Ellington

The Blotter:Woman hit by truck

Man wrecked a car on Fourth Avenue and then fled into a nearby garage where he was found. Woman was screaming at her husband.

Death notices for July 31, 2024

Jerry Lee Bartsch died July 25, 2024 in Columbia Falls. Family plans are being made at this time. Darlington Cremation and Burial Service is caring for his family.

Greater Valley Health in Hungry Horse expands services

Greater Valley Health Center is pleased to announce that it added two additional days, two new physicians and expanded dental services to its clinic in Hungry Horse in order to help meet the needs of Hungry Horse and surrounding communities. The clinic will be open four days per week starting on Aug. 12.

Small fire burning in Glacier National Park, sees rain Tuesday

A 30-acre fire is smoldering in the remote Muir Creek drainage on a ridge almost due west from Mount St. Nicholas in the southern end of Glacier National Park.

River cleanup coming up, with prizes

The 2024 Flathead Waters Cleanup event returns Saturday, Aug.10. This Flathead Basin-Wide event hosted by Flathead Rivers Alliance, Flathead Conservation District, Western Montana Conservation Commission, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Lake County Conservation District and Flathead Lakers brings together agencies, organizations, and community members in an all day volunteer event to not only cleanup trash, but celebrate the region’s incredible waterways.

Yesterdays: Newspaper wonders where dead veterans money went

Carl Benner, 16, was featured on the front page. He had a broken arm in a sling and cast, but was still practicing for the upcoming O-Mok-See. Glacier Park visitation for the year was about 300,000 to date.

City will contract out some services to Nicosia

The Columbia Falls City Council recently voted to approve a $10,000 contract with former city manager Susan Nicosia to complete the 2024-25 budget and to administer several large grants she worked on and secured during her tenure as city manager.

Coalition unhappy with county, city calls to release CFAC plan

The Coalition for a Clean CFAC expressed disappointment in a recent Flathead County Commissioner letter urging the Environmental Protection Agency to move forward with a Record of Decision on a cleanup plan for the defunct aluminum plant.

History: A hot day played a big role in Glacier National Park's creation

It’s easy to take the grandeur of Glacier National Park for granted nowadays, but 114 years ago, a hot day and a change in the way the U.S. House of Representatives did its calendar played a big role in getting the legislation that created the park across the finish line.

Ells of Kalispell wins Glacier Bank Boogie to Bank 5k

Sam Ells of Kalispell won the 5k race in the Glacier Bank Boogie to the Bank Saturday during Heritage Days and Ebenezer Delaney of Polson won the 10k.

Columbia Falls swim team takes third at state tournament in Sidney

The Columbia Falls Swim Team took third place in the AA Division at the state tournament in Sidney over the weekend and first place win in overall relays. Forty-nine swimmers traveled across the state to compete and everyone swam their heart out. Sidney won the title.

New shop specializes in costume jewelry, art classes

Andrea Robinson has been painting since she was 7.

Legals for July, 31 2024

Man dies after being ejected from vehicle on Going-to-the-Sun Road

A 34-year-old man from Washington is dead after a wreck on the Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park near St. Mary on Tuesday morning.

Health department releases more details on E.Coli outbreak; identifies restaurants

One person died after consuming E. coli-tainted wagyu beef at Harbor Grille in Lakeside, the Flathead City-County Health Department confirmed Friday, while four other local restaurants are associated with the recent outbreak that sickened 13 people.

Crawford found guilty in Martin City shooting

A Flathead County District Court jury on Thursday evening found Del Orrin Crawford guilty of deliberate homicide in the shooting death of Whisper Sellars outside a Martin City bar in August 2022.

Columbia Falls taking bids for new skateboard park

The city recently learned it received a $330,000 Land, Water and Conservation grant that will go toward a new skatepark at Fenholt Park.

County investigating e.coli cases, as one person dies

The Flathead City-County Health Department (FCCHD), the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services and other local health departments, are working together to investigate an E.coli O157:H7 outbreak originating in Flathead County, the agencies said Wednesday in a release.

Fishing the North Fork of the Flathead from 2 p.m. to midnight is now illegal due to high water temperatures

After more than two weeks of unprecedented heat, Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks has announced “hoot owl” restrictions on the North Fork of the Flathead River.

Horse Gulch could have been prevented

Writing recently on X (formerly Twitter), Frontier Institute President and CEO Kendall Cotton observed that Montana’s Horse Gulch Fire is burning in a portion of Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest that was slated for landscape-scale thinning and controlled burns,

Heat wave breaks records, should ease

The heat wave should break this week. A cold front is expected to slide through Wednesday into Thursday as the Hungry Horse News went to press.

Triple crown winners

The Badrock 13U baseball team, made of players from Columbia Falls and Whitrefish recently won the Triple Crown World Series in Vail, Colorado.

Twins split with Lakers, twice in a week

Glacier Splits Doubleheader Against Kalispell

Glacier Twins win division, punch ticket to state tourney

The Glacier Twins won the Western A District Tournament over Kalispell on Sunday, beating the Lakers, 4-1 for the title.

Wrong side of history?

Heat waves are more intense, longer lasting, and three times as frequent as 60 years ago. More areas are vulnerable to record-breaking temperatures each succeeding year. As a 72-year-old with a reasonably good recollection of the last 60 years, Montana summers are seldom as enjoyable as half a century ago.

Property tax inequities

In Flathead County, property taxes have increased well beyond inflation for residential homes and businesses. I was appointed to the Governor’s Property Task Force to dig deep into the cause of such escalations and provide recommendations for reforms for the 2025 legislature. In my eight years in the legislature I’ve been a member of the minority party, nevertheless, willing to work collaboratively with the majority to address Montana’s solvable problems.

Corinne Hodgson Adomian, 89

Corinne Hodgson Adomian, born July 22, 1934, passed on April 5, 2024. She spent her childhood on a dairy farm in between Columbia Falls and Kalispell with her parents Dorothy and Mark Hodgson, her older brother and sister Paul and Mary Lou. She started her journey in a community rich in traditions and history, and deeply imbued her family with the same love of their Montana roots; she continued to share her passion for both genealogy and family stories throughout her life.

School District needs bus drivers, teachers

Like many other businesses across the valley, Columbia Falls School District 6 is finding it’s not immune to the labor shortage.

Event looks at ways to make things better in Guatemala

There will be a special event at the Northwest Montana History Museum in Kalispell July 29 at 6:30 p.m.

Death Notices for July 24, 2024

Etta Webb Dettmann died July 15, 2024 in Kalispell. Arrangements are being made at this time. Darlington Cremation and Burial Service is caring for her family.

Wildcats win divisional title, head to state

The Columbia Falls Swim team won the Western Divisional tournament over the weekend by a wide margin. The Wildcats, with 67 swimmers in the pool, were a force to be reckoned with, scoring 1,425 total points (688 points above the second place team). The team will now try to take that momentum and win a state title in Sidney this weekend.

Grinnell’s Glacier: A look at the man behind the Glacier National Park landmarks

George Bird Grinnell – “The Father of Glacier National Park” – was born Sept. 30, 1849, in Brooklyn, New York to George Blake Grinnell and Helen A. Lansing

For bat researchers, tender is the night

When the pulchritudinous song of the Swainson’s thrush stops, that’s when Lisa Bate knows it’s time to raise the nets.

Search continues for woman in reservoir

A search for a woman who may be missing in the Hungry Horse Reservoir is still ongoing.

Roof fire doesn’t hinder school project

The roof fire at the Columbia Falls High School last week did not cause any major damage and won’t delay the replacement project, school Superintendent Cory Dziowgo said last week.

Finberg’s Legacy

The legendary Columbia Falls coach retired at the end of the 2024 season. We take a look back at his career.

Ask Cary Finberg when he started playing basketball and the answer is quick.

C. Dave Managhan

Dave Managhan, 80, passed away peacefully at home on July 15, 2024, with his loving wife Lois and children Scott and Lisa by his side after a long battle with Parkinson’s.

Free dinners coming up

The free Canyon Community dinner is July 25 at Canyon Elementary School between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m.

Forest Service OKs fuel breaks

Work is expected to begin this fall on projects aimed at reducing the severity of wildfires at three locations around the Flathead Valley.

Witness testimony in shooting trial inconsistent

Eyewitnesses offered differing – at times clashing – accounts of the fatal August 2022 shooting in Martin City during the second day of Del Orrin Crawford’s murder trial in Flathead County District Court.

Huckleberry picker shoots, kills attacking grizzly that had three cubs

A man was hospitalized after an encounter with a grizzly bear on Thursday evening approximately 2 miles north of Columbia Falls, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Park is reporting.

Going deep on CFAC

Going deep is an essential next step in order for Columbia Falls and Flathead County residents to begin to really understand and raise meaningful questions about the proposed leave-the-toxic waste-in-place cleanup plan for the Columbia Falls Aluminum Company (CFAC) Superfund site.

Swim team hosts divisional tournament this weekend

The Columbia Falls Swim Team was proud to bring home a third place trophy from their final regular season meet this past weekend in Fort Benton. With only 24 swimmers in the pool, the team still came out strong scoring 506 total points. The team is looking to bring their best to the Western Divisional Meet at our home pool this weekend July 20-21. We invite the whole community to come out and cheer us on.

Habitat for Humanity homes are available for qualified buyers

Habitat for Humanity of Flathead Valley is currently accepting applications for three homes, one in Columbia Falls and two in Kalispell. The house in Columbia Falls is a pre-existing Habitat home at 19 Mitchell Way. It is a two-bedroom, one-bath home. The two homes to be built later this year in Kalispell are duplex-style townhouses with attached garages. The townhouses will also be two-bedroom units with a bath and a half. Habitat Flathead intends to start construction on a 3-plus bedroom house in Columbia Falls later this year but is not taking applications for that house yet.

Orion “Ron” Koppang, 81

On July 5, 2024, Orion “Ron” Koppang passed away peacefully at home with his family following a long battle with COPD.

Sharon Brotnov, 86

On June 26, 2024, Sharon Brotnov passed away after a protracted fight with leukemia. Sharon was 86.

Twins have mixed results at Ed Gallo tourney

The Glacier Twins had a pretty good week of baseball.

Craig Shafer, 69

With sadness we share the June 24th passing of Craig Shafer. Craig passed away June 24th of complications from cancer.

Heritage Days coming up next week, here’s the lineup

Heritage Days is coming up next week in Columbia Falls with a host of community events. The annual celebration features a host of class reunions, a car show, concerts, a rodeo, O-Mok-See, a parade and a golf tournament just to name a few events. This year’s theme for the parade is “The Best Of Times.”

Heritage Days coming up next week, here’s the lineup

Heritage Days is coming up next week in Columbia Falls with a host of community events. The annual celebration features a host of class reunions, a car show, concerts, a rodeo, O-Mok-See, a parade and a golf tournament just to name a few events. This year’s theme for the parade is “The Best Of Times.”

Barbara Orem, 70

Barbara J. Orem, 70, of La Canada, California and Bigfork joined Jesus and her Heavenly Father on April 13, 2024. She will be missed by her family and friends.

Polebridge news: Glacier Drive project nearly complete

The drive to Polebridge is a little easier this summer and should get even better by the end of the month. The Glacier Drive project should be done by the end of July, a representative from the federal Highway Administration said during the North Fork Interlocal meeting lasty week.

Local chef beats Bobby Flay

Whitefish chef Earl Reynolds literally galloped onto the cooking stage of Beat Bobby Flay before going on to win both rounds of the reality TV competition, effectively lassoing a win against the celebrity chef.

Trial set to start next week in shooting that happened two years ago

The trial of a man accused of shooting and killing a woman outside a Martin City bar and wounding her husband is expected to start July 22 in Flathead County District Court.

Botello talks a wide range of issues facing Flathead Forest

Anthony Botello recently had a good look at the Flathead National Forest. Many would say the best part of the Forest.

In a jam, and it’s great

Like most other folks in the Flathead Valley, my sweet cherry trees failed this year. Some failed in the terminal sense: They died entirely, while others just came out of last winter’s cold blast looking awfully sick. I have a young one in the backyard that’s looking pretty stumpy and will likely take years to grow back. The other, older trees had seen better days anyway. Some died entirely, others failed to produce any blossoms, and thus, no fruit.

The Blotter: Pill popping woman cussing at staff

Man was worried about a sweaty youth’s health who was sitting outside a store.

In red House District 5, Democrat hopes to make it a race

A Martin City Democrat will challenge Republican Braxton Mitchell for the House District 5 seat this fall.

Glacier seeing high number of no-shows in North Fork

Glacier National Park’s reservation system for the North Fork is working, but not the way the park wanted it to, Deputy Superintendent Pete Webster told North Forkers at the Interlocal meeting last week.

Firefighters pounce on fire at Columbia Falls High School

Firefighters quickly quelled a blaze at the Columbia Falls High School Monday night about 7 p.m.

Glacier Park "weed blitz' on tap

The Crown of the Continent Research Learning Center and Glacier National Park invite volunteers for a day of hands-on learning during the Annual Noxious Weed Blitz on July 25. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in West Glacier.

Men identified in Glacier Park drowning incidents

The two individuals who drowned in Glacier National Park on July 6, 2024, have been identified as 26-year-old Siddhant Vitthal Patil from India and 28-year-old Raju Jha of Nepal.

County preliminary budget looks to keep taxes flat

Flathead County commissioners last week approved a preliminary budget for fiscal year 2025 that keeps county taxes even.

Glacier Park’s annual bat field trip is coming up next week

Glacier National Park’s “Going Batty” field trip will be held on Thursday, July 18, 2024, in West Glacier from 8 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public, but participation is limited and requires advance registration.

July 10, 2024 death notices

James “Jim” Earl Howey died June 20, 2024 in Columbia Falls. A celebration of Jim’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 26, 2024 at Crossroads Christian Fellowship, 7465 MT-35, Bigfork, MT 59911

Judge orders Flathead Forest to revamp road management

A federal judge late in June ordered the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Forest Service to fix portions of road regulations that are in violation of the Endangered Species Act when it comes to bull trout and grizzly bears.

A bear in camp and other tales: Three days in the Bob Marshall Wilderness included a nightmare hike

The July 4 weekend in the Flathead Valley can get a little busy to my liking, so I figured the appropriate response would be to get out of Dodge entirely and head into the Bob Marshall Wilderness, which is what we did.

‘Everyone who comes here is in a great mood’

Roger Elliott has been managing the Big Sky Waterpark for 42 years

For 42 summers now, Roger Elliott has been managing the Big Sky Waterpark in Columbia Falls.

Fixing Fifth Avenue top street project for city in ‘24-’25 budget

Fixing Fifth Avenue West is one of the top projects for the city in the upcoming ‘24-’25 budget cycle.

Yesterdays: Hugh Foley of Martin City runs in Seattle with Olympic torch

As temperatures climbed into the 80s, the Lions Club was working to raise funds to fix the town swimming pool, which hadn’t been operational since 1948. The pool needed a host of repairs and fixes, including a drainage system.

Project 2025 concerns him

Celebrations centered around July 4th have always been tricky for me

The tipping point?

I’ve been conflicted about tips lately. Whenever you check out nowadays it seems like they’re asking for a tip. Should I tip the girl who handed me a muffin out of the case at Coffee Traders the other day?

The Blotter: Man claims he was hit in head by a dog bone

Woman was trespassing at a place on Fourth Avenue; in laundry room smoking cigarettes.

Community events

he Columbia Falls Lions Club summer concert series kicks off July 18 from 7-8:30 p.m. at Marantette Park with the Don Lawrence Orchestra. Come out and hear the big band sounds of the orchestra. No entry fee, but donations gladly accepted. The concert is a make-up of the one that canceled due to weather on June 21.

County will see about $3.77 million in PILT payments

Flathead County will take in $3.77 million in federal payments this year under a program that compensates local governments for nontaxable federal land.

Groups threaten lawsuit over Gunsight Lake bull trout plan

Two environmental groups have filed a 60-day notice of intent to sue the Park Service over plans to introduce bull trout into Gunsight Lake in Glacier National Park.

Woman lucky to be alive after tree harpoons her car

Kaitlin Hagadone is counting her lucky stars. On July 1 the Columbia Falls woman was driving home alone from work down Half Moon Road when lightning struck a big larch alongside the road.

Two drown in separate incidents in Glacier National Park; man's body trapped in Avalanche Gorge

Two people drowned in separate incidents Saturday in Glacier National Park. One victim drowned in Avalanche Gorge and the other in Lake McDonald.

New floral shop on Nucleus Avenue a family affair

There’s a new floral shop on Nucleus Avenue, operated by a local family with roots in West Glacier.

Former park superintendent to talk public lands

Like millions of other Americans, Walt Dabney considers himself a “proud public landowner.”

Sheriffs for Swanson

Law enforcement officers dedicate their lives to protecting public safety, maintaining order, and upholding justice. Our jobs are intrinsically tied to Montana’s judiciary. When law enforcement and prosecutors can trust that the courts will handle criminal cases fairly, it gives us and the public confidence that we can keep our communities safe and achieve justice.

Mumbling Biden still better than Trump

I watched the debate between Trump and Biden, and one thing is clear: If Republicans truly believed in everything they say they do, and they only supported candidates who have proven their character, competency, and courage, they would demand that Trump quit the race.

The Blotter: Child escapes while parent in the bathroom

Dog bit a kid riding past it on a bike. Kid had puncture wounds.

They’re not ‘dark money’ groups

As the Executive Director of the Montana Nonprofit Association, a membership association that supports more than 850 organization across the state, I’m dismayed by multiple recent incidents of political leaders and influencers casting local public charities across Montana as “dark money” groups and as organizations at the center of broader political flashpoints.

Death notices for July 3, 2024

Dolores M. Fredericksen died June 25, 2024 in Columbia Falls. Services will be held privately at the convenience of the family. To send online condolences, please visit columbiamortuary.com.

Glacier Park home on market for $15 million

A home on Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park has hit the open market. While other properties in Glacier have been sold in the past few years, none have had the expansive views afforded by the Graff family estate, a modest home at the foot of the lake.

Jean Ann Sedivy, 81

Jean Ann Sedivy, of Columbia Falls, Montana, passed peacefully on June 19, 2024. Jean was born in Whitefish on June 8, 1943, to Marvin (Bud) Knapton and Irene Voigt Knapton.

Clarice E. Harrison

Clarice E. Harrison, 95, passed away on Nov. 15, 2023. She was born in Culbertson, Montana, on March 8, 1928, to Persis Mack and Archie Downen.

Twins A drop Libby, B team splits with Canadians

The Glacier Twins A team picked up a doubleheader sweep over Libby at home on Tuesday, June 25, winning the first game 19-3 and then following that up with a 15-2 win.

CFAC information sessions coming up

The Columbia Falls Aluminum Company, in partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency), and Montana Department of Environmental Quality), will host an informational open house on Wednesday, July 17 in Columbia Falls.

Free youth solar camp coming up

Farming for the Future Academy at the garden on the Montana Veterans Home campus is holding a free solar water heater camp for youths on July 22-26, from 9:30-noon each day.

Swim team nabs another victory as it nears post season

The Columbia Falls Swim Team is proud to bring home another first place trophy from their meet this past weekend in Conrad. The team brought 41 swimmers to the meet and won with a score of 971 points, beating the second place team by 459 points. With only one regular meet remaining in the season before the divisional meet at home, the team is geared up to finish strong. Their next meet is July 13 and 14 in Fort Benton.

County officially takes over Columbia Falls doughnut

The Flathead County Commissioners Thursday unanimously voted in favor of interim zoning for the former “doughnut” of lands around the city of Columbia Falls.

Yesterdays: Ranger loses glasses after griz encounter

The search was on for a missing Cut Bank youth.

East Side Reservoir Road to close for fish project

The East Side Hungry Horse Reservoir Road (National Forest System Road 38) will be temporarily closed to public use starting later this month for up to four weeks for a project that will increase the amount of stream habitat accessible to fish migrating from the reservoir.

Temporary closures at N. Fork boat launches

The Forest Service through a contractor is working on improving several public North Fork launch sites. Due to grading and other work, they will see some temporary closures in July.

Pitamakan: On this day, a nice place for a nap

The nice thing about Glacier National Park’s new Wilderness Backcountry Permit system is it lets you see what’s available in advance, so even if you didn’t book a campsite back in March, you still can nab a site (if one’s available) several days in early.