Columbus
Hungry Horse News
In Brief: April 24
Student art showPersimmon Gallery on Nucleus Avenue is holding a reception and art show of student art from Columbia Falls High School and Junior High artists on May 1 from 5-7 p.m. We’re taking canned food donations for the Columbia Falls Food Bank that night, too. Canyon mealThe free Canyon dinner is from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the former Canyon Elementary School. Our menu will be a breakfast for dinner consisting of Paula’s special huckleberry pancakes, sausage links, egg bake, and a fresh fruit cup. We’ll have the coffee pot on early so stop in and mingle and have a cup. Hope to see you there and if you have any questions please feel free to call Louann 261-1083 or Flo 250-3406Free mealsThe Columbia Falls Community Kitchen will be serving free, delicious meals on April 29-30 for everyone in the basement of St. Richard’s Catholic Church at 6 p.m. We are nondenominational and hope to see you there.
PHOTOS: Teakettle Quilt Show
The Teakettle Quilt Show at Glacier Gateway Elementary Saturday, April 20. A quilt on display at the Teakettle Quilt Show Saturday, April 20. Visitors to the Teakettle Quilt Show peruse the boutique, filled with smaller handmade goods and quilting supplies, on Saturday, April 20. Spectators take in the Teakettle Quilt Show at Glacier Elementary School Saturday, April 20. Spectators take in the Teakettle Quilt Show at Glacier Elementary School Saturday, April 20.
School needs a roof
My dream is to see myself out of high school — getting out as fast as I can. But I never had to think about the reality of high school being taken away from me. At the beginning of this year, my junior year, my classmates were faced with the reality that our high school isn’t the safest environment for students to spend eight hours a day. Of course, the administration has done everything and anything that they could have done for their students, but nothing adds up to the money that we do not have. The roof of Columbia...
CFAC acronyms
CFAC. Glencore. Slurry walls. Waste in place. Cyanide. Spent Pot Liner. Affordable housing. CCC. EPA. ROD. TANA. TAG. CLP. ECRWSSEDDM...Whew! Enough already! In the words of the late, great John Lennon: “Just gimme some truth!”The fundamental question being asked by a small group of volunteer citizens is this: Has adequate study and independent analysis been completed to conclude that pollution from 50 years of aluminum production at the Columbia Falls Aluminum Plant (aka CFAC) can be treated on site near the banks of the pristine and precious Flathead River without future harm to the citizens and wildlife of the Flathead,...
Yesterdays: EPA considering CFAC site for Superfund
70 years agoApril 23, 1954A carpenters’ strike that appeared to be over a week ago was still ongoing, paralyzing work at the Anaconda Aluminum Co. plant. There were record timber sales up the North Fork totaling 48 million board feet.60 years agoApril 24, 1964Bids for a bridge that would connect the Camas Road to the North Fork Road over the North Fork of the Flathead River were due in mid-May. The bridge had been long awaited and would create a loop for visitors from the North Fork into Glacier National Park. At the time, the border was still open with...
City holds off on awarding sewer bid
The City of Columbia Falls nixed a special meeting slated for Monday (April 22) to award a bid on its sewer treatment plant project. The city received one bid and the base bid was $1.3 million higher than the available funding, city manager Susan Nicosia noted.“City staff is currently meeting with the engineers and the bidder to determine what we can fund and meet the city’s needs. The base bid on the bioreactor expansion was $4.7 million – we have $3.8 million,” she said in an email.The city has now been consulting with the state Department of Natural Resources and Conservation as well as engineers working on the project to see what can be done with the available funding.The city initially planned on funding the project through a blend of existing reserves and federal American Rescue Plan Act grants without having to borrow money from the state’s revolving loan fund and in turn, possibly raise sewer rates to customers.But the project has been dogged by engineering delays and by inflation. Engineers earlier this year estimated the project would cost $8 million. While the bid didn’t come in that high, it’s still higher than what the city has in available grant funding.
Coalition urges CFAC involvement
CFAC/Glencore representatives will be in Columbia Falls Wednesday and Thursday, April 24 and 25. Don’t miss this opportunity to speak up for a brighter future and a more comprehensive cleanup of CFAC’s toxic waste dumps. This is a vitally important opportunity to not only ask questions at two half-days of listening sessions and presentations, but to let CFAC, EPA and Montana DEQ know, through your packed room presence, particularly at their two evening meetings, that you ,and the community at large, want CFAC’s, EPA’s, and DEQ’s support in providing more time to study, explore, and find a path forward for...
Sidewalk project raises neighbor’s ire when bushes destroyed
A gutter and sidewalk project on select city streets brought the ire of one resident after she found the 70-year-old lilac bushes that guarded her newly-bought home had been torn out and ground up to make way for the project.Skylar Eberhart, who lives on Second Street East, told city council last week she saw the survey markings for the city curb and gutter project near her home and tried to get a hold of city officials about preserving the bushes.Despite several attempts, no one from the city returned her calls, she said.The large bushes were one of the reasons she...
Jury finds man guilty for running over trooper
A Lincoln County jury found the Eureka man accused of trying to kill Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Lewis Johnson in 2023 guilty on all counts Friday afternoon.Jason Allen Miller, 42, was convicted of felony attempted deliberate homicide, criminal endangerment, aggravated kidnapping, possession of dangerous drugs and criminal mischief.Johnson suffered life-threatening injuries in the Feb. 16, 2023 incident near Rexford and is still recovering.Jurors began deliberating late Friday morning and returned with a verdict after about two total hours.Flathead County District Court Judge Danni Coffman, hearing the case in place of Lincoln County District Court Judge Matt Cuffe, scheduled sentencing for...
Easement would preserve more timberland from development
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is seeking public input on a potential project that would place nearly 33,000 acres of private timberland in Northwest Montana under a conservation easement and protect working lands, public recreation access and wildlife habitat.The deadline to comment on this proposal is May 15. To comment and learn more, visit https://fwp.mt.gov/news/public-notices.FWP has published a draft environmental assessment that outlines the proposed first phase of the project named the Montana Great Outdoors Conservation Easement. This is the first of a potential two-phase project totaling 85,792 acres of private timberland and fish and wildlife habitat owned by Green...
Young entrepreneur offers Flathead Valley the bull riding experience
When Korbin Baldwin isn’t in class at the vo-ag center, or on the wrestling mats at Flathead High School, he is likely having a bull session with Whiskey, Tumbleweed, Flat White and Dust Demon.The 17-year-old’s business, Baldwin Bucking Bulls, was born in July 2023, and after months of preparation, 10 bulls arrived in late summer.He’s got a hand in all aspects of the bucking bull business, from contracting and breeding to training and riding. So far, he has eight public events scheduled for this year and in the fall, Baldwin’s ranch will be the setting for a private party with...
Glacier Park plows to Road Camp — a little more than 3 miles from Logan Pass
Glacier National Park plows are making significant progress on the west side of the Divide. Crews are now working around Road Camp, which is a little more than 3 miles from Logan Pass.The hard closure this weekend for hikers and bikers is at Road Camp itself, which means bikers will have plenty of alpine terrain in this weekend.The Many Glacier and Chief Mountain Roads have also opened for the summer season.The Going-to-the-Sun Road is open to Lake McDonald Lodge in the west side to motor vehicles and Rising Sun on the east side.The east side hiker-biker closure is near Siyeh Bend.Hikers and bikers should be aware that the first couple of miles of the Sun Road on the west side are not paved, but the surface is hard enough to bike on.Motorists should expect delays during the week on the west side due to ongoing construction
Oberholtzer doing well in No. 1 singles
Columbia Falls hosted Polson and Libby for Tennis on April 11, the girls fell 3-4 to both teams and boys won 4-3 versus Libby and lost 1-6 to Polson. Some matches were shortened to pro-sets due to time restraints. In girls singles, Wildkat Lexi Oberholtzer was the sole winner against Polson, topping Summer Newman 7-5, 6-4. Wildkats doubles team of Madi Yerian and Apani Awua won 6-4, 2-6, (12-10) against Josie Henriksen and Karly Smith; Kristina Tamburelli and Khloe Perry earned another win for the Kats 6-2, 7-5 over Pirates Greta Lund and Baylee Lemm. Silas Ypma and Oliver McDonald...
Wildcats edged by Whitefish, tourney plans taking shape
The Columbia Falls baseball team fell just short against the rival Whitefish Bulldogs at home Thursday, 7-5.The Wildcats had a 4-2 lead after three innings, but the Bulldogs put up five runs in the top of the fifth. The Cats would score another run in the bottom of the sixth to cut the Bulldogs’ lead to two, but that’s as close as they would get. They had a runner on in the seventh after Kellen Kroger was hit by a pitch, but a strikeout and two pop flies ended the potential rally for the Wildcats.It was Columbia Falls first loss...
Run to benefit junior high programs next month
Run Wild 2024 is an enjoyable 5K and 1-mile fun run benefiting Columbia Falls Junior High School and local nonprofit organizations. Bring the whole family for a course starting/finishing at Marantette Park, an event complete with food trucks and the music of Luke Lautaret. Race begins at 10 a.m. with festivities to follow into the early afternoon. The relatively flat route utilizes the Gateway to Glacier trail and is an out and back course with aid stations along the way.Proceeds support the Ravenwood Outdoor Learning Center, the Boys & Girls Club of Glacier Country, and Land to Hand. Proceeds will be distributed to these critical youth service providers and also provide funding for new appliances in the Columbia Falls Junior High family consumer sciences classroom.Registration is $25. The 5K course runs from Marantette Park to the Big Sky Waterslides and back to the park. The 1-mile run to the river and back. For more information, or to register visit: https://runsignup.com/Race/MT/ColumbiaFalls/RunWild2024
Vonda Lee Seliger, 83
Vonda Lee Seliger, born on Sept. 7, 1940, in Stanley, North Dakota, passed away peacefully on April 8, 2024, at the age of 83. Vonda was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend.Vonda’s journey began in Fairview, Montana where she attended elementary, middle, and high school. It was then that she met the love of her life, Jerry Seliger. The two were united in marriage on Sept. 14, 1957, and their bond stood strong for nearly 67 years. Together, they embarked on a beautiful journey, making Columbia Falls their home in July of 1959, where they welcomed their...
Perry Thomas Scott, 80
Perry Thomas Scott went home to rest with Jesus on April 5, 2024. Perry was presented to the world July, Tuesday the 13th, of 1943. He was the fourth child of eight, born to his feisty Father, Maurice (Morris) Scott and his sweet as a bunny Mother, Lorraine Myrtle (Larson, Scott) Shermont in Williston, North Dakota. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church. His siblings were Gene, Lloyd, DeeAnn, Darryl, Leon, Norma Jean, and Kristi. The family moved to Scobey, Montana, and then lived in Glasgow, Montana after that. Perry began an apprenticeship for his career as an auto...
Karin Carmichael Dyer, 60
Karin Carmichael Dyer died March 29, 2024 in Kalispell. A celebration of Karin Carmichael Dyer’s life was held April 14, 2024 at Columbia Mortuary, 1010 4th Avenue West, Columbia Falls, MT 59912. To send online condolences, please visit www.columbiamortuary.com.
Commission takes up public input plan
The Columbia Falls Planning Commission took its first look at a public participation plan last week. The plan is part of the city coming into compliance with the Montana Land Use Planning Act, which was passed by the state Legislature last year.While the Act does away the city’s “doughnut” an agreement between the city and Flathead County that allows city planning beyond its boundaries, the city will still create development plans beyond its boundaries anyway, as developers seeking to build housing there are likely to ask for city sewer and water services, and with that comes annexation.Last week’s meeting was...
Forest eyes big snowmobile use swap
The Forest Service is proposing to close some areas to snowmobile and other over-the-snow vehicle use in the Spotted Bear Ranger District while opening more terrain in the Glacier View and Hungry Horse Ranger Districts.It will also look to close about 81-plus miles of trails in the North Fork to mechanized use, including bicycles.The plan comes from the 2018 Forest Plan. But the way the Forest Plan was designed, it’s an umbrella document, while individual projects, like this one, provide on-the-ground details.All told, the forest proposes to designate about 12,588 acres as open to over-snow vehicle use and close an...
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The Hungry Horse News has been in publication since 1946. It is the only weekly newspaper in Montana to win a Pulitzer Prize and has a reputation for fine photography of the Flathead Valley and Glacier National Park. It is housed in a log cabin in Columbia Falls. Visitors with story ideas are always welcome to stop by.
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