Community Corner

🌱 How will two new subdivisions reshape traffic and safety near Columbia Falls?

And check out Baby Storytime - Columbia Falls on the Columbia Falls Patch calendar

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Thursday December 11th Patch AM
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Morning Columbia Falls! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How will two new subdivisions reshape traffic and safety near Columbia Falls?
  • How a $70,000 grant will change River’s Edge Park fishing
  • How did Columbia Falls clinch the Class A speech and debate crown?

Also on today's calendar: The Art of Giving (Grades 6-12) and 5 more events.

Find out what's happening in Columbia Fallsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did one tuna say to the other after getting caught stealing files from work? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Find out what's happening in Columbia Fallsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: Periods of rain, with a high of 49 and low of 34 degrees.
  • Friday: Periods of snow and rain, temps: high: 41, low: 37.
  • Saturday: Cloudy, with a high of 50 and low of 30 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Flathead County Planning Board considers proposals for residential development (dailyinterlake.com) — Major subdivision and zoning proposals near Columbia Falls are headed to the Flathead County Planning Board, including McDonald Estates on Trumble Creek Road and The Ranches at Elk Meadows on Middle Road. These projects would add dozens of new homes, more traffic at the Montana 40 and Trumble Creek intersection, and new fire-suppression infrastructure shaped by the Columbia Falls Rural Fire District’s recommendations.
   

2. FWP pitches in $70,000 toward fishing pier (hungryhorsenews.com) — Columbia Falls is moving ahead with a new wheelchair-accessible fishing pier at the River’s Edge Park pond, thanks to a $70,000 matching grant from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. The project, funded in part by resort tax and local donors, will improve access for anglers and adaptive recreation users, with construction bids going out this month and work expected to start in spring.
   

3. Flathead County high schools secure top spots at Western Regional Speech and Debate Tournament (dailyinterlake.com) — Columbia Falls speech and debate shined at the Western Regional tournament, winning the overall Class A, B and C title and placing students in several events. Glacier and Flathead dominated Class AA in Kalispell, with dozens of local competitors earning top finishes across interpretation, speaking, and debate categories.
   

4. Glacier Park Considers Shelving Reservation Pilot Program in Summer 2026 (flatheadbeacon.com) — Columbia Falls residents just learned that Glacier National Park may drop its vehicle reservation system for summer 2026, a change first leaked at a Columbia Falls Chamber of Commerce meeting. While park officials haven’t formally confirmed the move, they acknowledge the current system’s problems, including dangerous pre-dawn traffic, and say data and community feedback will guide their final decision.
   

📸 Around Columbia Falls

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Columbia Falls

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📣 Columbia Falls Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Thursday December 11
  • Bigfork Chamber of Commerce December Sundowner
    Clearwater Properties Bigfork , 459 Electric Avenue , Bigfork
    10:00 am
  • SCREEN TIME
    Evergreen Elementary Kalispell, MT 59901
    6:30 pm
  • Whitefish Theatre Co's Presents hillarious holiday comedy, "LET NOTHING YOU DISMAY"
    O'Shaughnessy Cultural Arts Center - Operated and Managed by The Whitefish Theatre Company , 1 Central Ave , Whitefish
    7:30 pm
    • Friday December 12
  • Kalispell Chamber of Commerce December Coffee Connect
    Kalispell Chamber of Commerce , 2 S. Main St. , Kalispell
    1:00 am

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Columbia Falls School District 6 posted a job opening for Substitute Teacher in Columbia Falls. Apply here.
  • Vitaly Health posted a job opening for Locum Tenens - Hematology and Oncology Physician in Columbia Falls. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Columbia Falls here.

Ok Columbia Falls! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I could get canned for this!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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