Most C. Falls businesses pass compliance tests

A large majority of Columbia Falls businesses checked for alcohol compliance on April 5 passed, with 13 out of 15 refusing to sell to underage operatives.

Smith’s Food and Drug, Los Caporales, Bandit Saloon, Tien’s, the Nite Owl, Lucky Lil’s, Town Pump, Pizza Hut, Kelly’s Pub, O’Brien’s, Three Forks Grill, Columbia Bar and Super One Foods passed, while Glacier Lanes and Mike’s Conoco illegally sold alcohol to underage customers.

According to Officer Jason Parce with the Kalispell Police Department, the underage operatives are subjected to criminal background checks and are all between the ages of 18 and 20. There also is a determination that they look younger than 21 in the eyes of the public.

When attempting their alcohol purchases, they use their actual, legal identification showing them to be under 21.

Approximately one week earlier, officers conducted three investigations that led to six arrests. Four were cited into Kalispell Municipal Court for being minors in possession of alcohol.

The other two were cited with supplying alcohol to minors, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of dangerous drugs.