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🌱 How a 421‑home project just reshaped Columbia Falls’ housing future

Columbia Falls, Montana Patch AM: a 4 min read

Hey there, Columbia Falls! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How a 421‑home project just reshaped Columbia Falls’ housing future
  • Meet the Columbia Falls senior trading race bibs for a reporter’s notebook
  • How new Flathead River rules could affect Columbia Falls’ favorite float

Also on today's calendar: Glacier Institute's Lumberjack Ball 2026.

Today's riddle: What did the carpenter ant say when he walked into the bar? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
Today's Columbia Falls Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. After investing billions to light up their network from big cities to small towns, T-Mobile is America's best mobile network in the US, according to Ookla Speedtest. We thank T-Mobile for their support in helping to keep communities like ours connected and for making today's Columbia Falls Patch AM possible.
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Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: Partly sunny and pleasant, with a high of 72 and low of 51 degrees.
  • Thursday: A shower and thunderstorm, temps: high: 66, low: 39.
  • Friday: Pleasant with clouds and sun, with a high of 76 and low of 45 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Columbia Falls City Council Approves 421-Unit Residential Development on Former Aluminum Company Land (flatheadbeacon.com) — Columbia Falls city council has approved Teakettle Heights, a 421‑unit housing subdivision on former aluminum company land, despite resident concerns about its proximity to the Superfund site. The project, one of the city’s largest ever, includes apartments and single‑family homes plus new buffers and disclosure requirements, and is intended to help meet the community’s growing housing needs.
   

2. Senior Spotlight: Columbia Falls cross country star changes pace with journalistic ambitions (dailyinterlake.com) — A standout Columbia Falls High School cross country runner is graduating Saturday and setting his sights on a future in environmental journalism. After interning with Hungry Horse News and honing his photography skills, he’s heading to the University of Montana, inspired to tell meaningful stories while balancing ambition with mental health lessons learned on the course.
   

3. Federal Management Agencies Finalize Wild and Scenic Flathead River Strategy (flatheadbeacon.com) — A new long-term management plan for the three forks of the Flathead River will shape how rafters and anglers use popular access points like Blankenship Bridge north of Columbia Falls in coming years. Managers plan a free, unlimited permit system by 2027, new rules for camping, fires, and parking, and user caps aimed at balancing growing recreation with river health, with a 45-day objection period now open.
   

4. Laurel and Hamilton to determine State A softball champion Tuesday (montanasports.com) — Columbia Falls softball fans will recognize their Wildcats in this Class A state recap, where Laurel edged them 5-4 in a loser-out game to reach the championship. Laurel now must beat Hamilton twice Tuesday in Butte to claim the state title, wrapping up the 2025-26 high school sports year.
   

📸 Around Columbia Falls

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Pizza Hut, Inc. posted a job opening for Team Member in Columbia Falls. Apply here.
  • Les Schwab Tire Centers posted a job opening for Tire Technician - Columbia Falls #905 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: Is the bar tender here? (Thank you W. M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

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Stay in the loop with what's happening in Columbia Falls

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.

Stay in the loop with what's happening in Columbia Falls

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.