2011 Year In Review Part III

August 

August 4 – Lightning strikes started three fires on the Flathead Reservation. Pablo 12-year-old Anya Smith wrote her own play, “Fractured Fables” which was performed on Aug. 20 at the Pablo Christian Church. Participants from 4-H come together to help put together the Lake County fair. Dennis Gillingham of Arlee was arraigned in district court on charges of sexually abusing a minor over a 10-year span. Ronan woman Leah Daniell Morton, 32, was arraigned in a federal court on charges on an indictment of theft from CSKT. The CSKT dedicated the newly-completed Pablo bike/pedestrian overpass. Big Arm defeated Polson in the annual Water Wars event as everyone enjoyed a reprieve from the heat.

August 11 – Polson’s Eugene Eckert, 48, was sentenced to 13 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to sexually abusing a 9-year-old girl. The Montana Supreme Court ruled that a Lake County man’s due process rights were violated when he was presented to prospective jurors while shackled and strapped to a chair. Swimmers converged on Polson’s Boettcher Park for the ninth annual Polson Bay’s Water Daze one-mile swim to benefit Mission Valley Aquatics. Vintage automobiles and car enthusiasts flock to Polson for the Cruisen by the Bay car show. Vendors from all across the country set up shop in Polson for the Sandpiper Art Gallery’s 40th Annual Art in the Park. Little cowboys and girls enjoyed the City Slicker Rodeo at the Pioneer Days Festival in Ronan.

August 18 – Ronald Lee Phillips Jr. was sentenced to four years in prison for possessing the chemicals and materials necessary to make meth. The Mission Valley Aquatic Center was dealt a setback when the Polson City/County Planning Board did not consider the entrance to the new pool a private road. Rose Bear Don’t Walk, a St. Ignatius 17-year-old, received two medals and a plaque for her presentations regarding her passion to save the Salish language, one speaker at a time. It was announced that beginning on Oct. 1, Mission Valley Power would experience a 40 percent rate increase from Bonneville Power Administration. Montana’s 2011 Children’s Miracle Network Hospital’s Champion, Ronan 10-year-old Sotara Barnaby, helped work at Dairy Queen for the day, where all proceeds from the sale of the day’s Blizzard treats went to the Montana Children’s Miracle Network’s Shodair Children’s Hospital. For the 10th-straight year, local law enforcement helped with Safety Day in Polson.

August 25 – Polson Police Chief Doug Chase retires after nine years on the job. Justin Onesalt of Pablo was sent back to jail after failing to live up to his suspended sentence after the fatal accident which resulted in his brother’s 2005 death. Ronan’s Eric Kendall helped a child with his first annual Wings for Wishes benefit, raising $1,018 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Montana. The Polson Rural Fire District filed a motion to dismiss a petition brought against them by Tom Eddy. A Sunday, Aug. 21 car accident into a power pole in Valley View caused residents to lose power off-and-on for the duration of the day. Polson’s Brian Johnston, previously registered as a sex offender, returned to court, facing three more counts of felony sex crimes against minors.

September

Sept. 8 - Judge C.B. McNeil then sentenced Clifford Old-Horn to the maximum penalty of 100 years in Montana State Prison with no chance of parole. After a trial that concluded on June 24, a jury found Old-Horn guilty in the death of 73-year-old Harold Mitchell Jr. The United States Postal Service held two public meetings in Lake County last week, seeking public comment on the potential closures of two of the county's rural post offices - Elmo and Dixon. Lake County officials say a Steven R. Eisenbarth, 57, of Kalispell died in what appeared to be an accidental drowning in Flathead Lake over the weekend. Local officials, business leaders, Kicking Horse Job Corps staff, students and family members joined 15 graduating students Tuesday, Aug. 30 to celebrate National Job Corps Commencement Day. Last week's Susie Hanson Ice Cream Social was the 26th time that the event had been held. While Hanson has since passed away, her legacy lives on as the hospital and extended care center continues the tradition.

Sept. 15 - After signing a plea agreement in Lake County District Court las Wednesday, 25-year-old Shain Steffens faces five years in jail with the other 15 years suspended for two counts of negligent homicide, stemming from an April 10, 2010 crash that resulted in the death of Joshua Clairmont, 23, and Drew Austin, 21. Just 29 miles north of Missoula on U.S. Hwy. 93 lies a hidden wonder, where a barn full of small Buddah statues resides. It's a blend of rural Arlee and Tibet, known as The Garden of One Thousand Buddha. The celebration of peace has developed greatly over the past seven years, growing from a spur-of-the-moment idea to a day-long event. A 34-year-old Dixon woman was sentenced in District Court last Wednesday to a five-year deferred sentence for two counts of criminal endangerment after she was found passed out in her running car in the middle of a highway with her two children inside during a snowstorm last winter.

Sept. 22 - With themes such as friendship, pride and honor flowing throughout the Mission High School Gymnasium, students, faculty and performers celebrated Native American Heritage Week on Monday, Sept. 19. Twice a year, in the spring and fall, the Fort Connah Restoration Society hosts a gathering, called a historical "Rendezvous" or trading fair reenactment based on the early 1800s.

Sept. 29 - A Ronan woman admitted to stealing nearly $10,000 from a Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal program in federal court last week. On Sept. 22, 2011, Leah Daniell Morton, plead guilty to theft from a Tribal organization. Seven Polson High School music students were selected to participate in the 2010 Montana All-State honor groups in Billing on Oct. 19-21. Twenty-three-year-old Matthew Michel was sentenced to five years in prison for burglary in Lake County District Court last Wednesday after he was caught trying to sell stolen items from a furniture shop to a pawn shop just two days after the theft occurred. For the third year, the Ronan Area Chamber of Commerce sponsored Harvest Fest giving the community an opportunity to come out and enjoy some of the benefits this time of year has to offer.

October

Oct. 6 - The Ronan Marine who lost both legs and four fingers in an IED explosion in Afghanistan last December came home for a few busy weeks, taking part in the Ronan Chiefs' homecoming game, a Montana Grizzlies game and celebrating his 21st birthday. Record groundwater unleashed a serious mold problem in Salish Kootenai College's family housing facilities. Polson's Christian McCurdy told his story about battling with multiple sclerosis with 250 people at the Bike MS: Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes event in Idaho. Ronan's Emmett May recorded the largest pumpkin in Montana state history at the Ronan Harvest Festival — it weighed 893 pounds. The bison roundup went off without a hitch at the National Bison Range in Moiese. Polson's city commissioners showed support for Mission Valley Aquatics, the volunteer group working to build a pool in Polson, by waiving $66,688 in previously-paid impact fees.

Oct. 13 - Antanja Schlaile shared her incredible story of adaptability and survival; from Stalin-era Russia to Nazi concentration camps, and finally, America with her loving husband, Erich. Support for Polson's own Olympic hopeful, pole-vaulter Melinda Owen, was at a height leading up to the Live Locally 5K event, which raises money to help support Owen's athletic pursuits. Mission Mountain Food Enterprise Center, located in Ronan, is one of four shared-use processing facilities in Montana that work with local producers and entrepreneurs. Ronan students walked or biked to school with Griz mascot, Monte, during the school district's third annual bike to school event. Ronan's AnnaMarie Leafty and her family biked 100 miles to raise money and awareness for diabetes. 

Oct. 20 - Farm-to-school efforts ramp up in Lake County with a taste-test of lentil burgers for area schoolchildren. Veterans and their family members were given the chance to ask questions and connect with the national, state and local veteran organizations at the Stand Down event in Arlee. The Port Polson Players take on a Broadway classic, Sweeney Todd, at the John Dowdall Theater. Dave Edington, wood shop and drafting instructor in Ronan, was awarded a teaching grant from the Plum Creek Foundation. Candidates for Lake County municipal seats were given the opportunity to introduce themselves to the voters through a candidate survey. The band Off in the Woods made up of former Polson students, Sean Burress, Nathan Noble, John Schumaker and Layne McKay, released their album, Smoke Signals. 

Oct. 27 - A traditional Native game clinic at SKC inspires teachers and students to share their cultures. Polson Fire Department Captain Ernie Butt retires after 32 years on the job. Parents and students play bingo for books at Pablo Elementary. More than 235 runners in the Live Locally 5K raised about $13,000 for Olympic hopeful Melinda Owen, $10,000 of that coming from her title sponsor, Country Foods. CSKT put on a kids' fitness fair, offering information and guidance for families to make healthy lifestyle choices. Sex offender Robert Deneault signed a plea agreement, getting five years in the department of corrections. Area schools recognized Red Ribbon Week. 

Oct. 31 - For 14 years, Polson's Nancy Hauserman has been supporting homeless children and families through community-based fundraising events like the haunted house she organized in Polson. Successful middle school running program, Team They, expands to include younger students and boys, called Team Us. Ronan cowboy, Zanen Pitts, was ranked sixth in the nation in calf roping. K. William Harvey Elementary school in Ronan holds the school's hugely popular Harvest Fest. The Allentown Bar and Grill opens with a new look and new atmosphere. Linderman Elementary's Monster Mash invited everyone out in their Halloween costumes for a fun-filled 5K through the streets of Polson.

November

Nov. 10 - Mission soldier, 21-year-old Sam Helmer, was wounded by an I.E.D. in Afghanistan. The Polson Board of Adjustments approved a variance to the city's code, allowing Mission Valley Aquatics to build a 20-foot, chip sealed road to the aquatic center, rather than the 26-foot asphalt road with curbs, gutters and sidewalks. Ronan middle schoolers pulled off a weekend of magic and imagination with their production of "The Power of Dreaming," a musical they created with the help of their teacher, Rita Tingey. DOVES (Domestic Violence Education Services) sponsors a showing of Amy's Story, spotlighting domestic abuse. Twenty-year-old Canyon Murrin pleaded guilty to his involvement in an extortion case, which demanded $10,000 from the victim. 

Nov. 17 -  A Polson man's First Amendment right to anonymous political speech was upheld by the state when the last of a handful of Lake County Sheriff election complaints filed in September 2010 was dismissed by the Commissioner of Political Practices. Lake County veterans groups and the CSKT honored those who have served with various Veteran's Day events across the valley. Local painter, Joanne Simpson, finds inspiration in the everyday. St. Joseph Medical Center in Polson cites budget shortfalls and a changing health care market as the reasons for laying off 10 employees. The city of Ronan voted 203-59 via mail-in ballots to establish a planning district within the city government. A Charlo man was fined for firing a shot gun at a grizzly bear that was on his property. The Missoula Children's Theater brings performing arts to Arlee and St. Ignatius.

Nov. 24 - As need increases, the pace picks up for food pantry volunteers during the holiday season. A display at Polson's First Interstate Bank urged drivers to be safe during the holidays. Young Charlo handler, Kane Shenyer, and his dog, Hazel, prepared for the chance to represent all of Montana at the Junior National Obedience Invite in Florida. The Salish Institute, a newly formed community-based non-profit organization, met for its second meeting at the St. Ignatius Community Center. Marine Corps League honors local servicemen William Cleveland, of Polson PPD, and Brent Burland, of Finley Point FD, with the First Annual Distinguished Service Awards. Shain Steffens was sentenced to five years in jail for two count of negligent homicide after crashing his SUV into the Flathead River and killing two passengers.

December

Dec. 1 - Keith Kovick was arraigned on federal charges of mail fraud, wire fraud and 21 counts of money laundering for his connection to Cornerstone Financial and K and B Investments, two Polson companies that allegedly stole millions from local and state investors. Volunteers served hundreds of hungry patrons at the Ronan and Polson community Thanksgiving dinners. Turkey Trot runners and walkers donate $650 to the Polson Loaves and Fish Food Pantry. Polson band teacher Richard Sawyer was awarded a Plum Creek Foundation grant to help fund the music program at Polson High School. A Pearl Harbor display at the Miracle of America Museum in Polson commemorates the 70th anniversary of that fateful day in American history. 

Dec. 8 - Ronan High School was evacuated Wednesday afternoon when an anonymous caller reported a bomb in the building. Kovick pleaded guilty to federal charges of mail fraud, wire fraud and 21 counts of money laundering. Lake County ramped up holiday cheer with several community events taking place. A group of roughly 60 agriculture professionals met in Arlee to analyze barriers and present solutions to economic prosperity within the Western Montana food economy. A Polson man, Vaughn David James, was accused of sexual intercourse without consent after he masqueraded as the victim's boyfriend in her Missoula home. Counterfeit bills began circulating in the Polson business community. Local authorities responded to a stabbing incident at the Wolf Den in Polson; injuries to the victim were not life threatening and he did not press charges in the matter. 

Dec. 14 - Ronan City Parks director Jennifer Rolfsness is introducing a whole new way to look at community play space, going beyond the traditional playground and into the world of interactive play pockets. Polson students prepare to Occupy Polson, making a stand for raising college tuition costs and proposed cuts to federal aid for students. In the hopes of passing a long-term solution to stabilize the U.S. Postal Service, a five-month delay for the potential closing of Montana post offices was announced on Tuesday, Dec. 13. Charlo’s Frank Rollins was the winner of this year’s Lake County Leader Gun Contest, co-sponsored by Ronan Sports and Western.

Dec. 29 - A two-car crash at the intersection of U.S. Hwy. 93 and MT Hwy. 35 in Polson sent one woman to the hospital with minor injuries. Young entrepreneurs learned all about business and commerce when Linderman Elementary had its all-school market. Ronan Speech and Drama finished first at a meet in early December and prepared to host its own tournament in Ronan in January. Mission Valley Aquatics was well on its way to having a community aquatic center in Polson — the roof to the building-in-progress was up and moving quickly. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks extended the state's wolf hunt until Feb. 15 because hunters had only harvested 105 wolves from a quota of 220.