Ellington

Incumbent senator defends his legislative record

Incumbent Sen. Bruce Tutvedt has something to say to people who think he’s not conservative enough.

Commissioner candidate claims city, county experience

One of seven Republicans running for the late Jim Dupont’s seat on the Flathead County Commission, Mike Shepard says the most precious thing government officials are responsible for is “the intelligent use of people’s taxes.”

Blue collar candidate wants to be a listener

Flathead County commissioner candidate Glenn Kolodejchuk says he has no agenda and just wants to see county government continue to make efficient use of taxpayers’ dollars.

Five candidates compete for two school board seats

Five candidates are in the race for two 3-year positions on the School District 6 board of trustees this year, including the two incumbents.

Hyatt drops out of commissioner election

Two candidates have dropped out of a crowded local election field.

Sidewalks planned for Sixth Street

Alleged corruption in sheriff's office prompts legislative meeting

School district requests $405,000

School board trustee candidates answer PTA's questions

Police council may get new powers - Alleged corruption in sheriff's office prompts legislative meeting

County to get Mount Aeneas testing permit

Swan River Schools seeks trustees and school upgrades

Ryden Klempel

Ryden Klempel was born March 1 at 8:09 a.m. to Vince Smith and Jessie Klempel of Bigfork at Kalispell Regional Medical Center. Ryden weighed 5 pounds, 6 ounces and was 17.5 inches long.

Ferndale author nominated for Agatha Award

Bigfork High student wins people's choice

Foothill Road crash victim identified

Barbershop choir holds several performances throughout town

Weimer lands second place in Thompson Falls golf tournament

Mack Day's continues record-breaking pace in sixth week

Elroy Thompson

Dot Ann Ricker

Sharon Brown

Golf course hits ground running

Swan Valley looks to brand sustainable businesses

Lady Dogs edge Dillon at net

Health screenings coming to Lakeside

Bulldogs split duals

Academy part of statewide donation

Public input sought on Beaver Creek restoration

Bike path marred by graffiti tags

MDT youth art contest promotes careers in aviation and aerospace

Lost and Found in Montana customer service training set to come to Bigfork

ALERT fundraiser banquet to feature Company Brass jazz band

Jarvi a lifelong educator in Whitefish district

Tucker touts experience with budget, business

Hanson represents those not always heard

Downtown Master Plan to be refreshed

City stands by infill policy

Tutvedt defends legislative record

Canadian trade center sparks interest

Boys and girls track teams win at Libby - twice

The Columbia Falls track team took a liking to Libby last week, winning a dual with the rival school on April 17 and then the Libby Invitational on April 21.

Kats go 2-1 on the week

It was up. It was way down. Then it was up again. That’s how the Columbia Falls softball team’s week went.

Johnson and Zvyagelskiy improve at doubles

The Columbia Falls boys tennis team lost to Libby and Glacier high schools last week, but the doubles team of Parker Johnson and Miroslav Zvyagelskiy continue to get better.

Kats scratch Lady Loggers

The Columbia Falls girls tennis team downed Libby on April 17 by 5-2, but they had a tough time against Glacier High School, losing 7-1.

C-Falls grapplers box well, too

Columbia Falls boxers went 2-3 during the third annual cross-town smoker April 19. The smoker raised funds for the Columbia Falls, Flathead and Glacier high school wrestling teams. Columbia Falls had four boxers in the event.

James posting big numbers in college

Amber James is making her mark on the college softball stage. James, a 2009 Columbia Falls High School graduate, turned in some impressive numbers for the Spokane Falls Community College softball program.

Youth softball blastoff day

The Columbia Falls Youth Softball Association will hold their annual Blast Off Day at the Columbia Falls High School softball fields on Saturday, April 28, with softball games playing from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Parents can pick up uniforms, and team photos will be taken. Scheduling for 2012 season is still underway. CFYSA is a group of coaches, umpires and parents who are actively involved in softball locally and throughout the state of Montana. For more information, visit online at www.wildkatsoftball.org.

Marjorie Stevenson

Marjorie Jackson Stevenson, 85, passed away April 16, 2012, at Health Center Northwest in Kalispell.

Elizabeth Tarr

Elizabeth Ann Tarr, 74, of Whitefish, died April 15, 2012, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Donna Allen

Donna Lee Allen, 66, passed away April 15, 2012, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Kalispell.

Why run for political office?

I am often asked, “Why run for office given the present political environment of distrust, misrepresentation and personal attacks?”

Candidate touts state senate leadership

I am Sen. Bruce Tutvedt. It has been my honor to serve as your Montana state senator for Senate District 3. I live and play in Senate District 3. As a lifelong resident of SD 3, my address and phone number are in the phone book for all to see. I am proud to farm the land my father and grandfather farmed before me.

Neither snow nor rain nor heat - but a bull moose?

A stubborn bull moose held up a helpless mail carrier with a Jeep full of mail for 23 hours in March, 1950.

Pardon Joe Cosley - phooey

As always, columns about North Fork homestead days have generated the most positive comments from readers. That included columns this winter about early-day rangers Norton Pearl and Frank Liebig. I have to admit I had a little bit of a hidden agenda in writing about those two interesting men.

Foreign relations

National media went wild this month and high ranking U.S. government officials went wilder after reports leaked out regarding Secret Service agents and military personnel bringing prostitutes into their hotel in Cartagena, Colombia.

Rehberg's sportsmen bill gets a mixed review

Rep. Denny Rehberg was co-sponsor of a bill in Congress last week that recognizes the right of hunters, fishermen and recreational shooters to use federal lands. But not all sportsmen are happy with the new legislation.

Tax credits should be voted on, not automatic

Good politics is not always good policy. Legislative Referendum 123 is a good example of that.

Late April fishing sites abound in the Flathead

If you’re looking to get the kinks out of your fishing rod, here’s three spots that should provide good late April fishing action.

Outdoor news

Kids fishing derby

Nonprofit teams up with Stoltze for summer camps

The Ravenwood Outdoor Center has been getting kids out in the woods for nearly a decade. Now, through a partnership with the F.H. Stoltze Land and Lumber Co., the nonprofit organization is bringing their summer programs to the North Valley.

Talk to cover wolf-elk food web

The Crown of the Continent Research Learning Center at Glacier National Park will present a brown-bag lecture talk by Cristina Eisenberg on wildlife interactions at the Community Building in the Park Headquarters complex on Wednesday, May 2, from noon to 1 p.m.

Crews plowing Sun Road alpine stretch

Park visitors will be able to travel a little farther this week when Glacier National Park crews are plowing the Going-to-the-Sun Road.

Local photographer captures Park's vistas

Whitefish photographer Chuck Haney has made a career out of capturing iconic images of Glacier Park’s rugged landscapes.

More businesses showing interest in C-Falls

Signs of economic vitality returning to Columbia Falls is being seen at City Hall, according to city manager Susan Nicosia.

Deferred sentence reimposed following second drug charge

A deferred 2008 drug possession sentence for a 36-year-old Columbia Falls man was reinstated during a revocation hearing on April 5.

C-Falls woman gets 21 months for tax evasion

A 58-year-old Columbia Falls woman was sentenced in federal court in Missoula to 21 months in prison after she pleaded guilty on Jan. 4 to two counts of attempting to evade or defeat tax.

Felony DUI charge amended

A 40-year-old former Columbia Falls man now living in Kalispell pleaded guilty on April 12 to an amended charge of felony criminal endangerment.

Community news

Girl Scout meeting

Two forums for judge candidates

• The Glacier Pachyderm Club will host a forum for Flathead County District Court judge candidates running for the position held by Judge Katherine Curtis at the Red Lion Hotel, in Kalispell, on Friday, April 27 from noon to 1 p.m. The candidates include Robert Allison, Bruce Fredrickson and Daniel Wilson.

Gubernatorial candidates to debate

Candidates for Montana governor and lieutenant governor will be at the Whitefish Middle School auditorium for a “meet and greet” session and a debate on Wednesday, May 2.

Local teachers head for Myanmar

Evan and Gretchen Miller, of Columbia Falls, have a nice house overlooking the Flathead River. Evan is a special education teacher at Ruder Elementary School. Gretchen teaches middle school English in Kalispell. They have two small children, a 10-month-old boy, Lawrence, who they affectionately call Wren, and a charming little girl, Louisa, 3.

House candidate wants U.S. to embrace change

Whitefish businesswoman Diane Smith is a big proponent of high-tech, particularly in communications, where she worked with successful start-ups Sprint and Alltel before creating her own business here in the Flathead.

Gubernatorial candidate wants to unleash the economy

A two-term Congressman who rose from humble beginnings, Montana gubernatorial candidate Rick Hill is the current front-runner in the six-way race in the Republican primary. The 64-year-old retired insurance company executive from Helena is no stranger to state politics.

Community garden is building momentum

Sifuentes: investing in other's lives

Samaritan House hopes to raise $45,000

Follow the rules

Right now, in a seemingly endless election year, we have lots of candidates vying for the chance to represent us in various government positions that require them to uphold and respect our laws and regulations.

Candidates should play by the rules

Is anyone else annoyed by the early proliferation of political campaign signs all over the valley? County and city regulations are clear — no political signs until 30 days before the election (except Whitefish, which allows 90 days), and that applies to both the June primary and the November general election. The signs are supposed to come down one week after each election.

Panel takes a look at Lake County probes

Seven of Bigfork School District's staff set to retire

Scott chosen as interim commissioner

Genetics the key to developing pure westslope

Bigfork school lunch prices to increase by 25 cents this fall

With dogs, it's about how you raise them

High school swim team approved

Lady netters off to good start

Bulldogs sweep Libby on court

David Banning

William Ladvala

Chamber summer series to feature Americana festival, BBQ smoke-off

Schools to run levy election

Wild hair banned in classrooms

Steeplechase gets interim deal for school project

Homesteading love story tugs at the heartstrings

Pickup bursts into flames, chars home

Peters touts conservative values as SD3 candidate

Summer series sparks concern about overuse of Depot Park

Samaritan House hopes to raise $45,000 at annual auction

Voter registration regulations

To vote in this year’s election in Flathead County, a person must be 18 years old or older on or before the next election, be a U.S. citizen, have resided in Montana and Flathead County for at least 30 days, and be registered to vote.

Loyola student sets record at local invitational

Club promotes Bigfork outdoors

Swan River bridge replacement project starting

Specialists to address water quality

Glacier Park waives entrance fees as part of National Park week

Glacier Twins program name Murray new manager

Scott Murray has been hired as the new manager of the Glacier Twins AA Legion Baseball club. He replaces Lindsay Fansler who coached the team for two seasons.

Wildkat netters go 1-2 for the week

The Columbia Falls girls tennis team was blanked by Polson and Hamilton last week, but they beat Stevensville 5-2.

Boys tennis goes 0-3 on the week

The Columbia Falls boys tennis team is playing competitive matches in the early season, but the wins are proving a bit elusive.

C-Falls wrestlers do well in Butte

A group of 14 Columbia Falls Little Guy wrestlers competed in the Smith McCarthy Freestyle/Greco Tournament in Butte on Saturday and Sunday, April 14-15.

School board OKs joint Cat-Dog swim team

Starting next winter, Columbia Falls High School students will have the opportunity to compete against other Montana high schools in the swimming pool.

Track team improving as season progresses

The Columbia Falls track teams are beginning to find their form in this early season. The team competed in the non-scoring Flathead Time Trials in Kalispell on April 12 and traveled either to the Bigfork Invitational for a tune-up or the Missoula Invitational on April 14.

Baseball in Montana, just in time

Baseball, like the swallows, is again moving north. It’s spring, and the national pastime, with its civility and elegance, is arriving in Montana just in time.

Kats can the curse of the Pirates

The curse of the Pirates is over. The Columbia Falls girls softball team downed Polson on April 12 for the first time ever, 8-3. The Wildkats were helped by a stellar pitching performance from freshman Ashley Trueblood, who went the distance and allowed just five hits.

Why run for political office?

I am often asked, “Why run for office given the present political environment of distrust, misrepresentation and personal attacks?”

Talking North Fork roads, fires

Every year in March and April, I am asked repeatedly, “How is the North Fork Road?” Questions come from Flathead Valley residents wanting to drive as far north as Big Creek to look for bull elk in Glacier National Park, or maybe wanting to drive to Polebridge to view elk on Home Ranch Bottoms, or maybe to the Merc to buy a turnover or some other sweet thing. (The Polebridge Mercantile will reopen this year on May 1.)

Schools deserve support from OPI

Few things are more important to a community than well-run and locally controlled schools. Virtually all school districts, along with teachers, parents and community leaders, strive to provide the education and training our children deserve with less money than in times past.

Describes Columbia Falls in glowing terms

Brochure describing Columbia Falls in the fertile Flathead Valley, on the Flathead River, with majestic Montana mountain scenery, a city not in the mountains, yet of the mountains, was given to me by a friend.

Research shows road closure benefits

Regarding the North Fork Views column in the April 11 Hungry Horse News (“Snowcats needed for winter rescue”), there is no debate about the need for snowmobiles for winter search and rescue operations. Snowmobiles have been used successfully in rescuing winter recreationists and can be effective in helping save lives.

Sustaining everything sustains nothing

Sustainable is the environmental buzz word of the decade. The word is typically coupled with environmental resources regarding their maintenance, stewardship, and long term use. But what does it really mean?

Canyon bike path fundraiser a success

The Gateway-to-Glacier Trail Steering Committee would like to express our gratitude for a successful fundraiser at the Stonefly Lounge on April 14. Because of the generosity of many business vendors in the north valley, local artisans and community members, the evening was a great success. Thanks to all the people who attended for an evening of good food and great music.

Jim Peterson

Jim Peterson, 89, of Lafayette, La., recently died.

Miriam Mack

Miriam Lois (Fredenberg) Mack, 87, died at the Brendan House April 2, 2012.

Justin Bailey

Justin Tyler Bailey, 21, passed away April 7, 2012, in Kalispell.

Outdoor news

Kids fishing derby

Constance Whaley

Constance Ruth Whaley, 100, passed away at Brendan House nursing home in Kalispell on March 31, 2012.

FWP considering more liberal mountain lion quotas

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks released proposed quotas for mountain lion hunting in 2013-14 hunting season.

Griz study underway

Government biologists are fanning out across Western Montana this month as they start up their grizzly bear pre-baiting and scientific capture operations.

Outdoor program wants to get kids off the couch

An outdoor adventure program for children 6-16 years old who aren’t interested in traditional ball sports is moving into its second year in the Flathead.

Resort posts record numbers despite December drought

Whitefish Mountain Resort closed their season April 8 with a settled base of 118 inches at the summit and 303 inches of total snowfall for the season — slightly above average and a big change from the dismal start to the season.

River of no return - mark your stuff

So what fishing stuff did I lose last year? Well, first off, I’m missing an SOSpenders inflatable life vest. I noticed it was missing about two weeks after a relative wore it on a pike-fishing trip in early July.

Park plows are now past Loop on Sun Road

Glacier National Park plow crews are now beyond The Loop on the west side of the Going-to-the-Sun Road. The Camas Road is now open to vehicles.

U.S. 2 options presented for Canyon

Proposals for a fix to traffic woes on U.S. Highway 2 through Bad Rock Canyon at a meeting last week ranged from tunnels to a series of bridges, but even if a final design is approved, construction is likely seven or more years away.

Scott chosen as interim county commissioner

The Flathead County Commissioners on April 16 appointed Columbia Falls businessman Cal Scott to fill the interim commissioner position opened by the death of Jim Dupont on March 19. Scott, 68, was sworn in on April 17 and will hold the position until the end of the year.

Hantavirus case confirmed in the Flathead

The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services last week confirmed a case of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in a Flathead County resident. This case is one of 35 HPS cases reported in Montana since 1993. Montana typically sees one to two cases a year. This is the third in 2012, and county health officials are advising residents of steps they can take to protect themselves.

Clean The Falls moves to Friday

Columbia Falls residents and business owners will meet at Glacier Bank on Friday, April 20, at 11 a.m. to begin a half day of spring cleaning around town.

Community news

Talent show

Firearms manufacturer likes the Flathead

From high-end hunting rifles and shotguns to precision military sniper rifles, Flathead Valley is growing into a recognized hub in the international firearms industry.

Cal Scott named interim commissioner

The Flathead County Commissioners on April 16 appointed Columbia Falls businessman Cal Scott to fill the interim commissioner position opened by the death of Jim Dupont on March 19. Scott, 68, was sworn in on April 17 and will hold the position until the end of the year.

The job has never been boring

Ed Cumming retires after 26 years with the Forest Service

GOP commissioner candidates share views

Clearcut, thinning proposed near Martin Creek

A variety of forest treatment techniques, including clearcuts and thinning, are proposed for the Martin Creek area near Olney in the Tally Lake Ranger District. The Flathead National Forest’s suggested project would impact about 1,500 acres in the 10,800 acre project area.

Taylor wins freeskiing qualifier at Moonlight

Soccer showcase features college teams

Zipline project proposed for West Glacier

Mary Jane Street

Board plans for school construction

Burning, logging, thinning planned near Beaver Lake

Baldwin lone GOP candidate in HD4

No deal on Karrow connector

City says 'no' to marijuana storefronts

Commercial CUP fees lowered

Ski season ends on high note

BadFritter to remake horror flick 'Roulette'

Mack Days on pace to break record

Aquatic invasive weed treatment on hold

Bigfork's new neighbor's career was out of this world

Williams signs with Carroll College

A post on the Carroll College Web site says it all: “We got him!”

Cherry season starts with a look at change

Arbor Day had humble beginnings

April is the month when many states celebrate a community tree-planting tradition that dates back 140 years. J. Sterling Morton first proposed Arbor Day as a tree-planting holiday on Jan. 4, 1872. The date was officially set for April 10, 1872, and, according to official records, more than 1 million trees were planted in Nebraska on the first Arbor Day.

Opposes subsidizing corporations

One of my opponents in House District 3 has taken a stand that draws a clear line between his political philosophy and mine. He believes in subsidizing private industry and I don’t.

Snowcats needed for winter rescue

Most of the North Fork, north of Canyon Creek, is now closed to snowmobilers. There are some exceptions, where unplowed roads are open.

Just another mouth to feed

I met an old friend of mine at the barbershop yesterday. We talked about time when there were tree huggers, the spotted owl, the eco-terrorists of sabotage. Also, the save our beautiful forests, and Wilderness Act, and forests being trampled by loggers that made locking up useless roads for review.

Likes Perry

I want to write something about the candidacy for House District 3. Zac Perry is a good one for the House District 3. Zac knows the public education and health care issues in Montana on hand. He is caring and wants people to tell him the issues. Please vote Zac Perry for House District 3.

Six seek interim county position

Protect the wild lands

The Wilderness and Roadless Area Release Act will be considered by the U.S. House of Representatives. Rep. Denny Rehberg is a co-sponsor of HR 1581.

Canadian help

Many bills which come before the legislature have mutual agreement by both sides of the political aisle. It is only about 20 percent which are sensationalized in our newspapers and on television and usually get the biggest headlines.

Ethel Thomas

Ethel Thomas, 94, of Columbia Falls, died April 6, 2012, at Whitefish Care and Rehabilitation Center.

Joann Overcast

Joann (Braaten) Overcast, 75, died of natural causes on March 31, 2012, at Pondera Medical Center, in Conrad.

Maxine Hoffman

Maxine Luce Hoffman, 84, passed away April 1, 2012, at her home in Columbia Falls.

Outdoor briefs

Native plants

Winter storms in spring a gamble for migrating birds

It’s only early April, still winter in Montana most years. Not this year, however, as spring is headed at us like a high speed freight train.

Bull trout on the brink of extinction in the Flathead?

Recently, in opinion pieces published in many area newspapers and on numerous Web sites and blogs, Montana Trout Unlimited once again declared loudly and publicly that bull trout are on the brink of “extirpation” and that gill netting (killing) hundreds of thousands of lake trout will be the only thing that can save them. As I have said in the past, many of these published pieces are long on emotion and short on facts.

Lake trout in the Flathead: The other side of the story

The column on non-native lake trout in Flathead Lake by Trout Unlimited in the Hungry Horse News on March 28 is misleading and inaccurate. I feel the “rest of the story” needs to be shared with you, our readers.

A close call with ice at Duck Lake

Give it up. Ice fishing for this season, that is. Even if you find an area lake with some ice, chances are good that the ice is rotten.

Park seeks comment on parking plan

Glacier National Park has released an environmental assessment on a proposed project to expand the parking lot at the Transit Center near Apgar.

Plans for high-tech panel plant moving forward

Economic development money that has been leveraged to more than $1 million through a revolving-loan program since it came to Columbia Falls nine years ago may soon be put to good use purchasing equipment for a new high-tech wood panel manufacturing plant here.

Park plows nearing Logan Creek

Glacier National Park plow crews made good progress last week, clearing the Going-to-the-Sun Road on the west side of the Park from Lake McDonald Lodge to beyond Red Rocks.

School and military news

Music scholarships

Challenger says incumbent not conservative enough

Education, jobs and shrinking government are the three planks in Jayson Peters’ Senate District 3 campaign platform. He also thinks it’s important for someone to defeat incumbent Sen. Bruce Tutvedt, R-Kalispell.

Council gets first look at new chicken regs

Columbia Falls residents may soon be allowed to raise chickens on small city lots, and investors considering a microbrewery here may soon have the needed zoning in place.

Border limits raised for Canadian shoppers

New rules for Canadian travelers crossing the U.S.-Canada border will go into effect on June 1. The new rules could help Flathead businesses where Canadian visitors shop.

Glacier Park band to perform at Canyon bike path fundraiser

The Gateway-to-Glacier business group will hold a fundraiser for its proposed bike path from Coram to West Glacier at the Stonefly Lounge, in Coram, on Saturday, April 14.

Mack Days could set a new record

Community news

Community choir

A new life for old bikes

When Vincent Erickson was eight years old, he and a few friends had an old bike they wanted to fix up. The friends eventually abandoned the project, but Erickson ended up with all the parts and finished it. Then he started work on another bike, and another bike.

Cyclists to pedal for two charities

Barbara Jean Bolles-Meeker-Evans

Barbara Jean Bolles-Meeker-Evans, born May 18, 1927 in San Francisco, Calif. passed away April 2 in Kalispell.  During her 84 years she was the beloved daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Walter E. Bolles; sister of Dr. Robert Bolles; wife of Harry F. Meeker; mother of Sharon (Barnes), Susan (Cabrera), Kerry Meeker and Pamela (Mullens).  Embarking on a life-long wanderlust, she finally settled in Montana with her late husband, Vietnam veteran Arvis Dale Evans, and will be laid to rest alongside him at Lonepine Cemetary behind The Little Brown Church in Bigfork.  Throughout her life she has been “precious in the sight of the LORD.”  Psalm 116:15.

Local cancer patients need volunteer drivers

Crown fo the Continent Guitar foundation offers scholarship

Swan River announces third quarter honor roll

Bigfork stormwater system geared to be a hot topic at state conference

Buscaderos to present antique gun show at the Bigfork Museum of Art and History

Crews begin plowing Sun Road

Snow plow crews at Glacier National Park have started their annual push to clear the Going-to-the-Sun Road.

Whitefish Zooniacs explore wild kingdom

A group of Whitefish kids have a passion for animals and zoos that they enjoy sharing in an online radio show.

Mack Days enters its third week

April Fool's Day wedding gone wrong, or April's Fools Day prank?

Samples gauge stormwater system's worth

Creston residents plead innocent to marijuana charges

Potato Olympics held at Muldown

Prom was a big success

Miller a good choice for governor

Roberts II passes the 'Godfather test'

La Provence's new look, price, and world cuisine coming soon

Melvin Nix

Edward J. Ping

Council pencils out TIF priorities

Surveillance cameras, tips lead to arrest in downtown deer shooting

Bully policy spurs sit-in at middle school

Plan devised for Suncrest fire pumps

Scholarship established in memory of veteran son

Helping create new smiles

Bigfork golf takes fourth at first invitational

Glacier Institute offers owl course in the Mission

Airport installs full body scanner

Bigfork native aspires to a professional baseball career

Nordic club raises funds for trail work

Mosquito control board adopts new plan

Ravenwood raises scholarship funds

More legacy land becomes public

Cherries art exhibit deadline nears

Mack Days enters third week of Flathead Lake fishing competition

Kats go 2-1 to open season

The Columbia Falls girls softball team opened their season with a 2-1 mark last week. The Wildkats walloped Whitefish on March 29 at home 21-0. On Friday, they got past Glacier High School 8-7 after a four-run rally in the sixth inning, but on Saturday, Polson downed the Kats 14-1.

Wildcats win C-Falls invite title

The Columbia Falls boys track team started the season where it left off last year — in first place. The Wildcats edged Thompson Falls by 10 points to win the Columbia Falls Invitational at home March 31.

Boys tennis rolls over Ronan, girls have tougher time

The Columbia Falls boys tennis team rolled over Ronan Chiefs on March 27, winning 7-0.

Summer swim league welcomes new coach

The Columbia Falls summer swim team will see a changing of the guard this season. Mike Nelson, who coached the team last season, has stepped down.

Gated Forest roads help wildlife

In the North Fork News column of March 7, Larry Wilson wrote that search and rescue (SAR) training has been “limited in recent years due to Forest Service closure of most public lands in the area.” Unless the Forest Service has been closing all access to large blocks of public lands, this statement is a gross distortion of facts.

House stalling on needed bill

A decision in the U.S. House of Representatives may have a disastrous impact in Montana that could result in teachers and road workers across our state losing their jobs.

Bear meat was his main diet

Even before Norton Pearl made his snowshoe circuits of Glacier National Park, Frank Liebig was there. They must have known each other since Liebig worked for the Forest Service for 33 consecutive years, from 1902 until 1935, when he retired.

Revisiting Harper's Index

Missed getting in a column last week. Not a sign of aging, I hope, but rather a very busy time on other matters. Think it might be the first “forgot” in more than 10 years. Still hectic this week, including excitement of preparing income tax. Please enjoy an “oldie” from 20 years ago with personal comments on Harper’s Annual Index Report:

Vicki Rae Brown

Vicki Rae (Matthews) Brown, 60, passed away March 25, 2012, at her home in Coram after fighting a courageous battle against cancer.

Montana's national parks buck U.S. trend

A pair of Montana State University researchers say they were surprised at how much growth and development has taken place around national parks across the U.S., but they point out that the numbers are much lower for Glacier and Yellowstone national parks.

Glacier National Park plows hit the Sun Road

Glacier National Park crews have begun the annual task of clearing its roads of snow. Crews began plowing the west side of Going-to-the-Sun Road on Monday starting at Lake McDonald Lodge.

Outdoor briefs

Park talk

Cross bonefish off my bucket list

"Long cast. Ten o’clock. Strip. Strip. Strike!”

Zipline project proposed for West Glacier

A proposal to build a zipline system and ropes course in West Glacier is scheduled to go before the Flathead County Planning Board on April 11.

C-Falls man sentenced for vehicular assault

A 22-year-old Columbia Falls man was given two seven-year sentences with the Montana Department of Corrections last week for felony criminal endangerment and probation violation.

Candidate says he has the needed background

Columbia Falls businessman Kirk Gentry says he was reading the newspaper two weeks ago and saw the filing deadline posted for candidates interested in running for the late Jim Dupont’s county commissioner seat.

Candidate wants to stop abortions

Suzanne Brooks, a Whitefish candidate for Senate District 2, says she was raised a Democrat.

Second man sentenced in Hungry Horse assault case

The second man charged in the May 2011 assault of a man in Hungry Horse over an alleged drug debt and a high-speed pursuit in October was sentenced last week to felony robbery and drug charges.

Shaw leaves public works job in Kalispell

Former Columbia Falls city manager Bill Shaw left his new job as Kalispell’s public works director on March 30 after less than one year on the job.

School and military news

Outer space

Community news

Cancer fundraiser

Noricks garner top state science fair awards

They say that great minds think alike. In this case, those minds are Colter and Colin Norick. The Columbia Falls brothers recently won the state science fair in their age categories.

Sentence deferred for medical marijuana bust

The second man arrested last year and charged with transporting what he and his partner claimed was medical marijuana was sentenced last week.

Medical marijuana growers plead guilty in federal court

Three Kalispell men arrested at a medical marijuana business in Columbia Falls in 2011 have pleaded guilty in federal district court. A fourth man has pleaded not guilty. Two of the men had residences in Whitefish at the time of the alleged crimes.