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Back to drawing board for North Fork land regs
June 16, 2021 8:50 a.m.

Back to drawing board for North Fork land regs

The Flathead County Planning Board indefinitely tabled a petition for a zoning amendment by the North Fork Land Use Advisory Committee last week, claiming that some of the language could get the county into legal hot water.

New restaurant opens in familiar location in Hungry Horse
June 9, 2021 6:45 a.m.

New restaurant opens in familiar location in Hungry Horse

A new eatery has opened in Hungry Horse. The Great Bear Café, located across the highway from the Huckleberry Patch, celebrated its grand opening last week.

Standoff ends after gunfire exchange with woman on Dawn Drive
May 26, 2021 3:50 p.m.

Standoff ends after gunfire exchange with woman on Dawn Drive

The standoff ended shortly after 5 p.m. after law enforcement officials tried to negotiate with the armed woman who was holed up in a camper on Dawn Drive, just east of Halfmoon Road.

Boys take second at Western A Divisional tennis; girls fourth
May 26, 2021 7:35 a.m.

Boys take second at Western A Divisional tennis; girls fourth

Columbia Falls boys tennis finished second overall at the three-day Western A divisional tennis tournament in Polson that ended on Saturday.

May 26, 2021 7:35 a.m.

Kats heading to Butte for state tourney

The Wildkat softball team is headed to the 2021 State Class A Softball Tournament in Butte this week after securing the No. 3 seed for the Northwest A conference.

Track sending 36 to state
May 26, 2021 7:25 a.m.

Track sending 36 to state

The results were serendipitous for head coach Jamie Heinz who, on paper, had expected half that amount to qualify.

For Judge, finding answers no trivial pursuit
May 26, 2021 7:15 a.m.

For Judge, finding answers no trivial pursuit

The winning question at this year’s individual Montana Academic State Championship, in Jeopardy-style format, was along the lines of, ”This foodstuff is common in Hawaii, due to the state’s large military presence creating a military surplus of this foodstuff.”

Club meets and greets with ‘Heroes’
May 19, 2021 8:30 a.m.

Club meets and greets with ‘Heroes’

The Columbia Falls Boys and Girls Club gave certificates of appreciation to both the Columbia Falls Police and Fire Departments last week as part of “Heroes Week,” a creation of the local club aiming to “recognize our community’s heroes,” according to the club’s area director Pamela Koller.

May 19, 2021 8:05 a.m.

Tennis tunes up for divisionals

Wildcat tennis teams’ last week of regular season play was packed with competition after the previous week’s cancellations were pushed back and rescheduled.

Softball blanks Browning
May 19, 2021 8:05 a.m.

Softball blanks Browning

Columbia Falls softball came off a brief but victorious week after competing in one home game that resulted in a 20-0 win against Browning last Tuesday.

Track squads fine tune performances, hosts divisionals this week
May 19, 2021 7:50 a.m.

Track squads fine tune performances, hosts divisionals this week

Columbia Falls track and field began the week on firm footing when both the girls and boys teams overshadowed Polson by more than 40 points each at the brilliantly sunny home-dual meet against the Pirates on Thursday.

Planning board OK's Twin Peaks zone change
May 13, 2021 8:55 a.m.

Planning board OK's Twin Peaks zone change

The Columbia Falls city-county planning board again recommended for approval a request for a zone change on a 10 acre plot of land east of Columbia Falls Tuesday.

Kats drop Ronan for conference victory
May 12, 2021 6:55 a.m.

Kats drop Ronan for conference victory

Wildkat softball ended the week with a redemptive 12-3 victory over conference rival Ronan at home on Thursday. The win was a welcome comeback from an early-season loss against the Maidens in which the Kats dropped a seven-run lead to lose by one run.

Skills for the Future: Columbia Falls graduates first class in Welding Technology
May 12, 2021 6:50 a.m.

Skills for the Future: Columbia Falls graduates first class in Welding Technology

Columbia Falls High School is set to celebrate its inaugural class of graduates from the school’s Welding Technology CTS program this spring.

Conditions wretched at Columbia Falls Invite
May 12, 2021 6 a.m.

Conditions wretched at Columbia Falls Invite

Columbia Falls track and field had solid overall finishes at the Columbia Falls Invitational on Saturday with the boys team taking second and the girls taking third at the six-team competition.

May 6, 2021 7:45 a.m.

Kats sweep at Frenchtown

The Columbia Falls softball team went undefeated at the Frenchtown Invitational Friday and Saturday.

Track teams rounding into form, Hoerner wins jav at ARM
May 5, 2021 6:45 a.m.

Track teams rounding into form, Hoerner wins jav at ARM

Columbia Falls track and field stayed close to home with both of their meets taking place in Whitefish last week.

Familiar North Forkers new owners at Home Ranch Bottoms
May 2, 2021 6:30 a.m.

Familiar North Forkers new owners at Home Ranch Bottoms

After passing through a string of different landholders throughout its 40 year history, the ownership of Home Ranch Bottoms, a rustic restaurant located 30 miles up the North Fork Road, has once again changed hands.

Kats encouraged by play against Polson
April 28, 2021 6:45 a.m.

Kats encouraged by play against Polson

“Honestly, that’s the best we’ve played this year,” said senior shortstop Alyssa Blankenship. “We kept our energy the entire game. We knew where we were going every pitch. We played well beginning-to-end and I’m really glad how it turned out. They’re one of the best teams in the state and we really competed, so that was really exciting.”

Track squads do well at home, on the road
April 28, 2021 6:30 a.m.

Track squads do well at home, on the road

Columbia Falls track and field had a strong finish to a good week of competition after the Wildcats tallied 24 personal records to ring in second place overall finishes for both the girls and boys teams at the Columbia Falls Iceberg Invitational on Saturday.

Track squads win Libby Invitational
April 21, 2021 8:05 a.m.

Track squads win Libby Invitational

Columbia Falls track and field had a great week with a second place finish at the Flathead Invite triangular on Tuesday and a first place overall at the Libby Invite on Saturday.

April 21, 2021 7:15 a.m.

Softball sees a couple slip away as they go 1-2 on the week

Wildcat softball went 1-2 in a week that began on a high note with a 13-3 sweep against Eureka on Tuesday before suffering two close losses against Ronan on Thursday and Stevensville on Saturday.

Tennis squads have an up and down week, boys drop Polson
April 21, 2021 7:10 a.m.

Tennis squads have an up and down week, boys drop Polson

Columbia Falls tennis saw a full week of play with double headers on Tuesday and Saturday bookending a home dual against Polson on Thursday.

April 14, 2021 9:55 a.m.

Track teams do well in first meet of season

Columbia Falls track and field athletes had a good showing at the season opener time-trial triangular meet between the Wildcats, Eureka and AA Glacier at the Wolfpack’s field in Kalispell last Tuesday.

Tennis snowed out at home, edged by Dillon in Polson
April 14, 2021 8:50 a.m.

Tennis snowed out at home, edged by Dillon in Polson

Columbia Falls tennis got off to a fitful start when what was supposed to be the season opener against Whitefish was moved from court to court in an attempt to dodge inclement weather without success Thursday afternoon.

Kats drop Libby at home
April 14, 2021 6:45 a.m.

Kats drop Libby at home

Columbia Falls softball got its first conference win last week, but had a tougher time against AA Kalispell Glacier. A game against Hamilton Saturday was called due to snow.

County OK’s work camps for West Glacier region employers
April 14, 2021 6:25 a.m.

County OK’s work camps for West Glacier region employers

A text amendment request to add “Work Camp” as a type of land use requiring a Minor Land Use permit under the Canyon Area Land Use Regulatory System was adopted after Flathead County Commissioners unanimously approved the resolution at a public hearing Tuesday last week.

Wildkats lose a squeaker to Blue Ponies
April 7, 2021 7 a.m.

Wildkats lose a squeaker to Blue Ponies

The Columbia Falls girls softball team dropped a game to nonconference Havre Saturday, 5-4, in eight innings at home.

Against the Odds: Pups survive 10 days lost on Desert Mountain
March 31, 2021 7:30 a.m.

Against the Odds: Pups survive 10 days lost on Desert Mountain

Earlier this month the two dogs were amusing themselves with toys and the occasional wrestle involving the trademark polar bear-like pounces that earned the youngest pup his name in the Burrell’s yard in Coram.

Kats settle for a split in season opener
March 31, 2021 7:30 a.m.

Kats settle for a split in season opener

The Columbia Falls softball team split the bill in a doubleheader Saturday at a tourney in Polson. The Kats lost to Park 17-10 in the opener, but blanked Butte Central 9-0 in the nightcap. The Kats were down several players after squeezing their first competition onto the schedule just after the requisite 10 days of practice and during the last weekend of the Wildkats’ spring break.

Tennis squads now under one coach and have good numbers
March 31, 2021 6:40 a.m.

Tennis squads now under one coach and have good numbers

Columbia Falls tennis has a substantial turnout this year with 45 players looking to compete in the 2021 season.

Track squads down in numbers, but young and talented
March 24, 2021 10 a.m.

Track squads down in numbers, but young and talented

espite dwindling numbers in the boys and girls track and field teams this year, with about 30 girls —half of what is typical— and around 60 boys, Columbia Falls head coach Jamie Heinz is full of enthusiasm for the upcoming season.

Quilt Guild show and sale coming up
March 24, 2021 8:30 a.m.

Quilt Guild show and sale coming up

The Teakettle Quilt Guild of Columbia Falls is set to host its annual two-day spring Quilt and Craft Sale from 10 to 7 p.m. Friday, April 9 and from 9 to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 10.

Softball season kicks off this weekend
March 24, 2021 7:55 a.m.

Softball season kicks off this weekend

Wildcat softball is starting out the 2021 season on solid footing with a handful of returning players and a full, albeit young, roster.

Teacher Price obtains National Board Certification
March 24, 2021 6:35 a.m.

Teacher Price obtains National Board Certification

Columbia Falls High School teacher Jeanette Price recently earned her National Board Certification in English for adolescents and young adults, becoming one of six Columbia Falls educators to have obtained the distinguished credential.

Planning board OK’s zone change east of town
March 18, 2021 6:05 a.m.

Planning board OK’s zone change east of town

A request to amend the zoning regulations to allow greater development density of a 10 acre parcel along Highway 2 just east of Columbia Falls and the Flathead River was unanimously approved by the city-county planning board last week after a public hearing on the matter.

Tippy Taps put to quick use in Guatemala
March 17, 2021 6:10 a.m.

Tippy Taps put to quick use in Guatemala

Money raised earlier this year by Columbia Falls students to construct handwashing stations at rural schools in Guatemala has already been put to use.

Fire put out quickly at airport hangar
March 10, 2021 11:30 a.m.

Fire put out quickly at airport hangar

Emergency responders with the Glacier Park International Airport fire rescue crew, assisted by all units of Columbia Falls and Evergreen fire rescue, responded to a report of smoke billowing from an airplane hangar at GPI Airport at 9 a.m. on Friday morning.

Cheff champ at state swimming, boys take third
March 7, 2021 8:55 a.m.

Cheff champ at state swimming, boys take third

The Columbia Falls swim team came home from the state A swim meet in Polson over the weekend with a third place overall finish for the boys team and a sixth place finish for the girls. The Wildcats were led by Connor Cheff who was the champion of the 200 yard IM with a time of 2:19.32; Adam Schrader who took second in the 500 yard freestyle with 5:38.26; and Emerald Templin who took third in the 500 yard freestyle with 6:04.48 Cheff also took second in the 100 yard breaststroke with 1:10.04. Thane Borgen took third in the 200 yard IM with 2:30.93. Peyton Malmberg took third in the 100 yard breaststroke with 1:10.67 and fourth in the 50 yard freestyle with 24.97. Johnathan Blankenship took sixth in the 500 yard freestyle with 7:10.26 and ninth in the 100 yard backstroke with 1:24.28.

MatCats take second at Western A divisional tourney
March 3, 2021 7:35 a.m.

MatCats take second at Western A divisional tourney

Columbia Falls wrestling took home the second place trophy at the Western A Divisional Tournament in Libby on Saturday. The Wildcats boasted three divisional champions in Justin Windauer (126), Isaiah Roth (145) and Lucas Thacker (160) for 13 placers in total.

Self-described ‘writing junkie’ pens another entertaining tale
March 3, 2021 7:30 a.m.

Self-described ‘writing junkie’ pens another entertaining tale

Local author Debbie Burke has recently published her latest novel “Flight to Forever” as the sixth book in her thriller crime series featuring the harrowing adventures of the kind, intuitive and quick-witted investigator Tawny Lindholm. Burke, who moved to Kalispell from San Diego nearly 30 years ago, is a prominent writer within the valley. She was a founding member of the local writers group Authors of the Flathead, established in the late eighties, and is instrumental in planning the annual Flathead River Writers Conference which hosts literary talent from around the globe.

Columbia Falls native finalist in beer can competition
March 3, 2021 7:15 a.m.

Columbia Falls native finalist in beer can competition

“I am in love with desert landscapes and architecture. I worked in Zion National Park in 2015 and that’s when the infatuation started,” explained Covill on her Instagram page. “Cacti, red sand that sticks in your clothes, climbing

Tease photo
March 3, 2021 6:45 a.m.

Wildcats go 0-2 at Western A tourney

Despite a 27- point loss against the Beavers at 65-38, the Cats held their own during the first half, ending at the break with a fairly even score of 26-21.

MatCats tune up for divisonals
February 24, 2021 9:40 a.m.

MatCats tune up for divisonals

Wildcat wrestling had a solid week of competition, finishing their last regular meets of the season with an away dual against Frenchtown on Thursday and a home dual against Libby on Saturday.

Wildcats punch ticket to tourney
February 24, 2021 9:40 a.m.

Wildcats punch ticket to tourney

The Columbia Falls boys basketball team secured a berth to the Western A divisional tournament Monday night, dropping Whitefish, 58-43.

Pint by pint, she’s donated about 10 gallons of blood
February 24, 2021 8:40 a.m.

Pint by pint, she’s donated about 10 gallons of blood

Just over a gallon of blood swirls through the veins of the average human adult, and over the last two decades Columbia Falls resident Patti Dorlarque has, pint by pint, donated that amount 10 times over.

After storm, local vet lends helping hand to cemetery
February 17, 2021 7 a.m.

After storm, local vet lends helping hand to cemetery

Sgt. Brady Wassam of the Army National Guard cleaned up storm debris at Montana Veterans' Home Cemetery last week.

Brawlers drop Bulldogs, Ronan in duals
February 17, 2021 7 a.m.

Brawlers drop Bulldogs, Ronan in duals

Wildcat wrestling competed once last week in a double dual against Whitefish and Ronan on Saturday in Whitefish after Thursday’s home dual with Eureka was canceled.

Wildcats bested by Vikings at home
February 17, 2021 7 a.m.

Wildcats bested by Vikings at home

Columbia Falls boys basketball dropped last week’s game against Bigfork, 64-52, at home Tuesday evening.

MatCats did well in duals in Ronan last week
February 10, 2021 7 a.m.

MatCats did well in duals in Ronan last week

Wildcat wrestling traveled to Ronan Saturday for a double-dual event that featured a mix of competitors from Dillon, Butte Central, and Stevensville.