Wednesday, March 26

Tennis builds on success
Spring in Montana brings hope for a new year and a respite from the winter snow flurries.

Baseball has a lot of young talent
Despite losing eight seniors, the Columbia Falls baseball team still has a solid core of athletes this year, looking to make their mark on the conference and with any luck, the postseason.

Track has high hopes heading into season
The Columbia Falls track and field team is gearing up for another promising season after coming tantalizingly close to glory last year. Head coach Jamie Heinz reflected on the previous campaign with pride and optimism, setting the stage for what should be an exciting spring for Wildcats athletes.

Marlene Bartlett Haveman, 88
Marlene Bartlett Haveman, 88, of Seeley Lake, passed away on Sunday, March 16, 2025 at Beehive Homes, of Alzheimer’s.
Free meals and American Legion spaghetti feed coming up
The free Canyon Community Dinner is Thursday, March 27th at Canyon Elementary in Hungry Horse.

Freedom Bank welcomes Keaton Morrison to its staff
Freedom Bank in Columbia Falls announces the addition of Keaton Morrison as Vice President and Commercial Lender. With deep roots in the Flathead Valley and a passion for supporting local businesses, Morrison is eager to help individuals and entrepreneurs turn their financial dreams into reality.

Columbia Heights couple files $36.7 million suit against DEQ, EPA
Lucas and Leslie Sterling of Columbia Heights are suing the Montana Department of Environmental Quality and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for $36.7 million, claiming both agencies failed to inform them that their home off Berne Road was located on a contaminated state Superfund site.

Freedom Bank celebrating its 20th year
It started out in a trailer in the parking lot of the Nite Owl. Today, on its 20th anniversary, Freedom Bank in Columbia Falls has assets of $140 million.

Notes from Ranger Doug
I’ve had the pleasure over the years of getting correspondence from longtime Glacier National Park ranger/naturalist Doug Follett. He would either mail or drop by poems and notes to the office.
Dam nameplate not true output
Regarding the March 12, 2025 story in the Hungry Horse News about Mick Ruis’ plans for CFAC land and the possibility of huge cryptocurrency server farms, the public should know there is a difference between total nameplate generating capacity of a hydroelectric dam and expected average output.
Death notices for March 26, 2025
Fredrick Alois Hahn III died March 18, 2025 in Whitefish. Services will be held privately at the convenience of the family. To send online condolences, please visit austinfh.com.

Mixed results from city survey; as a third of respondents don't live in city limits
Columbia Falls has some work to do in some areas, but is adequate in others, according to a recent survey.
Why not Cuba?
With President Trump’s interest in making Canada our 51st state, Greenland becoming an American territory, and the U.S. invading Panama, why isn’t Cuba in the mix? America has a long history with Cuba, first trying to buy it from Spain, then simply taking it.

Habitat sets schedule for Columbia Falls homes
Habitat for Humanity of Flathead Valley will build 11 new houses in Columbia Falls within the next two years and has released guidelines for prospective homeowners.

Yesterdays: Columbia Falls needed more homes ... in 1955
Columbia Falls planned a public meeting on housing, as the supply of homes apparently wasn’t keeping up with the industrial development at the time. A home back then cost about $12,000. Adjusted for inflation, that would be about $142,000 today.

A barking fox and other tales from Freezout Lake
Sounds. That’s the thing you leave the Freezout Lake Wildlife Management Area within your head if you’ve spent the night there.

Battling the ‘Breeze’ on Summit Mountain
Winds whipped overhead as frozen feet slipped into ski boots in the cold morning hours at Marias Pass. Adam Clark, Adam Cazell and I eyed our goal of the northwest ridge of Summit Mountain from the Lubec Lake
Softball splits in opening games at Polson tourney
Might as well start the weekend with dramatics, right? The Columbia Falls Wildkats had busy Saturday in Polson, securing a dramatic comeback victory over Hamilton before falling to a strong Belgrade squad to begin the 2025 season

Recent storms boost snowpack to 99% of median
A late winter storm has boosted the Flathead River Basin snowpack to normal. As of Monday, the snowpack was 99% of the median, though some sites remain well below normal and others higher than normal.
Friday, March 21
Woman faces charges in Coram dog case
The Flathead County Sheriff’s Office on March 13 seized 27 live dogs from a Coram home after reports of the animals being neglected and abused.
Death Notices for March 19, 2025
Duane Michael Willett died March 8, 2025 in Columbia Falls. Services will be held privately at the convenience of the family. To send online condolences, please visit columbiamortuary.com

Late riser? Glacier National Park's Sun Road advanced reservations easier to get than one might think
Advanced reservations to enter the west side of the Going-to-the-Sun Road don’t appear to be going as fast as they have in previous years now that Glacier National Park has instituted a timed entry system, particularly for reservations that are later in the day.

Veterans inspire youth to research critical code talkers
Once a week or so youngster Aspen Smith visits the Montana Veterans’ Home in Columbia Falls with his mother Lehnora and he plays cards with veteran Ed Day. “He cheats,” Day joked.
Thursday, March 20

The Making Place looks to set up shop at Uptown Hearth
The Making Place, a nonprofit collective of artists, craftsmen and designers is expanding its presence in Columbia Falls with plans to lease the entire third floor of the Uptown Hearth building.
Wednesday, March 19
Co-op meeting coming up
Flathead Electric Cooperative’s Annual Meeting and Energy Expo will be held Thursday, April 17 at Flathead Valley Community College’s Wachholz Center.

A snowy Cloverfest Saturday in Columbia Falls
Columbia Falls Cloverfest, in pictures

Skiing Stanton worth the work on a sunny day
Winding along the Going-to-the-Sun Road, Ella Kuzyk and I had our sights set on a snowy Mount Stanton, shrouded in a morning fog at the head of the lake. Donning backcountry skis, we continued up the road before crossing McDonald Creek and working our way to the base of the Trout Lake Trail in Glacier National Park. To our dismay the trail was nearly dry with only patches of snow at the lower elevations.

Hintze, noted Flathead Valley journalist, dies at 68
On more than one occasion, journalist Lynnette Hintze took notes by flashlight from a windowless newsroom at the Daily Inter Lake.

Happy 100th birthday: Marie Trodick still loves to play cards
Even at 100, Marie Trodick still loves to play cards.

Kierra Kemppainen sets school, Class A record for threes in a game at state tourney
The Columbia Falls girls basketball team went 0-2 at the state A tournament in Billings last week, but there were still some memorable performances from the squad.

Softball season starts this week in Polson
The Columbia Falls girls softball team has a new face at head coach this year, as longtime assistant Rick Lawrence takes the reins.

Ronald Lamoreaux, 76
With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Ronald Lamoreaux, 76, of Bigfork. Ron was born to Ervin and Irene Lamoreaux in Minnesota, but at a young age the family moved to the Flathead Valley.
Incumbents file for school board
All three incumbents are seeking re-election to the School District 6 Board. Heather Mumby and Justin Cheff have applied for re-election in elementary seats and Casey Heupel has applied for the high school position. No challengers have filed at this point. The deadline is March 27.
Youth track signups; free meals
Signups for Little Cat Tracks are underway.
Steorra Leigh Fleming, Baby Girl
Baby girl Steorra Leigh Fleming joined the angels in heaven March 5, 2025.
Little Guy wrestlers do well at tourney
The Ruis Wrestling Club in Columbia Falls showcased an impressive performance at the WMLG Unit 2 Qualifier on March 15, with several wrestlers securing top placements and earning valuable team points.
A bill for the dogs and taxes for you
Senate Bill 427 was plodding along on the senate floor. The subject matter involves trapping and snaring. Needless to say, emotions can run high when such a discussion occurs. The bill proposes to provide a uniform setback from trails, roads, and recreation sites for such activities. Often times, a bill seems to be garnering positive momentum and then a legislator might say, “I spoke to some of my local trappers and they don’t like the bill.”
The Blotter: Dog after chickens
A person had to jump out of the way after a person in a Tahoe drove up on the walkway and then kept going.

City taps distinguished Navy veteran as new city manager
Columbia Falls has a new city manager. The city council recently selected retired Capt. Eric Hanks, a distinguished Navy veteran, to lead the city.

Opinion: Snowbirds return
The juncos are back in Glacier National Park. The affable birds nest in shallow burrows in the ground and are some of the first birds to return to Glacier each spring, along with the varied thrush, which have arrived as well.

Barber happy to be in Columbia Falls
Lance Wright started cutting hair informally when he was in college, in the Craig Hall dorm on the University of Montana campus.

Glacier updates its fire management plan
A new fire management plan for Glacier National Park will incorporate prescribed burning and other forest treatments into the park’s ongoing efforts to prevent wildfires.
Friday, March 14

Appeal filed in Glacier Park home case
The Flathead Conservation District and Friends of Montana Rivers and Streams have filed an appeal to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in the case of a home built on private land along the banks of McDonald Creek in Glacier National Park.

Zinke says Going-to-the-Sun Road plowing should be on schedule
Judge also rules most probationary employees be reinstated
Montana Republican Congressman Ryan Zinke announced Friday that Forest Service and Park Service probationary workers that were fired earlier this year under cuts by the Trump Administration will get their jobs back, at least for the time being.
Wednesday, March 12
An open letter to Montana’s Congressional delegation
I represent House District 3 in the Montana House of Representatives. My district includes the western half of Glacier National Park, a large portion of the Flathead National Forest and the gateway communities along these borders.
A misguided whitewash, at best
With eyes wide open, the American people watch Donald Trump and Elon Musk pillage the “American Dream” in real time. Under the guise of saving taxpayer money, the Trump-Musk Administration’s attack on our public lands is misguided whitewash at best. I believe that their ultimate goal is to eliminate federal public lands. This gift, that we call public lands, was given to us and future generations by our predecessors and we have a duty to protect it.
Some favorite poems from the Doug Follett collection
Editor’s note: On the passing of renowned Glacier National Park Ranger-Naturalist Doug Follett, we thought it appropriate to publish two of his poems this week: This first is titled “The Spirits of Sperry,” the second “Come Back in September.”

Young at heart: Kenneth Young reflects on life, his faith and his family
Kenneth Young is a decorated veteran. A longtime preacher. And was a gifted athlete in his youth.
Harry Thomas ‘Tom’ Vars 93
Harry Thomas “Tom” Vars of Whitefish, born June 1, 1931, to Harry and Hildred Vars, Princeton, New Jersey, died Feb. 22, 2025, in Kalispell. Tom was the eldest of three, followed by sister, Jocelyn, and brother, Jon. Tom’s father was a MD at the University of Pennsylvania Medical School. In spite of growing up outside Philadelphia, Tom’s childhood was spent playing with friends in the woods and at a local pond. Those skills would serve him well as he became a skilled outdoorsman and trapper by high school, skills he used throughout college.

Habitat for Humanity building more homes in Columbia Falls
Habitat for Humanity has bumped up the number of homes it will be building in Columbia Falls. Executive Director Mary Beth Morand said the organization recently bought a lot at Eighth Avenue West and Sixth Street West where they plan on building a three bedroom, a four bedroom and two two-bedroom townhomes.

Cats fall short in divisional tournament
After a stellar regular season, the Columbia Falls boys were stunned in the Western A divisional tourney last week in Whitefish and didn’t qualify for state.

Wildkats punch ticket to state tourney
The Columbia Falls girls basketball team is bound for Billings and the state A tournament by virtue of a fourth-place finish in the Western A Divisional tournament in Whitefish last week.

Jean Ann Edwards, 80
Jean Ann Edwards, 80, passed away peacefully surrounded by her four daughters on Feb. 23, 2025. She was born Sept. 14, 1944, in Chicago, Illinois to the late Eugene Carl Smith and Eleanor Margaret (King). Jean was the eldest of seven children.

Dorothy Maxine Fisher, 102
On March 3, 2025, Earth paused for a small moment when Dorothy released her spirit from this world. Dorothy Maxine Fisher died from old age at 102 years.

G. Douglas Follett, 98
On the sunny blue-sky day of March 2, 2025, G. Douglas Follett, age 98 passed away at his home with family by his side. Please join us on March 30, 2025, at 1 p.m. at Whitefish Grouse Mountain Lodge, Continental Divide Room for a celebration of Doug’s life. We look forward to celebrating his life, and together honoring his memory. Bring your stories to share.
Dianne Doreen Lucky, 80
Dianne Doreen Lucky, age 80, of Columbia Falls went to Heaven on March 1, 2025. She was born August 13,1944 in Long Beach, California to the late Meade and Mary Parker.

Glacier will close Two Medicine to vehicles this fall for utility work
Some of the Glacier National Park’s busiest hubs are set to be temporarily closed in coming years to overhaul the park’s outdated water and wastewater systems.
Monthly Christian Women meeting coming up
Columbia Falls Women’s Connection will host a luncheon on Wednesday, March 19 at 11:30 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Columbia Falls.

Ruis going full steam ahead on CFAC property
Developer Mick Ruis said he’s already been hosting potential businesses interested in developing at least part of the former Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. site.

Glacier Park’s poet passes away
He was a poet, a storyteller and an educator, entertaining every one from young tourists to the future president of the United States.
Friday, March 7

Columbia Falls police officers recognized for life saving efforts
Two Columbia Falls police officers were recognized at the March 3 city council meeting for saving lives while on duty in separate incidents.
Thursday, March 6

Photos: Glacier Gateway puts on the Pied Piper
Glacier Gateway students put on the Missoula Children's Theater production of the "Pied Piper."
Wednesday, March 5

Wage increases haven’t kept up with rents, study finds
A recently commissioned housing study for Columbia Falls found that about 23% of households in the Columbia Falls area (59912 Zip code) and 36% in the city limits were renters.

Court ruling will stay after Forest Service drops appeal of lawsuit over road management
The Forest Service recently dropped an appeal to the Ninth Circuit Court in a case that has been in the federal courts for years over road management on the Flathead National Forest.

Most employers say housing is a problem
Housing also plays a big role in employment and some employers say they may leave the area if things don’t improve, a draft housing study commissioned by the city of Columbia Falls found.

Boys head to divisionals on a high note
The Columbia Falls boys basketball team capped off a great regular season with a 52-39 pounding of Polson at home last Tuesday.

Girls playing their best ball heading into divisionals
The Columbia Falls girls basketball team capped off the regular season with a drubbing of Polson on the road last Tuesday, 51-34.
Nearing halfway point
On a frigid Helena morning, somewhere south of minus 20 degrees, a bus load of residents from Ennis were dropped off at the Capitol.

Yesterdays: In '75 Glacier Park was dealing with budget cuts
Glacier National Park was looking at ways to reduce spending after they were told they’d see about $156,000 less in funds. They were reviewing cost-cutting measures that would have less impact on the visitor in the upcoming season.

Housing study paints picture between haves and have nots; Separately, Ruis closes on CFAC property, which could change the housing landscape
A draft housing study commissioned by the City of Columbia Falls found that the price of houses here has far outpaced an increase in wages for most residents and without some sort of subsidy, home ownership is simply out of reach for many in the working class.
City manager candidates down to two, interviews Friday
The Columbia Falls City Council will interview two finalist candidates for the open city manager positio

Dezzani and Dye headed to junior nationals
Glacier Nordic Club athletes, 13-year-old Kendall Dye from Whitefish and 17-year-old Findley Dezzani from Columbia Falls, qualified for the 2025 Junior Nationals after racing last week in Sun Valley, Idaho.

Robert Michael “Mike” Sands, 78
Robert Michael “Mike” Sands, 78 of Columbia Falls, peacefully passed on to the loving arms of his family and friends in heaven on Feb. 21st, 2025. He was surrounded by his loving wife, children, and grandson during his passing.
Death notices for March 5, 2025
Dale Rodger Butts died Feb. 12, 2025 in Kalispell. A Celebration of Dale’s life will be held May 3, 2025 11 a.m. at Cornerstone Church 1970 US-93 Kalispell, MT. To make online condolences visit austinfh.com.

Eugene “Gene” F. Darling, 83
Eugene “Gene” F. Darling, age 83, of Columbia Falls, passed away Feb. 22, 2025. He was born Nov. 1, 1941 in Columbia Falls, to the late Clare “Bud” Darling and Grace Darling (Green).

Donald “Doug” Douglas Wilkinson, 58
Donald (“Doug”) Douglas Wilkinson, 58, of Columbia Falls, passed away at his home on Feb. 24, 2025. Doug was born to Don and Natha Wilkinson on August 28, 1966, in Alliance, Nebraska.

Lorelei (Loree) Cumming, 73
Loree Lois (Lyngstad) Cumming passed away on the late evening of February 2, 2025 with her husband Ed by her side at their Flathead River home.
Mountainfilm festival benefits Bob Marshall Wilderness
The Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation is bringing Mountainfilm on Tour to the Flathead with film screenings in both Whitefish and Bigfork this March. Mountainfilm on Tour brings a selection of culturally rich, adventure-packed and incredibly inspiring documentary films curated from the Mountainfilm festival in Telluride, Colorado.
Saturday, March 1

In Glacier National Park, a rally for public lands and the people that work there
Kellie Ileto stood at the edge of the Going-to-the-Sun Road Saturday as it enters West Glacier holding one sign that said, “Only you can stand up for National Parks, National Forests and State Trust Lands” and another that said, “Why? Federal employees who protect them were fired.”