Ellington

Michele Diane Motichka, 57

Michele Diane Osborne Motichka was born to Barbara and Darrel Osborne in Whitefish, Montana on March 25th, 1968.

Quilt Guild recognizes 25th year

What started as a small monthly sewing club with approximately 20 members, has blossomed into a thriving guild in the last quarter century.

City will hold second public hearing on housing study

The Columbia Falls City Council will hold a public hearing at 7 p.m. May 5 on a recent housing needs study.

The Blotter: The kids smell like drugs after visiting grandpa

A baby had a fall and was throwing up with a head injury. A patron was refusing to leave a bar. A person threatened to beat up another person. Report of a missing youth. He was found under a dresser.

Gordon Richard Best

Gordon Richard Best, 56, of Columbia Falls Montana, passed from his earthly life on Easter, April 20, 2025. He fought like a warrior against metastatic renal cell carcinoma until his last breath, in the compassionate care of Logan Health Whitefish staff.

Death Notices for April 30, 2025

Sidney “Sid” Lee House died April 10, 2025 in Kalispell. Sidney is survived by his wife Deloris House. A celebration of life will be held on July 4, 2025 in Whitefish. Austin Funeral and Cremation Services are caring for the family.

Improving security large part of proposed high school remodel

A public forum last week took the first look at a remodel of the Columbia Falls High School. The focus of the discussion centered around safety and security at the school.

With federal cuts, groups look to fill gaps

Local trails and conservation organizations say they hope to fill in some of the gaps created by federal cuts to the National Forest crews this summer.

Rowdy Crump signs with CSU-Pueblo to wrestle

Columbia Falls senior wrestler Rowdy Crump has signed a letter of intent to wrestle for Colorado State-Pueblo.

Wildkat softball improves to 8-6 with solid week

The Columbia Falls Wildkats capped a busy week of softball with a dominant performance on Monday, shutting out Whitefish 15-0 at home to close a stretch that featured six games over five days. With the win, Columbia Falls improved its record to 8-6 on the season.

Voermans sets ARM discus record

Columbia Falls discus thrower Lane Voermans set a new Whitefish ARM record Saturday with a throw of 181 feet, two inches.

Community Band and Choir concert coming up

On May 7, the Flathead Valley Community Band and the Columbia Falls Community Choir will present their “Music is in the Air” concert beginning at 7:30 pm in the Flathead High School Auditorium. The choir is directed by Steven Holte, accompanied by Dawn Hashley, and the band is directed by Allen Slater.

Yesterdays:10 pounds of fish the limit

Glacier National Park announced new fishing regulations that mirrored state regulations at the time, which said a person could keep 10 pounds and one fish not to exceed ten fish. Today Glacier is primarily catch and release.

Tree trimming on Highway 2

This spring, Flathead Electric Cooperative will perform tree trimming and other vegetation management work on Highway 2, mile markers 154-174, between West Glacier and Pinnacle. Work will take place Monday, May 5 through Monday, June 23. Flagging will occur intermittently Monday – Sunday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and will from time to time require a one lane closure of Highway 2. Traffic control measures will be in place when crews are present.

Arbor Day celebration Saturday

To celebrate Arbor Day join the city of Columbia Falls with area natural resource managers and local students to plant trees in Hoerner Park.

Bobby’s law signed by Governor

Gov. Greg Gianforte put Bobby’s Law on the books Friday, increasing statewide penalties for drunk driving.

Arbor Day celebration Saturday

To celebrate Arbor Day join the city of Columbia Falls with area natural resource managers and local students to plant trees in Hoerner Park.

Brown on Legislature

Everyone running for office last year promised property tax relief. We are nearing the end of session and very little is being done or debated.

Delgado responds

I guess that being 73 years old and 30 years removed from playing and coaching in a program that I was involved in for more than 20 years disqualifies me from having an opinion. Last I heard you still must catch it, throw it and hit it; nothing has changed much. As far as running an organization or a business, you have to be accountable to your employees and shareholders if you want to be successful.

Wildcats have a busy week of tennis, sweep Ronan, Polson

The Columbia Falls tennis teams enjoyed a strong showing on the courts last week, sweeping Ronan and Polson in a packed doubleheader Thursday, April 24.

Legals for April, 30 2025

Commission considering city self-governance

The Columbia Falls government review commission plans to hear from an expert next month on whether the city should consider having self-governing powers.

Glacier Park plows run into 25-foot wall of snow at Big Bend from previous avalanche

Glacier National Park snowplow crews continued to work in the Big Bend area of the Going-to-the-Sun Road over the past week.

Pitts throws gem against Pirates

The Columbia Falls baseball team went 3-0 on the week, including a key conference victory over Polson at home Friday, 5-0.

Doris Keck King, 72

On the afternoon of April 9, 2025, Doris Keck King gently slipped away from us due to complications from a brain hemorrhage. Doris left this life to join husband Scott; five months and five days from his passing.

Glacier Institute has new 141-acre campus

Years in the making, the Glacier Institute recently purchased 141 acres just east of Columbia Falls for its new educational outdoor center.

Lazy Day Trailer Park residents evicted

About 24 families living at the Lazy Day Mobile Home Trailer Park were served eviction notices on April 14.

Supports Deer Park bond

As a concerned member of the Deer Park School community, I urge all eligible voters to pay close attention to the upcoming May 6th ballot and to give strong consideration in voting YES on the Deer Park School Bond. Recent discussions, including a vital community meeting organized by dedicated parents, have illuminated the critical need for this investment and corrected damaging misconceptions about our school.

A day's work and the demise of a Senator

I awoke slightly before 5 a.m. on Friday, April 18. I needed to reacquaint myself with four bills from the House that I would be carrying on the Senate floor.

Baseball goes 3-1 on the week, face Pirates Friday

The Columbia Falls baseball team went 3-1 on the week.

Boys win Iceberg Invite, girls take second

In front of a home crowd and with chilly April weather, the Columbia Falls Wildcats turned in a dominant performance at the Iceberg Invite on April 17, capturing the boys team title and finishing second in the girls standings behind a wave of personal bests and first-place finishes.

Softball beats Libby, but comes up just short against Broncs

A furious seventh-inning rally by the Columbia Falls softball team came up just short on Friday as the Wildkats dropped a tight 9-8 decision to Class A superpower Frenchtown in non-conference action.

Get a haircut, help out junior high football, at upcoming event

Columbia Falls Junior High football players Angus “Gus” James, JP Adams and Benjimen Morrow, all love the sport of football. They just wish they looked a little better doing it.

Boys edge Bulldogs in tennis, top Libby, Bigfork, too

The Columbia Falls boys tennis team earned a hard-fought 4-3 win over Whitefish on April 15 in a competitive crosstown showdown, while the Wildkat girls squad dropped a 7-0 decision despite several tightly contested matches.

Deer Park looks to replace ‘67 Quonset hut

Deer Park School is hoping to replace an aging and unsafe Quonset hut and its old teacherage/office with a new 5,000 square-foot building. There’s a long list of problems with the 57-year-old Quonset hut. Years ago it used to be an inadequate gym. Now it houses the school’s music and art classrooms and the building isn’t in any better shape, just older.

Deer Park looks to replace ‘67 Quonset hut

Deer Park School is hoping to replace an aging and unsafe Quonset hut and its old teacherage/office with a new 5,000 square-foot building. There’s a long list of problems with the 57-year-old Quonset hut. Years ago it used to be an inadequate gym. Now it houses the school’s music and art classrooms and the building isn’t in any better shape, just older.

They support Delgado

The below signed are Glacier Twins Alumni, all of whom had the pleasure of playing American Legion Baseball for the Glacier Twins and under the guidance of Julio Delgado. This letter is not meant to rehash the train wreck that is the management of the Glacier Twins. Julio Delgado’s letter speaks for itself. Instead, we wish to take this opportunity to describe for this community what American Legion Baseball in Whitefish meant to us and describe for this community what has been lost but can be created again for young people in the Whitefish and Columbia Falls.

Death notices for April 23, 2025

Frank Arnold Cabbage died April 11, 2025 in Kalispell. A memorial service will be held on Saturday April 26 at 2 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Kalispell Montana. A luncheon will follow. Darlington Cremation and Burial Service is caring for Frank and his family.

Community events you may have missed

The Columbia Falls American Legion Freedom Post 72 is rejuvenating the flag program. Starting the coming Memorial day holiday and 11 other national holidays, the group will start putting the American flag on all businesses that participate in the program.

Legals for April, 23 2025

Seized Weyerhaeuser MDF oil pump causes fire

Columbia Falls firefighters responded to a fire in the hot oil room of the Weyerhaeuser MDF plant early Thursday morning.

Glacier National Park plows to Big Bend

Glacier National Park plow crews are about three miles from Logan Pass on the Going-to-the-Sun Road.

Softball has a tough week, goes 1-3

The Columbia Falls softball team went 1-3 least week.

Tennis beats Polson for first time in 20 years

The Columbia Falls tennis teams turned in dominant performances on their home courts Thursday, sweeping a pair of duals against visiting Polson and Libby. Both the boys and girls teams picked up victories in each match, showcasing clutch play.

Earth Day event is Saturday at FVCC

The Flathead Valley Chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby is hosting the Third Annual Earth Day Expo, made possible by signature sponsor Northstone Solar. Join them Saturday, April 19 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Flathead Valley Community College for a day of learning, action, and fun.

Consultant: City still has opportunity to address housing needs

Columbia Falls is at a key point in its housing situation, consultant Wendy Sullivan told the city planning commission last week.

Columbia Falls skate park opens to great reviews

Otto Anderson had a bike helmet and a skateboard he picked up for 8 bucks at the thrift store. Still, he was loving the new skate park in Columbia Falls, which opened earlier this month.

Bear, turkey spring season are now open

Hunting seasons for black bear and wild turkey have opened in Northwest Montana.

Yesterdays: Salk vaccine coming soon

The Salk vaccine, which prevented polio, would soon be available in the Flathead Valley. It would be given to most first and second graders. Polio caused childhood paralysis and other deformities. The use of the vaccine, designed by Dr. Jonas Salk, was welcome and Salk was considered a national hero.

Track has strong performances at Kalispell, Missoula

Columbia Falls athletes turned in top-tier performances over a pair of competitive meets this past week, placing third in the boys team standings at the Kalispell Time Trials and fourth at the MCPS Invitational in Missoula.

Glacier withdraws plan to put bull trout in Gunsight Lake

Glacier National Park and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have withdrawn a plan to stock native bull trout into Gunsight Lake, an iconic high mountain lake in the park on the east side of the Continental Divide.

Stories from the backcountry event is Thursday

The Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation will host “Stories from the Backcountry: Preserving the Resource edition,” at Sacred Waters Brewing Co. on Thursday, April 17. From 6 to 8 p.m. The evening will feature two special guests sharing stories from years spent traversing the wilderness: Roy Jacobs and Ben Chappelow.

Man convicted of North Fork poaching

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks game wardens report that Cody H. Carr, 30, of Kalispell, was found guilty at trial in Flathead County Justice Court for seven criminal counts related to poaching crimes committed in November of 2023.

County OK’s high water gate at Blankenship

The Flathead County Commissioners Thursday approved an encroachment permit for the Forest Service to put a gate up on a county right-of-way on the southwest side of the Blankenship Bridge near the Middle Fork of the Flathead River.

The Blotter: Caller claims bartender threatened to break his legs.

A tree branch hit a power line on 11th Street causing an explosion. An elderly woman had a medical emergency.

Death notices for April 16, 2025

Eugene “Gene” F. Darling died Feb. 22, 2025 in Whitefish. A graveside inurnment will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 2, 2025, at Woodlawn Cemetery. To send online condolences, visit columbiamortuary.com.

Hikers and bikers can go as far as the Loop on Glacier Park's Going-to-the-Sun Road

The good news is hikers and bikers on the west side of Glacier National Park’s Going-to-the-Sun Road can now go as far as the Loop.

Twins board responds to letter

The Glacier Twins Board members are community members, former players, and parents of past, present and future players. Some are parents of players who are or were part of the GT, WHS, CF, Blades, Badrock, and local youth baseball programs. Some new to the board and some serving for over 20 years.

Steed named FWP Region 1 supervisor

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks has a new Region 1 supervisor in Amber Steed, a longtime biologist with the agency.

Public invited to meetings on proposed high school remodel

The Columbia Falls School District 6 board is inviting the public to a series of meetings this month and next to look at the particulars of a remodeling of the high school.

Fern bill would offer $200 million in tax relief

State Sen. Dave Fern said Friday he expects the state Legislature to get some sort of property tax relief bill passed by the end of the session. He also said a bill he sponsored that gives middle class taxpayers a significant income tax break has passed the Senate and is on to the House.

Featured quilter has been sewing all her life

Therese Stempin has never been very far away from a sewing machine. Her mother bought her a Necchi machine when she was in the third grade.

Glacier Institute finishes Big Creek restoration

The Glacier Institute has successfully completed its first-ever capital campaign — restoration of the Big Creek facility up the North Fork, raising over $1.5 million to preserve and enhance its flagship youth education site.

River volunteers needed this summer

Flathead Rivers Alliance announces 2025 River Ambassador and Citizen Scientist volunteer program trainings ahead of float season to enhance river safety, stewardship and citizen science, on the three forks of the Flathead River.

Yesterdays: Timber industry calls for tariffs

They cut down what was believed to be the largest tree in the Flathead. The big ponderosa pine had died in the top and was near the Bad Rock School. It was 6 feet wide at the base. The tree was estimated to be 500 years old.

Cats do well at Hamilton Invitational track meet

The Columbia Falls track and field team turned in a dominant showing across multiple events at the Hamilton Bronc Invite on Friday, April 4, highlighted by standout performances from senior sprinter Jack Phelps, senior thrower Lane Voermans, and senior jumper Isak Soyland. Columbia Falls won the meet in team scoring for both the boys and girls.

Comeback Cats beat ‘Dogs, wallop Ronan

They had the lead. They lost it. They got it back. And then with a man on third and no one out in the top of the seventh, senior pitcher Reggie Sapa closed down Whitefish for a key conference victory for the Wildcats baseball team Friday night, 9-8 at home.

Death Notices for April 9, 2025

Tom died March 29, 2025 in Essex at his home. Tom is survived by his wife Debbie. No services have been scheduled. A celebration of life will be held later in the spring or summer. Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls is caring for Tom’s family.

Leta C. Owens, 74

Leta C. Owens, from Columbia Falls, passed away on April 2, 2025 at the age of 74. Leta was born to the late Lee Edward Puckett and Shirley Pucket (Boggess) on Feb. 20, 1951 in Louisville, Kentucky.

Marion D. Fisher, 95

Marion D. Fisher greeted her Savior with a smile and embarked on her next adventure March 26, 2025, one month after a joyful celebration of her 95th birthday with her extended family.

Steorra Leigh Fleming, Baby Girl

Baby girl Steorra Leigh Fleming joined the angels in heaven March 5, 2025.

Public hearing on housing study is Thursday night

The Columbia Falls Planning Commission will have a public hearing on a draft housing study Thursday at 6 p.m. at City Hall.

Volunteers sought to monitor area lakes

Are you interested in water quality? Do you love the lakes and pristine waters of Montana?

Community events: Children's theater, women meet

Ruder Elementary School students will perform the Missoula Children’s Theater production of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” at 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. at the school April 12. Tickets are $5, family of four or more $20 and 4 and under are free. The musical is supported by the Ruder PTO.

Legals for April, 9 2025

Opinion: Longtime former coach concerned about Glacier Twins and Memorial Field

This question needs to be asked because the people of Whitefish deserve an answer. What municipality, city, park board and city attorney in their right mind would have a contract with a single entity, "Glacier Twins Baseball Inc.," that gives them sole control of one of our city parks, Memorial Field, paid for by the taxpayers of Whitefish?

West Glacier crafts cool online story map

The community of West Glacier has a story to tell — one of deep history, cultural significance, and ongoing community resilience. A newly launched Story Map, “A Town on the Edge: The past, present, and future of West Glacier,” brings this history to life, providing an interactive experience for residents, visitors, and other gateway communities. To explore the Story Map, visit arcg.is/1W48X10.

Community Choir concert coming up soon

The Columbia Falls Community Choir will perform its spring concert at the Columbia Falls High School Little Theater on Saturday, April 12 at 7 p.m.

Opinion: Eggcellent

So the wife got these eggs that were supposed to be fertilized, chicken eggs that is. A friend has hens and roosters and apparently lives in a place where both are copacetic with the neighbors, or at least in a place where the neighbors can’t do anything about it, which is to say they live near Eureka, whose motto, I think, is “anything goes.”

Glacier National Park plows to Crystal Point, Sun Road open to hikers and bikers as far as Avalanche Creek

Glacier National Park plow crews have made it to Crystal Point on the Going-to-the-Sun Road, but the road this weekend will be closed at Avalanche Creek to hikers and bikers due to avalanche danger.

Baseball opens season with big win over Plains/Hot Springs

The Columbia Falls baseball team opened its season Saturday with a 19-0 win over Plains/Hot Springs in a game that went three innings due to the mercy rule.

Death notices for April 2, 2025

Paul Jerry Beamis died March 26, 2025 in Kalispell. Service plans are being made at this time. Darlington Cremation and Burial Service is caring for the family.

Mary Emmeline Jorgenson, 92

Mary Emmeline (Mackey) Jorgenson, 92, passed away Jan. 26, 2025 at Logan Health Medical Center in Kalispell surrounded by family and friends during her last week. She was born on Dec. 9, 1932 in Sioux City, Iowa to Walter A. Mackey and Ida Belle (Reed) Mackey and grew up on a farm near Jackson, Nebraska. Mary was the first of the siblings to be born in a hospital. Her first challenge in life was her mother’s passing when she was 3½ years old.

Roxy Nick Moschetti, 66

Nick Moschetti was born on May 31,1958 in Boulder, Colorado. Nick passed peacefully at home, in the arms of his loved ones on March 22, 2025. Nick was 66 years old. True to Nick’s personal style, his final hours were spent joking with family, thinking about work and bargaining with God to look over his family.

Learn to connect with local ranchers for your next steak, pork chop at event this Saturday in Kalispell

People can learn how to connect with a local rancher to purchase beef, pork, or lamb as well as other frequently asked questions about buying locally raised and processed meat during “Know Your Cuts 101” with Montana Farmers Union at 11 a.m., Saturday, April 5, at the Flathead Co-operative Community Room located at 2510 Highway 2 East in Kalispell.

Sidney man reaches plea agreement in Alaska griz killing

A Sidney, Montana man pleaded guilty earlier this year to one count of conspiracy in the case of an illegal grizzly bear killing in Alaska.

With state funding waiting in the wings, district opts to delay levy request

The Columbia Falls School District 6 school board Monday night decided to delay an elementary levy election of about $454,000.

Eagles in distress or just in love? We’ll never know

When Anne Scott-Markle heard a bald eagle flapping in a big ponderosa pine near her rural Columbia Falls home last Thursday, she thought something may have been amiss.

CRMP Comments: Many folks want more river protections, not less

The proposed action for the Comprehensive River Management plan for the three forks of the Flathead River drew 1,241 comments. Some common themes have emerged, as many people urged the Forest Service and Park Service to consider the health of the rivers, fish and wildlife more, not less, particularly in wilderness areas like the South Fork of the Flathead in the Bob Marshall Wilderness and the Middle Fork in the Great Bear Wilderness.

Kill bill that turns short-term rentals into residences

Kill Montana Senate Bill 336. This bill seeks to redefine short-term rentals as residential, non-commercial property use, disregarding neighbors’ rights, undermining local control and threatening public safety.

Yesterdays: Dog survives avalanche

The first hourly employees started work at the Anaconda Aluminum Co. plant. They worked on the new boiler-compressor. One of the first men was Frederick A. Bickle, 31. Other workers were expected to come online in mid-April at the paste plant, where coal, coke and pitch were combined to make potliner, the story noted.

The Blotter: Returned wallet was missing cash

Two Spanish-speaking people, a man and a teen were taken into custody by Border Patrol after a traffic stop.

For a $20 ticket, you could own 32 acres in Lincoln County

A novel fundraiser, likely the first of its kind, was launched earlier this month, wherein a dream property in Montana could make an animal shelter’s dreams come true.

New owner of iconic Two Medicine Grill in East Glacier Park a familiar face

Five months into owning a restaurant and Matt Lyson is going to do just fine. Lyson bought the Two Medicine Grill in East Glacier Park last fall from longtime owner Mark Howser.

Governor signs law to extend Medicaid coverage in Montana

A bill to lift the 2025 sunset on Montana’s Medicaid expansion program was signed into law Thursday by Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte — though without a press release or public fanfare.

Department of Revenue says property tax rebates available

The Department of Revenue reminds people that property tax rebates may be available for some.

Finberg inducted in Montana Coaches Hall of Fame

Longtime Columbia Falls basketball coach Cary Finberg has been inducted into the Montana Coaches Association Hall of Fame.