Columbia Falls police officers recognized for saving lives
Two Columbia Falls police officers were recognized at the March 3 City Council meeting for saving lives while on duty in separate incidents.
Probationary federal employees in Montana given temporary reprieve, Zinke says
Republican Congressman Ryan Zinke said Friday that Forest Service and National Park Service probationary workers fired earlier this year by the Trump administration will get their jobs back — at least for the time being.
The park's poet: Glacier's 'Ranger Doug' dies at age 98
He was a poet, a storyteller and an educator, entertaining everyone from young tourists to the future president of the United States.
Columbia Falls police officers recognized for life saving efforts
Two Columbia Falls police officers were recognized at the March 3 city council meeting for saving lives while on duty in separate incidents.
Columbia Falls could add another police officer for DUI patrols
Columbia Falls will look to add another full-time DUI and patrol officer to its ranks.
Explosion at Weyerhaeuser plant rocks Columbia Falls
Columbia Falls firefighters and several other Flathead Valley fire departments responded Wednesday morning to a report of an explosion and fire at the Weyerhaeuser MDF plant in Columbia Falls.
Habitat for Humanity trims proposed subdivision in Columbia Falls
Habitat for Humanity will look to build six homes on what is now a baseball field on Railroad Street in Columbia Falls.
Biologists look to find out what ails South Fork elk herd
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks hopes to collar 16 elk in the Bob Marshall Wilderness this month as part of a study to better determine why the population has been on the decline in the South Fork of the Flathead.
Private house in Glacier Park can remain, federal judge rules
A private home on the banks of McDonald Creek in Glacier National Park can remain, a federal judge ruled earlier this month.
Canyon’s ‘water man’ recognized for service
As the water system operator for three Canyon communities, Ben Shafer is used to his phone ringing. He’ll often get 20 calls a day, from people inquiring about their bill to whether he’s shut off their water.
Government shakeup hits National Park Service
As part of the Trump administration's government hiring freeze, hundreds of workers expecting to fill seasonal roles at the National Park Service saw their job offers rescinded earlier this month.
Retired FWP supervisor reflects on career protecting wildlife and lands
In the fall of 1995 Lee Anderson was hoping to get on with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks as a game warden.
Northwest Montana History Museum showcases Flathead Valley's timber industry
Did you know that in 1884 that John Foy’s mill between the Foys lakes was considered the first water-powered sawmill in the valley? Or that in 1914, the first of 147 permanent fire lookouts on the Flathead National Forest was built on Spotted Bear Mountain?
Developer moves to purchase CFAC site following EPA's cleanup decision
The Environmental Protection Agency Friday released its record of decision for cleaning up the defunct Columbia Falls Aluminum Co plant, which paves the way for Columbia Falls developer Mick Ruis to buy most of the property, save for the landfills themselves.
Pursuit buys iconic Montana House in Glacier Park
Pursuit continues to acquire properties in Apgar Village in Glacier National Park.
For Columbia Falls man, every day, a quick swim, mostly in the Flathead River
Like a few hardy folks on New Year’s Day, Dan Long donned a bathing suit and jumped into the Flathead River.
Some main roads in Columbia Falls to see improvements in next year
If you’ve seen a rig drilling in the middle of the street in the past few weeks, don’t be alarmed, it’s all part of a project to renovate and rebuild main roads that serve the Columbia Falls High School and Glacier Gateway Elementary School.
Columbia Falls mourns for teens killed in icy crash at Evaro
A former standout Columbia Falls athlete and his girlfriend were killed in a two-vehicle accident on an icy Evaro Hill on U.S. 93 on Friday, Jan. 3.
Columbia Falls City Council pushes sidewalk snow removal changes off until spring
The Columbia Falls City Council last month further discussed snow removal on sidewalks, but under the advice of interim City Manager Mark Shrives decided to not tweak the ordinance, if at all, until spring, as by the time a new one could be put in place, the bulk of winter will be over.
Federal judge to hear arguments next week in Glacier National Park house case
Oral arguments in a case on whether the Flathead Conservation District has the authority to order a home removed from the banks of McDonald Creek in Glacier National Park are scheduled for Jan. 8 in federal court in Missoula.
Students continue program constructing new Glacier National Park housing
A partnership between Glacier National Park and Columbia Falls High School students continues to pay dividends for both the Park Service and the students as it heads into its sixth year.
Residents urged to get involved in future of Columbia Falls' doughnut
A group of like-minded residents are urging residents of the former Columbia Falls “doughnut” to get involved in meetings that could decide future zoning designations for the areas.
Groups say rafting, outfitting permits deserve more analysis
The Forest Service received more than 30 comments on its plan to renew special use permits for commercial rafting and fishing outfitting on the Middle and North Forks of the Flathead River.
Pursuit buys Eddie's Cafe in Apgar Village
Located in Apgar Village, which is a small village inside the park at the foot of Lake McDonald, the property features the Apgar Lookout Retreat, the only five-star accommodation in Glacier National Park.
Park Provisions provides a place to grab a meal
Park Provisions is the kind of place where you might grab lunch on the way to Glacier National Park along with any supplies you may have forgotten. It’s also a refuge for the weary and hungry traveler who just wants a ready-to-bake meal they can pop in the oven after a long day in the hills.
Most classes return to Columbia Falls High School, but work remains on classroom wing
Most classes have resumed in Columbia Falls High School, though some science classes are still being held at Glacier Gateway Elementary School.
Man allegedly threatened to ‘shoot up' churches, had sniper nest on a property
A rural Columbia Falls man faces felony charges after he allegedly threatened to “shoot up” churches and kill a former partner.
Neighbors unhappy with subdivision near Columbia Falls, but state says developer following law
Members of a rural Columbia Falls homeowners association are raising concerns about a subdivision near Meadow Lake Resort, but the developer says it’s following state law and the state Department of Environmental Quality agrees.
Meals on Wheels seeks volunteers in Columbia Falls
Karene Manus loads the food into her truck and is off. She has deliveries to make on this sunny Friday. Today she will visit nine housebound older folks who rely on her for their weekend meals.
Plane that crashed into Hungry Horse Reservoir last year ran out of gas
A plane that crash-landed into the Hungry Horse Reservoir last November ran out of fuel, according to a National Transportation Board investigation published Oct. 10.
Grain spill near Glacier National Park cleaned up, BNSF says
BNSF Railway says it has removed all the railcars that derailed from its tracks on the border of Glacier National Park and the soybeans that spilled have been cleaned up.
Bill for school flooding in Columbia Falls will exceed $1 million
The cost of flooding at Columbia Falls High School this summer will exceed $1 million in insurance claims, District Clerk Dustin Zuffelato reported to the School District 6 Board at a recent meeting.
Longtime Washington officer takes reins of Columbia Falls Police Department
A veteran law enforcement officer from Yakima, Washington is the new Columbia Falls Police Chief. Chad Stephens was recently appointed to the post by the Columbia Falls City Council.
Freight train derails on border of Glacier Park
Several BNSF Railway train cars carrying what appeared to be corn derailed along the border of Glacier National Park about 2 miles east of the Goat Lick area Saturday.
Man killed in Columbia Falls shop explosion
One man is dead and another injured after a shop exploded and burned on Kokanee Bend in Columbia Falls on Tuesday evening.
Chris Moritz’s eye for bringing beauty to spaces is impeccable
Japanese anemone. Rudbeckia, Forsythia. Hydrangea. Iris. Coral Bells and day lilies. And geraniums, a blanket of them.
Father of man rescued from the Middle Fork of the Flathead River thanks searchers
Ken Card wants to give a big thank you to Two Bear Air, the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office and the Triple G Resort at Stanton Creek for help in rescuing his son.
Former outfitter pleads not guilty to Alaska grizzly killing
A former Hungry Horse guide and outfitter pleaded not guilty on all three counts of an indictment that charged him with illegally killing and transporting a brown bear in Alaska.
Weyerhaeuser plant in Columbia Falls marks 50 years of operation
In 1974, Plum Creek, a subsidiary of the Burlington Northern Railroad, built the area’s first fiberboard plant. The idea was to make sawdust and other wood waste into a usable product using adhesives and high-pressure hot presses.
Iconic Columbia Falls bar closes its doors
An iconic Columbia Falls watering hole is no more. Columbia Bar owner and developer Mick Ruis said he closed the saloon after business hours on Sept. 17.
Study will look at Columbia Falls' housing needs
Columbia Falls will undergo a comprehensive housing study that will not only look at the housing market, but survey employers, study the impacts of vacation rentals and second homes, and a host of other factors affecting the city’s housing needs.
Columbia Falls' budget calls for tax increases
The Columbia Falls City Council approved a 2024-25 budget last week that calls for a tax increase on homes and properties in the municipality owing to the addition of a police officer and a bump -- in some cases significant -- in overall expenses.
Rendezvous bar opens in the Coop in Columbia Falls
Columbia Falls has a new bar and one that takes pains to support local businesses. The Rendezvous bar in The Coop on Highway 2 in Columbia Falls features more than 11 local businesses, including several distilleries, breweries and others. It even has locally made coffee from Uptown Hearth, noted manager Jackie Evans.
Group wants hazardous waste landfill for CFAC cleanup
The Coalition for the Clean CFAC will urge the Environmental Protection Agency to consider a different cleanup plan for the old aluminum plant.
Administrators working to find alternative classrooms after Columbia Falls High School suffers water damage
Columbia Falls High School students could be going to elementary school this fall. They might also end up in the library or the front of the gym.
State wildlife officials say wolf numbers holding fairly steady
The wolf population in Montana remains healthy, according to the 2023 Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Wolf Report.
Columbia Falls selects Utah man for city manager position
The former finance director for the city of Moab, Utah has been tapped to be the new city manager of Columbia Falls.
Lapping it up: Columbia Falls woman logs 50 miles in city pool
By the time you read this story Carolynn Moritz will have swum 50 miles in the Pinewood Park this summer. Catching up with her at the Columbia Falls city pool, she figured she would likely wrap up the effort this week.
Historic North Fork ranch up for sale for $30M
The Rocky Bar O Ranch, founded by the Ladenburg family in the 1800s is being listed for $30 million.
Coalition opposes calls urging EPA forward on CFAC cleanup plan
The Coalition for a Clean CFAC expressed disappointment in a recent Flathead County commissioner letter urging the Environmental Protection Agency to move forward with a Record of Decision on a cleanup plan for the defunct aluminum plant.