HEIDI DESCH
Heidi Desch is features editor and covers Flathead County for the Daily Inter Lake. She previously served as managing editor of the Whitefish Pilot, spending 10 years at the newspaper and earning honors as best weekly newspaper in Montana. She was a reporter for the Hungry Horse News and has served as interim editor for The Western News and Bigfork Eagle. She is a graduate of the University of Montana. She can be reached at hdesch@dailyinterlake.com or 406-758-4421.
Recent Stories
Canyon school to remain open one more year
Canyon Elementary will remain open for one more school year, but with a reduction of programs.
Sheep hitch a ride to new home
About 40 bighorn sheep got an unlikely ride below a red helicopter last week on their way to new homes.
Arch may return to Nucleus
An iconic landmark could be returning to Columbia Falls this year.
Columbia Falls man charged in teen's death
A Columbia Falls man has been charged with vehicular homicide while under the influence of alcohol and criminal endangerment after he allegedly caused an accident that killed a Eureka teen.
Staff, other cuts could save Canyon school, for now
Canyon Elementary appears to have earned a reprieve, at least for one year.
Wildcats talk way to fifth title
If there was ever any doubt that the Columbia Falls speech and debate team wasn't the best in the state, that doubt was squashed Saturday when the Wildcats won their fifth straight Class A state championship.
Community tells district to keep school open
Parents, staff and friends of Canyon Elementary don't want to see their school close.
Biomass surplus creates opportunity for Stoltze
When Smurfit-Stone closed its Frenchtown mill, an opportunity was created for F.H. Stoltze Land and Lumber in Columbia Falls.
City appoints representatives to pre-release board
The Columbia Falls City Council Tuesday chose three representatives to join a Flathead Valley committee tasked with siting a pre-release center, even while hearing from one citizen who says the center shouldn't be located here.
Woman and her Belgian shepherd ready to rescue
When a 7.0-magnitude earthquake shook Haiti last week, Kim Gilmore was put on 24-hour standby.
Voters asked to renew funding for rural fire
The Columbia Falls Rural Fire Department is looking to renew its funding for another 10 years.
Hagen takes over as fire chief
The City of Columbia Falls has a new fire chief.
Outgoing mayor: 'I don't feel safe in my own town'
As Mayor Jolie Fish prepares to relinquish her seat next month, there's at least one item of city business that remains on her mind.
City shows interest in pre-release center
The Columbia Falls City Council is looking at the possibility of locating a planned pre-release center here.
Cramped street creates problems for residents, city
Parking along Fran Lou Park Lane has become problematic for its residents and the city as it attempts to provide services to the neighborhood.
County will help with jail closing
Flathead County is willing to give some assistance to Columbia Falls with transporting and holding prisoners, after the city closes its jail this spring.
Shay expected to get face-lift
The Shay engine at the north end of Nucleus Avenue has come into disrepair this year after several incidents of vandalism, but a fix should be underway soon.
City looking at jail options
A lot of uncertainty remains even as Columbia Falls plans to close its jail next spring.
Highways dedicated to Patrolmen KIA
The families of three Montana Highway Patrol troopers killed on Flathead roads won't soon forget their loss. And neither will area drivers who will see newly dedicated signs reminding them of the officers' sacrifice.
District 6 continues to lose students
Enrollment counts in School District 6 are down again this year.
Family twice bitten by high winds - lose barn
High winds that hit south of Columbia Falls last week caused damage at one residence on Eckelberry Drive.
Businesses challenge community to support B&G Club
Three area business owners are working to help the Boys and Girls Club of Glacier Country and are challenging their counterparts to join in.
Charges in wreck that killed C-Falls woman, son
An Evergreen teen has been charged with the deaths of a pregnant Columbia Falls woman and her 13-year-old son after she allegedly drove her car into oncoming traffic.
Assisted living center breaks ground near junior high
Work started last Thursday on an assisted living facility near Columbia Falls Junior High.
City budget increases from sewer project
An early look at the city budget shows an increase in overall appropriations, but most spending is expected to remain the same in the 2009-2010 budget.
Kirk says he'll enforce softwood pacts
U.S. Sen. Max Baucus served as tour guide last week to U.S. Trade Ambassador Ron Kirk as they visited F.H. Stoltze Land and Lumber Co.'s mill here.
Closure of some green box sites rankles residents
Some folks in eastern Flathead County predict that trash could pile up along U.S. Highway 2 if proposed trash site consolidation goes forward.
Effort to restore Red Bridge looks at funding
Finding funding seems to be the next hurdle in a plan to restore the Red Bridge in Columbia Falls.
Jenkins tops at Colgate state competition
Before Jonathan Jenkins steps onto stage he knows that folks often wonder how he's going to play a guitar.
Cell tower near Glacier Hills draws ire
Driving through Hungry Horse is the first time it becomes obvious.
City begins search for new fire chief
The City of Columbia Falls is determining whether or not to hire another full-time fire chief.
Bee Hive gets go-ahead on assisted living center
The Columbia Falls City Council Monday chose to keep a buffer between residents and an assisted living center.
Heritage Days buttons worth total of $300
There's a secret to this year's Heritage Days buttons. A secret that could mean cash for a few lucky button owners.
Council election heats up
A last-minute filing has turned the Columbia Falls City Council election into a race.
Mother's Power uses sun and wind
"I'm powered by the sun this afternoon," Brad Lee told the crowd at the Farmer's Market last week.
Head Start buys former Christian School
Head Start finally has a place to call its own in Columbia Falls.
C-Falls fire chief terminated
Columbia Falls Fire Department Chief Bob Webber has been fired.
50 years later, grisly grizzly attack recalled
Joe Williams says he never once thought about dying.
Owners split on Bad Rock Drive paving plan
Landowners who might be forced to pay for paving Bad Rock Drive acknowledge the road is dusty, but don't think they should shoulder the costs of paving the road.
Council approves River's Edge Park master plan
Plans for River's Edge Park along the Flathead River will remain fluid for now.
16 new Habitat homes on tap
The Columbia Falls City Council on Monday approved Habitat for Humanity's plan to construct 16 homes units here.
Fire damages Columbia Falls garage
Help from neighbors and a fast response by the fire department likely helped save a Karen Road couple from disaster last week.
No consensus on Jensen Road dust
A proposal to pave Jensen and Berne roads outside Columbia Falls came under heavy scrutiny at a meeting last week.
City Council shoots down gun law
Taking a complete turn in direction, the Columbia Falls City Council has decided against a law change that would have allowed firing weapons in the city for special events.
Playing guitar with prosthetic arm, Jenkins wins Colgate Country Showdown
Jonathan Jenkins entered the 28th Colgate Country Showdown on a whim.
In West Glacier, support for four-day week
Plans to switch to a four-day week at West Glacier Elementary got a warm reception at a meeting last week.
Columbia Falls school may have to go AA
Hungry Horse News
Board votes to deny recommendation for South Fork Addition
Hungry Horse News
Developer gets the nod for city sewer, water
Hungry Horse News
Police searching for alleged drug dealer
Hungry Horse News