partner with skateboarders on grant

The Columbia Falls city council Monday night approved an application for a federal grant that would help finance a skatepark in the city.

Free meals

The Columbia Falls Community Kitchen will be serving free meals on Sept. 29 and 30 at 6 p.m. in the basement of St. Richard’s Catholic Church.  CFCK is nondenominational and everyone is welcome

Climbing competition returns to Stone Hill

In rock climbing lingo, to crank is to pull on a climbing hold as hard as possible.

Opinion: A tight spot

One of my favorite films of all time is “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” starring George Clooney.

GOP improving education, they say

As Montana students head back into the classroom for another year of school, our education system is facing multiple challenges.

Yesterdays: Glacier beetle discovery

Entomologist Mike Ivie discovered 55 different members of a family of beetles that were previously unknown to inhabit Glacier National Park.

Weather expected to take a turn middle of next week

Snow could come to Glacier's high peaks next week

Spikers split the week

The Columbia Falls volleyball team lost to Bigfork at home last Tuesday in four sets, 23-25, 25-22, 12-25, 19-25.

Yesterdays: Who let the ducks go in Glacier?

Editor Mel Ruder got an interesting picture — a flock of barnyard (white) ducks on Lake McDonald with Mount Stanton in the background.

Concert for skatepark

On Saturday night, Oct. 14, the Coop is hosting a “Concert For A Cause,” featuring live music from The Gray Goo, and with all proceeds going to the Columbia Falls Skatepark.

City’s valuation skyrockets along with housing market

Columbia Falls city valuation shot up 46.6% in 2023, city manager Susan Nicosia told council last week.

Forest plans project along reservoir

The Flathead National Forest has released plans for a timber project near the Hungry Horse Reservoir.

Glacier July visitation up slightly over last year

Glacier National Park’s visitation remained virtually flat for July compared to last year, as it was up 0.8% with 736,577 visitors.

Doggone tired at Crater Lake

Sept. 25 will mark one year since my dog Margot lost her leg. Last Thursday, she pulled me out to Crater Lake in three-wheel drive.

Opinion: Moose moments

So I got up early on Sunday morning just in case the moose was out there, you know, in the lake.

Critical of corporate influence

The Forest Service is helping corporations keep the public in the dark about their proposed operations on public lands.

Blackfeet Tribal Business Council victory

The Blackfeet Nation has, since time immemorial, remained committed to protecting our sacred cultural lands in the Badger-Two Medicine.

Celebrating end of Badger Two-Medicine lease

In 1977, “Friends of the Rocky Mountain Front,” a local group based in Choteau, began working toward preserving the wild integrity of all the Front, including the Badger-Two Medicine.

According to emails, Forest Service looked to keep tram quiet

The Flathead National Forest under then supervisor Kurt Steele looked to keep a proposal of a tram up Columbia Mountain from public view for more than year prior to it being first proposed.

Ridge Fire estimated cost just under $21 million

No structures were lost and no one was seriously injured in the Ridge Fire above Martin City. But it was an expensive fire to fight.

Forest Service plans fuel breaks for Lion Hill, East Side Road

The Forest Service is proposing three different fuel breaks in the Flathead Valley as a way to stem future wildfires near homes.

For the Love of Old Engines

Photos from the Northwest Antique Power Association’s Engine, Tractor and Threshing Bee at Olsen Pioneer Park on Sept. 9 and 10.

Court hands school choice a setback as locals tout benefits

Two Flathead Valley women recently appointed to a new state commission that will authorize and oversee charter schools in Montana are optimistic that the “choice school” model will ultimately prove to be a valuable addition to the state’s public education system, even as the concept faces some initial legal hurdles and fierce criticism.

A dramatic game, doomed by mistakes

Mistakes cost Columbia Falls dearly as they lost to Dillon Friday 22-19 in what was an exciting, if not gut-wrenching, football game for the hometown fans.

Boys soccer thumps Bigfork, Polson to open conference play

Wildcats boys soccer started out their conference games with two shutout matches, 6-0 versus Bigfork on the road and 4-0 against Polson at home.

Cross country teams take titles in Cut Bank

Both Columbia Falls cross country teams won the Mike Reynolds Time Trials in Cut Bank last week.

Girls soccer ties Bigfork, but hammers Polson

The Columbia Falls Lady Wildcats tied the Bigfork Valkyries 4-4 last Tuesday in their first conference game of the season and beat Polson 9-1 in a home match on Thursday.

Homecoming parade

The annual Columbia Falls Homecoming parade is Sept. 20 at 3:30 p.m. down Nucleus Avenue. Come out and support the Wildcats sports teams and schools.

Leaking loo closes Sperry Wilderness Campground in Glacier; but crews get it fixed

A popular backcountry campground in Glacier National Park has been closed due to a leaky loo.

West Side Hungry Horse Reservoir opens, but roads into fires remain closed

The west side road of Hungry Horse Reservoir (National Forest System Road 895) is now open to public travel along the entire west shore to Spotted Bear Ranger Station.

County commissioners reject zone change request by Florida developer

Nine concerned constituents stood before the Flathead County Commissioners on Thursday, Aug. 31 to oppose a zone change request for 12 acres of land along U.S. Highway 2 near Columbia Falls owned by Location Ventures, LLC of Florida.

The Badger-Two Med Battle is over

After more than 40 years, the battle is finally over in the fight over oil and gas development in the Badger Two Medicine region of the Lewis and Clark National Forest.

Mills down in county budget, but your bill might go up

Flathead County Administrator Pete Melnick released the proposed county budget last week. The budget is down from $118.3 million last year to $115.8 million this year.

Book largely preaches civility, despite its title

“The Hunter and Angler Field Guide to Raising Hell,” by Ben Long might suggest the best way to get things done in the conservation community is to be combative.

School starts, enrollment appears to be steady

Columbia Falls School District 6 classes started last week, with initial enrollment at about 2,303 students.

Spikers lose to Frenchtown in four

The Columbia Falls volleyball team dropped a hard-fought match to Frenchtown Thursday at home in four sets, 18-25, 25-23, 23-25 and 16-25.

Golf results

Conner Presnell tied for 12th to lead Columbia Falls in golf last week at the Columbia Falls Invitational.

Cross country does well at crowded Flathead Invite

The Columbia Falls cross country teams had a good showing at the Flathead Invitational on Friday at Rebecca Farm.

Boys blank Broncs, tie Blue Devils

The Columbia Falls boys soccer team hammered Frenchtown last week 10-0, but settled for a 2-2 draw against Corvaliis.

Girls thump Frenchtown

The Columbia Falls girls soccer team blanked Frenchtown 10-0 last Tuesday.

Big game against Dillon this Friday

The Columbia Falls football team blanked Browning in its home opener Friday night, 49-0.

Glacier transitioning to fall operations, No access to Kintla Lake for a few weeks

As the autumn season approaches, operations in the park will start winding down. On Sept. 10, the park’s 2023 vehicle reservation pilot will end.

Yesterdays: Pot shops burgled

Marijuana shops reported being the target of burglaries, as thieves threw rocks through the windows and tried to make off with the loot.

Opinion: Hike to Sperry Chalet really a one star review? She took it to the test...

A hike to Sperry Chalet

A one-star AllTrails review of the Sperry Trail to its namesake chalet by Chris Pike describes the adventure as, “Six miles of horse manure, sun-baked gravel, unspectacular views and no wildlife except the bugs feeding on the dung.” So, off I went with minimal expectations.

Glacier Institute hosting Lumberjack Ball

The Glacier Institute will be hosting a Lumberjack Ball Thursday, Sept. 21 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Aliboo Farm at 184 Glacier Pines Drive in West Glacier.

County questions taxing accuracy

Flathead County has attached itself to other counties in the state seeking a determination of whether the state is accurately taxing property owners.

There’s such a thing as trail etiquette

The uppermost switchback on the Bright Angel Trail in Grand Canyon National Park is eight feet wide. Yet the last time I hiked out, I was stymied by a group of young hikers walking down shoulder to shoulder, tapping on their phones.

Jimmy Carter: Last Days of a Good Life

In late August it was reported that Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter had entered their “final days.”

Brigadoon Summer

“Come to Me, Bend to Me” is one of the beautiful, romantic songs from the 1940s musical, Brigadoon. I know it well for I sang it in the Many Glacier Hotel production of said musical in the mid 1960s.

More rain falls, fire restrictions lifted, fires all but out

The fire season all but came to a halt in the last week and management of area fires were handed back over to local control on Tuesday, Sept. 5.

Public has plenty of opinions on Glacier reservation system

There were plenty of ideas on Glacier National Park’s reservation system expressed during an open house in Columbia Falls last week — but sometimes they were worlds apart.

Body recovered on Mount Reynolds

A climber who went missing last week was found dead on Mount Reynolds in Glacier National Park on Friday, Sept. 1.

Legals for September, 6 2023