Friday, January 31

Hiring freeze, 'resignation' offer could impact thousands of Park Service workers, including Glacier National Park
How can they keep the gates open in Glacier if they have no seasonals?
A federal hiring freeze and a letter that urges employees to consider resignation is already having implications in Glacier National Park and throughout the Park Service.
Wednesday, January 29

She took the road less traveled to a law career
When Katherine Troiano was in law school, her classmates would come to her for advice.

Beloved Columbia Falls barber Barbara Jenkins retires
After a long and rewarding career, longtime Columbia Falls barber Barbara Jenkins is hanging up her shears.

Girls get back track with pair of conference wins
The Wildkats beat Libby at home Thursday, 64-31 and Whitefish 58-38 Friday.
The Blotter: Shopping cart races prompt call to police
A female with special needs was up in a tree and parents were worried she might get hurt.

Walking in nature subject of upcoming wilderness talk
The Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation will feature guest speaker and author Antonia Malchik on Wednesday, Feb. 19 as part of its winter speaker series.

Bills look to extend wolf seasons, cut population by more than half
The House Fish, Wildlife and Parks committee spent nearly five hours Jan. 21 considering a trio of bills related to Montana’s population of roughly 1,100 resident wolves — far too many, according to two legislators seeking to cut the population nearly in half.
Montana’s nuclear future
Montana has historically played an important part in U.S. energy transitions throughout its one hundred thirty-five-year history. We have a unique opportunity to continue to play an important part in the current quest for energy independence… but only if we look forward.

City approves adding a fourth paid firefighter
The Columbia Falls City Council last week approved the hiring of a fourth paid fireman. The move would bring the total paid force up to five firefighters, including the chief.

Speech and debate team wins divisional title
Columbia Falls beat Whitefish for the speech and debate Western A divisonal title last weekend in Polson.

Rivers meetings draw crowds, concerns
More than 100 people both nights showed up at public meetings last week to learn more about the proposed action for the Flathead River Comprehensive River Management Plan.

Townhomes get the green light
The Columbia Falls City Council last week in a 4-2 vote approved a townhouse subdivision at 274 Meadow Lake Boulevard.

Ice climbing in the Badrock Canyon a good primer to the sport
To most, the bitter cold temps of mid-winter in the Flathead are a burden, but for a handful of dedicated climbers, the cold temps only mean one thing; waterfall ice climbing. Ascending frozen waterfalls is one of the most spectacular and surreal ways to experience connect with nature in the winter. Much different than summer rock climbing, waterfall climbing comes at a cost; frozen hands, bitter cold and the “screaming barfies” are often the norm when it comes to climbing ice.

Wayne L. Selmer, 75
Wayne Lynn Selmer, 75, of Kalispell passed away on Jan. 4, 2025, at Logan Health in Whitefish.

Byrd making her mark in national soccer
Even as a sophomore, Riley Byrd is making her mark in the soccer world. Byrd was recently the only Montana player chosen for the 2009 Olympic development Region IV team, where she recently played in the national tournament in Orlando, Florida.

Swimmers do well at Kalispell meet
The Columbia Falls swim team had some nice performances at a meet in Kalispell last week.

Lawsuit filed after black bear season extended
The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission was sued earlier this month for allegedly ignoring state open meeting laws when it approved eliminating some black bear hunting quotas in December.

Cats roll over Libby, Whitefish to get to 8-2
The Columbia Falls boys basketball team got two conference wins last week by big margins, dropping Libby on the road Thursday, 70-34 and hammering Whitefish at home Friday, 79-38.
Grapplers compete in Livingston duals
The Wildcats wrestling team placed sixth at the Class A Duals in Livingston over the weekend. Columbia Falls went 3-1 in pool play and traded blows through bracket play to make the fifth-place dual.
Legals for January, 29 2025
Wednesday, January 22
CASA reflects on ‘24, looks to ‘25
As 2025 starts to take shape, CASA for Kids reflects on a year of incredible accomplishments that have transformed the lives of children navigating the challenges of the foster care system. Thanks to the unwavering support of our community, we have continued to advocate for brighter futures for the most vulnerable members of our community.

Opinion: A memorable view, made possible by a memorable character
There’s a picture that hangs up in my house. It’s the only photo of another person that hangs on the walls that isn’t a family member.
Fern gives legislative update
Following my fourth term in the Montana House, I faced either political extinction (term limits in Montana limit the number of terms served for legislators and state office holders), or a run for a newly configured senate district comprising Whitefish, Columbia Falls and surrounding areas. I was fortunate to defeat a more than worthy opponent, Doug Adams. We conferred and broke bread together during and after the campaign. It was a cleanly run affair and to that I am grateful. Asked why I ran for the seat, I often mentioned in a light-hearted tone that the Senate offered more comfortable chairs, office space and perhaps less drama than the larger House.
Fern gives legislative update
Following my fourth term in the Montana House, I faced either political extinction (term limits in Montana limit the number of terms served for legislators and state office holders), or a run for a newly configured senate district comprising Whitefish, Columbia Falls and surrounding areas. I was fortunate to defeat a more than worthy opponent, Doug Adams. We conferred and broke bread together during and after the campaign. It was a cleanly run affair and to that I am grateful. Asked why I ran for the seat, I often mentioned in a light-hearted tone that the Senate offered more comfortable chairs, office space and perhaps less drama than the larger House.

District mulls high school bond
Columbia Falls School District 6 Superintendent Cory Dzwiogo urged the board last week to begin thinking about a possible bond to remodel the high school.

Our Savior’s Lutheran welcomes new pastor
Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Columbia Falls welcomes Seth Nelson as its new pastor. Nelson hails from Faith Lutheran Church in Ronan, where he was pastor for the past 10 years. He joined Our Savior’s last fall and its congregation of about 380 members.
Speech and debate wins last meet of the regular season
The Columbia Falls speech and debate team edged Whitefish last week to round out the regular season by just three points in an impromptu meet hosted by the Bulldogs. “Whitefish agreed to host the tournament after last minute changes le

Anderson reflects on storied career with FWP
In the fall of 1995 Lee Anderson was hoping to get on with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks as a game warden.

Girls have tough losses to Ronan, Bigfork
The Columbia Falls girls basketball team dropped a pair of games last week: A heartbreaker to Ronan in overtime, 58-55 on the road and then a 75-47 loss to Bigfork at home Saturday night.
State Legislature takes first stabs at tax relief bills
HELENA – What Gov. Greg Gianforte called “the affordability crisis” in his State of the State address is taking center stage during the first few weeks of the 2025 Montana Legislature. Both the governor and lawmakers are leaning on tax reforms as a tool to keep more money in Montanans’ pockets.
Grapplers have a busy week, do well at Jug Beck, Hellgate
Columbia Falls wrestlers had a lot of mat time last week between a dual and tournaments.
Dezzani competes in junior nationals
Maeve Ingelfinger, a freshman skier at Dartmouth and a Glacier Nordic Club and Whitefish graduate, reunited with Findley Dezzani, former teammate and Columbia Falls junior, while competing at U.S. Nordic Nationals in Anchorage, Alaska, at the beginning of January.

Triplett recognized for bullriding accomplishments
Columbia Falls bullrider Matt Triplett was recognized at halftime of the Wildcats-Bulldogs boys basketball game for his accomplishments as a school athlete and as a Hall of Fame member of the Professional Bullrider Association.
Death notices for January 22, 2025
Nancy Marlene Harlow died Jan. 11, 2025 in Kalispell. Arrangements are being made with her family at this time. Darlington Cremation and Burial Services are caring for Nancy.
Roundup for Safety grant helps Coram-West Glacier with radios
Earlier this month, the Flathead Electric Cooperative’s Roundup for Safety program awarded $36,375 in grants supporting community safety projects proposed by seven local nonprofit organizations. The Coram-West Glacier Volunteer Fire District received $10,000 towards replacing handheld radios critical to communications along the 55-mile swath of Highway 2 that runs from Hungry Horse to Marias Pass and borders Glacier National Park, the Flathead River, the Flathead National Forest, the BNSF and Amtrak rail lines, and gas and electric infrastructure.

Yesterdays: Fuel shortages in '75
Editor Mel Ruder suggested Columbia Falls folks travel in Canada, as the U.S. was eyeing fuel rationing. In Canada, they were exporting fuels and the exchange rate was favorable, giving Montanans more buying power.

Cats drop Vikes, but lose to Ronan on the road
The Columbia Falls boys basketball team split last week, losing to Ronan 75-60 on the road Thursday, but battling back to beat Bigfork on the road Saturday, 55-42.
Byrd does well at Freeride on Big Mountain
Whitefish Mountain Resort hosted the IFSA Junior Freeride competition Jan. 11-12. The familiar Big Mountain fog cut the competition short on the East Rim on Saturday but conditions Sunday were perfect for the participants to fly, spin and float down Haskill Slide.

Skiing Calf Robe a fun challenge
The familiar rime-clad mountains of Marias Pass took turns revealing their snowy summits through a thickening cloud layer. We began our journey on backcountry skis from the southern end of the Marias Pass area along the southeastern boundary of Glacier National Park through a fresh foot of new snow. Crossing the railroad tracks and passing through a fenced gate had us on our way as the next westbound train honked and waved, a welcoming omen.
Legals for January, 22 2025
Thursday, January 16

Construction will limit access to Many Glacier in Glacier National Park this summer
Access into the Many Glacier Valley in Glacier National Park will be restricted this summer to about 120 groups a day, as the Park Service upgrades the infrastructure in the Swiftcurrent Valley.
Wednesday, January 15

Melvin “Corky” Roy Flansaas, 82
Melvin “Corky” Roy Flansaas, 82, of Columbia Falls, passed away Jan. 3, 2025 from complications related to influenza. He was born June 18, 1942 in Chinook, Montana to the late Floyd Andrew Flansaas and Helen Lucille Flansaas (Brown). Melvin grew up in the great state of Montana, which he experienced to the fullest. He worked pulling the green chain in the sawmill in his early years then went on to become a concrete mixer at Libby Dam. He also worked road construction with a variety of roles, including wrapping up his career operating the gravel crusher for Schellinger Construction. He was a union member of the Operating Engineers.

Grapplers dueled with Libby twice last week
In wrestling last week, Libby picked up a 51-29 victory over Columbia Falls on Tuesday, Jan. 7 and a much tighter battle occurred on Friday, Jan. 10 at the Libby Duals with the Loggers winning again 42-38.

Girls hoops settle for split on the week
The Columbia Falls girls basketball team split last week, losing to Frenchtown at home 67-21 Thursday, but bouncing back to beat Hamilton Saturday 48-41 on the road.

Cats drop Hamilton in first home game
The nice thing about the Columbia Falls boys basketball team is this: Any player with the ball in his hands can score.

Museum showcases timber history
Did you know that in 1884 that John Foy’s mill between Foys Lakes was considered the first water-powered sawmill in the valley? Or that in 1914, the first of 147 permanent fire lookouts on the Flathead National Forest was built on Spotted Bear Mountain?
Coalition says EPA has failed us
While the EPA’s Record of Decision (ROD) recently issued for the Columbia Falls Aluminum Company Superfund site is dismaying, EPA leadership’s failure to do so without actionably taking into account public and community concerns and numerous technical issues raised but repeatedly dismissed, is quite appalling.

Lara wins second bareback title in a row
He did it again. Azreal Lara, a junior at Columbia Falls High School, traveled to the Yeti Junior World Finals last month and came home as the World Champion bareback rider for the second year in a row.

City could send DOR after resort tax scofflaws
The city of Columbia Falls could soon sic the Montana Department of Revenue’s Collection Bureau on a few businesses that are not paying the city’s 3% resort tax.

Rivers plan calls for free, unlimited, mandatory use permits
User permits could be coming to the Wild and Scenic portions of the Flathead River system.
Death notices for January 15, 2024
Carol Ann Haverkorn died Jan. 12, 2025 in Kalispell. Graveside services will be held in the summer

Alihn Thomas Anderson, 19
Alihn Thomas Anderson, 19, of Columbia Falls, passed away unexpectedly Jan. 3, 2025 as the result of a car accident along with his girlfriend Brynn Courville. He was born May 19, 2005 in Kalispell.

Bonnie Jean Long, 77
Bonnie Jean Long, 77 passed away on Dec. 16, 2024, at her home. She was born on Sept. 10, 1947, to the late James and Violet (Harthrone) Shanks in Spokane, Washington.

Yesterdays: Cats beat Missoula to end Spartan's 55-game win streak
The Columbia Falls basketball team stopped the Missoula Spartans 55-game win streak, dropping them 77-62. A post-game photo featured coach Ralph Johnson being hoisted by the team on their shoulders after the win. They were rebuilding the bridge at Blankenship over the Flathead River. Beams from the old Higgins Street Bridge in Missoula were being used.

With CFAC decision, Ruis poised to buy property
The Environmental Protection Agency Friday released its record of decision for cleaning up the defunct Columbia Falls Aluminum Co plant, which paves the way for Columbia Falls developer Mick Ruis to buy most of the property, save for the landfills themselves.
Legals for January, 15 2025
Thursday, January 9

Grizzlies will stay on ESA, be managed as single population
All grizzly bears in the Lower 48 United States would be federally managed as a single population under a proposed U.S Fish and Wildlife Service rule released on Wednesday.
Wednesday, January 8
Wildcat speech and debate wins in Corvallis
The Columbia Falls speech and debate team took first amongst Class A schools at the two-day meet in Corvallis last weekend.
Grapplers busy over the break, down Bigfork in dual
Columbia Falls picked up a 25-12 dual victory over Bigfork on Thursday, Jan. 2, in Northwest A Conference wrestling action.

For Columbia Falls man, every day, a quick swim, mostly in the Flathead River
Like a few hardy folks on New Year’s Day, Dan Long donned a bathing suit and jumped into the Flathead River.

Yesterdays: Voters to consider buying land for high school
Voters were set to vote on a measure to buy about 18.4 acres of land from the Hoerner family for a new high school facility. The old school was built in 1940 (and is a Boys and Girls Club today). The land was located off 13th Street, where the school sits today.

G. George Ostrom, 96
“Through fate and something within me, I am blessed to have done so very many interesting things”. All quotes attributed to G. George Ostrom.

Pursuit buys iconic Montana House in Glacier Park
Pursuit continues to acquire properties in Apgar Village in Glacier National Park.

Flathead National Forest releases proposed action for rivers
After years of delays, the Flathead National Forest has released another proposed action for a Comprehensive River Management Plan for the three forks of the Flathead River that are designated under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.

Communities mourning loss of teens in Evaro Hill accident
A former standout Columbia Falls athlete and his girlfriend were killed in a two-vehicle accident on an icy Evaro Hill on U.S. 93 Friday, Jan. 3.
Legals for January, 8 2025
Sunday, January 5

Firefighters have busy start to new year
Columbia Falls firefighters had a busy start to the new year as they responded to three structure fire calls on Friday, Jan. 3.
Saturday, January 4
Two killed in icy crash at Evaro
Two people were killed Friday, including a Columbia Falls teenager, when the vehicle they were in was struck by a semi-trailer that jackknifed and slid out of control down U.S. 93 at Evaro.
Friday, January 3

The spirit of Flathead radio for more than 60 years, G. George Ostrom dies
Radio personality and newsman. Author and longtime newspaper columnist. Adventurer and humorist. G. George Ostrom, the voice of the Flathead Valley for more than 60 years, died Jan. 1, 2025.

Firefighters battle house fire on Braig Road
Firefighters at this hour are on the scene of a house fire on Braig Road in rural Columbia Falls.
Thursday, January 2

Grizzly mortality in NCDE was low in 2024
The number of known grizzly bear deaths in the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem for 2024 was well below 2023.

Groups seek holistic approach to grizzly management
Fifteen national, regional and state environmental, tribal, and animal welfare groups petitioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service last month to adopt a new approach to recovering grizzly bears in the West.

Judge to hear arguments next week in Glacier National Park house case
Oral arguments in a case on whether the Flathead Conservation District has the authority to order a home removed from the banks of McDonald Creek in Glacier National Park are scheduled for Jan. 8 in federal court in Missoula.
Roberta Louise Davis, 82
Roberta Louise Davis died Dec. 15, 2024 in Columbia Falls. Services will be held privately at the convenience of the family. To send online condolences, please columbiamortuary.com.

Karen Diane Joy, 74
Karen Diane Joy, 74, of Columbia Falls, went home to be with her loving savior Dec. 4, 2024. She was born Nov. 14, 1950 in Sidney, Montana to the late Clarence Albert Arthur Kohlman and Shirley Janice Weber.

Many Glacier focus of infrastructure projects in 2025
Visitors to Glacier National Park next summer should expect some changes, including selecting a time slot for a vehicle reservation and having limited access to Many Glacier.

Gunsight Ridge: Above the clouds in Glacier National Park
The familiar headlamp-lit curves of the Sperry Trail passed by in a dreamlike state as the swishing of our ski skins were the only sound in the quiet valley. Meeting a December daybreak we broke the clouded inversion and quickened our pace as the rime-riddled summit of Gunsight Mountain and Sperry Chalet came into view.

Yesterdays: Boat house disappears into Lake McDonald
Last week we reported that about 200 feet of shoreline on Lake McDonald had sunk into the lake just south of the Lake McDonald Lodge.

Yesterdays: Boat house disappears into Lake McDonald
Last week we reported that about 200 feet of shoreline on Lake McDonald had sunk into the lake just south of the Lake McDonald Lodge.
The Blotter: Someone is sleeping on my stoop
A male on his bike was throwing a tantrum.

Top stories of 2024
The year 2024 will go down in history as the year of incessant political campaigns as millions of dollars poured into the state in the race for the U.S. Senate that pitted Republican challenger Tim Sheehy against incumbent Jon Tester.
Transportation projects on tap for the Flathead in 2025
Several transportation projects are in motion across the Flathead, with more progress planned in 2025. Glacier Park International Airport is moving full steam ahead with the next phase of its expansion project and West Reserve Drive in Kalispell is being rebuilt with additional traffic lanes.
Wednesday, January 1
Death notices for Jan. 8, 2025
Ross P. Greiff died Dec. 29, 2024 in Whitefish. Services are pending at this time. Austin Funeral & Cremation Services in Whitefish is caring for the family.

County commissioners, in 2-1 vote, decline millions in workforce housing funds
Saying it’s not a fair use of taxpayer funds or to future homebuyers, Flathead County commissioners on Tuesday quashed implementing a state housing program here.