Ellington

Obstacle race combines unique theme

This Saturday two trends will collide at Flathead Lake Lodge at the first ever Craft Beer Relay.

Bigfork students win journalism awards

Bigfork students at the University of Montana School of Journalism recently earned scholarships. 

Eagle reporter receives award from Special Olympics

Bigfork Eagle reporter Sally Finneran was recently honored as the Media Personality of the year by Special Olympics Montana.

Morley named Big Sky Athlete of the Week

Montana freshman Makena Morley was named the Big Sky Conference Athlete of the Week Tuesday by the league office for her performance Saturday at the Montana State Invitational in Bozeman.

Perfect weather for opening weekend of Mack Days

The 2015 Fall Mack Days sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes began Saturday with three days of great fall fishing weather. 

Golfers headed to state tourney

The Columbia Falls boys golf team took fourth at the Western A divisional tournament in Fairmont Hot Springs last week, which qualified them for the state tournament.

Columbia Falls library gets a new look

The Columbia Falls ImagineIF Library completed its third phase of remodeling last week. Since the library rebranded last year, cultural and organizational changes have been the focus.

Hotel plans formalized; public hearing Oct. 13

Plans for a hotel in Columbia Falls are taking formal shape. The Columbia Falls City-County Planning Board will host a public hearing at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 13 for a planned unit development for the hotel adjacent to Pinewood Park at the former Norem property. The city council will hold a subsequent hearing Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. on the project.

Mooning memories

Because there are so many more serious immoral acts against society each day other than "mooning," that strange activity does not receive a lot of coverage in the press these days; however, reports of such shenanigans are still a regular item on the law logs. One report last week told of three boys who mooned people at a restaurant then took off running through the bushes. A responding deputy arrived at the same time the three dingalings returned to the scene of their indiscretion because they had forgotten their skateboards. He turned them over to parents for counseling.

Stripping streamers for fall lunkers

For many fly fishers, the best fishing of the year is still ahead of us.

Notes on grizzly sightings, or lack thereof

Fall foliage is approaching its peak. At my cabin only one larch has turned golden, but the low shrubs are a combination of colors ranging from yellow to pink to bright red and the quaking aspen are a bright yellow, which gives away the creeks on the mountains to the east. In the next couple of weeks, my golden meadow will return as the larch lose their chlorophyll and expose their carotin.

Lumber prices down sharply; Tricon announces layoffs

A weak Loonie, an expiring softwood agreement and poor demand from Asia has lumber prices down sharply in the Pacific Northwest.

The week in photos

New snowmobile laws take effect

New Off-Highway Vehicle registration and Snowmobile trail use laws will go into effect Oct. 1.

Bigfork Food Bank moves in to new building

Shelves now sit in on large open floors in the Bigfork Food Bank, stocked with food, ready to be sent off to homes around Bigfork.

Fall fishing tournament begins on Flathead Lake

The 27th Mack Days Fishing Event Sept. 25-Nov.15.

Bigfork fire veteran Rick Trembath reflects on how fire shaped the community

Driving up Chapman Hill Road in Bigfork you’d probably never see the small piece of history.

Resigning after board's actions

My wife, Tamra Riecke, is out of town for several weeks and has requested I make public what transpired regarding the Bigfork Museum of Art and History’s Board of Directors firing of the Executive Director, Marnie Forbis.

Always the adventure: Going through the trials and tribulations of solo travel abroad

Playhouse lease doubled

A new contract that more than doubles lease payments for the Bigfork Summer Playhouse and shaves a month off the time the theater company can use the Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts has Playhouse producers concerned about the fate of their program.

The drought is over: Cats beat Dogs

For the first time in 10 years, the Columbia Falls boys soccer team has beaten the Whitefish Bulldogs.

Kats tame Broncs on the road

The Columbia Falls volleyball team dispatched conference rival Frenchtown 25-11, 25-17, 25-17 away last week.

Kats beat Bulldogs, now second in conference

The Columbia Falls girls soccer team dominated ball possession for most of the game against Whitefish Saturday at home, but it took awhile to find the back of the net.

Wanner wins Polson race

Sage Wanner of Columbia Falls won the cross-country Polson Duals last week. Wanner clocked a 17:01 on the tough course at the Sept. 26 event.

Melby's fire likely arson, Sheriff says

Fifty years ago this week, Lawrence Melby announced he was going to build a furniture store in Columbia Falls with partner Reid Stuart.

Delmer Bernard Teigen

Delmer Bernard Teigen, 81, passed away peacefully in his sleep, at his home on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2015.

Sharon J. Staley Knudson

Sharon J. Staley Knudson, 76, passed into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2015 at the Libby Care Center. She was born in Lewistown on Oct. 5, 1938. Her parents, Don and Donna Staley were living in Zortman at that time as Don was working at a gold mine there. He was close to being killed in a cave in.

Marge Hader

Margureite Hermoine Hervol Hader, 87, passed away Sept. 14, 2015. She was born Oct. 12, 1926 to Michael and Francis Hervol, the 12th of 13 children on their homestead 7 miles north of Dodson. Marge was the last surviving member of this large family.

Fed bear attacks elderly woman in her home

Hungry Horse News

HH dam will upgrade visitor center

Visitor facilities at Hungry Horse Dam will receive accessibility improvements starting in April. The Bureau of Reclamation awarded a $1.2 million construction contract Aug. 27 to Advanced Solutions Group, LLC, a small business based in Kaysville, Utah.

Melby's Home Interiors a total loss after fire

Melby’s Home Interiors on U.S. Highway 2 in Columbia Falls was engulfed by a fire Sunday morning. The call came out about 5:30 a.m. When firefighters arrived, the fire was already into the attic of the structure and it spread throughout the building, said assistant Fire Chief Jesse Best.

Off-highway vehicle, snowmobile fees going up

Montana State Parks made changes to the off-highway vehicle registration and snowmobile trail use laws that will go into effect on Oct. 1.

Council says horses make good neighbors, OK permit

The Columbia Falls City Council Monday approved a conditional use permit request from Logan and Hannah Nolan to keep horses on their property off Riverwood Drive.

Friends of Bigfork Fire thank community

Many thanks from the Friends of Bigfork Fire Department.

ACES fundraiser Oct. 8

 Bigfork ACES presents “Johnny B.’s Rhythm of the North” on Oct. 8 at the Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts at 7 p.m.  Guests will enjoy high-energy piano, breath-taking imagery, stories, comedy and beautiful original scores.

North Fork escapes fire season, again

As I write this on Friday, we are moving into the last weekend of summer. By the time the paper comes out, it will be the first day of fall. Cool damp weather the last week plus the time of year causes me to believe the fire season is virtually over. Sure, we could still have wildfires but it is unlikely we will have any large stand replacement fires. Apparently, the North Fork has dodged the bullet - again.

Xanterra needs to clean up trash

As former mayor and current 31-year Chamber of Commerce member, I want to comment on a "community pride" concern. First off, I want to say I am so proud of the many young businessmen and women in our community as they have invested and sacrificed to build their businesses here in our wonderful community. I know first hand what it takes having built and owned the "R" Place restaurant, Park View Inn Bed & Breakfast and currently a vacation rental. Thirty years ago Louise Cox and I started a committee called Community Pride and we business people planted marigolds in front of our properties and really took pride in our community. Carol Pike was instrumental in keeping us all tracking, Linc France kept on top of the weeds and Daryl Olson installed the "Falls," just to name a few business people who worked hard and cared about our community. It goes un-said how happy we all are that Xanterra invested in our community and provided so many jobs, a real positive addition to our community, but here is the rub.

School board wants better state funding

School District 6 board members are frustrated by the state funding of public education in Montana.

Yesterdays: plane crash killed Forest Service employees

10 years ago

United Methodist Church welcomes new pastor Dawn Skerritt

The Columbia Falls United Methodist Church has a new pastor. Dawn Skerritt was hired after finishing her pastoral training at the Iliff School of Theology, a United Methodist school in Colorado.

Cats settle for split in soccer

The Columbia Falls boys soccer team split the bill last week at home.

Charles Michael Pyles

Charles Michael Pyles, 53, gained his angel wings unexpectedly on Sept. 20, 2015.  Michael “Mike” or to his sisters “Mikey” was born to Charles Lee and Patricia Ann Pyles on April 6, 1962.  Mike loved to fish, hunt, and was an excellent mechanic. 

Perry Wilburn Padgett Jr.

On Sept. 15th, 2015, Perry Wilburn Padgett Jr. passed away peacefully in his home at the age of 84. His final days were spent surrounded by the care of his loved ones.

Wanner, DeLorme tops for Cats in Missoula

Sage Wanner led the boys and Genevieve DeLorme the girls at the Mountain West Classic cross-country meet in Missoula Saturday.

Wildkat spikers squash Pirates

The Columbia Falls volleyball team made short work of Polson for homecoming, dropping their conference rivals in straight games 25-18, 25-13, 25-13 last Thursday.

Love takes 12th at Kalispell Invite

The Columbia Falls boys golf team took eighth at the two-day Kalispell Invitational last Thursday and Friday. The Wildcats were led by Gabe Love who shot a 79 and 88 to take 12th overall.

Kats clobber Libby, Bigfork

The Columbia Falls girls soccer team racked up a couple of conference wins last week. They downed Bigfork 4-0 Sept. 15 at home and blanked Libby 5-0 on Saturday.

Bridwell sets record for TD throws

Dakota Bridwell set a new school record for touchdown passes in a game as the Columbia Falls football team rolled over Browning 54-8 at home Friday night.

Bowling scores at Glacier Lanes

Glacier Lanes bowling Sept. 10-18

City manager: Hotel a 'fluid' situation

A hotel, a bakery and a pizza place.

River to Lake project tackles shoreline erosion, habitat issues on river

The line between agriculture and the natural landscape is very stark along Egan Slough north of Bigfork.

Speaker in Bigfork advocates muckracking journalism

Sometimes it takes outrageous tactics to rile people up and spur changes, conservative activist James O’Keefe told a crowd at Crossroads Church in Bigfork last Thursday.

The overhaul of Bigfork High School is overdue

We all like to think we have the best of everything in Bigfork.

It's time to re-invest in Bigfork High School

As proud Bigfork HS Alumni – BHS Class of 1984 and 1987 – we have great memories of our high school experience and how well the faculty and staff helped prepare us for our future. We have been able to visit the high school from time to time over the past 30 years and it’s always great to come back to a place that has such great memories for our family!

Bears causing problems in farmers' fields this fall

Bears are becoming a problem this fall in farmers’ corn fields.

Feds order developer to remove road to construction site

A road built to the construction site of the Dockstader Island bridge must be removed in 60 days.

State proposes to remove old homestead on Bigfork's north shore

One of the last remaining homesteads on the north shore of Flathead Lake may be torn down.

School improvements up to the voters

Ballots for the Bigfork High School bond election will be mailed out Friday, asking voters for $14 million to renovate Bigfork High School.

Museum board takes new direction

The longtime director of the Bigfork Museum of Art and History was fired recently.

Bigfork students build bridge for conservation

When wildlife biologist Beverly Skinner’s only option to cross an old irrigation canal within the Flathead Waterfowl Protection Area was a collapsed footbridge, she worked with Bigfork High School students to get it replaced.

Always the Adventure: Discovering a whole new world and culture that is “Only at Oxford”

Bigfork graduate Amber McDaniel shares her adventures from a semester abroad at Oxford University and four months of backpacking across Europe.

Glacier Park fees going up

Hungry Horse News

1984 - Revisiting a bad fire year

Hopefully we have seen the last of this year's record breaking wild blazes on public and private lands. Am recalling just one other year like this for old time's sake. Since writing the following almost exactly 31  years ago, there have been other years worse, like 2003. The future depends on better proactive government forest management. Fewer lawsuits, less bureaucratic nonsense, and a couple of Central American kids, El Nino and El Nina. Now! Back to 8/29/84:

The key's the thing....

As if misplacing your keys at home isn't frustrating enough, losing them on a fishing or hunting trip can be downright maddening.

Host parents cleared in Big Mountain death

The host parents of a foreign exchange student, who died in 2010 after falling in a tree well while skiing at Whitefish Mountain Resort, have been dismissed from a lawsuit over his death.

Trout project targets upper Big Salmon Creek

Delayed by wildfires in the Bob Marshall Wilderness, biologists this week will continue an effort to rid the South Fork of the Flathead River drainage from non-native trout.

Council: Don't drill Badger Two Med

Noting the significance of the landscape to the Blackfeet people's history and culture, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation Monday recommended that a longstanding oil and gas lease in the Badger-Two Medicine be canceled.

Noted photographer running the Crown of the Continent

Whitefish photographer Steven Gnam will join The North Face athletes Mike Foote and Mike Wolfe this month in an attempt to run from Missoula to Banff, Alberta in what they are calling the Crown of the Continent Traverse.

Fire closures lifted; Spotted Bear, Meadow Creek roads reopen

The Spotted Bear District has lifted an area closure around the Trail Creek and Bear Creek Fires. The Spotted Bear River Road and the Meadow Creek Road are now open. In addition, the Youngs Creek area and the trails near the Lena Lake Fire are also open.

CFAC, EPA talks keep progressing

Talks between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Columbia Falls Aluminum Plant continue methodically. They discussed the terms and conditions of the administrative order on consent at a conference call Aug. 25, John Stroiazzo, Glencore project manager, said at the community liaison panel meeting last Thursday. The AOC is a legal contract between the EPA and CFAC that determines the rules of the aluminum plant cleanup. They will continue negotiating at another conference call Sept. 21. Mike Cirian, EPA remedial project manager, is on vacation, but this has not slowed the progress of discussions, Stroiazzo said.

Playhouse awards annual scholarships

The Bigfork Summer Playhouse awarded its 2015 Scholarships this year before the final performance of FOOTLOOSE on Aug. 22.

Bigfork bond issue deserves passage

We live in a pretty special place. Growing up in Missoula, I was given the choice as to what I could do in the summers – play baseball in hot, dry Missoula or head up to the Lake. Thus, a love affair with Bigfork was born. I have grand memories of Bigfork back then – when Showthyme was a laundry mat, stopping by the Post Office with grandpa Frank (now Kiska’s), Whitaker’s Drugstore next door, then to Anderson’s Bigfork Merc, with those wonderful old, creaky wood floors (June always knew where you were…). The 4th of July parade, with less than 100 people and then, in the evenings, watching the actors from the old white Bigfork Summer Playhouse zip across the road to the Mountain Lake Tavern and back. Heck, I even went to the ’75 Prom, in the very BHS gym we see today!

Artists look forward to second annual street art festival in Bigfork

Artists will take to the streets this weekend for Bigfork’s second Chalk ‘n Rock Festival.

People may see smoke from CFAC

Now that the August auction items have been removed and both Stage 1 and 2 fire restrictions are lifted, Calbag Resources is adjusting its demolition activities at the Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. plant, Cliff Boyd, director of asset recovery said last week.

Glacier's Highline Trail gets a facelift

The Highline Trail, one of the most popular trails in Glacier National Park, has received some upgrades over the past week. The trail is more than 30 miles long, but has the most traffic on the first quarter mile from Logan Pass.

Good dry fly fishing at Duck Lake

I had a really good fishing day on Duck Lake last week.

Sons of the American Revolution looks to expand wreath giving

The Glacier chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution wants to place a wreath on each of the 900 graves at the Montana Veterans Home Cemetery during the holiday season. They can’t do it without donations and participation from the community.

Steve M. Stevens

Steve M. Stevens, 74, passed away Sept. 6, 2015, at his home in Sunburst. Steve was born March 30, 1941, in Kalispell to Madge Marie and James Stevens, of West Glacier. He was the youngest of 10 children, and was only 3 pounds, 2 ounces at birth.

Susan Louise Peterson

On Sept. 3, 2015 Susan Louise Peterson "Crazy Susie" gained her Angel Wings.

Margaret Ann Allers Juenke

Margaret "Margy" Ann Allers Juenke, 66, loved her family dearly, but left to go sing in the angels' choir and see her family members, parents Bud and Elli; brother Jack, and sisters, Shawnee and Terry on Sept. 8, 2015.

Iva Mae Stryker

Iva Mae Howell Asmus Stryker's journey on this planet came to an end on Sept. 5, 2015. She was 98-plus years young. She is now with her Lord and Savior, Jesus, perhaps sitting in the middle of a beautiful flower garden where there will be no weeds. Her passion for flowers was known to all her neighbors, friends and family. She may have those wings, too, she'd talked about, so she can fly!!! The battle with diabetes, Parkinson's and dementia is now gone forever.

Rowland Thomas "R.T." Adkins Jr

Rowland Thomas "R.T." Adkins Jr., 83, of Kalispell, passed away on Sept. 9, 2015.

Thanks for fire help

Gene and Juanita Hallas and family would like to thank everyone who has given them assistant since their house fire. Thank you to the fire departments and police for responding so quickly and doing everything possible to save our home. Thank you to the Red Cross for providing us necessities and accommodations. Thank you to the community of Columbia Falls, our friends, The Eagles and The American Legion Auxiliary for your outstanding assistance and donations. There really are not words to tell you how much your work and efforts on our behalf means to our family. Each of you have earned a special place in our hearts and have renewed our faith in human kindness. We appreciate each and every one of you!

Kats drop Bulldogs in four games at home

The Columbia Falls volleyball team dropped rival Whitefish Saturday, 25-15, 25-17, 11-25, 25-16.

Wanner takes third at Ronan invite

The Columbia Falls boys took seventh while the girls took fourth at the Ronan Invitational cross-country meet last week.

Boys down Bigfork, 3-1

The Columbia Falls boys soccer team beat Bigfork 3-1 Tuesday for its first conference victory of the year.

Kats wallop Bigfork

The Columbia Falls girls soccer team blanked Bigfork for its first conference victory Tuesday night. The Wildkats outshot the Valkyries 20-7 in a game where they dominated possessions.

Bears on the prowl as berry crop fails

Hungry bears have closed an auto campground in Glacier National Park and last week one was shot and killed after it persisted yards in Columbia Falls.

Main trail in Bob Marshall will likely remain closed through the month

Spotted Bear District ranger Deb Mucklow said Monday that while progress is being made on reopening trails and roads in the Trail Creek and Bear Creek fires, Trail 80 - the main trail into the Bob Marshall Wilderness from the South Fork, will likely remain closed through the end of the month, if not longer.

Homecoming festivities all this week

Columbia Falls High School celebrates homecoming this week. The student council invites the community to join in celebration by decorating businesses in blue and white or creating a Wildcat spirit space. They want people to dress in blue and white on Friday. The students also suggest that companies have a tailgate party for employees and customers.

Deadline extended on fish regs

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks has granted a three-week extension on the public comment dead-line for its proposed fishing regulations for 2016.

City planning board OKs economic plan for industrial park

Columbia Falls has hopes of hosting one of the finest industrial parks in the valley. Last week, the city's planning board took the first steps that will set the stage to make it happen.

Glacier National Park visitation down in August

Three solid weeks of smoke from area wildfires resulted in about 14 percent less visitors to Glacier National Park in August. August visitation was at 579,000 people compared to 675,119 last year, but even so, the Park is still at an overall pace to break last year's record mark, as visitation is up 2.1 percent due to a robust start to the tourist season.

Veterans part of N. Mexico crew fighting fires

"Face Cut, falling, clear," hollers M.J. Townsend as he cuts a burned snag at the Gorge Creek Trailhead on the Bear Creek Fire.

Corruption, in verse

The late Dr. Gordon Edwards was not only an internationally respected scientist and "guru" of Glacier National Park mountain climbers, but he had a deep interest and concern for the social world around him. While he was a combat solider in World War II, he found a poem written by the famous Ogden Nash and through that bit of unusual literature, they became corresponding friends after the war.

Building community to help building inspector

The Flathead Valley community has come together to help Virgil Bench finish building his home in Kila after being diagnosed with small cell lung cancer in May. Bench is the Columbia Falls building inspector and Whitefish chief building official. He lived in Whitefish from 1985 until he sold his home. Tyler Frank, project manager at Malmquist Construction and Flathead Building Association board member, volunteered to coordinate the construction project.

Remembering Bud Block

Summer weather seems to have returned, but nights are cooler, aspen and larch are changing color so it is almost fall and time to reflect on the summer that is about to pass into memory.

Zinke: Iran deal a bad deal

The Iranian nuclear deal is perhaps the greatest national security mistake of our time and represents a clear and present danger to America and our allies. The idea of legitimizing the nuclear capabilities of Iran - the leading sponsor of global terrorism who is directly responsible for the killing of thousands of Americans - is reckless. The United States does not need this deal; Iran needs this deal.

After Miss Montana pageant, beauty eyes the FBI

Tori Price won second runner-up in the Miss Montana pageant Sept. 6 in Missoula. She also wants to work for the FBI someday, or perhaps become an attorney.

C-Falls good Samaritan helps out in wreck

A Columbia Falls man helped out in a two-vehicle accident yesterday afternoon at the U.S. Highway 2 and 40 intersection at the Blue Moon.

Bigfork men say Kerr Dam sale presents Islam threat

Two Bigfork men have sought an injunction to stop the sale of Kerr Dam.

Always the Adventure: Oxford's no-wrong answers policy led to growth as a writer and academic

Bigfork High School graduate Amber McDaniel shares her adventures from a semester abroad at Oxford University and four months of backpacking across Europe.

Tribes complete dam purchase

The Confederated Salish Kootenai Tribes officially took ownership of the Kerr Dam on Sept. 5 and celebrated with a mixture of happiness and sorrow, completing plans that were set in motion 30 years ago.

Forest fires of 1986 were something to remember

The Silver Complex of forest fires in 1987 was a big one, by fire standards.

Kalispell man to serve time for Bigfork burglaries

A 19-year-old Kalispell man was sentenced Aug. 27 to 77 days in the Flathead County Detention Center for burglarizing six Bigfork businesses in February 2014 and injuring a person in a car crash five months later.

India Carney visits with Bigfork music students

The music students of Bigfork Middle and High Schools enjoyed a first-week-of-school bonus last Wednesday when India Carney visited. India was in town for the Crown of the Continent Guitar Festival, where she performed in several evening events and taught a master class in stage presence and performance. India is well known to many as a top five finisher on last spring's run of NBC's The Voice. Only 22 years old, this recent UCLA graduate (from the opera department, no less!) has built up an impressive C. V.—with musical theater, dance, directing, a cappella groups, music videos, and much more to her credit. But her big dreams are pop music and Broadway, and the Bigfork music students, grades 6-12, were eager to learn from her. At 150 strong, they met India in the gymnasium and pelted her with questions: How did you get on The Voice? What is Christina Aguilera really like? Do you get nervous on stage? India answered all queries, and offered a few of her own, asking the students what music means to them. "It calms me." It excites me." "It's a safe place all my own." After much lively discussion, some of the students sang for India, and she coached them on improving their performances. The seventh-and-eighth grade choir also sang for India, before their time together was up. The event ended with enthusiastic cheers and a "mob shot" photograph that India promptly posted on Instagram. What a time we had at the school! What a blessing India has been to this community. Will she come back? She says she is eager to, and we plan to hold her to that promise.

Fire rules lifted

Wildland managers have lifted fire restrictions for all of northwest Montana, although the Flathead County commissioners have yet to lift restrictions within the county.

Co-op members can go green for $900 in solar project

A community garden of sorts has sprouted south of Kalispell that will feed the valley's energy needs for decades to come.

Cats lose to Broncs, 35-21

It was a tale of two halves as the Columbia Falls football team fell to the Hamilton Broncs Friday night, 35-21.

Big Mountain pass deadline soon

Only a few weeks remain to purchase a winter pass to Whitefish Mountain Resort at the early-season rates.

Alberta adds big provincial park near Waterton

The Canadian province of Alberta last week created a new 250,000-acre provincial park last week just north of Waterton Lakes National Park.

Avoiding jail in Iowa

"We're going to jail," said my cousin Tom as he stepped over the rusty barbed wire fence.

Glacier Clean Car Wash looks to the sun for hot water

Glacier Clean Car Wash in Columbia Falls will soon thank the sun for part of its hot water supply.

C-Falls man faces charges for car theft

A Columbia Falls man faces felony theft and burglary charges for allegedly stealing a car here and then crashing it in Whitefish a few hours later. Jamie Brandon, 34, pleaded not guilty to the felony charges at his arraignment Sept. 6.

Dump in Babb raises bear concerns

Near the eastern edge of Many Glacier in Glacier National Park is a large pile of trash and several overflowing dumpsters in Babb on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. The open dump is not only an eyesore, but also an attractant for bears, residents who live near it are saying.

Wildkats avenge loss to Blue Devils

The Columbia Falls girls volleyball team avenged an earlier season loss to Corvallis Saturday at home, dropping the Blue Devils, 25-14, 14-25, 25-19, 25-22. Morgan Stenger had nine kills and Cydney Finberg had 24 of the Kats 26 assists in the win. Anna Nicosia had 32 digs in the match.

Badger Two Med no place for drilling

Don't drill in Badger-Two Medicine

Regarding marital bliss

Recently read a national survey report that indicated divorce rates are decreasing, and part of the reason is that young folks are waiting longer to get married. Speculation was, "extra time produces wiser choices." Whatever the reasons, that is a pleasing trend. Only five years ago I did a column about divorces, which was not so upbeat. This ran in September 2010:

And suddenly, it's fall

It is Friday Sept. 4th as I sit down to write this week's column, and it is raining. Actually, it rained off and on for the last two days and most of last night. Nevertheless, we are still under Stage 2 fire restrictions, commonly referred to as "Hoot Owl." No chain saws or other engines in the woods between 1p.m. and midnight. I did some checking yesterday to see if these restrictions were close to being lifted.

Columbia Falls approves $7.58 million budget

The Columbia Falls City Council Tuesday approved a $7.568 million budget. On a house assessed at $200,000, a homeowner could see a tax increase of about $80 over last year.

Land Trust float, bird watch events planned

The Flathead Land Trust and Flathead River to Lake Initiative invite the public to float the Flathead River Sept. 20 from Presentine to Old Steel Bridge Fishing. The scenic float will showcase important lands, wildlife habitat, and water quality that have been protected through collaborative efforts along the Flathead River. Lifejackets and a snack will be provided; bring water, sunscreen, and dress for the weather. The trip is limited to 40 participants at a cost of $10 a person; RSVP to Laura Katzman of Flathead Land Trust at 752-8293 or lkatzman@bigsky.net.

Conservative activist speaks

James O’Keefe, a conservative activist, will speak in Bigfork on Thursday, Sept. 10.  

Annual Dragon Boat will be held in Lakeside this weekend

The fourth-annual Montana Dragon Boat Festival brings familiar fun, spirited competition and colorful pageantry to a new location on Flathead Lake: Volunteer Park in Lakeside.

Environmental groups say burned timber sales not their fault

Two environmental groups claim they're not to blame for timber sales that burned up in fires near the Bob Marshall Wilderness.

Time to speak up on proposed fishing regulations

It is comment time again, with Montana Fish, Widlife and Parks seeking public input on proposed fishing regulations for 2016 and beyond.  For NW Montana anglers, there are some important changes being proposed, as well as clarifications and some consolidations of regulations to make things less confusing for anglers.  When I suggest that folks participate and submit their comments, I often hear “I don’t bother with that, they’re gonna do what they’re gonna do…”  Ever the optimist, I still feel that our comments are read, and are given consideration.  Sure, sometimes things don’t go the way we would like to see them, but that is usually because there is overwhelming support on the “other side” of the issue.  Either way, here are some of the things being proposed for our corner of the state.

Gary D. Scheel

Gary D. Scheel, 76, passed away on Thursday Sept. 3, 2015 at his home in Columbia Falls. Gary is survived by his wife Sharon Scheel, and children Gina Laird, Jasmine Lutgen, and Jacob Scheel. There will be a celebration of Gary's life on Saturday Sept. 12, 2015 at 11 a.m. at Whitefish Foursquare Church, 233 Kalispell Ave. in Whitefish. A luncheon will follow services.

Elizabeth Grondin Taylor

Elizabeth Grondin Taylor, 76, passed away on Sept. 2, 2015, after a brief illness with her loving family by her side. She was born april 6, 1939 in Bemidji, Minnesota. She is survived by her daughters, Leslie Taylor of Seattle Washington, and Jennifer Merriman of Boulder Colorado; two grandchildren, Remley and Gordon Merriman. She is also survived by her sister Geneva Reff of Fergus Falls, Minnesota; and niece and nephews, Debbie, Robert, Steven, and Tim. She is preceded in death by her mother and father Elizabeth and Ernest Grondin; brothers Robert and Gordon. In lieu of flowers please send a donation to the Flathead County animal shelter.

Carolyn Ramberg Rosenbaum

"In Loving Memory" Carolyn Ramberg Rosenbaum went to be with the Lord on Sept. 1, 2015. Carolyn was born on Aug. 27, 1937 in Chinook and was a 1955 graduate of Chinook High School. She married Charles Richard Rosenbaum on June 4, 1955 in Chinook, and was a 51-year resident of Coram. Carolyn enjoyed gardening, sewing, card parties and entertaining her family and extended family.

Public hearing on city horses next week

The Columbia Falls Planning Board will hold a public hearing next week on a request by Logan and Hannah Nolan to keep five horses on four acres at their home on Talbott Road.

Pro Rodeo Princess McKenna Salminen wants to be a Border Patrol agent

Two years ago, Columbia Falls student McKenna Salminen won first runner-up in the Northwest Montana Pro Rodeo Little Miss contest. Two years later she competed again, and was crowned 2015 Northwest Montana Pro Rodeo Princess.

Cats 0-2 to start season

They're young, they're playing hard, but they certainly had a tough start to their season. The Columbia Falls boys soccer team lost to Park County High School Friday at home 4-0 and followed that up Saturday with a loss to Belgrade, 6-0.

Lost dogs wander wilderness for days

Two dogs dodged grizzlies, wolves, mountain lions and other hazards as they wandered the Bob Marshall Wilderness for 12 days in July alone and hungry.

Gov. Bullock visits Columbia Falls High School

Montana Gov. Steve Bullock visited Columbia Falls High School on the first day of school last Thursday.

Support Bigfork students and vote yes on bond

I am writing this letter in support of the Bigfork High School bond.

Always the Adventure: Bigfork graduate tackles courses at Oxford and adventures in Europe

Show students in High School their education is valued

I am writing to explain why I strongly believe we should pass the Bigfork High School Bond.

From the Chief

Each September is an emotional time for the Bigfork Fire Department. Friday, September 11, 2015, many departments in the valley will be honoring our fallen brethrens. Bigfork Fire Department will be standing in front of our station to honor those that gave their lives that fateful day of 9/11.

Bigfork Benghazi memorial project taking on a life of its own

From humble beginnings to honor the men killed in the September 2012 attacks on the U.S. Embassy in Libya, the Bigfork Benghazi memorial has taken on a new life, and renewed focus.

Kats drops Rangers, tie Panthers

The Columbia Falls girls soccer team opened the season last Friday at home by drubbing Livingston 4-0, but the Kats couldn't finish against Belgrade the next day and settled for a tie, 0-0.

Cats led by California transfer

The Columbia Falls boys took fifth and the girls took fourth at the Libby Invitational cross-country meet Saturday.

Cats wallop Yellowjackets on the road, 55-18

The Columbia Falls football team opened its season Friday by drubbing Stevensville on the road, 55-18.

After fires, crews working to get trails, roads, reopened

With upwards of 1.7 inches of rain over the past week in some locations and 10 inches of snow being reported in Glacier National Park's high country, firefighting crews across the region have been demobilizing.

Babb dump raises bear concerns

Near the eastern edge of Many Glacier in Glacier National Park is a large pile of trash and several overflowing dumpsters in Babb on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. The open dump is not only an eyesore, but also an attractant for bears, residents who live near it are saying.

C-Falls bus driver dies in rollover; no students on bus

Glacier looks to use herding dog for problem goats, sheep

Glacier National Park is looking to use a trained border collie next summer to shoo mountain goats and bighorn sheep out of the Logan Pass parking lot and other congested parking areas near the pass.

Close to 60 students considered homeless in district, car show helps them out

The Sixth Annual Heritage Days Car Show in July was about more than just showing off fancy rigs. It also raised $1,449 to help homeless students in School District 6, of which there are about 60 annually.

Summer perch fishing best ever

In the last few weeks we've had the best summer perch fishing around the docks at Polson that I can ever remember. Recently I was out with Eric Smithers from Missoula along with three of his kids. Anna, the oldest, Aaron and Caleb. Once we were into the fish there was no going home until the cooler was nearly full. At the end I said, "10 more fish and we go home. Anna piped up and said, "But they've got to be keepers." Eric and I were up till 10 p.m. filleting nearly 100 perch and small mouth bass.

Stormwater project begins

Construction on the final phase of the Bigfork Stormwater project is about to begin.

Streets, air will rumble for show

The air will thunder and the ground will shake Sunday when the annual Rumble in the Bay car and air show comes to Bigfork.

County approves $105 million budget

The Flathead County commissioners last week unanimously approved a $105.2 million budget, commending department heads for continued fiscal diligence.

Community Foundation helps build a better Bigfork

The annual Community Foundation for a Better Bigfork auction is just around the corner.

Thompson Fire lightning caused; trails reopen east of fire

Fire investigators have determined the 17,000-plus acre Thompson Fire in Glacier National Park was caused by lightning. Meanwhile, Glacier Park has eased trail restrictions east of the blaze.

After fall, park employees rescued above Avalanche Lake

About 40 Glacier National Park and local searchers spent most of Monday and part of Tuesday morning looking for two of their own employees after they were hurt on a cliff face above Avalanche Lake.

Betty Lou Barlow

Betty Lou Barlow passed away on Aug. 22, 2015, at The Springs in Whitefish, Montana.

Clyde W. (Bud) Block

Clyde W. (Bud) Block, 90, passed away on August 28, 2015, in Kalispell.  He was born Dec. 5, 1924 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Walter H. Block, and Ethel Block Blau.  He attended school in Milwaukee and spent his summers during the Depression with his older brothers on Columbus Lake in northern Wisconsin. They worked hard on the cabin and played hard at hunting and fishing.  During his senior year he attended an Apprentice School where he learned the basics of electronics and appliances. Then he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was on the LST boat for almost four years.

Channing "Sully" Sullivan

Channing "Sully" Sullivan, 80, passed away on his birthday Aug. 26, at his home in Whitefish. He was born in 1935 to Daniel and Evelyn (Runsvold) Sullivan. Sully was raised on a farm in Bad Rock and attended school there. He graduated from Flathead High School with the class of 1954. While going to high school he worked at the Equity Supply Company. After graduation he joined the Army. When he was discharged, he went to work at the Anaconda Aluminum Plant in Columbia Falls where he worked for 39 years.

Mary Louise Benbow Paul

Mary Louise Benbow Paul, daughter of Earl William Benbow and Clara Thomsen Benbow, was born Aug. 31, 1917, in Hersman, Illinois.  She passed away at age 97 on Aug. 18, 2015, at Willamette View Manor, Portland, Oregon.  Mary's father, a Presbyterian minister, served churches in Hersman, Illinois, Grundy Center and Sioux City, Iowa.  During seventh grade her family moved to Seattle, Washington, where her father became director of Westminister House, Presbyterian Center for University of Washington students.  Mary graduated from the University of Washington in Home Economics.

Scott L. Anderson, May 5, 1968 - Aug. 8, 2015

Scott was born in San Francisco, California to his young parents Joe Desmidt and Sandy Spruance of San Leandro, California. At the age of 3 months, Scott was adopted by Ann and Larry Anderson of Lawton, Oklahoma and Fresno, California. His adoptive parents moved the family to the high desert of southern California. Scott graduated from Apple Valley High School in 1986 and attended junior college for one year before transferring to Cal State San Bernardino where he studied political science. He met and married his college sweetheart Jennifer in 1989. Scott graduated cum laude with a bachelor's degree in political science. After graduation he and Jennifer moved to Salem, Oregon where he attended Willamette University College of Law. Scott graduated in 1994 from Willamette and moved his wife and young daughter, Samantha, to Columbia Falls. As an attorney Scott helped many people over his 21 years of practice in the Flathead. He was also licensed in Oregon, Alaska and North Dakota.

Enviros: Don't blame us for roasted timber sales

Two environmental groups claim they're not to blame for timber sales that burned up in fires near the Bob Marshall Wilderness.

At fair, pie bakers were sour over contest rules

Some bakers were dismayed when their pie entries to the Great American Pie Baking Contest were turned away at the Northwest Montana Fair last week. Their pies had untraditional pie crusts such as lattice weave or a leaf pattern.

Driest summer on record, but fires slowed by rainfall and more on the way

After enduring the driest summer on record, rains over the weekend finally helped quell massive wildfires burning in the region.

Hungry bears close St. Mary camp to tenters

Hungry bears have caused Glacier National Park officials to close the St. Mary auto campground to tent campers. Hard sided-campers, such as recreational vehicles and truck campers are still allowed in the camp.

Spikers do well at Northwest-Southwest tip-off tournament

The Columbia Falls volleyball team had a successful opening to its season at the Northwest-Southwest A tournament in Dillon last weekend.

Smoke cancels football game, but runners still run

Smoke from area wildfires put the Wildcat football season on hold. The Cats were supposed to play Corvallis away Friday night, but that game was postponed until Saturday night.

Kats eye another run at state crown

The Columbia Falls girls soccer team looks to make another run at a state title this year and they have the team to do it.

Cats head into season with new attitude

New coach. New attitude. That might best describe the Columbia Falls boys soccer team as it heads into the 2015 season. The team has been meeting twice a week through the summer, both in the classroom and on the field in preparation of a new season under coach O'Brien Byrd.

Diver in a tree? How can that be?

Did you hear about the scuba diver that was found in the tree?

Lawsuits didn't stop logging

A Hungry Horse News article claims that because of a lawsuit against a couple of Spotted Bear timber sales the Trail Creek fire burned in timber sale units that would have already been logged and ostensibly wouldn't have burned. While that project was in litigation there was no court ordered temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction that held it up. In fact the Forest Service let contracts on the project at its own pace and logging began during the time the lawsuit was in progress.

Back to school, in dollars and cents

School bells are ringing locally and many little people and some parents have butterflies right now. Grandson Colton was very apprehensive about moving schools in Tucson earlier this month but found some comfort in having his second grade brother, Ethan, by his side. His biggest accomplishment when asked after the first day of Kindergarten was, "Mom, I didn't even cry!"

A Clymer bonus

Yes! It always brings a feeling of gratitude when anyone has nice things to say about something presented here in this column of over 50 years, and it is even more gratifying when someone takes the time to give interesting additional information. A fine example of this reader reaction came last week when I received the following email from long time local friend, Betsy Wood:

Fire safety needs to be priority

Smoke filled skies followed by more smoke filled skies. That has been the story of this whole week. Fortunately, the smoke is not being generated on the North Fork. In fact, a lot of the smoke is coming from as far away as Washington and added to that smoke is smoke from Marston Peak to our west and a big fire near Nyack on the southern edge of Glacier Park. The smoke is so thick the mountains are obscured, the sun is a dim red and you can see small bits of ash falling from the sky.

Settlement reached in lake case

Another chapter on Montana Power Company closed last Wednesday.

Visit the high school before casting your vote

I would like to invite the community to see for themselves what is being proposed in the high school renovation bond. There will be an open house at Bigfork High School at 5:30 on September 10th.  If that doesn’t fit in your schedule, please, call the superintendent’s office at 837-7400 to schedule another time to see the school and get the facts. You can also go to www.bigforkschools.org and click on the bright red “school bond” link on the left side of the page. This link provides a lot of information, including financial breakdowns.

Research station director Jack Stanford hands over reins of biological station

The introduction of Jack Stanford at the annual Flathead Lakers meeting last week was met with a standing ovation.

Crossroads Garden needs community to get behind it

Three years ago a community garden food forest was started by volunteers at Crossroads Church.

Bigfork girl is role model as pageant contestant

Kassandra Butterfield has had a busy summer.

'Hoedown' Bigfork Rotary Club fundraiser a success

A pleasantly warm night last Friday, August 14, at Brumar Estates was the setting for the Rotary Club of Bigfork’s annual “Hoedown” event.  The community and visitors filled the venue and enjoyed a fabulous western themed dinner of roasted chicken, tender ribs, corn bread and all the fixings.  Highlighting the evening was a silent auction, mostly of artwork but it also included a handcrafted rocking chair, a hosted dinner and weekend stay on Echo Lake, a cruiser bicycle and a modern high-end pink Yeti cooler.  The silent auction items were crowded with an eclectic variety of great items all generously donated by Bigfork businesses, Rotarians and friends.

FWP seeks input on fishing regulations

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is looking for public input on fishing regulations that would impact fishing on Flathead Lake and Lake Mary Ronan.

Elementary bond issue refinanced

The Bigfork School board last week approved a resolution to save taxpayers about $160,000.

Steel bridge receives designation

Bigfork’s iconic steel bridge is now officially historic.

Marston Fire lines hold

Whitefish Pilot