WELCOME Internet resources

Whether you're new in town or looking to come here, the Internet can be a great source of information -- a textbook and a tour guide.

The area offers far too many great Web sites to list here. The following is a sampling of Internet resources you might find useful in staying informed and navigating the area:

• General: The Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce Web site offers a thorough community overview and comprehensive business information and contacts.
• Weather: Montanans like to talk about the weather. To keep up with the latest weather chatter, check the National Weather Service site for Great Falls. It gives forecasts, recent radar pictures and detailed information about the area's wacky climate.
• Or visit the Weather Channel site and type in a town, state or ZIP code. This site offers regional radar and satellite maps in motion, along with current conditions and five-day forecasts.
• News: The Great Falls Tribune offers the latest international, national, state and breaking local news on its Web site.
• Two Great Falls TV stations -- KRTV-3 (CBS affiliate) and KFBB-5 (ABC), also have Web sites. KLMN-26 (Fox affiliate), KBGF-50 (NBC), ande KTGF-16 (independent) also broadcast in Great Falls. The KRTV site also offers transcripts of the local news broadcast.
• City of Great Falls: At the city's site, you can find out about local events, history, the city codes and charter, as well as public notices and offices. Links to other local sites also are available.
• Cascade County: Reach county commissioners by e-mail, learn about area history and view a map of the county, all on the county's Web site.
• Great Falls Public Schools: Learn about every school in the district, school lunches and the school board. Contact teachers and even add your name and e-mail address to your alma mater's site at the oft-updated web location.
• Roads, both for weather conditions and construction: The Montana Department of Transportation has a Web site with a color map showing construction projects during warm weather and snow and road conditions in cold weather. Visit the site and click on traveler information.

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• Great Falls International Airport: On its Web site, the Great Falls International Airport Authority provides information about airlines, airport services, ground transportation, air cargo, and offers information concerning the Great Falls community, weather, hotels, lodging, and recreation.
  
• The Great Falls Development Authority is available to help your businesses venture succeed in Great Falls. If you have a specific question about doing business in Great Falls contact them at www.gfdevelopment.org
• Malmstrom Air Force Base: Montana's only major military installation has a nifty Web site with information about the missile base's history, staff, units and retirees, and extra information available to military personnel.
• MSU-Great Falls College of Technology: You will find information about admissions, registration and schedules on the site.
• MSU-Northern: To find out about this school, visit its Web site. The site offers class listings, registration information, athletics, financial aid and more.
• University of Great Falls: At the UGF site, you can find out about student services, faculty and staff, alumni news, upcoming events, admissions and other information about this Catholic school.
• Montana Art Gallery Directors' Association: Traveling exhibits of all sorts are highlighted at the association's site.
• Area guides: A Great Falls tourist-oriented site offers travel guides, maps, concert schedules, a white and yellow page listing, and a directory of hotels, barbers, florists or just about any business or service needed.
• Ski reports: For trail maps, snow conditions, hotel reservations and phone numbers for 16 different Montana ski areas, visit the state's winter activities site.