Ellington

Temporary closures on some city streets

Knife River will be constructing new sidewalks, curb, landscaping, and drainage improvements in the city of Columbia Falls.

Glacier National Park crews plowing Two Medicine Road; will start on Camas Road next week

It’s that time of year again — Glacier National Park has started plowing the Two Medicine Road and will begin plowing the Camas Road Monday, April 1.

Sharon “Sherri” J. Wendlick, 74

Sharon “Sherri” J. Wendlick, age 74, of Columbia Falls passed away March 17, 2024. She was born May 31, 1949 in Colorado City, Texas to the late Albert Cain and Frances Cain (Key).

IJC will look at Kootenai River pollution from coal mines

The U.S., Canada and several indigenous groups announced a proposal on recently to address pollution from coal mining in British Columbia that officials say has been contaminating waterways and harming fisheries on both sides of the border for years.

Wildkats blank Bravettes

The Columbia Falls softball team opened its season on the road in Polson, dropping AA Flathead 16-0 in a tourney that was cut short by bad weather in the form of snow.

Columbia Falls drop Chiefs in a chilly home opener

The Columbia Falls baseball team got a pair of wins last week, squeaking in its first home game Thursday night under threatening skies, as they thumped Ronan 14-4.

The birds are back: Migrating flocks settle at Freezout

You really can’t miss the birds.

Ruder Elementary will welcome new principal

Ruder Elementary welcomes Allison Hawes as its new principal for the next school year. Hawes is currently the principal at Helena Flats School, a position she’s held for the past three years.

Scouts seeing success as they reach for the highest rank

Three Columbia Falls Scouts are have had academic and performance arts success lately. Boone Shanks, Merrick Fairchild and Lauren Rogers did well during the recent speech and debate season, helping lead the Wildcats to a state A title.

The Blotter: Gunshots reported

A person reported hearing gunshots in the city. A man who got in a fight was worried he’d get hit back with a baton. Police broke it up.

Yesterdays: Trap the tree

The Flathead National Forest was going to try a “trap the tree” program to battle spruce bark beetle.

Police get kudos from council, public for service

The Columbia Falls Police Department got some thank-yous at last week’s city council meeting.

Man admits guilt in slaughter of eagles

A Washington man admitted last week of conspiring to hunt and kill bald and golden eagles on the Flathead Indian Reservation and then selling them on the black market across the United States and elsewhere, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

Community choir concert on tap

The Columbia Falls Community Choir has been hard at work preparing for their spring concert at the Columbia Falls High School Little Theater on Saturday, April 13 at 7 p.m.

Forest Service set to issue special permits for services, events

The Flathead National Forest is requesting public input on the issuance of 23 temporary special use permits for the upcoming summer of 2024.

In Brief: March 27

Easter egg hunt, quilt show, free meals, Heritage Days

Trail organizations in line for funds

A few trail projects in the Columbia Falls area are in line for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Trail Stewardship Program grants.

Productive meeting

The momentum is increasing daily in the effort requesting the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to pause in their decision-making process to fully and fairly evaluate the cost benefits of removing (not leaving) the toxic waste at the CFAC (Columbia Falls Aluminum Co.) Superfund site northeast of Columbia Falls.

Opinion: Changing snowpack

After last year’s deep winter, this season has come as a shock, and many of us are wondering “Where is the snow?”

Opinion: Heart advice

I’ve run into quite a few friends and readers since I had my double bypass heart surgery and I thought I’d share some experiences on what you might expect if you have to have this procedure done.

Residents petition in opposition to losing field at Railroad Street

Several residents last week spoke out to the Columbia Falls City Council against a plan to convert a baseball field on Railroad Street to affordable housing, claiming it was the only open space they had in the neighborhood.

Residents petition in opposition to losing field at Railroad Street

Several residents last week spoke out to the Columbia Falls City Council against a plan to convert a baseball field on Railroad Street to affordable housing, claiming it was the only open space they had in the neighborhood.

Man commits suicide after shooting incident

A man apparently took his own life last Wednesday after a disturbance in Columbia Falls. According to a release from the Flathead County’s Sheriff’s Department, at 10:07 p.m. Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a disturbance with a weapon in the 100 block of South Hilltop.

Cathy Ann Reynders, 65

Cathy Ann Reynders died March 18, 2024 in Kalispell.

Cost to remove CFAC waste could be more than $1 billion, EPA estimates

Responding to calls to remove toxic waste from the former Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. plant, the Environmental Protection Agency said it estimates it would cost anywhere from $624 million to $1.4 billion to haul the waste away from the Superfund site.

Columbia Falls outfitter testifies on impacts of climate change to business

Columbia Falls outfitter and guide Hilary Hutcheson testified before the U.S. Senate Budget Committee last week on the impacts of climate change to the outdoor industry.

Bears awake early, local organization looks to head off conflicts

With bears reportedly coming out of hibernation around the state — nearly a month early — People and Carnivores Northwest Field Project Manager Ryan Wilbur made a presentation to Columbia Falls Chamber of Commerce members during their March luncheon on Tuesday, March 12.

School district will float operational levies, too

Looking down the barrel of some significant operating deficits in both the elementary and high school budgets, the School District 6 Board unanimously approved bringing two separate levy requests to voters last week.

In Brief March 20

Easter egg hunt, free meals, Little Cats Tracks, Heritage Days, quilt show

Roads lawsuit brings split decision

U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen DeSoto March 12 recommended that two local environmental groups partially prevail in their claims against the Forest Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over road management on the Flathead National Forest.

Henry John Broers II, 70

Henry John Broers died March 9, 2024 in Trego.

Cynthia “Cindy” Bell-Decker, 69

Cynthia “Cindy” Diane Bell-Decker passed away peacefully on March 14.

William “Bill” Olmsted, 88

An extraordinary life left for the next one on March 6, 2024.

Crew of USS Montana visits Montana Veterans Home

Crew members of the USS Montana, a nuclear submarine, paid a visit to the Flathead on Tuesday, including a stop at the Montana Veterans Home.

Track should be solid

The Columbia Falls track teams should be right in the mix again this year.

Softball has speed, but less power this season

The Columbia Falls softball team lost a lot of power but they’re a faster team this season. The Wildkats won their first-ever state A title last season behind some big bats, but they have two keys from last season coming back: Senior pitcher Maddie Moultray and senior catcher Demye Rensel.

Tennis teams have good numbers heading into season

The Columbia Falls tennis team has good numbers again this year, with 17 girls and 27 boys on the roster.

Baseball opens season with a win on the road

The Columbia Falls baseball team opened its season with a 7-6 over Hamilton on the road Saturday.

PHOTOS: Third Annual Cloverfest

Columbia Falls Chamber of Commerce held its Third Annual Cloverfest in the Super 1 parking lot Saturday, March 16. Events included a 5K, Fun Run, Kids Carnival, music and Irish dancing. (Avery Howe photos)

PHOTOS & VIDEO: Grand March 2024

Columbia Falls High School hit the stage for Grand March at the Little Theater Saturday, March 16. Prom followed at Cedar Creek Lodge, theme was “Hollywood Night.” Quinn Clark was crowned King and Lexi Oberholtzer Queen. (Avery Howe photos)

Board concerns

I’m reaching out to share some concerns about the recent appointment of Darin Fisher to the new planning commission. I’m disappointed to see Mr. Fisher on the commission, especially after he was voted off the council due to his support of corrupt developers east of the river.

Regier on Held

“This is unconstitutional” has become a frequently used phrase intended to subvert the logic and rational understanding of the Montana Constitution.

Public lands in public hands

As I kid I spent more time outdoors than in. I swear there isn’t an inch of the Whitefish and Flathead Rivers I didn’t row, a trail in Jewel Basin I didn’t hike, and a campground in Glacier I didn’t overnight. But today, it’s becoming more difficult to find a spot to camp, hike, fish or hunt – and that’s a problem.

Opinion: Slaking a thirst a growing challenge

Last week I had a story on Glacier National Park’s glaciers breaking up — a little less than half of the named glaciers in the park have broken into pieces and I suspect it’s even worse now, since the study was based on images taken a few years ago, and last I checked, summers weren’t getting any cooler.

The Blotter: Kids back to breaking fences

Male juveniles were reported jumping from an SUV to damage a picket fence on Hilltop Road.

Legals for March, 20 2024

City will go ahead with affordable housing project

The Columbia Falls City Council last week decided to go ahead with an affordable housing project on Railroad Street on what is now a baseball field.

Montana rancher was trafficking, cross-breeding wild bighorn sheep, Justice Department says

A Montana man pleaded guilty March 12 to two felony wildlife crimes – a conspiracy to violate the Lacey Act and substantively violating the Lacey Act – as part of an almost decade-long effort to create giant sheep hybrids in the United States with an aim to sell the species to captive hunting facilities.

All-State, All-Conference announced

The all-state and all-conference basketball selections have been announced.

David J. “Rip” Van Winkle, 89

David died March 5, 2024 in Columbia Falls at the Veterans Home.

Brett Alan Houston, 63

Brett Alan Houston died March 1, 2024 in Columbia Falls.

Jennifer N. Golan, 54

Jennifer N. Golan died Feb. 23, 2024 in Kalispell.

Donald Lawrence, 94

Donald Jesse Lawrence was born in Loomis, South Dakota on Dec. 27th, 1929 to Marie Susan Wagner and Jesse Orville Lawrence.

Gary Lee Lapka

Gary Lee Lapka was born in Veblen, South Dakota on April 30, 1940, to George and Leona (Kallas) Lapka.

Mountainfilm Tour to benefit Bob Marshall Foundation

The Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation is hitting the road, bringing their annual film festival to five different cities around the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex.

Lambrecht resigns as CEO of Logan Health

Logan Health-Billings Clinic CEO Craig Lambrecht resigned Monday, making way for new co-leadership roles atop the state’s largest hospital system.

Kehr named All-Frontier

A Columbia Falls native was recently announced to the All-Frontier basketball team.

Cats battle back to take third at state

Best finish since 2015; Sapa has great outing in last game of season

The Columbia Falls boys battled back through the consolation bracket to take third at the state A basketball tournament in Butte Saturday afternoon, beating Butte Central 58-53 in a game that came down to the wire.

The Pie Lady: Jean Flynn’s pop-up pie stand pays vintage shops a visit

PIE HERE NOW announces a sandwich board on Nucleus Avenue, the boldness of the proclamation softened by a picture of a smiling blond girl holding a bushel of wheat.

In Brief March 13

Prom, Heritage Days, Meet ranger, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Little Cat Tracks

Foundation boosts food pantry at high school

The Whitefish Community Foundation donated $7,700 to support and expand the food pantry at the Columbia Falls High School.

Yesterdays: Blackfeet Indian Writing Company

The Blackfeet Indian Writing Company was making an average of 600,000 pencils, markers and pens a day.

Second thoughts on 442

For the last fourteen years, I have had the honor of serving as a member of the Montana Legislature. In each session, the Legislature has passed bills which the Governor has vetoed.

Opinion: Columnist imagines first days of wolf release

What was it like for 10 captured Oregon wolves when Colorado Parks and Wildlife opened their crates on a December day last year?

Opinion: Daylight Saving

We went for a walk on Sunday evening after supper. It would have been easy to stay in the house — it was raining and cold and damp.

City OK’s changes to water billing

Ordinance 829 to amend Title 13 of the city’s water and sewer utility account provisions unanimously passed on first reading after public comment at the city council meeting March 4.

Columbia Falls Cloverfest this weekend

The annual Columbia Falls Cloverfest is March 16 in the parking lot of Super 1 Foods off Highway 2.

Glacier Park awarded funding for Blackfeet bison, other projects

Glacier National Park announced last week it will receive $1.5 million in funding to support the Blackfeet Tribe’s initiative to restore free ranging bison herds.

Glacier National Park's glaciers are falling to pieces, study finds

A study by the U.S. Geological Survey last fall found that 11 glaciers in Glacier National Park have broken into pieces, as climate change continues to warm the planet and the park.

Legals for March, 13 2024

Wildcats drop Butte Central to take third at state A basketball tourney

The Columbia Falls boys battled back through the consolation bracket to take third at the state A basketball tournament in Butte Saturday afternoon, beating Butte Central 58-53 in a game that came down to the closing minutes.

School board approves request for proposals on high school roof

In a Feb. 26 work session, School District 6 school board members approved a request for proposals for the Columbia Falls High School roof.

Review process for fishing regulations to begin soon

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will host public meetings in each region to gather input for the 2025-26 fishing regulations.

Church Women donate $639K from Klothes Kloset sale

After selling the Klothes Kloset for $639,000 in December, Church Women United has turned right back around and given that money to 36 local nonprofits — and $165,000 of it to the Columbia Falls School District.

Family of women killed in Martin City frustrated by pace of county prosecutors

“I try to avoid Columbia Falls now. Because I see [Floyd], and every time I see him I see the back of his truck,” Chris Gilham said.

Sheryl L. Bodily, 87

Sheryl L. Bodily, 87, died Feb. 25, 2024 in Kalispell.

Josiah “Jojo” Malachi Kilman, 18

Josiah “Jojo” Malachi Kilman died Feb. 24, 2024 in Campbellsville Kentucky.

Johnny Frank Turner, 82

Johnny Frank Turner went to be with Jesus Feb. 26, 2024, to get “his new body” after a long, courageous struggle with cancer.

Blotter: Dog gets into chickens

A white dog with spots jumped a fence and killed two chickens on Diane Road.

Yesterdays: Composting toilets for GNP chalets

In the past, Park workers would periodically drain septic tanks onto the ground at the chalets — a practice that attracted grizzly bears to the area — and waste would sometimes bubble to the surface through outdated drain fields.

Lime signs with OUAZ swim team

Columbia Falls High School senior Avic Lime (center front) signs his letter of intent with Ottawa University Arizona’s swim team on Wednesday, Feb. 27. Accompanying him are front row; uncle T.J. Naldrett, aunt Michelle Naldrett, father Mark Lime and aunt Leanette Galaz, back row; principal Jon Konen, student and family advocate Tamara Sundberg, coach Amy Caudill and athletic director Troy Bowman.

Baseball starts practice, hope snow subsides

“Right now, we’re at the mercy of Mother Nature. Our field has some huge drifts,” Green said. “So we’ll get the work done we can in [the gym] but we can’t really simulate being outside.”

Landowners have until March 15 to apply for PALA and UPL programs

Landowners have until March 15 to apply for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ Unlocking Public Lands (UPL) Program or the Public Access Land Agreement (PALA) Program.

Glacier National Park seeks public comment on fire management plan

Glacier National Park is seeking initial public scoping as it looks to update its fire management plan crafted 20 years ago.

PHOTOS: Bye Bye Birdie

Columbia Falls High School's opening night production of "Bye Bye Birdie" raised money for the choir's upcoming New York City Trip and the theater program.

Happenings: March 6

Firefighters head to Seattle, Northwest Montana Photographers, American Legion scholarships, Columbia Falls Women’s Connection luncheon, Knights of Columbus Friday Lenten meals

Community Market finds new home

The Columbia Falls Community Market will have a new home this summer adjacent to St. Richard Catholic Church on Highway 2.

Tester also raises concerns about CFAC cleanup; hopes to get EPA brass here

Montana Sen. Jon Tester said last week that the “waste in place” cleanup plan for the Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. Superfund site “was not much of a cleanup plan at all.”

CFHS senior Colton Little challenges Braxton Mitchell for House District 5

Two-term Republican state Rep. Braxton Mitchell faces a youthful, independent challenger in House District 5 this year — 18-year-old Colton Little.

War comes home to my small town

That might seem surprising since my town is more than 7,000 miles from Gaza, where in just a few months more than 29,000 people have been killed and nearly 2 million have been driven from their homes. But what is happening there reverberates here in its own way.

Opinion: Being Montanan

Out of six hikers, my dog was the only one of us born in Montana. Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, South Carolina and me, Wyoming. As we looked out over the snowy mountains, Dee, the Pennsylvanian, named their peaks.

Don Lawrence, founder of Don Lawrence Orchestra, Columbians Jazz Band, dies

Don Lawrence, the musical soul of Columbia Falls and founder of the Don Lawrence Orchestra, died on Friday.

Sun Road, North Fork reservations selling out in a couple of minutes; Many Glacier reservations available now

Glacier National Park’s advanced reservations for the Going-to-the-Sun Road from the west side as well as the North Fork sold out in about two minutes, the Hungry Horse News found when it attempted to get one on Friday, March 1.