Thursday, February 29
Services March 8 for Kilman
A memorial service for Josiah Kilman of Columbia Falls has been set for 5 p.m. March 8 at the Canvas Church in Kalispell.
Wednesday, February 28
NWE Plans Protect Montana Customers
Over the last several weeks we’ve seen a number of articles—both editorial and from news reporters—that lay blame for the need to purchase electricity on the open market at the feet of NorthWestern Energy and their recent efforts to expand their portfolio to include more reliable energy from coal and natural gas.
Wastewater treatment plans delayed
“You’ll notice on your agenda that we’re not calling for bids on the wastewater treatment plant project as planned,” city manager Susan Nicosia said to Columbia Falls City Council at their Feb. 20 meeting.
Great Brain Project leads eight-year-old to investigate local law enforcement
Costin Banning invited cops to his eighth birthday last April.
Columbia Falls Fire Department team headed to Seattle Stairclimb
Three members of the Columbia Falls Fire Department are set to climb the second-tallest building west of the Mississippi in full gear on March 10 to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
City debates changes to landlord-tenant utility billing
The City of Columbia Falls is reviewing its utility billing for the first time in ten years, with a proposition requiring bills be in the property owner’s name.
Darrell Newby, 78
Pastor Darrell Newby died Feb. 10, 2024, in Columbia Falls.
Darrell Edgar Jones, 87
Darrell Edgar Jones died Feb. 12, 2024, in Whitefish.
Janis Hammons, 79
Janis Hammons, age 79, passed away on Feb. 15, 2024, at her home in Martin City, Montana with her loving family by her side.
McNally wins at Whitefish ski races
The Flathead Valley Ski Education Foundation hosted a series of U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association races at Whitefish Mountain Resort last weekend on Ed’s Run. The U14-U18 races included a giant slalom on Friday, and slaloms on Saturday and Sunday.
Hunter, Bowhunter and Trapper Education registration open
Hunter Education classes and Trapper Education field days are open to registration in several locations this spring.
Glacier projects 40% increase in revenue from campground fees
With busier campgrounds and a recently implemented fee increase, front country camping is projected to bring approximately $2.4 million into Glacier National Park coffers in 2024 — a 40% increase over last year.
Columbia Falls girls bow out at divisionals
Columbia Falls played tight games in Butte but fell in the consolation semifinals of the Western A Divisional Tournament on February 22-24.
Wildcats advance to state
The Wildcats won two games at the Western A Divisional Tournament in Butte, qualifying for the state tournament on March 7-9 at the same site.
PHOTOS: Fourth graders ice fish
Glacier Gateway Elementary School fourth graders ice fish with FWP’s Hooked on Fishing program at Murphy Lake Thursday, Feb. 22.
ImagineIF Libraries returns to original Flathead County Libraries name, Dugan hired as new director
Imagine if the library system changed its name back to Flathead County Libraries? On Thursday, it did.
Happenings: Community Events Feb. 28
CFHS "Bye Bye Birdie," Columbia Falls COmmunity Kitchen dinner, American Legion Post 72 scholarships available, Class of 1964 reunion
Blotter: Kindergartener brings joint with Valentine's cookies
Law enforcement was called to Twelfth Avenue when a kindergartener was accidentally sent to school with a box of Valentine’s cookies containing a misplaced joint.
Yesterdays: Wild turkeys
Twenty-eight wild turkeys were captured in Roundup and transplanted in Eureka by Montana Fish and Game.
Money for what?
As it is about tax time again, I think these thoughts need to be expressed. Before I start into the main meat of this piece, I am going to throw out these statistics:
Opinion: Coalition for a Clean CFAC 10,000 strong and growing
The Coalition for a Clean CFAC is pleased to announced that over 1,000 Columbia Falls and Flathead area residents have signed a petition requesting that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) take a timeout to fairly re-evaluate the cost-benefits of removing, (not leaving), the toxic waste at CFAC (Columbia Falls Aluminum Company).
C-Falls Junior High student wins Flathead County Spelling Bee
Columbia Falls Junior High seventh-grader Lily Aveson is the 2024 Flathead County Spelling Bee champion. The winning word was “bereavement.”
Saturday, February 24
Columbia Falls teen is dead in Kentucky; man arrested on murder charge
An 18-year-old Columbia Falls man is dead and a 21-year-old suspect has been arrested, according to NBC News in Kentucky.
Wednesday, February 21
Uptown Hearth set to reopen Monday
“It was said that if your dreams don’t scare you, you didn’t dream big enough. This thing scared me about four million times," said Uptown Hearth’s original owner Terri Feury.
Blankenship bank stabilization a short-term fix to a larger problem
In 1964, flood water collapsed the Blankenship bridge. Now, 60 years later, it is at risk again.
Skier caught in Essex avalanche
A skier was air-lifted from backcountry terrain near Essex on Saturday after they were seriously injured in a large avalanche set off by their partner from the slopes above.
Rep. Zinke supports ending forced organ harvesting and human rights atrocities in China
I would like to commend Rep. Ryan Zinke for his remarks made on Feb. 1 after a Congressional Executive Commission on China (CECC) hearing to assess the recent U.N. review of China’s human rights record.
Stop trying to manage climate change
Climate change has become a major issue. Joe Biden’s solution for us is a 50% reduction in greenhouse gases by 2030. He is also mandating that we make our electricity production carbon-free by 2035.
Happenings: Community Events Feb. 21
NHS chili cook-off, Columbia Falls Community Kitchen meals, Whitefish Theatre Company's "Misery," CFHS Class of 1964 seeking classmates for reunion.
Yesterdays: 30 years ago, avalanche at Marion Lake
Whitefish skier Ed Schmidt was skiing in the backcountry above Marion Lake when the snow gave way and he was caught in an avalanche, breaking his leg in three places.
Bad Rock Canyon icicle wall becomes frozen canvas
At the darkest times of the year, Bad Rock Canyon lights up with rainbow colors from a large wall of icicles that are ritualistically sprayed with food coloring.
C-Falls Man suspected of burglarizing ex’s home, threatening her with knife pleads guilty
A Columbia Falls man accused of breaking into his ex’s home last year and threatening her with a knife in another run-in pleaded guilty to a felony charge in Flathead County District Court on Tuesday.
Iva Irene Sands, 78
Sunday morning, January 7, 2024, Heaven received a beautiful angel, Iva Irene Sands.
Junior High Writers
This fall, Jennifer Robbins’ seventh grade English Language Arts students at Columbia Falls Junior High practiced imitating strong writing from mentor texts. Then, they chose their favorite piece in their Writer’s Notebooks and chose a writing goal such as figurative language or sensory details. Here are a few strong examples!
Wrestling for different schools, Fainter brothers compete
Western A wrestling saw two Fainters in the 113 weight class this season, though their alma maters don’t match up.
Kats notch win over Libby
The game was a makeup game for bad weather, for sure.
Boys thump Loggers in makeup game
The momentum for Columbia Falls is strong heading into the Western A Divisional tournament.
Flathead Valley sends three athletes to XC Junior Nationals
The Glacier Nordic ski team qualified three athletes for the 2024 Junior Nationals. Maeve Ingelfinger from Whitefish, Findley Dezzani from Columbia Falls and Liam Browne from Kalispell will head to Lake Placid, New York, for a week of racing next month.
Tickets go on sale for FVCC’s Festival of Flavors spring event
The Flathead Valley Community College Foundation’s Festival of Flavors spring event tickets go on sale March 8 at 9 a.m
Flathead Classic sled dog races this weekend in Olney
The unique event that includes sled races, skijor races and bikejor races runs Feb. 24 and Feb. 2f. The event begins at 9 a.m. on both days.
Wednesday, February 14
PHOTOS: 56 racers take on Sugar Hill for Cabin Fever Days
While the total had yet to be tallied — over beer and pizza, of course — Badrock Council President Ben Shafer bet that the weekend’s Cabin Fever Days event brought in at least $10,000 for the first responders of Bad Rock Canyon on Monday. “The projection is we’ll do about as good as we have done,” he said. Between 5,000 and 6,000 people visited Martin City on Saturday, a big feat for a town with a normal population under 400. Fifty-six racers competed in the famous bar stool ski races.
Record of decision for CFAC cleanup looms, out of city’s hands
In a rush to halt the oncoming record of decision on the EPA’s proposed cleanup plan at the Columbia Falls Aluminum Company Superfund Site, members of the community approached Columbia Falls City Council during their Feb. 5 meeting.
Railroad Street ballpark-housing decision tabled
The youth baseball field on Railroad Street will stay a baseball field, at least until Columbia Falls City Council can find another place for the kids to play ball.
Glacier National Park virtual field trips hope to inspire connection with nature
Glacier National Park Lead Education Technician Lindsay Brandt is animated on screen. Using exaggerated movements in front of many colorful, interesting photos she creates what feels like watching a live children’s television show for the park’s distance learning program.
Opinion: Little love stories
Hungry Horse News asked readers to submit their love stories for the Feb. 14 edition, 100 words or less. Here are some of our favorites. Thanks to all that submitted, and Happy Valentine’s Day!
‘A belated but sincere thank you’
It has been at least eight years since Mayor Barnhart and members of the Columbia Falls City Council began the long journey of speaking up for and representing residents of Columbia Falls by calling for the clean-up and the removal of the toxic waste that has been left behind at the now closed Columbia Falls Aluminum Company (CFAC) smelter site.
Bipartisan support for public lands
In my family there is a wide swath of political views and when you are in the same room as we were for the holidays, the juvenile name calling stops and thoughtful discussions can occur.
Local entrepreneurs find fortune in gold... prospecting equipment
David Bjelland sat transfixed in front of the TV screen, cake in hand, shooing off his relatives as they tried to wish him a happy birthday.
Yesterdays: Housing was a problem in the Flathead 70 years ago, too
It was estimated about 575 new residences would be needed in the Flathead to accommodate 450 plant workers and 450 people with jobs created in service and supply trades as a result of the increased population.
Happenings: Community Events Feb. 14
House District 4 candidate Lindsey Jordan, Flathead Avalanche Friends Fest, Columbia Falls Women’s Connection, The 25th Annual Canyon Kids’ Christmas Fund
The Blotter: Nucleus Avenue coyote
A taxidermy coyote was placed in a Nucleus Avenue snowbank, police were asked to remove it.
113-pounder Fainter earns state wrestling championship
The Wildcats boys wrestling team took fifth at state in Billings this weekend, with senior Traic Fainter (113) earning an individual state champion title.
Cats swimmer Connor Keith earns state tile in 200 medley
The Columbia Falls High School boy swim team placed third overall at state this weekend, with Connor Keith named state champion in the 200 individual medley. The girls team took sixth.
Wildkats drop matchup to Browning, defeat Polson
Columbia Falls fell to Browning 49-36 on Friday, Feb. 9 in a Northwest A conference matchup.
Boys fall to Browning; romp by Polson
Browning won its seventh straight game, defeating Columbia Falls 67-58 at home in a battle of Northwest A Conference leaders on Friday, February 9.
Michael Scott Gartland, 65
Michael Scott Gartland, beloved son, brother, uncle and friend, passed away at his home in Columbia Falls on February 1, 2024. He was 65.
Richard L. Taylor, 91
Heaven needed him and so we look up into that big, beautiful Montana Sky and say, “I’ll be seeing you” all the while knowing we are left down here missing out on one hell of a good time – “oof dah.”
Linda Owens, 63
Linda Mae Owens, age 63, of Martin City, Montana passed away Feb. 1, 2024.
Wednesday, February 7
Local man’s death linked to vaping
On Jan. 6 Sabine Samuell of Columbia Falls took her husband Jude to the emergency room at Logan Health in Whitefish.
PHOTOS: Night at the Movies raises $6,000 for NYC trip
At the Night at the Movies concert, audience members were invited to listen to music from popular movies and participate in a silent auction, the proceeds of which will go toward the choir’s trip to New York City in March. Choir director Emily Hackethorn estimated the concert earned over $6,000. “I am still working through all the proceeds but it was a very successful event with tons of generous businesses and individuals pitching in,” Hackethorn said.
Swimmers set for state
“Our boys relays, 200 Medley, 200 Freestyle and 400 Freestyle relay are slated to place within the top three, coach Amy Caudill said. “Our girls relays will have to fight hard for a third place finish.”
Kats earn three conference wins
The first Cat-Dog game of the season ended with a resounding victory for Columbia Falls, as the Wildkats downed the Lady Bulldogs 55-14 in Northwest A Conference action on Tuesday, Jan. 30.
Wildcats wallop Whitefish twice in one week
Columbia Falls is firmly in first place of the Northwest A Conference after their Cat-Dog victory over Whitefish by a score of 58-48 on Friday, Feb. 2.
Cronk, Crump and Fainter Divisional Champs
15 Mat Cats headed to state
Fifteen total Columbia Falls wrestlers will head to the State Tournament in Billings this weekend after qualifying in Western Divisionals Feb. 2-3.
Can Trump return to power post-insurrection?
The Constitution (Section 3, 14th Amendment) explicitly prohibits anyone who has taken the oath of office as an officer of government, and then participated in an insurrection, “may not hold any office thereafter.”
Sign the CFAC petition
Some may and have been asking, “What’s the big deal about the CFAC clean up?” I am hoping to give just some bullet points on the importance of this issue before us as a community and Valley.
Restoration over ‘clean up’
Like many residents of Columbia Falls and the Flathead Valley, I am deeply opposed to the EPA’s preferred plan to clean up toxic waste at the Columbia Falls Aluminum Company (CFAC) site.
CFAC concerns from C-Falls citizens
The proposed cleanup plan for the CFAC Superfund site is unacceptable.
Opinion: A call for love stories
“What’s that noise?” my friend asked as we cruised down Highway 2. “I don’t know, I’ve been turning the music up,” I said, and I did.
Legal limbo continues in the Ambler inholding case
The Flathead Conservation District says a couple that it claims illegally built a home along the banks of McDonald Creek in Glacier National Park is, in essence, trying to have its cake and it eat it too.
Krueger bids Ruder goodbye after 15 years
“I always say I kind of did a full circle, it just took me 35 years to make the circle,” Ruder Elementary School Principal Brenda Krueger said.
FVCC hosts community lectures
Flathead Valley Community College’s Continuing Education Center is hosting six community lectures from Thursday, Feb. 22 to Tuesday, April 9 in the Arts & Technology Building on campus in Kalispell.
Huckleberry Patch remodeled with 'modern cabin' style
Hungry Horse’s Huckleberry Patch is growing.
Hungry Horse News 'Yesterdays' for Feb. 7
Hungry Horse News 'Yesterdays' for Feb. 7
Death notices Feb. 7
Death notices Feb. 7
Donald McMillan, 86
Donald James McMillan, 86, passed away peacefully on Jan. 27, 2024, in Sun City, Arizona. He was born Feb. 15, 1937, in Los Angeles, California and raised in Butte.
Helen Allene (Ashley) McMillan, 84
Helen Allene (Ashley) McMillan, 84, passed away peacefully on Jan. 17, 2024, in Sun City, Arizona.
Barbara Cromer, 79
Barbara Cromer passed away in Columbia Falls, her hometown of nearly 60 years, after battling an illness.
Flathead Valley housing nonprofits begin partnership
Northwest Montana Community Land Trust and Habitat for Humanity of Flathead Valley have signed a memo of understanding to work together to build homes that will remain permanently affordable and available only to income-qualified purchasers in perpetuity.
Park Side Credit Union selects nonprofits for partner program
Park Side Credit Union has selected a group of nonprofit organizations the credit union will be supporting with its 2024 Park Side Partner Program.
Cabin Fever Days and Barstool Ski Races this weekend
Many events occur at multiple locations throughout Martin City, Hungry Horse and Coram. Martin City is the location of the World Famous Barstool Ski Races on Saturday, with several kids' events and snowshoe softball.
Saturday, February 3
PHOTOS: 23rd Whitefish Penguin Plunge raises $94,000 for Special Olympics Montana
Participants leapt into the frigid waters of Whitefish Lake during the 23rd annual Penguin Plunge as part of the Whitefish Winter Carnival on Saturday, Feb. 3. Organized by the Law Enforcement Torch Run, this year's event raised $94,000 for Special Olympics Montana.
