Ellington

Drivers asked to observe Drive Safer Sunday

The 10th annual observance of Drive Safer Sunday is on Nov. 30 and Road Safe America reminds Americans taking holiday road trips “to focus on being rested and attentive to dangers inside and outside their cars.”

Kendley leads Polson speech team

WHITEFISH – The Polson High School Speech and Debate team competed at the Whitefish Invitational Speech and Drama meet on Saturday, Nov. 22 in Whitefish.

Ronan students tapped for all-star band

RONAN – A renown regional band group selected Ronan’s Ryan Dresen and Jenaya Burns to perform in the All-Northwest high school bands, orchestras and choirs will meet in Spokane on Feb. 12 through 15.

Arlee students perform Wizard of Oz

Above: Students line up for a bow. Arlee students who were featured with roles in the Wizard of Oz are: Megan Shick as Dorothy, Darren Marks as the Lion, Peyton Lammerding as the Tin Man and Noah Coulson as Toto.  Also featured are Dalton Marks as the Professor/Wizard, Kelsey Harris as Glinda and Taylor Lammerding as the Wicked Witch.  Elizabeth Morigeau will play the Green Guard, Kameron Rubel will play Major Munchkin and Charley Crawford will play Farmer Munchkin.  To complete the ensemble, Elina Moore, Harli Kinney, Belen Holtz, Natalie Coulson, Michelle Jury, Princess Bolen,

Elementary Wonderland

Cherry Valley Elementary School students enjoyed the weather Nov. 10 while making snowmen at school. First graders Above: Left to right: Aubrey, Ahliana, Jadeah and Madison work together on a snowman. Right: Christian shows off his creation.

Seeing Red (Hatters)

Members of the Polson Red Hatters gathered for their monthly feast at the Lake City Bakery. The Red Hat Society began as a result of a few women deciding to greet middle age with verve, humor and élan, according to the website. Initially started as a social organization for women age 50 and over, The Red Hat Society now attracts women of all ages through both the “Red Hat” (those over 50) and the “Pink Hat” designations (those under 50). The Red Hat Society has become the international society dedicated to reshaping the way women are viewed in today’s culture. Research has shown that having fun on a regular basis promotes a happy life! And, since we are all growing older day by day, we might as well join red-gloved hands and go for the gusto together.                                                                        

A chamber of winners

The Polson Chamber of Commerce hosted their annual banquet and awards presentation on Nov. 9 at the Kwa Taq Nuk Resort.

PHS coach hands over boys soccer reins

Tenured ten year coach Jess Kittle tendered his resignation at the end of the Fall 2014 season recently after a decade at the helm of the Polson boys soccer program.  

4 area alums playing college FB

Two Mission Valley grads helped the Carroll College Fighting Saints (Helena) win the Frontier Conference championship with their ninth straight victory and earn the No. 1 ranking in the NAIA Football Coaches Top 25 poll.

2014 LADY PIRATE VOLLEYBALL CUM STATS

Taylor Davis

10 YEARS OF PIRATE SOCCER

BY THE NUMBERS

Polson Boys

It...was... grizzly

Griz senior running back Jordan Canada breaks loose on a 44-yard scamper in front of celebrating teammates, coaches and fans. UM breezed to a 34-7 victory over visiting Montana State in their 114th showdown Saturday in Missoula.

Introducing the birth of: Devin Allen Jacob Ricciardi

Devin Allen Jacob Ricciardi

Leader office Toys for Tots drop off spot

POLSON – The Lake County Leader office will be a drop off spot for year’s Toys for Tots campaign.

Polson, other cities band together on wastewater issues

Representatives from cities across western Montana say they’re tired of bearing the brunt of costly upgrades to wastewater treatment facilities because of increasingly stringent state and federal regulations.

Salvation Army Drive to benefit charity

Courtesy story

Another Miracle

PORT POLSON PLAYERS

POLSON – A family show sure to warm every heart that sees it, “Miracle on 34th Street” is being presented by the Port Polson Players, two weekends, Dec. 5,6,7 and Dec. 12,13,14. Show times on Fridays and Saturdays are at 7:30 with 2 p.m. matinees on Sundays.

Pablo woman survives attempted shooting

PABLO – A Pablo woman is alive after her boyfriend tried to shoot her, Lake County law enforcement officials believe.

Attorney's office gets $14.1m in court actions

Courtesy U.S. States Attorney’s Office

Lake County Jail Roster

Mcelderry, Adrian Michael

Lake County District Court

From the bench of District Court Judge Deborah K.

Kids helps Ronan library celebrate centennial

The Ronan Library celebrated its 100th anniversary last week with a daily project supported by volunteers. On Friday, 14 kids and volunteers made 51 gift bags, one for each resident at St. Luke’s Extended Care Facility right down the street. “I have to tell you, this was my favorite activity of the week,” said library director Michelle Fenger. She walked to the care facility with child volunteers Devin, Sunniva, Francheska and volunteer Deb Demarais and handed out the gift bags to all 51 residents. “It was very heartwarming to see the young kids interacting with the residents.  There were lots of smiles,” she said.

SHOOTING GALLERY

This lonely duck paddles through the frigid waters of the stream that wanders through Ronan’s city park.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR Through Dec. 3

THURSDAY, NOV. 27

A rabbit called Hardly

AMONG OTHER THINGS...

In my last column, I said I’d try to find that column about an imaginary conversation with a stray rabbit that for several weeks was often hanging around the front or back doors.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: What is the FJBC Doing?

Compact’s water rights

A hairy situation

Electric wreaths

Mission Valley Power workers scanned the streets Tuesday to put up holiday wreaths on light poles.

Cops, businesses cracking down on underage drinkers

LAKE COUNTY – Lake County businesses are serious about stopping sales to underage drinkers.

Charlo man accused of shooting wife

CHARLO – Lake County Sheriff’s officials believe Raelynn M. Charlo died because her husband Adrian M. McElderry shot her in the head.

City OKs cheaper wastewater plant

POLSON

POLSON – Commissioners made a decision on construction of the proposed wastewater plant designed to save ratepayers about $4 million and avoid skyrocketing fees. (See related story on page 2)

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Water Rights Litigation Gap

Water Rights Litigation Gap

Lozeau's bail set at $300,000

ACCUSED OF KILLING BROTHER

POLSON – District Court Judge James A. Manley set bail at $300,000 for accused murderer Harry Paul Lozeau during a Nov. 5 omnibus hearing.

Ronan hires staff by the dozen

But there are few subs for teachers

RONAN – The Ronan School District Board of Directors hired seven extra-curricular leaders and five school staff members at its regular monthly meeting Nov. 10.

New businesses flood into city

POLSON – City Manager Mark Shrives said the Polson economy is on the verge of a boom.

Resort tax could pave roads

POLSON ECONOMY

POLSON – City officials are considering an option that would potentially retain millions of tourism dollars here to use on public projects.

These parents are grand

The Mission Valley Christian Academy in Polson hosted a Grandparents Appreciation Day on Nov. 15. The students performed for the visiting grandparents before breaking into groups to read, exchange questions about school and life and share lunch. “There are lots of grandparents here and they had lots of good info for high schoolers about high school and life,” said Brenden Conrad, a 17-year-old senior. “They talked about life after college. Life doesn’t stop there. You’re still growing and learning and getting tested.” Ten-year-old Anna, a fifth-grader, said the grandparents in one of her groups shared their high school nicknames with the kids. Her favorite was “Red Riding Hood.” See more on A3.

Woman arrested for allegedly trying to run down girl

LAKE COUNTY – Jamie Seely denied she nearly ran down a feuding neighbor’s daughter when she saw them in a local park.

DIXON FIRST QUARTER HONOR ROLLS

Dixon Schools

ST. IGNATIUS FIRST QUARTER HONOR ROLLS

ST. IGNATIUS MIDDLE SCHOOL

POLSON FIRST QUARTER HONOR ROLLS

Polson Schools

Ice jam season begins in Lake County

Flathead Lake shows early ice

LAKE COUNTY – Winter is nipping at our heels, with ice jam season not far behind. Ice jams are formed as a result of long cold spells that cause portions of rivers and streams to freeze.

Interpreting nature

Local artist Barbara Buchli’s been busy at Finley Point where she was commissioned to paint murals on the side of Dennis and Linda Hewitt’s house, which is located just before Finlely Point Road descends toward the State Park.

Alledged Charlo murderer held without bail

CHARLO – Raelynn M. Charlo is dead because her husband Adrian M. McElderry shot and killed her, Lake County authorities alledged.

Weapons call draws law enforcement to home across from college bookstore

PABLO – An unnamed woman called Lake County Sheriff’s Dispatchers at about 8:20 a.m. this morning and said a man with a gun was outside her Hewankorn Loop home, said Lake County Undersheriff Dan Yonkin.

Mission Valley VB stars shine

At St. Ignatius this past Wednesday, November 12th, seven teams from around the Mission Valley gathered to participate in the 3rd annual Mission Valley Volleyball All-Star game.  The NWA Polson Lady Pirates, 6B Mission St. Ignatius Lady Bulldogs, 6B Ronan Maidens, 7B Bigfork Valkyries, 10C Arlee Scarlets, 10C Charlo Lady Vikings and the 10C Hot Springs Lady Savage Heat each sent multiple players to compete against one another in a low-key competition finale that punctuates the end of the volleyball season around the Mission Valley with an exclamation point.

Pirates leave showcase 'Howell-ing'

In Missoula at Washington-Grizzly Stadium this past Saturday, November 15th, the 2014 rendition of the Western Montana soccer senior showcase was jointly hosted by the Flathead Rapids and the Missoula Strikers.

OBITUARIES - Nov. 20

Delbert Mearl Palmer

Musings on famed 'Brawl of the Wild' Rivalry

MISSOULA – Washington-Grizzly Stadium will kick off the 144th annual gridiron skirmish between the visiting Montana State Bobcats and the host University of Montana Grizzlies Nov. 22. The rivalry began over a century ago in Bozeman back on November 26, 1897 and is reputed to be the 31st oldest among still active rivalries within NCAA Division I ranks and the 11th oldest west of the Mississippi River. Among active Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) rivalries it is considered to be the oldest west of the Mississippi River and 4th oldest overall.

Saturday Hoops - Ronan

Elementary school boys in Polson and Ronan had hoops-filled Saturdays. Six teams competed in the Ronan Jamboree while Polson’s youth basketball league players hit the hardwoods. 

Hoops Saturday - Polson

Elementary school boys in Polson and Ronan had hoops-filled Saturdays. Six teams competed in the Ronan Jamboree while Polson’s youth basketball league players hit the hardwoods.

Anglers catch 12,888 trout

MACK DAYS

The 2014 Fall Mack Days Fishing Event concluded Sunday November 16th after twenty four days of lake trout fishing.

Woman leads cops on 95-mph chase through Ronan

UPDATED

RONAN – A woman driving east in the westbound lane of Round Butte Road led cops on a wild chase that ended at 2:48 p.m. near Ronan Middle School.

Charlo woman shot to death

CHARLO – A 29-year-old Charlo woman is dead and her husband is in custody after a shooting early Tuesday on First Street West in Charlo.

Cops led on 90 mph chase; driver arrested near school

The financial cost of cancer

GUEST COLUMN

I want the message to get out to the people of what I learned during my cancer journey, so that what I went through did not happen in vain, and could possibly save a life.

Free-roaming cats: A conservation crisis

LAKE COUNTY - Domestic cats can provide excellent companionship and make wonderful pets. But when allowed to roam outdoors, this non-native, invasive species threatens the welfare of birds and other wildlife and endangers the integrity of the ecosystems into which domestic cats are introduced.

Wrong-way driver loses father-of-the-year consideration

POLSON – Abdel Scott Russell might not win father of the year after driving while drunk the wrong way on Highway 93 with two unrestrained toddlers jumping around on the front seat. Thank goodness he nearly caused a head-on collision with a Lake County Sheriff’s deputy traveling the right way at about 10 p.m., Oct. 27.

Births

Natalee Marie Bair

OBITUARY Nov. 13, 2014

Rose Marie Tildy Johnson

Community Calendar

THURSDAY, NOV. 13

Whitetail Deer harvest steady

NORTHWEST MONT.  – At the six northwest Montana check stations through Sunday, November 9, a total of 8,095 hunters checked 428 whitetail deer (342 of these were bucks), 74 mule deer, and 28 elk for a 6.5 percent rate of hunters with game.  Harvest was up as compared to last year when 5.2 percent of hunters checked game.  The number of whitetail bucks checked is up 26 percent, mule deer numbers are about the same, and elk numbers are down 22 percent as compared to last year’s check station results at the same point in the season. Hunter numbers are down 7 percent.

Montana Mothers Association looking for members

Montana Mothers Association of American Mothers, Inc., would like to invite you to become a member.

Lake County District Court

From the bench of District Court Judge Deborah K. Christopher Nov. 6.

Lake County Jail Roster

(As Of Nov. 11)

Polson, Ronan middle schools develop talent in boys

Members of the Ronan and Polson Middle Schools Boys Basketball teams squared off for a basketball game last week at Polson Middle School.

Ronan High School pep band entertains at Volleyball Tourney

Ronan rallies for 4th; Mission battles well, Pirates play for pride

HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENTS

RONAN – Two Mission Valley 6B teams, the Mission St. Ignatius Lady Bulldogs and the Ronan Maidens, competed in the Western B Divisional at the Ronan Events Center this past weekend.

Taylor made for a 7-senior season

POLSON VOLLEYBALL

In an unusual convergence of Taylorism, the Polson High School volleyball team just happens to have not one, not two, but a trio of Taylors on its squad: Taylor Brackey, Taylor Davis and Taylor Rost.  What makes Polson volleyball somewhat unique this season is that not only are there three Taylors on the varsity roster, their names are all spelled the same way and they are also all seniors.  

Final decision on wastewater plant

A NOTE FROM THE MAYOR

The City will be making the final determination on which waste water treatment facility we are going to build at the City Commission meeting on Nov. 17, 7 pm at City hall.

Animal Anomaly

AMONG OTHER THINGS

Skunks may be the Rodney Dangerfield of the animal world. They get very little respect. On second thought, they get considerable respect – based on fear. And they may be among the critters using animal underpasses and the overpass along US 93 between Polson and Evaro.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - Pre-Kindergarten sham

Compacts a last resort

Members Access Key

11/11 - Veterans honored at Glacier View School

Marine Chuck Lewis presents two Quilts of Valor to Bill Austin during Glacier View School’s salute to veterans Tuesday. Austin airlifted 357 wounded vets before he suffered a severe head injury and retired. He made sure every man he airlifted received a quilt. Despite his injuries Austin said, “I’d go back again.”

11/11 - Veterans honored at Linderman

Linderman teacher and retired Army Stf. Sgt. Mona Friday, left, and Judge Kim Christopher, a retired Army Capt., salute the color guard along with dozens of students.

He [Heart] No. 15

Kail Cheff holds a sign confessing his adoration for Siliye Pete, who wore the No. 15 jersey Nov. 7 during the Ronan High School volleyball team’s Conference B Tournament. A Security volunteer asked him to leave before Pete spotted the sign. For more on the tournament and two others, see B1 and the sports section of the Leader website.

CPA says Obamacare just doesn't add up

About 30 people signed two petitions opposing the Affordable Health Care act after a luncheon on the subject Nov. 10 at Ninepipes Lodge.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR Through Nov. 19

THURSDAY, NOV. 13

Motorcyclist leads cops on high-speed chase

POLSON–Brandon Jeppeson got a bright idea while riding his motorcycle along Highway 93 near Polson Sept. 29. He’d show that highway patrol trooper how fast he could go.

Commissioners looking for ways to replace lost revenues

POLSON – Lake County Commissioners are already planning on replacing about $1 million in potential lost taxes once the sale of the Kerr Dam to the CSKT is completed in 2015, said Lake County Commissioner Gale Decker.

Self admitted thief trys to rip off justice system

WOODS BAY – Paul Matteucci told authorities that he stole money from his employer so he could find a place to live. But he probably wasn’t thinking that place would ultimately turn out to be jail.

Ronan's Little Dribblers

For one month every year in the fall Ronan kids get to play basketball in the Ronan High School gym. Coached by high school players, Little Dribblers range from kindergarteners to middle schoolers. These teams squared off Oct. 30.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR through Nov. 12

THURSDAY, NOV. 6

Hawk had history of DUI before shooting of toddler

ST. IGNATIUS  – As Galen L. Hawk sat across from Lake County Sheriff’s Detectives Oct. 22,  denying he knew how 3-year-old Lonato Moran-Allen was shot and killed, he might have been worried about his own skin. According to Lake County court records, Hawk’s record showed 3 prior driving under the influence convictions and one DUI case still apparently unresolved from 2012.

Charlo claims top seed; Arlee No. 4 in 10C tourney; Polson advances

PREP VOLLEYBALL

At St. Regis, a trio of Mission Valley Class C volleyball teams played a combined ten games at the District 10C tournament held at St. Regis this past weekend. Charlo (13-3) drew a first round bye on account of being the top-seeded team.

Taming Tigers not Simm-ple

CHARLO FALLS IN PLAYOFFS

At Simms, the visiting Vikings (3W) found themselves at the base of a 26-0 halftime chasm against the host Tigers (2N), but were able to stem the bleeding by applying some strategic triage coupled with a scoring onslaught of their own making.

116 points, 1,200 yards, 1 painful loss

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS

ARLEE – After scoring a combined 116 points and racking up more than 1,200 yards of offense Saturday, the Arlee-Great Falls Central playoff game came down to the final minutes.

First fall flurries

The first snow of the season fell on the lower parts of Lake County Nov. 2.

Educators hide wild game in plain site

People’s Center hosts Dry Meat Social

Pablo's People’s Center hosted its annual Dry Meat Social Oct. 13. Hunters were invited to bring their game to slice and dry the meat on the outside rack.

Group starts healthy tradition in Polson

Members of the Montana Co-op enjoy a bite of locally-grown apples while enjoying its first-ever participation in Food Day and National Farm to School Month.

RE Ranger sponsors Polson clay shooter

POLSON – RE Ranger, a high-performance eyewear made for the shooting sport enthusiast, is proud to sponsor Andy Duffy of Polson. The RE Ranger shooting eyewear line is produced by American based company Randolph Engineering.

OBITUARIES: Swallow, Coffman, Haack

COMMUNITY CALENDAR Oct. 30

THURSDAY. OCT. 30

Talk focuses on white racial identity here

CHARLO – The Flathead Reservation Human Rights Coalition will host Humanities Montana Speakers Bureau program “Very White? A Conversation About White Racial Identity in Montana” with Tobin Miller Shearer on Wednesday, Nov. 12.

Two Eagle school students get iPads

PABLO – Two Eagle River School has been selected to receive an Apple grant as part of the ConnectED program. The award will enable Two Eagle River to provide a comprehensive 1:1 technology solution for every student and teacher, including Apple hardware, software, and services.

Feasts of faith

CHURCHES SHARE BOUNTIES

Polson Lutherans and Baptists served up community feasts Oct. 23 in Polson.

Park piggies

RONAN – Pig In The Park BBQ is an annual event to raise money for Ronan Bockman Park reconstruction. Secretary of the park board Carlene Bockman, who the park is named after, said they want to make all parts of the park equal to the area and to make the park based on the native environment and education, she said.  It was fun and games with food, pig poop bingo and Halladay Quist singing songs from her upcoming new album. All the money raised goes to the park.

OFFICIAL ELECTION RESULTS

•  James Manley will likely retain his position as 20th District Judge

Lake County Jail Roster

Constenius, Ashley R

Ronan counselor charged with Medicaid fraud

MISSOULA – A Ronan counselor who defrauded Medicaid of over $40,000 has pleaded guilty to federal charges alleging that he submitted fraudulent claims for counseling public school children whom he had never met. 

Polson man sentenced for global child porn ring

POLSON ­– What ended in major global child pornography conviction a week ago began five years ago in Polson with the help of city police.

Suspect waits for fifth trial date in January

ST. IGNATIUS – Athena Scharnhorst was slumped over behind the wheel of a passenger car in the middle of an intersection when a Lake County Sheriff’s deputy found her, according to Lake County court records.