Ellington

Fugitive from justice apparently drowns fleeing deputies up the North Fork of Flathead

A North Carolina fugitive from justice apparently drowned last week trying to swim away from law enforcement in the North Fork of the Flathead.

Woman injured in fiery wreck on Glacier National Park's Going-to-the Sun Road

A car went off the Going-to-the-Sun Road Wednesday night about 5:40 p.m., struck a tree and caught on fire, Glacier National Park officials said.

City will add a host of stops signs in high school neighborhoods

The neighborhood between the Columbia Falls High School and U.S. Highway 2 will soon see more stop signs at intersections – a lot more stop signs.

Opinion: Meadow Life

So we got to the trailhead to a place I know and I looked at the boy and the boy looked at me and I said, “Where’s your backpack?”

Scientist unlocks mystery of nutrient surge in Lake McDonald

In 2018 the water quality in Glacier National Park’s Lake McDonald had scientists concerned.

Claims Gianforte raised your taxes, gave himself a cut

Gov. Greg Gianforte raised your property taxes. And he did it deliberately, in order to give the wealthy and corporations huge tax cuts. That’s a simple truth that our governor doesn’t want you to hear, but it’s important for all Montanans to understand as we decide whether Gianforte deserves a second term.

An appreciation for Susan Nicosia

Last Monday marked city manager Susan Nicosia’s last full meeting with the Columbia Falls city council.

Two Medicine Redux

Driver, why is this place we’re going to called Two Medicine? As a Glacier Park Lodge shuttle driver I am asked that question about once a day during the summer season, which means that over a summer I get it asked a minimum of 120 times.

Columbia Falls City-County Planning Board soon no more

At the end of June, the Columbia Falls “doughnut” planning jurisdiction will be no more. The city-county planning board will be no more as well.

Columbia Falls upgrading sewer plant after trimming project down

Columbia Falls has finalized a project to upgrade its sewage treatment plant, but had to trim back aspects of the project due to bids coming in higher than expected.

City street assessments set to rise 5% in ‘25 budget

The Columbia Falls City Council last week got a hint at what’s to come in the ‘24-’25 budget. City manager Susan Nicosia recommended a 5% increase in the street maintenance and lighting assessment. The increase is due to increased costs associated with maintaining and lighting the city’s 39 miles of streets.

Yesterdays: Griz takes trailman's shoe off

A grizzly bear treed a trail crew worker in Glacier National Park and pulled his boot off the worker’s foot.

Run will help Marine with home improvements

After an explosive hit Warren Childs’ truck in Afghanistan in 2009, the Marine was left with a neurological condition that is only getting worse over time.

Finishing the mission: Runner overcomes his own challenges in honor of Winslow Nichols

Running a marathon is no small task for people in great health. Patrick Jones recently completed the Utah Valley Marathon after overcoming both an Achilles tendon injury and long haul Covid.

Death notices for June 26, 2024

Lidia Kalinina died June 7, 2024 in Kalispell. No services are currently scheduled. Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls is caring for Lidia’s family.

Urges folks to attend zoning hearing

If you live within 2 miles of the Columbia Falls city limits please take notice that Flathead County is assuming zoning jurisdiction of the soon to be eliminated 1-mile planning/zoning “donut” around our town. https://flathead.mt.gov/department-directory/commissioners-office/public-notices/public-hearing-columbia-falls-interim-zoning-district

Michael Aaron Bwol

Michael Aaron Bwol, 70, passed away peacefully on June 17, 2024, at the Brendan House after a very brief battle with cancer. His loving family was by his side.

Swimmers win in Hamilton

The Columbia Falls summer swim team won again last weekend, this time in Hamilton.

JoAnn Gloria Holton, 93

JoAnn Gloria Holton, 93, of Columbia Falls, passed away on June 14, 2024. JoAnn was born on Nov. 8, 1930, in Fort Worth, Texas to Eppie and Bertha Garcia.

Twins split with Mavericks, improve to 11-2

The Glacier Twins fell to the Missoula Mavericks in their doubleheader opener on Wednesday, June 19, but bounced back with an 11-8 victory in the nightcap.

Pennsylvania woman drowns in Virginia Creek below Virginia Falls in Glacier National Park

Park identifies woman, clarifies location of accident

A 26-year-old woman drowned Sunday in Virginia Creek in Glacier National Park downstream from Virginia Falls.

Glacier National Park's Going-to-the-Sun Road opens over Logan Pass to vehicles

Glacier National Park’s Going-to-the-Sun Road is now open for vehicles up and over Logan Pass for the summer season.

Joyce E. Baumgartner 87

Joyce E. Baumgartner, 87 of Columbia Falls went peacefully home to be with her heavenly Father on June 12, 2024 surrounded by her family. She was born on Sept. 12, 1936 in Stanley, North Dakota, daughter of Orville and Gwen Thronson.

They support Freedom to Vote

Having proudly served as former Secretaries of State in Montana, we understand how important democracy is to the people of our state. It’s not a matter of what side of the aisle you stand on – it’s a matter of what you value.

Charles “Chuck” Baker, 76

Chuck Baker died June 14, 2024 in Columbia Falls at Hidden Meadow Memory Care. Chuck is survived by his wife Mary Baker.

Dick Markham, 65

Dick Markham passed away on June 10, 2024, with his sweet wife by his side. Dick battled stage 4 cancer for the past year.

Kathryn Anna Herman, 87

Kathryn Anna Herman, lovingly known as Kathy, passed away peacefully on June 8, 2024, at Logan Health Whitefish Hospital. She was a resident at The Springs of Whitefish at the time of her passing. Born on September 13, 1936, in Ogallala, Nebraska, to Peter Lehl and Margaret Elizabeth Van Dorsten, Kathy’s life was marked by her deep connections with family and her enduring spirit.

Howe Lake and beyond ... Biological diversity abounds on this relatively short journey

Sometimes you do a hike in Glacier National Park for the fun of it and other times they become an exploratory mission. Sunday’s hike on the Howe Lake Fire Trail was the latter. To get to the Howe Lake Fire Trail you simply hike to Howe Lake off Glacier National Park’s Inside North Fork Road and then keep going.

Columbia Falls summer swim team wins title at Choteau

The Columbia Falls Swim team took the first-place title at Choteau last weekend. The Wildcats brought 42 swimmers to the meet and won with a score of 1,005 points (361 points above second place).

St. Mary Canal system near Babb suffers a big leak

The St. Mary Canal at Babb suffered a major leak Monday at its siphon, flooding some structures and businesses nearby.

Millions of years ago, great beasts roamed the Earth ...And local dinosaur enthusiasts are on the hunt

Aamon Jaeger’s friends and family tried to dissuade him when he started buying land in Arizona, site-unseen, off of eBay in the hopes of finding petrified wood.

Kennedy responds to Glimm

We have not met yet, but we will, as we are both candidates for Montana Senate District 3.

Folks still skeptical of CFAC cleanup after tour

Busloads of folks toured the Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. Superfund site on June 12 as the company and government officials explained how a slurry wall containment system might work at the site.

A perfect storm of catastrophes

Westerners have begun looking at their homes differently these days. Are those trees too close? Should I move all that firewood stacked up next to the deck?

The Blotter: Dead pizza in the road

There was a report of a whole pizza in the road on Highway 2.

Yesterdays: Belton Bridge pressed into service as entrance to Glacier Park

The arch of the old Belton Bridge withstood the flood at West Glacier and there were plans to put a new deck on it as it would serve as a main entrance to the park until the bridge in West Glacier, which was heavily damaged, could be replaced.

Thinking of climbing Chief Mountain? Think again as Blackfeet enforcing closure

Tribal leaders are again enforcing a decades-old closure of Chief Mountain after recent tourist activity disturbed cultural and spiritual practices there.

Police Chief Clint Peters named interim Columbia Falls city manager

A familiar face in city government will run the day-to-day operations of Columbia Falls – at least for a little while.

Badrock baseball playing at Glacier Bank Park

Badrock 15U Baseball, which is made up of Whitefish, Columbia Falls and Eureka youth baseball players, is hosting the first annual Badrock Invitational at Glacier Bank Park, the home of the Glacier Range Riders June 27-June 30th.

Hikers and bikers should be able to go to Logan Pass this weekend

Glacier National Park announced Friday that the full length of the Going-to-the-Sun Road is open to hikers and bikers when crews aren’t working.

Tense moments in Mosquito Flats neighborhood as slope slumps, tipping huge trees over homes

There were some tense moments Tuesday night in the Mosquito Flats neighborhood after a steep slope slumped, tipping several large trees precariously over homes on Second Avenue East.

Wildcats win in Cut Bank

Columbia Falls Swim Team was thrilled to bring home a first place trophy from their second meet of the season in Cut Bank. The team brought 44 swimmers to the meet and won with a score of 1,078 points (425 points above second place). With very limited pool time so far this season, the swimmers proved a force to be reckoned with.

Wildcats win in Cut Bank

Columbia Falls Swim Team was thrilled to bring home a first place trophy from their second meet of the season in Cut Bank. The team brought 44 swimmers to the meet and won with a score of 1,078 points (425 points above second place). With very limited pool time so far this season, the swimmers proved a force to be reckoned with.

The web of life

Biodiversity is simply the web of life that includes us. Montana lists over 300 species at risk or potentially at risk. That is evidence that the global biodiversity crisis is a Montana crisis as well.

The web of life

Biodiversity is simply the web of life that includes us. Montana lists over 300 species at risk or potentially at risk. That is evidence that the global biodiversity crisis is a Montana crisis as well.

Where’s leaders on CFAC?

It’s an election cycle and you can see and hear Montanans politicians getting involved again. Low water in Flathead Lake Zinke and Daines all over it. A bridge repair in Bigfork a photo opportunity for Zinke. Locals access to Glacier National Park the big boys write legislation.

Life after losing an election

Having lost an election, I know it hurts to lose. I know, too, that there is a good life beyond losing because I’ve been living it for the past 20 years.

Lower North Fork Road will see dust treatment soon

The lower North Fork Road from just north of Glacier Rim to the Camas Creek entrance to Glacier National Park will see dust control measures this summer.

Sherry Lynn Elaine Martindale, 75

Sherry Lynn Elaine Martindale, 75, of Columbia Falls, passed away June 4, 2024. She was born July 31, 1948 in Kalispell to the late Leo John Schulte and Edith Arvellda Schulte (Knutson).

Ralph Sievers

Ralph Sievers died January 11, 2024 in Scottsdale, Arizona. Join us outside June 22 at 3 p.m. at 188 Half Moon Rd in Columbia Falls. Potluck if desired and BYOC (bring your own chairs). Ride in on your bike in honor of Ralph.

Kehr recognized by coaches

Columbia Falls softball coach Dave Kehr was named the class A softball coach of the year by the Montana Coaches Association.

On Tenth Avenue, neighbors complain of speeders

The city will do a speed study on 10th Avenue West after neighbors claimed that some motorists have been blasting down the street as of late.

Junior high wraps up year with 8th grade awards

Kamry Young was named most outstanding eighth grader during the junior high’s year-end awards ceremony last week. She also was recognized in several other categories as well.

Belly Up: When things go south in a beautiful place, you just roll with it

It’s amazing how things can go south in a hurry. (By the way, why do things ‘Go south?” couldn’t they just as easily go north or west or east? I suppose going south has a ring to it, though I have traveled through Alabama on the back roads and I must admit, it’s a very nice state, at least to look at. Not sure about living in it. I mean, who can stand Nick Saban. I can’t, retired or not. But whoa, what a digression, huh?)

Food truck owner competing for Food Network show spot

The owner of a Columbia Falls-based food truck is competing in the Food Network show, “Favorite Chef.”

Yesterdays: After flood, focus was getting bridge rebuilt into Glacier Park

A young grizzly bear was trapped along the Going-to-the-Sun Road after he chased after visitors along the highway.

Blotter: Couch survives shooting

Report of a drunk guy shooting through his couch and the wall of his own house. But officers did not see any spent rounds or holes in the wall when they investigated.

Powers beats Quist in primary

The City of Columbia Falls will undergo a government review and Debo Powers beat Guthrie Quist easily for the Democratic seat on the November ballot in House District 3.

City continuing search for city manager, also needs public works director

The City of Columbia Falls is in the second round of its search for a city manager.

Montana Supreme Court upholds closing down of Whistlestop Retreat

The Montana Supreme Court has largely upheld a lower court’s decision that effectively shut down a resort on the shores of Lake Five in West Glacier.

Fiery wreck claims life

A person died in a fiery wreck near mile marker 164 on U.S. Highway 2 Saturday afternoon. Coram-West Glacier Fire chief Walter Tabb said the vehicle was a pickup truck that had gone off the highway into the trees.

Legals for June, 12 2024

Glacier National Park plows a little more than halfway through the Big Drift

Glacier National Park plow crews made it a little over halfway through the Big Drift this week and started putting up hundreds of feet of removable guardrails on the Going-to-the-Sun Road.

A perennial problem: Campers stranded at Blankenship

Flathead National Forest spokeswoman Kira Powell said that now that the area is officially closed, the campers will have to leave — when they can.

A perennial problem: Campers stranded at Blankenship

Flathead National Forest spokeswoman Kira Powell said that now that the area is officially closed, the campers will have to leave — when they can.

Man given life sentence for running over state trooper

Life without parole was the sentence Flathead County District Judge Danni Coffman delivered to Jason Allen Miller Wednesday afternoon in the Lincoln County Courthouse.

Columbia Falls native recognized by Montana State

A Columbia Falls alumna was recently honored by Montana State University.

Jennifer Golan, 54

Jennifer Nelson Golan, 54 of Columbia Falls, passed away on Feb. 23, 2024, after navigating cancer diagnoses and treatments for over 15 years. She was born June 3, 1969, in Mesa, Arizona, to Laura B. Cherrington (Hovland) and the late Donald J. Nelson.

Opinion: Christman recalls flood

The Great Flood of 1964 had a profound effect upon my life. In fact, in my stories of “Tales of a Misspent Youth,” the day of the flood became a directional point, a remembrance that none could forget. And as they say, you had to be there, and I was.

Carroll M. Jones, 70

Carroll M. Jones, 70, passed away on May 21, 2024, surrounded by his loving family at the Jones family home in Columbia Falls.

Roger Grant Anderson, 88

Roger Grant Anderson, 88 of Whitefish, passed away on March 28, 2024. He was born on Feb. 24, 1936, in Idaho Falls, Idaho, to Grant and Genevieve Anderson. He was their first child, a healthy bubbling baby boy.

Sixty years ago, a massive flood struck Northwest Montana

Sixty years ago the waters rose and rose until they became the largest flood in Flathead County’s recorded history.

Death notices for June 5, 2024

Joan Elayne Chapin died May 27, 2024 in Whitefish. Service will be held privately at the convenience of the family. To send online condolences, please visit austinfh.com.

Community events: Concert series, summer camps, fire meeting all coming up

The Columbia Falls Lions Club Summer Concert Series will once again be at Marantette Park this summer. Here’s a lineup of the shows on tap:

Opinion: Ashby on ‘64 Flood at Many Glacier

I was wet, getting wetter by the minute, and would remain so for the next couple of weeks. It all started for me when I came down from my bunk at Swiftcurrent and landed in a foot or more of water. I thought that this can’t be good … and it wasn’t! Thus began my adventure with the Great Montana Flood of 1964. I had recently come up from my home in Oklahoma to spend another summer working at Swiftcurrent Motor Inn in Glacier. In order to take advantage of a special Great Northern fare for Glacier employees to travel from the Twin Cities to the Park I had to come up a few days earlier than was specified in my contract.

Fran Pletcher, 76

Fran Pletcher, 76, passed away surrounded by her loving family members on Mother’s Day, May 12, 2024.

Sally Ann Martinus, 83

Sally Ann Martinus (nee Williams), age 83, of Columbia Falls went home to be with the Lord on May 30, 2024. She was born June 25, 1940 in Billings to the late Simeon Williams and Minnie Williams (Lewis), the youngest of three sisters.

CFAC tours next Wednesday

The Columbia Falls Aluminum Company invites people to visit the proposed remediation area on tours from 1-3:30 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. June 12.

Opinion: Superintendent explains levy impacts

The past four months have been a whirlwind of communication efforts to ensure that everyone had the information they needed to make the best decision they could make for themselves during the May elections.

Court gives neighbors say in Glacier National Park inholder lawsuit

A group of West Glacier residents have been given intervenor status in a federal case involving a private home that many charge was built illegally on the banks of McDonald Creek in Glacier National Park.

Swim season starts with Shelby 2nd

The 2024 Columbia Falls swim team is excited to announce the start of this year’s summer season. The team traveled to central Montana last weekend for their season opener in Shelby. With only 22 swimmers in the pool, the team brought home a second- place finish with 607.5 total points scored.

Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation seeks volunteers

The Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation is looking for volunteers for a slate of trail maintenance projects within the 1.6-million-acre Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex this summer.

Experience a goat farm en route to Glacier Park

Folks can now get a farm experience in the Canyon, with the new “Goats of Glacier” facility in Coram.

Jeremy Grilley new head girls basketball coach

The Columbia Falls girls basketball team will have a new coach in Jeremy Grilley this fall. Grilley, 40, is no stranger to Columbia Falls basketball.

Softball has a host of all-state selections this season

Four players from the State A champion Columbia Falls Wildkats — Maddie Moultray, Haden Peters, Demye Rensel and Tayler Lingle — were named All-State for softball in voting by the Northwest A coaches.

Yesterdays: Glacier National Park bulldozer operator Charles Siderius survived rolling his dozer 350 feet off the Going-to-the-Sun Road near Logan Pass

Flathead County Commissioners were lobbying Montana’s congressional delegation to finish attaching three bridges to cross the North Fork of the Flathead River at Polebridge.

Man reaches plea deal in heinous rape case

David Elven Kellogg, 55, on May 23 agreed to plead guilty to a felony charge of sexual intercourse without consent and felony sexual abuse of children.

The Blotter: A person claimed a child predator had weaseled their way into the Facebook group

A classmate claimed another classmate was harassing her on Martha Road. Kids were banging on windows on 7th Street. Possible seizure at Columbia Bar.