Ellington

Glacier National Park plows less than a mile from Logan Pass

Glacier National Park Going-to-the-Sun Road snowplow crews are knocking on the door of Logan Pass. This week they reached the point just below Rim Rocks on the west side and plan to start plowing that area on Monday.

Victor P. Miles, 51

Victor P. Miles died April 17, 2024 in Whitefish. A Celebration of Victor’s life will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 24, 2024 at Columbia Mortuary. Victor is survived by his three kids; Tyler Miles, Cassandra Miles and Andrew Miles. Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls is caring for Victor’s family.

Frank Feeney, 85

Frank Feeney died April 18, 2024 in Whitefish — a service will be scheduled for Thursday.

Steve Bennett, 73

Steve Bennett, died April 19, 2024 in Columbia Falls at his home. No services have been scheduled. Steve is survived by his daughter Lindsey Bennett. Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls is caring for Steve’s family.

Roland Otto Cheek, 88

It is with peace in our hearts that we notify friends and community that Roland Cheek’s circle of life is now complete. He passed peacefully in his sleep on April 12th.

Jerome Sand, 91

Jerome was 91 at the time of his passing. Jerome was a beloved brother, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and friend. He was always proud that he worked at St. Onge Logging.

Shirley Ann Thompson, 92

Shirley Ann Henneberry Thompson, 92, went to the loving arms of her husband Earl Lindy Thompson on April 20, 2024.

Win streak for Oberholtzer

Columbia Falls tennis had a rough go against rival Whitefish Bulldogs on Tuesday, April 16 with Lexi Oberholtzer the sole winner for the Wildcats, remaining undefeated in women’s No. 1 singles.

Softball squeaks past Broncs

The Columbia Falls softball team got two wins last week, dropping Libby 16-1 on the road Thursday while edging Frenchtown 3-2 on a frigid Friday in a game that ended on a bases loaded walk at home.

Baseball gets key win against Eureka

The Columbia Falls baseball squad got a big win at home last week, dropping Eureka 6-3 Tuesday for a key conference victory.

Boys take title at Iceberg Invitational

The Columbia Falls boys took first and the girls took second at the Iceberg Invite track meet Saturday at home.

Young entrepreneur offers Flathead Valley the bull riding experience

When Korbin Baldwin isn’t in class at the vo-ag center, or on the wrestling mats at Flathead High School, he is likely having a bull session with Whiskey, Tumbleweed, Flat White and Dust Demon.

City holds off on awarding sewer bid

The City of Columbia Falls nixed a special meeting slated for Monday (April 22) to award a bid on its sewer treatment plant project.

Yesterdays: EPA considering CFAC site for Superfund

The Environmental Protection Agency outlined preliminary plans for investigating the Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. site. The EPA suggested at the time that making it a Superfund site would create more funding for investigations and cleanup.

Easement would preserve more timberland from development

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is seeking public input on a potential project that would place nearly 33,000 acres of private timberland in Northwest Montana under a conservation easement and protect working lands, public recreation access and wildlife habitat.

Jury finds man guilty for running over trooper

A Lincoln County jury found the Eureka man accused of trying to kill Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Lewis Johnson in 2023 guilty on all counts Friday afternoon.

Sidewalk project raises neighbor’s ire when bushes destroyed

A gutter and sidewalk project on select city streets brought the ire of one resident after she found the 70-year-old lilac bushes that guarded her newly-bought home had been torn out and ground up to make way for the project.

Coalition urges CFAC involvement

CFAC/Glencore representatives will be in Columbia Falls Wednesday and Thursday, April 24 and 25. Don’t miss this opportunity to speak up for a brighter future and a more comprehensive cleanup of CFAC’s toxic waste dumps.

CFAC acronyms

CFAC. Glencore. Slurry walls. Waste in place. Cyanide. Spent Pot Liner. Affordable housing. CCC. EPA. ROD. TANA. TAG. CLP. ECRWSSEDDM... Whew! Enough already! In the words of the late, great John Lennon: “Just gimme some truth!”

School needs a roof

My dream is to see myself out of high school — getting out as fast as I can. But I never had to think about the reality of high school being taken away from me.

PHOTOS: Teakettle Quilt Show

The Teakettle Quilt Show at Glacier Gateway Elementary Saturday, April 20.

In Brief: April 24

Student art show, canyon meal, free meals

Two banks coming to Columbia Falls; Park Side building new home

Columbia Falls will gain two new banks in the next year or so and Park Side Credit Union is also moving to a new location on U.S. Highway 2 at the former site of Angie’s Greenhouse.

City manager candidate had ethics issue at previous job

Columbia Falls city manager candidate Dennis Stark was the subject of an ethics investigation when he was county manager for Lyon County, Nevada, and ultimately was sanctioned $1,000 by the Nevada Commission on Ethics in 2012.

Council interviews manager candidate

The Columbia Falls City Council Wednesday voted 3-2 to offer Dennis Stark of Frederick, Colorado the city manager position. If hired, Stark would replace longtime manager Susan Nicosia, who will retire at the end of June.

Glacier Park plows to Road Camp — a little more than 5 miles from Logan Pass

Glacier National Park plows are making significant progress on the west side of the Divide. Crews are now working around Road Camp, which is a little more than 5 miles from Logan Pass.

If school roof levy fails, the alternatives are not pleasant

School District 6 will make a public push to inform voters about an upcoming building reserve levy request to fix the roof on the classroom wing of the Columbia Falls High School. The alternatives to not fixing the roof soon could still cost the district thousands, without ever addressing the roof.

Flathead National Forest eyes big snowmobile use swap

Would also close more than 80 miles of trails to mechanize use in N. Fork

The Forest Service is proposing to close some areas to snowmobile and other over-the-snow vehicle use in the Spotted Bear Ranger District while opening more terrain in the Glacier View and Hungry Horse Ranger Districts.

Karin Carmichael Dyer, 60

Karin Carmichael Dyer died March 29, 2024 in Kalispell.

Perry Thomas Scott, 80

Perry Thomas Scott went home to rest with Jesus on April 5, 2024.

Vonda Lee Seliger, 83

Vonda Lee Seliger, born on Sept. 7, 1940, in Stanley, North Dakota, passed away peacefully on April 8, 2024, at the age of 83. Vonda was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend.

Run to benefit junior high programs next month

Run Wild 2024 is an enjoyable 5K and 1-mile fun run benefiting Columbia Falls Junior High School and local nonprofit organizations.

Oberholtzer doing well in No. 1 singles

Columbia Falls hosted Polson and Libby for Tennis on April 11, the girls fell 3-4 to both teams and boys won 4-3 versus Libby and lost 1-6 to Polson. Some matches were shortened to pro-sets due to time restraints.

Wildcats edged by Whitefish, tourney plans taking shape

The Columbia Falls baseball team fell just short against the rival Whitefish Bulldogs at home Thursday, 7-5.

Softball goes .500 on a long road tour

The Columbia Falls softball team went .500 on a road swing last week. The Wildkats picked up a key conference victory against Polson last Tuesday, 10-6, but lost to Ronan, 3-2 Thursday. They then beat Havre 11-6 at the Lewistown tourney, but fell to Laurel 9-4 Saturday.

Track teams making their mark as season begins

The Columbia Falls track squads opened up the varsity season in earnest last week, competing at the Kalispell Time Trials and the Missoula Invitational.

Commission takes up public input plan

The Columbia Falls Planning Commission took its first look at a public participation plan last week. The plan is part of the city coming into compliance with the Montana Land Use Planning Act, which was passed by the state Legislature last year.

Schweikert to retire from football coaching

After a distinguished career, Columbia Falls High School football coach Jaxon Schweikert announced his retirement from football.

Biologist talks the evolution of bear management

Tim Manley, retired Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks biologist and bear specialist, pulled up a National Geographic video of the Craighead brothers from their 1950s-70s Yellowstone grizzly project.

New Spotted Bear District Ranger has a full plate

When Adam LaDell started as the new Spotted Bear District Ranger last fall, he said he spent most of his time doing paperwork and getting things organized. He didn’t get out on the trails and rivers the district is renowned for.

Glacier National Park hosting junior ranger events

Families and children of all ages are invited to participate in Glacier National Park’s Junior Ranger Days during National Park Week.

The Blotter: Wreck on 206

A 15-year-old girl was extricated from a vehicle that wrecked and landed on its side on Highway 206. The report said she was found conscious and listed hitting her head as the only injury.

Flathead River Alliance now recruiting volunteers

Flathead Rivers Alliance announces 2024 River Ambassador volunteer program trainings ahead of float season to enhance river safety, stewardship and citizen science, on the Three Forks of the Flathead River.

Yesterdays: Canyon Elementary facing closure

School District 6 superintendent Michael Nicosia warned that if the elementary levy failed, the district would close Canyon Elementary School. The district was facing a $300,000 deficit and had already cut seven teachers and a host of custodians the year before.

The end of Democracy?

“Welcome to the end of democracy. We are here to overthrow it completely,” said conservative activist Jack Posobiec at the February 2024 meeting of the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC). To which Steve Bannon, former Trump advisor said, “Amen.”

Plenty of CFAC questions

News that CFAC/Glencore and Columbia Falls-based developer Mick Ruis have agreed to enter into a buy/sell for some 2,400 acres of CFAC land was big and important news this week.

Opinion: A North Fork report

I went up the North Fork on Sunday so in the tradition of a good old-fashioned Larry Wilson column, I feel obligated to give a report.

Another round of CFAC meetings planned for next week

The Columbia Falls Aluminum Company, in partnership with the Montana Department of Environmental Quality and Environmental Protection Agency, will offer two public engagement and information sessions on April 24 and 25.

Legals for April, 17 2024

Glacier could see a foot or more of snow next week; but pleasant weather this weekend, as Sun Road will be open to hikers and bikers beyond the Loop

Glacier National Park could see a pretty good spring snowstorm next Tuesday into Wednesday, the National Weather Service is warning, and the higher elevations could see a foot to two feet of snow. Highs will only be in the 30s to low 40s in the valleys. Valleys could even see a half-inch to inch of slushy snow.

Taylor Made: Local quilter featured in upcoming show

“Giving a quilt as a gift is like giving a piece of your heart, because you’ve put all that love and labor into making a quilt, and when you give it away, that is a treasure, truly a treasure.”

Paul Murphy, 86

Paul Michael Murphy, died March 29, 2024 in Kalispell.

Anne Francelle Gentry, 92

Anne Francelle Gentry, 92, died March 28, 2024 in Kalispell.

Courtney Rodgers, 38

Courtney Renee Rodgers died March 20, 2024 in Kalispell.

Vonda Seliger, 83

Vonda Seliger died April 8, 2024 in Whitefish at Logan Hospital.

Mary Jane Church, 81

Mary Jane (Hartman) Church, 81, passed away peacefully on March 19, 2024 in Mesa, Arizona, with her daughters by her side.

Flathead Electric puts more solar panels in Whitefish

Flathead Electric Cooperative plans to begin construction in Whitefish early this summer on its third community solar project.

Yesterdays: CFalls police lowest paid in the Valley

Columbia Falls Police were the lowest paid in the valley, even after raises. A new officer started out at $6.58 per hour, while in Whitefish the pay was between $7.17 and $9.68 per hour. Sheriff’s Deputies started out at $8.35 per hour.

Cats blank Troy on the road

Columbia Falls hammered Troy on the road last Thursday, 17-0.

Tennis opens with win over Ronan

Columbia Falls High School tennis started their season with a home match against Ronan Tuesday, April 2. The girls team went 5-0 and boys 4-1.

Woman hit by car on US 2, dies

A Kalispell woman is dead after being struck by a vehicle on U.S. 2 in the early-morning hours of April 1 near Columbia Falls.

Kats drop Bulldogs; blanked by Wolfpack

The Columbia Falls softball team had a rough go of it against AA Kalispell Glacier last week, losing 7-0, but bounced back Monday to blank Whitefish 16-0 in a game that went three innings at home.

Camas Road open for season; Park plows to the Loop

Glacier National Park’s Camas Road is now open for the season.

Floyd faces more charges in alleged hit and run

Prosecutors filed new charges in late March against a man accused of running over his ex-wife in Martin City last year.

Community Market gearing up for the season

The Columbia Falls Community Market is busy gearing up for the upcoming market season, Director Melissa Ellis said.

Columbia Falls a natural ‘funnel’ for bears

With a river running through it and plenty of bear foods along the way, Columbia Falls is basically a funnel for bears, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks conflict management specialist Justine Vallieres told Columbia Falls City Council last week.

Just vote “No.”

On the next School Board Election Ballot which you will receive in April, the Columbia Falls School Board is going to ask the voters to “Approve” a $2.5 million dollar bond to repair the roof of the High School. The roof is bad but what is worse is the gross mismanagement of taxpayer funds that this School board has shown time after time.

Lessons from Truman

President Harry Truman was way behind in the polls, but he wasn’t giving up. Competitive to the core, he came out of the deeply divided and badly fractured 1948 Democratic convention swinging.

Pediatricians on climate change

The American Academy of Pediatrics was the first major medical society in the U.S. to write a policy statement on climate change.

A story of hope

In a remarkable celebration of community spirit and unwavering dedication, the Boys and Girls Club of Glacier Country proudly marks its 25th year of enriching young lives in the Flathead Valley.

The Blotter: Phone scammer impersonates police

Fraud was reported after the caller sent $2,000 to someone posing as a police officer.

Concert Saturday

The Columbia Falls Community Choir concert is at the Columbia Falls High School Little Theater on Saturday, April 13 at 7 p.m.

Levy meetings on tap in coming weeks

Columbia Falls School District 6 will hold a series of informational meetings on three levies slated for the upcoming school election.

Flathead snowpack likely to end season at 78% of median

The region’s snow pack will likely end up about 22% less than an nromal year.

City will continue to explore affordable housing at Railroad Street

The Columbia Falls City Council last week gave the nod to moving forward with an affordable housing project at Railroad Street after hearing some assurances from a Habitat for Humanity representative that the houses would be affordable and would remain that way through their lifespan.

CFAC, Ruis announce sale agreement for 2,400 acres of land

The Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. has announced a sale agreement of 2,400 acres of land it owns to Columbia Falls developer Mick Ruis.

Mary Jane Church, 81

Mary Jane (Hartman) Church, 81, passed away peacefully on March 19, 2024 in Mesa, Arizona, with her daughters by her side. Mary Jane was born Feb. 13, 1943 in Saginaw, Michigan to Frederick and Orra Mae Hartman.

Barbara Schomer Thacker, 77

Barbara Schomer Thacker, 77, died March 22, 2024 in Madras, Oregon.

Kenneth Riley, 99

Kenneth John Riley, 99, of Columbia Falls passed away peacefully at his son’s home in Gilbert, Arizona, on March 25, 2024. He was just one month shy of his 100th birthday.

Carol Torpen, 90

Carol (Harshbarger) Torpen 90, passed away peacefully on March 4 2024 at the Columbia Falls Veterans home.

Baseball team holds on to get win over Blue Devils

The Columbia Falls baseball team dropped Corvallis last week 12-9 to improve its record to 4-0 on the season.

Neighbors protest Meadow Lake water well plans

A resident of Garnier Creek Estates and the Garnier Creek Estates Homeowners Association have protested the expansion of the water system by the Meadow Lake County Water and Sewer District.

Who is Tim Sheehy? Taking a closer look

Before Tim Sheehy was the frontrunner in Montana’s 2024 Republican primary for U.S. Senate, the ex-Navy SEAL, aerial firefighter, millionaire business owner, part-time rancher and occasional political donor was a 2004 graduate of a Minneapolis-St. Paul area private high school who grew up in a lake house outside Minnesota’s Twin Cities.

In Brief: April 3

Heritage days, quilt show

FEC: January storm bent grid almost to breaking

While it may be a distant memory for many folks, the cold snap in January put a mighty strain on the power grid in Flathead County, Flathead Electric Co-op said.

Sundberg connects kids to education and community

“She provides hope for people, and I think that’s probably the biggest thing that she does so well…,” Columbia Falls High School Principal Jon Konen said of Sundberg. Students like to go to her to learn what resources are available to them.

Three run for school board

Three candidates will vie for two seats on the Columbia falls School District 6 Board this spring.

Banquet for wildland firefighters on tap

The public is invited to the fourth 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. The event will be Saturday, April 13 at the Flathead County Fairgrounds Trade Center Building in Kalispell, 4:30 – 9 p.m. and is organized by local wildland firefighters.

Earth Day Expo at Flathead Valley Community College on April 20

The Flathead Valley Chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL) presents the Second Annual Earth Day Expo at Flathead Valley Community College on Saturday, April 20 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Yesterdays: GNP receives first bear spray

Glacier National Park was expected to receive a product called “Halt” which used red pepper to stop bears. The product had been used by Postal workers on dogs. The tubes were small by today’s bear spray standards — the size of a cigarette lighter, the story said.

Attend planning commission

The new Columbia Falls Planning Commission meets on Thursday, April 11 at 6 p.m. in City Hall.

CFAC numbers dubious

I find the EPA’s $1 billion-plus estimate for excavating and hauling hazardous waste from the landfills and percolation ponds at the Columbia Falls Aluminum Co.’s Superfund site to an out-of-state landfill a little outrageous.

No more Tester

The collective decision of Montana citizens of who to vote for in the upcoming U.S. Senate race will be the most critical decision of the entire 2024 election cycle.

Glencore should clean CFAC up right

I say no a thousand times over… Glencore can easily afford to do the right thing and remove the toxic waste by rail and do the right thing after making billions of dollars from the site and their very profitable other ventures. How dare they position themselves to leave a community devastated and worthless?

Pyramid closure didn’t have to happen

The lack of vision from the U.S. Forest Service Regional Supervisor, as well as her staff, helped sink Pyramid Lumber, with it taking the livelihoods of over 100 Montanans along with rich opportunities to help the climate and reduce fire fuel hazard risk.

Boys and Girls Club moves into former Glacier Gateway School

The Boys and Girls Club in Columbia Falls has moved into a new location at the former Glacier Gateway Elementary School.

Photos: 4,000 eggs, scooped up in minutes

The Easter Egg Hunt at Marantette Park Sunday, March 31. Members of the Columbia Falls Lions Club put candy and prize tickets in 4,000 plastic eggs before the event, which has been ongoing since the early 1950s. (Chris Peterson photos)

Park plows beyond Avalanche

Glacier National Park plow crews made good progress Monday. On the west side they made the initial clearing of the Camas Road and cleared around Fish Creek campground. On the Going-to-the-Sun Road they plowed beyond Avalanche Creek to the Red Rock Slide, which is estimated to be between eight and 10 feet deep.

Columbia Falls Police Chief announces retirement

Columbia Falls Police Chief Clint Peters has announced his retirement effective Aug. 1.

Sally Dreyer, 69

Sally Marie Dreyer died March 25, 2024 in Whitefish.