Columbia Falls Aluminum operations extended

KALISPELL- Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. says its operations that were scheduled to close on Tuesday, ending 86 jobs, will continue at least until Aug. 31. Reasons include rising prices for aluminum and an electricity deal with the Bonneville Power Administration, a federal power-marketing agency. Company spokesman Haley Beaudry says more raw materials for producing aluminum have become available because so many Columbia Falls Aluminum competitors have cut production. Beaudry says there's no indication whether curtailment of operations at Columbia Falls will be delayed beyond Aug. 31.