Friday, February 26
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Thursday, February 25
Search teams locate, assist stranded skiers
No injuries reported in morning rescue mission.
Speak up - at the appropriate time
You will rarely see a board of education meeting as packed as the most recent Polson meeting two weeks ago.
Giving back in masse
Generosity is a concept not lost on the people of the Mission Valley.
Valley Cats are cool
If you like a variety of music to listen or dance to, you’ll like KC and the Valley Cats. These cool cats are the foursome of KC Sorensen on trumpet and vocals, his wife Cindy at the piano, Brian Campbell on drums and Mike Thompson on the bass. Cindy also does some vocals and sings duets with her husband.
Stranded skiers OK after rescue at Mt. Saint Mary's in the Mission
More information will be provided as it becomes available.
Wednesday, February 24
Math coaching coming to Charlo
CHARLO — Two area school districts will take part in a one-of-a-kind research study that examines the effectiveness of instructional coaching in grade school math classes.
Pirates beat Ronan
Junior Sierra Pete and senior Nicole Davey pressure Ronan junior Alice VanGunten last Saturday in Polson’s
Ronan begins divisionals
POLSON — The Ronan girls’ basketball team dropped its final regular-season game of the season to Polson last Saturday, 50-32.
Vikings win challenge game
RONAN — The Charlo boys’ basketball team’s biggest weapon?
Polson to take over restaurant
POLSON — The city of Polson moved to take control of the restaurant at the golf course during Wednesday’s city council meeting. The commissioners voted 5-0 to make the commitment, after months of discussion. Commissioner Ron Boyce abstained after citing conflict of interest and commissioner John Campbell was absent.
Lady Bulldogs make divisionals
LIBBY — After suffering an early round loss to Bigfork, the Mission girls’ basketball team won two games in six hours to clinch third place in the district 7-B tournament.
Thousands donated for Rev. Payne
Members of The Shamrockers perform at the Elks Club in Polson on Saturday night during a benefit for Rev. John Payne. Payne was diagnosed with prostate cancer and is undergoing expensive treatment in Seattle. The event featured a gourmet spaghetti dinner, live music and a live and silent auction. All auction items were donated by community members. Pat West estimates the event raised more than $10,000.“I just walked in and burst into tears,” John’s wife, Sharon, said. “John felt awkward about it, but I said it’s what goes around, comes around.”
News Briefs
Feb. 25
New district? No problem
Arlee introduces itself to district 14C with title win over Charlo
RONAN — As Charlo sophomore Dillon Delaney let go of the ball, the buzzer went off. The only thing the Arlee boys basketball team could do was watch.
Scarlets end year at districts
RONAN — Experience was a factor in the Arlee girls’ basketball team’s district tournament.
Work continues on Ronan lift station
RONAN — The Ronan City Council received an update on the Spring Creek Lift Station project during Monday’s meeting.
Polson grabs second place
COLUMBIA FALLS — The Polson boys’ basketball team finished the regular season in second place.
Work ongoing for food pantry move, expansion
POLSON — It wasn’t long after the Folkshop III recycling center at 904 1st St. closed and was sold before the building’s new owners saw it was badly in need of some tender loving care.
Obituaries, Feb. 25
Luedkte, Rudd, Vicars, Unger, Boehler
Home of: Ann Zabel
When you are five years old, a common response to “what do you want to do when you grow up?” would include actress, astronaut or football star.
EXTENDED Community notes
Feb. 25
Bulldogs win one at districts
LIBBY — Mission boys’ basketball head coach Lloyd Phillips put a score of 48-32 on the board before the Bulldogs first district game.
Please excuse our mess: New Web site coming
At 10 a.m. today, Thursday, Feb. 25, the Leader will begin the switch to its brand new Web site. We ask that you please excuse our mess until the transition is complete.
Valley Cats are cool
Among Other Things
If you like a variety of music to listen or dance to, you’ll like KC and the Valley Cats. These cool cats are the foursome of KC Sorensen on trumpet and vocals, his wife Cindy at the piano, Brian Campbell on drums and Mike Thompson on the bass. Cindy also does some vocals and sings duets with her husband.
Chiefs enter post-season fifth
POLSON — The pressure is off the Ronan boys’ basketball team.
Letters to the editor
Feb. 25
Births, Feb. 25
Alejandro, Fisher, Cannon, Shephard, Rowe, Cahala, Harris, Robocker
Lady Vikings make it through first test
RONAN — The Charlo girls’ basketball team started strong in both of its games in the district tournament, but was only able to hold on for one win.
Light to aid fire station on Hwy 35
FINLEY POINT — As scrutiny concerning the safety of Montana Highway 35 continues, the Finley Point Fire Station is taking proactive steps to improve the situation.
Defending self, drifter causes stir
Man allegedly tried to claim some area-foreclosed homes as his own using these documents.
Petersen, Picard take crowns
Charlo senior Jame Petersen knocks down Fergus’ Rex Martin in the semifinal round during the 2nd Annual Tournament of Champions sponsored by the law firm of Hoyt and Blewett PLLC in Great Falls. Petersen took home the crown at 145 pounds. He beat Martin 4-2 in overtime before beating Conrad’s Johnny Schlosser 2-1 in the championship.
Monday, February 22
Notes from the Newsroom Feb. 18
Generosity is a concept not lost on the people of the Mission Valley.
Chocolate for a good cause
ARLEE — How do you choose between a rich cinnamon and chocolate brownie, topped with a brown sugar icing, and a slice of Olympic chocolate mousse pie, dressed with cherries, pieces of chocolate and a chocolate glaze?
Friday, February 19
This bowl is for the brains
Buzzers resounded throughout the Polson Middle School library last week as teams huddled, debating answers to trivia questions, during the second meeting of this year’s Lake County Middle School Academic Bowl.
Charges filed in bizarre fraud case
POLSON — With the economy and housing market down, foreclosed homes have become a common sight around the country.
Program aims to increase safety on Hwy 35
HIGHWAY 35 — The Montana Department of Transportation unveiled a Highway Watch Program last week for areas of concern on both Montana Highway 35 and U.S. Highway 93 near Flathead Lake.
Area outdoor group applauds mining ban
POLSON — Dr. Ric Hauer, limnology professor at the University of Montana’s Flathead Lake Biological Station, had some good news when he came to Polson last Tuesday.
Wednesday, February 17
Pirates pound Eureka
POLSON — The Polson girls’ basketball team came away with a non-conference win and conference loss last week.
Lady Vikings win twice
Senior Jaris Kelley scores two on a lay-up against Granite last week. The Charlo girls’ basketball team beat Granite 52-26 last Thursday and St. Regis 52-31 the next night. The Vikings compete in their district tournament this weekend in Ronan.
Sports Briefs
Feb. 18
Warriors continue winning ways
ALBERTON — After securing the top spot in the conference, the Arlee boys’ basketball team didn’t let up, winning three times last week.
Births, Feb. 18
White, Butterfly, Gardner, Van Ness, Billington, Reese, Zieler
Scarlets hungry for victory
ALBERTON — Heading into the district tournament this weekend, the Arlee girls’ basketball team is looking for a win.
Bulldogs make districts
Bulldogs make districts
Family ties boost help for Haiti
In the wake of the worst earthquake to hit Haiti in more than 100 years, many people across this country are donating anything they can to help the hundreds of thousands of victims affected by this catastrophe.
Man to pay fine in animal cruelty case
POLSON — A Polson man who pleaded guilty to animal cruelty charges will face no jail time. Instead, the court has ordered Kristopher M. Lawson, 20, to pay $500 to the Mission Valley Animal Shelter and complete a therapy program.
Charlo rolls through week
Charlo rolls through week
Through with Chew
This is Public Health
Through With Chew Week is Feb. 14 – 20. It began in Wyoming and has spread across the nation as a time for youth and adults to bring to light the effects of spit tobacco use and why it is not a safe alternative to smoking, as corporate tobacco companies would like you to believe.
Petersen finishes third
BILLINGS — Jame Petersen had thirty seconds.
Chiefs win in OT
RONAN — Hitting three shots at the end of regulation to send a game into overtime is one way to break out of a mid-season scoring slump.
Pirates secure second
POLSON — The Polson boys’ basketball team solidified its second-place spot in the conference after a pair of wins last week.
Home of: Lois Dumont
During the past four decades, the teams of Mission High School have had an extra-special kind of love and support on their side — the kind only a grandma can bring.
Letters to the editor
Feb. 18
Publisher
Molding true trackers
“I forced myself not to focus on just the immediate surface of the snow, but to look across at every opening; up at every stage of the canopy; to scan three hundred and sixty degrees around me; to look for anything that did not blend well, and everything that blended really well; to breathe deeply and utilize all my olfactory senses to truly smell; to use the wind; to feel with my skin; to keep my search image finely tuned; and to listen, and keep listening. In this way, one is not looking outward, but looking deep within, and becoming part of the life that surrounds us.”
EXTENDED Community Notes
Feb. 18
Neiss wins second title
Neiss wins second title
Gold three-peat for Picard
BILLINGS — Brock Picard can now add the phrase “three-time” in front of the words “state champion”.
Twice for Rice
BILLINGS — Cole Rice was the first wrestler this year to win gold.
Man held on child abuse charges
POLSON — A Polson man is being held at the Lake County Detention Center on $100,000 bond after allegations of child abuse.
Friday, February 12
RHS robotics team excels
RONAN — Expectations were running high for the Ronan High School club team going into last Friday’s FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition in Bozeman. Performing several last-minute preparations on the machine last Wednesday, junior team member Troy McMillan made sure to emphasize the team’s main focus.
Drum group headed to Olympics
ELMO — A local drum and singing group will have a chance to represent their culture, heritage and hometowns on one of the world’s biggest stages next week at the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Wednesday, February 10
Polson girls fall to CFalls
The Pirates dropped to No. 2 in the conference with a 61-40 loss to Columbia Falls last Thursday.
PHS principal introduced
Polson School District Superintendent David Whitesell introduced Rob Hankins as the incoming Polson High School principal during Monday night’s regular trustee meeting.
Ronan basketball briefs
Boys:
Births, Feb. 11
Todd, McDougall, Bazett, Bull, Turner
Warrior grapplers finish with four champs, Bulldogs claim three
Full
Letters to the editor
Feb. 11
County revenue worries continue
LAKE COUNTY — Frugal spending habits and vigilance has steadied county budget concerns, commissioners reported last week, although worry remains over lower-than-projected property tax revenue being collected.
Obituaries, Feb. 11
Peone, Kanta, Gravagno, Boldt, Luke Flynn, Pefley, Miller, Rossback, Ellis, Trudell, Padilla
Ronan library gets large donation
RONAN — The Ronan City Library announced it has received big donation at Monday’s city council meeting.
Mission looks for solid showing
TROY — The pattern for the Mission girls’ basketball team is for one shooter to have a great night while others have average nights.
Arlee stays on top of conference
ARLEE — In a game between the top two teams in district 14-C, the Arlee boys basketball team came out on top.
Small mistakes cost Arlee
ARLEE — Turnovers were a main factor in the Arlee girls’ basketball team’s losses last week against the top teams in District 14-C.
EXTENDED Community Notes
Feb. 11
Polson takes team crown, Ronan finishes second: Both move to state
Full
Polson boys downed by Wildcats
The Pirates lost their only game of the week to Columbia Falls, 50-48.
Home of: Delbert Bontrager
In a time that many economic experts are calling the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression, some Lake County residents know that they can always count on one place to stay affordable.
Livestock show a diverse sampler
RONAN — The snow melted away from the Ronan fairgrounds as the doors opened for the 20th annual Lake County Expo and Livestock Show, held at the Ronan Community Center.
Mission rebounds with OT win
ST. IGNATIUS — Mission senior Jorren Gies took matters into his own hands last Saturday.
Bridge rescue second in weeks
POLSON — Police rescued a 59-year-old man last Wednesday from the Flathead Lake after he intentionally jumped from the river side of the Armed Forces Memorial Bridge.
Friday, February 5
Fire district talks opened
POLSON — A Polson-area fire stakeholders group meeting last week came up with no new resolutions, but set ground rules for members to follow in meetings to come.
UPDATED Man rescued after jumping from bridge
POLSON — Polson police still have not identified the man who jumped from the Armed Forces Memorial Bridge on Wednesday afternoon.
Wednesday, February 3
Obituaries, Feb. 4
Kile, Logan, Madsen, Nimrick, Peone
Births, Feb. 4
Wayman, Old Shoes, Calderon, Trenton, Hammer, Fischer
Pirates have good week
POLSON — Before entering the dual against Ronan, the Pirates beat Columbia Falls last Tuesday 54-27.
Vikings win two district games
Charlo senior Colt Nagy runs the ball under the net on Jan. 24 against Noxon. Last week, the Vikings were on a roll, with a 61-50 win over Two Eagle River and a 53-48 victory over Hot Springs. Junior Chance Rosenbaum had 26 points in both games and senior Chico Stipe had 23 points.
Mission Scholarship Foundation Donation
On Wednesday, Jan. 27, Blackfoot Telecommunications donated $3,000 to the Mission Scholarship Foundation as a memorial to former Blackfoot board member Dan Seery. Present were board member Stuart Morton, a Blackfoot representative, Isabelle Seery and St. Ignatius Superintendent Gerry Nolan. The Mission Scholarship Foundation was created to provide financial assistance to all qualified graduates of Mission High School in their pursuit of a post secondary education. The St. Ignatius School District is proud to say that the teachers and staff do a great job of getting students ready for college. The national graduation rate is about 67 percent, the graduation rate for Montana is 87.2 percent, and in 2009 the rate for Mission High School was 93 percent. Last year, Mission High School graduates average ACT score (23.2) was well above the state (22.0) and national average (21.1). It is a group of St. Ignatius citizens who want to provide a brighter future for the sons and daughters through funding post-high school educational opportunities. If you are interested in either donating to the fund or being part of this effort, please contact Dr. Gerry Nolan at 745-4420 or 396-7698 or e-mail
Seven wrestlers place for Bulldogs
DARBY — After going to Plains and Florence for mixers, the Mission/Charlo wrestling team finished eighth at the Darby Invitational.
Home of: Kassie and Jerry Parson
If you’ve been to an Arlee event in the last 36 years featuring school children in some capacity, be it sports, music or drama, you’ve probably seen them. And if you’ve seen them, you’ve also heard them: two voices louder than the others, cheering on their extended family. The “them” is Kassie and Jerry Parson, retired Arlee schoolteachers who just happen to be the students’ biggest fans, so much so that the duo was honored as Arlee “Super Fans” between boys’ and girls’ basketball games on Jan. 22.
Flathead publisher to retire
KALISPELL — Daily Inter Lake publisher Tom Kurdy has announced that he will retire in late spring after 40 years of service to the Hagadone Corporation, the newspaper’s parent company.
Charlo splits games
Charlo senior Stephanie Maughan passes the ball in the Vikings’ game against Noxon on Jan. 24.
Warrior wrestlers take second
DARBY — The Arlee wrestling team had its hands full of trophies on the ride home from the Darby Invitational during the last weekend of regular season competition.
Dramatic finish
Area drama teams haul in medals at state meet
CORVALLIS — Ronan High School junior Jae Chinzorig made sure her entire team enjoyed the moment as much as she did as she was crowned pantomime champion at last weekend’s State Class A Speech, Debate and Drama meet in Corvallis.
Wolves among us
When I first moved here, I felt like I moved into a real-life version of a zoo. There were wild turkeys outside my window, bears in my backyard and bald eagles over my head. Hummingbirds buzzed as I walk to my car and deer roam about while rumors of cougars in town make me worry.
Polson considers running restaurant
POLSON — The Polson City Commission on Monday night continued to ponder options on how to best fill the golf course restaurant space left open again for almost the eighth time in nine years.
Bulldogs cannot convert
BIGFORK — The Mission boys basketball team worked on many things during last week’s practices but the team was unable to translate them to its games.
Pirates tired after two OTs
POLSON — After playing two overtimes in one game, the Polson boys’ basketball team was unable to recover fast enough for its game against Stevensville, resulting in two losses last week.
Letters to the editor
Feb. 4
Think before a U turn
It is the sincere hope that all in the community enjoyed the holidays. We certainly did in our household.
EXTENDED Community Notes
Feb. 4
Knife fight brings felony charges
POLSON — A Pablo man is being held at the Lake County Detention Center on three felony charges after an altercation with a knife last Thursday night left both the victim and alleged assailant in the hospital.
Ronan close to wins
RONAN — After a tie game at the half, the Ronan girls’ basketball team ended with a three-point loss last Tuesday against Superior.
Sports Briefs
Feb. 4
Pirates win final dual vs. Ronan
RONAN — The latest Polson and Ronan wrestling dual featured 12 ranked wrestlers, with six wrestling against each other in three matches.
Chiefs look to divisionals
RONAN — Forfeits helped Ronan in its dual against Whitefish last Tuesday.
Mission drops two games
ST. IGNATIUS — Turnovers and low shooting percentages led to two losses for the Mission girls’ basketball team last week.
Grant helps CSKT Natural Resources clean asbestos
POLSON — If you’ve been down Main Street Polson recently, you may have noticed the Tribal Natural Resources Department building is undergoing some big changes. Those changes are a good start in getting rid of some unhealthy aspects of the old building.
Monday, February 1
Home of: Marie Torosian
Behind the scenes at The People’s Center, Marie Torosian takes care of the history.
