Monday, August 30
Changes in store for Mission schools
New superintendent hits the ground running as school addition is built
Mission focuses on technology
ST. IGNATIUS — Fifty iMac computers will be kited out with the latest educational software and divided between two new computer labs in St. Ignatius schools this year. At the August 17 regular board meeting, trustees passed a motion to purchase computers and software for new labs in the elementary school and the new multipurpose addition.
Blight warnings
LAKE COUNTY — Local potato farmers want to urge home gardeners to be on the lookout for signs of late blight, which has reared its ugly head in the Mission Valley this month.
Final suspect caught
POLSON - Tuesday evening brought to a conclusion a measured process of rounding up four suspected murderers, all of whom were serving prison time on separate charges.
Fisher back in custody
POLSON - Nathan Fisher is back in Lack County Detention after a dramatic capture at a residence just blocks from the courthouse.
Bear chases hikers near Mission
ST. IGNATIUS - We all have horror stories about bad dates.
4H-ers take home ribbons
KALISPELL — One week to the day, Lake County kids do it again.
Fire burns 42 acres newar Buffalo Bridge
VALLEY VIEW — Crews from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Polson and Ronan worked quickly last Thursday evening to contain a 42-acre wildland fire burning near Buffalo Bridge.
Commissioners table pay raise
POLSON - Concerns were voiced from frustrated citizens and county employees when the Lake County Compensation Board met last Wednesday morning. The board is composed of all three county commissioners, three elected county officials and two citizens and is an advisory board to the County Commissioners.
Friday, August 27
Damon Douglas Ziemin obituary
Damon Douglas Ziemin
What is your favorite fall sport?
Smokin' near the water
POLSON — Every grillmaster has his or her secrets and those secrets were put to the test at the second annual Smokin’ on the Water barbecue contest at the KwaTaqNuk last weekend, sponsored by the Polson Chamber Ambassadors.
Busy weekend for police
POLSON — A well-orchestrated heist of Wal-Mart resulted in more than $3,000 of merchandise stolen from the retailer during another busy summer weekend, Polson Police Chief Doug Chase said.
Crackin' for a cause
POLSON — When cooking one of the top-of-the-line types of crab, chef Jack Fay just sits back.
News briefs, Aug. 26
One sheep survives
Catching up
Lake County golf teams make up ground against divisional rivals
Thursday, August 26
Soccer practice is not for journalists
I went to the fair. Not the one up in Kalispell, since there's a fair going on right here in Polson for about two weeks as the Polson High School soccer team gets ready for the regular season to start.
Web welcome
Notes from the newsroom
Letters to the editor, Aug. 26
Billboard thanks
Budget season
Helena update
Runners of Ronan
BIG ARM - A slight misunderstanding had freshman JT Probst thinking the already daunting task of the Ronan cross country team doing a 100-mile relay run was going to be near impossible.
Scrimmage Saturday
POLSON — Sophomore Jon Huetmaker scored four goals and senior Sean Hart scored three as the Polson soccer team saw its first live game action against itself last Saturday.
Cashing in on junk
ARLEE — Anything and everything was up for grabs at the first-ever Jocko Valley Library yard sale fundraising event Saturday in Arlee. According to library director Kimberly Folden, the public seemed excited to support the library through purchasing donated items, and the library’s net profit was $381.60.
Swan Valley project seeks public input
SWAN VALLEY - Up to 9,500 acres of important fish and wildlife habitat in the Swan Valley are the topic of a current conservation effort by the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP).
Seat belt safety check
POLSON — Polson Police Officer Brian Kunz decided to become a Child Safety Seat Technician because as a crash investigator, he could think of nothing worse then being called to an accident scene where a child was hurt. The certification course, which he said was “no joke,” required an entire 40-hour week of learning about seatbelts, different retractors and seat positions in various cars.
Births, Aug. 26
Lelia Faryn Veach
Polson eyes state champs
POLSON - The Polson football team got geared up for their upcoming opening game against the defending state champions Frenchtown with a scrimmage last Saturday
Cheifs pump the offense
RONAN - Junior Robbie Gauthier threw two touchdown passes to start the annual Ronan Orange and Black football scrimmage last Friday. The first team offense moved effectively along the Ronan rug, scoring in nine of the fourteen possessions of the game.
Law enforcement and court records, Aug. 26
Lake County District Court, Judge McNeil presiding
Highway dedicated to Hoyt
PABLO — A year after his sudden death, family, friends and colleagues gathered on Monday to dedicate a section of U.S. Highway 93 to Trooper Chris Hoyt.
Q&A: Will Davey
Will Davey is a sophomore on the youthful Polson football team.
New faces for the fall
A new cross country team and two new coaches will compete this season
Charlo swings away
CHARLO — After three years of planning, fundraising and waiting for the right time, the Charlo Parent Teacher Association’s dream of adding four new swings, including a handicap swing, to the school’s playground is finally coming to fruition.
Remembering a father
After their dad passes away, three boys and a mother use sports and family to cope with their loss
Overcoming hardships
DIXON — The 2009 growing season was bigger than any other year Dixon Melons, Inc. had embarked on in its 23 years of being in business.
Untamed
Dragging a canoe, crawling through the woods, shouldering a bike through waist-deep mud and sleep monsters have never been so much fun
Wednesday, August 25
Senior news, Aug. 26
Dixon senior center
Community notes, Aug. 26
Thursday, Aug. 26
Lake County sports gear up for fall
Sunday, August 22
Scouts hike and help
POLSON — Teamwork is one reason Boy Scout Troop 1945 was able to hike away from their service site two hours faster than it took them to get there.
Polson city council extends public budget meeting
FULL STORY
CSKT transit program thrives
PABLO - Living in one town and needing to get to another, without a vehicle, just became a little easier. Transit driver Dolly Irvne said a growing number of people utilize the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes' Department of Human Resource and Development's transit system for their morning commute. Regular routes connect Hot Springs to Pablo, Evaro to Arlee, and most places in between.
Famous house opens for tour
POLSON - A special open house last Wednesday had more than 200 curious attendees visit a home featured in a 1955 film.
Everyone's a winner at Winefest
POLSON — Camaraderie was on display next to various wines from around the world during the 26th annual Soroptimist Winefest last Saturday.
Saturday, August 21
VIDEO: Brass in Blue
Video of the U.S. Air Force Brass in Blue on Aug. 18 at the Polson High School auditorium. The concert is was sponsored by the Lake County Leader in cooperation with the U.S. Air Force.
Brass in Blue in Polson
Friday, August 20
Fire near Buffalo Bridge
Crews from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Polson and Ronan worked quickly Thursday evening to contain a 42-acre wildland fire burning near Buffalo Bridge.
Thursday, August 19
Home of: Jo Phillips
“There is beauty to behold
Runaways found safe
ST. IGNATIUS — Four teens missing since July from the Pinehaven Christian Children’s Ranch in St. Ignatius have been confirmed found and safe, according to Lake County Sheriff’s Office Det. Mike Gehl.
Arlee BOE partners up
ARLEE - Valley Bank customers now have the opportunity to support the Arlee school district when they sign up for a debit card.
News briefs, Aug. 19
Polson sues boat driver
Rolling old school
It started out as an adventure to Glacier National Park in a 25-year old Volkswagen Westfalia. It ended with federal agents on both sides of the U.S. — Canada border descending on the East Glacier area, surrounding my sister and parent’s campsite, guns drawn, hoping to catch a fugitive couple.
Senator stops by Pablo
PABLO - Back in Montana during the Senate's summer recess, Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., made a pit stop in Pablo last Thursday for a listening session with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Council and members of the public.
Merit badges, morals and marshmallows
MELITA ISLAND - Waking up at 6:45 a.m. to go swimming in cold water takes a lot of motivation.
A tragic string of events
Suspect still loose
Quite a car race
Among other things
Letters to the editor, Aug. 19
November nods
Law enforcement and court records, Aug. 19
Polson City Court, Judge Olson
Senior news, Aug. 19
Arlee senior center
Community notes, Aug. 19
Thursday, Aug. 19
Opening practices signal start to season
LAKE COUNTY - Before Friday nights under the lights, student athletes across the valley have to pay their dues running the gauntlet of the dreaded opening day practices. Football, volleyball, soccer and cross country each have their own versions of these mini-boot camps intended to whip everyone in shape.
Charlo football burns midnight oil in rain
CHARLO — The start to the fall sports season was marked by the eerie glow from the football stadium lights in Charlo on Friday morning. To kick off the season, the Charlo football team decided to camp out in the weight room and practice when the clock struck midnight.
Eyes turn to budget for athletics
LAKE COUNTY - With state budgets being scaled back after one of the worst economic recessions since the Great Depression, some schools may have to start taking a long look at the bottom line when it comes to their athletic programs.
Big help in Bigfork
Polson cross country team helps out Bigfork in weekend fundraiser
Ready for fall
It’s about time, fall sports are here.
Soccer junkies
Rain or shine, these guys still show up to play
Q&A: John Robertson
The Lake County Leader sits down with professional cowboy John Robertson
Mr. Bowling
George Zimmermann has been living the bowling dream for years
Golf roundup
Polson girls take fourth place at difficult Old Works golf course
Monday, August 16
Lakeside man survives 120-foot fall
Twenty-one-year-old Evan Kreps is alive and relatively well after falling some 120 feet on a mountain Saturday afternoon.
Home of: Lovie Bailey
RONAN — For Lovie Bailey, sometimes the best way to keep track of time is by the quilts she’s given as gifts.
Polson BOE axes FCS classes, looks at budget
POLSON — The Polson Board of Education voted to suspend Family/Consumer Science (FCS) classes indefinitely at its August meeting on Monday.
Ronan BOE ends issue
RONAN - After questions of incompatible office were raised during June's Ronan School District No. 30's Board of Trustees meeting, an apparent resolution during Monday's meeting led to the hiring of Gale Decker as high school assistant boys basketball coach.
Orders, ordinances and obstacles
Long list of items discussed at St. Ignatius town council
One step closer
RONAN — A $3,000 grant from the Plum Creek Foundation will help ensure that women get the mammograms they need for early detection of breast cancer.
Chevy next to Dodge
RONAN — “I can always order another car, I can’t always get another customer.”
Sunday, August 15
Boys drown in canal in St. Ignatius
ST. IGNATIUS - Two young boys passed away Aug. 14 near St. Ignatius after falling in a canal.
Friday, August 13
School starts in two weeks, are you ready for the learning to begin?
Motorcycles get Cruisen clearance
POLSON - At last year's Cruisen by the Bay, Kevin Detwiler's 1967 Oldsmobile Cutlass/442 was just a frame and an engine. This year, the Ronan resident's Spanish-red, black-striped, go-fast, muscle-car sparkled in the summer sun.
Water, water everywhere
POLSON - Flathead Lake was as smooth as glass Saturday afternoon, as 75 Water Daze swimmers took off from the KwaTaqNuk docks and headed east across Polson Bay to Boettcher Park. Participants from Lake County joined visitors from Missoula, Kalispell, Wyoming, Idaho, Washington and some from as far away as Albuquerque, N.M., to swim a one-mile race to raise money and awareness for Mission Valley Aquatics, the organization whose long-time goal is to build a community swimming facility in the Mission Valley.
Lawn art
Plenty of passion goes into annual Art in the Park
It's show time
RONAN - "When you're showing your cat, it's like getting it ready for the prom," cat show judge Cindy Bras said during her review of the junior showmanship competitors Friday morning at the Lake County Fair. "Do the nails, do the hair, everything."
News briefs, Aug. 12
Juneau announces student loan help for teachers
Summer review
Cops' corner
Lightning kills sheep
WILDHORSE ISLAND - Recent lightning strikes killed eight bighorn rams on Wildhorse Island, according to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Park officials who visited the island Monday to investigate a report from TIP-MONT (Turn in Poachers Montana).
Senior news, Aug. 12
Arlee senior center
Births, Aug. 12
Kaleb Hammer
Law enforcement and court records, Aug. 12
Lake County District Court, Judge
Untamed adventure
If you’re reading this on Thursday, I’ve probably just begun.
View from above
Ninemile lookout has been watching out for Mineral and Missoula County for 40 years
Community notes, Aug. 12
Thursday, Aug. 12
2010 Water Daze
Pictures of the 2010 Water Daze Aug. 7 in Polson.
Thursday, August 12
Southwest Youth Rodeo
Pictures taken by Sports editor Brandon Hansen at the Southwest Youth Rodeo Aug. 8 at the Ronan rodeo grounds.
Rodeo rookies
Association teaches youth the rules and nuances of rodeo
Mariners' dugout led league in characters
More than any other sport, baseball has seen its share of characters out on the field.
Q &A: Juan Perez
The Lake County Leader spoke with SKC’s AD and women’s basketball coach
Suspect still loose after Wednesday night stabbing
An altercation outside of the Pablo Bar near project 30 Wednesday night resulted in a stabbing that left one wounded and the suspect at large.
Hoops tourney sends messege
PABLO - It was basketball with a message at the Midnight Hoopz 3-on-3 tournament last Thursday night at Two Eagle River High School, kids had a chance to play competitive basketball but to also learn about various health concerns facing today's youth.
SKC schedules Div. I school
PABLO - For the first time in school history, the Salish Kootenai College men's basketball team will play a NCAA Division I opponent. The Bison will face the Eastern Washington Eagles on Nov. 19 in Cheney, Wash.
Lake County a shoe-in for Adidas
Worldwide sportswear manufacturer draws inspiration for skateboard shoes from town names in Lake County
County marksmen are world class
POLSON - Three of the world's best shooters have called Lake County their home and their talent evident in the middle of July during the World FITASC Championships held in Laterina, Italy.
Little shooters
Mission Valley Shooting Club hosts monthly youth shoot for area kids
Sports briefs, Aug. 19
Fall rec soccer league registration
Man severs electrical line in Pablo
PABLO —A severed electrical line sent one man to the hospital and left much of Pablo without power during a Thursday morning construction accident.
Wednesday, August 11
What a weekend in Polson!
Ronan griz captured
RONAN — Authorities finally apprehended the Ronan-area’s nuisance grizzly sow and cubs late last week, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Fish and Game bear biologist Stacy Courville said.
Friday, August 6
What is your favorite food to be grown in Mission Valley?
Just call it Storm County
Heavy rain and hail complemented a brilliant lighting display as part of a major storm system Saturday night. This map illustrates the 1,262 lighting strikes that hit within Lake County. Of that number, 32 were “positive” strikes, meaning the likelihood of a fire starting is greater. As of press time, no major fires had been reported, but because of the numerous strikes over the weekend, please call
Lake County TIGER Grant website
http://www.lakecounty-mt.org/tiger/index.htm
Skyline Drive on fast track
POLSON — Lake County commissioners counted their lucky stars when they were awarded one of 26 federal grants concerning roads.
Mixed reactions for new library district
POLSON — Patrons streamed in and out of the Polson Library last Wednesday afternoon, just like any other day. Inside, visitors, young and old checked out books, sat and read the newspaper and surfed the Internet. What appeared to be just any other day wasn’t. Instead, each patron that opened the door walked past multiple, identical signs: “Thank you, voters!!!” they read. “The North Lake County Public Library District (NLCPLD) Levy has PASSED!” With a 48.5 percent of 6,770 registered voters in the district turning in ballots during the July 8 to 27 time frame, the final tally came to 1,765 for the creation and funding of the new district, 1,522 against the measure. The numbers were canvassed and certified by the three Lake County Commissioners on Monday morning.
People's Center goes Baroque
the price.”
Obstacles in future for FIIP
ST. IGNATIUS — A presentation Monday night at the St. Ignatius Community Center illustrated the tough challenges ahead for the entity now managing the Flathead Indian Irrigation Project.
Thursday, August 5
Road to the Sun
Among other things
Letters to the editor, Aug. 5
Open letter to senators
Boil alert downgraded
ST. IGNATIUS - A boil water order that was issued to the town of St. Ignatius on July 21 is no longer in effect.
Flathead cherries: Better late than never
LAKE COUNTY - Flathead cherries are just starting to come off the trees, and even though they are late, for growers it's a sign of a solid year.
Good morning, World
When most of the town is still fast asleep, areaa athletes take to the lake
Law enforcement and court records, Aug. 5
Lake County District Court, Judge McNeil presiding
News briefs, Aug. 5
Newgard appointed to METAC
Bear trap set in Ronan
RONAN - Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Fish and Game bear biologist Stacy Courville doesn't get much sleep these days. Tribal dispatch, he said, has been calling him at all hours of the night because one particularly persistent, nutritionally-stressed grizzly sow with two young cubs has been frequenting chicken coops near Ronan, east of Highway 93, and eluding capture.
100 years for community bank
RONAN — Debby Olsson McClenahan remembers the Ronan Pioneer Days community barbecues of her youth as being “a big deal.” While the event has faded away in recent years, when Montana Secretary of State, Linda McCulloch’s office, notified Olsson McClenahan and the Board of Directors at Community Bank that they’d won a Centennial Award, everyone decided it was a perfect occasion to breathe life into the barbecue once again.
Senior news, Aug. 5
Ronan senior news
Births, Aug. 5
Jasmyn Marissa Allred
Community notes, Aug. 5
Friday,
Skate social
Polson's community on wheels gather for their own party
Championship hopes dashed
BILLINGS - The Mission Valley Mariners (42-18) started the American Legion State Tournament off with a bang, even before any games had their first pitch.
Coaching award sees double
POLSON — To say that Bob Gunderson and Larry Smith are coaching mainstays in Polson would probably be an understatement. The two have a combined half-century of coaching experience between them and plenty of hardware in the trophy case to back it up.
Cowboys catch buck fever
Video and photos of the Pioneer Days rodeos
Q&A: Aspen Runkel
The Lake County Leader talks with two-time state
It's hard work at nationals
GILLETTE, WYO. - Three Lake County rodeo athletes were among the best in the country competing at the High School Rodeo Nationals in Gillette Wyoming two weeks ago.
Wednesday, August 4
Polson Skatejam
Pictures of the Polson Skatejam from July 31, 2010.
Pioneer Days rodeo
Pictures taken of the Pioneer Days rodeos July 30-Aug.1
Ronan Pioneer Days
Pictures taken by Leader staff of the 2010 Ronan Pioneer Days July 30- Aug. 1.
