Wednesday, May 28
Leslie Arla Toman, 74
Embraced now by her adored and adoring parents, Everett "Dewey" and Ruby "Tiny" Levitt and her brother, Michael, Leslie is also surrounded by her brother-in-law, Tim, aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins, friends, and grandchildren.
Robert “Bob” K. Kosmalski , 88
Robert “Bob” K. Kosmalski died April 26, 2025 in Whitefish. Services will be held privately at the convenience of the family.
State warns of new disease carrying tick species in Montana
Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services officials are alerting the public about the recent identification of a tick new to Montana known as Ixodes scapularis, commonly referred to as a “deer tick” or “blacklegged tick.”
City OK’s Habitat for Humanity homes at park
The Columbia Falls City Council last week approved the conversion of a city baseball park at Railroad Street to an affordable housing project.
And in chicken news...
I could hear the chicken, but I couldn’t see the chicken. Just little clucks, wafting off into the growing darkness.
CFAC damage assessment available for public comment
A draft Natural Resources Damage Assessment Plan for the former Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. plant has been released.
Expert: No harm in city self-governance
There would be no harm if the city of Columbia Falls adopted self-governing powers, the director of the Local Government Center at Montana State University told the government study commission recently.
Zone change requested for Lazy Day Trailer Court
The owners of the Lazy Day Trailer Park are seeking a zone change of the north half of the property from the light industrial to general business.
Disc golf approved for River’s Edge Park
The Columbia Falls City Council approved a 9-hole disc golf course at River’s Edge Park last week.
Cats have tough go at state tourney, go 1-2
The Columbia Falls baseball team went 1-2 at the state A tournament in Hamilton. The Wildcats had a tough time getting the bats going in the opener Thursday against Billings Central as they lost 6-2.
Voermans signs with Montana Tech for track
Columbia Falls senior Lane Voermans has signed with Montana Tech in Butte to compete on the college’s track team.
Community events on tap
The Columbia Falls Lions Club has announced its summer concert series. All concerts are Thursday nights and run from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Marantette Park in Columbia Falls.
First Interstate celebrates grand opening in Columbia Falls
First Interstate Bank now has a branch in Columbia Falls and there’s some familiar faces at the bank.
West Glacier wildfire meeting on tap
The West Glacier area Community Wildfire Preparedness meeting is Tuesday, June 3 at 3 p.m. with home assessments by fire professionals. Meet at Mike and Kelly Kopitzke home at 1460 Grizzly Spur Road, Lake Five.
Kats come up just short at state
Battling through dramatic comebacks, powerful home runs, and a loaded bracket, the Columbia Falls Wildkats made a line through the Class A State softball tournament, held on their home field May 23-25.
Cats make their mark at state
The Columbia Falls boys and girls track and field teams closed out their season with several different standout performances at the Class A State Championships at Legends Stadium May 24-25.
Friday, May 23
Glacier Park plow crews punch through Big Drift on the Going-to-the-Sun Road
Most other park secondary roads are now open for the season as well. This weekend is supposed to be warm and sunny, with a chance of thunderstorms later Sunday.
Wednesday, May 21
Comeback Kats hosting state softball tourney
Columbia Falls softball coach Rick Lawrence was admittedly a little worried when the season first started. The Wildkats were in a 1-5 slump and for the first time ever, Columbia Falls was hosting the state A softball tournament.
Death notices for May 21, 2025
Darline Radabah passed away at her home in Kalispell surrounded by her loving family. A celebration of Darline’s life will be held on Wednesday May 21, 2025 at 1 p.m. at Darlington Funeral Home, Kalispell. Interment will follow at Glacier Memorial Gardens Cemetery. A reception will follow the cemetery at Birch Grove Community Hall.
Tennis squads qualify for state
While Columbia Falls may not have had the titles, three doubles pairings secured spots in the state tournament May 22-23 in Billings.
Paul Martin, 76
Nov. 8th 2024, long time Montana resident and devoted hunter Paul H Martin passed away in Dallas, Texas under the diligent care of the VA hospice unit.
Track tunes up for state at divisionals
Columbia Falls athletes performed well at the Western A Divisional Track and Field Championships in Polson, and in turn will take plenty of athletes to the state meet. The Columbia Falls boys took second in divisionals while the girls placed fourth.
Baseball on 12-game winning streak heading to state
The Columbia Falls baseball team notched two tight victories last week at the Sapa Johnsrud tournament to end the season on a 12-game winning streak.
Memorial Day walk Monday
The Columbia Falls American Legion Freedom Post 72 will have its annual Memorial Day Walk down Highway 2 starting at the Nite Owl to the Flathead River Bridge where a wreath will be thrown into the river to commemorate fallen soldiers. There will then be a brief ceremony at the Veterans Memorial Wall at Marantette Park.
Coram meth dealer pleads guilty
A Coram man accused of possessing methamphetamine admitted to charges recently, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said in a release.
Yesterdays: With AAC plant online, 400 residents were living in trailers
With the construction of the Anaconda Aluminum Co. plant, many employees were living in trailers. The newspaper estimated there were 400 trailers homes in Columbia Falls at the time.
Weyerhaeuser recognized for energy savings
Flathead Electric Cooperative has announced Weyerhaeuser as its inaugural Energy Partner of the Year. Weyerhaeuser, which manufactures lumbers and plywood in Kalispell and medium-density fiberboard in Columbia Falls, recently completed the Energy Smart Industrial Strategic Energy Management program offered through the Co-op and its wholesale power provider, the Bonneville Power Administration.
Governor signs property tax bills
The office of Gov. Greg Gianforte said Friday that the Montana governor has signed two bills implementing his signature property tax relief package, finalizing the passage of legislation poised to reduce property taxes for many homeowners and long-term rentals, in part by passing hefty increases onto second homes and Airbnb-style short-term rentals.
Glacier Distilling donates 12-year-old whiskey to Glacier Institute auction
Glacier Distilling recently bottled a 12-year-old wheated single malt whiskey and the first bottle from the barrel will be auctioned off to support the Glacier Institute at its Lumberjack Ball in June.
On the dangers of complicity
While in a personal capacity, I write as a member of the Flathead County Transportation Advisory Committee, a great-great grandson of a World War I and II veteran officer and war crimes trial judge, and a resident of a community where neighbors have disappeared. I write because silence, at this moment, would be a betrayal to the people I love and everything I claim to stand for.
Review: A fishing story woven into the reality of internment camps
Laugh out loud funny. Gut wrenching serious. And a potent message for our times.
Protesters raise concerns about Medicaid cuts
About 80 people Monday protested potential cuts to Medicare and Medicaid at the corner of Nucleus Avenue and Highway 2 in front of the Hungry Horse News.
Park plows beyond Logan Pass
With a snowpack that was just 80% of average and avalanches that slid in March instead of later in the season, Glacier National Park plow crews were beyond Logan Pass on Monday.
Legals for May, 21 2025
Friday, May 16
Glacier National Park releases details on Day Hiker Shuttle for the Many Glacier Valley this summer
Glacier National Park has released details on how a day hiker shuttle system will work in Many Glacier this summer.
Glacier National Park plows at Logan Pass
Glacier National Park plows have made it to Logan Pass and are working near the Big Drift and the pass parking area, though it could easily take a few more weeks for the road to fully open over the pass to motor vehicles.
Wednesday, May 14
Yesterdays: Man survives Sun Road avalanche
Glacier Park plows were about 2 miles from Logan Pass on the west side and were working on the Big Drift on the east side. The first alumina had arrived at the Anaconda Aluminum Co. plant. Alumina is the raw material to make aluminum.
Market hopes to purchase property as permanent home
The Columbia Falls Community Market will kick off its 10th season this Thursday starting at 5 p.m. at the grounds adjacent to St. Richard Catholic Church on Highway 2.
Columbia Falls has strong performance at ABC, home dual
Columbia Falls track and field athletes put together a series of standout performances at the Nelson-Thomas ABC Meet in Polson Saturday, May 10.
Softball building momentum as state tourney nears
The Columbia Falls Wildkat softball team strung together four straight wins over a five-day stretch, capping their regular season push with high-scoring offense and steady pitching. The Wildkats improved to 15-6 overall with victories over Polson, Havre, Lockwood, and Dawson County.
Cats blank Bulldogs for conference crown
This time, they left no doubt.
Commission OK’s Habitat for Humanity project on Railroad Street
The Columbia Falls Planning Commission last week approved the conversion of a city baseball park at Railroad Street to an affordable housing project, sending it to the city council with a positive recommendation.
Death notices for May 14, 2025
Jim Bonnet died May 6, 2025 in Kalispell. The time for a gathering of friends will be announced later this month. Johnson-Gloschat is caring for him.
Marion Blair, 96
Marion Ovidia Plante Blair passed away on Mother’s Day, May 11, 2025, surrounded by her loving children.
High School Democracy Project future in doubt with cuts
The Democracy Project at Columbia Falls High School might survive, but the support it receives from Humanities Montana is largely in doubt due to federal budget cuts.
Opinion: Gunsight Lake project worth pursuing
A few weeks ago the National Park Service cried uncle and gave up on a plan to introduce native fish species to Gunsight Lake in Glacier National Park.
Pursuit reopens Montana House, with a host of locals represented
Earlier this month staff at the Montana House were busy stocking shelves and hanging artwork at the iconic shop in Apgar inside Glacier National Park.
Fern was yea on property tax bill, nay on income tax bill
Dave Fern split his vote on a couple of end-of-session tax bills passed by the state Legislature.
District talks bond ranges for high school
While a budget for the project has yet to be set, School District 6 officials gave the public some numbers to consider for a remodel of the Columbia Falls High School during a meeting last week.
Tennis squads do well, divisional tourney this week in Libby
The Columbia Falls tennis teams turned in strong performances in duals against Corvallis and Hamilton on Saturday, May 10, racking up multiple wins across both the boys and girls squads.
City OK’s housing study
The Columbia Falls City Council last week formally adopted a new Columbia Falls housing study.
Wilderness volunteers sought
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.
Residents urge fair treatment for immigrant community
A group of young people last week implored the Columbia Falls City Council to show compassion and dignity toward the immigrant community after a Venezuelan man was recently detained in Whitefish by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Friday, May 9
Nineteen years ago, Downing earned nickname "Cocaine Fairy"
In August 2006 Downing, then 27, earned the nickname “Cocaine Fairy” after he was busted by the Northwest Montana Drug Task Force near Bigfork. When officers arrived, Downing fled out the back door as police went in the front. Downing tore open a half-pound bag of cocaine as he ran, creating a big cloud of cocaine as he ran off into the woods, thus the “fairy” moniker.
Glacier Park Weekend Update: Sun Road now open to Avalanche Creek to vehicles
Glacier National Park's Going-to-the-Sun Road is now open to Avalanche Creek to motor vehicles. The Park traditionally opens the road to Avalanche on Mother's Day weekend.
Thursday, May 8
Blankenship bank stabilization project complete
Flathead County has completed a project to stabilize the bank of the Flathead River at Blankenship Bridge.
High water gate closed at Blankenship
The Flathead National Forest has closed the new gate at the Blankenship Bridge until spring runoff subsides. Once the water goes down the gate will be opened, allowing people to access the area with motor vehicles.
Wednesday, May 7
Arrests made in alleged Hungry Horse burglary ring
The leader of a burglary ring that targeted vacant seasonal homes in the Flathead Valley and caused nearly $1 million in losses was arrested on Tuesday, authorities say.
Foreign exchange students bleeding blue
It’s hard to move across the country, let alone across nations, but that’s exactly what two courageous exchange students did this year. Bruno Feijoo Vazquez and Liv-Lara (Liv) Wellershoff are both juniors attending Columbia Falls High School.
Lee’s vision: West Glacier man does striking portrait project of valley homeless people
Lee Jester has always had an eye for photography. When he was a senior in high school, he took all the photos for the yearbook.
Death notices for May 5, 2025
Shane died April 21, 2025 in Columbia Falls. No local service is being scheduled. Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls is caring for Shane’s family.
Sapa saves the day in key win over Lions
The Columbia Falls baseball team got a key conference victory against Lincoln County last week, dropping the Lions in a squeaker, 6-5 on the road.
Rosemary Christiansen, 95
Rosemary Christiansen, a devoted mother, wife and grandmother, passed away peacefully on May 3, 2025 at the age of 95 in Kalispell.
Softball has a great week, drop Polson on the road
The Columbia Falls Wildkats added four more wins to their season tally last week, improving to 11-6 with a gritty one-run victory over Ronan on Tuesday and a dominant doubleheader sweep at Browning on Thursday. They capped it off with a 15-13 win over Polson Tuesday.
Columbia Falls tennis teams do well against Libby Loggers
Columbia Falls tennis continued its winning form on Friday, May 3, with an impressive outing against Libby.
Forestry expo this week
The Family Forestry Expo is an annual, weeklong event that offers hands-on exposure to the role forests play in our everyday lives. This year the Family Forestry Expo is happening this week through Saturday, with the theme of “Forests-Landscapes of Many Uses.”
Sedaris coming to Kalispell
The Wachholz College Center is proud to welcome renowned author and humorist David Sedaris for an evening of unforgettable storytelling on Nov. 12. Sedaris brings his signature blend of humor, keen observation, and deeply personal insight to the stage in a live event that promises to entertain and inspire.
A ride through paradise
Earlier in our legislative careers, now Senate President Matt Regier and now Senator Dave Fern took a bike ride (not E-Bikes!), in a nearby county. The first half of the ride was all uphill. Then after going as far as our bodies would endure, a deserved reprieve and a coast back to where the vehicle which was parked, providentially at the brewery awaiting us. It was an early summer day and the lunch and beer were hard to beat. I share this to you because developing relationships are important and no so more within the political arena. Matt did his best to provide pushback on some of the property tax bills, a portion of (HB 231), I carried multiple times on the Senate floor. Somewhere in the scrum, I walked back to his seat, closest to the doors in the back row and reminded him of that perfect early summer day.
Making Place open house coming up
After a year and a half of hard work and community collaboration, The Making Place is excited to announce the grand opening of its makerspace on June 1.
Making Place open house coming up
After a year and a half of hard work and community collaboration, The Making Place is excited to announce the grand opening of its makerspace on June 1.
After a years long hiatus, Key Club back at high school
The Key Club has been revived at Columbia Falls High School by several students and advisor Jessica Moultray.
Foundation grants help Columbia Falls
The Whitefish Community Foundation held its annual Community Grant Awards on April 29 and presented $477,750 in grants and special awards to 52 nonprofit organizations representing projects and programs in Bigfork, Columbia Falls, Evergreen, Kalispell, Lakeside, Libby and Whitefish.
Yesterdays: Hungry Horse News wins Pulitzer Prize
The Oliver C. Hall home in Bad Rock was destroyed by a fire. Damage was estimated at $5,000 at the time. It only had partial insurance. A Canada lynx showed up at Glenn Johnston’s place along the Flathead River, a rare occurrence. Glacier National Park plows were 2 miles from Logan Pass.
Bullemer ties for top spot in pole vault at Roe
Columbia Falls athletes made their presence felt across the board at the Archie Roe Invitational in Kalispell on Saturday, turning in standout performances on both the boys and girls sides.
Forest Service OK’s permits for raft companies
The Flathead National Forest late last month approved extending the special use permits for four raft companies and one nonprofit to operate on the North and Middle Forks of the Flathead River.
Monday, May 5
Rosemary Christiansen, 95
Rosemary Christiansen, a devoted mother, wife and grandmother, passed away peacefully on May 3, 2025 at the age of 95 in Kalispell, Montana. Rosemary was a loving and compassionate woman, known for her warm smile and unwavering support. She was a dedicated homemaker, church secretary and overall superwoman.
Friday, May 2
Hikers and bikers can go as far the Loop in Glacier National Park this weekend
Folks hiking and biking the Going-to-the-Sun Road can go as far as the Loop on the west side and Jackson Glacier Overlook on the east side this weekend.
