Wednesday, January 24

Pirates go 3-0 for the week
Zach Urness

Charlo girls go to 12-0 with wins over Mission, Noxon
Zach Urness
Bison basketball teams get home court advantage
Zach Urness

Too hot to handle
Reserve deputy trainees get a face full of pepper spray

'Go Tire!'
Though scarred from head to toe, Tyr Hawkaluk isn’t afraid to get in front of an audience
Margery Miller Hilton
Former St. Ignatius resident Margery Miller Hilton, 85, of Bigfork, Lakeview Care Center, died peacefully, Jan. 12, 2007, accepting her new path with grace.

Chiefs get big win over Mission, face Polson today
Zach Urness
enate Report: Legislators debate full-day Kindergarten
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Among Other Things: Papke Apartments and other memories
This seems to be an opportune time to tell a bit about one of Polson’s older landmarks that is no longer here — the former Papke Apartments on 12th Ave. West. Recently the building was razed by owner Bill Ingram of Tradewinds Real Estate, who said that development plans are still pending.
Thursday, January 18
Betty Jean (Butterfield) Connell
MISSOULA — Betty Jean (Butterfield) Connell, 82, of Missoula died of natural causes Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2007, at the Village Health Care Center.
Ruth Olive Cahoon
POLSON — Ruth Olive Cahoon, 78, of Anaconda, died on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2007, at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula.
Among Other Things: Now that was a real world's fair
By Paul Fugleberg
Bison basketball teams get home court advantage
Zach Urness
James Lincoln 'Bo' Sorrell
RONAN — James Lincoln “Bo” Sorrell, 58, went to be with his family and stickgame partners on Thursday evening, Jan. 11, 2007.
'Hypocrites' is a poor excuse
Editor,
Alton F. Ingraham
RONAN — Alton F. Ingraham, 95, of Ronan, died of natural causes on Friday, Jan. 5, 2007, at the St. Luke Extended Care Facility.
Margaret Kenyon Burlew
RONAN — Margaret Kenyon Burlew, 98, of Polson and formerly of Charlo died of natural causes on Jan. 10, 2007, at St. Luke Community Hospital.
Bells and kettles net $15,100+
Editor,
Longtime reader really likes The Leader
Editor,

Pirates' win streak at four after double overtime thriller
Practicing free throws does pay off.

Chiefs get overtime win against Vikes
Zach Urness
Horseplay leads to brain surgery for local student
By Ethan Smith

Six Ronan grapplers place at Rocky Mountain Classic
Zach Urness
Jenny Smith Lambdin
MISSOULA — “Some stories don’t have a clear beginning, middle and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what’s going to happen next. Delicious ambiguity.”
Share the Spirit serves 989 kids
Editor,

A bus load of fun
Griz Bus takes both Griz and Bobcat fans to the big game
June Lois Legros
June Lois Legros, 87, of Polson, died on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2007, at St. Joseph Hospital in Polson.
Wednesday, January 10
Edward William Kujala
Our husband, father, grandpa and our dear friend, Edward William Kujala, has joined our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
John Anthony 'Jack' Stark
KALISPELL — John Anthony "Jack" Stark, 89, a Lakeside resident, died of natural causes Thursday, Dec. 21, 2006, at Brendan House in Kalispell. He was born Sept. 16, 1917, in Wheaton, Ill., to Eugene and Rose Stark.
Look together for a brighter future
Editor,
Questions about domestic abuse
Editor,
Moses Little John Thunder Whitegrass
ST. IGNATIUS — Moses Little John Thunder Whitegrass, 2, joined his grandfather on Jan. 2, 2007, when he was called home, the result of an auto accident near Perma.

Larson's buzzer-beater sinks Eureka
If it takes some games to shake out the cobwebs after Christmas break, nobody told Kaylee Larson last week.
Robert W. Lind
POLSON — A memorial service for Robert William Lind, 77, will be held in Polson at the United Methodist Church, Saturday, Jan. 13, at 1 p.m. Mr. Lind died in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Dec. 12, 2006. Bob spent many school years in Polson and graduated from Polson High School before moving on.
Jenny Smith Lambdin
RONAN — Jenny Smith Lambdin, 28, died of melanoma on Jan. 7, 2707, in her mother's home with great support and love from family and friends. Funeral services will be today (Jan. 11) at 1 p.m. in the Faith Lutheran Church in Ronan with the Rev. Rand Drollman officiating. Burial will be in the Ronan Cemetery. A full obituary will be printed next week.
Helen Jenette Dachs
HELENA — Helen Jenette Dachs, 82, died on Jan. 2, 2007, at her daughter's home in Helena, surrounded by her loving family.
Commissioners' stand was correct
Editor,
Let legislators hear from you
Editor,

James' 3-pointer lifts Lady Pirates over Frenchtown
Call it the golden arch, if you will.

Pirates have big week ahead of them
The Polson Pirates were able to bounce back Saturday night with a solid 50-39 win over Bigfork behind good offense from Zach Langston and Tyler Gordon, and solid defense, after a frustrating loss to Frenchtown last Thursday when they couldn't quite pull off the comeback.
Tribes were treated unfairly by USFWS
Editor,
Charles Patrick Bouchard
POLSON — Just days after his beloved wife Helen died, Charles Patrick Bouchard joined her. Charles "Pat" passed away peacefully in his sleep, Dec. 10, 2006. He was the son of Joseph Albert Bouchard and Cynthia Taggert Bouchard.
Elizabeth M. 'Betty' Ray
POLSON — Elizabeth M. "Betty" Ray, 81, of Polson died Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2007, at the Evergreen Health and Rehab Center in Polson.
Lillie Otilia Gunlock
RONAN — Lillie Otilia Gunlock, 93, peacefully joined her Heavenly Father and beloved husband Harold in the Kingdom of Heaven on Saturday morning, Dec. 30, 2006. She spent the last few weeks of her life at the St. Luke Community Extended Care Center in Ronan and the last year and a half at the St. Joseph Retirement Community in Polson. She had been a resident of the Mission Valley for more than 50 years.
Senate Report: Give that surplus back to property owners
The 60th session of the Montana Legislature is underway and we find ourselves in a year where the partisan makeup of both houses is nearly tied. While political commentators argue the recent elections point to a very divided state, I take an alternate view that Montana is more independent than ever. Although I did enjoy a strong majority to work with in the 2001 session, a closely divided legislature can force the parties to work together and become a catalyst for great policy.
Shirley Jean White
POLSON — Shirley Jean White, 71, of Polson, died on Jan. 7, 2007, at St. Joseph Hospital in Polson.
Ronan mascot controversy re-surfaces
Human Rights Bureau investigates
Frances L. Connor
RONAN — Frances L. Connor, 80, died Jan. 3, 2006, at St. Luke Extended Care Facility in Ronan after a lengthy battle with cancer.
Alton F. Ingraham
RONAN — Alton F. Ingraham, 95, of Ronan died of natural causes Jan. 5, 2007, at St. Luke Extended Care Facility.

The ultimate snowplow job
Polson man works half-year in Antarctica, every year

Sheriff's reserve coordinator donates a decade's pay
It's a donation that was almost a decade in the making, but one that will help the Lake County Sheriff's office for years to come.
Amy V. Howell
POLSON — Amy V. Howell, 93, of Polson died on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2007, at St. Joseph Medical Center in Polson.
Word from Helena: 2,293 bills already in legislative hopper
One week into the 60th legislative session and I'm already swamped. Even before we were sworn in, the Senate Finance and the House Appropriations Committees met in a joint session. We review the revenue estimates and the governor's budget and make recommendations to the joint sub-committees.
Last visit to Range was unpleasant
Editor,
Thursday, January 4
Toys for Tots drive was successful
Editor,
Richard D. Fitzner
BRANSON, Mo. — Former St. Ignatius resident Richard D. Fitzner, 61, of Branson ended his earthly life on Dec. 20, 2006, at the VA Medical Center in Fayetteville, Ark.
Commissioners object to Governor's offer of gas tax money
Editor:
Lillie Otilia Gunlock
RONAN — Lillie Otilia Gunlock, 91, peacefully joined her Heavenly Father and beloved husband Harold in the Kingdom of Heaven on Dec. 30, 2006. She had spent the last few weeks of her life at St. Luke Community Extended Care Center in Ronan and the last year and a half at St. Joseph Retirement Community.
Edward G. (Fox) Patrick
POLSON — Edward G. (Fox) Patrick, 85, of Polson died on Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2006, at Evergreen Health & Rehab. Center from natural causes. He was born at home on June 25, 1921, in Missoula, to Emily Michel and George Patrick. He was the oldest of five children.
Raphaela Ann Bisson 'Rae Ann' Matt
POLSON — Raphaela Ann Bisson "Rae Ann" Matt, died on Friday, Dec. 29, 2006, in Kalispell with her daughter Abby and her grandson Michael at her side.

Commissioners to Schweitzer: 'No gas tax in gaming negotiations'
The Lake County Commissioners have asked Gov. Brian Schweitzer to take gasoline tax revenue off the table in the state's ongoing negotiations with the Tribes over gaming jurisdiction issues.
2006: A year in review
The year 2006 was a busy one news-wise for the Mission and Flathead valleys. Major items were the failure of state-tribal gaming negotiations, the ongoing Wal-Mart Supercenter controversy, wildfires, traffic deaths, murder trials, the primary and general elections, community celebrations, and more.
B&G Club had a great year
Editor,
Tribes should control Bison Range
Editor,
Bison Range agreement reinstated
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced last Friday their intention to re-establish a working relationship with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes over management of the National Bison Range, reversing an earlier termination of the agreement between the two groups last month.
A Little Off the Top: Life's little lessons at Big Sky
As I sit here writing this column, my buns are sore, my ankles hurt, and my ego is shattered. I paid hundreds of dollars to experience this.
Let's see how Jore affects our State
Editor,
Lawrence E. (Bevo) Beaver
RENTON — Lawrence E. Beaver (Bevo) died Friday, Dec. 22, in Renton due to a prolonged illness from Alzheimer's.