Ellington

Old problems, new developments: The usage of land differs from two governments

The Lake County Commissioners will discuss the County’s growth at 10:30 a.m., Jan. 20 on the third floor of the courthouse.

Horticulture barn in Ronan is part way through renovation

After months of fundraising and hours of work by different local groups, the horticulture barn at the Lake County Fairgrounds has been winterized.

Polson teams gear up for divisional tournament

BOYS

Bikers against Bullies comes to Charlo

On Friday, Jared Blake, Flash, and Chris from Bikers Against Bullies USA, came to the Charlo school to talk about the importance of resisting drugs, alcohol, and bullies. It was their last school stop on their two week “Live To Be Tour” and anti-bullying campaign.

TER suffers growing pains under Irvine

At the beginning of the year, one of my favorite teams to watch was the Two Eagle River boys’ team. Under new coach Lloyd Irvine Jr. the team showed great potential. Irvine has been around the block when it comes to basketball. 

All in the family

For Jared Neiss, a senior at Ronan High School, winning a 2016 Montana state wrestling championship is more than a big victory, it’s a family tradition. Earning rank among his dad and brother drove him through an impressive season and on to earn the state title. 

Polson student spreads awareness with help from monster

The Flathead Lake monster made another appearance last week in Polson. As it turns out, there is more than one monster, and now they are painted near every drain in Polson that goes in to the monster’s home.

Ronan Maidens win 6B title

The Ronan Maidens took the 6B district title last weekend, moving on to the divisional tournament in Kalispell this coming week. The Arlee Scarlets took second at the 14C, but not without an exciting fight to the finish.

Warriors breeze through districts

In the 14C and 6B boys’ tournaments, only one team made it out on top. Arlee dominated the 14C to continue on to the divisional tournament.

Medusahead Wildrye found in Lake County

Weed considered “noxious” in five other states

Drought 2016: Finally getting out from under?

Lake County Leader

Take what you get

Old-timer story: Drought conditions require wisdom, hard work (and luck

Cornerstones of Lake County agriculture

Montana economy shows hidden growth in surprising sectors

BBER Study Finds High-Tech Sector Outpaces State Averages for Growth, Wages

Montana Farm Bureau urges 'no action' on bison quarantine plan

Lake County Leader

Bigfork Players perform Don't Drink the Water Feb. 26

Former Leader Editor David Reese plays the part of Ambassador Magee

Not much of a morning person

I am not much of a morning person. I am also, unfortunately, not much of a night owl. My energy level peaks around noon and heads rapidly for the doldrums afterwards, and if I happen to sleep past noon––as happens occasionally of a Saturday––I can quite happily snooze on through sunset. It’s a gift that comes in handy whenever I catch the flu or am in the mood to eat breakfast for dinner without irony, but it’s a curse whenever I plan on rising before the sun to go hiking. That I overcame on Sunday morning what I so easily succumbed to on Saturday afternoon fills me with a sense of pride as I exit I-90 at Van Buren and wind my way around the University of Montana football stadium. My destination? The parking lot below the “M” trailhead. 

Cross sentenced to 24 months in prison

John Lewis “Jack” Cross, a Lake County businessman who plead guilty to wire fraud last year to defrauding over ten people in a Ponzi scheme, was sentenced in federal court on Friday to serve 24 months in prison. Along with his jail term, he will pay over $1.5 million in restitution to the victims. Chief Judge Dana L. Christensen ordered the sentence.

Winter Fest raises money and strong attendance

It’s always good to see the community come together for a good cause. And if you can manage to feed over 100 folks, well, then it’s doubly good.

Resistant wheat variety fights orange blossom wheat midges

LAKE COUNTY LEADER

USDA expands insurance options for farmers transitioning to certified organic agriculture

LAKE COUNTY LEADER

2016 Outlook: Expect lower cattle prices and modest profits

LAKE COUNTY LEADER

Lake County District Court

From the bench of Lake County District Court Judge James A. Manley Feb. 10:

Officers visit students for super hero day

Lake County emergency personnel active last weekend

Lake County fire personnel spent the weekend responding to a series of fire-related calls according to Lake County Sheriff’s incident records.

Downtown businesses decorated with cozy quilts

For scores of participants and quilt admirers, walking down Main Street in Polson this February offers the chance to think about the warm and cuddly memories of life and peer into the textured stories to be told by the fiber artist whose time is memorialized in their colorful and intricate work.

Lake County Justice Court

Anthony Velasco, misdemeanor driving without a valid driver’s license. Fined $200. Costs $35.

MARY ANN SCHMITZ

Mary Ann Schmitz was

Montana bison struck by lightning doing well in Iowa

LAKE COUNTY LEADER

COLUMN: Cling to all hope, you who enter here

Goodbye, Sherri: Ronan Bread Basket founding member ends service after 29 years

Doreen Forth

Born Doreen Ann Bjarko, to Ole and Bernice Bjarko, on April 24, 1940 in the small town of Scobey, Mont. She was the oldest of five children. A dear and loving mother, dependable, kind sister and a devoted friend to many. She was known for her love of people and the stories they carried with them, her determination and indomitable will, her gracious, generous sprit and willingness to help all those she knew. Her life is marked by the incredible legacy of goodwill, laughter and support that she provided to those that she loved. To have received her touch, her giggle or wit was a true gift and the recipient was never the wiser to her personal challenges or triumphs. She had an immeasurable trust in people and sought the very best of their potential. Fairness, honesty, reliability, diligence and kindness were the values that carried her through. Her spark for life is embedded in her stories of skiing on The Big Mountain, summering at the Flathead, working her first job in Seattle, watching her children (2) blossom, delighting in the successes of her brothers (3) and sister, and holding her grandchildren (4) and great grandchild in her arms. Doreen passed into the hands of her trusted Savior on Jan. 9. She was surrounded by family and at peace with the life that she made for herself and her family. She is survived by her first husband and love, Robert Tiernan (Polson), her children Rob and Dawn, four grandchildren and one great grandchild. Her brothers Bill, Doug and Greg will continue to hold the memories of her childhood, along with their predeceased sister Kathy, in their hearts. The family will be celebrating her life on Feb. 20 at 10 a.m. at St. Anne’s Catholic Church (440 E. Elliott Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85234) and an open house reception will follow at 12:30 pm at 811 E. Linda Lane Gilbert, AZ. Please bring your stories with you in memory of her.

Arvid Mostad

Charles Ray “Chuck” Weivoda

Ty Allen McKay

Ty Allen McKay was born on July 10, 1987 in Missoula, and left this world to go on his forever hunt Feb. 11 in Ennis, Mont. due to a ranching accident.

Charles Wayne Mangels

Charles Wayne Mangels, age 65 of Polson, passed away on Feb. 9 after a short battle with an inoperative brain tumor. There will be a memorial service with honor guard, life story, and friend sharing on Feb. 18 at 11 a.m. in the public meeting room at the Miracle of America Museum on Memory Lane. 

Lake County airports awarded $37k in funding

The St. Ignatius Airport will get $30,000 in Montana Department of Transportation air travel gas-tax funding according to Lori Ryan, Public Information Officer for the MDT Aeronautics Board.

How sweet it is: Valley View potluck brings families together

Woods shares need for new county jail

Some suspected felons are released after booking at the Lake County Detention Center because the facility is too small to hold them, according to Lake County Undersheriff Ben Woods.

SKC Bison hosts league tournament Feb. 26-27

The SKC Bison played a home game this past Saturday against Blackfeet Community College. The Bison won that game 112-65. Aquino Brinson led the team in scoring and assists with 25 points and 5 assists and Zack Mills scored 19 points and led the team with 11 rebounds. As a team, the Bison hit 13 3’s and had 26 assists.

Neiss wins state wrestling title

Lake County athletes had an impressive showing at the All-Class State Championships in Billings this past weekend. Ronan’s Jared Neiss was the highest placing wrestler in the area, winning the Class BC championship in the 145 weight class. His teammate, Hunter Peterson, came in second in the 113 weight class. At least one athlete from each local team placed, and as a team, the Polson Pirates took second place behind Havre.

Mission Bulldogs end Valley Christian's undefeated season

It hasn’t been the greatest season for the Mission Bulldogs. They lost their first 12 games of the season before defeating Eureka, who is also have a tough season. However, in the last month or so, the Bulldogs have been getting closer and closer to upsetting some of their opponents. That upset finally came on Thursday night – in a big way. Mission took on Valley Christan at home for their senior night. The Eagles are having an impressive season, and were undefeated until Thursday night. The Bulldogs had previously lost to Valley by over 20 points. This time, Mission came out fast in their throwback uniforms, and took a three point lead after the first quarter. They proved to the crowd that it wasn’t a fluke in the second quarter when they extended their lead to five going into halftime. Valley couldn’t make up the difference in the third quarter, and in the fourth, Mission help on tight to take the win 59-53. The Bulldogs handed the Eagles their first loss of the season and gained some major momentum going into the district tournament this week.

Ronan Maidens earn bye in first round of districts

Ronan 64 Florence 53

Lake County Leader names new editor

As the new editor of the Lake County Leader, I would like to tell our readership a little bit about myself, and to list a few new goals I have for the paper.

Tribes, St. Joe's Hospital donate land to local Boys and Girls Club

After 18 years of serving the Ronan and Polson communities, the local Boys and Girls Clubs of the Flathead Reservation and Lake County will be making substantial changes. At their annual Great Futures Breakfast held at the KwaTaqNuk resort last Wednesday, representatives applauded the clubs’ accomplishments while announcing news about future expansion plans. 

Cross sentenced to two years in prison for wire fraud

John L. Cross of Polson was sentenced to two years in federal custody after he pleaded guilty to wire fraud in Missoula Federal Court today.

Themed fundraiser highlights local works

One-of-a-kind art pieces, decadent desserts and lively music filled Leon Hall on Saturday evening as the Ninepipe Art Group (NAG) hosted their 15th annual Valentine’s Day Fundraiser. This year’s theme, The Art of Sound, brought in unique donations from local artists all across the Mission Valley.

Over 1,200 students attend Orange Week pep assembly

Last Wednesday 1,200 students gathered in the Ronan Event Center for the first all-school pep assembly in years. Students K-12 were treated to quite the event, thanks to planning by Athletic Director Courtney Fisher, Student Council, Student Council Advisor and teacher Bonnie Eva, and many others. Students from Ronan High School, Ronan Middle School, K. William Harvey Elementary School, and Pablo Elementary School all gathered to support fellow students. 

Wrasslin' time

I’d like to start this column out by telling you a secret. 

Polson boys win cross county clash with Ronan

Ronan 43 Polson 80

Arlee gets back on winning track, TER splits games

Ronan 64 Polson 48

28 wrestlers make state tournament

This past weekend, teams from across the county started their postseason run, all hoping to make the state tournament. Twenty-eight local athletes did just that, including seven who were divisional champs.

Ronan first graders share giant smiles with family at poetry book signing

It did not take long for Ronan students to become inspired this year. 

St. Ignatius City Court

Katreena Morigeau, misdemeanor driving without a valid driver’s license. Fined $15. Costs $35; misdemeanor owner permitting operation of vehicle without liability insurance, first offense. Fined $225, costs $35.

Lake County District Court

Polson graduates congressional nominees for past three years

Athletes of the Week

Carly Hergett

SKC teams over halfway through basketball season

This past weekend, the SKC men’s and women’s basketball teams hosted Chief Dull Knife College at the Joe McDonald gym in Pablo. With their regular seasons over halfway through, both teams have winning records.

Polson students learn how to golf

Thanks to a grant by the Polson Rotary Club, Polson middle school students are learning a life-long sport. Larry Ashcraft of the Rotary Club said that Polson Bay golf course Head Golf Professional Cameron Milton approached the club around this time last year with a proposal to get golf into schools. “We advertise for organizations to come propose a project to us,” he said. The projects have to have something to do with youth in the community. This year, the Rotary Club funded two projects instead of just one – something Ashcraft said they hadn’t done before. Those projects were Milton’s golfing in schools project and the Horticulture barn improvements in Ronan.

Wrestlers start into postseason

Local wrestling teams finished up their regular season this past week and are preparing for the divisional tournaments this week. For Mission/Charlo, Arlee, and Ronan, that tournament will take place in Florence. As of last week, the Ronan team was ranked in the top ten throughout BC teams. Jared Neiss goes into the divisional tournament ranked number one in the state in the 145 weight class and should be well rested after sitting this past week out with an injury. Hunter Peterson is also ranked at state for the Chiefs.

Mission wins first game of the season, Polson wins two more

Arlee 83  St. Regis 23

Arlee drops a game to Plains, Ronan continues streak

Arlee 51 St. Regis 23