Thursday, January 26
As We the People wait it out
"We the People" (WTP) are generally not aware of the details in what our legislators are dealing with daily in running our nation.
Arlene Tompkins, 92
Arlene Beverly Tompkins, age 92, passed away Jan. 4, 2023.
Hunters, don’t get gaslighted again
Just before the election Governor Gianforte hid, as usual, at an unadvertised event with only hand-selected loyalists in attendance at the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, where he painted a rosy picture for Montana’s hunters.
Polson Commission discusses legislative strategies
The Polson City Commission girded for the legislative session last week by supporting several resolutions outlining the priorities of the Montana League of Cities and Towns.
Arlee school district signs with architect firm
Arlee Public Schools are entering the planning process to build a new building to house grades 3-6.
Polson library relocates to Methodist Church during renovation
The North Lake County Library is moving to a temporary new home at the Methodist Church in Polson during its upcoming renovation.
Ronan fires up at Alaska Airlines Classic
The Ronan Maidens started things off at the Alaska Airlines Classic on Tuesday, Jan. 17, with a bang by picking up a victory. The Ronan boys put up a spirited fight, winning two out of three.
Trip of a Lifetime: Maidens and Chiefs travel to Alaska
The Ronan boys and girls basketball teams had a once-in-a-lifetime experience playing in the Alaska Airlines Classic last week.
Dale Curtis Piedalue, 54
Dale Curtis Piedalue passed away Jan. 16, 2023, at the age of 54 at Deaconess Hospital in Spokane, Wash.
Sorry ’Bout That half marathon turns 10
Sixty-five runners, ranging in age from 11 to 68, took off from the Mission Valley Aquatics Center Saturday morning for the 10th running of the Sorry ‘Bout That half marathon and team relay.
I sold my old law office last week
The new editor of the Leader, Kristi Niemeyer, called me recently and requested I write a column. The request came with a Jan. 23 deadline so I realized it was more a directive than a request.
Oh deer: Tribes begin trapping Polson's deer population
On Sunday, a buck and doe casually made their way across Highway 93 by the stoplight at First Interstate Bank in Polson as motorists slowed down to let the two jaywalkers pass.
Water legislation could mean trouble for farmers, ranchers
Legislation under consideration in Helena on water use and water rights could negatively impact the economic future of Montana family farms and ranches.
St. Ignatius Senior Center offers Narcan training
The St. Ignatius Police Chief will offer Narcan Training at the St. Ignatius Senior Center at 3:30 p.m. Feb. 11.
Education Briefs
The Montana Legislature offers a unique opportunity for young people to participate in the legislative process through its Legislative Page Program.
Polson Senior Center: Recycle those grocery bags
Thought for Feb. 2, Groundhog Day: A groundhog is a rodent, not a meteorologist.
State Senator advocates wage transparency
Montanans respect “honest pay for honest work.” By putting these words into action, we can provide for ourselves and our families, while creating the opportunity for a better life today and tomorrow.
Economic Outlook Seminar explores inflation, recession and in-migration
Inflation, recession, strained labor markets and a new wave of in-migration to Montana are the focus of the 2023 Economic Outlook Seminar, which tours nine cities, including Missoula on Jan. 27 at the Hilton Garden Inn and Kalispell Feb. 7, also at the Hilton Garden Inn.
Around the Region
Proponents and opponents – including librarians, museum directors, and municipal and religious officials – of House Bill 234 testified last Thursday at the House Judiciary Committee.
Community Calendar
Check out these local events:
Warren "Babe" Hirst, 84
Warren “Babe” Hirst, age 84, passed away Jan. 20, 2023, in Polson. He was born in Polson on July 18, 1938, the middle son of Emmett and Belva Hirst.
Hoop Stories: Polson & Charlo big winners
Polson and Charlo were consistent winners in last week's basketball games.
Prep Sports Calendar: Jan. 26-Feb. 2
Check out this week's sports schedule.
Mission Valley Wrestling Recap
In the Montana Class A Duals, held in Lewistown, Mission Valley teams were busy playing through the dual brackets against the state's best.
Knight brings home pro rodeo championship
Charlo’s Abigail Knight left very little doubt in the rodeo arena in Great Falls, winning two rounds of barrel racing and winning herself both the overall and average championship at the Montana Pro Rodeo Circuit Finals, held Jan. 12-14.
Howard Nuernberger, 87
Howard Nuernberger, 87 years old, passed away on Dec. 17, 2022, at Hot Springs Rehabilitation center after suffering a stroke.
Thomas Ralph Wiggin, 75
Thomas Ralph Wiggin was born in Polson March 22, 1947, to Ralph and Korrine Wiggin. He died Jan. 12, with his wife Diane by his side, at his home in Lakeside.
Charlo students back in school after waterline break
Students at Charlo Schools briefly returned to online learning last Tuesday and Wednesday after a broken water main shut down the high school and middle schools’ water supply.
Legals for January, 26 2023
Right to Repair still needs to be fixed
Recently there has been a media blast by John Deere claiming a Memorandum of Understanding signed with American Farm Bureau Federation provides right to repair for farmers, ranchers, and independent repair shops.
Fentanyl overdoses on the rise in Lake County
According to a press release issued Tuesday by the Polson Police Department, there appears to be a spike in what is believed to be fentanyl-related overdoses in 10 counties around the state, including Lake County.
Water Court bill excludes reservation
The Montana legislature is considering SB 72, sponsored by Sen. Fitzpatrick.
Thursday, January 19
New Ninepipe corridor plan significantly cuts costs
Representatives from the Montana Department of Highways and Robert Peccia & Associates consulting firm were on hand last Wednesday to discuss a new feasibility study for the 4.5-mile stretch of Highway 93 between Gunlock Rd. and Brooke Lane.
University & College Dean’s Lists
The Mission Valley students listed below made Fall Semester Dean's Lists at the University of Montana, Carroll College and UM Western, by earning a 3.5 grade-point average or more.
Ronan Hall of Fame Profile: Dr. Joe McDonald
Dr. Joe McDonald will be inducted into the School District #28/Ronan Hall of Fame in the Class of 2022 as a “Distinguished Community Member.” Teacher, coach, smoke jumper, tribal councilman, and college president are all job titles that describe his many vocations and accomplishments.
Marshall L. Bjork, 85
Marshall Loren Bjork passed peacefully in his home in Polson on Jan. 8, 2023 at the age of 85.
Violet Viola Lewis, 92
Violet Viola (Pinkerman) Lewis, age 92, passed away quietly on Dec. 27, 2022.
Charles “Chuck” Rorvik, 89
Charles "Chuck" Rorvik, died peacefully in his sleep on Jan. 3, 2023, at 89 years old.
Polson Senior Center offers tax help
Income-tax filing assistance is now available at the Polson Senior Center; call 406-883-4735 for an appointment.
St. Ignatius Senior Center: Guess the kisses
The center hosts a Guess the Kisses in a glass container and a 50/50. It will cost a $1 for each guess and entry into the 50/50 starting with the evening meal Jan 18, and continuing at each meal through Feb. 15.
Foundation says so-long to long-serving secretary
Carlene Bockman retired again last Thursday. The executive secretary of the Lower Flathead Valley Community Foundation stepped down after serving the organization for 17 years.
Community organizations help heat Ronan library
Last Thursday was exceptionally lucrative for the Ronan City Library, which received $15,500 – the price-tag for installing a new heating system – in just a few hours.
Investigation for the sake of investigation
The United States House of Representatives will be doing exhaustive (and exhausting) investigating into many things like Hunter Biden, Jill Biden, President Biden, and Major Biden (the Biden’s dog, which has an anger management issue).
Bison Range ups entrance fees; says roaming bison aren’t theirs
The CSKT Bison Range was in the local news last week when people spotted three bison roaming near Hwy. 93 on Ravalli Hill and were concerned that the animals were escapees from the tribally-owned refuge.
Memories abound for 1993 Polson Basketball Teams
Saturday's Ronan-Polson basketball games were a fun night for Pirate athletics as the home teams both picked up victories. The honoring of two historic teams in the Polson basketball program made it even more special.
Polson’s Hertz wins at Missoula-Kalispell Meet
Polson had several finishers at the Missoula Kalispell Meet on Saturday, Jan. 14, including a first-place finish by Gus Hertz in the 200-yard boys intermediate (2:15.78).
Wrestling Roundup: Ronan frequents podium
Ronan and Mission-Charlo wrestlers brought back some hardware at the Jug Beck Rocky Mountain Classic Wrestling Tournament over the weekend.
Hoop Stories: Mission posts sixth win
Check out the week's action in Class A, B and C basketball.
Polson fends off Ronan in two games
You will not find many more spirited and heated rivalries than Polson and Ronan on the basketball court.
James Nicholas Corcoran, 92
On Friday, Jan. 13, 2023, at the age of 92, James Nicholas Corcoran of Ronan went to be with the Lord.
Deja vu: Back in January of 1993 …
This job sometimes gives me a whopping sense of déjà vu: I feel like I’ve been here before.
Local hospitals celebrate New Year's babies
Sometimes it pays to be first. That was certainly the case for the first babies of the year born at Providence St. Joseph in Polson and St. Luke Hospital in Ronan.
Fire in youth home prompts fundraising efforts
The 'outpouring' of support from the community following the fire will aid the youth in their housing transition.
Legals for January, 19 2023
Thursday, January 12
Ronan has head-turning weekend at Western Montana meets
Ronan finished third in the team scoring of the Western Montana Invite, notching several placers, including Ridge Cote's 113-pound championship. Columbia Falls won the overall team meet with 233 points, while Frenchtown placed second with 224. Ronan had 172 points.
MDOT shares feasibility study for Hwy. 93 Ninepipe corridor
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) is hosting a virtual informational event from noon-1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 12, to share the findings of a study of the U.S. Highway 93 Ninepipe corridor.
Polson swimmers take second at home meet
The Polson High swim team took second for its combined team score at its home meet on Friday, Jan. 6, at the Mission Valley Aquatics Center, thanks to some spirited efforts by the Lake Monsters.
Ronan comes out on top against Whitefish, Mission
The Chiefs notched their first Northwest A win with a 62-56 overtime victory over Whitefish Jan. 3 and picked up their third win of the season and Lake County bragging rights, downing a powerful Mission team 67-61 in nonleague action on Saturday, Jan. 7.
Early winter storms deliver healthy snowpack
The snow and rain that slicked roads and plagued drivers across western Montana in December also translated into a healthy early-season snowpack according to the U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service, which monitors SNOTEL sites across the state.
Resolution would ask Congress to “fully fund” law enforcement on reservations
Senate Joint Resolution 5, which had its first hearing Tuesday in the Senate Judiciary Committee, calls for Congress to fully fund the public safety and law enforcement needs of Montana’s tribal nations and reservations.
Mission Valley To-Do List
Looking for some fun activities to liven up your January?
Mission woman found guilty of elder exploitation
ShayLynn Reid, a St. Ignatius woman who is already serving time for bail jumping, forgery and theft of identity, was found guilty in District Court Tuesday morning of criminal exploitation of an older or incapacitated person.
Around the Region
A gathering of news from around western Montana.
Legals for January, 12 2023
Doris Mckay, 89
Doris Mckay, 89, a long-time resident of Polson, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Dec. 26, 2022.
Blanche Aagot Rohrenbach, 83
Blanche Aagot Rohrenbach, 83, was born Feb. 23, 1939, in Culbertson to Leonard W. and Harriet Moen. She went peacefully to heaven on Dec. 31, 2022, in Polson.
Lake County grapples with overpopulated jail, lawsuits
After five inmates filed suit in 2021 many more have continued to do so.
Prep Sports Calendar: Jan. 12-19
Basketball games and wrestling matches are close to home this week, and far afield, with Ronan teams playing in Anchorage in the Alaska Airlines Classic.
Lady Bulldogs give scoreboard a workout
After their 53-50 victory over Ronan on Saturday, Jan. 7, it's time to really take notice of what the Mission girls' basketball team.
Charlo boys off to an excellent start
Charlo improved to 5-2 on the year, and 3-0 in Western 14C league play with a 72-17 victory over Hot Springs on Friday, Jan. 6.
Opposes Water Compact
We have been given the opportunity to defend our water rights against the over-reach of the Confederated Salish Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) Water Compact.
Polson Senior Center hosts AARP driver course
The AARP Safe Driver Course will be offered 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Jan. 19 at the center. Pre-registration is highly recommended.
St. Ignatius Senior Center board meets Jan. 18
Welcome to 2023 and looking forward to the good things a New Year brings. Drive and walk safely and come and enjoy our meals, served at noon on Tuesdays and Fridays and 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays.
Family farm conserved south of Pablo Reservoir
The Flathead Land Trust recently announced that an agricultural gem in the Mission Valley was permanently protected with a purchased conservation easement, which paid the family cash for keeping their productive farmland in agriculture.
Growth dominates Polson Commission discussion
To grow or not to grow: that was the larger question on the table at the Polson City Commission’s first meeting of the New Year, held last Wednesday.
Randall W. Morigeau, 63
Randall W. Morigeau, of Polson, went to be with our Lord on Jan. 2, 2023. He was born Sept. 8, 1959, in Seattle, Wash.
It’s a darn thin pancake that doesn’t have two sides
A question was posed this year at Christmas Dinner: What is the greatest challenge facing our country?
Saturday, January 7
MDOT hosts meeting Wednesday on Ninepipes corridor
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) will host an in-person open house from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11, in the banquet room at Ninepipes Lodge to share the findings of a study of the U.S. Highway 93 Ninepipe corridor.
Thursday, January 5
View from the Library: Preparing for renovation
Happy New Year! We are all so excited for 2023 and the wonderful updates and changes it will bring to our building with our renovation project. We hope you are excited as well.
Prep Sports Calendar: Jan. 5-14
Prep teams are back in action this week.
Match-ups to watch this week
Sports are back after winter break and it couldn’t come at a better time. Things heat up for Mission Valley athletics in a hurry with rivalry match-ups and important conference and league battles that are just a short drive from home.
Six Mission Valley Wrestlers Ranked in State A Poll
Ronan Wrestling has five wrestlers ranked in the most recent Class A wrestling poll for the entire state.
Winter Fest celebrates snow machines of yore
About 100 years ago, folks rigged bicycles with runners in the front and studded tires in the back to carry them through the snow.
Steven L. Bryan
Steven L. Bryan, 76, slipped free of the earthly tether, passing away peacefully on Friday, Dec. 23, at Logan Health in Kalispell.
Jack Duane Allen
Jack Duane Allen, age 81, died Dec. 24, 2022, of natural causes at his home in Polson.
Music, book-signing, classes on tap at library
The North Lake County Library in Polson has a busy month ahead, with music, a book-signing and classes on tap.
Polson Seniors greet New Year
The Polson Senior Center continues to develop a Facebook page and an active email list for our members and the community at large.
St. Ignatius Senior Center: May 2023 treat you well
Happy New Year! I hope everyone had time to think of all the things to be thankful for in 2022 and may 2023 treat you well.
Jack Svendsen
Jack Svendsen, age 76, was born June 28, 1946, in Froid and died at his winter home in Phoenix, Ariz., on Dec. 25, 2022, with his family by his side.
Legals for January, 5 2023
The Wrap: Stories we’ll continue to cover in the New Year
Lake County was bursting with news in 2022, from the establishment of a new Water Management Board last January, to a move by Lake County in December to remove itself from Public Law 280. Here are the stories we’ll continue to track in the New Year.
Legislative Outlook: Rep. Reksten focuses on education, local government
Rep. Linda Reksten of Polson headed to Helena this week with a long list of aspirations – especially concerning education and local government, two of the three committees she serves on during this session of the Legislature.
CSKT posts proposed changes to hunting, fishing regs
The Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes released proposed changes to the 2023 Flathead Indian Reservation Joint Tribal/State Fishing and Bird Hunting and Recreation Regulations last week.
Hip-hop artist Shadow Devereaux receives national music award
Shadow Devereaux, a Salish and Blackfeet singer/songwriter and hip-hop artist who grew up on the Flathead Reservation, won a Native American Music Award for Best Narrative Video.
The Last Best Polar Plunge: Organizer plans to retire after 25 years
Dave Bull, Polson dentist and gregarious impresario of the Polar Plunge at Riverside Park, began Sunday’s countdown: “Six minutes people!”
Deadline is mid-February for Polson scholarship applications
Scholarships applications are currently available for Polson High School graduates.
Coaching from the mayor's seat
Eric Huffine probably has more on his plate than most high school wrestling coaches.
