Parks to increase price for senior lifetime pass

For more than two decades, older Americans have been able spend $10 to access to the country’s national parks until the day they die. In August, the price for lifetime access will rise to $80.

Court sides with Flathead Forest

Lawsuits in two cases dealt with grizzly habitat

A 9th Circuit Court of Appeals panel recently sided with the Flathead National Forest on two grizzly bear habitat security lawsuits.

Planning director to be investigated

County hires detective agency; Harris expects to be exonerated

As the 2010 Census continues, it's still important to protect your identity

(ARA) - While you might be hearing a bit less about it, U.S. Census Bureau workers are still making the rounds. They're pounding the pavement to ensure that the data for the 2010 U.S. Census is as complete as possible. That's why it's important that you know how to protect your identity during census time.

BOCC hears P&Z RV park appeal

The Shoshone Board of County Commissioners (BOCC), heard an appeal from Dawn Wiksten concerning a 2020 decision from the County’s Planning and Zoning Commission.

Parks to increase price for senior lifetime pass

For more than two decades, older Americans have been able spend $10 to access to the country’s national parks until the day they die. In August, the price for lifetime access will rise to $80.

No harm from breach in cleanup pond

Avalanche forecasting a labor of love

Avalanche forecasting a labor of love

No harm from breach in cleanup pond

No harm from breach in cleanup pond

The Latest: Miami sack master Gregory Rousseau opts out

The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world:

The Latest: WHO: spread from people without symptoms is rare

The World Health Organization says it still believes the spread of the coronavirus from people without symptoms is “rare,” despite warnings from numerous experts worldwide that such transmission is more frequent and likely explains why the pandemic has been so hard to contain.

Legals March 10, 2019

No. 25997 INVITATION TO BID LIFT STATION NO. 2 IMPROVEMENTS Notice is hereby given that sealed bids will be received by the City of Columbia Falls at the Office of the City Clerk, City Hall, 130 6th Street West, until 2:00 p.m. local time on March 21, 2019, for the construction of the "Lift Station No. 2 Improvements" project, and will then be opened and publicly read in the City Council Chambers. The work generally consists of the replacement of the Lift Station No. 2 dry pit pumps with owner furnished submersible pumps to be located within a new wet well with valve vault and the demolition/abandonment of the existing dry pit. Work further includes installation of HDPE force main pipe and valves and various quantities of demolition and disposal, clearing and grubbing, concrete, asphalt pavement, bollards, electrical and controls, bypass pumping, traffic control, and other miscellaneous improvements and appurtenances as described in the contract documents. The Engineer's estimate for construction is between $220,000 and $270,000. All work must be accepted and finally complete by December 6, 2019. Additional schedule provisions apply as described in the contract documents. The contract documents, consisting of Drawings and Project Manual, may be examined or obtained at HDR Engineering, Inc. 700 SW Higgins, Suite 200, Missoula, Montana 59803, the Montana Plans Exchange at Kalispell Copy Center, 2303 US Highway 2 E, Kalispell, MT 59901, or the City of Columbia Falls Public Works office, City Hall, 130 6th Street West, Columbia Falls. The Contract Documents are also available online at https://cityofcolumbiafalls.org/public-notices. Hard copies of Drawings and Project Manual will be furnished to Contractors upon payment of a non-refundable fee of $50.00 by company check, cashier's check, or bank money order (cash can also be accepted at the City). To be added to the Plan Holder's List email [email protected] with your request. Prospective bidders are encouraged to attend a pre-bid conference, at the City Public Works office, City Hall, 130 6th Street West, Columbia Falls at 2:00 p.m. local time on March 13, 2019. A site visit will follow. All questions prior to the opening of bids shall be directed to Tyler Bradshaw, P.E., City of Columbia Falls Public Works Director at [email protected], (406) 892-4430. Each Bid must be accompanied by a cashier's check, certified check, or bid bond payable to the City of Columbia Falls, in an amount not less than ten percent (10%) of the total amount of the bid. Successful Bidders shall furnish an approved Performance Bond and a Labor and Materials Payment Bond, each in the amount of one hundred percent (100%) of the contract amount. Insurance as required shall be provided by the successful Bidder and a certificate of that insurance shall be provided. Contractor and any of the contractor's subcontractors bidding or doing work on this project will be required to be registered with the Montana Department of Labor and Industry (DLI). Forms for registration are available from the Department of Labor and Industry, P.O. Box 8011, 1805 Prospect, Helena, Montana 59604-8011. Information on registration can be obtained by calling (406) 444-7734. All laborers and mechanics employed by contractor or subcontractors in performance of the construction work shall be paid wages at rates according to the current Montana Prevailing Wage Rates. The contractor must ensure that employees and applicants for employment are not discriminated against because of their race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Bids must be sealed and marked "Lift Station No. 2 Improvements" and marked "Sealed Bid" with the contractor's name, address, and Montana Contractor's Registration Number, and be addressed to: City of Columbia Falls Clerks Office, 130 6th Street West, Columbia Falls, MT 59912. The City of Columbia Falls reserves the right to reject any or all bids, to waive any informality in a bid, or to accept the lowest responsive and responsible bid and bidder, and to make awards in the interest of the owner. The low bid shall be determined on the basis of the lowest Base Bid. The owner may accept in any order; any, all or none of the Bids. The City of Columbia Falls is an equal opportunity employer. By: Barb Staaland, City Clerk City of Columbia Falls February 24, March 10, 2019 MNAXLP ________________________

Community briefs for Dec. 18

Ron McIntire continues to set a strong pace with grocery store chain

50 years in North Idaho grocery business

Flathead students develop plan to open school-based coffee shop

School-Based Enterprise students at Flathead High School only had 12 weeks to brew up an entire business.

July 12, 2016

Legals January 9, 2019

No. 25900 CITY OF COLUMBIA FALLS NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the City Council of the City of Columbia Falls, Montana, will hold a public hearing on January 22, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. in the Columbia Falls City Hall, 130-6th Street West, Columbia Falls, Montana, to adopt an amended 2019 FY budget for the Tax Increment District Fund. The City received the estimated tax funding for the Tax Increment District Fund at the end of October, 2018. Based on the estimated tax funding of $294,605, the City Council will amend the 2019 FY appropriations for the 2019 FY. The funds will be spent as provided for in the Tax Increment District Statement of Need. Taxpayers are encouraged to attend the hearing and give written or oral comments on the budget-related item. Written comments may be mailed to the City Clerk, 130 6th Street West, Room A, Columbia Falls, Montana, 59912. Questions regarding the proposed items can be made by contacting City Manager Susan Nicosia at 892-4391. DATED THIS 7th DAY OF JANUARY 2019 s/Barb Staaland, City Clerk January 9, 16, 2019 MNAXLP _________________________

Tea and taxes

On April 15, a respectable number of folks conducted "Tea Parties' across Montana to protest what they view as high taxes. It's all a matter of perception, I suppose, I know a lot of people who think their taxes are pretty reasonable, but I think it would be hard to get them to a "My Taxes Are OK" rally.