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Man killed in head-on crash on Highway 2 in front of WBC
A man was killed after colliding with a Border Patrol vehicle head-on on Highway 2 in front of Western Building Center Tuesday evening in Columbia Falls.A pickup truck was westbound in the center lane when it apparently drifted over into the eastbound lane and struck the Border Patrol vehicle, killing the driver of the pickup truck.The crash remains under investigation by the Columbia Falls Police Department, with assistance by the Montana Highway Patrol, which used a drone to examine the crash site, said Columbia Falls Police Chief Chad Stephens. He said police are awaiting autopsy results to determine whether drugs or alcohol were factors in the crash.The man's name was not immediately released.This story will be updated when more information becomes available.
Man killed in shop explosion on Kokanee Bend
One man is dead and another injured after a shop exploded and burned on Kokanee Bend in Columbia Falls Tuesday night.Steve Hanson was killed in the blaze at the shop at his home and his best friend, Paul Mason, a neighbor was severely injured, said Tyler Hanson, who is Steve Hanson’s son.A neighbor was able to pull Mason out of the fire, people on the scene said Tuesday night.Tyler Hanson said Mason was flown to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle for treatment.Smoke from the blaze could be seen for miles.Steve Hanson is co-owner and manager of Hanson Trucking in Columbia...
Montana Woman Sentenced for Embezzling $159,000
Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - A 58-year-old Columbia Falls woman, Teri Ann Bell, was sentenced this week in U.S. District Court in Missoula to five months in prison and ordered to pay restitution for embezzling nearly $160,000 from the Kalispell firearms manufacturer she worked for. I spoke with Montana’s U.S....
Kalispell shelter sues city over revoked permit
The Flathead Valley’s only low-barrier homeless shelter announced Wednesday that it had filed a lawsuit in federal court against the city of Kalispell after the city council voted to revoke its permit following complaints from neighbors. As part of the lawsuit, the Flathead Warming Center is seeking an emergency order to remain open as cold temperatures approach and the legal saga unfolds.
PHOTOS: Bulldog Pride at the Whitefish High School homecoming parade
Whitefish High School celebrated homecoming 2024 with a parade through downtown on Friday, Oct. 4. The Whitefish homecoming parade comes through town on Friday, Oct. 4. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot) Baseball players toss out candy at the homecoming parade on Friday, Oct. 4. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot) Football players walk the streets at the homecoming parade Friday, Oct. 4. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot) Whitefish volleyball team and coaches dress as minions, Gru and the evil Dr. Nefario at the homecoming parade on Friday, Oct. 3. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot) The boys soccer float at the homecoming parade on Friday, Oct. 3. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot) Making way for the drama float at the homecoming parade on Friday, Oct. 4. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot) Cross country team members run the streets at the homecoming parade on Friday, Oct. 4. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
Yesterdays: Mountain goat on Bad Rock porch
70 years agoOct. 8, 1954Mrs. Jim Eckleberry was surprised when she came home and found a mountain goat on her porch. The family lived in the Bad Rock farming community and while goats were known to be on nearby Columbia Mountain, having one wander down into the valley was unusual to say the least.60 years agoOct. 9, 1964Howard Buck had a successful potato harvest, with 350 bushels of potatoes on 25 acres.50 years agoOct. 11, 1974About 634 men were working in Columbia Falls lumber mills, but 160 were laid off because of a nationwide building slump. Logan Pass had a...
The Blotter:The burglar was a relative
Oct. 6Someone was trying to get into a red truck with the alarms going off on Ninth Street. Turned out it was the owners. A big canvas tent was in the middle of Highway 2.Oct. 5Broken iPhone found on Talbott Road. Soccer moms were parking in a private lot and asked to leave.Oct. 4A man was harassing baristas in a coffee shop. Disruptive teens near daycare were asked to move along. Storm knocked down trees in a couple of places, including Veterans Drive. A house had smoke in the basement. Bar fight on Highway 2.Oct. 3Oars stolen out of drift boat. A person had some sort of drug overdose or reaction, it wasn’t clear. A house sitter first thought someone was breaking into the house. It turned out it was a relative who was allowed to stay there unbeknownst to her.Oct. 2Man wanted a camper trailer removed from his property. A man was arrested after attacking a woman on Fourth Avenue.
Looking Back: Ski patrol honored, neighbor extinguishes fire
A look back at past Pilot articles by Julie Engler 50 Years Ago Oct. 10, 1974 Mrs. Ray Eanes spoke to the Council on behalf of concerned parents whose children living within 3 miles of the schools no longer had busing available. If the children had to walk, increased pedestrian traffic offered multiple problems, particularly in areas lacking sidewalks and crosswalks. When parents provided transportation, congestion of traffic around the school areas increased hazards for those walking. Parent-financed bussing, according to figures provided by Mrs. Eanes, would have cost approximately $10 per child per month and would have been prohibitive for many...
Homecoming kits highlight school spirit
For the last week, priceless memories of student athletes at Whitefish High School have been on display on custom-made homecoming posters lining the halls. Since 2003, Kathy Price has been the creative mind behind the posters, building individualized homecoming decoration kits to hang on lockers and school walls for high schoolers across Flathead Valley. “When I first started I had about four posters. Now I have... well, you can never have too many,” Price said. “We do them for all the schools in the valley, including Bigfork and Stillwater Christian, and we’re adding Polson too.” Over the years, with help from parents,...
Legals for October, 9 2024
NO. 2782 The following is the complete text of Constitutional Initiatives No. 126, No. 127, and No. 128, which will be submitted to the voters of the state of Montana at the November 5, 2024, General Election. The text is being published per the requirement of 13-27-311, Montana Code Annotated. THE COMPLETE TEXT OF CONSTITUTIONAL INITIATIVE NO. 126 (CI-126) BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA: NEW SECTION. Section 1. Article IV of The Constitution of the State of Montana is amended by adding a new section 9 that reads: Section 9. Top-four primary election for certain offices. (1) As used in...
Habitat for Humanity has home available, more in the works
By CHRIS PETERSONHungry Horse NewsHabitat for Humanity has a small home available in Columbia Falls that surprisingly, hasn’t drawn much interest, director MaryBeth Morand said during a tour of the property last week.The modest two-bedroom, one full bath home has a fenced yard, a back porch. Located on 19 Mitchell Way off the Truck Route, the single-floor home also includes all major appliances.Morand suggested it might be a good option for a teacher or millworker, with or without a small family.A prospective homeowner does have to meet some income requirements. Household income for up to four people can’t be over...
Bulldogs in high spirits after 42 – 22 win against Bigfork
The Whitefish football team is in high spirits after a momentous 42 – 22 win against conference foes Bigfork on Friday at the homecoming game. “It was a fun one. We did about everything that I could have hoped. I’m pleased with how the team played well on all facets of the game. Hopefully, it’s a launching point for us,” said Brett Bollweg, head coach for Whitefish. The Bulldogs are now 3-3 overall and 3-2 in Western A. CJ Thew, who shot 78 at the State A golf tournament earlier that afternoon, sandwiched two TD catches around a 98-yard return...
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