Ellington

Pacific monsoon heading for the Flathead

A steady plume of moisture extending from Northwest Montana all the way to China is predicted to bring heavy mountain snow and valley rain to the Flathead this weekend. Avalanche danger will be on the rise as snow accumulates.

Avalanche danger rated as 'high'

A steady plume of moisture that extends from Northwest Montana all the way to China is predicted to bring heavy mountain snow and valley rain to the area this weekend. Avalanche danger will be on the rise as snow accumulates.

Tharrr be pirates in these waters

Grant cuts causing LEAP to close

Nine candidates file for North Valley commissioner's seat

Polson resident pleads guilty to embezzlement

Dupont remembered for his wit and professionalism

Chimes to bring old world charm to downtown streets

Norred pleads guilty to five bank robberies

Audobon leads Lower Valley waterfowl tour

Logistics behind the madness

School course on the ropes

Births

BHS to get new heating system

Bigfork Schools explore new tech

Fastpitch team young, hungry

Lady Bulldog netters a threat

Bigfork speeds through Seeley Invitational

Eagle Bend golf season has a cold, wet start

Brooks enters SD2 election

Prescribed fires planned in Tally Lake Ranger District

Larch Cone project seeks comment

Quilters donate handiwork to ALERT

Mountaineer to present 'Glacier National Park from the Summit'

Recycling for cancer

Boys look to defend state track title

With a host of returning athletes, the Columbia Falls boys track team hopes to defend its state Class A title this year. The girls, meanwhile, will build on a core of young but unproven athletes.

Joint Wildcat-Bulldog swim team proposed

A group of swimming supporters recently petitioned the Columbia Falls and Whitefish school boards to create a joint swim team. Trustees in both boards seemed to support the proposal and took it under advisement until their next meeting.

Six wrestlers take first at state tourney

Six Columbia Falls wrestlers took first place at the 2012 Little Guy Wrestling State Tournament and Beginners State Tournament held at the Flathead County Fairgrounds on March 23-24. Wrestlers from 27 towns and communities across Northwest Montana showed up to compete.

Eunice Erickson

Eunice Barbra (Olson) Erickson, 82, of Kalispell, died March 16, 2012.

Gregory Cusick

Gregory Douglas “Greg” Cusick, 66, passed away March 17, 2012.

James Nevins

James M. Nevins, 84, passed away March 17, 2012, of natural causes.

James Dupont

James “Jim” Dupont, 65, passed away suddenly at his home in West Glacier on March 19, 2012.

The true cost of non-native trout

This spring, native westslope cutthroat and bull trout will stage for their epic journeys from Flathead Lake to spawning streams in the Middle and North Forks Flathead River. Once quite common, their numbers are significantly diminished from the recent past because many cannot navigate the gauntlet of predacious non-native lake trout (and illegally introduced northern pike) that occupy the lake and river.

Candidate looks at big labor

Since the 2008 elections, we’ve seen a battle at both the state and federal level over the power of organized labor and its effort to forcibly unionize workers. Big Labor has found a president who will carry its water, pushing legislation and enacting regulatory changes that favor union bosses over workers and job creators.

Health insurance review protects all Montanans

This past week, Democrats and Republicans alike had something to celebrate, albeit for entirely different reasons. March 23 marked the two-year anniversary of the Affordable Care Act, the federal health care reform bill lauded by Democrats for banning some of the worst insurance company practices and panned by Republicans for not going far enough to control the cost of health care.

Bad driver

On Feb. 29, my husband and I were on our way to Kalispell. We got almost to the railway crossing going into Evergreen when we encountered a man driving an older white pickup going in the same direction as we were.

Reckless skiers frustrate resort staff

A series of close calls last week involving skiers and snowboarders at Whitefish Mountain Resort, who were dangerously close to grooming equipment or went into closed avalanche terrain, has prompted resort officials to send a strong warning to the ski community.

Outdoor news

Nordic fundraiser

Simple tips for enjoying the last of the ice fishing

Don’t write off ice fishing for this year yet. Some of the best ice fishing of the year for kokanee salmon is still ahead of us — if the ice stays safe.

Park closes winter ranges to protect wildlife

Glacier National Park is clamping down on off-trail use in elk, deer and moose wintering range inside its boundaries.

Bill would allow maintenance on pipeline in Glacier Park

Sens. Jon Tester and Max Baucus say they are pushing needed legislation to protect the Flathead Valley’s natural gas supply.

County mosquito plan laid out for city council

County crews will return to Columbia Falls this spring for mosquito control work, but the focus will be on mosquitos in the larval stage, not adults, Flathead County public health officer Joe Russell told the Columbia Falls City Council on March 19.

Candidate enjoys the Montana lifestyle

Whitefish resident Rollan Roberts II is one of two Republican challengers in the state Senate District 3 race. He and Jayson Peters, of Lakeside, will face off against incumbent Sen. Bruce Tutvedt in the June primary. The large senate district includes rural areas south of Columbia Falls and around Whitefish.

Redistricting team visits Flathead

Montana’s Districting and Apportionment Commission came to Kalispell on March 14 for the fourth of 14 public hearings being held around the state this spring.

School and military news

Dean’s lists

Community news

Chamber meets

Marine tells tales of Afghanistan, recovery

Can you still play video games? Are your fingers inside the flesh on your hand? How do you get out of the pool with no legs? What does your stump look like? How does that wheelchair work?

Hundreds gather to honor Jim Dupont

Jim Dupont wasn’t just a popular sheriff — he was a great sheriff. That’s how many people remember Dupont, Flathead County Sheriff Chuck Curry told a crowd of more than 700 at the Christian Center in Kalispell on March 24 who gathered to remember his life.

Whooping cough confirmed at WMS

A single case of whooping cough was confirmed Friday in a Whitefish Middle School student. Both the county health department and school officials are working to contain the illness.

Unruly skiers prompt strong warning from resort

A series of close calls this week involving hikers at Whitefish Mountain Resort who were dangerously close to grooming equipment and skiers entering closed avalanche terrain has prompted resort officials to send a strong warning to the ski community.

Four Whitefish men file for open commissioner seat

Nine people have filed to run for the Flathead County commissioner two-year term that will begin in January. Among those who filed for the vacant District 1 seat by Thursday were four Whitefish residents.

Gossip and rumors circulate and effect students at Somers Middle School

USDA approves “pink slime” meat additive for schools

Commissioner Dupont dies

Congressional delegation supports troop withdrawal from Afghanistan

Audubon to observe spring waterfowl

Preparedness group works to educate community for disaster

Somers/Lakeside PTA offers $1,000 scholarship

For the first time, the Somers/Lakeside Parent-Teacher Association is offering a $1,000 scholarship to its senior graduates.

Three Bigfork basketball players make All-State list

Seniors Ian Lorang, Melissa VanDerveer and Taylor Peck make their way to college with the All-State 2011-2012 team title tucked into their basketball shorts.

Legislative redistricting comes to the Flathead

Washington family puts it all into opening Swan Lake business

The empty-looking, brown building with red trim on Montana 83, just north of Swan Lake, is now occupied by the Huddleston family. Their vision for its future is a family-run gas and grocery they plan to open by April.

Boys tennis has a good core of returning players

The Columbia Falls boys tennis team will look to make its mark on the conference this season with several returning players.

Kats look to build on last year's success

The Columbia Falls softball team will have some powerful bats and a little bit of speed sprinkled in as it enters the 2012 season.

Little Guy Wrestlers at Eureka qualifier

Twelve members of the Columbia Falls Little Guy Wrestling club took first place out of 44 categories at the Unit 1 state qualifier tournament in Eureka on March 10.

Candidate supports education funding

A strong connection exists between jobs, our local economy and quality education. Businesses consider many factors in deciding where to set up shop. The primary factors include the presence of a positive business climate, local workforce skill levels and the quality of the K-12 public education system.

A salute to a World War II veteran

I offer this letter as a salute to my uncle, Ernie Weaver, who recently passed away at the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls at age 87. Right up front, you need to know that Ernie lived most of his life as a veteran. He served in World War II, and it was there at the front lines that he became left-handed for the rest of his life.

Brokered conventions of the past

Memory often flirts with a singular episode from one’s past. This year’s presidential primary campaign has me remembering a political season from my teen years.

Remembering Katie and Ivan

Over the years, I have had a great deal of fun writing this column. Each week, it’s almost like writing a letter to friends, telling them about life on the North Fork. Most of all I enjoy researching stories about the homesteaders who settled the North Fork, and once in a while even about pre-homestead days.

Richard Rose

Richard Dale “Dick” Rose, 85, passed away March 8, 2012, at the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls.

Everett Lundgren

Everett Martin Lundgren passed away Feb. 26, 2012, in Whitefish at the age of 95.

Mary Wilson

Mary K. “Katie” Wilson, 80, passed away March 10, 2012, at the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls.

Kenneth Strowbridge

Kenneth Wayne Strowbridge, Sr. was called home to heaven to forever be with the Lord on March 13, 2012, after a short battle with cancer, surrounded by his loving family.

Ronald Benner

Ronald Leslie Benner, 40, passed away in Columbia Falls on March 8, 2012.

The second easiest fly to tie

Basic San Juan Worm

Outdoor news

Wildflower presentation

Wolverine spotted at ski resort

A lone wolverine was spotted by skiers on Big Mountain last week just off the Lower Badrock slope near the base of Chair 4.

Park hopes to find fishers in study

Every year, Glacier National Park biologist John Waller gets about a half-dozen reports from people who claim to have seen a fisher in the Park.

Community news

Candidate forum Friday

Getting the word out on foreclosures

Kalispell Realtor Paul Heidegger, at Keller Williams, has been selling homes in Northwest Montana for 20 years, but he says he never heard of “short sales” here until a client asked him “out of the blue” to set one up about five years ago.

Loan negotiation proves fruitless

Call it a crusade. Kalispell Realtor Paul Heidegger is fed up with how homeowners in foreclosure are being treated, and he wants to get the word out so something can be done to fix the system.

County won't pursue grant to remove Red Bridge

The Flathead County Commissioners agreed not to pursue a federal grant to pay for removing the Red Bridge in Columbia Falls at their March 8 meeting.

C-Falls grad doing well in Madagascar

A 2001 Columbia Falls High School graduate is now a member of a successful business that helps farmers in Madagascar sell their vanilla beans worldwide.

C-Falls grad patrols the globe as ship commander

When Brian Sorenson was growing up in Columbia Falls, he never expected his future would be on the high seas.

Ferndale man shoots domestic wolf

Barking awakened Andy Stewart around 1 a.m. last Thursday morning. Normally, he wouldn’t pay it any mind, but this time both of his dogs were barking.

Whistling Andy to release their first whiskey

Hints of bananas and tropical fruit waft up into the nose.

Vals battle hard, but come home empty-handed

The Bigfork Valkyries went to state for the fifth time in six years last week, but struggled to put themselves in the win column at the Hamilton-hosted tournament against both Townsend in the opening round on Thursday and Columbus in the consolation bracket on Friday.

Flathead Lake to host Montana's first dragon boat race

Lt. governor candidate Zinke discusses plans

Somers graphic designer creates art and a career

Students launch WCU junior board

Barter network built to promote local business

Roberts enters SD3 election

NVH celebrates five years in new facility

City, county settle library dispute

Chamber suggests summer trolleys

Try something new this grilling season, Bacon Explosion

Living with teenagers can be stressful, but it's always interesting

Candidate list is in for 2012 state and county elections

Flathead Lake to host state's first dragon boat race

Swan River girls win championship

Snowpack and streamflow increases throughout Montana

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks steps back from lake trout work

Creston auction seeks volunteers

Wildcats and Wildkats named to all state and all conference teams

Seven Columbia Falls boys and girls basketball players were named to the Class A all conference and all state teams:

Sports news

Softball sign-ups

Around the Park on snowshoes

During the winter of 1913, Park ranger Norton Pearl completely circled Glacier National Park on snowshoes. His story, used here with permission from his daughter, Dorothy, tells a lot about the early day rangers.

Candidate announces positions

My name is Rollan Roberts II, and I’m running for state Senate District 3 as a conservative Republican against Bruce Tutvedt.

Gary Warner

Gary Wayne Warner, 62, passed away Feb. 23, 2012, in Kalispell.

The transition to green

Back in November 2008, a little known report titled “The transition to green” quietly emerged on the public policy domain. The 391-page report was the work product of 28 national environmental organizations. The manifesto highlighted priority environmental recommendations and described how “the administration could resume federal leadership on critical energy and environmental challenges affecting our economy, health and well-being.”

Lester Coffman

Lester S. Coffman, 97, a lifelong resident of Troy, died March 1, 2012, at St. John’s Lutheran Hospital from natural causes.

Ronald Malone

Ronald J. Malone, 79, passed away Feb. 29, 2012, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Tyra Baughn

Tyra J. Baughn, 30, died March 2, 2012, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center after a lifelong battle with diabetes.

W. Bruce Dochtermann

W. Bruce Dochtermann, 62, died March 3, 2012, at his home in Columbia Falls.

Jeannie Cook

Jeannie Renee Cook, 48, died Feb. 29, 2012, at her home in Columbia Falls of natural causes.

Outdoor news

Film festival

Park budget might include inholding purchase

President Obama’s 2013 budget proposal could help Glacier National Park acquire 120 acres of private property inside the Park’s boundary.

Senate candidate wants to be a listener

Whitefish resident David Fern has declared he’s running for Senate District 2 as a Democrat. The incumbent, Sen. Ryan Zinke, R-Whitefish, is running for lieutenant governor. Rep. Bill Beck, R-Whitefish, and former state representative Dee Brown are running for the seat as Republicans.

Community news

Musical comedy

2012 voters will see a full ballot

The filing period for this year’s election ended Monday, March 12, at 5 p.m. Here are the local and state candidates:

The music man of Columbia Falls

His love for music hasn’t waned one bit. Every day, Don Lawrence sits down at his desk in the brightly lit east room of his home in Columbia Falls and writes arrangements.

When it comes to soccer, it's easy to forget things change

My calves are so tight that I can feel them threaten to cramp up with each step. My hamstrings are telling me the same thing.

Swan Lake biologist honored by RMEF

Swan Lake Ranger District wildlife biologist Jane Ingebretson went to Las Vegas for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation’s annual conference in February expecting to help work their booth.

Girls hockey takes 2nd at state tourney

Putt-putters play through downtown

Bright green paint around a hole in the floor greeted patrons who walked through the front door of the Garden Bar on Saturday afternoon.

Frank Caferro

Montessori hosts fundrasier March 10

Snowboard race benefits school program

Students open temporary café

Flathead Valley rock band sings about love, happiness and heartache

Skaters vie for summer ice

Depot Park master plan OK'd

Concert grand delivered to auditorium

A special concert caliber piano has been purchased for the Whitefish Middle School auditorium with the hope that its improved sound and action will attract top-tier entertainment to the prized venue. The first artist to tickle the keys of the Steinway D concert grand will be two-time Grammy winning jazz star Alan Broadbent during a March 10 fundraising concert at the auditorium.

Dr. Seuss Day at Lakeside Elementary

Lakeside Elementary and Somers Middle School celebrated Dr. Seuss' birthday together on March 2.

Miller and Coopman elected to Lakeside Community Council

Juveniles find success with alternative justice

Reporter and new mother keeps balance in life

Juveniles succeed with alternative justice

Applications for special hunting permits due early

Cats take second at state tourney

Some nights the shots don’t drop. The state Class A boys basketball championship final March 3 in Butte was one of those nights.

C-Falls takes second at USAW tourney

The Columbia Falls Wrestling Club sent 75 wrestlers to the USAW Making A Difference tournament held at Glacier High School in Kalispell on Feb. 25. Twenty-six teams brought 590 wrestlers to the tournament.

Jeannie Cook

Jeannie Renee Cook, 48, died Feb. 29, 2012, at her home in Columbia Falls.

Glacier Twins season-opener meeting March 14

The Glacier Twins will hold a mandatory meeting for all parents and players at Rocky Mountain Lodge/Best Western, in Whitefish, on Wednesday, March 14, at 7 p.m.

Thomas Bell

Thomas Mack Bell, 69, passed away from natural causes at the Columbia Falls home of his brother, Britt Bell, on March 1, 2012.

Harriet Paris

Harriet McCord Paris, 91, died Feb. 26, 2012, surrounded by her family at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Ronald Malone

Ronald Joseph Malone, 79, of Columbia Falls, died Feb. 29, 2012, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Patricia Owens

Patricia Ann Owens, 76, died Feb. 28, 2012, at her home in Columbia Falls.

Search and rescue practice

Recently, North Valley Search and Rescue held their annual winter training at the Wilson and Ogle cabins. This year, more than 40 members took part in the Saturday training, and “sleep-overs” were held at Wilsons, Ogles, Hoilands and Braunigs. In addition, local residents help out as role players, and we invite others to just visit and learn a little about what we do.

Lack of humor haunts candidates

“With the fearful strain that is upon me day and night, I fear that if I could not laugh, I would die.” — Abraham Lincoln

In re Doctor Malcolm Burns

Drove up a street near the Kalispell Regional Medical Center named “Burns Way” and got to thinking about the man it honors. Not many can remember Doctor Malcolm Burns, but it seems only yesterday he was a greatly admired Flathead personality.

Protect the Rocky Mountain Front

It’s been about 30 years since Montana has had any new federally designated wilderness. In my view, that is not necessarily bad. Wilderness has its place, but so do forest management activities and the production of wood products.

Blue Moon revocation

This in response to the article in the Hungry Horse News on Feb. 29 on the Blue Moon and Neil Livingstone (and for your information check his past, Google him on his million dollar scam on the poor people of Libya).

Fishing derby

The Canyon Kids Christmas Fund would like to thank Snappy’s Sports Senter for the pontoon boat and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks for planting rainbow trout in Lion Lake for our fishing derby.

Badrock VFD

I would like to heartily commend the Badrock Volunteer Fire Department, an organization comprised of compassionate professionals.

State looking to increase wolf harvest

The Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission will look at changes in hunting regulations as a way to increase next year’s wolf harvest.

Outdoor news

Teachers recognized

Musings on an ice-covered lake while getting skunked

Once again, I’m sitting here on a white plastic bucket, staring at a small red and white bobber, hoping it will move a bit so I can jerk and catch a fish. But it ain’t happened yet.

Tester hopeful to see Park funding

Montana Sen. Jon Tester said last week that a comprehensive federal highway bill could come out of the Senate in the next couple of weeks.

Park visitors spent $108 million locally in 2010

Massive peaks, huge lakes, ancient trees — and an economic wallop to boot.

Grant funds students' video cameras

Students at Columbia Falls Junior High School will have access to six new Sony video cameras thanks to a grant from the Plum Creek Foundation.

Community news

Musical comedy

AAA report: Gas prices still low in Montana

The average price for gasoline at the pump in Montana went up about 11 cents in last week of February, reaching $3.28 per gallon for regular, according to AAA Mountain West.

Canyon man sentenced for theft, drugs

A 20-year-old Hungry Horse man was given two concurrent five-year sentences with the Montana Department of Corrections for his role in a robbery last May and possession of illegal drugs while out on bond last August.

Man pleads not guilty to kidnapping

A 36-year-old Hungry Horse man pleaded not guilty to felony charges of kidnapping and criminal endangerment in Flathead County District Court on Feb. 23.

Man charged with stealing platinum

A 25-year-old Columbia Falls man pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of theft in Flathead County District Court on Feb. 23.

Cats take second at state tournament

The Columbia Falls boys basketball team trailed Dillon for the entire Class A state basketball championship game Saturday night in Butte. The final score was 54-39.

Wildcats sting Yellowjackets in state opener

Defense. Defense. Defense. The Columbia Falls basketball team relied on what got it to the state Class A tournament in Butte on Thursday night, as they downed the Stevensville Yellowjackets 53-36 in a game that was closer than the score would suggest.

Special Olympics come to Big Mountain

The 2012 Special Olympics Montana Games kick off Sunday in Whitefish and continue through Tuesday at Whitefish Mountain Resort.