Ellington

Rob Foster

Robbie (Rob) Dwight Foster

Budget concerns on the horizon for Somers

The school board for Somers Middle School and Lakeside Elementary discussed upcoming budget concerns during the Jan. 18 meeting. Current enrollment numbers recently became available with an increase in enrollment by 20 since last year.

Somers 7th graders, tomorrow's journalists

“On the day I introduced this project, I was nervous,” said Somers Middle School's 7th grade English teacher Sara Walters. “I don't get nervous often, but this project is something different than anything I've ever done. It's putting the learning square on the shoulders of the kids.  I provide guidance through whole class and mini lessons, speakers, organizational tools, etc., but ultimately, it's the kids' responsibility to do what they need do in order to grow, which it usually is, anyway.”

Donating wings to local cancer patients

Susan Taylor of Bigfork sat just inside the main entrance to Harvest Foods on Jan. 20 gathering donations to Wings, a charity organization that helps cancer patients with expenses not covered by insurance such as travel, food and housing as they receive treatment.

NAPA moves down the street

Bigfork's NAPA auto parts store is moving just down the street from its current location at 7915 Hwy 35 to 7515 Hwy 35 and will be closed Jan. 23 until the 30th. The new location will have improved parking, truck access, freight security, highway access and more room.

Dog falls through ice on Swan River

The Ferndale Fire Department and Ferndale Fire and Animal Control responded to a call about a dog that had fallen through the ice on Swan River near Kirby Lane at approximately 9:03 a.m. on Jan. 19.

Strong fire, stronger community

A fire broke out in Paul and Betty Strong's home 691 McCaffery Rd. at 5 a.m. on Jan. 19, burning the center of their home and causing primarily smoke damage to the interior.

Pastor emeritus unlike the rest of us

Pastor Emeritus like the rest of us

Rangers first snowy trip of season

Snowshoe hare tracks bound deep in the snow next to the trail above Krause Creek. They criss-cross it, run along side it and disappear into the trees.

LEAP director finds new classes, faces budget woes

A bucket band, rocket ships and knitting.

Bigfork speech and drama sweeps divisionals

Bigfork’s speech and drama team went to Cutbank after a rough weekend in Ronan and took the western divisional championships in both categories.

Gertrude Weaver

Gertrude Heloise Weaver, 84, died Jan. 15, 2012, in Kalispell.

Doris Forkin

Doris Coates Forkin, 89, of Columbia Falls, passed away Jan. 12, 2012, at North Valley Hospital, in Whitefish.

Wayne Molgard

Wayne A. Molgard, 82, of Minot, N.D., passed away Dec. 8, 2011.

Worrying about weather, floods and fires

Apparently we humans have an inbred need to worry about something all of the time. In the first week of January, I heard several people comment that they were worried that if it didn't snow soon, we would have a really bad fire season next summer.

Cole Sandefer

Cole Bryant Sandefer, 17 months, passed away Jan. 15, 2012, at the family home in Stevensville, Md. His parents, Jesse and Alayna (Lanie) Sandefer (formerly of Columbia Falls), and brothers, Chase Schulte and Cody Sandefer, were by his side.

Lady Dogs plagued by turnovers

Letter reveals politics of past

A small piece of Montana's history, a letter written 65 years ago, has recently resurfaced. The stationery's letterhead reads: "Congress of the United States, U.S. House of Representatives." The date is typed as April 10, 1946.

Speech team takes 3rd, moves on to state

Questions raised by pledge

Contemplating running again for the Montana House of Representatives, on Nov. 29, I wrote a letter to Grover Nordquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform. In this letter I wrote:

Kudos for great music

Last night was made very eventful as I and many others listened to the Don Lawrence Orchestra. The two hours flew as the orchestra played many enjoyable numbers, some originated by Don Lawrence. The quality of the music was awesome, and it was a pleasure to hear the Columbians, too.

Cats take divisional speech, debate crown

The Columbia Falls speech and debate team gave their coach a big birthday present last week with a Northwest A divisional trophy.

Margaret Malcom

School district looks at foreign language

Kaz's D crucial in the clutch over Braves

Offense may make the highlight reel, but defense wins basketball games. The Columbia Falls boys basketball team learned that fact Jan. 21 when they beat the rival Flathead Braves 52-44 in the closing minute on two huge steals by Luke Kazlauskas.

City wins award for streetscape

Kats drop a pair, but see improvement

The Columbia Falls girls basketball team showed a marked improvement last week, losing a tight game to Flathead 55-49 on Jan. 14. The Wildkats were led by Hope Burlage with 14 and Madison Sandefer with 10.

MatCats edge Loggers 33-30

The Columbia Falls wrestling team slipped past Libby in a Jan. 19 home dual, 33-30. The Wildcats were led by freshman Shonn Roberts, who wrestled up two weight classes and pinned Dylan Roby, and by Josh Folsom, who pinned Robin Kyes. Roberts is definitely proving his worth.

Coffee kiosk proceeds go to Shepherd's Hand

Hill, Triplett score in pro rodeo

West Glacier bull rider Beau Hill was the only competitor to go 3-for-3 at the 33rd annual Montana Pro Rodeo Circuit Finals in Great Falls on Jan. 13-15.

Climate change could force forest changes

In the coming years, Northwest Montana's forests could look far different than they do today, according to a new study co-written by University of Montana professor Steve Running.

Outdoor news

Road closure

Hospital to save $15M by refinancing

Report: home sales up, prices too

Investigation completed on HQ remodel

Glacier National Park officials say they've "learned lessons" from a "near miss" asbestos exposure to employees when the Park's headquarters building was remodeled in 2010.

Different decisions on light requests

Scouts complete 100 miles for 100 years

Five Columbia Falls Boy Scouts traveled 100 miles in Glacier National Park by bicycle, foot and raft in 2010.

City code to undergo major review

The Columbia Falls City Council will hold a public hearing on Feb. 6 on proposed updates to the city code, ranging from police, court, traffic, fire hazards, fireworks and animals to subdivision regulations, streets, sidewalks and special improvement districts.

Columbia Falls creating academic endowment fund

The Columbia Falls School District is creating an academic and alumni endowment fund. The school district created an athletic endowment fund in the mid-1990s, and it now has a balance of $330,000. Only the interest is used to purchase athletic equipment, gear and other cost items, like meals for traveling athletes.

May elections for local fire districts

Voters in the Columbia Falls area will receive mail-in ballots in April for a May 8 election involving five fire district boards:

Charges piling up for Marias Pass burglary suspects

The 21-year-old Columbia Falls man charged in an attempted burglary near Marias Pass on Nov. 26 pleaded not guilty in Flathead County District Court to seven different charges on Jan. 12.

New city clerk-treasurer has 27-year history here

Columbia Falls' new city clerk and treasurer already has close ties to the community. In fact, he refereed the Wildkat-Lady Bulldog basketball game at Columbia Falls High School on Jan. 14.

Storm bumps mountain snowpack closer to average

A potent winter storm that hit the Flathead this week fell short of predicitons of 4-8 feet of new snow, but it did help boost mountain snowpack percentages slightly closer to average.

Nordic racers earn top-10 finishes

Wildkats slide past Lady Dogs

Morley ESPN's Montana runner of the year

Bigfork’s Makena Morley ESPN Gatorade Cross Country Runner of the Year for Montana.

Cats outshoot Dogs in rival matchup

Robert Gesek

Robert Chester Gesek, age 54, died in Helena of an aneurism on Jan. 9, 2012.

Nancy Schwegel

Diverse group looks to quash political discord

Teachers union files grievance

Board sets bond at $14M

WHS student aces national achievement test

Code changed for massage therapists

County to try liquid de-icer

Hamilton named QRU's top responder

Volunteer paramedic Craig Hamilton of Lakeside was named top responder for 2011 at Lakeside's volunteer ambulance Quick Response Unit (QRU). Hamilton responded to 201 of QRU's 288 calls for 2011.

Don't need no directions

If ever there was a contest for navigational prowess, I would be first in line. As a runner, former resident of Alaska and the mountains of Wyoming, and as a notoriously stereotypical male, I pride myself on being able to find my way around without asking directions…that is, until I tried to find the Water and Sewer District board meeting in Bigfork.

Four BHS musicians honored

Four Bigfork High School (BHS) students were honored for their musical talents last week when three were invited to perform at the Rocky Mountain Invitational Honor Band and two were invited to perform in Montana's All State Jazz Band.

Water and sewer district making progress

Bigfork's Water and Sewer District board discussed energy efficiency, the bay sewer main near downtown and some other upcoming and ongoing projects during their meeting on Jan. 11.

Swan River Schools to form homeschooling policy

Swan River Schools to form homeschooling policy

The “Annie” Mystery Solved

Slowly but surely the appeals made here and on the radio paid off in gathering facts about the Chinese girl smuggled into the United States as a sex slave and won by a young white man in a poker game from the elderly Tong leader who “owned” her.  That girl was the subject of my September 28, 2011 column. At that time I called her “Annie” because I couldn’t remember her real name. A tremendous amount of research into her life was done by writer Ruthanne Lum McCunn. Her book, “Thousand Pieces of Gold,” was published by Beacon Press of Boston in 1981 as fiction because she had to imagine some events and characters that were beyond retrieving, but she states in the Preface, “ … the essential story of Polly’s life remains accurate.” I was also told by good readers who called, there was a movie made but it wasn’t done very well.

Bigfork High School musicians honored

Pick's loses liquor license

Pick's Bowling Center will lose its liquor license due to violating the settlement agreement established in 2009 involving other violations including the death of Highway Patrol Trooper Michael Hayes and Columbia Falls resident Travis Vandersloot.

School news

Laura Burgess, of Columbia Falls, was named to the fall semester dean's list at the University of Mary, in Bismarck, N.D.

Speakers take first at Ronan tourney

The Columbia Falls speech and debate team will have some momentum going into the divisional tournament Saturday.

Roberts takes second at Jug Beck tourney

Columbia Falls High School freshman Shonn Roberts shined at the Jug Beck Rocky Mountain Classic wrestling tournament in Missoula last week.

Girls slam Bulldogs, roughed up by Glacier

The Wildkat basketball team had a tough time against Glacier High School on Jan. 13, but bounced back for a nice win against Whitefish the next night.

Cats wallop Bulldogs, lose to Wolfpack

The Columbia Falls basketball team hammered conference rival Whitefish last week, but had a tougher time against Class AA Glacier High School.

Marlene Doyle

Marlene Kay Bunyak Doyle, 60, died at her home in Great Falls on Jan. 4, 2012.

Agnes Rupert

Agnes "Aggie" Patricia Long Rupert, 59, passed away Jan. 5, 2012, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Cole Sandefer

Cole Bryant Sandefer, 18 months, died at his home in Maryland on Jan. 15, 2012.

Robert Owens

Robert (Jack) Evan Owens, 79, passed away Jan. 7, 2012, at Lake View Care Center in Bigfork.

The North Fork Road is no longer an issue

anuary is the month when everyone looks back on the previous year to see what the biggest news stories were and to make resolutions for the year that is just beginning. Hopefully, the resolutions will improve us in some way. We are no different on the North Fork.

Montana's illegal prohibition on free speech

Recently, the Montana Supreme Court overturned an earlier victory for free speech rights won in Helena district court by American Tradition Partnership (ATP), Montana Shooting Sports Association, and Champion Painting, Inc. over government bureaucrats' right to bar individuals and companies from airing political opinions under a non-profit or for-profit corporate umbrella.

For the armchair economists

Many stereotypes have some basis in truth - and in the case of economists, we can, and often do, change our minds about things. But we try not to do it on a daily basis. Yet the events in Europe, the gyrations on Wall Street and the fickle nature of reports on the economy have many of us doing just that.

Coming to grips with an infant's death

We all have family, friends and acquaintances whose lives have been touched in one or many ways with cancer. Once again, we became aware of this with the death of Cole, almost 17 months old, Sunday, Jan. 15. Another reminder that death is no respecter of age, and takes both the very young and very old.

Border bill is not necessary

As a Montanan who has worked near the International Border for more than 20 years, Rep. Rehberg's H.R. 1505, The National Security and Federal Lands Protection Act, leaves me scratching my head. What is he thinking?

A storm of estate taxes threatens farm country

Two recent news reports contained troubling year-end news for farm and ranch families.

FWP report on Region 1

This week we'll wrap up 2011 happenings in Region 1 by summarizing comments of Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials at a recent Citizens Advisory Committee meeting.

The move to a forest restoration economy

At the same time the timber industry was collapsing in the 1990s, natural resource managers, policy makers and communities were starting to realize that the social, ecological and economic sustainability of the West was increasingly threatened by declining forest health and closure of the local sawmill.

Outdoor news

Grizzly DNA

Skiers rescued from Glacier's backcountry

A Kalispell couple apparently miscalculated the length of a ski trip in Glacier National Park's remote North Fork country Jan. 14 and ended up spending a cold night in the woods.

Park proposes St. Mary radio tower

Glacier National Park is requesting public comment on a proposal from CenturyLink to install a new telecommunications tower in the St. Mary administrative area inside the Park.

Park artwork on postage stamp and annual pass

The U.S. Postal Service has released a new international stamp that features a scene of Glacier National Park's Logan Pass.

County moving forward on Red Bridge removal

Citing the need to address liability issues, the Flathead County Commissioners moved one step closer to removing the Old Red Bridge.

C-Falls man pleads guilty by Alford plea to DUI No. 8

A 48-year-old Columbia Falls man pleaded guilty Dec. 29, 2011, to his eighth DUI charge in Montana.

Community news

Highway talk

Artist spruces up Ruder music room

Ruder Elementary School music teacher Diane Volkman had grown tired of looking at the wide white blank wall in her classroom.

La Nina expected here next week

Weather forecasters say next week could be the start of the long anticipated La Nina weather pattern. The first big winter storm of the season is predicted, and the mountains of Western Montana could see anywhere from four to seven feet of snow by Jan. 19, the National Weather Service in Missoula reported today.

Major winter storm could bring 4-7 feet of snow

Weather forecasters say next week could be the start of the long anticipated La Niña weather pattern. The first big winter storm of the season is predicted and the mountains of Western Montana could see anywhere from four to seven feet of snow by Jan. 19, the National Weather Service in Missoula reported today.

Home totaled in Coram fire, family needs assistance

A family in Coram lost their home and most of their belongings in a house fire Jan. 11.

Snow can be found

While the majority of Flathead Valley is unusually brown and dry for a La Nina January, higher elevations are caked in snow and the slopes at elevations of 4,500 to 5,000 feet are ready to go.

Scientists studying sounds of rivers

Imagine plunging under the surface of the North Fork of the Flathead River and floating for miles. What you would see would be very different from what was above the surface.

Cat skiing company adds backcountry yurt

In an effort to get their guests deeper into the backcountry of the Whitefish Range, Great Northern Powder Guides cat-skiing company has built a yurt that is set to be available this winter.

Rollins boxing rolls with the punches

From the outside, the Uhde home in Rollins seem like any other home. Head down to the basement and you'll find a small gym and boxing ring.

Another week of wins for Valkyries basketball, 7-1 record

Mission (St. Ignatius), Columbia Falls and Troy were no match for the Valkyries basketball team, who soundly beat all three last week and maintained their undefeated streak in District 7B play, scoring around 50 points a game.

Vikings win two conference games, remain undefeated in 7B

A fourth quarter loss turned to a win, a battle to the end and foul trouble that led to bench players who rose to the occasion, made a busy week for the Vikings basketball team.

Mae Thompson

Rivals pin Dogs

David Gordon

David Aaron Gordon, 68, died Jan. 1, 2012, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Ramona Daley

Ramona Darlene Daley, 68, died Dec. 30, 2011, at her home.

Margaret Ellman

Margaret K. Ellman, 87, of Columbia Falls, died Jan. 1, 2012, at North Valley Hospital, in Whitefish.

Evelyn Lundstrom

Evelyn Marie Lundstrom, 92, of Whitefish, passed away Jan. 3, 2012, at Whitefish Care and Rehabilitation.

Mollie Boisen

Mollie P. Hulit Boisen, 87, a lifetime valley resident, passed away of natural causes Jan. 7, 2012, at the Montana Veterans Home, joining the love of her life, Irvin.

New council agrees on $2.5M to lower bond

Gerald MacNorius

Gerald J. MacNorius, 80, of Columbia Falls, died Dec. 29, 2011.

Elizabeth Davis

Elizabeth Margaret Davis (Liz), 95, went to be with her Lord and Savior and join her loved ones in heaven Dec. 31, 2011, at the Whitefish Care and Rehabilitation Center in Whitefish. She died of natural causes while being surrounded by her loving family.

What is it?

A giant sign on a stick. Driving up Nucleus, I now sometimes get a sore eye.

Hooligans need justice

Several civic minded residents and Columbia Falls Area Chamber of Commerce members met on a sunny Saturday in November to erect the Holiday Village at Marantette Park.

Thanks for pics

Thanks for the coverage in announcements and photos of our Glacier Gateway Elementary School Christmas concerts.

A Nichols' worth of justice

As old 2011 ended, Don Nichols was back in the news and jail because he again broke parole rules by continuing his felony career. It would be interesting, and probably shocking, to know how much that misguided soul has cost the taxpayers since he was 18.

Cats takes first at Loyola tourney

Led by Natalie Law and Mason Gedlaman, the Columbia Falls speech and debate team took first among Class A schools on Jan. 6-7 at the Loyola Sacred Heart tournament at the University of Montana.

MatCats crush Bulldogs

The Columbia Falls wrestling team hammered Whitefish in a Jan. 5 dual and then took sixth at the Western Montana Duals tournament in Ronan on Jan. 6-7.

Kats drop a pair to Bigfork, Polson

The Columbia Falls girls basketball team showed improvement last week, but they still couldn't get a game in the win column.

Cats plunder Pirates, get past Vikes

The Columbia Falls basketball team got two big wins last week, downing Bigfork in a nail-biter on Jan. 5 by 53-47 and thrashed Polson two days later, 81-40.

Well known conservationist killed in Cooke City avalanche

A well-known conservationist with the Defenders of Wildlife was the victim of an avalanche on New Year's Eve day.

Outdoor news

Trout talk

Animals that turn white in winter

When winter's hammer hits, we turn up the thermostat, put more wood on the fire. We alter our environment.

Elk poached in Park near St. Mary

Four elk were illegally killed inside Glacier National Park on Dec. 30. The elk were apparently shot not far from the St. Mary headquarters area.

Grass fires rage around Browning

January weather shed its winter image last week, breaking records in the Flathead Valley while stoking vast grass fires near Browning last week.

2012: Expect a lot of candidates on the ballot

It's no secret that 2012 is an important election year, but with so much media attention focused on Republican presidential primary candidates and the 14-or-so Montana gubernatorial candidates, some key elections here in the Flathead deserve notice.

Local historian to talk about railroads

Local railroad historian Kevin McCready will present a talk at the Hockaday Museum of Art on Thursday, Jan. 12, at 4:30 p.m. to kick off the C. David Swanson: Sweat & Steel exhibition, which celebrates the men and women who made the railroads run in Montana.

County loans $75K to fire district

The Flathead County Commissioners recently approved loaning the Hungry Horse Fire District $75,000 after the fire district board spent more than its budget allowed.

Fundraiser planned for Jeff Chase

A fundraiser is planned later this month for a Columbia Falls businessman who recently had a heart attack.

School and military news

Army Pvt. Hunter Fishel recently graduated from basic infantry training at Fort Benning, in Columbus, Ga. He is a 2011 graduate of Columbia Falls High School.

First Best Place hires new executive director

About 5 1/2 years after it kicked off, First Best Place has hired a new executive director.

Polar Bear Plunge 2012

John Lawler

John R. Lawler, 44, died of cancer at his home in Columbia Falls on Dec. 28, 2011.

North Forkers throw beach party

Boy, did we have a great Christmas party. Hosts Caldwell and Heaphy must have spent most of a day decorating the hall. There were twinkling lights overhead, brightly decorated tables and counters, and a 10-foot decorated Christmas tree. Even the front porch was decorated with boughs and bright red bows, and there was a greeter (Jan Caldwell) with a funny hat.

Year end wrap-ups

Although I went back into the broadcasting business the first of February last year, I did not keep newscast records. The top news story in Montana was generated by over all Mickey Mouse management of the marijuana issue. Nobody needed puffs on a reefer to get dizzy over raids, arrests, legislation and law suits. Washington, D.C., news was similar, only less professional. International developments were too complicated to discuss.

Ski group plans water rights lawsuit

Of wolves and elk

First, I must say that Mr. Rabidue sent a great letter, and I would be very proud to say that I believe and support his pipeline and jobs letter. So now I would like to give my input to a couple of things that I just could not get the time, so here it is.

Thanks to runners

Thank you Hungry Horse News for the nice article about the cross-valley run a group of young people did to raise money for a little girl who has leukemia.

James Christian

James A. Christian, 63, of Columbia Falls, died Dec. 24, 2011, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Creighton Miller

Creighton Zigmont James Miller passed away Dec. 17, 2011, at his home in Challis, Idaho.

Lorin Barnes

Barnes swimmer of the month

Nordic team readies for first qualifier

Margaret Ellman

Margaret K. Ellman, 87, of Columbia Falls, died Jan. 1, 2012, at North Valley Hospital, in Whitefish.

Willard Bell

Willard J. Bell, 82, died Dec. 28, 2011, at his residence in Columbia Falls after a short battle with leukemia.

Marjorie Walters

Marjorie Mae Walters, 79, died Dec. 25, 2011, in Burnsville, N.C.

Jack Graves

Jack Duane Graves, 71, of Polson, passed away Dec. 25, 2011, in Whitefish, surrounded by his family.

Grief center to host paddle auction

Crowded year at the ballot box

Marjorie Daniels

Marjorie Rose Blood Cheff Daniels, 77, joined our Heavenly Father on Dec. 27, 2011.

Lee Curtis

Lee Richard Curtis, 82, passed away Dec. 30, 2011, at his home in Columbia Falls.

Top sports stories for 2011

Boys basketball

Barth eyes football career at MSU

Ask Columbia Falls High School senior Austin Barth about joining the Montana State University football program and his answer is just two words.

Money still needed for Sperry Chalet repairs

Glacier Park Fund closing in on million dollar mark

Wolf hunt continues

With one hunting district in Northwest Montana closing and another reopening, Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials say wolf harvest opportunities still exist. A total of 54 wolves have been taken in FWP Region 1, which is about 75 percent of the quota of 71 wolves.

Top news stories of 2011

A top news story for 2011 in the Hungry Horse News is likely the same for every other newspaper - impacts of the continuing recession. But locally there's been some signs of improvement.

Yesterdays

60 Years Ago

Veteran and wife find home in C-Falls after fire

A veteran who served two tours in Afghanistan and one in Iraq has moved into an apartment in Columbia Falls with his wife after their home in Whitefish was destroyed in a November fire.

State high court backs ban on corporate spending in elections

The Montana Supreme Court upheld a state law banning directing campaign spending by corporations last week. The 5-2 ruling seems to go against a 2010 U.S. Supreme Court decision that OK'd direct corporate and union spending for political ads, Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission.

State seeks to revoke Blue Moon license

The Montana Department of Revenue is seeking to revoke the Blue Moon Nite Club's liquor license, claiming that seven bartenders at the establishment served alcohol to a man later sentenced to prison for vehicular homicide while under the influence.