Thursday, May 16
Primary Profiles: Four Republicans seek county commission seat
Three Republicans, Wes Baertsch, Max Krantz and Josh Senecal, are vying for the Lake County Commissioner seat currently held by Gale Decker, who is also running for reelection. Since no Democrat filed for that office, the outcome will be decided by those who vote the Republican ticket in the June 4 primary election.
McCrea sentenced to 60 years on arson charges
A Ronan man, and son of one of the most experienced and respected wildland firefighters in the country, was sentenced in Polson District Court May 10 to the Montana State Prison for a total of 60 years with 30 years suspended.
On the Agenda
Upcoming meetings of school boards and local government
Mission Valley Calendar
Your events guide to the Mission Valley
MREC on Ronan City Council agenda again
Mission Range Event Center was on the agenda at the Ronan City Council meeting on Wednesday, May 8.
Finding HeART: New sculpture unveiled May 23 in Polson
After fits and starts and a COVID delay, a long-awaited Native American sculpture will be unveiled in downtown Polson at 6 p.m. Thursday evening, May 23, at the corner of Third Street and Main.
“Little Women” graces Polson High School stage
Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy March took possession of the stage at Polson High School on Friday night and Sunday afternoon in a play presented by the PHS Theatre Program.
Spring Mack Days wraps up with 35,089 entries
The 2024 Spring Mack Days on Flathead Lake, sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, ended Saturday with a grant total of 35,089 lake trout entered during the nine-week long fishing event.
Spring Sports Calendar
The season is winding down with State Baseball Tournament and Divisional Softball, Track and Tennis
Fisher homers in Ronan victory over Mission-Arlee
Ronan knocked out 14 hits in a 17-0 victory over Lake County rival Mission-Arlee on Monday, May 6. Liam Wills pitched a no-hitter, striking out nine batters along the way and just walking two.
Polson defeats Mission-Arlee on Senior Night
It was Senior Night for Polson and the Pirates didn’t disappoint with a 15-0 victory on Saturday, May 9, over Mission-Arlee. In three innings of work, Polson had 10 hits as George Wyman pitched a one-hitter.
MAC ties one, wins two in Butte
Huntley Project and MAC battled to a 6-6 tie in the first game at the LaVerne Combo Softball Invite in Butte on Friday, May 10.
Ronan posts four wins at softball invite
In a hard-fought battle, Ronan opened play last Friday at the LaVerne Combo Softball Invite in Butte by scoring four unanswered runs in a 4-2 victory over Dawson County.
Polson gets past three teams at Butte invite
Polson scored three runs in the first inning and defeated Lockwood 4-3 at their final game of the LaVerne Combo Softball Invite in Butte on Saturday, May 11, marking their third win of the tournament. Madison Turner and Sam Rensvold combined to allow just one hit in the matchup.
Polson picks up wins over Corvallis, Bigfork
For Senior Night on Saturday, May 4, the Polson boys and girls tennis teams collected wins against Corvallis and Bigfork.
Durglo tops at ABC Meet
Ronan’s Connor Durglo placed first in the triple jump (43-0) while Polson runners looked strong in the distance races during the 2024 Thomas-Nelson ABC Meet on Saturday, May 11 in Polson.
Rose E. Freeman, 90
Rose E. Freeman of Pablo passed away April 23, 2024. She died of natural causes at the age of 90.
Mercer appointed to 20th Judicial District Court
Montana Supreme Court Chief Justice Mike McGrath was at the Lake County Courthouse Monday to administer the oath of office to Polson attorney John Mercer as he donned a black robe and the responsibilities of a District Court judge.
Kalispell man sentenced for indecent exposure
A Kalispell man was sentenced in Polson District May 8 to the Montana State Prison for 15 years with no time suspended. Cole Michael Jacob, 33, was also ordered to attend and successfully complete the state’s sex offender treatment program, after he entered an Alford plea to indecent exposure during a change of plea hearing on March 4.
Energy Keepers authorized to keep lake at higher level in May
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) approved another request from Energy Keepers, Inc (EKI) to deviate from the Flood Risk Management Plan by allowing for higher Flathead Lake levels on Memorial Day. This is the second deviation driven by dry conditions.
Alfred Esquibel, 93
Former Ronan resident Alfred Esquibel passed away Friday, May 4, at his home in Gallup, N.M.
Letters to the Editor
Ask the hard questions; World Economic Forum is taking over; Casting vote for C.B. Pearson
Polson Seniors: Tuesday is Commodity Day
Tuesday, May 21, is commodity delivery day. The truck arrives 10 a.m. Help us unload, sort and bag. Distribution is 1-3 p.m.
Ronan Seniors: Sunday dinner served May 19
Sunday roast pork dinner will be served on the third Sunday (May 19) instead of Mother’s Day.
Water outlook remains below average
According to the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the North Fork Jocko SNOTEL in the southern Mission Mountains has received 36.9 inches of precipitation since Oct. 1, which is the lowest May 1 water year precipitation total in 35 years of record. And that's not an anomaly.
Love chosen as western region Superintendent of the Year
Ask Steve Love what he likes about being superintendent at Charlo Schools, and he’ll say the variety and the rural school values.
St. Ignatius Seniors: Aurora Borealis lights up sky
The Aurora Borealis was beautiful. Hope you were able to see it.
Two special district races end in tie votes
According to unofficial results, last Tuesday’s election for special districts and school board trustees yielded two ties. Patrick Lennon and Rhonda Walter each collected 106 votes for the one seat available on the Chief Cliff Fire District board. At the other end of Lake County, James “Tyke” Allaire and Anthony Hoyt each received 38 votes in their quest to serve as a director on the Arlee Water and Sewer Board.
Pharmacy in the Family: Ernie Ratzburg inspires great niece
Newly minted pharmacist Madeline Hellinger recently worked side by side with her great uncle, Ernie Ratzburg – the longest-working pharmacist in Montana with 60 years beneath his crisp white jacket.
Donald Woods, 61
Donald Brian Woods of Ronan was born in Rochester, Minn., on Dec. 5, 1962, to S. Dwight and Marilyn Woods. He peacefully passed away at the age of 61 on May 8, 2024, after a short battle with advanced pancreatic cancer.
Legals for May, 16 2024
Wednesday, May 15
Legals for May, 15 2024
Monday, May 13
George Pappas, 92
George Theodore Pappas, age 92 of Polson, passed away on Sunday, May 5, 2024, at St. Luke Community Hospital in Ronan. A funeral service will be held Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at 11 a.m. at The Lake Funeral Home and Crematory.
Woman arrested after fatal head-on crash
A fiery head-on crash at the north end of the Armed Forces Bridge in Polson Sunday killed one motorist and injured another.
Jeremy Phillippi
Jeremy West Phillippi of Charlo/Ronan passed away March 22, 2024. A celebration of life will be held at Palmer Park beginning at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 25, in Charlo.
Sunday, May 12
Dawna Harrod, 91
Dawna Dae (Voorhies) Harrod, age 91 of Polson, passed away May 6, 2024, at St. Luke Community Hospital in Ronan. A rosary was held on Thursday, May 9, 2024, at 7 p.m. at The Lake Funeral Home and Crematory. A funeral mass was held on Friday, May 10, at 10 a.m. at St. Ignatius Catholic Church. Burial followed at Lakeview Cemetery.
Thursday, May 9
Sunny White attorney petitions for venue change
The public defender representing a Butte woman, accused of running over and killing Mika Westwolf, filed a motion for a change of venue.
Polson man accused of police standoff pleads not guilty
Judge Molly Owen set a trial date of Sept. 30 for Ricky Scoff Riebe, a Polson man who allegedly barricaded himself inside his home and fired shots at law enforcement officers before he was taken into custody. Riebe, 63, entered a plea of not guilty in Polson District Court May 1 to misdemeanor charges of partner or family assault and obstructing a peace officer, and seven felony counts of assault on a peace officer.
Margaret (Peg) Dean Ask, 97
Margaret (Peg) Dean Ask, 97, passed away Dec. 20, 2023, in Colorado Springs, Colo., on what would have been her 73rd wedding anniversary. A memorial service will be held at St. Andrew’s Church in Polson on Monday, July 8, 2024.
Immigrant says picture reflects sense of belonging
I recently had the pleasure of seeing the coverage of our volunteer firefighting crew in the local newspaper, particularly the photo featuring me in my fireman suit. I wanted to extend my heartfelt thanks for highlighting our efforts in serving the community.
Marriages & Divorces
The following marriages and divorces were recently recorded at the Lake County Courthouse:
Rodney K. Johnson, 69
Rodney K. Johnson, a lifelong Polson resident, left his earthly boundaries on April 10, 2024, at Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane, Wash., surrounded by family after complications of rheumatoid arthritis and a stroke.
Two men plead guilty to burglarizing Arlee Schools
A pair of Arlee men have admitted to breaking into the Arlee Elementary School and stealing items. Donovan Chase McDonald, 28 entered a plea of guilty to burglary and criminal mischief Polson District Court May 1. Michael Junior Garza, 42, pleaded guilty to burglary during his arraignment hearing May 2.
Ronan Seniors: Pinochle or pool, anyone?
Sunday roast pork dinner will be served on the third Sunday (May 19) instead of Mother’s Day. Pinochle is 1:30-4 p.m. Mondays; and the pool table is available 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Join the fun!
Polson Seniors: Season of no left turns begins
Welcome to the “No left turn without a light or a four-way stop” traffic season. If you drive around Polson you will know. Highway construction season has begun if you hadn’t noticed, but the streets don’t have a season.
Cheerful Heart helps cancer patients
Cancer patients in Lake County are eligible for free non-medical services provided by Cheerful Heart. The non-profit organization offers gas cards, meal preparation, transportation to treatment or medical appointments locally or in Missoula and Kalispell, massage, hair and skin care.
CASA offers supervised visits through Youth Connections
The deaths in April of two Kansas women during a custody exchange have underscored the need for enhanced safety measures when children spend time between separated parents whose emotions are running high.
Nathan Kirk Galbreath, 48
Nathan Kirk Galbreath was born in 1975 in Great Falls to Bruce and Kathy Galbreath and passed away in Whitehall on April 23, 2024.
On the Agenda
Local government meetings are open to the public.
Harold Kuhnhausen, 84
Harold David Kuhnhausen, born May 22, 1939, in Vancouver, Wash., passed away April 9, 2024, in Glenwood, Wash. He was the son of Herman and Carrie (Carter) Kuhnhausen. Harold was 84 years old.
Ronan boutique carries classy, quirky clothing and jewelry
The Jaded Pony Boutique’s wares are a lot cowgirl and a bit sass, sparkle, and snark. Anything but cluttered, the Jaded Pony mirrors the style and personality of Kelly Jo Nagle, who owns the business with her husband, Dusty.
The rube sits and smiles
After having unloaded all my farm equipment from the railcar that had brought it from my late father’s farm back east, I knew that I had come to the right part of the world when Dude and Shorty, who had helped me unload it, looked at the wheels on my hay wagon and pronounced them “high-speed” because they actually had ball bearings instead of old-fashioned babbitt bearings. A person with less class than Shorty and Dude might have rightly said, “What a bunch of wore-out junk.”
St. Ignatius Seniors: Eat more, hear less
Did you know that hearing becomes less sharp after overeating?
County breaks ground on new Dave Stipe Annex
Family members of former Lake County Commissioner Dave Stipe helped break ground last Tuesday on the new 15,000-square-foot Dave Stipe Annex. Swank Enterprises is general contractor on the structure, which is going up on the corner of Fifth Ave. E. and First St. W., southwest of the existing courthouse.
MMIP walk/run raises awareness of those who are missing
To call attention to Missing and Murdered Indigenous People, Salish Kootenai College, Providence St. Joseph’s Medical Center, Safe Harbor, and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes collaborated for a second year on the MMIP Awareness 5K Walk/Run, held May 4 at the Silver Fox Golf Course in Pablo.
Joanne Blood, 71
A Celebration of life for Joanne B. Blood will take place on May 18 at 2 p.m. at the Rugged Horizon, 62143 Blood Ranch Lane in St. Ignatius.
Polson Pirates stage comeback to defeat Ronan
Polson came back against valley rival Ronan in a 12-4 West Division victory on Tuesday, April 30, in Ronan. It was Senior Night for the Chiefs, who will graduate a half dozen seniors from their inaugural season baseball program: Cash Atkinson, Dante Baltz, WilJames Courville, DaVonne Curley, Tristan Fisher and Coleton Sherman.
Polson survives Ronan’s offensive onslaught
Nevaeh Perez hit two home runs and Kailyn Marengo also hit a round-tripper, but despite their push, Ronan fell to Polson 10-6 in Northwest A Conference action on Thursday, May 2. It was Senior Night for the Lady Pirates.
Sophie Haynes, 92
Sophie Stasso Haynes, 92, started her journey home to Kolinsuten on Saturday, Jan. 6, at her home near Dirty Corner in Arlee. An Elder of the Confederated Salish and& Kootenai Tribe, she was born to Antoine and Elizabeth (Cullooyah) Stasso on Nov. 7, 1931, not to far from where she started her final journey.
Claud Smith, 77
Born March 1, 1947, in Dallas, Texas, our beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, Claud "Jerry" Smith, passed away peacefully at his home in Ronan on May 1, 2024.
Hobert Hunter, 68
Hobert "Hobie" L. Hunter, 68, passed away in the comfort of his home in Arlee on May 2, 2024.
Mission Valley Calendar
Your events guide to the Mission Valley
Head Start Powwow honors Jeanne Christopher
Children who attend Head Start in the 10 classrooms around Lake County waited as patiently as they could for the Head Start Powwow to begin at the Ronan Event Center gym last Friday night.
Spring Mack Days nears conclusion with 32,000 fish
With only one weekend left in the 2024 Spring Mack Days Fishing Event on Flathead Lake, anglers have entered 32,683 lake trout since the contest began March 14. The 2019 spring event holds the record fish count at 40,357.
Locals shine at Lake County track meet
In a meet featuring Lake County athletes only, schools small and large posted top performances in Ronan on Thursday, May 2.
Polson boys defeat Ronan, girls tie in tennis
The Polson boys were led by Lachlan Sloan in defeating Ronan 4-1, while the Polson and Ronan girls tied 3-3 in Northwest A Conference play on Thursday, May 2.
Elks disperse funds to volunteer fire departments
Gail Nelson, Exalted Ruler of Mission Valley Elks Lodge 1695, was on the road this spring, dispersing checks to four rural fire departments to help them purchase critical equipment.
Spring Varsity Sports Calendar
Spring varsity sports continue
Candidate Profiles: Senate District 46
Lake County voters face only two contests at the local level in June’s primary. On the Democratic side of the ballot, voters from Ronan south will choose between Jacinda Morigeau and C.B. Pearson, who are each vying to represent Senate District 46. The winner will face Republican candidate Charles Headley in the general election.
Cattle ranchers invited to Round Butte listening session
The Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA) is hosting a listening session at 6 p.m. Monday, May 13, at the Round Butte Women’s Club, west of Ronan. Food and drinks will be provided and MSGA will host a drawing for a vaccine cooler.
Legals for May, 9 2024
Buttigieg highlights Hwy. 93 funding during reservation visit
The Bi-Partisan Infrastructure Law and its connection to safety for people and wildlife was on Pete Buttigieg’s mind during his recent visit to the Flathead Reservation. Buttigieg, the U.S. Transportation Secretary, was in Western Montana Monday and Tuesday to celebrate funding from the Bi-Partisan Infrastructure Act, passed by Congress and signed by President Biden in 2021.
Wednesday, May 8
Legals for May, 8 2024
Thursday, May 2
Ronan schedules spring cleanup
Rustle up those garbage bags and pull out the rakes and shovels: It’s time for Ronan’s annual Spring Cleanup. In cooperation with local schools, the chamber of commerce, City of Ronan and Republic Services, citizens are encouraged to clean up the community May 2-9.
Legals for May, 2 2024
Mission Valley Calendar
Your events guide to the Mission Valley
Olive Branch: AG says state will consider funding for PL 280
Whether fueled by election-year largesse or Lake County’s impending withdrawal from Public Law 280, Attorney General Austin Knudsen delivered some long-awaited good news Monday. The office of Gov. Greg Gianforte, he said, “has authorized me to convey to you folks they would sign a bill through the Legislature that provided some law enforcement funding for Lake County.”
Olive Branch: AG says state will consider funding for PL 280
Whether fueled by election-year largesse or Lake County’s impending withdrawal from Public Law 280, Attorney General Austin Knudsen delivered some long-awaited good news Monday. The office of Gov. Greg Gianforte, he said, “has authorized me to convey to you folks they would sign a bill through the Legislature that provided some law enforcement funding for Lake County.”
Lake County Almanac John Grant leaves a legacy defined by birds, land and water
At Leon Hall, just south of Ninepipe, friends, neighbors and colleagues gathered Saturday to celebrate the legacy of retired wildlife-area manager John Grant and his 33-year effort to tend and protect a vast swath of critical wildlife habitat.
Spring Sports Calendar
Spring varsity sports are in full swing
Delaney tops at Top Ten
Polson Freshman Morgan Delaney placed first in the girls 3,200-meter run at the Top Ten Meet in Missoula on Tuesday, April 23. Delaney was the top finisher, posting a personal best 11:23.21. She also won the 1,600-meter run (5:25.39), and placed second in the 800-meter run (2:30.35) at the ARM Invite.
Polson Tennis bests Co-Falls, falls to Whitefish
Polson had some bright spots but the Pirates and Lady Pirates both fell to Whitefish in Northwest A Conference tennis on Tuesday, April 24. They quickly recovered though, with both boys and girls coming out ahead of Northwestern A Conference foe Columbia Falls on Thursday, April 25.
Polson Baseball stifles Butte 5-1
Butte was held to one hit by the pitching of Espn Fisher as Polson picked up a 5-1 victory over their foe on Wednesday, April 24. Fisher also helped his own cause with two hits in the process.
Local softball teams compete at Bette Paskey Tourney
At Frenchtown tourney, Polson acquires 10th win of season; Ronan posts one win, one loss; MAC claims three victories
Permit needed for spring debris burning
Spring burning requires permits beginning Wednesday, May 1, on the Flathead Reservation and continues through June 30. Landowners may apply for permits at the Division of Fire website, csktfire.org.
Tribal Health helps rescue Buttercup Run
A one-mile run, a 5k, and a 10k fun run gave runners options in the Jocko Valley Buttercup Run, held Saturday in Arlee. Audrey Claire Espinoza, 6, won the one-mile run.
Time Capsule: Headlines from the weekly archives
Flathead Beacon, 1960: Who’s the better runner over a 72-mile distance – a man or a horse? Flathead Courier, 1974: Flathead Tribes protest personal property taxes
Mack Days: Just two weeks left
Anglers fishing the 2024 Spring Mack Days Fishing Event have increased the total number of lake trout entries to 29,228, slightly more than the 2023 total of 28,176 at the end of week seven, and less than the 2019 record breaker, which was 31,163 at week seven and 40,362 overall.
Ken Daniels, 82
Ken Daniels made his departure from this life April 19, 2024. He was born October 15, 1941, in Missoula, to Vera and Gene Daniels.
Blessing Bags offer support to those in need
In a fresh display of community spirit, the Ronan National Honor Society (NHS) students, along with their advisor Claire Hibbs-Cheff, have taken the initiative to support vulnerable members of the Mission Valley community through a collaboration with their community partner, Helping Hands of the Mission Valley.
Lake County gears up for primary election
The Lake County Election Office is gearing up for the primary election June 4. Election administrator Toni Kramer reports that 124 election judges completed training last week and were officially appointed by Lake County Commissioners Monday.
Students plant cherry trees in honor of Arbor Day
A dozen kids in Nicole Camel’s eighth-grade WEB class gathered at Boettcher Park Friday to plant a trio of flowering cherry trees. The Polson Middle School students are continuing a pre-pandemic tradition of planting trees in city parks on Arbor Day.
That ain't what the Bible says
Lonnie Haack’s recent letters (Feb. 22 and April 11, Leader) contain opinion and conclusions that are questionable. What is the difference between facts and opinions?
Young protestors are on the right side
A recent letter cited Israel’s founding in 1948 and the 1973 Yom Kippur War as justification for the current campaign of genocide against Palestinians. Those defending Israel’s recent actions conveniently ignore the historical plight of Palestinians prior to Oct. 7 and the excessive carnage caused by the Israeli Defense Forces.
Ronan Council delves into MREC property again
In the ongoing effort to decide the future of the Mission Recreation Event Center property in Ronan, the Ronan City Council discussed a recent letter from the Lake County Commissioners during their regular meeting last Wednesday.
Governor, Dayton students initiate Big Arm Archery Range
Governor Greg Gianforte launched the first arrow, followed by a group of Dayton Elementary students last Wednesday during the official opening of the Big Arm Public Archery Range.
Robert Kobos, 90
On Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024, Robert W. Kobos, loving husband and father of eight children, passed away at the age of 90. Robert "Bob" was born Feb. 14, 1933, in Chicago, Ill., to Walter and Mary (Talaga) Kobos.
Volunteers sought for trail maintenance on Wild Horse
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is seeking volunteers for a trail maintenance project on Wild Horse Island May 11. FWP is planning to spend a half-day on the island completing general maintenance of the state park's trail system. Boats will launch from the Big Arm Unit of Flathead Lake State Park at 10 a.m. and return around 3 p.m.
St. Luke receives national recognition
St. Luke Community Healthcare was recently named a 2024 Top Hospital for Fair Share Spending by the Lown Institute. It’s an honor shared with only the top 20% of hospitals nationwide who meet or exceed their obligations for community investment.
Recent births at the Nesting Place
Recent births recorded at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center’s Nesting Place in Polson.
St. Ignatius Seniors: Driving class is May 21
AARP’s Safe Driving Course will be offered at the St. Ignatius Senior Center from 1-5 p.m. May 21. Call 406-745-4462 to be registered for the course, which costs $20 for AARP members and $25 for non-members.
Polson Seniors: Vaccinations available Monday
COVID-19 booster and/or RSV vaccinations are available from 10 a.m.-noon May 6 (Monday) at the Senior Center with on-site Safeway Pharmacy staff. Call or come in before Monday to sign up.
Dolores Barba
Dolores "Dee" Ilene Barba, 93, of Florence, passed away Tuesday, April 24, 2024, at her residence under the care of hospice.
Begay gets sentence deferred for meth possession
Adrian Aaron Begay, 37, entered into a plea agreement April 25 and was given a deferred sentence for meth possession in Polson District Court the same day by Flathead County Judge Amy Eddy.
