Community news
Highway 206 project
Montana Department of Transportation is seeking comments for a signal improvement project at U.S. 2 and Highway 206 in Columbia Heights that could take place in summer 2015. The work could include upgrading the signal controller and cabinet, installing a flashing yellow arrow for the westbound left-turn lane, and placing reflective borders on all signal back plates. No new right-of-way or utility relocations are required. Written comments can be sent to the Montana Department of Transportation, P.O. Box 7039, Missoula MT 59807-7039 or online at www.mdt.mt.gov/mdt/comment_form.shtml. For more information, call Ed Toavs at 406-523-5802 or Gabe Priebe at 406-444-5446.
Free dinners
The Columbia Falls Community Kitchen will offer free dinners to the public in the basement of St. Richard’s Catholic Church in Columbia Falls on Sunday through Wednesday, Dec. 28-31, at 6 p.m.
Alumni hoops
An alumni basketball tournament is scheduled to take place at the Columbia Falls High School gym on Saturday, Dec. 27. Six teams so far have signed up to compete, organizer Jesse Grilley said. There is no cost for attendance but a small fee for players. For more information, call Jesse Grilley at 314-1085 or e-mail him at jgrilley3798@hotmail.com or contact Jeremy Grilley at 314-2918 or Devyn Rocker at 261-7701.
Sheriff’s Facebook page
The Flathead County Sheriff’s Office has created a Facebook page to inform the public about wanted persons, news releases, public safety notices and community events. The page will also include phone numbers and an e-mail address for anyone with a tip to report. The Facebook page will not be monitored by emergency dispatch operators.
Community choir
The Columbia Falls Community Choir will begin practice on Sunday, Jan. 4, for the 2015 concert season. Concerts will be held on March 29-29. Practice will take place at the Columbia Falls Junior High School on Sundays from 2 to 4 p.m. Sign-up and music pick-up will take place on Jan. 4 from 1:30 to 2 p.m. with practice promptly following at 2 p.m. The final rehearsal will take place on Friday, March 27. For more information, call Ron Bond at 892-5174.
Farm bill
Montana State University Extension and the U.S. Department of Agriculture will host a public meeting to about the Agricultural Act of 2014 at the Hampton Inn in Kalispell on Monday, Jan. 26, from 1:30 to 4 p.m.
Master gardener
Montana State University’s Flathead County Extension office will offer a Master Gardener Level 1 class at the Earl Bennett Building, in Kalispell, on Thursdays from 3 to 4 p.m. from Jan. 15 through March 5. Topics include lawn care, tree pruning, vegetable gardening, soil fertility, plant physiology and fruit production. For more information, call Pat McGlynn at 758-5553 or e-mail pmcglynn@montana.edu.
Christmas food
Matt and Janet McConville will offer a free community Christmas dinner at the United Methodist Church, 117 Second Street West, in Columbia Falls, on Christmas Day from 2 to 6 p.m.