C-Falls gets back bell-ringing crown

The bell-ringing crown will return to Columbia Falls.

The city won the Salvation Army red-kettle community challenge again last week, raising $2,835.39, ringing bells at Smith’s Food and Drug. The city won in 2016, but lost in 2017 to Evergreen, though Columbia Falls officials claimed Evergreen got last year’s total over several days, not just one.

The entire Flathead Valley continued its generosity with a total for the day of $7,369.69.

Bell ringing competition results:

- Evergreen Chamber of Commerce, Evergreen Super 1 Foods — $2,523.03

- Bigfork Chamber of Commerce, Bigfork Harvest Foods North — $1,219.86

- City of Whitefish, Safeway — $402.36

- Lakeside Chamber of Commerce, Lakeside Tamarack Brewing Co. — $388.85

Maj. Bill and Joy Lum, Salvation ArmyCorps officers, extended their gratitude and thanks to everyone in the valley for their ongoing support for those in need.