Wednesday, January 27
My own private Montana
When Sunday evening arrives and I’ve had a particularly rough weekend––whether I’m feeling a touch threadbare or entirely spent––I hop in the car and drive up the east side of Flathead Lake. Somewhere along Highway 35, past Finley Point and Skidoo Bay, the black asphalt emerges from snow-covered cherry orchards and drops down out of the wooded foothills to run within mere feet of the lake. Three or four wide spots in the road provide access and vistas that go on forever, but my favorite has to be the pullout at mile marker 12. Ten feet down a slippery path from the road, a thin sliver of loose rock fans out from a tangle of downed tree branches and a miniature waterfall waxes and wanes with meltwater runoff.
Escapee caught in wrong place at right time
Helena Pre-Release Center escapee, Dallas Trevor Andrews was arrested for felony escape early Monday after Tribal and Montana Highway Patrol officers found him riding in a car they stopped.
Charlo High School and Middle School honor roll
Community notes
The Mission Valley Christian Academy will provide singing valentines from noon to 4 p.m. throughout the valley Feb. 12. Order forms are available at MVCA, the New Life Christian Center office in Polson or Mission Valley Printing in Ronan.
Adopt a Book at North Lake County Public Library
During the month of February, North Lake County Public Library in Polson is offering its annual Adopt-a-Book program, an opportunity to “adopt” a children’s book and present it to the library’s collection. Community members can purchase a book to honor a special person or event, or to remember a loved one.
Rural District petition essential to positive change
I am writing to express my appreciation of the democratic process in our community. Through grass roots efforts several concerned citizens rallied to request, by petition, that the Polson Rural Fire District make positive changes. The request follows the resignation of over 12 volunteer firefighters from the rural fire district – many of those with the most experience, many of those in officer positions, many of those who responded to most in our department (over several decades). We all hope for a just resolution.
Salvation Army kettle drive a huge success
From the Friday after Thanksgiving to the day before Christmas, volunteers braved the cold and sometimes inclement weather standing in the entryways of Ronan Harvest Foods, Pablo Family Foods, Wal-Mart and Super One Foods to ring the bell for the Salvation Army Kettle Drive. Proceeds from the Kettle Drive go directly to the Helping Hands Fund voucher program, Safe Harbor for lodging, and the Polson Police Department, who write vouchers when the HHF Office is closed. Ninety percent of the funds raised stay in Lake County to help provide food, shelter, gas, utilities, medications, transportation, lodging and meals to the needy. In addition, individuals are helped with more long-term resources.
John Dominic Schlitz, Jr.
On Jan. 17 John Dominic Schritz, Jr., passed away from natural causes. He was born and raised in Berea, Ohio.
William R. Largent
William R. Largent, age 87, passed away in Yuma, Ariz. on Jan. 22. He was born Nov. 2, 1928 in Dixon, Mont. to Roy and Margaret Largent.
Gene Allen Hulford
Gene Allen Hulford, 39, of Polson, passed away Jan. 19 after a long battle with lupus. The family is planning a memorial in the spring.
Online registry tracks sexual, violent offenders
Lake County residents can inform themselves about known sexual and violent criminals in their area thanks to a continually-updated online registry run through the Montana Department of Corrections.
City awarded $750 for GERTIE
The city of Polson got a $750 boost from Tim Lake, owner/partner of Lake Seed Inc. and Joey Hennes, Missoula Branch Relationship Manager for Northwest Farm Credit Services.
Fleming will be tried in District Court
Isaac Fleming will be tried in District Court before Lake County District Judge James A. Manley, according to court documents.
Thursday, January 21
Concussions in sports
Over the last few weeks, I’ve seen a couple pretty nasty collisions on the basketball court.
Dean's List from UM, MSU
The University of Montana and Montana State University have released their Fall 2015 Dean’s List members.
Ronan's Peterson takes second at Rocky Mountain Classic
This past week, wrestling teams started to wind down their regular seasons, preparing for the divisional meets held at the beginning of February.
Owen brothers honored for years of service
Before Polson’s senior night wrestling dual against Columbia Falls on Thursday, coaches Bill and Bob Owen got a little surprise.
Arlee boys continue winning, Mission and Polson girls get second wins of season
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Wednesday, January 20
Suspected child abuser arrested in Ronan
Ronald Melvin Parnell, 32 of Ronan pleaded not guilty to two counts of felony sexual abuse of children and one count of felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs in Lake County court today.
Friday, January 15
Right-handed swinger strikes out at potential Polson liquor store burglary
Polson Police post video surveillance of the botched entry attempt.
Friday weather compromises roadways
Thursday, January 14
Teen might be tried as adult in Lake County
Isaac Fleming, 17 of Ronan might be tried as an adult if a Lake County District Court judge agrees to move his criminal case to district court, according to Lake County Court records. Fleming is accused of four felony charges.
Athletes of the Week
MIKE CORRIGAN
Arlee, Charlo meet Thursday
Ronan 56 Deer Lodge 61
Ronan continues win streak, Polson loses to C. Falls
Mission 21 Florence 66
Local teams compete well at Western Montana Duals
This past weekend, Mission/Charlo and Polson made the short trip to Ronan for the Western Montana Duals. In two tough days of competition, the Polson wrestlers came out on top as a team. On their way to the top, they wrestled against both the Mission/Charlo team and the Ronan team. Against Ronan, Polson just snuck by, winning as a team by only six points. Polson, who had defeated Frenchtown earlier in the week, faced them again in the winner’s bracket, where they once again took care of business. In the championship dual, Polson defeated Hamilton.
MHSA reminds schools of gender equality laws
The Title IX laws are an important part of how the education system works. The laws, which were passed as amendments in 1972, says in part, “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” These laws come into effect often in the school system, and in the 1980’s, a number of female athletes in Montana took it a step further, specifically in athletics. The girls felt they, and others, were being discriminated against due to their sex. In what would be called the Ridgeway Settlement Agreement (RSA), it states that the girls alleged there were “being denied an equal opportunity to participate in extracurricular high school athletics” and that they were “subjected to invidious discrimination in athletes and consequently were deprived of an opportunity to develop to their full educational potential in violation of state and federal law.
Avalanche warning in Swan Range highest in country today
Lake County roadways expected to be dangerous
Officials project roadways and weather to create unpredictable driving conditions throughout Lake County today.
Tuesday, January 12
Bertha Anne Birdie Raz
Bertha Anne “Birdie” Raze, 80, of Polson, passed away Dec. 15, 2015, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.
Ruby A. Hamilton
Ruby A. Hamilton passed away on Dec. 31 in Ronan. Born Oct. 29, 1928 in Villa, Wash., she married David Hamilton and they spent more than 50 years together, traveling the world as they moved to Japan, England and throughout the US with his military career. Settling in St. Ignatius in 1979, they were both active in the Christian Church there, and volunteered their time and talents at Pinehaven Christian Children’s Ranch and Kootenai Christian Camp.
Friday, January 8
Weekend forecast looks good for weather watchers
Serious weather-related activity appears to be forecast as minimal for this weekend, since low chances of snow and other precipitation are expected according to the National Weather Service in Missoula.
Light snow will make for difficult travel this morning
Thursday, January 7
Wrestlers start back up at Mission Mountain Classic
Local wrestling teams got started in the new year on Saturday. Polson traveled to Dillon, and Ronan, Mission/Charlo and Arlee competed at Mission/Charlo’s Mission Mountain Classic.
Ronan hosts second annual throwback night
On Monday night, Ronan hosted their second annual throwback night at the boys’ basketball game against Loyola. The game was played in the old Ronan gym, both teams wore old jerseys, and fans got in for a dollar if they wore throwback gear. Even the music followed the throwback trend.
Blue Hawk bound
Ethan Goss-Dickie has had a pretty great wrestling career at St. Ignatius high school. So great, in fact, that he will be continuing that career into college. After he graduates in the spring, Goss-Dickie is headed to Dickinson State University to wrestle.
