Bomb Scare at Kalispell UPS Facility Forces Evacuations
Traffic on Meridian Road diverted while authorities investigate report of a bomb at UPS shipping facility
Plum Creek: Mechanical Failure Caused Fiberboard Plant Explosion
A preliminary investigation by the Plum Creek Timber Co. has found that a “catastrophic bearing failure” on a raw material belt line caused Tuesday’s explosion at the company’s Columbia Falls’ medium density fiberboard plant, company officials tell the Beacon.
According to spokesperson Kate Tate, the bearing failure on the belt line ignited raw wood fibers and the belt itself. The fire then spread to insulation on a duct pipe above the line, which ignited wood fibers inside the pipe and caused a series of explosions. Tate said company officials would continue their investigation next week.
Voters to Choose New Commissioner in General Election
GOP contender Phil Mitchell beats current Commissioner Cal Scott in primary race
Montana is Only Remaining State without Driver Texting Ban
Driver cellphone usage contributed to 1,614 crashes from 2004 to 2013
Study: Teens are Drinking Less, Texting More
The results come from a study of 13,000 U.S. high school students last spring
Two Sentenced in Cases Related to Blackfeet Corruption Probe
Augare and Onstad are the former leaders of a tribal program for troubled youth
Caring for Our Veterans
As scandal rocks the nation’s Department of Veterans Affairs, locals continue to work toward solutions at the ground level
Barry Beach Awaits Word on Clemency Application
Board of Pardons and Parole decides on clemency on Wednesday.
Tea Party Rejoicing at Majority Leader Eric Cantor’s Defeat
Victory by far the biggest of campaign season for tea party forces
Bigfork Man Faces Trial In Animal Abuse Case
Gary Cuthbertson charged with cruelty to animals after neighbor's horse died while tangled in fence
Fires Flare Up at Site of Plum Creek Explosion
COLUMBIA FALLS – Firefighters returned to the site of the Plum Creek Timber Co. explosion early Wednesday morning to fight a residual fire that flared up in a second building near the fiberboard plant. Columbia Falls Fire Chief Rick Hagen said the fire was buttoned up shortly after the 4 a.m. emergency response, but firefighters from his department will remain on standby as a precaution.
“We’re just here in case something flares up,” he said.
Clemency Denied for Convicted Murderer Barry Beach
Parole board denies man's fourth application for executive clemency
The Booming Rental Market
Rental companies having trouble keeping inventory in stock as demand for properties grows
Fire Chief: Wood Dust May Have Caused Plum Creek Explosion
The Columbia Falls fire chief says wood dust is the likely cause of Tuesday afternoon’s explosion and fire at the Plum Creek Timber Co.’s fiberboard plant. Company officials, however, say the cause of the blast is still under investigation.
“Fine wood is a combustible material and if you get a spark it will light just like natural gas,” Fire Chief Rick Hagen said Wednesday afternoon.
Future Muddled for CFAC Site
Aluminum plant sits idle as debate about cleanup continues
