Ellington

Births

JoHanna Elizabeth Long

Law enforcement and court records

Senior news

Letters to the editor

Community Calendar

Obituaries

George Albert Eye

Owen places 13th at Olympic Trials

EUGENE, Ore.- Polson native Melinda Owen finished 13th in the Women’s Pole Vault at the U.S. Track and Field Olympic Trials in Eugene, Ore., last Sunday.

Festivals on the Flathead

Polson group makes its Point

POLSON — Not long ago, “this used to be just garbage and broken glass” said Keryl Lozar, surveying the grassy hillside overlooking the lake at Salish Point.

Busy week for Mariners B Team

Couple big wins highlight return to action

After being held idle for almost three weeks by a stretch of bad weather of nearly Biblical proportions, the Mission Valley Mariners B Team made their long-anticipated return to the diamond this week. However, in order to make up for that lost time, the squad went from inactive to hyperactive overnight, cramming eight games and a scrimmage into a grueling seven-day stretch.

Polson U12 boys win Butte tourney

BUTTE — Polson FC brings home more gold and this time it was done by the U12 boys team.  The two day, Montana Showcase tournament, proved to be interesting due to the hot, windy weather in Butte.  The Montana Showcase is a Montana Youth Soccer Association sanctioned tournament for U10, U11, and U12 boys and girls from clubs across the state.

Comment period extended for water agreement

PABLO — Last Thursday night, community members from throughout the Mission and Flathead Valleys met on the campus of Salish Kootenai College to have their questions addressed regarding the future of their water.

Suspect arrested in arson case

19-year-old is "person of interest" in area fires

ST. IGNATIUS — In the midst of an ongoing serial arson investigation, on Friday the Lake County Sherriff’s Office arrested 19-year-old Chase Kuntz of St. Ignatius, who now faces felony charges tied to a suspicious June 5 blaze that destroyed a cabin on Airport Road.

New home on the range

Area transplant Bryce Gray gets ready for the Mission Mountain Rodeo

This ain’t my first rodeo. Well actually, it is. As a flatlander who’s new to these parts, next week’s Mission Mountain Rodeo will herald my first time attending such an event.

Among Other Things: Pun Alert

I changed my iPod’s name to Titanic. It’s syncing now.

Honoring the area's wilderness

Tribes mark 30 years of Mission Mountain Wilderness

ST. IGNATIUS — In the 1970s, three Yayas – grandmotherly figures within the Confederated Salish Kootenai Tribe – stepped forward at a tribal council meeting to voice their concern over a proposed logging project that threatened to scar the face of the Mission Mountains. These deeply respected elders – Annie Pierre, Christine Woodcock and Louise McDonald – discussed the importance of being dedicated stewards for the Mission Mountains during our short time on Earth.

Letters to the Editor

Births

Being a good cherry-growing neighbor

Once again summer is approaching which means so is the 2012 cherry season. The 2011 cherry season was a good one for growers. Cherries were big and the market was favorable for the producers. With an excellent year behind us and a new one at hand, we still have pest management issues to address.

Open the gates

Projections for Kerr Dam are made

Representatives from PPL Montana, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, the Bureau of Reclamation, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) and the Bonneville Power Administration met on June 12 to talk about the current and projected operation of Kerr Dam. Currently the outflow from the dam is 31,500 cubic feet per second (cfs) and the lake elevation on June 14 was 2,892.44 feet, which is about half a foot below full lake elevation.

Obituaries

Law enforcement and court records

Senior News

Charlo man pleads guilty to assault and sexual assault

POLSON — A Charlo man pleaded guilty to two separate charges of assaulting a minor and sexual assault in District Court Wednesday morning. Marvin Camel signed plea agreements for both charges.

Pablo man arraigned on sexual assault

POLSON — A 43-year-old Pablo man was arraigned last Wednesday in Lake County District Court on charges of sexual intercourse without consent and partner family member assault. David Martinez pleaded not guilty to the charges and his omnibus hearing has been set for Wednesday, Aug. 8 at 9 a.m.

Community calendar

Polson boy dies in accident near Hardin

A 5-year-old Polson boy died on Saturday morning when the vehicle he was in rolled over on I-90 near Hardin, Montana Highway Patrol reports. Big Horn County coroner Terry Bullis identified the boy, who was dead on arrival at the scene, as Bradley Trogdent of Polson.

Leader Earns 24 MNA Awards

Publication wins most awards out of weekly newspapers in Western Montana

POLSON — The Lake County Leader claimed 24 awards in the Montana Newspaper Association’s 2011 Better Newspaper Contest, including seven first-place honors.

Quixote's Quest

Local thespians bring classic story of Don Quixote to life on Ronan stage

RONAN- For director Rita Tingey and the cast of “Man of La Mancha”, everything went smoothly at this past weekend’s opening performances.  Well, except for the mustache.

Births

Mason Dino Combs

Rondy and Deena Hooper celebrate 16 years

Rondy and Deena Hooper of Spanaway, Wash. ,and formerly of Polson, have been married for 16 years on June 13. Deena is a medical clerk and Rondy is a tow truck driver and sergeant in the Washington National Guard. They have two daughters, Chyenne Skye, age 14, and Paige Sierra, 13, and one adopted son, Andrew Ray, age 17.

Rafe Espinoza and Robyn Koppinger are engaged

Rafe Espinoza and Robyn Koppinger, both of Dickinson, N.D., announce their engagement and upcoming marriage on July 14 at Queen of Peace Church in Dickinson. Robyn is the daughter of Kelly and Judy Koppinger of Dickinson and Rafe is the son of Dib and Valerie Espinoza of Arlee. A reception will follow at the Ramada Grand Dakota Lodge. There will be a later reception in Arlee on Aug. 11 at the Brown Building.

Law enforcement and court records

Lake County District Court, Judge Christopher presiding

Homeless man jailed after allegedly buying alcohol for minor

POLSON — A homeless man was arrested and jailed for reportedly purchasing alcohol for a minor in exchange for money. At approximately 9 p.m. on June 9, law enforcement responded to Riverside Park and found an underage male in possession of an open container of beer near the Armed Forces Memorial Bridge. Close-by, police confronted Richard Bruce, 48, of Missoula, who was taken into custody. Bruce was taken to Lake County Jail and charged for unlawful transactions with children.

Hydroplane racing returns to Lake Coeur d'Alene

COEUR d’ALENE, ID. — The image of the hydroplanes’ rooster tails glowing under the moon off the dark lake surface is something Billy Schumacher will never forget.

Letters to the editor

Good values

Arson investigation underway

LAKE COUNTY — A string of suspicious fires has captured the attention of Lake County law enforcement. Lake County Sheriff’s detectives are working alongside search and rescue mantracker units, Flathead Tribal Police, St. Ignatius Police and the Montana Fire Marshal’s Office to investigate eight unexplained fires in the Pablo and St. Ignatius areas.

Help from above

POLSON — Polson High School students aren’t the only ones who need a break. The start of summer vacation will provide a desperately-needed reprieve for the building itself.

Information sought on late-night hit-and-run

POLSON — Polson police are seeking information regarding a destructive hit-and-run incident that occurred early Friday morning. At around 2:35 a.m., police responded to the 100 block of 7th Ave. West, where a vehicle had crashed through several yards and fences before eventually crashing into a house and then fleeing the scene.

Flute choir sure to entertain

POLSON — Swing, jazz, pop, sacred and patriotic tunes will be featured in the Flathead Flute Choir program, “Musical Memories,” scheduled for 3 p.m., this coming Sunday, June 17, at the United Methodist Church in Polson.

SHOWCASING THEIR TALENTS

BILLINGS — The Mission Valley knew Ronan had one heck of a football team after they advanced to the state semi-finals in Class B last season. Last weekend, three senior football players and head coach Jim Benn only cemented that fact at the Big Sky Class B All-Star Football Game at Rocky Mountain College.

AG's office rules on allegations

POLSON — The Montana Attorney General’s Office concluded its investigations into three complaints made by members of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office against Sheriff Jay Doyle, his former undersheriff, Karey Reynolds, and two deputies earlier this month.

Native roots

Filmmaker with local ties wins Sundance fellowship, plans new full-length project

Rockies batter the competition

BONNER — The Mission Valley Rockies split on Saturday before rain put an early end to Pioneer Daze. The dreadful weather couldn’t erase the fact that the Rockies are a growing power in Senior Babe Ruth and still look to be one of the top teams come state tournament time.

THESE GUYSARE GOOD

WHITEFISH — At this rate, the rest of the conference had better hope for global warming to speed up, because weather has been the only thing capable of slowing down the red-hot Mission Valley Mariners.

Senior news

Polson

A booming rendition

While I’m a bit young to be considered a member of the baby boomer generation (although you could probably slot me somewhere between the Nintendo and Power Rangers generation), the fine people at the Port Polson Players let me sneak in and take in “Those Boomer Boys” last weekend at the John Dowdall Theatre.

SOCCER SWEETNESS

GREAT FALLS — If you want the ingre-dients for a soccer championship, look no further than the Polson FC U16 Boys squad that took home the gold last weekend at the Montana State Cup. They may have been drenched because of the weather at the end of the game, but the squad combined tactical defensive plays with a controlling midfield, tough ball winning and their best stretches of possession to capture a state championship for the Lake City.

Ronan High School in national spotlight

RONAN — Events surrounding one Ronan School District administrator’s decision to cancel a guest speaker have slowed down significantly over the last few days, but in a flurry of national press coverage last week, hundreds of angry, mostly anonymous Americans rallied behind Bigfork resident Jerry Molen, who was turned away from his scheduled presentation to seniors on Monday, May 14.

Fowl play in foul weather

CHARLO — With summer approaching, scores of bird species are making their long-awaited return to the Mission Valley and veritable flocks of dedicated birdwatchers are hot on their tail-feathers.

Mustangs Gallop to Babe Ruth Title in Extra-Inning Thriller

After a fitting conclusion to an exciting season, the Ronan Mustangs can ride off into the sunset as champions.

Shawn Douglas Sipes

Shawn Douglas Sipes, 53, passed away June 5, 2012. He leaves behind five children: Jessica, Steven, Desarae, Samantha and Megan; girlfriend Judy Hewankorn; two sisters, three brothers, Mom and Dad. A celebration of Shawn’s life will be held Saturday, June 16, 2012 at 3 p.m. at Boettcher Park in Polson with a reception to follow.

Ruth A. Baltz-Redekop

Ruth passed away at St. Luke Extended Care on April 27, 2012, after a four-year battle with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

Mission Mountain Wilderness turns 30

FLATHEAD RESERVATION — On June 14, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Mission Mountains Tribal Wilderness. The celebration will take place at the Mission Dam Recreation Area near St. Ignatius beginning at 11 a.m. and concluding at 3 p.m.

Making a Splash

Polson Purple Rain finishes second in rain-shortened Polson Splash Tournament, Ronan Raptors place third

POLSON - While the Polson Purple Rain might have lots of new faces, since many of the upperclassmen from the 2012 state championship team have graduated, the summer ASA squad still looked strong in a rain-shortened Polson Splash tournament last weekend.

The Gyro Days Carnival

The Wallace Gyros first started taking bets on the big, multicolored leather ball they'd drop in Lead Creek in 1942 to raise some money to send cigarettes and canned food to the local boys fighting in World War II.

Northfork Notebook

Do you remember the record high temps we had about three or four weeks ago? Well, that may have been our spring ... and early summer! I turned on the Weather Channel and saw a 26 degree reading at midday, the North Fork is runnin’ higher, and off color with wood debris once again makin’ its way downriver. Then there’s the South Fork that drains the urban areas of the Silver Valley, depositing lotsa rain water from the storm drains, runoff; consequently, a person standin’ at the confluence below Enaville can many times see a definite “line” between the two waters before they mix. River levels have once again “spiked” upwards on the Cd’A River system as well as the St. Joe. This Saturday is free fishin’ day in Idaho, and, with a li’l help from Mother Nature, we would expect many kids and families, fishin’ poles in hand, on local rivers as well as the catch-and-take ponds located throughout the area.

License exam station expands hours

POLSON — In an effort to better serve the community, the Polson Driver License Exam Station will expand its time of operation to five days per week. The station is located at 3 9th Ave. West, Suite 4. It is closed for lunch from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. daily.

Linderman auction action

POLSON — With the end of classes practically upon them, Linderman Elementary School students are eager to get out of school – but not before they load up on brand new gear tailored toward summer fun.

This is Public Health: Men's Health Month

Every June, Lake County Public Health joins the rest of the nation in celebrating Men’s Health Month. The purpose of Men’s Health Month is to highlight men’s health issues and raise awareness of early detection and treatment for disease and injury prevention.

Law enforcement and court records

Lake County District Court, Judge McNeil presiding

Information sought in Polson stabbing

POLSON — Authorities are seeking information regarding a May 17 stabbing in Polson. The incident occurred on the corner of 10th Ave. West and 3rd St. West at about 11 p.m.

From Your Representative: The Charitable Y2Y Glut

Good Heavens.

Former medical marijuana grower signs plea agreement

POLSON — A 27-year-old Polson man reached a plea agreement in Lake County District Court last Thursday, pleading guilty to charges of growing marijuana plants with the intent to distribute after officials confiscated over 50 plants from his residence in February.

Polson High School Class of 2012 Awards and Scholarships

Justine Albert

Property vandalized in Polson

POLSON — Early in the morning of Thursday, May 31, windows were broken at Three Dog Down business on U.S. Highway 93 in Polson. The vandal(s) remain at large. Lake County Crime Stoppers is offering a $1,500 reward for information that may help law enforcement solve this case.

Ronan High School Class of 2012 Scholarships

MV Rockies (June 9)

Here are photos from the MV Rockies at the Pioneer Daze Tournament in Missoula on June 9.

Fathers and families fish for free

MONTANA — This Father’s Day weekend, grab the pole and tackle box, but leave your fishing license at home. For the second straight year, no documentation will be required for those fishing in Montana waters over the designated weekend.

Q&A with DALTON MOLZHON

Dalton recently graduated from Ronan High School after playing football for the Chiefs, and plays baseball during the summer for the Mission Valley Mariners.

Ronan Outlaws ASA (June 8)

Here are photos of the U16 Ronan Raptors at the Polson SPLASH on June 8.

Purple Rain ASA (June 8)

Here are photos from the U16 Purple Rain in the Splash Tournament in Polson.

TWO'S COMPANY

Ian Laimbeer and Will Davey placed third at the state tournament as a doubles team this spring. They’re both three-sport athletes for Polson, playing football and basketball as well.

Lilletta “Lettie” Lee Neuman

Lilletta “Lettie” Lee Neuman, age 63, of Missoula and former Polson resident, died at St. Patrick Hospital, Wednesday, May 30, 2012, surrounded by the love of her husband John, son Greg and her extended family.

Notices of Death

Margaret A. Davies

Judith Anne Deschamps Bean

Judy A. Bean passed away peacefully due to complications from a six-year battle with breast cancer at St. Patrick’s Hospital with her husband, Harry, and childhood friend, Kathy, at her side.

June Rae Caye

Our beloved daughter, sister, auntie and friend, June Rae Caye began her journey with the Creator on June 2, 2012.

Jeffrey Ryan Teeple

Jeffrey Ryan Teeple aka “Jeffy,” 31, passed away Monday, May 21, 2012 from pneumonia and a staff infection in his blood at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

Polson hires new superintendent

POLSON — The Polson School District Board of Trustees is pleased to announce that a contract for superintendent of schools for the Polson School District has been offered to Dr. Linda Reksten. The board of trustees expects to approve a signed contract at their Monday, June 11, 2012 board meeting.

Among Other Things: Ahh, baseball

Baseball’s a funny game. A couple years ago my son-in-law was coaching at third base when one of his Little League players thought he could stretch a triple into an inside-the-park home run.

Sex offender charged for failing to register

POLSON — A level three sex offender was in Lake County District Court last Wednesday after he allegedly failed to report his new address to law enforcement. Phillip Pierre pleaded not guilty to charges of failure to give notice of a change of address by a sexual or violent offender.

Buried Treasure

DAYTON — It was the year 1999 — with threats of the Y2K, or “Millennium bug,” on the horizon, and with advances into GPS making the technology available to the masses, Dayton Elementary School’s supervising teacher Casey Love came up with an idea.

Osburn's Gene Day Pond

OSBURN — The Shoshone County Sportsmen's Association and numerous Idaho and Shoshone County agencies have developed a joint work plan to rehabilitate Osburn's Gene Day Pond into a fun fishing destination for families from the Silver Valley and elsewhere.

Summers in the Silver Valley

Summers in the Silver Valley are an opportunity for outdoor adventures unique to Shoshone County. While the bike trails offer scenic views through the mountain ranges, tourists visiting the area can also find excitement flying through the air or exploring the caves below. Today, we continue our series on the many summer attractions in the Valley.

Best of the best

BUTTE — Normally, the football season ends in the fall, but for Kolten Andrews, Danny Blevins and Charlo head coach Mike Krahn, they got to play one more game.

THE NEXT STEP

With baseball not being a sanctioned school sport in the state of Montana, talented ballplayers in the area have to overcome more obstacles to get noticed and to move on with their playing careers.

Letters to the editor

Special interest campaigning

THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM WITH ALL THE TROPHIES

With apologies to Green Bay, Polson might have a bigger claim to the name “Titletown, U.S.A.”The state of high school athletics in this town is bor-derline dynastic. In the 2011-12 school year, Polson won three state championships, something that shouldn’t be considered “routine” or “business as usual.”

Man pleads not guilty to hit-and-run

POLSON — An Arlee man pleaded not guilty to five felony charges for his role in a hit-and-run that injured four people in Charlo last month.

Blaze destroys historic mercantile in Mission

ST. IGNATIUS — At approximately 2 a.m. on Saturday morning, an otherwise peaceful night in St. Ignatius was punctuated by a roaring fire that destroyed a historic abandoned building.

School of ROCK

ST. IGNATIUS — The Mission Valley Rockies’ bats came alive as they registered three victories in two double headers over the weekend.

Sisters in arms

For the Ronan Maidens, the 2012 softball campaign could have been called a Sister Act. Two weeks ago, the Maidens wrapped up a thrilling season that saw them capture second place at the divisional tournament and earn a win at state in Anaconda.

Tribes seek public comment on National Bison Range proposal

MOIESE —The public is invited to participate in the development of an Environmental Assessment (EA) regarding the proposal of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) to enter into an annual funding agreement (AFA) with the Department of the Interior, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), for operations and maintenance of certain programs and activities of the National Bison Range Complex (NBRC) located on the Flathead Indian Reservation.

Births

Jessinda Sunflower Big Beaver

Unofficial 2012 primary election results

Melvin arraigned in district court

POLSON — Former Polson city building inspector Ron Melvin was arraigned in district court last Wednesday in Lake County District Court after threatening to kill city employees.

2012 Arlee High School Graduate Scholarship List

Dustin Baker:

Law enforcement and court records

Lake County District Court, Judge McNeil presiding

Boomer Boys ride again!

You’ll have to excuse me for stating the obvious, I’m assuming everyone in Polson already knows this but Neal Lewing is one heck of an actor. I was first able to see the Port Polson player as Judge Turpin in the production of Sweeney Todd last November.

Black pleads not guilty to ATV theft

POLSON — A 21-year-old Ronan man who allegedly led authorities on a high-speed chase on May 4, pleaded not guilty to charges of criminal endangerment and theft, both felonies, in Lake County District Court last Wednesday.

2012 Charlo High School Graduate Scholarship List

MV Rockies (May 2)

Here are photos from the Mission Valley Rockies doubleheader against Florence on June 2.

Book it!

Summer is a busy time for students, between family vacations, playing with friends and unwinding from months of homework and studying, but there’s also plenty of down time in those three months and programs around the area are aiming to book those hours for kids.

MV Rumble (May 1)

Here are photos from the Mission Valley Rumble on May 1.

“Route of the Hiawatha”

Lookout Pass home of the

Arlee Graduation

Here are photos of Arlee Graduation on May 27.

Letters to the editor

Tired of attack ads

Polson hires two new principals

POLSON — The Polson School Board approved the hiring of two new principals at a special meeting on Wednesday, May 23.

Wonderkids

POLSON — It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s Star Girl!

Superintendent candidates come to town

POLSON — Three candidates for superintendent will visit Polson early next week for a full-day affair that includes meetings with students, faculty, staff, community members and tribal government representatives before a formal board interview that is open to the public from 7:30-9 p.m. at the high school library.