Ellington

Lady Pirates battle their way to third-place finish

POLSON — The dust has settled after a weekend jam-packed with volleyball action, and while there is still room for improvement, a promising season looks to be in store for head coach Jan Toth and the Polson volleyball program.

County appoints interim justice

Lady Vikings still working out kinks after disappointing start to season

DRUMMOND — The Charlo Lady Vikings volleyball squad didn’t get off to the kind of start to the season they were hoping for over the weekend, falling to Mission 3-1 on Friday at home and getting ousted early from the Drummond Invitational Tournament on Saturday.

A deliciously good time at Dixon Melon Day

DIXON — Mix fresh cantaloupe, face-painting, live music, stir well, serve over a sunny summer day, and what do you have? Melon Days in Dixon.

Community calendar

Rick Meidinger

Rick Meidinger, age 55, of Polson, passed away Sunday, Aug. 26 at St. Joseph Medical Center. A memorial service will be held Friday, Aug. 31 at 10:00 a.m. at the Polson Softball Complex.

Larry Dale Howell

Larry Howell, 56, passed away at Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane, Wash. on Aug. 23 after a brief illness. Larry was born in Bozeman on August 11, 1956 to Dale and Faye Howell. The family moved to Kalispell where Larry attended Hedges Grade School and graduated from Flathead High School in 1975. He married Leslie Hall in Yakima, Wash. on Oct. 10, 1984. Larry and Leslie had two children, Lindsay and Jared. Larry was preceded in death by his wife Leslie in 2006. He is survived by his daughter Lindsay and son Jared, both of Spokane. His parents Dale and Faye Howell of Polson, sister Diana (Mike) Brown of Polson and his brothers Lyle (Laurie) Howell of Bozeman and Loyd (Jeri) Howell of Mesa, Ariz. Cremation is under the direction of Spokane Cremation and Funeral Home. No services are planned at this time.

LaRona Jewel McLeod

Our beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, LaRona Jewel McLeod, age 77, passed away quietly Aug. 15, at her family home, to be with the Lord. Cremation has already taken place by Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory, Polson. A memorial will be held at her Finley Point home at a later date. LaRona was born in Polson on January 30, 1936 to James Franklin and LaRona Powell. She worked her entire life at many jobs to raise her children. In all of her endeavors, she was loved and will be dearly missed. In her retirement years, she enjoyed her time in her garden, her chickens, animals, pets, and the rest of the friends that ran through her yard. LaRona was preceded in death by her parents, Ronald Powell, Jimbo Powell, Jackson Powell, Ramona Powell, Violet (Tina) Powell and son Robin Ray Cookingham. She is survived by her daughters, Rhonda Lea Lewis and Tamie Austin; sons, Mitchel James, Thurston James, Justin J. Pulse, and Jason Conn; sisters, Nora Abrahamson and Zelma Ruby Johnson; brother, Keith Willard Powell. She is also survived by 15 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. We love you mother and you will be missed by all. Messages of condolences may be shared with the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com.

Births

Law enforcement and court records

Polson woman sentenced in check cashing scheme

Fun times on the fly

POLSON — Wings for Wishes(WFW) held its annual Fun Fly this weekend off of 93 and Minesinger Trail. The event raises money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Montana. The organization provides children facing life-threatening medical conditions with the opportunity to make one of their wishes come true.

Polson man pleads not guilty to drug charges

Brake failure causes truck rollover

No injuries in accident at corner of U.S. 93 and Highway 35

POLSON — On Friday morning, a local truck delivering grain experienced mechanical brake failure while driving downhill on U.S. 93, toward the intersection with Highway 35. According to Sgt. Randy Owens of Montana Highway Patrol, the driver attempted to make the turn onto Highway 35, but hit the curb and flipped the vehicle, landing on the end of a pickup going through the intersection.

Back to school we go

Fall fun awaits at the National Bison Range

Skill on the grill

Smokin' on the Water barbecue cook-off stokes the flames of competition

POLSON — As if the West Garceau fire hadn’t lent enough of a smoky ambiance to the air around town, Saturday’s Smokin’ on the Water cookout added a little extra charcoal flavor to the mix.

Fire still roaring

More than one week old, West Garceau blaze covers more than 9,400 acres

Scorching the hills of the Salish Mountains approximately 15 miles west of Polson, the West Garceau fire stubbornly continues to defy suppression after more than a week of activity.

Maturation of underclassmen vital for Lady Bulldogs

Erickson, Lewandowski, Nerby set for leadership roles in 2012

ST. IGNATIUS — For the last two years, the Mission Lady Bulldogs’ volleyball team has come just one game shy of qualifying for the State Tournament, a fact that will fuel the players’ efforts in 2012.

High fire risk leads to Stage I Restriction

PABLO — As evidenced by the recent outbreak of several devastating wildfires, the area is on high alert with respect to fire danger. With fire indices rated as “extreme” and “very high” throughout the Flathead Indian Reservation, the CSKT Tribal Council imposed a Stage I Restriction on fire use as a precautionary safeguard that went into effect on Tuesday.

Archie Wayne Olsen

Gaye Harding Engle

LaVon Dean Brown

Richard Allen Snyder

Fred Gilleard

Law enforcement and court records

Community Calendar

Births

Polson man pleads guilty to wire fraud

Rehberg visits Polson

Water saga continues

Community turns out for sandpiper Art Festival

Judge Wall resigns

POLSON — Justice of the Peace Chuck Wall resigned last Wednesday midway through his third term. The short notice has left the county commissioners struggling to find a replacement.

Fire torches countryside

A Creepy crawling good time

Senior news

Fire roars through area west of Polson

A wildfire that exploded Tuesday evening west of Polson has been sized up at 9,700 acres, but burning activity diminished Wednesday due to weather changes.

Community calendar

Law enforcement and court records

Dr. Loren H. Evans

 Dr. Loren Harrison Evans passed peacefully on August 9, 2012. He was 82 years of age being born on Christmas day 1929. Dr. Evans was born in Polson Montana but until fairly recently lived in Pennsylvania where he practiced veterinary medicine as a professor of equine surgery at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Evans graduated with honors from Washington State University and attended veterinary school at the same university. Subsequent to his graduation he received an appointment as an intern at the University of Pennsylvania where over the next 33 years he rose to full professor, chief of clinical studies, chief of equine surgery and was awarded multiple honorary chairs. In addition to his full plate of practicing accomplishments he conducted extensive research into chronic equine lameness and pioneered the first successful abdominal colon surgery, paving the way for saving once doomed horses. During his tenure at the University of Pennsylvania Dr. Evans worked on many very famous race horses including: Bold Ruler (sire of Secretariat), Northern Dancer, Romeo Hanover and countless others. He was frequently called upon to perform surgery all over the world. In 1972 he was invited to lecture at the South African Veterinary School of Johannesburg receiving an honorary citizenship and high esteem from both faculty and student bodies. Awards and laurels followed Dr. Evans until his retirement from the University of Pennsylvania in 1993. After his retirement, Dr Evans returned with his wife, Phyllis Evans, to his ancestral home, the Flathead Valley. Here he replaced his surgical scrubs for blue jeans and his new vocation, cattle rancher. Although theoretically retired, he worked with the same dedication he’d given to veterinarian medicine…building up a sizeable herd of cattle, sowing his own hay and doing all things any cowboy would be expected to do. Dr. Evans is preceded in death by his wife of 43 years, Phyllis J. Evans and four siblings. He is survived by his daughter Rebekkah Evans and her daughter, Stephanie J. Seymour and his son, Barry R Evans and his two children Lauren Evans and Ryan Evans in addition to many nieces and nephews. No memorial service will be held.

Gloria Whittekiend

Gloria Whittekiend, a Polson native, passed away in her sleep, August 3, 2012. She was born in 1942 in Polson to George and Reathel Lehl. She was a member of the class of 1960. She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Jim, and a son Dan and his family of Hawaii. Services will be held August 18, 2012 at First Baptist Church of Bigfork at 3:00 p.m.

Ethel Montgomery

Births

Sophia Zynne Smith Cayden Brian Smith is proud to announce the arrival of his little sister Sophia Zynne Smith who was born Aug. 1, at St. Joseph Medical Center. She weighed 8 pounds, 5 ounces. Parents are Bryce and Miranda Smith of Polson. Paternal grandparents are Jim & Robin Mantell of Butte. Aunties are Kailee & Ali Mantell of Butte. Maternal grandparents are Brian & Julie Smith of Rexford. Auntie and Uncle are Jeff & Christina Kitchen of Granite Falls, Wash.

Pioneer Days Rodeo

Snapshots from the Pioneer Days Rodeo on Sunday, Aug. 5 in Ronan.

Ronan man sentenced on probation violation

RONAN — Alex Finley had his suspended sentence revoked due to a probation violation.

Fire destroys lakefront home on Rocky Point

ROCKY POINT - On Friday afternoon, flames engulfed a lakeside home located near the end of E. Matterhorn Road. Numerous trucks and watercraft from the Polson Fire Department responded to the scene to douse the flames and successfully prevented the fire from spreading to neighboring structures or trees. The building is no longer habitable.

CSKT game damage hunts aim to resolve human-wildlife conflicts

The Tribal Wildlife Management Program often responds to human/wildlife conflicts on the Flathead Indian Reservation. Most conflicts between private landowners and big game occur in the autumn and winter months. To try to mitigate the impacts of these conflicts, the Tribal Council has approved development of a call list of individual Tribal member hunters interested in harvesting deer or elk involved in conflicts on private lands.  

Ronan Pioneer Days

Last weekend, Pioneer Days took center-stage in Ronan, as the community turned out in droves to have a good time at the annual festival. A parade, rodeo, 3-on-3 basketball tournament, and plenty of other activities kept attendees of all ages occupied.

Public comments sought for waterfowl hunting regulations

The Flathead Indian Reservation Fish and Wildlife Advisory Board is seeking comments on the Draft 2012-2013 Hunting Seasons, Shooting Hours and Limits for Migratory Waterfowl.  A copy of the draft regulations can be obtained by contacting Dale Becker, Tribal Wildlife Program Manager at (406) 883-2888 or by email at daleb@cskt.org. Comments will be accepted through 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 29, 2012 and may be sent to Dale Becker, Program Manager, CSKT Wildlife Management Program, P. O. Box 278, Pablo, Montana  59855 or to daleb@cskt.org.  A public meeting to accept comments will be held in the Tribal Division of Fish, Wildlife, Recreation and Conservation Conference Room at 406 Sixth Avenue East in Polson, Montana at 4:00 p.m. on Monday, August 27, 2012.

From SKC to Mars

College well represented at ground control for Mars rover mission

PASADENA, Calif. - An education at Salish Kootenai College can take you a lot of places. Including Mars.

Shooters roll into Ronan for Pioneer Days 3-on-3 hoops

Congdon and Kovick sentencing postponed until September

MISSOULA  —  Last month in United States District Court, the sentencing for Robert Congdon and Keith Kovick was postponed from July 26 until Sept. 6.

Northfork Notebook

Definitely summer on the North Fork as temps soar, and, families can envision school in a couple of weeks ... where did the summer go?

Woman pleads guilty to meth possession

ST. IGNATIUS - Desiree Peone was involved in a traffic stop by Tribal Police on Dec. 28, 2011. According to court records, while attempting to retrieve documents the defendant displayed a marijuana pipe and a baggie of pills to Officer Haynes.

Epic Shore to Shore Race brings paddlers to Flathead

Water Daze

POLSON — The water frothed and churned as something approached the shore. Soon, a dark figure rose from the depths of the lake as a crowd looked on in astonishment, making sure to snap pictures.

Law enforcement and court records

Douglas Paul Casavan

August 17, 1944 - July 15, 2012 – Doug passed away while fishing in Brookings, OR with his very best friend Les Crawford – his “brother.” He was born in Brookston, MN and moved to Coos Bay, OR as a teenager. After serving a tour in Vietnam with the US Marine Corps, he then moved to Milpitas, CA and worked at the Ford Plant in Fremont where he began his friendship with Les. Doug later followed Les to Klamath Falls, OR where the two men worked at Les’ father’s auto shop. Soon after, Doug began his timber falling career. In the mid-80’s he moved to Camptonville, CA where he started his own business, “Casavan Contract Cutting” and continued timber falling until 2011.

Florence "Flo" Beck

Florence “Flo” Beck Florence Beck, 83, rejoined her beloved husband Lewis Beck on Friday July 20 after her courageous battle with cancer. She passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones.

Joanne Mangels

Births

Community Calendar

Cherry harvest underway after weekend moratorium

FINLEY POINT - Thus far, it’s been a great year for growing cherries. Until Monday, picking them had been another story, however.

Among Other Things- Changing times

Thanks to outgoing editor, Ali Bronsdon, for her outstanding job as Leader editor for the past several months, and best wishes to her in the new role of Mission Valley Aquatics director. A talented writer and photographer, she also provided leadership, promotional abilities and what I term “a caring sense of community.” She appreciated and cared for the people and groups she wrote about and liked to tell their stories. Fortunately for the community, she’ll remain here and use those abilities in her new role.

From your representative- Calendars, schedules, plans

This has been a busy season for most of us.  It’s hard to believe that our primary election was held nearly two months ago.  Time flies.

Letters to the editor

Accident causes temporary closure on Highway 93 near Arlee

Traffic has been stopped along Highway 93 this morning as a result of an accident about seven miles north of Arlee.

Polson student wins scholarship from MSU

BOZEMAN -- Clint Cooper, a graduate of Polson High School, was one of just twelve high school seniors in Montana to receive the 2012 Presidential Scholarship, Montana State University’s most prestigious scholarship.

Bada Bing-Ronan's hottest dish

RONAN — Bada Bing restaurant owner Shawn Wilson has been in the restaurant business for over a decade but that has not lessened his enthusiasm for hard work and long hours. He is especially excited about the recent opening of his new establishment located off highway 93 in Ronan. And with all they’ve got cooking it’s no wonder. The name itself hits the nail on the head with all fresh ingredients made every morning, including pizza dough made from scratch for the restaurant’s Naples-style pizza. There is also the widely popular gyros and a selection of freshly made Asian bowls that are also top sellers. With the many options it is the kind of place with something for everyone, or as Wilson said, “I wanted diversity -- people aren’t going to eat noodles seven days a week.” They also have a breakfast menu and a pickup window for those on the go. Bada Bing has a nice relaxed feel to it, with booths and a family atmosphere and the pricing is easy on the wallet too. Pasta dinners ranging in the $4.95-$6.95 range and 10’’ artisan pizzas from $6.95-$7.95, there is even a kids’ menu, which includes a drink and a cookie, with the options of macaroni and cheese, spaghetti and meatball and even a cheese pizzita, all for just $3.95. Not only is the freshly made meal going to be good for your tummy -- spending your money there will be good for the community. Wilson has made numerous contributions throughout the years to such organizations as Mission Valley Babe Ruth Baseball, School District # 30 Robotics and Mission Valley Cruisers Car Club, just to name a few. Wilson said “I married a hometown Ronan girl.” He is speaking of his business partner Pamela Wilson, who also is the interior designer of Bada Bing. “I have lived here for twenty years. I am invested in this community.” He continued, “ I am very thankful --it is nice to have the support of the community, so that you can give back.” Bada Bing is open Monday-Saturday from 9 a.m. -10 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m.- 9p.m.

Public comment sought on proposed 2012-2013 ice fishing

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on ice fishing contests proposed for the 2012-13 winter season.

Finley's finest

FINLEY POINT - It is just another training session for the Finley Point firefighters. Wednesday evening they are gathered in a field located off the road near the Finley Point campgrounds.

Births

Native American Playwright Festival a great success

ARLEE — “Bringing the Reservation to the stage, by bringing the stage to the Reservation.”

Ronan man accused of stealing liquor

RONAN - On June 18th, 2012, Randall Stevens was accused of breaking into the Second Chance Saloon in Ronan and stealing several bottles of liquor.

Loyal customers flock to organic Fat Robin Orchard

FINLEY POINT — While many of the area’s large cherry producers spent the weekend in deadlock, not all farms were sitting idle at the onset of this year’s harvest season.

Ronan man avoids jail in sentencing

RONAN — Marvin Camel, Jr. of Ronan was in court July 25 for sentencing on two separate charges being tried under Judge McNeil. He was given suspended sentences for both felony sexual assault and for assault on a minor.

Horsin' around at the Fair

RONAN — It is Monday morning at the Ronan Fairgrounds and today is all about horses.

Larry Ray Finley

Larry Ray Finley, 60, passed away at his home in Hanna, Wyo. in July of 2012.

Virginia “Ginny” (Krause) Mullen

Virginia “Ginny” (Krause) Mullen, age 72, of Wayne, N.J. (formerly of Polson), died on Sunday, July 22, at home with her family gathered at her bedside. Ginny was born in Peoria, Illinois and moved to Polson, at the age of six. She later moved with her family to Seattle. In the early 1960’s, she moved to Manhattan Beach, California, near Los Angeles. Ginny met her husband Warren there and they were married on April 2, 1966 at a chapel in Las Vegas. They enjoyed 36 years together before Warren passed in 2002. In 1976 Warren was transferred from California to New Jersey and they moved to Wayne. Ginny is survived by her two children; Christa Cicchetti of Wayne, and David Mullen of Tahoe, Calif., her stepson; Michael Mullen of Gardenerville, Nev., two sisters; Kathy Pallone of Pompton Plains, Karen McClure of Washington, three brothers; Lee Krause of Sitka, Alaska, Volney Smith, of Sitka, Alaska, Viston Smith of Oregon. To read full obituary, go to www.vandermay.com.

Senior news

Law enforcement and court records

Community calendar

Adam Jesse Hefner

Adam Jesse Hefner was born May 5, 1985 and passed away Saturday July 21, 2012 at his home in Kalispell. Adam is survived by his two sons, Ryan and Dylan Hefner of Kalispell, his mother Mary and stepfather Harry Bales of St. Ignatius, his father Marvin and stepmother Tina Hefner of Susanville, Calif., and grandmother Opal Amos of Stockton, Calif. Adam is also survived by his brothers John of St. Ignatius, Tave of Ronan, Richard, Tucker, Monkey (Andrew) Choop (Christopher), Bam, Blue Star, and sisters Vanessa and Makiah, all of Susanville, Calif. He is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews and nieces. He has gone to join his grandfather Ray, grandmother Oma and his little brother William Robert Gerald Hefner (Billy Bob) in heaven. Adam will be missed by all that he knew, he had a great spirit and a huge heart. He was kind and generous with everyone he knew. We all have our faults as did Adam and if we could change things we would. We hope that Adam knew just how much he was loved and will be missed by all.

Game damage hunts registration underway

Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal member hunters interested in participating in game damage hunts on private land on the Flathead Indian Reservation this year are encouraged to register with the Division of Fish Wildlife Recreation and Conservation office at 406 6th Avenue East in Polson or online.